Marcus Rodrigo

**Marcus Rodrigo** was a bright and enthusiastic student at Marvel Academy, where he excelled in academics and combat training. However, as he delved deeper into the inner workings of the Hero System, he began to notice its many flaws and shortcomings. For one, the Hero System placed too much emphasis on flashy powers and abilities, rather than true heroism and selflessness. Many heroes were more concerned with their public image and fame than actually helping people in need.

Furthermore, the Hero System was rife with corruption and favoritism, with certain heroes receiving better treatment and resources simply because of their popularity or connections.

This led to many deserving heroes being overlooked and underappreciated, while others coasted by on their reputation alone. After much soul-searching and contemplation, Marcus decided to drop out of Marvel Academy and forge his own path as a vigilante.

He created the alter ego **Midnighter**, a no-nonsense crime fighter who operated outside the confines of the Hero System. Midnighter dedicated himself to protecting the innocent and upholding justice, regardless of the consequences or public opinion.

## Appearance

### Civilian

While out in his daily life, Marcus usually wears an open button shirt with leaf patterns and jeans with a belt. The shirt is usually short-sleeved and made from lightweight fabric, perfect for the warm weather in his hometown. The leaf patterns on the shirt are inspired by the traditional designs from his Pacific Islander heritage, which he takes pride in.

In addition to his shirt and jeans, Marcus also has tattoos marking his Pacific Islander heritage. These tattoos are usually visible on his arms and chest, showcasing his connection to his culture. To complement his tattoos, he wears a blue bandanna on his head. The bandanna is another nod to his heritage, as it was commonly worn by Pacific Islanders in the past.

Finally, Marcus' locks are dyed blonde, adding a pop of color to his overall look. His locks are also styled in a way that is popular among Pacific Islanders, with some of them twisted into small braids.

### Vigilante Suit

As Midnighter, Marcus takes on a completely different persona in order to fight crime effectively. His protective suit is made of a special material that can withstand most types of physical attacks, including bullets and knives. This allows him to get up close and personal with his enemies without fear of getting hurt. The suit is also equipped with various weapons such as a grappling hook, stun gun, and smoke bombs, which he can use to outsmart his opponents.

The visor of Midnighter's mask is another important part of his gear. It has multiple functions that aid him in his crime-fighting endeavors. Firstly, it provides him with enhanced vision that allows him to see in the dark and through walls. Secondly, it can scan the surrounding area for any potential threats or clues that might be useful in solving a case.

## Personality

Marcus is an individual who strongly opposes the current system deployed by Hero Society. He believes that the endless cycle of imprisonment and escape is too flawed to continue. His belief is rooted in the fact that this cycle leads to more deaths than lives saved. For instance, he points out that the constant battles between heroes and villains often result in collateral damage, which puts innocent civilians at risk. In his view, this is unacceptable and needs to be addressed urgently.

His brutal nature and willingness to kill stem from his conviction that sometimes, extreme measures are necessary to achieve justice. Marcus sees himself as a vigilante, fighting against a corrupt system that has failed to protect the people it was meant to serve. He believes that the heroes have become too complacent and are more concerned with their reputations than with the lives of those they are supposed to save. As a result, he takes matters into his own hands, often resorting to violent methods to achieve his goals.

Despite his controversial methods, Marcus is considered one of crime's biggest enemies. His ability to outsmart heroes and evade capture has made him a force to be reckoned with. He is a symbol of hope for those who have lost faith in the system and is revered by many who see him as a champion for the underdog. However, his actions have also earned him the ire of those who believe that the ends do not justify the means.

## History

Marcus Rodrigo was born in Harlem, New York to a mother of African-American descent and a father who hailed from Hawaii. Growing up, Marcus was always fascinated by the concept of Quirks and how they could be used to make a positive impact on society. He dreamed of using his own Quirk to help people in his hometown of Harlem, as well as those in the rest of New York City.

To achieve this goal, Marcus spent years training under the guidance of his father. His father was a skilled martial artist who taught Marcus how to harness his Quirk and use it in combination with his physical abilities to become a formidable fighter. Together, they worked on developing a fighting style that was both efficient and effective, allowing Marcus to take on even the toughest opponents.

Eventually, Marcus enrolled at Marvel Academy to further hone his skills and learn from some of the best heroes in the world. However, it wasn't long before Marcus began to see the flaws in Hero Society. He witnessed firsthand how heroes were often more concerned with their own fame and glory than with helping those in need. He saw how some heroes would turn a blind eye to the suffering of others, simply because it didn't fit with their own agenda.

