An Imperial Escort Carrier flew towards the frontier as Charming Thunder's Sentinel Class Shuttle flew out of its hangar and being escorted by two TIE Interceptors. The shuttle approached the landing pad and folded its wings to land on the platform. A crystal pony wearing scout trooper armor approached the ship as the ramp lowered. One of the guards next to the door saw Charming Thunder exit the shuttle and was greeted by the pony. "Welcome to the frontier, your highness," he said. "I am Reznov, your second in command by order of Danny Eclipse. It is an honor to meet the son of Sombra."
"How do you know of me?" Charming Thunder asked.
"I was once a soldier during the Crystal Wars before the Crystal Empire disappeared." Charming Thunder was surprised that he met a soldier from many years ago. Reznov drew out his blaster and turned to point his weapon at the approaching guard who started to raise his spear and got shot.
"What the hey are you doing?"
"Relax." Reznov took out his scanner and began to examine the guards corpse. "Just as I thought. He was infected from our last attack. Somehow this Arthas guy I've been hearing about is trying to kill you." Reznov puts his data pad away and his blaster and turns to Charming Thunder.
"I thank you for the save then." Charming Thunder walked with Reznov inside the frontier and approached a crystal pony wearing a commando gear with his helmet off. He was planning some battle tactics for the next time the invaders come to the frontier. He then noticed Reznov and Charming Thunder approaching and turned to face them.
"Charming, meet Alex Mason. He helps lead raids and battles with his friends Woods and Bowman. He is also my second in command."
"Glad to meet you, sir," Alex greeted as he bowed.
"A pleasure," Charming Thunder replied. "Any idea what we are dealing with?"
"No idea. I have scanned various forces that attacked our base." Alex then accessed the computer to bring up holo figures of the enemy he was talking about. "These are nothing like the ones we have faced."
"I think I know somepony who can. Send me the data and I'll show it to my brother. He might know what they are." Alex then handed Charming Thunder a data pad with the information he needed.
"We also have reports that another wave is coming with the total of seven hundred heading this way. If your brother has the information we need, we need it now." Charming Thunder nodded then left the briefing room to go to his quarters with the guards escorting him. The doors close behind him and activated his holo communicator to contact Danny.
The holo figure of Danny then appeared as he asked, "What's up, brother?"
"I’m at the frontier at the Crystal Empire, we’ve spotted a large battalion of seven hundred Scourge troops coming this way. We could use some tactical information."
"The horrifying Undead army, called the Scourge, consists of thousands of walking corpses, disembodied spirits, damned mortal ponies and insidious extra-dimensional entities. The Scourge was created by the Burning Legion for the sole purpose of sowing terror across the world in anticipation of the Legion's inevitable invasion. The Undead was formally ruled by Ner'zhul, the Lich King, who lords over the icy realm of Northrend from his frozen throne. Ner'zhul commanded the terrible plague of undeath, which he sends ever southward into Lordaeron. As the plague encroaches on the southlands, more and more ponies fall prey to Ner'zhul's mental control and life-draining sickness every day. In this way, Ner'zhul has swelled the ranks of the already considerable Scourge. The Undead employ necromantic magics and the elemental powers of the cold north against their enemies. That is what the way; before Arthas took control and Ner’zhul became Arthas’s adviser. I’ll have to look it up later."
"Do you know their forces?"
"I have some files of them. Give me the images." Charming Thunder sent the data he recieved from Alex as Danny analyzed each image he sees.
"Well?"
"Alright. I’ll tell you all about them. First is the Ghoul. Ghouls are the basic warriors of the Undead Scourge. These lumbering, rotting corpses were once Zombies that have made the final transition into true 'undeath'. Ghouls have great stamina and revel in combat with living beings. Ghouls are ravenous cannibals who can regenerate their wounds by eating the flesh of fallen warriors." Charming had the look like he was going to barf.
"Oh Celestia....that is just sickening."
"Next is the Crypt Fiend. Crypt Fiends are large, mummified creatures who appear to be a genetic cross between minotaurs and spiders. Their lower bodies are supported by six spindly arachnid limbs and their heavily bandaged torsos are minotaur in form, without horns though. The cunning Crypt Fiends were once the lords of the ancient spider kingdom of Azjol-Nerub that spanned the entirety of Northrend in ancient times. However, the Crypt Fiends' power base was destroyed by the Lich King, Ner'zhul, when he and his undead Scourge took control of the frozen continent. Now the Crypt Fiends command their spider underlings in the name of their master, Ner'zhul. These aberrant creatures are capable of summoning swarms of vile insects and projecting web-like strands to incapacitate and harm their enemies."
"Oh great, spiders… why does it have to be spiders?"
"That is the least of your worries. One of the strangest and most dire tools utilized by the undead Scourge is the dreaded Meat Wagon. This rickety contraption is used to collect and store recently slain corpses from the field of battle. At any time, corpses can be pulled from the Meat Wagon and raised into undead warriors. The Meat Wagon can also 'fling' diseased corpses at enemy units by use of a crude catapult device. An invaluable support vehicle for the Scourge, the Meat Wagon strikes fear and woe into the hearts of even the most resolute defenders. Also, they make wonderful siege tanks against buildings and bases."
"Wow… so we were to be hit by diseased corpses. That is not the most terrifying thing I have seen yet."
