Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of either Godzilla: The Series or The Hobbit, only how the story goes. The characters of Godzilla: The Series belongs to Tristar and The Hobbit belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien and other creators. The only thing that I do own are the OC's of the story. I apologize for any errors in grammar and/or if I was not accurate in reference to something.

A/N: There'll be a few references in this chapter. Not to mention there'll also be a few familiar sounds, especially to Hicks.

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Chapter Thirteen: Unforeseen Events

Everyone was chattering amongst themselves as Nick, Elsie and Monique finished freeing the rest of the Company. As Mendel and Bilbo untied Randy, the roboticist looked to the Hobbit and said, "That was a pretty good idea, Bilbo."

"Well, I do apologize for the scare." Bilbo offered. But Randy shook his head, "Nah, in all honesty, we should have figured out your plan from the get go."

When he stood on his feet again, Randy patted Bilbo on the shoulder and said, "Sorry about giving you a hard time, dude."

"Apology accepted." Bilbo smiled. The three were suddenly surrounded by the Dwarves as they started asking all kinds of questions.

While that was happening, Gandalf walked about the three petrified Trolls and the dead giant rat. He looked up to the statue that used to be Tom and lightly hit it with his staff. Elsie walked up to the body of the dead Mutation and examined it. She looked to the Wizard and asked, "Do you suppose that this could have been the thing from the woods after we had separated?"

"Judging by the pieces of bark from trees in its claws." Monique said as she knelt down and examined it. She nodded in confirmation, "I would say that it is. And there is no telling of how long it was with the Trolls."

"So a mystery it shall remain." Gandalf said, not liking to be kept in the dark. They looked to see Nick and Thorin walk up to them as the latter then asked, "Where did the lot of you go if I may ask?"

"To cool off and look ahead." Gandalf simply told him. Wondering what made them turn around Thorin asked, "And what brought you back?"

"Looking behind." Was all that Gandalf said with a playful smirk. A grin formed on Nick's face when he said, "And we have good news."

"You have found your friend?" Thorin asked. Nick gave a bit of an awkward shrug when he said, "Yes and no."

"He was close by when were out and about. But we weren't able to catch up with him." Elsie added with a shake of her head. Nick looked to the three petrified Trolls and asked, "So, what's their story?"

"They must have come down from the Ettenmoors." Gandalf deduced their origin.

"And since when do Mountain Trolls venture this far down South?" A wondering Thorin asked. But Gandalf shook his head, "Oh, not for an age they haven't come down." He had a reminiscing, but worried look on his face when he said, "Not since a darker power ruled over the lands."

"Not that this isn't fascinating and all…" Randy said as the majority of the Company joined with them. He then added, "But how did we not see them earlier when we arrived here?"

"That is a good question." Mendel nodded. Gandalf had an explanation when he said, "As you have witnessed, Trolls become stone statues if they are caught in the light of the sun."

"So, it's the one thing that'll really kill them?" Elsie asked. Gandalf nodded before looking to the three statues and wondered, "They could have not been moving during the daylight."

"So, they must have some sort of shelter." Monique deduced. Thorin looked about the forest and said, "More than likely, there's a cave big enough for them nearby."

"But how do we find it?" Bilbo asked, not knowing which way to go. After a moment to think about it, Mendel snapped his fingers and said, "N.I.G.E.L. can find their rabbit's hole."

"Really? How?" A skeptical Dwalin asked and he crossed his arms. Looking about, Mendel looked for something that the Trolls had held before finding the discarded knife on the ground.

Picking up the oversized knife he said, "N.I.G.E.L. has olfactory sensors that can find the Trolls' trail. Even the ones leading away from here."

"I only understood a little of that." Kili shook his head. A few chuckles went through the group and Mendel turned to the robot and requested, "N.I.G.E.L., collect a smell sample from this item."

N.I.G.E.L. started barking like a dog and panted before moving towards the knife in Craven's hand. After a moment, the robot confirmed, "Sample collected."

