A week after departing Canterlot. Commander Hurricane and her troops finally arrived at the edge of the Everfree forest escorted by King Aspen and his elite guard.

"Proceed with caution." Aspen said in a gloomy tone as he gazed on the forest for signs of danger while Commander Hurricane ordered her troops to get in formation before entering the forest and already the soldiers began to feel uneasy hearing the noises from the creatures that dwelled within while Aspen and his men acted like it was a Sunday stroll, continuing to lead the march.

For a while the legion seemed to wander aimlessly through the forest hearing nothing but the sound of birds singing and began to feel as if they were back at home, like the forest felt natural to them even the commander dropped her guard to admire the beauty of this untamed wilderness seeing the sunlight pierce the leaves like a dazzling light show when out of nowhere a familiar eerie howl was heard.

"Timber wolves?"

"I wish...POSITIONS!!"

CLANG!!

In an instant the soldiers divided into separate groups forming a multitude of shield walls while the commander and Aspen listened to the sound of war cries and clanging weapons coming out of the trees.

"Steady!" Commander Hurricane shouted keeping her troops as calm as possible while the noise continued before a strange rumbling was heard.

"STEADY!!" She shouted once more before a large boulder came crashing through scattering the troops as the wargs charged in waving their weapons, snarling wildly and within moments the whole legion was surrounded on all sides.

"HOLD POSITIONS!! HOOLD!!!" Commander Hurricane shouted as she struck down another warg while more and more came pouring out of the forest like a flood while Aspen and his elite guard did their best to thin the enemy ranks, firing arrows in all directions but soon the legion was slowly beginning to fall apart as each formation was broken one by one.

"COMMANDER!! WE'RE BEING SLAUGHTERED!!" Cried one of the soldiers as the commander spotted a path through the trees.

"FALL BAAACK!!!" Leading the retreat into the woods Commander Hurricane lead her troops through a small dirt path through the woods with the wargs giving chase picking the soldiers off one by one until they came to a cliff with only a small battalion left as they heard the enemy coming from all sides.

"Aspen! Go to Canterlot! tell the council what has happened!"

"But-!!"

"JUST GO!!! I'll buy you as much time as I can!"

Seeing there was no time to argue Aspen took his remaining guard through the forest before the wargs slowly crept out of the woods, each of their weapons covered in the blood of their fallen foes while some presented the heads of the fallen soldiers but instead of fear the remaining legionaries became outraged and furious, the commander was no acception.

"Mongrel bastards!! SHIELD WALL!!!!"

YAHHH!!!

In a clamor of steel the soldiers prepared to make their final stand as their enemies slowly moved in before rushing the remaining forces.

Two days had passed as the citizens of Canterlot continued their day while in the upper district a certain soldier had begun to awaken his new wife with a gentle embrace followed by a morning kiss.

"Good morning...my husband." Melody said eyes still closed as she embraced Storm Wind, returning his kiss before both got out of bed to dress themselves.

"My beautiful Melody." Storm Wind said softly as he stroked her hair away from her face seeing her beautiful eyes just as one of the servants came into the room.

"Master Storm Wind. Your breakfast is ready."

Storm Wind nodded in thanks as he escorted Melody to the front porch where they had a quiet breakfast, enjoying each others company before going out for a walk on the streets. Storm Wind had never been happier in his life now that he was married to the mare of his dreams and living peacefully in Canterlot but whenever Melody looked at him she saw only a sad heart and a broken spirit, especially after remembering his near death experience with Gor'Zan.

The memory of that battle remained fresh in Storm Winds mind and he began to recall Gor'Zans taunts as he toyed with him, mocking his deceased father and calling him a "Weak Spawn" of his mother as he began to drift off in his thoughts, clenching his fist in anger before Melody snapped him out of it holding his hand.

"It's alright." She simply said to him, no need for an explanation as they finished their breakfast and headed out into the streets of Canterlot to see what was in the market and just like Stormpike City the streets were bustling with life with vendors calling out to customers while others simply passed by making their way to their homes or meetings for the day when suddenly the guard at the front gate blew the warning horn signaling the other soldiers as the crowd began to worry.

