Chapter 37: Hell hath Come...Gates of the Abyss

[Naruto OST: Hiding's Theme]

In sober silence he watched as the mortal forms of his old friends were carried away by a group of orcs. Carried away to the Dark Tower.

For a time he was silent, standing upon the Plains of Gorgoroth with his Nine servants flanking him as silent guardians.

Yet neither he nor his Nazgul paid mind to the onlookers or even the menacing's breath of the dragon that rumbled above them high above the scene on the bridge.

The members of Sauron's inner circle looked upon the image of a Dark King walking across his land. It was a scene both beautiful and terrible as he stood upon the bank of a lava flow in what appeared to be calm solace.

"Such incredible power," Azula said with a tone dripping in desire, here was a monster like her. A being of terrible power and a cut above the rest of humanity.

Yet, while the others were still looking upon him as this dark all-powerful being, Hinata saw something different…

It was as if the Old Hyuga compound were to re-materialize with all the scrapes and tarnishes that held her memories. All the memories of her childhood, her training...her mother.

All that had been wiped away when the Akatsuki attacked.

Hinata understood as she saw him take a knee and allow a handful of ash and earth to slide through his fingers.

He was home.

Without another word, and with no thought to the others she dashed forward and leapt through the air with her chakra enhanced muscles. For a time she was weightless before she slowly began to pick up momentum as she fell to earth before the Dark Lord with the silence of a Shinobi.

Yet she knew that her Dark Master had detected her actions from the moment that she leapt from the Dark Road. She stayed silent as she walked to her master's side, knelt down and took his massive hand into her own.

The black holes of his helm through which the Dark Lord perceived the world and looked to her. And though she could not read he expression, the sudden strong grip she felt returning her kindness was clear evidence that he appreciated her effort. Yet their moment was to be disturbed by the menacing dragon whose voice rumbled across the plain from the Dark Road like a terrible avalanche.

"Yooouuu leeet theemmmm esssscaaape," Acnologia snarled, "Fooooorbid mmmeeee from kiiiilliiiing thiiisssss drrrraagon."

His growl seemed to grow deeper, "Whyyyyy?"

Sauron stood and in a blink both he and Hinata were back upon the bridge looked upon the massive Dragon of Armageddon. Hinata gained her bearings from the sudden transit, but the Dark Lord's strides never faltered as he looked up to the dragon who's milky eyes bore into the being below him.

Sauron's own voice was calm and controlled, a stark contrast to the clearly enraged dragon. E.N.D. looked upon the two, and despite his newly awakened side, he could not help but feel afraid of the monstrous being before him.

"Because I am not finished with them," Sauron responded simply, before taking a darker tone, "And you were to be near Edolas to strike down the Wizard Saints and Other Guild Masters."

"Why have you disobeyed?" he asked with finality.

For a moment there was silence as the great dragon tried to rein in his temper, however he failed as his still existing arm slammed onto the bridge.

Acnologia's voice growled softly, "E.N.D...I felt the abomination's presence and came to kill him. As I have every dragon before!"

He snarled, "And yet you stopped me, why now?"

Sauron responded in kind, "Because E.N.D. is your kin in many ways, and like you he has a role to play."

Acnologia snarls, "He is no kin of mine! Dragon's deserve nothing but death!"

Sauron was silent at the sudden challenge from the menacing dragon. Yet rather than address the being, he called out another.

"My dear Lady Jeane," he called out, "If you would be so kind."

In an instant, the Avenger appeared before her master and with a sudden cry of power she ordered the beast before her, "Saluez votre reine!"

Before any could comprehend their fate, both dragons were forced to their knees with their heads to the stone. Acnologia looked up to his master who stood over him.

"I will not have you question me little dragon, do not forget you gave you this power, who taught you have to use it and make it stronger."

Sauron came to one side of the dragon so that the beast had a perfect view of his terrible visage.

"I who made you the Dragon King!" his tone now took upon a more malicious tone, "Do not forget who can easily take that crown away from you."

For a moment there was a silent battle of wills, before the Dragon of the Apocalypse finally yielded. Seeing that his servant had fallen back in line he stepped back.

