//------------------------------// // Ch. 21: Canyon Run // Story: Tales of Apple Scratch: Just Another Wild West Story // by TigerSwirl448 //------------------------------// Chapter 21 Canyon Run <>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<> Reunited at last, three words I was happy to say. After my talk with Melody, though short I was still a bit upset with her. But seeing her alive and telling me she was sorry and how she meant it, made me feel good. I knew I made the right decision in getting her out of trouble. She needed me and I needed her. Laying in our makeshift tent with everyone all snuggled together to stay warm in the cold winter night, was nice. It just reminded me of how close we became, from acquaintances, to friends, and now we're a family. A big family that stuck together through the worst. I loved my family and I was happy to make one here in the frontier. As I laid there in the wagon with Diamond on my left and Butterfly on my right I began to think of our final phase of our escape plan, though the canyon. If we're not found first we might be able to go through with no trouble. But if we're spotted here and everyone chases us, what then? What will happen? Will the plan stick and we get out of the canyon without getting hurt? Will we make it before Tinker sets the charge to the gunpowder kegs to make our escape? So many questions were swirling in my mind making me nervous. What happens after the morning will be up to the Horse Gods. The last thing that haunted me in my sleep was Minister Temple’s last words to me. Alone ... Am I meant to be alone? <>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<> Reginald paced back and forth in his suite Skytalon was sitting in a chair staring out the window, trying to hide the mourning in her face. Reginald though was furious. "I thought you said that the beast was dead!" He growled. Skytalon was silent not saying a word. "My lord!" A voice called out. Reginald turned to see one of his thugs panting at the doorway. "It's Minister Temple, he's dead too. The woman's gone." Reginald snarled audibly. "Alright, now I am very angry." He whispered as he looked out the window again with his hands behind his back seeing he blackened remains of the gallows, the Sweetie Belle tavern, and a shop next door to the tavern. "This time I want them all dead." Reginald snarled. "But boss, we lost their tracks." The thug said with worry. "We didn’t even see which way they went. They could be half way to San Franciscolt by now or the Griffin Capital." "Impossible," The two men turned to Skytalon as she was expressionless. "What's impossible?" Reginald asked curious. "It's too cold, anyone who lived here more than a year will know that winters are dangerous this time of year in the mountains. No, they wouldn't be dumb enough to go west." Reginald thought for a moment as Skytalon stood up. "Also," She added. "They would be even dumber thinking they can go to the capital. With things tense between us and the Equestrians, no Griffin will trust an Equestrian in the Capital. Kicker would be sure of that." Skytalon snarled. "So where would they go?" Reginald asked curiously. Skytalon looked out the window looking towards the canyon. "They will go to the east." Reginald walked over standing next to her seeing the rock formations to the east. "To Equestria?" Reginald asked shocked. "Maybe," Skytalon said with a shrug. "But I know they won't make that trip with us following them. They're still here." She said smiling. "They're just resting up then they will take the trip through the canyon and hope to lose us in the maze." Reginald thought for a long moment then turned to Skytalon. "And your plan?" he asked smirking. Skytalon chuckled as she patted the revolver on her hip. "We separate them in blind panic, when we catch them alone, we'll get rid of them, one by one. I'll leave Liker to you. I'll take care of Apple. Apple and I have some unfinished business to take care of." "What about the others?" one of the thugs asked. "Like Kicker or Dash?" Skytalon chuckled. "Don’t worry, I have some boys that will take care of Kicker and Dash. As for the women... Belle is too old, Kicker's girl will be taken care of, maybe a slip and fall perhaps? Tinker.... Catch her alive." This caused the thugs to look at her. "Why?" Reginald asked. "I got word from the king that he wants Tinker alive to create more weapons. War is coming and the king wants every able inventor creating weapons for him." "What of the Buffalo hybrid brat?" The thug asked. "The girl that is always around them." Skytalon chuckled. "I'm sure she would be useful as a slave. Everything will be back to normal. Everyone will be dead and you gain your respect back in Equestria, my lord." Skytalon said with a bow to Reginald. Reginald smirked and nodded. "Saddle my horse, grab as many men as you can. We'll scare them when the sun is up." Skytalon smirked as she looked to the canyon. <>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<> Back at the fugitive camp, everyone was fast asleep, even Melody was sleeping against the wagon wheel. She opened her eyes with a yawn. She looked over reaching for her glasses sitting on the ground and placed them on her face seeing everything clear again. Melody stretched her arms in the air feeling her muscles stretch. She lowered her arms back to her lap with another yawn. "Morning," A voice said causing Melody to look over to see Ace walking over with some sticks form the forest for a fire. "Morning," Melody said smiling as he tossed the sticks into the shouldering fire pit and sat down by her. "Slept well?" Ace asked wrapping his arm around her. Melody leaned into the hug looking up to see the sky still yellowing from the sun rise. "The best sleep I had in days." She whispered. Ace smiled rubbing her arm. "Are you okay?" He asked with concern. Melody shrugged. "I don't know anymore." She whispered