ATLAS HERO ASSOCIATION
RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS DEPARTMENT
QUIRK ASSESSMENT
SUBJECT: CORBIN, FLORIAN
QUIRK: BLACK MAMBA
DESIGNATION: Emitter (NOTE: Despite this classification, quirk possesses emergent mutative properties. Potentially worth reclassification into being considered a hybrid, similar to Japanese pro hero Tentacole. Further study and observation is necessary.)
SYNOPSIS: Primarily an emitter-type quirk concerned with the generation and administration of a potent paralytic venom. What is described as an 'average dosage' by the subject's file causes the victim's musculature to contract painfully, eventually leading to death by asphyxiation in under ten minutes.
Similar to the quirk's namesake, antivenin can be derived from the subject's own venom samples, which upon injection remedies most of the damage caused by the quirk in under 80 seconds. It seems that the subject is incapable of withstanding much of their own venom, suggesting either immunodeficiency or an incomplete transfer of quirk factors from one or more parents. Detailed quirk information of the subject's parents would be necessary to make the determination conclusively.
(Such cases are notably rare but have some precedence. See files on [Todoroki, Touya] for further research on incomplete transfer of resistance factors in emitter quirks.)
MUTATIVE ELEMENTS:
Extradermal armor
Strengthened leg, hip, and spine musculature
Fang generation
Heightened reaction time
Multiple passive mutations
(It is worth noting that all mutant elements of this quirk are substantially lesser in power than one would expect of a full-body mutation for a subject of a similar generation. Hypotheses relating to multi-quirked bodies designed by Dr. [REDACTED] and S-Rank Villain [REDACTED] might indicate that the cohabitation of both a mutant and emitter quirk factor results in the weakening of one, if not both quirk factors. This acts as a stabilizing agent to protect the subject's body from damage to DNA.)
The subject's extradermal armor is expressed as small, overlapping scales, most often a dark gray color, although shades vary. Subject does not possess many of these scales, although they tend to grow in clusters, providing regional protection. Durability-wise, while certainly more resistant to abrasion and piercing attacks than bare flesh, these scales are not potent defensive tools to be relied on. These scales do not seem to possess the necessary durability to withstand small arms fire, nor punctures much stronger than those that can be achieved with baseline human strength. A statement from the subject confirms that as they age, more and more of these scales will continue to grow on them, increasing both the area covered and the protective capability of each scale, assuming a presumptive increase in thickness.
The increased physicality and reaction time inherent to the subject's quirk is indicative of adaptations for speed. Observation of subject's initial exams corroborate this, showing running speeds exceeding 70 km/h, or roughly 34 mph. The muscles of the subject's body from the waist down are all roughly 300% denser than those found in baseline humans, allowing for enhanced power delivery in locomotion. A similar densification is detected in the cerebellum of the subject's brain, allowing the subject to process information and react more quickly than is typical, a common adaptation for those with speed-enhancing quirks.
For the most part, the delivery system of the subject's venom seems to be what one would expect, similar to the quirk's namesake. A pair of glands situated near the sinuses produce the venom, surrounded by compressor muscles that allow for the gland to be stimulated, pushing the venom into the upper fangs of the subject's mouth. Remarkably, this is not the only avenue of delivery for this venom. The subject is also able to secrete this substance via their fingernails, suggesting an intricate system of vein-like tubes in the body to transport this venom. Perhaps running parallel to the brachial and radial arteries before splitting off into each digit? It is impossible to say without surgery (or autopsy) to confirm, but this seems the most likely explanation. Regardless of the how, this adaptation serves to be an extremely useful extension of the subject's baseline animal mutations. Attempting to go in for a bite leaves the subject in remarkably close proximity to their target, and with minor defenses in play, this should be a situation to be avoided if at all possible. Extending the reach of the subject's paralytic venom even as little as two and a half feet makes for a much more reliable and safe delivery.
An observation overlooked until later assessment was one that should have been obvious in hindsight, but had never been tested for. The subject is mesothermic! While not entirely reliant on ambient temperature to heat their body like most reptiles, the subject does produce some heat innately, albeit not enough body heat to maintain high levels of exertion if in a cold environment, necessitating an outside source of heat if in non-tropical conditions. Given the location of AHA Base [REDACTED], arrangements should be made to accommodate for this shortcoming.
HEROIC APPLICATIONS: This quirk is best suited for rescue work in relatively flat terrain, reconnaissance, subterfuge or assassination, or as an auxiliary front-line fighter. Situations to avoid would be confined spaces that hamper the ability to accelerate, fighting opponents with extreme durability, or in wide-open areas against opponents with high-range area-of-effect abilities.
NOTE: Further analysis of fighting ability and use in heroics is best referred to other members of staff.
ABNORMALITIES: Black Mamba does not present any particular abnormalities beyond its potential hybrid classification. All abilities and enhancements seem to be in line with conventional biomechanics and abide by known rules of physics.
AVENUES FOR GROWTH: In regards to the mutative element of the quirk, recommendations are as one might expect for a full body mutation without active elements; physical conditioning. Training for speed and endurance should aid in enhancing those abilities beyond their current levels, and if accomplished over a sufficiently long training period, the subject's reflexes should scale in parallel.
For the emitter aspect of the quirk, the most notable issue to overcome is lack of resistance to their own venom, something that should be pushed (SLOWLY!) to gradually increase acclimatization. This should be a strictly monitored process, with medical assistance on hand. Otherwise, subject might consider the ability to use their venom as a projectile, whether that includes use of support gear, or exploring the possibility of whether or not the subject can manually project the venom from their fangs. A medical examination of the subject's dentition should give conclusive results as to whether this could be a possibility.
Analysis provided by [Dr. Nozaru, Jikanji]
Hello there!
If you're wondering what the hell all that pertains to, I don't blame ya! This story serves as a companion read to the phenomenal story "An Age's End" by my good friend SomeWarlock. It's a Submit Your Own Character story that contains over a dozen user-submitted characters, all full of their own quirks, be they personalities or superpowers. I cannot stress enough that you should read that story! It's not some one-off drabble of bland, one-note OCs with busted powers because the author wanted to write a power fantasy, this is really a work of labor and love from the submitters and authors both. Besides, none of what you read here is gonna make sense unless you've read the real story lmao. The link to it is in my bio, so check it out!
This story is written as a series of analysis logs created by one of the faculty at the Atlas Hero Association, Dr. Jikanji Nozaru, a character of my own. In each chapter, he will be examining the quirks of the various students accented into Atlas, taking a look at their strengths, weaknesses, how they can grow, and how well they adhere to common understandings of physics.
Hope you all enjoy!