The Curse of Undeath

It takes Kalysse and Kaylara three days to reach Canterlot while adding more details to the map they are making for this world when the two look around curiously at the ponies that stop what they're doing to watch them go by saying to each other, "Who are they?", "What are they?", "Where did they come from?", "Where are they going?"

Celestia is on her throne when the doors open and the two night elves enter the throne room, making their way towards her and then bow respectfully. Happy to see them finally here, she smiles and greets them saying, "Please rise. Thank you for coming, I have been anxiously waiting for your arrival. Did you have any issues finding your way to Canterlot?"

Kalysse straightens and looks up to Princess Celestia saying, "Fortunately there were no big issues, a few hydras tried to pick a fight but we handled them. This land is much larger than I first thought. What do you require of us Your Majesty?"

She then casts a soundproof barrier and says, "Well, knowing how weak we ponies are compared to The Lich King's forces, my sister and I think that it might be good for a few of our subjects to receive training in Azeroth. Therefore, I was wondering if you two could look at their abilities and determine what kind of training they should get. Would you two be able to do that, by starting with me?"

Kaylara thinks for a moment before saying, "I have watched over his forces and Kalysse has told me what occurred in the Crystal Empire, so I think that it would be good if you are capable of learning some spells in Azeroth. I am not sure I would be the right one to suggest who should get what training, but I will give it a try... Could you tell me everything you can about your magic, what spells you can use, and what your skills are?"

The mage listens to the princess as she tells her what she is capable of, then takes a few minutes to think before saying, "Okay, from what you have told me, I think that you would be better suited as a paladin." She then takes a few moments to think before saying, "I do know of a trainer that might be able to train you, it just depends on what they are doing currently. About the others that need training, will we be traveling there, or are they coming here, Your Majesty?"

Celestia then smiles and says, "Well, I sent them letters to come here a few hours ago, so they should be arriving soon."

It only takes a few moments for them to arrive as Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy jog into the room as Twilight says, "We're here Princess Celestia, what is the emergency? Is the Lich King attacking Equestria?"

The princess chuckles and shakes her head saying, "There is no emergency girls, I just summoned you all here so that these two could get an idea of what skills you have to let Kaylara think of what training you should receive from skilled masters in Azeroth. We must do whatever we can to get stronger before the Lich King's forces start attacking."

Twilight smiles widely for a moment, which quickly turns into a frown saying, "With Azeroth becoming so dangerous and Deathwing on the loose, how will we remain safe?"

Just then, Luna steps out of an open portal with a tired sigh saying, "Do not fear, my little ponies. Deathwing is We shall ensure that you receive training to defend yourselves against enemies. A large gathering of adventurers has conquered the Bastion of Twilight, defeating Cho'gall and Deathwing's undead mate, Sinestra."

Kaylara sighs with relief at hearing that and says, "Oh that is such good news to hear, which means that it is only a matter of time before they are able to start tracking down Deathwing."

Celestia smiles at hearing the news and looks at the group of girls for a moment before turning to look at her sister saying, "I hope you learned a lot today sister, be sure to eat something before you go to sleep."

Luna smiles tiredly at her sister saying, "Oh I certainly did, and I will be sure to do that. Goodnight for now, sister." then makes her way towards the doors to get some food before getting some sleep.

The mage looks at the girls, then asks, "Okay...so who would like to go first and tell me what their skills are?"

As the girls step forward one by one saying what they are good at, Kaylara listens to them all before making a decision saying, "Alright, after considering all of the options, I have determined that none of you would be suitable as either a Paladin, Priest, a shaman, or even a Death Knight for obvious reasons."

Rainbow then asks in an offended tone, "And why not!?"

Twilight looks at Rainbow and sighs saying, "Because to be a Death Knight, we would have needed to die and be resurrected by Arthas, then find a way to free ourselves from his control. Remember what we were told about the different types of adventurers when we first met with Priestess Tyrande?"

The blue pegasus then drops the attitude and sulks saying, "Oh, right. That might prove to be rather difficult."

