Transformer in MCU

Coulson carefully probed Downey, asking if he was willing to provide any clues and accept the support of S.H.I.E.L.D.

This was an opportunity to further solidify their relationship, giving S.H.I.E.L.D. a chance to assist Downey, which could open doors for future collaboration.

This was, without a doubt, a significant opportunity.

Downey smiled, feeling a sense of ease despite knowing that Coulson was skillfully playing his cards.

"Coulson, I have to admit, you're really good with words. You always seem to know exactly what to say," Downey remarked over the phone.

Coulson chuckled softly. He knew that not receiving an outright rejection was a good sign.

"At the very least, we can provide what you need, right? We have no interest in harming you. Since day one, we've been open about our intention to work with you," Coulson replied, his tone calm and reassuring.

Downey didn't say much in response. Organizations as large and far-reaching as S.H.I.E.L.D. were often very calculated, knowing when and how to make their intentions clear.

What did Coulson mean by "never concealed"? Downey was no fool; he understood that a global organization like S.H.I.E.L.D. would naturally try to recruit him—his background was too clean, his abilities too valuable.

Downey's past had been thoroughly scrutinized: he had no criminal record, no ties to shady organizations, and led a life that resembled that of a model citizen.

If S.H.I.E.L.D. hadn't tried to win him over, they'd be out of their minds.

S.H.I.E.L.D. had noticed Downey's calm demeanor even after waking up in the hospital and navigating through a series of unexpected events.

So, their strategy was clear: an open attempt to recruit him. There was no need for subtlety; both parties understood each other's position perfectly.

The real concern was whether Downey, having lost his parents and facing the dangers of his new life, would spiral into madness.

Would he transform into a ruthless supervillain, wreaking havoc across cities? For now, his actions suggested otherwise, giving S.H.I.E.L.D. some reassurance.

They saw the potential to bring him into their fold, hoping to guide him toward stability before he became a loose cannon.

An individual like Downey, unburdened by ties or obligations, represented an immense risk. S.H.I.E.L.D. needed to anchor him—whether through obligations, alliances, or even missions—anything that would keep him from becoming a wild card.

Before ending the conversation, Coulson informed Downey that Director Fury would be visiting soon for a frank conversation.

Downey shrugged, not opposed to the idea. "For now, I just need some silver weapons. And if you can send over a batch of alloys, that'd be great."

Coulson agreed without hesitation. The fact that Downey was asking for something—a tangible need—was a positive step. Better for him to have requests than to want for nothing.

After hanging up, Downey's attention shifted to the old bartender who was slumped on the ground, pretending to be unconscious.

A large bump was visible on his head—a result of Downey's vibranium strike.

Without wasting time, Downey drove to the scrapyard. He planned to find the administrator, interrogate him for information, and then eliminate him.

But when he arrived, the administrator was already dead. Clutching a wad of dollar bills, the man had been shot during what appeared to be a transaction.

Downey sighed. While he had suspected as much, seeing it confirmed still disappointed him. One more lead lost.

Turning back to his work, Downey began picking through the scrap metal.

He selected a few half-decent vehicles for Optimus Prime to absorb and rebuild from.

The process was laborious. Optimus Prime, limited by his own structure and the source of his power, couldn't simply upgrade haphazardly.

Inferior materials had to be removed, and only the finest parts were assimilated into his body.

That's why Downey had kidnapped the old bartender in the first place.

He needed someone to help him construct a powerful motorcycle from the ground up.

A well-made vehicle would be easier to upgrade without hitting the material's limits too soon.

While Optimus Prime was already powerful, upgrading him was a painstaking process that drained Downey's mental energy.

Eventually, Downey succeeded in transforming Optimus Prime.

Standing almost four meters tall, Optimus Prime's new form shimmered with a sleek, metallic finish.

The intricate body design was both awe-inspiring and intimidating. Downey was pleased with the result.

Optimus Prime's newfound combat power would give him more confidence in future encounters.

Not stopping there, Downey chose two additional cars. He soaked them in the energy of the All Spark, hoping to turn them into Transformers to serve as temporary cannon fodder.

This time, Downey was cautious—carefully planning his steps. After all, he had already been deceived once.

The world was dangerous, and every misstep could be his last.

Meanwhile, the old bartender lay motionless, continuing his charade.

"Hey! Get up, unless you want to suffer!" Downey barked.

The old man's eyelids twitched, but he stubbornly refused to budge, still playing dead.

Smack!

Without hesitation, Downey brought down his vibranium strike, landing it squarely on the old man's head.

The bartender groaned, another sizable lump forming on his skull.

"Maybe he's actually unconscious this time?" Downey wondered aloud, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

He had been using vibranium so frequently that the high-grade material had practically become a makeshift hammer in his hands.

The bartender silently wept. While he had originally been faking, this blow had knocked him out cold for real.

Downey, ever thorough, continued to land a few more strikes, leaving the poor man's head swollen like a balloon.

Only when satisfied did Downey finally pocket his vibranium weapon.

If vibranium had a consciousness, it would surely curse Downey for his sheer misuse of it. What fool treated such a precious material as a common brick?

With the old bartender out cold, Downey commanded Optimus Prime to transform into a truck and tossed the bartender into the back.

Even as a truck, the newly upgraded Optimus Prime looked impressive.

Gleaming and solid, the new model gave off an air of reliability. Any truck enthusiast would have praised it as a masterpiece.

Downey drove Optimus Prime slowly back toward New York, flanked by two dilapidated cars trailing behind.

Despite anticipating another ambush from his unseen enemies, the journey remained uneventful. He was expecting one last trick up their sleeve, yet none came.

It seemed those pulling the strings behind the scenes understood that this was Downey's territory now, and they wisely chose to let him return unchallenged.

Still, as he entered the city, the sight of two seemingly driverless cars following him caused a few pedestrians to scream in fright and frantically call the police.

Ignoring them, Downey headed straight for his cherished home. There, he would prepare for his meeting with the ever-conniving Nick Fury.

He was curious to see what Fury would have to say.

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sayo nara ~~