Nikolai Krylenko is the twin brother of Darkstar and son of Presence. Nikolai is a powerful mutant with the ability to repel any force directed at him, be it electromagnetic, kinetic, or gravitational. He and his sister were taken from birth by the then-Soviet government to be trained as soldiers after their mutant natures manifested. Nikolai joined the KGB-sponsored Soviet Super-Soldiers as Vanguard, and the team came into conflict with many American heroes, especially Iron Man.