Captain Saturn

So Lar, of Tethys (click here for Character Sheet)

Captain Saturn #69: The Gamma Wave

As So navigated the silent expanse of space, his crystalline vessel shimmered with an ethereal glow. Suddenly, a blinding burst of light disrupted the tranquility as a rogue gamma wave surged through the vessel. The nexus of raw energy enveloped So, transforming him at a molecular level, while also unleashing excruciating waves of pain, as if he was being ripped to pieces.  He fought the urge to scream.

He felt his golden skin burn as it absorbed the stellar energy, his form shifting and expanding as his skin re-weaved itself about him - infinitely stronger than before. The wave simultaneously intertwined with his consciousness, flooding his mind with visions of immense possibilities. With newfound clarity, he willed his body to become intangible, merging with the cosmic energy around him. The effort of sheer will nearly drained him of his life essence.

As the gamma wave passed, So was left breathless and barely clinging to life. His vessel, now adrift and damaged, crash-landed on Earth. It was only after impact that So finally regained consciousness, profoundly changed and empowered. As he emerged from the craft, So tried to speak - it came out as only a high-pitched wail - and his head exploded with pain as all he knew disappeared and there was only white.

His body then grew.  And grew.  He clasped his hands to his head, crashing to his knees and shaking the earth, as his scream finally ended and he re-gained control.  He had grown to an immense size, destroying his vessel and flattening the trees around him. As he slowly stood, he simultaneously shrank, gradually to his original size, seemingly gaining control of his newfound ability.

His footsteps carried him from the remote wooded land in which he had crashed, toward a city bright with lights, and possibilities, he would later learn was called - New York.