The Adventures of Hoss Wild the Cowpony: Beginning

Chapters

Chapter 1 : A Change In Scenery
Chapter 2: And So It Begins
Chapter 4: The Wild West
Chapter 5: Bave or Blinded By Vengeance
Chapter 6: Learning To Shoot
Chapter 7: Clues In Ashes
Chapter 8: The Taste of Reality
Chapter 3: A Short Encounter on the Train

Chapter 1 : A Change In Scenery

He came via the train that went through the center of Ponyville. He had a saddlebag that contained a lasso, a few carrots, some bits, and a musty old picture. His brown mane was a little lighter than his dark brown skin. The average sized colt looked around at his new surroundings. His name was Hoss Wild, a cowboy rancher from the western plains near Appleloosa. His brow was wet with sweat from the heat of the day and his mane was a little soppy from absorbing it. Hoss had to sit with the luggage where there was no breeze; he only had 15 bits to his name and wanted to save them for food or lodge. As he looked around he saw a tree cottage and read the sign in his mind, Library.”He walked up to the door and knocked with his hoof. No answer. He tried again and waited for a minute. With still no answer, Hoss walked away to find a pony. He then came across a pink pony with curly pink hair. He cleared his throat and began,

“Excuse me, can I ask you something?”

“AHHHHHHHHHH,” the pink pony exclaimed and bolted away.

Hoss looked confused, “Okay? That was weird.” Hoss then walked on and came across a blue pony with a blue and white mane.

He asked, “Pardon’ me ma’am, I’m a new colt in this town and I’m looking for work. Do you know where Sweet Apple Acres, the farm, is?”

She smiled and pointed, “Yeah it’s right down that way.”

“Much obliged ma’am, have a nice day,” Hoss responded and walked down the road.

Hoss looked around and smiled as he saw the ripe apples hanging from the trees. The air had a sweet scent that wafted through the breeze. He continued on the dirt path and saw the homestead up on the hillside.

All right I have to put my best hoof foward, make a good impression. I can mess up my chance for a new life.

He came up to the main house and knocked on the door. An old yellow pony came hobbling to the door

“Yez, may I help you?”

“Howdy ma’am, my name is Hoss Wild, I’m a farmer from the plains out by Appleloosa and I was wondering if you had any work needed for the summer and fall harvest?”

The yellow pony smiled and said, “Aw a fellow rancher, well now come in come have some fritters and tea, I don’t work much on the harvest nowadays but when Applejack and Big Macintosh come in we can talk about work. My name is Granny Smith but y’all can call me Granny.”

The house was very clean and quaint. The walls covered in picture frames with photos, some in black and white, other in color.

A little filly with a rosy red mane came running in, “Granny, Granny, who’s this?” Hoss backed up as she approached him in excitement.

Hoss was confused and smiled awkwardly, “Howdy, I’m Hoss Wild, I was here looking for work during your harvest here at Sweet Apple Acres.”

“Hi Mr. Wild. My name’s Apple Bloom,” then she ran outside yelling back to Granny Smith, “Granny I’m going to a Crusaders meetin’ I’ll be back later, bye!”

Granny Smith yelled back, “Alright, y’all be careful and be back before supper.” She turned back to her new visitor. “Now please Mr. Wild, sit down.”

Hoss sat and said, “Thank you ma’am and you can call me Hoss.”

Granny Smith brought back a hot apple fritter and a glass of sweet tea, “So what brings you here Hoss, besides work and all?”

Hoss glanced at his saddlebag with a frown and thought about the picture.Do not give yourself away Hoss

“Aw you know, it’s a long story, I don’t need to bore you with the details Granny Smith.”

“Nonsense I’m all ears,” she replied insistently.

Hoss panicked, looking around frantically, and said the first thing that came to his mind, “May I use the bathroom?!?!”

An awkward moment occurred as the two ponies exchanged fake smiles.

Granny Smith smiled, “Aw the tea went right through you, and it may have been my special tea for me, its right down that hall there.”

Hoss trotted quickly to the bathroom. He looked in the mirror, ran his hooves through the water, and splashed his face. He took in a deep breath and tried to fight back the tears that began to soak his eyes. Be strong, they won't find you out unless you keep it together. He then heard a dog bark followed by a mare who called out, “Winona, slow down you silly dog! Granny we’re back!”

Hoss collected himself and went out to meet the new ponies. Granny Smith was with two ponies, an orange filly with a cowboy hat covering her blonde mane and a large red stallion wearing a large yoke who had a dirty blonde mane.

Granny Smith pointed to Hoss, “this ‘ere is Hoss Wild, a rancher near Appleloosa, he’s here looking to help you two with the fall harvest.”

“Howdy Mr. Wild. My name’s Applejack and this here is Big Macintosh, but we just call him Big Mac for short.”

“Eeyup,” Big Mac said.

Applejack took off her hat, “So y’all are looking for work, we could use the extra hand, but why are you here and not on your homestead?”

Hoss forced a smile, “I um...needed a change in scenery form Appleloosa.”

