//------------------------------// // Alliances rise, as twilight falls // Story: The collapse of the universe // by KRissCHu573 //------------------------------// The collapse of the universe Chapter 5: Alliances rise, as twilight falls A hydra and a manticore were fighting over territory in the Everfree. The manticore flew up, in order to attack the hydra’s heads, but in an instant it fell on the ground, and blood began to leak from a hole made through its head. The hydra confusedly stepped forward and lowered its head to better examine what has happened. The very next moment one of the heads was cut down. The beast stood up and roared with anger and pain. What followed was another cut down head. The remaining ones began to look around in every possible direction, until their eyes opened up widely. A big hole was made through the chest of the hydra. On the other end of it was Kha’Zix. The massive beast behind him dropped and watered this part of the plane they were on, with blood. The Voidreaver leaped back to the corpse of the manticore and bean to feast on it. When he was done with it, he tasted the flesh of the hydra. In a few moments someone spoke to him. “Incredible display my friend. Few can show off with such a kill, but I guess this is something typical for you.” The bug disappeared, when he emerged again he was full on battle ready, with claws and teeth wide open. But there was no one in sight. “Who is this?” He was really confused. “Obviously you are not the brightest from your people. The scarecrow at the very least understood that I was speaking to him in his mind.” The insult passed by with ease, but the mentioning of a scarecrow got Kha’Zix’s attention. “You’ve talked to the bag of hay? Where is he? More importantly who are you, and what do you want with me?” “I, my good sir, am Discord. Spirit of chaos and disharmony. As for what I want from you…” He chuckled. The Voidreaver could feel a presence, like someone had leaned on his back. “I know that you are in possession of precious cargo.” He referred to the rune the bug had stolen from the so called rescuers. “If you can bring me that item to this location…” Different images began to shift in his mind. First there was a big shining city, a castle, a dungeon and at last a statue. “I will use the power from it, free myself and then grant you your wish.” “I serve the Void. The only wishes I have, are its commands.” Zix said with a tone which described repelling in his voice. “I don’t deny that you creatures that live in that dark backwater in the corner of the universe obey orders without question. But we both know that what fun is it to only follow orders? No, you carve for something more. Something of a personal interest.” The spirit of chaos began to play with his thoughts. “You wish to prove yourself, and to do so, you want to consume the only being you consider your equal.” Kha’Zix looked blankly in to the ground, as he began to drool at the thought of feasting with the flesh of Rengar. “See, what did I tell you? You bring me that rune, I am set free and I will get you your rival. Both of you will be in your most powerful, in a space where no one can hide, nor escape. Both of you will be on equal ground,…unless you want a certain chance of a win?” “No!” The bug stated very quickly compared to the slow seductive voice of Discord. “There is no fun if the prey can’t fight back. Just get me in a single space with him, where he can’t escape, and I’ll do the rest.” “So we have a deal?” The spirit of chaos asked. “Deal.” He received as a reply. “Then I will be waiting for you.” The Voidreaver felt that the presence was gone. A chance with no escape with his rival was everything he ever wanted. After that thought he returned to eating his kill. -- Zeratul and his companions were preparing for their first match within the League. The fifth addition to their team was a woman with some sort of a musical instrument. She wasn’t the talkative type at all. So the process in which summoner and champion connected began. Soon after all of them were transported to Summoner’s Rift. The behemoth Nasus had explained overall how the rules go. And so everyone had taken their positions in the so called lanes. At the bottom lane were the woman, Sona and Aramanis. Zeratul had taken the one in the middle. As T'Nodan was alone in the top lane, Moradar was in the jungle, awaiting the beings living there to show up. High Councilor Vessaria Kolminye was personally observing the match. Something seemed very odd. All of the participating summoners were ok, but the ones which controlled the four beings were somewhat dizzy, tired and sluggish, saying they had a bad headache. Little did they know that the Protoss merely allowed them to connect to their minds. In truth the champions were in complete control of their actions and instead of the opposite, they used the summoners just to be informed of events happening on the battlefield. ‘Just perfect. Of course that they will put me with the new guys.’ Sona thought to herself as she and the zealot walked down the lane, towards the first turret. Those thoughts were backed up by a look which expressed annoyance. “What do you have against newcomers?” Her teammate asked. ‘Oh I guess my face isn’t hiding anything, is it?’ Not being able to speak was really frustrating for the Maven of the stings, and her facial expressions usually talked for her. “No, actually it doesn’t.” The sudden reply somewhat startled her. She then wondered. ‘Why is he talking as if he can hear me.’ “Am I not supposed to hear you?” Aramanis was confused. Sona flinched. ‘How can you hear me?’ She gave him a suspicious look. “My people are born with great mental abilities. Communicating with our minds is one of them. I thought you had undertaken such a road as well.” Surprising, but a dialog was formed. That was something Sona never thought could happen. ‘Well this will make communication easier. So all four of you can freely hear anyone’s thoughts?’ “Precisely.” A smile colored her face. Even though she was used to not talking with anybody, but the fact that she had found not just one, but four people with which to speak without a problem. “Just stay behind me, and try not to get yourself killed. I’ll take care of the rest.” The protoss told her. ‘You would be wise not to be so smug. Our opponents are two of the best warriors on this continent.’ She warned him. “Tell me more about them.” He asked. ‘Garen – the Might of Demacia and Darius – the Hand of Noxus. Those two are constant rivals, because they each represent the two forces which wage war on Valoran, but even so, it happens that both are on the same team.’ The Maven of the strings explained. ”Best warriors you say? We shall see about that.” The minions had already began to spawn on the battle field. When Zeratul got to the turret he was matched against a levitating terran, covered in purple clothing. While going through his mind the templar managed to find out his name – Malzahar. But his mind was almost fully obliterated, and now something else had taken control over him. Malzahar was throwing many spells against the protoss. Pillars that unleashed pulsing energy, a black hole right underneath him and purple clouds filled with poisons for the mind. After a few casts a small creature was summoned to fight for the mage. In short time it grew. As Zeratul dodged yet another blast of purple energy, Malzahar spoke. “Mortality is weakness strange one. I shall give you a choice. Bow before the Void, or be consumed by it!” To that the Templar replied. “Ignorant mage, one cannot bow, or be consumed by that, which he already is.” “What treachery are you speaking of?” The Prophet of the Void wondered. “You and these vile creatures, to which you have pledged your allegiance defile the very mention of the Void.” The mage gave him a confused look as he thought. ‘Who is this? Is he another being that came from the dark abyss, the coming of which I did not foresee?’ “Do not insult me, whatever you are, by proposing that I have something in common with you. Despite being shrouded by darkness your mind is easier to read than an open book.” Malzahar was stunned by the state of the prelate. “Those of my people who are born with the power of old are the true Void. And I swear upon them I will not stand for you who filth that!” Zeratul disappeared in a cloud of smoke and reemerged next to the mage and slashed at him with his psyonic blade. T'Nodan was decimating minions and was heading towards the turret in the distance. All of a sudden a giant creature with four limbs on his upper body charged at him. ‘Zerg?! Here? How far into the galaxy have those foul abominations reached?’ The Immortal asked himself. The monster threw many spines at him, as if it was a hydralisk. The thing that got the Protoss confused was when it spoke. “Tremble before Cho’Gath – The Terror of the Void!” It shouted. The warrior took his time and stayed put. The spines vaporized once hitting his shield. After witnessing the failure of this attack the so called Cho’Gath stomped the ground. T'Nodan could feel that it rumbled underneath him. He jumped sideways, dodging a pool of spikes, and the creature charged again at him. [FIRST BLOOD!] The announcer’s voice echoed through the whole field. The giant mass of the beast fell to the ground, as many gallons of blood poured out of the two holes, one in his chest and the other in his head, the cannons of the immortal had made in his body. That surprised Malzahar and he flinched for a moment not noticing Zeratul’s disappearance. He looked around but could not find his opponent. By the time he understood it was over. The Dark Prelate had cloaked, went behind the mage, and just as he was aware of that, he was stabbed in the back. The enormous blade slid up his spine and cut him open from the waist up. “Pff, those void guys are weak sauce.” Garen stated. “Unpleasant as it is, I must agree with you demacian.” Darius nodded. The two were forcing themselves in order to get their team a kill. At first they tried to focus the new guy, but he proved far to skilled for them, not to mention he had Sona to support him. Something felt odd though. His coordination with the Maven of the strings