News of the victory at Stormpike city began to spread all over Equestria, already ponies and other races began telling tales of "Archer The Dragon Slayer", "Storm Wind The Valiant", "Iron Forge The Strong", "Lady Melody" and "Charm Caster The Great" and throughout the kingdom hope began to spread as many young stallions and mares rushed to enlist in the royal army hoping to join the heroes while far off in the north a shadow crept its way to the kingdom.

Gor'Zan having been fed up with his recent failures had chosen to retrieve the scroll himself with a large number of his elite soldiers making there way to the northern borders of the Everfree Forest, making there way under the shade of the trees completely unphased by the many dangerous creatures that lurked within until at last they came to a forest clearing dropping to the floor like rocks.

"We're not going no further! Till we've had a breather!!!"

Groaned one of the soldiers gasping for air as the others followed trying to find a soft patch of grass to lay on while one of the captains saw that night was coming.

"GET A FIRE GOING!!"

Within seconds a handful of Wargs began chopping down the nearby trees, scaring out the small animals and birds while the trees began to groan scaring some of the Wargs.

"What's that sound?

"Just the wind! Ignore it."

Unknown to the Wargs the Everfree Forest was home to an ancient race that had protected this ancient realm for many centuries and in the shade of the trees a pair of yellow eyes spied on the enemy making camp before vanishing into the shadows, the mysterious figure leaped through the trees going deeper and deeper into the dark of the forest until coming to a small glen where stood a magnificent palace built into the forest itself.

"My lord Aspen. I bring troubling news."

Aspen; The King of the Everfree Forest and his people had lived secluded from the rest of the world for many generations, not involving themselves with the troubles of the outside world until the war came.
Aspen was a towering stag decorated with golden antlers, his coat was white as snow and his eyes as green as an emeralds. Long had he ruled his domain with wisdom and trust, a trust not easily given to those other than his own kind.

"What is your report?"

"The Wargs have crossed into our borders my liege. It appears they are tracking something."

"Star Swirl...."

Aspen had been a good friend of Star Swirl and had shared much of his wisdom of the forest with him, knowing his friend was in danger the king immediately sent a messenger to Canterlot while preparing a handful of troops to deal with the invaders. Meanwhile the heroes had arrived on the southern edge of the forest; Near the borders of Canterlot where already they began to make plans for their arrival.

"First thing I'm going to do is have a nice long bath."

Charm Caster sighed as she conjured up a fan to cool herself and giving one to Melody while the boys groaned in the hot sun like a trio of zombies.

"So...hoooot...."

"Can't....take it!"

"Hm. Kids today. Can't take the heat of the outdoors."

Star Swirl declared in an almost arrogant tone as he conjured up an umbrella to shade him from the sun while they growled in anger before finally coming to a rest near the edge of the forest.

"Are you sure it's safe to rest here? what about timber wolves?"

Storm Wind asked keeping his spear at the ready while he watched for any signs of movement.

"We'll be fine as long as a barrier is up."

Charm Caster replied as she put up a shield bubble before joining the others for a quick lunch break feasting on small bits of fruit and bread.

"So Storm Wind. What're you gonna do when you get back? I mean with the stories about us going around you're probably gonna have droves of mares begging to be your wife!"

"Sorry but that's not the life for me."

Much to their surprise all if his friends couldn't believe what they were hearing as he just sat their taking a bite of his bread.

"Whoa are you serious?"

"I am and besides you all know the tradition of Cloudsdale marriages."

After giving his statement the others nodded in agreement since there were only two ways a high class member of Cloudsdale could marry.
The first was to choose someone worthy of marriage and the second was to beat them in single combat but since Storm Wind was trained under Commander Hurricane herself no mare in the entire city was able to beat him, while the conversation continued Melody sat there twiddling her fingers not saying a word.

Meanwhile in Canterlot. The messenger sent from King Aspen had just arrived with his message bringing troubling news to the council members.

"WHAT?!? Are you certain it was him?!?"

Commander Hurricane shouted as she rose from her seat in disbelief glaring at the messenger before Chancellor Pudding Head calmed her down.

"Whoa! Slow your roll sister!"

Pudding Head shouted as she tried to get the commander back into her seat with little success.

"What does that even mean?"

Princess Platinum asked before getting back to the matter at hand.

"Now. Are you sure it was Gor'Zan?"

"Yes your highness. He plans to intercept Storm Wind and his group along the main road near the forest, I suspect they'll be upon them within a days march."

This news began to fill the commanders heart with fear after remembering what Gor'Zan had did to her husband, looking to her fellow council members it was decided that a small battalion would meet with the small party as a security escort with Commander Hurricane leading along with the princesses assistant Clover The Clever and after the messenger had left for the Everfree Forest Commander Hurricane assembled her troops and departed from the city as night fell.

The next day, back at the campsite Storm Wind heard a faint rustling from the nearby bushes but pretended to stay asleep as he rolled over laying his hand on his spear before opening one eye seeing the others noticed as well before a handful of wargs charged the camp as the heroes sprang to their feet, weapons drawn.

"SURPRISE!!"

Archer shouted firing three arrows at once with Charm Caster casting a lightning spell with Star Swirls help and as the smoke settled the sound of someone applauding was heard before Storm Winds eyes bursted into shock seeing a large warg wearing armor decorated with various pony skulls.

"Impressive my boy. Allow me to introduce myself I'm-!!"

"I know Exactly who you are!!!"

Storm Wind said in a cold tone as his wings bursted open while his eyes became filled with an uncontrollable rage.

"Gor'Zan The Butcher; THE BASTARD WHO KILLED MY FATHER!!!!"

To Be Continued in Part 2

Author's Note

King Aspen and My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic are property of Hasbro.

No copyright infringement intended.

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