Kaylara then smiles and looks at Twilight and Rarity first, saying, "Twilight and Rarity, you two would be best at being mages." then shifts her attention to Twilight and says, "Though you could also learn to become a good Warlock."

The purple unicorn gulps and asks, "Warlocks are the ones that crave more power right?"

The mage nods her head with a smile saying, "That is correct, they are."

Twilight then smiles and says, "I would rather stick to being a mage, greediness is not in my nature."

Kaylara then nods her head in acceptance saying, "Alright then, there are two trainers you would need to see. For your actual mage training, you could either see Jessa Weaver, which is my trainer...or you could go see Warcaster Fanoraithe. To learn to summon portals, you would have to see Archmage Celindra.

Rarity politely clears her throat and says, "Forgive me for asking this darling, I wouldn't mind seeing your trainer...but would it be possible for the trainers to come here? I only ask because I do have a few orders to work on."

The eager unicorn then smiles even wider saying, "I wouldn't mind seeing your trainer as well, and I would also like to know the answer to what my friend Rarity asked."

Kaylara smiles and chuckles saying, "I can certainly write a letter to them both and give it to them, though I have no idea how busy they are." She then hears the two thank her and then looks at Rainbow Dash saying, "As for you Rainbow, I think you would be a good fit to be a warrior due to your speed."

Rainbow smirks at hearing that and straightens her posture saying in a cocky tone, "Oh yeah, that is totally me! Who am I going to receive training from? I do have Wonderbolt practice, so it will have to be done here."

The mage thinks on it for a moment saying, "Hmm...the most skilled fighter I know learned to fight as a gladiator, though I do not know him personally. The trainer's name is Varian Wrynn, and he is the King of Stormwind as well as the High King of the Alliance. I can send him a letter as well to see what his answer will be."

The young pegasus's mind is blown away as she stares at the mage completely dumbfounded and lost for words, managing to say several seconds later, "A...KING!?! I MIGHT GET TO LEARN HOW TO BE A WARRIOR FROM A KING!"

Kaylara chuckles and shrugs her shoulders saying, "It is possible if he agrees to train you, but we will only know his answer when he replies." She then quickly looks over to Princess Celestia, and sees that her face is filled with mixed emotions saying, "Worry not Princess, I will inform him of your position and politely encourage him that your world is to remain strictly neutral as to avoid the conflict between the Horde and the Alliance."

Celestia lets out a breath she didn't know she was holding, then takes a fresh breath and lets out a sigh of relief saying, "Oh thank goodness, I was worried that we would become involved in that ugly affair and drag those two warring factions here."

The mage and nods her head saying, "Worry not, Princess Celestia, I will do whatever I can to ensure this world remains peaceful." She then looks over at Fluttershy and says, "Fluttershy...as for your druid training, it might have to wait because many druids are fighting against Ragnaros."

Kalysse then interjects saying, "Not all of them, I do believe that Keeper Remulos should be at Moonglade to serve as a teacher. I think that he might be able to help Fluttershy until either Shan'do Stormrage or his teacher Cenarius return."

Fluttershy then asks, "Okay, umm...thank you. Where might Moonglade be, and how might I get there?"

The druid smiles at the shy pony saying, "Well, it is on the northernmost edge of Kalimdor, Darnassus is at the top of the great tree called Teldrassil, which is west of the small landlocked region. I do remember Priestess Tyrande offering lessons to Princess Luna, so perhaps you could accompany Luna and see if you can get a flight there from Darnassus. If you wanted, I could even take you there until you can learn to summon your own portals there."

The shy pony smiles at hearing that and softly says, "Uhm....I would like that, traveling there with you, I mean."

Kalysse smiles softly and nods her head saying, "Alright then, whenever you want to go, just let me know."

Kaylara looks at the last two ponies and sighs saying, "Well, you two are in for a bit of difficulty. Applejack, I think you would be a great monk. The trouble is that there are monks in Azeroth, but they wander and are tough to find. I can send letters to a few friends of mine that can try to find one to train you." She then looks at Pinkie and says, "As for you Pinkie, I think you would be a good rogue with how unpredictable you are, however, you would need someone to teach you how to channel your anger. Unfortunately, I have no idea about who would be best to teach you that."

