Gladiator
STATISTICS
F: MN(75)
A: AM(50)
S: UN(100)
E: SHZ(500)
R: IN(40)
I: MN(75)
P: SHZ(500)
Health: 725
Karma: 615
Resources: Un/100
Popularity: 15 (100 in the Shi’ar Empire
BACKGROUND
Real Name: Kallark
Occupation: Praetor of the Imperial Guard; Former Majestor of the Shi'ar Empire
Legal Status: Citizen of the Shi’ar Empire
Identity: Public
Other Known Aliases: None
Place of Birth: Strontia, Shi’ar Empire
Marital Status: Unrevealed
Known Relatives: Kubark (Kid Gladiator, son); Xenith (cousin)
Base of Operations: Chandilar, Shi'ar Galaxy; mobile throughout the Shi'ar Empire and surrounding galaxies
Past Group Affiliations: Annihilators, Galactic Council, Imperial Guard
Present Group Affiliation:
KNOWN POWERS:
Invulnerabilities: Gladiator possess Unearthly (100) resistance to physical and energy attacks.
Resistance – heat, cold, gas, disease and radiation: Shift Z (500)
Life Support: Shift Z (500), Gladiator’s constitution also enables him to withstand the rigors of deep space and hostile environments.
Flight: Class 5000 in space, Shift Z (500) in an atmosphere.
Heat Vision: Monstrous (75) at 10 areas.
Psychic Reflection: Any character attempting a psionic attack against Gladiator must make a Yellow Psyche FEAT roll. Success indicates the attacker has realized Gladiator’s psionic defenses and stopped. Failure means the attack is reflected back at the attacker at -1CS strength.
Heightened Vision: Gladiator’s vision is far more acute than a normal person.
- Telescopic Vision: Amazing (50)
- Microscopic Vision: Amazing (50)
- Gladiator is vulnerable to a certain specific wavelength of radiation.
- Confidence: A significant portion of Gladiator's powers, especially his strength, stamina, and resistance to physical injury, are affected by his level of confidence. Any loss of self-faith drops all powers -2CS and abilities -3CS. At the judge’s discretion, a Red Psyche FEAT is needed to retain his confidence and powers.
- Strontians are vulnerable to magic.
HISTORY
He was born centuries ago, though the time period remains unspecified. He is said to descend from a proud bloodline, though the names of his ancestors remain unknown. He was raised by the Strontian council of elders. They were as much family to him as his blood relatives.
Kallark was a cadet on his native planet Strontia, training with other young Strontian men and women, competing for the title of Gladiator. Kallark proved himself an honorable person as well as an efficient soldier then.
Later, Kallark along with the only nine other cadets to have completed the training mission were in-formed by the council of elders of the purpose of their trials: The new Imperial Guard of the Shi'ar Empire would include the finest warrior of each race of the Empire as its representative. The ten Strontians underwent an enhancement process to become Gladiator, granting them even further powers than those of their kind.
The choice for the cadet to join the Guard was to be made by Majestor T'Korr. First disappointed by the youth of the cadets, T'Korr then began doubting their loyalty after Chancellor Vitana informed him that even an ordinary Strontian had the power to decimate an army.
To test their loyalty, T'Korr had a Shi'ar Starcracker orbiting Strontia's sun, able to make it go nova in case of rebellion, and informed the council of his plans: He addressed the cadets, informing that he would make his selection among them after they slayed the Council of Elders. While most of the cadets died rebelling or trying to accomplish the mission, Kallark managed to take down the Council, despite his friend Harrald's opposition, then retreated, somehow knowing of the Shi'ar starcracker and dis-mantling.
Kallark then returned to T'Korr, told him that his fellows had all fallen in battle, and was named Gladiator, Praetor of the Imperial Guard.
According to the family history known by Korvus, the Imperial Guard was formed to stop his ancestor Rook'shir. He was a Shi'ar outlaw who became an avatar of the Phoenix Force. Gladiator led the Guard against him to prevent him from destroying the Shi'ar Empire. Known members of the Guard at the time included Magique, Mentor, and Neutron.
The details of the battle between the Guard and Rook'shir have not been detailed. But the battle ended with Gladiator having defeated the Phoenix avatar. He was holding Rook'shir up by the head. He positioned the defeated foe in a kneeling position and prepared to deliver the killing blow, using his right fist to decapitate Rook'shir. A piece of the Phoenix Force remained within Rook'shir's sword which became known as the Blade of the Phoenix. The Guard retrieved the sword following the battle.
Gladiator continued to serve succeeding rulers of the Shi'ar Empire, including Emperor D'Ken Neramani. Members of the Imperial Guard under his command at that time included Astra, Electron, Fang, Hobgoblin, Impulse, Magique, Mentor, Neutron, Nightside, Oracle, Scintilla, Smasher, Starbolt, Tempest, and Titan.
