Chapter 23: Pride Comes Before the Fall

The dimly lit room resonated with a tension. Shadows stretched and melded across its cold stone walls, seemingly alive with their own malevolence. At its center was a heavy, ornate wooden table around which gathered some of the most feared beings in this world and the next.

Red Skull, his face etched in its signature crimson hue, leaned over the table, fingers steepled. Across from him, a Ringwraith, one of Sauron's elite Nazgûl, stood draped in ethereal black armor. His face was obscured by a hood, but the faint glow emanating from the two rings—one ancient and one oddly modern—on his fingers was impossible to miss. The newer ring, etched with nanotech patterns, pulsed with a cold, mechanical light, contrasting sharply with the ancient evil of the other.

Flanking the Ringwraith were orcs. But these weren't just any orcs; these creatures seemed more grotesque than the tales told of them. One bore a series of jagged scars across its face, its left eye replaced by a glowing blue cybernetic implant. Another, taller and leaner than most of his kin, had metal claws for fingers and venomous green tubes running through its body, likely pumping it with some vile concoction. A third orc, with scales rather than rough skin, seemed more reptilian, hissing occasionally with a forked tongue.

Red Skull, despite his own ruthlessness and power, felt a shiver of unease. His alliance with these beings, while born of shared goals, was becoming more tenuous by the day. He could sense the intense dread the orcs felt, their anxious glances, their hunched postures. The power and influence of the green rifts in the atmosphere seemed to be morphing them, changing their very essence, driving them to even greater depths of depravity. It was a transformation that even the most hardened of HYDRA's members found unsettling.

"We need to discuss our next move," the Ringwraith's voice rasped, every word echoing with a chilling otherworldliness. "Our alliance has potential, but we need to act swiftly."

Red Skull nodded, attempting to mask his concern. "HYDRA is ready. But your master's attempts to combat the Core seem... fruitless."

The Ringwraith's spectral armor seemed to bristle, "Our master is looking beyond mere combat. He seeks a way to twist, to corrupt. But his efforts have been... quite challenging."

One of the orcs, the reptilian one, whispered to another in their guttural tongue. It earned him a sharp look from the Ringwraith. Even the orcs knew not to speak out of turn, lest they invoke the wrath of the Nazgûl.

"The green rifts, they've been subtly altering us saying that we seek power, but we must be prepared to pay the price," Red Skull ventured cautiously. "Your forces, even the orcs, seem... uneasy."

The Ringwraith paused; his chilling gaze fixated on the crimson face before him. "The rifts do influence, but they also provide power, potential. My master's paranoia is a temporary setback. He will overcome, as he always has."

Red Skull wasn't convinced but chose to hold his tongue. The stakes were too high. "So, with that being said, what's the plan?"

The Ringwraith leaned forward, his voice dropping to an even more malevolent whisper. "We strike at the heart of their world. We bring chaos, and from that chaos, we forge a new order."

The room grew colder, the weight of the impending assault pressing down on everyone present. As the details of their sinister plan were laid out, even Red Skull had to admit to himself that he might have made a deal with forces far beyond his control.

…

A few minutes ago, on kroakoa…

In the command center of their makeshift base, a massive monitor suddenly flickered to life. It began showcasing a live feed of the discussion between Red Skull and the Ringwraith. The real-time transmission was crystal clear, every word and gesture broadcast for all to see.

Captain America, standing next to Gandalf, looked up in surprise. "What in the world...?"

Gandalf, leaning on his staff, chuckled softly. "It seems our ally has a sense of humor, giving us a live show of our enemies' machinations making it abundantly clear how pointless their plans are."

Spider-Gwen, swinging down from a nearby tree to get a better view, quipped, "Talk about reality TV. This is way better than those Earth soap operas."

Legolas, standing off to the side with Gimli, commented, "The arrogance of Sauron's forces knows no bounds. To think they are plotting in such a simple place like hydra high command, without considering that they might be watched."

Gimli laughed heartily, "Well, the thicker the skull, the harder it is for sense to penetrate!"

As the feed continued, Captain America, his arms crossed, smirked, "They're making all these grand plans, and they don't even know they're broadcasting their every move to the world. Makes our job a bit easier."

Gandalf, with a twinkle in his eye, responded, "It's not just to us, Steve. This is likely being shown in various allies. The Core is making sure everyone knows what's at stake."