Pinkie giggles saying, "Oh don't worry about that, it will work out somehow."

Celestia then smiles and claps her hands together lightly, saying, "All that is left to do is to send the letters off and wait for their responses."

In Azeroth, A couple weeks later, in the Elwynn Forest at the Stormwind Keep

King Varian is sitting on his throne, waiting to hear about the next problem when a courier comes forth with a letter in their hand. He then greets him saying, "Greetings, is that a report I see in your hand?"

The courier shakes his head and bows to the king before extending his left hand holding the letter and saying, "I'm sorry Your Highness, I do not know. It was given to me by one of Priestess Tyrande's couriers."

Curious, he leans forth and grabs the letter from him, he then breaks the seal and opens the letter. He then looks at the top of the paper and reads it silently, 'Greetings, King Varian Wrynn, it has been a few months since we last met. I have received a letter from one of my scouts in the new world called Equus, requesting my assistance in writing letters to a couple of important people asking for their aid in training some of their subjects to hold the Lich King at bay until the current crisis is dealt with. Although he has not attacked yet, my scouts tell me he is building weapons and is preparing to attack. When he will attack is unknown, but I have briefly visited this world, and it is very peaceful compared to ours. One of the nations there is called Equestria which is ruled by two pony sisters, Princess Celestia, and Princess Luna. With how many soldiers the Lich King has under his command, and two massive dragons at his side, I feel that the two sisters and their forces are really lacking in combat power. Therefore, I wish to convey their request for your aid in teaching one of their skilled subjects how to fight as a warrior. The two sisters wish to keep their world out of the conflict between the Alliance and the Horde, but are forced to wait until Deathwing is defeated before they can request aid in defeating him. My scout has inquired about the skills of Rainbow Dash and considered she might be a suitable warrior. If you wish to judge her talents for yourself, please find a way to the gate in Icecrown. The world of Equus is peaceful, so please do your best to avoid attracting the Horde's attention to this world to keep it that way, Your Majesty.'

Folding the letter back up, he then twirls it by the edge around his fingers and considers what he should do for a moment before smirking and looking at one of his soldiers saying, "Find and bring Archmage Malin here, I have a sightseeing trip to go on." He then looks at another and says, "You, come here."

The soldier nods her head and approaches him, then takes a knee while looking downward saying, "Sir, how may I aid you?"

King Varian smiles and gets up off his throne, takes a couple of steps forward and then gets down on one knee, then leans forward to whisper into her ear, "Go find nine soldiers, instruct them to leave their Alliance tabards behind, and wear cloaks to hide their armor before you bring them here. I will be taking a short little trip to another world with a detachment of soldiers, so make sure you do the same because you will be joining me on this expedition."

The soldier nods their head while looking down saying, "At once sir." then rises to her feet and hustles off to find them and relay their orders.

He then stands up and makes his way back to the throne, having to consider what to take with him on this trip. Needing to reply, he makes his way to his room at a quick pace, stopping for a moment before turning to his steward and whispering to his ear, "Be sure any future reports, letters, or other important matters get sent to the Captain of the Garrison by the gate in Icecrown. I shall be busy for a few months." before returning to his previous destination to make changes to his attire.

A few days later, in Darnassus

Priestess Tyrande is watching Princess Luna, smiling as she tries to learn how to use a glaive when she sees a night elf courier on a night saber dismount before approaching her saying, "Do you have a message or a report for me?"

The druid kneels before the priestess and holds out two letters for her saying, "Priestess, these letters just arrived from King Varian and Highlord Tirion.

She reaches for the letters and takes them from her and looks at the top one, then opens up and starts reading it. A brief smile comes to her face and moves on to the next one, reading through it when her smile gets a little bigger then looks over at Luna saying, "Princess Luna, please continue on training. There are letters I need to reply to."

Luna turns and nods while executing a spinning sideways loop, dodging out of the way of an opponent's attack before darting forward to land a strike with her wooden training glaive. She then sees the night elf quickly parry her attack and follow it up with a counterstrike, knocking the glaive from her hand while holding the blade against her neck. The princess sighs in defeat saying, "Yet again you managed to defeat me, it is unfair how easily you can defeat me Ralaiyana."