was flawless, as if they discussed everything. At last they decided to throw their best on Aramanis, take him out and they take care of the lady. The two jumped high in the air. Darius readied his guillotine and Garen his giant sword. But just as the two were flying in mid air, something of the sort of a smirk came on their opponent’s face. He charged up in to the air. The energy blades on his arms were summoned. He jumped through them and the two bodies began to fall. Both their weapons and guts were cut open. The warriors dropped on their backs, and as he landed, the zealot shoved his blades in their faces. [DOUBLE KILL!] It seemed easy, but the four knew that it was only the beginning. -- “How much longer?!” Shaco sighted loudly. “We have been walking through this forest all night. Doesn’t whoever lives here know how to make a noticeable town?” The jester continued to complain. Mordekaiser levitated his mace and hit him in the back with its handle. Shaco hit the ground, and as the Master of metal passed by, said to him. “Shut up, you oversized fly.” The Demon jester was about to return the remark, but Nocturne interrupted. “Quit it!” Rengar looked around and sniffed the air. “I think we are getting close to a village.” The Pridestalker said. “Okay. Hecarim, you know what to do.” The nightmare said. “What to do? Oh no! No-no-no NOOO!” Shaco yelled when the ghostly centaur grabbed him and, with a smile, threw him up in the air. “I could have just flown up damn it!” The already stationed in the sky jester shouted. “And where is the fun in that? Now, do you see anything?” Nocturne shouted back to him. The dagger-winged pegasus put a hoof over his eyes and looked around, until his gaze stopped over a town in the distance. He flew back down and informed his companions. After a while they came out of the forest and could see the buildings. When they got closer they realized that it was very quiet. Several more steps into the city and a giant bear jumped on them, and almost flattened Nocturne and Rengar to the ground. The ones who could move readied themselves for battle, but stopped after hearing the surprised voice of the darkling. He somewhat managed to look over the bear from this angle and confusedly said. “Tibbers?” “Tibbers! What is it?” Everyone turned around and saw a little horse in a purple dress, with a dark, pinkish mane, a white coat and a backpack on its back. “Annie?” Nocturne was still a little confused. “Uncle Noc?” She gasped. Then she ran to the big bear and began to push him and yelled. “Tibbers let them go! Move! Move!” He stood up, allowing the ones he had caught to breathe, and transformed back to a teddy bear which the small filly picked up with her magic and put it in her backpack. “What are you guys doing here? I thought me and uncle Fiddle were the only ones that got lost?” She asked with excitement. “We came to bring you back.” Nocturne said as he got up. “Ok, do you know where Fiddlesticks is?” He continued. “Yes. He is helping Applejack with evacuating the other ponies.” Everybody looked at her with looks which gave out that they were thurely confused, and their heads flinched to the side. “Okay…now that that is done with, kitty go find that bug.” Shaco said to Rengar. “Right, Annie lets go get Fiddle and we will be going back home.” Nocturne said. The filly shook its head in disagreement. “No, we promised we would help the Princes and that “pro-toss” person.” That definitely did not make things more comprehendible for the group. The nightmare sighted. “Listen Annie, take us to him and we’ll talk about what we’re gonna do. Rengar, for now wait up. Once the scarecrow has cleared up everything, then you’ll go hunting.” The hunter nodded. The group followed the girl through the town. In a while they were on the other end of it, and saw in the distance, what could recognize as their other target. It seemed that Fiddlesticks was transformed into a “pony”, as Annie explained the locals are called, and was in the company of two more. One was orange and wore a hat, and the other was white and seemed too glittery. The scarecrow turned its head, and headed towards them. “Huh, what are you guys doing here?” He asked. “We’re here to bring you back. Isn’t it obvious?” Nocturne replied. “And how do you propose we go back?” Fiddlesticks continued. The nightmare put on a somewhat worried expression, while he began to scratch the back of his head. “Well….you see we had this rune, and er.. Kha’Zix took it.” “Aha, so I see. You left that bug to get away with our only means to RETURN?!” The Harbinger of doom emphasised. The darkling tried to get out of the awkward situation. “It’s a long story. We got teleported and when we began to wake we barely managed to move. Zix was up before us and—“ He shut up when the scarecrow hit him in the head with his hoof. “WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!” “You were becoming annoying.” In the background of this Shaco and Annie giggled and chuckled, holding their pure laughter as much as they could. That ended when Nocturne pulled his blades out, right in front of their faces, and