Logan, sipping a juice instead of beer this time nearby, grinned. "Well, if they wanna tango with the Core, they better be ready to get stepped on. Let them learn their lesson the hard way."

Thor, who was currently on kroakoa for discussions about sentting up defenses with Fearun in case something like this happened with Sauron, mused, "It's a reminder to all of us. The higher forces always have the last word. It's best not to challenge what we cannot comprehend."

The room filled with nods of agreement. The live feed continued, a constant reminder of the threat they faced, but also a testament to the unseen forces that aided them. As they watched, they knew they were not alone in this battle. The Core was watching, and it seemed, wasn't going to let them be fooled so easily.

Off to the side kratos leaning against a wall, watched the feed with a smirk pulling at the corner of his lips. His hardened eyes softened for a brief moment, a hint of amusement gleaming within. "The Core truly has a sense of irony," he mused aloud, echoing his previous sentiment.

Atreus, with a quiver of arrows he was working on, looked up at his father and grinned, "They're just giving away all their secrets. Maybe we should send them a thank-you note after all this is over."

Freya, her magical sword pulsing softly at her side with with energy, couldn't help but chuckle, "Yes. It's almost pitiful, watching them fumble around, thinking they're plotting in secret. Sauron's forces were always arrogant, but this? This is just lunacy on their part."

Deimos, who had only recently been introduced to the complex dynamics of the realities their dealing with, looked bewildered. "They really have no idea, do they? They're broadcasting all their plans and strategies for everyone to see."

Kratos simply grunted in response, his smirk growing wider. "It just goes to show, no matter how powerful you think you are, there's always someone... or something... watching. Something I've come to learn through this mix up of realties."

Freya nodded; her gaze still fixed on the screen. "Let's hope they continue underestimating the forces they're dealing with. It'll be their downfall."

Atreus added, "And to hoping that they learn their lesson… some day."

…

A short while later the group huddled around a monitor, witnessing the unknowingly broadcasted meeting between the Red Skull and the Nazgûl. As the details poured in about the impending attacks, hurried notes were taken by Batman, who was accompanied by Captain America and Mr. Fantastic.

"So, Sauron's going to divide and conquer, huh?" Tony Stark mused, looking intently at the screen. "Three different locations - Gothom, Faerûn, and Westeros. Each with its own set of challenges."

As the Nazgûl's speech turned to derogatory mentions of finalizing their plans, a shared understanding passed through the group. Gandalf leaned on his staff, his wise eyes already processing the information, "It seems Sauron hasn't learned his lesson from the last encounter. His arrogance blinds him."

Hange adjusted her glasses, "We need to prepare defenses and alert the other worlds. This isn't a small attack; it's a full-scale war."

Then as they were about to discuss it further something happened with the screen.

The screen suddenly shifted to a bright endless expanse the visible representation of the one known to them as the Core. A deep, resonating voice echoed throughout every atom, every object, mind and person the room, "When the time comes, approach no closer than a hundred paces. Allow them their moment of overconfidence. Then, simply sit back and watch as pride leads to their downfall when I simply shake my hand over them. As they become a mockery of their own doing, for all the worlds to see."

A brief pause ensued as the gravity of the Core's words settled in.

Kratos, a knowing smirk on his face, commented while shaking his head, "Sauron's pride has always been his greatest weakness. He believes himself to be invincible and unmatched. I believe we're in for quite the spectacle."

Deadpool, ever the unpredictable one, chimed in, "Anyone up for some chimichangas and popcorn? 'Cause I'm totally bringing both. This is going to be one heck of a show!"

Thor nodded, his voice echoing the sentiment of the group, "Let them come. We'll be ready. And when the dust settles, Sauron will rue the day he decided to challenge someone who's beyond he could ever handle."

…

One day later…, Westeros

Westeros was a realm accustomed to battles and wars, but nothing like what was about to unfold. As the army of enhanced Uruk-hai emerged from the portals out in the fields, they seemed an unstoppable force. The roaring and snarling, their hulking armored forms which could limit their ability to feel pain and had enhanced strength, struck terror into the hearts of those who bore witness to this grotesque army.

Jon Snow, his expression steeled, kept the Westerosi forces at bay, ensuring they maintained the safe distance as advised by the Core. Beside him, Arya, Sansa, and Grey Worm prepared for the onslaught. Rambo tightened his grip on his weapons, and Sonic revved up, ready to dash into the fray. Logan and Jean braced themselves, ready to unleash their mutant abilities. Mario prepared his power-ups, 2014 RoboCop assessed the targets, and Van Helsing already had a strong sense of foreboding about what was to come.

