//------------------------------// // Chapter 51 // Story: Unshaken // by The 24th Pegasus //------------------------------// The ride from the Gang’s temporary camp toward the entrance of the Vipers’ home territory left Kestrel anxious and antsy. It was only made worse by the fact she had to pull Trixie’s wagon with a rope bridle around her snout—a snout redder than she was used to. Trixie had spent ten minutes before they set out layering illusions over Kestrel’s body to change her from a notorious pegasus outlaw to a scrawny earth pony. When she was finished, and when Kestrel had looked in a pocket mirror to see how she looked, she didn’t find herself in the reflection, but Sienna. “Trixie tried her best with the scars,” the magician said with a shrug. “But she had so many that I don’t remember how they all looked.” “It should be fine,” Kestrel assured her, though she frowned when she realized her voice was still the same. “Couldn’t fix my voice?” “That’s very complicated magic,” Trixie informed her. “It’s a fair bit of work to make an enchantment to change a pony’s voice in real time. And… well…” Trixie tapped her hooves together. “Trixie never had a formal magical education, so…” “But it will hold up?” Tumbleweed had asked her, leaning against the side of the wagon. “So long as she keeps her wings at her sides,” Trixie said. “The illusion hiding them is going to fall apart if she tests it too much. Once she starts flying, it’ll end.” “I’ll keep that in mind,” Kestrel had said. “Best of luck, Trixie.” “Yes… some luck, for once, would be welcomed.” With a nod, Trixie had then left to gather her makeshift rockets and set out for the canyon with Snapshot, hoping to be in position by the time the rest of the Gang arrived. Once everything was in order, Tumbleweed set the plan in motion. Roughshod hid himself in the wagon with the Chatter gun, Tumbleweed took the driver’s seat at the front, and Kestrel found herself bridled and hitched to the wagon. Roughshod had had a hearty laugh at the sight before he climbed into the back. “Make sure you pull like an earth pony, now,” he told her. “Don’t be afraid to hurt your lil’ hollow pegasus bones. Put your back into it.” “Oh, can it,” Kestrel grumbled at him, and she made sure give the wagon a lurch forward before Roughshod stepped inside so he missed the step up and cracked his head against the wood. Then, with Silver flying up ahead to alert them to any danger or ambushes, the Gang set out to get Wanderer back. Along the way, Tumbleweed gave Kestrel some more fine-tuned instructions. “Don’t unhitch yourself when we get there,” Tumbleweed told her. “Get the left side of the wagon pointed forward and wait for me to untie you. Gotta make it look convincin’.” “I can do that,” Kestrel said. “Can you?” Roughshod shouted through the wagon’s cracked open window. “You been workin’ on your impression of that sad sack of misery you’re replacin’?” “Maybe we shoulda made you be Sienna,” Kestrel shot back. “I’d like to see you as a little mare.” “Guess it’s a real shame I’m too big for our magician’s illusions, eh?” “Yeah, real cryin’ shame if there ever was one.” “Focus,” Tumbleweed hissed at them. “Rough, you don’t exist, remember that? You ain’t real ‘til I give the wagon a good kick, then you pop open that stage and start shootin’ at everythin’ you see. That’s when you’re allowed to start talkin’. Understand?” “Yes, boss,” “Obviously you don’t, ‘cause you can’t answer me if you ain’t real.” Kestrel snickered at that, and Tumbleweed resumed his instructions. “Keep your head low, act scared, and don’t do anythin’ without a scared jump and only after I shout it. I ain’t so sure about all them scars Trixie put on you, and if Rattlesnake wanted Sienna back so badly, he might be able to see through ‘em, so keep your face to the dirt and don’t let him. Assumin’ he’s willin’ to trade Wanderer for us, tackle him as soon as you get to his side, and that’s when I’ll have Rough start shootin’. He shouldn’t hit you if you eat dirt.” He looked back toward the window on the wagon. “You got that, Rough?” Silence. Tumbleweed smirked and Kestrel chuckled again. “See, he can learn.” “I’m amazed.” A sudden angry kick against the back door frame made Kestrel stagger off-balance. For somepony who didn’t exist, Rough sure had a way of making sure Kestrel knew about it. Soon enough, Kestrel pulled the wagon across the desert sands and within sight of the Vipers’ gulch. She’d taken things slow to give Trixie and Snapshot time to position themselves and to not wear herself out pulling the wagon. They hadn’t seen anypony watching them, and Silver hadn’t dived out of the sky to alert them about any danger. Kestrel just hoped that Silver was keeping a sharp eye toward the ground, but as a few white thunderheads began to drift in from the horizon, she lost sight of their eye in the sky and her shadow on the ground. Silver checks from above to see if there’s anything to be concerned about: Critical Fail Without any warning from Silver, Kestrel pulled the wagon across the dusty ground and closer to the Vipers’ canyon. The red ridges of the gulch rose out of the ground in front of her, and if all had gone according to plan, Snapshot and Trixie were positioned somewhere up there, ready to rain fire and lead from above. They passed by withering cacti and scraggly bushes, and even the low ridge where the Gang had made a stand after the carriage robbery so long ago. But it wasn’t until they crossed that ridge did Kestrel spot the Vipers emerging from the shade of the cliffs, slowly striding forward to meet them. It wasn’t any surprise to her that they were armed, and more than a few turned their weapons toward her and Tumbleweed. How many Vipers are there? 