"Now find a trail to the Trolls' lair." Mendel said. With a howl, the robot turned and wheeled away into the forest. While the group looked to Craven who just sighed before they followed after N.I.G.E.L. through the forest.

Half an hour later…

The group arrived at a large hill that had a large gaping hole in the side. But when they arrived, there was suddenly a lot of cool air coming from the opening. Randy glanced to the Company who would know and nervously asked, "Uh, does that mean that there's something alive down there?"

"No." Gandalf shook his head. Thorin placed his hand before the opening and then said, "More than likely, there's a much bigger opening down there."

"Then should we take a look?" Elsie asked. Gandalf then said, "Perhaps it would be best if we see what lies ahead of us."

"All right, class. Into the hole." Randy joked and it earned a few looks from the Company.

Everyone went down single file into the hole. They walked down a long tunnel and the smell of the cave started to get a little overwhelming. Randy waved a hand in front of his face and said, "Man, it reeks down here."

"What is this foul-smelling place?" Nori complained the question as they continued walking. Gandalf glanced back to the Company and bluntly informed, "A tunnel that is connected to a Troll-hoard." He then warned them, "Be careful of what you touch in here."

"No problem there." Mendel said as he was afraid of whatever germs were down here. There were a few coughs from the foul stench as some of the Dwarves lit up some torches. They looked about to see a lot of bones strewn about the cavern. As they walked by one of the adjacent caves, they noticed a big treasure hoard all about. Bofur looked to Gloin and nudged him and said with a smirk, "I know what we're going to take a look at on the way back."

"Aye." Gloin nodded in agreement. But they didn't stop as they continued through the caverns.

A bright light soon came at the end and they prepared themselves for what lay beyond the opening. They had to shield their eyes from the bright sunlight, but were very surprised when there was nothing threatening on this side of the tunnel. But that didn't mean that what they saw wasn't surprising either. Just about in every spot was a lifeless body of a Troll. The Trolls either had missing body parts, scorch marks or looked trampled. Bilbo, Dori, Randy and Mendel all covered their mouths to keep from vomiting from the gruesome sight.

"What do you suppose happened here?" Thorin asked as he looked about the Carnage. Gandalf looked to the H.E.A.T. team and asked, "I don't suppose that this could be your large friend's doing, eh?"

"N.I.G.E.L. can see if Godzilla was here." Mendel said before looking to the robot. N.I.G.E.L. acted sassy when he said, "Oh, great, I'm a lizard watcher now, am I?"

A few snickers went through the group while Mendel sighed. But N.I.G.E.L. still went up to one of the dead Trolls and started his inspection, "Initiating scans for signs of Godzilla."

"I don't think that will be necessary." Monique spoke up. Everyone, from beings of flesh to the only one of metal, looked to the spy. Monique pointed down a hill and they all saw a very large footprint. Elsie nodded, "Yeah, that definitely looks like our bouncing baby lizard."

"So, what about those guys?" Randy asked and pointed another way. They looked to see a group of people all gathered in a spot that didn't have the body of a Troll for a few yards. Gandalf started walking over to them and said, "Let us go and see what news they have."

The others in the Company looked to each other before following after the Wizard. When they left the Trolls' bodies behind them is when the people noticed them coming. While some were a little weary of the Company, mostly with the H.E.A.T. team for obvious reasons, some seemed to at least recognize Gandalf. A few ran up to him and shouted, "Mithrandir! Mithrandir!"

"Easy. Easy, my friends!" Gandalf said to calm them. Looking about the people he asked, "What on earth happened here?"

"Oh, Mithrandir, it was terrible." A man shook his head. He threw his hands over his head when he said, "Trolls! A whole horde of them had came down for some time and had kidnapped people just about every night for the past few days."

"They kept us in cages. And we knew that they were planning to eat us." Another man shivered with fear at the thought. But a woman had a smile on her face when she spoke up, "But then last night, the craziest thing had happened."

