The desert air crackled with tension long after the battle had ended. Emergency responders were on the scene now, but none could explain what they had witnessed—vehicles transforming into giants, plasma shots melting asphalt, or the tall, green-eyed teen who moved like a superhero made of steel and lightning.
Zayden sat on the hood of a flipped truck, sipping from a canteen offered by a grateful civilian. Dust coated his shirt, and scorch marks streaked across his pants, but his expression was calm. Thoughtful.
Behind him, Bumblebee watched the road quietly, while Arcee worked to erase surveillance footage using a transmitter connected to the power grid. The Omnitrix on Zayden's wrist had returned to its default green hue, but it pulsed faintly—like it was awake… and curious.
"So," said Arcee as she approached him, "you finally broke your first piece of Earth's secrecy barrier. Congratulations."
Zayden chuckled. "Yeah, no way social media isn't already blowing up with 'metal alien attacks convoy' theories."
"Then we better stay mobile," Bee added through a radio clip:
> "The more we hide, the longer we live."
Zayden stood and stretched. "Or the faster we train, the better we fight."
He turned his eyes toward the Omnitrix. "I've only scratched the surface of what this thing can do… and now with Cybertronian tech inside me, I need to know how far it goes."
---
Later that day, in the subterranean base beneath Nevada, Zayden stood shirtless inside a dark chamber lined with reflective plating. Holograms swirled around him—schematics of the Omnitrix, Xeno-DNA strands, nanotech diagrams, and a rotating image of his new Cybertronian-enhanced body structure.
NEX's voice echoed through the chamber.
> "Omnitrix calibration in progress. Cybertronian nanite integration now at 41%. Unlocking new potential form: Designation – Gearwolf."
Zayden raised a brow. "Gearwolf?"
A projection showed the new alien—sleek, wolf-like, coated in retractable armor plates with razor-edged claws and a tail that could shift into a blaster. Its design felt primal. Predatory. A perfect blend of bestial instinct and alien precision.
"Let's test it."
He twisted the faceplate of the Omnitrix and slammed it down.
In a flash of green light, his form twisted, shifted, and reformed. When the light faded, standing there was a humanoid techno-wolf—his eyes burning neon green, plated fur glistening like forged steel. His breath came out in short growls, almost feral.
> "Transformation complete. Gearwolf form stable. Enhanced senses, stealth systems, and close-combat output now available."
Zayden let out a low growl and leapt forward. His claws tore into a steel wall with ease. He vanished in a blur of movement, zipping between targets projected across the chamber.
In thirty seconds, he had disabled every drone.
Then, just as easily, he reverted back to human form.
"Holy crap," he muttered. "This… this isn't just power. This is art."
---
Meanwhile, halfway across the world, a high-tech facility hidden within the mountains of China detected a strange energy burst.
Inside, Windblade stood in her humanoid form—black hair cascading behind her, crimson eyes narrowed at the screen.
"That signal… it wasn't fully Cybertronian," she murmured.
Airachnid entered behind her in her human form—tall, striking, and dangerously poised.
"It was him, wasn't it?" Airachnid asked, licking her lips as if the name tasted electric.
Windblade nodded. "He's adapting too fast. The Omnitrix was already powerful, but now… his fusion with our tech has made him something new. Something dangerous to both sides."
Airachnid smirked. "Dangerous can be delicious."
Windblade folded her arms. "We need to make contact. Before Megatron gets to him. Before anyone poisons his path."
Airachnid tilted her head. "And if he doesn't listen?"
Windblade's eyes sharpened. "Then we make him."
---
Back in Nevada, Zayden sat cross-legged in a tech pod chamber, watching holograms of alien DNA strands flicker above his head.
"Omnitrix… you've scanned a lot of species before. Why me?" he asked quietly.
> "Your soul resonates with multiversal entropy," NEX replied. "Your presence in this world isn't accidental. The Omnitrix recalibrated to you because you are outside the narrative thread. You are the variable the universe can't predict."
Zayden frowned. "So I'm not just a guy with power. I'm the guy who wasn't supposed to exist here."
> "Correct. And that anomaly is why the Omnitrix bonded only to you. You're not just part of this world—you are the fracture point that can change its fate."
Zayden stood, breathing deeply. His eyes scanned the glowing stars of alien DNA swirling in the projection.
"I need more training. Not just the Omnitrix forms. I want to learn Cybertronian systems, combat philosophy, your ancient history, the old languages—everything."
> "Accepted. Initiating cross-species educational interface. Uploading now."
And just like that, alien knowledge surged into his mind.
From glyphs of ancient Cybertron to battle tactics once used by the Knights of Iacon… Zayden began learning.
Not just how to fight.
But how to understand the world he now called home.
---
Far above, deep in the void of space, a Decepticon warship stirred.
Megatron stood before a star map, his crimson optics locking onto Earth.
"He grows stronger," he growled.
Starscream flinched behind him. "The Omnitrix is an unpredictable force. Shall we eliminate him before he becomes a real threat?"
Megatron's optics narrowed. "No. Let him grow."
A cruel grin split his metal face.
"Then we crush him at his peak. Let the universe know that even gods bleed."