Ralaiyana smiles and bows her head to the princess saying, "We have had lots of training, for Azeroth is the most hostile world you could visit if you have only known peace your entire lives. You are learning though, Princess Luna, so take pride in the fact that you are learning better how to defend yourself."

She then sighs and goes to retrieve the training glaive saying, "I know, but I need to improve faster before Arthas goes on the offensive, we have no way to defeat him on our own! The fate of Equus hangs in the balance, and only a handful have the strength to last but an hour if we fought just him alone. Please, show me more."

A night elf hurries off toward the stables with a satchel on her side, needing a hippogryph to take one of the portals that will take her to Northrend where the new gate is located.

In Equestria, at the Badlands a few hours later

The courier exits the gate on a hippogryph, looking at the map that two scouts in this world have made, thinking, 'Let's see here...Priestess Tyrande said they could be found in Canterlot. Now, where is Canterlot on this map...' while taking a few moments to look at the badlands portal on the map, finding it a few moments later to the northwest having the icon of a city built on a mountain. She then folds the map up and puts it away before having the hippogryph take to the air, flying above the clouds to avoid being seen by the inhabitants below.

In the Canterlot Castle Library

Kaylara is sitting in the library, attempting to figure out this world's language when she hears a gentle chuckle come from behind her. She turns her head to find Princess Celestia behind her and smiles saying, "Your written language here is quite different to what is used by the various sentient races."

Princess Celestia smiles back and says, "Perhaps my protege can assist you with understanding our books, you should seek her out once the replies arrive."

She nods her head with a smile saying, "I will definitely do that, I am quite curious to find out who is able to help out."

Just then a guardspony enters the room saying, "Excuse me, Your Highness, but there is a night elf messenger on a hippogryph from Azeroth in front of the castle doors asking for the Night elf scout Kaylara."

Both of the girl's heads look at each other while a smile crosses the mage's face when Celestia looks at the guard and says, "Thank you, please bring the courier here."

The guardspony then bows to the princess saying, "Yes, Your Majesty." and turns around to bring the courier to the library.

Minutes later, as the night elf courier follows the guard into the library, she looks around with wide eyes at the numerous stacks filled with books wondering aloud, "Wow, I wonder if there are more books here than in all of Kalimdor?"

Kaylara walks around the corner with a chuckle saying, "There might be, though we will never know. Do you have any messages for me?"

She then snaps her gaze to the night elf that stepped around the corner and asks, "Are you Kaylara?" When she sees the subtle nod of her head with a grin on her face, the courier pulls out two letters from Priestess Tyrande and holds them out to her saying, "Priestess Tyrande asked me to deliver these to you."

The mage takes the two letters and opens the first one quickly, then reads through it fully when her smile gets bigger and turns her head to Princess Celestia saying, "Good news, Your Highness. King Varian has agreed to come train Rainbow Dash, and he is already on his way to the gate in Icecrown. Let's see what the other letter says..." and then folds the letter back up and puts it away before opening the other one. She then looks at the courier and pays her some gold for her delivery saying, "Thank you for delivering this, you may return, courier." As she reads through the second letter, her smile gets a little wider when she finishes reading and says, "They are both coming. Highlord Tirion has also agreed to train you to be a paladin, things are looking brighter for Equestria's future. With both of them on their way as we speak, I must go to the gate and greet them when they arrive. Where would you like me to bring them, Your Highness?"

Celestia thinks about it for a moment before saying, "Since they are visitors from another world, I think it would be best to bring them all here. When you return to the castle, be sure to bring them to the throne room. I will take care of the rest after that so you can resume your own duties."

Kaylara then nods her head saying, "Yes, Your Highness, I shall take my leave then and bring them to the throne room." She then bows to her and heads toward the front doors of the castle to lead the two leaders here.