The X-Men (Banshee, Colossus, Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Phoenix, Storm, and Wolverine) were teleported from Earth to the "World". There they found D'Ken, Eric the Red, the captive Lilandra. and the gathered Imperial Guard. Astra asked Gladiator who were these people, and whether the new arrivals were friends or foes.
Realizing that they can understand each other's language, the two teams started to talk. Representing the X-Men, Cyclops explained that they came to get Lilandra and Eric the Red. Gladiator introduced him-self and his team. He also pointed that the X-Men were surrounded and outnumbered. He next explained that Lilandra was both a princess and a traitor to the Empire. He declared that the Guard would not surrender the prisoner. In reply, Cyclops attacked Mentor and started a battle between the two teams. Gladiator swore that Cyclops would pay for his attack and that he would personally kill him with his bare hands. He then commanded the Guard to attack.
Nightcrawler teleported Lilandra out of danger. She explained to Cyclops her own background, the civil war of the Shi'ar and how it affected their own recent battles on Earth. She pointed that D'Ken seeks absolute power. Overhearing her explanation, Gladiator approached the princess. He asked Lilandra what right she had to deny this power to her emperor, reminding her that she herself swore an oath of service to D'Ken. She replied that that oath was sworn to a madman, asking Gladiator to open his eyes, or else D'Ken's dreams of imperial glory would close these eyes forever.
Gladiator answered that he did not care about the consequences. The Guard's role is not to question orders, but obey them, and by D'Ken's will, Lilandra and her companions had to die. Gladiator managed to grab Lilandra and added that he would not listen to her. He regretted ever caring for her. Lilandra was still trying to reason with him, claiming that she was only seeking to save the Empire while D'Ken is fated to destroy it. Gladiator asked her how she knows what D'Ken was going to do. She admit-ted that she does not know but only fears, but that the power D'Ken seeks was known as "the End of All That Is".
The conversation between Gladiator and Lilandra ended at this point. Gladiator was attacked by a laser beam by the arriving Starjammers and seemingly knocked out. The combined forces of the X-Men and the Starjammers finished off the rest of the Guard, winning the battle. The unconscious body of Gladiator was seen on the ground at the battle's ending.
D'Ken pointed that their victory was only temporary. He called for his foes to look to the sky above them. At this point a gateway opened, blue-white light emerged and poured into the nearby M'Kraan Crystal. For a fraction of a second all reality ceased to exist. Gladiator and the Guard remained unconscious while Jahf emerged to face the X-Men and Starjammers. When Jahf fell, Modt emerged to replace him. During the fight, D'Ken was thrown in the Crystal. He and everyone conscious nearby were transported to the interior of the Crystal. Phoenix had to fight her own battle in there.
The X-Men emerged triumphant from the Crystal back to the "World". By this point Gladiator, Nightside, and Starbolt had regained consciousness and were ready to attack them. They intended to follow D'Ken's commands and kill them. Lilandra spoke directly to Gladiator and prevented him from attacking. She claimed that with D'Ken out of the way, the throne belonged to her. The Guard had to obey her.
At this point, Araki arrived and explained that Lilandra was not empress yet. D'Ken was now mad and the throne vacant, but she legally remained a traitor. It would take time to clear her name and summon her to be crowned. Afterward, the X-Men and Lilandra were teleported to Earth. Lilandra explained that D'Ken was driven insane and catatonic by the experience. For the time being the Shi'ar throne was vacant and she stood as the main candidate for it. But until the High Council decided to summon her to receive the throne, she would spend her exile on Earth. This would mean that Gladiator and the Guard were no longer their enemies.
In time, Phoenix turned to Dark Phoenix, a major threat. In the Imperial Center, ruling seat of the Shi’ar Empire, Empress Lilandra and her ministers of the Grand Council observe a viewing screen. They see the Dark Phoenix approach Earth. Lilandra compared the threat posed by the Dark Phoenix to Galactus: both beings felt infernal hunger and the need to consume. But while Galactus consumed only individual worlds, the Dark Phoenix could consume everything in existence. Lilandra decided that the Dark Phoenix had to be destroyed for the universe to survive.
The X-Men (Angel, Beast, Colossus, Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Phoenix, Professor X, Storm, and Wolverine) were teleported aboard the flagship of the Shi'ar grand fleet. Gladiator spoke to them, reminding them of his codename and status as Praetor. He announced that they were in the presence of Empress Lilandra and their fate rested in her hands.
Lilandra announced her decision that the Phoenix had to be destroyed for the universe to remain safe. She continued that since "Jean" could not cope with her near-infinite abilities, the Shi'ar can no longer do nothing about the threat she posed. She asked Gladiator to continue in announcing her plans. Gladiator explained that Dark Phoenix was a chaos-bringer and a ravager of worlds. Responsible for the deaths of five billion inhabitants of the D'bari star system and the destruction of a Shi'ar warship. The X-Men react in shock that one of their members is a mass murderer.
