Prologue

Iris groaned as the results came back negative. She had been trying to perfect the formula roughly the entire summer yet she still hadn't made any major progress. She looked at the chemical she was testing on, a vat full of yellow greenish solution which looked like it was boiling. It didn't take a biologist to know what was wrong with it. The chemical was caustic. In fact it could melt iron if given time.

Iris cannot imagine what was going on the scientist's head when they concocted this. They must have known some thing was wrong. It was supposed to be fertilizer. How could they mess it up that badly? Nevertheless, it was up to the people of San Francisco branch to make this stuff marketable as the company invested several million dollars on this project.

Iris was not thrilled when she first got the offer to intern at the botanical gardens in a different state for the summer. Less so since the aforementioned gardens belonged to Oscorp. It was kind of an open secret that Oscorp has dealings with shady group and Iris had heard more than enough rumours to believe that they may have some truth to them. However, this job paid well and the references would help her in the future when she applies for other jobs.

It was now her last day at the gardens. She would be leaving back home to Washington tomorrow at evening. Hence she wanted to do as much as she can that night. Yet after doing 5 whole simulations there were no changes to the chemical. It was unlikely she could make a breakthrough within the next 3 hours before she leaves for home.

As she closed the tabs regarding the tests she looked sideways. She was currently alone in the third level of the gardens, the Research Area. Above her was the Greenhouse House which housed the various plants and animals in the garden. And above that was the Administrative Area. All three levels were connected a series of stairs. And there was a rather large opening at the center of each level leading to the vat.

Once she confirmed that she was alone, Iris walked to a freezer and opened it. It it were several test tubes, beakers as well as bottles. Iris put her hand inside and maneuvered it to a discreet corner. There, she grabbed two sealed test tubes. On them were two sticker with IRIS1 and IRIS2 written on it. They were her pet projects she had been working on since she started her internship. The company allowed her to work on her own project so long as she did her assigned work. But it didn't mean that she was comfortable with people knowing about her work. Call it a force of habit if you will. She tucked the test tubes inside her pockets before she walked to the bathroom to freshen up.

As she washed her hands and face, couldn't help but examine herself. Her eyes were baggy from due to the self imposed sleepless nights. She suffered from dry hair and split ends due to years of neglect on her part. Same for her face with was suffering from several skin conditions such as acne and blackheads. She sighed as even she found it hard to believe that she was only 14 years old with a face like her's.

After finishing up, she went back to fetch her purse when she heard something from the administrative area. This alarmed her as she had never seen anyone enter the gardens after 9pm. Not even the security guards. She thought of calling security but thought against it as they might just have been her co-workers who came in because they forgot something. Moreover, the security would have been known if an intruder has come. And so, she placed her purse on the desk before taking the stairs to the Administrative Area.

She followed the noises to senior Researcher, Dr Abraham Simmons's office. As she got there, saw that the door was open. She was about to speak when she heard an unfamiliar voice. "Hurry up Doctor. We don't have all day. She immediately slowed her approach them peak into the room. She saw Dr Simmons rifling through cabinets and two strangers watching him. After a while, the doctor approached them with a small vial filled with blue liquid. He then cleared his throat and began speaking like a telemarketer. "My friend, what I hold in my hands in the most revolutionary breakthrough in regards to the super soldier program since Captain America. This serum not only enhances your body, it also cleanses it. Tumours, arthritis you name it, this serum with negate it..."

At this point one of the men interrupted him. "That's nice and all doctor but is it worth our money?" he asked.

Dr Simmons smiled before opening the vial. Then he drank it's contents in a single fluid motion. He heaved a sigh as he waited. A few moments later, his body started to spasm. And as they looked, the doctor began increasing in size, ripping out of his lab coat and shirt growing up to 8 feet tall. His previously scrawny body was now laden with muscles.

The two men looked impressed with the results until the doctor continued. "Of course, unfortunately this serum's effects are only temporary and the subject would turn to normal in a few hours. However, considering that this serum yields this high a result with negative backlash must make my offer more than generous."

The two men looked at one another before one of them began to use their phone. A few moments later, and audible ping sounded as Simmons took out his own phone with his humongous hands. He smiled as he saw the notification stating that the money had been transferred successfully.

The two men then asked. "What now?"

Simmons chuckled as he replied. "Now we cover our tracks. I took the liberty to erase all files regarding Sigma serum. We just have to cover our tracks by destroying this dump. Osborn won't suspect a thing until it's too late."

Iris who had been listening was completely horrified by what had transpired. Not only was Simmons working on a super soldier serum, which was banned by the UN, he was selling it for a price. She knew she had to leave. And she would also have to tell the authorities about what had happened. But as she took a step away from the door.....

*Creak*

A loud sound echoed through the facility. "It seems we have a rat with us." She heard from inside the room. She immediately sprinted towards the stairs, intent on running away. But before she could get far, a trail of smoke came and stopped in front of her. From it came one of people inside the room. Iris backed away as she realized that the man in front of her was a mutant. She turned around to Simmons and the other person casually walking up to her, completely cornering her.

"Tsk tsk tsk Miss Griffith. I should have known you would have been here. Tell me, how much did you hear?" Simmons asked with mock sympathy.

Iris didn't answer which was enough for the hulking doctor. The doctor then began speaking. "You know, I wasn't always like this. Once, I had a dream. To get a good job, get married to a beautiful woman, win a Nobel you know the usual. It was until I joined Oscorp that I found out the big picture. You see people like us, we are expendable in the eyes of people like Osborn. He would use us for every ounce of energy in us then discard us when he has no use for us. See this" he motioned to his body.

"Osborn told me to develope this serum. I did it even though I knew that it was illegal. And what did I get in return? A wet behind the ears replacement. This is my last day the company before they fire me and cast me aside. So I made a plan. See these gentlemen here. They are representatives of a very very famous black market. They have offered to give me 90% of the profits they make from selling this serum. That's roughly 200 million dollars at least. I'll be set for life." He continued as he slowly advanced towards Iris. Iris backed away from his until he was against the railing that prevented her from falling into the vat below.

Simmons expression darkened as he continued. " And there is no way I am letting you take this away from me!!" He yelled before grabbing Iris by the throat and lifting her into the air. He then made a fist and punched her in the side, knocking the wind out of her before dropping her into the vat below.

With a loud splash, Iris hit the caustic liquid which immediately began to take its effect on her. Despite her best efforts, she could not even muster enough strength to swim out of the vat and could only watch as her skin, clothes and hair began to dissolve while she endured an agonizing amount of pain.

Unknown to her however, when Simmons punched her he shattered the test tubes h

she had on her. And when she fell into the vat, their content began to spread across the chemicals. The three chemical reacted with one another and began to enter Iris body via her orifices and skin. And a few moments later, a change began in her body.