Hey everyone! This story has been bugging me a lot lately so I decided to post it. I'm starting to get better at making longer chapters. Go easy on me, this is my first Rango fanfic and my first time writing accents so don't flame me if I did it wrong. But if you have a few pointers for writing accents please let me know and help me improve.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. The movie and its characters that are mentioned in this story belong to Nickelodeon and Gore Verbinski. It only own this idea for the story and those characters that weren't in the movie (my OC's).
Prologue: Welcome to Dirt
'Welcome to Dirt'
That's an odd name. Rihanna mused as she read the sign that was outside the small town.
The female Rattler was a copper colour, her diamond pattern highlighted by the yellow/white that was outlining the pattern. The diamond shapes on her back were a dark brown, almost black, on the outside and a deeper copper colour on the inside diamond. Her golden yellow eyes held the intensity of the sun itself. It seemed that the only imperfection to this natural beauty was the fact that she had a scar on her left cheek, just under her eye.
She had gotten that scar five years ago when a certain outlaw made his way into her hometown. Rather than hide like everyone else, Rihanna tried to help some kids who were caught in the panic. She had gotten the children to safety when a stray bullet grazed her cheek. It wasn't that deep, but it still left a scar. Ever since then, only one name made her hot under the collar. Rattlesnake Jake. Just the thought of that no good, rotten, stinking bandit snake, made her skin crawl, her insides churn and made her bare her fangs in rage.
It probably didn't help that he was the reason she was looking for a new home. After his frequent visits to her town, some of the town's folk packed up and fled looking for a safer place to call home. Like a domino effect, after quite a few people left the businesses started to go downhill. People started to close their shops and pretty soon it became a ghost town. She stayed there for as long as she could, but when her father died two years ago, she was forced to leave the only home she knew behind and find a new one. So here she was, slithering towards the town she had heard about on her travels.
As she entered town, she was met with fearful looks from the townspeople. Obviously, these people haven't had too many visits from rattlesnakes, besides Jake, in their sleepy little town. It did make sense though. Rattlesnakes weren't welcomed in most towns because of their evil reputations. With their size compared to others and that they could use venom to kill made them pretty intimidating. She composed herself and made her way other to a small group of men who were talking amongst themselves. She tried her best to not look threatening as she approached the group.
Rihanna coughed to get their attention and immediately she was met with more terrified expressions when they turned around. She mentally groaned. She wasn't that scary was she?
"Say, do any of you know who I could talk to about becoming a citizen of this fine town?" She asked them in the sweetest voice she could muster.
One of the men, a burly rat, had enough courage to reply. "Y-You could talk to the sheriff." He pointed towards a building that had a sign above it that said 'sheriff'.
"Much obliged." Rihanna said, nodding her head and giving them a sweet smile. God, how she hated doing that. With that she slithered over to the worn out building.
# # # # #
Looking into a window, she saw a green chameleon sitting behind a desk. She shook her head. That was the sheriff? He didn't even look like he could hold his own if a bunch of kids ganged up on him. Oh well, looks could be deceiving. Just look at her. She was a rattlesnake that wouldn't hurt a soul. Taking a deep breath, she gently pushed the door open and entered. Rihanna slowly went over to the sheriff, wary of his reaction to a rattlesnake in his office.
Rango heard the door open and then close. Someone had entered. He looked up and his breath caught in his throat and his eyes widened a little. There, in front of him, was a rattlesnake! At first he thought that it was Rattlesnake Jake, but calmed down slightly when he caught sight of its rattle. A rattle, not a gun. Still he was cautious of what the snake would try to do.
Rihanna chuckled at the face the sheriff was making. She couldn't help it. He looked like a deer caught in the headlights of a car!
"Calm down, Sheriff." She said, still chuckling. "I'm not going te hurt ch'ya."
Rango did as her was told and calmed down, but his hand was still on his gun in its holster. The famous one bullet was loaded and ready in case this snake tried anything.
"Oh really? Then what are ye doin' 'ere?" Rango inquired raising and eyebrow at the serpent.
"Nothin' really." Rihanna replied casually. "Just looking to become a citizen of this 'ere town and find work te suit me." She gave a smug smile.
Rango finally relaxed. "Alrighty then. May I have yer name ma'am?"
"Rihanna."
"Well Rihanna, here in Dirt we have a few conditions. Rule # 1: No causin' mischief. Rule # 2: No eatin' the town's folk and rule #3..." He was walking back and forth in front of her, like a general talking to his troops. He suddenly stopped and looked at the floor boards in thought. "Well, I haven't gotten to that part yet, but you get the general idea."