Lilandra asked the X-Men to surrender "Jean" to Shi'ar custody. Cyclops then claimed that Dark Phoenix no longer existed. "Jean" no longer has access to that power. Lilandra argued that "Jean"'s depowerment could be only temporary. She also argued that as long as Phoenix existed in any form, at any power level, she would be a deadly threat to all that lives. The risk is too great to let "Jean" survive. She ordered her warriors to capture "Jean", Professor X then shouted the ceremonial words “Arin’nn Haelar", challenging Lilandra to a duel of honor for the life of "Jean Grey".
Lilandra decided that she had to stop proceedings and consult her allies before making a decision. Said allies were the Supreme Intelligence, ruler of the Kree Empire and Empress R'Kill of the Skrull Empire. They both agreed to the duel, provided that their representatives would monitor the battle. Lilandra decided that the duel would begin at dawn.
The following day, the flagship transported the combatants to Earth's moon. The Imperial Guard would represent Lilandra on the battlefield. Lilandra announced the terms of the battle: the two teams would fight until only one remained. If the X-Men won, their survivors would be set free. If the Guard won, Phoenix would belong to the Shi'ar. The chosen battleground was the Blue Area of the Moon.
Professor X was excluded from the combatants, leaving only eight X-Men on the battlefield. The X-Men split into two groups, each with four members. A group consisting of Beast, Colossus, Storm, and Wolverine encountered and fought Warstar. While Colossus fought C'cil and Beast fought B'nee, Storm and Wolverine stayed on the side-lines. Gladiator approached the two X-Men from behind and ripped up the floor that they were standing on. Storm and Wolverine consequently fell into a pit.
While Warstar continued to face his opponents, Gladiator observed the battle. He eventually realized that Warstar was losing the battle. Colossus knocked out C'cil and B'nee knocked out the Beast, leaving the two of them to face each other, with Colossus outclassing his opponent. At this point, Gladiator intervened and attacked Colossus. He explained that for Colossus to get to any other members of the Guard, he would have to go through him first. And he self-confidently announced that victory was impossible for Colossus. Gladiator knocked Colossus into a wall.
Colossus considered that Gladiator was as strong as himself, but decided that perhaps he was more vulnerable to harm. Colossus dropped an entire pillar on Gladiator, who seemed completely unfazed. The opponents then engaged into a brutal fist fight. The ancient, fragile structures around them crumbled and collapsed on top of the two combatants. They were buried below mountains of rubble. After a while, Gladiator managed to lift boulders and emerge from the rubble. His uniform was torn but his body was unharmed. He was the victor by default and took the time to rescue the unconscious Colossus.
Cyclops and Phoenix were the last X-Men left standing, holding their own against Oracle, Smasher, and Starbolt. Gladiator flew to their position to join the battle. An energy flare from the moon served to an-nounce that the Phoenix was back. Deciding that the Guard had no chance to win against the threat, Lilandra was prepared to destroy the Moon, the Sol, and the entire star cluster, all in hopes of killing Phoenix. Gladiator and the Guard were unconscious, defeated by the Phoenix. At the end, the Phoenix committed suicide, seemingly eliminating the threat.
Kallark was later charged with pursuing a group of Skrulls posing as a superhero team. He believed the Fantastic Four to be this group and attacked them. Captain America and Spider-Man found the real Skrull group and assisted in their capture.
Kallark was among a number of Imperial Guard members temporarily relocated to Earth. After learning of a Phalanx invasion of Shi'ar space he confronted Cannonball, sending him, the Beast, Trish Tilby, Joseph and Rogue to assist in his stead.
At another point, Kallark was enlisted by Pip the Troll to try and liberate the planet Skardon from the apathetic rule of the Champion of the Universe (because Skardon law would not recognize the legitimacy of any challenger unless they could beat the Champion in a boxing match). Kallark fought against the Champion, but lost because the Champion possessed the Power Gem which allows its wearer access to all the power that has or will exist. Kallark spent a period of time recuperating from his injuries; meanwhile, She-Hulk convinced the Champion to remove the Power Gem, and subsequently pummeled him into submission.
Kallark was sent to Earth to find the Uni-Power, which was traveling from host to host for help against Krosakis. He found it with the Invisible Woman, and was able to convince it to come with him. Krosakis attacked Kallark and the Uni-Power as they left Earth. The Silver Surfer intervened and returned the Uni-Power to Earth while Kallark took Krosakis into Shi'ar custody.
When Vulcan captured a Shi'ar cruiser with intention of attacking the Shi'ar Empire the Imperial Guard were dispatched to stop him. Vulcan was able to hold is own against the gathered forces but was finally defeated by Kallark (who seriously injured Vulcan).
