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Episode II: Dark Vengeance

Prologue: Set between the aftermath of Starcraft Episodes IV (The Stand) and during mid-Episode V (The Iron Fist). Although the Overmind now lay as an empty, dead husk on Aiur after the noble sacrifice by Tassadar, millions of Zerg ran wild as the remaining Cerebrates took control over them for their own purposes. The surviving Protoss of Aiur fled through a warp gate connected to the Dark Templar world of Shakuras, with some Zerg and their Cerebrates right behind them. While Shakuras was in jeopardy of being overrun as Aiur was, the Protoss took a last desperate measure to re-activate an ancient Xel'Naga temple and wiped Shakuras clean of Zerg. Now with finally being able to take relief, the Protoss were able to begin rebuilding their once glorious civilization on Shakuras while coping with the strenuous prejudices still between the Khalai and the Nerazim. Meanwhile, distress beacons were still being detected all over Aiur from Protoss still trapped on the surface battling Zerg. Zeratul, along with Executors Artanis and Selendis, decided to take a small rescue expedition back to Aiur to rescue as many as they could. As they surveyed the planet, they saw their once proud and beautiful landscape destroyed and teeming with Zerg. Zeratul wonders what the future will hold for the Protoss, if only all Protoss could overcome the old hatreds and scars of their past...

Warning - Spoilers for the missions ahead! - Contains mission plot overview of each map. Play through all the maps to play unique A and B canon arcs! (A Canon is considered to be based on official lore for the Starcraft storyline while B Canon is an alternate take on history)

Protoss01 - Return to Aiur

Zeratul, Selendis, and Artanis detect several distress signals from Protoss trapped on Aiur as well as what appeared to be Stasis Cells from previously fallen warriors. Zeratul agrees to lead a detachment to save those trapped Protoss who slept in the cells while Selendis and Artanis rescued others nearby.

(Aiur)

After finding a suitable landing site, Zeratul and a small detachment from their rescue fleet land back on Aiur once again to begin to seek out a distress signal from Protoss stasis cells believed to be deep behind Zerg. As they fight their way through a fallen temple, they begin to build up a new sizable force to fight their way through the Zerg defenders nestled around the stasis cells.

(Aiur's infestation by the Zerg)

Zeratul begins to find fragments of a new personal shield generator the Conclave was experimenting on and restores the device, greatly increasing his shield regeneration capabilities. Just then, a distress signal is heard not far away from Terrans. The Commander and his task force (A canon, or the remaining Dominion Alpha Squadron if B canon) were pinned down by Zerg forces and requested assistance from Zeratul. Zeratul realizes he can't let the Terrans die and takes a force to clear out the infested area. The Commander is relieved to be rescued and agrees to assist Zeratul in rescuing his brethren as thanks (A canon from Ep1, if B canon Zeratul orders them to leave the planet immediately).

(The Commander's marines fighting off the Zerg on Aiur with Protoss reinforcements incoming)

Eventually they come across the stasis cells and clear the area from Zerg infestation. Just then, several dark templar come out from the shadows and vow vengeance on the Khalai oppressors as they destroy two of the cells, killing the occupants inside. Before they can assault the third and final cell, Zeratul calls forth reinforcements and intercepts them, calling for their arrest. One of the dark templar's in particular seemed different than the rest to Zeratul...containing a hatred unlike any other....

Protoss02 - Hung Jury

After capturing Ulrezaj and his cohorts on Aiur after attacking defenseless Protoss, Zeratul and Mohandar, elder of the Nerazim and representative of the council on which the Matriarch leads, commence a trial on Shakuras to judge the rouge Dark Templar for their heinous crimes. Ulrezaj explains to Zeratul his motives for carrying out what he believed was justice to the Khalai who oppressed their people so long ago. Ulrezaj seemed to know Zeratul well and was unapologetic to his actions. Even more troubling, he appeared to have an illusive master that he refused to share on.

(Ulrezaj, as a Dark Templar)

Just before the judgement could be rendered, an unidentified Terran fleet arrived to Shakuras and made an attempt to break Ulrezaj and his Dark Templar accomplices out of the prison containment cell. Surrounded on all sides, Zeratul slipped into the shadows while Ulrezaj and his rogue Nerazim followers fought their way out of the prison and into the canyons.

