Daring’s perspective:

We all sat in the clinic office: Ray, Carnation, Rose, Dandelion, Billy, John and myself as the doctor tended to us. John seemed to be the only one to escape without a scratch and only had some minor back pains. ‘Lucky Bastard.’ I thought to myself. Though now that I think about it, I too also made it out pretty much scotch free.

The doctor withdrew the bullet from Rose’s shoulder then stitched up the wound. Finally we were all patched up and the day wasn’t even over yet. John stood up and stretched. “Well marshal… it’s been fun and all but we have pressing matters to attend to.” He commented and Ray nodded.

Ray pulled out a small silver cylinder and handed it to John who took it then opened it up, revealing a finely rolled Cuban cigar along with a few matches and a striking pad. John offered it back to Ray, “I appreciate the offer but I don’t smoke.” He told the marshal but Ray pushed the cigar back to John.

“Well… take it anyway. Might do you good somehow.” He told John who nodded then placed the enclosed cigar cylinder in his coat pocket. Billy looked to Ray and they both gave a nod of understanding before Billy left. Billy had been extremely quiet and never spoke a word since the end of the fight.

While he left, Ray turned his attention back to John. “Well John, it’s been a pleasure but I’m sure you’re wanting to get along and find Black Mane. Well last I heard, he was heading east to Baltimare and to Horseshoe Bay… though I don’t know why. If you hurry then you might be able to catch up with him.” Ray told John who nodded then looked to me.

I gave Ray a quick hug but he ended up grunting in pain. “See you later Ray.” I said with a wave but he grabbed my hoof and stopped me.

“Don’t get hurt out there… you know what I mean.” He told me and I rolled my eyes. Of course I knew what he meant and he didn’t have to loom over me like some god-father or something.

“Don’t worry ‘Dad’ I’ll come home in one piece.” I said with a laugh before I waved goodbye to every-pony then left and joined up with John who was already getting the horses ready to leave.

“John! Don’t forget, we have to get some supplies before we leave.” I told him and he nodded. We proceeded to the general store which had re-opened about half an hour ago. John sorted through several things, getting us two sleeping sacs, a large amount of food and a few miscellaneous items: pots, pans, etc.

As he bought random items I picked up a brown poet’s hat and smiled. I did say that by the end of the day I would have a cow-pony hat. I walked over to John who was purchasing everything and tossed the hat into the mix. He looked to me and I shrugged. “I think it looks cool.” I told him.

He paid the bill then we left and mounted up. John looked to me and sighed. “You know… I can’t wait to get to sleep… something tells me though, that tomorrow I’m not gonna want to get up.” He chuckled then we departed. I placed my new brown hat on my head as we rode out of town.

In less than a minute our horses had trotted out of town as we began to head east. Soon Dodge Junction was but a glowing town in the desert. Only a few minutes had passed when we stumbled upon Billy the Foal as he trotted along by himself without a horse or any sort of equipment on his back, minus his M1903. He was only wearing a black vest with some black pants and his flat brimmed cow-pony hat.

“Hey Billy… need a lift?” John asked and Billy looked over to him but didn’t answer immediately. We stopped and there was a pause of silence. Finally came the reply.

“I don’t ride on horses with other stallions.” He commented and John chuckled.

“Alright fine… you can ride with Daring.” He said and I raised an eyebrow.

“Hey, I didn’t agree to this!” I exclaimed but no sooner had I said that, Billy hopped onto the back of my horse. He stank somewhat but smelt more pleasant than John had. I smirked, “Well at least you don’t smell as bad as John does.” I commented and Billy simply chuckled quietly to himself.

John’s mouth opened in childlike humor. “I do not stink.” He replied and for the next two hours we bickered childishly about why John stank like a musty old sock. Billy only sat and mused to himself, sometimes having a hearty chuckle from our childlike behaviour towards each other.

After two hours had passed John pointed to a fine looking meadow clearing. “We should probably stop for the night. We’ll set up camp here.” He told us. I still felt like teasing him a little.

“I think we shouldn’t. We should make camp over there.” I laughed. Billy rolled his eyes.

“You two should get married.” He commented as he hopped off the horse and both John and I looked at each other quickly then back to Billy, both saying ‘Ech!’ in unison. Billy chuckled to himself, “Exactly, you’d be perfect for each other.” He mused.

John’s perspective, an hour later:

We had apples and bananas for dinner, seeing as how none of could really cook. We tried twice but ended up burning the rice both times so decided it would be easier to just have something simple.

Daring now lay sound asleep in her sleeping bag. I had only bought two bags so I offered mine to Billy but he simply shook his head, saying that he would rather be cold. Something was off about him. He wasn’t as cocky as he was before.

I sat down beside Billy who just sat and looked into the fire blankly. “You want to talk about it?” I asked and he looked over to me.

“Talk about what?” He asked, trying to cover it up.

“It’s okay kid. I’ve been around for a while now and won’t think badly about you if you tell me what’s wrong.” I told him. He simply looked back to the fire then sighed.

