Chapter 9: A new day, new problems arise

Meanwhile...back on Azeroth, Twenty minutes before Icecrown Citadel was banished

Alexstrasza senses something amiss in the air around them and begins to worry, then walks out to the ledge and then looks to Icecrown Citadel. Not liking what was in the air around her, she looks to Cielstrasza and Chronormu and says, "Something in the air troubles me greatly...Cielstrasza, Chronormu, accompany me on a flight to investigate this disturbance. I also require two strong guardians to serve as escorts, we shall retain our altered appearances so we can gather information on the situation." She then gets up onto a drake and nods her head to take flight, with those she mentioned at her heels.

Chromie catches up to her on a drake and says, "What do you think is going on Your Majesty?"

She looks to the disguised Chronormu and says, "Nothing good by the feel of it, I hope it turns out to be no big problem..."

Eighteen minutes later, in the skies of Icecrown

Cielstrasza looks at the towering Icecrown Citadel and hears cheers rise from the ground and then says, "My Queen, it appears that the allied armies of the Horde and the Alliance succeeded in defeating the Lich King. This is a day to celebrate a great victory over that foul monster."

Chromie looks to Ciel and then says, "Oh yeah, the drinks are on me today!"

Alexstrasza then directs the drake to fly lower to get a better idea of what was going on and then says, "The armies are both marching to the furthermost limits of the citadel and are encircling it. I don't understand this, we need to investigate further."

The gnome then gets a prickly tingling all over her body and says, "I don't know either, but it can't be good because I am getting a prickly tingling sensation throughout my body Your Majesty."

After a minute more of flying, they get close enough to see casters of all kinds gather in groups and circles around the entire citadel as Cielstrasza then speaks up saying, "It looks like they are performing some kind of large scale spell. I do not know what kind of spell it is or what it does, but I think we should get away before they finish it."

She stares on in shock at recognizing the shape on the ground and then says, "Impossible...it just can't be that spell can it? It was locked away in Ulduar by the Titans, how could they have gotten their hands on it unless..."

Chromie looks at Alexstrasza with concern and asks, "Uhm...I'm sorry Your Majesty, I don't understand what you are saying."

Alexstrasza's breath hitches in her throat as she feels the magic reaching a critical point and then suddenly screams, "NO, DON'T YOU DARE FINISH THAT SPELL!!!" She then turns to the others with panic in her eyes and then yells, "Make haste and fly away immediately, as fast as you can! We must get out of range before they cast it, or we will be caught up in it!"

The gnome hangs on tight as the drakes and guardians immediately turn away and rush to get out of the area, looking back just before a flash comes from the ground. Moments later, it is proceeded by multicolored ribbons of light dancing through the air in the skies behind them over Icecrown Citadel. The ribbons then become one and form a massive pillar of multicolored streams in the circle of light, then becoming a blinding aura that forces her to look away from the citadel saying, "Wow that is bright! I am going to be seeing spots for a bit now."

The queen then senses the fading magic and then turns back to see what became of Icecrown Citadel, only to see it gone completely. Leaving a big crater where it used to stand and then growls angrily and says, "Those fools have no idea what they have just done to this world... Assume your regular forms except for you Chronormu, you are going to take that tome they have into your possession shortly after we land. I have words to exchange with those fools." She then jumps off of the drakes back and then takes her normal form and then heads to the spot closest to the leader to land.

Tirion hears an angered roar come from above and then yells, "Clear a landing path for Queen Alexstrasza and her companions!"

Alexstrasza lands on the ground in anger and watches as Highlord Tirion falls on his rear and then glares at him and shouts, "How did you get your hands on that tome?! Do you have any idea what you have done, and what the consequences will be!? Hand it over immediately so we can fix what you have done!"

Archmage Malin approaches hastily and presents the tome to her and says, "I tried to advise him against using it, but he ignored me and wanted to give his old friend a chance to redeem himself in a different world."

Chromie hurries forth and tears the book from his hands, looking at him with a scowl on her face and then says, "That monster will never repent his actions! If you thought that he might, then you are a fool for believing it!"

