Project Nero

***Project Nero*** is an anime-inspired animated crime drama series created by Ryan Nurse and Animatron Studios. First announced in August 2014, it is the official successor to the *Mystery the Hedgehog* franchise: the storyline is based on that of the cancelled *Mystery: The Alliance*, and most of the characters are based on humanized versions of Nurse's Sonic fancharacters. The series also incorporates elements from other projects Nurse has cancelled over the years, most prominently "Vualu".

Set in an alternate world where humans receive powers called "Focuses" when they turn sixteen, the series follows a mercenary named Nero, his apprentice Alexis Moreau, and Nero's various allies across the city of Port Elizabeth. Nurse considers it to be one of his flagship franchises.

## Synopsis

### Setting

Project Nero takes place in an alternate version of Earth, with countries and borders mostly different from their real-world counterparts. The series is mostly set in the country of Vale, which encompasses the eastern parts of United States and Canada, and specifically the city of Port Elizabeth on the Florida Peninsula. Other countries referenced include Britannia, a version of Great Britain that is Nero's home country, and Santa Lupe, a version of Mexico that is Carmen's home country.

At the age of sixteen, almost all humans undergo a ritual during which, through the consumption of a mysterious type of spring water, they unlock a power known as a "Focus". Such powers vary massive between individuals, and have benefited mankind for millennia, allowing a variety of technological advancements. A very rare handful of individuals are allergic to the ritual drink and cannot obtain a Focus; these individuals, along with those who choose not to undergo the ritual, are known as the "Unfocused".

### Storyline

The story starts when fugitive Alexis Moreau arrives at the apartment of sword-wielding mercenary Nero, seeking a safe place to stay. After her parents had been murdered by gangsters, Alexis had taken revenge and murdered dozens of the gangsters at their own hideout; on the run from the law and the remaining gangsters, she seeks Nero's protection. Nero agrees, but only on the condition that she work for him as a fellow mercenary, and introduces her to his various allies. Over the course of the series, the pair carry out various missions while evading the law and battling the gangsters hunting Alexis; at the same time, Alexis finds herself slowly falling in love with Nero.

## Characters

* Nero: The primary protagonist. A sword-wielding mercenary from the island state of Britannia, his Focus is the ability to walk up walls and ceilings. He is a calm, focused individual.
* Alexis Moreau: Nero's protege and the show's female lead. She wields two Glock 18 SMGs, and her Focus is that her speed and strength vastly increase whenever her heart rate exceeds 125bpm. In contrast to Nero, she is violent, unstable, and emotionally fragile.
* Summer Snow: An exotic dancer who acts as Nero's close friend and confidante. Her Focus is the ability to jump twenty feet in the air and land safely.
* Joey "Forza" Frazetti: A mechanic, engineer and exotic car collector who runs his own garage. He provides Nero with cars, gadgets, and various black-market contacts. His Focus is the ability to see through metal objects. He is laid-back, jovial, and somewhat of a ladies' man.
* Melody Montrose: A teenage prodigy and friend of Summer's, who provides Nero with various services such as hacking. She suffers from selective mutism and refuses to talk to almost anyone. She has not unlocked her Focus yet.
* Ren Nishikori: An Asian-American who had both arms amputated at birth due to a defect. He is childhood friends with Forza, who built gadget-laden bionic arms for him. He assists Nero occasionally during missions. His Focus is unknown.
* Carmen Valenzuela: A mercenary from neighbouring Santa Lupe, who battles the various drug cartels tearing the country apart. She and Nero frequently assist each other during missions. Her Focus is time dilation (i.e. "bullet-time").
* Rio Valenzuela: Carmen's brother and fellow mercenary, who assists her in her battles. He is blind in his left eye due to getting hit with shrapnel during a mission once. His Focus is the ability to create "Ice Chips" that can freeze the ground around him.