//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: Dark Memories // Story: Fall Of The Lich King // by Pinkies Imagination //------------------------------// THIS CHAPTER HAS BEEN OVERHAULED! I revisited this story and saw I really wanted to make changes. The story was originally between me and another writer but since he is no longer writing his part I'm going to turn this into my own piece. I hope its much better. Also some things may be different lore wise between my Arthas and the one from WoW, but they shouldn't be too large. Chapter 1: Dark Memories Let me tell you a story. A story about the dead. When you die, everything stops. It did for me... for a time. My earliest memory I have began just like that, until I was violently ripped from that timeless void back into the living world. That day, I came face to face with one of the most wicked and ruthless beings in existence, and I was entirely at his command. Or at least I should’ve been. For some reason I couldn’t fathom, I retained my free thinking after my rebirth. Whether it be some kind of divine intervention, or pure dumb luck, my own will remained intact. Ebon hold... It's been a long time since I had escaped that... horrid nightmare, a place full of death and decay. Body filled hallways smelling of putrid rot from the undead as they shuffled around... making themselves useful as not to attract the ire of their master. A long time since... I lost my humanity. Exactly two years ago, I had ended up in a place I learned to be named Ebon Hold, the place where they create and morph the dead into... abominations. My memory is foggy on how exactly I ended up there... although I'm pretty sure I had died, though I suppose that was a given. How I died is lost to the farthest reaches of my memory, but what I do remember is waking up in a body that was not my own and feeling like a frozen, empty husk. I lay there, slowly opening my eyes before I saw him. That... monster. Wearing demonic armor and wielding his terrifying sword, those cold eyes peering though that cursed helm and into my very soul. The Lich King. He stood there silently, next to two ghostly banshees as they eyed me up and down. I was frozen in fear, unable to move or even formulate words as they examined me, before the monster finally spoke in his haunting voice. "Stand, young knight, and ready yourself with your new body." I struggled to keep my breathing under control as I placed my hand on my chest. However, instead of my palm resting upon my bare chest... I felt sharp nails digging into short fur. I began to panic even more as the intimidating figure stared into my very being, before turning and leaving the room with the banshees in tow. After they left I shakily got up on my feet and looked around. The room was a depressing grey as every wall was nothing but stone, the floor covered in what I could only assume were the bodies of... failed subjects. Or at least the leftover parts… One of the bodies, their face forever twisted into pure agony, lay there lifeless as a flash of light glinted off their reflective helmet. Slowly reaching out, I removed the helmet... my brain refusing to parse what my eyes were seeing. In the reflection, staring back at me was a horrid creature you'd expect spawned from a nightmare, which was now very much a reality. That thing was me. I was a Worgen... a large lupine monstrosity. Whether they turned me into it or I already was one I can't quite remember. Those... bloodthirsty animals cursed unto man... and that's not even the worst part... "No..." I spoke in an echoed voice as I sat my hand on my chest, feeling for a heartbeat. "NOOO!" My voice bellowed out as I remained locked on the reflection, two glowing blue orbs looking back. I'm a Death Knight. During my time within Ebon Hold... I waited and bided my time while doing whatever was asked of me with no hesitation. I despise myself for the things I did, the heinous acts I committed... until one day the perfect opportunity presented itself and I made my escape. However that's a story for another time... As I walked through Stormwind and past the auction house I took a short glance over noticing the usual large crowd huddled around the auctioneers, blowing all their money or taking the life savings of some poor sap. As I did many of them sneered back at me. No matter how long ago it happened everyone looks at me with the same reaction. Disgust. No one had any respect for Death Knights OR Worgens, and when you're both... life doesn't come easy for you. I may look normal now while I'm in my human form... but I'm still far from it. I've been learning to control my anger more and more, for fear I may be banished from the city grounds if I have another outburst. For some reason I cannot fathom, I can't stay in Worgen form for long. However, I can still control when I want to transform... though prolonged use causes me immense fatigue. There is the occasional time I'm forced to shift by... outside stimuli. Like rage or anger, I had a lot of that to go around. If I get too unstable and shift driven by emotion, well it's not pretty that's for sure. I’d traveled all over Azeroth since freeing myself from Ebon Hold... but other free thinking Worgen are rare indeed. Even more so ones with the ability to shift from human to Worgen form at will. One of the guards I passed by gave me a solid glare, causing me to avert my gaze. 