Sauron encounters: Video games.
„Finally." Annatar thought after he walked back into his forge and closed the door behind himself. "Some peace and quiet"
Today was a cultural festival in Clashtara, during which all kinds of faunus shared their cultural heritage, showcased artwork made by leading artists of their heritage. In other words, it was the event to 'rise awareness', to show everyone that, despite their differences, faunuskind has more in common with humanity than they thought. And since the event was organized by Asana Asim, his ally, he help fund some of the activities and plan some of the events, because of that, he was invited as an 'honorary guest'.
He spent whole day learning about faunus treatment through the centuries (something he already studied in his free time), witnessing old artwork and ancient sculptures excavated from the faraway places (Not bad, but nothing comparable to eleven artistry), participating in various cultural activities, but most importantly, he met few quite influential citizens and exchanged a rather friendly conversation with them, he possibly even encouraged them to visit his forge one day. So, it wasn't a complete waste of time on his part.
He looked if all of the tools are in their places, checked if the furnaces are still slumbering peacefully.
But, to be entirely honest, this cultural festival reminded him of similar gatherings he attended in Eregion, when he posed as a Valar's messenger. Although the one in Vale wasn't as impressive as those organized by Celebrimbor, it still brought a smile to his face.
Only when he was sure that everything is in order he went deeper into his forge, still thinking about today and the past.
Because surprisingly, after the festival ended, Asim told him that she knows a nice café nearby and if he wants, they can go there, but Annatar politely declined, explaining to her that he had plans for today's evening, but if she ever wants to talk with him, she can always visit him in his forge.
It's true, he had other plans, less magnificent than many would think, but for the most part, he just didn't see a purpose in going. Maybe she wanted to celebrate her success? Probably, but for Sauron, this whole 'event' was just another, minor step.
However, this invitation did bring back the memory of Celebrimbor and all the Elves, when, after they finished the first tryouts for making the rings, they sat outside the forge and watched the night sky, talking about the philosophy, history, art, then about the cosmos, about beauty beyond Arda, all the while sharing the finest elven wine the Elven Smith had in the storage.
"Oh Celebrimbor, if only you weren't such a fool..." He thought with a hint of nostalgia. He didn't want to admit it, but he quite enjoyed the time they spent, their talks about various matters, and still thought fondly of his time spent in Eregion, even if all of that was the act.
Like a flash, the image of the Eleven smith's broken body appeared in his mind, how the laughing orcs carried it on the pole as a banner, and for a moment he felt like the Elven Smith somehow lifted his grey eyes and looked straight at him, not with accusation or rage, but with a question, like he wanted to whisper:
Why?
Sauron immediately stopped thinking about him, burying it all over again. It belonged to the past now.
As he walked down the corridor, he heard something in his living room, which prompted him to stop and listen. Definitely, he heard multiple voices, some shouting, others laughing, coming from there.
"Snaga is still in his place, which means that's my men." Sauron thought as his feet became lighter than a feather, and he approached the door like a ghost. " What are they doing?"
At a slight move of his hand, the door opened without making a sound, and he peeked in.
In the room, there was all of his staff standing behind the couch and sharing a drink taken from their café, staring at the tv screen, while two men sat on the couch, holding some strange, grey devices in their hands, using their fingers to push the sticks or click the buttons on them, but their eyes were focused on the screen.
"Fuckin jackals man!" One of the goons shouted in anger while the other just leant on the couch in disappointment and the audience laughed their asses off. "Who programmed this shit!?"
"You wanted to play on Legendary Pete!" Another goon replied, but he was sweating profusely. "I told you already, if either of us dies, we start from the last checkpoint."
"I just didn't know these snipers would be this broken!"
"Alright, you had your shot, you know the rules." Nathan whistled and gestured them to get up, and two men got up and left the grey devices on the couch. He then looked at two other goons sitting in the corner. "Matt, Steve, your turn."
"Hell yeah! Let's kill some alien butts." One of the goons put his drink on the table and quickly rushed to the couch, picked up the grey device, while his colleague calmly took his seat.
"I bet ten Lien that they won't even get past the first area." One goon in the audience leant to his friend, as he gave him a chuckle.
They didn't notice that Sauron snuck quietly into the room and hid his presence in the corner, to get the better view of what is happening on the screen. Normally, he would just reveal himself and stop whatever they are doing, and then severely punish them. Back in Middle Earth, his thralls wouldn't even dare approach his chambers, not to mention his forge in the Orodruin, fearing his wrath. And those who even thought about disobeying his orders served as an examples, which strengthened the discipline in ranks. And these men grew bold. He will teach them a lesson in discipline, that's for sure.
