Template:Infobox Character
Thunderbird (birth name John Proudstar) is a main character on The Gifted. He is a Mutant with super strength, invulnerability, foresight, and heightened senses.
He comes from an Apache and military background. He is also the leader of the underground network. Thunderbird is often seeking out mutants who are on the run from the Sentinel Services, in search of refuge.[1]
Character Description[]
"The strong-headed Native American leader of the underground network."[2]
Early Life[]
Very little is known about Thunderbird's early life. He was born on an Apache Reservation, joined the military as a young man and served in Afghanistan. His father is also a veteran who served in the Gulf war.
In Phoenix, Arizona, Thunderbird attempted to raise money for the victims of 7/15. However, his attempts at doing so were met with disdain by an anti-mutant man, who tried to hurl an explosive at Thunderbird. Thunderbird's enhanced senses were able to detect the man's plans ahead of time, and he warned all nearby civilians to flee as he threw the bomb somewhere outside of harm's way. Sometime after this, he co-founded the Mutant Underground with Polaris and was appointed leader by the X-Men before they disappeared [3].
Season 1[]
Thunderbird tracks Blink
In eXposed, Thunderbird, Eclipse and Polaris were in a race against the Atlanta police to track down an escaped mutant fugitive, Blink. With Thunderbird's tracking skills, he was able to conclude that the fugitive must not be far from their position. After locating her, they tried to gain her trust by explaining that they were mutants as well. Eclipse and Polaris introduced themselves are Marcos and Lorna. However, their introductory meeting was disrupted as the police had tracked them down at the abandoned workshop they were hiding in. They all went to the main room. Polaris stepped out in front of the window, and gestured her hands in a downward motion, which sent out a wave of energy so powerful that it took out the police cruisers. That's when the police opened fire. Thunderbird was instructed to find them a way out. They exited through the back as they made a run for it and despite their efforts to take down the police by using their mutant abilities, Eclipse was shot in the alley. Polaris, in a fit of blind rage, attacked the police officer with great force. Distracted by her rage, other police officers appeared beside her and tasered her as Thunderbird tried to hold Eclipse back knowing he couldn't do anything to prevent it. They were forced to leave without Polaris back to the Mutant Underground Headquarters.
John and Sage watch the news
As John bandaged up Marcos' wound, they debated over the rescue of Lorna. Marcos wanted nothing more than to get a team together, but John was not convinced they could take on hundreds of cops when they nearly subdued by merely a dozen of them at the abandoned workshop. They couldn't take that risk, not right now. When Sage came in to alert them of a news story, where the news anchor reported that two mutants, Andy and Lauren Strucker, committed an act of terrorism at the local high school, Marcos and John then knew that their plans of rescuing Lorna would have to wait.
Later in the night, Clarice went to John to inform him of Marcos receiving a phone call and meeting the person about helping his family. John wondered why she didn't tell him this before, to which she reasoned that Marcos told her not to, but after an hour had passed and he hadn't returned, trusting her judgment to do right by Lorna, she decided to tell him. John then told her that they had to go find him, but they didn't know where he went so they wouldn't be able to find him, however, John reassured her that if he could find her, he could also track Marcos down.
Thunderbird's foresight
Just as he said, Thunderbird and Blink managed to track them down, Eclipse and the Struckers. When they arrived, Eclipse and the Struckers were already surrounded by the Sentinel Services. The seven of them sprinted through the warehouse, as Sentinel Services unleashed their mutant-hunting robots, the Sentinels, which Thunderbird saw coming ahead of time due to his foresight. Eclipse and Lauren were able to keep them behind using their mutant abilities while Blink created a portal for them all to retreat through. Everyone, except Andy and Reed, went through the portal. With Andy hyper-focused on destroying the sentinels, he telepathically forced them to explode before joining the others through the portal. Blink couldn't hold the portal open for much longer, but while Reed was waiting for his son to enter the portal, he got injured before he got the chance to enter the portal after Andy, as Blink had to shut the portal because it was too for much her to bear. Reed was left for capture on the other side.
In rX, after jumping into the portal Clarice created, Andy, Caitlin, and Lauren were panicking about leaving Reed behind. John explained that they were in the Mutant Underground's headquarters. As much as John wanted to help the Struckers with going back to retrieve Reed, but the chances of them being captured, or worse, killed, was greater. What was within their ability, however, was tending to Clarice, who had overexerted her power to save them from the Sentinel Services, and ended up collapsing, thus shutting the portal she created, forcing Reed to remain on the other side.
John and Sonya discussing Clarice and the Struckers
With Sonya, John discussed the underground's next course of action in handling Clarice and the Struckers. While Sonya had made several attempts to reach a doctor in Gainsville to examine Clarice, she remained unsuccessful in contacting one during the late hours of the night. With John nearly being killed during his rescue mission the Struckers at the warehouse. he looked to Marcos for answers as to why he took off on his own. Marcos claimed that he agreed to help the family with the network's goal of providing refuge for persecuted mutants, in mind, however, John knows Marcos well enough to know that his true motives were rescuing Lorna. John wanted her back as much as Marcos, but destroying the organization in the process would be of no help to her. Before they could continue the discussion, Lauren interrupted to inform them of Clarice's worsening condition.
John shielding Andy and Lauren
Caitlin informed him that Clarice was in respiratory distress and her temperature was spiking. Caitlin, who is a nurse, advised John and Marcos to seek medical attention for Clarice, otherwise she would die. Just then, Clarice's unstable condition began affecting her abilities. As her body went into shock, her powers started to uncontrollably manifest, causing her hands to glow and portals to randomly open in the middle of their Headquarters. The first portal to open featured a road with a pickup truck headed straight for them. The truck skids out of control in an effort to avoid them. And while the portal did eventually close, doing so sliced the vehicle in two, sending the back end directly towards the Strucker kids, who John shields from impact with his own body, though he suffers little to no damage thanks to his dense skin and invulnerability to physical harm
John pulled himself up, then helping up Andy and Lauren before checking on the rest of the facility. With Clarice's condition growing increasingly unstable, John moves her to a table in the back of the room by the vault. A new portal emerged, opening a path back to the same road as before. Civilians with loaded rifles stood on the other side of the portal looking in. Seeing this, Marcos is prepared for a fight. However, John grabbed his wrist and urged him to show restraint as they weren't to hurt innocent bystanders. Fortunately, at least for the moment, Lauren managed to close the portal using her shields, thus preventing any possible altercation. He then asked Caitlin if she could help Clarice from Headquarters if they managed to obtain the medicine needed. However, they needed to get in the Pyxis machine from the hospital if they were to have any luck in saving Clarice.
