Chapter 9: Return of the Nine

Azula and her men marched bravely…or foolishly as they made it to the dark crypt after hours of marching. They had not seen anything unusual aside from the dark weather that they had ever seen. Lightning crashed over the sky, this made them totally unexpected of the danger that was awaiting them.

Now Sauron was no fool, one of the most intelligent of all time in fact. Able to understand another's technique and abilities just by watching, and in many way's recreate it. The Dark Lord had crafted his new rings carefully. Each given to the jinchuriki did what they had promised, but there was something else that none knew.

The Rings of Power were sending the power that was not a part of the Gedo Statue to Oni Mountain. The Dark Lord was focused upon returning his darkest and deadliest warriors: the Nazgul. Of course they were known as different beings now…the Nine Tailed Beasts!

Each of them lived on reincarnated as their human forms while the beasts were their locked power and memories, though the Ninth, while existing, he had no way to return his true form. A dark ritual was needed to return him. The blood of traitors is needed to spill in order for the greatest of the Nine to truly return…and he knew exactly who would be for his choice.

The Dark Lord leaked dreams into the mind of the Fire Princess for years, pushing her to being ambitious, aggressive, and relentless. If any spoke of her, they would say that she was her father's daughter for certain. If they knew who had truly made her what she had become.

As the men stood before the Dark Crypt, they had no idea the doom that would be claimed by them. Only Azula, Ty Lee, and Mai would walk out of there alive…but they wouldn't be walking out alone.

When they walked in each of the eight fire benders following the three ignited their flames in order to light the way, on the walls they saw huge images. They saw the dark warriors clad in hoods and armors, leading vast armies and inspiring fears in the hearts of enemies. However one stood out above the nine.

A warrior clad in a crowned helm and terrifying armor fitting for a dark king. They saw him take down kingdoms, warriors struck down by his blade and dark magic, alongside him were three other individuals, each with different weapons, they rained ruin upon their foes but none more so than the dark king. The men and three women were in shock at what they were seeing on the carvings. The Nine were then trapped within a dark tree, which reached down into the very pits of Hell and into a Dark Tower with a cage inside.

"These warriors must have been terrifying, no wonder the Avatar demanded no one enter," one soldier spoke. The group nodded, Azula was becoming more and more excited, if she could gain even an ounce of their power she was confident of victory over the other nations, especially the Avatar.

Finally they reached the crypt, and saw the four tombs in a row, one in the center of them and three others scattered through the tomb. Surrounding them were eight statues of hooded beings with swords stabbed into the ground. They had dark carvings all over it, each imbued with an ancient power that seemed to seal the tombs, though something about the center tomb looked worse than the others. Azula noticed however that the power had long since passed, cracks in the tombs proved that.

"Open the tombs, I want to see if there are any artifacts among the corpses," she ordered, the men were hesitant at first but nevertheless chose to obey. The moment they opened the crypts and looked within, an unnatural scream was heard, it echoed from within the crypt, it made their blood chill and body go numb. They all lost their focus and the flames they were conjuring were snuffed out in an instant.

[Within the Akatsuki Hidden Chamber]

Something was wrong with the Gedo Statue! It was shaking and screaming, the eyes were bleeding and it was hunched over to where its face was twelve feet from the ground. The whole base shook as the Akatsuki tried to see what was going on.

"What the hell's happening!?" Deidara shouted over the noise.

"I don't know! It's not responding to my Rinnegan!" Madara shouted in shock and anger. He was using his jutsu with such intensity that his eye was bleeding. However it was then that he heard eight voices come from the statue.

"You think you can command us!?" upon hearing this Tobi's blood freeze. He recognized the type of voices he was hearing. After all, he was the current host of a former Elf Lord.

"You may have bound us, but we answer to The One!" they all shouted as one, at that instant, he watched as eight blood pools landed on the ground, the eight open eyes became half lidded. Out of the blood rose eight figures that Tobi knew he and the others needed to flee from. What made his blood freeze was the fact that each of the eight beings possessed the visages of the Jinhcurikii they had been ripped out of. In that same moment all of those Jinchurikii had vanished across the village.

