Lodestone

The hero known as Lodestone was a founding member of Alpha Squad and is a current member of the Earth Patrol. He is an avid environmentalist and is not afraid to make enemies in the established order to do what he believes is the right thing. He is haughty and quick to act, often impulsive and has a reputation for being argumentative with his allies. He has honed himself into one of the most powerful metahumans on Earth with his immense power over magnetism- being able to control vast quantities of metal with his mind.

## History

### Early Life

Born Ari Cohen-Einhorn to a human rights lawyer father and civil engineer mother he grew up in Israel where he quickly became aware of the division of his country at a young age. His father's work was protecting palestinians in the legal system which made the family unpopular in their neighbourhood. Eventually the situation got so bad that they were forced to abandon their homes in the middle of the night and moved to stay with relatives in America. It was an experience that Ari wouldn't forget- sticking up for the little guy could cost you everything. But you still have to do it.

His powers began manifesting whilst riding the light rail overwhelmed with the stress of academic responsibilities and anxieties about his future, he felt a pressure in his head and the sensation of the walls closing in. He felt the pressure intensify and begin to release as the train car began to shake with tremendous force. Blood began to pour from his nose and the panels of the walls began curling in, the handrails and seats warping out of shape. As everyone around him began to panic he realised however improbable that this was him. He focused his mind, steeling himself against the pressure and the warm sensation of blood on his face. He made his mind unbending and the train came to a shuddering halt. Thankfully nobody was seriously injured and nobody made the connection between the young man and the accident. Or so it seemed.

Having never been the type to hide things from his parents he revealed to them his status as a metahuman. They were shocked and worried, but they resolved to do the best they could for their son- so when they were approached a few days later by a Stranger claiming he could help their son control his powers they were quick to find out as much as they could about this Atlas Academy.

### Team Champion

Ari and his parents didn't need much persuading after they saw the place for themselves, it seemed here would be the facilities he needed to really control his powers (which had in the meantime warped most of the metal objects in their home).

He elected to join the 'Hero Course' where he was selected for Team Champion. Here he met the friends who would be by his side for the next three years and beyond. Ari was hard to get along with and quick to argue with his team leader's decisions and even with the calls of the Principal. As his control over his power grew so did his confidence and pride. But he had a soft spot, for Psionic Girl, who could see past his boasts and taunts to the boy who knew how high the cost could be for doing the right thing and who chose to do it anyway.

That's not to say things were always perfect, in fact they often fought and would break up and get back together several times over the years.

### Alpha Squad

After graduating Lodestone and Psionic Girl dated long distance, occasionally going to meet each other but always ending in them fighting some supervillain or helping with a natural disaster. Fate just had a funny way of putting more important things in the way of them spending time together. They joined Alpha Squad with their other friends from Atlas but the cracks began to show almost instantly. Lodestone believed they should be more proactive, that they needed a cause, to stand for something more than just being a team of superpowered security guards. Lodestone couldn't lose an argument especially not when he knew he was right and in fact this argument sparked the idea of the Alpha Foundation- but it was the end of the road for Lodestone. He left the group on poor terms and broke up with Serena to pursue a 'new start'

After the death of Psionic Girl, Lodestone disappeared for a while seemingly retiring from heroics.

### Earth Patrol

When Lodestone returned as a hero it was with Wind Warrior and Rain Queen, the other members of the Earth Patrol who made headlines for returning a French ship laden with nuclear waste from Somali waters- where it had intended to dump its cargo- all the way back to France.