"You were saved by a large fire breathing lizard." Elsie guessed, even though she knew that she was right on the money. The folks that had been saved by Godzilla nodded as she was correct. Nick stepped up and asked, "Do you know if he's still around?"

"I'm afraid he's long gone by now." The first man shook his head. Pointing in a certain direction he said, "All we know is that he was heading East. For what, we do not know."

"Well, thanks anyway, man." Randy said with appreciation. Mendel then asked them, "So, what will you do now?"

"We know that we cannot return to our homes. Not yet at least." The woman shook her head. Gandalf then suggested, "Might I suggest that you head for Bree. You should be quite safe there for the time being."

"We were just thinking that." The woman nodded in agreement. With that said, the people that had been kidnapped by the Trolls rejoined the others. Gandalf looked to the Company and said, "And now it is time we returned to our quest."

"Agreed." Thorin said, relieved that they were getting underway again.

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From a nearby hill, a large wolf like creature suddenly appeared. On its back was an Orc. When it saw all that it needed to, the Orc turned the Warg back the way it came and raced through the forest. It soon came upon other Orcs and Wargs, but two others on the backs of more Giant Rat Mutations. The Orc reported in Black Speech, "(I have seen the Dwarf scum and their human companions.)"

"(Have they rejoined with their giant lizard?)" One those in the shadows questioned. The Orc shook his head, "(It would seem that the giant lizard that decimated the Trolls is long gone.)"

"(Then there's nothing stopping us from the hunt.)" The other person in the shadows said with a dark laugh. The first person scoffed and said in the Common Tongue, "You and your pigheaded ways."

"If you don't like how I do things, then you can always quit." The second person shot back. But he chuckled when he said, "But good luck with dealing with the big boss."

"Grr." Was all the first said. One of the Orcs, Yazneg growled, "(Enough of this bickering. The boss wants his prizes.)"

With a slight kick to his Warg's side, Yazneg started speeding away with the others in tow.

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While most of the Company and H.E.A.T. had gone on ahead, Nick, Monique, Gandalf, Thorin, Dwalin, Bofur, Nori and Gloin all stayed back to view into the cave on the way through. While the majority Dwarves were going about the large collection of gold, Thorin stuck with Gandalf and the two humans as they looked about the rest of the loot in the cave.

Over with the four, Bofur lightly brushed some of the gold with his foot. He was thinking what the others were thinking, "Seems a shame to leave just lying around like this. Anyone could just come by and take it."

"Agreed." Gloin said before looking to a small chest on one side of the pile of gold. The looking behind him he said, "Nori, go and bring us a shovel and a few sacks. One for everyone."

"Aye." Nori nodded before turning to leave to get the stuff. The rest of the group looked about the other side of the cave ad came upon a few crude trap looking devices. Around the cages they saw a few human bones. Nick shook his head, "It looks like we were too late for some."

"I know that it seems like a sad sight." Gandalf walked up to the scientist. Nick looked to the Wizard and Gandalf said, "But know that these people were avenged on this night."

"I guess you have a point." Nick slightly agreed.

Thorin and Monique were looking about some weapons leaning on a rack and covered in spider webs. Thorin placed a torch down before picking up two of the weapons. He grabbed a straight sword and a curved one. When he examined them he said, "These two swords were not made by any Troll."

Gandalf walked over and Thorin handed him the straight sword. Gandalf looked over it and noticed, "Nor were they forged by any smith among Men." He glanced to Monique and added, "From Middle-earth of course."

"Hmm." The French spy said before picking up one of a few from another rack. She glanced back and said, "And these."

"Hmm?" Gandalf asked before looking over to the spy. He noticed the weapon in her hands and he said, "That is actually a sword made by the hands of Men."

"From the look of that one, it seems to be quite well made." Thorin added. Monique unsheathed the blade and said, "Perhaps this one and the others could be put to better use than collecting dust down here."