John listening in
With Marcos and Caitlin out to recover the medicine from a nearby hospital, John stayed behind to watch over Clarice, as well as Andy and Lauren. He explained to them that Clarice is a refugee who escaped from jail when the underground found her. She was arrested after using a portal to steal food from a supermarket. This is a common occurrence amongst those in the mutant community who can't hide their mutations. They generally can't find employment, and one thing leads to another. Before he could finish his thought, Clarice's abilities once again began to uncontrollably manifest, and so John ordered Sonya to get everyone to safety. Just on the other side of the portal stood numerous civilians and officers. John then called Lauren over to seal the portal as before. And while she struggled, she does manage to get it closed, though not before John used his super senses to hear the officers call in for backup.
John's concern for the portals continued to grow as they opened more frequently, and though Lauren was able to close them, he wasn't sure how much longer that would remain to be true. He explained to Sonya that he heard the cops calling in the SWAT team. They were gearing up, and the next time one of those portals open, they may have a serious problem on their hands. If they come through, the underground must be prepared to evacuate, but Sonya believed that rather than evacuating, they should be getting Clarice as far away as possible. However, doing so is too dangerous, only making the situation worse. All they can do is hope Marcos and Caitlin return with the medicine in time.
John watching Lauren's failed attempt to close the portal
With Clarice's condition worsening, John is prepared to begin evacuating, though Sonya is adamant in her reasoning that it would be simpler to remove Clarice from the underground rather than evacuating the entire facility. Just then, Clarice's hands started to glow once more and another portal opened, which Lauren was too weak to close on her own. With the portal wide open, the SWAT team slowly approached. As one of the men entered the portal with his weapon drawn, John disarmed him of his firearm, lifted him to the ceiling, and then tossed him back onto the other side of the portal. Andy then ran out in front and in a display of great power, sent the officers flying backward into the air, as well as Clarice, who was knocked to the floor, and fell unconscious, causing the portal to close. However, after the closing of that single portal, many opened in its place within the underground headquarters. John instructed Sonya, Lauren, and Andy to evacuate the building as he called out to Clarice to wake up.
Fortunately, Caitlin returned with the medication as the underground was in disarray due to Clarice's unruly abilities. John assisted her as she stabilized Clarice's potassium levels, which in doing so saved Clarice and the facility. Later that night as the underground attempted to regain order within the facility, Clarice awakened. She asked John if she was responsible for the damage and if everyone was okay, to which John responded that there were no casualties. He then asked her about the road that she repeatedly opened the portal to, but Clarice claimed to have no recollection of the ordeal. On that note, he instructed her to rest as they could talk about it later.
John agreeing with Sonya and Marcos to rescue Lorna
In eXodus, John and Marcos disagreed on how best to rescue Lorna from Sentinel Services custody. Marcos wanted to immediately arrange a break out, but John suggested a more level headed approach given that they would have to face 20ft walls with guards armed with guns. Marcos believed that Clarice was the key to bypassing such obstacles. However, considering that the last time she used her powers she nearly destroyed the Underground, as well as herself, John believed otherwise. Clarice was nowhere near the level she needed to be in order to accomplish what Marcos was proposing, which is why he suggested that John train her, just as he had most of the people in the room (i.e. Shatter, Sage, and Sonya). Sonya agreed with Marcos in using Clarice to break into jail considering that she had broken herself out. Out voted, 2 to 1, John agreed to rescue Lorna sooner rather than later, though Caitlin wasn't quite on board, reminding everyone that they still lived in a country of laws. She suggested calling a lawyer given that some members of congress with sympathetic towards mutants. Caitlin believed that there were ways to fight that didn't involve battles. With her connections, she could reach out. But John denied her request, as it risked exposing the Underground.
John asking Clarice to help rescue Lorna
John went to Clarice for help, hoping she would lend a hand in Lorna's rescue. While Clarice felt as if she owed Lorna for saving her from Atlanta PD, she couldn't help due to the fact that her powers weren't functioning properly. Something changed after she got sick, for one, she woke up with a thin purple mark below her right eye. However, that was nothing compared to the fact that she was powerless. John explained that abilities don't break. Most mutant activate their abilities from strong emotions, such fear, anger, and pain. But those are unreliable. The challenge is to tap into something positive. Clarice sarcastically asked if they were to do hot yoga and find her spirit animal. "No thanks. I'm pretty sure your spirit animal would bite me", John replied. More than just a bite, Clarice insisted that her spirit animal would rip his head off. John retorted that this was impossible given that he had physical invulnerability.
Fresh off his conversation with Clarice, John was approached by Sonya, who inquired about their discussion. John explained that it would be a process. Clarice's power had always been fueled by fear, so she needed to find something she cared about even more, in order to get past it. However, with Lorna's troubles growing with every passing second, they didn't have the time to make mistakes. Sonya volunteered to help, exhaling pink smoke from her mouth, as she made the offer. Sonya could give Clarice memories to make her think that Lorna was her best friend, though John was very much against planting memories in Clarice's head. Moments like that turn bad, remember Walker and Eve, John asked. Unlike before, he didn't want to take shortcuts.
John training Clarice
The next morning, John and Clarice went on a walk around headquarters, during which time he asked if she had thought about what he had said. She had, but what she could do was essentially the power to bail out of bad situations, meaning that being afraid was a big part of it. John retorted that fear isn't all of it. In the marines, whenever he felt the urge to give up, he was was trained to focus on what he cared about most, to hold on to it as if his life depended on it, because at some point it would. Back then, he had a lot to prove in regards to him being Apache and a mutant. Clarice claimed that she didn't have anything personal to hold onto as he did. So, John wanted her to think about something she loved, however, the best Clarice could come up with was a warm jelly doughnut. John instructed her to relax, breathe, and picture the thing she wanted most, and go to it. Clarice followed John's instructions precisely, resulting in the forming of a portal, though she failed to maintain it. As he was telling her not to focus on the fear, John's foresight and tracking abilities kicked in, allowing him to see a glimpse of the past, where Caitlin left the Underground in the middle of the night with Andy and Lauren.
