//------------------------------// // 3:10 to Appleloosa, Part II // Story: Trixie, Appleloosa Sheriff // by Einhander //------------------------------// TRIXIE, APPLELOOSA SHERIFF By: Einhander Chapter 2: 3:10 to Appleloosa, Part II Edited by: Admirmal Hoofsome Luna focused on the double doors to her chambers, which opened with little resistance against her magic. The doors opened inward, and she walked through without slowing her pace. Braeburn followed behind her, hesitating momentarily at the doorway before gingerly stepping inside. He didn't feel right being in the princess's bedroom, but quickly realized that it was much more her office than her quarters. There might have been a bed in there somewhere, but all he could see were boxes and boxes of files, papers and law books, as well as the occasional empty tea cup. The only area that was untouched was the balcony, which had a spectacular view of the night's crescent moon. "Are thy instructions clear, deputy?" She asked. Braeburn shook his head; he had been lost in the view. "Frankly, no, yer highness," he said, as respectfully as he could manage, "You're telling me she's highly dangerous, while at the same time highly qualified to be our Sheriff? That don't make much sense, beggin' yer pardon." "Do you trust us, Deputy?" Braeburn weighed his response carefully. "You're our princess, princess. We trust you with the moon every night, ya ain't let us down yet." Luna fixed a stare upon Braeburn. "Let us be blunt: do you, Deputy Braeburn Apple, trust us, Princess Luna, with your town's safety?" His mouth was full of rocks. The words simply did not come in the face of Luna's penetrating stare. He swallowed and said slowly, "I trust ya, Princess. I just want to understand ya, too." She smirked. "Thou shouldst be a diplomat. Very well. Consider for a moment all the ponies; mares and stallions, the three tribes, all the possible candidates for your position. All the dispatches and urgent letters sent requesting help. Out of all those pleas and picks, we chose her. Therefore, I ask again. Deputy... will you trust me?" Her tone had melted only a little, but it was enough to make Braeburn feel ashamed. Of course. Of course she had her reasons and was only thinking of the best for his town. She was his princess, after all. Braeburn became very serious, stood up straight and said, "Yes, ma'am! Follow you anywhere, ma'am!" She blinked. He wilted. "Er... I mean, yes, yer highness." The laugh was so sudden and rich, it almost lifted Braeburn off of his hooves. Luna turned her head to her left side, trying to hold back the chuckles, but it was to no avail. Braeburn adjusted his hat, feeling a bright crimson wave sneaking up his neck. "Oh, ‘tis so good to laugh again!" She said through her tears, smiling, which stopped when she saw Braeburn's expression. "Alas! Blush not, deputy, our aim is not to embarrass thee." Braeburn shrugged. “Well, ya hit the bullseye anyway...” "Braeburn. Show me the star." He looked up, then quietly took the dusty old piece of tin out of his vest pocket. "Silverstar only had one extra. He wanted to give me his star to bring, but I wouldn't hear of it. Silverstar should keep the only silver star we got. This'll do for now." Luna stared at the star, magically floating it out of Braeburn's hoof and into hers. She said nothing for a moment, then asked, "’Tis a humble little thing, is it not? Would not something more gallant be fitting?" Braeburn shrugged. "Ah guess. Silverstar says it ain't matter what it's made of, only who decides to wear it." "Let us compromise, then." Braeburn watched as she walked over to the balcony. Staring up at the moon, she levitated the tin star out of her hoof. It floated and twirled in the glow of the moonlight. She closed her eyes and focused, as dark blue magic began to flow into the star. As the magic seeped in, Braeburn saw the white light from the moon itself bending around the star. The star lit up, getting brighter and brighter. There was a flash, and Braeburn shielded his eyes. When he opened them, Luna was standing in front of him. The newly made star, shining with a bright silver finish, was in her hoof. She offered it to him. "We will trust thee to give this to Trixie when she is ready." He took the star, his face a mixture of confusion and awe. The star said 'Sheriff' on it, and had a crescent moon engraved into the silver. If it is silver, he reminded himself, I ain't ever seen silver shine like this. "What do you mean, when she's ready?" "She will come to thee in chains. They are to remain on her until thou deems her ready for task." "But yer honor, ah don't even know her." She