Not long after the dragon was vanquished a great feast was held in Archers honor and to commemorate his victory the cities blacksmiths fashioned a bow and a set of arrows from the beasts remains while his friends received other gifts. A spear and shield were made from Stormwind, Charm Caster received a large vial of dragons blood for her experiments, Melody was given a special bag fashioned from the skin and Iron Forge was given a new battle axe made from the claws.

"May these tools favor you on your journey."

Uther Stormtalon; Lord and Sky Marshall of Stormpike bowed in respect to the heroes as the celebration came to an end before a horn call was sounded just outside the gate with the guards preparing to lose their arrows as the Marshall joined them on the wall.

"What's going on here?"

"A messenger sir....From the Minotaurs."

Like the warg clans the Minotaurs were hated enemies of the gryphons.
Since ancient times the two races fought each other for power and dominance, while the gryphons were an honorable race capable of reason the Minotaurs were a tribe of barbarians who craved bloodshed and combat and were vain above all else, seeing other races as weaker beings in need of subjugation.

"I wish to speak with the one known as 'Storm Wind'! I bring a message from Lord Gor'Zan!"

Though reluctant Storm Wind flew from the safety of the battlements before planting his spear and raising both arms showing no hidden weapons as he approached the large (and not to mention smelly) minotaur before him.

"Relay your message...quickly."

Despite the large foe before him the young colt was in no way intimidated by the horned giant as he began to relay the message.

"My lord simply requests this: Relinquish the Alicorn Scroll and you shall be allowed mercy."

Suddenly the young colt glared at the minotaur slowly approaching with his fist clenched in pure rage.

"Mercy....MERCY?!? what does your master know of mercy?!? did he show mercy to the soldiers who died at the battle of thunder pass?!? DID HE SHOW MERCY TO MY FATHER WHEN HE DISGRACED HIM AFTER HE FELL IN BATTLE?!?"

Fearing he may cause an incident the others were ready to jump in until the Marshall stopped them in their tracks with eyes still fixed on the young soldier who had calmed down a tad before responding to the offer.

"Tell your master this: If he wants the scroll he'll have to pry it from my COLD! DEAD! HANDS!!!"

The minotaur had looked rather pleased with the young Pegasus response as a devilish grin appeared on his face.

"So be it. Tonight! the streets of Stormpike will run red with blood!!!"

The messenger then left in a strangely cheerful manner while Storm Wind retrieved his spear flying to the safety of the battlements, expecting to get a mouthful from the Marshall as well as his friends but to his surprise they all nodded in satisfaction before returning to the city keep.

Not long after preparations were soon made for the oncoming siege. The women and children were sent into a mountain passage hidden in the city while those who were capable of bearing arms were sent to the armory and much of them were husbands or young sons while above the city scouts and messengers were sent everywhere in hopes of aid and discovering the enemies movements while Lord Stormtalon readied the cities defense.

"Put all our forces behind the wall, bar the gate and set a watch on the surround. We will cover the causeway and the gate from above."

"What of siege machines my lord?"

"Our walls have never been breached before! the greatest stone masons in all Equestria helped build this city, both gryphon and pony alike. Within these walls...we will outlast them."

Despite his encouraging words Star Swirl could sense doubt the voice of his old friend since they both knew how cunning the minotaurs can be and the wargs even more so.

As night fell upon the city the scouts had returned, each with grave news.

"My lord....no help will come."

"What?!?"

"The Minotaurs have raided the outlying settlements! there were no survivors...."

"What of the messenger sent to canterlot?"

"He hasn't returned yet my lord."

The Marshall began to grow worried after hearing word of the raids and worse the slaughter of his people but that fear soon turned to rage as he marched pass his soldiers with only two body guards at his side.

"BRING ME MY ARMOR!!"

Meanwhile in the armory Storm Wind had finished equipping his armor but to his surprise he couldn't find his helmet and began to look around when out of the corner of his eye he spotted Melody offering it to him.

"You'll need this."

