Aleksei Sytsevich

## Personality

Sometimes, people are pretty straightfoward. Aleksei Mikhailovich Sytsevich is one of those straightforward man. He knows what he wants and he takes whatever route is practical enough to get what he wants. He's a simple man with simple needs, yet that makes him reliable in various cases relying brute force or long steady determination. At the same time, he can be pretty charismatic, especially in his native Russian language. Beyond being a man of strength and force, he is a little short-tempered though namely when it comes to his intelligence. When angered, he will often charge and response with outrage. This along with his simple nature makes him an easy target to be outwitted and at the same time, a good candidate to be the hired muscle.

However, he is not without his depths. While his ambitions are simple in regards to financial gain and material possessions, his motivation is more complex, being a result of his poverty along with a desire to provide with his surviving family. Furthermore, he is quite well-aware of his leanings for crime and is open that it was for the purpose of gaining wealth as quick as possible for a man like him. Beyond the desire for wealth, it was for power, all to ensure the protection of his, knowing how cold the world can be. Those who know him describe as having a poet's heart, describing the turbulence of the world. It is often overshadowed by his bellocose nature and his short temper. Nonetheless, while Aleksei may be a simple and straightforward man, that is by no means a bad thing.

## Powers & Abilities

***Rhinoceros-Based Superhuman Physiology (Serum-based)** -* As a combination of basic radioactive treatment and the injection of the first of animal DNA augmention treatments, Aleksei has gained the properties and capabilities similar to a rhinoceros:

* ***Superhuman Strength*:** Aleksei's strength has been augmented extensively, gaining greater musculature from his transformation. While his stance means he is unable to lift things in certain way, he is capable of handling objects up to 75 tons. He is also able to perform "rhino charges" capable of cracking stone and cement while denting steel with little to no harm to himself.

* ***Superhuman Speed:*** Aleksei is able to run faster than any rhinocerus can when approaching a full charge at 60 miles per hour. He is also able to accelerate at faster speeds.

* ***Superhuman Stamina:*** The miscellaneous augments on Aleksei allow him to maintain his speed and endurance for longer periods of time. He is able to go on as long as he possesses the energy though he has more stamina than humans or rhinoceroes

* ***Superhuman Durability:*** He possesses superhuman durability, exceeding even the already very capable rhinocerous epidermis. Beyond allowing him to charge at various buildings or targets with little problems, he is able to shake off most damage from doing so, including from buildings or pieces falling on him. Furthermore, his advanced hide allows him to shake off the rounds of basic handguns, blunt objects or blades. It requires exceptional or even superhuman blows to begin damaging him.

* ***Rhinoceros Features:*** Beyond the hide and structure of rhinos, he possesses the emblematic horns. However, the organic material is much harder and more duable than normal rhino horns. He also is able to digest various grasses and other plantlife that rhinos can eat.

## Tools & Equipment

***"Rhinohide" Pants-*** Trousers synthesized from experimental fibers, they were given to the Rhino partially as a test of the material, but also done at the insistence of public decency.

## History

### From Russia to America

Aleksei Mikhailovich Sytsevich was born in an indeterminate area within Russia. Given the notable lack of information on his background, many speculate that he was one of those lost from the system during the transistion from the USSR back to Russia. The only son between Miriam Sytsevich and an unknown father, Aleksei was considered a bit of an outsider, primarily because of his mother Miriam was not a native Russian. Having no father and his male relatives dying when he was relatively young, Aleksei would grow up quicker to try and become the "man of the house." Unfortunately, while he performed adequately well in physical activities, academic pursuits were not his strong suits. Furthermore, poverty would force him to... less legal methods to supplement the income to support his living family. He became a petty thief early on, but would find work more serving as hired muscle, especially with the rise of crime that came with the decline of the USSR. Despite this though, conditions remained relatively difficult to do so.

Fortune would come calling for Aleksei when an old aquiantance of his used his connections to contact him and to join him over in America. There was a growing presence of Russian crime over in New York City and his muscle would help. With his mother died a few years ago from illness, he felt it was now time for him to leave. Viewing it as a way for easy money, he would take the big decision to go and do so, promising his family he will find his fortune there. He would end up wit becoming a well-known if low level grunt of the growing Russian mafia. He was compared to a work ox, being not too bright yet still strong, enduring and dependable. Give him a simple task and he will do it. Money came in more for him and while he kept his fair share, he did send some to help his family. While there were some times he felt he could make an honest living, he felt a certain satisfication in operating outside the system. An odd form of freedom. However, his years of growing crime would come crashing down with the rise of him. Of the so-called Spider-Man.

### Charging Rhino

The wisecracking webslinger would end up becoming the single biggest threat to the organized crime world of New York City. He moved in unheard ways and was greater than any man. Even his defeats or draws were the results of similar "freaks" such as men with metallic tentacles or power hi-tech tricksters. As such, the crime world needed something to help. Their solution came when the remaining heads not under the infamous Kingpin would meet with an unknown benefactor who created a serum: one that can give men the strength of beasts. And as such, give them the greater muscle and capability to handle Spider-Man. Of course, it was all highly experimental. Out of determination and gutsiness, Aleksei would volunteer. For his courage, he was given the option of choosing which beast he would choose, as long as it was mammal. He chose to become tough. To endure what could be thrown at him and keep charging. To become the Rhino.

## Trivia

* Rhino's unusual gait and position allows him to still be bipedal yet naturally charged forward like a rhino and being able to tear things apart.

* After the death of his mother, he would be primarily guided by his paternal aunt. However, she was rather estranged from her younger brother and did not tell much to Aleksei on him.

* While he was the only son, Aleksei did possess two sisters, one older and one younger. He keeps track of them from time to time, though he has not seen much of them.

* The "Rhinohide" pants were his idea when he brought upon noting if he would be able to fit in normal pants or if they were ripped. Many noted that it was quite the smart idea.

* The serum done to transform Aleksei into Rhino is based off of the accidental transformation properties of the Lizard serum, though modified to be purposeful and to maintain human intelligence.

* Aleksei does not know the identity of the scientist in charge of his transformation though he has been able to name the assistant scientists, Igor and Georgi. The two were former USSR scientists turned freelancers.

* During his preparation to become Rhino, false paperwork was produced to give him the name of "Alex O'Hirn" to identify him and was also given training to speak American English. He adopted the accent from certain characters in films.

* Those who are close to him are surprised to hear how poetic he is. Alexei noted that he grew up listening to the works of Vasily Zhukovsky and Alexander Pushkin, identifiying with the former. His poetry is often on the harshness of life yet the beauty of nature, often being reflective of Romanticism yet also simple.  His poetry is only understood by those who understand Russian.

* Aleksei has undergone some changes since his transformation. One of which is a transition to vegetarianism, which he attributes to his hybrid physiology. Another is abstaining from alcohol, due to concern over potential side effects as well as the potential of causing undesired collateral damage while drunk. He also tends to spend more time over in nature. He notes a slight benefit to the treatment is not having to use the restroom as much.

* His first mission was to try and kidnap astronaut John Jameson, son of Daily Bugle publisher J. Jonah Jameson. The reasons for this was to ransom him against Jameson along with extortion for potential secrets of the American aeronautics program. He would be stopped by Spider-Man exploiting his difficulties in using his powers along with his superior agility and dexterity.