Nathaniel has been infamous ever sense his father was arrested as the costumed villain known as The Mad Mage. This firmly cemented him in the bad boy/loner category since many wouldn't have their children play with a supervillain's kid.

He was constantly watched growing up as adults suspected him to be like his father. If they hadn't have shunned him and pushed him away he might have overcame it but he grew up resenting them and sometimes, through careful 'pranks' taking it out on their children.