Applejack looked back at Hoss, “Uh huh? Well how long have you been a rancher?”

“Since I was a baby colt, my family and I grew all sorts of things; apples, carrots, hay, wheat you name it we grew it ma’am.”

Applejack smiled and said, “ I see, and call me Applejack, no need for this ma’am business, and as for work come back tomorrow and we’ll put you to work, you’ll get 8 bits an hour, any questions?”

Hoss smiled, “No ma’am I uh... I mean Applejack.”

Applejack smiled back, “Alright Hoss, see you early tomorrow mornin’, need a place to stay?”

Hoss replied, “Oh, no I have a place I’m staying at, but thank you. Well I best be going now, see y’all tomorrow morning.”

Hoss grabbed his saddlebag and left as the ponies waved good-bye and closed the door. Hoss started his way back to town as the sun was beginning to set. He walked down the dirt road a bit, then looked around and ran into the apple orchard. When he was deep enough, he sat down and unpacked his saddlebag. He laid down his head on the coiled up lasso and ate some apples from the trees. He took the picture out of the saddlebag and began to tear up. As night came he heard the timber wolves howl in the distance. He lay there, starring at the night sky full of stars and felt the warm gentle breeze blow across his face. He then drifted into sleep with the sweet smell of apples, thinking about the life he had lost.

Chapter 2: And So It Begins

Hoss was woken by the loud crow of a rooster. He was covered in dew from the night and shook it off. He stretched his legs and trotted in place, judging by the suns position it had just broken dawn. He packed up his bag and ate a few apples for breakfast. Hoss walked towards the road with a fuzzy head but then shook it to clear it up. He didn’t want to be late so he galloped to the entrance into Sweet Apple Acres. Back at the barn, Hoss knocked on the door, but heard a voice behind him.

“Mr. Hoss, I need y’all over here sir if you don’t mind.”

Hoss trotted towards Applejack who was feeding the pigs with hay and corn.

“Mornin’ Hoss, did you sleep well last night?”

Hoss turned a shade of red, “Ah yeah well you know, the bed was too soft for me.”

Applejack laughed, “Well I hope you’re well rested for the harvest, but for now can you take this bucket of corn to the chicken pen and feed them hens over there?”

Hoss picked up the bucket with his mouth and went to the chicken coop. The coop was not the best smell to wake up to but Hoss fed the chickens, collected the eggs and trotted back to Applejack.

Applejack looked in the bucket and laughed, “Hahaha shoot boy you are a true rancher when you collect the eggs after feeding them.”

Hoss smiled, “Oh yeah, sorry, force of habit.”

“No problem sir, now let’s get back in the house to get some coffee and apple fritters, we’ve gotta discuss the plan for today.” Hoss and Applejack both galloped to the house.

Sometime after Applejack, Big Mac, and Hoss went out to the east orchard and began to buck apples from the trees as Apple Bloom scurried off to clean little Piggington. Later into the day, five ponies went up to talk to Applejack. There was a blue pegasus with a mane as colorful as a rainbow, the pink pony from before, she was hopping instead of walking, a yellow pegasus with a long pink mane, a white unicorn with a curly purple mane, and… a purple Alicorn... a princess? Here? Applejack signaled Hoss to come over to meet them.

Hoss walked over, shy and uncomfortable, and said, “Howdy y’all, I’m Hoss Wild.”

They all said hello and Applejack said, “This here is Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Equestria’s newest princess, Twilight Sparkle.”

Pinkie Pie yelled ecstatically, “Hey you’re the pony from the other day, I was gonna throw you a party to be your friend but you were like gone all day so I had a party in honor of you anyways!”

Hoss smiled, “Sorry, I was looking for Applejack. I needed work and was wondering if they needed a ranch hand for the summer harvest.”

Twilight smiled and said, “Applejack said you were near Appleloosa how is it out there?”

Hoss bowed and said nervously, “Um, very hot and dry, your highness.”

Twilight giggled, “Oh just call me Twilight no need for the formality and such.”

As they were talking, a grey mail mare pegasus flew, or rather crashed, into Applejack.

“Oops, sorry AJ! I have a letter for you though from your cousin Braeburn in Appleloosa.”

Hoss stiffened in apprehension. Applejack dusted herself off and said, “Uh huh, thanks Derpy, here a few bits for your trouble.”

Derpy shot up into the sky and yelled, “Aw thanks AJ! You’re the best! See you guys later,” and flew off.

Rarity smiled and said, “What does the message say, darling?”

Applejack opened the letter and read it out loud.

“Dear cousin, I am writing to ask you and your friends to help us out in our most desperate time.”

Hoss tensed up and waited for more to be said.

“We have had numerous accounts of arson around the bordering homesteads out here and we need you and your friends to help investigate. Sincerely, Braeburn.”

“Oh my goodness those poor people and those animals, I hope they weren’t caught in the fires,” said Fluttershy.

Rainbow Dash looked at Hoss and grabbed him saying, “You wouldn’t happen to have anything to do with those fires, would you?”