Rihanna nodded. There was nothing wrong with those rules. In fact she was the opposite of causing mischief. She tried to put a stop to mischief. And he didn't have to worry about her eating the inhabitants of Dirt. She was pretty harmless, unless someone rubbed her the wrong way. It didn't happen often, as she tried to control her temper, but if someone made her made enough they were in for a butt whopping.
"Alright," Rango said in satisfaction at seeing her nod. "I'll show ya 'round town." With that, he walked outside with the female rattlesnake following him.
# # # # #
"And this 'ere is the Saloon, where you can cool off with a shot of cactus juice." He said gesturing his hand towards the building.
It was the end of the tour, which was surprisingly short. The town was small, but bigger than Rihanna had thought before. Still it was a nice town and from what the sheriff, who introduced himself as Rango, said, it had gotten a lot nicer since the mayor 'died'. From what she had gathered, the mayor wasn't all that pleasant.
As she followed Rango into the Saloon, she felt slightly nervous as everyone turned to see who it was that entered. She gulped as every eye in the room stared at her. Rihanna slowly made her way to the bar, a few strides behind Rango, glancing at the people who occupied the tables as she passed.
"Howdy Buford!" Rango greeted the bartender, a toad. "Two cactus juice please."
The bartender, now known as Buford, opened two bottles and slid them down the counter. Rihanna caught hers with her tail and watched in amusment as Rango was impaled in the hand with the spikes that adorned the bottle. She chuckled silently as he whimpered in pain before taking a sip of the alcohol. It wasn't like the kind she was used to; it was sweeter. Rihanna wasn't too big on alcohol, but she would drink it once in a while.
"So where 're ya from, Rihanna?" Rango asked after swallowing a mouth full of the liquid.
"Sandstone Creek." She replied.
"Never heard of it." Rango said as he went to take another sip.
"Probably because it died on account of the devil constantly showing up." She growled, staring at her drink. She tried her best to calm down. No use getting worked up.
"...Okay..." Rango said, awkwardly. "Well, you won't have te worry about that Darlin'. I'm the best sheriff this town's ever seen." He stood up and confidently leaned his back against the counter, giving her smug smile. Just as he finished speaking, his belt that held his gun and ammo fell down to his ankles.
"I can see that." Rihanna said sarcastically, rolling her eyes as he picked up his belt.
Just as she was about to take a sip, she suddenly felt something nudging her. She turned around and came face to face with a young cactus mouse, who had the biggest eyes she had ever seen. The girl was dressed in something that resembled a sailor suit and had a dark cowboy hat sitting on her head. Her hair was done in two braids.
"Hey kid." Rihanna greeted smiling.
"Hi." The girl replied.
"Hey there, little sister." Rango said, approaching the two girls having successfully secured his belt around his hips.
"Rango, Bad Bill and 'is gang 'er at it again." Pricilla replied, pointing to the door where the sound of an all out brawl could be heard.
He turned to Rihanna with an apologetic face. The snake rolled her eyes with a sideways smirk. "Go on." She urged. "I'll be fine 'ere by ma self."
Rango tipped his hat in thanks before heading off towards the door with Pricilla behind him as she was eager to see the situation. Rihanna chuckled silently, skaking her head and turning back to her drink. This town was actually starting to grow on her. She was already starting to like the town and its people, even though she didn't really know anybody.
"Now the only thing to do now is find a job." She thought.
# # # # #
Rihanna opened the door to be welcomed by the room that was waiting for her. Up against the side wall was a bed, large enough for a full grown rattlesnake. Resting near the wall, opposite the bed, was a treated wooden dresser and in the wall across from her, a small closet. There wasn't really anything else in there, except for a window near the end of the bed. The rooms in the Inn were plain, but that's all she needed.
The female snake took in her surroundings, before gazing out the open window. Outside, the citizens of Dirt were going about their daily business. It brought back memories of her home in Sandstone Creek. She sighed longingly as she let her conscious drift back to the days before mortal fear and famine devastated the once happy town.
# # # # #
At a young age, her mother was taken away from her. She had suffered from internal bleeding after being attacked by a hawk. That left her father to take care of the five year old by himself. It was hard to run a general store and take care of a child, but somehow he managed.
Years passed and when she was old enough, Rihanna helped out around the store. She was mostly behind the counter making purchases or stocking the shelves. She knew every customer by name and everyone knew her. If she didn't know them she would gladly introduce herself.
When she was about twenty one, the town was visited by the devil himself, Rattlesnake Jake. Of course his reputation wasn't as widely known then so the townsfolk didn't really know him. Though he made himself known when he took the lives of two of the town's most important citizens: the sheriff and his deputy. After that, the town was in a mass panic. Everybody hid indoors when he came into town.