"The Nazgul! Run Obito! You are no match for them!" Celebrimbor shouted at the Uchiha. He was too frightened however as the Nazgul materialized they suddenly let out their shrilling screamed and the lights went out. By the time any could see again the Nazgul were gone, the only light was the cavern entrance the eight had just smashed through to leave.

"Where are they going!? What they hell were they and what did they mean by The One?" asked Kakuzu. However it was Hidan that responded, his body trembling with exhilaration.

"Those were the Nazgul, wraiths of a time long past…the time of Jashin," Hidan said almost with reverence.

Tobi was looking at the entrance with a glazed stare, "They are the harbingers of Death, should they complete in their mission, then this world will fall to a terrible darkness."

"Middle-Earth shall bow to me, not some slaves of a dead master!" screamed the Bright Lord.

[Back in the Crypt]

Azula lit up her own flames and was terrified yet exhilarated to see what was happening. Eight terrible ghostly figures in strange armors that looked ancient and deadly. But three skeletal figures had their hands in their soldiers and they watched as their lives were sucked out of them. They turned to ash in the next second and the skeletal figures now had form, their armor was dark and menacing, each wielding strange weapons.

One held a giant mace, donning heavy armor, another had terrifying axes and with armor that appeared grafted to his flesh, and the final was in black robes with a high helm that hid his head save for his grotesque and sharp toothed mouth, he had a menacing sword on his hip and a staff in his hand.

Mai had her weapons drawn, Ty Lee was shaking from what she sensed from them. Now the two of them had rational actions, Azula however was excited as her efforts had finally paid off.

"You have freed us, Herald of the Dark Lord," one of the armored ghosts spoke in a deep raspy voice. Azula was surprised by what she had just heard, as were the others.

"What do you mean Dark Lord?" asked the Fire Princess, "Do you mean the one in the Cage that was in my dreams?"

They all nodded, "He has chosen you to free us, and since you have, your war shall be won."

"Who are you?" Ty Lee asked timidly, trying to be courageous for her friends. The truth was though that none of them were feeling very brave at this moment. Ghosts and vampiric beings just sucked the life out of their men.

"I am the Hammer of Sauron," the first answered.

"I am the Tower of Sauron," the second answered.

"I am the Mouth of Sauron," the final one spoke.

The group looked around only to see that the fourth was not open yet: the tomb of the Witch King.

Azula liked the sound of this, "Alright, so what do we do next?" she asked, the two behind her were extremely thankful that these ghostly figures were not attacking. The three women could tell that not only were they ghosts, but they were fierce warriors, far fiercer than any they have ever faced.

"Our king must return, than by the blood of the Dark Lord, shall the One be freed," one of the ghostly figures spoke, just as menacing as his brothers.

"Alright, what must be done?" Azula asked them.

"You will come with us to free the Dark Lord from his prison."

[Elemental Nations Months Later]

Galadriel and Natsumi were speaking in private about what she had sensed before the wolves attack. They went to Natsumi's apartment and spent hours conversing, getting to know one another so that they could be comfortable. Stories were shared among the two about their lives, many stories of Good vs. Evil. Then finally Natsumi's story of how she lost her brother was finally brought up.

"I understand that you lost your brother a few years ago, and he has been on your mind for quite some time," Galadriel spoke as she watched Natsumi's face become downcast. She had enjoyed hearing all the stories from the first time that she was here. But now that this was being brought up, her heart sank, she looked out at the night, it was a New Moon so it was hard to see anything beyond the village.

"Naruto was my hero, my role model," she began, "He pushed me to go further than anyone else, even my own teachers. Just by proving himself over and over despite what anyone would say or do he always proved them wrong. Not only that but he always had a way with people. He could make you believe him just by using his words, his passion pierced even the coldest of hearts and could change their very outlook on life. Zabuza, Neji, Gaara of the sands, even the former leader of the Akatsuki Pain changed after listening to his words."

Galadriel thought back, it reminded her of so many heroes and friends during her time in Middle Earth. "He sounds like an incredible warrior and an even greater friend, not to mention possessing intelligence with words."

