"Sweet molasses in a cupcake, it's as hot as a whistlin' teapot out here!" Granny Smith whined, her face contorting as her hooves scraped against the burning sand, "And the grass here is like a big ole' bon fire! Why, I haven't felt such a heat since my grandpappy lit up the barn on accident!"
"Well, Granny Smith." Applejack smiled, "We ain't at Sweet Apples acres anymore. And y'all know that Appleloosa is as hot as the sun in summer." The Apple family had just arrived, with Big Macintosh following behind them as he carried their luggage in his saddle bags on his back.
The Apples had been invited to visit Appleloosa for the weekend at Braeburn's request. Whenever there was a reunion going on in the family it was always held at Sweet Apple Acres. This time was an different n since the apples, with the exception of Applejack, had never been to Appleloosa. They had heard that it was coming along, and they were genuinely surprised to see the small town growing rapidly.
"Wow!" Applebloom gasped, "I've never seen buildings like these before! It's like its right outta the movies!"
"Eeyup." Big Mac agreed, the heavy bags feeling like nothing.
Applejack laughed happily, "Of course! This here is a town almost as good as Ponyville! It may be a little warm and all, but the pony-folk here are all nice and friendly-like!"
"Hey! Applejack! Macintosh! Applebloom! Granny Smith! Y'all here already?!" A familiar excited voice bellowed, a familiar western pony opening the doors to the saloon, The Salt Block.
"Cousin Brae!" Applebloom exclaimed, sprinting as fast as her little filly legs could carry her as she tacked the older pony, knocking him onto the dirty ground, his hat rolling away from his head.
"Applebloom!" Braeburn chuckled, giving her a tight hug back, "It's good to see you! Y'all got a bit bigger since I last saw yah!"
"Howdy, Brae!" Applejack grinned, pulling her little sister off of her cousin before giving the blonde pony a tight hug of her own, "It's been a long while! Last time I saw you, the buffalo were taking pies to the face!" Applejack giggled, with Braeburn answering her with a smile as he plopped his hat back onto his head.
"Well," Braeburn snickered, "I'm happy all that had settled so nicely!" The Appleloosan pony trotted over to Big Mac, grinning as the two stallions clapped their hooves together, "Macintosh, I see that you haven't shrink one bit," Braeburn joked.
"Eeyup." Big Mac nodded, chewing lightly on the sprig of wheat in his mouth.
Braeburn laughed, "And y'all still talk like an appletree." Braeburn turned to see a very distraught Granny smith, "Erm...Need any help there, Granny?" Braeburn inquired.
Granny Smith was panting, lifting her head with some effort to look the stallion in the eye, "Wa...Water...for goodness sake, I need a river of cold refreshing water!"
"Oh!" Braeburn laughed sheepishly, "I guess you're all a bit tired from the trip..." He pointed his hoof at The Salt Block, "C'mon y'all, why don't you all come inside for a bite and a drink? It's on me!" The three ponies nodded gratefully, following after Braeburn as they entered the cool building.
There was a decent amount of ponies scattered around, each of them talking actively and happily with the exception of a strange one sitting on the corner of the bar. The tables were all round a spacious, and there were a few ponies playing some poker and blackjack games. Braeburn lead them to a table nearby a honky tonk piano where a unicorn was currently working his magic to create the unique music.
"I'll get y'all some cold fresh water, so it'll just be a minute." Braeburn informed, turning around as he wandered off to the bar, chatting lightly with some of the ponies as he carried on.
Macintosh slid the bags off his back softly, the weight creating a significant *thump*. The seats were a bit small for him, but he managed to somehow get a little comfortable.
"Wow!" Applebloom, breathed, "This place is so cool! The cutie mark crusaders are going to be so jealous when I tell them I was actually in a western saloon!"
Applejack rolled her eyes with a grin, "You and yer movies. For a filly, you really like the old classics!"
"Hey! I'm a big pony! And they ain't just classic movies!"
"Whatever you say, Sugarcube!" Applejack messed up Applebloom's mane with her hoof before turning her attention to the patrons around them. Appleloosa was filled with some happy looking ponies. At the poker table, they all had a hard time keeping a stone face and often burst out into laughter. Some of the stallions who had too much cider were stumbling around, and had to humorously be thrown outside. Applejack took her time observing each pony until she found the strange one in the corner.