sadly. "Before, I felt like nothing would touch me, nothing would hurt me anymore now that I left Equestria. But in truth I feel like I lost myself after being tied up and jailed for so many days. And being this close to hanging," She whispered holding out her hand to show a small gap between her thumb and forefinger. "I think I lost it, I truly lost it for a moment. There were so many things I wanted to do and I was about to leave this world not doing any of it." Ace smiled a touch and sighed. "Like what? What were those things you were wanting to do?" Melody shrugged shaking her head. "So many things. I wanted to find a place and actually settle down. Be with Rose again, protect her from her horrors at night, being able to see Annie again whenever I want. Help Annie with her chores and helping her build her farmhouse she always dreamed about." Melody paused then began to chuckle. "Even for a longest time I started wondering if I can have a child or two. The strangest thing right?" Melody asked looking up at ace. Ace smirked shaking his head. "It's not strange. For the longest time I thought that too. Now I have a son out there that doesn't even know that I exist." Melody nodded frowning a touch by that. Ace shrugged. "I guess that’s a good thing he doesn't know me, because I'm going to marry Velvet’s and we'll have strong sons and beautiful daughters." Melody smiled up at him. "I heard about that, when's the wedding?" She asked seeing Ace look at her paling. "Um, not yet! And keep your mouth shut about that." He said shoving Melody to the side. Melody chuckled shaking her head. "Well you can't wait to ask her hmm?" "Here's the thing Melody," He whispered a bit sadly. "I married once before and it didn't work out. What if I can't keep the promise to remain faithful to Velvet?" Melody smiled at him. "You've changed remember. You came here and you have grown up since being a soldier who married too soon right?" Ace thought about what Melody said and nodded slowly. Melody patted his shoulder. "Then you know that Velvet’s the one right?" Ace nodded. "Yeah, that is a good thing. And I guess she's the only one that I stayed faithful too." There was a sound of movement from the tent and Tinker leaped out of the wagon with Butterfly jumping down behind her. Ace looked to her to see Tinker holding a revolver in her hand. "I'm off for a head start.” Tinker said smiling. “I'm going to set up the bomb. I want to add some extra precautions." Ace nodded. "Alright, be careful." Tinker nodded. "Oh and Butterfly's coming with me." Butterfly waved to Melody and Ace before covering her mouth with her other hand, hiding her yawn. "Be careful, both of you." Melody called out as Tinker scooped up Butterfly and set her on Remington’s back then leaped up. With a light kick Remington trotted towards the canyon entrance then disappeared. After a long moment Melody noticed Ace pulling out two revolvers and checking them to see if they were still loaded from last night. Melody frowned thinking about Ace's son. "Do you still love your son?" Melody asked. "Even when you have children with Velvet?" Ace lowered his gun looking at her, he sighed taking off his hat to scratch his head. "Liker, all I can answer that with what my own mother told me as a boy." "What’s that?" "You'll only know when you have children of your own. Once you have a son or daughter of your own, you'll understand." Melody was confused until she noticed the sad look in his eyes. "He's my son Melody. Even though I will never see him again, I still care for him. Always wondering if he's growing big and strong, wondering if he is a great flyer, has great looks." Ace said smirking a touch seeing Melody smile. "Of course I love him. I still think about him sometimes. If I get the chance, I want to see him. He should be about ... seven or eight, close to Butterfly's age now I bet. And learning how to control weather or taking the steps to becoming a strong flyer." Melody nodded, opening her mouth to speak when a gunshot rang the air and a bullet hit the wagon right in between Ace and Melody. They heard a cries inside the wagon tent. Melody and Ace looked up in the sky to see a Jupitarian with a revolver looking down at them. "Get out!" Ace screamed out as he aimed with his revolver and fired at the flyer. The Jupitarian dove into the trees. Melody stood up as the others leaped out of the wagon. "What's going on?" Velvet cried out. "Is everyone alright?" Melody asked with fear seeing Rose leaping out of the wagon. Melody grabbed her hugging her. Annie came out last with Dash holding his arm where she could see blood. "It's a scout." Ace said with worry. "Dash was hit!" Diamond exclaimed as she placed a rag over Dash’s bleeding elbow as he bit his lip hard to keep from screaming. "Where's Tink?" Velvet asked with worry. "She went ahead." Melody answered. Suddenly more shots were fired and the ground was peppered with bullets. Velvet grabbed the rifle and ran to the cliff’s edge to look into the forest. She squinted hard seeing a flash of light. She gasped. "They're coming!" Just as she said that there was a gunshot echoed and a spurt of blood shot out from her shoulder causing her to gasp and back to the ground. "Velvet!" Ace cried out running to her as three Jupitarians were flying towards them. Ace growled grabbing the Henry rifle by the campfire and started shooting at the flying targets. Melody and Rose grabbed Velvet and pulled her away from the cliff as she cried holding her shoulder. "We got to move!" Annie screamed out handing an extra revolver to Diamond. Ace growled then ran off to his horse. "Drop everything and run!" He yelled out. Annie grabbed Twilight's halter. "Hurry!" Annie urged as Melody and Rose helped Velvet up on her horse. "Are you sure you'll be fine?" Rose asked with fear seeing Velvet gritting her teeth from the pain. "I'm a big girl." Velvet whispered. "Go!" She yelled out grabbing the