At this Natsumi giggled, "Actually he was a bit of an idiot," this surprised Galadriel, "He always was loud and obnoxious, shouting at the top of his lungs about some things that were actually idiotic. Other things…" she paused as she wiped a tear, "Other things were his dreams and goals. He dreamed to change the meaning of Shinobi, and then become the greatest Hokage or any other kage ever to be been seen and respected."

This struck a chord with Galadriel, he was a true enigma that none could figure out. So contrast in his behaviors it made one wonder which personality was truly him.

"But then was cut down, after having saved Konoha, risking his own life he took on multiple attackers and drove them away," Natusmi continued, her voice cracking at this point, she then pulled out from beneath her shirt something that made Galadriel's heart stop for a moment…a simple golden ring, held around her neck by a silver chain. She was running her fingers across it similar to the way poor Frodo once did to the Master Ring. "But then…we found Naruto's body, gashed up and decapitated. It wasn't the Akatsuki because they needed him alive. I came to believe I found the culprits, but it was then that I felt I knew who had killed him. But I thought it was a dead end…until you mentioned the abilities of Celebrimbor."

At this her gaze grew cold, "It was his friends that killed him, by the influence of Celebrimbor."

This made Galadriel concerned, the Bright Lord had influence here? This could only mean a few things. However before she could respond…her ring pulsed.

[Knife in the Dark]

As she felt terror, true terror shoot through her spine as she had not felt this power course through her veins since the Third Age: the strength given to the bearer of a Ring of Power. Horror flashed through her as she looked upon Natsumi's Ring…but then she realized what this meant…another Ring of Power had been forged. Celebrimbor had succeeded!

However apparently Fate determined that this wasn't enough for the men and women of konoha as she then heard screams ringing throughout the village. Now Natsumi could recognize all of them.

"MY FRIENDS!" she screamed in concern. She dashed off and ran through the village to find them in the main courtyard in front of Hokage Tower…all of them crucified against by their hands by kunai. Their blood was being collected by eight hooded and cloaked figures. All of them were chanting in an old and dark tongue, unknown to the present world.

"Get away from my friends!" she snarled, expecting Kurama's power to help her…but none came aside from the strength she had taken from him. Instead she felt anticipation, excitement, and familiarity.

"Kurama, what is going on?" she asked, her face showing her confusion. She then heard terrible moans from her friends, she looked up to see all of them, pale and sickly looking at her.

"Natsumi-chan…run…" Sakura groaned, however the Black Breath was effecting her just as much as the others and she slowly passed back into darkness.

"The time has come," the Mouth of Sauron, "to return our brother." It was then that he and the others began chanting, each placing their power into the seal that had, unknown to Natsumi, been created around her in blood.

"By the blood of traitors and the sole powers of the Dark Lord, rise my brother from your demise and reign amongst the mortals once more!" the Mouth proclaimed.

[Minas Morgul-Theme]

It was then that the blood glowed as if it had been lit on fire, Natsumi then realized too late that a seal had surrounded her and in an instant Kurama was being ripped from her own seal. A great red light shot into the sky. The whole village and far beyond could see the bright red light, hear the menacing roar of the Nine-Tails. She then let out her own terrible scream of pain and suffering as she watched instead of a massive fox came out of her gut…a hand covered in a clawed gauntlet.

"NATSUMI!" her wounded friends shouted, many other Shinobi were arriving to the scene as well. Even the Akatsuki was watching from afar, however the eight Nazgul surrounded the seal and the Hammer, Tower, and Mouth were standing just a few short feet from Natsumi as they continued chanting in the Black Speech.

At this point Tsunade had finally appeared alongside Jiraiya, both were filled with fear and confusion. The being crawling out of her seal looked nothing like the famed Nine-Tails. But seeing his form feared them far more than anything before. He looked more like a demon than even the fox.

"Jiraiya! We have to do something!" Tsunade said as she popping her knuckles. Jiraiya jumped down with her and the two of them rushed to help her and force the fox back into the seal. However the Mouth chanted in the same dark language and made a shield, both of the Sannin attacked the barrier with their preferred methods of attack but it was all for naught.

[Kyuubi Released]

In another flash everyone was forced to block their eyes for several moments, the ground shook and the sky clashed lightning. The lightning struck the barrier and the light dimmed down, as it did they all looked to see Natsumi on her knees and her head slumped forward.