"Perhaps." Gandalf agreed with a nod. The Wizard turned his attention back to the weapon in his hands. He unsheathed the blade a little and blew some of the dust off. Gandalf's eyes widened when he noticed something about them. Thorin was about to unsheathe the blade he was holding when the Wizard said, "These were forged in Gondolin…" Thorin stopped when he heard the name as Gandalf continued, "By the High Elves of the First Age."

Thorin started to set the sword back down, not wanting to have anything to do with Elves no matter what. Gandalf was quick to look to Thorin with a slight scolding look and said, "You could not wish for a finer blade."

"You should not judge something about where it comes from." Monique agreed as she picked up the other swords. Thorin looked to them before taking the swords in both hands and unsheathed it a little. He took a look at the blade in his hands before both he and Gandalf put them back in.

"Are we about done window shopping?" Nick asked when he walked over. Gandalf looked to him and chuckled, "Oh, we should be done now."

Over by the pile of gold, Bofur had placed a few more things into the chest. When it was full, Nori closed it up before starting to fill up the sacks. Bofur and Gloin moved to set the chest down into a recently dug hole, 'Set it down in the hole."

"Aye, that's good." Gloin nodded as he helped him place the chest down. When it was in the hole, Bofur started moving dirt into the hole, "All right, Gloin. Quickly now."

The two Dwarves started to cover up the chest with Gloin and Dwalin looked over them. Noticing that the two were being watched, Gloin looked to him and said, "We're making a long-term deposit."

Dwalin only rolled his eyes before walking away. Thorin walked over to them and ordered, "Hurry up. Let's get ourselves out of this foul place."

"And finished." Nori said as he finished filling a few sacks with gold. He handed two of the sacks to both Nick and Monique. The two looked to each other before they all started walking to the entrance of the cave. While Thorin took the lead with everyone else in the middle, Gandalf brought up the rear. But he stopped when he felt his staff hit against something on the ground. The others went ahead with out him as he used his staff to move some dead leaves ack to reveal a small blade hidden amongst them. A smile came across the Wizard's face as he thought about who it would best be suited for. Nick glanced back and asked, "You okay back there, Gandalf?"

"Don't worry. I'm fine, Master Tatopoulos." Gandalf said as he leaned down to pick up the blade. When it was secure in his arms he followed after the Company. When he came out from the rock, Gandalf called, "Bilbo. Could you come here, please?"

"Hmm?" The Hobbit said as he came over. Gandalf handed him the small blade and said, "Here. This looks to be at least your size."

Bilbo took the small sword and looked at it. But a little unsure about it he said, "I-I-I can't take this."

"The blade is of Elvish make, Bilbo." Gandalf told him, knowing that the sword could serve the Hobbit well. Then he informed, "It will glow blue when Orcs or Goblins are nearby."

Bilbo was still a little unsure about the sword and said, "I have never used a sword in my life."

"And I highly doubt any of them have used one either." Gandalf said when he gestured to the humans of the group. When he looked back to Bilbo he said, "But due to these uncertain times, it would best to be safe than sorry.

"And about you using a weapon such as this, I do hope that you never have to use it." Gandalf added and it made Bilbo think a little. Over with the others, Bofur handed the sacks of gold to the rest of H.E.A.T. Mendel looked to the Dwarf and asked, "What's this for?"

"Well, just in case we find ourselves in a town or something." Bofur pointed out when he handed the last one to Elsie. Monique walked up and presented a sword to the other three, "Take one."

"Uh, do we look like part of King Arthur's court to you?" Randy said with a questioning look. Monique looked to the hacker with a stern look and said, "We are in an unknown land with barely anything to defend ourselves. Sticks, stones and Mutations will only get us so far."

"I don't know." Mendel shook his head. Gandalf and Bilbo walked up to them with the former saying, "If I may offer some important wisdom. When you use those weapons, remember: True courage is about knowing not when to take a life, but when to spare one."

Gandalf nodded while Bilbo and the humans pondered on the Wizard's words. Gandalf looked to the woods when Thorin shouted, "Something's coming this way!"