But currently, he couldn't help but be fascinated by what was happening on the screen – it looked like a tv-series, but the audience watched it directly from the eyes of the protagonist. Or rather two protagonists, since the screen was spilt in between, and often he could see one of the characters appearing in the other character's view.
What fascinated Annatar the most was that these grey devices with sticks and buttons appeared to be somehow connected to the character on screen, controlling not only where the characters walks, but also where he aims his weapon. With genuine astonishment he observed how after each press of the button or movement of the stick the grey device emits some sort of radio waves, which then reaches the black device under the screen, which translated into one of the characters rising his gun and aiming at the group of grey creatures with giant backpacks.
He watched how with a short burst from the rifle, he downed one after another, killing three before the remaining two run away in fear. This reminded Sauron of goblins, numerous, yet weak and cowardly creatures.
"Eat shit jackals!" Character controlled by Matthew tossed something blue at two avian like creatures, and it exploded, sending them flying.
"Damn, it's going really well." One of the goons said with clear appreciation.
"Just wait for the snipers!" Another goon added but kept watching from the background in clear fascination.
They had their duties bestowed on them – they were meant to guard his forge while he was away, and somehow, this strange tv series and those grey devices made them abandon their duties. Of course, Snaga was still on the watch, but they didn't know that.
"What kind of power it holds?" He thought to himself, and then noticed something on the screen – the terrain on the right appeared slightly fractured, like a uneven mirror, or a camouflage, and when it suddenly moved, he knew that they face some unknown creature.
"The invisible one is on your right." Annatar calmly stated.
"Oh shit!" Steve's character turned to the right and fired whole mag into the invisible enemy, which fell to the ground lifeless, his broken camo revealing some kind of bipedal lizard. "Phew, thanks Chi…" Whole room now realized who spoke up and froze in place as Sauron emerged out from the corner and slowly approached the sofa.
"Chief! Haha, what are you doing here so early?" He gave Sauron an awkward laugh.
"With festivities over, I had no reason to not return to my forge. Forge, in which you made yourself really comfortable in my absence. Even though I ordered you to safeguard it." Sauron remarked, his face seemingly calm but everyone had this unnerving feeling in the back of their heads, telling them that they messed up big time. "I just wonder what was more important than my orders."
He approached the couch, looked at the screen, then reached with his right hand for the grey device.
"Explain it to me in great detail." He ordered, and Steve looked at him with utter disbelief.
"You… want to play a video game Boss?" He said with clear astonishment, the rest of the room was equally confused.
"If this 'video game' is capable of making you forget your duties, then yes." Sauron sat on the sofa, and took one of the grey devices. "I wish to experience this by myself."
"Chief, we didn't forgot our job!" Yowwick tried to protest while the rest of the goons hid behind him. "We just had a little fun, that's all!" But Sauron gave him a glare so full of disappointment that the goon nearly puked.
"You didn't even notice when I arrived, your attention fully focused on this." He gestured at the screen. "I will value if your claims are true, and this 'video game' is as captivating as you implied with your actions." He turned his attention to the grey device in his hands and carefully looked over it. "So it connects to the screen by emitting a radio waves? Clever, it allowed to save precious copper." He took the left stick in his finger and moved it around, trying to check it's limitations.
"It's to move around Chief." Yowwick said, and Annatar looked at the screen and yes, the character he was connected to move in large circles. "The right is to aim the weapon." And Annatar immediately started to spin it around, intending to check every possible combination of movement and action this grey device allowed.
"Is something wrong with the demon?" Grunt squealed to his superior Elite while hiding behind the crate.
"It must be some sort of trick." The elite replied, watching from the ambush as the Demon run around while aiming at the sky, then spun in place while aiming at his feet. "He wants to appear weak, so we will reveal our ambush too early!"
"Or maybe someone shot him through the head?" Grunt and the elite looked at the jackal with a sniper rifle, and the avian rose it's hands in a defensive gesture.
"No, I didn't shot him yet!" Another grunt peeked over the crate to watch Spartan's erratic behaviors.
"Maybe he is new?" A grunt suggested, and the Elite scoffed.
"Fool, it's THE DEMON! THE DESTROYER OF THE SACRED RING!" He gestured with its lizard arm at the Spartan . "He alone slaughtered many of our brothers and sisters! We shouldn't underestimate him!"
"Mhm." The grunt nodded as it watched The Demon repeatedly jumped in place while also throwing grenades in every direction. "No doubt about that."
"So each finger has its own, unique function?" Annatar scratched his chin. "Thumbs are responsible for movement, index fingers for special weapons, the middle fingers for shotting while the rest are responsible for keeping it in place?"