reins of her horse. Melody and Rose ran to the horses as Diamond leaped up on hers. "Shoot the horses!" An order cried out as more gunshots echoed the air. Melody grabbed Fair Breeze as Rose reached an extra horse. Suddenly Fair Breeze whinnied as Melody tried to control her. There was a horrible cry from a horse, Melody looked over and gasped watching Rose hide by the wall as the horse she was going to mount fell to her side dead from the bullet wounds. Melody snarled. "Not on my watch!" She leaped up on Fair Breeze and rode over to Rose. "Come on, get on!" She cried out reaching down. Rose grabbed Melody's hand and was hoisted up on Fair Breeze. "Move it!" Melody cried out as she rode past Ace. Ace pointed his revolver at a thug and fired catching him in the chest. Ace ran after them with Dash right in front of him. "They’re heading for the canyon!" A thug yelled out. Skytalon was up on a limb of a tree with a smirk. She blew a whistle seeing the Jupitarians look to her for orders. She looked down to see Reginald on his horse looking up at her. "They’re in the canyon. Go!" Skytalon called out. One of Skytalon’s deputies turned to Reginald. "Follow me! Let's go boys! Only the child and the inventor must be captured alive. The rest, kill them!" He called out. With a shout the deputy lead Reginald, the thugs and hired guns on a posse run to the canyon in single file. All the while, Skytalon and her five Jupitarians flew in the air taking the targets by air instead. Annie looked behind her to see Diamond right behind her and Melody's horse behind Diamond. Annie gulped seeing the familiar bend in the maze. "Diamond you're with me!" Annie called out. "Just follow me!" Diamond nodded. "I hear you!" She called back turning behind her to see Melody on Fair Breeze with Rose sitting behind her and Velvet's horse was just a few feet away from Fair Breeze. Melody nodded. "I heard ya too!" Melody called back turning to see Rose's arms tight around her middle. "We're taking the right!" Melody screamed out. "Be careful!" Diamond called as Annie took the middle of the three paths. Each path leads to the exit on one path. The left was usually the shortest while the middle was the longest and the right was a middle distance. Annie was hoping by taking the middle the thugs will chase her the longest, but since Annie was in the front that might be difficult. Diamond was right behind her. Melody turned Fair Breeze to the right. Velvet took the shorter route by taking the left. Dash, right on Velvet’s heels took the left as well. Ace looked up behind him to see and hear the horses coming. He gritted his teeth pulling back on his reins to stop his horse right at the intersection of the three forks. His horse protested with loud neigh. Ace pulled back hard enough to cause his horse to rear up on his hooves. "Whoa boy, whoa!" He called out trying hard to control him. When Ace finally got his horse to calm down on all fours he looked around the air searching for flyers. Then he looked back down to his horse to notice that his horse was attentive and his ears were pointed to the skinny path where they came from. "Here they come." He whispered as he pulled out his revolver, pulling back the hammer. He heard the hoof beats on the hard stone ground. He gulped hard feeling like being on the front lines in training, but this time he's not being trained by Titanian apparitions, these were real men, he might not make it out alive. The first horseman came up, Ace could see the whites of the man's eyes stare as if shocked. Ace only smirked as he pulled the trigger, hitting the man causing him to fall off his horse. The horse rode past Ace to a path. Ace pulled back the hammer again as a second rider came, another shot, another hit. Then a third, a fourth, fifth, after the sixth Ace pulled out his second revolver firing for a seventh. Ace wasn't paying attention when a shadow few past him. Ace stopped his firing and gasped when a pair of boots hit him in the side knocking him off his horse with a thud on the ground. Ace looked up to see his revolver a few feet ahead of him. Ace heard the wings and started crawling as fast as he could to his weapon. He felt a hand grab his leg and pulled him away from the gun. Ace turned around to look up to see Skytalon smirking down at him. "Nice to see you Kicker." Ace glared up at her. Ace gasped turning to see more horsemen running over and stopping seeing him. Reginald Philharmonica glared down at Ace. Ace tried to get away but another flyer came in placing his boot over Ace’s neck suppressing him. Ace grabbed the boot tripping to keep the boot off his windpipe. "Where's Liker?" Reginald snarled. Skytalon smirked pointing at the paths. "They took the right." Skytalon answered. Reginald nodded. "You won't catch them!" Ace snapped before feeling the boot push harder on his neck causing him to choke. Skytalon smirked down at him. "No worries, I sent the rest of my flyers to cause some chaos." Reginald nodded. "And not to worry, I sent one to lead Liker to a dead end. Follow the flyer and you'll get your revenge." Reginald nodded again. "Take care of the trash then." Reginald said looking down at Ace to see his snarl. Reginald smirked turning to his men. "Five of you, come with me. The rest of you take care of the rest of them." The thugs nodded as Reginald and five thugs ran off towards the path on the right. Skytalon looked down at Ace as he struggled, she turned to the Jupitarian above Ace with a nod. "Take care of him. I'll take care of Apple and her whore." Skytalon's wings unfolded then flapped before she rocketed into the air. Several of the thugs and hired guns ran off towards the middle and left paths. The flyer above Ace smirked as she applied more pressure to Aces neck. "Any last words Equestrian?" The flyer asked. Ace got a good grip on the boot with a grin. "One," Ace snarled. <>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<> Dash