“Why does that always seem to happen in a fight?”

Occupation: Digger

Height: 5′ 11″ / 180.34 cm

Eyes: Dark brown (almost black)

Hair: Previously black; recently turned silver.

Age: 27

History: Black Steel’s past is a mystery wrapped in an enigma.

When he first met Nytetrayn and Fenix, he was out to get refractors to help out his impoverished village, even if it meant stealing them from other Diggers — effectively making him a Pirate himself, despite his disdain for them. When next they met in The Devil’s Yard, it seemed like he had completely lost his mind. It was during their third meeting at a Christmas gathering aboard Air Pirate Xenos Geist’s airship (with Janine, Celeste, Adam, and Radi along as well) that something seemed to finally click in his head.

Whether that was an improvement was subjective, as he immediately prepared to attack Xenos over a previous encounter. Janine stepped up to defend Geist, and after coming out on the losing end after a few rounds with her, finally relented. He gained her sympathy in no time once she found out his mother had passed away.

The relationship would continue to blossom, first after he helped save her from a rogue Reaverbot centipede outside of town, and again when — after a brief misunderstanding with regards to her modesty — he came seeking courtship with her. Unfortunately, he showed up at the wrong time, as Adam received a distress signal from Archie Island, and Steel was dragged along with the rest of the group to investigate, getting caught up in a battle against the trifecta of Sherman East, Trevor Creed, and MegaMan Magnus. Despite arriving almost completely unprepared, he would play a pivotal role in the battle. Though his attempt to shield Janine from a deadly blast from East did little to protect her (and a lot to harm him), he was nevertheless able to deliver the final blow that would ultimately send East toppling into the cold ocean waters below.

Despite the bad shape he was in when they left the crumbling island, he seemed none the worse for wear a short time later when he came checking in on Janine. There was little time to ponder his miraculous recovery, however, as things took a turn when Nytetrayn was nearly beaten to death by a vengeful Creed. As Nytetrayn’s true origins came to light, Steel reluctantly joined the rest on their journey to Avion, where he discovered his remarkable recovery was due to nanotechnology that had been mending his wounds.

Shortly after, he and Celeste went to submit themselves to treatment to restore their lost memories. While Celeste didn’t go through with it, Steel did, bringing out some terrible memories that once again saw him lashing out until calmed. He recalled an inky black, sword-wielding figure with long, silver hair and a Noh mask devouring his mother before ostensibly killing him.

With a newfound purpose, Steel has been trying to train as much as possible against Avion warriors such as SunFlame and Katrina in order to increase the potency of his nanite healing ability, all so he can exact revenge against the creature that killed him and his mother.

Personality: Often focused and intense, perhaps overly so. A nice enough guy when you get to know him, but cold, aloof, and distrusting to strangers, and is usually afraid of letting anyone else get close for fear of being hurt.

Despite often coming out on the short end of things, he enjoys the rivalry he’s had with Nytetrayn and Fenix, who have earned his respect. He’s not the most sophisticated person, yet nonetheless tends to carry himself to that standard.

Steel possesses some violent tendencies. While he may not normally see violence as his first option, he has a hair trigger reaction he tends towards, as he’s ready to lash out at virtually anyone and anything in striking distance if he find himself caught off-guard or in unfamiliar conditions.

Likes: Warm and sunny days, Janine, tea, Digging, those rare moments when things seem to go right, and sticking himself with pointy objects.

Dislikes: Pirates, Reaverbots, equipment malfunctions, kangaroos, spiders, and any combination thereof.

Shticks: Seems to have a lot of bad luck, particularly with weapons. Is a bit rough around the edges, yet still carries himself almost like some sort of prideful prince, particularly in how he speaks.

Abilities: Steel is a Digger who is adept with most modern weaponry, and has some slight martial arts knowledge, though he’s no master of any of them. He is capable of flying his airship, as well as maintaining/repairing it and his armor and various weapons. However, much of it is patchwork in nature. His nanomachines are capable of repairing damage his body sustains at an increasing rate.

While not exactly a super warrior, Steel is adept with most modern weaponry and good with a sabre. He carries a slight knowledge of martial arts, though no master is he.

He has also used a scanner/visor for helping find hidden entrances, and has an emergency jet propulsion system, though it’s not been seen working.

Weaknesses: In addition to his affection for Janine, he tends to be prone to bouts of misfortune, including pieces of armor falling off and weapons failing to activate at inopportune times. What he lacks in fighting ability, he makes up for with stubbornness and resilience.

Weapons/Attacks: Has been seen using buster arm cannon on left arm, flip-up missile launcher on right shoulder, pair of blade-like claws that extend from left gauntlet (with optional energy enhancement), beam saber, “Impact Fist” rocket punch with retractable wire, and bombs (with detonators).