It was during one of his visits, when she got the scar. A group of young kids were trapped outside and forced to hide behind anything they could find. Rihanna took it upon herself and went outdoors to help them. She knew it was risky, but she had to get the children to safety. Once she got to them, she urged the kids to run to the safety of a nearby shop. Jake must have heard her because she heard a gun going off and felt the intense pain in her cheek. Later did she realize how lucky she was to have survived. The bullet had missed her head by millimetres, but had grazed her cheek, deep enough to leave a permanent reminder of just how lucky she was.
Yet with no sheriff for protection from the many outlaws that roamed the desert, some people left to find a much safer place to live. With more and more people leaving, business got slow forcing some folks to sell out. As the town got quieter, Rihanna's father soon passed away from old age. Rihanna stayed in Sandstone with the other hand full of townsfolk that still resided within the dying town, but eventually was forced to say good-bye to her home as the last people packed up their belongings and left Sandstone Creek.
# # # # #
Rihanna sighed as she curled up on the large bed. She wished those events never happened that she was still curled up in her old bed biding good night to her father. All things happen for a reason, even though it's an eternity sometimes before we learn those reasons. Her father used to say that to her when she was feeling down when something went wrong. He was right everything happens for a reason, she just would like to know why her life turned miserable once she hit her twenties. Better be one hell of a reason.
Suddenly, a noise make her snap open her eyes, she didn't realize that she was dozing off. Rihanna looked around the room before her attention was drawn to the door. Groaning, she uncurled herself and went to open the door. Outside, was a female desert iguana wearing a faded blue dress and had brown curly hair that framed her face.
"Uh Rihanna, is it?" The lizard replied with a thick southern accent.
The snake nodded. "Yer Beans right?" She asked, giving her a small smile and shaking her head with her tail.
Beans looked at her with confusion. "How do ya know ma name?"
Rihanna retracted her rattle before replying. "Rango told me a lot about you."
She could see the lizard's cheeks start to redden as Beans tried to hide it the best she could. The rattler giggled to herself. Those two were perfect for each other. "So what was it that you wanted?" She asked, seeing that the much smaller lizard was eager to change the subject.
Beans finally controlled the redness in her cheeks enough to speak. "There's a party going on down at the Saloon. I was wonderin' if you wanted te go and socialize with the others."
Rihanna thought about this for a second. Of course she wasn't big on parties as there weren't really any back home. Still parties were fun and she could get to know some of the people that called Dirt home. "Sure, I'll be there."
# # # # #
"You guys have these every week?" Rihanna cried in astonishment over the noise of the bar.
It was the average bar party. No kids. Music so loud that you couldn't hear yourself think. There were dancers up on stage and a space cleared on the floor below the stage for the people who wanted to dance to the music. There were people, both drunk and sober, talking and laughing all at once to add to the noise.
"Yup. Ever since the water came back." Rango replied, giving the snake one of his over cocky smiles.
Rihanna, Rango and Beans were all sitting at the bar drinking a shot of cactus juice. It was a little too crowded for the large snake, but she didn't mind. She had actually met a few people at the party. Some of them included: a one eared rabbit who everybody called Doc, an old grizzled rat named Spoons, a somewhat childish and dim-witted horned toad named Waffles, a Native American crow named Wounded Bird, and a few others who she couldn't remember the names of.
"Hey Rihanna," Beans started. "It's an open mic tonight. Why don't you go on up there and giving it a try?"
Rihanna looked down into the brown liquid. It had been so long since she had last sung. Did she even remember the words? What if she messed up? "I don't –"
"Aw come on Rihanna. Just one song?" Rango pleaded.
The snake tried to look away, but it was too late. The look that the Chameleon gave her would have put Pricilla's too shame. "I don't... uh...I" Rihanna groaned. "Fine! But if I mess up, it's on your head." She gave the lizard a threatening look then threw back her head and swallowed the rest of the alcohol. She made her way to the stage just as the person on stage started to announce the performers for the night.
"Okay next we 'ave...Rihanna. Come on up 'ere Rihanna."
People started to clap as she slithered up on stage to the microphone. She took a deep breath to calm herself and, once she was ready, nodded to the band of owls that was behind her. The music started to play.
It seemed to be like the perfect thing for you and me
It's so ironic you're what I had pictured you to be
But there are facts in our lives
We can never change
Her voice was somewhat shaky from the nervousness. It had been so long she had forgotten how nerve whacking it had been singing up on stage. She wanted to quit but something made her stay up there.