Yet, as the Uruk-hai charged, their momentum was suddenly arrested. When in front of their ranks, a radiant figure appeared as if he stepped out of an illusionary doorway, its face a beacon of light so bright that the uruk-hai were covering their eyes as it shone on them, and what appeared to be wings, soft and feathered, peeking from beneath a celestial cloak. The angel stood tall, exuding an aura of tranquillity amidst the chaos.

Van Helsing whispered to the others, recognizing the ethereal figure, "An angel. We have divine assistance."

And with that the angel, …tilted, it's hooded head.

The transformation of the battlefield was almost instantaneous. The Uruk-hai that had once been an emblem of terror now wailed in agony. Their once impervious bodies were betraying them, circuits blowing, smoke rising, their mechanical parts malfunctioning in a catastrophic symphony of destruction. Many, in their pain-induced madness, collided with each other, or started tearing at their faces and prying open their metal encased helmets and skulls trying to get the components out of them, causing even more chaos. Some were lifted into the air by an unseen force, then thrown back to the ground with a violent force, detonating on impact. Till finally after a total of 3 whole minutes, the Uruk-hai were all destroyed.

Most of which by their own hands.

The Westerosi army, initially prepared for the fight of their lives, could now only stare in disbelief. The spectacle unfolding before them was both terrifying and awe-inspiring. The sounds of laughter started, softly at first, from some pockets of soldiers, then as the others processed the sight it grew louder as more joined in. The scene before them was as comical as it was harrowing. But above all else, it was ludicrous how easily a tilt of the head of an angel took them all out. And the best part based on what they've learned from their allies, it wasn't even the only one that was out there, and even it answered to the Core. It's creator.

RoboCop, in his synthesized voice, commented, "It seems the enemy's overconfidence, 'was', their undoing."

Grey Worm nodded in agreement, a rare smile touching his lips as he chuckled, "Today, they defiantly made a mockery of themselves."

Rambo, who held his machine-gun at his side loosely, quipped, "Guess they weren't prepared for a little divine intervention."

Logan chuckled, retracting his claws, "Seems like Sauron bit off more than he could chew this time."

Sonic, zooming back to the group, added, "Talk about a complete meltdown. Looks like our job here is done."

Jon Snow looked at the remnants of the Uruk-hai army and sighed in relief. "Today, we were reminded of the power of the divine, and the dangers of hubris."

Arya, her dagger still unsheathed, whispered, "And the importance of choosing one's battles wisely."

As the dust settled, and the sparking died down from the Uruk-Hai's remains, one thing was clear: on this day, pride and overconfidence that they had the upper hand had been the Uruk-hai's, and by extension, Sauron's, greatest enemy not knowing what they were getting into. The alliance with the Core had shifted the balance of power.

Mimir, typically the source of wisdom and tales, found himself at a rare loss for words. After a moment, he finally managed, "Well, that's a twist for the sagas, isn't it? Who would've thought? A tilt of the head, and an army of Uruk-hai turned into... this." He turned his eyes to the chaos; the hint of a smirk audibles in his voice.

Kratos, arms folded, tried to suppress a chuckle. The god of his realm, who had faced countless foes and witnessed numerous battles, found the spectacle before him oddly amusing. He glanced at his son Atreus, who was also failing to hide a smirk, and remarked, "Seems like there's always a bigger fish."

Freya, her elegant composure barely faltering, allowed herself a smile. "Oh, how the mighty have fallen. It's almost poetic, in a way."

Thrud, wielding her father's hammer, Mjölnir, laughed heartily. "Now that was a show! I've seen many battles, but this... this was something else. Sauron really thought he had us, didn't he?"

Deimos, still trying to process what he just witnessed, was a mix of astonishment and admiration. He finally muttered, almost to himself, "All this time, all the battles, the struggles... and all it took was a simple gesture from an angelic being. The power of the Core, and those who follow it, truly knows no bounds."

Together, they watched the remnants of the Uruk-hai army, reflecting on the unpredictability of battle and the dangers of underestimating one's opponents. Above all, they were reminded that when it came to the Core, there were always surprises in store.