"You have served me well Acnologia, you purged all who were dragons of the Old World," Sauron stated in a tone of satisfaction, "Allow me to reward you."

With a wave of his hand, the arm that Igneel had removed had returned to its owner. Seeing this, Acnologia could not help but smile a crocodile grin, shifting to his human form he dropped to his knees.

"Thank you, My Lord," he said with gratitude, despite his earlier outburst, he knew Sauron had done everything for him. Including getting his revenge on the dragons who he once regarded as friends before they butchered his people and began enslaving humanity.

With a nod his master addressed him again, "Now go, you have your role to play in the Magic Nations."

As the menacing dragon vanished into the sky, Sauron turned to walk away, looking up to the black abyss that the clouds of ash now slowly orbited over Barad-Dur.

Hinata stood beside her dark master as her eyes widened at the sight of dark, swirling abyss, "Is...is that?"

"Yes Princess," he said with calm confirmation, "The final act that will finally force the hand of Valinor."

Sauron began to walk toward the tower, "Come...we have work to do."

[Village in the Cloud]

The Kage's stoic faces did not falter as they sat in the war room listening to reports coming from the front lines.

Inoichi, still attached to his device was issuing the reports as the Raikage's aid wrote them down.

"All traces of Madara's forces have gone dark. No sign of any clones or Edo Tensei forces have been sighted in the last ten days," he said almost monotonously. Though he still held a hint of concern in his tone.

"Even the Undead Kage who had not been sealed have vanished," he said before giving the end of his report, "The last sign of any of his forces was in The Land of Demons and the Land of Spring."

At this, A could not help but grun in frustration, "This is not a good sign, better to have our foes out in the open rather than hiding in the shadows!"

Mei shifted at that, looking to her comrades she put forth her opinion, "But this way we can put more focus on Isengard. Crush them before they can force their way through our siege."

Onoki could not but confirm this thought process, "That would allow us to refocus our efforts on Madara later, rather than fighting on two fronts...how are we in regards to the siege? Any progress?"

Shikaku was the one to answer as he pointed toward Uzu, now labeled, "Isengard."

"We have five thousand Shinobi and Samurai keeping the siege up as the rest patrol the rest of the continent," he began, It appears that they have run out of ammunition...at least until they can resupply. As such, we have taken that opportunity to send a small force into the outer city to cut down the Orc patrols. The citizens and even the Knights have retreated inside the Main Wall.

Mifune stroked his beard at that, "I am sorry that my Samurai are unable to continue in the assault and break through the gate. Though I do not regret our agreed steps to send them to investigate the final sightings of Madara's forces. They are more accustomed to the cold and between the Land of Spring and the Land of Demons, my forces are spread thin.

Tsunade waved the apology off, "They will be able to join by the time of the final assault. The Damiyo's have sent their own Samurai forces to assist in the attack. They are assisting the away teams clear out the Outer City as we speak."

[Isengard Besieged]

Through Great Sacrifice, the Allied Shinobi Forces had endured the artillery barrage and now made their way into the Outer City. And as soon as the barrage had stopped, the Samurai and Shinobi had charged over the bridge before cutting through every Orc they could find.

They had cut through the Orc's who navigated throughout the homes and city in an effort to open everything up for their comrades to move up. As Might crushed the skull of the final Orc with his nunchucks who crumpled to the floor before looking to the rest of his comrades.

Might Guy shook the black blood from his weapons before calling out to his allies, "All clear on my end!"

From the other ends of the street he looked to see his allies of the Away Team come from around the corners of other streets.

Karui, Darui, Samui, and Omoi of the Cloud.

Chojuro, and Ao of the Mist.

Kurotsuchi of the Stone.

Temari and Matsuri of the Sand.

And finally The Hokage Guard: Raido, Genma, Iwashi had come along with Might Guy.

All leading a score of Samurai from each faction. Their armor had all been badly damaged, and their blades were slick with black blood.

Though the samurai each had different colors to signify them, they shared a bond in battle the Shinobi did as each of their armor and blades were slick and coated in Orc blood.

"The outer city is clear," Ao said as his Byakugan flared, "No other sign of life. We can tell our forces to move in."

However, they could not be prepared for the terrible fate that their foe had unleashed.

