//------------------------------// // The Not-So-Great Escape // Story: Home On The Range // by Bluecatcinema //------------------------------// Many years ago... The currently teenage Big Red had been dragged along on a hunting trip with Black Knight, and he wasn't happy about it. "Why did I have to come?" He asked. "Why not White, or Marshall?" "Because White has a cold, and Marshall's visiting his cousins over in Appleloosa." Black said tersely. "And it's always a bad idea to go hunting alone, so I had no choice but to bring you." "Ah hate it out here." Big Red groaned. "It's so windy, an' dusty, and there's hardly anythin' ta eat." "Quit whining." Black sneered. "Even Cherry isn't as big a girl as you." "Hey!" Big Red snarled, "Even Cherry would agree with me that what we're doin' isn't right." "We're hunting Orthroses, Big Red. It's a sport, and I happen to like sports." Black groaned. "Pa took us huntin' ever since we were just foals. If I could do it back then, so can you." "Ah wouldn't bet on that." Big Red gulped. "Let's set up camp." Black continued. "Think you can handle that?" "Ah'll try..." Big Red shrugged. After some effort (more on Big Red's part than Black's), their campsite was put together, complete with tents. "Hoo, that was tough." Big Red wiped his brow. "For you, maybe." Black scowled, "Seriously, didn't your pa ever take you campin'?" "Not really. Mah pa was always busy flyin' back and forth 'round Equestria on that dad-gum airship of his." Big Red muttered. "How ironic; An Earth Pony that can't go a day stayin' on the ground." "Hey, if it were me, I would love that. Beats bein' the only Earth Pony in my family." Black rolled his eyes. "Oh, sorry." Big Red cringed. "Forget about it." Black stood up. "Now, how about we go and find ourselves something to eat?" "You read my mind." Big Red smiled. Suddenly, they heard a growling noise. They turned to see a pack of cactus coyotes approaching them. The prickly-skinned beasts salivated as they approached their prey. "Don't. Move." Black said quietly. "Just back away slow-" "Yaaaaah!" Big Red suddenly roared. Grabbing one of the tent poles, he charged at the lead cactus coyote, striking it on the head. The coyote yelped in pain. It then snarled. "Ya want more?!" Red turned and bucked it in it's flowery snout. The lead cactus coyote was sent flying. The rest of the pack charged, but Big Red fended them off too. "C'mon!" He roared. "There's plenty fer everypony! Come an' get it!" The cactus coyotes eventually decide to turn tail and flee. "Go on, git!" Big Red yelled, as they ran away. He turned around to see Black staring at him. "What?" "That... that was incredible." Black declared. "What, that?" Big Red said nervously. "It wuz nuthin'... Ah just kinda lost it there…" "Maybe I was wrong about you, Red." Black admitted. "You got something I never seen before... like an... inner strength, I guess I'd call it." "Aw, shucks." Big Red said humbly. "Maybe this trip won't be so bad after all." Black smiled. The present... Dawn had just broken over the homestead. In the guest room, Eclipse's eyes opened. "Guys, wake up." He whispered. "We're blowin' this joint." "Now?" Globe yawned. "Can't we wait until after breakfast?" "No, we gotta get goin' while the gettin' is good." Eclipse rose up and hopped on Huckleberry's bed, "Wake up, Huck!" "Five more minutes..." Huckleberry groaned. "Now!" Eclipse hissed. "Okay, okay!" Huckleberry jumped out of the bed. They slipped out of the room, and tip-toed down the corridor. "Not a sound, guys." Eclipse whispered. "Are you sure about this?" Globe asked. "What if they catch us?" "They won't." Eclipse smirked. "Those two old fogies are probably still sound asleep." Suddenly, Big Red and Cherry's bedroom door opened. Unbeknownst to the trio, Big Red and Cherry always woke up early. "Ugh, Ah am dreadin' today." Big Red yawned. "Yesterday, it wuz jest a half day a' work. Now Ah got a full day a' tryin' ta get those kids to do their jobs..." "I'm sure it won't be that bad, Red." Cherry smiled. "You just have to show those boys some-" They paused as soon as they saw the three boys. For a moment, the five stared at each other. "Boys. You're up early." Big Red admitted. "Yes. Yes we are." Huckleberry said awkwardly. "That's some nice work ethic ya've got there." Big Red smiled... then faltered. "Too nice, in fact, given what ya were like yesterday..." "Well, you see, the thing about that is-" Globe mumbled. "Run!" Eclipse