Chapter 7

“AAAAHHHH!! MY BUCKING LEG!!”

“WHY DOES IT HURT SO BUCKING MUCH?!”

“IS THAT BLOOD?! AM I DYING?!”

While the downed stallions writhed in agony, Arthur just stood there with a stern glare at the group. If Arthur was honest with himself, he truly did not want to use his gun so soon, especially in front of the others. However these stallions made it that he did not have a choice. They would’ve outnumbered him and overwhelmed him and once he was dealt with, they would’ve taken Mayor Mare and would’ve done who knows what to her. If he decided to fight back normally, he probably could’ve taken down at least three or four of them before being overpowered. Besides, this wouldn’t be the first time he dealt with a situation like those. There were plenty of times he had found himself outnumbered by a group of people who wanted to mug him. Although when Arthur looked over his shoulder to see the bewildered faces of his new friends, he started to think that maybe this wasn’t the best decision, despite it being a necessity.

“Arthur…what the hay was that?!” Applejack demanded.

“It sounded like the world’s biggest party cannon!” Pinkie stated but hung her head a little. “But…it sounded much scarier.”

“They all look hurt, very hurt.” Twilight commented nervously.

“I’m still trembling all over…” Spike muttered as he rubbed his arms.

“It w-was too l-loud…” Fluttershy whimpered.

“I can’t tell y’all much.” Arthur sighed as he looked back to the still standing stallions. “But right now, I got a job to do.”

The gunslinger marched over the leader of the group, who cowered away, as he grabbed his shirt and pushed him down on the ground on his back. He pulled on his shirt to hoist him up close so Arthur could stare into his eyes as he raised his fist. “Yer boys will live, despite the immense pain they’re in. I made awfully sure not to hit them anywhere life threatenin’, or at least I hope I did.” Arthur said a little sarcastically. “I got some questions for ya, and if ya play nice I might be inclined to let you and the rest of you run on back where ya came from.”

“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about…” The leader stammered.

WHACK!

Without warning, Arthur slammed his fist into the lead pony’s muzzle, making him grunt in pain as blood dripped out of his nostril. “That was a warnin’, ya little shit.” Arthur growled. “Play dumb again, and ya get more then what ya did just now.” The leader nodded his head as he stared into the gunslinger’s eyes. Never in his life did he see a pair of eyes on a stallion such as his. For the first time in his life, he saw the eyes of someone who was willing to actually kill, and he wasn’t afraid to do it.

“O-Okay, O-Okay! Please don’t hurt me anymore!”

“That depends on how cooperative ya are.” Arthur shot back. “Now, why did ya really come out here? More importantly, how did ya know I was out campin’ by this lake? The only ones I recall tellin’ were the mares behind me.”

“We were tipped off…by a guard in town.” The lead pony said, and the two others nodded in agreement as they couldn’t move due to fear. “He said he’d pay handsomely if we dragged you back to him, beaten and bloody.”

“Excuse me?!” Mayor Mare spoke up, making both stallions turn to her. “That is absolutely preposterous! Why would one of our own town’s guards do something so deplorable?!”

“I got a funny feelin’ that this ain’t the first time this feller told ya to do somethin’ like this.” Arthur accused bitterly. “From what I hear, there seems to be be a more you bastards lurkin’ around, ain’t that right?” The lead stallion in his grip tried to look away, but that only earned another couple hard punches to his face.

WHACK!

SMACK!

“Talk! Ya little bastard!”

“Alright! Yes! There’s more of us! The outskirts on the east side of town, there’s an abandoned building we’re all holding up in!” The lead pony cried out.

“Wait, the old bookstore?” Twilight perked up. “But that place was condemned years ago, before the Golden Oak Library came along.”

“Y-yeah! That’s the one!”

“So ya thought cause ya convinced some guard ta let ya do as ya pleased, you could take, claim, and bully from anyone in town?” Arthur hissed. “Do ya have any idea the kind of annoying bullshit you and yer little gang put this town through?! All these good ponies wanted was to live all peaceful like, and you went and turned it all around! I know yer kind, I’ve seen it one to many a times. Degenerates, the lot of ya! Who in the hell do ya think ya are?!”