High In the Dark Clouds swirling above the Tower of Isengard, the Hellish Eye of Sauron blazed in terrible menace. Even though it was miles above their heads, they could feel the oppressive heat as if they themselves stood within it's blaze.

For a time, The Great Eye stared down upon them all in silence before it spoke with the hellish voice they had grown to fear. And yet...it almost held a sense of plight in his words.

"Warriors of the Hidden Nations! Valiant are your efforts, your prowess in battle, but know that the Time of Reckoning is upon us. As such I can no longer stay my hand! I beseech you one final time before I am forced to take action from which there is no turning back for any of us: join me, and you will know peace, prosperity, freedom of inhibitions, and the right to follow your passions without fear of War. Together, we will ensure that this world will not succumb to the next!"

"Or I will rain destruction down upon you and bring you to the brink of extinction. The choice is yours!" he finished with finality.

As he spoke his piece, despair washed over them.

And yet, they could also sense that he was speaking truthfully. There was something in his tone and his choice of words that something far worse than he was just beyond the horizon. But they also feel hope at the idea of such an offer.

Peace, Hope, Prosperity, a world where they no longer fought each other over petty trifles between villages in order become something truly strong.

Yet the Lady of Light came and washed away the illusions of the Dark Lord. And with the Lord Elrond and Lady Eltariel at her back, she called out to the Lidless Eye, addressing him in the Common Tongue.

"You have no power here Abomination!" the Lady of Light called out, "Nor will you so long as I still breathe! Your lies will not sway these people. Hope shall endure!"

Sauron was silent for a moment as the winds began to pick up and the earth began to rumble. The very Earth deemed her answer wanting, and was preparing to lash out at her foolish choice.

"FOOLISH ELF!" he roared over the growing storm, the skies lashing out with bolts of energy in an attempt to change her mind, "MUST I PROVE MY WORDS TO YOU YET AGAIN!?"

"I have stayed my hand for as long as I am able," Sauron stated with resignation, "If you truly need me to demonstrate that I tell no deception…"

The flaming eye vanished and the Dark Lord's form appeared upon the top of the Tower of Orthanc. His hands held wide as he bellowed to the heavens.

"THEN LET HELL RAIN DOWN UPON THIS WORLD!"

[Shingek no Kyojin-Attack on Titan Fight Theme]

And with those final words, he released his hold upon the Forces of Nature, and with his will no longer her back, she was merciless. And as the Wrath of the Creation itself fell upon them...they knew there would be no respite, no escape from what came for them from the Cataclysm.

And though most of the world was safe due to the Shadow's magical defenses that he had been laying out since his return, the two continents that had not fallen to the Dark Lord would feel the full might that one of the Ainur was capable of.

From the lands of Edolas, to the Village in the Sand...none would be spared save the few who were secretly loyal.

The Village in the Clouds was not one such place, as A watched his city began to crumble and shake as the Black Storm above them began to wreak havoc upon them.

"What the hell is going on!?" he bellowed as the evacuation already began. And yet, despite their confusion...one of their number knew the truth.

As Tsunade looked out to the sky, feeling the Dark Aura of Death that came with it, only one question escaped her lips.

"Naruto...what have you done?"

[0:20]

All across the Elemental and Magical Nations, whirlwinds whipped up debris and ripped houses and ruined siege works off the ground. Those unfortunate enough to be too close were pulled off the ground and into the tempest where their lives were swiftly ended by the debris.

Those not lifted from their feet were not spared as debris that had reached escape velocity impaled and tore through several of their number, with the cyclones pulling the rest of them off of their feet and into the sky.

But the heavens had not yet finished unleashing it's wrath as the most violent lightning storm ever witnessed began to strike at the Dark Lord's foes. One after another, those caught out in the open felt their bodies go through the most excruciating pain before crumbing with their nervous systems fried.

Yet even those beneath the trees were not spared as the lightning lit the dry wood ablaze, forcing them to flee the inferno coming for them. The enemies of Sauron were quickly caught in the fire or suffocating from the ash.

[2:05]

Seeing the terrible fate that befell their comrades, and a desire to protect as many as she could, Galadriel throws a shield of white energy up to protect those who had yet to suffer the fate of the rest.