"Gandalf…" Bilbo started to say when the Wizard walked off. Gandalf then advised them all, "Stay together! And hurry now! Arm yourselves!"

Bilbo looked down to the small blade in his hands before fully unsheathing it and looked at the blade. The five humans of H.E.A.T. unsheathed their own blades while N.I.G.E.L.'s arm changed into the mini-gun mode. It almost looked as if there was a small vine wrapped around the blade. Then he turned and ran to join the others.

Everyone stayed in formation and prepared for battle. Even Gandalf unsheathed his new sword and held it in one hand while holding his staff in the other. They all heard something moving very fast through the brush and stood at the ready. Everyone was cut off guard when a sled being pulled by rabbits came through and at the back was a Man dressed in a brown robe, hat, shoes and had a brown wooden staff. Following after the man on the sled were a couple of horses. The Man rode past them and shouted, "Thieves! Fire! Murder!"

The three stopped and looked to see that they were surrounded by the Company. While Gandalf recognized the man on the sled, he did not know the two Men by his side. Luckily, Nick and the others did as Nick asked, "Major Hicks? Sergeant O'Neal?"

"Nick?" Both Men asked when they noticed the team. Randy then asked, "And who's the guy in brown?"

"Radagast." Was Gandalf's answer when he calmed down. Taking a step forward he said the other Wizard's full title, "Radagast the Brown."

"One of the other Wizards you were talking about." Elsie asked when she remembered their conversation. Gandalf looked to her and nodded. But when he looked to the two Men he asked, "And I take it that these are friends of yours?"

"That's right." Nick nodded to confirm. Radagast removed himself from his sled while Hicks and O'Neal dismounted from their steeds. Nick walked up to the major and asked, "How did you two get here?"

"Same way you did, apparently." O'Neal said. Major Hicks then clarified, "The machine that zapped you all here turned on and brought us to this place sometime after you guys."

"Well, what do you think of this place as a vacation spot?" Randy cracked with a smirk. The two soldiers just looked to him with an unamused look. Gandalf looked to them and asked, "Not that I don't mind meeting new faces, may I ask what you are all doing here?"

"We've come to tell you that there's something really odd going on." O'Neal said. Mendel adopted a questioning look when he asked, "Like what?"

"It has to do with why we're here." Radagast said looking to Gandalf. The Brown Wizard looked very worried when he said, "We've been looking all over for you, Gandalf." Then he looked to the humans with Gandalf and said, "And judging that you've met these people, then you should all know that something's wrong. Something's terribly wrong."

"Like that the fact that we ran into a giant rat?" Elsie asked. This surprised Hicks and O'Neal with the former asking, "A Mutation? All the way out here?"

"And I thought the ones back in that huge forest were bad enough." O'Neal shook his head. Now this surprised H.E.A.T. as Monique questioned, "You have seen more Mutations? Where?"

"At the place that we're about to tell you." Radagast said. But when he tried to say, he was stopped. He opened his mouth again, but stopped as if he lost what he was about to say. Gandalf then asked, "Yes?"

Radagast then tried again, but once again seemed to lose it. Everyone in the Company looked to each other as they found the new Wizard to be odd. Radagast then said, "Just give me a minute here."

"No, no. Take your time." Elsie said and crossed her arms. Gandalf looked to the woman, but Nick then said, "Ignore her, Mr. Radagast."

Radagast continued to try and think before he groaned in frustration, "Oh. I just had a thought, but now I've lost it." Then pointing to his lips he said, "It was right there on the tip of my tongue."

Radagast suddenly gasped before he felt something and Gandalf took a closer look. Pursing his lips together, Radagast then said, "Oh. It's not a thought at all.

"It's a silly old," Radagast said as Gandalf pulled out a small stick bug, "stick insect."

Gandalf handed the small stick bug to Radagast who allowed it to crawl away. The Company found it to be a little odd and Hicks, with a questioning look, said, "Now that that's settled. Perhaps we can get down to the matter at hand."

