The Curse of Undeath

The druid spends most of the night and the following morning flying towards Canterlot while taking needed breaks to rest and catch her breath, finally arriving at the castle's front doors and asking in a hurried tone, "Where can...I find...Princess Celestia? Urgent report...regarding...Lich King's...activity."

One of the guards looks at the out-of-breath night elf and says, "In the castle's Private dining room, do you need an escort?"

She shakes her head and hurries inside, saying, "I know where it is...thank you for asking." then makes her way toward the room.

Princess Celestia is at the table enjoying breakfast with her guests and sister when the door is pushed open roughly, turning her head to see who it is and sees Kalysse doubled over, gasping for breath and asks her, "Greetings Kalysse, is something the matter? Why are you so out of breath?"

The druid takes a few moments to catch her breath before straightening up and saying, "Greetings, Your Majesties. I have just come from a trip to the Frozen North, and I have learned something awful regarding the Lich King's plans."

Princess Luna and Celestia both listen with bated breath as Luna asks, "What does he have planned?"

She then sighs and says, "Nothing good I'm afraid, I watched as machines were being created. Several of those machines only had one purpose...to spread the plague."

Celestia then looks at her with fearful eyes and says, "Please tell me you did what you could to destroy them!"

Kalysse nods her head saying, "Do not worry, Princess Celestia, I did what I could and set fire to some of their materials and the machines. Although, I fear that it will only slow his progress as Sindragosa swooped down to put the flames out."

Her demeanor changes at hearing that, making her look on the verge of tears and turns to her sister asking, "What are we going to do Luna? We have no forces to attack him with and the elements of harmony are utterly useless against him!"

Varian and Tirion both think of what they can do to help out as Tirion looks at Varian and asks, "King Varian, couldn't we use our soldiers to pull off short raids?"

The King looks at Tirion and smiles saying, "We could fly there and charge through the front gate, he won't expect that as he does not know we are here yet."

Celestia shakes her head at the idea and says, "No, that won't work because after losing supplies, the Lich King will send his soldiers out to gather more. We need to keep training so we can better protect our beloved citizens."

Rainbow raises her fist and says enthusiastically, "We can still carry out sneak attacks and be a thorn in his side while taking out his war machines."

Luna places a hand upon her sister's shoulder and says in a calming voice, "Calm down and breathe, sister. Rainbow Dash has a point, There is no reason for us to ignore the opportunity to strike back and hinder father's progress as much as possible."

She takes a breath and calms down a little, then says, "You're right sister, forgive me for panicking." She then looks at Tirion and Varian and asks, "So, how would you suggest we commence such an attack?"

Varian then ponders on it and looks to Tirion for his opinion and asks, "What would you suggest Tirion?"

Tirion takes a long minute to think it over and then says, "Well, I think that it is too soon to attack again as he would likely have Sindragosa watch the borders for any suspicious activity. In the meantime, we should continue to train others to fight as we do until another opportunity rises to strike back again. Remember, as strong as we are...we are still outnumbered by a devastating amount, so we need to be wise with our attacks as we are Equestria's only hope of survival while the Lich King threatens their realm."

Archmage Malin then speaks up and voices his opinion saying, "I know it is much too early for this, but we could beseech Queen Alexstrasza and ask for her to allow us to study and alter the spell we used so that it returns Icecrown to its original location in Azeroth."

Celestia then looks at them and cocks her head curiously and asks, "You mean that Queen Alexstrasza allowed you to use the spell to banish the Lich King to our world?"

He then waves his arms in front of him and says, "No no no, not at all. You see, quite some time ago when Brann was exploring the depths of Ulduar with a large group of adventurers, he found the book there and brought it to me to study. So after studying it, I learned of its ability to banish things from a world. However, after we used it against the Lich King, Queen Alexstrasza had Chromie take the tome away from us, and she was really mad that we used it. I only hope that she will grant us the chance to correct our mistake and return Icecrown to its rightful place in Northrend."

