Alano Cruz

## Absorber

> "Amalgam Burst!"
>
>

**Alano Leon M. Cruz**, codenamed **Absorber**, is the main protagonist of the soon-to-exist *AMALGAM GUARD* video game and comic book series.

Only one year into his superhero career, Alano has already made a name for himself as Absorber, a member of the New Dawn Guardians. His mastery of the power, Recipience, may have a lot of room for improvement, but at his current skill level, he is still able to take on even the most formidable foes. Alano strives to be the kind of superhero people can look up to, although his primary goals are to unravel the mystery of Recipience and earn enough cash to support his family.

Now officially Tier 3 in the N.D.G. Ranking system, he has to continue his efforts working under the N.D.G. Public Safety Department, meeting new friends and foes along the way. Realizing that the world of heroism is not all black and white, he must navigate through the complex politics and the morally gray areas of his work, all while apprehending the dangerous Metaterrorists who constantly disrupt the peace of Blue Valley City and beyond.

## Appearance

Alano Cruz appears to be an average-height ectomorph with slightly tanned skin & a firm and lean body build. For his civilian outfit, Alano wears a plethora of different jackets and hoodies according to the weather. He is seen usually wearing light skateboard armor while outside. His most worn outfit is a red jacket with a white t-shirt with a printed double helix labeled ‘DNA’.

## Personality

Alano Cruz is a multifaceted individual with a complex personality that is both idealistic and pacifistic. He can appear annoying and nosy at first, but as people get to know him, they'll find him to be humorous and introspective. He is deeply passionate about his interests in music, video games, and science, and can become talkative and animated when discussing these topics.

Despite his talkative tendencies, Alano is usually quiet and introspective when he's by himself, and often takes time to reflect on his thoughts and emotions. He is deeply analytical and introspective and can be quite perceptive in understanding the motivations of others.

Alano's strongest attributes include his quick thinking and aggressively powerful willingness to help others. He is aware of the harsh facts of the world, though, and is not hesitant to take severe actions when necessary. He's so unhesitant, he would literally jump in front of someone to take a bullet. Driven by his desire to protect people, he approaches every situation with a focus on saving lives, using his skills to diffuse conflicts and outmaneuver opponents without resorting to excessive violence. His methods do not align with a lot of fellow N.D.G. Public Safety Officers, but his unpredictability and drive to deal with threats are the traits that make him so effective as a superhero.

Alano's tendency to become talkative when he is excited or terrified is one of his distinguishing characteristics. This might be endearing to some, while being overbearing to others. He tends to swear frequently, even when he's on-duty, which can appear immature, disrespectful, or even unprofessional towards those around him. Regardless, Alano's empathy and genuine concern for others make him a valuable friend and ally to those who take the time to get to know him.

Alano has a strong interest in the world around him, in addition to music, video games, and science. He is continuously pursuing knowledge and enjoys engaging in intellectual endeavors. This curiosity extends to learning about different cultures, history, and even the supernatural (Aliens, especially).

Alano has a natural desire to assist people and has developed a great sense of empathy. He can easily put himself in the shoes of another person and comprehend their challenges and feelings. As a result, he is regarded as a trustworthy confidant and a source of guidance and support. He sincerely cares about the well-being of people and will go out of his way to help.

His ignorance and inexperience can cause him to make rash decisions or place himself in dangerous circumstances. However, he grows wiser because of his experiences. Alano's self-centered tendencies can sometimes clash with his strong sense of empathy. He can become so focused on his own interests and emotions that he fails to recognize the needs and feelings of those around him. However, he is aware of this flaw and actively works to overcome it, often seeking feedback from others to improve his understanding of their perspectives.

Despite this challenge, Alano's desire to assist others remains a driving force in his life. He understands that his experiences and perspectives may differ from those of others, but he is committed to learning and growing as a person to better understand and support those around him. He has a strong sense of justice and is driven by a desire to make the world a better place, even when all odds are against him.