panted hard from the nerves as he kept looking behind him feeling like something was wrong. Shouldn't Ace be following him? He looked ahead, he couldn't see Velvet anymore. He gulped and continued riding, until the hairs at the back of his neck went up. He looked up too late as hands grabbed his jacket lifting him up in the air off his horse. Dash let out a startled cry of help as his horse continued running without him, the higher he went the more fearful he became. He looked up to see his kidnapper. The flyer smirked. "Hello," He said before he kicked Dash away. Dash struggled to get his wings to come forth with his magic, but the flyer was too fast. Dash looked up seeing the fists punch him hard in the gut pushing him farther away and fall into a dive. Dash looked up holding out his hands ready to make a cloud, but a flicker of light made him look up to see a lightning bolt. His eyes widened with fear as he went still. Velvet heard the big booms and gasped looking behind her to see someone falling from the air smoke trailing behind him. She saw the rainbow hair and gasped. "Dash!" She screamed out stopping her Rose and turned him around. She rode back passing Dash's horse as the horse continues running. She ignored the horse desperately trying to get to her friend. When she reached a small opening in the path she gasped finding Dash falling and hitting the top of the canyon wall then rolled off the top of the canyon lip to the path in front of her where he laid still. Velvet leaped off her horse running to him. "Dash! Dash speak to me!" She begged shaking his shoulder hearing his moan. "You're alive," She breathed in relief feeling around him feeling his broken ribs. She gulped grabbing his arm. She heard wings then looked up to see the one responsible landing before them. A large Jupitarian man grinning down at them. Velvet grabbed her revolver holding it out with both hands shaking. The man chuckled as he walked forward. Velvet pulled the trigger but nothing happened. She gasped then pulled back the hammer to realize there was no percussion cap on the nipple. "No!" She gasped then looked up in time to feel a hard slap in the face knocking her to the ground. The man chuckled as Velvet spat out the blood from her busted lip. She looked up feeling his hand grab her jacket pulling her up to her knees. He pushed her into the wall chuckling behind her. "You're too cute to be running around in these clothes, sweetheart." The man whispered in to her ear. "I wonder what you look like with them off." Velvet was terrified hearing such a thing. But an idea came up. She growled and knocked her head back hard hitting his face. Velvet yelped rubbing the back of her head as the man fell back holding his nose with a cry. Velvet got up running to her horse where the henry rifle was sitting in a rifle holster. "Oh no you don't!" The man growled grabbing her around her waist pulling her away. "Let me go!" Velvet screeched out. "Ace help!" She screamed out fighting as her captor grabbed her face covering her mouth. "You know what little lady, I think I should take care of you even worse than your little girly friend." Velvet's eyes went wide hearing this. "She was more silent than you, of course I like girls with purple eyes. They seem to be easier to tame." Velvet was terrified out of her mind but knowing that this horrible man hurt her friend made her angry as she struggled and tried to fight back. "Now take them off bitch!" He roared out pushing her into the wall pulling out a knife. Velvet gulped looking to see Dash still out cold and she was all by herself. "No!" She growled glaring at him. "Excuse me?" The Jupitarian asked with a chuckle. "That's funny, real funny." He grabbed the collar of her shirt and placed the knife to her neck. "Take off your clothes and you can live longer." A gunshot rang at the same moment the man was shot in the back. Velvet screamed pulling away, leaning against the wall. She looked up hearing another boom. She looked down again to see the man's head was shot. Velvet looked up and this time at her rescuer to see a beaten up Ace Kicker with rage in his eyes. He spat down at the corpse dropping the rifle he held to the ground. He turned to Velvet with his arms wide open. Velvet smiled running to him hugging him tight feeling his arms around her. Velvet then began to cry into his neck so happy he came to her rescue. "Are you alright?" Ace whispered. "I am now." Velvet smiled with a sniff, she looked up at his face and saw a large bruise on his cheek under his eye. "What happened to you?" Velvet asked stroking the bruise. "Just a scuffle." He answered with a winked. He then looked down at Dash. "What happened to him?" "That man just beat the living daylights out of Dash. He's hurt bad!" Velvet cried as Ace left her to check on the young jupitarian. He placed his finger to Dash’s neck looking for a pulse. "He's still alive, but we have to get him out of here." Ace ordered and reached under Dash and slowly lift him up hearing Dash moan out painfully. Velvet ran up to help him though her shoulder was hurting like crazy. The two laid Dash over the horse as Velvet leaped up getting a good grip on Dash as she pulled him onto her lap. She looked down at Ace. "What about you?" "I'll be back. I have to take care of Melody and Rose. The thugs are after them. Just go!" Velvet nodded. She grabbed Ace's hand before he left her. Ace unfolded his wings then flew up to her head level and kissed her sweetly on the lips. He felt Velvet kiss him back as she held his face making sure her kiss was the best kiss he had ever received from her. Ace pulled back seeing her worried eyes. "I'll be back, I promise you that." He whispered kissing her again quickly before flying off into the air. Velvet sighed then kicked her horse into a trot holding on to Dash. "Stay with me Dash, we're getting out of here." <>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<> Annie