Hoss was sweating, “No, of course not!”

“Oh yeah!!! How do we know you’re not lying?” prodded Rainbow Dash.

Hoss stared into Rainbow Dash’s eyes and said, “I didn’t start any fire.”

Applejack looked closely at Hoss. “He’s telling the truth.”

Rainbow Dash flew to Applejack, “How can you tell, he could be lying to us to save his skin!”

Applejack looked at Rainbow Dash, “You gotta trust me Dash, I see it in his eyes, he’s innocent.”

Twilight stepped in, “Applejack is the element of honesty Dash, and I believe her when she says he’s innocent.”

Dash rolled her eyes, “Fine, I trust you AJ.” She then turned to Hoss, “You better watch it buddy, I got my eye on you!”

Twilight was concerned and said, “We better grab the next train to Appleloosa. Come on girls, lets go!”

As everypony hurried off towards the station, AJ stopped and yelled back to Hoss. “Hey, you need to come with us.”

Hoss was apprehensive, “Don’t you want me to work here?”

Applejack said, “No you need to come with us. You know the lay of the land, we may need your help.”

Hoss looked down and thought about it, and at that moment a spark inside him ignited a passion. Hoss grabbed his saddlebag and ran with the other ponies to the train station. Hoss thought in his head as he galloped, Back to where it all happened… I will avenge you all.

Chapter 4: The Wild West

The train came to a screeching halt as it pulled into Appleloosa junction. Hoss left the train in a hurry. Applejack called for him to slow down, but before they chased after him, Twilight called her friends over.

“Guys, I think Hoss is looking for vengeance, keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn’t do anything foolish.”

The ponies all nodded in agreement and left the train.

Braeburn came up to them and said, “Woo boy, that ride sure was long! We should stop by the saloon for a quick drink.”

Pinkie Pie was excited and exclaimed, “Oh boy, I love cider! Lets go and get some now!”

The group made their way to the Flim Flam saloon where they found a few ponies at the bar drinking cider, a table with four ponies playing poker, and a old pony playing on a player piano. A crimson rug barely covered the wooden floor. Every step was followed by the creaking of old floor boards, and the smell of oak, cider, and leather was in the air. Flim and Flam were singing along with the old western song.

Applejack walked over to the bar and said, “Howdy boys, I see you’re still selling your cider, are you making it the honest way?”

Flim spoke first, “Ah, dear Applejack, but of course we are! Our little competition taught us a valuable lesson about the hard work needed for our product.”

Flam interrupted, “Here, have a glass on the house for your whole group.”

Fluttershy spoke softly, “Oh my, thank you.”

Pinkie ordered 12 pints of cider, but Flim gave her only one on the house. Then he looked at Hoss.

“Mr….Mr. Wild!”

The piano came to a crashing halt and all the ponies looked at Hoss.

Hoss spoke loudly, “Howdy y’all.”

Flim snapped out of the daze and said, “Uh, all of your drinks are on the house, Mr. Wild.”

“No thank you, I’ll be fine with just one,” Hoss replied.

The piano went back to playing normally and the group sat at a large circular table.

“What was that all about?” Rarity asked.

Braeburn answered for Hoss, “The Wilds are… um, were, a well know family around here. Very wealthy, very kind folk, but a few months back the arsonist-”

“The GANG!” Hoss interrupted, “wanted protection money from my family. My father worked hard for that money he needed it for our family, so he told the gang no. Well that made them very angry, so they took me outside and threatened to hurt me. That’s when my father paid, but they didn’t care. They took the money, locked them inside the house, and lit the fire with… with my family still inside… my father, my mother, my two brothers… the last thing I remember was being hit in the head, they knocked me out. When I awoke, the house was a smoldering pile of ash and all the fields were on fire.”

The group was dead silent.

Rainbow Dash stood on up and said, “Alright, we gotta get these no good ponies before anyone else gets hurt.”

Twilight turned to Braeburn, “Why didn’t you call for the authorities, what are we supposed to do?”

“Every time they see a guard or sheriff they book out of town. Princess Celestia said you ponies were up to the task. She wants you to investigate for clues and find their hide out, then call in the guards to secure them and then let the courts decide their fates.”

“They deserve to be hung for what they did!” Hoss yelled.

Twilight breathed in and out and said, “No Hoss, you have to be the bigger pony and let the court system handle them.”

Hoss looked away in disagreement.

The group was silent until Pinkie Pie shouted, “Let’s have fun for tonight, then work tomorrow.”

The group agreed and went back up to the bar for another round of cider before breaking up into their own groups. Fluttershy went with Braeburn to check on the animals at the local barn, Rarity went shopping at the western outfitter store. Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash were competing with each other in who could drink the most cider. Twilight was watching them both shaking her head, and Applejack sang along with the piano. Hoss looked at his new friends and went outside.