He immediately went to their sleeping quarters, alerting Marcos in the process. Marcos questioned why Caitlin was behaving so recklessly. John explained that her recent behavior was due to the fact that she believed she could help, that her connection could make a difference. She spent her entire life believing in the system, making her naive. Some people had to learn the hard way, John remarked. Regardless, they had to go after her. If the Struckers got arrested before they got back to the Underground, they could reveal its location, and compromise all they had worked for.
Thunderbird and Eclipse confront Caitlin on leaving the Headquarters.
With Eclipse in tow, Thunderbird tracked Caitlin and the kids to her brother's house in Buckhead. They entered the house to find Caitlin sleeping on the couch. John slowly approached, tapping her on her shoulder, which startled Caitlin, resulting in her pulling a kitchen knife from under her pillow. While he didn't have much time to explain, Caitlin and the kids were in danger, so they needed to leave. Moments later, her brother, Danny, entered the room. Unfortunately, Thunderbird's suspicions proved to be of legitimate cause, as a crew of men armed with guns pulled up outside the house. While Thunderbird could get them through a wall, a fight would surely ensue should the welcome committee begin shooting while they ran. Andy questioned why they should run when they had the advantage. Thunderbird agreed that they could take the men surrounding the house. However, doing so would result in someone dying, which they sought to avoid. Danny then volunteered to go outside to talk to them, hoping to calm the mob. Upon Danny being struck down, Andy struck back, sending out a wave of destructive telekinetic energy, knocking the mob back. Chuck Sanders stood back to his feet, retrieved his gun, and aimed it at Andy. Fortunately, Thunderbird got Andy out of the line of fire while Eclipse projected a powerful ray of light at Chuck's gun, forcing him to drop it. Thunderbird took advantage of this opportunity, ordering Caitlin and the kids to the truck while Eclipse kept the mob at bay.
Blink greeting Thunderbird with a hug
On their way back to Headquarters, Thunderbird called Dreamer from the SUV, while being shot at by the 'local mutant welcoming group'. He told Dreamer that they couldn't afford a fight, and that they needed a way out that didn't end with death. She told him to get back to the Underground, and by then, she would have devised a plan. As promised, Dreamer had come up with a plan. Thunderbird drove down the street, rounding the corner to the sight of Blink, standing in the middle of the road, holding open a portal large enough for the entire truck to fit through. They passed through the portal, finding themselves just outside the entrance of the Underground. Thunderbird exited the SUV, telling Eclipse to get everyone inside while he talked to Blink and Dreamer. Blink oddly greeted him with a hug, displaying a great show of affection that Thunderbird was not expecting from her. He told her that everyone was fine, and that she should go inside, where he would meet up with her. Realizing that something was off, Thunderbird looked to Dreamer, asking what she had done. Dreamer explained that with Blink needing something to connect to, she was given a memory of Thunderbird and Dreamer together, though in the memory, Blink replaced Dreamer. Thunderbird was furious, as he didn't believe that she fully understood the consequences of her actions.
Later that evening, Thunderbird and Eclipse drove back out with Caitlin, so that she could speak with her brother. From Danny, they learned that Reed was alive, and that Sentinel Services was taking him to a top secret mutant detention center with Lorna.
Thunderbird at the mutant relocation center
In eXit strategy, two years ago, Thunderbird and Pulse stood on the outside of a fence at a mutant relocation facility in Georgia, where they discussed their plan to infiltrate the building. Pulse was upset that Thunderbird didn't send him in first to knock out the power. However, had they done that, Sentinel Services would've immediately know of their arrival. Thunderbird insisted that they stick with the plan that was already in motion; for Eclipse and Sage to send them a signal after reaching the second fence. Pulse was noticeably more upset than usual. He blamed it on the building, which they referred to as a relocation facility, but in actuality, it was a prison. Thunderbird reminded Pulse that they saved him from within the facility, and they planned to do the same with all the other incarcerated mutants. Eclipse and Sage then came running back to the fence as gunshots rang out in the night. They had been discovered. Eclipse regrettably informed them that Randall and Elsa had been killed in the escape. The facility's defense system of automated guns and infrared trackers was far more advanced than they had expected. With his ability to disrupt systematical electronics, Pulse volunteered to shut down their system to the automated weapons in order for them to escape. After successfully doing so, he was shot, and Thunderbird watched as he hit the ground, yelling out "Gus", as he laid there motionless. Under the impression that he was dead, and with Sentinel Services agents in route, he was force to leave Pulse there.
John and Marcos asking the Underground for help in saving Lorna and Reed
Present day, John and Marcos gathered the Underground to announce that Lorna and Reed Strucker were being held in a cell at the Sentinel Services regional Headquarters, but that they were being relocated to an ultra secure facility, which John didn't have much knowledge on beyond the fact that the people who go there, don't come back, thus forcing their hand in attacking the Sentinel Services directly. Sage reminded him that they lost six people the last time they went up against Sentinel Services in such a direct manner, and that was merely a relocation center with a fence and a few guard towers. This time around they wanted to infiltrate a prison whose systems had improved. Extrapolating from other attacks, the Underground had an 86.5% chance of failure, Sage determined. Even though they were new to the Underground, and no one owed them anything, Caitlin pleaded with them to assist. Marcos reminded everyone in the room that Lorna had saved each of them at least once. However, only Sonya, Harry, and Clarice were willing to join in on the coordinate attack on Sentinel Services.
Sonya, John, and Marcos strategizing
In the monitoring cell, Marcos was reasonably upset with the fact that only five people (John, Sonya, Marcos, Clarice, and Harry) were willing to help save Lorna. John on the other hand was a bit more understanding given that a lot of them lost friends the last time they attacked Sentinel Services. Caitlin corrected Marcos, saying that it was six them of them against the Sentinel Services considering that she would be joining. The six of them began to strategize on how best to infiltrate the building. Clarice's portals and Harry's cloaking abilities would do them little good. However, Caitlin suggested that rather than going into the building, they rescue Lorna and Reed while they're in route to be relocated. Fortunately, Marcos could gain intel on the route from the Cartel. However, John was very much against him going to them for a favor because the last time Marcos got involved with the Cartel, he barely got out.