She said in a nervous manner as the helmet was gently taken from her with Storm Wind showing a friendly smile, as he prepared to leave Melody was prepared to say something when she was suddenly cut off.

"Melody....I haven't forgotten you."

"W-what?"

"I remember that night in cloudsdale."

It was a full moon night as Melody made her way home from medical school where she was studying to be a nurse. As the hour grew late she had decided to take a shortcut through an alley way near her home in the upper district when out of nowhere a guard had appeared.

"It's dangerous to be out this late miss."

"Oh! I'm sorry I just got out of class I'll be heading home now."

She said in a friendly manner when the guard suddenly slammed his hand against the wall and upon closer inspection he reeked of alcohol and his face was drunken red with a devious smile making her grow nervous.

"I-I'll be going now."

"What's the hurry? Stay a while and let's have some fun heh heh heh...."

The guard approached her with his grin growing into a sinister smile before Melody pushed him away making a run for it.

"YOU BITCH!!!"

SMACK!!!

Melody was sent crashing onto the street, her bag spilling onto the floor as the guard pinned her to the ground as she tried to struggle, eyes filled with tears.

"Now now don't be scared. I'll make you into a real woman heh heh..."

The guard was preparing to undo his pants when suddenly he felt the front of a boot hit him square in the nose making him fly back as he saw a young colt helping her up.

"WHAT THE BUCK?!? what the heck's your problem kid?!?"

"Just shut up and fight..."

The guard then reached for his sword grinning after seeing it was only a young colt before him despite the blurred vision from his drunken state.

"AAAAAHHHHH!!!!!'

The guard came swinging in at full force only to end up hitting the wall, as it turned out the kick made him more dizzy than the alcohol when the young colt flipped him over pinning his own sword against his throat.

"Any last words? Didn't think so!"

"STORMWIND! that's enough!!"

"Mother?"

Commander Hurricane, escorted by a few guards had just arrived on the scene as a young Storm Wind was preparing to deliver the finishing blow. As it turns out the commander had been investigating this soldier after receiving numerous complaints from the citizens of Cloudsdale among them were harassment and attempted rape.

"Private Lancer of the elite guard. You are hereby dishonorably discharged!"

"B-But commander-!!"

"Get this worm out of my sight! and you young man! what were you doing out this late? and with this young mare?"

Like any youth Storm Wind was scared to death of his mother, especially when she was angry. The young colt tried to explain himself but was cut short when his mother began yanking on his ear.

"You are in SO much trouble right now young man!"

"Commander wait it's not his fault it's mine!"

Melody then explained the situation to her as she finally let loose her sons ear and much to her delight heard of how he outsmarted the guard while keeping her safe.

"Well Storm Wind it seems you're this young mares hero HOWEVER you're still grounded for sneaking out!"

"Yes mother..."

In that moment the two stared at each other with a friendly smile as they said their goodbyes and the memory soon faded.

"Shortly after I learned you were in an arranged marriage so I chose to join the army....I know how you felt about me during those days Melody but things have changed now."

"Stormwind..."

"Whoever the lucky stallion is....I hope the two of you will be happy."

Just as Melody was about to explain the marriage a horn call was sounded as the two ran out to see a chain of torches lit in the distance.

"They're here..."

Within moments the soldiers began taking their posts on the battlements with Archer, Charm Caster and Iron Forge taking different sections of the wall while Storm Wind stood in front of the main gate making the minotaurs laugh uncontrollably. It was a silent before the army began banging their weapons and armor while roaring furiously trying to intimidate the defenders.

"Enough of this racket!!"

Lord Stormtalon shouted as he fired the first shot killing a minotaur on the front line and within moments the others began growling and roaring in pure rage charging straight at the wall while Storm Wind donned his helmet and readied his spear.

"Sir Storm Wind The Valiant! Knight of Equestria!!"

SHING!

"READY FOR ACTION!!!"

To be continued

Author's Note

Thought I'd give Storm Wind his own little catchphrase. Every hero needs one.