XERIDO — EX-HERO

**Preface:**

Light vs. Dark. Black vs. White. Red vs. Blue. Heroes vs. Villains. Dualities and contrasting labels such as these enable the distinguishing of varying factions which provides ease and a sense of security to those attempting to make sense of a world that is in actuality smeared in areas of grey; nothing is entirely black and white. In the case of this hero turned villain, Xerido, circumstances and events in his time traversing the barren wastes of the lower echelon of society has resulted in his transition into the so-called "Villains" faction of the Frontier.

**Background (Prior to Genesis City):**

War. Thousand of miles from Genesis City, was the war-torn island nation of Pathos. Our hero's story begins amidst the chaos of this distant land. Xerido's mother Xenia (NFH # 5830) frantically grabbed a three year-old Xerido around her arms, with his his baby sister Xerena (NFH # 2066) carefully secured tightly around her back.

A multicolored ape, Ularic (NFH # 8346) paced the room - adorned with a full suit of steel armor. He was decorated in what appeared to be military insignias - several had various shades of bananas, and notably the symbol of a whale. The ape had a contemplative look on his face, saddened - yet seemingly full of conviction. The silence of the room was broken - his pacing ceased.

"There must be another way. We can't possibly leave without you." Xenia pleaded.

"There's nothing else we can do. I've arranged a cargo ship for you to board with the children- someone I trust will be there. You must leave now," Ularic stated with resolve.

Ularic delicately grasped a piece of parchment, with the symbol of a whale, he examined it as if looking at a long lost friend, and placed it in Xenia's trembling hands. He comfortingly grasped her hands - ceasing her shaking; showing her a faint smile as he attempted to console her.

"Show them this symbol, and tell them 'True alpha resides in the hearts of those who seek to find it, but not use it.' Tell them this, and they will let you pass. You must say this entire phrase."

"But what will you do? How will we find you?," Xenia inquired.

With a booming voice, authoritative, yet comforting Ularic replied, "I promise, I will find you. Follow my instructions, and speak to no one else. Give me two weeks."

"Two weeks? Okay. You promised. We will wait until then." Xenia stated, sounding a bit more at ease.

Ularic was a retired war hero, but the events unfolding within the island of Pathos, required him brush off his dusty, yet dependable suit of armour, and stand his ground for his island nation. Xerido and what was left of his fractured family made their way to the cargo ship, his mother followed the exact instructions Ularic had provided, and they eventually made their way to Genesis City. Two weeks had passed since Xenia and Ularic's last contact - but Xerido's father never came.

**Background (Genesis City):**

Xerido, who grew up in the impoverished areas of the Genesis City, idealized heroes such as General Kato, and aspired to someday follow in the footsteps of the revered Hero General. The young up and coming hero who lived with his single mother Xenia (NFH # 5830) and younger sibling, Xerena (NFH # 2066), had just graduated high school and had aspirations to attend at Alpha University; given his financial situation however, he did not have the necessary funds to support this far away dream. The young hero was able to find small work willing to take him - and made just enough to support his mother and sister. Xerido was an active member of the "Gen City Rockers." A breakdancing/bboy crew of like-minded individuals who utilized their Alpha and creative minds in the form of self expression. He became close friends with Flits (NFH # 6825), a fellow b-boy and ape who had the unique upbringing of being raised by cheetahs. The form of self-expression through the utilization of dance gave Xerido and other troubled young apes and bulls alike the ability to express themselves in a non-discriminatory environment; a safe-haven of sorts. Xerido and his crew had their sights set on the 'Red Bull Genesis One' the world's top Bboying (Breakdancing) competition.

**Powers:**

Despite his lack of an upper level education, Xerido was innately gifted with an immense supply of natural Alpha - the force which drives all living things within the entire universe of the Frontier. This level of Alpha was to such an extent that he required the utilization of a mechanical visor which suppressed his powers - beams of destructive alpha would naturally be emitted from his vision if not for this suppressor. Xerido was able to shoot controlled beams of alpha through this device. He also had a customized green earring/earpiece which stored his alpha; this could be likened to a battery which stored his large supply of alpha and could actively be replenished. When the earring was attached to his left ear, the stored alpha was activated, and he was enabled the ability to blink or teleport short distances: at max power he was granted the potential to even teleport others. Activating this ear piece also enhanced his alpha vision - increasing the strength and distance exponentially. It is unknown what would occur if his mechanical visor were to be taken off - it had never been taken off since the day of his birth.

**Ascension:**

Our hero's eventual ascension to the Villain faction, was sparked by the trauma of loss. Xerido had come home from another day of training with the 'Gen City Rockers' Crew. Upon his arrival to his home, the scent of ash, and radiant hue of orange and red filled Xerido's field of vision. An eerie feeling of dread tugged at the heart of our young hero. As he set his gaze upon the humble structure he called home, the roaring plaster of crimson red eclipsed his entire visual field. Screams from within the complex could be made out. Xerido, nearly instinctively, teleported into the house in search for his mother and sister.

He found his sister unconscious, her brown hair scorched - and her face covered with specks of ash. Xerido quickly teleported her outside to safety.

"Xerena, wake up! Where's mom? Xerena!," Xerido pleaded.

It was to no avail his sister would not wake. Xerido quickly called EMS and explained to them the situation.