and Diamond still were in a hard gallop through the middle path. Annie looked up behind her into the sky seeing a Jupitarian watching them. It was hard to see who it was from the height but Annie knew this was bad. "How much farther?" Diamond called out her voice echoing in off the walls. Annie thought for a long moment. "Just a bit farther." She called back. Annie looked back up to see no Jupitarian in the sky. "Damnit, where is it?" She whispered with fear turning back ahead to see Diamond’s horse still a bit ahead of her. Annie couldn't stop getting that horrible feeling in her gut. Suddenly she heard a battle cry and turned to her left and gasped seeing someone making a dive towards her. Annie yelped out trying to dodge the attack but instead fell off of Twilight with a cry. Annie landed hard on the rock ground groaning as Twilight continued running without her. Diamond heard the echoing cry and stopped her horse to look behind her. "Annie?" She called out with fear. She waited and saw Twilight running towards her but no Annie on her back. Diamond blocked Twilight’s path to stop the mare grabbing her halter looking around. "Annie!" Diamond cried out. She turned her horse and galloped off back where Twilight was. Once she turned the corner she gasped and pulled back the reins stopping her horse to see Skytalon smirking at her with her revolver pointed at her and Skytalon's second revolver was pointed at Annie curled up on the ground groaning. "Annie!" Diamond screamed out. Annie stiffened hearing Diamond's voice and slowly sat up rubbing the back of her head. She realized her hat was gone as she looked around until she heard the click of the hammer of a revolver. Annie looked up to see Diamond frozen with fear and Skytalon smirking down at her with her revolvers pointed at her and Diamond. Annie glared at the sheriff. Skytalon chuckled. "You know, you thought your little plans of escaping would work? You killed an officer of the law, Apple. Because of that, you will face execution with your thieving sister." Annie glared at her. "Officer of the law, huh?" She said getting up. "You and your guns aren’t officers of the law, you all work for a man in Equestria that only wants you to steal and kill all that threatens him! You're no sheriff, you're a thug!" Skytalon didn't move, only smirked wider and chuckled. "Call me what you want Equestrian, but I know for certain you and your little friends won't get a chance out of here alive!" Skytalon fired her revolver, Annie rolled to the right hearing the high whine of the ball ricocheting off the ground. Annie grabbed her bowie knife and ran for the attack. Skytalon smirked as her wings formed on her back and she leaped away from Annie’s thrust. Skytalon smirked grabbing Annie from under her arms and lifted her up in the air with a surprising burst of strength and speed. Annie yelped out as she was lifted higher and higher into the air. "Diamond!" Annie cried out as she was getting higher and higher trying to get out of Skytalon’s hold on her. Diamond covered her mouth with shock watching Skytalon take her lover into the air like how a falcon snatches a snake. Annie struggled in her grip until she looked down. Annie stiffened seeing how far up she was as she went absolutely still. Skytalon chuckled feeling Annie shake in her hands. She life her up higher so she could whisper into her ear. "Let's see if Eponians can fly." Skytalon growled. Annie stiffened again. Annie growled looking down to see that she still had her bowie knife in her white knuckled hand. She roared out slashing at Skytalon behind her then heard a painful scream as Skytalon released her. Annie looked up behind her to see Skytalon struggling to stay in flight holding her side. Annie looked down seeing the ground rushing towards her. Annie screamed crossing her arms across her face to hide her ultimate demise. Suddenly Annie felt strange and light. She gasped looking at her arms to find them sparkling. She looked down at herself to find herself covered in a magical aura. Annie looked down and gasped to see Diamond standing on the tallest rock in the path holding out her hands straining to keep her magical hold on Annie. Annie sighed in relief then looked up. That was a mistake. She gasped seeing Skytalon making a daring dive towards her for the kill. Annie reached into her holster to grab her revolver. With her Walker in hand she aimed and fired. Skytalon saw the revolver and made a roll to the left where the bullet lodged into her shoulder. Skytalon screamed as she started losing control and slammed into the cliff face falling to the ground groaning. Diamond struggled with her hold and felt lightheaded, she hadn’t used this much power since she was a teenager. Using such powerful and strong magic so quickly was a bad idea for a woman her age. She struggled to stay awake but it was too much. She fell to the ground unconscious from a magic blowout. Annie felt the magic evaporate causing her to fall again. Annie gasped seeing the side of a cliff and closed her eyes waiting for the impact. She hit the edge of the rock wall slamming her head to the rock then rolled and fell off the top of the cliff and landed on the path groaning from the horrible pain in her head. Annie opened her eyes to see Diamond laying a ways away from her. Annie reached her hand to the exhausted Titanian. Annie could see darkness clouding her vision as her hand fell back to the ground. "Diamond," Annie whispered faintly before backing out completely. <>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<> Melody and Rose weren't having much luck themselves being chased by Jupitarians blocking their paths. Melody growled angrily as she reached a fork in the path. She was supposed to take the left fork but the hired guns were blocking the path and forced her to turn to the right. "Damnit!" Melody cried out looking behind her