The celestial plane of the twisting nether was no joke, hence it was aptly named. It was also where the former leader of the Burning Legion resided. Sargeras has long been without physical form, however he had agents every where who would obey him blindly. And with the power of the Sunwell and a certain, treacherous former war chief of the Horde, his massive demonic form was restored. He was the dark titan, and rightfully so. A giant who would lay civilizations to waste without effort. "You have served me well, Garrosh."

He spoke to the former warchief, now war criminal, who was teleported to a distant planet in another time. It seemed reminiscent of Outlands, but untouched, untainted by war. Garrosh inquired to the dark titan, "Is this?"

"Just like I promised, I returned you to a time before the orcs became subservient to the Burning Legion. With your technology from future Azeroth in addition your powers acquired by the heart of Y'shaarj, the orc clans will have no choice but to follow you.

Garrosh grinned as he thought about his plans to destroy his former allies, especially one whom he regarded as the biggest traitor of all. He longed to kill his former mentor, however, there would be much to do before that day came. He pondered, a quick death is too good for him, he must see all that he cherishes destroyed.

Just as easily, Sargeras had his own plans for revenge against his former pupil Kil'jaeden who in his mind led the Burning Legion astray in Sargeras's exile.

( ) ( ) ( )

Meanwhile, aboard the flagship Orgrim's Hammer, Thrall and Sylvannas were alone in the command room.

"I have no doubt that Garrosh and Sargeras will attempt to take control of the Scourge," Sylvannas proclaimed, "and by extension, the Forsaken."

"In that case, it might be a good idea to move your forces away from the Undercity, at least until we're in the clear. I'll leave several platoons at the ruins of Lordearon, meanwhile your followers can stay in Orgrimmar."

"Very well. I am in your debt, former war chief."

Thrall continued, "As for Lor'Themer..."

"He'll be fine," Sylvannas assured him, "he was my second in command when I was ranger-general of Quel'Thalas. However, if worse comes to worse, I could lead the Blood Elves directly as I am the Horde leader of the East Continent..."

"I'm not sure if they would agree to that."

The Dark Lady closed what little distance there was between them and rested her head on the Orc's shoulders. "They won't have a choice in the matter," she announced with a sly smile.

Thrall was almost certain that was a threat to kill then raise them in undeath. "I'm not sure I like that sound of that."

"You're no fun," the Dark Lady teased, knowing all too well what he assumed.

"Speaking of fun," Thrall pointed out, "What happened between us must be kept..."

Sylvanas interrupted him, almost scornfully. "I'm well aware of that fact, Thrall! Discretion has never been a problem for me!"

"Just making sure you're aware."

"Well then, there's something you need to be aware of as well. Every day for me since my coming into undeath has been Hell. I thought I could make amends with Silvermoon, however no matter what I do for them, they'll never trust me, always hate me. I'll eternally be an abomination in their eyes!"

Taking her by surprise, Thrall placed his hands on her waist. "They will trust you. Even if I have to force them to." He reached out to her hood with one of his hands and pulled it back. "You are an amazing, majestic woman, Sylvannas."

The Dark Lady blushed, smiling ever so greatly under his words. "Thank you."

"No need to thank me." He embraced her tightly before pressing his lips to hers with care, making sure he didn't cut her with his large bicuspids.

Sylvanas closed her eyes, softly moaning at the sensation. She believed at that moment she was more alive that she's ever been... Even prior to undeath.

What felt like minutes to her was in actuality several seconds. Once he parted his lips and released her, she was so full of joy she was numb, albeit in a good way. "Thrall, son of Durotan. I know I can never have you to myself, however the fact of the matter is..." The Dark Lady paused.

After several seconds of awkward silence, the former War Chief inquired, "What is it?"

The former ranger-general slightly shook her head. "Nevermind that, it's of no importance." She thought it wise not to admit that she loved him, at least not this soon. Ever since he helped her retake Undercity from Varimathras she began to see him differently. At first, Sylvanas was certain all Orcs were primitive animals with a lust for conquest, however battling alongside him she learned there was no one more brave or selfless in all of Azeroth.