The highlord then sighs and says, "I may have been wrong to think that, but I just couldn't bring myself to end his life. He fell victim to the corruption of the Old Gods, he deserved a chance to redeem himself...now this world is rid of..."

Shrill cries of agony and madness rise all around them, stopping the highlord mid sentence as corpses beyond measure start crawling out of the ground in the crater where the citadel once stood as Alexstrasza then looks at the bottom of the crater and then says, "You freed the dead from their servitude to the Lich King, now they are screaming in pain as the bond continues to be severed. With the crown unable to be placed upon another's head, the millions of dead will drive all living things into a corner and then slaughter every last one." She then looks to the shocked faces of the surrounding mages and soldiers and then looks to the leaders and then yells, "Run to your cities and gather your forces, for the fight against the freed dead has begun! We shall keep them at bay while you all work together and form a unified army to battle the undead threat to Azeroth, NOW RUN!!" She then watches as the armies all start to flee from Icecrown in terror. She then turns to Chromie and then says, "Chronormu, get on the drake and return to the Temple. Once you return there, start studying that book and find a way to connect us with the world the Lich King was sent to. We must return the dead in this world to their servitude of the Lich King! Tell the other aspects there to call for every dragon they can spare, and to send them to the borders of Icecrown to slay every undead creature that tries to cross the border."

She then nods her head and says, "At once, Your Majesty!" She then sprints back to the drake she was on and then takes flight, heading back to the temple with all haste to start her task.

Two Years Later

Alexstrasza looks around at the field around them, seeing hundreds of dragons assisting the allied armies of the living beings on Azeroth keep the undead hordes of nearly two million at bay. Losing more ground with each following day, she nervously looks to the new gate that is being built. With the last few stones being set into place, two towering dragon statues look out at the land in front of them. She then makes another pass to push back the undead once more, raining purifying flames before turning back to check on the status of the portals state of completion.

Brann Bronzebeard looks at the massive portal the cooperating armies of the living are working on and sees Queen Alexstrasza stand beside him and then says, "This is truly a marvel Your Majesty, who would've thought that every living being would actually work together."

Alexstrasza then sighs and says, "Indeed it is truly a wonder at what can be accomplished by working together instead of trying to kill each other. I hope this is finished soon and activated so they will return to their servitude of the Lich King, all life on this world is at stake and we must finish this quickly."

Thrall then approaches the two slowly and then says, "It pains me to admit that you are correct Your Majesty, but the final piece that convinced the Horde that we needed to work together was the fall of Orgrimmar. That was a sad day for the Horde then, but the day after that...they looked forward to getting revenge against the undead and reclaimed the lands. This gate is this worlds only hope to repair the bond that the foolish humans severed, it would have been so much simpler if Highlord Tirion had just took his revenge and ended his life."

Tirion then approaches them and then sighs saying, "I now regret my decision to not take his life that day just over two years ago, I would do anything to make amends for that mistake. We also need to rebuild Stormwind yet again due to the undead rampage, but at least we are still holding the lines against them."

Darion Morgraine stops near the group and then looks to Queen Alexstrasza and bows his head saying, "Your Majesty, the portal is now ready to be prepared."

Back on Equus, in the streets of Canterlot

Arthas exits the home of Fancy Pants, with his new suit folded up and placed in a bag at his hip. He then gets up onto his steed's back once more as he starts to sense a familiar magic coming from far away, he then decides to go investigate it and then gallops Invincible out of the city to summon Sindragosa.

Invincible then continues to head to the city gates and says, "Sir, where are we going?"

He then looks on down the road and continues to guide the steed down the road, chuckling with glee as he sees and hears the panicked screams of terror of the citizens as they are bumped out of the way and to the ground when Invincible runs into them. He then laughs out loud and then yells to the citizens with a booming voice, "Feel all your hopes turn to dust when you see death come for you, watch as your dreams become nightmares without end. Listen to the cries of despair as your own children curse you for letting them die at the hands of the Scourge!" He sees the gates of Canterlot in the distance and gallops towards them saying, "Open up those gates or I will lay waste to this city like I did to Stratholme!"