The night was cool and the stars shined bright, Hoss gazed up at them while walking. The wind blew gently, but enough to push a few tumble weeds. The red rocks looked like large chimneys off in the distance of the dark plains. When he snapped out of his trance he realized where he was heading. He saw the scorched land and followed the blackness up the hill where he saw a few pieces of burned wood where his house once stood. His hazel eyes grew misty. He missed his family; he wished he could just go up the hill and hug both his mother and father one more time. He would bro hoof his older brother, and give his younger brother a noogie.

“Are you alright sugar cube?” Hoss looked behind him. It was Applejack.

Hoss snickered softly and said, “You must have seen me leave the saloon. I guess I wasn’t as sneaky as I had thought.”

Applejack moved next to Hoss, “Is this your homestead?”

Hoss nodded and said, “Yeah… these were the apple orchards, over there was the barn and, up on the hill, that was my house.”

Applejack spoke softly, “Hoss, I’m so sorry for everything. When you came to the farm, I thought you were a drifter trying to steal some of our stuff, but I had no idea it was this.”

Hoss shrugged, “It’s okay AJ, I just I didn’t know how to tell you guys I needed a place to stay, but when you came here to help Braeburn and the Natives I knew I could go to your ranch to get help.”

Applejack smiled, “I’m glad you were polite to Granny Smith, she told me after you left that we could trust you. Your eyes showed her all about who you are.”

Hoss smirked, “Is that how you knew I was telling the truth that I wasn’t the arsonist?”

Applejack smiled and nudged Hoss’ shoulder, “Nah, I just knew it was six versus one and we could have taken ya.”

They both laughed while a coyote howled in the distance.

AJ yawned, “It’s late, we better head back, we gotta start a ponyhunt bright and early tomorrow.” They both walked back to the saloon in the darkness, and for the first time in a month, Hoss didn’t feel alone.

Chapter 5: Bave or Blinded By Vengeance

Hoss awoke to the screaming of ponies outside. A raging fire was destroying the Western Wear Shop on the opposite side of the saloon He grabbed his rope from his saddlebag and ran outside. He met up with the group and saw Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash dumping buckets of water on the blaze. Twilight and Rarity were using their magic to lift buckets of water and splashed it on the flames. Applejack and Pinkie Pie were bringing buckets full of water, over from a nearby well. The whole town was working together to put out the flame. Then, to the horror of everypony, they heard a scream come from inside the flaming building. Without hesitation, Hoss ran inside the building.

Applejack screamed, “Hoss, stop!”

He could barely keep his eyes open. The smoke and heat made it difficult for him to breathe, but he managed to yell out to the helpless pony.

“Where are you?” he called as he became more desperate, the flames intensifying around him.

Part of the roof caved in and made the fire leap into the air. The crackling of the flames made it impossible for Hoss to hear his own thoughts. The dresses and saddles were all on fire only leaving a metal shape of pony mannequins as if he was in the middle of Tartarus. He ran up the stairs to the rooms above the store. Hoss didn't see any signs of the little filly. He was frustrated and almost gave up, until he saw a little filly hiding under a table.

"Help me please!" she cried.

I found you."Stay there I'll get you." He cracked his lasso and slung it over the filly.

“Hold on!” he yelled and yanked it towards himself. “Gotcha,” he said, “Now let’s get outta here.”

The roof began to collapse in as Hoss carried the filly on his back out to safety. He jumped out the nearest window as the flames chased after him.

“He made it!” screamed Fluttershy, and with that the whole town cheered.

The family of the store crowded around the two as doctors raced to check them.

"Thank you, Thank you Mr. Hoss." said the mother
Later that night, the group met at the doctor’s office.

Twilight started by asking Braeburn, “Do you think this was work by the gang?”

Braeburn nodded and said, “They used their signature calling card, a cow skull with the match that started the fire in it.”

Rainbow Dash was angry, “These guys are nuts, they need to be stopped.”

Rarity agreed, “Yes what they did today was not just a crime against ponies but a crime against fashion, some of those saddles were beautiful!”

Everypony gave Rarity a glare.

“What…nopony was hurt...”

Hoss spoke, “Why would they attack the town now, do they know we are here?”

Braeburn shook his head, “No, your involvement is top secret.”

Twilight thought for a minute and said, “We may have a possible espionage here.”

Pinkie Pie laughed, “What does asparagus have to do with this?”

Applejack put her face into her hoof, “Not asparagus, espionage.”

“Right,” said Twilight, “Which means there may be a spy somewhere in town. Everypony keep your eyes open.”

Later that night, the family came to Hoss and offered him a gift.

“Mr. Wild,” the mother said, “for saving our little girl we would like to give you something.”

Hoss shook his head, “no need to ma’am, I just acted.”

“Please accept this cowpony hat and jacket as a thank you on behalf of our family.”

Hoss smiled, thanking the couple and hugged the filly goodbye. He started back for the saloon, but before heading over, he put on the Cowpony hat and jacket and looked in a mirror. Hoss smiled and said, “Dang…. I could get used to this look.”

Chapter 6: Learning To Shoot

Chapter 6: Learning to Shoot

The next morning, there was a sense of anxiety in the town. Everypony was on edge after the fire, and the rumor of a possible spy began to spread. Hoss was looking at his new clothes in the mirror when a knock came at his door. Hoss opened it to find Braeburn.