“I-I’m sorry! We just thought it was easy pickings here!”

Arthur growled as he pulled the lead stallion closer and glared a death glare at his trembling prisoner. “You listen and you listen well, boy, you’re gonna take yer little posse and get the hell outta this town! I know yer face, so ya better tell all who ya see that there’s a new sheriff in town who don’t take no shit from no one who messes with its folk! If I ever see ya ‘round here again, I’ll make sure the lot of ya stay in the dirt, permanently!”

“I-I swear, I swear we’ll leave!”

“Good.” Arthur said as he hoisted him back up to his hooves and shoved him away. “Now the lot of you, git!”

The stallions all nodded as the ones on the ground slowly but surely picked themselves up. They all grunted and groaned in pain as they all limped away and Arthur scoffed as they did. Once they were gone, Arthur turned around to see the uneasy faces of his friends who all stared at him. The gunslinger sighed as he rubbed the back of his head. Arthur had a small guess that these ponies were a bit too peaceful for their own good, turns out he was right. For a brief moment, as he was interrogating the lead stallion, he was back home as an outlaw. He had beaten and interrogated a number of people for a number of things, whether it be for information or when he was collecting debts for that roach Strauss. These ponies were not used to the level of violence Arthur displayed, and since he was now the new sheriff, he was going to have to have them see that sometimes words aren’t enough.

“I’m powerfully sorry y’all had to see that, ladies and Spike.” Arthur sighed. “But fer what it’s worth, what I did was necessary.”

“Forgive me, Arthur, but how in Equestria was any of that necessary?” Rarity questioned.

“Y’all ever wonder what might’ve happened had I not done what I did?” Arthur inquired. “While I’d rather not imagine it, I can only assume they all had very ill intentions.”

“I’m sure they were merely exaggerating.” Mayor Mare protested but Arthur shook his head.

“Hate to break it to you, Mayor, but I don’t think what they had in mind were exaggerations.” Arthur dismissed.

“How do you know?” Spike questioned.

“Let’s just say I’ve run into many folks like them and I’d appreciate it if we left it at that. Point is, sometimes y’all need to realize that not everything is all sunshine and rainbows. There will always be varmints like them, mark my words.” Arthur said as he turned to head towards town.

“Where are you goin’?” Applejack asked.

“To deal with a pest.” Arthur said as he adjusted his hat. “Where’s the place the guards are held up?”

“Erm, near the Town Hall, in the center of town.” Mayor Mare said.

“Much obliged.”

Arthur marched into town looking like he was a stallion on a mission, which he most definitely was. It wasn’t that difficult to deduce who it was that tipped that gang off and bribe them to go after Arthur. The ponies he passed by tried to wave at him, but Arthur was too focused to wave back. The gunslinger soon found his way in the center of town and saw the Town Hall, along with another building that had the same symbol of his badge which meant it was where the guard’s barracks were. With a hardened resolve, Arthur took in a deep breath as he stood in front of the building.

“ROCKY EDGE!!” Arthur shouted, making everyone turn to him. “I’M CALLIN’ YOU OUT!! GET YER SORRY ASS OUT HERE RIGHT NOW!!” There was silence at first and the guards who looked through the window were confused as to why there was a stallion shouting so loud in front of their building. “ROCKY EDGE, IF YA DON’T GET OUT HERE RIGHT NOW, I’LL COME IN THERE MYSELF AND SHOW YOU WHAT HAPPENS TO THOSE WHO IGNORE ME!!”

Just then, the door slams open to reveal the corrupt guard in question, Rocky Edge. He was a unicorn stallion with darker brown fur and a black mane and tail. His eyes were light yellow as he gazed at the gunslinger with an annoyed, yet slightly nervous, expression.