(Zeratul fighting Ulrezaj)

Templar Eredas, the last surviving warrior recovered from the stasis cell on Aiur, was outfitted into a new Immortal exoskeleton as Dragoons were becoming increasingly difficult to produce without the resources on Aiur. He offered to lead the attack with Executor Selendis' fleet nearby to defend Shakuras and push the Terrans off their world. Meanwhile, Zeratul slips through the canyon to bypass the Terran invaders, sabotazing their defenses by overloading pylon matrix towers. He comes across many ancient Khaydarin crystals which bestow upon Zeratul more knowledge of the void including the ability to pass through the void quickly and even imprison enemies within an void based energy field. However, he makes note that there should have been more crystals around the canyon and wonders if the Terrans were taking them.

(Eredas, recovered within an Immortal)

Zeratul finally reaches Eredas' outpost and together they build a new force to wipe the remaining Terrans from Shakuras. Just then a final fleet appears from low orbit and orders them to lay down their weapons. However then Mohandar appears with reinforcements from the capital and battles back the Terrans.

Protoss03 - Nemesis

Realizing that many of the Khaydarin fragments in the canyons of Shakuras were stolen, Zeratul and Mohandar deduce that the prison break was a distraction to allow Ulrezaj to steal the crystals on Shakuras, but for what purpose he could have for them remained a mystery. They begin to track the unique energy signatures of one set of crystals to the Terran world of Korhal. However, the signatures appeared distorted, almost modified. Regardless, they cautiously approached the known Terran homeworld.

(Korhal, just after the UED invasion)

However, as they approached the planet, they soon find many of the Dominion forces stationed there were either destroyed or have fled due to the previous siege of Augustgrad commenced by the UED only moments ago. An intercepted transmission confirmed the UED were beginning to leave the planet to hunt down Mengsk who had escaped. This allowed the other unidentified Terrans who attacked Shakuras to flee to a part of Korhal just outside of Augustgrad as their mercenary commander sets up their encampment to meet with a familiar yet mysterious mercenary who orders them to destroy the Protoss while protecting the crystals. As Zeratul and Selendis began to commence the assault to recover the crystals and destroy the Terrans who attacked them, they soon detect a Zerg brood nestled around the crystals that also appeared to be guarding them. Preator Mojo (A canon from Ep1, Artanis if B canon), who had accompanied them along realized that these Terrans may be part of Schezar's Scavengers that were able to control Zerg as they have done before on the planet Amora. Mojo decides to accompany Zeratul and Selendis to see them pay for their past crimes (A canon from Ep1 only). Mohandar orders Zeratul and Selendis to launch their assault, but to make a choice to either recover the crystals or pursue the Terrans as they only have time for one of them before Ulrezaj escapes too far out of reach. Schezar's commander makes a desperate attempt to recover the remaining crystals by their controlled Zerg by sending in dropship runs to collect them.

(Khaydarin Crystals)

A Canon) Zeratul and Selendis focus on securing the Khaydarin crystals and destroy the Zerg surrounding it. Just as they are about to send in a probe to collect them, they recieve word that Schezar's commander has ordered the retreat and they pack up and leave Korhal. The Protoss expedition fleet is unable to catch them in time. They decide they should return back to Shakuras with the crystals to discover what Ulrezaj was attempting to do with them.

B Canon) Zeratul and Selendis focus on taking down the mercenary Terrans first to question their commander where Schezar is in order to gain the wherabouts of his leader, Ulrezaj. They destroy an energy tower believed to be controlling the Zerg. One of Schezar's commanders crawls out of the ruined structure and declares he isn't getting paid enough for this and will tell them anything they want to know. Just then, a probe detects massive Zerg movement near the crystals as destroying the tower caused them to turn feral and their numbers increase ten-fold. They decide it will waste too much time to attempt to break through their defenses and recover the crystals now and they should find Schezar quickly to hunt down Ulrezaj.

