Astra Furst
HistoryChildhoodBorn in 1986, Astra Furst's astonishing powers emerged while she was a toddler. From all appearances and accounts, she participated in First Family battles at a very young age, probable several years before her earliest published adventure ("Safeguards") occurred circa late 1995. As the newest member of the First Family, she became an instant media delight and childhood celebrity. As such, Astra’s adolescence was far from normal, cocooned to a private environment that centered almost exclusively on family related projects and activities. She was home-schooled by Mister Smartie, a holographic, computer-generated construct built by her grandfather, Dr. Augustus Furst. She also trained in the use of her powers and as a young child, regularly joined the First Family on their many adventures including serious super human confrontations with The Unholy Alliance, the nigh-omnipotent Thunderhead, and Silver Brain.In 1996, Astra was recognized as possibly “the most famous, most powerful ten-year-old girl in the world.” However, while she excelled at being a superhero, she had difficulty relating to other children. She did not watch television, had never been to peer events, and had no friends her own age. On a journey home from a television interview, she spotted a group of schoolchildren playing hopscotch, Astra became obsessed with both the game and what it meant to be a “normal” kid. Thus, she “went on an adventure” of her own. An adventure so big to her way of thinking, she kept it secret from everyone, even her pet super-fish, Uranium.
As dusk begins to settle on the city, Astra makes an unnoticed departure from First Family Headquarters and heads in the direction of that hopscotch field she spotted while airborne earlier in the day. Hatching a plan to enroll in Bolling Elementary School under a pseudonym as “Astrid Ljinders,” she spends her first few days, making some friends and a jealous rival as she experiences the social norms of elementary school environs, while learning the rules and techniques of playing hopscotch. Meanwhile back atop Mount Kirby, the First Family bursts into a panic, and then action as they discover that their youngest member is missing. Old villains are the immediate suspects, and several of them receive unexpected visits and demanding queries about Astra's whereabouts. Police authorities are notified while Media News Teams dramatically broadcast the mysterious disappearance. Despite all the clamor, Astra remains focused on her adventure, and soon the goal of becoming the "best hopscotch player at Bolling Elementary School is realized. In her excitement at winning, she soars into the air, revealing her special energy powers and her real identity. Following a tearful but firm reunion, a stern lecture, and appropriate punishment, her mom and dad gain valuable insight from Astra's little adventure as well. Showing excellent parental skills, they adjust current living arrangements, enrolling Astra properly in Bolling Elementary so she can continue to interact with her peers and “get to know what normal life is like.” Teenage AstraIn 2000, she helped the team defeat Armageddon who was trying to create a reverse big-bang for his own twisted personal fears. Astra managed to stop him and did save many universes, dimensions and worlds from being destroyed, but a great proportion of them remain in a jumbled stasis. This became known as the Gordian Knot and for the first few years was kept from perishing by Astra using her skills with energy to begin the process of stabilizing the tremendous forces being unleashed. College YearsAstra . In her continuing effort for balance and a more "normal" life, Astra attended Tarleton College as just another high achieving student. Yet the same problems of being a well known celebrity came along. She was constantly harassed by a notorious gossip magazine called the Inside Scoop. She found a boyfriend, Matt Zimmer who seemed like a nice guy. But after graduation she took him to the Knot and made him reveal that he had started feeding the Scoop information for money. After a little taste of fame, he had no desire to return to the role of just being normal. He was also confused and frustrated by Astra not communicating her future plans beyond College with him. Even after promising her that he wouldn't give them anything, he did anyway and lied to presumably make even more money. Young Adult YearsAs a young adult, Astra leads a busy life. She remains an active member of the First Family, balancing team adventures with her private life and personal goals. She is also a member of the Seattle based super-hero team, the Reflex 6, but spends the bulk of her time working with specialists from all over the galaxy in the continuous efforts to untangle the maze of star systems tangled in the cosmically amazing area called the Gordian Knot. As a side bonus, the various cultures living there, gives her more opportunities to feel normal, just another soul among many in a crowd. Something she has craved for years. PowersAll of her powers originate from her ability to generate and control an unidentified energy source. She seems to have the combination of her mothers ability to internalize her powers and her uncle's ability to externalize the energy. She seems to be able to tap into that energy in a stronger, perhaps purer fashion. Her powers include the following:
EquipmentAs a member of the First Family, Astra has access to a wide range of equipment. She has been observed using:
ObservationsAstra’s favorite color is green. Over the years, the celebrity press have romantically linked her to Lindsay Lohan, Shia LeBeouf, Prince Harry, and various others. The first claim is utterly false, and the others are of doubtful veracity as well. Her genuine former boyfriends include the fellow superhero Kid Jackdaw (briefly in their teen years) and the alien prince Gavrad of Tellurin. As the granddaughter of Madame Majestrix, Astra is officially Majestros-Third, third in line to the throne of Monstro City. Additionally, being the biological granddaughter of the leader of the Beast-Men as well, she is set to receive her position in that animalistic tribe's hierarchy when she is in her mid-40s. The energy source seemingly shared by Natalie, Nick, and Astra Furst, has not been identified, although it strongly resembles the energy seen encircling Nadia (Natalie and Nick’s birth mother)[1]. Augustus Furst has also harnessed it for various weapons, and as the energy source of his Energenerator. Speculations, TheoriesAstra has a very dynamic DNA body chemistry. Derived from a compositional blending of her father's reptilian species, and her mother's already “cross-breed” mixture (Nadia, a possible superhuman; and Kaspian, the Prince of the Beast-Men), it’s quite possible that Astra could yet develop or exhibit other powers. Based on her parentage, such powers could include super-strength, increased durability, enhanced senses, and superhuman agility.
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