Volt week, day 7

“Don’t come any closer…Believe me, if I could control this, I would.”

Name: Andre Beauregard

Alias: Volt

Birthday/Age: July 8, 47

Height/Weight: 5’10”, undefined

Relatives: Claude Beauregard (father), Mercedes Beauregard (mother), Rosa Eaton (caretaker)

Occupation: former magic researcher

Interests: magic theory, psychology, physics

Powers/Equipment: total electrical manipulation

Weaknesses: electricity, water, polarity

Bio: Born in Rouen, Andre Beauregard found himself as the sole heir to a pair of famed, wealthy magic researchers. He realized this quickly, as his parents died in a car accident when he was only three. He was taken to an orphanage, where he was always curious about his own family, instead of socializing with the other children. The Beauregards owned a vast number of books on magic, and Andre absorbed these in his spare time. Being new to the world, he picked out the ones relating to nature, hoping they could answer his questions.

The caretakers became worried over his behavior, dismayed that he didn’t care for his peers, games, or any kind of stereotypical “little kid” activity. Nevertheless, Andre showed great intelligence, and he moved through his education quickly, but not without learning magic on the side. At only ten years old, he inscribed sigils on his palms for a kind of electric magic, and as he grew up, his abilities expanded to the point where he could control bolts of lightning.

He became a magic researcher in his parents’ footsteps and made his way to America for overseas studies. He was known in his field, but as for his community, no one really knew him. He holed himself up in his house most days, focused singularly on his work. He enjoyed documenting the effects of using supernatural forces—in himself he could see slight changes, such as needing less sleep and getting hungry less often.

Things all got sour, then, when his magic wouldn’t shut off one day. He was stuck with electricity coursing though body, giving a slight shock to anything (and anyone) that came near. He hunted for answers in his books, but nothing came; he had discovered “new content” in his line of work, but, by far, it wasn’t anything to celebrate. He became scared of human contact, only becoming more reclusive as the days went on.

Over the years of introspection, seclusion, and further physical changes to the point where he became a glowing silhouette of electricity, Andre couldn’t take it anymore. He caused electrical chaos throughout the country, blacking out towns and ruining power plants. Eventually he found himself in Fort North, and as news of his destruction broke out, so did he catch the eyes of a small villain gang. He joined under the promises that Mike would help develop a way for his power to be controlled, from evidence that Toxin’s suit blocked his electrical attacks. He’s not sure if Mike will hold to her deal, but for now, the fact that a few people enjoy his company is a good enough comfort.

Character History: Andre has come one long way. He first came about while I was moving back in ’05. His powers were originally based on holographic “illusions,” and he was much more yearning for the past, even going so far as to create illusionary copies of the people he once knew (such as his parents). Yeah, he was creepy.

Eventually electricity was tacked on as well, thanks to inspiration from 0010 (from Cyborg 009). He also looked really anime style. Purple hair and everything. What was I thinking?

He actually hasn’t changed much. II is the first story that he’s actually been recycled in (aside from a cameo in Apc7, where he still had the obvious anime influences). I used to be obsessed with him back when I made him, to the point where he was a “mascot” alongside Alterus, so it’s great to have him back, even if it does mean overloading his magic and taking away the illusion aspects.

Next week: a Bostonian mad ecologist!