nodded, "The 3:10 to Appleloosa is a leisurely ride, even at high speeds. Plenty of time to talk." Braeburn stared at the star, unsure. "Shouldn't Sheriff Silverstar make that call? If she's ready, ah mean." She drew herself up and used the Royal Canterlot voice. "NO." Braeburn took a step back, eyes wide. Luna smiled, and her voice returned to normal. "It is thy task alone. Make her say the words." She floated an open envelope off of her desk and held it front of Braeburn. "Make her swear to the three promises. Only then will her chains come off, and only then is she Sheriff of Appleloosa." "And the Appleloosian Territories." Braeburn added. Luna blinked. "What?" "Well, there's Appleloosa proper, but then they're also the territories." Braeburn stretched out his hooves. "Acres and acres of wild land, where the buffalo live and some farmers make their homestead. There ain't no proper governin' there, so the Sheriff has jurisdiction of not just the town, but authority to investigate and arrest lawbreakers in the territories around Appleloosa." Luna stared at him, eyes wide and muzzle tight. Braeburn coughed. "It, uh, it was mentioned in the letters we sent ya'll." She groaned, then magically took the letter out of the envelope, and a quill appeared as she wrote. ‘And the Appleloosan Territories.’ She proffered the document again, which he took reluctantly. He looked at the two items, the star and the proclamation. He turned to her. "But how will ah know if she's ready?" Luna smiled. "We trust thee." Braeburn awoke with a kick to his ribs. He gasped in shock, and then in pain as the black stallion lifted him off the floor of the train. He threw Braeburn back into his seat next to Trixie. He grunted, his muscles aching, as he tried to assess the situation. The train continued to pick up speed. Aid from Ponyville was not an option. The train had rocketed past his cousin’s town and was now headed for Appleloosa. He wasn’t sure if anypony was driving the train, but it sure felt like he was riding an out of control locomotive. No help was coming from the rear of the train; Blackjack had locked and blocked the back door. Nopony from the third passenger car (or any of the extra security in the cargo cars) was coming to help the rest of the train. And even if they did… The robbers had taken the children. After locking down the passengers in Braeburn’s compartment, Black Cherry had returned to the first class car. There was shouting and another small explosion, then four little Saddle Arabian foals came running into the train car. Braeburn rose again, trying to help, and then there was a blow to the back of his head, and he... Shaking his head, he tried to sort out what was memory and what was dream. He tried to think of a plan. He was in okay condition, but outnumbered. Trixie was still in her magic chains, and had been basically neutralized for the whole robbery. The dark blue unicorn was also wrapped in chains, lying on the ground. The train pony was still passed out. The elderly couple was quietly holding one another, not saying much. Most of the foals were crying and whimpering. “Keeeeep those little darlin’s quiet, now,” said the black stallion, still elongating the first word of every sentence he spoke. “I’m trying, you brute....” muttered the teacher. Braeburn turned and looked at her as she tried to calm down the foals in her charge, along with the new ones… and he realized she had bruises on her face. Bruises that weren’t there before. He turned and locked eyes with the black stallion. “No one gets hurt, huh?” The black stallion shrugged. Then he stopped and looked directly at Braeburn. No, not at him. At the mare next to him. Trixie’s eyes were as big as dinner plates. She had never seen a train robbery before, and while she felt the mare called Cherry was in over her head, the black stallion clearly knew what he was doing. She was mesmerized by the whole thing, it was like watching a pulp novel brought to life. And now, the villain of that novel had noticed her for the first time. The black stallion walked over, pulling out a knife and tossing it from hoof to hoof. "If you don't mind me asking,” stretching out the ‘if’ like it was a rubber band, “What's a pretty mare like you doing on a train like this..." He took a breath, and Trixie realized he had a scar all along his throat, which was probably the cause of his speech impediment. "Wearing chains like that?" Trixie arched an eyebrow at the stallion. "It's complicated." The black stallion smiled, still playing with his knife, "Bet it is, they only use those chains on the worst magic offenders," he winked at the blue unicorn, "You must