Shutterbug/Modern Honor
From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe
Modern Honor
by Lucy Jones
Not every Hero wears bright colors. Not every Hero has a flashy style. Not every Hero operates in the limelight. Modern Samurai keeps to himself, though he consented to let us into his world for a brief moment. His quiet, reserved manner tells us much about the man he is, and the Hero who serves the City.
Modern Samurai's interest in swords and martial arts was sparked as a child and encouraged by his parents. He still carries the katana his sensei gave him years ago. It first saw combat when the Rikti attacked Detroit, Modern Samurai's hometown.
"I joined a couple of local heroes in defending an Air National Guard base near my home," he said. "Things didn't go as planned, and we got hurt pretty bad. The base was decimated, and the F-16 squadron there was pretty much wiped out."
Though things looked bleak, more Heroes arrived, helping to push back the invaders and heal the wounded. One, Alenia Morlone, offered to continue Modern Samurai's training. She had a unique ability to make things happen, if she concentrated hard enough.
"She called it the Will and the Word, as the Will usually required a spoken Word to release it. I never quite got the straight of it, but somehow her healing of me imparted some of that gift," he notes. "She trained me to use what little skill I had, mostly for self-healing or to re-energize myself." In essence, this allows Modern Samurai to get his "second wind" faster than normal, and provides an extra energy boost as he fights his opponents.
After the defense of the Air National Guard Base, Modern Samurai stayed in Detroit to help rebuild the city. He arrived in Paragon City a few months ago, after hearing how bad the situation with the Rogue Isles was getting. He's been taking his time to get to know the City and its people. Recently, he has been joining other Heroes in the Contested Areas, helping to hold back the waves of Villains from the Rogue Isles. It was on a recent foray into Siren's Call that Modern Samurai had a surprising adventure.
"I walked right into one of the clashes between Longbow and Arachnos, and I decided to jump in. Next thing I know, I'm feeling this massive blow coming into the small of my back - one of Arachnos' lackeys had snuck up behind me and hit me, hard."
After a quick trip to the field hospital and equipment officer to replace his armor, Modern Samurai spent the next few hours tracking down his assailant.
"Every time I'd find him, he'd do the same thing, or distract me while some big brute-type guy pounded on me, or he'd just run. He even got a few more hits on me, like the first one. One time, he was right in front of me and my phone went off at just the wrong time."
"Finally, I manage to corner him, and just as I'm starting in on him he asks, 'Dude...where'd you get that ringtone?' I gotta hand it to the guy...right under my blade and he has the guts to ask where I got my ringtone. Well, in the shock, he managed to get away, again. I decided to call it a night, and I headed towards Pocket D. No sooner do I step off the elevators, when I hear a very familiar voice ask, 'No really...where'd you get it?'"
Modern Samurai continues to patrol the City and the Contested Areas. He currently serves with the Defenders of Paragon. In his scarce spare time he can be found trying out the latest video games, relaxing in his apartment or at Pocket D, or driving Icon's Serge crazy by substituting suits from Men's Warehouse for his custom costume.
And yes, he did share his ringtone.