“Good morning Hoss, or should I say hero,” he said with a smile, “We’re meeting downstairs. Come meet us when you’re ready.”

He began to leave but stopped and turned around to place a basket of apples on the floor.

Braeburn took of his hat and said, “These apples are from your farm, they were in storage and I wanted you to have them. You can save the seeds and plant them one day, on your own farm.”

Hoss was saddened and fixated on the bright red apples, “Thank you Braeburn, these mean a lot to me.”

Braeburn smiled and said, “No problem. Oh, and by the way, Twilight put a enchantment on them so they can stay fresh for years, just make sure to wipe the dust off.”

Braeburn closed the door, and Hoss could hear his hooves go down the stairs. Hoss sat down and stared at the basket, his last family harvest, his family’s legacy all in this one tiny basket. Hoss remembered a time when he and his family would fill crates upon crates of apples, but that was all a memory now, and that memory fueled the vengeance that festered in his heart.

Hoss finally made it down and was greeted by the group.

“Good morning Hoss, did you sleep okay after all that craziness last night?” asked Fluttershy.

“Yeah I slept okay, what about you guys?” he replied.

Rarity yawned, “I was so sleepy after that drama, I’m just happy we put the fire out.”

Twilight agreed and said, “Right, but we got lucky that time. We need to start our investigation as well as take precautions in case somepony may be spying on us.”

Braeburn spoke up, “Agreed, but Twilight… Things are getting to intense for a princess… I think you should leave and let us handle it from here on out.”

Twilight shook her head and said, “No, I will not abandon my friends, but what I think we should do is split into teams. Hoss, Braeburn and AJ, you guys will be our field team. We need you to go out and look for clues, trails, anything that can lead us to these criminals. Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity, you will be looking for possible spies. Look for things out of the ordinary in the way anypony acts. Fluttershy and I will call in extra security and stay here at the saloon sorting out any data you guys gather.”

Braeburn smiled, “Wow, that sounds much better than what I had planned.”

AJ grinned, “That’s why Twi is an expert on organization.”

Twilight gleamed, “Thank you both, but we have our assignments, any questions?”

Pinkie Pie raised her hoof, “Just one question.”

Twilight said, “Yes?”

Pinkie Pie had a mustache on.

Twilight said, “Yes, this time you must be undercover to find the spy.”

Pinkie Pie put on her spy suit with mustache and left with Dash and Rarity.

“Fluttershy and I will go and investigate that fire across the street, what will you ponies do?”

Braeburn stood up and walked to a chest. He opened it and spent a minute putting on a device. He then whipped around and showed Hoss and the group his leg.

Braeburn smiled and said, “this here is a six-shooter leg revolver, you just move you point your leg at the target and pull your hoof in like this to fire it. This has gotten a lot more severe so I want y’all to have protection in case things get too hairy.”

Twilight was skeptical, “You really think it will come to pulling a trigger?”

Braeburn nodded, “These ponies are capable of a lot, and it may have to. Today we’ll train to shoot.”

Twilight gathered her paper and quills and headed up to her room with Fluttershy following along.

She turned back to the other three and said, “Just be careful, guns are not toys, only aim at what you intend to kill.”

She looked at Hoss, then turned and continued on up.

Hoss and AJ put on their revolvers and followed Braeburn to the edge of town, where he had set up bottles along an old wooden fence.

“Okay, the key to shooting is picking your targets with precision. Take a few breaths, aim, and fire.”

Applejack went first, raising her right leg and aiming down the barrel. She breathed in and out, then,

POW

She had hit the target.

“Good,” said Braeburn, “Again, faster if you can.”

AJ smiled and breathed in and out.

POW POW POW POW POW

She hit four out of the last five.

“Whoo-whee! Cousin, you are a natural shot, good job. Hoss, you’re up.”

Hoss went to where AJ had stood. He raised his arm. It began to shake.

“More space in between your legs Hoss, you need more of a base,” called Braeburn

Hoss spread his legs more, which stopped the shaking. He took in a deep breath and held it.

POW

He missed.

“That ok Hoss, try again. Take your time and aim.”

Hoss breathed in and fired.

POW

He missed again. Braeburn looked at AJ with a concerned look.

Hoss began to panic. He couldn’t shoot, and if he can’t shoot, he can’t protect himself, and if he can’t protect himself, he can stop the gang, and if he can’t stop the gang, he can’t avenge his family…. click.

Hoss squinted his eyes and pulled the trigger three four times.

POW POW POW POW

As the smoke cleared, four of the glasses were shattered.

Braeburn and AJ both cheered.

“Good going Hoss, we knew you’d get it!” said Braeburn.

“Now, lets start looking for these no good varmints and bring them to justice,” yelled AJ.

The three ponies went back to the saloon to grab their gear and start their investigation for the outlaws.

