The Adventures of Hoss Wild the Cowpony: Beginning

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.