have done something really awful." Trixie bristled. She didn't know what was worse, the stallion's raspy voice, or his dead on accuracy. She held her head up and said, "Trixie was convicted of trumped up charges on very thin evidence. Trixie was innocent." The black stallion laughed. It was a horrible, raspy, deep throated death rattle of a laugh. He coughed and said, "You got the wrong idea lady, I--We--like awful." "The Great and Powerful Trixie doesn't care what you like. She isn't afraid of you or your compatriot-" her eyes shifted, noticing Black Cherry still pointing her staff at the cowering passengers, "Who is obviously an earth pony using a magic weapon she doesn't really understand or appreciate." It was the black stallion's turn to arch his eyebrow. Trixie smiled, her guess proved accurate and continued, "And if Trixie didn't have these chains on, she'd show you just how not scared she is." The black stallion got closer, now holding the knife close to Trixie, "You’re missing the point," he said in a harsh whisper, "You’re the one with chains on, the question is, do you want them to stay on? I already committed several felonies today, one more won't matter." They stared into each other’s eyes, and Trixie realized what was being offered. "Blackjack," whined Cherry, "We really don't have time for you to fl--" The stallion's eyes turned hard, and he snapped his head, glaring at Cherry. She promptly shut up. Black Cherry was dangerous, armed and bad tempered, but she was not suicidal. "Er, sorry Blackjack," she said. Blackjack (whose name seemed obvious to Trixie now, in light of his cutie mark,) turned back to Trixie, his eyes softening, as he said, "This could be my good deed for the decade, if you want a jalbreak." Trixie stared at Blackjack. “Who are you?” “The name is Blackjack, that’s Black Cherry, and we’re the Black Hat gang. We rob banks.” There was a quick beat as Trixie looked around the train car and then back at Blackjack, with an arched eyebrow. He smiled “We’re having a period of aggressive expansion.” “Your 'gang' needs a new name. What exactly are you offering?” “Don’t listen to him, Trixie!” said Braeburn, glaring at Blackjack, “He’s a bad pony!” Blackjack tilted his head only slightly to look at Braeburn, his voice becoming uncomfortably calm. “I’m talking with the lady, if you don’t mind, officer.” He then flipped the knife over in his hoof and held the handle out to Trixie. "Freedom, Trixie. That’s what I’m offering. We could always use another four hooves, especially ones that aren't afraid." Trixie stared at the handle, not knowing what to say. She had been plotting her escape from the moment she got on the train, waiting for a chance to break free from Braeburn, and here it was, right in front of her face. A gallant—scarred, to be sure, but gallant nonetheless—stallion was standing in front of her and offering her a path to freedom. The next year, which was feeling more and more like prison the closer she got to Appleloosa, was evaporating in front of her. There was nothing Braeburn could do to stop her from accepting Blackjack’s help. It was so close, so very close, all she had to do was-- An explosion rocked the train, causing Cherry to fall onto an empty seat, and Braeburn to fall into the aisle. Trixie and Braeburn could hear screams coming from further up the train. Black Cherry got up from her seat, still clutching her staff and cursing. “Those idiots! Flim and Flam must have moved up the timetable!" Braeburn stood up and cried out, “Those are innocent ponies you’re hurting! Ya’ll are crazy!” He climbed over the his seat to run towards the back of the train car. Black Cherry was waiting for him, and said “20!” before shooting Braeburn in the front right leg before he got three rows back. Braeburn cried out in pain and fell to the ground, holding his leg, which had a nasty bruise on it. “That was 1/5 of my power, Deputy,” snarled Black Cherry, “You want to face 100%? Stay down!” Blackjack shook his head at Braeburn and turned to Trixie, clearing his throat, “You’ll have to decide quick now. We’re outta time.” Trixie looked at Braeburn and then turned back and saw the dagger. But now she also saw the dark blue pony that was bound in chains, the ticket changing pony lying unconscious on the ground, and she heard the screams coming from up ahead, and the crying of the little fillies behind her. She turned and looked at the foals. They were all in various states of fear or hysterics, except for one little unicorn in particular, a gray colt with Saddle Arabian garb. He wasn't making any noise or crying. He was staring at Blackjack with wide brown eyes, his