"There's a fire! My home is on fire! Please send help! The address is 212 Banana Lane, Gen City East," Xerido shouted frantically.

He re-entered his home and continued his search for his mother. He continued to cry out her name, but to his dismay all that returned were the sounds of the scorching flames quickly enveloping everything around him. He noticed a cylindrical shaped device - labeled "BOOMCORP".

Detecting the potential danger, Xerido instantly warped himself outside the home once more, evading the deafening explosion. Again, Xerido blinked himself into the home. This time, he was greeted with horrific red eye that would alter the course of his simple life forever. This eye would continue to live in Xerido's nightmares and lead him down a dark path. What appeared to be an ape (NFH # 6539), stood before Xerido. His fur was covered in the same hue as the flames that surrounded them. He wore a fitted brown and yellow suit, which had the emblem of a whale in the center. The whale looked familair, Xerido had seen it somewhere before, but could not recall where. What stood out most however, was his glowing red eye, expanding and constricting as if it had a mind of it's own - surrounded by oscillating mechanical hardware.

"Who are you?! You did this!" Xerido cried out.

"I am T-6539. Target has been terimanted," said the ape, with a cold, almost completely robotic voice.

Without a second thought, Xerido attempted to strike the mechanical ape with a blue beam of energy emitted from his mechanical visor. The mysterious ape however, was far too agile - dodging each beam of light with ease. T-6539 darted toward Xerido, jabbing him several times to his midsection and face - shattering his jaw. In a last stand effort, Xerido took his green ear piece and swapped it to his left ear. Alpha that had been stored within the device, rejuvenated and flowed through Xerido - visible streaks of pure purple alpha encompassed the hero's body. With newfound confidence, he made another attempt to strike down the attacker, releasing an explosion of continuous blue alpha from his vision. The crimson ape, then emitted a beam of his own - red light exploding from his mechanical eye, the rays of the beam crackled with an audible sound of despair, as it inched it's way closer to Xerido's face. It was no contest. The mechanical ape's crimson energy blast overwhelmed the hero. In a last ditch effort, right as the beam was about to end the young hero's life - he teleported himself to safety outside of the complex. He instantly collapsed from exhaustion.

**Aftermath:**

Xerena never woke from her slumber. Physicians at the Gen City General Hospital informed the distraught brother, that she would remain in a coma indefinitely. Xerido took several months to recover - he had several broken bones, and bruised his ribs which made it difficult to breath, and had required reconstructive surgery of his jaw. Despite his physical injuries however, it was the psychological and mental trauma that affected Xerido the most - leaving a lasting scar in the heart of the young hero.

Xenia's funeral was held with a closed casket. They never found her body. The entire complex was incinerated - leaving nothing left. The forensic investigators assured Xerido however, that there was no way anyone could have survived.

**Path to the Darkside:**

Xerido wanted answers. He needed answers. Why were the first responders so slow in sending aide to him and his family? Who was the mechanical ape that destroyed their home? What is "BOOMCORP"? The young hero who had once prided himself in emulating the mannerisms and ideals of General Kato, had now become cold, calculated, and distant. He viewed the need for more 'Alpha' as a priority. He blamed himself on his inability to defend his family from the attacker.

"If I had more alpha, none of this would have happened." Xerido continuously uttered to himself.

His friends and crew members at 'Gen City Rockers' noticed a distinct change in his style of dance and expression as well. He utilized far less footwork and instead opted for more power moves - he was more aggressive in his approach. Flits (NFH # 6825) attempted to console his friend, but Xerido was distant - he would not open up to anyone.

In his search for the truth, Xerido utilized brute force on both bulls and apes - all inhabitants of Gen City; unyielding in his quest for answers. Xerido eventually found the whereabouts of BOOMCORP, and pledged his allegiance with the ulterior motive of infiltrating this organization. Through his savy and street smarts, Xerido made his way up the ranks of the corporation and was bestowed the role of Manager of Assembly Technicians - under the tutelage of Vice President of Facilities, Captain X (NFH # 8616). Xerido continues his mission for the purpose of unveiling the shroud of mysteries that surround BOOMCORP, accumulating more 'Alpha', and his ultimate goal of revenge on those who destroyed his home and brought pain and suffering to the ones he holds dear - even if that means becoming a Villain himself.

To what extent will Xerido, Ex-Hero, go to achieve his goals? That is the question.

**Relationships**

Xenia (NFH # 5830) - Xerido's mother

https://gallery.nfheroes.io/assets/5830?category=heroes

Xerena (NFH # 2066) - Xerido's little sister

https://gallery.nfheroes.io/assets/2066?category=heroes

Ularic (NFH # 8346) - Xerido's father

https://gallery.nfheroes.io/assets/8346?category=heroes

Flits (NFH # 6825) - Xerido's friend and crew member at 'Gen City Rockers' bboy/breakdance' crew

https://gallery.nfheroes.io/assets/6825?category=heroes

T-6539 (NFH # 6539) - Mysterious mechanical ape who attacked and burned Xerido's home

https://gallery.nfheroes.io/assets/6539?category=heroes

Captain X (NFH # 8616) - Vice President of Facilities, whom Xerido works under at 'BOOMCORP'

https://gallery.nfheroes.io/assets/8616?category=heroes