He was oddly disconnected from the rest of the ponies, and none of them seemed to acknowledge his existence. He had a brown hat atop his head, a poncho on his shoulders. His back was to Applejack so she couldn't see his face, but she could tell that he was stoic and gruff. He was just sitting like normal on the bar stool, a bottle of cider next to him as he began to light a cigar. She thought she saw a flash from his waist, but it disappeared as the poncho covered it.
"Here y'all go!" Braeburn chuckled, setting down a pitcher of water with four cups, "Finest water in all of AAAAAPPELOOSA!"
"Seriously, Brae..." Applejack grimaced, "You really need to stop doing that..."
"Eeyup." Big Mac nodded before pouring the ever so thankful Granny Smith a glass. In a split second, Granny had completely drained it as she asked for another. Braeburn took a seat next to Applejack, and the orange pony couldn't help her curousity.
"Hey Brae..." Applejack murmured, elbowing her cousin lightly in the side, "Whose that strange pony over in the corner?" Braeburn blinked, before turning his head to follow her gaze.
"Oh..." Braeburn responded, narrowing his eyes as the took a sip from his cup, "That strange pony rode in this morning, maybe a few hours before y'all got here. All he's done is sit there, drink his cider, and smoke his cigar. Didn't ask for anything else, and he caused no trouble so the bartender hasn't thrown him out. We've tried talking with him, but all he's done is grunt and growl."
"I see..." Applejack muttered, taking a sip of water, "He does seem like the strange type."
The doors to the saloon opened up again, and their attention shifted from the strange pony to the group of six stallions who stomped into the saloon. The rest of the ponies actually stopped what they were doing, their heads turning to glance at the newcomers. Even the unicorn on the piano stopped what he was doing.
The stallions each looked like nothing but trouble. Handkerchiefs were tied around their necks, donning big black hats on their heads. But that wasn't the problem.
On their hips were shimmering metal revolvers, with bandoleers criss-crossing their torsos. Applejack froze, her big eyes widening. Revolvers were strictly forbidden in Appleloosa. Where was Sheriff Silverstar?
Her question was answered when a seventh stallion entered the saloon, tossing a tied up angry Sheriff onto the dirty wood floor. Sharp gasps suddenly filled the room, and Applejack clutched her little sister tightly in her fore-hooves.
The stallion, the one she guessed was in charge, grabbed the revolver off his belt as he started wandering around the room slowly, tension starting to shake the room. Braeburn bit his lip angrily as he looked at the sheriff. Big Macintosh watched the stallion with his usual stare. Applebloom was trembling as she wrapped her fore-hooves around Applejack. Granny Smith was snoring in her chair.
"Hm..." The stallion grumbled, his eyes staring into ponies he passed, his gaze lingering on them uncomfortably before he moved on. He soon found Big Mac's, the two stallions staring at each other.
"Well, would y'all look at this big red pony," the stallion chuckled, "You not afraid, big guy?"
Big Mac met his glare evenly, "Nope," He simply replied.
The stallion chuckled, "I like you." His eyes passed over Granny Smith with disgust, not wanting to get near the drooling sleeping old mare. He stared at Braeburn for a while before his eyes met Applejack's. The orange pony was gritting her teeth, clutching Applebloom tighter.
"This is the one..." The stallion cackled, "The element of honesty. She's the one we want." The stallion looked at his companions before chuckling, "Alright boys. Bag her."
"What?!" Braeburn screeched, standing up with Big Mac, "What in Celestia's name are you doing?!" He was answered back by a metal barrel in his face, making the stallion freeze in fear and tremble. There was also one in Big Mac's, yet the stallion looked completely unfaltered.
"No!" Applebloom cried out as Applejack was pulled off of her, the orange mare growling and struggling as the stallions began to tie a thick rope around her neck and body, hoisting her up on the back of the biggest stallion.
"What's going on?!" Applejack protested, trying to wriggle her way out of the rope, "Why are you doing this?!"
The stallions began to laugh, making their way to the door, "Ransom." The leader pony chuckled, keeping his revolver pointed between Braeburn's eyes as he began to back away, "I bet Celestia would pay a hefty sum to get you back. She may be a goddess...but even she can't save one of her precious servants if they're at constant gunpoint..." When he disappeared out the door, every single one of the ponies had gotten up, rushing outside.
The stallions were loading up Applejack in a cart when a mass of ponies stumbled out into the street, blocking the cart from all sides as they glared at them with angry eyes.
