Flambae

Flambae originally hailed from Afghanistan before migrating to the United States, where he utilized his pyrokinetic abilities to pursue a career as a high-profile criminal. His series of intentional arsons across the country eventually made him a primary target for the hero Robert Robertson, better known as Mecha Man Blue. Their rivalry culminated in a fierce battle that left Flambae permanently disfigured; during the confrontation, the hero managed to sever the pinky and ring finger of Flambae’s right hand, a lasting reminder of his defeat.

Despite his history as a destructive rogue, Flambae eventually transitioned into a more structured role within the SDN's Phoenix Program. This recruitment led to his placement as a core member of the Z-Team, where his volatile powers were harnessed for the program's specific tactical objectives. This shift from independent arsonist to a state-sanctioned operative marked a new chapter in his history, moving him away from the streets and into the fold of organized metahuman operations.

Appearance: Flambae appears as a tall and fit man with dark brown hair tied into a ponytail, with a single strand of hair dangling across his forehead. He is missing his ring and pinky finger on his right hand (This is due to Robert slicing them off during his time as Mecha Man prior to joining SDN). His costume is a black, skin-tight suit with an extremely low v cut, revealing most of his chest and part of his abs. He has flame motifs around the V cut, hands, and legs.

Personality: True to his name, Flambae possesses a temperament as volatile and destructive as the fire he commands. He is a classic "hot-head," defined by a fragile sense of pride and an intense defensiveness, particularly when his superiority over non-powered humans is questioned. This vanity often drives him to lie or distort the truth to save face after a failure. His pyromania serves as both a hobby and a coping mechanism; he is prone to impulsive acts of arson to relieve stress or retaliate against perceived slights, ranging from burning a dispatcher’s car to igniting an entire suburb after being mocked by his peers.

Beneath this abrasive and dangerous exterior, however, lies a surprisingly straightforward and loyal teammate. Flambae is capable of recognizing when he is wrong and deeply values the "unconditional" nature of his relationships within the Z-Team. While he often masks his concern with insults, he is a protective figure who looks out for the safety of others—such as chiding Robert for dangerous training habits—and is notably the only member of his team who refuses to participate in mutual sabotage. He disdains sugarcoating grim realities, preferring to face difficult truths head-on, proving that despite his flaws, his commitment to his "found family" is genuine.

Flambae possesses the elemental power of pyrokinesis, allowing him to manifest and manipulate fire at will. This ability is not limited to offensive strikes; he utilizes pyro-propulsion to execute massive leaps and achieve sustained flight by channeling jets of flame from his body. His physiology is naturally adapted to these high temperatures, granting him a state of flame invulnerability where his skin remains completely unburned. However, this protection has specific limits regarding his hair; while his own flames typically leave him unscathed, his eyebrows and hair can be singed if they are doused in external accelerants or flammable materials before ignition.

Beyond his elemental control, Flambae exhibits superhuman strength that far surpasses the limits of an average athlete. He is capable of performing casual squats with over 660 pounds (300kg), a feat that significantly outclasses the physical limits of "normal" heroes like Robert. This raw power was on full display during his historical confrontation with Mecha Man Blue, where he was strong enough to knock over the heavy Mecha Man suit and effortlessly hurl massive concrete blocks as projectiles.

His superhuman durability allows him to withstand intense physical trauma, such as taking direct, heavy punches from a mechanized suit with minimal effort. This resilience appears to be tied to the active use of his powers rather than a permanent passive trait. While he is nearly unfazed by high-impact combat when his pyrokinetic energy is flowing, he remains vulnerable to mundane accidents when his guard is down. This was notably demonstrated when he was easily knocked unconscious after slipping and striking his head against a bar, suggesting his invulnerability requires conscious or active engagement to protect him from blunt force trauma.

Relationships: Robert Robertson (Mecha Man Blue): Their history is brutal—Robert literally cut off Flambae’s fingers—but their current dynamic is a complex mix of rivalry and respect. Despite early attempts to kill or humiliate Robert, Flambae now views him as an "integral asset" and a friend, though he refuses to show it without adding a sharp insult.

Prism: Flambae’s absolute "bestie" and closest confidant. The two have perfect combat synergy, and Flambae openly considers their partnership to be "perfection."

The Z-Team (Found Family): While he teases them relentlessly, Flambae considers the team his inner circle. He is the only member who refuses to sabotage the others, and he deeply appreciates the "unconditional" way they forgive his outbursts.

Waterboy: A classic "fire and water" friction. Flambae initially bullied him for his stutter and for throwing away his lunch, but by the end of their mission, the two are comfortable enough to play cards together in their downtime.

