Difference between revisions of "Bergrox"

Bergrox is a beast of scientific origins, involving the splicing of human genes with those of animals, creating hybrid creatures known as Manimals. Often perceived as monsters, Manimals are the creation of Dr. Moreau from deep within the bowels of the infamously named Monster Island.

As hard as it may be for some to fathom, Bergrox is an extensively trained and qualified martial arts master, and has been granted the title of Shinobi by a reclusive clan of Ninjutsu practitioners within Millennium City. Though hardly the best in applying the stealthy qualities for which the Ninja are legendarily known for, Bergrox's skill as a fighter live up to all the rumors surrounding his title: with the great physical power Manimals possess along with the skill and perfection achieved through years of training amongst his fellow Shinobi, Bergrox is the ultimate balance of strength and agility, deceiving his opponents and taking them down with ease.

Though possessing an extensive set of skills, the most relevant to his work as a superhero include being an expert wrestler and martial artist: a Shidōin (or master) of five of the thirteen disciplines of Ninjutsu (and a shodan, or learned practitioner, of the other eight disciplines), he is extraordinarily proficient in many fields of fighting as he deals with combating the growing threat of villainy within Millennium City and the rest of the world.

Appearance

The most immediate of Bergrox's features is his visage as a Manimal bear. His former human DNA spliced with that of a grizzly bear, Bergrox is a humanoid ursine creature over a foot taller than the average human height, and with a shoulder width and physique that are easily four times that of the largest human bodybuilder or strongman on the planet. His musclebound form is accentuated through the short coat of bristly hair that covers his body: the visible results of a body-training regimen designed to improve dexterity and raw physical capability, and the shaving of his fur coat to improve balance and agility. He has a broad bear-like face and other generally stout features that are associated with innate physical power.

His usual expression is one of inner peace, but outer defiance: he is stalwart and not apt to give in to anyone or anything's demands. Furthermore, due to his animalistic facial arrangement, he is somewhat incapable of displaying emotions in the same manner as humans. Empathy through facial expressions alone is almost impossible in the same way it is to read an animal's mood. Bergrox will often employ gestures to better explain his state of mind, and ensure his audience understands in what context he may be speaking. He is often found to be a quiet and reserved individual, not interested in small talk or casual conversation, but can be quite philosophical when discussing a topic that interests him.

Powers, Attributes and Skills

Though hardly specializing in the stealthy qualities for which most Ninja are renowned for, Bergrox's skill as a fighter are easily verified by his conduct in battle. Bergrox's extensive skills include being an expert wrestler (in both traditional and modern forms) and an expert martial artist: he is a Master of five Ninjutsu disciplines including Taijutsu (unarmed combat), Kenjutsu (sword techniques), Kayakujutsu (pyrotechnics), Shinobi-iri (stealth) and Boryaku (tactics). Bergrox's abilities are further balanced by martial training in other Kenpō (striking) arts, to ensure a broad range of skills that he can draw upon in combat. Though a general expert in Hand-To-Hand combat, his abilities are further supplemented by his capabilities as a Manimal, and his determination to survive.

History

Once just another wild manimal on the ferocious Monster Island, Bergrox's tribe was disbanded by a VIPER attack. Managing to escape death and capture, he lived on his own for a long while, stealing supplies from VIPER, ARGENT and UNTIL bases and outposts. Adopting a more stealthy and reclusive existence in order to survive without a tribe, Bergrox began to invest time in studying some of the incidental items he stole: aside from food, he had captured many reports and books, and for some time attempted to read them. He felt that if humans were able to survive on the island with more effectiveness than the Manimals themselves, much could be learned from them. Gradually, he became more keen as to their methods, but he did not have the determination to go beyond that; he was still very much a Manimal. Eventually, one of his raiding efforts failed, and he was captured by UNTIL. Father Elk suggested that the grizzly Manimal be transferred to the village of New Gornyj, to see if there he might not rehabilitate amongst his fellow kin. Though Bergrox lived in the village for some duration, he did not feel attached to it: he did not feel he was a member of their tribe.