yelled. The trio ran towards the stairs as fast as they could. "Whut th-" Big Red gaped. "Hey! Where y'all goin'?" "I think they're trying to leave." Cherry told him. "Not on mah watch!" Big Red declared, giving chase. "Get back here!" The trio threw open the front door and ran through the orchard. "Where to now?" Huckleberry asked. "Head for the plains!" Eclipse ordered, as he flapped a few feet overhead. The trio rushed out past the trees, and into the plains beyond Dodge Junction. "I... think... I'm... gonna... puke..." Globe wheezed, as he started slowing down. "Well don't puke on me!" Huckleberry grimaced. "Okay, I think we can rest for a second." Eclipse declared, as he landed beside them. "No way that old mud pony could've kept up with us. Not on those brittle legs." Globe collapsed to the ground. "So... now what?" Huckleberry asked. "Yeah, it's not like we can waltz back into Dodge Junction, just like that." Globe pointed. "That sheriff will be on the lookout for us." "That's why we're steering clear of the place." Eclipse declared. "We should just head back to where we were waiting before this whole mess started." "You mean back to that rock that Pa had us waiting on for two weeks?" Huckleberry gaped. "Ya kiddin' right?" "Hey, Pa gave us orders to stay there. We shouldn't had left it when Globe started bellyachin' about food." Eclipse glared at Globe. Globe's stomach rumbled. "I was hungry." Globe whimpered, "And I still am. Maybe we should've stayed for breakfast. I wonder what miss Cherry would've made…" "Globe makes a good point." Huckleberry nodded. "We're hungry. Not to mention tired, and out in the middle of nowhere." "Will you relax?" Eclipse growled. "We'll make it through this. We always do. Just the three of us. That's all we really need. And when Pa comes back for us, we will be back to normal." "Dude, I don't think Pa is comin' back." Huckleberry glared. "Seriously, I didn't like workin' back there any more than you did, but I think we should've thought this out a little bit more." "Hey, I wasn't goin' to be reduced to bucking cherries for some dumb hillbilly, and neither are you two. Furthermore, Pa will come back for us." Eclipse glared. "Really? Pa said he'd be back for us in a few days! How you explain that?" Huckleberry growled. "I don't know! Maybe he got caught up during one of his 'jobs'! You know how he is!" Eclipse snarled. "Oh, I know how he is, alright!" Huckleberry growled. "What's that supposed to mean?" Eclipse glared. "You know what I mean!" Huckleberry yelled. "How many times has he said one thing, then did the opposite?" "Guys..." Globe whimpered. "I'm sure he had his reasons!" Eclipse countered. "Yeah, reasons he never shares with us!" Huckleberry shot back. "Please, stop fighting..." Globe urged. Suddenly, there was a loud rumbling sound. "What... was that?" Eclipse asked. "Sorry." Globe cringed. "I must be hungrier than I thought." "I don't think that was you..." Huckleberry frowned. The ground started shaking. "Oh, no..." Eclipse gulped. A tatzlwurm suddenly erupted out of the ground. It opened it's triple-jawed maw and roared. "Run!" Elipse yelled, taking flight. "Not again..." Globe groaned. "Move it, round boy!" Huckleberry urged. The colts made a break for it, while Eclipse tried to distract the tatzlwurm, flying around it's head in an attempt to lure it away. "Come and get me, ugly!" He taunted, dodging a snap from the worm. Globe was running out of steam fast. "I can't... I can't go on..." He wheezed. "Don't you quit on us now, pal!" Huckleberry nudged him forward. Eclipse continued to keep the tatzlwurm distracted, planning to lead away then double back. Suddenly, one of the black tentacles within the tatzlwurm's maw flicked out, striking him on one of his wings. "Ahhh!" Eclipse yelped, as he fell out of the sky, landing hard on the dirt. "Eclipse!" Huckleberry gasped, as he and Globe rushed over to him. "No, leave me!" Eclipse groaned. "Save yourselves!" "We're not leaving you!" Globe declared, as he helped Eclipse up. "Yeah. No pony or griffon left behind!" Huckleberry urged, as he joined Globe. The tatzelwurm loomed over them, shrieking in triumph. "Oh nuts... I'm so sorry, guys..." Eclipse muttered. "We don't blame you, Eclipse. You're not about to eat us..." Globe soothed him. "Or do Faust knows what with those tentacles... I've seen those disgusting novels." Huckleberry shuddered. Suddenly, there was a loud battle cry. "Yaaaaah!" The trio turned to see Big