Chapter 7: Clues In Ashes

Hoss, Braeburn, and Applejack continued practicing until the sun rose high in the sky. When it was time for lunch, the three ponies met the rest of the group in the saloon. As they all sat down, Flim came around and distributed cider to them.

Flim smiled and said, “On the house for the ‘sheriffs’ of Appleloosa.”

They all drank and conversed about various topics until Twilight broke the idle chatter with business.

“Okay everypony, what did we find out today?”

The spy team looked at each other. The piano played in the background as Rarity shook her head.

“Sorry darling, but there was nothing out of the ordinary.”

Twilight recorded this in her notebook. She then looked at the field team and asked the same question.

Braeburn spoke up, “We practiced shooting all day. We’ll go out tonight to look for anything suspicious.”

Twilight wrote in her notebook and said, “Okay, Fluttershy and I found something at the fire. I think it’s important about our arsonist, but brace yourself everypony, it’s kind of gruesome.”

Twilight put a cow skull on the table. The group gasped in shock and disgust. A knife was stuck through the skull with the inscriptions that read Welcome to the Wild West Law ponies.

Rainbow Dash was enraged, “These sick fucks need to be brought in and hung! No mercy at all!”

Twilight shook her head and said, “No Dash, we need to let the courts decide their fate when we find them. In the meantime, I think we should all learn to shoot. Braeburn, you will teach us while AJ and Hoss go and search more in the field. Some ponies said they saw a metal carriage go south towards the Macintosh Mountains so head that way.”

The ponies left the saloon and followed Braeburn to the shooting range. AJ and Hoss collected gear for their trip and set out to the southern hills near the Badlands. They left during the heat of the day but luckily had packed several canteens of water to keep them refreshed. The two began to discuss their plans in the event of an ambush, what to do if one got lost in the wilderness, and about how the pony hunt will make one hell of a story.

Then the topic came up, “So, tell me about what your ranch was like… if… if you want to talk about it,” Applejack said cautiously.

Hoss smiled, “It’s ok, I….l want to talk about it with you. My ranch was the best place in all of Equestria. I loved it during springtime, before the grass died. The apple trees were blooming and the winter harvest was coming to an end. The apple flowers gave a sweet smell whenever the wind picked up. My mother was always cleaning, cooking, doing bills, and spending time with us. I don’t know how she did it. We worked hard but it was good honest work, we never let our wealth define us. My dad always said a stallion is judged on his integrity and honor, not his wallet. After work, my brothers and I would go down to the river and swim. We used to wrestle each other in the water. One time I got a little too rough and bloodied my little brother’s nose…. my dad whipped my behind with an olive branch.”

Applejack laughed, “Your flank must have been as red as a cherry.”

Hoss went on, “Yeah, but then one day when my little brother was being picked on by these bullies, I bucked the shit outta them.”

Applejack laughed, “No foolin’?”

Hoss smiled, “Nope, and my dad smiled. Said I did a good job defending my family.”

Applejack smiled, “Yeah, you were a good brother.”

Hoss smiled back and said, “I learned from the best. My older brother always had my back. One time at the saloon, we got a drink and these two visitors got outta hand. They were looking for a fight and I was the victim. They began to buck me from both sides. I almost blacked out, but my brother saved me. Smashed the bigger ones’ face, he almost kicked it off. It gave me the chance to get the other guy. Then the sheriff came. We ran as fast as we could, laughing all the way.” Hoss then grew silent.

Applejack could see that he was saddened to think about his family. She stopped and hugged Hoss.

“They sounded like amazing ponies Hoss.”

The sun bore down on the pair as they walked across the seemingly endless wasteland of cacti and yellow sand. Buzzards flew overhead, screeching and searching for food. One of them landed a few yards away from the pair and began to pick at something. Hoss looked at the bird and had an inclination to go and check out what was going on.

“Let’s go see what that buzzard has for lunch.”

“Okay,” said AJ, then she smiled, “Race you!”

And with that Applejack dashed towards the birds. “You’re on,” said Hoss and the pair raced towards the bird. Hoss began to fall behind and looked at AJ in disbelief. Wow this pony is FAST, I gotta pick up my speed… oh but look at that plot… wow she’s really pretty. I never took the time to really look at her. Oh no I can’t have feelings for her, what if one of us dies on this hunt, I can’t take any more heartache… but more importantly I don’t want to cause her any… Wait why did she stop.

“AJ!” Hoss called out. But AJ did not respond. She just stood and stared.

Hoss stopped next to Applejack, whose mouth was open from the sight. They came upon the charred remains of a pony with several other ponies encircling it. Both could see the holes from the bullets that had entered their skulls. Blood was splattered all across the scene.

Applejack flung her arms on Hoss, “Who could do this to these poor ponies?”

Hoss looked at the bodies, “it looks like they executed this pony before killing them.”

He read the letters on the wagon, Golden Delicious Acres. “It’s another ranch, but these ponies look like workers, not a family.”

“We’ve got to get back to the group and tell them!” said Applejack.

“No time, you run to the group and get them, I gotta get to the farm and warn them,” said Hoss.

Applejack tried to stop Hoss, “Please wait, you need help!”

