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Chapter 450: Vortex and His Pet
The arrival of Ancient Doomsday was a bit too fast.
For the current Tony, dealing with that kind of enemy was astonishingly difficult.
Unless he gambled it all on the Plot Gem, but if he did that, his nature as a Singular God couldn't be hidden. Countless other Singular Gods would show up at his door, more than happy to drag him away for dissection.
A demigod-level Singular God was pathetically weak. Those ancient gods would be delighted to slaughter Tony and study his secrets.
Unless he fled to other universes beforehand, or contacted other, more benevolent Singular Gods.
For instance, the Fifth Dimension. They would probably be happy to take Tony in. The Fifth King, Fifth Queen, Golden Superman, and the others there had no fear of Doomsday and could easily whisk Tony away.
He also had an "old friend" in the Fifth Dimension, Mr. Mxyzptlk.
"Ancient Doomsday has intelligence, but no intellect. It's a high-level beast through and through. Killing or imprisoning it is impossible, so I have to think of another way..."
Tony pondered for a moment, pushing the doubt to the back of his mind. He put his arm around Wanda and asked, "What's for dinner tonight?"
"I want to eat... you!" Wanda whispered, leaning close to Tony's ear.
"Alright..."
...
Somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean, at the Decepticon base.
In a high-level incubation chamber, a giant door opened at the command of an operator bot, and a figure walked out.
On the purple incubation chamber, various substances flowed through a multitude of extremely complex conduits—some were liquid metal, some was energy from super-charged crystals, and some were tiny parts imperceptible to the naked eye.
All of these were nutrients for a newborn Transformer.
Along with the input of Protoform CNA—which, like a human zygote, was totipotent—it would grow continuously under the constant supply of nutrients, eventually becoming a complete individual.
This was how Transformers were born.
The one who emerged from this special incubation chamber was none other than Vortex. In the war against the criminals of the Phantom Zone, he had caught Megatron's eye and was given the opportunity for ascension.
Vortex looked down at his much stronger body and couldn't help but clench his fists, feeling the explosive power as excitement filled his eyes.
[Name: Vortex]
[Affiliation: Decepticons]
[Chassis: Type III (Good)]
[Height: 9.2 meters]
[Energy: 12000/47000]
[Spark: Weak (Growing)]
...
Vortex had gone from a level-one grunt to a powerful warrior with a Type III chassis, becoming the perfect poster child for the "Decepticon Dream."
He had risked his life for this, not only fighting desperately on the battlefield and showcasing his talent, but also enduring several near-death experiences in the incubation chamber. He had finally pulled through, successfully unlocking his genetic potential.
"Sir, congratulations on your success," a low-ranking Decepticon warrior said respectfully, his voice filled with envy and reverence.
Gaining an ascension wasn't that simple.
Every Transformer had infinite possibilities, but how many truly had the ability to unlock their potential? Especially someone like Vortex, who had risked death to jump two ranks.
During the ascension process, many Transformers were unable to bear the influx of powerful energy and various chaotic, complex resources. Their genetic code failed to undergo positive changes during the near-death state, and the final result was death.
Too many Transformers died during ascension.
Someone like Vortex, jumping two levels, was exceedingly rare.
There was no telling how many times he had lingered at death's door, narrowly surviving each time.
"Lord Vortex, Lord Megatron is waiting for you," the low-ranking warrior said respectfully.
The surrounding Decepticon warriors also lowered their heads slightly, their faces full of deference.
"No need, I'm already here!" Megatron strode in with heavy steps, pushing the doors open directly. Unconcealed admiration shone in his crimson optics. "Well done. You haven't disappointed me."
With that, he walked up to Vortex and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You have the potential. I knew I wasn't wrong about you."
"Lord Megatron..." Vortex was incredibly emotional, stammering, unable to say a word.
"The war is about to begin. The legion is assembling, and I need powerful warriors like you," Megatron said. "You distinguished yourself on the battlefield, so you should return to it and let more people witness your terror."
Just then, Starscream walked in, sizing up Vortex with a scrutinizing gaze. He, too, was somewhat surprised.
An ascension that skipped two levels was truly rare.
"Excellent. What's your name? From now on, you'll join my unit, under the leadership of me—the brilliant second-in-command, Starscream..."
"No. I will have Vortex serve as my personal guard." Megatron showed Starscream no respect, rejecting him on the spot.
Starscream's expression froze for a moment before he quickly recovered, delivering a stream of practiced flattery. "Of course. You are supreme, my lord."
