After so many years of training Storm Wind finally stood face to face with the very being who killed his father; Gor'Zan. For a moment the two stood facing each other with Storm Wind gripping his spear, ready for an attack while Gor'Zan grinned at the look on the young stallions face.

"So you're the son of General Stout Heart eh?"

"Don't you DARE speak his name!!!"

Storm Wind shouted taking a step forward as the wargs surrounding Gor'Zan prepared to charge before their chieftan gestured them to stand down as he turned back to Storm Wind.

"I'll make this simple for you boy. Hand over the scroll and i'll let you and your friends live."

"I would sooner die!"

"Is that so?"

Gor'Zan smirked cocking an eyebrow as his minions began forming a circle around them.
Meanwhile. Commander Hurricane and her troops had finally reached the borders near the Everfree Forest before running in two a squad of archers lead by King Aspen himself.

"King Aspen! what brings you here?"

The commander was surprised to see the king of the forest venture out of his domain and with what appeared to be his royal guard, when the troops came to a stop Aspen looked the commander straight in the eye looking concerned.

"We must hurry! Gor' Zan has challenged your son to a duel!"

"WHAT?!?"

Despite her sons skill Commander Hurricane knew he would be no match for the leader of the wargs while back at the forests edge the duel had already begun.

"RRRAGH!!!"

Blinded by his rage and thirst for revenge Storm Wind attacked furiously without thinking while his foe gave a smug look of confidence blocking each blow while taunting him non stop.

"Impressive! You've lasted much longer than your father."

"Shut up..."

"You put up a much better fight than he did."

"I SAID SHUT UP!!!!!"

In his rage Storm Wind thrusted his spear forward as Gor'Zan stepped aside delivering a large gash in his back while Storm Wind cried out in pain.

"STORM WIND!!!"

Melody cried out as she saw the blood pouring from his wound as he rose to his feet fighting off the pain before going in for another attack before staggering from another cut to his torso while Gor'Zan laughed as he cleaned the blood of his blade.

"Really boy? is that all you got? Your mother would be so disappointed."

"RRAAAAGGGGGHHHH!!!!!"

Once more Storm Wind went into a blind rage, attacking head on while his friends called out to him trying to calm him down but it was no use as they watched their friend suffer strike after strike until at last his spear was shattered causing him to collapse from exhaustion. All had grown quiet as Storm Wind laid there on the grass soaked in his own blood, his fingers as well as the rest of his body had gone numb and his mind became a complete blank making him oblivious to everything even as Gor'Zan stood above him looking at him in disappointment and disgust.

"Pathetic! How could Commander Hurricane spawn such a weak little wretch like you?"

Even as Gor'Zan mocked him Storm Wind continued to stare up at the sky hearing nothing but the wind despite the loud cries from his friends desperately begging him to stand up.

"STORM WIND COME ON!!"

"YOU CAN STILL BEAT HIM!!"

"FIGHT BACK!!!"

Still their cries fell on deaf ears as Gor'Zan raised his sword preparing to deliver the final blow looking at the broken warrior beneath him.

"Don't worry boy....I'll put you out of your misery..."

THWACK!!!

Out of nowhere an arrow struck one of the wargs in the circle and in the blink of an eye Commander Hurricane followed by King Aspen charged the enemy forcing them to retreat back into the forest, as the fight died down Commander Hurricane saw the mutilated body of her son screaming in fright as she rushed over tossing aside her helm and weapons.

"NOOO!!!!"

Commander Hurricane cried out as she neared the body of her son trying to wake him up.

"Storm Wind! Storm Wind open your eyes!! It's me!.....It's mother!"

Quickly cradling his head in her arms she cried out fearing she had lost her one and only child as Star Swirl rushed to her side checking for a pulse while the others watched in anxiety.

"He's alive! but if we don't get him help soon he's not going to make it!"

"Can't you use your magic?!?"

"A healing spell would be too dangerous. He's lost all physical strength."

"I would help but I must return to my people."

"You've done enough. Thank you Aspen."

Commander Hurricane said sounding truly thankful as Aspen vanished into the shadows of the forest with his troops while Melody made a stretcher out of their camping equipment allowing the other guards to carry Storm Wind back to Canterlot.

Moments after arriving Storm Wind was immediately taken to the medical wing escorted by his mother while the others waited. Hours had passed before one of the doctors stepped into the room wiping his hands clean with a look of relief on his face.

"He's going to make it."

"Thank goodness."

Charm Caster said sighing with relief as they made their way to his room to see his mother at his side waiting for him to wake up with Melody but before they could enter they began to overhear something.

"I'm Sorry I couldn't stop him Commander..."

"It's not your fault Spring Breeze. I would've done the same thing given the chance....have you made your decision?"

Commander Hurricane asked as The mare gently held Storm Winds hand while he slept.

"I have....I've decided that when Storm Wind recovers I will become his wife."

The other three stared in shock at what they were hearing, The arranged marriage that they heard about was going to be between two of their closest friends and what's worse is that Storm Wind had no idea!!

The End.

Author's Note

Not only has our hero been defeated but now he must enter an arranged marriage?!? how will this affect him?

Next Time on "The Great War": Broken Spirit!!

See ya soon!