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CNN Insight: What are superpowers, and how do they happen?
The development of soul powers is an incredibly rare occurrence, only granted to individuals who show great potential for saving the world. Researchers estimate only fifty individuals in the world will possess powers at a time, each gift completely unique to that person's personality. Shy people may develop telepathic powers to enhance the way they read social situations. Extroverted people may develop teleportation powers to enhance their means of traveling to people and places. Whichever was the case, no two individuals can possess the same variant of a power at the same time--there must be some discerning difference between the two.
The "transformation" is the event that separates "Elites" from "normals". Around puberty (ages 11-17), Elites experience a life-changing moment that grants them their powers. Most of these events stem from traumatic incidents where potential future Elites must go against their instincts and perform a heroic act, prioritizing the lives of others before themselves. Some Elites choose to speak publicly about the moment they found out they were going to be different, but others prefer to keep the most traumatic moments of their lives a well-kept secret.
Insider Fact: Overtime, the word superhero has faded out of popularity. Instead, superheroes/heroes prefer to be known as Elites.
Not all individuals with powers go on to become Elites--many prefer isolated lifestyles away from the limelight. Others reject their powers altogether, choosing to go through scientific alterations to remove their powers. Some people will get their powers while they are young but will go their whole life without realizing they are there. Here is our ongoing list of known powered individuals:
Identified Active Elites:
Victor Nikiforov (Russian, 27): Superhuman strength. No known limitation, though researchers estimate that there must be a weight limit to his abilities. None has been noted thus far.
Yuri Plisetsky (Russian, 15): Illusionary Talent--can blind a target/trick their mind into seeing whatever he wants. Limitation: must be within a certain distance of his target
Lilia Baranovskaya (Russian, 70): Stealth--can illude perpetrators and cameras extraordinarily well. Limitation: telekinesis.
Phichit Chulanont (Thailand, 20): Telepathic--can read the thoughts of a target at will. Limitation: must be within a certain distance of his target.
Christophe Giacometti (Switzerland, 25): Instant teleportation. Limitation: can only go to places he has been before
Otabek Altin (Kazakhstan, 18): Tracking--can locate a target's approximate location with his mind. Limitation: must be within a finite distance of the target (estimated to be one mile or less).
Jean-Jacques Leroy (Canada, 19): Shapeshifting. Limitation: possesses a finite amount of shifts before he runs out of energy.
Emil Nekola (Czech Republic, 18): Plant Manipulation--can control the surrounding plants/manipulate their growth. Limitation: cannot create his own plants; they must have been already planted/grown.
Unidentified:
YK (Unknown nationality, estimated age 18-28): Telekinetic--can control the objects around him with his mind. There is no known limitation about what YK can or cannot move. Researchers estimate there must be a weight limit to his capabilities, but none have been demonstrated yet.
Insider Fact: Originally, YK was referred to as the Nighthawk because his black suit resembled the underbelly of the Nighthawk bird and jet. However, after a just a few days of this name being used, YK mailed a letter to CNN Headquarters asking if he could instead be known as YK.
The identified Elites conduct all their missions from their St. Petersburg headquarters: ICE (International Committee of Elites). As Elites, these individuals fill the obligation of protecting and serving the international needs of the public. For the last ten years, almost all operations have been led by Victor Nikiforov, recognized as the most accomplished Elite in the world. Since the discovery of his powers, he has successfully rescued the highest documented number of people.
On the contrary, YK remains unidentified. Though his powers are known, his true identity, nationality, residence, language, and limitations remain unknown. He has been spotted in nearly every continent, recognized only by the all-black suit he wears and his famous slicked-back black hair. He is second only to Victor Nikiforov in successful rescue missions, choosing to perform his rescues solo instead of with an established team of Elites.
"We would love to know his identity," Victor Nikiforov said to a CNN representative Tuesday afternoon at an ICE Q&A. "He is one of the best Elites of all time. He would make an amazing addition to the ICE team--his power and methods of illuding identification are remarkable. If you are watching this YK, please reach out to my organization. We can make you a known superstar."
CNN has paired with ICE to identify all known Elites around the globe. Do you have any insight about YK's identity? Please contact CNN with any information for a $10,000 reward!