"The Homecoming"
This story takes place after the events in Onslaught Omega.
Once before they met. One invading the other's home. Months later, the roles have been reversed, but will the outcome be the same?
It's taken a long time, but the Savage Land's most deadly predator has returned. What BatWing will soon learn is that another force has risen in the ranks to claim his spot.
Returned to his prime, BatWing renews his hunt on Savage Land prey. Though after flying for a time, he finds none. The predator senses the work of another. A familar scent, yet one he cannot identify. He returns to his cave for rest. As he nears closer, the scent grows stronger as well as another familar scent, that of BLOOD. His senses heighten. His muscles tighten. Pulse pounding. He prepares to battle.
With his senses erect, BatWing enters his former lair, ready to slash the next thing that moves. The Intruder, fresh off a kill, hears the approach of the former tenant. As the duo near each other, one recognizes the other. It speaks, "It's you, the bat - creature. Returned home to renew your conquesst, eh? Prepare for death at the talons of Ssssauron!"
BatWing screeches at his foe, and lunges into a rage. Sauron follows suit & leaps ready to slash. They trade blows, both ineffective slashes. Sauron needing more space to manuever, takes the fight outside.
BatWing follows at his top speed. Sauron looks behind and using his eyes, attempts to take control of BatWing. Ineffective. BatWing continues pursuit.
Meanwhile in New York...
A former sparring partner of BatWing's, The Spider, attempts to locate him. Using his contacts at S.H.I.E.L.D., he finds the route that was used that returned him home. "At this time, it would be in our best interests if you stay there, Hopefully no one else will attempt to bring you back. However, I will have the X-Men stand ready to halt your path of destruction should that happen.", The Spider promises himself.
While back in the Savage Land...
Sauron continues to fly away from his pursuer's grasp. It only fuels BatWing's lust for victory in the battle of supremacy over the Savage Land.
Although BatWing has no conscious or way of replying, Sauron communicates, "You may have killed my former employer, but I will prove to be too much for even your killer instinct."
Sauron does prove to be at least more fast, and intelligent than BatWing. But what Sauron fails to acknowledge is that BatWing has been dominating this game in this land since his birth, and Sauron had only recently discovered his darker side.
BatWing swoops down into the Savage Land forest, out of Sauron's sight. When Sauron looks back, he notices the chase is over. He stops and searches around him. No sign of BatWing.
"I have proven myself the fastest & strongest of all! Even so powerful that the mighty Bat has given up the fight."
His first mistake was that he stopped. The second was thinking it was over. Out of the forest at top speed, BatWing cleared the trees and grabbed onto Sauron's wings from behind, then preceded to clench his fangs into Sauron's neck. Sauron struggled to get free, but couldn't. BatWing had him and continued to feed. After getting enough blood, BatWing released the wings & Sauron escaped his clutches.
"I still live! And unlike you, I will end this now!", Sauron yelled.
His third mistake was thinking BatWing was finished attacking. BatWing flew in and brought his right wing in a swiping motion that opened Sauron's stomach. BatWing began to screech as the final blow had been delivered and Sauron crashed to the ground. He had proven again to be the best predator of the Land. No one could evade BatWing's bloodlust.
BatWing continued to screech Victory, annoucing to all that the Hunter has returned and the game has begun anew.
Many hours later as dawn hit, action picks up in the forest. Returning home from a hunt, some Savage Land natives find a body. The natives find the man to be Karl Lycos. One yells for another, "Ka-Zar! Over here!"
A man looking to be the leader amongst them approaches the group. "It is the evil predator Sauron, isn't it?", one of them asks the leader.
"Yes, and looks to have been left for dead, Apparently a new predator stalks the Savage Land today. Be weary friends, whatever it is, is deadly.", Ka-Zar replies.
Next Issue: BatWing's Home! And has reclaimed his throne as The Savage Land Hunter. So who is this hunting the deadly predator, and why? Will they meet the same fate as Sauron?