“Was that what it was like in the old days John? Bullets flying everywhere, ponies screaming… ponies dying?” he asked me and I nodded.

“Yeah… yeah it was. I try not to think about it.” I told him.

“You know… you know I’ve never killed before. Just lied about it… thought it was cool to be a killer. Jesus, John… I never seen a pony’s eyes just… fade like that before.” He told me and I nodded.

“Yeah… it really is something when you just… kill a pony and take their life away. It’s the only thing they really own and you just… snatch it out from under them.” I told him.

“You know… it weren’t true… I wasn’t the one who robbed the wagon… was just at the wrong place at the wrong time. Figured though, that maybe I could make a name for myself: ‘Billy the Foal, notorious gunslinger of the west’.” He told me and I simply nodded. “It don’t feel real… he’s dead… I ain’t never gonna sleep peacefully ever again… all I can see is his face.” He began to well up with tears.

“Hell of a thing killing a pony… take away all they got… and all they ever gonna have.” I told him expressionlessly. He began to breath and his breathing was stuttered as he began to silently cry.

“It’s liquid pride… right?” He sobbed but I shook my head.

“No it’s not… those are actual tears… it’s good to let that out kid. Try not to dwell on it. You’re free to ride with us reckon you want to.” I offered and he nodded.

“Yeah? Yeah okay, thanks… I just… I just can’t believe he’s dead.” He told me and I sighed.

“Yeah… well we all got it coming sooner or later so don’t hit yourself too hard.” I told him and he nodded. He sat there for what seemed like another hour before dozing off, slumping over and curling up as his body tried to keep warm. I stoked the fire a little then unravelled my sleeping bag and tucked him in. I didn’t put him in the actual sac itself, not wanting to wake him, and simply laid it over top of him before turning my attention back to the fire.

I stroked one of my hooves through my mane before letting out a tired sigh and a yawn. I looked around. Nostalgic trotted after Marry, hung like he usually was, and tried to mount her several times. I was just too damned tired to give a flying hoot.

I looked out to the meadow which flickered with orange light from the small campfire. The moon illuminated Equestria and kept it dimly lit. As I looked to the moon I swear it was as if it was looking back at me. I chuckled to myself and gave my coat a little rustle to try and keep warm.

Even though it was summer time the nights were usually cold. I mused to myself and muttered random ramblings that were of no concern.

Eventually the fire started to die down. There wasn’t much to burn out here and last time Daring and myself had lucked out when we found a few small dead trees. This time we were sort of lucky in only finding two, but we made do with what we had.

My eyelids began to feel heavy and my eyes began to take longer blinks. The fire flickered in my blurring vision. Soon I began to doze off but would wake suddenly as a crackle from the still burning fire would wake me.

Each time I temporarily dozed off I would dream slightly. ‘Run John! Run and don’t look back!’ She screamed then a crack from the fire awoke me like a gunshot had just gone off and I immediately perked up and looked around the general area only to see that I was back in the real world.

Daring and Billy were still asleep peacefully and the fire had died down a little more. I scratched the back of my neck and let out a longer yawn of exhaustion. I began to doze off again. My eyes once again would start to take longer blinks. Eventually I contemplated perhaps just letting my eyes rest for a moment… just a moment.

He stood there, holding his revolver in his hoof. ‘If you ever feel like getting revenge then just… come see me.’ He said as I clenched my eyes shut. The loud BANG echoed out and I immediately jumped back to reality. I was breathing heavily but not sweating, not heavily at least. Beads of sweat trickled down my face and I quickly wiped them away.

I quickly grabbed for my stomach where the bullet had hit and let out a relieved sigh as I realized it was just a dream. “It’s only a dream John… it can’t hurt you.” I told myself. I looked around, the fire was dying off but the moon had set and over the horizon the orange haze of the sun could be seen in the early morning air.

I quickly rubbed my hooves together then used them to rub the opposite foreleg to warm myself up. The fire had died down to just a few embers and coals. I let out another yawn. As I yawned I simply laid down, placing my forelegs beneath my head and in a near instant I passed out.

It hadn’t even felt like I had been sleeping for more than a minute before I felt some-pony nudging me awake. I groaned in tiredness. “Come on sleepy head… get up.” Said an oh so familiar voice. I groaned again then rolled my back to Daring. She pulled my body so that my back was lying on the ground. “Come on Johnny… we have to start moving. Billy and I are already up.” She informed me.

I opened my right eye but only slightly. I was greeted by the sight of Daring’s face above mine. “Oh what a lovely sight to wake up to.” I mused as I moved her face aside then closed my eyes again. She chuckled.

She gave me another encouraging nudge. “Come on sleepy pants… get up.” She ordered me. “Come on, get up already… some-pony needs to cook breakfast.” She laughed. I groaned as I slowly got up and rubbed my eyes.

“Why do I put up with you?” I asked and she shrugged.

“Because you love me and couldn’t stand being away from me.” She teased and I rolled my eyes.

