Rourke

> No, I don't believe it! Why would a lizard want to love a human?
>
> - Rourke doubting Natalie Norcio's love for her nephew Alex whom he "adopted".

**Rourke** is a character who appears in the comic titled *Natalie II* where he serves as the main antagonist, he had captured Natalie's nephew Alex in the ruins of Downpour City to raise him as a son in the underground areas of the city.

## Appearance

It is unknown what Rourke looked like during his time as a human but as a Reptilioid, he appears as a hulking behemoth who towers over all the other Reptilioids that serve under him.

He possesses two big horns, green eyes, and orange skin alongside greyish-purple head armouring.

## History

### Early Life

A bit of Rourke's past life is touched upon within *Natalie II*, it is mentioned by Tilia that he once had a wife and daughter and also worked as a web designer.

They had lived in Howlite City, and Rourke was one of many to be transformed into a Reptilioid by Liza and her gang during their invasion.

### Becoming the Alpha

Those who were changed into Reptilioids retreated to the sewers after Corvus were sent in to exterminate them all, and they all made their way to the underground sections of Downpour City.

After Hydro-Girl's destructive battle with Corvus himself, Rourke was driven by the loss of his family to slowly rise to the top and become the alpha among his reptilian peers. Rourke's beastly frame was due to him killing fellow Reptilioids and feasting on their blood which made him feared.

### Reigning Supreme

Sometime later Rourke had caught notice of Alex, a small boy, trapped under rubble in the ruins of Downpour City. Seeing his as a new chance at having a child to raise, Rourke managed to capture the child and keep him within the lower levels of his compound.

A fellow Reptilioid named Tilia was then assigned to caring for the child, and that he would be transformed into a Reptilioid at age 18. Soon enough, Natalie Norcio was spotted wandering through the ruins and was later knocked out by the vicious Reptilioid bodyguard named Kes.

Natalie was brought before Rourke who instantly realises that she is not from their clan, and has her sent to be interrogated by his right-hand woman Tera. During Natalie's time in the labour sector below, Rourke and Tera have a sludge bath together and talk.

Rourke begins thinking of a reason as to why Natalie has come to them, and Tera suspects that she is here for the human child to which Rourke completely denies. Rourke becomes visibly upset when Tera questions their need for the child, and Rourke explains that he will be the future of their kind.

He also believes that finding the child in the city was a sign, Tera then tells him that if he should kill Natalie if he truly believes she is after Alex. Rourke makes his way to the labour sector in search of Natalie who has just escaped to go and find Alex. Rourke questions two fellow Reptiles, killing one and injuring the other.

Making his way to Tilia's room, Rourke and Tera confront her. After Tilia is beaten down by Kes, she admits that Alex is gone. An enraged Rourke notices instantly smashes Tilia's head into the wall which kills her instantly.

As Natalie and Alex run through the halls, they are stopped when Rourke crashes through a nearby door and attacks Natalie. Their fight is taken outside where they both climb and fight atop a water tower. Alex is kept safe by Natalie's newfound friends below.

At first, Rourke has the upper hand and delivers critical blows to Natalie but she is still able to fight. Natalie then manages to briefly fight back with vicious strength, but Rourke delivers a mean knee to her stomach which causes her to choke up one of her pocket weapons.

Serpe, speaking for the first time, requests to be thrown by his reptilian friends. Agil then tosses Serpe who manages to deliver a headbutt to Rourke which stuns him enough for Natalie to activate her pocket weapon which morphs into a shotgun. Natalie proceeds to shove the shotgun into Rourke's mouth and pulls the trigger.

As Rourke's lifeless body hits the ground with a thud, Natalie makes her way down and embraces Alex as her friends look on.