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The SUV roared down the Bavarian countryside roads if they could even be called roads.
Nine Shadow Ninjas packed into one vehicle was chaos incarnate.
Two were in front: the driver and the navigator.
Four sat in the back, playing cards like they were on vacation.
The last three? Hanging off the roof and bumper, flapping in the wind like tattered cloaks.
Three hours later, after crossing fields, rivers, and even a half-collapsed bridge, the convoy screeched to a halt before a massive Gothic-style clock tower.
The ninjas leapt down, stretching their numb limbs.
The card players climbed out next, one of them doubling back just to switch a card from his hand before leaving again.
Even in a demonic army, cheating at cards was a thing.
The leader held up the glowing Pig Talisman Tracker the western dragon heads on its rim pulsed red, pointing straight toward the tower.
Silent as smoke, they scaled the walls and slipped through a side window.
The tower was eerily quiet, its gears ticking faintly in the dark.
At the top stood a large porcelain pig statue, dressed in a green hat, holding twin cymbals.
And right on its hat, embedded like a gemstone, was the Pig Talisman.
One ninja crouched, hands interlocked. Another sprinted forward, stepped on his palms, and vaulted upward in perfect coordination.
Thunk!
He snatched the talisman, landing without a sound.
Mission complete.
They made their way back to the SUV, where an argument immediately broke out:
The three who'd been hanging outside refused to give up their new seats.
---
Back in New York
Sylas felt it immediately.
A surge of energy pulsed through his connection to the Shadow Dominion.
He smiled.
"Got it."
The Pig Talisman, granting the power to shoot destructive laser beams from the eyes, was finally his.
For most people, it was just an ordinary stone.
But for him and his shadow army, it was pure power.
He authorized the ninjas to use it if necessary. Better safe than sorry.
Still, he couldn't have predicted what happened next…
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Bavaria Police Broadcast
"Attention! The black SUV ahead pulls over immediately, or we will use force!"
What started as a stolen-car chase had escalated into an international incident.
The stolen vehicle hadn't just been spotted it dared to drive right past the local police headquarters.
Inside the SUV, the driver ninja glanced in the mirror.
He tapped the roof once.
Three ninjas hanging outside nodded.
Understood.
They hurled metal shuriken backward.
The blades pinged harmlessly off the police cars.
German engineering > ninja steel.
"Suspects have attacked officers permission to open fire granted!"
Gunshots cracked through the air.
One ninja on the roof ducked low, holding out a hand toward the rear window.
The ninja inside passed something up first a wrong item, a deck of cards.
A "king" landed in his palm.
The roof ninja glared down.
Realizing his mistake, the other quickly handed him the Pig Talisman.
The ninja gripped it tight.
Energy surged. His red eyes sparked with electricity.
Zzzttt—FWOOSH!
An orange beam burst from his eyes, slicing the nearest police car clean in half.
"Holy—! Fall back! FALL BACK!"
The sirens vanished behind them.
The ninjas ditched the SUV near the Munich airport and sprinted toward the runway.
Ahead, a passenger jet was already taxiing for takeoff.
Without hesitation, the shadows leapt over fences, evading security.
"Stop! That's restricted—!"
Too late.
They fired grappling hooks, anchoring onto the plane's underside as it lifted off.
Cameras flashed from the ground, tourists and airport staff alike, capturing the surreal image.
"Mein Gott… they're hanging from the plane!"
Back in the cockpit, the pilot received the strangest message of his career:
"Captain, headquarters just called apparently people are clinging to the aircraft."
The captain blinked, "Excuse me… what?"
A pause. Then the intercom clicked on.
"Ladies and gentlemen, due to… uh… unforeseen circumstances, this flight will be returning to the airport. Please contact customer service for rescheduling."
Groans filled the cabin.
Meanwhile, beneath the aircraft, the ninjas felt the plane turning.
Their enhanced vision caught the flashing lights below the runway now swarming with police.
Not good.
As the plane landed, they swung up toward the cabin door.
The moment it opened, they stormed inside.
"Who are you—?" the flight attendant managed to say before one of them chopped her neck gently out cold.
They rushed the cockpit.
The captain turned just in time to see nine black-clad figures.
A quick strike, and both pilots were tied up outside on the tarmac.
Two ninjas sat down, flipped open the aircraft manual, exchanged a look…
…and pushed the throttle.
The plane lurched forward again, scraping against police vehicles as it rumbled down the runway.
A few seconds later—
It was airborne again.
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Back in Queens
Sylas blinked at his system window while eating toast.
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[8 Criminals Eliminated → +8 Justice Points]
[8 Criminals Killed → +8 Sin Points]
[Aircraft Downed → +100 Sin Points]
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He froze.
"Wait, they did WHAT?!"
Apparently, one of his shadow squads had caused an international crisis.
But it also gave him an idea…
If his shadows could earn points for him, then he didn't even need to do the dirty work himself.
Grinning, he summoned more shadows and gave the order:
"Go wild."
Moments later, the neighborhood shadows melted into the streets.
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Sylas stretched, slipped on his jacket, and called out downstairs.
"Heading out, Aunt May!"
"Be safe, sweetie!"
He stepped into the sunlight, smiling faintly.
The world had no idea that somewhere across the ocean…
…his army of darkness was flying a stolen jet across international airspace.
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