Surge
Real Name: Noriko Ashida
Nicknames: Nori
Former Aliases: No known former aliases
Other Current Aliases: No other known current aliases
Status
Occupation: Student
Legal Status: Japanese citizen
Identity: Secret
Marital Status: Single
Group Affiliation: New X-Men; formerly: New Mutants training squad
Base of Operations: Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, Salem Center, Westchester County, New York
Origin
Noriko is a mutant, born with her amazing abilities that developed during puberty.
Place of Birth: Tokyo, Japan
Known Relatives: Seiji Ashida (father), Suki Ashida (mother), Keitaro Ashida (brother)
First Appearance: New Mutants #8 (2004)
History
Surge
Noriko Ashida was born in Japan (possibly in Tokyo where her family still lives). She was close to her brother, Keitaro, but she ran away from home when she was thirteen-years-old, after her powers manifested; she claimed that her father "doesn't believe in mutants." How she came to the United States is unknown, but she was living homeless on the streets of New York when, four years later, she went up to the Xavier Institute gates - only to be turned away by student Hellion for being homeless.
Elixir gathered the rest of the group to try and find Nori that night, and they reluctantly went to try and keep him out of trouble. They eventually found her buying drugs, and assuming that was what was causing her to go out of control, Sofia blew the capsules away. In reality, it was the other way around, and without the pills, Surge completely lost control of her powers. Between Wallflower's powers, and the fact that she was mostly discharged by that point, they managed to subdue her and take her back to the X-Mansion. There, Beasr designed gauntlets that could regulate her absorption of ambient electricity, and that she could discharge through/into as required to prevent further mental overloads - to her less-than-complete gratitude.
Nori became a student of the Xavier Institute and, when the school adopted a squad system, was assigned to the New Mutants squad led by Dani Moonstar. She reluctantly was required to share a room with Dust; the two young women disagreed upon the accepted role of women and tension arose from their disagreement.
Soon afterwards, the romantic relationship between teammate Josh Foley and teacher Rahne Sinclair was revealed. Returning Rahne's lost power with his own, Josh was severely injured by the feral Sinclair. Nori proved herself innovative when she suggested she use her powers on teammate Josh Foley in order to shock his body into healing himself. Her plan successful, Josh awoke. Surprised by the taboo relationship, the New Mutants squad - except Nori - ostracized Josh. Eventually the conflict was dissolved.
The events of House of M left over 90% of the world's mutant population depowered and Nori with yet another glimpse of what a relationship between she and Prodigy would be. With only 27 students with their powers, Emma Frost, fearing their safety, ordered the depowered students and staff including Nori's advisor Danielle Moonstar to leave the Institute. Iceman, while talking to Noriko's father on the phone, confirmed that she was one of the "lucky ones" who retained their powers. As it departed, one bus of depowered students was bombed by anti-mutant zealot Reverend William Stryker, killing all on board. Though depowered, David was not killed, and he and Nori furthered their romantic relationship.
Most of the remaining students were organized by Emma Frost into a melee fight to determine who would become a member of Frost's X-Men-in-training. Much to her surprise, Nori was chosen by Frost to be the team's leader. Soon afterwards, Nori received new, lighter, and more effective gauntlets from Forge.
The remaining students at the Institute became the targets of Stryker's crusade against mutants. After killing two more students, capturing others, luring one to his side, and finally attacking the Institute, Nori was able to lead her team against the attackers. Josh, enraged by Stryker's murder of Laurie, killed Stryker, ending his plot.
Upon discovering that the advanced Sentinel Nimrod is alive, and threatening Forge, Nori, as team leader, made the decision for the New X-Men to confront Nimrod themselves. In the end, Nori removed her gauntlets and poured all her power into Nimrod causing him to jaunt backwards in time. Nori then went to the hospital wing to talk to Elixir and David. She asked if he could still kill, and he said yes. Elixir said that he wants to learn how to control the new increase to his abilities. Nori is at the memorial service to remember all the students lost in Stryker's attack.
Characteristics
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Surge (Noriko Ashida) on the cover of New X-men Academy X 3
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 137 lbs (62 kg)
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Electric Blue
Unusual Features: No unusual features
Powers
Known Powers:
Electrical Absorption: absorbs electricity at all times: from static in the air, electical appliances, outlets, etc (often causing lights to flicker, etc). She can't control the absorption, and thus must wear specifically-designed gauntlets at all times to regulate it.
- Lightning Blasts: She can discharge the energy through lightning blasts for her hands or body
- Superhuman Speed: ability to channel the energy into bursts of superspeed
This electricity builds in her body and causes her mind to race.
Known Abilities: Surge is native Japanese speaker who speaks English fluently, with little trace of an accent.
Strength Level: Average Human
Miscellaneous
Equipment: Power gauntlets which allow her to regulate intake and release, which minimizes her problems with her ability
Transportation: No known transportation.
Weapons: No known weapons.
Notes
Recommended Readings
Related Articles
See Also
- Character Gallery: Noriko Ashida (Earth-616)
- Fan-Art Gallery: Noriko Ashida (Earth-616)
- Appearances of Noriko Ashida (Earth-616)
- Quotations by Noriko Ashida (Earth-616)
External Links