At first glance, it looked like an ordinary bulldog.
Except… its size was comparable to a small car. It lay motionless on top of the plane; judging from the dented fuselage beneath it, it very likely knocked itself out upon impact.
Wait—there was someone else.
Ryougi Shiki's long blade slid from its sheath. Her wary gaze fixed on the blonde girl standing behind the massive dog.
"Who are you?" the blonde girl cried out first, clearly startled and nervous. "Why is there a plane here?"
Shiki didn't answer. She simply tightened her grip on the blade and approached step by step.
The girl didn't appear to be the target she intended to kill. So she wouldn't kill her—but restraining her was necessary.
"Stop! Don't come any closer!"
The blonde girl grew more anxious, raising a hand as if preparing an attack.
Just as Shiki closed the distance, the wind around them suddenly surged, as though controlled by an unseen force, sweeping toward her. But before it could touch her, Shiki twisted her body in an impossible motion, leaping aside. Like a crimson phantom, she flickered right in front of the girl, her blade already pressed against the girl's neck.
"Don't move if you want to live."
—How is this possible?!
The blonde girl stared in disbelief. This was her battlefield, yet she was subdued in the blink of an eye.
"Wh-who are you?" she asked with a trembling voice.
Shiki didn't reply. She simply grabbed the girl's hand, twisting it with unbelievable strength.
Just like that—simple and rough—she dragged the blonde girl into the plane, tied her securely with rope, and kept the blade at her neck at all times, especially since the girl had just used some sort of supernatural ability.
"Please, I mean no harm! I just accidentally teleported here! And you can't leave Lockjaw outside—he'll freeze to death!"
The blonde girl was nearly in tears. She had only come to Earth to practice her abilities like she always did. But Lockjaw—the teleporting dog responsible for her transport—had suddenly crashed into this plane and passed out. Then she was captured. It felt like disaster had fallen out of nowhere.
"…The door's too small. He can't get in."
It was Shiki's first time encountering something like this. She looked at the girl.
"Don't worry. That dog has thick fur and fat. Plus, the plane's outer shell has anti-icing heating. Lying on top won't kill it. You, on the other hand—if my blade slips, you'll definitely die."
"Uuuh…"
The blonde whimpered pitifully.
This person clearly had a woman's voice, yet spoke like a man. When had Earthlings become this terrifying?
At least her wrist communicator still worked. Her sister should hear everything happening. And once Lockjaw woke up, maybe he could go get help.
"Um… does your sword have to stay there the whole time?"
She trembled as she felt the cold blade touching her skin. She feared help wouldn't arrive before she died.
"Yes. I don't know what abilities you have. If you escape, I'll probably get scolded." Shiki said it as if stating a simple fact.
"Can't we just pretend I was never here?" the girl finally shouted.
"Hah? How is that possible?" Shiki gave her a "Are you stupid?" look.
"Then… how long do we have to stay like this?" Her neck was starting to ache.
"Until they return."
"Can I change positions?"
"No. Shut up."
And just like that, their short conversation ended—and silence filled the cabin.
For Shiki, maintaining a sword stance was a form of training. For the blonde girl, it was pure suffering. But she had no choice.
This stalemate lasted for more than three hours.
The Arctic sky remained dim; no real day or night existed here. Occasionally, brilliant auroras flowed across the heavens, though few ever witnessed such breathtaking beauty.
When Shen He finally spotted the giant dog lying atop the plane, he froze for at least ten whole seconds.
"Shiki, we're back. Did something happen?"
Returning from the freezing winds into the warm cabin was physically harmless for him, but still felt incredibly pleasant.
"Yes. I caught an intruder." Shiki finally withdrew her blade.
"I'm not an intruder!" the blonde girl protested weakly. "I just accidentally crashed into your plane! You're the kidnapper, you… tomboy!"
Shiki cast her an emotionless glance. She said nothing, but the girl immediately felt a chill and shut her mouth.
"Alright, let me guess who you are."
Shen He removed his snow-covered coat and approached, looking directly into the girl's eyes.
"Crystal. A member of the Inhuman royal family. Younger sister of Queen Medusa. And the big dog outside… that would be Lockjaw—the one with long-distance teleportation abilities, correct?"
He had watched the Inhumans series right before transmigrating. That enormous dog alone was an unmistakable icon. What he didn't expect was that a series never meant to connect with the MCU would exist in this world too.
They hadn't found Captain America today, but stumbling upon this was a pleasant surprise.
"How do you know that?" Crystal was shocked.
All Inhumans—and their entire city of Attilan—were hidden on the moon. They had never been exposed to Earth before.
"Well… Earth isn't as simple as you imagine."
Shen He shrugged and bent down to untie her. His eyes caught the blinking red light on her communicator.
Great. Looked like Shiki wasn't exactly skilled at handling modern tech—she hadn't even searched her prisoner.
"Who's on the other end? Queen Medusa? Or Black Bolt?" Shen He removed the communicator.
"…We're both here. Who are you? How do you know so much about us?"A mature woman's voice came through the device—clearly Queen Medusa, translating Black Bolt's gestures.
"Esteemed Queen Medusa, please convey my greetings to King Black Bolt. Today's incident is merely a misunderstanding. Crystal will return safely soon."
Shen He quickly recalled everything about the Inhumans—the plot, the royal politics, the internal struggles. The usual royal succession drama. But he had no idea what point in the story they were currently in.
"The King says… please explain our doubts first." Medusa translated.