Looking up, she saw that Isengard had been shielded by a red ethereal barrier, leaving the Dark Lord and his minions to watch the very world itself turn on their foes. Their allies within Isengard's barrier were safe...and yet they were powerless to save their comrades.

And yet this was not the end of their trials.

[2:25]

Thinking they were safe under the barrier...Galadriel and her comrades were not prepared when the very Earth began to break apart to swallow them whole. Dashing from under the barrier, they all ran for any cover they could find while avoiding the earth's terrible maws which consumed people and buildings alike.

Such a wide variety of devastation left them little choice but to scatter from the Forces of Armageddon and rely on their own strengths to survive. Those who were at sea, or had found solace in a cave or other reinforced structure had managed to withstand the Cataclysm.

But those who were too close to those very waters would soon face the final element of wrath that the Dark Lord had brought down upon them.

[Naruto OST: Savior of the World]

And yet...all across the world...true despair came for them as they witnessed the terrible Rogue Waves rising into the sky ready to crash down upon them. At the sight of the final and inevitable fate that came for them, many fell to their knees, their minds broken by the truth that despite their best efforts...there was no escape.

Not even Galadriel herself could do anything but watch and endure as the mortals around her were snuffed out by the elemental wrath that crashed down upon them. Perhaps fifty of their number had been able to find safety beneath the Eldar's Shielding...but all others were swept aside by the Black Waters.

With a deafening crash, the initial impact of the Tsunami demolished every structure in its path and brought the deadly debris with it to envelop the Dark Lord's foes.

Within a matter of minutes...all five thousands Shinobi and Samurai were wiped out by the oncoming wave.

[End OST]

The only survivors being the Eldar themselves and the few Shinobi and Samurai who had found safety beneath their warding, along with the Away Team who were on the other side of the bridge.

In the perspective of the Shinobi and Samurai on either side of the carnage...they watched as their comrades' bodies flowed with the terrible waters, being further battered by the debris within the waves. The waters were well over twenty feet above them, the only thing keeping them alive being the warding of their angelic allies and foe respectively protecting his people.

After a few moments, the Maesltroms of Uzugakure slowly went to work and began to swallow the Black Waters into their ever hungry maws.

Taking away their fallen comrades with them.

Before long, all signs of an enemy force standing at the gate of Isengard had been washed away. As the Away Team looked to the other side, they saw only the three Eldar with a good fifty men and women still standing...though bloody and soaked by the waves.

The three Eldar fell to their knees, drained from having to use their Rings of Power to survive the Cataclysm.

[Dark Days Indeed: Mordor l Lord of the Rings & Hobbit Ambience]

As the Shadow's barrier slowly faded away, the Shinobi and Samurai could only drop to their knees in despair and shattered hope, but also selfish relief at having survived such an onslaught.

This Battle was well and truly lost.

Even as they looked to the Black Skies above and saw the blue bolts of lightning threatening to fall upon them once more, none of them could find the strength to move.

And yet...this was not the end of their plight...as they now finally understood the Dark Lord's plan too late as the War Horns of Mordor and the Cry of the Nazgul could be heard in the far distance amongst the still lingering thunder clouds.

[4:35]

The Invasion had begun.

With the Cataclysm well and truly gone, Eltariel was able to cast her Elf Eyes to the Land of Waves...where she bore witness to the true terror that came to the surprisingly untouched Port Metropolis.

As soon as the Forces of Armageddon faded, the Banner of Mordor could be seen marching in their devastating wake.

Tens of thousands of Uruk-Hai could be seen holding aloft spears and black banners with the red sigil of the Great Eye as they dashed from the Black Ships of the Fire Nation and onto the beach.

All of them ferocious and ready for battle, from Dire Wolf-Riders, to the armored Warriors and rabid Berserkers who's muscular forms and snarling maws of fangs were ready to mangle, tear, and rend all whose flesh was in reach.

Even humans could be seen in their number...though they swiftly and grotesquely shifted into their werewolf and vampiric forms.

Eltariel could only gasp, "By the Valar...this was his plan...he weakened us so his Forces from the Bending Nations could return unopposed."

Elrond to say the least was bewildered by such an event, "Not even the Shadow could do this alone! It would take the full might of one of the Valar to achieve this…"

"So how?"

