Sauron I

Mahmoud Schahed/Dial

I stood in the doorway to the kitchen, watching the carnage before me. The roof had been torn off, leaving room for the behemoth to continue his feast. His long flashing teeth sliced through meat, red liquid dripping to the ground. He growled as he filled his stomach with flesh.

Good thing it was already dead.

"Yo," I said to the big dragon/dino that was currently devouring a side of some herbivore dinosaur about the size and weight of an elephant, looked up to glare at me. "It's almost time man."

He swallowed a big chunk of meat, looking down at my insectoid form. He growled something. While the Omnitrix was hopefully back to normal, Hauzer still wasn't speaking any sort of language I could understand. I didn't know if that was because he was less sentient then I thought he was, because he was just magic enough to muddle the Omnitrix up, similar in some way to Wildmutt's species, or just because he was refusing to speak at all, but that was the situation.

"Are you full?" I asked while scuttling forward on my six legs, dodging around the many things that had fallen on the ground. "Because we have a fight soon."

He growled. "Yeah… You get Styro. But we have the rest to deal with."

If he could have, I think he would have rolled his eyes. I let it go. "Come on. We're going into the arena. One last fight. Then we turn this whole place to rubble."

I turned around and left. Soon, I heard the footsteps of a giant follow me.

I got to the arena, where my fellow former slaves, X, and Kraven had been setting up. They'd tossed aside the crap armor and weapons they had been wearing to replace it with quality gear. As I entered, everyone looked at me. Then up. And up, until they were looking Hauzer in the eyes.

"Grrrrrr," Hauzer said, looking around at them all.

The gladiators and freed slaves stepped back, even Demi. X cocked his head to the side, looking up at him. Kraven…

"Oh," Kraven stared up at Hauzer, a look of stunned awe on his face. "Magnificent. Absolutely magnificent," Kraven looked down at me. "Ha! You've been hiding something quite special from me Dial!"

"Don't try it," I said, walking past him. "Hauzer might end up killing you."

"You can't simply entice a man like that," Kraven walked up to look at Hauzer. The Earth Dragon leaned down to glare at him. Kraven smirked. "When all of this is over, I think you and I will have to have a discussion. Hauzer."

The Earth Dragon cocked his head to the side, a flicker of flame coming from his lips. Kraven, on seeing that, looked like he'd never seen something more amazing. Seriously, at this point, I was pretty sure anyone who tried to pull him out of the Savage Land would be fighting a losing battle.

I came up to X. "How long until the Quinjet arrives?"

"Four minutes," X said.

"Perfect… Hey X. Thanks for coming for me man," I said quietly. "The past few days were damn hard."

X stared down at me. "I was worried. We had no plans in place for things such as Anti-Metal, despite knowing of its existence. Or any secondary plans for if the Omnitrix could be damaged in some way."

"The Omnitrix usuallywasthe plan," I grumbled, looking down at the symbol around my neck. "I put a lot of faith in Azmuth, but I should remember he isn't omniscient. Just smart enough that it seems like it."

"Who is Azmuth?" Gresh asked nearby. I ignored him. Probably shouldn't have, considering what he made of that later.

"Regardless of that," X said. "Your current plan isn't the kind I would have expected from you, especially if your hatred for this Stend person is as you said it was."

"It is," I would have smirked if I had lips. "Stend… I think if I have him pegged? Nothing will piss him off more than my plan."

X shook his head, his blue eyes spinning briefly. "And Sauron?"

"He's the threat. The main threat. Firebreathing, super-strength, speed, flight, the ability to absorb the life force of others, the ability to control minds… Sauron is the one I'm most worried about. We have no idea how much of his power is the way I remember it, but I do know the guy is powerful. If I had my way, we'd have a small team taking him on. As of now, that isn't the priority."

I looked at the group of people we had helped. Around fifty, in total. I went over to them. Gresh, Demi, and Winggirl… Okay, I just realized something. I had no idea what her name was.

"Hey," I said, walking to look up at her. "What's your name?"

She looked down at me, leaning down to look me in the eyes, blue skin glittering in the light of the Omnitrix around my neck. "I'm Gena."

"Nice to finally meet you," I said a little awkwardly. "I'm sorry it took me so long to ask. We had a lot to get done."

Gena blinked down at me. She looked better. Her torn off wing, or at least, the section it been attached to her back, was beginning to heal. But I could still see that undercurrent in her emotions, that deep sadness that filled her.