Meanwhile overlooking in the distance, the mysterious mercenary looks across. He then receives a transmission from Vice Admiral Stukov. He informs him, Lieutenant Duran, that the last transport en route to catch Mengsk is leaving now and demands Duran to return to the fleet. Duran closes the transmission and leaves the area in silence.

Protoss04a - Desperate Measures

After reclaiming the Khaydarin crystals, while Schezar's forces having escaped, the expedition fleet returns to Shakuras. Artanis returns to the council to assist with its defense against future enemy attacks while the rest of the council begin to analyze the crystals. There, they make a disturbing discovery; the Khaydarin crystals found were not in the same condition when they were stolen from Shakuras, they were instead warped from being infused with both Zerg and Dark Templar energies. Demanding this profane mix of energies be stopped at once, Mohandar orders Zeratul and Selendis to pursue more of these warped Khaydarin crystals, having been also detected to a remote part of the planet of Char. Templar Eredas wishes to join them on their expedition and leaves with the fleet.

(A Dark Archon, needed to destroy the warped crystals)

As they arrive to the planet, they move cautiously to avoid being detected by the renegade Cerebrates and its new growing Overmind on the surface. A mix of Ulrezaj's followers were being seen in a secret canyons controlling their own Zerg. Selendis decides to enact her plan of distracting the bulk of Ulrezaj's Zerg by leading them out of the canyon. Although the distraction works and moves many defenders away from the crystal repository, Zeratul and Eredas realize they don't have much time to destroy them before they return and become overwhelmed.

(The Zerg Swarm on Char)

Taking elite Nerazim trained templar and a powerful Dark Archon to shatter the crystal, they set out to destroy the warped crystals before whatever Ulrezaj is planning could be complete. They fight their way through a still sizable standing Zerg presence as they encounter strange, more enhanced Zerg creatures. Out from the canyon, a lone unique strain of Ultralisk from one of the renegade Cerebrates breaks through and attempts to destroy them, but is defeated. Eredas comments the Cerebrates must know they and Ulrezaj is there, but do not send their broods to attack them. Zeratul surmises they must be distracted with another matter but they should still move quickly. Eventually they come across a de-activated warp gate conduit attached to an unknown warp network, but decide to move onward to complete their task before the rest of Ulrezaj's forces return. After having destroyed the final crystal they request transport from Selendis but are dismayed to find out a massive Terran fleet, identified to be the same UED fleet they fought prior above Braxis, has come to the planet. Selendis departs from orbit around Char while Zeratul and Eredas go into hiding.

(Ulrezaj, now a supreme Dark Archon)

Meanwhile, Ulrezaj returns to the canyon and find his crystals repository ruined and is enraged. He teaches three of his followers the secrets of the Dark Archon from his forbidden knowledge attained at Ehina's library in an age past and begin to merge into a super Dark Archon. After the energy merge is complete the ground shakes and trembles with the psionic fury that Ulrezaj has become, having absorbed the other three followers. He vows that he still has a hand to play and his vengeance will be finally enacted.

Protoss04b - Turnabout

After capturing one of Schezar's commanders they learn of his primary location to the ruined Dominion holding world of Braxis. Artanis returns to the council to assist with its defense against future enemy attacks while Zeratul and Selendis begin to lead a new expedition to the planet. Templar Eredas wishes to do battle again with the Terrans that assaulted them on Shakuras and joins the fleet.

(Abandoned Dominion structures, Braxis)

Leading a covert assault force, Zeratul and Eredas make their way to Schezar's holding, fighting through many of their enslaved Zerg and mercenaries along the way. They find and do battle with Schezar's impressive goliath mech, but eventually overpower the mercenary leader. Schezar then pleads for his life, proclaiming that they only broke Ulrezaj out of prison because another mercenary promised them a large payout. Zeratul scoffs at this notion that a Terran would know the location of Shakuras. Schezar explains after the job was done they had no intention of interfering again but were intercepted by Ulrezaj and were forced to build an EMP Generator of massive size. He pleads for his life again stating he had no say in the matter and promises to join them to take out Ulrezaj themselves being fearful for their own lives by this point. Just then Ulrezaj appears from the shadows and destroys Schezar's control over the Zerg in the region, causing them to become feral and attack both Zeratul and Schezar alike. Being unable to escape with the increased Zerg activity, Zeratul does the unthinkable and allys with Schezar to destroy the Zerg in the area. Selendis attempts to send in a single Arbiter periodically to call down some reinforcements, even though their warp matrix has been heavily damaged. Eventually, they begin to overpower the Zerg and cleanse the area of infestation. Just then, they find a massive Terran fleet, identified to be the same UED fleet they fought prior above Braxis, has come back to the planet. Selendis departs from orbit around Braxis while Zeratul, Eredas and Schezar go into hiding.

