"Two hundred ships at my disposal," the man said, slamming his fist on the table, "and the one carrying my SON goes missing!"

He motioned to the elf near him.

"Let me hear the last communication they sent."

The elf nodded and walked over to a small bowl. Throwing on some powder, the image of another man appeared.

As the message played, two figures watched events unfolding. One was male, and the other was female.

"What do you think, Luxxoria?" asked the male. "You reckon it's the Horde up to their old tricks again?"

"Maybe," Luxxoria replied, "but you'd think they'd have learnt their lesson after what happened in Equestria."

She turned to face her companion.

"So, Zorann," she said, "do you think we'll be part of the team they send to find the Prince?"

Zorann nodded.

"Without a doubt." he replied. "And even if we're not chosen, I'm going anyway. After all, we fought in the last war the Horde started. ... even if it did mean killing our former allies."

Luxxoria sighed.

"They got what they deserved when they betrayed us." she said, a trace of venom in her voice.

"Though," Zorann laughed, "I still can't believe you turned yourself into a gnome."

"I already told you," Luxxoria said, "that gnomes are much smarter than the other races. And as a mage, the extra intellect benefits me a lot. Especially when I'm tweaking my spells."

Zorann patted her on the head, much to her chagrin.

"And why did you choose to become a night elf?" she asked. "Why not a worgen? It would suit your ferocity."

"Night elves are more agile," Zorann replied, "which helps me immensely when I'm in my cat form."

Luxxoria stuck her tongue out at Zorann, as the man they were watching approached.

"I'm so glad to see you two acting so jovially," he said sarcastically, "despite the severity of the situation."

"Sorry, King Wrynn," Luxxoria replied, "we were just sharing a joke or two. What can we do for you?"

"I want you two to head to the last known location of the White Pawn," Varian said, "and assist in his recovery."

"Of course." Zorann replied. "When do we leave?"

"It will take a few days to prepare the Skyfire for departure." Varian said. "Be back here on Tuesday at dawn."

He strode away as Zorann and Luxxoria saluted.

"Excellent," Luxxoria said, "he's just given us three days off. I suggest we use it."

"How?" Zorann asked. "All we do is hang around Stormwind and get drunk. Hardly worth it."

"Well, let's go on holiday." Luxxoria replied.

"Yeah, sure!" Zorann said. "I heard that the Undercity is just LOVELY at this time of the year."

"Less of the sarcasm, please." Luxxoria replied. "Or I'll kneecap you. I was suggesting a holiday to another world."

"No way in hell," Zorann replied, "am I going to OUTLAND for a blasted HOLIDAY."

Luxxoria covered her face with her palm.

"Ah, forget it." she said. "We'll just do what we always do, and get completely wasted."

She sighed and started to walk away.

"I swear," she muttered, "it would seem that becoming an elf has affected your intelligence."

The little gnome, so engrossed in her thoughts, failed to hear the running footsteps behind her.

She did however, feel the kick that sent her flying through the air.

Twilight and her friends watched as the stone block was removed from the town square.

"Its about time they got rid of that memorial stone," Applejack said, "since the ponies on it ain't exactly dead no more."

"I still can't believe he was able to bring them all back." Rarity chimed in. "It was very noble of him, especially when you consider the fact that he killed most of them to begin with."

"That's in the past," Twilight replied, "so let's leave it there. We need to look to the future."

"I wish they'd come back." Rainbow Dash said, earning a stare from each of her friends. "Not to attack us, of course. They were pretty cool once we got to know them."

"And Zorann really enjoyed my massages." Fluttershy said timidly. "He's actually quite docile as a bear."

"I wish they'd stayed," Pinkie Pie moaned, "since Luxxoria's conjured cakes were REALLY tasty!"

"They have their own lives to live, Pinkie." Twilight said. "They only stayed so they could teach us about their ways of magic. And now that they have, they had no reason to stay here."

"Do you think we'll see them again?" Applejack asked.

"I hope so, Applejack." Twilight replied.

All six friends gazed wistfully into the distance.

"I really hope so."

"Mist," Luxxoria muttered, "mist everywhere."

"I can see it too," Zorann snapped, "you don't have to keep up a running commentary."

"Sorry," she replied sheepishly, "but I was hoping we'd have seen the Prince's ship by now. Or at least, something to indicate where in the world we are."

"We're in a place full of mist." Zorann replied. "But I'll tell you one thing, I want to get off this blasted airship before-"

"HORDE OUTPOST SPOTTED!" the voice of the captain rang out. "ALL HANDS, TO YOUR STATIONS!"

"Before what, Zorann?" Luxxoria asked, as the crew ran around them, manning their posts and firing at the enemy below.

"Before I kill someone." Zorann said flatly.

"But it looks like we'll be doing that anyway." Luxxoria replied.

"You two!" the captain yelled, "Get to a gyrocopter and assist in the attack, NOW!"

Both friends stifled a sigh, before saluting and running to the flying machines nearby.

"We should never have left Equestria." he muttered, as he clambered into the gunner's position, with Luxxoria at the controls.

"I couldn't agree more." Luxxoria replied, as she started the engine. "You know, I still have that scroll..."

"You do?" Zorann said, a small smile on his face.

Luxxoria nodded.

"I was trying to suggest we go there earlier, but you had to have a stupid moment."

Zorann chuckled.

"Sorry about kicking you," he said, "but you gotta admit - I think you broke a record."

Luxxoria opened her mouth to reply before the barking voice of the captain interrupted her.

"What are you waiting for, Winter Veil?!" she screamed. "GET DOWN THERE AND JOIN THE ATTACK!"

"Yes, ma'am!" Luxxoria replied, as she took off from the deck.

"Bitch." Zorann spat.

As the flying machine descended into the sky, both friends were met with the sounds, sights and smells of battle.

"Here we go again." they muttered, as they reluctantly began their attack run.

Author's Notes:

I didn't like this prologue that much, so I abandoned it in favour of the one you read earlier. It just seemed a bit rushed in my opinion.