'I already have two strikes on myself... not like it matters.' Today was finally the day I take my savings and leave it all behind. I wasn’t normal so even trying to live a normal life is just an illusion, I finally saw that now. I continued ignoring the stares as I approached the nearest bank. Stepping inside, and drawing the attention of most of the patrons already inside, I quickly made my way to my usual spot. "I'd like to make a withdrawal." I stated in a low tone, my voice cloaked with a chilling echo that mimicked my every word. The banker quickly picked up a quill and dabbed it in a inkwell before continuing to write on the paper in front of her. "Name." She stated flatly. "Dalandor." I replied simply. She nods. "Last name..." I said nothing as I crossed my arms and cleared my throat. This got her attention, as she quickly tore her gaze from the paper to meet mine, before covering her mouth with a hand. "Oh! I'm sorry Dal! I know you don't remember after your... incident... I didn't realize it was you. It's been a long day." She said with a small huff. I nodded and looked away. "It's okay Syrus... you were busy..." I assured, looking back and giving a weak smile she probably didn't even notice though my helmet. My armor itself was crudely made, after all money does not come easy to someone like me so I had to save every last gold, silver and copper coin I could. For now, I was fine with some simple plate-mail gear which didn't restrict my movement or feel cramped when I needed to shift. She smiled back to me before sliding the document she was working on aside. "What would you like to withdraw?" "Everything." I said with a nod. She looked at me with a bit of worry. "...all of it?" She asked. "Don't worry... I had gotten someone to enchant the bag. It's just a small pouch." I said with a slight hint of annoyance as the memory of paying for such an enchantment resurfaced. Smiling, she nodded and turned to retrieve my stuff as I let out a quiet sigh. She was my only friend in this world, even after all I've done for this land all they do is stare at me in disgust. For gods sakes I was there when Stormwind was threatened by a scourge siege for five days straight! Apparently no matter how much people hate Death Knights no one can deny they are a formidable beast in combat. But, outside of combat and a need of me, they'd rather be rid of me for good. But she's different, because no matter what I do she was always there for me. And now, I was leaving her... ironic. "Here you go!" Said a cheery voice. I snapped out of my state and looked back to her. I saw the bag she was handing to me and took it, before looking back to her with a sigh. "Thanks Syrus..." I said genuinely, getting her to look a bit taken back. "U-Um, no problem." She said with a smile, probably put off by my serious look. I seemed to have that effect on people I stare at. Breaking away my gaze, I turned my eyes down to the pouch and looked inside. Contained in the small, palm sized pouch is the twenty thousand gold I had saved up after months of mercenary work and travelling Azeroth. I'd seen many things but everywhere I went... everyone still hated Death Knights. I shook my head and looked back at Syrus again, "I'll see you around..." I lied as I made my way out of the bank. She waved back happily, any worry on her face seemingly gone. "Ditto!" Chuckling a bit at her infinite optimism, I turned my head away and looked out upon the rest of the Dwarven District. “If you ever need someone, you know where to find me.” She said softly from behind me, getting a sad smile to appear on my face for a moment before I sighed and stepped outside. Doubts began to surface in my mind, until I shook my head clear of the offending ideas and began my way towards Old town, my destination being the Griffon master in the Trade District. As I crossed the bridge leaving Old town I felt a strange shiver go down my spine, making me freeze in place. I could never quite explain what it was, but ever since I woke up in that cursed place I've always been able to notice things... strange things. Things that shouldn't have been noticed, whether it be an invisible assassin sneaking up on me or even something as simple as being observed. I couldn't explain it except... I could just feel it. 'Like icicles... on the back of my neck' I paused my thought process and quickly spun around, looking back towards Old Town. Scanning the area and not seeing any suspicious movement I brushed it off as my battle nerves being restless. 