Red

〈 PLAYER INFO 〉
NAME: Sky
AGE: 21
JOURNAL: skybuns
IM / EMAIL: ten.compasses@gmail.com
PLURK: tenkomi
RETURNING: Yes. Colorman (ballbutt) at the moment, but he's going to idle out of the game.

〈 CHARACTER INFO 〉
CHARACTER NAME: Red
CHARACTER AGE: It is a mystery. But really, it's never stated, but he's likely to be over four decades old.
CANON ORIGIN: Megaman X
CHRONOLOGY: After his death.
CLASS: Vigilante, definitely.
HOUSING: No preference!

BACKGROUND: Series background | Megaman X7 synopsis these links should explain some of the terminology used for this background. The wiki doesn't provide a complete picture of Red's (admittedly brief) appearance in the series, so I'll write it up.

Once, years ago, Red had been a member of Repliforce, a Reploid militia group created by Dr. Cain to aid the Maverick Hunters in reducing Maverick activity, among other things. Unfortunately, Repliforce's existence caused the exact opposite, and eventually, when Mavericks attacked Sky Lagoon, the incident was blamed on Repliforce and the organization was branded Mavericks. This led to the Great Repliforce War, where the Maverick Hunters and Repliforce clashed, and resulted in the Repliforce's almost total wipe out.

Red somehow survived the incident and retired from the organization. What he did in the years after is unknown. However, after the Nightmare Virus incident, X retired from field duty, leaving a huge vacuum of responsibility the Maverick Hunters were not equipped to handle. X was one of the most powerful Hunters in the organization, so him leaving field work opened up opportunities for Mavericks to cause havoc across the world unchecked. In response to that, Red created the vigilante syndicate Red Alert, which was made up of a bunch of ragtag fighters drawn to Red's charisma. They worked to fill the gap X left behind. At some point during its operation, Red finds Axl and adopts him into Red Alert, setting the stage for the events of Megaman X7.

Sigma, who had been revived during the Nightmare Virus incident, gains an interest in Axl's special shapeshifting capabilities. Intent on using Axl to obtain X and Zero's DNA data, he approaches Red and strikes an alliance with him. Sigma shows Red how to use the DNA data Axl collected to power him and other Red Alert members up, which at surprises and pleases Red. But unbeknownst to Red, Sigma and the power warped his subordinates so that they became violent, rampaging Mavericks. Axl, feeling that Red Alert changed too much, runs away to the Maverick Hunters. At first, Red is accepting of Axl's decision, and thanks Sigma for the help he's provided so far, telling him it's not needed anymore. However, Sigma reveals that he had been using Red Alert and Axl for his own ends, and forces Red to attempt to retrieve Axl so that Sigma can obtain X and Zero's DNA data.

Red challenges the Maverick Hunters into a competition to see who the better Hunters are, releasing the Mavericks the group has captured for this competition. The infected Red Alert members take up areas around the world and cause havoc, forcing the Maverick Hunters, including Axl to chase them down and destroy them. Insert typical 8-stage beat the bosses bull that the Megaman series is known for Once the Red Alert members are taken down, Red Alert's base, the Crimson Palace, is revealed to the Hunters, likely by Red's hand. It's implied that Red wants the Hunters to come to the base for some reason. The Hunters oblige, and after traversing the Palace and destroying its defenses, they encounter Red who had been waiting for them. Red indirectly warns Axl about the "Professor"; the name Red knew Sigma by, and then they battle.

Of course, the battle results in Red's loss, and as he dies the Palace begins self-destructing, as it was set to do so when he died. He tells Axl to leave with Zero, and then is presumably buried under the crumbling debris and killed.

PERSONALITY: The first thing about Red that stands out is the manner in which he carries himself. Red was once part of a militia force organized to help his world's military, the Maverick Hunters, deal with crime and violent persons across the world. As such, he has had military training, knows how to handle various types of weapons, and keeps a calm head in times of crises. This, coupled with a constant vigilance and cautiousness allowed him to survive the Great Repliforce War, and then continue living on for several decades after, until the events of Megaman X7. In a world where Reploids are constantly being produced just to be sent to the battlefield and killed soon after, Red's age is like a badge of honour, showing how skilled a warrior he is. One doesn't get old in a world of constant war and battle without having the prowess and cunning to back it up.

