NAME:
Juan Alejandro Ortega
ALIAS:
Juan Alacrán
Supercilious Spanish Scorpion-boy Student
AGE:
16
GRADE:
Sophomore
HEIGHT:
5’4”
BUILD:
Lean
HOME TOWN:
Miami, Florida
POWERS:
Juan possesses venom glands that generate a mild neurotoxin; on a normal healthy human being, a dosage of the venom is enough to weaken and nauseate. However, it is possible for an allergic reaction to the venom to occur, rendering the venom extremely dangerous to those so affected. Juan also has the ability to both grow and molt exoskeletal spines that are connected to his venom glands, and so can deliver the aforementioned neurotoxin.
In addition, Juan can rapidly recover from dosages of toxins and poisons, as well as all sorts of minor injuries. His general healing of major injuries is also increased, though he may still require medical attention to stabilize his condition. It is theorized he might possess limb regeneration, but this has never been put to the test. Juan has also acquired enhanced leaping ability and a commensurate degree of agility.
APPEARANCE:
Juan has very light brown hair with blonde highlights, blue eyes, and a swarthy complexion. More distinctively, he has permanent spine-like exoskeletal growths at his brow, shoulders, and forearms. These are vestigial, and not connected to his venom glands. Also, Juan’s body glows blue fluorescently in the same manner as scorpions do in the presence of ultraviolet light.
BIO:
Juan “Alacrán” Alejandro Ortega is the son of Dr. Arnoldo Ortega, an entomologist at the University of Miami, and Dr. Yaira Ortega, a chemistry professor also at the University of Miami. While on a sabbatical in rural eastern Bolivia, a trip which included Juan, his older sister Raquel, and his younger brother Josue, Juan was stung by a deadly scorpion. Taken to the nearest settlement, his parents were forced to use equipment and supplies from the primitive clinic and a nearby industrial refinery to develop an experimental restorative antivenin. It saved his life, but turned out to have side effects which have altered his DNA and granted him powers. His parents tapped into their university contacts to seek the best care and most knowledgeable experts. All paths led to Paragon, and Juan’s mother and father have sent him to Westbrook to best manage this change in his life.
Juan himself is gregarious, and often brash or haughty. He has a rebellious wild-child streak, partially as more attention-getting behavior and partially as a result of spending a plurality of his free time on local beaches. He has also embraced the urban subculture, particularly that of Reggaeton, despite the more educated environment provided by his parents. He is an avid swimmer, occasional surfer, and skilled at both traditional and more urban club-influenced Latin dances; all these pursuits have been enhanced by his increased leaping and/or agility.