For the entire day, Bant's mind felt unusually clear. Lessons that once tangled together like a ball of string now seemed to fall neatly into place. Every formula, every concept, every explanation seemed to have a natural path he could follow. He was completely absorbed in the classwork, and Felicia Hardy, along with everything else, faded into the background.
But once the final bell rang, something far more important was waiting for him.
The moment Bant stepped out of his classroom, Peter Parker came rushing out from another one, nearly colliding with him in the hallway.
"Hey, Little Bant!" Peter sounded relieved and excited. "You changed your mind, right? You decided to come with me to see Dr. Connors after all?"
He assumed Bant had run out specifically to catch him.
"You are overthinking it, Peter. I already told you, I'm not interested in that visit." Bant rolled his shoulders casually.
Truthfully, Bant was interested in the research Dr. Curt Connors was working on. Connors' studies in cross-species genetics were fundamentally intertwined with the science behind the Omnitrix. But even if Bant wanted to dig into that research, his current knowledge wasn't anywhere near enough to understand the serum structure or its theoretical model. If he transformed into Grey Matter, he could understand it. But there was no way he would reveal that ability in front of Peter or Dr. Connors.
Especially not today.
That morning, Tony Stark had witnessed Flashstar kill someone. Flashstar had undoubtedly already been flagged as a high-risk threat. If another alien form appeared in New York, especially one wearing the same Omnitrix insignia, suspicion would lock onto Bant instantly. Even Bant himself had to be careful not to draw attention to the strange watch resting on his wrist.
Besides, there was no need to rush. The most valuable research on cross-species genetics was inside the briefcase Richard Parker left behind for Peter. That was the true centerpiece of this entire scientific direction. Connors' lab was only a piece of the puzzle.
"I just wanted to remind you," Bant added, his tone suddenly serious, "you can look for Dr. Connors if you want. But remember, you promised to pick up Aunt May tonight."
Peter nodded out of habit. "Right. Wait, hold on. How do you know that I promised Aunt May that?"
His expression froze. This morning, Peter had left the house later than Bant. They hadn't discussed anything on the way to school. How could Bant know?
"Don't worry about it," Bant said simply. "Also, tell Uncle Ben and Aunt May that I'll be home late tonight."
Before Peter could ask anything else, Bant was already walking toward the school gates.
Leaving campus, Bant made a quick stop at a nearby convenience store. He purchased a large container of cleaning solution, slung it over his shoulder with his backpack, and slipped into a side street where no cameras faced.
"Alright then."
He lifted his sleeve. The core dial of the Omnitrix rose with a soft metallic click.
"Flashstar."
A burst of emerald light filled the narrow alley.
Meanwhile, somewhere above Manhattan, in the sleek and immaculate expanse of Stark Tower, Tony Stark was watching holographic footage of the same creature.
"Flashstar," Tony repeated, rubbing his chin, the coarse stubble scratching his fingertips. "We need a new file for him."
A moment later, a three-dimensional projection flickered into existence. A reptilian humanoid form, tall and sleek, stood in rotating holographic blue.
"He called himself Flashstar. What do you think he is?" Tony asked, though he did not really expect an answer. "Some kind of surviving dinosaur species? Did extinct creatures decide to take a field trip into the twenty-first century?"
"I cannot determine that, sir," JARVIS replied. "I searched every available scientific and historical database, and none contain any verified information regarding sentient reptilian humanoids. There are small fringe groups claiming to be lizard-people, but no credible evidence supports their claims."
Tony waved a hand. "Ignore the conspiracy blogs. Look at the biology. He didn't just show up out of thin air. Build me a database profile on him."
"Understood, sir."
A dossier appeared.
"Subject Name: Flashstar."
"No. Change it. Call him Baby Dino."
"...Yes, sir."
The hologram shifted once again. Using the combat footage from earlier that morning, JARVIS displayed Flashstar's movements frame by frame.
"Observe his lower extremities," JARVIS narrated. "His feet contain structures resembling twin-wheel joints."
The footage slowed dramatically. The city traffic and civilians in the video seemed frozen, while Flashstar still shot across the frame like a streak of living motion.
"During standard movement, he took sixteen steps in less than one second. This corresponds to a baseline movement speed of approximately 300 miles per hour. When accelerating, his speed increases considerably."
Data windows opened along the side of the hologram. Stress distribution charts, kinetic energy graphs, biomechanical breakdowns.
"Additionally, when he reaches maximum speed, the wheel-like toes secrete a lubricating compound that minimizes friction."
Tony's eyes narrowed with keen interest.
"Wheel structure on the feet, high-velocity gel secretion. So he's incredibly fast, but also extremely prone to slipping."
In less than five seconds, Tony had identified the creature's weakness. For someone who learned physics concepts before kindergarten, it was second nature.
"If I add the right mixture to the Mark IV armor's impact gel systems, or better yet, something like expanding adhesive foam..."
He snapped his fingers.
"Got him."
But the moment of triumph shifted into something more unsettling when Tony noticed the circular emblem embedded in Flashstar's chest.
"What is that?" he asked, leaning forward. "Look at the center. That doesn't look like a biological organ."
It was unmistakably mechanical. Intentional. Designed.
Like Tony's own arc reactor.
"What are the odds he's genetically engineered?"
"Zero percent, sir," JARVIS replied. "X-ray analysis revealed no surgical alteration. The skeletal wheel joints match the entire bone structure precisely. All components appear naturally evolved."
"That is impossible."
"And yet, that is the observable truth. The creature is likely an undiscovered species."
Tony shook his head.
"No species evolves intelligence like that overnight. He spoke English. He understood combat tactics. If he's not engineered, then he must have been evolving for millions of years."
His expression hardened.
"Monitor every street camera in New York. If Baby Dino shows up again, or if anything that looks like him appears, notify me immediately. Also, look into the man he killed."
"Yes, sir. One more question. You believe he is not unique. That he is part of a group?"
Tony exhaled through his nose.
"The Earth could not naturally evolve something like him. If he didn't come from a lab, then the alternative is outer space."
He pointed at the hologram.
"Create a second archive. Label it: Alien."