John telling Sonya to tell Clarice the truth
John later approached Sonya to ask if she had talked with Clarice about manipulating her memories. Sonya admitted that she hadn't, and she didn't believe she needed to because Clarice seemed fine. John reminded Sonya that giving Clarice a memory that wasn't hers and without her permission was wrong, though Sonya countered that it was less a memory, and more of a dream or an impression that'll fade on its own, but John wasn't convinced that it would. Either Sonya would tell Clarice the truth or he would. But as she pointed out, neither of them knew how Clarice would react to being violated in such a personal manner. She could be upset enough to leave, which would halt their plans on saving Lorna and Reed. Sonya explained that she didn't have a choice, as she wasn't going to allow John to die. Before walking off, Sonya reminded him that they were fighting a war, which entailed casualties of all kinds.
Later that night, John got a call from Marcos, who had gotten in touch with the Cartel. After making some calls to their contacts at Sentinel Services, they learned that Lorna and Reed were being moved by truck. It was a convoy that Marcos would later send him the route to. He then learned that Marcos was dealing with his ex-girlfriend,Carmen Guerra, who had taken over for her father, the former Cartel leader.
Harry, Clarice, Caitlin, Sonya, and John planning to attack the convoy
The next morning, in the monitoring cell, John updated the rest of the team on what Marcos had discovered. There was a convoy of military vehicles that were taking Lorna and Reed to a military airport. Based on the route, which Marcos had given them from the Cartel, the best place to hit the convoy would be at an old warehouse district off Peach tree. John asked Clarice if she could open a portal to get the two of them onto the transport bus. If the driver could see out, then Clarice could see in, but if the bus was moving, it could become a lot more complicated, she explained, which meant they had to stop the bus. While Marcos was working on the time frame, they needed to devise a plan on how best to stop the moving bus. Caitlin pointed out that melting the tires with lasers was hardly subtle, and a battle would surely ensue if they did. Their goal was to get in and out without dropping bodies.
John being impressive with Andy and Lauren's combined ability
While they were working on a plan to disengage the bus without arousing suspicion, Andy and Lauren had devised a plan of their own by combining their abilities. Lauren could use her ability as an element of precision and focus to Andy's destructive powers, which in turn allowed them to tear objects apart with great accuracy. John was impressed after watching them perform this combined ability on the tire of a broken down taxi, asking if they could do it from a longer range, which they could. However, Caitlin was against using her children as soldiers to attack a convoy. As John attempted to explain, with time running short, they didn't have many alternatives. John and Andy then stood back while Lauren convinced her mother to allow them to fight, as it was what she had always taught them to do. After a persuasive speech from Lauren, Caitlin agreed to allow them to stop the transport bus, but only if John could guarantee her that Andy and Lauren wouldn't be in harms way.
With Marcos' return to Headquarters, John learned that the prison convoy left at 10:00 a.m. the following day. They would sweep the route at 9:30, giving them half an hour window to set up. How did it go with Carmen, John asked. Marcos claimed it was fine, and that he did what he had to do, but John was greatly concerned given that he didn't want to see Marcos get caught back up with the Cartel. Afterward, while drawing up plans for the attack on the prison convoy, he was approached by Sonya.
Thunderbird and Blink in position
The next day, the team got in place at their designated position within the warehouse district. Thunderbird was partnered with Blink. He told her that the convoy would be coming down the road soon, and from where they were positioned, it should be a straight shot into the bus. He asked Blink if she was alright. She claimed she wasn't sleeping well. Thunderbird reasoned that this was due to the adjustments at the station, with people constantly coming and going. Anything's better than jail, she remarked. As for Thunderbird, it was almost impossible for him in the beginning, which came as a surprise to Blink due to his military background. He explained that originally, it was just him and Polaris with an impossible task. Blink then asked if he ever thought about walking away. All the time, Thunderbird replied. The only thing stopping him was his mission in saving those in need. Blink then asked about the night that they first met, wondering if they went outside together. Thunderbird told her that they hadn't, though he knew this to be a result of Dreamer's memory manipulation.
Thunderbird failing to track
Thunderbird and Blink prepared themselves as the convoy entered the warehouse district. They waited for Andy and Lauren to disengage the bus' tire at the designated location, though they failed to do so. While they did eventually manage to stop the bus, it wasn't at the location in which Thunderbird had planned, forcing him and Blink to go looking for it. After ramming his way through a solid wall, he found the bus a little further down the road. Just as Blink planned to portal them into the bus, her powers were being interfered with, as was Thunderbird's, who attempting to track. There was only one person he had ever know who could disrupt mutant abilities; Pulse. Though, he died two years ago, or so they thought. Thunderbird looked out the window, and as he had suspected, it was Pulse, who was also working for Sentinel Services, and disrupting their abilities, which he was capable of doing for at least two blocks. Thunderbird then instructed Blink to check in on the others while he stopped Pulse.
Thunderbird vs Pulse
Despite having his abilities deactivated, Thunderbird made quick work of the Sentinel Service agent that was guarding Pulse. In a purely tactical attack, he disarmed the agent in hand-to-hand combat, then taking the agent down by throwing him into the nearby Sentinel Services vehicle. Thunderbird then tackled Pulse to the ground, before calling out to him, hoping to reason with him. Though there was something visibly wrong with Pulse, as he was unresponsive. Thunderbird's nose began to bleed as Pulse strengthened his disruptive abilities. With no other choice, Thunderbird knocked him unconscious with a single punch. He then noticed an unfamiliar tattoo or branding on Pulse's right wrist.
