Chapter 32
Guest 1- Fair enough. I can see the reason. Way too many franchises involved. And yeah Courier tends to be used the most.
Guest 2- Because at the beginning I said that the reason this fic even exists was because I lost a bet with a friend of mine. And in those requirements I had to include all those characters. So, really I had no choice.
Alternate Draenor
Talador
"Why have you return without news of the destruction of the Draenei?" Demanded Grommash Hellscream as he glared at Ner'zhul, who was kneeling before him. Ner'zhul and his clan were supposed to wipe the Draenei from existence, but instead, they pulled back and returned to Talador with news that the Draenei are still alive, much to Grom's rage. Now Ner'zhul was kneeling before the leader of the Iron Horde to explain his actions. If Grom didn't like his answer, then he and his whole tribe will suffer for their failure.
"Because they pose no threat to the Iron Horde, Hellscream." Said Ner'zhul, angering Grom with the answer. "We have seen what they possess. What they have left and have found them not a threat to the Iron Horde. Thus, I deemed it better that we focus on greater threats than the Draenei." Upon hearing his reasoning, Grom glared at Ner'zhul, filled with anger.
"How dare you assume such things!" Yelled Grom as he marched towards Ner'zhul, filled with rage. He then picked up the Orc tribe leader and slammed him to a wall. "All those that aren't Orcs are our enemies! Draenor and Azeroth belong to us! Those that resist will be crushed under our heel. And those that submit will be eradicated so that our people can use whatever territory they had for our own betterment. Is that understood?" Ner'zhul just nodded at that, causing Grom to let go, allowing Ner'zhul to drop to the ground. Once Ner'zhul recovered, Grom spoke again.
"Because of your failure to eradicate the Draenei, I will send another tribe to deal with them." Said Grom as he glared at Ner'zhul. "However, to give you one chance of redemption, I will be sending you to help them deal with the Draenei. Your tribe will be here in Talador so my warriors can keep an eye on them. Fail in this again, shaman and your tribe will suffer for it." Ner'zhul gave his compliance to this before leaving with a few guards. Once he did, Grom gave a grunt before speaking to another Orc present. It was his son from another time, Garrosh Hellscream.
Even now, he could hardly believe it. His son from another time. A time that he showed. Showed how the Orcs would become slaves to demons, their kind becoming slaves to some race called humanity, and how they would be reduced to a pale shadow of what they are. All this convinced Grom that this Garrosh, his son, was telling the truth. That if he choose to drink the blood of a demon, his people would not become conquerors but become slaves. This cannot happen. Thus, he listened to what Garrosh had to say. And Garrosh had plenty to say.
Not only did he provide information about those that oppose them, but also provided the Orcs with technology that truly made them as powerful as they are now. Thus, with this information and technology, Grom and his son managed to unite the tribes under one banner, betrayed Gul'dan and his demon master, and form the Iron Horde. From there, they finished the construction of the Dark Portal and used it to invade this Azeroth. So the Orcs not only have two worlds but also show those that would enslave them the true power of Orcs.
During their time creating the Iron Horde and defeating their enemies, Grom grew proud of his son's ferocity and skills in battle. Not only was he skilled with a blade, but he held cunning that felled many of their enemies. He was an Orc. An Orc that Grom would be proud to call his son.
"Was the Ner'zhul from your time as weak as this one?" Asked Grom to Garrosh.
"I would not know." Said Garrosh admittedly. "The fool died before I ever could meet him. If he died to the Alliance or to Thrall's pitiful mockery of a true Horde, then he may just be as weak as this one, if not more." Grom gave a grunt at that.
"No matter, if Ner'zhul fails again, we will end him and his tribe." Said Grom. "There can be no weakness in the Iron Horde. Especially now." Garrosh gave a snarl at that, agreeing with his father.
"Shall I accompany the tribe that will be sent to eliminate the Draenei in Shadowmoon Valley?" Asked Garrosh, eager to spill blood again.
"No." Said Grom. "You will be the ax that will end the Shadowmoon clan should Ner'zhul fail us again. I know how much you despise weakness." Garrosh smiled at that.