asked. “What’s so damn funny?” After that Fiddlesticks turned to Rengar. “You, pussy cat. Bug, find, go!” “Hey I am not a mindless beast, don’t talk to me like that!” The Pridestalker replied ferociously. “Fine, just go get the rune, will ya?” The scarecrow sighted. “ ’Scuse me, what are you talkin’ ‘bout?” The orange pony asked as she neared them, accompanied by the white one. “Applejack dear, it’s impolite to ask for such a thing, without introducing yourself first.” The unicorn stated. “Pardon me miladies, these few are friends of mine, from our world. The feisty one is Nocturne. A nightmare come to life. Before so we went on a killing spree and massacred people in their sleep.” The scarecrow said. The two mares were literally shocked out of their skins, until Fiddlesticks calmed them down. “Don’t worry, I set him straight. The metal guy is Mordekaiser. Scary dude from a place called the Shadow Isles. Helped him out of a deal he made, with the wrong lady. The one that looks kinda like you, but has a humanoid upper body is Hecarim. He is a centaur, well…a ghost centaur to be honest. He is also from the Shadow Isles and was part of that deal. The pegasus is Shaco. A maniac when it comes to murder. On a regular basis you should be scared of him, but with me around it’s not a problem. As for the pussy cat over there, that’s Rengar. That dude is a hunter. Fluttershy would not like to meet him. As his name suggest he will hunt and kill anything that gets his interest.” This little conduction was not very pleasant for them. Then the scarecrow turned to his friends. “Yeah, sorry guys but we can’t leave just yet. Well me and Annie at least.” “Why not?” Shaco asked. “We sort of made a promise to a demigod to help defend their world, so we will be a little late for dinner.” “What the hell have you gotten yourself into?” Nocturne yelled. “Relax Chihuahua. We just have to commit a massive genocide against an alien species. Nothing major.” Rarity and Applejack looked with terror and confusion at each other. Then the scarecrow raised a question. “So, did anything interesting happen while we were gone?” Everyone of them became really silent. Fiddlesticks’s eye flinched. “Guess it has. Spill it.” Mordekaiser spoke. “Elise is back.” “Might Ah ask who’s this Elise?” Applejack asked. “Probably an old affair I presume?” Rarity chuckled. “Oh she was an affair alright.” Fiddlesticks said with a cold tone. “That bitch dares to show up again, just because I’ve disappeared to another world and will probably never return?” He continued. “What’s the problem with her?” The white unicorn wondered. “She tried to corrupt undead and other creatures, and palce them under her control. Me, Mordekaiser and the scarecrow included.” Hecarim spoke. “One small problem though. When she tried to get in this hay bag, hen early destroyed her mind. So her plan failed miserably. With all the damage done to her, she lost her corrupting ability.” Mordekaiser explained. “Afterwards she packed up, ran away and never showed her face again. Until now apparently.” Fiddlesticks sighted. Then he said with a serious tone. “We will help you as promised, but we will have to do so with haste.” The two mares were about to say something, but were cut off by Rainbow Dash, who landed next to them. When the startle from meeting the new arrivals passed she asked Rarity and Applejack worriedly. “Have any of you guys seen Fluttershy?” “What happened?” The orange mare wondered. “I found Angel, he took me back to her cottage. The place was a mess. Fluttershy is missing.” Her two friends, Fiddle and Annie gave a sunned look. -- Twilight was assisting Klastanar by giving him every book on the Everfree forest she could find. She was astounded by his knowledge absorbing skills. The Protoss had read through almost half their archive in under a day. As she passed him the next tome, Celestia entered the room. Twilight quickly bowed, but the reader barely even noticed the alicorn’s presence. The Princes of the sun glared at him with frustration, and then spoke with a calm tone. “How is your research going?” “You’ve got quite the lot of dangerous things in that forest. Good thing none can give the swarm any brain boost.” Was the reply. Just as the purple unicorn was about to make a remark on his behavior, Klastanar looked up from the book he was holding and said with a surprise in his voice. “There is something in the city.” “What are you talking about?” Twilight wondered. “I can feel the thoughts of a strange creature, not a pony, sneaking in your city.” “Where is it headed?” The alicorn asked with a demanding tone. “It’s going to a cavern…beneath the palace.” Celestia’s face flinched black in an instant, before she quietly whispered. “No…” “Princes, what is it?” Her faithful student was becoming worried. The Princes put on a serious expression and spoke with a harsh tone. “Twilight you will stay here.” “But Princes…” “Don’t argue with me, please.” The small unicorn frowned and gazed at the floor. “Guards.” Celestia turned to a pegasus and unicorn which we’re stationed at the door. When they came in she gave them