Eclipse and Thunderbird retrieving Polaris and Reed
After dealing with Pulse, Thunderbird found Eclipse hidden behind a car. He told Eclipse that he would explain the nose bleed later, which was unusual given his physical invulnerability, but for the time being, they needed to leave because Sentinel Services likely had reinforcement on the way. But Eclipse refused to go without Polaris. Fortunately, she no longer needed rescuing. With Pulse out of commission, Polaris was with full use of her abilities, breaking down the bus door and escaping on her own, with Reed in tow. Upon exiting the bus, the Sentinel Services agents began shooting. Polaris stopped the bullets mid-air, sending the gunfire back into their direction, before taking their guns, and forcing them to retreat. Thunderbird and Eclipse then greeted Reed and Polaris. With Caitlin pulling up moments later, the four of them got inside, and sped off.
Thunderbird's hearing drone while using his super senses
In boXed in, Thunderbird, Eclipse, Polaris, Reed, and Caitlin pulled into a vacant lot to ditch the Sentinel Services registered SUV, and retrieve the untraceable getaway cars they had earlier stashed nearby. Thunderbird then stopped to explain that Pulse was responsible for them losing their powers at the warehouse district, though Polaris and Eclipse were in disbelief given that they all were under the impression that he died two years ago at the relocation facility. Furthermore, he would never work for Sentinel Services. He protected all his people in Macon, which was a station that had been recently raided. Thunderbird's super senses kicked in, allowing him to hear the incoming Sentinel Services drone. Eclipse and Polaris volunteered to draw it away and take it down while Thunderbird got back to Headquarters with Caitlin and Reed.
John returned to the Underground to find a station full mutant refugees, during which time Shatter told him to talk with Sage.
John breaking up Fade and Reed's fight
In the monitoring cell, John asked how long have the refugees been pouring in. Sage replied that it has been like that ever since they hit the convoy. Sentinel Services hit back by raiding every place they even suspected mutant sympathizers, without warrants, she added. With a station full of refugees that they couldn't move due to all the heat being brought down on them, they had their hands full. While Sage was putting her efforts into manning the scanner and keeping their people off the grid, John instructed her to inform him of anything of importance that showed up. Moments later, he was forced to intervene in a fight between Reed and Fade. From Fade, John learned that the last time he and Reed crossed paths, Reed was working for Sentinel Services. As the crowd erupt in anger, John advised everyone to calm down, and hear what Reed had to say.
Sage and John manning the scanners
John played mediator between Fade and Reed as the two went back and forth with one another. Fade questioned how they could even consider trusting Reed after the stunt he pulled, nearly leading the Sentinel Services to the Underground. Reed replied that his own children were mutants, and that he'd never betray the one place protecting them. John then headed back into the monitoring cell after Sage informed him that something strange was happening with the scanners. Until a few minutes ago, the radios were going wild with activity, but it suddenly stopped. On the radio, they could hear a traffic stop being called in, before that, a drunk and disorderly by the freeway. There was currently no information of the manhunt, leaving Sage to conclude that the police had given up, though Reed wasn't convinced. He offered to help considering he used to work similar manhunts, and therefore knew the protocol. Dispatch then called in all units for a petty theft. Reed asked for a map, marking on it the last three calls; a burglary in Stratford, lewd conduct at a bar in Hapeville, and a 586 in Glen Haven. They sent multiple units to all of three places, which meant that they knew the Underground was listening. So they resorted to speaking in code. While Sentinel Services searched for Eclipse and Polaris, Atlanta PD was tightening a net, working a grid, looking for the Underground.
Sage, John, and Reed devising a plan to redirect the search
As they continued to listen to the scanner, John contemplated evacuating, though Sage advised him against it considering any identifiable mutants leaving the Underground would be apprehended before they were out of city limits. Since they were looking for fugitives, Reed suggested that he go out there to draw them away from Headquarters by making it seems as if they were in a different direction. Even if they saw him, John was unconvinced that they would stop searching. Reed explained that Sentinel Services made an educated guess about the direction they went in, so if they were to see Reed anywhere in the opposite direction, they would assume that he was going to 85 South, toward Alabama, and they would redirect the search that way. But as Sage reminded Reed, if he got caught, they would arrest and interrogate him, thus compromising the station. Maybe there was a way we could avoid that, John stated, as he looked over to Fade.
John asking Fade to help save the station
John asked Fade if he could help save the station, informing him that Reed would lure the cops in the wrong direction, and that all he had to do was be the getaway driver, though Fade was hesitant in agreeing, as it meant working with Reed. John explained that Harry took a bullet in the gut while saving Reed because he was that important to their mission. After telling Fade that he was going to do what was commanded of him, John told Reed to say goodbye to his family as he was leaving in five minutes.
John and Sage monitored the scanners for the call to come in of Reed. Before long, dispatch made the call, which resulted in the search being redirected, as theorized. While they were clear, Reed still needed to get out of site, so John told Sage to text Reed's phone. Moments later, the officer on scene reported that the suspect (Reed) had fled the scene in a vehicle.
John, Lorna, Reed, Marcos, Sonya discussing Sentinel Services
Later that evening, with Fade, Reed, Marcos, and Lorna all safe at Headquarters, John learned that Marcos and Lorna had kidnapped a Sentinel Services agent, and used Sonya to gather information about Pulse from his memories. She could confirm that he at least knew Pulse. Sonya had sketched out all that she could gain from the short time she spent in Agent Turner's mind. In the sketches, was a building, some documents, and a logo, which was ironically the same marking that John had discovered on Pulse's wrist. While Reed didn't recognize the logo, he did, however, recognize the building, which he identified as the Baton Rouge Federal Building. Some people he had prosecuted were transferred there, but he didn't know what happened to them because they disappeared.
John saving a civilian during the Phoenix explosion
In got your siX, four years ago, in Phoenix Arizona, John canvassed the area to raise money for those affected by the 7/15 incident. He introduced himself as a mutant veteran who had served in Afghanistan, like his father before him, who served in the Gulf. Unfortunately, the woman wasn't interested in donating. One man in particular was outraged at the notion of raising money for those in need after the Dallas explosion. The man accused him off attacking the country, only to later beg for money, which enraged John to the point of him bending his steel clipboard and shouting out that he defended the country, even going on two tours. As a truck rounded the concerned, John relied on his super senses, allowing him to hear the individuals in the truck, who were plotting an attack. John then instructed his fellow veteran to get everyone away from the street. From the incoming vehicle, a pipe bomb was thrown. John wasted little time in grabbing the bomb, and tossing it across the street where it could go off, and no one would be hurt. The bomb did, however, cause a car to explode, sending sharp metal flying, during which time John used his body to shield a pedestrian.