…

Meanwhile in Fearun…

The vast plains of Fearun stretched wide as armies assembled, forming a formidable line. The combined forces of humans, elves, dwarves, this worlds orcish peoples, and many others stood at the ready, their faces marked with tension and determination. With the ominous appearance of the enhanced Uruk-hai from the portals that opened up, the stakes couldn't be clearer. To ensure their strategy was followed, the leaders – Gandalf, Aragorn, Talion, and others – instructed their armies to maintain a distance of at least a hundred paces from the emerging threat.

Despite the pressing situation, Gandalf, Aragorn, and Talion seemed strangely at ease, their faces betraying not fear but anticipation. The trio had, after all, been privy to the Core's previous interventions and held faith in its mysterious ways.

Their confidence became apparent when, as the Uruk-hai army surged forth, a single, floating flaming sword appeared. Suspended in the air, it stood still, like a piece of rock on the ground that was bolted down in its place., its blade wreathed in flames, casting flickering light on the ground below. It seemed to watch and wait, creating an almost hypnotic atmosphere.

Many, especially those unaware of the Core's capabilities, were perplexed by this display. Groth, the orcish cleric, furrowed his brows in confusion. Lyr, the Dragonborn Bard, halted his lute's strings, and Althea, Faela, and Eamon shared puzzled looks. The servant of Loviatar, though usually stoic, couldn't help but glance in wonder and slight interest at the spectacle not knowing what was going to happen.

Then, without warning, the flaming sword zipped into action, it moved so fast that it seemed like a quick bolt of lightning went from one Uruk-hai to the next, but it was hard to tell since it darted at blinding speed far faster than any lightning bolt, so fast that their eyes couldn't keep up with it in that one fraction of a second, it was so fast that when it zipped through the ranks of the Uruk-hai. Almost as quickly as it had moved, it returned to its hovering position as still as a statue. As the Uruk-hai army froze in place, coming to an immediate halt, some of them had their swords still raised, ready for battle.

For a beat, there was absolute silence. Then, the devastating aftermath became clear: the Uruk-hai suddenly fell into cube shaped pieces that were crumbling into smaller and smaller pieces as the seconds went by, once an overwhelming force, now lay in neat, cubed sections on the ground. The cuts were so precise, so clean, that for a moment they seemed like a crumbling art installation rather than the remnants of a once-formidable army. Slowly, the cubes fell into smaller pieces, before ultimately crumbled to dust, carried away by the winds of Fearun.

The silence continued for a moment, before…

Gimli who finally realized what he just saw, let out a hearty laugh. "I've seen many things in my long life, but that was truly was an act that only the divine could pull off!"

Legolas, with a nod of agreement, replied, "A sword mightier than any army."

Silvanus, the god of nature, looked upon the scene with a satisfied smile. "It appears the balance has been restored… and the grass will have some fresh soil ready for their leaves."

Aragorn who turned towards Gandalf, remarked, "Your trust in the Core's plan was not misplaced, old friend."

Gandalf, with a twinkle in his eye, simply responded, "It never is."

For everyone else the silence following the sword's devastating work was thick, almost so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. And break it did, but not in the way one might expect.

Groth, the orcish cleric, usually a composed figure, blinked repeatedly, trying to comprehend what he had just witnessed. His jaw dropped, revealing his orcish tusks. "By Gruumsh's eye... what was that?"

Lyr the dragonborn bard, always quick with a song or jest, was momentarily at a loss for words. His fingers, which had paused on adjusting his lutestrings, and preparing some magical songs that he was working on in preparation for battle, faltered as his snout opened in shock. "I... I think I've just witnessed the most epic feat... and I've no song for it!", as it was so fast, he hardly saw it.

Althea the half-elf mage's robes fluttered as she looked around, her eyes wide, searching the faces of her comrades for validation that she wasn't dreaming. "Did we all just see the same thing? Was that... real?"

Faela and Eamon, the druidic tiefling siblings, exchanged a glance. Faela's tail twitched in amusement, while Eamon's horns seemed to gleam brighter. "Well," Eamon began with a chuckle as he whispered to the servant of Loviatar, who was a fellow representative and diplomat next to him, "that's one way to clear a field."

The servant of Loviatar, usually composed and distant, blinked in disbelief, his dark eyes darting to the spot where the Uruk-hai once stood. "Pain and pleasure are my domain," he murmured, "but that was neither. That was... so fast, and…. magnificent."

