Star Swirl The Bearded; The greatest Unicorn mage in all of Equestrian history was known for mainly being a wanderer in search of any signs of evil or finding hidden ruins and artifacts and now he was standing before the group of young heroes as he pulled out a smoke pipe with a cheerful grin.

"Good morning!"

He says in a happy tone as he lights a fire with his magic beginning to smoke while they still stood there bewildered at the destruction he caused with just a few basic spells.

Needless to say Charm Caster was excited to see a great mage like Star Swirl standing before them while the others just stayed quiet when suddenly Storm Wind stepped forward with a cheerful smile on his face.

"MASTER STAR SWIRL!!"

Star Swirl was Storm Winds tutor when he was a young colt, he taught him everything from reading and writing to basic war tactics and living off the land. The old Unicorn greeted his former student with a gracious hug before getting a good look at how much he'd grown in his absence as he walked towards the others for a quick introduction and before long the great mage was joining them on their quest to return to Canterlot with the ancient scroll.

After a long days walk the group set up camp near the roadside while Charm Caster and Star Swirl casted an illusion spell to hide themselves from prying eyes, all seemed peaceful at first when Iron Forge noticed Storm Wind looking depressed and distant as he stared into the flames before handing him some bread and an apple, with a friendly smile Storm Wind accepted as his former master blew another puff of his pipe before speaking up.

"Something troubles you my boy. Care to tell me what?"

And with a heavy sigh Storm Wind picked up his spear looking at his reflection and stayed silent for a short moment.

"It's...the anniversary of my fathers death..."

"Ah...Stout Heart."

Star Swirl had been a long time friend of Commander Hurricane and the other members of the council and was overjoyed to hear when she got married, even more so when he was offered to be best colt at the wedding. As the memories came flooding back Storm Wind looked at the old Unicorn eyes burning with questions.

"Master...what happened that day?"

"(sigh) I knew this day would come....It began at Thunder Pass; during the start of the war..."

The others sat down as Star Swirl began to tell his tale.

Star Swirl had set out with a garrison from Canterlot. Their orders were to secure a supply route through the mountains but the enemy had got there before them. Thunder Pass had been taken by the wargs lead by none other than Gor'Zan himself as he lead his tribesman in an ambush against the Equestrians, His first victim would be Storm Winds father; General Stout Heart.

"GOR'ZAN!!!"

Stout Heart roared at his foe placing his spear in the ground as Gor'Zan turned to face him pulling his claws out of another slain soldier.

"You..."

The two combatants wasted no time in exchanging blows as Stout Heart was the first to draw blood cutting Gor'Zan on his arm before the Warg Chieftan broke into a frenzy of rage, swinging his sword wildly while further down the pass Commander Hurricane along with a group of volunteers struck at the enemy from above While Star Swirl used his magic to put up a barrier protecting the main unit of the garrison.

Commander Hurricane began noticing that she was losing troops and fast with no way to escape, then out of nowhere she heard a familiar cry and as she turned she stared in horror as everything became quiet. Gor'Zan had slain Stout Heart.

"RRAAAAGGGGHHH!!!!"

The chieftan roared with triumph as he raised the lifeless body of the general over his head before he threw his slain foe to the ground while the commander stared in disbelief, as her grief and rage completely overtook her she broke ranks charging her enemy.

"Stout Heart.....NOOOO!!!!!!"

"COMMANDER COME BACK!!"

Star Swirl called out but it was too late.

Gor'Zan heard the cries of the enraged mare as he turned to face her, eager for the next kill but soon found himself outmatched as the commander unleashed the full force of her fighting skill and flight abilities, each blow sent him staggering back while his enemy struck at him like mad until at last he saw a chance to strike the commander out of the air as he raised his sword with both arms grinning with anticipation when out of nowhere a strong gust of wind threw him off balance and the commander saw her chance to end this once and for all.

"RRAGH!!!"

"*SHING!* AHHHH MY EYE!!!!"