“I was leaning more towards, ‘You’re an insufferable tick that has somehow latched herself under my skin.” I muttered as I got up and stretched. She gave me a playful punch to the shoulder.

“Oh you old grumpy stallion. You don’t mean that.” She laughed. I smirked then had a laugh.

“Yeah I know… sometimes I wonder why I’m such a softie… guess I have a soft spot for damsels in distress.” I teased and she gasped in shock from the comment. She was about to say something when the smell of something starting to burn filled our noses. We looked over to see Billy screwing around with the fire and some wood, which I have no clue as to where he got.

He was cooking what looked to be potatoes. Daring and I quickly joined him to try and cook breakfast.

Our horses trotted along. I was ridding alone while Daring and Billy rode together again. The potatoes had turned out pretty good… good… goodish… okay so they were kind of burnt and crispy but I guess beggars can’t be choosers right?

We had since packed up and began to make our way towards Baltimare again. Daring and I had begun to talk about small things then I brought up something she didn’t expect.

“So, what’s this treasure that you need to get ‘SO’ badly?” I asked and she shrugged.

“Don’t know exactly. Bought a high priced treasure map from a stallion who said it led to treasures. Though he didn’t say about what the treasure was exactly.” she told me and I raised an eyebrow.

“So you just decided to pursue it despite not having any solid evidence? What if it was just some map scribbled up by a father wanting to play a game of treasure hunt with his kid?” I asked and she sighed.

“Well I was thinking the same thing but… well I had nothing better to do.” She told me. Nothing better to do. Seriously?

“So… been meaning to ask. I know it’s a little strange me asking but uhm… how does you’re coltfriend react to all your adventuring? I can’t imagine that you stay in one place to long.” I asked but she quickly changed the subject.

“I… don’t want to talk about it. Can we change the subject?” she asked and I nodded but Billy kept the subject on mind.

“See what I mean? Perfect for each other. You’re already coming on to her.” He commented and we both shook our heads in unison. He chuckled to himself. “Yeah that’s what they all say then one day… boom, you two have foals and are settling down.” Billy told me. I chuckled.

“Oh yeah, and what makes you such the expert?” I asked and he sighed.

“Ma and Pa were adventures. Said that they absolutely despised one another but they needed each other to complete the tasks that presented themselves. One day Ma said that Pa just made an advance on her one night then… nine months later I came around and their adventuring days were over.” Billy told us. Both Daring and I looked at each other then sarcastically gagged.

Daring spoke first. “I would never have that stallion’s foal. He’s a ruffian and is absolutely impossible.” She said. I was next to speak my mind.

“Yeah and she’s a… a… uhm… I wouldn’t do that. She’s a mare and I’m not interested in mares.” I commented. I didn’t really have any reason that I didn’t like her as a friend but I just didn’t have an interest in relationships.

Billy just chuckled to himself as we continued on. Daring brought up the conversation again. “So how about you?” she asked and I looked over to her.

“What about me?” I asked and it looked like she wanted to face hoof.

“Any marefriends? I can’t imagine why not?” She asked and I chuckled.

“No, never. And all of a sudden I’m what? Prince charming? You just said I was a ruffian!” I laughed and she blushed.

“Well… you are handsome you’re just… well, you.” She told me and I raised an eyebrow from the comment.

“Handsome now eh? Hmm…” I trailed off mockingly as she just sighed in humor. As we continued along we spotted a carriage that had a busted wheel and no horses. A mare in a dress flagged us down.

“Please! Please help me. My carriage wheel broke and then my horses ran off. Can you help me please?” she pleaded. I offered to help her up but suddenly five bandits dressed in tattered clothing rushed out with rifles drawn.

“Get off the horses, NOW!” The mare ordered. We all did as she ordered. “Good, good, now just go stand right there.” She ushered us over to the side so that they could all mount up.

Just as they were about to get on, both Billy and myself snapped out our revolvers and fired on the group, I fired five rounds and Billy fired four. Every-pony in the bandit group but the mare was dead.

She stepped back. “Oh please don’t kill me. They made me do it. Please have mercy.” She pleaded. I was hesitant at first to holster my revolver but Billy rested his hoof on my foreleg.

“No-pony else needs to die today… not now.” He told me and I lowered my gun.

“Please… please take this money.” The mare offered us a bag of bits. Daring went over to accept the offer but just as she did the mare lept up with a sickly knife and attempted to stab Daring.

Both Billy and I drew out our revolvers like lightning and fired our remaining shots. The mare was riddled by bullets and was knocked off from atop Daring.

Daring simply lay there as I trotted over then helped her to her hooves. “Thanks John… jeeze that was close huh?” She asked and I nodded then a voice yelled out from the enclosed carriage.

“Let Brixie out, BRIXIE DEMANDS TO BE SET FREE!”

Author's Notes:

Oh this is cool. So now they have a new friend and quite possibly The Great and Powerful Trixie's great something ancestor... oh I'm loving it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBlD2N_AwgI

You know as a kid I don't remember it sounding so... flamboyantly gay