The combined shock and amazement soon gave way to another emotion: humor. It started with a small chuckle from Groth, a snicker from Lyr, and soon enough, the whole field was filled with laughter. It began as a gentle ripple and then grew into a full-blown wave of hysterical mirth. Soldiers clapped each other on the back, commanders shook their heads in amused disbelief, and even the typically serious figures couldn't contain their amusement.

Legolas, trying to stifle his laughter, said between chuckles, "Trust the Core to have the last laugh with the ironic ease he uses to handle things!"

Gandalf, his face crinkling with mirth, leaned on his staff, chuckling. "Yes. Once again, the unexpected has turned the tides."

It was a moment of levity amidst the gravity of their situation, a reminder of the unpredictable nature of their quest, and the mysterious ways of a power they could never hope to reach in terms of power.

…

At the same time in Gotham…

In Gotham, Batman, Selina Kyle, Harley Quinn, superman, Thor, Dante, lady, Kirby, Lego-batman, and several others like Hercules from his universe, Dettlaff, Regis, the witchers, Geralt who was at the back with his toddler son Roderick who was peeking out from beside his leg, and his lover Yennefer who was holding their daughter Vivienne in her arms, Letho, lambert with his lover Kira and their son Kasper, Eskel, and O'dimm who was off to the sidelines, along with Triss, Phillipa, Fringilla and Ciri who was at the ready with logan-2, the clone of logan and the father of their daughter Seren, who was in his arms, were on the outskirts of Gotham leading to the countryside.

In all honesty they were mostly there to see what would happen... given that they know the enhanced Uruk-Hai are coming.

And on a more personal note, they were curious to see what the core had in store for them.

The heavy thud of armored feet signaled the arrival of the enhanced Uruk-hai. Emerging from the portals, they presented an intimidating force, charging towards Gotham with ferocious determination. Every hero and ally prepared for battle, taking on slight defensive stances and readying their weapons and readying their weapons just in case.

As the Uruk-hai emerged, the city's defenders could feel the weight of their charge. The ground vibrated with each step, the very air thrumming with the intensity of the coming onslaught. But even as the defenders steeled themselves for battle, something utterly unexpected transpired.

Before anyone could even process it, there was a brilliant flash. So swift, so immediate, that even the Flash, with his super-speed, couldn't discern what had just occurred. The landscape before them shifted almost imperceptibly. In the blink of an eye, where an army of Uruk-hai had once stood, there now lay only pillars and mounds of salt and dirt. Still in the forms of the Uruk-hai with their arms and weapons raised.

Silence reigned. The heroes and defenders of Gotham were left gaping at the bizarre tableau before them. Time itself seemed to stretch, the stillness hanging heavily in the air.

Then, through the communicators, reports began filtering in from the other two groups. Tales of a divine angel tilting its head, and in doing so, sending the Uruk-hai into maddened convulsions before they exploded and tore into themselves. Of a flaming sword, moving faster than thought, reducing an army to mere dust in less than a nanosecond.

The sheer absurdity, the unlikelihood, the... hilarity of it all, was too much.

Harley Quinn was the first to break, her distinctive cackle echoing in the stillness. Dante soon followed, his laughter hearty and infectious. Others began to join in, the relief and amusement too powerful to resist. The battlefield, once a place of dread, now resonated with laughter.

Between bouts of laughter, Dante managed to gasp out, "Gotta hand it to the Core, they sure know how to put on a show!"

Even Batman, usually so stoic, couldn't help but crack a small smile. After the incredible and unexpected victories, they had witnessed today, it seemed the tides of this war might be turning in their favor.

The absurdity of it was comical. A battlefield prepped for a fierce battle, heroes ready to lay down their lives... and now, where an army once charged, there was just an expanse of salt and dirt. It was like a punchline without a setup.

Superman, always so composed, just floated there, mouth slightly agape, trying to process the sudden transformation. Wonder Woman held her sword a little more loosely, her brow furrowed as if she was trying to solve a complex puzzle. The Flash, usually quick with a joke, found himself quite literally stopped in his tracks. Cyborg did a quick system diagnostic, half expecting to find an error in his visual sensors.

Aquaman, with Trident in hand, looked around in confusion and remarked, "Did I miss something?" To which Martian Manhunter, in his stoic manner, responded, "I believe we all did."

