"So you're going to be a superhero! Well, here's what to expect." Said the woman on the view screen. She was Lady Liberty, one of the most famous and powerful heroes. That meant this was probably a recording. No way did Liberty take the time out of her day to do orientation for every new hero when she could be stopping volcano eruptions or foiling villains like the Lord of Larceny or the Dastardly Dullahan.
"But first, some information." continued Lady Liberty, "As you know, a mysterious substance since dubbed Agent Indigo occasionally appears in the air above cities, transforming some of those exposed into supers over a period of time. No one knows where it comes from, and even superpowers that ought to be able to reveal the truth seem to be blocked where Indigo is concerned. We do know that indigo exists in the blood of supers and can be extracted with a centrifuge and then used to make more Supers, but studying it is impossible. It seems almost as if Indigo uses its own infinite array of powers to prevent this, causing microscopes to lose focus and machinery to malfunction when used on it. Also, deliberate creation of supers or unlicensed extraction of agent indigo is a felony.
Now, about becoming a super. If you're watching this video, you've been determined by ExcelsiorCorp doctors to be changing into one one of us. I'll level with you, it isn't always all sunshine and roses. For one, about 23.3% of supers also transform physically. We call these people The Changed. Transformations MOSTLY fall within predictable categories. There are for instance the faunaforms, people who gain animal traits, the mystics, people who resemble mythological beings, and the Terrahumans, people who take on traits of natural elements such as becoming a water elemental or growing crystals from their skin, but there are many more. Sometimes, the transformation creates an individual who doesn't seem to fit into any category, and usually they look quite strange. These people have taken to calling themselves wyrdlings. Unfortunately, there seems to be a sort of magic that makes people prone to fear of or discrimination against wyrdlings, and so they are outcasts, but you may rest assured that should you become one then I and ExcelsiorCorp will defend your rights regardless.
The other potential downside is that there may very likely be mental changes as well. Usually, these changes are positive. An increase in bravery and altruism is very common, for instance, which is why most supers are truly superheroes, but sometimes the opposite occurs and characteristics like megalomania or sociopath tendencies are created, resulting in supervillains. Take heart in knowing that you will always have free will though. There are supervillains who have resisted their darker inclinations and done good in the world, or who have been reformed with the help of empathic heroes like my friend Ultralove. Also, there are certain common mental changes to both heroes and villains that are more neutral, such as a decrease in modesty and increase in libido," As she spoke those words the camera panned out to reveal her tight and skimpy spandex outfit with its generous display of her cleavage. She struck a pose and winked. "or a more colorful or eccentric personality, and of course, there is the common penchant for spandex." She laughed at that.
"As for what powers you might get, there's really no telling! The Changed often get powers that fit with their appearance, but that's not a given! Really, nothing is a given with Indigo. Well, that's the basics. You'll learn more as you go here at ExcelsiorCorp. So let me enthusiastically welcome you to the first day of your new life, hero!"
Then the recording turned off, and a man in a lab coat walked forward. He peered down at his clipboard before speaking. "So, you are..."