"I see."

( ) ( ) ( )

The acting commander of the burning legion watch the events on Azeroth unfold on a blackened obsidian ball. The war between Garrosh's Kor'kron and the combined Alliance-Darkspear Rebels took its toll. Many warriors fell in that battle, both Stormwind and Orgrimmer's forces alike, in addition to the neutral Panderan, which now meant all major factions were stretched thin. Kil'jaeden grinned, recognizing this was now the right time to strike. His thoughts were interrupted when a Satyr entered his cavernous, fiery chamber.

"I did not summon for you," Kil'jaeden spoke to his subordinate.

The satyr bowed before him. "I bring good news, master. Our new dark portal is constructed and fully operational, your forces should now be able to enter Azeroth at your beckon. In fact, this new portal should be powerful enough to transport your lordship, if you so chose."

'Perfect timing,' the evil Eredar lord thought to himself. "I appreciate your services. I was thinking with the war on Azeroth coming to a close, this would be the most opportune moment for another invasion... Mua ha ha ha ha! I have long waited for this day!"

The satyr minion was taken back by the master's sudden, joyous outburst. "My lord?"

"This time I will lead the legion into Azeroth myself and fight on the front lines! They shall rue the day that they foiled the plans of the Deceiver!"

The Satyr feared his master with ever fiber of his being, thus he was most grateful that he would not be among the unfortunate souls to face him in combat. "Of course, my master."

( ) ( ) ( )

An orc warrior known as Gorgor DeSade was among a party on a diplomatic mission to Darnassus. He was bored with the long journey from Durotar to Tedrissel, albeit was grateful he had his armored wolf mount, rather than having to go on foot.

"Lieutenant, just what is your malfunction?"

Gorgor regarded his older but wise commander; a fast approaching middle aged orc but extremely muscular and powerful shaman dressed in traditional wolf-hides. "My apologies, Nazgrel."

"That's High Commander to you, rookie. Anyhow, scouts advise remnants of the Scourge are taking up arms in this area."

"Wait, how did they get here from Lordaeron and Northerend?"

"That's why we're here, to find out!"

"But the diplomacy thing?"

"Thrall took some of the men with him, they should handle it just fine."

Gorgor looked around. "I see another in our party missing..."

"Explain."

"Sylvannas was part of the envoy, was she not?"

"Yes, Thrall thought he could use her help."

"She's going to ruin everything."

Nazgrel knew Sylvannas wasn't exactly the diplomatic type; Typically she cared more about the Forsaken's interests than the whole of the Horde. "You might very well be right..."

They continued their journey, currently wandering through the tainted, musky forest of Felwood. However, Gorgor halted his mount when an incapacitated body was stuck in the corner of his eye. "Yaw, Crucifer!" He took off from the party.

"Where are you going, soldier? Get back here!" Nazgrel commanded.

"I'll be right back, I think I see a corpse!"

"Men, wait here!" Nazgrel commanded before he pursued Gorgor.

Gorgor was flabbergasted when saw the supposed corpse was a beautiful blood elf female with dark tan skin and long, auburn hair. Her Imbued Plate and Saltstone Leggings were rather skimpy and left almost nothing to the imagination.

The young orc smiled mischievously. "That's no way for a paladin to dre..." Before he could finish his sentence the incapacitated female's glowing cyan eyes shot open and before he could react a katana was firmly pressed against his throat."

"Just what are you looking at so intently, orc?!" She hissed, her gaze piercing.

"By the titans, I thought you were a corpse. But wait, those eyes, you're a death knight?"

"Hmmph. No manners at all!" She eased up on the orc's neck, retracting her blade.

"Damn it, Ensign Gorgor! You're always getting into trouble!" Nazgrel cursed as he finally caught up on his own swift gray wolf mount. "And miss, you are?"

"Lieutenant-Commander Lucafina, formerly a paladin of Silvermoon, I currently serve the Dark Lady, Sylvannas Windrunner."

"I see," Nazgrel spoke matter of factly. "My next question, why are you out here by yourself?"

"Investigating scourge activity. I did have a unit, but..."