Even Green Lantern, with his vast cosmic experience, hovered in the air with a perplexed expression, his ring's glow dimming slightly. "That's... not what I expected," he admitted.

As the initial shock faded, the laughter of Harley Quinn and Dante began to become more infectious. It rippled through the gathered forces, bringing a mixture of relief and gaiety. Even the stoic members of the Justice League couldn't help but join in. Batman, though still maintaining his stern façade, had a twinkle of amusement in his eyes.

Hawkgirl, hovering above, shook her head, chuckling, "Well, that's one way to win a battle."

The Flash, recovering from his initial shock, grinned, "Fastest battle I've ever not-participated in!"

It was only when batman did a quick scan of the uruk-hai that he realized what had happened exactly…. "Their subatomic particles have been rearranged into just…. Salt and dirt. Like someone grabbed the protons, electrons and neutrons and rearranged them into what we see now."

Selina Kyle, her usually graceful and aloof demeanor momentarily shattered, looked over the transformed landscape with wide eyes. "So... we just stood here, and they... they turned into...salt and dirt piles because the core literally went through the time to rearrange their atoms and particles in such? With his hands? In one second?" She asked, struggling to find words.

Superman, floating above, his normally unflappable demeanor replaced with genuine surprise, said, "All these years, all the battles... and I've never seen anything like this."

Harley Quinn's usually manic grin was replaced by a look of bewilderment. "Talk about a magic trick. No smoke, no mirrors, just... rearranging their atoms like bricks and… poof!"

Thor looked at Mjölnir, then back to the battlefield. "In all my time in the nine realms, I never thought I'd witness such... simplicity in combat."

Dante, typically ever the jovial warrior, simply blinked. "Well, remind me never to get on the Core's bad side."

Lady's ever-analytical eyes scanned the area, trying to comprehend. "It's almost... artistic."

Kirby just blinked, his usually bubbly nature momentarily paused.

Lego-batman, in his blocky and animated way, exclaimed, "Did not see that one coming. And I usually see everything!"

Hercules, always the confident hero, could only chuckle awkwardly, "Guess there's someone who can outcompete me."

Dettlaff, after a moment always more reserved, whispered, "It's like a moment frozen in time. Surreal."

Regis added, "Effortless. It's as if they were nothing to begin with."

Geralt, always the stoic, looked down at Roderick, then to Yennefer. "Wow, guess that was quick."

Lambert, ever the cynic, had to admit, "Didn't expect that. Not in the least."

Eskel and Letho exchanged a glance that clearly said, 'We've seen much, but not this.'

O'Dimm's constant enigmatic smile wavered for a fraction of a second. "Curious." As he could have sworn, he saw what looked like glowing atom sized hands flickering in their forms before they turned into what he was looking at now. As he realized that they moved faster than someone does in frozen time, it was, fascinating.

Ciri, usually so fierce and ready for action, looked to Logan-2 with wide eyes, "He reconstructed their atoms into salt and dirt, with his hands."

Logan-2, holding Seren close, replied, "Just like he said he would. Making an example to show how pointless their rebellion was."

As the reality of the situation dawned on them, especially with reports from Fearun and Westeros echoing similar outcomes, the bewildering spectacle truly hit home. The Core had not only made an example out of their foes but had done so with unparalleled irony. The message was clear: trying to overpower him, was not only futile but laughably so.

The sudden appearance and swift transformation of the fell beast into a salt statue which fell in front of them hitting the ground in the process, combined with its comedic crash landing on a Nazgul which was riding it, caused an immediate reaction from the group. A mix of shocked looks, chuckles, and outright laughter spread amongst them.

Harley, pointing with a mix of amusement and shock, managed to comment between bouts of giggling, "That's gotta hurt!"

Thor raised an eyebrow, "Seems the heavens have quite a sense of humor today."

Ciri tried to keep a straight face but eventually broke into a chuckle, "Poor Nazgul never saw it coming."

Dante, already laughing from the previous spectacle, doubled over, pointing at the struggling Nazgul, "Oh man! He's having a really bad day!"

Selina Kyle, one hand on her hip and the other covering her mouth in an attempt to stifle her laughter, remarked, "Well, that's one way to make an entrance."

Lego-batman, with his animated expression, exclaimed, "Crash landing 101: Always check for Nazguls below!"

