Kicker Stevens (Earth-628)

History
Seth Stevens was adopted by his first cousins once removed (who lived in Strong Rose, New York) after his parents went missing on a business trip across seas. This left him with a feeling of emptiness growing up, even though his cousins (Anna and Ross Jones) raised him as if they were his own. However by the age of eleven, he started to come to terms with his position, moving on and wanting to make something of himself: do some good for the world. Though, how his parents mysteriously disappeared caused him to have a great fear of flying.

In his early years, Seth showed remarkable ingenuity when it came to technology. His interest led to research of complex mechanisms, to which he loved to replicate on a smaller scale. Whenever he had to chance to take something apart, he would, only to rebuild it better than before. Starting to gain recognition from his teachers, he was placed in advanced classes, but could not take the pressure. As such, he started to decline, so to be placed back down to regular levels where he felt comfortable and normal.

Everything changed by the age of thirteen, Seth started to develop strange levels of strength (especially for his small size). He began to acquire enhanced reflexes and a decent amount of muscle mass. This metamorphosis continued until all aspects of his physiology were higher than that of the average human. During this process, Anna and Ross seemed to be very supportive, yet they told him to keep his developed abilities secret from most others; they feared that they would not understand. Seth understood, subconsciously fearing he was a mutant as their treatment was anything but good. And, Seth already felt different enough from his fellow classmates.

While in PE class, he always toned everything down, so not to be noticed. Sadly, this gave him the appearance of weakness. Though, his toned biology was starting to attract attention. Realizing this, he drew upon his skills from his past, he created a special watch to disguise himself through the use of holograms. The watch allowed him to appear weak and feeble. However, he was bullied because of this: ever taunted by those who felt superior to him. This led to passive-aggressive tenancies at home.

After some time, Anna had a talk with him, sympathizing with him; she had to deal with similar issues during her childhood. Opening up, Anna decided to help Seth learn how to deal with his inner rage. He learned how to meditate and control his emotions quite effectively.

On his fifteenth birthday, Seth wanted to go through with his dream of making a difference. Knowing he has powers that were not common for the average Joe, he decided to take on the mantle of a hero. Every night, after finishing his homework, he would go on patrol; and, if he encountered any criminal activity, he would subdue them until police arrival. After stops his first crime with a swift kick to robber's face, he dubbed himself Kicker. Oddly enough, Anna and Ross were completely supportive of his decisions, so long as he came back before curfew.

His life as a hero took a drastically different direction after the defeat of his first super villain: The Zipper, a character who can use a special zipper-like device to open wormholes. By predicting the pattern of wormhole appearances, Kicker barely defeats such a small time villain. But it was this villain that made Kicker realize he needed major upgrades if he were going to survive. He creates a belt to pair with his watch. This watch utilizes nanotechnology, acting as an upgrade from the hologram-based technology he used before. The watch was reconfigured to act as a wireless receptor to Kicker's home computer to access and store data, while the belt acted as an extension of itself.

Meanwhile at school, Seth was developing feelings for a friend he met in the seventh grade: Tora Watanabe. She was a girl of Japanese descent, and was one of the few people to know his secret. She also kept him up to date on criminal activity occurring in the city. Because of his feelings, he often embarrassed himself in attempts to impress her, but she didn't notice; she was more focused on her school work and one a special alter to notify her of major villain conspiracies.

Over time, Kicker starts to encounter various robotic drones, each stronger than the last. After a while, and multiple injuries, Kicker is fed up with these constant attacks; he wants to know who is behind their construction. Once night, he is struck by yet another droid. He swiftly destroys it but this time collects a portion of it circuitry to analyze. When he returns home, he discovers that the culprit is New Science Corporation (or New Corp). Seth recognizes New Corp, as it is located in the center of Strong Rose. It is the main facility where most science research in the city takes place, rivaling the Strong Foundation which is operated by Tora's father: Mizuko Watanabe. Seth is furious that a corporation would be deliberately attacking him, since he only wishes to help the city. Then he looks at it from a different perspective, a scientific perspective; he reaches an epiphany. As he is superhuman, his genetic material might be highly sought after for research to replicate his natural abilities. He then ponders his previous battles and remembers the drone always striking as if to draw blood. Seth deducts that they were only messengers sent to bring his DNA back to New Corp. Originally, Seth wanted to counter New Corp head on, but decided to infiltrate them from the inside. Seth became an intern.