"You make it sound overly complicated Chief." Yowwick tried to jest, but Annatar wasn't amused.
"I still don't understand why this 'game' captivated you." Sauron said after a while.
"It's not only about the gameplay Chief, it's a story!" Yowwick said, and Sauron frowned.
"It has a deeper story than running around, shooting at these beasts?" He asked in utter disbelief.
"Of course Boss!" Another goon added with a wide smile. "It's because of the story and a characters I decided to buy it on premiere!"
"Nah, I did it because of multi." Another goon added, but his colleague scoffed.
"Single is obviously better mate, Master Chief is just awesome!" When another of his subordinates said that, the looked at the rest of the group. " Sir, permission to leave the station."
" For what purpose Master Chief?" Another goon picked up the conversation.
" To give the covenant back their bomb." All goons responded in unison and then laughed while Sauron looked at the screen.
"So his name is Master Chief, or is it a title?" He asked with risen eyebrow.
"His real name is John Ch… Boss." Yowwick answered quickly. "But everyone call him Chief because he is a legend."
"A legend?" Sauron thought. " Like Turin or Beren?"
"Then, how many people on Remnant know about this 'Master Chief?" He asked with genuine curiosity, and, much to his surprise, goons left a happy laugh.
"Boss, Millions of people played around the world played Halo on premiere, even those who are not interested recognize him almost instantly!" Sauron's eyes widened, then he looked at the screen with clear astonishment.
"So, Millions recognize your name? How did you do that?" He said that thought out loud with clear astonishment.
During his time in the Middle Earth, it's true that he ruled over millions of humans and orcs, but mostly by using fear, and making his thralls dependent on him, and still despite his best efforts and centuries of preparations, he could only muster four-hundred thousand troops to take over the Middle Earth. And somehow, this 'Chief', despite not being a real human, built up a legend nearly equaling his own? And the way his men speak about 'John' with such admiration…
He leant closer, the grey device in his hands, while goons shut up, watching curiously what is about to happen.
"Fine, 'Master Chief'." He started to walk forward. "Show me why people look up to you."
And as he peeked around the corridor, Chief got shot right through the head.
'Told you I will do it!' Jackal cackled to the grunt as the Spartan fell to the ground.
"…I think I need a more careful approach next time." Annatar commented as Master Chief respawned in the last checkpoint.
To be continued?
Authors Note
What Frodo and Master Chief have in common? They destroy the Rings!
Konsilisto: "And with that terrible pun out of the way, thank you for coming!"
Yeah, Hello there everyone! Like I said, next chapter after that long arc was 'Sauron encounters', and you might ask: "Why Halo?"
Because why not?
Without Halo, Monty wouldn't make Haloid all those years ago, which skyrocketed his career. Without Halo, there would be no Red vs Blue. And without Red vs Blue, there would be no RWBY.
Thank you Bungie. Thank you RT.
And I thought that adding it into Sauron encounters would be funny, which is the whole purpose of these shorts.
I am more than happy that the previous chapter was received so well! So many new faces! Thank you all!
Now, to answer you all:
In response to Maglad:
I am really glad you like my story! As for what you said. Story wise, these chapters were entirely focused on team RWBY, and I thought that adding Qrow's plot into this wouldn't be the best idea. But worry not, I didn't forget about him, he has his place in the story.
As for Sauron not talking about Jaune's ring, there is a 'in-universe' reason – Why should he? He would gain nothing from it, and potentially lose more.
He tries to 'buy' the trust of the Team RWBY, him dropping such a bombshell would undo all he worked for.
Not to mention that, in his knowledge, the ring is flawed, not cursed. In his mind, the worst thing the ring will do is turn Jaune into massive asshole, and that could pose a problem true, but he is not worried enough to tell it to everyone.
In addition, Sauron is not kind of Maia who would willingly talk about his failures.
In response to Dhestrya:
18-9-3-5 (English Alphabet)
In response to RedHood001:
Yeah, they are not most complicated bunch, are they? But still, you predicted me quite well.
But you didn't see THAT coming!
Yeah, believe it or not, I have whole story explaining the Silver eyes, how they are connected to Arda and what is Ruby's relation to Ea.
Konsilisto: And I would love to tell it to you, but it would spoil the story, wouldn't it?
Exactly! But don't worry, as the story will go on, I will slowly unravel this mystery.
"Sauron's panic is understandable…" Imagine that smug smile disappearing from his face, replaced by utter shock and disbelief! Even in his nightmares he couldn't predict that!