as she kicked Fair Breeze into a faster gallop. "What's wrong?" Rose called out. "They’re leading us to a dead end that’s what!" Melody cried out right when they reached the opening and of course the dead end. The opening was a large bowl in the canyon. Nothing but rocks and a tiny desert tree. Melody thought fast looking around trying to find ways of escape. Then her eyes saw a Jupitarian watching from above then flew off. Melody sighed then leaped off of Fair Breeze to the ground. "Melody?" Rose asked fearfully watching Melody reach into the knapsack on the back of the saddle to pull out her revolvers and her loading kit. "Melody!" Rose cried out watching Melody kneel down checking her revolvers to make sure they're loaded. "Everything’s going to be alright." Melody said quickly as she made sure her Colt revolver was loaded. Then she checked her old friend, the snub nosed revolver. Melody quickly loaded two shots in the smaller revolver as quickly as she could under the circumstances. She stood up packing the reloading kit into the knapsack. She turned looking up at Rose to see her terrified. Melody patted her on her leg turning to the opening towards the canyon. Melody looked down at the snub nose then looked up at Rose. "Here," Melody said holding up the small revolver. Rose was confused looking at Melody with worry. "Take it." Melody urged. Rose took the revolver into her hands shaking. "There are two shots, and it’s ready to fire. This is meant for close range got it?" Melody said urgently. "Melody, what are you saying?" Rose asked starting to cry. Melody turned to the canyon entrance then back up at Rose. "Reginald and his boys will be too busy focused on me. I'll take care of his lackeys and once I get his attention you get out of here." Rose was shaking her head as Melody continued quickly. "Listen to me, you just run back, then at the fork you take the left and you'll see the others there waiting for you." "No!" Rose cried. "I'm not leaving you alone." "You have to!" Melody cried out glaring at her. "He's after me, he could care less about you." Rose slid off of Fair Breeze as Melody shook her head trying to keep from shouting again. Melody looked back at Rose with tars. Melody sighed and reached into her pocket to pull out the watch holding it before Rose. Melody took Rose's hand and placed the watch in her hand. "This is yours understand. When you get out of here, use this and you’ll have your inheritance back. The same one that was taken by you." Melody whispered releasing the watch. Rose looked up at Melody shaking her head. "I want to be with you. I'll stand by your side and protect you just as you tried to protect me." Melody shook her head wrapping her arms around Rose hugging her tight, kissing her on the head. Melody felt Rose wrap her arms around her. "Please, run." Melody whispered. Melody stiffened turning, so did Rose. They could heard the approaching sound of hooves. Reginald and his thugs were coming. "Hide!" Melody urged pushing Rose to Fair Breeze. "Hide!" Melody yelled out pulling out her Colt revolver from her pants aiming at the entrance. Rose pulled Fair Breeze behind one of the large rocks. Rose peeked out from her hiding spot clenching the watch to her chest. Melody closed her eyes and took a deep breath then she slowly let it out, opening her eyes again. Starting to calm down she held the revolver with both hands adjusting her grip on the polished handle. She knew she has six shots, she will take down six of them and with her knife she can take down more, any distraction to get Rose to safety. Suddenly Melody saw the first horse and the first rider, a thug. Melody pulled back the hammer and fired. The thug fell off his horse in a dead heap as his horse rode to the dead end. Melody didn't have a chance to breathe when the second and third riders came and were hit by Melody’s shots too. One in the face the other in the shoulder. Three down, three shots to go. Two more men came running in and Melody fired twice more. But the last once came prepared, this one had a gun. Melody fired and so did he. Melody cried out feeling the graze in her arm as the thug fell off his horse breaking his neck. Melody dropped the revolver, now empty and it takes too much time to reload. Melody reached down into her boot to pull out her knife ready as the final horse come running. It was Reginald as he rode in a full gallop toward Melody holding up a baton. Melody dodged the charge while also sticking her knife into the horse's side and sliced he horse up causing the horse to whiney and fall to her side. Reginald was able to jump off his horse before being pinned to the ground. He turned with a growl as she stood up. Melody panted hard feeling the blood rushing through her mind and body seeing him. Reginald swung his baton, not making a move. Rose looked up and gasped. "Melody! Behind you!" Melody turned and gasped seeing a Jupitarian making a slow sweep dive, tackling Melody to the ground with the Jupitarian on top of her. Melody grabbed the man's sleeve and stabbed him repeatedly then kicked him off of her. Just as she took a breath she felt something cold wrap around her throat choking her. She looked down recognizing the hands wrapped around the baton around her neck chocking her. She fell back into Reginald feeling his legs wrapped around her waist as he pulled. "No one makes me a fool!" Reginald panted as Melody started gagging for air. "Run Rose!" Melody croaked reaching behind her trying to find Reginald's eyes or face, just doing something to distract him. Melody made a hard roll to the side to where she was face down with Reginald on top of her. That worked getting the baton loose enough for a quick breath of air. Reginald was thinking fast too, he sat up on his knees then stood up pulling Melody up with him, the baton still pressing her windpipe. When he stood up he got a better grip and pulled up again. Melody could