Meanwhile, at Twilight's home in Ponyville

Applejack and Twilight share a laugh about a few of the things that happened at the Sweet Apple Acres as Applejack says, "It is amazin' what ya can accomplish when there's a lot of ponies to help out. So have you had any luck figuring out what yer gonna do about the heart?"

Twilight sighs and places her hand over the heart as warmth spreads through her body at having a piece, albeit a bit gruesome part of Arthas with her and says, "I've scrounged through the library stacks, every one of them. I did learn that some ponies long ago had a theory that the crystal heart might have the ability to cure evil, but I could not verify it without paying a visit to the Crystal Empire."

The farm pony cocks her head and asks, "Perhaps when ya have a chance, we all could go there together to help ya look through the library. Oh what about Brann, he's still there right?"

She looks at her friend with a shake of her head and sighs saying, "Unfortunately, he left about a few weeks ago to go investigate another ruin in Azeroth somewhere."

Applejack then asks, "Did he find anything while he was there?"

Twilight then shakes her head again, saying, "Not much, but he did some research about the crystal heart and how he thought it was a Titan Relic, but he ruled that possibility out due to discovering it was crafted and enchanted by the first ruler of the Crystal Empire."

The farm pony then sighs and says, "Well that's a shame he didn't learn anything useful about the heart. Perhaps as a group, we will have a better chance of finding what we're looking for."

She then smiles and nods her head saying, "It is, I have high hopes that we will manage to discover something that will help us out."

Hours later, on the other side of the portal in Azeroth

Kaylara waits outside the fort, keeping a lookout for the incoming dignitaries when she hears a flapping of several pairs of wings and looks up. She sees a group of seven humans flying in on gryphons and waits for them to arrive, waving at them while looking at their armor to try to tell who they are.

Highlord Tirion heads towards the night elf guiding them to her in the fort's square, being the first to land a short distance away with his soldiers landing right behind him. Guiding his gryphon to the night elf, he dismounts and stands a few feet away asking while drawing his sword, "Who sent you here?"

She takes a few steps forward, slowly reaching for and pulling out her letter saying, "Highlord Tirion, along with two others, we were tasked with scouting the unknown world on the other side of the gate hidden inside of this fort's keep, which we later learned was known as Equus. Priestess Tyrande tasked Kalysse, Brann Bronzebeard, and I with learning about this world and keeping an eye on a major threat to our world, and theirs...the Lich King Arthas Menethil." She then holds the letter toward him to allow him to check the writing and says, "Here is the letter I received from the priestess so you can verify that I am not aligned with the horde or the Lich King."

He takes the letter from her and pulls out his own letter, then looks at the two in a scrutinizing manner, saying a few moments later, "This letter is not forged and proves that you are no spy, so what is that monster up to?"

Kaylara then sighs and says, "Preparing for war the last we checked, sir, though a full briefing on pressing matters will have to wait until our whole group is here as one more has yet to arrive."

Tirion then cocks an eyebrow and asks, "Who would that be?"

The druid sees a few specs in the distant horizon and says, "He might be a friend of yours. I believe you know King Varian, sir?"

He nods his head as his eyes widen slightly with surprise saying, "I do. I did not expect that the other person was the King of Stormwind." He then turns to his soldiers and says, "Be on your best behavior, soldiers. The King of Stormwind is coming here, as per the letter...we are not here to bring this peaceful world into the rivalry between the Alliance and the Horde. We are here to assist them in becoming stronger to fend off the Lich King."

A few minutes later, the king of Stormwind lands near the other group of gryphons and looks at who is leading the group with a grin on his face saying, "Tirion! I see that you have been asked to train a warrior in a foreign land as well, it's good to see you again. How is your progress in the Plaguelands, have you been having any success?

Tirion shrugs his shoulders and says, "It's been...tough at first to figure out how to remove the taint the plague of undeath has on the land, but the lands are slowly getting better. It will be harder to save the Eastern Plaguelands because of how little survives there, I curse the scourge for causing so much damage to the land."

Kaylara looks at the King and bows to him saying, "Welcome, Your Majesty, I hope your trip here was pleasant." She then stands straight and then asks, "Are you two ready to begin our journey into the peaceful world of Equus in one of the nations called Equestria, and meet either one or both of the ruling princesses?"

