Soon, Luke and Doggo returned to the helicarrier.
At first, Doggo didn't seem much different, still the sa big, fluffy husky with sharp eyes and a wagging tail. But within minutes, his behavior shifted in a way that was impossible to ignore.
He lay flat on the ground, listless, his tail limp instead of wagging. His usual spark of energy was gone, replaced by a heavy, almost sulky stillness. Then, with a low groan in his throat, he began to retch as if sothing inside was clawing to get out.
The sound was enough to draw attention. Wanda, who had been sitting not far away, imdiately dropped what she was doing and rushed over. Sharon, equally alard, followed right behind her. Even Bumblebee, who usually remained upbeat no matter what, dimd his optics and crouched low, his massive fra radiating unease.
"Doggo, what happened?" Wanda asked hurriedly, kneeling at his side. Her fingers threaded through his fur in a gentle, worried stroke.
Although Wanda and Sharon had kept so distance from Doggo ever since witnessing his terrifying appetite for human flesh, their concern for him now was genuine.
Sharon squatted down as well, her brows furrowed. "What did you eat this ti?" she asked, half-pleading, half-scolding.
Luke opened his mouth, ready to reassure them, but before he could say a word, Bumblebee's deep, chanical voice filled the air.
"Doggo just ate an alien," Bumblebee explained. "And it seems to have upset his stomach."
The words hit harder than a thunderclap.
The won, who a heartbeat earlier were full of compassion, suddenly recoiled in horror.
"What?!" Wanda gasped, jerking back so fast she nearly tripped.
Sharon's eyes widened, her concern instantly vanishing, replaced by sheer disgust.
Without hesitation, Wanda raised her hand. A scarlet glow rippled at her fingertips as she pulled water from the nearby pool and splashed it across her palms. She scrubbed furiously, as if touching Doggo had contaminated her.
"Ugh, that's disgusting!" Wanda muttered.
Sharon copied her imdiately, stretching her hands toward the floating water even though she hadn't touched the husky at all. The two won exchanged a glance of shared revulsion, their faces pale.
Luke couldn't help but stare at them in disbelief. "Seriously?" he muttered under his breath. Their ability to switch from tenderness to revulsion in a single second was almost comical.
Doggo, however, looked utterly heartbroken. He blinked his now red eyes up at Wanda and Sharon, his ears drooping pitifully. No one was scratching behind his ears anymore, no soft voices coaxing him. Instead, there was only distance, and disdain.
But rather than bearing a grudge against them, Doggo turned his gaze toward Bumblebee with a glint of reproach. If a husky could sulk at soone, Doggo was definitely sulking at the autobot.
And then, before anyone could say more, Doggo's body tensed. He gagged, his sides heaving, his whole chest shuddering violently. The sound went on and on, his tongue lolling as his throat convulsed.
Finally, with a wet hack, he spat sothing onto the ground. Follow current novels on NoveI[F]ire
It was small, not much bigger than a fingernail, but it pulsed faintly, glowing with a sinister dark-red light that seed to shift and writhe like liquid fla.
Luke's eyes widened instantly. His breath caught.
"The Reality Stone…" he whispered.
He had expected Doggo to cough up the Aether's liquid form, but this… this was the solidified Infinity Stone itself, glimring with raw, terrifying energy.
His hand twitched, as though to reach for it, but he stopped himself just in ti. He knew the danger better than most.
Each Infinity Stone was a force of creation, boundless and rciless. And among them, the Reality Stone was arguably the most volatile. It could reshape rules, bend matter and thought alike, and grant form to any wish, at a devastating cost. Even Thanos had never dared wield it without the Gauntlet.
No, rashly touching it would be suicide.
Bumblebee, however, crouched low, his optics flaring. "What is this…?" he murmured, the hum in his voice carrying uncharacteristic awe.
Dark-blue lights rippled across his eyes as he initiated a scan. His sensors buzzed, whirring audibly in the quiet surroundings.
Luke, anwhile, tugged Doggo back a few steps, his hand gripping the scruff of the husky's neck. The dog's tail was already wagging again, his strength restored the mont he rid himself of the Stone.
After several tense minutes, Bumblebee straightened. His optics flickered with a strange light.
"Boss," he said gravely, "this thing radiates an energy source unlike anything I've ever encountered. It's… practically endless. Almost like the Spark that gives life to transforrs, only stronger. More stable."
Luke narrowed his eyes. "You're saying… you could use this?"
Bumblebee hesitated, then gave a slow, solemn nod.
The Stone's glow reflected in his polished armor, its crimson light painting him in a warlike hue.
Luke tilted his head. "Would it even be useful to you?" he asked cautiously. "If it is, then by all ans, just take it."
For Bumblebee, Luke's trust was absolute.
But the autobot shook his head. His voice was firm. "Not for , Boss. For you."
Luke blinked in surprise. "?"
"Yes," Bumblebee continued. "With this… I could forge a real army of Transforrs. Machines with true life. Not a squad, not a battalion, an actual endless army."
Luke's eyes widened as the weight of the statent sank in.
An army of orcs already stood behind him. And now? Another potential army, this one chanical and tireless.
"Seriously?" he muttered, half in disbelief. Was the universe conspiring to hand him armies until he had no choice but to beco a conqueror?
Fortunately, Luke had no interest in domination. But still, armies had their uses. He couldn't help but imagine it, standing against Thanos with the orcs on his right flank and the Transforrs on his left. The aura farming alone would be worth it.
He gave a small smile. "Alright. Take care of it. If you need anything, let know. When that army's built, you'll be their leader."
For a long second, Bumblebee didn't move. His optics glowed with sothing almost human, excitent and pride. He had always envied Doggo's place at Luke's side. But now, he finally had sothing no one could overlook.
Without hesitation, Bumblebee reached for the Stone. His huge fingers carefully pinched the tiny shard of power, and with a soft click, he opened a compartnt in his chest.
The Reality Stone slid inside and the effect was imdiate.
Bumblebee convulsed violently, his armor rattling as if every bolt were trying to shake loose. Dark-red lines spiderwebbed across his body, glowing like molten veins. His tal plating shifted and rearranged, reinforcing itself, becoming denser, heavier, sharper.
The transformation lasted five long minutes.
When it ended, Bumblebee no longer looked the sa. His entire form radiated strength and refinent, as though he had been reforged by the universe itself.
A familiar ding echoed in Luke's mind.
[Bumblebee has been transford by the Reality Stone. His strength has greatly increased. He has advanced from Level 3 to Level 5. He has also acquired the ability to give life to other machines.]
Luke's chest tightened with excitent. Doggo was already powerful enough and he was just level 4, and now Bumblebee stood shoulder to shoulder with Gul'dan who was even stronger.
And as if to prove the change, Bumblebee's fra shifted once again. Plates folded, wheels spun into place, and his entire body compressed into car form.
Only now, he wasn't a yellow Camaro.
Before their astonished eyes, Bumblebee glead in a brand-new shape; sleek, aerodynamic, and blazing red. A sports car, stunningly beautiful, polished to perfection.
…
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