Tirion half chuckles saying, "You're right about it being too early... We have to survive his reign long enough for Deathwing to be dealt with before we can even send out our call for aid, but your idea does have merit. What do you think about that idea Princess Celestia?"

She looks to her sister and says, "What do you think, sister?"

Luna then looks at her and gives her a determined smile saying, "I think that it would be a really wise idea, perhaps she could offer us some aid against the Lich King's forces."

Celestia then nods her head and turns to face Tirion asking, "I do like that idea, as it shows that you wish to correct your mistake. If she is amenable to the request, we might gain some assistance in combating the Lich King. When can we depart?"

Archmage Malin then says, "Right away, would it be possible to wait until we finished our food before we go visit the Queen of the Dragonflights?"

She smirks and gives him a brief nod saying, "I do think it would be best if we did, it would be rude for our stomachs to intrude on such an important meeting. We shall depart after sating our hunger."

Rainbow Dash looks at Celestia with a hopeful smile and asks, "Princess Celestia, do you think that my friends and I can come with you all? I'm sure that Twilight would relish the opportunity to find out more about Azeroth."

Kalysse then bows her head to them and says, "I shall remain behind and see what Fluttershy is doing at the moment."

Celestia smiles and shakes her head saying in an apologetic tone, "I do apologize Rainbow, but this meeting is very important. Perhaps you will get another chance to meet Queen Alexstrasza some other day." then looks at the druid and nods her head saying, "Thank you for telling us that important bit of information, Kalysse."

She hangs her head dejectedly, but lifts it up and smiles saying in an understanding tone, "I understand, I will look forward to getting another opportunity someday."

After finishing breakfast an hour later, the five of them wait for Archmage Malin to open a portal when he says, "We are going to Wyrmrest Temple, so be on your best behavior and follow our lead. I will speak to their steward to get us to the top level."

Curious, Luna looks at the humans and asks, "Do you think that it would be wise to share my sister and I's secret with Queen Alexstrasza? Can she be trusted with it?

Tirion looks at her and nods his head saying, "She most certainly can, for she cares deeply about the preservation of life. She has a motherly demeanor about her whenever she deals with someone."

The night princess looks at her sister and smiles saying, "She is like you in a way, sister. Perhaps you two will get along quite well?"

Malin opens the portal and chuckles nervously, saying, "Well, I hope so. The subject we are going to be discussing is a rather sore one as she was furious after we used the spell, so be prepared for her to raise her voice."

As Celestia and Luna look around them, seeing snow and mountains as far as the eye can see. A road leads behind them towards a large tear in a glacier, revealing a wide stone path at the bottom. When they turn back around, they notice a massive structure ahead of them stretching into the sky far above their heads. They see strange creatures and dragons barely similar to what they are like in their world.

The archmage looks at the princesses and chuckles asking a rhetorical question, "Pretty impressive isn't it?" and then starts walking towards a dragon on the ground standing off to the side and saying, "Until you are asked a question directly, please let us do the talking, Your Highnesses."

The Steward looks at the new arrivals with a curious eye, noticing that they are accompanied by King Varian Wrynn, Highlord Tirion Fordring with Archmage Malin leading the group. He takes in the curious new beings he has not seen before, seeing that both are around the same height. They both share a few similarities such as the flowing mane, a horn on their heads, folded feathered wings at their sides, being bipedal, having a pair of hands on their upper arms and a pair of hooves on their lower legs. Assuming they are female due to their chest size being much larger than normal on a male, he thinks that they might be sisters due to their similar characteristics.

Malin looks at the steward and says in a respectful tone, "Greetings, steward. My companions and I would like a flight to the Temple's Summit if you please."

The steward eyes them all curiously before nodding his head saying, "Very well, I shall call some of my brethren to take you there. We will watch the newcomers closely as they are unknown to us."

He nods his head in understanding as the dragon calls for five young drakes to give them a lift to the top of the temple saying, "Thank you very much for allowing our request."

