The Beast within

A blood-red moon hung low over Capital City, casting an ominous glow across its skyline. In a remote research lab on the city’s outskirts, Dr. Alistair Kane, a brilliant but reclusive genetic scientist, stood trembling in front of a shattered containment chamber. His breath was ragged, his eyes wild. Vials of glowing serum were scattered across the floor.

He looked at his trembling hands—his nails were sharp, his skin bristling with thick, dark hair. He staggered toward a cracked mirror and saw his reflection twist into something monstrous.

“No… not again…” he whispered as his body contorted. His bones cracked, his muscles expanded, and with an ear-splitting roar, Lycantros was born—a towering werewolf with razor-sharp claws, glowing amber eyes, and a primal hunger that threatened to consume his mind.

Elsewhere, atop their usual rooftop base, Supernova, Speedstar, and Bee Girl were discussing recent anomalies detected across the city.

“There’s been an unusual spike in energy readings near the outskirts,” Bee Girl said, her visor projecting data mid-air. “It’s erratic and biological in nature. Definitely not a machine.”

Supernova nodded. “We’ll investigate. Speedstar, scout ahead. Bee Girl, monitor from above.”

“On it!” Speedstar said, vanishing in a streak of blue.

Moments later, the team arrived at the research facility—or what was left of it. Walls were clawed to shreds, glass littered the floor, and deep growls echoed in the distance.

“Whatever did this is still here,” Bee Girl whispered, activating her plasma stingers.

Speedstar zipped past overturned equipment. “Uh, guys? I think I found our—”

A massive, fur-covered claw swiped at him, narrowly missing his head. From the shadows emerged Lycantros, fangs bared and amber eyes glowing in the dark.

Supernova stepped forward, his fists glowing with celestial energy. “Stand down, creature. We don’t want to hurt you.”

But Lycantros roared and lunged at Supernova with terrifying speed, knocking him backward through a wall. Bee Girl opened fire with her stingers, plasma bolts lighting up the dark, but the werewolf dodged effortlessly. Speedstar tried circling him at blinding speed, but Lycantros slammed his claw into the ground, creating a shockwave that sent Speedstar tumbling.

Supernova stood, his aura flaring bright gold. “Enough!”

With a blinding flash, he released a controlled energy pulse that froze Lycantros in place. The beast growled, his chest heaving, before he slowly began to shrink. Fur receded, claws retracted, and standing before them was Dr. Alistair Kane, his lab coat tattered and his face filled with anguish.

“Please… you have to understand,” Kane gasped. “I was trying to cure degenerative diseases through accelerated cellular regeneration. But the serum—it triggered something primal… something uncontrollable.”

Bee Girl lowered her weapons. “You turned yourself into a werewolf?”

Kane nodded. “I thought I could control it, harness it even. But every transformation brings me closer to losing myself entirely.”

Supernova stepped forward, his voice steady. “You’re not a monster, Dr. Kane. You’re a man trying to fix his mistakes. We can help you.”

Kane hesitated. “If… if I stay with you, I might hurt someone.”

Speedstar shrugged. “Join the club, doc. We’re all walking disasters one way or another.”

Supernova extended his hand. “You don’t have to face this alone. Together, we’ll find a cure, and in the meantime, we’ll keep you from crossing that line.”

After a long pause, Kane took his hand.

Back at the Earth Guardians’ rooftop, Dr. Kane stood alongside the team, his head bowed.

Bee Girl crossed her arms. “So, are you going to Hulk out every full moon, or what?”

Kane smirked weakly. “It’s… complicated. But I’ll do my best to stay in control.”

Supernova nodded. “Welcome to the team, Dr. Kane. When the beast emerges, we’ll be there to keep him in check.”

In the distance, the moon began to set, casting its pale light over the team.

From that night forward, Lycantros, both man and beast, became an unofficial member of the Earth Guardians. A conflicted anti-hero battling his own inner darkness, yet standing ready to fight alongside his newfound allies when the world needed him most.

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