Now inside New Corp ranks, Seth is introduced to the genetics research wing where he'll be working. He learns much from orientation, including that the three branches under New Corp jurisdiction (biology, chemistry, robotics) are each monitored by the three Directors of Neo Corp, who themselves are under watch by the mysterious benefactor of the company. Seth hypothesizes that it is the benefactor who is most interested by his powers, and is using New Corp to act as a means to acquire information on the inner workings of his physiology. Although, he is not completely sure. Also during orientation, he meets the first Director: Eno. Eno appears as a young businessman, wearing a fine suit, and has a comforting smile on his face all of the time. He appears to be very kind to his employees, always motivating them.

Months later, a drone captures Kicker, instead of attempting to sample blood. He is taken to the underground chemistry, as part of the New Corp basement, where he meets Eno again: this time in a different alias. Eno is still ever optimistic, even while describing all of the horrible experimentation. But during Eno's one-sided discussion, he reveals his entire plan. After a scout drone was sent to secure a blood sample for the New Corp Directors to study, they initially believed that Kicker only possessed a single mutation that granted him his well known enhanced physiology. However, after further specimens were gathered, they noticed a secondary mutation developing. In Kicker's bloodstream, a special hormone was detected: a chemical that acted as further enhancements to his natural capabilities. The substance was called Tonic.

Eno extracted the substance and tested it on various lab rats. Apparently, when introduced to a host of different DNA than Kicker's, the extract would induce various mutations and amplify the primal thoughts of the target. When the extract would leave the mice's systems and the transformation would ware off, they would be left dead from the trauma of the reversion from their mutated forms.

Eno planned to attain a larger, pure sample to work with. And there was no better source to get it from than Kicker himself. During examination, Eno discovers that Tonic is produced in a gland similar to the thyroid, in his chest close to his heart. Utilizing a syringe, Eno stabs Kicker directly in the gland, nearly piercing his heart; he claims the amount that he desired. Continuing his explanation, Eno wishes to synthesize a form of Tonic that does not revert from the resulting mutation, and also wipes the mind of the recipient but does not magnify the primal urges. This form of Tonic would act a weapon that New Corp would distribute to the military.

Though, while Eno was explaining his plans for Tonic, Kicker activated small drone in his belt to undo his shackles and escape. Eno was not too concerned, as he had already attained what he wanted. His fellow Directors on the other hand were furious because Kicker could cause major problems for them with the info Eno had given to him. He was criticized for his recklessness and nonchalance. But after calming down, they took this miscalculation as an opportunity to test how Tonic would naturally affect Kicker in battle. The break they had was used to plot and scheme so to bring this aspect out of him.

Seth decided to cut the hero work for a while, somewhat fearful of his last encounter with Eno. He wanted to focus more on Tora, who was anything but happy about his decision. Luckily, she was intrigued by the info gathered from the confrontation Seth had, or else he would be in big trouble. He and her teamed up to hack New Corp systems and create a link to their computers that could not be detected on the opposing side. This allowed them to access hidden files about New Corp research but they were restricted especially from data on Project Kicker. The other intelligence gathered was just enough though. They discovered various military weapons, both chemical and mechanical, produced by New Corp. Secretly, Tora hacks further and does access Project Kicker and kept the knowledge to herself.

Feeling up to combat yet again, Seth takes on the mantle of Kicker once more. Unbeknownst to him, he was playing right into New Corp's hands as they release an army of Tonic-mutated soldiers on the city. Kicker is having a hard time dealing with each mutate individually, and is overwhelmed many times when attempting to stop a pack of them. The fight gets to become too much to overcome and Kicker is at the horde's mercy. As he approaches near death, Kicker feels this overwhelming pulsation throughout his entire body. It is an extreme pain as if all his muscles were aching at once. It was at this point that he realizes that he is metamorphosing. His skin is bleached white; his hair is also bleached and grows; and his eyes are stained purple for the Tonic. Lastly, his muscles are engorged to hulking levels. The resulting behemoth beats every single mutate mercilessly, ruled only by extincts. He continues this rampage even beyond the defeat of the mutate invasion until he hears Tora's voice calling out his name: his true name. Using all his meditative abilities, Seth calms himself down and the chemical wears away minutes later. Seth cannot determine whether it was his will or the Tonic leaving his system that returns him to his senses. Tora names this savage side Wilderness after its animal-like qualities in behavior.

The Directors watch every moment of Kicker's transformation and some time after. Eno recognizes the name and discover that Seth is Kicker. This makes spying on him far more of a simple task. Another realization of theirs is that after the transformation, Seth is completely healed from all prior injury and his systems are restored to their prime. This attracts the attention of Wot, the Director of New Corp's biology wing, who is in critical physical condition after his many experiments. That is when Wot volunteers to test Kicker next.