The steward blinks and nods his head, appreciating the respect, and watches as the drakes land nearby, saying, "Take them to the Summit. As they nod their heads at his order, his eyes observe the strange creatures as they follow the others onto the backs of the drakes. He smirks as the dark-colored one squeaks out in alarm at the sudden takeoff and thinks, 'I wonder who and what those two creatures are, and why they are here?'

Top of Wyrmrest Temple

Queen Alexstrasza looks at the other two representatives and sighs saying, "We must choose who shall lead the Blue Dragonflight after Malygos's death. Surely one of you would be able to make a suggestion?

Nozdormu looks between Queen Alexstrasza and Ysera saying, "I think that Arygos would be the natural choice, as he is Malygos's son. Who do you think would be best to choose as leader for the Blue Dragonflight, Ysera?"

Ysera then looks at Nozdormu saying, "Personally, I believe that Kalecgos might be a good choice."

The Life-Binder thinks the two options over as she watches five drakes drop visitors off at the outer balcony and holds out her hand for silence saying, "This discussion will have to wait until later, we have guests arriving."

Chromie looks at the group asking, "I can see King Varian, Highlord Tirion, and Archmage Malin...but who are the two strangers with them?"

She then raises an eyebrow curiously and says, "I do not know, but they are not from Azeroth, that much is clear."

Archmage Malin calmly makes his way into the rotunda and kneels before the aspects as the others choose to bow saying, "Greetings Queen Alexstrasza, I apologize for our sudden and unannounced visit. Please allow me to introduce the two unusual guests that are with us..." He then glances behind him and uses his hand to gesture to them to come forward and continues, "These two guests before you are sisters that come from the land on the other side of the gate that was constructed, called Equestria. They are sentient beings like us and are known as Alicorns, just one type of ponies out of three others which are the earth, pegasus, and unicorn pony. The white alicorn with the multi-colored mane is called Princess Celestia, and she shares a Diarchy with her sister, Princess Luna. Princess Celestia rules over her subjects during the day while her sister looks over them during the night, having a special duty to care for those that slumber and dream at night, by entering a realm through her subconscious. She protects them from shadows that trouble them that take the forms of nightmares or bad dreams, disturbing their peaceful rest."

The archmage's words interest the three aspects, causing Ysera's and Alexstrasza's eyebrows to rise a little in curiosity as Ysera is the first to speak, asking, "I am Ysera, I am the Aspect of the Green Dragonflight and guardian of the Emerald Dream connected to the spirit of all of Azeroth. What is your world's dream realm like?"

Princess Luna looks at the one that just spoke and says with a nervous tone, "W-Well, it is a realm that is at its strongest at night while our subjects sleep and easiest for me to enter during that time. Whenever I patrol the realm for nightmares, I enter the private dreams of my subjects if I sense trouble coming from their doors."

Ysera smiles at finding someone to talk to about dream realms as a few questions pop into her head and holds onto them as she looks at Queen Alexstrasza saying, "Apologies for speaking before you, sister."

Alexstrasza then looks at Ysera with a grin and nods her head saying, "No need to apologize for your curiosity of our guest's abilities, it is only natural for us to be curious." She then looks at the archmage and narrows her eyes ever so slightly saying, "Thank you for introducing your guests from another world, your sudden and unannounced visit is forgiven. King Varian, Highlord Tirion, and Archmage Malin...it is good to see you all in good health with all that is going on at the moment. What brings you to Wyrmrest at this time?"

Archmage Malin gulps and is about to speak when he feels a hand on his shoulder, then looks up to see Princess Celestia looking down at him while shaking her head.

Celestia averts her gaze back to Queen Alexstrasza saying, "My sister and I heard about their misguided choice to use a spell to banish Arthas from your world, taking Icecrown with it. What we would like to do with your permission, is to study the spell and possibly alter it so it will return the Citadel to its original location once the current Lich King is defeated."

Nozdormu gazes off into the distance as he watches the potential results of saying yes or no to their request and then shifts his gaze to the queen and shares his opinion saying, "Hmm, what a curious request as I know nothing about this spell, however, I would offer the suggestion to agree to their request."

The aspect looks at him with a questioning eyebrow saying, "Why would you suggest such a thing Nozdormu?"