Regis, always the more refined of the group, tried to offer a semblance of sympathy, "Poor creature, seems it was merely at the wrong place at the wrong time."

Geralt, with a smirk, replied, "Seems like the Core doesn't let anything sneak by, does it?"

The battered Nazgul's futile attempts to free itself from the heavy remains of the fell beast which were somehow wearing it down in the process, added to the comical display. Its dark, menacing aura contrasted sharply with its now pitiable situation, further highlighting the irony that the Core seemed so fond of using.

Batman, trying to maintain a leader's composure, finally said, "Let's offer it a hand, shall we? After all, it might have valuable information."

But even as he spoke, the smirks and chuckles continued, everyone acutely aware that the odds had never been more in their favor.

After lifting the now salt pile of a fell beast, the Nazgul let out a screech trying to crawl away trying to put some distance between it and the rest of them. Right before it suddenly was picked up by an invisible force and hung upside down in midair.

As it hangs there, ready for them to interrogate it. All the while Geralt can tell it's freaking out at this point... based on its wails and screams, it was emitting. Then he noticed the ring on its other hand.

Geralt's eyes narrowed as he observed the Nazgul struggling in mid-air. The Witcher's astute senses picked up the sheer terror emanating from the creature, its usual menacing aura now replaced with abject fear.

"That ring," Geralt mused aloud, pointing towards the Nazgul's hand which sported an additional ring with a nanotech surface, "That's the one that Red Skull's ally wore."

Superman, using his x-ray vision, confirmed, "Yes, and the energy it emits is similar to the tech used by Hydra. Though it's slightly different."

Batman, ever the strategist, stepped forward, his deep voice filled with authority. "Time for answers." With a nod, he gestured to Wonder Woman, whose lasso shone brightly in her hand.

The Amazonian approached, her lasso at the ready. "Let's see if the Lasso of Truth works on this one."

As the glowing rope wrapped around the Nazgul, its shrieks intensified. Though the creature was devoid of any discernible facial features, the very essence of its being conveyed its distress.

Wonder Woman began her questioning, "Who sent you here? What is Sauron's plan?"

The Nazgul, bound by the Lasso's power, responded in a wailing, distorted voice, "To... divide and conquer... by attacking different worlds simultaneously... and to seek revenge on those who've thwarted our master's plans."

Dante, with a cocky grin, quipped, "Well, that plan went up in smoke, didn't it?"

Ignoring the comment, Batman pressed on, "What are the key targets? And what does that second ring do?"

The Nazgul hesitated, but the Lasso compelled it to speak, "Key targets...Gotham, Westeros, Fearun... The ring enhances...our abilities...ties us to Sauron's will...intensifies...but also links us...to the tech of this world."

Letho, realizing the gravity of the situation, commented, "So, it's a bridge between magic and technology, bolstering their power but also potentially their vulnerability."

Geralt, always the keen observer, mused, "This is similar to the Nazgul that met with Red Skull. There's a bigger plan in motion here. We've seen what the core can do to their foot soldiers. We need to find out what they have in store at the higher levels."

Then an idea formed in his head.

Why not restrain it in a cell for a while, this creature has its breaking point before it spills Sauron's secrets after all.

It was then that the Nazgul's haunting screams echoed throughout the area as it started swinging its body around in midair, desperate to get away from the force that was holding it up, yet, nothing it did worked, like its soul was stuck in his robes and armor, filling the ears of the heroes with its ghostly anguish. Batman, ever the strategist, assessed the creature before he got a sly idea, then stepped forward, coming face-to-face with the Nazgul.

"You know," he began, a dark edge to his voice, "we could always let the Core deal with this one if it won't cooperate. The one who we just saw in action. More than that, I get the feeling that your master, Sauron... is actually scared of him. It's well-founded, given that he just nerfed three whole armies of enhanced Uruk-hai that could take on Kratos for a limited time. And considering you're being held here like this, if you continue this pointless temper tantrum," Batman leaned in closer, his face inches from the void that was the Nazgul's face as he let out a slight smirk, "you could bring down his full wrath upon you. His patience has limits after all. But by all means go ahead, continue this plotting, continue these games. And bear in mind, you're only mocking not only yourself but also your master as well. And the best part is." He said slightly grinning, "Is the fact that based on this display we just saw. He's not only laughing at you, but we all are given the show that we just saw."

Batman then nods to his allies, signaling them to bind the Nazgul up. "See you tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that, and so on and so forth."