their orders. “You shall remain here with miss Sparkle until I give you further instructions.” Then her glare and words were directed towards the Protoss. “You are coming with me Klastanar.” -- Slipping in by the guards was fairly simple. The barrier around the city was a bit tougher, but still he managed it. Not a long while after, he found himself on the alley, shown to him. The two guards that stood before the gate to the caverns saw a purplish, bug like two legged creature. They exchanged confused glances, then one of them shouted at the approaching creature. “HALT! In the name of the Princesses do not continue any further and identify yourself!” A creepy smile came on his face. The two stallions’ jaws dropped when the stranger disappeared in thin air. A moment after they looked up in the air. Kha’Zix landed behind them, as the heads and bodies of the ponies dropped, and their blood painted the floor with crimson. The Voidreaver licked the blood from his claws and said scornfully. “You’re not worth eating.” Next he cut the gates open and rushed inside. At the bottom he saw a strange statue. “Is that supposed to be you?” Something close to a giggle was released from the mouth of the voidling. ‘Don’t waste time and put that rune on it.’ After a sight Kha’Zix did so. Both the rune and the statue began to glow. His magic hungry eyes could feel how the energy inside the rune was being absorbed by the stony creature, which promised him his rival. “Stop this instant!” Celestia’s voice was heard. The Voidreaver turned to see and pony with both a horn and wings, some strange looking two legged person and several guards. ‘Don’t let them interrupt the ritual!’ “With pleasure.” “Cease this foolishness foul creature, and you may yet leave this place unharmed.” The Princes was still coldly serious. ‘Is that a zerg? Have they already spread so much as to invade the cities?’ Klastanar thought to himself. As that went through his mind, the creature leaped and began to slash at everything it saw. The strikes were deadly, but not meant to kill. Everyone managed to dodge them, even with a bit of effort. But Kha’Zix’s interest was mainly directed at Klastanar. “Stand still would ya!” He shouted at the protoss. ‘Speech? Definitely not a zerg.’ The thought broke his concentration for a moment. With merely a moment to spend he noticed how the bug like monster sliced to decapitate him, with both its claws. The protoss got both his arms almost in front of his face, nodded his head backwards and his psyonic blades appeared. Kha’Zix smirked, thinking that his claws will break through the blades, and did not anticipate for them to fall off. As the scythe like part of the limbs hit the ground Klastanar hit him in the ribs with his knee. The Voidreaver landed on the ground, groaning from pain, as a greenish liquid dripped from his cut claws. The protoss walked slowly towards him, got out one of his blades and prepared to deliver the final blow. The very moment, someone poked him on the shoulder. When he turned he saw a strange looking creature, which spoke with a smug tone. “Hi, I’m Discord.” The zealot was tossed and smashed into the nearby wall. Celestia’s voice filled with anger, as she turned to the now free spirit of chaos. “Discord!” “Hey there Cely. Long time no see. I know a few years doesn’t sound the same as a thousand, but I guess it’ll have to do.” The draconicus chuckled. “You are not going to get away so easily this time! I swear on it!” “Oh please. Cely, we both know what happened last time. I simply underestimated the power of the elements. And I learn from my mistakes. You however are a different story. You were so certain of your victory that you barely achieved it. Imagine your luck now when you dare to swear.” He gave out a quiet laugh. “The Elements stopped you twice, they will do so again!” The Princes stomped the ground with her left hoof. “I wouldn’t be so sure.” The smile on his face confused Celestia. “What do you mean?” “You see, kindness is lovely, but falls to darkness easily. Magic is not so slow to follow.” Discord loved his riddles. “Enough of your treachery!” The Princes puffed out some steam. “Yes I believe you’re right.” Discord snapped his fingers. “I’ll be seeing you around Cely.” He winked at her. Afterwards he and the wounded creature disappeared in thin air. At that point Klastanar had already come to. “That bug was not one of your zerg, was it?” Celestia asked calmly. “No it wasn’t.” He replied as he stroked his head, where he hit the wall. “So I doubt it can be compared to them?” She hoped that that was the worst she had to face, but the protoss’ next words phased her. “No, it can’t be compared. It barely scratches the surface of how terrible the zerg are!” The Princes turned to the guards behind her. "Gather the remains of the two in front. They are to be honored as heroes, for doing their duty and protecting this place.” -- Twilight was tidying up the books a bit. All of a sudden she heard a quiet thud. When she turned around she saw the two appointed guards had fallen down on the ground, and a face she hoped never to see