"Something's wrong..." Storm Wind said as he and Melody moved through the crowd, making their way to the front gate to see one of the legionaries from Commander Hurricanes unit badly wounded and out of breath.

"MOVE!! EVERYONE GIVE HIM SOME AIR!!" Called out the guard captain while Storm Wind marched up to the wounded soldier.

"S-Sir Storm Wind! the ninth-AGH!" The soldier cried out from the pain of his wound before some medics finally showed up to take him to the hospital but not before he was able to deliver his message.

"The Ninth legion has fallen!" The soldier cried out as the crowd gasped in horror and began to talk among themselves before being disperesed by the local guard. Hours later Storm Wind and his friends were summoned to a secret council where King Aspen had just arrived still battered from the ambush at Everfree as he explained the situation.

"I don't know how but the wargs were able to track us down...Commander Hurricane is most likely alive, I believe they plan to keep her for ransom"

"They want the map." Princess Platinum declared realizing the gravity of the situation before Chancellor Puddinghead gave a proposal to the council.

"Why not send in a small group to rescue her?"

"Even if we had the troops it would take us days, maybe weeks to find them!"

"Not necessarily you majesty." Aspen declared as all eyes focused on him.

"My people know those woods like the back of our hand. We can find the commander and any remaining troops that live."

Despite his claim the council members still had second thoughts since Commander Hurricane wasn't around but as their discussion continued a loud slam was heard shocking everyone in the room as Storm Wind slowly stood from his seat glaring at all of them in a cold manner.

"Is it REALLY that hard of a decision to make?!? Our soldiers are imprisoned and are probably being tortured or worse!!! and you want to discuss it like it's a difficult decision?!?" Storm Wind shouted at the top of his lungs feeling nothing but outrage as he looked at all the council members before looking King Aspen straight in the eye.

"Lord Aspen. I will join you."

Without a second thought Storm Wind left the council room followed by Aspen leaving the other members bewildered since they thought the only one with such courage and tenacity was Commander Hurricane.

After the events at the council Storm Wind had gone to the barracks to grab what gear he needed before noticing all of his friends and Melody at the entrance.

"What are you guys doing here?"

"You really think we're going to let YOU have all the fun?" Iron Forge asked with a smirk before grabbing some gear of his own with Charm Caster and Archer doing the same and despite his concern a small smirk formed on Storm Winds face knowing he had such loyal friends.

"All set are we?" An elderly voice called as the group gasped seeing Star Swirl standing at the entrance.

"Don't try and stop us Star Swirl." Storm Wind said in a low tone reaching for a spear.

"Stop you? On the contrary my boy....I have something for you if you'll follow me."

Knowing his former teacher would never lie Storm Wind nodded to the others before following the Unicorn mage back to his families home.

"Why'd you bring me here?"

"Because I now know you are ready."

"Ready?"

Before Storm Wind could say anything else Star Swirl pressed a small stone slab on the ground revealing a hidden tunnel beneath the estate as he used the magic from his horn to light the way.

"Follow me." The mage said as Storm Wind did as he was told following the Unicorn down the dark passage before coming to a door lit up with magical runes.

"What is this place?"

"This...is part of your families history." Star Swirl said before reminding Storm Wind of an old legend that was passed down through his family.

Long ago; Before the founding of Cloudsdale the Pegasai were lead by a warrior named Damocles. He was the greatest warrior ever known, during a great battle he was betrayed by his generals and left to die. When Damocles had arrived in the underworld the Goddess of revenge; Nemesis used her power to revive him, using the fire of his hatred to give him life turning him into a great black centurion. The transformation made him faster, stronger....unstoppable and when Damocles had exacted his revenge on his traitorous generals he left his armor proclaiming that only those of his bloodline would don it in times of great need.

"That time....is now." With that being said Star Swirl used his magic to dispel the runes revealing the legendary armor itself. Storm Wind stared in awe at the craftsmanship seeing his reflection before turning back to Star Swirl who seemed to look at him with confidence.

"Take this armor Storm Wind. Become...The Black Centurion."

The End.

Author's Note

Everyone has a dark family history, some darker than others.

Next time: The Black Centurion!!

See ya soon!

The scene with the armor was a small twist from the legend in "Ryse. Son of Rome"