"Give us Applejack back!" Braeburn begged, tears welling up in his eyes as he stepped forward onto the dirty street, the crowd of ponies behind him, "You...You can't just do this! We won't let you!"
The kidnapping leader grinned, "Oh?" He hefted his revolver up, once again pointing the barrel directly at Braeburn's head, "How about you watch me, tough guy." The air was frozen completely around them, the noon sun beating down on the mass of bodies.
"Hm..." The stallion chuckled, "Alright, y'all have two options. Either you could let us go...or I'll shoot this here dirtbag right between the eyes. It's yer choice." Braeburn began to tremble again, and the eyes of all the ponies had widened in fear.
"Y'all have the count of three..." The leader chuckled evilly, cocking the hammer back on his pistol.
"One."
The mass of ponies slowly began to make a way. Big Macintosh glared hard at the stallion.
"Two." Braeburn tried to stand stand, but his legs were shaking heavily. Was Applejack...really going to go through this?...And could he not do anything?...Somepony...Anypony..HELP!
"Three."
*BANG*
Braeburn took in a breath, blinking softly. His life had almost passed over his eyes, and he checked his face to see if there was a new hole. Sighing in relief, he noticed that all the ponies were gazing towards the saloon. Hesitating, he followed the source of the attention.
The strange pony, who had been in the corner for the entire morning, help up a smoking revolver to the sky. His poncho was fluttering lightly in the breeze, his hat hiding his eyes. The earth seem to sit still as the pony walked off the porch of the saloon, his hooves clopping softly against the dirt road. All eyes were fixed on him, and he walked up to Braeburn. The pony held out one of his fore-hooves and gently pushed Braeburn aside.
Applejack had to roll around a bit, but she was finally able to see what was going on. She was able to see the pony completely, and she eagerly studied his face. The stallion's eyes were narrowed, but she could see the faded green color in them. His mane was a dark brown, his coat a lighter shade of the color. He did look as gruff as she thought, and she could see a strange experience in his eyes that even made her shiver.
The leader of the stallions glared, taking a step forward. His revolver was at his side, and he watched the strange pony sheathe his own gun. His posse were holding up their revolvers at the stranger, their hooves trembling from the icy cold stare the strange pony was giving off.
"Alright boys..." The leader growled, "Put down yer guns. I'll deal with this scum." The stallions reluctantly set their guns into their holsters, watching the scene unfold.
"Okay, stranger..." The leader glared, "Who are you?"
The stallion only answered back with a glance before looking at the cart that Applejack was in. When their eyes met, he gave her a nod before looking back at the stallion.
"Not much of a talker, are you?..." The leader grumbled, "That's fine. So...I guess you want us to let her go, is that right?" He was answered by only a stare, and the leader could only grit his teeth in anger.
"We're going to have to decline, you mute piece of dirt. She's far too valuable to give back." The leader grinned confidently, "It's rude to stare, you know. If y'all keep that up, I might just have to shoot you."
The strange pony spat off to the side, cracking his neck as he met the smile of the leader pony with a glare and a response.
"Go ahead...Make my day."
The leader of the stallions was taken back by the raspy, quiet voice of the stranger. The air was thick with anticipation, the fear of the ponies clouding the streets. Things might just get ugly.
The signature clock tower was just ticking away, the little hand just seconds before jerking to point out that it was one 'clock in the afternoon. The only sound that the ponies could hear was the sound of a large tumbleweed being blown across the street. And in the meantime, the clock tower ticked.
*Tick*
*Tick*
*Tick*
*Tick*
*Tick*
*Tick*
*Tick*
*Tick*
*Tick*
*Tick*
*DONG*
The leader reached for his gun, tearing it from its holster as he began to aim it straight at the heart of the-
*BANG*
A bullet hit the grip of the leader's revolver, completely knocking it out of his hand as the stallion fell back in surprise, howling at the pain in his hoof.
Startled at seeing their leader's defeat, the stallions each angrily jerked their pistols out of their holsters-
*BANG*
A bullet fired from the stranger blasted the revolver out from the hooves of one of the stallions.
*BANG*
The projectile scraped against the hoof of the next stallion, making him shriek as he pulled his trigger prematurely, firing his pistol right onto one of his hooves.