"Very well." Said Garrosh, not at all fazed with his orders. "I will be at the ready, awaiting your command." With that Garrosh left Grom to his thoughts so that he can ready his warriors to do if Ner'zhul failed again. Unbeknownst to either of them, a dark figure was watching all this from a hidden location. As it watched Garrosh leave Grom, it began to formulate a plan. A plan to do what it came to Draenor in the first place. Said plan that will also cripple the Iron Horde significantly. Perhaps even fatally. Not that it mattered to the being one bit. It was here to do a job and it was going to do that job.
Meanwhile
Ikit Claw
"Ikit, for fucks sake, why the hell do you need all this stuff?" Demanded Jack as he finished hauling another sack of loot to a dropship that Ikit had allocated to transport all his desired valuables back to Torrington. Unfortunately for Jack, there was a lot. High Elf Archer and Courier would help, but they were currently scouting out for Chief with said man currently in talks with the Horde and Alliance leaders along with Thalyssra. That left Jack to be the lone man to do it as the Titans needed to be on guard duty in case of the Skaven attack again. Needless to say, it was hard and tedious work.
"Because me love-like loot." Said Ikit as Jack grabbed another sack of weapons that contained Skaven weaponry and wargear. "Skaven equipment is also hard to get-find. May even find-find new things in stuff-things. Green-thing sees it as good. So me take-steal all Skaven equipment I find-see. So be quiet and stow-pack Ikit's loot before me skewer-kill you." Jack just grunted before doing what he was supposed to do. With that, Ikit smiled as Jack went about doing his work.
He very much liked this man-thing. Unlike useless slaves, he did his work without too much complaint. He did more work than twenty Skaven slaves combined and he did so without too much prodding from Ikit. Plus, he didn't try to kill him whenever the opportunity presented itself. Perhaps, once he got back to Skavenblight, he could kidnap some man-things and have them become slaves. Normally when Skaven capture man-things they either experiment or eat them, but if the man-things slaves prove to be even as half as useful as this one, then perhaps Ikit would get much praise from Morskittar for a job well done. Yes-yes.
Moving on, Ikit wondered what the other man-things, elf-things, green-things, and other things were planning regarding the other Skaven. Perhaps he should go there and help them out in figuring a proper way to annihilate Skaven. After all, none but the Skaven themselves knew how to kill Skaven. Yes-yes.
Meanwhile
Tent
"This is barbaric!" Yelled Baine as he heard the plan that was proposed by Master Chief. Saurfang, Vol'jin, and Thrall agreed that the plan that Chief proposed was insane and genocidal. Jaina, surprisingly, also agreed with it along with most other Alliance leaders gathered, finding it to be a bit extreme. "You can't just flood their tunnels with mana! Think of the countless children and noncombatants you'll kill along with their warriors." Chief, although he knew that this would happen with most of the Horde and Alliance leaders when he told him the plan, still tried to convince them that this plan was the best course of action for them.
After the battle ended, Chief had assembled the Horde and Alliance leaders in a tent that was quickly set up to conduct this meeting. Fortunately, all of them had survived the battle with no injuries, which made it easier for him to tell them the plan but also made it harder for him to convince them to accept the plan. Case in point, what was happening right now.
"With respect, High Chieftain, this is the best course of action." Said Master Chief as he looked at Baine, who glared at him in anger and disappointment for suggesting such a thing. "The Skaven have proven to be far more numerous than we initially thought and they only retreated because we hit them quick and hard."
"They most likely thought that we had a larger force with how much devastation we did to their forces." Said Thalyssra, supporting Chief's argument, regardless of how she felt about doing such an act. "Once they realized what our actual force is, they'll return stronger and without reprieve. While we now have tools that are effective against them, I fear they will bring forth weapons that will be just as effective against our allies' machines. And if they destroy those machines, then I fear we all will be taken down swiftly." A few held expressions of agreement at what Thalyssra just said while others were still not convinced. Eventually, Varian spoke.
"While I understand the logic and reasoning behind both parties, I must agree with our ally, Master Chief." Said Varian, causing a bit of shock from some. Once everyone's eyes were towards him, Varian spoke. "It is our duty as leaders of our soldiers to ensure that many of them either live to fight another day or to see their families back home. If this tactic can ensure many of our surviving soldiers and warriors can go back home, then so be it. Honor be damned. Besides, we have all seen the power of the Skaven. We have seen how they fight. What they have. How they fight. And, perhaps most importantly, how far they're willing to go to achieve victory. They are like the undead of the Lich King years ago, where they do not care about honor nor care about the lives of their own so long as they achieve victory. But unlike them, they have technology on their side. Their war machines and weaponry have inflicted serious losses on us all. I'm afraid that, had he not arrived in time." Varian looked at Master Chief. "Then we would all be dead. That is why, despite some reservations I have with it, I support this plan. Does anyone else like to object?" A few, mostly from the Horde, looked like they wanted to protest, but stayed their tongue.