Chase: Flambae shows his care through grim honesty. When Chase is hospitalized, Flambae is the only one willing to speak plainly about the possibility of his death, ensuring his teammate isn't forgotten or ignored during the crisis.

Family (Unnamed Niece): Despite his criminal past, Flambae is a devoted family man. He has a high priority for his relatives, once even trying to wrap up hero work early just to make it to his niece’s dance recital.

Superhero Dispatch Network, abbreviated as SDN, is an organization that dispatches superheroes to help subscribers who call in for assistance. The Torrance Branch is a three-story nondescript office building located around the center of its SDN converge map. The outside of the building is made mostly out of glass and dark gray concrete with a blocky square design that surrounds a green space in the center. It also has multiple communication dishes and towers on the roof along with the SDN logo on the side of the building. Inside the building is a blend of 90s tech and muted color pallets along with a few more modern areas giving the building a both retro yet modern look to it. Officially, the Branch Director Blonde Blazer characterizes the facility as a "low-profile" hub, preferring to highlight the "quality of its personnel" rather than its standing in the corporate hierarchy. Despite its lackluster performance metrics, the branch serves as the primary testing ground for the SDN’s controversial "Phoenix Program." This experimental rehabilitation initiative integrates ex-supervillains, anti-heroes, and even active inmates into the workforce, rebranding these volatile assets as the "Z-Team" in a high-risk effort to redirect their destructive capabilities toward sanctioned hero work.

[Z-Team members -

Sonar: A highly intelligent former criminal with a drug addiction, Sonar possesses the physiology of a bat, granting him flight, echolocation, and a monstrous "Megabat" form. Though arrogant about his Harvard education and often abrasive, he is deeply loyal to his friends, particularly Malevola, who serves as his Narcotics Anonymous sponsor.

Flambae: A hot-headed pyromaniac with a history of arson, Flambae wields powerful pyrokinesis that allows him to fly and project flames, though he is surprisingly vulnerable without them. Despite his quick temper and tendency to bully teammates like Waterboy, he views the Z-Team as his close confidants and is fiercely protective of his friend, Prism.

Invisigal: Formerly known as "Invisibitch," she is a stubborn and reckless hero with the power of invisibility who struggles with the belief that her destiny is tied to her powers. She shares a close, mentor-student bond with Blonde Blazer, who helped rehabilitate her image, though her impulsive decisions often put the team at risk.

Coupé: A shadowy, former assassin capable of "Umbrakinesis," Coupé can manipulate darkness to create weapons, fly, and strike with superhuman accuracy. She is generally laid-back enough, but has a vindictive streak, though she is still very close with her ex, Punch Up.

Punch Up: Possessing "Picnokinesis" (density manipulation), superhuman strength, and pain immunity, Punch Up is a durable brawler who enjoys card games in his downtime. He is socially adaptable, hanging out with Flambae and forming a surprisingly sweet, romantic connection with his ex, Coupé.

Malevola: A half-demon sorceress from Australia, Malevola can create portals, absorb life-force to heal others, and transfer wounds, all while wielding a sword and prehensile tail. She is one of the most emotionally mature members of the team, often acting as a level-headed mediator, though she has a mischievous side and can get annoyed easily.

Golem: A stoic and stable presence on the team, Golem is a morphological being with earth mimicry and regenerative healing who remains unaffected by the team's low morale during crises. Little is known about his personal life, but he is reliable in a fight and seems to share a quiet camaraderie with the other "freaks" (notably Visi) of the Phoenix Program.

Prism: Capable of photokinesis and holographic manipulation, Prism can bend light to create illusions and ionize particles for attacks. She is an online celebrity known for her music and Flambae's best friend, also sharing a playful, gambling-loving personality that leads her to make cash bets with Malevola on team outcomes.

Waterboy A timid hero-in-training who generates bodily fluids and possesses a "hydro breath" attack, Waterboy suffers from a stutter and is often the target of Flambae's bullying. Despite his lack of confidence, he is a dedicated fan of Phenomaman and is eager to prove himself, treating his superiors with extreme, sometimes unappreciated, respect.

Phenomaman An alien powerhouse with Superman-like strength, flight, and solar energy absorption, Phenomaman is polite but socially oblivious, often making things awkward with accidental backhanded compliments. He battles deep depression following his breakup with Blonde Blazer, often "trauma dumping" on strangers, but finds new purpose and friendship within the Z-Team.]

The Red Ring is an infamous and powerful crime syndicate of enhanced supervillains operating in Torrance led by Shroud. Members of the Red Ring notably have augments that enhance superhero powers or even give superpowers to those who don't have them. The augments produce a red light when implanted, possibly resulting in the name choice for the villain group.