again was floating above them. “How are you doing my dear Twilight?” “Discord…” She uttered before she started to feel a little bit dizzy. In a moment she fell asleep. Kha’Zix was waiting in the forested area around the city. Discord materialized in front of him, carrying a purple unicorn. “That was marvelously done! You truly step up to your reputation.” The spirit of chaos complimented the voidling. “Alright, now you do your part of the bargain.” “Not so fast. There is a little bit more work you need to do for me.” “Oh really? And how do you expect me to do so, with these?” The Voidreaver showed his sliced arms. Discord giggled, snapped his fingers, and the claws grew back in an instant. Then he said. “Happy? Now I need you to take this one back in the forest where I first contacted you. Seek out the ruins of a castle. I will meet you there.” “And what will you do in the meantime?” Kha’Zix asked. “I will find us some more allies.” The draconicus laughed and teleported to parts unknown to the Voidreaver. He sighted, picked up the pony, and headed back to the Everfree. -- Chrysalis was laying in the stony carving that resembled her throne, surrounded by her changelings. After her defeat in Equestria, her people had been starving for magic. “Why so down Chrisy?” A strange, echoing voice chuckled at her. She immediately began to look around for its source. After a minute of unsuccessful searching, something poked her head. She looked up and shot a magic bolt after being startled. In a flash Discord re-emerged in front of her and said with a bit of frustration in his tone. “Why so hostile? I come here to offer you and your good for nothings a chance to take over Equestria, and you shoot me?” “What are you rambling about?” The changeling queen asked. Discord disappeared once again, and teleported right behind her throne. He caught her chin with his lion paw and turned her face towards him. “You know Chrisy, I’ve always liked how you do things. So I am offering you to serve me, in overthrowing Celestia and Luna.” “Won’t the Elements of Harmony foil your plans again.” She was not amused. “Hardly. You see, there are a few new comers in our world. Some of them have taken one of the Element bearers and soon they will get another one. While the two are under the control of those creatures they can’t connect with the Elements, making their power useless. Not to mention, soon the creatures in mention will serve me as well.” He explained with a seductively calm tone. Chrysalis gazed in his eyes for a moment, but then she snapped out of it and pushed his paw away with her hoof. “And what do I get in return?” She asked. “Despite sweet tasty vengeance?” He answered with a question, before continuing. “I can get you and your people a supply of magic, on which they can feast daily, how does that sound?” The changeling queen sighted, afterwards she said. “What do you want of us?” “For now I need you and your army to head for the Everfree forest. Meet me at the ruins of the Castle of the sisters. I will explain more there. Oh and I suppose I should mention that getting there undetected is of at most importance.” With nothing else to be said Discord zapped away. Chrysalis looked confusedly at her people. ‘What did I get myself into?’ She thought. -- Everyone on board was pretty nervous as they warped in protoss space. The tension was rising as Selendis’s carrier docked with the Hyperion. When the barriers and hatches opened they saw five people coming from the protoss side. A woman with a shield ran at them, dropped her shield when she got close and hugged Pantheon. “I was so worried about you!” She said as the two continued to talk to each other. A small person with an overy large head was inspecting every last bit of Blitzcrank. Raynor decided to leave them catch up, and headed towards Selendis. “Real nice of you to bring them around.” He said. “I just didn’t want them to be around us. We…are making research and they would only get in the way. You understand James Raynor.” The Executor responded. “So I do. Well, it’s been a pleasure meeting you on friendly terms Executor.” “Like wise.” In not much while the protoss ship detached and warped away. As Raynor was looking through the glass on the bridge, how the protoss left. The very next moment Stetman called from the lab. “Sir, I really regret to report you this, but the Xel’Naga artifacts are gone.” -- “EnTaro Tassadar Executor.” A protoss greeted and bowed before Selendis. “EnTaro Tassadar admiral. What do you have to report?” She replied. “We received a distress signal from Captain Klastanar. His ship was transporting zerg specimens and was lost in an anomaly, created by a hybrid.” He reported. “Where was the transmission made from?” “A world very near to the center of the galaxy. Approximately five hundred light years away from our current location. In the message he said that the zerg specimens have escaped and have created a functioning colony.” “Alright. I shall take a small squadron of phoenixes and several void rays with me to this world. Keep me posted if any other messages are sent by the captain.”