(Ulrezaj, merging into a Dark Archon)

Meanwhile, Ulrezaj, still on the planet, and finds his incomplete EMP Generator left abandoned, becomes enraged. He teaches three of his followers the secrets of the Dark Archon from his forbidden knowledge attained at Ehina's library in an age past and begin to merge into a super Dark Archon. After the energy merge is complete the ground shakes and trembles with the psionic fury that Ulrezaj has become, having absorbed the other three followers. He vows that he still has a hand to play and his vengeance will be finally enacted.

Protoss05a - Fiery Escape

As the UED fleet began to arrive to the planet, Selendis intercepts a transmission that reveals they are attempting to control the Overmind itself. Disrutbed by this notion, but getting increasingly frustrated over letting Ulrezaj slip further away from them, they become constantly on the move while the renegade Swarm grows larger around them as the UED fleet battles them. Caught between the fray, Selendis is unable to retrieve Zeratul and Eredas and they are left trap on the surface. Mohandar makes a desperate attempt in his small Corsair craft and bypasses the UED and Zerg to reach them, bringing additional resources to construct a holding against the ever increasing onslaught of the renegade swarm, inching closer to their location.

(A Sunken Colony, impervious to harm from a nearby Cerebrate)

The sunken colonies nearby them become invulnerable to attack as a nearby Cerebrate continued to supply them with energy. With not enough resources to assault the Cerebrate itself, they began a dangerous bet that the Terrans will reach the Cerebrate first if they mean to capture the Overmind. Just as their base is nearing destruction, the Zerg become innate and halt their attacks. The Terrans had finally destroyed the Cerebrate and Zeratul progressed to slash his way through to saftey. As they run through the canyon, Eredas proclaims a templar expedition left their holding a while ago to construct a new warp relay field that could boost the signal of a matrix that would allow Selendis to warp them off world. They agree it is their only shot as a feral Brutalisk emerges from his cavern. It begins to chase the Protoss as they fight their way through the battle of the UED and the Zerg. They eventually come across an abandoned Dominion base left behind by General Duke. Mohandar surmises he can lift the Brutalisk up while Eredas can re-power the aging missle turrets to fire on the creature.

(An enigma Zerg strain - The Brutalisk)

After they slay the creature they find the warp matrix relay is nearby but before they can reach it, Kerrigan appears and proclaims Zeratul shall not escape her wraith this time. Confused why she was there to begin with, Zeratul looks onward to see one of her infested cohorts leading the charge against them as they both attempted to fight the renegade brood to reach the warp matrix. Although Kerrigan's forces came close, Zeratul and Eredas were able to reach the matrix field first and contacted Selendis to warp them away. In the last possible moment as Kerrigan's Zerg was barring down on them, they were able to escape.

(The Queen of Blades on Char)

Enraged that Zeratul escaped her, she readys an order of her Zerg to engage their fleet in orbit but is halted by her seemingly infested cohort, Duran, stating they do not have enough Zerg in their control to assault both the Protoss and the Terrans. She grudgingly agrees and begins to meet the 'victorious' UED as they are nearing the Overmind itself. Meanwhile, the creature known only as Duran proclaims Kerrigan is a fool and she along with others doesn't understand who the true power in the galaxy is, but soon will as the Xel'Naga are coming..

