Searing Sun
From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe
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| Searing Sun | |
| Player: @PrimeSentinel | |
| Origin: | Mutation |
|---|---|
| Archetype: | Blaster |
| Security Level: | 50 |
| Personal Data | |
| Real Name: | Anthony Scaldano |
| Known Aliases: | Tony; Scorchmeister(former) |
| Species: | Human |
| Age: | 17 |
| Height: | 5'8" |
| Weight: | 170 lb |
| Eye Color: | Brown |
| Hair Color: | Brown |
| Biographical Data | |
| Nationality: | United States |
| Occupation: | High School student, Costumed crime fighter |
| Place of Birth: | Talos Island, Paragon City, Rhode Island |
| Base of Operations: | Paragon City, Rhode Island |
| Marital Status: | Single |
| Known Relatives: | Paul Scaldano(father); Janice Scaldano(mother) |
| Known Powers | |
| Pyrokinesis, flight, energy projection | |
| Known Abilities | |
| Some unarmed combat and first aid training | |
| Equipment | |
| None | |
| ' | |
Searing Sun is a hero in Paragon City and a member of The Young Justiciars
Contents |
History
Early Life
Anthony "Tony" Scaldano was your typical Paragon City teenager. Born on Talos Island to an upper middle-class family, he grew up admiring the heroes who defended the city. Having been a young child during the Rikti War, he hadn't known a life without brightly costumed figures flying overhead, or battling criminals on the very same streets he walked to school on every day. In spite of his father--who made no secret of his distaste for what he viewed as lawless vigilantes and freaks of nature--Tony often dreamed of joining the ranks of the city's heroes.
But for the most part, it seemed only that. A dream. An awkward teenager, Tony focused on his studies, living as the archetypical shy geek. He achieved a great deal of academic success, consistently placing on the National Honor Society as well as various other awards. On one level, Tony was proud of his accomplishments. He'd worked hard to get where he was academically, and he had every intention of continuing to do so in the years to come. But at the same time, he felt a...void in his life. Something was missing. A few weeks before his seventeenth birthday, he began to realize what that was.
A Hero?
The day of February 19th had started like any other. Tony had woken up, washed, dressed, and prepared for what seemed like a normal Saturday. As it turned out, it wouldn't be. Though Tony is hesitant to go into detail, what is known for certain is that on that day, he learned that he was not a normal person. He was in fact a mutant, possessing the ability of pyrokinesis, the ability to create and control fire with a thought.
Tony's early attempts to control this power were...less than successful. Fortunately, the damage--and his newly discovered abilities--were easy enough to hide from his parents. Paul Scaldano's dislike of metahumans was well known, and Tony feared his father's reaction.
After several weeks, Tony felt that he had gained control over his powers. He'd discovered that in addition to generating fire, he could manipulate thermal currents, allowing him to fly. During that time, he'd also considered what these powers could mean. After some soul searching, he'd realized that he'd never really given up the dream of becoming a hero. He now had the means to do so. The decision had been made. Tony Scaldano would become a costumed crime fighter.
Starting Out
The decision made, Tony quickly went about seeing it through. Working in secret, he constructed a costume for himself, as well as choosing a name that he thought was clever and made a point: Scorchmeister. Registering with the city, the rookie hero hit the streets, hoping to make a name for himself.
His early attempts were....less than spectacular.
Despite these initial frustrations, Tony kept at it. He'd quickly realized that being a hero meant more than having something to prove. It was a life that required the utmost commitment. He also realized that he'd do well to join a team. On the recommendation of a heroine he'd befriended, Ms Novastar, Tony applied to the Young Justiciars. The first thing they told him was that he needed a new name. Scorchmeister was a rather ridiculous codename, something that Tony agreed with. It was Ms Novastar who came up with the new name he would adopt, and continue to carry to this day. Searing Sun.
His new codename established, Tony was accepted into the ranks of the Young Justiciars.
Young Justiciar
Over the next several months, Tony's life became devoted to his new life. When he wasn't on patrol, he was training. And when he wasn't training, he was studying. During that time, he'd gained new insights into his powers, including the fact that he was essentially a living solar battery. His body absorbed solar energy like a sponge, fueling the fire he created. He also learned that he could directly radiate solar energy, though doing so would leave him physically drained.
In addition to learning, Tony developed as a person. Without the preconceptions associated with his civilian life, he started becoming more confident and outgoing. He developed several strong friendships, most notably with the young heroine Infinite-Girl, as well as continuing his friendship with Ms Novastar and others.
His life seemed to be going well. At home, he continued to keep his extracurricular activities from his parents, though they were suspicious of his comings and goings. While he was never confronted outright, he knew that it was only a matter of time before the truth would come out.
Then, on a September evening, everything changed.
The Attack
September 1st had been a fairly unremarkable day for Searing Sun. He'd patrolled, trained, and prepared for the coming school year. His parents had finally confronted him about his secret. Words were said, Tony making it absolutely clear that he had no intention of giving up his new life. In turn, his father stated that as soon as Tony had graduated high school the following spring, he would no longer be welcome in the Scaldano home.
Obviously, things were tense, Tony avoiding his parents as much as possible, and they him. He was in his bedroom repairing his uniform when his communicator signaled. The message filled his heart with fear. The Clubhouse--headquarters to the Young Justiciars--had been attacked. Dressing quickly, Tony left the house, flying across the city towards Overbrook. Upon arriving, he took in the sight before him. The Clubhouse, a place that had become a second home to him was in flames. Flying into the ruins, he stood in what had been the lobby, flames all around him. Raising his hands, he concentrated, drawing the fire into himself. After several long, agonizing moments, the flames were largely extinguished. Looking around the ruins, he saw several prone bodies. His friends. And then, there was blackness.
Tony awoke several weeks later in the hospital. He learned from the Justiciars' resident scientist--Professor Mellorio--that he had been in a coma all that time. Evidently, when he had absorbed the flames in the Clubhouse, his system had been overwhelmed and shut down in order to recover. His batteries had effectively been overloaded, though at the same time, tempered, stimulating a measure of growth in his abilities and his limits. He had the misfortune to also learn that two of his teammates, Ms Novastar and Violet Volley, as well as the Justiciar Rising Spirit had died in the attack, committed by an alien race known at the Mak'Rul.
After about two weeks of physical therapy, Mellorio cleared Searing Sun for duty, the young hero quickly returning to action. He joined a task force consisting of several Justiciars and Young Justiciars, taking the fight back to the enemy. In the end, the Mak'Rul commander who had ordered the attack on the Clubhouse took his own life and his ship self-destructed. In any event, justice had been served.
The Present
In the months since the Mak'Rul attack, Searing Sun has rededicated himself to the fight against evil. In addition, he had accepted the situation with his parents. His time in the hospital had done little to alter their opposition to his activities. However, all concerned know that little can be done to change the others' opinion. As such, a tense peace has been established in the Scaldano household, Tony knowing that once he graduates high school, he will need to find a new place to live. If anything, that has provided him with more motivation to focus on his studies, so that he will be able to attend college.
In any event, Searing Sun continues to patrol the skies of Paragon City.
Personality
Due to the fact that his pyrokinetic abilities are greatly influenced by his emotions, Searing Sun is a very reserved individual. He makes every attempt to keep his emotions in check, out of fear of causing harm to those around him. As such, he comes off as something of a stiff. This is compounded by his innate shyness from years as a social outcast. Regardless, he is fiercely loyal to his friends and teammates, some of whom he has come to view as family.