Such pondering thoughts were ripped from their minds however as the sound of the lightning returning and the sound of a tornado hovering over their heads they all looked to see something...truly horrible.

[Continue the Ambiance Track/ Rok Nardin: The Devil]

For what came next would send chills down their spines and truly speak of the Beginning of the End.

High Above the Tower of Orthanc with a slowly revolving event horizon...was what could only be described as a hole in the sky.

Black and terrible, with the dark grey and black clouds spun around the hole as an attempt to fill the abyss before it feast upon the world below. And yet instead of consuming the world...it expelled something of its own.

Black and terrible chains with links the size of buildings, attached to what could only be described as cruel and mighty anchors embedded themselves into the lands surrounding the Walls of Isengard, their impact sending forth an immense cloud of dust and ash...hiding the new arrivals.

The survivors of this...were then faced by a new...yet terribly ancient threat that was now hidden away in the dust clouds ushered forth by the falling anchors and encompassed all beyond the Bridge of Uzu.

For it was not Uruk's that came to the aid of Isengard...for they were just arriving to the Land of Waves and would not arrive for many days.

Contrary to belief, it takes more than a month or two to grow a considerable force such as the one which journeyed across the ocean. The Pit's had been Emptied so as to ensure conquest of an entire hemisphere.

Rather...the Dark Sorcerers of Sauron had called upon a different kind of terror. With the help of the many sacrifices who's blood now soaked the grassy plains and sandy beaches beyond the Bridge of Uzu...they tore a hole in the sky above the Tower of Uzu where now resided the slowly spinning abyss.

The Anchors that locked the construct in their realm allowed their summons to come through, hidden away within their sudden explosion of debris. And the carnage that followed.

They could hear Samurai scream as their comrades were cut down by the Dark Lord's reinforcements. Though they could not see them, Shinobi knew that staying in the cloud was suicide as the cries fell silent...meaning the predators who had fell upon their allies was now targeting them.

Snapping his comrades out of their stupor, Might called out to their Wind Jutsu specialist, "Temari, clear out this cover!"

They could hear the heavy metal boots and armor charging them before their cover could be blown. With mere moments before death could claim them Temari's chakra enhanced wind attack blew all the smoke away. And yet...what they saw...made them wish Temari had allowed their deaths to be as swift and without knowledge of their new foes.

As they now saw what had come for them.

High above the scene of destruction, Sauron looked upon with a devastated Hinata who had fallen to her knees in shock and horror. She looked upon the visage of the man she loved, his pale skin a stark contrast to the hellish eyes and the black beast marks on his cheeks.

True, she had sworn allegiance to the man she loved. Even in his current state. But she never imagined that he was capable of something so...terrible. Still...she was loyal and determined to find the boy she loved within this dark persona. She looked closer to try and understand his mind...and yet she could not.

His hellish eyes continued to glow menacingly beneath his hood...yet they held no emotion for the sight of destruction. No sorrow at having caused such genocidal death, no joy at having achieved such a decisive victory. Indeed it was as if he had closed himself from all emotion as his eyes seemed to hold less heat in their gaze as she was used to.

She was pulled from these thoughts as another voice, one of elegant hierarchy spoke behind her, addressing the Dark Lord as an equal?

A man in golden armor held his arms wide as if ready to embrace a friend. His golden locks and crimson eyes granting him the appearance of majestic beauty with a hint of otherworldly power.

"You my friend are truly of the Gods!" he cried in a tone that neared joyous laughter, "To have brought such destruction down upon the mortals who dared stand against you!"

His tone seemed to calm as he came to stand beside Sauron with Hinata still on her knees between them, yet it lost none of its amusement, "It truly is such an entertaining sight to behold."

Sauron's own gaze however did not shift as he addressed the being beside him, "Do not jest, Gilgamesh, a great many armies were swept aside by your own hand if I am not mistaken."

Gilgamesh smirked as a quiet chuckle emanate from him, he stood beside the Dark Lord to gaze upon the blank canvas of earth that had once been marred with enemy forces.

"True," he confessed, "But to witness another perform such a feat, and to use the very Forces of Nature as your weapon? You are not only a Ruler, but truly an artist who shapes the very world to fit his vision!"