The faithful steed then gallops through the gates as cries of panic rise into the air behind them from the streets of Canterlot and then sighs saying, "Sir, I think that you really should try to change the way you view and treat the world. If you continue on down this path, history may repeat itself and instead of finding yourself wounded...you might die as the result of your actions."

Arthas then races to where he senses the magic coming from and then says, "I better ready my army to greet the ones using this familiar magic, whoever dares to come to my new playground and come after me is going to pay dearly...with their souls."

An hour later on Azeroth, after the portals' creation

Chronormu and Brann look at the finished portal in curiosity and then look to each other, nod and then look to Queen Alexstrasza as Chromie says, "Your Majesty, I am concerned about the differences between that world and ours. After that spell was used, I sensed a temporal disturbance that it created. I have studied that tome after those hotheads used it without closer examination, and I have learned that it may have sent Arthas into the past of that world."

Queen Alexstrasza then nods and says, "That is very unfortunate for that world indeed, but there is no way to correct what has been done. You and Brann Bronzebeard were the two that studied that tome, am I correct?"

She then nods to her and says, "Yes Your Majesty, we were. Who do you suggest should go first through the portal?"

The queen then considers it and then says, "Since you were key in fully understanding that tome, why don't you and Brann go through first and see what is on the other side of it."

Chromie then steps up to the gate, shifting to her gnome form as she continues to walk alongside Brann and then says, "Well Brann, are you looking forward to our newest adventure to an unknown world?!"

He then laughs and says, "Oh don't you know it kid, I love going on new adventures and discovering new things! Race ya through, last one there buys the drinks!"

She then laughs saying, "Oh you are so on dwarf, and don't call me kid! I am older than you are!" She then takes off running alongside him towards the portal.

Back on Equus, on the other side of the portal

Arthas stands in front of his hidden army before the large stone archway with two dragons looking to the land before them with a cruel smile on his face as he waits to see who passes through first. He then looks up to see Sindragosa flying in the skies above them, and then looks to the ground to the far side where the massive decomposing form of the former queen of the dragons Ashara is keeping out of sight. He then turns his gaze back to the portal as he spots two life forms pass through and then smiles as he waits for them to come closer to introduce himself.

Chromie then looks back at Brann and says, "I made it through first, the rounds are on you this time Brann!"

Brann then slows down and stops, shaking his head and then says, "I was so close to beating ya though, but a bet is a bet. I will honor the bet I made with ya, ya can pick the tavern we get drinks okay?" He then stops dead in his tracks as his eyes land on the large banner in the distance in front of the portal they came through and then says, "Blast my beard, that's...that's the banner of the Scourge! Why is it out here of all places?!" His eyes then look around and sees a tall figure standing to the side of it, recognizing it as the Lich King and then says, "Welp, we know that there is a Lich King on this side. I never would've guessed that they would be waiting for us, we should find out what their name is."

Her eyes go wide as she sees the being standing there next to the Scourge Banner and then says, "Uhm, you go ahead and do the talking here Brann. I am just going to stay quiet and watch for approaching enemies." She then scans around the area, sighing in relief at not seeing the undead hordes around them.

He steps forward and then greets the Lich King and says, "May we have words, Your Highness? There is a big issue involving the world where we come from, caused by the banishment of Icecrown Citadel and its king that sat in it's throne."

Arthas then becomes curious to hear what they have to say, so he masks his voice and then says, "You may come a bit closer as I am hard of hearing over such a distance, creature."

Brann looks to Chromie and says, "Well we are doing good so far, he isn't like Arthas at all. Maybe Arthas did die on this world after all, what do you think about it Chromie?" He then starts to get closer to the Lich King to discuss matters on Azeroth.

Chromie then looks at Brann and follows him saying, "I think something feels off here, but it would be good to gather more information." She then hears a flapping of wings and then looks up and sees a skeletal wing with blue flame running through the bones, serving as the flesh and allowing flight. She watches as more of the creature emerges from the cloud and her eyes widen at seeing that it is Sindragosa and then gulps saying, "I sure hope this goes peacefully, because Sindragosa is flying over our heads."