Wot attacks Kicker at his school, Strong Rose High, threatening to erase every last student until Kicker reveals himself. He states that through extensive study, he has determined where the famed hero is educated. Seth rushes off and activates his costume, then proceeds to attack the second Director. Wot introduces himself, but there is a dispute over the pronunciation and spelling of his name (revealing Wot's status as the most comical of all major villains at this point even though it is unintentional). Kicker suggests that they move their battle to a less occupied portion of the city, to which Wot agrees to. The decrepit scientist reveals his role as second Director and Kicker questions as to whether Wot is Eno's grandfather. Wot is infuriated, saying that he is only in his thirties: also revealing that he and the other Directors are brothers. The battle ensues, albeit with comedic remarks back and forth, until Wot stabs Kicker in the same place as before when his Tonic was taken. Wot proceeds to mix the extract with other chemicals before injecting the product into himself while Kicker screams out in horror. Wot transforms into the same form as Wilderness, advancing in the destruction of the city.

Kicker chases after him, fearing that such a mindless beast with such power will destroy everything he holds dear. He confronts the creature, trying to calm him. But, it is worse than he expected when the beast reveals himself to be Wot, saying he has been in complete control the entire time due to his evolved brain; he had only been testing his new found powers. He then renamed himself Mega-Wot. Coincidentally, shortly after he renames himself, he starts to exit the transformation. Unlike before, he is not a crippled and unhealthy man as before but due to an incorrect mixture of Tonic, he is left with bleached skin and hair as well as purple eyes. At first horrified, he then cackles, apparently inheriting the same abilities as his nemesis. The looks matter not to him when compared to his previous form. Mega-Wot then flees from the seen with his superhuman agility. (Also, he wears his blond hair in a ponytail.)

Seth returns to an extensively damaged Strong Rose High School. Feeling himself to blame, he makes a direct strike on New Corp, attacking the board room where the Directors are meant to collaborate. Upon entry, he is confronted by Eno accompanied with a mutate and Mega-Wot. Before they commence battle, they are stopped by a young boy, revealing himself to be a twelve year boy named Ether and the third Director; he is also the most feared and intelligent of the three. With no emotion in his speech, he criticizes his brothers for the constant failures. Then, he turns to Kicker congratulating him for his successes over his incompetent brothers. Kicker is still baffled as to why such a boy is to be feared, until he is broken out his daze when Ether says his name. Kicker is confused, asking how he knew his name. Ether only remarked that he was careless with his secret identity, especially with their resources.

Seth asks how a boy of his age is the third Director. Ether responds that it is simple, remarking how he was a child prodigy and ahead of his time. Then, Ether begins to state that his brother Wot attempted many times to usurp his position as the brain, only to lead to his body failing. Mega-Wot looks in contempt at his brother while he says this. Seth then inquires how the boy is the most feared, even with his intellect, as he is still only a child. Ether then says that as the Director of robotics at New Corp, he has access to the most powerful resource on the planet: technology. And with control over his precious tech wing, he has made weapons so fearsome that his brothers have to serve him, lest he unleash his brigade upon the world. Seth is ready to attack the boy, for the boy was far too dangerous to be let free. However, his strike is interrupted as the room goes dark and the mysterious benefactor reveals himself on screen.

The benefactor calls himself Legacy, revealing that he was the one behind every incident involving New Corp. He explains how Seth is the pinnacle of human evolution, and explains how his abilities could provide so much to the world. He then reveals the most detrimental truth Seth had never anticipated: Legacy is actually Seth's father, in a sense. Legacy reveals Seth's origins as a clone of his original form, and Legacy is actually a digital incarnation created from a project of the same name: Project Legacy. His real name is Alexander Stevens, and arranged Seth's adoption with his cousins, creating a fake background in which his mother was actually a mutant and that even if Seth developed mutant abilities that they should love and care for him just the same. Knowing they would, he also said that he had to leave until he was ready to confront about the truth.

Seth was horrified about his false existence, and just when he could not handle anymore, Legacy reveals that Seth is not the only clone but there is many others across the country; Seth is the most prized for his secondary mutation. In addition, the three Directors are replicas of his deceased older brother (Lawrence Webb) at different ages, each representing an aspect of his personality. Eno represents his brother's ever present charisma. Wot represents his continuous struggle to best his brother. Ether represents his underlying arrogance at his accomplishments. Of course, these were only Legacy's twisted interpretations of his brother's prime qualities. It is unknown how his brother's personality truly manifested. Sickened, Seth evacuates the building and activates the self-destruct button, destroying the building. Wanting to stay at New Corp during the explosion, Seth is saved by a newly super-powered Tora who listened to the whole conversation.