King Varian raises an eyebrow curiously and asks, "What can you tell me about the princesses we are going to meet?"

The mage then smiles saying, "Well, Your majesty, there is currently a Diarchy in Equestria, and two sisters rule over it. The older sister raises and lowers the sun while her sister does the same with the moon, which sounds a bit crazy at first but I have watched them do it. They are powerful in their own right, being the strongest ponies on two legs in their entire world."

He looks at her with a look of disbelief and a scrutinizing gaze saying, "That is hard to believe without seeing it, I'm ready to go whenever you are."

Kaylara nods her head and turns her companion around to return through the gate looking back over her shoulder and saying, "Alright then, Your Majesty, and Highlord Tirion, please follow me to the capitol of Equestria...Canterlot." She then guides her hippogryph forward into the keep, then heads down the long, wide path. The doors close behind the last one as she passes through the portal, she keeps her mount going forward so they will continue following her. Once the last member is through, she looks over her shoulder asking, "Are all your soldiers with you both?"

King Varian looks back and sees his soldiers and Archmage Malin right behind him and faces forward saying, "All of mine are here."

Highlord Tirion looks back quickly and counts his soldiers, then faces forward and says, "So are mine, we're good to go."

She then urges her companion into the sky saying, "We're going to fly above the cloud cover so the citizen's on the ground spot us, there are pegasi ponies that control the weather and move clouds around so pay them no mind."

Hours later, inside Canterlot castle's throne room

Celestia and Luna sit in the throne room, waiting for the time to set the sun and raise the moon when knocking is heard from the doors. Celestia turns to look at the front doors saying in a loud, clear voice, "You may enter."

Kaylara watches as the two guards push open the doors, then enters the vast room and continues walking forward until she is several feet away as the rest of the soldiers stay behind just inside the doors. She comes to a stop and bows to the two princesses saying, "Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, I have brought the guests you asked to assist you in resisting the Lich King's evil forces. Allow me to introduce them to you..." She then steps to the side a bit and motions to her right saying, "Your Majesties, this is King Varian Wrynn...the King of Stormwind," raising her arm a bit, she finishes saying, "And this is Highlord Tirion Fordring." Turning her gaze to her right, she sees the two standing just beside her and puts her right arm down, then gestures to the two princesses saying, "King Varian, Highlord Tirion, on the left is Princess Celestia, the older sister. To the right is Princess Luna, the younger sister. Together, they rule over Equestria with Princess Celestia watching over the land and its citizens during the day while Princess Luna watches over both during the night."

Varian speaks up first as he gives a light bow to the two princesses saying, "It is a pleasure to meet you during such a peaceful time, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna."

Highlord Tirion follows his example, but gives a brief, lower bow to the two princesses saying, "Likewise, Your Majesties. Is it true that the Lich King has been more focused on building weapons instead of waging war?"

Princess Celestia nods her head saying, "It is, which is quite fortunate for us because at this point, we stand very little chance at surviving should he start attacking. Each day he goes without attacking us gives us the advantage to train and become stronger, our peaceful existence thus far has been both a blessing and a curse."

The king cocks his head and asks, "Why would you say it has been a curse, Princess Celestia? I have heard that your world has yet to experience the horrors of warfare, I think that should be considered a blessing compared to the frequent fights on Azeroth throughout the vast years."

She smiles at him and says with a slight frown, "What you say is true, King Varian, however, the problem is that without conflict...there is no real reason to get stronger. The Lich King, Arthas Menethil, has been in our world since my sister and I were born. We grew up fearing his wrath until we discovered our powers and formed an army to push him back, and lost every single soldier we took into the fight. We managed to encase him in ice to seal him away from the world for eternity, but to our dismay...we learned a few months ago that he was just playing with us and let us think we beat him. Hatred is not a natural feeling to us ponies because nearly all ponies were raised in the teachings of Harmony between all races, it is acceptable to defend yourself against foes but never to willingly take their lives. It is because of him that we are forced to call for aid in defeating him and removing the threat he poses to our world, and yours."