feel her toes touching the ground. Reginald chuckled into her ear. "Finally," He whispered breathlessly. "You're finished." Melody stopped fighting her eyes rolled up her head giving up. Until she faintly heard two loud bangs. The grip on the baton around her windpipe suddenly vanishing and Melody was released. She fell hard to the ground. Melody took in a deep breath coughing. She sat up coughing out ten dust she breathed in rubbing her throat. Melody panted hard turning with a gasp to see Reginald laying by her dead. Melody heard small clicks and turned behind her. Standing there crying and holding the snub nosed revolver was Rose. She kept pressing ten trigger but no shots came out. Melody slowly stood up panting hard as she walked slowly over to Rose. Melody took the revolver in one hand and wrapped her arm around Rose hugging her tight. She felt Rose grab her tightly and started bawling. Melody rubbed her back as she turned to look down at Reginald's dead body to see the two bullet wounds on Reginald's back. Melody sighed and kissed Rose on her cheek. "You're alright now, you're okay." She whispered. Rose nodded into Melody's shoulder still crying. "I'm okay." Melody whispered more to herself than to Rose's comfort. That was the closest she ever got to hanging in her life. Melody knew after today she won't be sleeping well. Melody patted Rose on ten back. "We have to go. Now." Melody said urgently pulling away from Rose to see her nod her head. "Alright, let's go." Melody took Rose's hand and pulled her to Fair breeze. Melody helped Rose up onto the horse then turned to see the five extra horses. Melody smirked as she found a line of rope on one of the saddles and tied the line on the halters of the horses making a leash. Melody tied the rope around the knap sacks then mounted onto Fair Breeze with Rose behind her. Melody felt Roses’ arms around her middle, hugging very tight. Melody patted Rose's hands. "I'm not going anywhere. Thanks to you." Melody said softly. Rose didn’t say anything as she stared at her brother’s body. Melody remained silent and lead the horses in a trot to the rendezvous point. They have to get away and fast. <>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<> Annie groaned feeling someone shaking her. "Annie! Annie!" Annie opened her eyes to see a frightened, crying Diamond above her shaking her. "Diamond?" Annie whispered. Diamond stopped and looked down to see Annie awake. "You’re alright!" She gasped. Annie groaned sitting up with a wince holding her head. "I think so." "Hey!" A voice called out. Diamond and Annie stiffened then sighed in relieve seeing Ace landing by them and running towards them. "Are you two alright?" He asked. "Annie’s hurt!" Diamond said trying to help Annie stand. "Can she ride?" Ace grabbed Annie’s arm and helped. "I think so." Annie answered as Ace placed Annie’s arm over his neck with and helped Annie shuffle to Twilight. "What happened?" Ace asked. Diamond got his attention by pointing up. Ace turned looking up and paled seeing an arm handing from the cliff. From there he could see the still form of Skytalon laying on the cliff edge. "I think she bled out." Diamond said with coldness in her voice. Ace nodded. "Alright, let's hurry." Ace and Diamond helped Annie on her horse. Annie patted Twilight’s neck hearing the mare nicker at her presence. "What are you doing here?" Annie asked with worry. "I was trying to find Melody and Rose. Reginald went after them." Annie nodded. "Go then." Annie groaned rubbing her head. "My head hurts." Ace nodded turning to Diamond. "Get her to Velvet, she might can help. Tinker's setting up the charges!" Ace called out as he leaped up into the air flying off to find Melody and Rose. Diamond knew what the charges meant, the final phase of Annie's plan is about to begin. Diamond mounted her horse. "Hurry sugar we have to run!" Diamond urged. Annie nodded as she nudged Twilight forward into a trot then into a gallop wincing at each jump the mare did. Annie followed Diamond down the path until they finally found the trees and over rock arch that marked the exit of the maze. Already standing there was Velvet with a rifle in her hands standing before the rock bridge by Tinker fixing the fuse line for the bomb. Diamond immediately stopped her horse seeing the bridge. "Annie, Diamond!" Velvet called out with relief seeing them. Tinker is setting up the bomb." Annie nodded rubbing the large bleeding bump on her head. Then she realized her hat was still missing. "Aw man." Annie groaned looking back behind her. "What’s wrong? Diamond asked with worry. Annie placed her hand on her blonde head. "I lost my hat." Diamond nudged her horse closer to Twilight as she reached over to take Annie's hand. "We'll get you a new one." Diamond said quickly as Velvet waved for them to get across. Diamond gulped as Annie went ahead and nudged Twilight forward over the bridge. Diamond followed trying not to look down as she went across. Already sitting by Remington was a resting Dash and Butterfly. Butterfly gasped seeing Annie and Diamond and waved to them. "Annie! Aunt Diamond!" Butterfly called out laughing. "You made it!" "Yes we did!" Diamond said with relief already across. She looked down at Dash to see him wave his hand at her with a painful smile on his face. "What happened to you?" Diamond asked with shock. "You don't want to know." Dash whispered grunting, Butterfly patted his head getting a small smile from him. "Gang way!" Someone called out casing the girls to turn hearing horses. Ace then burst out on a brown horse whistling and hollering as a group of horses came running across the bridge. "Yee-haw!" Ace called out waving his hat in the air as the last of the horses rode past the women. "Go, go, go!" Ace hollered out riding past Diamond and Annie then stopped. He leaped off his horse to get Dash to stand up. Velvet grabbed her horse and leaped on. "Come on