John and his father
Present day, while John looked at a photo of what was presumably himself as a child, with his father, Marcos entered his office with new details after calling around about Pulse. While there was nothing firm, there were rumors of mutants hunting other mutants for Sentinel Services, meaning that Pulse may not be the only one. They were barely staying ahead of humans. If Sentinel Services manages to turn them against each other, the Underground wouldn't stand a chance. As for the Baton Rouge Federal Building, Marcos had learned that it was a major mutant justice center for the south east. With Reed working with the judge there in the past, it was possible that he had information about the program. If they could break in, they might finally have an actual understanding of how Sentinel Services was turning mutants against one another. While this isn't usually how John would operate, he was willing to make an exception, as they had changed their game by doing what they did to Pulse.
John asking Clarice for help
John approached Clarice in the vault, asking her if she could teleport them into the federal building in Baton Rouge. While it was a lot to ask of her, they needed to know more about Sentinel Services, and what they did to Pulse. Is that all we need to talk about, Clarice asked. John had not the slightest clue what else she could be referring to until Clarice revealed that she was aware of the memory that Sonya had put in her head without asking permission. John apologized for the unwanted memory. He asked Sonya not to do that, but when she did, he didn't say anything about it because they had an emergency to deal with, and afterward, they still needed Clarice's help. Hearing this only further angered Clarice, as it became apparent that they only wanted to use her for her powers. She had her own issues to sort out and her own people to find. John offered to assist in whatever she was looking for, though Clarice refused his help. She just wanted to know if the way he looked at her when they were in the warehouse was genuine. John couldn't give her the answer she wanted, claiming it was complicated. As a means to uncomplicate the situation, Clarice used a portal to leave the Underground. In a fit a rage, John dented the steel vault door with a single punch.
Underground meeting to discuss the federal building
John then gathered around a table with Reed, Marcos, Shatter, Lorna, Sonya, and Sage to discuss their plan of breaking into the federal building. Their mission was no longer just about hiding mutants, they were taking the fight to the enemy, making it a matter of survival. Reed then told them of his knowledge of the building. Some of his cases had been transferred to Baton Rouge. There was a judge James Kresge that worked there. He dealt with most of Reed's cases. How many people you prosecuted disappeared through the building, Shatter asked. Reed said it was rare, and that all they told him was that some of his cases were being prosecuted under a special federal program. While some questioned why Reed didn't bother to dig further on the matter, Marcos was only concerned with getting past the wall to the files, which he planned on Clarice getting them to. It was then that John informed everyone that Clarice left, though he neglected to mention the reason for Clarice's sudden departure, which was Sonya's tampering of her memories. Having eavesdropped on their entire discussion, Andy volunteered to get them through the wall, as he could do it faster than anyone else.
The next day, John told Marcos to be careful before they headed out for Baton Rouge. He wouldn't be joining them due to the Underground needing his supervision. Marcos insisted that they would be alright without him, and then the two of them engaged in a brief embrace.
John reinforcing the station
While reinforcing the entrance of the station, John was joined by Sonya, who came inquiring about his conversation with Clarice. She left, so it didn't go well. That's about par for the course these days, he remarked. Sonya figured that he was referring to Pulse, to which she ensured John was not his fault, though John admittedly left Pulse, allowing Sentinel Services to take him. Sonya reasoned that they all though Pulse was dead, but this did not make John feel any better about abandoning him, which left John wondering if the X-Men made a mistake in choosing him to be apart of the Underground. While he was doing all he could, it wasn't nearly enough. They had more refugees in the station than they could possibly save. He could barely protect a group as veterans as it was, though Sonya believed that he was chosen for a reason. The X-Men said a war was coming. However, they didn't say the mutants would win it, John said.
Sonya and John kissing
The next day, John joined Sage and Shatter in the monitoring cell to inform them that a station in Alpharetta was hit. They managed to get about half of their people out, and they were on their way to the Underground. However, as Sage explained, housing them would be no easy task given that they were already 78% over capacity. John apologized for the inconvenience, but they didn't have any other choice. While taking a breather, he was approached by Sonya, who asked if Marcos was successful in retrieving the files from Baton Rouge, which he was. Having done so without Clarice, Sonya commented that not everything required a portal. John reminded her that what they did to Clarice was wrong, though Sonya would beg to differ considering their actions saved lives. Regardless, they kept the truth from her, which they shouldn't have done. Sonya then told John that it was okay that he made it out, and pulse didn't, and that he needed to keep moving forward. The two of them then shared a kiss, but he cut it short. They were at war, and he had to remain focused. He couldn't do that if he was with Sonya, but she disagreed. The fact that they were at war meant that all they had was "here and now". They resumed kissing, but only momentarily, as John got a call from Marcos, who was almost back with Reed and Andy. Unfortunately, they were being trailed by a cop. Reed instructed John to check the traffic agency public notices to see if there was any directives to avoid Buford Highway, which there were, meaning that Marcos, Andy, and Reed were heading into an ambush.
John and Caitlin staying behind
John immediately alerted Lorna, Caitlin, and Lauren of the ambush. Despite getting away the first time, Lorna explained that the cops stopped them on their way to Baton Rouge. While they didn't find anything, the driver said he was going to Denver, so they were marked by the tollway cameras when spotted in Baton Rogue. With John failing to come up with a plan, Lauren devised a plan of her own, one that involved Wes, a mutant refugee capable of creating illusions. John and Caitlin stay behind while Lorna, Lauren, and Wes headed out to save Marcos, Reed, and Andy.
Later that night, after Lorna, Lauren, and Wes succeeded in saving Marcos, Reed, and Andy from the police and Sentinel Services, John and Sonya read over the files that they had retrieved from Baton Rouge.