"So, one of my other predictions is kinda happening in a way. Sauron would be learning more from others like Penny, with Ruby now included in that category of characters." Perhaps?
"I just didn't expect it to outright involve tales or songs from Arda." I am glad that I managed to surprise you!
About the relation between Gothmog, Sauron and Morgoth – I intend to delve more into that in the future. I already did so in previous 'Sauron encounters' and 'Silmarillion dumbed down'. And all I can say is that their relation was… unique, to say the least.
But I agree, under Morgoth's rule, Angband was a really ruthless place, in which powerful creatures got all the treasures while the weak fought over scraps.
I thank for your review, stay safe and healthy!
In response to Valen Skata:
Ding Ding! We have a winner!
You are not overthinking it. True, I decided to use Sauron's other names to repeat myself, but during early drafts, me and Konsilisto came up with this idea, and decided to push through with it.
And I wondered how long it will take for someone to find out. And, as you probably noticed, I referred to him as Mairon few times already.
"Anyway I liked the plotpoint of Sauron not being the first outsider from middle-earth and I guess they won't be just some random elfs or numenorians…" You are goddamn right.
"I wonder who were they. Some heroes from the Silmarillion I think, but who exacly? I recon that most of them died or were alive when Sauron's ring got destroyed in mount Doom." Probably~
"And if some heroes from Tolkien's works got onto the Remnant, did some villains as well?" …Should we tell him?
Konsilisto: Yeah, but do not name-drop them!
Fine. There is at least one villain, who got into Remnant.
And I already mentioned it~.
Thank you for your review!
In response to Juicy Fruit:
Well, that's not my interpretation. In my interpretation it's impossible.
I am not saying you can't write the story where it is, but in mine, it's impossible.
Konsilisto: It is possible to make someone AS POWERFUL as a maia, but it requires effort and sacrifices. Just look at the Witch King of Angmar, he was insanely powerful.
"Morgoth's only true escape is to fuse with Jaune's soul which is Aura here." I mean I can see the story in which it is the only way for him to escape, but in this one, it isn't the only possibility. There is, for example, Dagor Dagorath, which Morgoth's try to avoid because he will die in it.
If Jaune brings Crocea Mors to Sauron then Sauron's Magic can bring the Experiences, determination, but most importantly the attitude from his ancestors that the sword has accumulated […] Morgoth Trying to twist, corrupt, and eventually control through the ring, but the Ancestors from Jaune stay if not outright fight against the influence."
As much as I love the idea, here is one problem with it – Morgoth is too powerful. Just that.
Yes, he lost a lot of power, but it is still enough to overpower even the noblest of spirits, there would never be a balance between them. But the idea of the ancestors memories is appealing, to say the least.
Konsilisto: I think that we may use it later. Thank you!
Thank you for your review!
In response to Guest:
Worry not, I am not abandoning this story anytime soon, in fact, I am just warming up!
Whatever you have to deal with, I think I will be still there.
I think That's all for today, I certainly have nothing more to add, I think that after this, there won't be any teaser scene.
I wish you a Good day!
DJ
Sun slowly rose over Vale, waking up the slumbering giant, and like a man getting up early in the morning to work, the city lazily came back to life.
But while most still took their time to wake up, there were some, who were already awake, ready to pounce on the unsuspecting town.
Roman lied on top of the armored truck bathing in the sunlight, his arms crossed behind his head and his eyes closed, taking slow and deep breaths, like he was relaxing on the beach. He felt the sun heating his face, and smiled with satisfaction.
Suddenly, a familiar shadow casted itself above his head, and he lazily opened his green eye.
"What are you doing?" Neo quickly gestured with her hands, and Roman chuckled.
"Oh Neo, can't you feel it?" He gestured at the sun. "How before the action the sun is so bright, and the air is so fresh?" He took another deep breath. "It just feels great."
In the background Roman could hear White Fang wrapping up all of the preparations - crews of the trucks started to hop to their assigned vehicles, guys on the motorcycles grouped up near the entrances, and the vans warmed up their engines. And Roman knew the same exact scenes happen in few hidden locations around the city.
Neo sat beside him and also took few deep breaths, but Roman felt that something is not right with her, and gave her a sympathetic look.
"Are you stressed?" He asked, and after a moment, Neo nodded her head in agreement.
"Aren't you?" She gestured with her hands while Roman changed his position to sit beside her. "It's like, the biggest heist since… Forever!"
"Of course I am stressed!" He replied nonchalantly. "But at the same time, I am really excited!" He gestured at the vehicle park behind him. "I just can't wait to see all of this preparation to finally bare fruits!"
"Aren't you afraid that something will go wrong?" Neo gestured again, and Roman laughed.
