THE MOMENT
"Suck it up, Jumper," his black-clad mother said with a stern tone. She stood at the stove cooking the turkey with heat from her eyes. Jumper caught her alone while the rest of the family was in other parts of the house. He took the opportunity to complain about his cousin; but, she wasn't hearing it. "Volcano Joe's fight with TheGreatGuy demolished three city blocks; it's not like he was aiming for your car. And it's not like we don't have money to get you another one," she added. "Mom," Jumper sighed. "It's Thanksgiving, you can call him Joey." The bright red beams from her eyes disappeared and she turned to face her son. "He put a lot of thought into his Supervillain name, we all do. It is Thanksgiving, and you will give every family member the respect they deserve, am I clear?" she said. "Yes ma'am," Jumper sighed. "Good, now go out there and say hi. Volcano Joe brought his fiancee to announce their engagement." "Great," Jumper rolled his eyes as he turned around; he saw red light fill the edges of his vision as he made his way out of the kitchen. He walked out into the spacious living-room with an ocean view. Despite trying to keep work and home life separate, some of his parent's Evil Lair decor bled into their private lives. The wide-open living room would be considered 'unwelcoming' by most normal folks. There were two rounded couches placed across from each other with no other furniture. The floor was cool, black marble tile. Volcano Joe, Jumper's lean, red-headed cousin sat next to a woman with bright green hair. Both of them looked up at Jumper, then stood. "JUMPER! Hey 'cuz!" Joey took a few steps, dragging his fiancee with him, to exchange greetings. "Happy Thanksgiving, man!" he said while clapping him hard on the back. "Let me introduce you to the love of my life," he gestured at the green-haired woman. "This is Mundo. Mundo, this is my cousin, Jumper." Mundo smiled and offered her hand. "Nice to meet you," Jumper said. "Likewise," she said, then turned to Joey. "Do you have another cousin?" she asked with a hint of confusion. "You said your cousin didn't have any powers." "He doesn't," Joey said. Mundo giggled and shook her head. "He's a Unique, Joseph," Mundo said. "What? No way. This loser?" Joey asked. "What's a Unique?" Jumper asked. "Unique what?" Joey and Mundo shared a long, silent conversation between their eyes, then Joey gave the slightest nod. "Well, we were gonna explain it to your mom and dad anyway, might as well practice with you," Joey said. He sighed but gestured at Mundo. "Unique Soul. It means a lot of things that we can talk about over dinner, but the short version is: alternate universes exist. Joseph...," she patted his shoulder. "...is not a Unique soul. There are other versions of him out there in other universes. There are no other versions of you or me out there. You and I are Unique." "Uhh.. whatever," Jumper shrugged. He was used to his family planning completely unbelievable things that often worked. He didn't understand what Mundo said, but he also knew he did not need to get it right at that moment. His mind focused on something else. "So... it sounds like you think I have powers?" he asked her. Mundo nodded. "Uniques are very powerful in general, and you among the physically strongest." Jumper shook his head. "I'd know by now if I were strong. Dad's already the strongest guy in the world; I've tested my strength a few times and I've got nothing." "You need to get your number tattooed on your skin first; that wakes the soul," Mundo shrugged. "Some Uniques can touch their power without the number, but most can't." "What number? Can it be 42?" Jumper asked. He gave up on having powers long ago, but now it seemed like it was possible. Mundo nodded. "For you, it has to be 42. You are Unique Soul #42, La Calavera." "So, I just have to get a 42 on me, and I'll be super strong?" Mundo nodded but wavered her hand. "It has to be a scar, a tattoo or branding or something. It has to physically be put into the skin, not just on the surface with a marker or anything." "A scar?" Jumper grinned. "MOOOOOOOM!" he yelled. After a moment his mother emerged from the kitchen. "Yes, dear?" she asked. Jumper held up the back of his hand toward her, then pointed at it with his other hand. "I need the number 42 burned into the back of my hand," he asked. For once, he was grateful for being raised in a family of villains. He did not get asked why; his mother did not so much as blink at his unusual request. The only response she gave was a pair of thin, bright red beams from her eyes to Jumper's hand.