He looks up and then sees her as well and says, "Oh no...so the Lich King brought her back, I wonder who this Lich King is if it isn't Arthas." He then returns his gaze to the Lich King before them and then stops several feet away from him and then says, "Your Highness, have you ever heard of a world called Azeroth?"

Arthas looks at him and narrows his eyes, pretending to be someone else and says, "I have heard about it from the previous Lich King Arthas Menethil before he died, what troubles your world that drives you to seek me out strange creature?"

Brann then looks at the figure a bit more and then says, "Well you see, when the previous Lich King was banished. It caused every undead in Azeroth to cry out in pain and go into a blood crazed rampage, it even continues outside of where we built this portal. We lose more and more ground each passing day, we come to respectfully ask that you take them under your control and return them to their slumber."

He then chuckles at hearing this and then smiles and says, "So creature, you have the nerve to respectfully ask that I return them to their slavery to this crown and make them go back to sleep? Who do you think you are to request anything of me!? Give me one good reason I shouldn't kill the both of you and raise you as undead creatures."

Chromie then steps up and gulps audibly, then nervously says, "We mean no offense, Your Majesty. Our world is at great risk of perishing, and we are desperate indeed to ask you to do such a thing. Please think on the matter and put yourself in our shoes, would you not be desperate in wanting to preserving the life on this world if it were in danger?"

Arthas is then curious about what has happened in the time that he was sent away and then says, "I shall consider doing so, are you the leaders of your group?"

He then looks to Chromie and asks, "Do you think we should tell him about the others?"

She looks back and then nods her head and says, "I think that if he wants to speak to them, it is in our best interests to divulge that information to him."

Brann then nods his head and says, "Okay, if you say so Chromie." He then turns to look at the Lich King and then says, "No we are not, we are just a scouting party investigating this world where he was banished to. If you wish to meet them, could you come through with us?"

He then shakes his head and then says, "Unfortunately, I cannot. If the portal should close behind me, what would become of this world's undead?"

Chromie then sighs and then says, "Queen Alexstrasza would not allow the portal to be shut behind you, she just wishes to preserve the balance of this world that is currently upset. Will you reconsider coming across with us to see the state of the world with your own eyes?"

Arthas raises an eyebrow and then chuckles to himself and thinks, 'It would be rather amusing to see the reaction on her face when she discovers that I survived, even more enjoyable if she would permit me to see the state of the world from her back.' He then smiles and then looks at her then says, "I do not recognize that name, the previous Lich King never mentioned it to me before he passed on. Very well, you have piqued my curiosity. I shall go with you to see the state of your world." He then begins to walk towards them at a leisurely pace, in no big hurry to spare a few lives.

Brann then starts walking back to the portal and then looks back to ask the Lich King his name and then says, "Your Highness, may I ask your name?"

He then looks to the dwarf and then says, "Yes you may, my name is Frozen Crown. What might your names be, strange creatures from Azeroth?"

The dwarf goes first and introduces himself saying, "My name is Brann Bronzebeard, and I am an Ironforge Dwarf."

Chromie then looks at the Lich King and then says, "And My name is Chromie, and I am a gnome. Could you tell us how long ago the previous Lich King passed away?"

Arthas then nods and then says, "Yes, it was two years ago to this very day that he died." He then watches the portal ahead of him draw nearer and then sends an order to Sindragosa through the link saying, "Keep a watchful eye Sindragosa, I have some leaders to meet on the other side. Apparenty there is a problem on their world involving the numerous undead that I have not called to service, and only I can correct the problem. So I shall go and investigate what has happened during my time away, keep an eye on the army and keep them waiting for my return." He then addresses the army and issues them orders through the link saying, "Warriors of Icecrown hiding underground, I shall return once I take back control of the undead that are causing problems in Azeroth." He then follows them into the portal and rolls his shoulders as he feels the magic take affect and transport him back to Azeroth.