He looks at her with a serious look in his eyes and says, "I suggest it because they are going to need the help of your flight to lessen the damage done by the Lich King's forces. I can not say more than that because I only see what affects Azeroth." He then looks at Princess Celestia and sighs saying, "I do wish my powers would allow me to see more of what lies ahead for your world, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna."

Celestia's ears droop at hearing that and she locks her gaze on him and asks in a slightly panicked tone, "Can you see or tell us more about the attack so we can better prepare for it?!"

Nozdormu looks again and watches as fragments of a siege being led by the Lich King's forces against a town of ponies by a body of water and says, "I see machines and undead soldiers attacking a city by water with dragons from the Red Dragonflight aiding a small force defending it, but that is all I can see aside from a glimpse later on from a distance when Icecrown Citadel is returned to its rightful place."

She looks at her sister with a wild, happy hope in her eyes and says, "We can win the fight against the Lich King sister!"

Luna looks at her sister with a sad smile and says, "We can, but at what cost? What will it cost us or our allies to defeat the Lich King, how many lives will be destroyed in our battle? Will we ever be able to keep our family from falling apart after our father's defeat?

She then looks at Celestia, asking her with wide eyes and a shocked expression on her face, "You both are his daughters?" and uses her senses and abilities to search for any darkness inside of them, causing her shocked expression to change to a curious one as she then says, "For having a father like Arthas Menethil, I am curious about how little of his darkness resides inside of you both. How have you both managed to avoid such a feat as that?"

Celestia and Luna both sigh as Luna answers for her sister when she becomes too choked up about it to respond, saying, "We have our mother to thank for that, as she made a tough decision to take us far from our father's reach and leaving us to be found by ponies nearby. Despite our pleas for her to stay with us, she returned to his side and was handed over to Professor Putricide to be a subject for his experiments as a punishment for our escape. We hope to find someday a way to return her to how she once was."

Alexstrasza smiles at hearing her response and says, "I could sense a deep sadness in you both, however, I am still surprised that you still consider the Lich King part of your family."

She looks at her sister with a sad look and looks back at Alexstrasza saying, "My sister stopped loving our father many years ago, but I still love him deep down and hope he can be saved. Although others may have given up hope for him due to the darkness pervading his heart in our possession, some of us will not stop trying to cleanse it."

Her expression changes into one of sympathy and admiration and shifts her gaze to the sister and says, "I am wary about granting your request for the spell, but I will listen to Nozdormu's suggestion and permit you to take the book. I will also send a number of my drakes with you, but please, treat them as you would your own subjects and ensure as many of them return alive after the Lich King's defeat. How does your world fare against the Lich King's forces?"

Celestia looks at her and lets out a sigh of relief saying, "Thank you, Queen Alexstrasza, for granting our request and lending aid. Fortunately, the Lich King has not yet started attacking anywhere yet, but we are using that time to become stronger. Sadly, we just learned from Priestess Tyrande's druid that the Lich King has begun making the plague once more, though she did sabotage much of the materials and equipment she could before reporting what she learned to us. However, we have no other option but to wait for Deathwing to be defeated before we can make a request for aid through a third party to begin fighting back."

Alexstrasza then blinks saying, "It is only a matter of time before he does, so it would be wise to prepare your forces for when the attacks start." and looks to Chronormu asking, "Chronormu, take one of my drakes to retrieve that time, then give it to our new friends."

The gnome nods and says, "At once your Majesty, I will return in a couple of hours." then hurries off to fetch it.

Ysera switches her gaze between the two sisters and her own sister asking, "While we wait for Chronormu to return, would you care to accompany me to the Emerald Dragonshrine so we can talk more about the realms we both look after, Princess Luna?"

Luna smiles and says, "I would like that very much, thank you very much Lady Ysera."

She giggles at hearing that and says, "I appreciate the respect you're showing me Princess Luna, but I am no lady. So follow me to the outer balcony." then begins making her way there and looks over her shoulder at her sister, saying, "We shall return after we have satisfied our curiosity."