"Neo, it ALWAYS goes wrong, doesn't matter how good the plan is! But being the Criminal Mastermind does not only mean having a great plan." He said and looked at the bullheads warming their engines, and armored members of the White Fang going into them. "It also means to be able to adapt when the situation calls for it."
Neo looked away, then gestured to him.
"But this action is entirely different from what we did previously, way more dangerous. What if I mess up and you…"
'You mess up!?" Roman threw his head backwards and laughed, then looked her deep in the eyes. "Neo, you are the best partner in crime I could ever think of, whatever you do, you always give your best!" He affectionately rubbed her head with his right hand while Neo's eyes widened due to sudden praise. "There is no way in hell you would do something wrong! I trust you with my whole life."
Neo still felt anxious about this whole action – that the Hunters will certainly appear, that they have never worked with the White Fang before and she wasn't sure how well they will perform, that this whole thing is because of that woman...
But feeling his hand on her head and upon seeing his smile, full of confidence and energy, all of the worries seemed to wash away, and her mood started to bright up.
"But don't worry, I have several contingencies just in case off…" Roman wanted to say but Neo rose her right hand and put her pointing finger to his lip to shush him, and gestured with her left.
"Don't ruin this moment." She said, retracted her right hand an put it on Roman's. "Can we stay like this for little longer?" And Roman nodded almost instantly.
"A minute won't hurt." He said and turned towards the rising sun while Neo looked at him with a wide, happy smile.
Neo often cursed that she can't say a word, for sometimes, there are things you can't describe by moving your fingers through the air. But in moments like this, it didn't matter.
"Human!" They suddenly heard from below, and Roman locked eyes with Nobody. "Elder called, he said everything is ready."
"Thanks Anybody, now go to your truck!" Roman pointed at the armored war truck in the back, and with annoyed huff the boar Faunus run to her post, long set of chains wrapped around her arms dragging over concreate. "I guess it's time." Roman left a sigh and retracted his hand. "Are you ready?"
Neo nodded, and Roman stood up, jumped from the truck, opened the reinforced door on the side and walked into the vehicle, Neo following closely behind. Inside there were many White Fang members, all wearing various kinds of improvised protection and weapons, all slightly taller than him.
"Roman." Faunus girl with rabbit ears handed him a radio and a microphone.
"Thanks Em." He turned on the device. "This is Roman to column two three and four, can you hear me?"
"This is Elder from column four, we hear you loud and clear." Elder replied.
"Laszlo from Column three, we all hear you human!" Hyena faunas answered.
"Goat Brothers here, second is ready to roll!" A cheerful, girly voice spoke through the radio.
"This is Zenith, I'm in position to provide recon and fire support, over." Roman smiled, then changed the frequency
"Roman Torchwick to blockade squads, are you on positions?"
"Blockade squads to Roman, everything is ready, we just await for your signal." Roman smiled, the changed to the all frequencies used by the White Fang, picked up a microphone, and only after he was sure that every White Fang member in Vale hear him, he started to speak.
"Ladies and Gentleman! This is the day you were all preparing for months!" He exclaimed with passion. "Too long we were hiding in the abandoned storages, unused dockyards and the cramped slums! Too long we waited to show what we are capable off! But today, you will give this Kingdom a show they will never forget! Are you ready!?"
"Yes!" He heard from the radio.
"I barely hear you! Are you ready!?"
"YES!"
"LET THE CITY HEAR YOU! ARE YOU READY!?"
"YES! YES! YES!" Roman could hear the chant on all the channels, even behind him the vehicles shook because of all the voices screaming in unison, everyone got pumped for the action they prepared for.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMAN!" He roared to the microphone. "START YOUR ENGINES!"
In so many locations spread around the Industrial part of Vale, the roar of hundreds of engines now erupted into the air, and through now opened gates, all kinds of vehicles poured through.
First drove out hundreds of motorbikes, which quickly spread into dozen of bands, all with different objective in mind, then drove out armored pickup trucks with mounted grapple launchers, guns and other weapons and more motorbikes, and finally, mighty trucks with armored hulls and attached battering rams, mounted guns and crew running on top.
And in the column two, on top of the leading truck stood Larian in his repurposed mining mech, rose up the giant axe, which was also a guitar, and started to play loud, metal music.
"White Fang! White Fang, White Fang!" Most members of the White Fang chanted while others added more battle cries, like "Remember the High Castle!" Or "For Belladonna!", while Roman just took his seat with wide, excited grin on his face, and Neo sat right beside him.
"Let the Show begin."
RAGED ROMAN: THE VALE OF FURY