After the escape, Tora explains that Seth should not feel any less important or human because he is a clone, but he should embrace it and try to differentiate himself from Legacy. She says that Seth is important to her, starting to cry when Seth wipes the tears from her eyes. Starting to smile, Tora reveals that she too has feelings for Seth when Seth kisses her passionately. They embrace each other, then walk off to a small part near the school. When they get there, Tora asks if Seth will be okay and he replies that he will be now that she's with him. Finally, Seth asks Tora how she acquired superpowers. She admits that she had hacked deeper into New Corps files than she had said prior and used the stolen data to make a stabilized serum called Tonic-2 at an abandoned Strong Foundation lab. When she drank it, she acquired the ability to communicate and control plants, having surrounded herself with a garden all of her life. Seth then replies that he never knew she enjoyed gardening.

Days later, Seth says to Tora that he wishes to find his other clones and find out more about his origins, asking if she would like to join. Tora accepts...

Personality
Seth is rather insecure. He usually keeps to himself when in public. However when around those he trusts, he is highly expressive. He tries to avoid confrontation as much as possible, but will defend himself if he must. Around family, he is looser, like he would be around he friends but in a more natural tone. As Kicker, he is extremely arrogant when fighting the average criminal. When confronted with a minor super-villain, he still roughly demonstrates a sense of arrogance but at a toned down level. When handling a serious threat, he is calm and collect, trying to figure out a solution to the issue without inflicted harm on those surrounding. When dealing with bystanders, he is very friendly, even making small talk during rescues to reassure the confidence of that who he is saving.

Powers
Kicker's primary mutation is superhuman physiology. This means that all natural aspects of a human being are enhanced for him far beyond average levels. However, he is still weaker when compared to the likes of Captain America. He has enhanced reflexes which aid in avoiding highly damaging attacks from foes and also has enhanced senses to complement these reflexes. His high stamina helps maintain strength in prolonged battles when not given any other options, and possesses decent a decent running speed. Kicker has also demonstrated limited regenerative abilities.

Kicker's secondary mutation is a specialized gland which produces Tonic, a bio-enhancer that augments the natural characteristics of his physiology depending on the amount released, and mutates other organisms with varying results. Tonic is released into the blood stream during times of stress. When a small amount is released, it acts as a relaxer and minor strength enhancer, giving Kicker an arrogant attitude in combat. When under the influence of an elevated amount of Tonic, his skin is bleached; his hair is also bleached and lengthened; and his eyes become purple. And, if enough Tonic is released, Kicker's muscles are engorged and enlarge to hulking levels. If too much Tonic is released, the feral aspects of Kicker's mind are also augmented, making it hard to control his instincts but possible. By utilizing meditative techniques learned from Anna, Kicker can control this transformation. When under control, Kicker can control the flow of Tonic, and resembles a leaner version of his behemoth form.

Weaknesses
Kicker can be overwhelmed by someone stronger than him, and is not invincible. He can suffer traumas any human can as long as it is relative to his advanced level. Also if he is knocked out, he cannot induce the transformation into Wilderness, consciously or otherwise. In addition, if stored Tonic is drained from the Tonic Gland, he cannot transform at all. The gland needs time to replenish the forcefully extracted chemical. On the reverse, Kicker has a difficult time controlling Wilderness due to its nature as a primal creature; it cannot be reasoned with on an intellectual level but it can be calmed on an emotional level.

Equipment

 * Techno-Watch: Seth originally used a prototype watch incorporating hologram technology to disguise himself. But, upgraded to nanotechnology when he had enough resources to construct them. This new watch acted as a receiver to his home computer, which in itself utilized AI technology, and a controller for his earpiece and Techno-Belt. It is composed of nanobots.
 * Earpiece: Kicker can communicate using his earpiece, which is linked to his Techno-Watch and cell phone. It can also access the radio to investigate any crime occurring in Strong Rose.
 * Techno-Belt: A belt composed of nanobots, the Techno-Belt acts as an instant costume as well as various other tools at Kicker's disposal. While in his Wilderness form, the belt communicates with the Techno-Watch to reconfigure into a restraining suit to limit Wilderness's rampage to a degree.