Aftermath

"New Threat or New Hero: Eyewitness Interview"—New York Times

"Battle in the Heart of the City: The Military Cannot Escape Blame, Ross Should Face a Court-Martial"—Herald Tribune

"Day of Disaster: Spider-Man Fled Without Fighting"—Daily Bugle

The street battle in New York caused a massive uproar, throwing public opinion around the world into an uproar.

For the first time, monster-level combatants had completely abandoned law and morality, ignored civilians, and fought in the middle of the city, leaving countless dead and wounded. Afterward, some bold individuals entered the combat zone and found devastation everywhere they looked. One street had been reduced to ruins, and several nearby streets were badly damaged as well, presenting an apocalyptic scene. Countless people wept bitterly amid the rubble for their dead loved ones.

Large numbers of citizens took to the streets of their own accord, waving flags during the marches and cursing the military for its incompetence.

"Since I can't be protected, then I shouldn't have to pay taxes. I should pay taxes to the people who protect me... It's all Ross's fault."

A man leaning on crutches spoke bluntly during an interview.

"If it hadn't been for that person last night, I'd already be dead. I'm very grateful to him... A Mutant? Whoever he loves is none of my damn business! All I know is that he could protect me when I needed help the most."

The unprecedented upheaval rattled the nerves of society. People began worrying about their own safety, protests erupted one after another, and countless experts and professors stepped forward to cite texts and speak at length.

"What is your view on this bloody incident?" a famous program host asked.

"This is a man-made disaster that will go down in human history. Our generation will be nailed to the pillar of shame in history and written about at great length. Someone must be held accountable..." said an elderly professor of human sociology.

"Could you estimate what caused this incident?"

"It's all fucking Ross's fault," the old professor said.

The military remained silent for a long time. Faced with mounting pressure from both the public and above, they finally could not withstand it any longer. They claimed that everything had originated from the failed Super Soldier Program and that the military would terminate the Super Soldier Program.

One victim aggressively questioned the military spokesperson. Could a casual "termination of the program" make up for the harm they had suffered? Did the military, as the true culprit, have no explanation at all?

The military spokesperson was silent for a long time before answering, "It's all fucking Ross's fault."

General Ross was completely disgraced.

When Donnie woke up, two days had already passed. He had slept for a full two days.

When he opened his eyes, he found himself in a hospital room. He was the only patient in the room, so someone had clearly arranged this deliberately.

The curtains were half-drawn. Outside, the sunlight was bright, and birdsong came and went, adding a touch of tranquility.

"Is anyone there?" Donnie called out. His voice was so hoarse that even he was startled.

Someone pushed the door open, but it was not the nurse Donnie had expected. It was a man in a suit, wearing a gentle smile while giving off an efficient air.

"The doctor said you would wake up today. I've been waiting for you for a long time," the man said with a smile. "My name is Phil Coulson, from the Homeland Security Defense Attack and Logistics Agency. Mr. Donnie, you can simply call me Coulson."

Coulson wore a smile the entire time, gentle without losing courtesy. His formal attire was impeccable, and the tie around his neck was tied tightly.

"Coulson... Then you were the one who saved me." Donnie sat up, picked up the water on the table, found that it was warm, and drank it in one gulp.

"You could say that. We did put in considerable effort, and we also stopped many people who had ill intentions toward Mr. Donnie."

Coulson briefly explained what had happened after Donnie collapsed. He spoke very directly. Many people had been extremely interested in Donnie and had used their connections and methods in an attempt to drag him away for research, but all of them had been stopped. General Ross had been the most anxious and irritable among them, flying into a rage and nearly throwing his sidearm into Coulson's face.

It was said that Ross had received orders from certain superiors at the time, specifically instructing him to bring Donnie back.

Donnie gave a disdainful laugh and neither confirmed nor denied it, gesturing for Coulson to sit and speak.

"What about him?" Donnie suddenly asked.

"The vehicle is outside. I guessed you would look for it once you woke up."

"It's he, not it. I'm very particular about that. I hope you won't get it wrong again." Donnie stubbornly corrected him.

Coulson showed an apologetic expression and invited Donnie outside to see his vehicle, because its condition did not seem very good.