15 Kestrel did a quick count of them all. Fifteen ponies moved forward to meet her, forming a semicircle around the wagon and slowly moving in. Tumbleweed gave a sharp shout, and Kestrel made sure to flinch and turn sharply to the right, pointing the left side of the wagon toward the Vipers. Only then did Tumbleweed hop down and tear the bridle off of her face with such force that she genuinely winced and recoiled in pain. “Head low,” Tumbleweed reminded her in a soft whisper. “I think I see the bastard now.” Kestrel managed a peek down the pass through Sienna’s rough bangs. One pony stepped forward out of the crowd, and simply by the way he moved, Kestrel knew it had to be Rattlesnake. His steps were fluid and venomous like his namesake, and even from this far away she could see the scars at the corners of his muzzle, splitting across his lips like protruding fangs. A wide, dusty gaucho hat shielded his face from the sun, its black snakeskin turning gray from age, and making his fiery orange eyes seem to glow from underneath. Two wings popped out of the slits in his traveling cloak, and the polished ivory wing grips of two revolvers protruded near his shoulders. Compared to the rest of the Vipers Kestrel had come across so far in Rock Ridge, even Adder, Rattlesnake seemed menacing, cruel, and most importantly of all, intelligent. Dumb cruelty was nothing to worry over; smart cruelty was something else. Is Wanderer with Rattlesnake? Yes As concerned as she was with Rattlesnake, however, she had to hold in a sigh of relief when she saw Wanderer being marched out behind him. He had cuts and bruises to his face, probably from trying to resist the ponies that dragged him back the night before, but other than that he seemed to be okay. One of the Vipers prodded him along with a sawed-off shotgun in his mouth, and the red pegasus grumbled back at him whenever he did so. “That’s a promisin’ start,” Tumbleweed muttered, and he used his magic to roughly drag Kestrel out away from the wagon. When he tossed Kestrel in front of him, the gunslinger did her best to keep her wings at her sides and take the fall on her shoulder to keep Trixie’s illusion up. She once more felt Tumbleweed’s magic on the back of her neck and she stood up along with his pull, and she flinched when she felt the barrel of one of his revolvers touch the back of her head. She didn’t hear the click of the hammer being drawn—thankfully Tumbleweed wasn’t taking his act that far. The Vipers moved into earshot, though Tumbleweed stayed close by the wagon, ready to kick the side and let Roughshod start shooting. When they were close enough, Rattlesnake’s lackeys stopped and pointed their weapons at Tumbleweed and Kestrel, while Rattlesnake, Wanderer, and the pony guarding him continued to advance. When they finally came to a stop, they were little more than fifteen yards away, and Kestrel could feel Rattlesnake’s eyes on her, even though she pointedly kept her head low and avoided making eye contact with him. When the pegasus spoke, his words were sickeningly sweet. “Sienna. Oh, what mess have you gotten yourself into, little one?” “She had a little vacation,” Tumbleweed said, answering for Kestrel. “She needed some time away from you.” He shifted his focus to Wanderer. “Are you alright, friend?” “Their manners leave much to be desired,” he said, glaring back at the pony behind him. “Though they’re generous with their whiskey.” “I try to be a gracious host.” Rattlesnake stepped closer, looked Tumbleweed up and down, and rubbed a wingtip against his chin. “So, you’re the gang that moved in from the north and started making things difficult for my family?” “We didn’t see the property markers,” Tumbleweed replied. “Didn’t know somepony else was already so invested in this podunk town. Didn’t think anypony would bother.” “Strange things can happen under the heat of the desert sun,” Rattlesnake said, and his tongue ran over his lips, flitting between those fang-like scars. “I have a close relationship with her.” Tumbleweed raised an eyebrow. “Do you? I didn’t think you were our timeless princess’ type.” “I survived a week under her sun without a drop of water when I was twelve,” Rattlesnake said. “I killed snakes with my hooves to eat their meat and quench my thirst with their blood. I have survived the worst this world can throw at me. The sheriff of Rock Ridge tried to get the gangs to kill each other with gold many moons ago. I killed them off and took the gold for myself. I am a survivor. And I will not tolerate ponies who think they can threaten me or my family.” “I think much the same way,” Tumbleweed said. “I don’t like it when somepony absconds with one of my own in the middle of the night.” “I think we can both agree to that,” Rattlesnake said with a sickening smile. Kestrel could