Transformer in MCU

No one knew where the rumor originated, but the speed at which it spread was eerily fast. Within mere minutes, it reached nearly the entire underground world.

When people first heard about it, most dismissed it.

"War with vampires? That quiet mechanic? What a joke! How could he be fighting vampires? He's a good kid."

One user, posting on a special black-market website, sarcastically mocked Downey, implying that he was harmless and didn't act like a high-level mutant at all.

This made officials feel at ease about him, leaving them unsure of what to think.

Yet, the rumors continued to escalate, rapidly gaining influence, and in just a few hours, they caused a major stir.

Someone uploaded a video, claiming it captured Downey fighting vampires.

This alarmed many people. Various organizations, as well as top international hackers, sprang into action, using their own means to verify its authenticity.

In a short time, forces around the globe mobilized experts to analyze the footage.

Though blurry, one thing was clear—Optimus Prime was unmistakable.

In the video, he stood out, wielding a rocket launcher in one hand and a Vulcan cannon in the other, his overwhelming presence palpable even through the screen.

Curious hackers tried to trace the identity of the person who uploaded the video, seeking to uncover whether they were an accomplice of Downey, a vampire, or perhaps a third-party observer.

But the trail went cold; the uploader had covered their tracks meticulously.

Many groups smelled a conspiracy. They were cautious, preferring to wait and see what might unfold.

However, one thing was certain: Downey had made a major move, and many now knew that he had single-handedly decimated a vampire stronghold.

The act reverberated like a loud slap across the underground world. People anxiously awaited the vampires' response.

That night, the news of Downey's fight with vampires spread like wildfire through the dark underworld.

Powerful factions took note, their reactions ranging from concern to amusement, some even celebrating.

"Ha! That fool. Does he think vampires are that easy to provoke? What an idiot,"

Kingpin remarked, his bloated frame sprawled on a lavish sofa, snickering with disdain. "Such a waste. High-level mutants are valuable assets."

Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D. rubbed his temples, already tired of the situation.

"Keep a close watch on the situation. If necessary, send in senior agents to assist Downey and eliminate the vampires. They've been far too active lately; it's time they settle down."

Magneto, restless for days, stood before a strange and massive machine. When he heard the news, he merely shrugged.

"Vampires? A bunch of fools. Let the boy use them for practice. If he can't handle this, he's worthless. Still..." Magneto paused, considering. "Send someone to back him up."

Meanwhile, the official government response was swift. They immediately held a press conference, attributing the bar fire to a drunken mishap, claiming alcohol had been accidentally ignited. The fire, they said, was under control, with no casualties reported.

That night, Downey's nickname, "The Mechanic," became widely known.

Downey himself remained oblivious to the stir he had caused. He assumed that the fire had wiped away most of the evidence.

Even if some traces remained, he expected the authorities to discreetly handle it.

After all, even if word got back to the vampires, he hoped he'd have enough time to prepare for their retaliation.

He knew the vampires wouldn't let this go easily. If they struck again, it might trigger a full-scale war.

Downey needed time—time to upgrade and arm himself. Battling vampires seemed manageable; as long as he wasn't bitten, he could fight them off.

Except for their ancient ancestors, who lived in myth and legend, even the so-called pureblood vampires could be taken down.

Then Coulson called.

After briefly filling him in, Coulson told him just how widespread the situation had become.

"Mr. Downey," Coulson's voice was calm as always, "not only have major organizations taken notice, but the entire underground world knows about it. And, well, a lot of people know you now."

Coulson went on to explain how even S.H.I.E.L.D. had attempted to track the individual who leaked the footage, but they, too, had failed.

Downey was surprised but quickly pieced it together.

"Someone's playing me," he muttered, more to himself than to Coulson.

He wasn't naive. Though he was still somewhat new to this Supernatural world, he was beginning to see things more clearly.

From the casual administrator who sought him out to the sudden attack on the road, the unexpected supply of heavy weapons, and finally, his confrontation with the vampires—someone had orchestrated all of it.

It wasn't just that they wanted him to fight. They wanted him to win, hence why someone had even supplied him with ammunition mid-battle.

And then there was that absurd, almost comical cry: For the glory of vampires! It was a blatant signal that someone was stirring the pot, pushing him into conflict with the bloodsuckers.

Coulson's voice pulled him out of his thoughts. "Mr. Downey, do you have any leads? We have the resources to help you figure out who's pulling the strings."

Coulson was skilled in reading people, knowing that what Downey really needed wasn't necessarily the answer to who was behind this—it was an alliance.

Downey needed power, backing, a solid foundation he could lean on, even if they were using him as much as he was using them.

S.H.I.E.L.D. had been observing Downey for some time now. They understood the kind of man he was.

He wasn't exactly a hero, but neither was he a villain. Downey was neutral, practical. If he had no personal enemies, he was someone you could talk to, negotiate with.

If he weren't, he'd have likely joined Magneto or Professor X by now. After all, they would have eagerly accepted him into their ranks.

Instead, Downey had chosen to remain in the heart of New York, keeping his house in a city full of cameras.

He had tacitly accepted the fact that he was being monitored—just as much as he monitored others.

This unsaid agreement between Downey and the authorities was clear: they respected his privacy as long as he didn't make any overt moves against them.

Surprisingly, many within government circles admired Downey for his restraint. A level 4 mutant like him could easily disrupt the status quo, yet he didn't.

Some even advocated for bringing Downey into their ranks, perhaps even forming a specialized team with him at the core.

Of course, not everyone was on his side. People like General Ross harbored deep-seated malice toward mutants like Downey.

But Downey wasn't worried about the government. In fact, compared to people like Professor X and Magneto—who were practically sovereign rulers in their own right—Downey seemed far more reasonable.

That's what made the government keen on keeping tabs on him. He could be their ace in the hole.

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Sayo nara~~