At that declaration, and the clear joy of standing with one he saw as "equal," Gilgamesh's crimson eyes now take a mischievous turn, "But I must ask...why not send one if not all of "Us" to finish off the mongrels below?"

Hinata, having found her footing again looked to both men beside her, both who held the aura and presence of kings.

Sauron opted to answer him, "Because the King of Heroes and his fellows deserve a far Grander Stage."

He then cast his gaze to look upon the horrified expression of the Lady of Light, "Besides...I have a point I need to prove to the Lady Galadriel. This is the final stroke against the lies she believed. And to prove what I told her in that cell."

[Continue Ambiance / Randy Dominquez: Dishonored Dead]

From Oblivion itself they came: the Fallen Maiar and Elves who's time in Hell had twisted their forms into something truly horrendous.

Concealed in armor of black and red their hellish forms with horned helms and obsidian hoods that allowed only the cold, blue flames that were their eyes to be revealed to the world.

With different forms of weapons from swords and axes, to maces and warhammers they had marched through the dust cloud and cut down every Samurai before a single one could even raise their blades in defense.

The dark blades now covered and dripping with blood.

Yet just by looking at them, they could feel the terrible difference between the Uruk and these beings. For if the Uruk-Hai and Orcs were beasts...these were Devils

Uruk's were fiery and ferocious in their effort to crush and destroy any in their way.

But these devilish beings...they held the cold presence of Death itself. A clear understanding of their superiority and the desire to crush the mortals beneath them.

These mortals who were not worthy to be deemed as a threat, to even be spoken to...only to but cut down.

As Sauron stood atop the Tower of Orthanc, his voice booms across the battlefield.

"Behold the Daedra!" he roared, "The Fallen Eldar and Maiar cast into the Abyss and damned to an existence of darkness! Behold my Unholy Thralls and Despair! For The Forces of Hell are Mine to Command!"

As they heard their dark master, the Daedra began to stalk toward their prey with such a desire for death, that the Shinobi could all feel the urge to Fight or Flee. The strongest and bravest of them cried out to the others.

"Get out of here!" Guy cried out, "I'll hold them off!"

And with that, the Beast of the Hidden Leaf charged forward and brought his nunchucks down upon his foe. But a Beast was no match for a Devil, as his weapons bounced off the first Daedra's armor, who, with a single hand, struck the Taijustu master hard enough to send him flying back to his allies.

The Daedra snarled, his voice holding a presence similar to their dark master, "Don't be so arrogant, human!"

The Shinobi could only stare at these unholy beings in horror as they drew closer.

Might Guy coughed through blood as his sternum had been cracked by the sudden blow, "Wha-What the Hell are you!?"

Now the devils halted, as the one Daedra who spoke before lowered his blade as his terrible voice rumbled forth.

"We are Dishonored. Abandoned and rotting in the scum of Damnation."

"For eternity we were consigned to Oblivion."

"Banished to the very edge of existence."

"The Sun shall drown!"

"The Oceans will be filled with Blood!"

"And the Rise of the Forgotten shall come to Punish Your Soul!"

And as the Daedra once more began to bear down upon their prey, Galadriel finally understood that the Dark Lord had told her the truth.

The Lady of Light looked up to see the Dark Lord's eyes boring into her own, his arms folded in front of his chest, "You...you were speaking the truth…"

Tears began to slide down her face, "By the Valar…we near The End."

"And you…"

Silence took her remaining words as a terrible sorrow filled her heart as she finally knew the terrible, heart-breaking truth...that was the Dark Lord Sauron.

AN: And so the Dark Lord has unleashed the Cataclysm, wiping away his enemies and allowing his forces to march in unopposed. And with Daedra, the beings locked in Hell have come to serve their master! And Galadriel now sees a terrible truth that Sauron had told her before...what might that be?

So glad to have this chapter finally done. Been waiting to bring about the Cataclysm, though I gotta be honest...picturing such death and destruction was horrifying to say the least.

But I hope you all like this chapter. Give me a shout and let me know what you guys think.

And be sure to check out my other stories that are out there as well!

Blessings to you all! Be safe out there!