'I should get some supplies before I leave' I thought to myself as I sighed for the thousandth time today. Picking up my pace, I quickly made it to the trade district as the sound of busy streets and yells of salespeople quickly filled the area. "Bread here! Get your fresh bread here!" Yelled a salesman walking down the winding road. Letting out a small hum as I rapped my fingers against my coin bag, I watched the man walk up and down the road advertising his products. The strange feeling was still gnawing at the back of my mind and urging me to leave, but I definitely needed some kind of food first. 'Still, what kind of sick twisted joke is it that I still need to eat and drink... I don't think I've met a single other Death Knight that's even carried provisions with them' I thought to myself as I growled, before trudging over to the salesman. "Excuse me sir, I'd like to buy some bread." I said to him as calm as I could, even with this demonic voice of mine. He looked me up and down before letting out a snicker. "YOU need food? Pfft fine, how many." He asked showing me what was in his basket. I took a quick look and picked out the loaves I wanted. "Eight gold please." He said holding his hand out. I knew he was ripping me off at least 6 gold but I wasn't in the mood to argue, I just wanted to be out of this place. Everyone hates Death Knights and I can't afford another outburst anyway. I gave him the money and stored the bread in the enchanted bag. It may hold more than it looks, but it still has a maximum which it was quickly reaching, already passing halfway with everything already in it. Tying up the pouch, I quickly made my way to the Griffon Master... before I end up sidetracked with some stupid errand that "You owe us to take care of!" or "It's your right after what you did to this world!" I shook my head as I made my way down the street, before that piercing chill ran up my back again. This time I noticed the eyes of two guards on me as I walked, so I listened in as closely as I could without making it obvious. My senses seemed to be sharpened since my rebirth... of course they were dialed to eleven when I was in my Worgen form, but my Human senses were pretty outstanding too. Focusing on their voices, I tried to phase out the chatter of the city. "There he is, and the sun is starting to set, now is a good time to collect." The first guard whispered to the other as my eyes widened. The second guard shook his head a bit. "Not yet, if we go in and he get's away there's no way we catch him. Lot of people want the money, we just have to be patient." He finished as they both slowly got off the wall they leaned on and trailed far behind me. I tried making turns as I went to get them off my tail but they continued to follow after me. I could feel my anxiety rising the longer they followed me, slowly closing the gap between us with every corner. I took a turn down an alleyway making it look like I was taking a short-cut, and the moment I left their vision I propelled myself forward. My feet carried me as fast as they could in my human form, until a moment later I heard shouting erupt behind me. "SHIT, GO GET HIM WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!" A voice shouted as they rounded the corner in a hurry. Quickly spotting me they began their chase. As I ran I could feel my cold heart beating faster and faster as I could feel the beast inside me trying to claw it's way out. I picked up the pace as I looked behind me and saw many more guards had joined the chase. Someone had obviously put a large bounty on my head if the guards were in on it as well. Speeding down the streets I quickly took random turns until I came across an old abandoned house, which I'd been using as a hideout when things get rough. "I see him! This way!" Another shout rang behind me. Without hesitation I charged the door, bashing it open with my shoulder. Once I cleared the doorway, I spun around and slammed it shut before embedding one of my axes into the frame... pinning it shut. "Goodbye brother..." I spoke solemnly, before retreating to the middle of the room. As quickly as I could, I closed my eyes and steadied my breathing... my racing heart slowly coming to a crawl. "Tame the beast, resist the bloodlust..." I slowly repeated my small mantra to myself I'd say whenever my form threatened to free itself of it's own accord. Not opening my eyes, I put my hands together as I brought the transformation on myself, feeling my body shifting as it did numerous times before into that beast called a Worgen. A feeling not unlike a cold fog descending upon my body made me shiver. I could feel my legs becoming longer and more deformed, my back arching a bit as my skin was replaced with short black hair. My mouth slowly extended into a longer muzzle adorned with razor