Of course, that means that Red is rather confident and prideful of his skill and power. So much so, that when he was forced to retrieve Axl for Sigma's evil intentions, he chose to do so by directly challenging the Maverick Hunters in a competition. However, he doesn't let this pride hinder him in missions or improving himself. When given methods and ideas to further improve himself, he'll take to it quickly, so long as said idea isn't obviously bad news. This is one of the reasons why he accepts Sigma's idea to use DNA data Axl collects as a power up. From an outsider's point of view, the whole deal reeks to high heaven of suspiciousness. However, Sigma had taken the time to get to know Red and appear as a reliable ally to the man. And when it came time to put his plan into action, he had subtly suggested the idea to Red, so that as cautious as Red was, it slipped under his radar. Red, despite the confidence in his power and ability, is a man who continues to seek more power. Combined with his vigilance, it means that he'll take any opportunity to increase his strength so long as the risk is low.

But all this power was meant to be used for the good of all. One major trait that he passed down to his former charge, Axl, was a strong sense of justice. Red had created Red Alert, the vigilante syndicate, in an effort to plug up the hole X left behind when he retired from field duty. This was not a bid for money, or political power or any of that sort. Rather, Red had wanted to destroy Mavericks to protect the world from their violent destructive powers. Though the same probably couldn't be said for all members of Red Alert, their goals were the same, hence the creation of the vigilante syndicate. And it was with integrity that he led the group, so that while they engaged in somewhat shadier operations, they never once attacked an innocent person (until Sigma came around and ruined everything like he always does. Asshole.)

It's that very same passion for justice that causes Red to dislike the Maverick Hunters. Obviously, to do the best job at cleaning out Mavericks, having access and permissions like the Maverick Hunters do would be a great boon to him. However, as mentioned in his history, Red was once a member of the now defunct Repliforce. Repliforce had been created to help the Maverick Hunters, but its existence had done the exact opposite; somehow causing a rise in Maverick incidents. The world government eventually decided that the Repliforce was a useless existence, so when the Sky Lagoon was attacked and Repliforce implicated in the incident, instead of thoroughly investigating the situation, the government and the Maverick Hunters jumped to the conclusion that the Repliforce were Mavericks, and accordingly eliminated the organization. Red, having seen the whole incident with his own eyes, grew to dislike the corruption evident in the government, and the way the Maverick Hunters were at said government's beck and call, like obedient little dogs without a mind. It was likely then that he decided not to associate with the Maverick Hunters, instead choosing to strike out on his own and do what he could himself.

Extending on that, it means, in general, Red doesn't have much fondness for governments or positions of authority. To him, such organizations are bound to be rife with corruption, greediness and general short-sightedness that is likely to cause another incident like the Great Repliforce War again. He is unlikely to listen to authority when demanded to, and so long as the end result is good for the majority, he'll find the most infuriating way to defy them when possible. Of course, he doesn't let his dislike and stubbornness interfere with protecting the public mass. If the authority figures are right in the best way to protect the people, then he will begrudgingly agree and do as asked. Doesn't mean he has to like it, though.

As you would expect from someone who believes in justice and protecting the weak, Red cares for his comrades. He is more than aware that for this line of business, the mortality rate is high, so he doesn't let himself get attached to them, but as a leader, he is stern and understanding, always listening to his comrades and helping them out where he can. He is not a ruthless leader -- it has been said that Red Alert was created by those who were drawn to Red's charisma -- he is an intelligent and effective leader. His caring extends especially towards children. They are innocent beings, devoid of sin, and should be protected the best they can be. And his idea of protection can range from actually, physically and mentally protecting them from harm to training them to protect themselves and believe in justice and protecting others if they have potential, like he did with Axl.

Speaking of Axl, Red shares a very familial bond with the younger Reploid. Red was the one who discovered Axl and took him in after the young shapeshifter lost his entire memory of the past. Seeing the potential in Axl, he raised the Reploid to become a deadly, effective fighter that made full use of his ability. He also imparted a strong sense of justice on Axl, and it is that sense of justice that eventually drives Axl to desert the group when they become corrupt by Sigma's influence. And even though Axl had been in integral part of the group's operations, Red had been more than willing to let the younger Reploid go. Red cares for Axl's well-being, not his powers. In a way, it could be said that Red is much like Axl's dad, for all that that word means to Reploids, who aren't created to be put in family units.

Red's relationship to other Hunters like X and Zero is more of a mixed bag. On one hand, he likely admires their strength and determination to continue fighting war after war without stop (and this is why he gets rather testy with X during the events of X7. X had faltered and wound up retiring, and in Red's eyes, that wasn't helping anyone). On the other hand, though, the Hunters were like government dogs, and with the amount of power they wielded, they should have been thinking more carefully about their actions and its consequences. In the end, though he may disagree with the way the Hunters handle incidents, he has the highest respect for X and Zero, the oldest, yet most powerful Reploids around.