Protoss05b - The Old Enemy

After having destroyed the feral Zerg with Schezar's mercenaries at the incomplete EMP Generator basecamp, a UED garrison fleet arrives unexpectedly to the planet in an attempt to secure and protect the recently controlled Psi Disruptor. Being unable to send a shuttle craft to retrieve Zeratul and Eredas, Selendis stays hidden in orbit around the planet. While looking for a way off the planet on the frozen plains, Zeratul and Eredas come across a seemingly infested Terran by the name of Samir Duran, with a Zerg force with him. Although Duran claimed he doesn't wish battle on them and urges them to continue on whatever mission they were doing, Zeratul and Eredas become distrustful of his motives. Zeratul pursues him and questions who he is and learns he is in league with Kerrigan.

(Samir Duran, in his Terran mercenary form)

He then realizes Duran knew far more than he should, and let the creature go. Eredas questions this, but Zeratul then realizes they will now have to deal with both Kerrigan's Zerg and the Terran UED. The Protoss begin to setup a new base to defend against them, just as the pursuer UED fleet meets the Zerg in battle as well, causing a three-way melee to ensue. Even as the fleet's admiral Urun races down with his experimental Pheonix craft to assist in defending them until rescue can occur, they become hard pressed to keep both enemies at bay. Schezar then finds an ancient Protoss structure capable of boosting their matrix field to allow Selendis to remotely warp them off world. As Urun and Eredas stay behind to help defend, Zeratul takes Schezar and finds a nearby ancient Protoss colony temple in an attempt to to re-active ancient obelisks to re-power a new warp-matrix field.

(An ancient Protoss shrine, housing a warp gate relay)

As they make their way through the ancient temple, they find feral Zerg that have taken up residence within, some of which were powerful strains of Zerg. Zeratul surmises they were the same Zerg Duran was leading, but doesn't know how they got there. As they fight through, Kerrigan arrives at Duran's Zerg's base and orders him to eradicate the Protoss at all costs. He attempts to protest but she takes control of the Zerg and leads the attack on them personally. As their defenses wore thin, Zeratul re-activates the final obelisk to power the warp field. As the UED began to close in on their location after destroying Kerrigan's Zerg, they were able to warp away in the last second as the UED Captain proclaimed they have wasted enough time here and need to join the fleet at Char. He orders a small garrison to stay behind and defend the Psi Disruptor. Kerrigan and Duran look onward from the distance. As Kerrigan readied her remaining Zerg to enage the Protoss, Duran convinced her to conserve the few Zerg still under her control against the Terrans. She grudgingly agreed and left the area. Meanwhile, the creature known only as Duran proclaims Kerrigan is a fool and she along with others doesn't understand who the true power in the galaxy is, but soon will as the Xel'Naga are coming..

Protoss06a - Showdown

Having recently escaped Char, the expedition fleet returns to Shakuras in order to gather their resources and plan their next move. As they approach the planet they are contacted by Artanis who tells them all of Shakuras is under attack by Ulrezaj's forces. Secretly, he had constructed a large orbital fleet with his Terran allies earlier and has begun assaulting them with mind controlled Khalai, Terran, and rogue Nerazim forces now calling themselves 'The First of Ulrezaj'. The central platform also housed a powerful EMP Generator that was capable of bringing down all of Shakuras' shields if fully powered. Most disturbing, they learn Ulrezaj has become a dark archon the likes of which has never been seen before. Just then the transmission is cut and Ulrezaj himself comes through proclaiming the time for vengeance is now. Zeratul makes a final desperate attempt to reason with him but Ulrezaj will not tolerate it. He orders his Terran leader, Schezar, to activate the EMP Generator, now fully under his control.

(Ulrezaj's completed EMP Generator)

The Protoss expedition fleet make a desperate attempt while Mohandar, Eredas, and Urun assault the outlying platforms Zeratul and Selendis assault the primary platform and stop Ulrezaj. As they approach to clear a landing site, Ulrezaj becomes aware of their presence but tells his forces to stand down for now and allow them to land, being over confident in his newfound powers.