Brann then runs forth with Chromie as he sees that he is back on Azeroth and says to Queen Alexstrasza, "Your Majesty, Arthas Menethil has perished from his wounds two years ago. However, we have managed to bring with us the current Lich King Frozen Cown. Hopefully he will be able to return the undead to their servitude, Your Majesty."

Alexstrasza then looks at them and then says, "So there is a new Lich King of the undead Scourge, can you return these foul beings back to being under your command?"

He then looks out at the rampaging undead and then masks his voice and says, "I wish to see the damage they have done to this world with my own eyes, I will then attempt to return them to being under my servitude. I must ask you since you are strange to me, who are you?"

She then looks at him and says, "I am the queen of the dragon flights, Alexstrasza. It is unfortunate that Arthas Menethil has perished, I wish he finds peace in his next life."

Jaina then steps forward and then says, "I hope that monster suffers for what he has done to this world, he has done nothing but cause much pain and suffering through his actions."

Arthas then keeps the act up and then looks to her and says, "His last words mentioned some Jaina that he still cared deeply for, and that he failed his sister Calia and would forever curse his name for just trying to save his people."

Her eyes soften a bit, feeling guilty for speaking ill of him and then says, "I apologize for disliking your previous King Frozen Crown, but he committed a lot of foul deeds on Azeroth to earn that title. Do you remember what he said?"

He then pretends to think about it, laughing internally and enjoying his torment of his former love and says, "If my memory serves me right, I do think that he said 'Lady Jaina, now you won't ever have to worry about me trying to kill you anymore. May you find comfort and pleasure at hearing how I died alone and without a single person to mourn my passing, please throw a grand celebration if you ever hear of this one day. Remember this though Jaina, death hears and sees everything that happens in the world. I will always have a soft spot for you in my cold, unfeeling heart. I hope you are able to forgive me some day...' After he said that, his body slowly tensed up as he took a wheezing and painful breath before his face distorted in agony and stayed that way." He watches in glee as Jaina turns away with tears in her eyes and stands behind the other leaders.

Alexstrasza then looks at Frozen Crown and then says, "Are you ready to view the chaos that this world is currently suffering, Frozen Crown?"

Arthas then looks to her and bows his head respectfully and then says, "Indeed I am Your Majesty, am I to see the chaos from atop your majestic shoulders or am I to see it atop a lower status dragon?"

Cielstrasza glares at Frozen Crown and then roars saying, "You dare to suggest you sit atop of Queen Alexstrasza's shoulders like she is your mount, apologize to Her Majesty at once or perish in flames!"

She then glares back at Cielstrasza and then says admonishingly, "Do not threaten him like that again or he will not help us with our dilemma, he was only asking a simple question that was worded poorly."

He then bows his head to her and then says, "My apologies My Queen, I shall not let it happen again."

He then looks to the dragon and then says, "Perhaps I could have worded that differently, I not mean any offense. I was just asking due to the fact that I have no reliable way to see the chaos from the air as you so naturally do. I ask again then, how am I going to see the chaos that is affecting the world of Azeroth?"

Alexstrasza then ponders for a moment and then says, "You shall view it from atop my shoulders Frozen Crown, you have remained respectable towards me and the others. Therefore, I shall allow you to witness the chaos from atop my shoulders. Are you ready to depart and see the current state of Azeroth, Frozen Crown?" She then crouches down and extends a foreleg for him to climb up, then waits.

Arthas then nods and then says, "Thank you for being so generous Your Majesty, in the other world I am treated like a filthy beggar inside of a beautifully decorated palace and chased away." He then strides forth slowly, making sure that they don't see the hilt of Frostmourne just yet and then climbs up her offered leg, then into place between her shoulders and her neck. He hangs on tightly as she then takes to the skies above Dragonblight to show him the extent of the chaos.

A few hours pass by as Tirion then looks to the sky and says, "Here they come, they return from surveying the chaos among the world!" He moves out of the way as she lands on the ground gracefully.