Megatron clapped Vortex heavily on the shoulder, creating a dull thud. The tall Vortex didn't even sway.
"Starscream, has the grand army finished assembling?" Megatron asked in a low voice.
"Of course. A total of two hundred seventy thousand warriors are assembled and ready to cross the sea to attack Wakanda at any moment. However, are this many soldiers really enough?" Starscream said.
The Decepticons, having entered a rapid troop-building mode, were growing at an incredible rate. They were limited only by resources and energy.
But two hundred seventy thousand had completely drained the Decepticons' reserves.
It couldn't be helped. The chassis of various Transformer models were massive resource sinks. The various synthetic rare metals were too hard to come by and too time-consuming to produce.
Their population base also failed to grow, which in turn hindered the efficiency of their resource production.
All of the Decepticons' resources came from the ocean floor; their various minerals were also mined from there.
"Primus will also make a move. That is not our concern." Megatron shot Starscream a glare, then turned and left.
Starscream hastily followed.
As they departed, Vortex could finally take a look at his new self.
"You've gotten stronger," a low-ranking warrior walked over and said with envy.
"I will perform meritorious deeds and make you stronger too, Surfboard. You are my second closest—no, third closest bot," Vortex said in a low voice, looking at his brother, Surfboard.
The closest was Tony. The second spot had been taken by Megatron. Right now, Vortex's mind was completely filled with the thought of achieving great things for Megatron.
"I don't need it. What you can do, I can do too." The low-level bot named Surfboard refused. He retracted his envious gaze, his eyes now showing an eager, competitive expression.
He and Vortex had been sparked at the same time, but Vortex had already left him far behind. He was still languishing in the lower ranks. How could he be content with that?
*Zzzt~~~*
A palm-sized scorpion scurried out from a corner and skillfully climbed onto Vortex's shoulder.
Scorponok. This was Vortex's pet, a grunt that wasn't even a Type I warrior—perhaps it couldn't even be considered a grunt. It was just a little gadget accidentally created from spare parts.
"Oh, oh, of course, I won't forget you either. We'll all get stronger," Vortex said quietly, looking at his pet.
The scorpion buzzed, and the exquisite little parts on its long tail spun continuously, glinting with a cold light.
(end of chapter)
The arrival of Ancient Doomsday was a bit too fast.
For the current Tony, dealing with that kind of enemy was astonishingly difficult.
Unless he gambled it all on the Plot Gem, but if he did that, his nature as a Singular God couldn't be hidden. Countless other Singular Gods would show up at his door, more than happy to drag him away for dissection.
A demigod-level Singular God was pathetically weak. Those ancient gods would be delighted to slaughter Tony and study his secrets.
Unless he fled to other universes beforehand, or contacted other, more benevolent Singular Gods.
For instance, the Fifth Dimension. They would probably be happy to take Tony in. The Fifth King, Fifth Queen, Golden Superman, and the others there had no fear of Doomsday and could easily whisk Tony away.
He also had an "old friend" in the Fifth Dimension, Mr. Mxyzptlk.
"Ancient Doomsday has intelligence, but no intellect. It's a high-level beast through and through. Killing or imprisoning it is impossible, so I have to think of another way..."
Tony pondered for a moment, pushing the doubt to the back of his mind. He put his arm around Wanda and asked, "What's for dinner tonight?"
"I want to eat... you!" Wanda whispered, leaning close to Tony's ear.
"Alright..."
...
Somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean, at the Decepticon base.
In a high-level incubation chamber, a giant door opened at the command of an operator bot, and a figure walked out.
On the purple incubation chamber, various substances flowed through a multitude of extremely complex conduits—some were liquid metal, some was energy from super-charged crystals, and some were tiny parts imperceptible to the naked eye.
All of these were nutrients for a newborn Transformer.
Along with the input of Protoform CNA—which, like a human zygote, was totipotent—it would grow continuously under the constant supply of nutrients, eventually becoming a complete individual.
This was how Transformers were born.
The one who emerged from this special incubation chamber was none other than Vortex. In the war against the criminals of the Phantom Zone, he had caught Megatron's eye and was given the opportunity for ascension.
Vortex looked down at his much stronger body and couldn't help but clench his fists, feeling the explosive power as excitement filled his eyes.
[Name: Vortex]
[Affiliation: Decepticons]
[Chassis: Type III (Good)]
[Height: 9.2 meters]
[Energy: 12000/47000]
[Spark: Weak (Growing)]
...