face reflecting pure terror. She's not real, right? The little foreign colt then turned to look at Trixie, his eyes begging for a savior. Trixie turned away and stared again at the knife. She’s a made up monster... like the boogie mare... Something within Trixie stirred. She had never been a goody two shoes or anything close to it. She didn’t particularly care if some Saddle Arabians lost their money. She had gotten mad at her audiences in the past and pranked one or two ponies. She had even gone mad with power in a jealous rage, and yes, had briefly ruled over Ponyville like a tyrant. They lock away monsters that scare children. But there was right, there was wrong and then there was this... Trixie is not a monster. “Trixie is sorry,” she said haltingly, “But she must decline.” Blackjack’s smile dropped, but he didn’t seem angry. “You sure?” Trixie stared back. “Trixie has a job waiting for her in Appleloosa.” Blackjack sighed and shrugged, pulling the knife back. “Too bad.” He got up and walked towards the front of the train, stepping over Braeburn without too much care. Braeburn was looking hard at Trixie. Then out the window, then back at Trixie. The mare stared back in confusion. He looked like he was weighing things in his mind. Another explosion rocked the train, throwing Black Cherry onto her back, and sending her staff flying onto the laps of the elderly couple. Blackjack groaned, walking over to get the staff before he dealt with Cherry. Which meant neither pony was watching Braeburn or Trixie. Braeburn said in a hushed whisper, "Do you swear to uphold the law and protect the innocent?" "What?" asked Trixie. "Do ya swear to uphold the law and protect the innocent?" "Really? You're asking Trixie this now?" "Do ya swear?!" Trixie rolled her eyes, "Trixie swears." Blackjack had retrieved the staff and was now helping Cherry stand up. The mare was muttering curses underneath her breath. "Do ya swear to never lie?" asked Braeburn. "Yes." "Do ya concede that boasting about things you ain't done is lying?" "Yes!" "Do ya swear to only use your magic in the discharge of yer duties?" "Yes! Yes! Trixie swears!" Braeburn held his breath for a moment, distracted by something outside the train. “There’s a turn coming up... we’re makin’ it too fast...” "Hey! Deputy!" yelled Black Cherry, newly rearmed with her staff. "What do you think you're doing?" Braeburn turned back to Trixie, “Then by the power invested in me by Princess Luna-" “Deputy!” said Black Cherry, powering up her staff, “I’m warning you!” Braeburn closed his eyes, holding the silver star in his hoof, and said, "I name ya'll Sheriff Trixie C. Tgap, of Appleloosa and the Appleloosa territories." He opened his eyes and flung the silver star in Trixie's direction. To Trixie, time seemed to slow down to a crawl. The silver star, glowing and spinning like a wheel, headed straight for Trixie's head. Black Cherry, aiming at Braeburn, mouthed “80!” and charged up for another blast. Braeburn turned to see the staff, shutting his eyes in anticipation. Trixie lunged forward for the star, the chains tripping her up and causing her to crash onto the ground of the aisle way. The train listed to the right as it made the turn far too fast, causing Black Cherry to stumble backwards, the staff in her hooves now pointing above Braeburn's head. The silver star ricocheted off of the window, bouncing onto the seat and rolling into the aisle way. The staff went off, blasting a hole in the ceiling above Braeburn's head. The foals screamed in fear. The power of the blast sent Black Cherry back into the car door, with her hat flying off and her body slumping to the ground. And finally the star rebounded off the car floor and falling into Trixie's hooves The chains fell off of her with a click, and time resumed its normal pace. Magic began flowing into Trixie’s horn. She sighed in deep, sudden happiness. She was a cat that had napped for a hundred years, and was now stretching for the first time in decades…. Braeburn opened his eyes, surprised to see that he was not dead. That surprise was short lived, as Blackjack turned from shaking his head at Black Cherry, to point one of his knives at Braeburn. “Always told you Cherry, staves for show,” he pulled his arm back to throw the dagger, “Knives for a pro.” And Blackjack threw the knife as fast and hard as he could at Braeburn’s head. Braeburn kept his eyes open this time. He didn’t have time to close them. He saw the knife come sailing towards him, only to stop two inches from his head, surrounded by a light pink aura. He looked to his right and saw his savior: The newly appointed Sheriff Trixie C. Tgap.