It was then that Marcus made the decision to take matters into his own hands. He became a vigilante, adopting the persona of Midnighter. As Midnighter, Marcus patrols the streets of Harlem and New York, using his skills and abilities to protect those who can't protect themselves. He seeks to make a real difference in the lives of the people he encounters, and he's willing to do whatever it takes to achieve that goal.

## Abilities

**Overall Abilities**: As a costumed vigilante, Marcus Rodrigo has dedicated his life to perfecting his combat skills. He has trained extensively in various martial arts, including Muay Thai, Jiu-Jitsu, and Krav Maga, and has become an expert in hand-to-hand combat techniques. His proficiency in these areas has proven to be invaluable in his fight against crime, allowing him to take down even the most skilled opponents with ease. In addition to his combat skills, Marcus is also a high-level athlete. He has honed his physical abilities through intense training regimens, and his strength, speed, and agility are all at peak levels. His athleticism is particularly evident in his acrobatic and gymnastic abilities, which he employs frequently during combat situations. He is able to leap over obstacles, flip through the air, and perform other impressive feats that give him an advantage over his opponent.

One of Marcus's greatest strengths, however, is his ability to think on his feet and adapt to changing circumstances. He is a skilled combat strategist, always analyzing his opponents and looking for weaknesses to exploit. He is able to formulate and execute effective battle plans quickly and efficiently, often turning the tide of a fight in his favor. Overall, Marcus Rodrigo is a force to be reckoned with, and his skills as a hand-to-hand combatant, athlete, and strategist make him one of the most formidable vigilantes in the city.

**Immense Speed**: Marcus possesses exceptional physical abilities that allow him to run and move at incredibly high speeds even without relying on his quirk. His well-trained body is able to generate an immense amount of force which allows him to accelerate quickly and maintain his speed over long distances. However, when Marcus activates his quirk, his already impressive speed gets a significant boost. He becomes a blur of motion, darting around with lightning-fast reflexes, and easily keeping up with cars even at high speeds. He can run at an incredible pace, covering a mile in just a few minutes and leaving everyone else behind. During a full moon, his speed reaches its peak, and he can outrun even the fastest cars with ease, leaving them far behind in seconds.

**Immense Strength**: Marcus is a physically fit individual who engages in regular exercise, allowing him to possess the strength of a normal human male of his age, height, and build. He has previously demonstrated his strength by press lifting twice his body weight, which amounts to an impressive 450 lbs. This is a testament to his dedication to weightlifting, which he routinely practices to maintain his physical prowess.

However, there is more to Marcus than meets the eye. Under the light of the full moon, his quirk comes into play, granting him the ability to lift up to 2 tons. This is a significant increase from his usual strength, allowing him to perform superhuman feats of strength that would be impossible for a normal human being. With this newfound power, Marcus can move heavy objects with ease, making him an asset in situations that require immense strength.

Despite his impressive strength, Marcus is still subject to the limitations of a normal human male. He may experience fatigue and muscle strain if he overexerts himself, and he is still susceptible to injuries if he lifts objects that are too heavy or in an improper manner. However, his dedication to fitness and his ability to harness the power of the full moon make him a formidable force to be reckoned with.

## Quirk

**Lunar Power:** Marcus Rodrigo possesses an unusual power that is linked to the moon's phases. His strength is amplified at night and whenever the moon is visible in the sky. This means that during the day or when he is indoors, his strength is at its normal level. However, as soon as the sun set and the moon rose, his strength begins to increase gradually.

Interestingly, the extent of his strength increase is dependent on the phase of the moon. When the moon is not visible at all during the new moon phase, his strength actually decreased. He found that he was only able to lift around 300 lbs, which was significantly less than his usual strength level. However, this was only temporary as over the next two weeks, his strength would gradually increase as the moon grew larger in the night sky.

When the moon reached its full phase, Marcus can lift an incredible 4000 lbs, or 2 tons. This is his peak strength level and only occurs when the full moon is shining brightly in the sky. He is able to perform incredible feats of strength during this time, easily lifting heavy objects that would be impossible for a normal human being to lift.

However, it is important to note that this power was not without its limitations. Marcus' lunar power is only effective when he was under the light of the moon. If he is in a dark room or in a place where the moonlight can not reach him, his strength will not be amplified. Additionally, his strength increase is gradual and not instantaneous, meaning that he has to be patient and wait for his strength to reach its full potential under the moon's light.