“What the buck do you want?” Rocky asked. “You got quite a pair to be threatening a guard, I should arrest you for that.”

“SHUT YER GODDAMN MOUTH!” Arthur hissed, making Rocky flinch. “So ya thought just because things didn’t quite go yer way the other day, that ya went and sent that gang of stallions that’s been bullying this town to jump me?”

“What are you talking about? I did no such thing!” Rocky argued.

“You’re a real shitty liar, boy. Admit it, you’re the reason why this town has been bullied so much. It’s cause you let them do whatever they pleased so long as ya got yer fair share of the cut!” Arthur said, pointing at the stallion.

“What? It was because of Rocky?” One of his fellow guards whispered.

“But that can’t be, he’s been so loyal as a guard.”

“But now that this guy mentioned it, Rocky has been telling us to mostly ignore whatever that gang has been doing.”

“Does that mean he really is dirty?”

“What the hay is with you guys?!” Rocky snapped. “Are you seriously gonna believe this flankhole over me?! He’s a nobody! Just a wannabe punk who I still should arrest for this disorderly conduct!”

“I ain’t just any nobody.” Arthur smirked as he flashed the badge pinned to his shirt.

“Where did you get that?!” Rocky barked. “Impersonating a stallion of the law?! It’s like you want to spend the rest of your life behind bars!”

“Actually, I appointed him as our sheriff just this morning.” All heads turned to see Mayor Mare and the others walk up just behind the gunslinger. “Though I have not filed the papers just yet, his badge is as authentic as you gaurdsponies. Or at least former gaurdsponies to some of you, should his allegations prove to be correct.” Mayor Mare said as she tilted her glasses.

“WHAT?!” Rocky yelped. “Mayor Mare, you can’t be serious! Him?!”

“Indeed, but tell me Mr. Edge, why so nervous all of a sudden? Surely, if Mr. Morgan is wrong, you needn’t be so verbal.” Mayor Mare said with an arched brow.

“Th-That’s because this is unheard of! You can’t just up and appoint somepony as sheriff on your own! More so, we don’t even need a damn sheriff! We have been doing just fine guarding the town on our own!” Rocky snapped.

“Is that so?” Arthur said as he crossed his arms. “Cause from what I’m hearin’, them stallions I made clear outta here said that one of you guards has been tippin’ them off any wrongdoings they’ve done as of late. And I got a sneakin’ suspicion it’s you.”

“Me?! That’s just crazy! I’d never do anything to hurt the ponies of Ponyville!” Rocky protested.

“You’re gettin’ awfully loud for someone who insists they’re innocent.” Arthur pointed out. “Is this because ya didn’t get yer share you were expecting from that thief who tried to make off with Applejack’s earnings?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about! Sneaky Stride was a criminal and he’s behind bars where he belongs!” Rocky said.

Arthur’s ear twitched as he arched a brow and smirked after what was just said. “So the truth comes out.” The gunslinger said, earning confusion from all the ponies. “Now I never said his name, but you did.” Rocky’s eyes widened and took a step back. “How is it you talk like ya know him so personally, ya knew his name?”

“He…told me, told us!” Rocky said, gesturing to the other guards.

“What? No he didn’t, we sent him off to prison soon after we arrested him.” A guard said, who Arthur recognized from the other day as Marble Amor. “In fact, you were pretty insistent we send him to prison after we brought him in, almost like you were nervous he’d say something you didn’t want said.”

Rocky’s eyes darted left and right as all eyes were on him. Arthur took a step forward as he reached for his lasso. “Best come quietly, boy, it’s over.”

“LIKE TARTARUS IT IS!!” Rocky shouted as his horn lit up.

Arthur quickly covered his eyes with his arm as a bright flash enveloped the area. Though Arthur had no idea how he managed to do such a thing, he knew that Rocky had somehow blinded everyone to try and escape. When he lowered his arm, the light had dwindled enough to see that Rocky was making a break for it. Not hesitating to wait, Arthur sprinted after Rocky while everyone else was still rubbing their eyes from the flash. Arthur and Rocky ran through town as Rocky looked over his shoulder and fired strange blasts of light from his horn back at the pursuing gunslinger. Arthur managed to dodge each one and had little time how the guilty unicorn was able to do such things with his horn, but had little time to dwell on it.