On one hand, this plan went against everything the Horde teaches them. About honor and how it keeps them all together. But on the other hand, Varian was right. These Skaven were not something that seemed conventional warfare was able to win against. They had the numbers of the undead. Technology that seemed to surpass the Dwarves and Gnomes, if not in reliability. And a wide variety of weapons and soldiers that put anything they had to shame. They understood the logic behind what Varian was saying along with Master Chief, but was it worth losing their identity and honor to save their warriors, who would have gladly died in battle against these Skaven. Upon seeing their hesitation, Master Chief added his two cents.
"It's the duty of a leader to make sure as many of his men get out of a battle alive." Said Master Chief, catching everyone's attention again. "To ensure that they get to live to fight the enemy again and to give them a chance to see whatever loved ones they have. Your soldiers may be willing to die for your cause, but that doesn't mean we can just throw their lives away for pride or honor. Not only is it a leader's duty to lead their soldiers to victory, but it's also their responsibility to do the tough decisions that may lead to people hating them. Decisions that ensure the safety of the lives under their command as well as ensure victory." Before anyone could take the time to ponder on that, they heard an all too familiar voice.
"Chief-leader right-right." Said Ikit Claw as he made himself known, walking up to Chief with his twitching body. "Leader-ruler must sacrifice all-all to achieve victory! Yes-yes! What is point-point of battle-fight if we lose-lose? We must win battle-fight at all costs. Yes-yes. Otherwise, lose previous slaves-weapons for nothing. Yes-yes." He then pointed a metal claw towards Chief. "Plan is brilliant. Masterful scheme. Save weapons and test subjects for later. Yes-yes. Kill enemies in one stroke-button. Yes-yes! We do it! Kill many things. Save weapons and test subjects later! Yes-yes!" Upon hearing Ikit refer people as test subjects, more than a few Horde and Alliance leaders wanted to scold the Skaven madman for his lack of care for others when Thalyssra spoke up.
"Perhaps a recess is needed so that we all can ponder more on such a radical plan." Suggested Thalyssra, seeing that things were going out of topic. A few grumbled at that, but nonetheless, a few agreed on the suggestion. Soon, all the Horde and Alliance leaders were leaving the tent. Soon, only Thalyssra, her guards, Master Chief, and Ikit remained. Sighing, Thalyssra looked at Master Chief. "That went smoother than I had thought it would."
"Stupid-dumb things." Said Ikit as he flexed his claws. "No vision-sight. Need to end Skaven threat quick-fast." Said Ikit. "Or they multiple. Yes-yes. Become larger. Stronger. Return later with more weapons. More prepared. Yes-yes. Must strike now-now. Or face die-die." Ignoring Ikit's strange speech pattern, Thalyssra looked at Master Chief.
"While I'm sure some of the more ruthless members of either party are willing to agree with you." Said Thalyssra, recalling how she saw the one called Sylvanas smiled at Chief's plan, obviously liking it, while the one called Genn seemed to consider it a bit. ", they were not sufficient enough to garner support for your plan. Are you able to conduct this plan of yours without their assistance?"
"Of course." Said Master Chief as he looked up at the First Arcanist. "Truth be told, we didn't need to tell them about the plan, but I felt that it was right that they learned of what we're about to do." Thalyssra hummed at that. She figured that was the case as Chief had told her about his plan before and suspected this meeting was only courteous. Her people, despite the amount of magic they used against the Skaven not too long ago, should be able to do all this on their own. Though they'll be incredibly exhausted after it.
"I see." Said Thalyssra. "Then we should get prepared to do such an act, yes?" Master Chief nodded at that.
"Yes." Said Master Chief before looking at Ikit Claw. "We're going to use the magic of the Nightborne to deal with the Skaven below us. Is there anything we should know about your people?"
"They not give-surrender easily." Said Ikit Claw as he looked at Master Chief. "They may have placed-positioned assassins and scouts to monitor us-us. Keep eye on us-us for future assault-attack." Master Chief nodded at that in agreement. If he was on the other side, he would have had Special Forces be sent to scout the enemy forces and, if necessary, eliminate high valued targets.