## Attributes

### Power/s

Recipience**:** This power allows him to absorb virtually any form of energy and accumulate it inside his body. The energy he absorbs converts into *Amalgamated Energy,* and it's used for offensive and defensive purposes. The most powerful trait of Recipience is its capability to absorb or replicate raw forms of other powers, allowing Alano to mimic other potents' powers at certain conditions. Recipience is a proxy to an ethereal plane of existence known as the 'Ability Codex', which is an incomprehensibly large tesseract-like realm that contains uncountable prints of the raw forms of power. It's speculated that Recipience holds the key to The Nexus.

Traits of this superpower include:

* The Ability Codex: The most fundamental aspect of Alano’s ability. Recipience features an evolving library or database of archived and gained abilities, and that library is linked to a mysterious god-level entity that functions as the source of all potent abilities, called “The Nexus”. Alano can consciously access that metaphysical library to recall and reuse certain powers that have been previously replicated from other fellow potents.
	+ **Evolving Power Replication:** Alano inherits the ability to replicate and gain other potents’ powers through direct physical contact.
* Amalgam Siphon: Alano can absorb or “suck up” materials or any form of kinetic energy to siphon various forms of raw essence into his biological system. This allows him to heal his wounds faster and adds an extra boost to his stamina. He can also use the extra energy to increase the effectiveness of his attacks.
* **Bond Empowerment:** The more he increases his bond with the original user of a power he archived, the stronger its usability/capability is.

* **Superhuman Strength:** Alano's physical strength is greatly enhanced beyond that of a regular human. He can lift weight that would be impossible for an unenhanced person to even budge, ranging from 10 to 30 tons. His physical blows are powerful enough to shatter concrete and metal.
* **Superhuman Durability:** Alano's body can endure a great deal of punishment without sustaining serious injury. He can withstand blows from powerful opponents, and even if he is injured, his healing rate is faster than that of a normal human.
* **Superhuman Speed:** Alano's enhanced reflexes and agility allow him to move at incredible speeds, both in terms of running and fighting. He can dodge bullets at point-blank range and react to attacks with lightning-fast speed.
* **Enhanced Senses:** Alano's senses are heightened beyond those of a normal human. He has enhanced vision, hearing, and smell, allowing him to detect things that others would not be able to.
* **Regeneration:** Alano has the ability to heal quickly from injuries that would be fatal to a normal human. He can regrow lost limbs and organs, and even heal from injuries that would otherwise leave permanent scars.
* **Superhuman Endurance:** Alano's stamina is greatly enhanced, allowing him to perform rigorous physical activities for extended periods without getting tired.
* **Resistance to Toxins and Diseases:** Alano's enhanced physiology makes him more resistant to poisons and illnesses than a normal human, allowing him to fight on even in the face of deadly toxins and viruses.

### Abilities

**Indomitable Will:** Alano possesses an unwavering determination and resilience, allowing him to push through challenging situations and overcome obstacles with unwavering resolve.

**Master Acrobat:** Alano has honed his acrobatic skills, enabling him to perform impressive maneuvers, agile jumps, and graceful movements. His agility and flexibility give him an advantage in combat and traversal.

**Gifted Intellect:** Alano possesses a keen intellect and thirst for knowledge. His analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities help him strategize during combat and unravel complex problems.

### Weaknesses

**Power Suppressants:** Alano is susceptible to the effects of power suppressants, most notably Nolipinephrine. When exposed to these suppressants, his powers may be diminished or rendered ineffective until the suppressant wears out.

**Reckless Behavior:** Alano's impulsive and reckless nature can lead him to make hasty decisions without fully considering the consequences. This behavior puts him and others at risk and may lead to unfavorable outcomes.

**Naivety:** His naivety may cause him to overlook certain dangers or misjudge people's motives. He may also be too idealistic or optimistic, believing that people are inherently good and that he can always find a peaceful solution to any conflict. While this can be a positive trait in some situations, it can also make him vulnerable to exploitation or manipulation by others who are more cunning or deceitful.

**Vacuum/Energy Suppression:** Alano's ability to function as a superhero is reliant on the presence of ambient energy in his surroundings. If he finds himself in an environment with a severe lack of energy sources, such as in a vacuum or an area with heavily suppressed energy, his power may weaken or become ineffective until he can replenish his energy reserves.

