\Prologue/
Illidan gazed upon the dark lands of Shadowmoon Valley. The Burning Legion's troops were nowhere to be seen and his own gathering and getting ready in the courtyard of the Black Temple. Somewhere in the distance a horn blasted – the sign that one of his scouts had spotted the Burning Legion. Illidan spread his tattered wings and glided down into the courtyard. His army was a mix of Blood Elves, Naga, Broken, traitors of both the Alliance and the Horde, and some summoned demons. It was about to begin.
Kael'Thas jumped of the rock and landed firmly on his new White Hawkstrider. The beast was magnificent with pearl white feathers and its tail glimmering. He took the reins and was off to meet with Vashj at the Black Temple. They had arranged a meeting to discuss and try and figure out where Illidan had disappeared to. He had left a few days ago, with no troops or guards, to 'talk' with an old friend. Kael'Thas nor Vashj was informed about the 'reunion' and neither knew of any old friends that Illidan stil kept in touch with. Kael'Thas ate the last few kilometers of the path and saw Vashj waiting outside the massive gates of the Black Temple. What used to be filled with Horde and Alliance filth was now empty except for the guards, all the Azerothians were busy fending off the new Burning Legion assault on Azeroth, and some new problems from Arthas and the Scourge.
"You are late, Sunstrider. As always." Vashj hissed.
"Get used to it. But right now we need to figure out where Illidan is. Have the scouts had any luck?"
"If they did I would have said it already."
"Yes, well, yea.."
"I think he has gone to meet with Kil'Jaedan. If it was somebody else then he wouldn't be so secretive about it. He is only this private when he is having issues that actually threaten his reign over Shadowmoon Valley and the rest of Outland. The Naaru agreed to keep their boundaries within Terrokar Forest, and the Horde and Alliance have moved back to their own world in preparation to travel to the threat from Northrend." Vashj whispered.
"Are you kidding me? Kil'Jaedan would slaughter him the second he lay eyes upon Illidan. You know how Kil'Jaedan felt about Illidan turning against him and not slaying Arthas."
"I know but who else could he have gone to meet without telling us?"
"His brother, Malfurion?"
"True, but he would've told us about that. He's always talking about how he wants to try and convince his brother to jump off a cliff."
They both laughed and walked into the courtyard of the Black Temple, which was unusually populated with Blood Elves and Naga.
"What is going on?" Kael'Thas asked one of the nearest Blood Elves.
"Illidan has returned my lord, extremely injured and scarred with arcane burns that not even the most skilled of our healers can mend."
"Why weren't we notified of his return?"
"I have no idea my liege."
Kael'Thas and Vashj rushed into the temple and into Illidan's chambers. Illidan was lying on the bed with Blood Elf priests surrounding him. The priests were channeling healing magic to no avail. Illidan was damaged beyond repair.
"Move aside." Hissed Vashj.
The Blood Elves moved away and stopped trying to heal Illidan. Vashj slithered up to him and took out a bottle of black liquid from a drawer next to the bed he was laying on. She took out the cap and leaned towards Illidan. She poured three drops into his mouth and put her scaly hand on his chest. She began to chant ancient words, and Illidan's demonic tattoos began to glow that sickly green again – and Illidan was brought back.
"I said to only use that potion in case of an emergency." Illidan said after a loud coughing fit.
"I thought this was."
"Yes well, I would've come back sooner or later."
Illidan sat up and looked at Vashj and then at Kael'thas, "Prepare for war, the Legion has finished its work on Azeroth – and they're coming here. Now, go and muster every soldier you can find. I will see if there are any survivors on Azeroth and see if they want to help. Hurry, the Legion does not wait."
Illidan stood up and walked to the balcony. He searched around for any signs of the Legion, none. He jumped off the edge and started flying towards Hellfire Peninsula, and the Dark Portal. It was the only gate left to Azeroth after the Naaru sealed off all other existing portals and such to prevent the Legion from arriving in Outland. Kael'Thas and his elves would travel to Shattrath and try and convince the Naaru to help them, even though they have been fighting for quite some time now. If there was a god, Illidan prayed for help.
Vashj slithered down the ramp and into the lower chambers of the Black Temple. If she was going to contact Azshara and try and get more troops from Nazjatar she would have to do it fast. Naga Witches followed her down and through the last door on the right of the corridor - the summoning circle. Vashj stood in the middle of it and waited for the two Witches to get into position. Once they did they immediately blasted Vashj with arcane energy which Vashj used to create a monstrous portal. It was unlike other portals as instead of being a mix of black, blue, green, and purple energies, this one was a simple deep blue. And now that it had started, she and the other Naga could not move until it was finished. It was going to be a long day.
Meanwhile, Kael'Thas was once again upon his Hawkstrider and was en route to Shattrath with a few elite guards. He was unsure what to expect at Shattrath now that Azeroth is a deceased planet. He jumped over the broken border seperating Terrokar Forest from Shadowmoon Valley. The last time he was here was when he first arrived and was being escorted by Illidan. Things had changed since than, and Kael'Thas had a feeling that it this wasn't the extent of it. Kael'Thas was stopped by one of his guards as they were about a few kilometers away from Shattrath. Something was wrong. Even though there were no Azerothians, or at least close to none, there should still be some kind of guards or something along those lines. But there was no one. Shattrath City was in plain sight and it would be just a while before they reach the Sanctuary but there was no one to be seen. And worst yet - the pillar of light created by A'dal's aura was gone.
Kael'Thas hurried to the once mighty city and gazed upon what had become of it. All of Shattrath was overrun by demons. Legion Demons. "This is not good" Kael'Thas thought, "If the Naaru have been defeated then what will become of us?". Kael'Thas adjusted his reigns and gave the order to get back to the temple. His guards were still in awe at what Shattrath had become. But Kael'Thas knew that A'dal is not dead - A huge surge of energy would've been felt if any of the Naaru had died. They must have escaped the Legion and taken refuge somewhere else. But where? If he could find them and ask them to help destroy the Legion with Illidan they could provide more than enough power. But the fact of the matter is: he had to find them.