Celestia watches her sister begin to follow Ysera to the balcony when the others guide them off to the side as King Varian says, "Make sure to stand aside and leave her plenty of room for when she switches to her normal form, these dragons are far larger than you might expect when they are in their humanoid forms."

Alexstrasza then looks at the whitish-grey alicorn and asks, "What have these three humans told you about Azeroth so far?"

She turns to look at the aspect and says, "Well, we have learned that only Tirion and King Varian knew him from the past with the king having grown up with our father, and that the war would bring with it the loss of lives."

The aspect looks at them with a curious and questioning gaze, slightly narrowing her eyes as she then asks, "Do you plan on requesting aid from the Horde as well to fight your father?"

The night princess stands by a column as she watches Ysera change her form into a massive green dragon, gasping with surprise at how beautiful she looks when Ysera looks at her with a draconic smile and says, "Climb onto me and sit between my neck and front shoulders, Princess Luna. Be sure to hold on when we take off, it would be unfortunate if you get hurt."

Celestia turns to watch Ysera take off from the balcony with her sister before looking back at Alexstrasza and nodding her head saying, "I do plan on calling upon them in the battle, do you see any problems with it?"

Alexstrasza continues to look at them with a scrutinizing gaze before returning a neutral look towards the princess, shaking her head and saying, "Not at all, I was just wondering if you have heard about any particular members of that faction in a little more detail?"

She then looks at her, cocking her head in confusion, and says, "I have heard about the different types of adventurers, and the various races including their history regarding their origins from Priestess Tyrande when she came to visit us a while ago. Unfortunately, our guests haven't mentioned anything that has happened after that."

The aspect shakes her head with a sigh saying, "I don't blame them for not bringing it up as it is not a pleasant topic to discuss, but if you are set on asking the Horde for aid, you must know about one thing the Forsaken did that took place some time ago near Fordragon Hold to the northwest of here."

At hearing her words, Varian sighs and looks away saying with anger in his voice, "Because of what the Forsaken did, we both lost a dear friend at the Wrath Gate."

Alexstrasza nods her head and sighs saying, "Before the Alliance and Horde armies could get into Icecrown, they first marched on Angrathar, the Wrath Gate." she then pauses a moment as she remembers hearing the screams and blinks back a tear saying, "I only remember hearing the screams of so many soldiers running for their lives as a large green cloud appeared directly in front of Angrathar, when we raced to investigate...we learned that the Forsaken were launching something at the troops that had a horrific effect on the living and the scourge alike."

Varian speaks up and interrupts Alexstrasza saying, "Forgive me for interrupting, Your Majesty, but what they created is what they called the new plague and it causes a body to liquefy and become a toxic puddle of goo. Because of what the accursed Forsaken did, 5000 soldiers from the Alliance suffered a painful death and made the tension between the Alliance and the Horde even worse."

Tirion then interrupts his rant and coughs saying, "Yes that is true, but the Horde also suffered from how the Forsaken betrayed the Horde, they lost 4,000 of their own soldiers because of that."

Annoyed with being cut off yet again, she growls in warning at the two saying, "Yes...both sides have suffered from it, but my drakes and I used our fire breath to burn it away before it could cause any more harm."

Nozdormu looks at his Queen and asks, "My queen, since they will seek aid from the Horde, I think it might benefit the Princesses to hear about...her...would you agree with me?"

It takes a second for what the aspect says to register in her mind as she nods her head saying, "I do agree, perhaps it would be best to show them both once my sister's curiosity is satisfied."

Meanwhile, at the Emerald Dragonshrine

Ysera slows her speed and lands on the ground smoothly, lowering her body to the ground saying, "Here we are, Princess Luna. Do you mind if we call each other by name?"

Luna smiles and shakes her head from side to side saying, "Not at all, I was just wondering what you wish to know?"

