The Fearsome Five
From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe
The Fearsome Five, a band of villains brought together by a common cause, to eliminate Cloud Runner, a hero who has foiled their malicious plans on more than one occasion.
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Smog
Once Smokey Black, a drug producer who owned a chain of toxin-emitting factories around the Rogue Isles and Paragon City. He came to know Cloud Runner well after the sky-flying hero decided to bring the drug lord down. Their first showdown ended with Black being blasted into his smoke stack by Crazy Ace, just when he thought he had gotten the best of Cloud Runner. Smokey's mangled body was recovered by his cronies and brought to a mad bionic scientist. Black is now kept alive by a steam engine, which exspels deadly toxic gas from his fists. After his mechanical resurrection, he became better known as Smog. With his new found power, Smog then found the location of Darrel Klaud's (Cloud Runner's alter ego) parents. Cloud's mother was kidnapped and taken to the Isle's, where he would await The Runner's inevitable arrival. And so the hero ventured to the lawless world of the Isles where he once again faced off against Black. Ultimately, Smog was overcome by The Runner and his army of clouds. Smokey was taken in by the corrupt Rogue Island Police, which would probably mean he would be free in a day or two. After Smog's second failed attempt at eliminating his nemesis, something had to be done. And so The Fearsome Five was born...
Acid
The faceless monster that is now Acid used to be better known as Nick Vilez. The conniving little rat that he was, Nick was on the bottom of the food chain in the Rogue Isles. He struggled to stay alive, selling drugs, but there was no profit to be made. He bought his drugs from the Vario family, some powerful mafioso's. Nick was way behind on his payments and Lenny Vario (leader of the family) was short on his patience. So, Nicky was brought to a warehouse that glowed green. The Vario's tied him upsidedown, above the source of this green glow, a vat of acid. Although Nick pleaded, his life was meaningless the the Vario's, so he was dropped in mercilessly. His bloodcurdling cries echoed throughout the warehouse. They continued, long after he should be dead. Nick's body was risen out, still crying in pain. His face was melted away, his skull dripping with this burning substance. Somehow the acid had fused with Nick's cell structure. The cries of pain turned into a hysterical laughter. The lowlife that was once Nick Vilez was no more. The Vario family was vaporized and Nick became Acid. Acid's hatred for Cloud Runner started when he killed a comrade of The Runner's while on his tour through Paragon. Frostferno attempted to stop Acid's killing spree and wound up melted. Enraged, Cloud Runner went after Acid, and in Perez Park they faced off. In the end Acid got away, weakened and Cloud suffered 3rd degree burns on his arm.
Power Trip
Paul Lorenzo, a cocky, high school dropout, always in search of a rush. He was lucky enough to be born with an energized mutant gene, which alowed him to sap electricity out of any electrical appliance. After discovering this ability he jumped in tights, ready to become a hero. Paul was in it for the wrong reasons and was denied a hero license. So, he went on a rampage through Atlas Park and was chased to the Isles. A few years later he returned to Paragon to make his name known. Steel Canyon was blacked out, all the energy gone to (now nicknamed) Power Trip. His fun was ended by Cloud Runner, which landed him in the Zigg for a few years. In this time he would plot Cloud's demise and later join with Smog in The Fearsome Five.
Evaporation
Small time criminal, gone big time supervillain, Malcome Ray scored the 'sun stone', a magical gem which held the power of the sun. Once getting out of the Ziggursky Correctional Facility and taking back the stone, Malcome once again donned his alias, Evaporation. Malcome was being chased by police in Paragon, where Kid Cloud and Cloud Runner joined the pursuit. Cloud was rended powerless by Eavaporation absorbing the moisture in the area. Kid Cloud then attempted to shatter the sun stone of Malcome's chest, but rather than weakening him, he was empowered. The sun burned out and Evaporation became, pure, blinding energy. It took half the heroes in Paragon to take him down, but he was eventually sent running to the Rogue Islands, where he would join The Fearsome Five.
Dust Devil
Cletus Carter, ranch hand for his father hated his meaningless life. Their small farm lay in the middle of nowhere, Kansas. Just when his life could'nt become anymore dull, he discovered an odd connection with dirt. He was able to manipulate it. Uncontrollably Cletus destroyed his familiy's ranch, enraging his father. Cletus was sent packing, despised by his parents. After taking control of his abilities, Cletus learned to exploit them, taking what he needed to survive. The locals of his town nicknamed him Dust Devil and its stuck ever since. Cletus was eventually caught and went to jail, to bust out and once again be caught. He was then transferred to the Ziggursky Correctional Facility, Paragon City. After a few years behind bars he was set free. Right away Cletus went back to his old ways, robbing banks and museums. When he met Cloud Runner, their faceoff started more as a psychiatry session. Cloud, seeing the desperate kid in Cletus' eyes, but once he mentioned what his parents must think of him the 'desperate kid' leapt at The Runner in a cloud of dust. Blinded by the dirt, Cloud became defenseless and was beaten to a pulp by Dust Devil. Kid Cloud, who was waiting as backup, came to help his mentor. Dust Devil was held, midair by gravity for police to repremand him. Once again Cletus was behind bars, which developed his burning hatred for our savior of the skies.
The Formation of the Five
Upon his release from the Rogue Island Police after his second run in with Cloud Runner, Smog posted his nemesis' face all over the Isles, calling for aid to take out the pest. The first to arrive at one of Smog's factories was Acid, then quickly the others showed. Smokey took the lead and formulated a plan to kidnap Kid Cloud. The Five have been loosly aligned since.