Vortex had gone from a level-one grunt to a powerful warrior with a Type III chassis, becoming the perfect poster child for the "Decepticon Dream."
He had risked his life for this, not only fighting desperately on the battlefield and showcasing his talent, but also enduring several near-death experiences in the incubation chamber. He had finally pulled through, successfully unlocking his genetic potential.
"Sir, congratulations on your success," a low-ranking Decepticon warrior said respectfully, his voice filled with envy and reverence.
Gaining an ascension wasn't that simple.
Every Transformer had infinite possibilities, but how many truly had the ability to unlock their potential? Especially someone like Vortex, who had risked death to jump two ranks.
During the ascension process, many Transformers were unable to bear the influx of powerful energy and various chaotic, complex resources. Their genetic code failed to undergo positive changes during the near-death state, and the final result was death.
Too many Transformers died during ascension.
Someone like Vortex, jumping two levels, was exceedingly rare.
There was no telling how many times he had lingered at death's door, narrowly surviving each time.
"Lord Vortex, Lord Megatron is waiting for you," the low-ranking warrior said respectfully.
The surrounding Decepticon warriors also lowered their heads slightly, their faces full of deference.
"No need, I'm already here!" Megatron strode in with heavy steps, pushing the doors open directly. Unconcealed admiration shone in his crimson optics. "Well done. You haven't disappointed me."
With that, he walked up to Vortex and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You have the potential. I knew I wasn't wrong about you."
"Lord Megatron..." Vortex was incredibly emotional, stammering, unable to say a word.
"The war is about to begin. The legion is assembling, and I need powerful warriors like you," Megatron said. "You distinguished yourself on the battlefield, so you should return to it and let more people witness your terror."
Just then, Starscream walked in, sizing up Vortex with a scrutinizing gaze. He, too, was somewhat surprised.
An ascension that skipped two levels was truly rare.
"Excellent. What's your name? From now on, you'll join my unit, under the leadership of me—the brilliant second-in-command, Starscream..."
"No. I will have Vortex serve as my personal guard." Megatron showed Starscream no respect, rejecting him on the spot.
Starscream's expression froze for a moment before he quickly recovered, delivering a stream of practiced flattery. "Of course. You are supreme, my lord."
Megatron clapped Vortex heavily on the shoulder, creating a dull thud. The tall Vortex didn't even sway.
"Starscream, has the grand army finished assembling?" Megatron asked in a low voice.
"Of course. A total of two hundred seventy thousand warriors are assembled and ready to cross the sea to attack Wakanda at any moment. However, are this many soldiers really enough?" Starscream said.
The Decepticons, having entered a rapid troop-building mode, were growing at an incredible rate. They were limited only by resources and energy.
But two hundred seventy thousand had completely drained the Decepticons' reserves.
It couldn't be helped. The chassis of various Transformer models were massive resource sinks. The various synthetic rare metals were too hard to come by and too time-consuming to produce.
Their population base also failed to grow, which in turn hindered the efficiency of their resource production.
All of the Decepticons' resources came from the ocean floor; their various minerals were also mined from there.
"Primus will also make a move. That is not our concern." Megatron shot Starscream a glare, then turned and left.
Starscream hastily followed.
As they departed, Vortex could finally take a look at his new self.
"You've gotten stronger," a low-ranking warrior walked over and said with envy.
"I will perform meritorious deeds and make you stronger too, Surfboard. You are my second closest—no, third closest bot," Vortex said in a low voice, looking at his brother, Surfboard.
The closest was Tony. The second spot had been taken by Megatron. Right now, Vortex's mind was completely filled with the thought of achieving great things for Megatron.
"I don't need it. What you can do, I can do too." The low-level bot named Surfboard refused. He retracted his envious gaze, his eyes now showing an eager, competitive expression.
He and Vortex had been sparked at the same time, but Vortex had already left him far behind. He was still languishing in the lower ranks. How could he be content with that?
*Zzzt~~~*
A palm-sized scorpion scurried out from a corner and skillfully climbed onto Vortex's shoulder.
Scorponok. This was Vortex's pet, a grunt that wasn't even a Type I warrior—perhaps it couldn't even be considered a grunt. It was just a little gadget accidentally created from spare parts.
"Oh, oh, of course, I won't forget you either. We'll all get stronger," Vortex said quietly, looking at his pet.
The scorpion buzzed, and the exquisite little parts on its long tail spun continuously, glinting with a cold light.
(end of chapter)