feel the tension in the air, taut and tight like a whip ready to snap. She wondered if she’d hear the crack. Does Rattlesnake intend to exchange prisoners? Yes After what felt like an eternity, Rattlesnake shoved Wanderer forward with a wing. “Sometimes the easiest solution to a problem is to come to an agreement with the other side,” he said. “We return what is rightfully ours and go our separate ways. I don’t think I should have to clarify any further what I will do to you if I see you in Rock Ridge again.” “We can tell when we ain’t wanted,” Tumbleweed said. Then he gave Kestrel a shove as well. “Sienna.” “Wait.” Before Kestrel could move, Rattlesnake’s voice made her freeze. Hooves slowly approached, then: “Show me your face, little one.” Breath hitching in her throat, Kestrel slowly, slowly raised her head until she made eye contact with Rattlesnake’s cruel, sharp glare. Silence hung over the assembled ponies, heavy and oppressive. Rattlesnake’s eyes left Kestrel’s own and began to count the scars on her face, neck, and shoulders, one by one by one. That was when Kestrel could hear the crack of the whip. Does Kestrel’s disguise hold up? No Rattlesnake’s lips parted in a sneer. “You aren’t Sienna,” he hissed, and his wings moved to his revolvers. Combatants DRAW using Gunslinger: 1.     Kestrel: 16 2.     Tumbleweed: 14 3.     Rattlesnake: 10 4.     Vipers: 10 5.     Wanderer: 9 “I ain’t,” Kestrel agreed, and her illusions dissipated as her wing snatched the masked revolver faster and fired. Kestrel shoots the Viper guarding Wanderer: Critical Fail But the illusion shattering off of her face interfered with her aim, and when she finally tracked the pony with the shotgun to Wanderer’s back, he had shoved Wanderer aside and was diving for cover. Her bullet missed by inches, yet still found blood in the form of a grazing wound to the old stallion’s wing. Red feathers popped into the air, and Wanderer hit the ground hard with a yell. Tumbleweed kicked the side of the wagon in the same instant, and without warning, the stage popped free, revealing Roughshod behind the mounted gun as the curtains parted. As soon as he had a clear shot, the big stallion turned the crank next to the gun’s six barrels, and a barrage of lead tore through the sand around the gathered Vipers. Four dropped in an instant, spraying blood from their wounds as the heavy caliber rounds ripped through their bodies, and the others around them scattered for cover or simply to get out of the line of fire. Then he turned his gun on Rattlesnake and fired, and the bullet took off the Viper’s hat and tore through his ear when he tried to duck out of the way. Staggering away from the shot, Rattlesnake fired back at Tumbleweed, but the bullet harmlessly sailed over his head and embedded itself in the side of Trixie’s wagon. The various Vipers that had showed up to the parley attempted to half-heartedly return fire; they were more concerned with dodging the barrage of lead Roughshod turned on them from the Chatter gun. A few shots bit into the ground around Kestrel and she hopped back, taking flight and trying to get some height to make her a harder target to hit. Wanderer, for his part, immediately forced himself to his hooves and scrambled for the wagon, diving through the open side as Roughshod tossed an empty magazine for the Chatter gun aside and slammed a new one into the receiver on the top. It was then that Kestrel heard the bugle calls over the sound of gunfire. Did Silver miss something important from up above? Yes Shadows flitted across the ground, and when Kestrel looked up and toward the source of the noise, she saw three wings of pegasi diving out of the sky. They held repeaters in their hooves, and the moment Kestrel saw the glint of the sun against their lapels and the rainbow wake of the leader, she knew what she was dealing with. The cavalry had arrived. All she had to do was share a quick look with Tumbleweed to know whatever their plan was, it’d just been thrown out the window. 1.     Flee the combat area. We’ve got Wanderer, and them Vipers is likely to give that Rainbow Dash character a fight she can sink her teeth into. Let’s let her and Rattlesnake duke it out and we’ll slip away in the confusion, hopefully meet up again with Trixie, Snapshot, and Silver somewhere safer. 2.     Hunker down until the fighting moves on. If we try to flee, we’ll get spotted and cut down from above, especially if Rainbow Dash recognizes me. Plus, we’d be leavin’ Snapshot and Trixie behind; they can’t get away fast, and they’re behind everypony. We hold up in the wagon, wait for the fightin’ to move past us, then make a break for it when the coast is clear. 3.     Stand and fight the Vipers. The military ain’t gonna pay too much attention to us; the Vipers are more numerous and they’ll put up the bigger fight. If we help cut down Rattlesnake and his crew, maybe they’ll be willin’ to look the other way and let us go for our help. 4.     Stand and fight the military. The military’s the real threat, ‘cause they’re the Law without all the red tape. The Vipers and us is outlaws, and they’d like to see us all dead. Maybe we can find common cause with them, just for this moment. 5.     Stand and fight everypony. It’s everypony for ‘emselves!