Chapter Text
SETTING:
So, in an alternate universe, powers originate from a series of genetic mutations in the population after a strong solar flare hits the US and various other places. A huge percentage of the world just die from the cancerous mutations initially, so some extremist religious groups claim the event to be sign from God wanting to cull the inferior people. Over time, scientists figure out how to do gene editing to ensure people can still produce normal proteins without the new mutations interfering with basic functions. This results in more people surviving, and their mutations grant them minor meta human abilities. The survivors marry other survivors and the result are offspring with stronger powers. This fuels a Eugenics craze in the US for a long period of time (1950s - 2030s), in which selective breeding for the best traits in families have become commonplace, and the legacy of a family's powers is a very important status symbol. (For example, one family might be known for having a long line of descendants with super speed, while another might be known super strength because of their higher bone density and muscle development.)
POWER TESTING & CATEGORIZATION:
So there's a variety of tests that may done on a person to check and categorize their powers. Blood and bone samples, urine tests, weighing or other bodily measurements may be done. Any noticeable abnormalities will be noted before further categorization can be done. This process can take several months to complete. An example of categorization is if a person has an enlarged spleen and is able to hold their breath underwater for a much longer time than normal.
If the results at the end don’t match the predictions, a person may be suspected to be a deviant. A deviant is category of meta humans who are unable to control their powers/emotions induced by powers and thus pose as a danger to society. (Note that another reason why families with well recorded legacies are revered is because it’s easier to keep track of the common mutations in their lineage, and prevent potential disasters upon first power awakenings)
- Level 1 deviant - Basically a dud. The person had some signs of having a super power, but it is ultimately a passive trait that can end up being a disability. Generally level 1s are ignored or shunned.
- Level 2 deviant - The person may accidentally harm themselves with their powers, and have frequent issues with controlling their powers, though no actual harm or damage has been done yet. There may also be reports of sudden behavioral issues. At level 2 deviancy and above, the government may start monitoring the individual.
- Level 3 deviant - The person may harm themselves considerably, and may be responsible for causing property damage. They also have repeated instances of irrational behavior.
- Level 4 deviant - The person may accidentally kill themselves because their powers are very unstable. They may also be responsible for harming one or more people, and have undergone an extreme personality change, exhibiting outwardly malicious behavior. Depending on the situation, the person may be taken away for forced sterilization and/or lobotomization.
**Increased deviancy is associated with changes in behavior because it’s theorized that to adjust to the onset of powers, the brain sets a subconscious limiter so people can better control powers depending on their intent to harm or help. Faulty limiters are associated with people who lack empathy, because limiters are said to come from a subconscious fear of hurting people. This idea, however, is being disputed by many scientists on whether it's really true.
Deviants are generally rare, but recently, a meta human with spontaneous combustion accidentally killed and severely burned multiple people after awakening their powers for the first time while arguing with someone by the gas station. After this, state governments have passed stricter practices on determining deviancies, especially on marginalized groups such as immigrants who may have unclear family histories. News media have also exaggerated how common deviancy actually is.
STORY:
The story centers around a main character (MC) who comes from a family with no legacy. Her mother is an orphan and her father has a very distant relationship with his parents due to their disapproval of wedding an orphan with no family history. The MC first awakens her powers during class when she snaps at a friend for annoying her, and accidentally breaks his wrist with her newfound super speed. Her family feels conflicted over being proud about having a meta human child and the fact she displayed level 4 deviancy by hurting her friend, albeit unintentionally. Although the principal tells her that her friend’s family have excused her for the injury, he says that a repeat offense would put her under monitoring by a government official (who kinda follows you around in between classes and isolates you from friend groups for questioning on daily behavior. It’s like having a really invasive counselor tailing you all the time. Also any work done online MUST be done on a school computer instead, so any suspicious activity can be flagged down too. Effectively grounded too, and must record the reasons for leaving her house each time, even if it’s just for going to the store. Over the course of 4 months, monitoring may cease, though school computer must still be used, and permanently marked as potential deviant )
Over time, the MC realizes that her powers are more detrimental to her life than advantageous. She can’t actually control her speed, so once her power is active she can easily cause instant property damage. Her body is also not strong enough to withstand the speed, and she often gets harmed in the process. There are also drawbacks of constant hunger, a lack of energy, and a poor attention span. Sometimes she’ll enter a catatonic state just because she spaces out during what she thinks is just a minute being dragged into an hour (in real time, she spend hours just staring blankly ahead). Eventually, the increased metabolism from super speed causes the MC to starve often, and she ends up eating a stray dog. The loud barking noises during her suspended sense of time and a combination of annoyance and hunger causes her to attack and eat the dog, though she is not self aware at the time of attack. She is left in the bloody aftermath, wondering what her future will be now that she has crossed a line and will likely be dealt with by the government.