- "While earth is strong and air is fluid, water can be both; strong and fluid. Over time, it's strong enough to carve rock. I can use my cup to stop its flow. It can adapt. It's flexible, shapeless. You put water in a cup, it becomes the cup. You put it into a teapot, it becomes the teapot. I am water."
- —Alex Garrington
Blue Ninja (青忍者), known to the public as Alexander "Alex" Garrington, is a superhero and member of the original roster of the Essentials. When they disbanded, he became a master himself.
Alex's father made him study martial arts, and his rigorous training taught him that everyone gets knocked down, but heroes are the ones who get back up. He is perfect for combat missions requiring hand-to-hand combat, as he is a master of martial arts. After finishing his training, Alex returned to America to continue his education, with the help of the EPF, and becoming a founding member of the Essentials. Alex learned that heroes aren't born, they're trained, which meant learning to work as a team. When his teammates may rush into battle, Alex has got a different approach. Alex is cool like water under pressure, and wise beyond his years.
A supreme martial artist, Alex is also an excellent combination of strength and pliability. He was known to often quarrel with Solar Flare, but their mutual interest for justice kept them steady.
Biography[]
Early Life[]
Alex was born to Michelle and Oswald Garrington, growing up with his sister, Ava.
At a young age, Alex was diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder, with his multiple personalities determining their own individual skills, except one, which triggers Alex's centers of aggression and switches off the inhibitors, simulating a demon Alex nicknamed Red. Red would later divulge chthonic powers, one of which being the ability to materialize his own form and separate from Alex's mind, causing an imbalance for the rest of Alex's life, until his training, giving him a sense of both balance and harmony.
Training[]
Alex's training to become the master of water began with finding the qualities of water within himself. Alex became strong over time, flexible, and able to adapt, and metaphorically became water. He learned to unlock his own elemental dragon, the Hydrogon. It was all but imperative that he go with the flow. To find his full potential, he had to find what made him weak, for in his weakness lied strength.
The bucket test was his most challenging test. He had to fill it with water, even though there was a hole in the bottom. After realizing his weakness was feeling weak, he kicked the bucket into a pond. He didn't even notice he successfully completed the task, as the bucket was full while underwater.
He also concentrated, focusing on reversing the flow of water, embracing to control water and become the water ninja. He faced it that he was the water ninja when he made it rain, in fear.
Alex began to think if he gets over his fear of failure, he'll be able to control water. He was told not to try so hard, as he couldn't fail if he doesn't care. Usually when he wanted something so badly, he'd trip over his own feet. Using the message "become the water," he was able to reverse the flow of a stream, allowing him to pull boats back to him.
Alex could then move water, but not control it. His father told him he had always put too much pressure on himself, and that if he could move water, maybe his training was working. Soon, he was able to hold back a wave and project concussive beams of water.
Evan though he hadn't found his true potential yet, he realized that his greatest power isn't what he can throw at his enemies, but rather a united team. He learned to generate spheres of water, which he could change the size of as well as throw. He also learned to propel himself with water, allowing him flight. Finally, he embraced what held him back, and unlocked his true potential. He learned not to be afraid to fail, and became able to generate water cyclones and a tsunami wave.
Adventures with the Essentials[]
Alex would become a member of the Essentials and joined them on many of their missions using his skills in martial arts and hydrokinetic powers. He and Solar Flare initially did not get along, but the two set aside their differences for the greater good.
When the team separated, Alex departed to teach martial arts to a new group of students.
Personality[]
- "My mind is like water. When it is agitated, it becomes difficult to see. But if I allow it to settle... the answer becomes clear."
- —Alex Garrington
Alex was trained in martial arts to gain a sense of harmony in his life.
Powers and Abilities[]
Powers[]
- "I deal with the flow of energy. I let my defense become my offense, turning my opponents' energy against them."
- —Blue Ninja
- Water Manipulation: Alex is able to control water, which can be both strong and fluid. He can summon water from nearby sources, such as fire hydrants, for hydrokinetic defense and offense. His water blasts are capable of slicing through metal and carving rock, and his water shields are highly resilient to attacks. He can also create massive tidal waves.
- Water Constructs: Alex can also conjure water weapons by strengthening the hydrogen bonds between water molecules so that the surface tension of the objects he creates are virtually unbreakable. This is useful for executing concussive force in his water weapons, such as how he creates tendrils of water that can be used to smack an opponent, stinging them much like an actual whip would. He can also use a water cloak to coat his body in long tendrils of water that can shield him from incoming attacks, expand his reach, and improve his navigation on the battlefield.
- Superhuman Strength: Alex achieved supernatural strength in his training. He can contend with Solar Flare and Hoodie in battle.
- Superhuman Durability: Alex's flesh also became quite dense, making him incredibly durable and able to withstand immense water pressures.
Abilities[]
- "Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. That water can flow, or it can crash. Be water, my friend."
- —Bruce Lee
- Master Martial Artist: Alex is one of the Essentials' best martial artists, on par with Solar Flare and Tech Commander. He has years of training in Ninjutsu, Chen-style Tai Chi and Jeet Kune Do. His fighting style is fluid and able to adapt to any situation, and function in any scenario he is thrown into and reacts accordingly; he knows when to speed up or slow down, when to expand and when to contract, and when to remain flowing like a river and when to crash like a wave. Alex intercepts his opponents' attacks with attacks of his own instead of simply blocking them. When confronting an incoming attack, the attack is parried or deflected, and Alex delivers a counterattack at the same time. This is more effective than blocking and counterattacking in sequence. When fighting, Alex conserves both energy and time, two crucial components in a physical confrontation.
- Sword Mastery: Alex is extremely skilled in the use of his hydrokinetic swords.
- Whip Mastery: Alex is highly proficient in the use of his two hydrokinetic whips (水單鞭). Alex relies on his whips for long-range combat.
- Master Acrobat: Alex is absurdly agile, and has spent years developing his flexibility, and even more years applying it in combat.
Techniques[]
- Tai Chi: Alex primarily uses the soft Tai Chi style of Kung Fu, which is about alignment, body structure, breath and visualization. The style is known for its fluidity, connectivity and adaptability, and practices the belief that softness and breath can be more powerful than hard aggression. He can use water like a whip, as the style is conducive to his waterbending.
- Single Water Whip:
Equipment[]
Attire[]
- Blue Ninja Suit: Alex wore a protective blue gi as his uniform.
- Goggles: Alex used goggles to conceal his identity.
Weaponry and Gadgets[]
- Water Weapons: Alex's manipulation and manifestation of water allows him to construct water weapons. These range from swords to whips.
Relationships[]
Family[]
- Oswald Garrington - Father
- Michelle Garrington - Mother
- Ava Garrington - Sister
- Saul Garrington/Blue Samurai - Alternate Reality Future Son
Allies[]
- EPF
- Essentials - Teammates