Red charging the tatzlwurm. He rammed into the worm's side, causing it to sway. With a bloodcurdling roar, it lunged towards Big Red. "That's it, come ta papa!" Big Red snarled. Just before the tatzlwurm struck, Big Red jumped. The Tatzlwurm's head rammed into the dirt, and Big Red landed on it's neck. As the tatzlwurm rose back up, roaring, Big Red pulled some rope out of his saddlebags, and slipped it around one of it's jaws, clinging on for dear life as it struggled. "Yee-hah!" "He cheered. "Ride 'em, cowpony!" The tatzlwurm swung left and right, desperately trying to dislodge it's rider, but to no avail. Big Red held on tight, and, little by little, the tatzlwurm grew tired, eventually collapsing out of exhaustion. "Git 'er done!" Big Red smiled, as he leapt off the worm. The worm soon slithered back down the hole, hoping to recuperate after the struggle. "That's right, and stay down there! Or Ah'll do ta ya what Ah did ta yer cousin near Appleloosa!" Big Red taunted. He turned to face the boys. "Are you kids all right?" The trio gaped at him, then at where the tatzelwurm left. "Dude…what was that?!" Huckleberry stammered. "That'll be tatzelwurm wranglin'" Big Red puffed his chest. "Back in mah glory days, Ah wrestled 'round with many beasties. Ever rode an Ursa Major bareback? Ah have... craziest Summer Sun Celebration ever." "That was amazing!" Globe cheered, "You were like grr... rah... skree... thump!" "Well, Ah'm glad Ah got here when I did." Big Red smiled. Eclipse snapped out of his stupor as he gave a scoff and turned to walk away. "And where do you think you're goin'?" Big Red frowned. "Away from you." Eclipse spat back. "Come on, guys, we're outta-GAH!" He fell to his knees, glancing back at his hurt wing. "Eclipse!" Globe and Huckleberry ran to his side. "I'm fine, guys... the worm just winged me." Eclipse grunted as he tried to get up. "Let me be the judge a' that." Big Red walked over, and glanced at the wing. "Ooh, boy, that looks like a nasty bruise there on your wing. But I'm sure Cherry can fix that for ya... back at the homestead." "I'm not going anywhere with you." Eclipse snarled. "We have places to be, and we can't waste time performing tree abuse on your stupid farm." He made to move forward, only to fall again, trying his best to not whimper in pain. "Eclipse..." Globe muttered. "Dude..." Huckleberry muttered with him. "Hey, Ah ain't gonna force ya ta come back with me." Big Red glared. "But Ah can tell ya that yer not goin' to get far with a hurt wing, and there ain't a clinic a' sorts fer miles. And that's if ya survive all the critters out here. The tatzelwurm wuz just a taste of what can kill ya out here." "I'll take my chances." Eclipse growled through his beak, before his wing began hurting more, "Gah…" "Um, no offense, Eclipse, but I think we oughta go back with Big Red." Globe muttered. "Yeah. Better we be stuck on the farm rather out here being live bait." Huckleberry admitted. "But guys..." Eclipse protested, stopping when he saw the serious looks on their face. "Ohh, fine." "Thank you for seein' things mah way." Big Red nodded, keeping a stern face, "Lemme lend ya a hoof-" "I can walk on my own." Eclipse seethed, storming past him. Big Red only gave a grunt of amusement. As they headed back to the ranch in stony silence, Globe spoke up. "Thanks for saving us." He declared. "Yeah, you really showed that tatzlwurm what's what!" Huckleberry smiled. "I didn't think you could do that, let alone catch up with us!" "Shoot, t'weren't nuthin'. Let's just say Ah was just like ya boys one time, with a knack fer adventure." Big Red smiled, his mood brought up a bit. "Ah'm just glad you kids are okay…" However, his face fell to a stern glare. "However, we're gonna have a talk about the three a' ya tryin' to escape yer sentence. If Ah hadn't been there, you three woulda bin worm food." "Whatever…" Eclipse grunted. "We're sorry for running off like that." Globe apologised. "Yeah, we... kinda screwed up..." Huckleberry shrugged awkwardly. "Apology accepted." Big Red smiled. "just don't do it again, ya hear?" "Yes, sir." Globe and Huckleberry chorused. As they neared the homestead, they found Cherry waiting for them. "There you all are." She noted. "How'd it go, Red?" "Ev'rythin's fine now, Cherry." Big Red smiled. "We settled things real good." "I'm glad to hear it." Cherry beamed. "Oh, by the way, we have a visitor." Marshall came out of the house. "What are you doin' here, Marshall?" Big