I left that thought aside, instead focusing on the moment. "Demi. Take the civilia-" I cut myself off. Right. I was so used to thinking of people who needed help as civilians. But in this setting, that word didn't really have as much meaning to former slaves. "Take anyone who can't fight up top. Transport that can fly will come by soon. I need you to help defend them with the escort team, so you're in charge. Understood?"

Demi nodded, speaking in that oddly feminine voice of hers. "I have no problem with that."

"Why is she in charge?" the Raptor guy grumbled.

"Because Sauron can breathefuckingfire," I told the guy impatiently. "How about this, if you wanna block that, you can be the leader."

"...I was just asking," Raptor guy said at last, looking pretty disgruntled.

"You're a warrior," I narrowed my eyes at him, then at the rest. "I'm taking a chance, trusting a lot of you. So stop questioning my orders. We don't have time to swing dicks around just so that you can feel better about yourself. We all get out of this place, free to eat, drink, and whatever, and I guarantee you that I can get you out. Before you guys ask how I can guarantee that, remember that I have a robot and a dragon helping me, so your arguments are invalid."

X blinked by shuttering his eyes closed, while Hauzer prowled forward, Kraven still eyeing him like a steak dinner.

"So stick to the plan," I looked around at everyone. "The arena team boxes it out. The escort team protects civilians. Besides that, we all have our personal opponents. Ready?"

No one spoke. I took that as a yes.

"All right. Head to your places… And Gresh. What the hell is the Avengers symbol doing painted on your chest?"

I finally noticed it. The reptile man now had a half-assed 'A' symbol in a red circle emblazoned on his chest and stomach, dripping wet even as we spoke.

"Ah, you like it?" Gresh thrust his chest out proudly. "The metal man told me this was the symbol of your nation."

"...Gresh, I'm starting to wonder if you're more dangerous than I thought."

"Thank you!" he said proudly.

"Not in the way you think, man…" I said starting to realize Gresh might be more off than I thought.

"By the way, sir," X said, distracting me. I looked up at him. "Shouldn't you change back? You may come close to passing your time limit."

That was a good point. If I changed back now, I'd be less likely to drop transformation mid-fight. With that in mind, I reached for the Omnitrix with one of my legs, tapping it to turn back into a human. The Omnitrix beeped.

"...Wait, what?" I said, still in Ball Weevil form. I tapped the Omnitrix symbol again and again. It beeped each time but left me in my tiny yellow form. "What, first you break because of some chump metal, andnowyou decide to stay in alien form?" I tapped at the symbol again and again, getting nothing for my efforts.

"What is happening?" X asked.

"I'm stuck," I grunted, irritated. "... Fine. Whatever AI, or Azmuth, or Eunice being funny, I'll just deal with it," I said without much heat. Stuck in Ball Weevil form. Not that bad, really. I was just curious as to what was going on. Did this mean the Omnitrix was still repairing in the background?

Whatever the case, it was time to get ready for a fight again.

"Places everyone," I said as badass as I could while looking like the latest adorable product of the Pokemon company. "We've got bad guys to fight."

We stood side-by-side when they entered. I was in the center, with X on my left, then Kraven. On my right were Gresh and the Ankylosaur gladiator. Behind us, towering tall on the large stone platform, was Hauzer, his flames dripping from his mouth like magma to scorch the rock under him.

Sauron strode onto the sands of the arena with his hands behind his back, a proud smile on his face. He wasn't what I expected. More… well, he kinda reminded me of Steve, to be honest. It was in his stance. The proud way he held himself, straight-backed and powerful. Like he wasn't above the rest of the world, but he also damn sure wasn't going to bow to anyone. He looked almost heroic. Which I wasn't sure I liked much.

Styro was wearing armor as he stood on Sauron's left side. He looked almost unearthly calm. As soon as he came through the doors, his eyes snapped onto Hauzer. And I felt the heat behind me rise. Oh yeah. Hauzer and Styro had some words they wanted to trade.

Pter was on Sauron's right side, clutching tightly at a pair of knives as he strode in. He smirked at us, looking far too cheery for my tastes. A pair of eyes took him without him noticing. Just as planned.

Stend was just behind Pter. He looked at us, passing his eyes over me. Then they snapped back, his jaw-dropping at the sight of me. I would have smiled if I could have.

"My, my!" Sauron said, stopping about twenty feet away from us. "I must say, Dial, you have quite the skill with theatrics."