**Codependency:** Alano's strength relies on his connection to Recipience, and he may become overly dependent on this connection. If his access to Recipience is disrupted or severed, either temporarily or permanently, he may struggle to function at full capacity or experience a loss of certain abilities.

## Paraphernalia

### Equipment

**Amalgam Blaster:** Alano's Tailored Combat Tool (TCT).

The Amalgam Blaster is a highly versatile Tailored Combat Tool (TCT) manufactured exclusively for Absorber. The weapon materializes from the cuff-like rings around Absorber's wrist, allowing him to summon the weapon whenever he needs it. The Amalgam Blaster only fires Amalgamated Energy, which is a type of energy that Absorber can generate by absorbing different types of energy from his surroundings. The weapon forms around Alano's fingers, acting as a small exoskeleton with a repulsor mounted on the palm of his hand. It is made of specialized matter that is capable of shape alteration, adapting to the situation at hand. Alano is able to use the TCT with two hands, able to dual wield with two Amalgam Blasters on his palms.

Besides its shapeshifting abilities, the Amalgam Blaster is also equipped with a local energy siphon connected to Alano's super-corporeal form, allowing itself to absorb energy from the environment at will, recharging its ammunition and power cells. This makes it a valuable tool in combat situations where ammunition and power are limited.

**Absorber Suit:** Alano's Tailored Combat Uniform (TCU).

* **Jumpsuit:** Alano’s jumpsuit is made of a special lightweight material called Adapta, a fabric composed of fibers designed to withstand extreme pressure and temperatures. The entire suit has been treated with shear-thickening fluids to add resistance against bladed attacks.
* **Pauldrons:** A lightweight yet sturdy component of the costume that protects Alano from stronger attacks that may risk injuring his bones. Each of the shoulder pads protrudes spirals that go around his arms, which function as extensions to protect his arms. These also function to help his arm joints withstand powerful forces.
* **Hood:** A decorative hood, based on the “costume” he wore during his vigilante/initiation days. There are 4 adjustable black antennas on the hood that also function as radio receivers that allow him to communicate with teammates.
* **Mask:** A white fabric mask with a black eye mask pattern is worn underneath the hood to conceal his identity. There is an opening for his mouth and nose, where the respirator is situated over.
* **Respirator:** A multi-functional black respirator/mouth guard with a sleek design. Alano gains protection from hazardous atmospheres, and has an auto-air freshening feature in case the atmosphere contains an aroma too strong for him to handle. Alano was given the option to add an anesthetic/painkiller administering system, but he refused because he didn’t want to take drugs just to be better at his job.
* **Boots:** Alano wears special boots with soles containing special shear-thinning fluid. This provides better shock absorption, lessening the risk of fall-related injury.

### Transportation

**Amalgam Style Parkour:** Absorber combines parkour with the elements of his power, allowing him to travel at fast speeds with the help of Recipience's speed-based technique, Amalgam Burst: Rush. Absorber can keep up with the likes of Hyperdrive, who was surprised by the ingenious use of his power, although Absorber mentioned that his amazingly fast traversal techniques are inspired by video game speedrunning techniques.

**Amalgam Tethers:** Alano can harness the adaptable nature of Recipience to conjure Amalgam Tethers, energy constructs formed from the absorption and manipulation of ambient energy. Using his ability to absorb and channel various forms of energy, Alano can shape the ambient energy into solid strands or tendrils that act as dynamic tethers. Amalgam Tethers can be mentally controlled, allowing Alano to swing, launch himself off surfaces, and traverse the environment with great speed and agility. Amalgam Tethers are capable of supporting Alano's weight and providing stability during swings and jumps. They can be anchored to solid objects, structures, or even in the air, granting Alano the freedom to move in any direction and perform acrobatic maneuvers.

## Trivia

* The creation of this character was inspired by the E3 2016 Announcement for Marvel's Spider-Man.
* Alano likes red velvet donuts.