Donnie got up. Coulson tried to support him, but Donnie pushed him away. Donnie activated the AllSpark, and a sharp pain shot through his brain. Only a thin stream of energy flowed into his body, nothing like before.

Coulson hurriedly said, "The doctor said your brain suffered the most serious injury. These two days of unconsciousness were mainly for your brain to heal itself."

Donnie remained silent. He circulated Spark Energy through his body, and his condition improved considerably, but he could only recover part of it. The effect was not especially noticeable.

Donnie understood. The AllSpark's primary function was to create and control Transformers; it had limited effect when used on himself.

"To be honest, your final outburst back then stunned a lot of people. No one expected someone who had just awakened to possess that kind of power," Coulson said.

Donnie cautiously used the AllSpark. Every use made his head hurt, and the AllSpark had become dim and lifeless. This was the price, just as Jean, a Level Five Mutant, had to erase part of her primary personality every time she used the Phoenix Force, walking the edge of life and death each time. Donnie might indeed have been born Level Four, but that did not mean he possessed Level Four strength. Forcing out such an explosion of power also came with a devastating price that was hard to bear.

But he did not regret it. At that moment, since he had a chance to kill Abomination, he was willing to pay any price.

The two stood in the hospital grounds, observing a scrapped small truck in front of them.

The Changan Star Card was in an utterly terrible state. Its hood had been destroyed, exposing the wiring and engine beneath. Almost all the glass had shattered, with only fragments stubbornly clinging to the vehicle. Three of its four tires had simply vanished, while the remaining one was flat. More than half of its bearings were gone.

There was not a single intact part on the entire vehicle. The fact that it had not fallen apart was already a miracle.

Coulson took the initiative to tell him that the hospital belonged to the Homeland Security Defense Attack and Logistics Agency. If Donnie wanted to do anything, he did not need to worry about causing any negative consequences.

"Mr. Donnie, because we were unclear about the specifics of your abilities, we did not rashly repair this vehicle. We only wiped the dust off its exterior to make him look a little better," Coulson explained, taking the initiative to make conversation when he saw Donnie standing silently.

Donnie looked at Coulson gratefully and said softly, "Thank you."

Donnie had not reacted much to being placed here. Before he fell unconscious, he had already estimated the possible outcomes for himself and mentally prepared for all kinds of endings. But now, he sincerely developed a favorable impression of Coulson. The man was meticulous in his work, yet everything he did was perfectly measured. His judgment of boundaries was flawless.

Coulson smiled gently and made a gesture inviting Donnie to proceed. He had already understood much and gained further analysis of Donnie's psychological traits, enough to build a more complete psychological profile.

Donnie slowly stretched out his hand. Under the expectant gazes of Coulson and the agents hidden nearby, he made a grabbing motion toward the small truck from afar. An invisible wave of power spread out, whipping up a fierce wind that forced people to squint. The battered small truck immediately began to roar, the sounds of metal and machinery grinding endlessly as it transformed.

"This truly is... a miracle!"

Coulson's eyes widened as he exclaimed what many people were thinking. Although he had repeatedly watched the street camera footage from that night and had already prepared himself mentally, he was still shaken when he witnessed the transformation in person.

Countless hidden cameras nearby recorded the entire visually stunning scene at close range, frantically transmitting the footage outward. More people were able to witness this breathtaking, unprecedented sight.

Cracking sounds continued as a humanoid metal figure took shape. But Donnie frowned when he saw a large number of broken parts fall to the ground during the process. They were all ruined metal and could no longer be used.

Optimus Prime assembled himself with imposing grandeur. Even his battered metal body gave off a tremendous impact, and a fierce aura rushed toward them.

"It's about to finish transforming!" someone cried out excitedly.

"I'm looking forward to it." Once one person spoke, the others stopped being so reserved. They all began talking, exclaiming in amazement with anticipation written all over their faces.

At last, the transformation neared its end. The crowd became even more excited, their faces flushed as they awaited the miracle. Optimus Prime, complete with facial features, braced one hand against the ground and was about to rise proudly—when he fell to the ground with a thud, cleanly shattering everyone's expectations.

Countless people stared blankly, having no idea what had happened.

Donnie did not look surprised in the slightest. He let out a deep sigh. "Too fragile, too fragile... Optimus Prime had already reached his limit..."