An idea eventually dawned on him: across Monster Island, he had seen many kinds of humans: some wore apparel associated with VIPER and ARGENT, while others wore different attire--yet one singular group of individuals collectively known as "Champions" were individuals of all unique types. There were humans with superpowers, or no powers at all, visitors from other planets, galaxies, different dimensions, beings who controlled anything from the elements that surrounded them, to the very forces that bind reality, and more closely there were often bestial heroes who sometimes looked akin to Manimals, yet wore attire common amongst humans; and were treated and respected as such. Bergrox began to wonder if he too might be able to obtain such a position, for the Champions he witnessed did not seem to all be part of a tribe, yet they worked collectively towards a common goal. Bergrox attempted to talk with UNTIL directly, but was told such a thing would be impossible given the situation on the Island, and abroad; and that there were too many variables needing to be taken care of in order to allow what was essentially considered a wild Manimal into Millennium City: the home of the Champions. Bergrox retreated back to New Gornyj with disappointment.

As he arrived, a raid took place: manimals who disagreed with New Gornyj's peaceful ideals, sent by the infamous Dr. Moreau to destroy those who deviated from a life of servitude. Bergrox did his part in defending the village, and even saved a hero's life when the monstrous creation known as Chimera entered into the fray. When the raiders were repelled and Chimera retreated, the hero who Bergrox had saved stayed to thank him. They spoke, and over several weeks continued to speak, as the hero known as the Mongolian Tiger continued to perform missions on the Island. The two became friends, and Bergrox shared his thoughts on becoming a hero, explaining that to become one would mean freedom from the Island that he had seen as nothing more than a prison since the destruction of his tribe. The day eventually came when the Mongolian Tiger was set to return to Millennium City, and Bergrox found the courage to ask the hero directly if he might not join him. The hero granted the request.

Bergrox was required by UNTIL to be debriefed, and to ensure that he was fully capable of not being a menace to society. For over a month, Bergrox was rigorously tested: experiments branching from the biological and physiological, to the psychological and neurological all took place during the long days spent in pristine laboratories. When the testing was complete, Bergrox was submitted to a rigorous trial of education, to ensure he did not suffer from any form of regression or culture shock upon being let into the city. Another month later, and Bergrox successfully completed all the comprehensive requirements put to him, and he was even rewarded with a General Education Diploma for his success. It was a reward unlike any other; a simple piece of paper certifying his ability to perform basic comprehensive functions, and yet the sense of accomplishment and pleasure he felt was unlike any he had ever felt before in his life. It did nothing but further his desire to be a part of the new world he had been invited to.

As he prepared to set foot on Millennium City's streets, he was mercifully interrupted by a package delivered to him from the Mongolian Tiger. In it was a long note, and a set of white clothes that the note explained was a Shinobi shozoku, as well as asking him to travel to a special dojo within the city. Bergrox was transported there as a final courtesy from UNTIL, and entered into the dimly lit home of a clan of Shinobi; known in more modern terms as Ninja. The Mongolian Tiger explained he wasn't just a hero, he was also one of the ranking elders of the clan Bergrox stood amongst, and asked the grizzly Manimal if he would like to join them, their clan--or as Bergrox interpreted it, their tribe. Bergrox accepted.

For over eleven years, Bergrox trained. The first half of his training consisted of education: learning techniques and form, history and anthropology amongst the shinobi, required for the disciplines he wanted to learn. Being nearly three times as broad as his fellow students, his physical training regimen and teachings involving martial arts were assisted by volunteer Champions. It helped Bergrox, not just by being able to train against challenging opponents, but also because each hero guest shared with him some information about the City, beyond the dojo's walls. As he reached the second half of his training, he and the other students were allowed opportunities to travel abroad, and Bergrox became fascinated by the complexity of outside world, as he traveled to Asia and visited places of cultural significance to the shinobi. He and the others also visited places closer to home, where other martial arts masters would share their wisdom and skills.

A day of graduation eventually came to Bergrox. His skills were sufficient, his knowledge was keen and his broad musclebound form had became too much for the shinobi to continue feeding him. He and the Mongolian Tiger, a close combination of student and master, and even closer friends, parted ways for a time. For over a decade Bergrox had lived in a city he knew little about, and now that he was trained enough to accept it, he wanted to explore it for himself. Though registered with UNTIL's massive database, Bergrox went to the Champions HQ in order to officially sign the American Superhuman and Paranormal Registration Act (ASPRA), in order to register as a superhero. To this end, Bergrox became a formal hero of Millennium City and abroad.

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