'Agreed." Said Chief before looking back at Thalyssra. "We'll conduct the operation once your people are fully rested. We need your people at full strength if we want to have a chance at wiping the Skaven out." Thalyssra nodded at Chief gratefully at that.
"Thank you." Said Thalyssra. Though a handful of her people were ready to do whatever is necessary to get back home, she knew that it was better to be cautious than to be reckless if they wished to arrive back home with minimal casualties. "If you no longer require me, I'd like to tend to my people. The fight before has drained many of them. I'd to be there while they recover." Chief nodded at that before letting Thalyssra leave. Once she did, he began conversing with Ikit Claw about the remaining part of the plan as well as what had occurred while he was gone.
Thalyssra sighed as she felt the hot sun touch her skin. Normally it wasn't this hot, but it seemed this environment amplified the sun's rays because her skin felt it was on fire. She briefly considered casting a spell for this when she heard the sounds of someone coughing.
"Forgive me, First Arcanist, but I would like to converse with you." Said a male elven voice to her left. Looking to her left, she saw the Blood elven lord, Lor'themar, was standing in attention, waiting for her to speak.
She heard of Lor'themar. A brave elf that had taken up the mantle of leadership for his people after his prince, Kael'thas Sunstrider, went insane and became a danger to his people.
Finding no reason to deny the regent lord a chance to speak with her, Thalyssra fully turned towards him and spoke.
"No apology is needed, regent lord." Said Thalyssra with a smile. "I always have time for my allies. What is it you would like to discuss?" Lor'themar sighed a bit before speaking.
"Well, it concerns our mutual ally. The ones called Sigma." Said Lor'themar. Blinking at that, Thalyssra asked him what about them that was concerning. "Not concerning, per se, but I wish to know more about their leader. The one called Master Chief. Do not misunderstand me. The man has my respect for saving my people from the Kiran Tor, risking the wrath of Jaina Proudmoore, but his neutrality is concerning. Perhaps I should also extend those concerns to your people as well." Upon hearing that, Thalyssra blinked.
"What do you mean, regent lord?" Asked Thalyssra, though she held an idea what his concerns are. "Has our neutrality caused anyone trouble?" Lor'themar sighed at that before explaining.
"People have tried to stay neutral in the conflicts between the Horde and the Alliance." Explained Lor'themar. "Some have stayed neutral longer than others, some even doing what you're people are doing at the moment, but in the end, all those that wish to stay neutral in the affairs of either side must choose a side, lest they get destroyed by one of them." That caused Thalyssra to widen her eyes in shock.
"Are you saying that either the Horde or Alliance will try to force my people to join their side?" Asked Thalyssra in shock. She could not see anyone, not even Varian or Sylvanas forcing her people to join their side. They all seemed like honorable if a bit aggressive and practical people. Upon hearing that, Lor'themar shook his head.
"Perhaps Sylvanas or Jaina." Conceded Lor'themar. "But the others. Thrall. Baine. Velen. Even Varian would not do such a thing to your people. What I'm saying is that both sides will do whatever they can to acquire people on their side. Whether it be simple diplomacy or deeds that benefit their people. I believe you can see that with your people." Though that put her a bit at ease, she knew enough that wasn't always the case.
"But you do force people to join your causes." Argued Thalyssra. "Your former Warchief, Garrosh, conducted actions that forced your people to stay with the Horde and forced those that wished to remain out of the conflict between the Horde and Alliance to join the war. Did he not?" Lor'themar sighed at that.
"Yes." Said Lor'themar. "Yes, he very much did."
"And it can happen again?" Asked Thalyssra, not liking to be forced to choose a side, whether it be because of her people trying to be a neutral ground for the Horde and Alliance or it being either superpower forcing her people to join.
"Not with Vol'jin as Warchief, I assure you." Said Lor'themar. "And Varian will never force people to side with the Alliance. As gruff and aggressive as the man is, he is a man of integrity. An uncompromising and sometimes thick-headed, but a man of integrity nonetheless." Thalyssra was a bit more assured with that but still felt uneased.
"Thank you for the voice of confidence, Lor'themar." Said Thalyssra, causing Lor'themar to smile a bit. "I still, however, fear my people will be forced to choose the Horde and Alliance should they come to blows again."