Just tell me that you understand and feel the same
This perfect romance that I've created in my mind
I'd live a thousand lives
Each one with you right by my side
But yet we find ourselves in a less than perfect circumstance
And so it seems like we'll never have the chance
Her confidence had gone up somewhat when she saw everyone enjoying the song. She was glad. It had been her favourite ever since she was little. It really spoke to her. Then she felt something bubbling up inside her. In a matter of seconds, her stage fright went away and her confidence went straight up. She felt like the only way to get rid of the feeling was to sing lower. Ain't it funny how some feelings you just can't deny (Oh)
And you can't move on even though you try (Oh)
Ain't it strange when you're feeling things you shouldn't feel
Oh, I wish this could be real
Ain't it funny how a moment could just change your life (Oh)
And you don't want to face what's wrong or right (No)
Ain't it strange how fate can play a part
In the story of your heart
"Wow. Little missy's quite talented." Rango said surprised with his eyes wide.
Beans nodded
Everyone seemed to be enjoying it too. Some were clapping to the beat, while others were dancing on the dance floor. Sometimes I think that a true love can never be
I just believe that somehow it wasn't meant for me
Life can be cruel in a way that I can't explain
And I don't think that I could face it all again
I barely know you but somehow I know what you're about
A deeper love I've found in you
And I no longer doubt
You've touched my heart and it altered every plan I've made
And now I feel that I don't have to be afraid
She loved the feeling of being on stage. Why did she ever give this up? It was the most fun she had since she was a teenager. She sang her heart out. It felt that if she sang, all her heartache and suffering would disappear.
Ain't it funny how some feelings you just can't deny (Oh)
And you can't move on even though you try (Oh)
Ain't it strange when you're feeling things you shouldn't feel
Oh, I wish this could be real
Ain't it funny how a moment could just change your life (Oh)
And you don't want to face what's wrong or right (No)
Ain't it strange how fate can play a part
In the story of your heart
Rihanna had begun to play with the microphone and bob her head to the rhythm of her voice, as her stage fright had completely disappeared. She smiled when she saw people were dancing and throwing their hands in the air. I locked away my heart Ohhhhhhhhhhhh
But you just set it free
Emotions I felt
Held me back from what my life should be
I pushed you far away
And yet you stayed with me
I guess this means
That you and me were meant to be
She had missed the thrill of being on stage singing. So she put everything she had into the final verses.
Ain't it funny how some feelings you just can't deny Ain't it funny how some feelings you just can't deny (Funny) Ain't it funny how some feelings you just can't deny (Can't deny) Ain't it funny how some feelings you just can't deny
And you can't move on even though you try
Ain't it strange when you're feeling things you shouldn't feel
Oh, I wish this could be real, oh yeah, oh yeah
Ain't it funny how a moment could just change your life
And you don't want to face what's wrong or right , no no
Ain't it strange how fate can play a part
In the story of your heart, oh yeah
And you can't move on even though you try (Even if you try)
Ain't it strange when you're feeling things you shouldn't feel
Baby, ain't it funny how
Ain't it funny how a moment could just change your life (Change your life)
And you don't want to face what's wrong or right (Wrong or right)
Ain't it strange how fate can play a part
Baby, ain't it funny how
And you can't move on even though you try (though you try)
Ain't it strange when you're feeling things you shouldn't feel (Baby)
Ain't it funny how a moment could just change your life
And you don't want to face what's wrong or right
And you can't move on even though you try
Ain't it strange when you're feeling things you shouldn't feel
Ain't it funny how a moment could just change your life
And you don't want to face what's wrong or right
Ain't it strange how fate can play a part
As the music ended, Rihanna was met with applause and a few wolf whistles. She could feel her cheeks redden as she smiled."Thank you." She called to the crowd. Rihanna then slithered off the stage as the next performer was announced. She pushed through the crowd back towards the bar. Once she got there, Rango and Beans looked at her with a mix of awe and astonishment.
"Wow, Rihanna. Ye sing like a coyote howlin' at the moon." Beans commented.
"I'll say." Buford agreed, handing her a bottle of cactus juice.
"Thanks...I think." The snake replied, sitting down at the bar, her head was raised in the classic S shape. She took the bottle and took a swig. The brown liquid burned her throat as it went down, but it was still refreshing.
"How do ye feel about a job singin' 'ere?" The frog asked as he leaned on his elbow.
"Really?" Rihanna gasped.
The frog nodded. "How does every Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday sound?" Buford replied, counting off the days on his fingers.
Rihanna was thrilled with the idea. She got do to her favourite thing and get paid for it! "Sure," She agreed, smiling. "When do I start?"
"How 'bout tomorrow?"