"Ah, yes, quite right." Radagast said before leading Gandalf away. The Grey Wizard looked back and motioned for some to join. Nick, Elsie and Monique followed after the two Wizard's and soldiers while Randy, Mendel and N.I.G.E.L. stayed behind with the rest of the Company. When they had come away a good distance, Gandalf then asked the three, "Now, what is going on, my friends?"

"The Greenwood is sick, my friends. A darkness has begun to fall over it." Radagast said with a worried look. Looking to Hicks and O'Neal he said, "And they have witnessed it with their own eyes."

Gandalf and the three from H.E.A.T. looked to them, not making any assumptions until they've heard everything. Radagast shook his head as he said, "Nothing grows anymore. At least nothing good."

"Plus, even though it's all magic and stuff, we felt the as if the forest was dying." O'Neal said. Nick was about to scoff at the mention of magic, but then remembered that they were indeed in the Company of a Wizard. Hicks then said, "We've seen a few crazy things in the last few days we were here. But everything that we saw in that forest seemed to be bad news."

"But what's worse are the webs." Radagast added. That stopped Gandalf in his tracks and he turned to ask, "Webs? What do you mean?"

"Spiders, Gandalf." Radagast warned. Then he added, "Giant ones. Some kind of spawn of Ungoliant, or I am not a Wizard."

"They kind of reminded me of the spider Mutations from our island mission. But they were greatly different." Hicks said to the three. But then he shook his head, "But they weren't the only Mutations that we saw."

"We followed the Mutations' trail back to their source. They came from…" The Brown Wizard nervously swallowed the lump in his throat before saying, "Dol Guldur."

"Dol Guldur?" Gandalf asked since the others knew not what they were talking about. Gandalf looked his friend in the eye and said as he remembered, "But the old fortress is abandoned."

"No, Gandalf." Radagast shook his head. Then gesturing to the two soldiers he said, "Take our word for it. It is not."

The three started to recount their time in the fortress.

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(Flashback)

The trio had come about the old fortress and dismounted from their steeds or got off the sled. They cautiously made their way across the narrow bridge to the ruined looking fortress. As they drew closer to the gates of Dol Guldur, they all began to have an unnerving feeling about the place. Radagast took point while Hicks and O'Neal brought up the rear. They both readied their weapons for what may come as thunder boomed overhead as they went in deeper. O'Neal looked to the Wizard and asked, "What exactly are we looking for?"

"Whatever dark power dwells in this foul place." Was all that Radagast said as they kept going.

They soon came up to a platform that was more open to the sky. Radagast, Jijimon and Babamon looked down different corridors before continuing on. But as they passed by a statue that had vines growing around it, the statue's fingers tightened its grip on its sword. The sound happened to be heard and the three had a feeling that they weren't alone. O'Neal and Hicks both readied their guns while Radagast raised his staff in case something were to attack. O'Neal shivered and said, "Something is making my skin crawl."

"As if there is a shadow watching over us." Radagast added. Behind the three, a ghostly figure rose out of the remains of a ruined statue. The ghost raised its sword and prepared to strike at the one closest to him: Radagast. But luckily for the Wizard, O'Neal happened to turn and his eyes widened from what he had seen. He pointed his gun at the spirit and opened fire. While the bullets went through the spirit, it made both Radagast and Hicks cringe from the loud noises. The spirit still brought his sword down on the Wizard, but thanks to him now alert he was able to block the spirit's sword with his staff. The two struggled when it kept trying to impale him. Radagast was able to wrestle the spirit away from him while the two soldiers kept their weapons trained on their adversary. Radagast gave a few hits to the spirit and it fell from the statue and hit the ground with a shrill, ghostly wail. But it left its sword behind as it clattered against the ground.