John and Lorna meeting Marcos
In eXtreme measures, three years ago, John and Lorna arranged their very first meeting with Marcos, in a diner. They had heard a lot about Marcos' abilities, and wanted him to join the Mutant Underground. Marcos was both flattered and amused with their offer, however, they didn't fully understand his situation, or so he thought. They were very much aware of his story; how he was helping mutants cross the border. The only difference is that they wanted him to do it full time with the Underground. Marcos claimed that was merely a side deal, where he had room in a couple of trucks, so he helped a couple people across. John questioned if he genuinely wanted to run trucks for the Guerra Cartel for the rest of his life, when he could be out saving people, making a difference in the world. Marcos explained that it was more complicated than that, mainly because he was dating the boss' daughter. With the X-Men gone and the government weighing down on them, John informed him that they were the mutants' only chance of survival.
John announcing that he's going to track down Clarice
After talking with the other station, John told Marcos, Lorna, Sonya, Sage, and Reed that Sentinel Services was ramping up surveillance across the board, meaning things were going to get worse before they got better. Unfortunately, they were running out of supplies with the influx of refugees. So, Marcos volunteered to take a drive up to Marietta, where he heard that they had supplies to offer. John then turned his attention to the hard drives from Baton Rouge, which Sage and Reed were working on. They were encrypted, but that likely meant that there was something worth hiding on them. If they didn't find out how Sentinel Services was turning mutants against each other, all they had done would be for nothing. Before ending the meeting, John announced that he would be leaving soon to track down Clarice. She knew the station's location, which would compromise the entire organization if she was apprehended.
John finding Clarice
John managed to track Clarice down to an old abandoned warehouse, though it wasn't easy given that she didn't leave much of a trail behind. He apologized once more for the memory that Sonya had placed in her head without permission, which Clarice could still see. She described it as being a bad soap opera that she couldn't escape. John then told Clarice that he tracked her down to convince her to return to the station because she wasn't safe. He admitted however, that Clarice's safety isn't the only reason he came looking for her. The Underground needed her, though Clarice couldn't care less, stating that it was John's battle, not hers. She had other stuff to attend to. What stuff, John asked. Clarice told him that she was trying to find that countryside road that she kept portalling to when she got sick, She learned from them that nothing is random. There's always a reason to why they use their powers. So, Clarice believed that the road held some form of significance. John volunteered to help her find it because she had no idea where she was headed. He owed her, if nothing else. While she was initially resistant, she eventually agreed to allow him to help her.
John and Clarice tracking the road
While tracking down the road that Clarice kept trying to portal to, John asked if she remembered anything about it, but she didn't considering that she was unconscious during the repeated portalling. She figured that she would be able to find something about it in the news. However, Sentinel Services was good about covering up mutant incidents. While Clarice appreciated his quest for redemption, he had failed in finding the road, so he was of no use to her. John desperately wanted to help Clarice, though she didn't believe it was possible without a trail to follow, but John wasn't so sure that this was true, explaining that she could have a trail inside her. When an animal is hurt or scared, their instinct is to take themselves to a place of safety, such as a nest or burrow. Clarice had her very own version of a burrow, where she felt loved and safe. John just needed to know where that was.
John's foresight
Headed down an unknown road, John asked Clarice what did the house she grew up in look like. She replied that it wasn't too big, simply a one story home for mutant foster kids, the ones that couldn't pass as human that is. She was only there for a couple years, back when she was supposed to be in high school. John wondered why she left. Clarice told him that while the couple who ran it were caring, their idea of keeping the mutants safe was to hide them away forever. As they headed further down the dirt road, Clarice noticed a familiar gate, just past the gate was the farmhouse that she lived in. Clarice ran over towards her former home. However, as she did so, John's foresight activated, allowing him to see a glimpse of the past, during which time, he watched Sentinel Services storm the house. Under the impression that something bad had happened, he advised Clarice to stay back, but that only made her want to enter the home more. John punched through the locked door, and once inside, they discovered two distinct pools of blood and the back door riddled with bullet holes. As Clarice began to cry, he held her close.
Just outside the farmhouse, John told Clarice that he had found whatever traces he could, and it looked as if her foster parents died trying to protect some of the foster kids. Clarice blamed herself for the attack, as it was her portals that led them to the house. However, as John explained, Sentinel Services pulled the trigger. He then gave her another hug. Clarice then sought to revisit her previous statement about the war with Sentinel Services not being her fight. She didn't know if it was before, but it certainly is now.
John and Dreamer kissing
After returning to the station with Clarice, John was greeted by Sonya with a kiss, though he seemed upset.
The next day, in the monitoring cell, John learned from Sage that the drive mostly contained information from mutants who were sent into the program. Pulse happened to be one of the first. Unfortunately, all they had were the courthouse's records of who was selected, but it didn't say anything on where they went. However, Reed explained that if it was ran by the Sentinel Services, then there had to be records given that it was a government program, though Sage revealed that it wasn't a government program. It was private military contractor; Trask Industries, which Reed was familiar with since his father worked there for thirty-five years. However, it supposedly closed down in 2006. John questioned if Reed's father had any involvement with the program, though Reed was unsure.
John and Marcos leaving for the station on Perry
In threat of eXtinction, after instructing Shatter to speak with the station in Gainsville, John was approached by Reed who wanted to visit his father in Chattanooga. In spite of the risk, he was their only connection to Trask Industries. A station in Perry had just fell, so John was heading out to pick up survivors, but he told Reed to prepare a car with supplies, and they'd leave once he returned. John then headed upstairs where Marcos informed him that Clarice would be joining them, rather than Lorna. John suspected that something was wrong, but Marcos claimed that everything was fine. However, a problem between Marcos and Lorna affected everyone since they were both leaders at the station, so John pushed a little harder, but when Marcos wouldn't budge, he dropped it.
