The Light of the Phoenix
Empathy
Flight, Teleportation
Public Record:
The hero known as “The Light of the Phoenix” first came onto the scene in Paragon City in 1922, when a cult of black magic sorcerers, now believed to have been members of the Circle of Thorns, attempted to summon a monstrous demon in the middle of the city. Just as their ritual was coming to its climax, and a grotesque claw was pulling itself out of the portal, the entire site was suddenly engulfed in magical flames, burning away the magical sigils and scattering the hooded cultists. In mere minutes she undid all the preparation and work of the cult and sealed away the demon once more.
A journalist for the Paragon Times who happened to be nearby described the scene as “she shone brightly on wings of flame, like the light of the phoenix.” The description stuck, and the Paragon Times took to calling her ‘The Light of the Phoenix’ whenever she made her appearance. For years she operated more as a myth than a public hero, miraculously appearing when a citizen was in danger before disappearing once again. It wasn’t until April 1927 that she properly introduced herself to the public.
In a meeting with the press and multiple esteemed public officials she made her statement: “Dear citizens of Paragon City, the United States of America, and the world over. My name is Elizabeth Kearney, though, I believe you have come to know me more as ‘The Light of the Phoenix’. I would like to apologize for taking so long to introduce myself to you. I know some may be wary to trust me for my powers, but I wish to assure you I am a friend. For these past five years I have been among you, and even before that, I fought to protect the world from that which lurks in the darkness. I promise to continue that battle. I will strive to remain that light for you. Know that you are not alone.”
Unfortunately, a mere two years after she spoke these words, the Great Depression swept the nation. Paragon City became overran by criminals and citizens were left homeless and starving. Although Elizabeth fought valiantly, try as she might to alleviate the suffering, it became too much for her, and in late 1930 she disappeared from the city and the public’s eye. Many believed she died, and the city of Paragon fell further into darkness.
Fortunately, it wasn’t long before Paragon City saw the arrival of Statesman and the meteoric rise of the Superhero. For most of the 30s, with this new generation of hero, The Light of the Phoenix was all but forgotten. Shortly after the passing of the Citizen Crime Fighting Act in 1937, however, she reappeared and assisted in cleaning up Paragon’s streets. For the next several years she seemed content to let the Freedom Phalanx take the spotlight and opted to simply help the citizens where she was needed, just as she had done in the 20s.
When rising tensions in Europe erupted into war, Elizabeth didn’t sit waiting for the war to come to her. Her healing flames were seen in numerous war-torn towns and villages, attempting to alleviate the suffering of the civilians caught up in the crossfire. As the war ramped up and America joined the fighting, she avoided the frontlines where she could, preferring to help the wounded instead of creating more. Towards the end of the war, she was able to help Allied forces track down several German internment camps, but the pain and suffering of the people found in those camps overwhelmed her even more than the Great Depression of the decade before.
After World War II ended it marked the second time The Light of the Phoenix disappeared. She would not stay gone for long this time, however. At the dedication of the statue of Atlas in April of 1946, the red-haired heroine appeared among those gathered in remembrance of the lives lost in the war. She returned to active duty after a short period of mourning, noted as going after former heroes turned villains. She was credited for being responsible for several villains turning themselves in peacefully during this period.
When the Might for Right Act was passed in 1956, Elizabeth was a staunch opponent of the act. She believed that forcing heroes into war was wrong and wasn’t afraid to express it. In 1958 she was called up for the draft but refused to comply. At this point The Light of the Phoenix was labeled a felon under draft evasion laws, and the Paragon Police Department sought her arrest. All attempts at her detainment would prove ineffective, as her powers allowed her to continue serving the city and its citizens as a vigilante, fighting crime and helping those in need while evading those she once called allies and friends.
Her days of crimefighting on the run would last until 1967, when the protests against the Might for Right Act came to a head. As heroes gathered in Perez Park, The Light of the Phoenix appeared clad in the costume she wore proudly in the early 50s, standing shoulder to shoulder with the rest. Although there were some who still thought of her as a deserter and a traitor, she once again returned to full active duty as a hero.
In 1971 she announced that she would once again be leaving the public’s eye for personal reasons. Being the first time she would announce a disappearance beforehand, it caused many to wonder what was different this time, but she refused to elaborate further. This would mark her longest departure from the hero scene. Many wondered if the seemingly immortal Phoenix had finally perished, but those theories were quashed when she eventually reappeared once more in 1996.
When the Rikti Invasion began in 2002, The Light of the Phoenix fought on the front lines, giving her all to keep the battle lines from faltering. When the final assault on the main Rikti portal, she joined with Statesman’s Alpha Team. She regretted not being able to join the ill-fated Omega Team, but believed if the plan was to succeed, her healing powers would be necessary for Alpha Team’s assault to draw as much attention as possible.
Elizabeth was exhausted once again after pushing her powers to their limits, and had her third unannounced disappearance in early 2003. She would finally reappear in 2006 and would fight on the front lines of every major conflict since. She would finally end her long solo career by joining The Palladium Sentry, led by the hero Knight Sentinel, as a leader of the supergroup’s Search & Rescue team in 2008. She would continue to work tightly with the group until its closure in 2011 after the unsolved disappearance of its leader.
As several former Sentry members formed the organization The Global Defense Force, she would regularly work closely with them for several years, but would return to largely working solo for the next decade.
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Pyrokinesis
Elizabeth's connection to the phoenix spirit grants her a keen mastery over the element of fire. She is able to generate anything from a small spark to a roaring inferno, and can manipulate it to form walls around her opponents in addition to using it as projectiles. She is even able to summon minor fire spirits in the form of Fire Imps to help her in combat.
Healing and Regeneration
The phoenix also grants her some power over life itself. While she herself has impressive regenerative capabilities she is able to extend this power to those around her, healing almost any wound or ailment.
Empathy
Perhaps an extension of her healing powers, Elizabeth is inherently aware of the feelings and senses of those in her vicinity. While she is not able to actually read a person's mind, merely reading their emotions can sometimes grant her insight into an individual's true intentions. She is also capable of manipulating the emotions of others should the need arise, such as soothing the mind of a frightened child, or calming a heated situation before it leads to violence.
Flight and Teleportation 
Additionally, the phoenix allows Elizabeth to fly under her own power at high speeds, and to instantaneously travel from point to point through teleportation. She is even able to teleport other individuals through this same power. With enough concentration she has been known to teleport groups of people simultaneously.
Magic Spells
Elizabeth is a skilled mage in addition to the powers granted to her by the phoenix. She is capable of casting a wide variety of magic, though in most cases her spells require some preparation.
Immortality
The greatest gift bestowed upon Elizabeth by the phoenix is that of immortality. As long as she is joined with the spirit she cannot die. Or, more accurately, cannot remain dead. In times when she has succumbed to her wounds she has undergone a rebirth, rising from the ashes in perfect health.