They looked down at the weapon and saw that it looked a lot more corporeal now. But chill ran down all of their spines as they thought that the spirit was back. Radagast, Major Hicks and O'Neal looked about when they felt an ominous force approaching. They looked to the corridor in front of them and saw a figure approaching. Hicks pointed his gun at the figure and said, "Hold it right there, pal."

"Don't make us shoot!" O'Neal shouted. When the figure didn't stop coming forward, both men opened fire. But like with the spirit, the bullets flew right threw them. Hicks glanced over to the resident of the world and questioned, "What are we dealing with, Radagast?"

"A Necromancer. A Necromancer has come." A very worried Radagast said as he held his staff at the person. All three became worried when a couple of Giant Rat Mutations appeared by the shadowy figure's side. The Necromancer seemed to come closer and whispered their names over and over, "Radagast, Antony, O'Neal."

The shadow figure raised an arm and the Giant Rat Mutations lunged at the three. While the two soldiers opened fire, they started to run back down the way they came. But before disappearing down the corridor, O'Neal grabbed the blade. They ran through the many corridors and down whatever stairs that they came across. As they ran through one of the levels, the three came upon an open set of doors. The three peeked in and gasped at what they were seeing. A large computer sitting against the far wall with large incubation tanks lining the large chamber. But before they investigate, the shrieking from the Giant Rats caused them to start running again. They were able to make their way out of the fortress but soon had a giant flock of bats on their tails. The three knocked a bat back when they got too close and Radagast saw the sled and horses just ahead of them. Glancing back he rapidly said, "Quick! Quick, quick! Quick, quick! Quick, get in!"

The rabbits of the sled started to pull the sled away while the horses started to get restless. Hicks and O'Neal quickly jumped on while Radagast chased after his own ride and called out, "Wait for me! Wait for me!"

Luckily for Radagast, he was able to get on and swatted a bat back with his staff. The three rode away from the fortress as another bat came flying up to them and opened its jaws wide.

(End of flashback)

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Radagast jumped from the memory and looked about where he was at. O'Neal patted the Wizard on the shoulder and Radagast calmed as he was among friends. Gandalf and the others looked to him with worry. The Brown Wizard was quick to apologize, "Sorry about that."

"Try a little Old Toby." Gandalf offered his fellow Wizard, seeing how rattled his friend was. With a quick nod he prepared a small dose ad assured Radagast, "It'll help settle your nerves.

"What about the two of you?" Gandalf asked the two as he was nearly done. He kindly offered, "Need a little Old Toby as well."

"I think we're good." Major Hicks nodded, appreciative of the gesture. Elsie looked to the two soldiers and asked, "Did you say you saw a computer? Here?"

"We did." O'Neal nodded, not sure of what it meant either. Monique shook her head, "It should not be possible. Judging what we have seen, this world is not technologically advanced like us.

"There should be no reason for a computer of any sorts to be here." Monique said, having a grave feeling about it. Nick then asked, "Did you happen to get a look at what was in those tanks?"

"It looked like some kind of reptile. But what they were, we couldn't tell you." Major Hicks shook his head. O'Neal shivered when he said, "But that ghost and the shadow, those were something that we weren't prepared for."

They all looked to Gandalf who placed the pipe up to Radagast's lips. The Brow Wizard took in a breath of air and a little of Old Toby. A smile of content formed on his face as he enjoyed the feeling. Gandalf then instructed him, "And now out."

Radagast sighed as he followed Gandalf's words and released the breath, allowing the smoke to not only come out of his mouth, but his ears and nose as well. The birds in his hat chirped from the smoke, but stopped when the smoke was gone. After giving his friend a moment of peace, Gandalf drew his attention back when he said, "Now, a Necromancer?" With a slightly questioning look he asked, "Are the three of you sure about this?"

"You might want to show them." O'Neal said when he leaned to the Wizard. Radagast nodded, held his staff in the crook of his arm and then removed something from his robes. It was an object wrapped in cloth. Gandalf took it from his friend and slowly unwrapped it. When he saw what it was, the Grey Wizard took in a deep breath and knew that the three were telling the truth. Even the three monster hunters thought they heard a faint wail coming from the object. Pointing to the object with his free hand, Radagast said, "That is not from the world of the living."