"That is not it yet. The twisted, mutilated bodies of the Abominations are comprised of multiple dead limbs and body parts from various corpses. These enormous warriors love to carve flesh and tear their enemies apart. The slow moving and slow-witted Abominations constantly drip blood behind them and smell like a disease ridden slaughterhouse. They carry large cleavers into combat and wield various sickle-bladed hooks on their disproportionate limbs." This sent the shiver in Charming Thunder's spine.
"Even more sickening… the Scourge are so ruthless."
"Fortified statue that can regenerate the health and mana of nearby friendly units. Can research Destroyer Form. Believed to be gifts granted by Ner'zhul, the Obsidian Statues are often used as figureheads at the forefront of many Undead armies, inspiring awe and fear in the enemy ranks. Nothing can prepare the enemy for what this unfathomable statue could become. Attacks land and air forces. And to add to it is it’s Destroyer form. Large flying creature that must consume magic to sustain its mana. Breaking free of the obsidian stone that holds them, these monstrous creatures roar into battle, swallowing magic to feed their insatiable hunger as they move between battles and rain destruction down upon their foes. Has Spell Immunity. Attacks land and air units. In this form, the Destroyer works very well against Spell Casters like Unicorns."
"Oh great, an enemy with anti-spell caster creatures that can act like Tirek."
"And the last one is the one that normally turns the tide of the battle; The Necromancer. Though they retained their Ponity after making a pact with death, Necromancers became the most terrifying agents of the Scourge. These dark, insidious ponies were once thought to be aspiring geniuses by the Magocracy of Equestria. However, their insatiable lust to delve into the secrets of the dark arts drove them to forsake their very souls. Ner'zhul, the Lich King, granted these malevolent sorcerers true power over the dead in exchange for their loyalty and obedience. The shadowy Necromancers have the power to command various types of Undead and even spread the foul undead plague as well. They have the ability to raise the dead into Skeleton Warriors and Mages."
"You are right; they are the turning point of a battle."
"Yes, but each army has a commander. So there has to be a commander of this battalion."
A flame trooper entered the room then saluted and reported, "My king, we have spotted a leader. He looks like a skeleton-looking earth pony." The image was then transferred to Danny as he analyzed it.
"Oh yes, a Death Knight."
"You know anything about these ‘Death Knights’?" Charming Thunder asked.
"Death Knights were once virtuous defenders of Ponity. However, once the Paladin ranks were disbanded by the failing Alliance, many of these holy warriors traveled to the quarantined lands to ease the suffering of those left within the plague-ridden colonies. Though the Paladins were immune to disease of any kind, they were persecuted by the general populace who believed that they had been infected by the foul plague. A small band of Paladins, embittered by society's cruelty, traveled north to find the plague's source. These renegade Paladins succumbed to bitter hatred over the course of their grueling quest. When they finally reached Ner'zhul's icy fortress in Northrend they had become dark and brooding. The Lich King offered them untold power in exchange for their services and loyalty. The weary, vengeful warriors accepted his dark pact, and although they retained their ponity, their twisted souls were bound to his evil will for all time. Bestowed with black, vampiric Runeblades, Death Knights serve as the Scourge's mightiest generals." Charming put a hoof on his chin and began to think.
"So, Arthas is using Death Knights to lead his armies."
"He has about only three Death Knights left, as were the others were murdered back during the Battle of the Frozen Throne. To the appearance of this one, I would guess his name is Lord Darkhallow."
"Anything should I know about him?"
"He was a Paladin formerly known as Malak the Avenger. Malak was a war hero back then and when his final battle came, instead of killing him, Arthas; who was a Death Knight back then, turned him into a Death Knight as well. His new name; Lord Darkhallow, and his new legion was well famous for slaughtering bases. During the Battle of the Frozen Throne, most of his legion was wiped out by Celestia’s army and the Alliance’s remnants. No doubt he went into hiding with some other Death Knights and waited for their master to return. Now, when the newly Lich King Arthas, he and the survivors came out of hiding and returned to their master’s side. Darkhallow was well known for leading assaults. His favorites the Abominations as his warriors so his legion was known for destroying enemy legions."
"So, he prefers to lead assaults with his army."
"That’s not all. The Runeblades act like a Lightsaber, so it won’t be easy to defeat him. All of the Death Knights have a common powers and abilities. The first one is known as “Death Coil”. This attack is able to heal undead and can kill severely damaged living. The next one is known as “Death Pact”. It heals the Death Knight while giving him a buff in his strength but at the cost of an undead creature. The more powerful the creature, the better heal and strength the Death Knight gets. The next one is known as “Unholy Aura”. This aura can increase speed and regeneration for both the Death Knight and his nearby undead minions. And finally, a Death Knight’s ultimate power, “Animate Dead”. This power raises six dead bodies. The power raises up the most powerful body. Also, this power makes the animated body invulnerable. So, it’s useless to fight them. The best course of action is to run, since this power does have a time limit."
"Thanks for the information brother. I’m glad to have you as my brother." Danny nodded with a smile.
"See you later. Oh, and I’ll have to give you something."
"And what might--" Danny's transmission ended as Charming Thunder was about to ask him what he was going to give him. He stepped out of his quarters and sees Reznov rushing over to him.
"Your highness, the army is approaching and we are preparing for another defense," Reznov reported.
"I will join up with them to help with the defense. Have Scorponok ready for combat. We may need it."
"Scorponok, sir?"
"I requested Danny to send him over to the frontier before I came here. Don't worry. He won't bite."