"Scourge activity? That's why we're here as well."

Lucifina urged, "In that case, I advise we make haste and get the hell out of here!"

"Such a derelict," Gorgor commented. "Looks like someone isn't suited for the front lines..."

The blood elf death knight snapped, "Stupid buffoon, you know nothing!"

"Be mindful, Ensign. This young lady outranks you," Nazgrel pointed out. "Lucafina, is there anything you can tell us?"

"Yes. Sylvanas sent an elite squadron of death knights to investigate recent scourge activity. It seems Garrosh is behind it all."

Nazgrel laughed. "Impossible."

"No, it's true! I was the only one to survive. Waves of ghouls and geists in tandem with Garrosh loyalists!"

"Pfft, she's lying," Gorgor rudely suggested.

Nazgrel considered her warning carefully. "For some reason I believe her..."

Gorgor's jaw dropped. "You're kidding!"

"Shut up, punk. We're heading for Darnassus. We need to report this to Thrall and Sylvannas immediately!"

Lucafina shivered upon hearing Sylvannas's name, feeling certain the dark lady would torture her for failing her mission and living to tell the tale. However, she knew they needed to take action.

"Lucafina, where is your mount?" The elder Shaman inquired.

"Good call, high commander." the blood elf death knight spoke before she screamed like a banshee, "Draconis!"

A reanimated griffon-like skeleton ascended from the sky through the trees, answering her beckon. She hopped on her winged steed but not before Gorgor made a snide remark.

"Hey now, don't fly too far ahead. I wanna stare at that cute butt of yours," Gorgor snickered.

"Ugh, I can't believe YOU got into the Kor'kron. And before meeting you I was under the assumption orc male's upheld honor and integrity to the fullest..."

"Honor? Integrity? What in the twisted nether is that? I am Horde, I only care about killing Alliance or whoever our enemy may be! To hell with honor!"

"Garrosh isn't war chief any more, get with the times."

"The hell does that mean?"

Lucafina sighed. "It means we're not at war with the Alliance anymore."

"Says who?"

"Says Thrall," Nazgrel cut in. "Now kids, if you don't mind, it's well past time that we sortied."

"Lok'tar ogar!" Gorgor exclaimed as he motioned for his swift wolf mount to start running.

( ) ( ) ( )

Minutes away from Darnassus, the passengers could see something was wrong. The ground below was engulfed in flames and a pillar smoke pierced the sky above. "It can't be," Thrall spoke in horror. In the distance he saw a gigantic red demon, who must have stood hundreds if not thousands of feet tall. It was unmistakeably an Eredar. "The Burning Legion? How?!"

"Thrall, we have to pull back!" Sylvannas spoke matter-of-factly. "The Night Elves... couldn't have survived."

As they were closer to the ground at this point, it was clear the Night Elf city was reduced to ash, only doom guards, wrath guards, pit lords and dread lords occupied what was once their sanctuary.

Thrall ordered, ""Reverse course. Head for the Moonglade, if any of them survived they'll be there!"

"Aye, aye captain," one of the Goblin navigators replied.

( ) ( ) ( )

Nazgrel's entourage recently crossed into Moonglade from Timbermaw Hold.

Gorgor complained, "I am so hungry and I was in the mood for some bear flank, why didn't we slay us some of those Furbolgs?"

"You are such an idiot, I've never had such a barbaric and outright uncivilized traveling companion in my life!" Lucafina lamented.

"Well, looks like our ride is coming to an end," Nazgrel pointed forward. "Look."

They could see Orgrim's Hammer in the distance.

"I figured they would be in Darnassus already," Lucafina said matter of factly.

Nazgrel agreed, "As did I."

Shock and horror awaited them as they approached Nighthaven. They could see what looked like a refuge center, with many critically wounded, if not dead.

Lucafina inquired. "What the hell happened here?"

They saw Thrall and Sylvanas speaking with one of the Arch Druids and dismounted.

Thrall noticed them. He looked to Nazgrel and shook his head grimly.

"It is a dark day, brother," Thrall spoke his right hand.