He then sighs and then says, "I see why you seek to return the undead to their servitude, therefore I shall help you by doing what I can." He then smiles and then thinks, 'Oh when I get these soldiers back, I will truly be a force to recon with back on Equus.' He steps down from her shoulders and then bows his head to her and says, "Thank you for the flight through the beautiful landscapes Your Majesty, it would be truly beautiful if the undead weren't such an eyesore. Those Forsaken aren't much better." He then strides past the group towards the hordes of undead, stops and bellows in a loud royal voice, "UNDEAD SCOURGE OF MIGHTY ICECROWN CITADEL CEASE YOUR FIGHTING AND LISTEN TO YOUR KING!!!"

They watch intently as the field suddenly goes deathly quiet as Frozen Crown addresses them as Tirion says, "That voice is familiar somehow, but where have I heard it before?"

Arthas then continues to address his subjects and then leaps up onto a dwarven tank saying, "I KNOW YOU MUST FEEL GREAT ANGUISH AT THE LOSS OF YOUR KING, BUT HE HAS RETURNED TO TAKE YOU ALL HOME. SO STOW YOUR WEAPONS AND MARCH IN A COLUMN OF THREE WIDE, WITH LARGER BODIES FORMING A SEPARATE COLUMN OF ONE OR TWO WIDE THROUGH THIS PORTAL. YOU ARE TO RETURN TO THE LANDS OF THE FROZEN NORTH, WHERE ICECROWN CITADEL IS NOW AND RETURN TO YOUR SLUMBER!"

Alexstrasza's eyes widen with wonder as the undead hordes all stop and obey at once, then begin making their way to the gate in an organized march and then says, "That must be the power of the Crown that is at work here, it truly is a terrible thing to have such control."

Arthas then rubs his forehead in exhaustion and then says, "It can be at times, at others it is a blessing."

Tirion then shakes his head and then says, "I know that voice from somewhere, but...from where..." He then continues to rub and scratch his chin in thought on the matter, trying to figure out where he has heard it before when an idea strikes him. Acting on it he then says, "There is no way that Arthas could be alive, you said that he died two years ago. Yet there is something familiar about the way you hold yourself and talk, that isn't you Arthas...is it?"

He then chuckles and then throws his overcloak behind him and lets the sword show and then continues the act and says, "I don't know, am I him? Am I the monster that you all so detest and constantly try to kill, I will let you all be the judge."

Alexstrasza is the first to gasp when her eyes land on the unmistakable sword and then says, "Impossible! There is no way that sword could have been fixed, how in Azeroth did you get it repaired!?"

The Highlord then says, "I agree with you Your Majesty, I saw for myself when it was shattered and freed the souls within it. That sword is beyond repair, it was a very special sword that is unlike any other. Nice bluff by the way, you almost had me thinking that you could have been Arthas for a second there. That is just the broken hilt inside the scabbard, points for effort."

Arthas then laughs and then pulls it free and stabs it into the ground saying, "Why don't you inspect it for yourself then, hmmm?" as he reaches for his helmet and then very slowly begins to lift it and then says again, "Maybe this will finally convince you of the truth!" He leans forward to hide his face from view as he takes the helm the rest of the way off and snaps his body straight and then laughs sadistically as their jaws drop momentarily.

Jaina then steps in front and then says, "YOU CRUEL, SADISTIC, EVIL BASTARD, YOU LIED TO ME! DO YOU HAVE NO RESPECT AT ALL FOR THE FEELINGS OF OTHERS!"

He then chuckles as the others frown at his charade and then returns the helm and says, "Of course I don't, I am a monster aren't I? Thank you for sparing me and sending me to that world, even though you sent me just over a thousand years into the past. You have inadvertently provided me with a lot of entertainment, as well as a family to torment. I shall keep my word and have the army of undead continue to withdraw from this world so you can get back to slaughtering each other over stupid things, I have more important things to do back home." He then pulls his sword from the ground and turns towards the gate, looks over his shoulder and says, "Feel free to keep the portal open and explore the world of Equus, it is full of interesting and curious things." and then continues walking towards the portal without looking back again.