Hoss looked into her green eyes that were becoming misty.

“AJ, I need to get there and warn them. I don’t want them to suffer like my family.”

Applejack held Hoss in her hooves. She looked deep into Hoss’s eyes, leaned forwards, and kissed him. Hoss was shocked at first, then went numb as he closed his eyes and lost himself in her kiss. The two then broke apart.

With tears in her eyes, Applejack called, “I’ll be there as quick as I can, I promise.”

Hoss nodded and put on his bandoleer of extra bullets. He then spun his revolver to get it ready and headed west towards the ranch. Applejack ran back towards the Appleloosa as fast as she had ever run before. As they both ran separate ways, Hoss realized, I may never see her again.

Chapter 8: The Taste of Reality

Hoss ran as fast as he could until he saw the sign “Welcome to Golden Delicious Acres.” Hoss though to himself, I hope I’m not too late. As he made the turn into the ranch, Hoss stopped at the sight of two covered wagons with ponies armed in guns, wearing bandanas, and bearing Bandoleers. Hoss’s heart stood still as he took cover behind a rock. Oh shit, there are so many. How am I going to do this… and what’s that wired image on their wagon? A cow skull was crudely painted on the side with the words “Fuegos de Tartarus,” or “fires of hell” beneath it.

Hoss carefully looked inside. Oh man, they have dynamite and kerosene, they’re going to burn this place just like my home! Hoss then remembered the pain of losing his family and thought, No… not today. They will not kill this family too, not if I can help it.

Hoss sneaked though the field until he got close enough to the barn where they had gathered the family. Okay I’ve got to think this through. It looks like there are…four… five… six… seven ponies. That wagon up ahead must have more kerosene and explosives. I could shoot that and cause a distraction… No that won’t work, it might hit the family.

The outlaws began to tie nooses and roughly ring them around the ponies’ necks. They grabbed the father and made him face his family. The mother was gagged and sobbing.

Two fillies began to cry, “Daddy, we love you… please don’t hurt our daddy.” One of the outlaws looked at the family and sneered, “Shut up, you should have paid your protection money.” He then turned back to his group and said “Hey guys, let’s do this quickly and get home, I need to get back to a sexy whore waiting for me at the hide out.”

Oh no, I’m running out of time. I… I’ve got to act. Hoss breathed and thought about his family. He jumped out from behind his cover and shot the wagon full of kerosene. A booming explosion sent metal and flaming wood flying out in all directions, killing three of the outlaws. Hoss laid back down in cover.

One of the outlaws yelled, “Holy shit, we’re under attack! Over by that rock, open fire!”

Pow Pow Pow Pow.

The bullets were deflected off of the rocks, causing Hoss’s adrenaline to kick in. He realized that he had just killed several ponies, ponies that deserved to die, and that… he liked the feeling. Hoss waited for the smoke of the wagon explosion to blow closer to him and engulf his surroundings. Finally the time came and he ran and took cover behind the barn. The outlaws ran as well, hiding behind bales of hay and barrels.

One of the outlaws called out to Hoss, “Whoever you are, you best give up! We are the fuego gang, the most deadly gang in the west. Surrender yourself now and we will let you go.”

Hoss shook his head. Wow, these guys are dumb to say that, how gullible do they think ponies are? Hoss cocked his gun and shot at a barrel, causing the grain inside to leak onto the ground.

The outlaw yelled, “Oh shit, you little bastard! Well cut your balls and shove them down your neck. Put down your gun you little shit.”

Hoss reloaded two rounds. He was trying to think what he should do. The wagon fire was causing a lot of black smoke he could use for cover, but the wind would blow in different directions. Hoss heard animals in the barn that were going crazy due to the noise. More shots whipped past Hoss. I could release the animals to cause a distraction… plus they would waste ammo on them… but how will I get over there? Hoss looked at the other wagon and saw TNT next to it. I’ve got it.

Hoss waited until they shot at him three more times. He then grabbed his lasso from his saddlebag, spun it around, and flung it next to the box. Damnit. A bullet hit a tree above him, causing a branch to come hurtling down and slice his face. Ah Damn… one more time. Hoss quickly readied his lasso and flung it again. The rope caught and tightened around the box.

Buck yeah. He pulled the crate close enough to get inside it. Bullets shot at the ground as he grabbed three sticks of dynamite. He ran back to the rock where he was hiding originally. At that moment, one of the outlaws hit the box of TNT, causing a large explosion.

“Oh dang, I got him!” cheered one of the outlaws as he stood up from his cover with his hooves in the air.

Hoss rolled out of cover and shot the outlaw in the neck, then quickly rolled back into cover. He smiled as he remembered his little brother and him playing cops and robbers. I never thought I’d be actually doing this stuff.

Blood gushed out of the outlaw’s neck as he flailed and tried to put pressure on the wound. The other outlaws laughed at his struggles as they hid behind cover. One of them shook his head and said, “Dumb piece of shit.”

The other outlaw shouted, “You may have gotten lucky with Kicks there, but he was a greenhorn in our gang, we are both veterans.”