But before they could talk more about it, a howl rang through the forest. Radagast gasped in fright as he knew what it was. Everyone looked about when a loud screech followed soon after. The Company regrouped to try and protect themselves. Noticing how everyone was now on edge, Bilbo asked, "Was the first one a wolf? Are there wolves out there?"

"And please tell me that the second thing was a bird or something." A very worried Mendel asked. They were all unaware that something was creeping up behind them up a hill. Bofur shook his head, "Wolves. Birds. No, those were neither of those things. The howl was-"

"Heat signature detected." N.I.G.E.L. announced just as the creature came bounding down the hill. Everyone looked to see a large canine beast jump down with a growl. It leapt again and knocked down Dori who yelled with fear. Monique was quick to unsheathe her blade and rammed it into the giant wolf's side. The creature howled in pain before Thorin came up and slashed it through its throat. Randy shouted, "Look behind you!"

"Kili! Get you bow!" Thorin shouted to his nephew and looked to see a Giant Rat up in a tree. Kili was quick to draw an arrow before firing it at the creature. The Giant Rat jumped down from the tree as the arrow zipped past and landed on the ground. But before it could attack, Nick and Dwalin hit it with their respective weapons. After a few heavy blows, the Mutation fell to the ground.

Everyone gathered around while Thorin removed his new sword from the canine creature. Seeing what they were he said, "Warg scout!" Looking to the Mutation he said, "And another one of those." He had a grave look on his face when he said, "Which means that an Orc pack at least is not too far behind them!"

"Orc pack?" Bilbo, Randy and Mendel questioned with great worry. Elsie shook her head, "This can't be good."

"Who did you tell about your quest beyond your kin?" Gandalf questioned, to make sure that no intel was leaked. Thorin shook his head and said, "No one."

"Who did you tell?!" Gandalf questioned again, a little more fiercely. But Thorin was sure as he said, "No one, I swear."

Gandalf could see the truth in the Dwarf's eyes and decided to ease up on the prince. Looking to their Wizard Thorin asked him, "What in Durin's name is going on?"

"You are being hunted." Gandalf told him. The humans of the Company noticed that Thorin had a certain look in his eye as if this wasn't much news to him. Everyone seemed a little on edge and Dwalin said, "We have to get out of here."

"We can't." Ori said when he and Bifur had come back after the giant creature attack. With a shake of his head he informed, "We have no ponies.

"They bolted." Ori said when another Warg from far away let loose a howl. Radagast then spoke up, "I'll draw them off."

"How exactly are you going to do that?" Randy questioned when another howl put them all on edge again. Gandalf agreed with the hacker by saying, "He's right. These are Gundabad Wargs and large Mutations. They will out run you."

"The three of us." Hicks corrected as he and O'Neal reclaimed their mounts. Nick, a little worried for his friends, asked, "Are you sure?"

"Someone's got to draw them away from the large group." Hicks pointed out. Then he added, "We'll rendezvous a little later."

"And while they'll be fine on their horses," Radagast stated when he looked to Gandalf. He pointed to the rabbits pulling his sled, "These are Rhosgobel rabbits."

Gandalf knew that his friend was making a good point and would be fine as they could do it. A smirk grew on Radagast's face as he dared, "I'd like to see them try."

"Just give us a moment to draw them away from you." Major Hicks said as he remounted his horse. When he was nice and secure he said, "Then you all need to get out of here."

"Right." Gandalf, Thorin, Bilbo and the H.E.A.T. team nodded in agreement.

\_|_/

Author's Note: I hope that this chapter helps build up the mystery. And please do leave a comment about it. Let me know what you think what it could be. I look forward to reading your reviews. Be sure to leave a comment either about if I've done something wrong or if you want something specifically to happen. See you next time.