Red Dead Redemption

Relentless Amigos

By Lee Homer

Disclaimer: I don't own Red Dead Redemption. Rockstar does. This hopefully is an original story that I believe is different as to other stories that I have read...Okay maybe not. Please read and review and enjoy. Warning please be aware that there are one or two spoilers throughout so if you haven't played or completed the game, don't read.

I thought I would do something different as I have read a lot of Jack Marston fics but not enough of John. I didn't like the end of the game so I figure this a way of how John can be in one last story.

Chapter One

Old Wounds

The heat was stifling out in Punta Orgullo as intense heat waves blurred the desert horizon around Casa Madgrugada. It was probably one of the most poverty stricken towns in the whole of Mexico, but to one man, it was the only place he could ever call home. As he sat there drinking his days away at his favourite wooden stool, Landon Ricketts enjoyed the hot summer sun. He would often do this and to him, this was his idea of retirement. He was an old outlaw, forgotten by the law that once had a bounty put out on his head years ago. As he sipped away at his drink, Landon read the headlines to the local paper that was draped over another chair.

Brushing the dirt off the page, he began to read the first column. Apparently, a man had been shot dead at his ranch by government agents. This story seemed to impress the ageing gunslinger that was until he was drawn to something out in the distance. A rider emerged from the heat waves. His features became more apparent as approached the town at a steady speed. Landon wasn't surprised at all as the rider appeared to be none other than John Marston. However, there was something different about him, something sinister. His black duster coat draped over his skinny pale horse as John rode into town and stopped outside the rooms. Hitching his horse, he slowly walked over towards Landon keeping the same dead pan expression on his face.

"Well look what came out form the devils playground." Landon chuckled as he shook John firmly by the hand. "I don't know how you found me after all this time, but i can tell you now. I'm happy here so please leave me be."

"I've come for your help, Ricketts." John replied as he stood over Landon, covering the sun with his silhouette. "My family has left me and it's all because of one man and his government pigs. I don't know who else left to turn to. I need your help amigo?"

"Government pigs?" Landon said as he looked up at John. "They seem to be all over the news these days. Thing is I would help you, but you are looking over one fact. I'm too old to hunt now. I can't even hold a gun without dropping it. My time is nearly over. You don't need me."

Furious at Landon's response, John took a seat opposite the old-timer and stared him in the face. Landon could see sincerity in his eyes. He really needed help.

"If I recall since last time." John stated. "You taught me how to fire plus you even gunned down a few men yourself and you have the guts to sit there and tell me that you can't shoot to save your life. What happened to you old man? You use to be a feared son of a bitch?"

"Well I guess you could say that I've lost the interest in killing." Landon sneered as he stared down at his whiskey bottle. "Unless there was some sort of money payment that would twist my arm?"

"There might just be if you help me out." Assured John. "He's become a corrupt asshole who has ruined his reputation by killing an innocent family man. His excuse was that this man was going to take down the law, but he didn't have evidence to prove his explanation. Instead, he fled with a bounty on his head. I don't know how much, but I'm sure it would be worth something to you?"

Landon thought it over thoroughly. He knew he couldn't stay in town much longer. He deserved much better in life.

"Okay. I'll help you?" he said as he returned his gaze at John. "But I want to know who it is we're hunting and why? I don't just kill for the fun of it anymore?"

"He's a government agent known by the name of Edgar Ross." John explained instantly. "Just like I said a few months ago, he killed a rancher up on Beecher's Hope in cold blood. He lied to his men to get them to do his dirty work. After a bounty was put on his head, he was seen riding east. I assumed he was heading across the border. Thing is I can't be too sure."

"Why do you need my help?" Landon asked again, still confused to all that John was telling him.

"Because he's not alone." John muttered a she reached for the whiskey bottle. "When Ross ran so did three of his followers. All of which were ex bounty hunters. I can take them down on my own. Hell no man can."

"Alright, John. I'll help you, but it better be worth my while." Landon replied as he made one thing clear to John. "I can't stay here much longer. I deserve better than this myself. I have a home to go to in Armadillo and I would like some money to get there. This is no life for an old man who just wants to live the rest of his life in peace, besides the law aren't even looking for me anymore. I'm a free man."

"I understand, Ricketts." John said as he understandingly shook Landon's hand once more. "You're a good man and you deserve the best. Where do we start?"

"We'll head to Chuparosa for supplies." Landon replied as he headed into his room to back his bags. "There's an office there you could use to find out about this Edgar Ross. If he is Nuevo Paraiso we'll know about it."

Later That day, John and Landon mounted their horses and set out into the wild desert of Mexico. Landon always trusted John; he just hoped that he knew what he was doing. Edgar Ross was an ex Government agent not some two bit outlaw. As the wind hit his face, Landon reminisced to his younger days when he was the most notorious outlaw in town. He had missed riding a horse and it felt good to hit the dusty trail once again.

Just before they left, Landon had made sure that he was well armed for any action. He had Scholfied Revolver on him along with an Evans Repeater Rifle that was mounted to the side of his horse. He never believed in dynamite but in this case, he was going to have to make an exception. As they rode towards Punta Orgullo, Landon felt his nerves shoot up. What was going to happen? He didn't know. He had never felt uneasy before in his life. Was it to do with Edgar Ross being a government agent? Or was it to do with John Marston himself? John had never looked this sinister before, or so he remembered. He knew that there was more to this than he was being let onto. John would never avenge someone's death unless there was a real reason.