Commander Hurricanes sword narrowly missed it's target as the chieftan fell to his knees half blind and helpless but before she could get in another swing the commander found herself defending against a barrage of arrows before Star Swirl placed a barrier nodding to her as they saw the enemy forces falling back to protect their leader.

"SLAY THEM ALL!!! TO AARRRMMS!!!"

The soldiers were ignited by the commanders cry and rallied to her side slaying what was left of the wargs.

The enemy had been defeated and the pass was taken but the cost was great, very few soldiers were left at the end of that battle and some were dying of their wounds while others helped their comrades to their feet the commander however only held one fallen soldier in her arms; Her beloved Stout Heart.

The grief was too much for her to bare as she sobbed greatly clinging to her lover desperately wanting all of this to be a bad dream, many of the soldiers saw this and bowed their heads in respect leaving the commander to mourn Stout Hearts passing.

News of the battle soon reached the council members and they were shocked by how many troops they lost in that one fight but also shocked that one of their top generals and Commander Hurricanes only love was slain, things began to look grim despite the decisive victory in claiming the pass but soon good news came.

A month after the battle it was discovered that the commander was pregnant and before long she had given birth to a young colt.

The commander laid there exhausted by the birthing process as she panted heavily hearing the cries of her newborn until at last the midwife came over with the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes escorted by Colver The Clever and Princess Platinum who were overjoyed to see the little foal come into the world.

"Congratulations Commander Hurricane. It's a healthy little colt."

Clover The Clever declared as she handed the baby over.

The commanders eyes swelled with tears of joy as she looked into her babies eyes that were red as her coat while the baby reached one hand out to her cooing as she gently held it in her arms.

"Storm Wind...his name is Storm Wind."

"I think that's a fine name."

Princess Platinum agreed with her friend and shortly after the babies birth the commander retired from active duty to raise her foal with the help of Star Swirl at the request of Clover The Clever.

As Star Swirls tale ended the group stared in amazement while their childhood friend gripped his spear in rage after hearing how disgracefully his father was treated by Gor'Zan and was now more determined than ever to ensure that the chieftan would die by his spear; To finish what his mother started then Star Swirl turned to the young colt bearing grim news of the enemies movements.

"Stormwind. You should know that our enemies know of the scroll...and they know of you my boy. Gor'Zan has placed a bounty on your head and he hasn't forgotten what your mother did to him."

"Good..."

Melody stared in shock as to what she had just heard and saw in his eyes a desire for blood and revenge as she clinged to Charm Casters arm.

"I want him to find me! and when he does I'm going to finish what my mother and father started! When he finds me the last thing he'll see is my spear piercing his black heart!!!"

In that moment the young colt stormed off while Star Swirl sighed with regret knowing fully well how his former student would react.

Meanwhile a meeting took place between the chieftans of the warg tribes as they quarreled over the recent loss of troops when Gor'Zan bursted into the room looking very annoyed.

"ENOUGH!!"

The large warg marched to his seat as the other chieftans stayed silent out of fear as Gor'Zan sat on his throne made of bones before allowing them to proceed.

"What news is there?"

"Chieftan. Our spies report that Star Swirl The Bearded has joined the group we set out to hunt and they'll be in the city by dawn tomorrow."

"We should strike Stormpike City now! catch them off guard!"

"We'd just lose more troops! besides, nothing can get through their walls!"

Gor'Zan suddenly bursted into laughter upon hearing the councilmans declaration before sitting back up and gesturing them to follow.

"Nothing? what about...THIS!!"

As they came to a small clearing in the forest the other chieftans stared in shock at what they saw. A large black dragon bound by a magic chain began to rouse from its slumber as it let out a fiery roar killing one of them before Gor'Zan walked up to it arms wide open as it laid its head down giving a purr like growl.

"Tell me my pet...do you still hunger for Gryphon meat?"

The End.

Author's Note

The events for this chapter were inspired by one of my favorite scenes from The Hobbit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63cCOV1aAv8