Hoss lit and tossed the first stick of dynamite.

The outlaws eyes widened, “you little piece of….” BOOM!

Five down, one more to go. Hoss lit and threw the second stick. Sizzzzzzzzz. The outlaw dashed to another hiding spot just in time. BOOM.

Smoke and pieces of wood fell to the ground. The father of the family tried to calm down his fillies who were hysterically crying from the gruesome blood and dead ponies. The outlaw laughed, “HAHA, gotta do better than that you little piece of shit.”

Hoss grew nervous. Shit, oh shit, oh shit, how do I get this guy? He closed his eyes and shook his head, until… Bingo. Hoss lit and threw the last stick of dynamite at the outlaw. Again the outlaw ran to another location smiling as he did, but suddenly... Zip.

The outlaw fell to the ground; eyes wide open as a pool of warm blood began to collect on the ground next to him. Hoss was still aiming down the barrel of his smoking gun, not sure if the pony was still alive or not. He walked towards the body, his gun never turning from the figure on the ground. Hoss saw that he had shot the pony square in the temple. Hoss lowered his gun and ran to the family. He began to untie the fillies and the mother who all ran to embrace their father. Hoss smiled and gave them a moment before preparing to speak. Before he had a chance, the wife screamed, “AHHHHH!”

Hoss turned around and saw the last outlaw he had forgotten in the heat of battle.

Pow.

"Ugh." He blinked and looked down as saw a small red circle on his vest, growing larger and darker with each passing moment. He fell to the ground and looked up at the outlaw as he gasped for air.

He turned Hoss around to look at the family. The family began to cry once more as the outlaw grabbed the father and pulled him aside. The outlaw then pulled of his bandana to reveal a deep scar over his left eye.

He cocked his gun and put it against the father’s head. “You lose Mr. Hero.” Pow. Blood sprayed out the opposite side of the father’s head.

Hoss moaned weakly, “No…” The fillies cried and tried with all their might to hold onto their mother, but the pony with the scar pulled them apart. He forced the mother to kneel where the father had. "Don't Buck with us ever.. ever agian," said the pony with the scar. Pow. Blood splattered over the father’s body. The mother fell next to the father as the pony with the scar went back up to Hoss and pistol-whipped him in the head. As Hoss lost his grip on reality, he saw the pony with the scar light the house on fire run off. He vaguely saw the fillies run to the bodies of their dead parents. Then all went black.

Chapter 3: A Short Encounter on the Train

The group came to the station and the girls piled into first class seating. Hoss went in, then was immediately stopped by the conductor.

“Hey it’s you, get in the luggage car you lousy freeloader!”

Hoss was embarrassed and began to leave the luxury car.

Twilight came up to the conductor and said, “Excuse me, but he is my personal guest, may he sit here with us?”

The conductor gasped, “OH, Princess Twilight, of course… but are you sure you want to sit next to this poor colt? He couldn’t even afford a regular ticket last time I saw him.”

Twilight grabbed some bits and gave it to the conductor, “Is that enough?”

“Yes Princess, thank you,” bowing as he left. The group all looked at Hoss as he put his head down in embarrassment.

“AJ, is that you?” said a voice from the back of the car.

“Braeburn we just got your letter today; what are you doing here?” said AJ.

“You just got it? I sent that two weeks ago, I was coming to get y’all.”

“How is the situation in Appleloosa?” Twilight asked.

“Worse, the arsonists turned out to be part of a gang of outlaws. They hit three more homesteads and… some ponies didn’t make it out of the attack.”

The group was silent. Braeburn then looked at Hoss and was shocked.

“Mr. Wild, what are you doing here?”

The group looked at Hoss, and Rarity asked, “Do you two know each other?”

Braeburn took off his hat and put a hoof around Hoss. “Mr. Wild, Hoss, he… he lost his family a month ago in an attack.”

The group gasped. Hoss closed his eyes and said, “ Yes it’s true… My parents, my brothers, my life was destroyed by these ponies, and now I want to bring them to justice.”

Pinkie Pie jumped over to Hoss and held him crying, saying, “I’m so sorry Hoss. I’m here for you.”

The whole group came over and hugged Hoss, reminding him that they too were there for him. Hoss felt comforted by the idea of having these ponies, who he barely knew, as his friends.

Applejack looked at Hoss and said, “You can go back to the apples if you want Hoss, we understand if it’s too much for you.”

Hoss lost the smile on his face and grew very serious. “No, I want to handle this with you guys.”

Twilight sent a letter to Spike to take care of the group’s animals while they were gone.

The conductor yelled, “All aboard!”

The train’s whistle blew, the steam smokestack flowed, and the train began to move onwards to Appleloosa. Hoss sat looking at the fancy curtains , the cusiony seats, and the lavish food.I miss having this lifestyle. He scowled as he looked out the window, biding his time. Twilight looked at Hoss and made a concerned look at Applejack who reciprocated the same face back.

The conductor yelled, “Next stop, Appleloosa!”