A mutant

There was a dark aspect to the superhero community that was rarely spoken about. Most supers got powers and that was it. Maybe they grew a few inches, got a bit muscular and for many of the girls a complimentary boobjob, a few ended with whacky hair or eyes color but it stopped there. The truth was that there was another category of people, dubbed mutants who experienced permanent physical changes that made them look inhuman. The fact that they were over represented in the villain community was more link to their marginalization than an inate evil intent. And of course it was most often a great shame for a family of supers to have one of their kids turn into a monster or half animal creature but only slightly more than to have a kid who couldn't awaken.

Emily got her powers to awaken pretty quick and after a lot of congratulations K-T's parent understood that he wouldn't make it on his own. He could see the disappointment in their eyes as they watch him fail again and again to trigger his powers.

"Don't worry. I won't give up. I'm sure I will manage it!" he declared, breathless. He had been at it for more than three hours since his sister's success and she was taunting him by playing with her new powers.

"Son, if you really are willing to try anything, there's a way. But I have to warn you that it can be dangerous." said his dad.

"Honey, no! Don't even think about it." replied his mom before he could say anything. "forget what he said. It's not the end of the world. You can just live a normal life like everyone else."

"What are you talking about? And if it can give me powers why don't you want me to do it?" he replied, confused about the situation.

"Serum X, it's a volatile chemical powerful enough to give powers even to a completely normal individual. But..." explained his dad, showing a small vial of pink glowing liquid, before being cut by his mom.

"It's unstable, completely unpredictable. Lots of villains got their horrible powers that way. It can also turn you into a mutant monster or in rare cases leave you crippled. Please don't do it. I know that you always thought you'd be a hero like us and that you don't have the best grades or plans for an education, but I'm sure you can can find a normal job and have a normal life."

"Mom it's OK. I'm your son, I should get powers just like that. It will only give me a nudge to awaken my true powers. I'm sure that all the issues came from people that were not meant to have powers and the serum had to do so much that it messed up. But me, I'm almost there. I can feel it. I'm not even sure I'd have to take all of it." he explained.

Before she could try to convince her otherwise he picked the vial from his dad, uncapped it and put it to his lips. He intended to only sip a bit just like he boasted, but it felt like the whole content was a single entity more than a liquid. As soon as the tiniest bit entered his mouth all of it poured in, not leaving a single drop or trace in the vial.

He didn't get long to inspect it though, as he quickly dropped it on the ground, taking a few steps back. He was feeling a surge of heat radiating from his mouth, throat, stomach and soon to his entire body. He was feeling on fire and a gross pink liquid started to pearl on his skin, evaporating in a mist that dissolved what little he was wearing. He fel down on the ground knees against his chest, feeling his bones shatter and his flesh warp. Thankfully there was no pain, only the ever-present heat. Before blacking out he realized that he should probably have listened to his mom and wondered what he would look like when he would next see himself.