Thunderbird chocking out Chloe
Thunderbird, Eclipse, and Blink arrived at the Eternal Grace Church in Perry to collect the survivors of the fallen station, where the pastor told them that a dozen refugees fled when their station got hit, plus a few stray mutants that came along the way. Upon opening the shed where the survivors were hidden, Thunderbird was told by Esme, a telepathic mutant, that while in the shed, she was getting weird thoughts from one of the others, a woman, later to be identified as Chloe Tan. Thunderbird approached the woman, asking to speak with her. When she failed to respond, Thunderbird grabbed her wrist, revealing the very same brand that he had previously seen on Pulse. Chloe reacted by delivering a massive kick to Thunderbird, knocking him into the dumpster with great force. Along with her strength, came speed, as Chloe wasted little time in attacking a few of the other refugees, Esme included. Thunderbird managed to get back to his feet, during which time, he took a swing at Chloe, but she was far too fast, delivering a number of quick strikes before knocking him to the ground. While Eclipse kept her in one place with his laser beams, Blink opened up a portal, teleporting Thunderbird just over top of Chloe, allowing him to deliver a punch from above, before rendering her unconscious.
John preparing to leave for Chattanooga
Upon returning to Headquarters, they locked Chloe in a cell. Marcos described her as being a cross between a spy and a suicide bomber. She had a beacon in her back that she could've activated when she got into the station, which would've compromised everything by leading Sentinel Services directly to them. She had weapons as well, leaving Lorna to conclude that the station in Perry must've been hit by another mutant like Chloe, who was slamming herself up against the cell in an attempt to escape. With Sentinel Services planting these mutants out, Sage suggested that they stop taking in refugees for the time being. However, as John explained, they couldn't turn their back on desperate people just because one of them might be dangerous. He then told Reed that it was time for them to head up to Chattanooga, where they hoped they get answered from Reed's father in regards to Trask. As for Chloe, they needed to get what they could out of her. John instructed Marcos and Lorna to figure out who she was, then asking the two of them if they could handle it together due to the obvious tension being displayed.
John and Reed arrived in Chattanooga, where much to John's surprise, Reed's father was an antique dealer. Given that he worked for Trask, John was under the impression that he was a scientist. Reed explained that he took it over when he retired, as he was big on living in the past. John and Reed then entered the antique shop, where Reed reunited with his father after twenty years.
Reed and John questioning Otto
After introducing himself, Otto sarcastically remarked that his name, "Thunderbird", was very heroic. He then mentioned how the agents from Sentinel Services that came by made it seem as if the Underground was a terrorist organization. John insisted that they weren't terrorist. Otto replied with another sarcastic remark of them being "Freedom fighters". Reed then asked his father if he heard about the incident at the school, which he had. He learned about it from the agents when they interrogated him. As for what he told them, he said that he never met his grandchildren and hadn't spoken to Reed in years. Moving on to his work at Trask, John and Reed had a few questions, but Otto claimed that his work was classified, meaning he couldn't help them due to the fact that it was a crime to reveal classified evidence. Reed grew angry with his father, as he was led to believe that Trask was merely a defense contractor. Trask no longer exist, Otto said. It was then revealed to him that it had been opened back up, and they were doing anti-mutant research. With Otto working there for thirty years, and his grandchildren being mutants, John and Reed found it hard to believe that it was a coincidence. John then informed Otto that they were also experimenting on mutants. His own best friend had been turned somehow, and was working for Sentinel Services. With Otto finally giving in, John volunteered to stay downstairs as look out while Reed headed upstairs with Otto.
John at Pulse's side as he dies
As Sentinel Services pulled up outside, John ran upstairs to inform Otto and Reed of their arrival. Unfortunately, there was no other way out, and they had brought Pulse with them, rendering both John and Otto powerless. Without his powers, they wouldn't stand a chance against the agents. Hearing this, Otto volunteered to go down there, first apologizing to Reed for his actions, then telling him to not only protect Andy and Lauren, but to protect the world from them. As Otto spoke with the agents, John and Reed listened from upstairs. Reed wanted to go down, but John reminded him that a lot of people were depending on them, the Underground and his kids for instance. After the agents refused to leave, Otto activated his powers, despite Pulse's presence. However, this resulted in the agents shooting him, but in doing so, Otto released one final and powerful blast of heat based energy that shook the building, and wounded the agents, Pulse included. John and Reed headed downstairs, where they found Otto's lifeless body lying on the floor. Just outside the shop, John found Pulse, wounded and barely conscious. Before dying, Pulse uttered that he was sorry, as was John, who swore that he'd make Sentinel Services pay for what they did to him.
Later that night, after taking their bodies from the antique shop, John and Reed buried Gus and Otto off road in shallow graves.
Personality[]
Thunderbird is a strong-willed and caring individual. He routinely risks his life to help other mutants and is a very militant minded individual with vast skills and leading capability.[1]
Physical Appearance[]
Thunderbird is a tall, muscular man with a fondness for shirts that show off his arms.
Skills and Abilities[]
- Superhuman Strength and Invulnerability: Thunderbird has superhumanly dense musculature that gives him enhanced strength sufficient enough to rip open steel doors and allows him near invulnerability to physical harm.
- Superhuman Speed: Thunderbirds dense muscle allows him to exert great force in his movements to achieve a level of superhuman speed. His reflexes are fast enough to catch projectiles mid-air, as seen when he grabbed a piece of twisted metal from an exploding car before it could hit an innocent bystander.[4]
- Tracking Skills/Enhanced senses: Thunderbird possesses greatly enhanced physical senses and is an expert tracker, having displayed the capacity on two separate occasions to track Blink and Eclipse for miles. He even managed to locate Blink in an abandoned workshop shortly after she teleported herself there. Thunderbird's senses are sharp enough to detect the presence of several Sentinels at a distance before they were deployed and sense them behind a heavy steel door.
- Foresight: This ability allows him to see glimpses of the recent past and near future when focusing on a specific location or person.[5]
- Skilled Combatant: As a former soldier, Thunderbird is naturally adept in physical combat without the need of his enhanced physicality, as he was able to overpower and take down a Sentinel Services agent even while his powers were nullified by Pulse.
Appearances[]
Template:Season 1 Appearances
Trivia[]
- The casting information for Thunderbird was initially presented as a character named "Sam".
- He made his first appearance in 1975 comic series titled "
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".
Gallery[]
Promotional[]
Screencaps[]
Videos[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 San Diego Comic Con 2017 Interview
- ↑ Fox’s Marvel series casts its first mutant
- ↑ Season 1, Episode 6: got your siX
- ↑ TV Guide Magazine Article
- ↑ San Diego Comic Con 2017 Interview