Red asked. "Just checking in. Makin' sure those three weren't causin' you any problems." Marshall answered. "But the bigger question is what you were doin', comin' in from the plains?" He glared at the boys. "These three didn't try to make a break for it, did they?" Huckleberry and Globe stiffened, while Eclipse's glare hardened. "'Course not." Big Red chuckled. "We wuz jest goin' on a mornin' run, to warm them up for today's buckin'." The three boys, especially Eclipse, glanced at the farmer in surprise. "Ain't that right, boys?" "Y-yeah, that's it." Globe stuttered. "A nice run." "Nothing like a little cardio before work." Huckleberry added, flashing a weak smile. "Uh-huh..." Marshall raised a brow. "And what's wrong with his wing?" He pointed to Eclipse's hurt wing. Eclipse was about to tell the sheriff to shove off before Red cut him off. "The kid tripped on a rock." Big Red fibbed. "Fell on his wing. Nasty tumble, if ya ask me." "...I see." Marshall said flatly. "Well, you let me know if there's any trouble." "You know it." Big Red nodded. Marshall walked away, before casting a stern "watching you" gaze at the boys, which Eclipse returned with a glare. "Well, Ah'd say there's still time fer a late breakfast." Big Red smiled. "And Cherry can take a look at that bum wing, Eclipse. C'mon in, fellas." The trio followed behind Big Red, not sure about what just happened. "You saw that, right?" Huckleberry whispered. "He just covered for us." "Yeah... and he is still giving us breakfast." Globe smirked. "Maybe he's not as bad as we thought." "Please..." Eclipse scoffed, his injured wing tucked against him. "It's obvious that he didn't want to admit to that pig that he almost let us get away." "Come on, Eclipse, he saved our lives." Globe insisted. "Yeah. Let's just consider ourselves lucky that he hadn't shipped us off to juvie already." Huckleberry sighed. "Well, now he's going to be on us like red on cherries. But mark my words, we will leave this place, and we will find Pa." Eclipse declared. "Make no mistake about that." Big Red glanced back at the boys and let out a sigh. 'Ah hope Ah did the right thing coverin' for them...' Big Red thought, before mentally slapping himself. 'Of course ya did, Red. Those three may be hard ta handle, but mark mah words, they need yer help to guide them onta the right path... they just don't know it yet.' Not so many years ago... White and Silver's funeral had begun. It was a dark day, rain pouring from the sky. Most of the town had come to pay their respects, with Big Red, Marshall, and Cherry at the front in funeral garbs. Shine stood close to Red, silently crying, while Cherry held Mist, who was too despondent to react to what was happening. Big Red came forth to give a eulogy to the two, standing in front of their graves. "Ah... Ah really don't know what tah say." Big Red held his hat to his chest. "When the coroner came and told me that the pony ah knew since Ah was an overweight colt with no prospect in life, and his wife were gone... Ah didn't want ta believe him. Faust, Ah didn't want tah believe it one bit. But there were no changin' the facts... two a' the many important ponies in mah life are now gone." A few of the crowd began to whimper. Cherry herself had to stop herself from breaking down, while Marshall kept a stoic expression, save for a tear coming from his right eye. "What can Ah say that hasn't already bin said about these two great ponies?" Big Red sighed, as he turned to Silver's grave. "Silver Wind was one of the kindest ponies Ah knew, easily one of the most beautiful mares to walk the earth, and a devoted mother ta her two kids, and even more devoted wife ta her husband." He then turned to White. "And White... White was truly one in a million. He wasn't just a hard worker, a loyal husband, a loving father, and a noble soldier who fought for his country..." He wiped his eyes as tears were coming down. "He was the bravest, smartest, kindest stallion Ah ever known…guess, what Ah am trying to get across is... he was more than mah best friend... he was like a brother ta me... and Ah'm going to spend the rest of mah life missing him and Silver." He gave a solemn nod to White's grave. "Ah love you, brother... and Ah'm sure gonna miss you." Big Red whispered. Big Red wept unashamedly as the coffins were lowered, and the graves filled with dirt. "That was beautiful, Red." Cherry declared, as she gently rocked the sobbing Mist. "Thanks for saying all that nice