sharp teeth, the whole transformation just as painful as it looked. "He's in here! I saw him run in!" A voice bellowed as they banged on the door. "He's got the damn thing jammed!" "Then break it down!" Shouted another before a series of strikes began to collide with the old door, starting to splinter it apart. I took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, dreading what I was about to do. I could fight, but there was no way I would be able to handle them all at once... without casualties anyway. And even if I made it out of this then what? They're gonna believe a Death Knight over the whole guard? Dread set in as I knew what I had to do. I shook my head as I tried to recall the old magic I had only used a handful of times. One wrong thought and the thing could send me into the twisting nether or tear me atom by atom, portals were no joke. And so, I recalled my memory on how to make a Death Gate. Death gates were used to return to Ebon Hold, a place I swore to never return. Yet here I was, going back. However I wasn't a fool... I had heard of it's fall and knew that monster wasn't there. As it stands it's my last option anyway. 'What if it doesn't take me to Ebon Hold?' I wondered to myself, a feeling of dread creeping up on me. 'What if it only links to Necropoli he controls?' In truth, I hadn't cast this spell since I escaped over two years ago, and never had a reason to after I heard of it's fall anyway. The sound of a particularly hard strike on the door pulled me from my thoughts, before I began the ritual. I knelt down and used my claw to mark a line in the ground about three feet long. I then brought the claw up to my other paw and made a shallow cut before holding it over the line. I let a drop of blood drip on both sides of the line then the center. The moment it made contact purple energy shot from each of the impacted areas upwards. The center went up about 7 feet, towering over me slightly. The left and right went up with it and arced towards the top point to make an upside down U shape. Once all three made contact a sheet of purple energy appeared within the boundary lines. Looking at the portal, I prepared to finalize the spell. I muttered the incantation to the best of my memory, praying to whatever god was willing to listen I remembered it correctly. I could hear the door splinting apart as I spoke reminding me that I had very little time left. *SHINK* A noise and sharp pain stopped my words as I felt something pierce my chest. Feeling the air leave me as I let out a pained gasp, I stopped muttering the spell. For a moment, the purple wall of energy fluctuated wildly and rippled. I looked back to my doomed attacker as he smugly smiled, thinking he was victorious. "Ha! You weren't so tough! But I won't argue with a free million gold! You didn't even think of the balcony as an entrance!" He said triumphantly as he gave me a hideous smile, looking down at my collapsed form. I slowly began to laugh, much to his annoyance. "What? What's so funny beast?" He spit as he put his blade up to my neck. "Yes you've done it, you've killed me. And you've killed yourself." My gravely voice echoed, as I turned my gaze to the nearby portal. Breaking his eyes away from me, he turned his attention to it as well, quickly noticing it's increasingly violent behavior. "What did you do? Why is it acting like that? SPEAK!" "I've done nothing, death takes who it pleases." I said in a low chilling tone. The portal then suddenly pulled inwards before exploding out, enveloping the whole room in a painful light... Perspective: Spike {Equestria} I began to stir to the feeling of light in my eyes as I slowly cracked them open... only to groan at the villainous glow radiating from downstairs. Crawling out of bed, I cautiously made my way down the stairs to the main part of the Library where I saw Twilight, once again, asleep atop a pile of books. I shook my head at her as I let out a small sigh. This is the fifth time this week I'd found her asleep at the table... and it was only Wednesday! Turning in place, I ran back upstairs and grabbed a blanket for the poor mare. When I returned, I delicately placed a blanket over her before replacing the book she was currently using with a pillow. "Goodnight Twilight." I said with a smile and a light pat on her head. As I made my way back to my room, I began thinking to myself. 'She hasn't gone outside in days... maybe I can talk her into going to see Zecora or something...' I thought as I smiled. 'Yeah! She's always complaining about headaches from reading so we can go get some potions! But right now.... sleeeeeeep...' I finished my thought as I fell atop my bed, quickly tumbling back into the recesses of my dreams. WHEW! Alright there is the reworked chapter! I want to get into writing this story because I've thought up a nice plot for it I think you will all enjoy! Anyway let me know what you think!