"As you should, First Arcanist." Said Lor'themar with a frown. "I hope that the next war between our two nations will not occur for years, hopefully even decades, but I fear that may not be possible. There is much blood between our people. Some of which is rather new." Lor'themar sighed before looking at the war-torn lands of the Blasted Lands, torn apart from the recent battle. "Even when we unite against a common enemy, it doesn't take long for us to return to fighting amongst each other."
"I see." Said Thalyssra with a hint of sadness. "Then perhaps we should find something that can keep the peace between the Horde and Alliance. Perhaps something your people can forge together. A city perhaps?"
"As much as that would be a lovely idea and perhaps even be what we need, I fear that neither side will ever do something like that." Said Lor'themar. "There is simply too much bad blood between the two powers to ever consider something like that. Even if we can convince both the Horde and Alliance to do such a task, there will be arguments over how what amount of buildings will be Horde or Alliance and who will pay for it all, and how much. And, perhaps worse of all, should that city be ever created, when war comes again, I fear that whatever city will not be a symbol that the Horde and Alliance can cooperate. It will instead be just another battlefield for the Horde and Alliance to fight over." Thalyssra sighed at that, disappointed at the answer.
"Is there truly that much bad blood between your peoples?" Asked Thalyssra. She knew most of the surface details between the Horde and Alliance, but was the hatred deep enough for neither side to wish to reconcile with one another? "My people hate and despise the demons for destroying our great empire, but is there truly no way for the Horde and Alliance can be at peace? Especially after you've cooperated with each other to defeat the demons that came to our world so long ago?" Lor'themar sighed at that.
"It's a sad state of affairs." Said Lor'themar honestly. "Until we all learn to let go of our prejudices. Our grudges. I'm afraid that the Horde and Alliance will forever be at each other's throats." Thalyssra showed her disappointment at that, something that Lor'themar can't blame her for. He himself as well was disappointed at the cycle of death and destruction between the Horde and Alliance. Sometimes, he wondered, privately, that Azeroth would be better off without the Horde and Alliance. That someone needed to wipe both sides from the face of the planet and start anew. He wondered if that was needed to end the fighting between the Horde and Alliance. Looking at the disappointment at Thalyssra's face, Lor'themar spoke up. "But perhaps what we also need is someone neutral. Someone that can act and a mediator between the Horde and Alliance. Someone with the strength needed to prevent either side from corralling them into joining their ranks or try to make them join their side. Someone like your people, First Arcanist, and this team Sigma." Thalyssra looked at Lor'themar at that, a bit surprised at what he just said.
"Really?" Asked Thalyssra. Lor'themar just nodded before replying.
"Perhaps, what we all need, is some force that will not bend to the demands of the Horde or Alliance when we're at war with one another." Said Lor'themar. "Something that can…give pause to both the Horde and Alliance. To make them consider alternatives other than war. Perhaps that force and be your people, First Arcanist. Along with our mutual ally." Although flattered that Lor'themar believed her people can be the ones to end the cycle of destruction and hate between the Horde and Alliance, she felt that they weren't the ones to do it. They were just one city against two superpowers that contained multiple races. What hope did the Shal'dorei had in making both see reason?
"I do not know about that, Lor'themar." Said Thalyssra as she looked at the regent with a worried look on her face. "I do not believe my people have the strength necessary to give even pause to either the Horde and Alliance. Even with the help of Sigma. Both are simply too numerous and large for us to fight them head-on. And head on we must, if Suramar is to survive." Lor'themar chuckled at that.
"I would not underestimate our mutual friends, First Arcanist." Said Lor'themar, causing Thalyssra to look at him in surprise. "They are more powerful than they appear. I suspect they have more than what they've shown us so far." Before Thalyssra could even inquire of what he meant, Master Chief appeared from the tent with Ikit Claw in tow. Once getting close to Thalyssra, Chief spoke.
"I'm sorry to interrupt you, First Arcanist, but we may have a situation." Said Chief before explaining. "Ikit believes that the Skaven are attempting to regroup for another attack. He says that we need to attack them now before they can launch another assault. I hate to do this to your people, but we may need them all to cripple the Skaven." Sighing at that, Thalyssra was about to respond to that when suddenly Chief grabbed her and was pushing her to the ground. Before everything went dark, she saw Ikit yell out and aiming his arm-mounted weapon on something.