Given that we don't know for CERTAIN that Syler takes the brains to take the power of the person, I will still make that assumption. Its import because of my crazy theory depends on it. Syler is really Peter.
Peter can assume the power of any hero...temporarily. Peter wants to do good but cannot, apparently, do anything on his own. He MUST rely on another hero. I propose that something TRAMATIC happens to him BECAUSE he is otherwise helpless/normal (Future Hiro says he gets a scar). He finds out he can assume the power of a hero by taking their brain. Of course, all this presupposes he gets the ability to go back in time so that he can assume the powers necessary to prevent that TRAMATIC EVENT. The Future Hiro doesn't know Syler=Peter when Hiro goes back in time.
Peter can assume the power of any hero...temporarily. Peter wants to do good but cannot, apparently, do anything on his own. He MUST rely on another hero. I propose that something TRAMATIC happens to him BECAUSE he is otherwise helpless/normal (Future Hiro says he gets a scar). He finds out he can assume the power of a hero by taking their brain. Of course, all this presupposes he gets the ability to go back in time so that he can assume the powers necessary to prevent that TRAMATIC EVENT. The Future Hiro doesn't know Syler=Peter when Hiro goes back in time.