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.”