stuff about mom and dad, Big Red." Shine sniffed. "Ah meant every word, kiddo." Big Red patted him on the shoulder. "Why did this have to happen to us?" Shine despaired. "Why did nature have to take mom and dad away?" "Ah don't know, Shine." Big Red comforted him. "Ah just don't know." Shortly after White and Silver's funeral, Big Red, accompanied by Cherry and Marshall, spoke with Fine Print, the local solicitor (Marshall's sister, Shooting Starr, had offered to look after Shine and Mist while they were busy). Fine Print was a gray-coated Earth Pony with a beige mane, silver eyes, and a scroll Cutie Mark. He dealt with wills, funerals, and any other legal matters within Dodge Junction. "Thank you for coming." Fine Print declared, "I'm sorry we had to meet under such grim circumstances." "Don't mention it, Fine." Big Red sighed. "It's been a hard day fer all of us." "That's putting it mildly." Marshall sighed. "One of the worst days of my life." Cherry added. "Well, there is a matter that must be attend to, regarding Shine Paladin and Mist Paladin." Fine frowned. "Considering the loss of their parents, who would be the one to take of them?" He looked around. "Do they have any relatives?" "Well, Silver had a few cousins up in Vanhoover, but we can't send them there. Poor Mist can't handle the cold." Big Red shook his head. "Besides, the two were never close to them anyways." Marshall added in. "How about on White's side? I see he has a brother named Black Knight, what of him?" Big Red, Cherry, and Marshall donned grim expressions. "Ah'm afraid Black... ain't around no more." Big Red said solemnly. "Yes." Cherry nodded. "He's no longer with us." "He wouldn't have made a good foster father anyway." Marshall said spitefully. "He had a pretty nasty temper on him, not to mention a selfish streak. No way he could have raised those kids right." "I see." Fine frowned, "Well, given that there are no other relatives to take them in, I'm afraid the only alternative left is for Shine and Mist to be admitted to foster care." "Say what?" Big Red gasped. "And the only available foster homes are over in Appleloosa." Fine Print added. "Y'all can't do that!" Big Red slammed his hoof on the desk. "Ah already lost their folks, Ah can't lose those kids too!" "Red, calm down!" Marshall tried to sooth him. "No! It's bad enough they lost their parents, but for them to taken from their home and possibly from each other?! Ah won't allow it!" Big Red barked. "Fine Print, isn't there some other way to handle this?" Cherry inquired. "Well, there is the option of adoption..." Fine Print offered. "But where could we find a suitable candidate?" The three sat in silence... before Big Red spoke up. "...Ah'll do it." Big Red declared. "Ah'll adopt 'em." "You will?" Fine Print raised an eyebrow. "You will?" Marshall gaped. "Red, are you sure?" Cherry asked. "Becoming a parent is a big step..." "Ya don't think Ah can do it?" Big Red frowned. "Ah've known those kids all their lives. Ah know what they like, what they hate, and how ta deal with 'em when things ain't right. And, not ta brag, but they love me. Ain't no better candy-date to adopt 'em but me." "Being their babysitter isn't the same as being a parent." Marshall pointed out. "Being a single, working father would be a challenge for anypony, and let's not forget that they are Pegasi and you are an Earth Pony. Ah don't mean to doubt you, but I'm not sure if you will be able to handle it." "Ah'll do whatever it takes ta raise those kids right." Big Red declared. "Even if it means givin' up mah job. From now on, they come first. Ya sure about that, pardner?" "I am." Cherry smiled. "You can do it, Red. And you'll have your friends to help you. Right, Marshall?" "Of course." Marshall nodded, though still unsure. "So, whattaya say, Mr. Print?" Big Red smiled. "I suppose if you feel like you're prepared to handle the responsibility, that's good enough for me." Fine Print nodded. "Give me a moment to fetch the necessary paperwork, and we can make it official." "Gladly." Big Red nodded. "You just wait an' see. Ah ain't never gonna replace White and Silver, but Ah'm gonna make sure their kids grow up right." "That's the spirit, Red." Cherry smiled proudly. "White and Silver would be proud." Marshall admitted. "Ah'd like ta think so." Big Red declared. "And Ah hope they'll be proud of the way Ah raise their kids. No matter what happens, Ah'm gonna give it mah best goldurned shot. Ah promise you that."