Daring’s perspective:

I felt the weight of the Browning Auto 5 slung across my back. John and I had switched gear back in Marexico before heading across the border. I had given him back his double barrel shotgun, duster, hat and his custom M1911 pistol, it only seemed right.

He had, in return, given me my old adventurer suit and one of the shotguns he used in the battle saddle.

John’s duster coat flapped about freely in the wind as he looked at the wreckage. Red called out, “They must be nearby!”. John stood up and Red tossed him a still warm brass casing.

“Where do you think they went?” John asked and Red shrugged then pointed to a small rural village near El Paso, Texas.

Third person, rural town of El Paso:

Charlie carefully trotted up, disguised in a tattered old trench coat as he stepped into the marshal’s office with a saddened look. The marshal and his deputies looked to the outlaw but didn’t recognize him as an outlaw due to the disguise.

“I think…” Charlie sniffled, “The bank stagecoach ran into some bandits.” He said with another sniffle. The marshal and his deputies started swearing and cursing as they quickly gathered their guns.

“I think it was… Black Mane.” Charlie told them honestly. The marshal looked to him with a suspicious look.

“How do you know that?” He asked and Charlie looked to him.

“He was a black stallion… that led the group of gunslingers… isn’t that Mr. Mane?” He asked, acting dumbfounded. The marshal scoffed and one of the deputies piped up.

“Why didn’t you do anything?” He scoffed and Charlie raised an eyebrow.

“They had a lot of guns mister… and they was shootin bullets.” He replied. The deputies just scoffed as they and the marshal mounted up on their horses then all galloped off. Charlie gave a goofy smile as he tossed off the trench coat.

Charlie nodded to Mane, who nodded to another outlaw who in turn nodded to the others hiding behind some crates. Within moments, the street was filled with the eight remaining outlaws from the heist.

They all trotted over to the local saloon and entered. Several patrons looked over and quickly scurried out of the bar, knowing exactly who they were.

Mane sat to the far left of the bar counter, Charlie next to him, then the others all piled onto random seats. “A drink for my boys ma’am.” Black Mane said in a very etiquette voice. The barmaid did exactly as ordered and gave them all a shot of whiskey.

Charlie raised his glass. “To the boys we lost in the field today… and to the boss, for his courageous will to keep us all together.” Charlie proposed. The others all raised their glasses. “And to the boss… for having to say goodbye to Jack today…” Charlie wept a tear which he forced to seem more emotional.

Black Mane gave a quiet sigh then began to rehearse a part of the scripture. “For goddess so loved the world, she gave her only child, and those who believe in her shall not perish but have eternal life.” He said aloud. Charlie shrugged then nodded.

“Hay… I’ll drink to that.” He commented then they all wailed back their whiskey. Milo opened the pouch of bits and began to give everypony their share of the money. After everypony else had gotten their pay and left, Charlie sat alone with Mane. The barmaid continued to mingle, making sure everything was in order.

“The marshal will be back soon… they ain’t that stupid.” Charlie muttered and Mane nodded.

“I know… get the boys ready… I’ll be out shortly” He commented. Charlie nodded and rose but before he left, he looked back to his boss which he was so loyal to.

“If anything happens… I’ll bring the boys to the border.” He informed Mane who nodded.

Mane looked back to the beautiful barmaid. “Say darling… what’s your name?” He asked smoothly. The grey mare looked back.

“Velvet.” She replied and Mane stood up then trotted behind her and held her in a firm grasp around her hips.

“You know… I knew a Velvet once…”

John’s perspective:

We galloped along the dusty trail and suddenly met up with a group of law ponies. “WHOA!” I reined my horse to get her to slow. We had to purchase an extra horse for Elijah but that was no problem.

The law bringers all drew their pistols. “Hey-hey, whoa, we’re friendly!” I called out and the marshal lowered his pistol.

“Well shit… I’ll be damned… first Black Mane robs a stagecoach then I meet the ever famous Lone Ranger… what’s next?” He asked rhetorically and I sighed.

“What would you say if I told you we had a hunch that Black Mane himself was in your town?” I asked and the marshal’s face went pale white.

“SHIT! BACK TO TOWN BOYS!” The marshal yelled.

Third person:

Charlie unstrapped the horse from the ridding post. “Shit, Charlie, look!” Milo called out to him and Charlie looked over to see a group enter the town.

“Shit. Get the horses ready to go… BOSS, HEY BOSS!” Charlie screamed as he drew out one of his revolvers.

John trotted across the dusty street, his boots lifting small amounts of dust as he trotted along. Charlie paced into the middle of the street and frowned as he drew out one of his Schofields. “BOSS!” He screamed then fired a round which connected with John’s chest and made him stagger back.

Black Mane looked out the window casually then back to the beautiful mare that lay naked on the bed. He leaned over and gave her a peck on the cheek. “I’m sorry my dear… but I must depart.” He told her then stood up and began casually slipping on his clothes.

Daring cried out in horror as she watched John get shot for a second time. “JOHN! WHAT THE HAY ARE YOU DOING!?” She screamed, absolutely stunned that he was just letting himself get shot.

The marshal and his deputies raced over to some nearby crates and took cover as the other gang members fired at them. Red took to the air.

Charlie fired another round which finally made John tumble back into some crates. He groaned as he stood up, making Charlie gasp as he drew out his second Schofield. John smirked “Shoot me in the head… or you’ll never kill me.” He chuckled as he slowly drew out his double barreled shotgun.

“BOSS! WE ARE LEAVING!” Charlie screamed and Black Mane casually peered out the top floor window.

“Charlie… I’ll meet you and the boys by the border. Don’t worry about me, I can take care of myself.” He called down to his blonde friend who nodded then quickly mounted up on his horse. Suddenly an ear piercing chatter ripped through the air and one of the fleeing gang members was shot off his horse.

Elijah opened up with both machineguns and fired wildly at the group of outlaws. As the group fled John quickly squeezed back both triggers on his shotgun, killing one of the fleeing outlaws.

John cracked the barrels open then began to load two fresh shells just as Daring rushed over to him. “WHAT THE HAY WERE YOU THINKING?!” She screamed, absolutely petrified for his well-being.

He pulled his duster flaps away from his chest to reveal a slate of heavy steel. “You like it? I thought of the idea myself.” John commented with a smile. The steel was held in place by straps that wrapped around his torso, completely protecting his front chest.

Daring scoffed. “You ass… tell me next time you decide to do something like that.” She scowled.

Daring’s perspective:

I rushed inside the saloon with Red and Elijah following close behind. We pointed our guns in all different directions but couldn’t spot the one who we were searching for. “AHEM!” Called a voice and we all spun to see Black Mane staring down at us from a second floor railing.

Red went to snap his aim to Mane but the black stallion quickly snapped out a customized black Colt Peacemaker and fired off a single round which blew Red’s pistol right out of his hand.

“Now stop right where you are… or I’ll kill every single one of yah… howdy Ms. Do, fancy meeting you here isn’t it?” He asked and I scowled. He had somehow bested us again. “Now you see… there are two types of ponies: Those without guns. Then there are ponies with guns. The ponies with guns get what they want, understand?” He asked but then suddenly a twin barreled shotgun pressed up against the back of his head.

“You forgot to mention the ponies that use the window.” John muttered. Black Mane sighed then laughed loudly.

“Well John… congratulations… what happens now?” He asked, just as the marshal and his stallions burst into the saloon.

Author's Notes:

Ooooh this is so exicting... I know I should get to bed but... just one more chapter... maybe.