Tinker, finish up!" Velvet urged as she rode across as the inventor was busy setting up a large stack of barrels of gunpowder under the arch by the wall. She reached into her pocket to pull out a match looking across ten ravine to see everyone getting ready to run. "Where's Melody and Rose?!" Diamond cried out looking back at the canyon. "They’re coming!" Ace called back helping Dash onto one of the horses. "Where did you think these horses came from?" Ace said smiling. Annie gulped looking back behind her gripping eh reins with worry and fear. "Come on, Melody." She whispered. Tinker turned hearing hoof beats and shouts from the posse. Tinker swiped the match against the rock wall causing the match to light up and lifted up the fuse line and lit it. She waited until the fuse was alight then ran for it. Tinker made a mad dash across the bridge grabbing Remington and leaping on. "Here they come!" She cried out pointing. "I lit the fuse!" Annie gasped turning to her. "You what?!" "You said when I hear bad guys coming I light it up!" Tinker said with worry biting her nails. The group waited as the fuse started to get smaller and closer to the bomb. "There!" Butterfly called out pointing. The group watched and suddenly Fair Breeze came running in a hard fast gallop. Melody and Rose were hanging on tight as they made the mad dash. "Come on!" Tinker cried out jumping up and down on top of Remington. "Hurry up!" Ace called out climbing on his horse. "You can make it!" Velvet cried out as Dash was watching with worry holding his side. Diamond grabbed Annie to keep her from running to help Melody. The group gasped seeing all of the thugs and hired guns right on their tail. "They're going to get us!" Tinker cried out turning Reginald to run. "Run!" Annie called out. "What?" Diamond asked. "I said run!" Annie ordered pulling out her Walker and aiming for the kegs. Diamond noticed what Annie was planning and turned her horse. "Run, go!" Diamond ordered. Tinker and Dash followed behind Diamond with Velvet and then Ace. Annie waited taking aim. "Come on Melody." She whispered waiting as Melody and Rose approached the arch. "Fire," Annie whispered and pulled the trigger, hoping and praying she wasn't too late or too early. Melody heard the shot and at the corner of her eye saw the bomb. "What in the-" She whispered then everything clicked. She let out a high shout kicking hard into Fair Breeze's side causing the horse to add a bit more speed towards the bridge. "Hold on!" Melody cried out as Rose gripped tighter to Melody's middle. Just as Fair Breeze reached the bridge the bomb exploded thanks to the bullet from Annie's Walker. Rose and Melody both let out screams out fright from the power as another bomb went off. In a chain reaction the large bomb caused the archway over the entrance of ten canyon to collapse. The riders that were caught in the explosion were buried in rocks or killed by the explosion. The second explosion however was under the bridge. Fair Breeze made the dash all the way across and with a final leap the old horse made it to the other side and still running. Annie kicked Twilight into a fast sprint following Fair Breeze. Rose looked behind them to see the black smoke and the dust from the collapse and started shaking her head then she began to laugh. Melody heard Rose laughing behind and started cheering and whistling with her fist in the air. Melody turned to Annie to see her sister smiling. The sisters rode until they were in a light trot then into a walk catching up with the others waiting for them. The others looked over to see the sisters’ ride over to them. Ace chuckled shaking his head. "We did it." He said smiling. "Yahoo!" Tinker cheered. "I can't believe that worked! Ka-BOOM did you hear that? That was amazing!!!" She cried out. Butterfly was clapping her hands. "Yeah Ka-Boom!" She cheered joining Tinker in her festivities. Velvet shook her head as Diamond was smiling. "Who would have thought? No one will believe this." Diamond said laughing. Annie turned to Melody and wrapped her arm around her hugging her. "Oh, one little thing." Melody said smiling turning to Rose to see her pull from between them a Stetson hat. Annie blinked seeing the Stetson then turned to Melody. "We found it on our run out of the canyon." Melody said as Rose reached over and placed the hat on Annie's head. Annie pulled off her hat then placed it back on her head in a more comfortable position and smiled. "Thanks, are you two okay?" Annie asked worriedly seeing the red mark on Melody's neck. "We're good. Let's just say, Reginald Philharmonica won't be following us again." Melody said smiling. "Neither will Skytalon." Diamond said shaking her head. Ace sighed looking towards ten direction of north. "We better hurry then." He called out. "There is one place we can go and they won't find us." "Where?" Velvet asked. Ace took Velvet’s hand and kissed the back of her hand. "A new home. Our new home." Ace turned to the others. "Follow me, we'll be safer there." Ace took the lead by riding into a trot towards the north. Dash felt Butterfly climb up on his horse sitting behind him. Dash then got his horse into a trot after Ace. Velvet and Tinker went next. Annie nodded to Diamond to let her go on first. Annie turned to Melody and Rose and smiled. Melody smiled in return feeing Rose lean into her back. "Things will be rougher," Annie warned. "I know." Melody said smiling. "You still want that farm?" Annie nodded. "I do." Melody nodded. "I suppose it's time for me to get back to being a farmer. I heard it's rather nice living." Annie chuckled. "Come on Sis, we have a bunch of planning to do." Melody nodded looking down at Rose's hands around her waist. "I know we do. A lot of planning." She whispered smiling. Melody turned back to ten direction of Frontier City one last time rubbing her neck. She smiled shaking her head before nudging Fair Breeze into a trot.