(Executor Selendis, onboard her personal Carrier)

As Zeratul and Selendis battle both the Terrans and Ulrezaj's forces, the Terran Commander Zeratul rescued on Aiur returns with his fleet and destroys an enemy base, claiming they were traveling to discover a new world to call home and heard their distress calls. Welcoming their assistance, they ally themselves together against Ulrezaj. The Commander is horrified to learn Schezar is still alive and following Ulrezaj still and vows to do whatever it took to stop him. Ulrezaj then had enough and vowed to take care of the situation personally. He attempted to destroy Zeratul personally but was still overpowered by the fleet, even with his considerable powers. However, Ulrezaj was able to revive himself near the center of the platform and begin his attack again, growing ever more stronger. As the EMP Generator grew in power it was able to launch quick bursts of energy that drained the shields and energy of Protoss units, where Ulrezaj's forces seemed to have an immunity towards. Eventually Schezar was destroyed as well despite his considerable upgrades to his goliath.

(Ulrezaj's space platform above Shakuras)

At the final moment before the full power of the EMP Generator was unleashed on Shakuras to bring down its shields exposing it to attack, Zeratul, Selendis, and The Commander were able to destroy the device. Zeratul thanks the Commander for his help as he departs the platform in search of continuing to find a new peaceful home away from the Dominion. As they themselves are about to leave, Ulrezaj re-awakens once again and vows to destroy everything in his sight. The combined energy backlash begins to destroy the orbital platform as it explodes and began coming down. Several of the executor's templar warriors vowed to stop Ulrezaj as they themselves ordered Zeratul and Selendis to escape. Zeratul visibly upset, had no choice but left the platform.

Protoss06b - Showdown

Having recently escaped Braxis, the expedition fleet returns to Shakuras in order to gather their resources and plan their next move. As they approach the planet they are contacted by Artanis who tells them all of Shakuras is under attack by Ulrezaj's forces. Secretly, he had constructed a large orbital fleet with his Terran allies earlier and has begun assaulting them with mind controlled Khalai, enslaved Zerg, and rogue Nerazim forces now calling themselves 'The First of Ulrezaj'. The central platform also housed a large warp gate conduit that was capable of opening a permanent warp rift to unleash massive amounts of unusual enhanced Zerg if fully powered. Most disturbing, they learn Ulrezaj has become a dark archon the likes of which has never been seen before. Just then the transmission is cut and Ulrezaj himself comes through proclaiming the time for vengeance is now. Zeratul makes a final desperate attempt to reason with him but Ulrezaj will not tolerate it. He orders his followers to begin to activate the warp gate, bringing forth several enhanced Zerg.

(The massive Warp Conduit, linked to Char)

They learn these enslaved enahnced Zerg are somehow powerful enough to withstand the effects of the Xel'Naga temple's energies on Shakuras and could threaten the planet once again. The Protoss expedition fleet make a desperate attempt while Mohandar, Eredas, and Urun assault the outlying platforms Zeratul and Selendis assault the primary platform and stop Ulrezaj. As they approach to clear a landing site, Ulrezaj becomes aware of their presence but tells his forces to stand down for now and allow them to land, being over confident in his newfound powers. As Zeratul and Selendis battle both the Zerg and Ulrezaj's forces, the Terran Commander Zeratul rescued on Aiur returns with his fleet and destroys an enemy base, claiming they were traveling to discover a new world to call home and heard their distress calls. Welcoming their assistance, they ally themselves together against Ulrezaj. Ulrezaj then had enough and vowed to take care of the situation personally. He attempted to destroy Zeratul personally but was still overpowered by the fleet, even with his considerable powers. However, Ulrezaj was able to revive himself near the center of the platform and begin his attack again, growing ever more stronger. As the warp gate conduit grew in power it was able to sustain a brief warp field to bring forth several enhanced Zerg that Ulrezaj attempted to destroy Zeratul with.

(Ulrezaj's space platform above Shakuras)

At the final moment before the warp gate was fully powerd to unleash a permanent warp field to bring forth hordes of enhanced Zerg to unelash on Shakuras, Zeratul, Selendis, and The Commander were able to destroy the psi fields powering the gate, and it shut down. Zeratul thanks the Commander for his help as he departs the platform in search of continuing to find a new peaceful home away from the Dominion. As they themselves are about to leave, Ulrezaj re-awakens once again and vows to destroy everything in his sight. The combined energy backlash begins to destroy the orbital platform as it explodes and begin coming down. Several of the executor's templar warriors vowed to stop Ulrezaj as they themselves ordered Zeratul and Selendis to escape. Zeratul visibly upset, had no choice but left the platform.

