Chapter 278: The Timeline Has Changed!
The Shadow Eater watched the approaching yak, refusing to back down. It was just a yak, right?
BOOM!
The yak struck like a comet, slamming into the Shadow Eater's massive frame. The impact released a violent shockwave that echoed across the plateau. The Eater, unable to withstand the sheer mystical force, dissipated into a giant cloud of black mist.
The Shadow Ninjas floating behind the yak collectively wiped sweat from their non-existent brows.
Next up were the Squid Shadow Ninjas. They extended their long, lashing appendages, attempting to bind the yak and halt its progress. Unfortunately, the moment the tentacles wrapped around the beast, the Squid Shadows felt as if they had been launched into deep space; their bodies lost all sense of gravity and they were sent flailing through the air as the yak dragged them along.
"The yak has fully activated the power of the Ox Talisman," the Captain said, feeling a massive headache coming on.
"Captain, let's use the same method we used to catch the Monkey Talisman," suggested a Shadow Ninja drifting nearby.
"Good idea." The Captain's eyes lit up. He let go of his rope and landed steadily on the ground, with the other ninjas following suit. Seeing the Shadow Ninjas disengage, the Squid Shadows also retracted their tentacles and returned to the earth, re-experiencing the welcome pull of gravity.
The Captain led the squad as they pulled specialized tranquilizer rifles from the Shadow Kingdom. They aimed specifically at the yak's hindquarters and opened fire.
Thwip!
A tranquilizer dart streaked through the air like a lethal arrow, leaving a faint blur before sinking deep into the yak's flank. The concentrated sedative was injected instantly; it was only a matter of time before it took effect.
"Moo!" The sting of the dart drove the yak into a complete frenzy. It lowered its head and charged straight toward a nearby mountain range.
CRASH!
The entire mountain range seemed to shudder, as if some ancient demon was awakening within the stone. Anyone watching from afar would have thought Sun Wukong was bursting out from under the Mountain! The yak actually bored a twenty-meter-long tunnel straight into the rock.
Only then did the sedative finally kick in. If it hadn't, the yak might have charged clear through to the other side of the mountain. The Shadow Ninjas ducked and crawled into the newly formed tunnel, finding the yak slumped unconscious on the ground.
"Mission accomplished." The Captain and his team hauled the yak back into the Shadow Kingdom.
The Shadow Kingdom
"The Ox Talisman is mine," Silas said with a faint smile.
After finishing his date with Misty at the amusement park, he had returned home, showered, and lain down in bed to project himself into the Shadow Kingdom. He was here to continue learning new things from Little Black.
"Master!" Eight Shadow Ninjas knelt before Silas, struggling to support the massive weight of the yak.
Silas walked up to the beast and looked it in the eyes. "Your power belongs to me now."
A stream of vibrant green energy flowed out of the yak's eyes and spiraled into Silas's body.
"A bull warrior never removes his mask!" Silas joked to himself, clenching his fists. He could feel an incredibly potent, raw strength coursing through his veins. He felt as though if a mountain stood before him now, he could punch a hole right through it.
"Everything is starting to fall into place," Silas chuckled. With the Ox Talisman, it was like carrying a localized Power Stone. While it was a tier lower than an Infinity Stone, the Talismans could still be upgraded!
"I need to unlock the Horse and Dog Talismans as soon as possible," Silas thought, basking in the euphoria of the Ox's power. Only those two could truly guarantee his safety—especially the Dog Talisman's gift of immortality.
"You've done well. Dismissed," Silas said. The Talisman Squad bowed and retreated, and Silas casually resurrected the two ninjas who had been destroyed during the mission.
"Congratulations, Master, on moving one step closer to the Twelve Talismans," Little Black offered.
"How is the development of the Symbiote Suit going?" Silas asked. He was in high spirits; the Ox Talisman was far more immediately useful than the previous ones.
"Progress is smooth, but current technology has its limits. It will take more time," Little Black admitted.
"Take your time. No rush... no rush at all." Silas snapped his fingers.
Avengers Tower
"I still think this approach is too dangerous," Steve Rogers argued from his seat.
SHIELD—or rather, the H.Y.D.R.A. mess—had stopped hunting him because Director Fury had successfully rooted out the Hydra infiltrators. Steve was in a much better mood lately; he had discovered that Bucky was still alive, which made him happier than anyone.
Sitting around the circular table were Natasha Romanoff, Clint Barton, Thor, and Dr. Bruce Banner. The center of the meeting was Tony Stark.
"Everyone clear on the plan?" Tony asked, swiping through transparent holographic displays on the table. Everyone nodded.
"Wait, what about Spider-Man and Silas?" Steve asked. He didn't know much about their current status. They hadn't been in touch since the Battle of New York.
"The 'Underwear Kid' and 'Masked Boy' aren't Avengers," Tony explained. He added, "Besides, they're still minors."
"That's... surprising," Steve said, genuinely taken aback by their ages.
"Let's move quickly. I need to get back to Jane," Thor said, fidgeting with Mjolnir. Because of the recent Aether incident, Loki was 'dead,' and Thor didn't want to leave Jane alone to return to Asgard. He had pleaded with Odin to let him stay on Earth, and to his shock, his father had agreed.
"Right, looks like our God of Thunder is homesick for his girlfriend," Tony joked. "Then let's move out! Target: Hydra base. Goal: Retrieve the Scepter!"
Tony's gaze sharpened. Hydra had played them all and made off with Loki's scepter. He remembered Silas—as the Masked Boy—asking him back then if he was sure he wanted to hand it over. Tony had been confused by the repetition at the time; now, he finally understood.
Steve gripped his shield. Hydra was the reason his life had been turned upside down, but he also had them to thank for leading him back to Bucky. The team moved out, heading for the Hydra research facility.
What no one noticed was a pair of glowing red eyes flickering in the shadows beneath the conference table.
The Shadow Kingdom
"The plot of Avengers: Age of Ultron is starting already?" Silas frowned. It wasn't that the plot was happening—it was that it shouldn't be happening now.
According to the original timeline he remembered, this should have been at least six months away. But the wheels were already in motion.
Silas thought back to what the Ancient One had told him a few days ago. While he was idling, she had appeared and said: "Time has shifted. The timeline has branched into many paths. The future is no longer a single, straight line."
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