I would like to know if you are able to connect to the Emerald Dream which is a vast and ever-changing spirit realm, existing beyond the boundaries of the physical world. It represents how Azeroth could have looked if there were no intelligent beings to alter its surface, or what it might become once more many years ahead. The Green Dragonflight are its guardians and we have our own unique way of connecting to the dream, which is through using our minds and abilities together. How do you connect to your world's realm, Luna?"

She looks at the aspect as she shifts to her night-elvish appearance, eyeing her curiously for a moment before saying, "There is a spell I use to enter the realm of dreams, though I do not know if it will allow me to connect to your realm the same way. When I dream walk, it is usually at night when it is strongest."

Merithra watches the interaction between her mother and the strange, new guest and asks, "Mother, would you care for some extra company in the Dream?"

Ysera looks at her daughter with a smile and nods her head saying, "I would like that very much as added security if we should be attacked, thank you for offering your assistance dear." She then looks at Luna and says, "Luna, this is my daughter Merithra." and turns her head to look at her daughter saying, "Dear, this is Princess Luna, she is an alicorn pony and has a sister named Celestia and they rule over a land called Equestria. Perhaps you might enjoy the chance to see a world much different from ours, think it over during our time in the Dream." She then looks back at Luna and sits down on the ground, folding her legs underneath her saying, "I would like you to take a seat before me and close your eyes, then try to use your abilities to sense this world's realm and connect to it."

Luna watches as Ysera's daughter sits near her and waits for her to join them, making up her mind to give it a try. Taking a seat in front of Ysera, she gets into a similar position as the other two wait patiently for her to attempt to connect to the Emerald Dream. As she closes her eyes and casts her dream walk spell, she then opens her eyes to find herself standing on a plateau with a bunch of trees before her. She looks around to learn that she is completely surrounded by nature and sees the two dragons in humanoid forms looking at her with an amused expression on their faces as she looks at the beautiful area around her with wide eyes and asks, "Is this the Emerald Dream that you all protect?"

The aspect nods her head saying, "It is, I am surprised that you were able to connect to it so effortlessly, let us see what else you are capable of here."

As the three wander around the dream, they come across a small group of tentacled horrors as Ysera asks Luna to try to attack the evil monsters with her magic. So Luna nods her head and steps towards them, finally getting a chance to test out one of her more damaging spells.

Luna thrusts her hands into the air and channels moonlight magic into her horn, using her hands to control how large the affected area is and its strength. She then opens her eyes to select the spot to attack and unleashes the spell, whispering, "Burn, vile creatures."

Ysera is astonished to see her attack completely destroy the creature's bodies and chuckles saying, "Well, now that was quite a show using a spell like that, who taught you how to fight?"

She turns around to look at Ysera and says, "Priestess Tyrande taught me how to fight, because Equestria is such a peaceful world, we have to resort to receiving training from those residing in this world."

Merithra looks at Luna with eyes wide in amazement asking, "Priestess Tyrande has found someone with a magic similar to hers?"

Luna looks at her with a gentle smile and nods saying, "That is correct, she is teaching me how to use the light and magic of the moon to fight against my enemies. One day, we shall take the fight to the Lich King's throne...and either save our father from the darkness that infests his heart..." when the smile drops from her face at the sad second option and continues with a somber tone, "or end his life if he cannot be rescued."

The aspect hears her daughter take a sharp breath and places her hand on her shoulder, then looks at her and shakes her head saying softly, "I know what you're going to say dear, and I was shocked to hear it as well when they told us, but Nozdormu, my sister, and I could sense that they have none of his darkness in them. From how she speaks, I think that all she has to rely on are her sister and those she has at her side."

The princess watches the spell end and says, "You are correct, Ysera. Celestia is all I have left of my immediate family as my mother is beyond our reach as she has been locked inside one of Professor Putricide's subjects he experimented on, and our father is currently plotting to conquer our world first..." and feels something inside of her give as her eyes begin to moisten.

Ysera and Merithra feel sympathy for her and move toward her to give her a hug as she starts to sob as Merithra says, "I do not know your pain, but I am sure that you do not bear it alone. Things have a tendency to work out for the better if beings work together to face what puts them all in danger, I believe in that."