Epilogue

Ulrezaj's plan to destroy the Khalai on Shakuras by unleashing a massive EMP wave (A canon, enhanced Zerg invasion if B canon) was shattered when Zeratul interrupted his plans aboard the platform stationed above the planet. Ulrezaj vowed as long as he was alive he would do whatever it took to enact his righteous justice upon all Protoss who stood in his way. As the platform began to break apart, Ulrezaj made good on that promise and began destroying every Protoss he could find near him that attempted to stop him from leaving. Before the platform came crashing down to Shakuras, Ulrezaj unleashed a massive wave of energy that obliterated everything on the platform and forcefully transported himself to the surface of Shakuras in an attempt to destroy the Protoss there. His hatred was blinding him between anyone who was Khalai, destroying anyone in his way.

(Ulrezaj's followers being defeated by the combined Protoss allies on Shakuras)

Still, a combined force of Zeratul, Selendis, and Artanis pushed Ulrezaj and his followers back. Unfortunately Ulrezaj found an ancient Warp Gate where he departed with his followers before the backlash of energy destroyed it, allowing none to follow. With his hatred burning hotter than the brightest star, he realized his energy would eventually fade and kill him in his Archon form. Combing over the knowledge he unlocked ancient Xel'Naga knowledge he had learned from his studies as an Alysaar. He took three more Dark Templar worshipers on the ancient moon of Ehina and absorbed their energy as well to become terrifyingly more powerful and immensely large. By doing this, combined with a secret underwater nexus of energy, Ulrezaj knew he would become immortal.

Meanwhile, as Artanis gave his report to Matriarch and the council of Shakuras at the temple at Talematros, he discussed how valiantly they fought against Ulrezaj. Even though they had lost many in the process, they have seen first hand what prejudice and hatred can lead to. They know realized they must stand united together and rebuild their once glorious civilization. To that end, Artanis began to commission a new fleet that will rival any previous fleets in Aiur's past. This "Grand Armada" will protect Shakuras and seek out those who would do harm to it, Ulrezaj or Kerrigan included. Unfortunately, Zeratul took the battle with Ulrezaj hard as he lost many brethren in the process. Not willing to stand by the Matriarch and take a seat at the council, he departed Talematros and began to meditate in a solitary canyon nearby. Within his thoughts he began to fear what the future would hold for his people if such creatures like Ulrezaj still roamed freely in the galaxy. Troubling more...how he was able to manipulate Khaydarin crystals and nearly unleash them on Skauras. Could Kerrigan or her new cohort Duran play any role in this? Only time would tell...

(Post Episode II Enslavers Redux but just before Episode VI Brood War) Not long after, the mysterious creature calling himself Samir Duran smiled quietly aboard a secret vessel just outside of Tarsonis space, and Kerrigan's primary hive cluster, as he received reports from his elite mercenaries that previously served under Schezar that Ulrezaj had been taken care of by the Protoss. Duran knew Ulrezaj had played his part and could not afford to have him stay a threat for much longer, but may still have use for him as a tool of war later. The remaining warped Khaydarin crystals Ulrezaj created was brought before Duran and he was pleased with the result. The mercenaries questioned their safety before Duran unleashed a form of mind-control of his own...calming the Terran's and putting them in his control. He ordered the mercenaries to begin setting up laboratories similar to the ones created on Amora prior on various worlds, all hidden and spread as far as possible across the galaxy. Duran proclaimed that Ulrezaj is no more and the Dominion has been destroyed. Just then a psionic wave bursted from the UED's controlled Psi Disruptor began to reach Tarsonis. He knew he would need to play his role as Kerrigan's consort a while longer still in order to achieve his final objective to destroy the UED before all threats to him and his plans for the re-birth of the Xel'Naga were removed.