*BANG*
The stallion had his revolver pointed at the stranger, but the stallion had waited too long. The strange pony had fired the bullet somehow directly into the barrel of the revolver, jamming the gun. When the stallion pulled the trigger, his gun crackled and exploded, the stallion hitting the ground and crying over his severely burned hoof.
The stranger had darted to the side, one of the stallions firing his gun directly at his enemy. The bullet hit nothing but dirt, and the stranger lifted his revolver and sighted in as he landed on his side.
*BANG!*
The stallion was standing on the cart when the bullet was fired, and he was also holding a rifle. The bullet smashed right into the chamber of the rifle, the force of the shot causing the rifle to smash directly into the face of the bandit, knocking him unconscious as he fell flat on his back.
"STOP!" One of the bandit ponies growled, his gun aimed directly at the stranger who was just getting up.
The bandit grinned confidently, "You fired six shots. You're completely out, mister. Now, I request that you kindly-
*BANG!*
The stranger brandished another revolver from his other hoof that was hidden under his poncho. Before the bandit could react, the stranger fired, the bullet hitting the tip of the barrel of the bandit's gun, knocking it up onto his face, causing him to fall onto his back and gurgle in pain.
The last bandit was wide eyed, standing next to the cart as he held his gun shakily at his side. The stranger just watched him, his gun also at his side. The bandit bit his lip before jerking up his gun, screaming out a pathetic war cry as he began to fire-
*BANG!*
The bandit's hat was knocked completely off, landing about six feet behind him. The stallion blinked before his eyes crossed, foam emerging from his mouth as he landed onto his back.
The entire crowd stood silently, completely stunned by the scene before them. Each of the stallions were incapable of shooting back, and none of them had been actually killed. The leader was trying to pick up his revolver, but Braeburn stomped on it before delivering a strong kick to his face, knocking the stallion back and into a state of pure pain.
"Applejack!" Applebloom cried out, running up to the cart, gripping the rope with her teeth as she attempted to untie her sister. Big Macintosh had charged in right afterwards, completely tearing it up with one bite. Applejack sat up, her sitting embracing her tightly as tears streamed down her face.
"It's okay, Sugarcube..." Applejack smiled, her fore-hooves wrapping around her sister, "Everything is okay...Everything is okay...." Applejack looked up, expecting to be smiling in the face of the complete savior of-
The stranger was nowhere to be found.
"Well, that was a very eventful weekend." Applejack chuckled, still rubbing at her neck where the rope had rubbed against it, "And to think that Granny Smith was asleep for the entire thing!" They were all currently sitting in Braeburn's living room, all their possessions gathered and ready to go. Granny Smith was in her rocking chair snoozing, and Big Macintosh was busy outside trying to get away from to constantly flirting mares. It had been a few days since the incident, but everything was already back to normal.
"Sure was!" Braeburn laughed, "I'm just glad all those stallions are going to be locked up for a while! And that you're as safe as a kitten on a blanket!"
Applejack rolled her eyes with a smile, "Yeah. But still wish I could thank that strange pony for helping us out. I've never seen shooting like that before...it was like he wasn't even a pony!"
"Yeah!" Applebloom exclaimed, gazing out the window, "He was so cool...none of my friends are going to believe me!"
"You know..." Braeburn said quietly, catching the attention of his two cousins, "My pappy told me a story when I was a young colt...about the spirit of the west."
"Spirit of the west?" Applejack asked, raising her eyebrow.
"Yeah." Braeburn smiled, "The spirit is a legend. The spirit is said to be a bringer of justice and goodwill, and that whenever there is trouble he would be there to set things right."
"Do you think that pony was the him then?!" Applebloom asked, hopping up and down, "Do you?! He just like disappeared from thin air!"
"Maybe..." Applejack laughed lightly, "We'll never know."
"True..." Braeburn nodded before adjusting his hat, smiling all the while, "But whoever that was, I bet he knows that we're all grateful."
"I wonder if I should write to Princess Celestia about it...." Applejack wondered aloud, "I wonder if she even believes in a legend like that."
"Well," Braeburn grinned, "After all that's happened...I sure do."
Above Appleloosa, on a high cliff that looked as though it could touch the sun, stood a lone stallion wearing a decorated poncho with a brown hat. Two shimmering revolvers sat on his hips as the pony lighted up a cigar, breathing in the smoke as he stared into the town with his faded green eyes. After a few moments of silence, the pony turned around, taking off in a new direction.
And he disappeared.
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