"The Blood of Traitors has been spilt, the ritual is complete. BEHOLD YOU FOOLS! THE WITCH-KING FIGHTS ONCE MORE!" he roared.

Kneeling in front of her, dark armor and robes, the Witch-King of Angmar himself. Kurama's true form had finally been returned to him.

"I leave the power you took so that you may remain strong, you will need it for the trials to come." Angmar whispered.

Natsumi was beyond shocked by what she had seen. The Witch-King then stood his full menacing height and knocked Tsunade's fist away and caught Jiraiya's just as they came in to strike. He then grabbed both by the throat and pulled them close, a black mist came from under his hooded helm and was inhaled by the two of them. Both of them were suddenly slumped over, a darkness over their eyes.

It was then they could hear shouting and running. People were getting closer and the Nazgul knew they needed to vanish in order to stay unknown to the White Council. So they grabbed Natsumi, summoned their steeds, and vanished into the night.

The fog faded and when it did the Shinobi were all horrified of the scene. The whole place looked like a demonic ritual, though they had no idea that is what it truly was…until the White Council arrived.

"Everybody back!" Elrond called, he then rushed to the wounded first, inspecting them calmly…until it became concern…which then became horror. Each of them had their hands stabbed through the wall with their own kunai. But that was easily treated.

What were a concern…were the wounds in their abdomens that reeked of death…the wounds were inflicted by a Morgul Blade. To affirm this, the blade hilt was left behind. To make matters worse, they were all suffering from the effects of the Black Breath.

"Gandalf! Galadriel! Get Athelas!" he cried. Immediately they realized what was happening and grabbed the ingredients needed. Elrond instructed the medic to take down the crucified Shinobi which they did so with great care.

It took several hours just to stabilize them, and several days for them to come out of their comas. When they finally did they had a terrible truth revealed to them. The whole group woke as one, taking a huge breath in like they had just come out of deep dark water. Within those black depths they were forced to watch as their own hands cut down their best friend. They were then forced to see their friend Natsumi being held by ethereal chains, her eyes rolled back in a silent scream as a black hand tore from the earth where her blood had pooled down. Soon stood a menacing monster of a man, donned in black armor, who seemed to speak in a dark language…but they understood him.

"There is nothing for you here…only…Death!"

"NARUTO!" they all shouted as one. Their eyes changing from a glowing blue to normal as the Bright Lord's control wavered. The memory coming to them by dream was caused by the sudden appearance of other Wraiths, one who was stronger than even the Bright Lord. Though with his Ring of Power it would soon tip the scales in his favor. Though none really knew what the endgame was that he had, only Celebrimbor himself knew.

Soon Nurses and Doctors had come rushing into the Coma Ward and were assessing the situation from their physical wounds. Gandalf and the others came in to handle to demonic ailments that were beyond that of the medics.

However this took longer than expected, due to the fact that they were constantly trying to get up while say a full sentence. None heard them due to them trying to treat them.

"Children, why are you so keen to rise and fight once more?" asked the Lady of Light. She grew concerned when they could not find Natsumi, they had been searching since the Dark Mist.

It was Hinata that she was facing them and upon looking straight into her eyes she saw the horror and fear. What could have possibly been making her so horrified?

"Ghostly figures…three monstrous men, crucified us…another rose from our blood, one like a mix of the two groups. They took Natsumi!" cried the dark haired woman. This caused the White Council to take on a face of fear. They immediately looked at their rings, fearing the worst. As they tried to summon the power within their rings they feared the worst. They breathed a sigh of relief as their Rings of Power were just as dead as they had been the time Sauron fell.

The Dark Lord wasn't back, since his ring fell into the lava and since then their own ring's power have vanished as well. Darkness was no longer their problem, it was light that had become prideful and burned so bright it threatened to destroy all it touched.

But if that were the case…how did Celebrimbor summon Sauron's servants from beyond the Realm of Death?

There was truly only one answer…he had forged his own Master Ring of Power.

But that made no sense, they would have known, Celebrimbor made the others after all and if he truly wanted to have no threats he would create a Master Ring just linked to theirs just as Sauron had done.