"What happened?" Nazgrel inquired.

"Darnassus was destroyed by the Burning Legion. Tyrande Whisperwind was slain. She made it here however her wounds were critical. Poor Malfurion, there was nothing he could do for her as she died..."

Nazgrim and Lucafina were taken back.

"Does this mean Sargeras has indeed returned?"

"No. According to Malfurion, Kil'jaeden acted of his own accord."

"So, enemies on two fronts."

"Indeed."

While Thrall briefed Nazgrel, Sylvanas noticed her own subordinate. "Just what are you doing here, commander?"

"I-I was scouting for scourge activity in Felwood, just as you ordered."

"Explain. Why are you no longer in Felwood? Where is the rest of your squad?"

"They had fallen to the enemy. Garrosh himself seems to have taken command of the scourge, likely with Sargeras's assistance."

"Obviously. I doubt Garrosh would be able to manipulate Bolvar on his own."

"What?" Lucafina inquired.

"Nevermind that. What's important is that you've failed me. If your squad is dead, you should have died with them. I guess I will have to make you suffer and pray for death!" Sylvannas smirked as her eyes glowed more than usual. She reached for a dagger however Thrall was quick to notice and ran towards her. He grabbed her by the shoulders and lifted off the ground. "Stop, Sylvannas! I know you're upset, you have every reason to be, but punishing your subordinates, even if they fail their mission, is not the right way to go about it!"

Sylvannas had trouble finding words. "I-I..."

"Promise me, no more torturing your subordinates! Do not become another Arthas!"

Sylvannas felt immense guilt and averted her gave from the orc. "I'm sorry. I'll try to stop."

Lucafina herself was taken back, never before thinking her master could be tamed in such a manner. "I don't believe it," she muttered, "I've heard she never second guesses anything she does."

Gorgor shrugged. "She's lucky it's not Garrosh disciplining her, she'd be headless about now."

The blood elf death knight smiled as she whispered, "So that's Thrall? I've only heard about him in stories. I'm surprised. Very impressive."

"Huh?"

"They only spoke of his honor and heroism, they didn't mention how insanely attractive he is..."

Sylvannas's ears perked up hearing her subordinate's whisper.

Gorgor's jaw dropped. "You've gotta me kidding me..."

Thrall had excused himself by now. Sylvannas decided to have another go with her subordinate this time. "Ahem. Commander."

"Y-yes, Dark Lady?"

"I find your fawning over our former warchief most distasteful."

"You heard that?!"

"Indeed. For that, in addition to your failing in your mission, I here by relieve you of your position."

"But my military career..."

"Has come to an end. Consider yourself lucky you've only lost that much..."

The dark lady turned on her heel and stormed away. Lucafina dropped to her knees, dreading her life without military commission.

Gorgor laughed inconsiderately. "By the Holy Light, she fired you! That's hilarious!"'

"Ensign, that's enough out of you."

"High Commander, I didn't know you were still here."

Nazgrel scoffed. "How observant you are." He turned to the young blood elf female. "Miss Lucafina, if it's any consolation, I can request Thrall to have your rank reinstated, although you would be under my command. Pending you pass whatever military exams Orgrimmar requires, of course."

She perked up. "Really?!"

"I take it that you'd accept such an offer?"

"Yes!"

"Very well."

"That's not right," Gorgor pointed out. "She was relieved of duty for failing her mission, and you want to hire her?"

"Damn it, Ensign DeSade. Be mindful, she is to be your commanding officer."

"No way, she's just a child!"

Lucafina retorted, "I'm almost fifty years old!"

"Which makes you only about seventeen in terms of Elven development!"

"Yet, for me being a child, you seem to be checking me out quite a bit..."

"I can't help that blood elf females typically have well developed curves despite their small frames..."

"Oh, so you have a fetish for female blood elves, do you? I'm not sure I like where this is going..."

"If you're so concerned about people eyeing you, don't wear such revealing armor..."

"Whatever, Ensign. When my reinstatement is official, expect a full on beating to an inch of your life."

Gorgor turned on his heel, laughing. "Whatever you say, commander."