Superman, crossing his arms, remarked, "Looks like Sauron's strategy has more holes than Swiss cheese."

Wonder Woman, securing her lasso, added, "And that Nazgul is just one of them."

Thor, twirling his hammer, chuckled, "Seems the mighty Sauron has met a power even he cannot fathom."

Harley Quinn, in her typical jesting manner, said, "Well Bats, looks like Mr. Spooky Pants will have plenty of time to think about what you just said."

Batman, simply responded, "It's about time they realized the scale of the force they're up against."

…

Inside a dimly lit chamber adorned with Hydra banners, Red Skull sat in a large ornate chair, his fingers steepled as he mulled over the reports coming in. The room was filled with a tense silence, broken only by the periodic updates from Hydra agents entering and leaving.

A gaunt lieutenant approached, presenting a tablet with the latest intel. "Sir, the three armies we sent... they were... decimated in bizarre ways. The details are hard to believe, but they've been confirmed by multiple sources."

Red Skull scanned the report, his pale face becoming paler as he processed the information. Enhanced Uruk-hai, the supposed pride of Sauron's new army, that could take on a god of war known as kratos, and ignore pain due to their components, rendered completely useless. The loss was colossal, and the blow to their morale was even worse. The strategies that they had been so confident in were falling apart right before their eyes.

He leaned back, letting out a sigh of frustration. "Sauron promised us an unstoppable force. Look where that has gotten us," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else.

A cold, calculating voice echoed through the room as the Ringwraith who had been in alliance with Red Skull appeared from the shadows. "We underestimated the force we are up against. The Core's interference no matter how subtle is... unexpected."

Red Skull snapped, "Unexpected? It's catastrophic! These so-called enhanced Uruk-hai were supposed to be our trump card, and now they've been turned into a laughingstock."

The Ringwraith's spectral form remained motionless. "Our master is not pleased. He is already seeking ways to counteract this new threat."

"Well, he better find something soon," Red Skull spat, "or all our plans, all our sacrifices, will have been for nothing."

A moment of tense silence filled the room. The grim reality was clear: Hydra and its allies were now facing an opponent far more formidable than they'd ever anticipated.

"We must regroup," the Ringwraith finally said. "Find another strategy. The Core might be powerful, but it is not infallible. There are always weaknesses to be exploited. It must have a weakness somewhere, anything force does."

Red Skull nodded slowly, a spark of determination igniting in his eyes. "Very well. Begin the preparations.

Just as the Ringwraith was about to reply, the room's heavy doors creaked open, revealing a messenger clutching a package tightly. His face pale, he approached the table, glancing nervously between Red Skull and the looming Ringwraith.

Red Skull's eyes narrowed. "What is it?"

"A delivery, sir. Addressed to both of you timed at this exact moment, apparently it was dropped off a few hours ago, we checked the box for any trackers or traps, we found none," the messenger stammered, placing the package on the table and quickly retreating.

Suspicious, Red Skull carefully opened the package. Unfurling the paper that was inside of it, his heart raced as the exact same words of their conversation were written on the parchment detailing his actions to this moment, then, he read the big inked letters aloud, his voice dripping with disbelief, "Don't count on it...!?"

The Ringwraith leaned in, his chilling gaze falling upon the message, and then a further line caught his attention. His human name, a name long forgotten, a name from a past he had left behind when he became one of the Nazgûl, was written at the bottom of the note… Along with other names.

The Human names of his fellow Ringwraith's going in order, one, by, one.

For a moment, the room was shrouded in an eerie stillness. The Ringwraith's very essence seemed to tremble. "This... This is impossible," he hissed out eerily with barely contained rage, his voice quivering with a mix of disbelief and shock.

Red Skull looked up, trying to gauge the Ringwraith's reaction. "What does it mean?"

The Ringwraith's spectral form seemed to become even darker, more foreboding. Then, without a word, in a fit of fury, he grabbed the paper, tearing it to shreds a few times till it was tinder, the pieces fluttering to the floor like snow. With a furious screech, he stormed out of the room, leaving Red Skull and the others in stunned silence.

Red Skull, after a moment to collect himself, whispered to the air, "Who or what are you, Core? What game are you playing?" But he received no answer. Only the echo of the Ringwraith's anguished wail lingered in the distance. And knowing that for once, he was in way over his head.