Midwinter. Midnight. The Scourge facility of Scholomance was a beehive of activity, even at this hour, and especially on this day. Liches prepared dark rituals to take advantage of the equinox and the magical energies available at the changing of the seasons. High-ranking necromancers aided their leaders in their preparations, gathering reagents and tomes of forbidden lore. Ghouls and abominations guarded the gates, ready for an Alliance attack if it came. Only the acolytes slept this evening, and many of them were too keyed up by the magic in the air to rest either. Doctor Alexi Romerov was not among the blissfully unconscious.

 

In the dark of the night, Alexi stood beside the table where his creation lay, chanting vile words of necromantic power. The lab was devoid of light, save for five candles that gave off a red glow and unholy-looking smoke. Though the magic that animated the monster was complete, it had not yet awoken, and the final spell that would bring the creature to life was nearly finished.

 

“– drak thal’an, gul kad alanatos! Fer’nas, grath vo zeradal! Rise, my creation! Know life once more, in the name of the Lich King!”

 

As he spoke the final words, Alexi thrust his arms into the air, and the black smoke flowed down into the gaping maw like a whirlpool. The force of the wind extinguished the candles, leaving Alexi in utter darkness.

 

The ritual complete, the doctor lowered his arms. Silently, he stood there in the dark while he caught his breath. Sighing, he rubbed his forehead to relieve the weariness that threatened to overcome him. “Guess my age is showing,” he said, chuckling. “This wouldn’t have drained me so much ten years ago. Got into this business too late, I suppose, but it won’t matter soon. Now, where did I put those candles…”

 

“Here, mas-ter.”

 

“Ah, good.” Striking a match, Alexi found the candle he was looking for and lit it. Light radiated from the flame, revealing a hideous face that peered at him curiously in the dim illumination. An ordinary man would have been scared out of his mind by the proximity of this horror in the darkness, but Alexi took in the sight calmly. He had, after all, seen that face every day for months.

 

“Good, you’re awake!” said the doctor with a broad grin. He moved around the room, lighting more candles so he could see more clearly. When he turned back, he saw his creation propped up on one massive elbow, looking around the brightening room with childish amazement.

 

“Yes, mas-ter,” it replied in a deep, resonant voice. It had the same echo-y quality that all of the Scourge possessed, as if the magics that reanimated them carried their words from the damned souls in the hells directly to their lips. A mystery Alexi hoped to solve, but one that would have to wait for now. “Where…this place?” asked the abomination, bringing Alexi out of his musing.

 

“I am Necromancer Alexi Romerov, and I am your master,” he replied with a commanding tone. “You are in my laboratory, in the Scourge training facility of Scholomance.”

 

“Sk…Skolo…manse?” The creature struggled with the name, just like a child would with a new and difficult word. Alex was thrilled, but kept his face calm.

 

“Yes, but that word is not important right now. Do you understand that you are one of the Scourge, and that the Lich King is your master?”

 

The monster paused briefly, then spoke. “Yes…we are…the Scourge. Lich King…mas-ter of Scourge.”

 

Alexi chuckled. “Excellent. Do you have a name?” It was always wise to ask, he reflected, since occasionally the Lich King stepped in during the reanimation process and gave the newly awakened undead a name. Once given, the undead would cling to the name with the only shred of personal identity they had left, and could never be convinced to accept another name.

 

The abomination looked sad, and shook its head. “No, mas-ter. Had name once, but…forgot.”

 

Fierce pride surged through Alexi. So intelligent already, and newly risen! This monster would be his – no other would command it! “Then, my creation, you shall be called…” He glanced at the creature’s plump gut and grinned. “Pudge. Rise, Pudge, and stand before me!”

 

Pudge nodded vigorously. “Yes, mas-ter. Pudge…good name.” Sitting up, it slowly slid off the table and tentatively placed its oversized feet on the floor. Its balance was a bit shaky, Alexi noted, but that problem would work itself out soon enough. Pudge simply needed to get used to its – his, Alexi decided – his new body.

 

“Excellent. Now, walk around the outer edge of the room while I tell you what you need to know. You have many things to learn, my creation.”

 

Pudge nodded again and began stomping around the room, his great bulk causing test tubes to rattle and loose items to shake with every step. “That sound good, mas-ter. Pudge know so little.”

 

Alexi cackled with glee. “Yes, yes, I know. Now, listen to me very carefully. In a few hours, we will leave this place. You will follow me to another place. Is this clear?”

 

“Yes, mas-ter.”

 

“Good. When we get to the other place, you will wait until things are ready. When I say to, you will fight another abomination, like yourself. You do know how to fight, yes?”

 

Pudge’s circuit around the room slowly briefly as he thought, then nodded and curled a meaty hand into a fist. “Yes, mas-ter, can fight. Need sword.”

 

Alexi laughed dryly. “Unfortunately, we do not have swords big enough for one your size. You will have to learn a new weapon, I’m afraid. Pull down that hook from the ceiling.”

 

Pudge stopped walking and looked up. Seeing the massive butcher’s hook, he stomped over and pulled it loose. The large length of chain that was attached to the hook came down as well, a portion of it smacking Pudge on the head as it fell. “Ow,” grumbled Pudge petulantly, rubbing his head.

 

Chuckling, Alexi moved towards the door. “I’m going to get some sleep. I will be back in a few hours, so practice with that thing while I’m gone. Don’t leave this room for any reason…and don’t break anything!”

 

“Yes, mas-ter,” called Pudge distractedly, already busy testing the weight and balance of his new weapon. As Alexi closed the door, he heard the sound of shattering glass and a muffled “Oops.” Alexi clucked with annoyance, but he was pleased nonetheless. His Pudge would show them all…tomorrow!