They would have to worry about that later, right now the Nazgul and the Horsemen had taken Natsumi to do only Eru knew what. But they knew where to look…the Land of Demons, the farthest east that one could go without being lost to endless sees. In truth only Sauron knew what was beyond his shores, if he even possessed an Eastern Border.

[Land of Maelstroms]

Mordor had become submerged upon his death. It would take a massive amount of power to return his home. And to do that…he needed his sister.

It pained him that he was going to be forced to use his own sister in a painful process…but he had no choice. Only by her blood could he be saved. He was tired of being just able to send his mind out of the cage. He needed out completely, he knew only she could free him.

"Forgive me my dear sister, hopefully one day you will forgive your brother," Sauron said quietly. The Dark Lord looked upon his horrid sigils and marks he had placed on her. His sister would be drastically drained of chakra, probably in a temporary coma. What's more, he was not a fool as to what would happen next…

The Cage of Hell, is by far the worst thing ever created by immortal hands. Hidden so far into the Underworld that not even he had the answer…until now. Thanks to the foolish White Council he now knew what must be done.

Once that cage is destroyed…his entire power would be restored to him. The Master Ring would return to its Lord, but he would have to conceal it's power lest the elves find out about him like last time. Though it was only a matter of time, he could only delay them.

"My Lord," spoke a voice behind him, he turned his attention toward a samurai donned in black armor, he was down on a knee and his head low, "We have received word of a group infiltrating our borders that appears to be Akatsuki."

Sauron looked at the floating Palantir at the center of the tower's roof, seeing thegroup…and leading them was an old friend.

"So we do…see to it they are invited once they get deep enough into our territory," Sauron ordered, "peacefully if possible, but I want them unspoiled."

The samurai bowed before turning and walking away. The Dark Lord was surprised they found the clues so quickly. But it was still too little too late.

"Angmar! Himura!" Sauron roared above the conversation of the populace, all looked up to see the black shadow dancing upon the top of Orthanc. He was thankful that one of the Towers still stood, thought he looked forward to seeing Bara-Dur once more.

Phasing into existence were his two Captains: The Witch-King, head of the supernatural, and Himura, head of the human warriors. Nazgul Lord and the Shadow both stood before the shadowed mass.

"Yes, my lord?" asked the two, both without motion, waiting upon their master's command.

"The time has come, Himura, you will announce the return of the land of Uzu and lead the search of the Akatsuki. From the Land of Iron, Angmar's Black Numenoreans shall also step forth and show these ninja the might of the Samurai. From Uzu the Shinobi shall rain upon this world. Your main goal however is to keep the eyes of the White Council off me long enough to regain my power and conquer the other side of the world. I hear Pain has been resurrected as well by that snake Kabuto. Now leave, Angmar and I must plan the other part."

"Yes my Lord," Himura said and vanished, Sauron then turned to Angmar.

"Prepare for the Ritual, our armies are growing but we have not the land to increase their numbers. I and my land must return at once. Leak the location of the ritual in order to the Shinobi"

"As you wish my Lord," Angmar departed, his fellow Nazgul riding off with a still unconscious Natsumi in tow. Not much longer Sauron thought, until his body would be freed from the Cage of Hell. Then all nothing would stand in his way.

The Dark Lord looked upon his horsemen and felt a sense of pride rush through him for his creations. They were the embodiment of his will:

The Hammer: War

The Mouth: Famine

The Tower: Plague

The Witch-King: Death

They were his deadliest Warriors, more powerful than any other in his army. And once his powers returned he would lead them to a glorious victory with standing by his master's side.

He then turned to the newest members of his forces: Azula and her entourage. What to do with them?

"Welcome…Daughters of Darkness."

AN: Alright! Things are about to get interesting! For those of you who dunno what Fiore is, this means this is now a LOTR, Naruto, Avatar, and Fairy Tail crossover. I'm thinkin about maybe including Fate/Zero as well but unless I figure out a way to include them it may just be some Easter eggs for those of you who know of it. Anyway please review to lemme know your opinions, and maybe tell me your opinion of what you want to happen next.

Look forward to hearing from y'all.

Until then I'll see ya next time!