How Can I Avoid the Mutant Teenager Cliche?

Hey all! I'm currently writing a sci-fi story involving a bunch of mutant teens - that is, whose DNA has been meshed with this, that, and the other. For a little background info, they were trained for warfare until recently, when the whole operation was shut down. I'm trying to think of a general plot outline for what happens to them next, but it's been a struggle because I'm trying to avoid cliches.

You know the kind -- mainly in YA fiction, where the evil scientist(s) go after the escaped mutant main characters in hopes of using their powers for their own nefarious means. I'm trying to think of an interesting, perhaps unusual general plot that goes against these cliches/stereotypes. Any ideas?

Thanks (:

Who shut the operation down? If it was shut down by the government, you have some interesting options. Maybe the government puts them in Witness Protection to stop exactly that from happening, and the plot is about these ex-soldiers-to-be trying to learn to be civilians. I'm guessing they were raised in some sort of military-esque base, so things we take for granted about life will be completely foreign to them.

Or, depending on how dangerous their powers are (what are their powers?), they could have been locked up by the government until they can find a way to suppress or remove their powers, at which point they'll be placed with foster families far away from each other, in which case they'll be trying to reconnect with each other and probably get their powers back.

The most cliche thing you could do, besides have someone try to use their powers for evil means, is have them turn superhero. Otherwise I would suggest that (and then take it back because I'm using that in one of my novels).

Was there a specific war they were being trained for? Did the people who created them think there was a big war coming and were preparing them to make sure that their side won? If that was the case, the teens might try to just continue their creators' plans on their own.

Sometimes cliches work, that is why they are cliche. It's just making it believable. I would worry more about making it realistic than worry about cliches. That's what 2nd drafts are for.
But one thing that helps me is asking "What do the readers expect?" and then do something different.
For instance, if my mutant teens are in the story, what would the readers expect? X-men, using super powers to save people, teenage mutant turtles, all fighting one main evil guy, all fighting against being socially unacceptable. So what could I do to not write ideas like that?
It's pretty interesting to see what I come up with. I find that question better than any brainstorming activities that I have done. Just remember though, it doesn't have to apply to EVERYTHING in a story. It's perfectly okay to have the girl get kidnapped, to have the couple in the story end up together, to defeat the evil boss. If not, then it would seem like a drama mess.

What if instead of a govt trying to find the kids to use them. Why don't you add a twist and make it the kids choice to seek out ways to use their powers to take over the world? how awesome would it be for these kids to be super humans with hiked up DNA and their program getting shut down because the govt is scared of what they created and they escape to continue on with the plan to rule the world.

What if the program is actually still going on? That their specific part of the program was shut down because... well... they were basically rejects. They got some powers, they were trained, but midst these brilliant young weapons the gov't raising, there are these... flickering flashlights that don't really stand out. The gov't simply doesn't want them, and doesn't feel the need to continue the expense of raising them when they're never going to be what the gov't actually wanted.

Maybe the hitch is to assimilate back into society? How they can become something extraordinary without all of these powers?

Technically, you can only do this by having them not be mutants or teenagers, since the cliche IS Mutant Teenager. As long as your characters tick those two boxes, you're in the trope.

Good news: This does not have to be a problem, if you write it well enough that people won't mind.

As everyone else has said, it isn't anything to really worry about as long as you make sure you're writing well, the story's engaging and the characters are likable. Did anyone accuse "The Incredibles" of veering too close to "Watchmen"? Probably but no one honestly cared, right? I can name several books/movies/comics that begin with the same premise but ended up with totally different and unique stories in the end. So I wouldn't worry too much if I were you. :)

Best of luck!

Maybe the 'evil' genius wasn't so evil and didn't have evil goals? Mess the black and white up? Maybe his actions were considered 'evil', but his goal was honorable.

A few suggestions:

1. Add contrasts and conflicts to your protagonist group. Give your heroes personalities that aren't always entirely likable, and give them relationships that aren't always functional--and design your characters to "fit" each other in relationships both good and bad. Characters who can't stand each other but who have to cooperate are always a good source of drama.

2. Do the same for the "government scientists" (itself a cliche, if a reliable one). Give them their humanity, their virtues and flaws and complicated relationships with each other.

3. Let's say, for instance, that your heroes have just been released out into the big, wide world. They need to survive in a world with which they are probably fairly unfamiliar. Some of them might sell out to corporations which want to exploit them; others might try to campaign for "mutant dignity" (and government compensation), hit the reality-show circuit (mutants are the new octo-moms or idle heiresses?), try to put their pasts behind them and just be "normal", play costumed hero/villain, or end up mired in drugs and homelessness. The scientists, too, have talents that could be put to use in other sectors...

4. Maybe their mutations weren't "finished" when the program was shut down--what happens? Do they have serious health problems? Are their powers unstable--might they fade in and out, eventually go away, or go juggernaut?