Crossword Genius

With inner energy not ace, fictional hero just about manages (4,2)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gets by

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'manages' is the definition.
('get by' can be a synonym of 'manage')

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

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(Other definitions for gets by that I've seen before include "Planet Herschel found" , "Manages" , "makes do" , "copes" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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