“STOP NOW, ROCKY! IT’S OVER!” Arthur called out.

“YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE STUCK YOUR MUZZLE WHERE IT DIDN’T BELONG!” Rocky barked defiantly.

“YOU’RE JUST A DIRTY RAT! THE WORST OF THE WORST!”

“I’M A SURVIVOR! I DO WHAT I WANT, WHEN I WANT TO GET BY!”

Suddenly, Arthur’s anger snapped and skyrocketed. That mere statement made Arthur sprint faster and become more angry, he looked as if he wanted to make Rocky suffer in the worst way possible.

“I’m a survivor, Black Lung! A survivor!” Micah’s voice echoed in his head.

“YOU SON OF A BITCH!!!” Arthur roared as he jumped forward and tackled Rocky to the ground. Both stallions skidded across the dirt and Arthur’s hat flew off. The enraged gunslinger shoved Rocky around and proceeded to beat his face in.

WHACK!

“YOU!”

WHACK!

“DIRTY!”

WHACK!

“FUCKIN’!”

WHACK!

“RAT!!”

WHACK!

Arthur breathed heavily and stopped his beating for a moment as she seethed down at the beaten stallion. Rocky whimpered since his eye was swollen, some teeth were knocked out, and his muzzle was crooked a little. The gunslinger shook his head and got off the beaten former guard and looked at his hands. They were both covered in blood a little and looked around him. There were some ponies staring at the display with mixed reactions, some fearful and some in total shock that they witnessed the gunslinger beat Rocky so violently. Arthur huffed as he reached around to the ground and grabbed his hat to put it back on. Seeing that Rocky was too beaten and dazed to do much, he didn’t deem it necessary to hogtie him. Arthur then grabbed his shirt and hoisted him over his shoulder and trudged his way back to the barracks.

As Arthur walked, he ignored the stares and whispers from any of the ponies he passed by. His nerves were still on edge after being emotionally reminded of the rat Micah and what he had done to him and his old gang. What Rocky said, about him being a survivor, was one of the last things Micah said to Arthur during their last fight against one another. The whole time, Micah was looking out for himself and was just using Dutch and the others to get what he wanted. It set Arthur off in the worst way possible and unleashed his pent up rage on the stallion slung over his shoulder. The both of them eventually made it back to the barracks where everyone was waiting. Mayor Mare smiled upon his return, but noticed the blank yet tense look in his eyes which made her tilt her head.

“Arthur? What’s wrong?” She asked.

“Nothin’.” Arthur said plainly as he threw Rocky to the ground. The look of his beaten face made many ponies uneasy, but Arthur just scoffed in response. “Little shit tried to fight me so I had to rough him up a bit.”

“You call this a bit?” Marble questioned. “He looks like he got run over by a train!”

“It don’t matter to me.” Arthur dismissed. He turned to the townsfolk who had gathered to see what all the commotion was about. “Listen up! My name is Arthur Morgan, and as of this morning, I have been appointed as yer new sheriff! This here rat was the reason why that gang of miscreants were givin’ y’all so much trouble! He was given a bribe so they could do as they pleased with little to none punishment! But I put a stop to it! That gang is no longer gonna bother you folks no more, and this rat will now pay fer his crimes behind bars! Y’all may think my methods are violent, in a word unorthodox of the like, but that’s just what it’s gonna take to keep y’all safe! I know most of y’all don’t know me well enough yet, but now ya do!” The gunslinger gestured to his badge as he tipped his hat with a proud smile. “I’m Sheriff Arthur Morgan and this here town is under my watch!”

Author's Note

Powerful words for an honorable soul.

Hope you enjoyed!

~WurkyWilk has left the building...