//------------------------------//
// the Bandits 
// Story: Ranger 
// by Cloud Shimmers 
//------------------------------//

	Twilight and her friends were on a trip to Appleloosa, but they weren't going for a vacation. Applejack received a letter from her cousin Braeburn, it said how the town was constantly being rampaged by bandits. If Twilight could deliver a message from the Princess then maybe they would back off, but according to the letter they were getting more aggressive each day.
"I hope we ain't in over our heads," AppleJack said,
Rainbow Dash laughed, "We deal with weird creatures all the time, what are bandits going to do?"
"Shoot us." AppleJack said under her breath.
"Relax girls," Twilight said, "I'm sure they'll run away once they see the letter from the princess." Twilight held it up. "Official seal and everything!" She said excitedly.
AppleJack just rolled her eyes as the train began to pull into the station.

"Looks like a ghost town!" Rainbow Dash said.
"G-ghosts?" Fluttershy asked.
"Where is everybody?" Twilight asked, but someone did appear.
Applejack waved, "Hey cuz, long time no see-" But Braeburn had run into her.
"I was stupid to ask you to come here," Braeburn said while shaking her. His clothes were torn and he had a lot of dirt on his face.
"Hang on a second cousin," Applejack smiled, "Whats wrong?"
Braeburn shook his head, "They've got Strongheart AND the sheriff!"
"What?!" The girls all said in unison.
"Come on," Braeburn got them off the street, "We got most of the town folks held up in the saloon."

Inside the saloon was crowded, it seemed like everyone had sleeping there for a few days, thank Luna there was indoor plumbing. All of the men were standing in a circle holding farm tools as if to defend themselves, well almost all of them. 
"We need to fight back!" One man said, and he received a round of applause. "We need any man who can hold an axe to rescue the sheriff and Little StrongHeart!" He got more applause, but he turned his attention to a boy no older than Twilight and her friends, sitting at the bar drinking a glass of water. "That means you too slick!" he knocked the guy's drink over.
The boy grabbed the man by the arm and threw him over the bar into a picture frame. Everyone was silent until the boy spoke.
"My name's Walker, not slick, you hear." He said as he tossed his glass to the man, "Now, if you'll be so kind as to replace my drink," He turned to face everyone. "I hear you've got a bandit problem, now you don't know but I sure know you. Your all scared, but you don't need to fret none. I'm gonna get your sheriff and that girl back!" He finished his water and began to walk out the door.
"Who is that?" AppleJack asked her cousin.
"You mean he isn't with ya'll?" Braeburn asked, "He got off the train with you."
Twilight scoffed, "Well he clearly doesn't know who we are." She stormed out after him. Once caught up she grabbed his arm, "Listen here mister-"
"Mister is my pa's name, you can call me Walker." He motioned for her name.
"I'm Twilight, but you still need to listen to me. I was sent here by the princess to deal with these bandits in a civil way and that is what I'm going to do." Twilight said.
Walker sighed, "Fine, but I must accompany you and your friends."
"Fine." Twilight smiled.

At the edge of town was a run down little mine shaft, standing outside it were two thugs who saw the group a mile away.
Twilight was the first to speak, "By the order of the Princess, I order you to get your boss out here!"
The bandits both started laughing, then pushed Twilight back, Rainbow Dash caught her and no one really saw what happened next.
One of the thugs was on the ground and the other was in front of Walker with one arm stuck behind him.
"Now what I did to your friend there," Walker said to his hostage, "I hit a nerve that knocks him out, but if I add to much pressure then he would've died, and I'm not sure if I can control myself right now!" Walker caused the bandits arm to rise to nearly the breaking point, "Now go get your boss!" He kicked the thug into the mine shaft.
Twilight grabbed his arm again, "We're trying to do this without violence!"
"He started it," Walker said, when he looked back toward the mine shaft a man was walking up to them.
"They call me Mercer, who the hell are you?" Mercer demanded.
Walker bowed for Twilight to take over, which she did, "By the order of the princess, I demand that you release your prisoners and leave Appleloosa!"
Mercer laughed, "The princess has no authority here, girl. We solve our problems by fighting and you don't seem the type!" He turned around and began to walk back to his hold.
Walker looked for Twilight to nod at him, "I am though!" He called out, "Pistols at dawn!"
Mercer turned around, "Your a funny brat you know?"
"They call me Walker, and I'm here to bring you down." He crossed his arms.
Mercer stopped smiling, "You best back down if you know whats good for you!"
"I've never backed down from a coward before, whys should I start today?" Walker said.
Mercer growled, "Pistols at dawn!" He returned to his base.

Twilight was shouting at Walker the whole time they walked back to town.
"Miss Twilight," Braeburn interrupted.
"What?" Twilight asked furiously.
"I think I know what he is, if you have a second." Braeburn smiled.
The whole group was gathered in a corner of the saloon, listening to Braeburn.
"The sheriff told me once that there was an elite group of lawmen, who travel the west looking to help." Braeburn said, "the Rangers, they're supposed to be faster and tougher than any other gunslinger."
Twilight blinked, "So you think that Walker is a ranger?"
Braeburn nodded, "it all adds up!"
"Well we'll see tomorrow, won't we?" AppleJack said glumly.

The morning came quickly, and everyone was nervous. They were watching from the windows of the saloon as the sun began to enter the sky, they turned their heads when they saw Mercer followed by his prisoners.
Rainbow Dash's wings twitched as she saw Walker enter the street And Pinkie couldn't sit still.
"I'm warning you boy!" Mercer said, "Leave town now and I won't kill you."
Walker was calm, "No, I've been after you for a long time Mercer, remember?" Walker said angrily, "The little boy who's mother you killed!"
Mercer gulped, he of all people knew how powerful revenge was, and was scared. "Draw!"
Walker reached for his gun, the barrel was much larger than that of a normal gun and instead of a bullet, a chain net flew out of it. Mercer was tired up and his pistol lay on the ground.
"I'm taking you in Mercer, and you'll never see daylight again." Walker slapped his cuffs on Mercer and dragged him to the Sheriff's office.

Braeburn had freed the Sheriff and Little StrongHeart and the Sheriff spoke to Walker.
"That was some good work you did," The Sheriff said.
"I do what I can," Walker said in a dull tone.
"I'm proud of you." The sheriff said. "And she would be too."
Walker smiled, "Thanks Pa."