"I'm an anime nerd," I stepped forward. "Learned from the best."

"Hah!" he chuckled. "I can see that. I must admit, however, I've always been more a fan of fantasy literature. Obviously, I suppose."

"Can't hate a guy for taking inspiration from Lord of the Rings," I shrugged. "So… We all know why we're here."

"Indeed," Sauron looked around. Our allies were almost silent. Kraven was chuckling under his breath. Pter's clawed feet scratched at the sand. Hauzer's flames continued to drip. "I suppose you've already made plans for how this battle will go. Are you planning to fight me, Dial?"

No fear, no hesitation. Just curiosity.

"Yeah, I am. Everyone else has their dance partners."

"No," Stend growled.

Sauron blinked, surprised. He looked at Stend. "My child."

"NO!" Stend pushed Pter aside. "I don't care!YOU ARE MINE.This arena is mine!" Stend walked forward, surprising everyone who wasn't me.

"Bullshit," I snarked.

Stend scowled, his fists clenched and strode across towards me. "That impudence. I'm going to-"

"Stend," Sauron growled, his eyes flashing. Stend stilled in an instant. "Don't move."

Stend's eyes widened. His muscles twitched as he stood there. I could see him struggle to move.

Mind control. Sauron must have hypnotized him already. From what I knew of the comics, that usually took eye contact. Stend vibrated in place, his breath coming fast and panicky.

"Dial is mine," Sauron said casually. "It is okay. You clearly are too close to this. Step aside. Fight-"

Stend's eyes widened again. He stepped forward.

Sauron's own gaze shook. "Stend-"

"He is mine," Stend stared at me, his eyes almost insane. "I will have your life.DIAL!"

He shook like a dog, and Sauron gasped as though in pain, stepping back in surprise. Stend rushed forward, claws outward. "DIIIIAAAL!"

"Told you," I said to my left.

"Yes," as Stend tried to claw at me, X stepped in the way and easily caught his claws. "You did."

Stend screamed, trying to rip into X. Only to stagger when X easily lifted him off the ground. "W-What!?"

"You wanted to learn about the modern world?" I asked smugly. "About all the little wonders we've created? Well here's your chance. X! Teach him about the magic of engineering."

"Target engaged," X said in response. His eyes flashed blue. Then he leaped forward, smashing into the walls of the arena. Before he and Stend disappeared inside, Stend got one last look at me. He looked at me in desperate rage. I turned and ignored him. When he let out a loud scream of affronted anger at that, I once again I had lips, just so that I could grin at the satisfaction that gave.

"So," I said to Sauron.

He looked from where Stend and X had gone, the sound of things being destroyed coming from that hole. He looked shocked. Then he slowly chuckled, before straight out laughing.

"Today! Today has been the most interesting day I've had in years!" he was almost crying with laughter now. "Thank you, Dial! You have made thingsfun," his wings spread out. "Saur-Lords! Take them!"

"Yes!" Pter swung out a knife. "Time for a hunt to-"

"Hunt?" Kraven slammed his own knife into Pter's, getting up in his face while pushing him back. He grinned in the Saur-Lord's face. "I know a thing or two about that. Let's trade notes."

Styro ran past them, heading for Hauzer. Hauzer roared, blasting out flame at Styro before the two were behind me and I lost sight of the fight.

A group of guards entered behind Sauron. Gresh and the Ankylosaur gladiator gave Sauron an awkward look. He smiled.

"No, go ahead," Sauron eyed me. "I believe I have my own fight to handle."

The two ran past him, heading toward the group of guards, some of whom ran towards the upper levels of the arena, where a big group of former slaves was. The two Aerians who could fly lifted up, Demi clenched her fists, and soon everyone was brawling around us.

Sauron and I faced each other for a moment as the arena exploded into violence.

"So… Shall we?" I asked, spitting out a ball of green plasma.

"OF COURSE!" he said proudly.

Sothat'swho he sounded like. I knew his voice seemed familiar.

Then he breathed fire at me. I jumped aside, launched a ball of plasma that exploded at his feet, which he dived out of the way of, still breathing a gout of flame hot enough to scorch the sands. I spun in the air and launched another plasma ball. He lifted into the air, cutting off his fire breath to dodge. The ball rolled across the sand, quickly growing until it hit a gate, exploding with immense force and tearing that section of the arena. I ran towards the doorway, Sauron following as everyone else let loose.