When the player reaches the Dark Portal in the Blasted Lands, there awaits a group of Alliance and Horde soldiers, working together, making final preparations to invade. After the player first steps through the portal, there's a massive battle going on between the Iron Horde and the Vanguard. As the player progresses through the storyline, it is speculated that the Vanguard is failing, but they continue to fight. After the player finishes the initial quests at the Dark Portal, the Vanguard is not seen again.