Vulcan later married Cal'syee Neramani (Deathbird) and upon murdering then Shi'ar Emperor D'Ken ascended to the throne as Emperor Vulcan. Kallark conferred with his new Empress before following the orders of Vulcan, but did so nevertheless.
Gladiator served his new Emperor as he had all others in the past but eventually disobeyed his orders (in this case, the execution of Lilandra) and rose up against his Emperor.
He was present when Lilandra was assassinated by the Fraternity of Raptors agent known as Razor. Razor had taken over his host Chris Powell (Darkhawk) but was overridden too late to stop the assassination.
With Vulcan presumed dead and Deathbird incapacitated, Gladiator took leadership of the fragmented Sh'iar empire in order to prevent another civil war. The Shi'ar, having lost the war with the Kree, however, fell under their rule.
Following the war with the Cancerverse, Gladiator joined the Annihilators. With them, he protected Galador from the Dire Wraiths and opposed the Universal Church of Truth's attempt to revive the Magus.
After the Phoenix arrived on Earth and chose five hosts from among the X-Men, Kallark traveled to Earth in order to stop them and rescue his son. He was no match for the Phoenixes and was defeated and beaten. The Phoenixes spared him, and Kallark and his son left Earth.
Kallark arrived at the border of the Shi'ar Empire following the inertial alert from Operation: Broken Frontier. After the death of Superguardian Smasher (Galin) during the action, Gladiator promoted Izzy Kane to be the Superguardian for the Shi'ar Imperial Guard, noting that she was the first Guardsman from Earth. During the interrogation of a member of the race that invaded the empire, the Majestor learned that they had only attacked the Empire because they had been fleeing a greater threat.
The threat that forced the aliens to attacked the Shi'ar Imperium revealed itself to be known as the Builders. Kallark joined the Galactic Council alongside with the Avengers to eliminate the Builders. Following the defeat of the Builders, Gladiator planned to expand the Imperial Guard.
When the focus of the decay of the universe was found to be the Earth, the Majestor addressed the Galactic Council, and decided that the Earth had to be destroyed to save the universe. Even though they planned a sneak attack on the Earth, the Guardians of the Galaxy managed to discover the Shi'ar's plan and warned the Avengers.
While approaching Earth, the Shi'ar alerted humanity that they had two hours left to live until Earth was destroyed by their fleet. Using a super weapon capable of channeling the Earth's power, Sunspot and A.I.M. retaliated against the Shi'ar in front, while S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Avengers used a Planetkiller seized from the Builders to attack from behind. However, A.I.M.'s weapon overheated and exploded, and the Planetkiller was destroyed by the Annihilation Wave. With no options left, the Avengers prepared to meet their end. However, the Illuminati used the controller disk of a rogue planet that shared the same space with Earth while phased while Iron Man flew to the Sol's Hammer, and prepared to use it. Iron Man charged and fired Sol's Hammer, successfully destroying the Shi'ar fleet, including the Majestor.
Once the universe was destroyed, it ultimately came back. The Shi'ar and the Imperial Guard were brought back as a byproduct of the universal renewal, with no memories of the universe's temporary demise, like the rest of the inhabit-ants of the universe.
Gladiator and the Shi'ar Empire eventually captured Jean Grey of the Time-Displaced X-Men so they could put her on trial for her future version's crimes. Jean Grey was able to escape the empire thanks to combined effort of the X-Men, Starjammers and the Guardians of the Galaxy.
When the Shi'ar Gods, K'ythri and Sharra were convinced they need-ed to force the new Thor to take part in a Challenge of the Gods against them to prove their superiority, they send Gladiator and the other Imperial Guard to Asgard to capture her. When the other Asgardians were inspired by the new Thor to fight the unjust gods, Gladiator and the Imperial Guard fought them, but were in turn defeated. In the ensuing Challenge of the Gods, as the result of the Shi'ar Gods causing mass suffering to their people, this prompted them to turn on their gods. Since the Shi'ar Gods lost the challenge they unleashed the Phoenix Force on the Creation. Gladiator knocked the Shi'ar Gods out and helped the Asgardians to appease the Phoenix thanks to Quentin Quire who became the new god of the Shi'ar.
When the being known as Mother Entropy was accidentally unleashed by Pip the Troll and made him her vessel to infect the uni-verse, the Guardians of the Galaxy escaped to the Shi'ar Space where they asked Gladiator for help. However, he instead incarcerated them due to their past crimes. When Star-Lord tried to convince Gladiator about the threat that Mother Entropy posed, she ambushed them infecting Gladiator and the Empire with her spores. Following the infection of the entire universe including cosmic beings, Groot was able to destroy Mother Entropy and free all universe from her influence. Afterwards, Gladiator and the Shi'ar tried to capture Pip, but he teleported away.