POWER:
Reploid physiology: Red is an advanced robot known as a Reploid. Reploids are free-willed and capable of making any choice they like, unrestrained by programming. Reploids are also much stronger and more durable than humans, with even non-combat Reploids being capable of kicking down a steel door. As a Reploid, Red does not suffer from biological disease and illness, isn't affected by poisons, and doesn't need to eat. He can sleep or connect to a power source to recharge as needed. He is not susceptible to mind control or psychic attacks, but is susceptible to programming/hacking based attacks, EMP-like attacks and viruses. The attackers would have to be more advanced than him to break his firewalls or get past EMP defenses, but any attacks made in such a manner could still stun him temporarily as his systems scramble to purge the intruder.

As a robot, Red is capable of a few extra abilities. He has anti-gravity technology installed, so he is capable of floating in the air endlessly. He is also capable of short distance teleportation, and finally, he can generate doppelgangers that are solid enough to cause damage when they attack others.

His major weakness as a robot are powerful bursts of energy.

Double-sided plasma scythe: In accordance to his Grim Reaper-themed design, Red wields a double-sided plasma scythe. The scythe is capable of generating waves of energy which can be fired off in a direction with a slash of the scythe. It can also work in tandem with Red's systems to generate several energy tornadoes around him.

Shapeshifting: Not an ability native to him in canon. Red will be capable of shapeshifting akin to his former charge, Axl. For this ability to work, Red must know his target's name, appearance and have made physical contact (actual contact with their skin, not just clothing) with them once before. When he shapeshifts into another person, he takes on some of their abilities for the duration that he's shapeshifted. This ability can only last for a few minutes at most, after which he must return to his normal form and 'recharge' the ability. The length of recharge time depends on the power of the person he transformed into. Permissions post is here.

〈 CHARACTER SAMPLES 〉
COMMUNITY POST (VOICE) SAMPLE:
[The feed opens up to the sight of a man covered in bizarre, high tech armor. There's a large scar that starts from the top left of the red plate covering his forehead, and extends over his missing right eye, stopping when it reaches his right cheek. Given his appearance, it's rather obvious that the man isn't human.

There's an amused expression on his face.]

So we're heroes, hm? The government here expects us to fight a war none of us have any business participating them and tries to curry favour by appealing to our inner pride and wishes for glory and fame. Not a bad tactic, if it didn't involve kidnapping us from our own worlds and preventing us from returning.

[Not to mention, he doesn't care much for the title and burden of a hero. He's already seen what happens to those who have to carry that on their shoulders for far too long.]

It's rather arrogant of them to think they have the right to access different worlds and pull people from there to do their bidding. They don't even have respect for the deceased of other worlds.

[Unfortunately, this was the level of self-entitlement and corruption he expected from governments now, so all he does outwardly is frown slightly in disapproval.]

Some of you seem to have fully invested yourself in the welfare of this country, though. What reason would you have to serve a government who has done nothing but take and take from you? Let's hear your reasons.

LOGS POST (PROSE) SAMPLE:
The power of shapeshifting. That was what his files said he had as an ability now. A superpower. How ironic. He had spent the last few months of his life chasing the power that could be offered from the data Axl obtained when he shapeshifted into other Reploids. But what had that brought him in the end? Destruction. Ruin. His comrades in Red Alert getting infected and turning into Mavericks, Axl's desertion, and in the end, his own death.

He had been too careless, too power hungry. He hurt so many people in his foolish bid for power. Power he had wanted to use for the good of all. In the end, there were no safe shortcuts for power, and he should have known that. Did know that, but didn't really understand that. He betrayed the trust of all his subordinates, and his former young charge. He wound up only using Axl for his ability, and didn't care for his feelings about the whole situation.

He once swore to fight for justice -- to fight for the weak and defenseless. Look how low he'd sunk now. Attacking innocent Reploids for power. Pathetic.

He wanted nothing to do with these new powers of his. Shapeshifting was an ability that only brought him trouble in the end. He wanted nothing to do with the power that he used to lust for, that ultimately wound up getting his whole crew killed. And, it just... didn't seem right to claim Axl's ability as his own. This power was never his, and he wasn't about to let that change now. Whoever, or whatever gave him the power had a twisted, sick mind, and he scowled before snapping the folder shut and being the journey towards his new residence.

As he walked through the streets of Heropa, he weaved through the crowds of people, making sure not to come in contact with them. The ability would record forms to shapeshift into if he made contact with them. He would make sure that he could never be tempted into using this power by preventing its usage altogether.

FINAL NOTES: None!