Hubert 'Pix' Exley

Codename: Pix
Nickname(s): Pixie, Sprite, Mario, Creeper, Hugh
Age: 21
Race: Metahuman
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Is this a canon?: No.



Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Blue
Gender: Male
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 155lbs
Other Traits: When in his metahuman form his body becomes blocky like a 3D animated computer model; his face consisting of changing emoticons.



Main Power Origins: Mutation

Powers
Pixelation: The ability to transform one's own body into pixels. Hugh is able to change between forms at will. While pixelated his body can be easily torn apart but this does not impede his ability to function. He could be completely flattened and still remain active.

Trauma caused by blunt force is lessened due to each individual pixel dispersing when faced with impact, rather than resisting. As such, Hugh can take a beating with ease. Bladed instruments are rendered inert, as there is no skin to cut or blood to be drawn. In a similar sense, bullets are also an ineffective weapon.

Pixelisation of his internal organs has negated the need for Hugh to breathe. Adverse biological agents (poisons, pathogens, parasites) are denied a place of roost whilst he is pixelated. While in this form the effects of temperature are reduced. Though he is not invisible to sensors that track biological phenomenon, he will register as an anomalous reading.

- Regeneration: His body will automatically reform itself when pixels are knocked out of place. No matter the distance his pixels will undergo the compulsion to gather and reconstruct. If pixels of his body are ever destroyed, he can repair the damage by finding a new source of pixels (e.g. display devices/holograms) and assimilating them. To assimilate pixels he needs proximity contact with the source. Then the pixels will be removed from said source, rendering a screen forever inert unless restored by Hugh.

- Pixelkinesis: Hugh can psionically move the pixels of his body by thought. He may disassemble the matter of his own body to float freely. He could separate limbs and sections of his body to dodge attacks or else completely disassemble to perform simple tasks like sliding under a door. Using this method Pix may levitate himself but the effort required make it unsuitable for sustained flight. If Hugh combines this ability with his regeneration, then he can create an external quantity of pixels to manipulate whilst himself remaining whole bodied.

When separated, the pixels will float freely and can be fashioned into crude replicas of objects (e.g. steps, platforms), though nothing functional (e.g. gun). Their grouped impact is akin to a vase being smashed. Among other uses these external pixels may be used to increase Hugh's size or gum up the inner workings of machinery/irritate the delicate components of electronics.

- Pixel Sense: To successfully use the prior aspect, Hugh has attained a sixth sense for pixels. For a radius of 100m Hugh is aware of the positioning of all pixels in the area. Even when there are millions, this sense gives him a tangible grasp on the particulars without overwhelming.

- Diodes: Every pixel contains diodes which can alter in colour and brightness. This may be utilised to formulate blocky images reminiscent of a television screen, or for purposes of camouflage and illusion. With crafting time Hugh can form decoy bodies of his.

Skills
* Quite knowledgeable in the field of security systems.
* A natural at political theory and constructive debate.
* Tactically sound.
- Knows basic electronics.
- Can drive.

Abilities
- Great multi-tasker.

Physical Weaknesses
- Although his pixelised form absorbs trauma well, Hugh still feels pain from these strikes and may be reluctant to perform a feat for that reason.
- Electricity, EMPs, or similar can render his pixels dud, paralysing him unless he resumes proper form.
- His real body is also the only way he can eat and drink, meaning he can't stay a sprite forever.
- Screens need to be accessible for Hugh to regenerate anything lost, if he turns back without doing so he will sustain damage to his real body that will be permanent.
- While technopaths cannot control his pixels (for they exist as an element, not technology) they can still manipulate the diodes on his pixels (which control colour and brightness).
- While he will always reform, it can take time for Pix to pull himself back together from a complete deconstruction.
- His six sense cannot be used to sense pixels behind thick shielding or past areas of high electrical activity.
- Any injuries sustained in his normal form are permanent.
- Attacks from fire and lasers can reduce his pixelated constitution to slag, and although he can survive being frozen solid, it will render him inert.
- Powerful vacuums can disassemble Pix and possibly trap him in tight spaces where it is difficult to reform.

Mental Weaknesses
- Hugh is often arrogant and feels the need to prove his intellect when challenged, and even at times when not.
- Opinionated and argumentative, Hugh may speak out when wiser people would hold their tongue.
- When plans don't go as they should Pix has proven to be a sore-loser.
- Hugh has genuine trouble admitting fault, especially to those he should apologise to.

Equipment
- Old HIVE communicator.
- Audio visual devices.
- A backpack's worth of external pixels.




Personality
Being clever is all that's really mattered to Hugh. Not book-smart or street-smart, but exercising common sense, lateral thinking, and making predictions through deduction. If he's ever not the smartest you can be sure Pix will be the most dogged or stubborn in trying to convince others of superior credentials. He is given to insult, extended explanations, and interruption.

He plans long-term, has a weather eye for politics, and prefers negotiation to physical confrontation. If it comes to fights he tends to hide behind allies better suited to the role, for fear of pain. He utilises misdirection and bluff to great effect, but can be petulant when one of his lies are called out or plans fail.

He enjoys debate and his arrogance does not blind him to the talents of others. He is most effective in a team. Mistakes have been made in his past, but Pix has never apologised for them. He struggles to admit fault on his own. Additionally he hates his father, despite emulating the man in most things.

Pix is loyal to his friends but has no problems testing that friendship with criticism.

Likes
- A sense of community
- Banter
- Politics and political intrigue
- Explanations/The sound of his own voice
- Deceit

Dislikes
- Video games (just because he's made of pixels doesn't mean he's a gamer/hacker - dammit!)
- Apologising
- Getting knocked around
- Being predicted
- Anarchy

Habits/Hobbies
- When in pixelated form, his facial expressions become a series of emoticons (e.g. (^_^ happy) (0_0 surprised) (T_T sad) ( -﹏- annoyed) (D= wounded) ((⋋▂⋌) angry) ((◣_◢) business mode)).
- Seeks out arguments in Youtube comment sections.



Family Members:
- Darren Exley (Father; congressman)
- Linda Exley (Mother)

Place of Origin:
- Humboldt, California

History
As a child Hugh was under constant pressure from the strong personality of his father. His father wanted him to be correct more than anything, and wouldn't let an errant thought go unchallenged. If his son could not defend a stance, then he'd be made to feel foolish supporting it. This had a profound effect on Hugh's development, preventing him from a chance to just be a stupid kid.

It led him to delinquency. In high school Hugh got involved with gangs who used him for his metahuman abilities. It was through these that he first encountered Kristof and the two became fast friends. They eventually began and promoted their own gang, tired of the more deletarious plans of former bosses.

Pix re-established himself as a logistics man where before he'd only been seen as a combatant. The books, stock, and distribution networks were his main purview. But the runaway train stalled when his father (having known of his extra-curriculars for some time) put his foot down. Crime was fine. Getting caught was not. His son had to earn a respectable living. On paper at least.

Hugh was enrolled in Jump City College and began studying politics, now in his final year. Otherwise he attends a resurgent HIVE academy in instruction of how to be a competent felon. Hugh found himself less and less up to the task of juggling everything in his life. He scrimped on his responsibilities to the Edge Runners and came to disagreement with Kris. Despite the plates wobbling, Pix refuses to paint the picture that he's bitten off more than he can chew. He soldiers on.

A legend returns to the fray