John had been gone for another two months, he was getting more and more nervous as the time seemed to fly. Bonnie had to be nearing her delivery soon and he could only pray that she was still alright. He had to gain the trust of these people and over the course of the two months that he was gone, he had actually grown to like the people he was living with currently. Over the first few weeks, he was spat at and cursed at, now most of the people had accepted that he was here to stay, some of the people were even nice to him, offering him food and other things. He helped them with breaking horses, and showed inexperienced people how to section meat of animals that he had hunted. However his time frame was quickly closing, he needed to be there when Bonnie gave birth and she needed to be home.
Approaching Hassun and Chogan that morning as he usually did he was greeted with warm smiles, it was nice to be surrounded by people who were (mostly) nice to him. He was so used to people trying to kill him, that it was almost uncomfortable to be welcome.
"Morning brother." Hassun grinned.
"Morning..." John muttered distantly as he looked towards the horizon.
"Something bothering you John?" Chogan questioned.
"I just... I'm just thinking about Bonnie." He replied.
"Is that the woman whose pregnant?" Hassun asked curiously.
"Yeah... She's probably ready to give birth soon, I'm worried about her... I need to take out Archer and Ross soon." He said matter-of-factly and both Hassun and Chogan looked to one another.
"You're right... We'll help you." Hassun stated seriously and John gawked at them for a moment. "Believe it or not, you've done us many of great services, showing the inexperienced kids how to break horses and hunt properly, you're showing us how to survive... A lot of us know how to do it but a lot of the young men don't have fathers to teach them anymore... You've helped us a lot. We'll do whatever we can to convince the others to fight at your side... All we need is a plan to do it."
"... Thank you." John sighed in relief, he might actually stand a chance. "I have an idea of what to do but it'll require some effort... I'm a high priority target so if there is a tip on where I'm at, they'll probably send an army to make sure I'm dead... But I don't want them to know I have numbers, I want it to be an ambush, hopefully, if they think it's just me they won't send as many people as they did last time." He sighed.
"Last time?" Chogan asked.
"They held me hostage for a while, that's why I had to hunt down my old friends and then they tried hunting me like a dog..." John explained, feeling his blood boil.
"All lawmen are evil... The first thing we need to do is get support." Hassun said and motioned John to follow him.
Nervous was an understatement...
"P-Please, Bonnie, let me help you!" Nigel cooed as Bonnie got down from his carriage after they went shopping at Manzanita Post.
"Honestly, Nigel, I'm fine." Bonnie chuckled and shooed his hand away as she groaned once she teetered onto her feet.
Her stomach was so distended she was always top heavy. She could feel the kicking and Nigel's company was amazing, he was so attentive, sometimes like John, it was overbearing but most of the time she appreciated it. She missed John dearly, but he wondered why he talked so poorly of the older man, he was such a help to her pregnancy, and he never complained about sleeping on the sofa or cooking when Bonnie didn't have the energy.
She had almost gotten to get attached to the old man, she would miss him when John got back.
"Nigel, are you still thinking about going North?" Bonnie asked as they walked into the cabin.
"Possibly... The customer base down here is so hostile." Nigel grumbled.
"Well... Should you ever return, you're welcome to stay at the ranch and see us whenever you like..." Bonnie said with a small grin.
"Thank you, dear! I-I may have to limit my time around Mister Marston though..." Nigel laughed.
"Mind if I ask why?" Bonnie asked with small amusement. "I know you're afraid of him but why? You never really talked about how you met."
"He actually saved my life, I sell tonic that's supposed to have life-altering properties, but I was shot by a hooligan who wanted my day's profits when Mister Marston rode up on me, he then saved me. When we went after Bill Williamson and found out he was in Mexico, Mister Marston was pretty distraught... It's the only time I've seen him close to giving up, it was pretty scary, but he's a good man." Nigel chuckled softly.
"He is... I love him." Bonnie sighed and grinned.
"He is a lucky man, how are you feeling by the way? Do you want some tea? Go sit down." He ushered, shooing Bonnie to the couch.
"You sound just like him." Bonnie giggled.
"That's almost a compliment." Nigel chortled.
Hassun and Chogan had gathered the people of the small settlement in front of John and while John was a many of many things, he wasn't a public speaker and his nerves were beginning to get at him. His people had oppressed these people for hundreds of years, the thought of asking them for more made him sick. However, he didn't have a choice.
"My brothers and sisters, as you all know we have been blessed with the company of our newest brother in arms, John Marston. His family is in peril and he must ask for our help... John?" Hassun asked and looked at John, he gulped and approached the crowd.
"I know my people haven't helped your people in any way, we've done nothing but hurt and take from you... But the woman I love, she's sick and she's eight months pregnant... Two lawmen from the government ruthlessly attack us and now she can't be near her family... She's in hiding... I wouldn't ask this if I didn't have any other choice... I hate asking for help but without you, I'm going to die and... I don't care so much about that but I'm more worried about her." He sighed and made sure to stand strong.
The crowd looked to one another in a puzzled fashion, they were slightly troubled, they wanted to tell John to screw himself but after all he had done to be accepted and helping them learn how to survive.
"... Brothers, he's done so much for us, this won't be easy... Some of us may die... But the difference between us and them? Instead of kicking different people down because of what they are we help with no hope of something in return... John has already given us more then he could have offered." Chogan said and before long the crowd shifted to John's favor and held up their guns to vow their support for John.
He was in disbelief if he were honest, he wouldn't have blamed them if they turned their backs on him. The fact they were willing to die for him made John wonder what he did to deserve all the good that had happened to him over the last year. Bonnie's pregnancy, seeing his family again and now having the support of the natives... He was shocked.
"... Thank you, I don't know how I'll repay you." John said to Chogan.
"You already have my friend." The other replied and grinned.
John couldn't help but smile, but now the plan was to figure out how to kill Archer and Ross without too much bloodshed. He reached up and rubbed his head as he thought, but as a light bulb slowly lit up in his head he looked to Hassun and Chogan.
"I have a plan." He said seriously.
The evening was quiet, almost too quiet as an automobile accompanied by multiple soldiers on horseback. The tip on John Marston was too good to give up, after losing him, they got their ass chewed out by the governor. While they wanted to let John go to live on with his miserable life since he wasn't worth more than the dirt on their shoes but they didn't have a choice this time around.
"You really think he's there?" The captain asked as he rode with Archer.
"I'm... Not sure. Miss MacFarlane disappeared too, I have to be honest he did well at falling off the face of the earth." Archer murmured and nodded.
"Then why are we wasting so many resources if you aren't even sure he's there?"
"Because we can't risk not taking this seriously, you should know that Captain." Archer grumbled as they entered tall trees.
As they got closer to Bearclaw Camp, Archer noted that it was quiet... But John wasn't like Dutch, he didn't mobilize the natives for his own gain.
"Why isn't Ross here by the way?" The captain asked Archer.
"He's dealing with things at the station." Archer sighed and rolled his eyes slightly at the thought of his partner skipping out on him, but one of them had to be here to make sure Marston was dead.
"There's the cabin... Something doesn't feel right." Archer sighed and looked around, assuming that the tip was a dud. "Let's get this over with."
Walking up to the cabin, he unholstered his gun with the captain, the two looked to one another before nodding and Archer kicked open the door and of course, it was empty. Archer groaned some and took out a cigarette, but as soon as he took out his lighter, bullets began flying without warning.
"Jesus Christ!" The Captain yelled and ducked back into the cabin with Archer.
"That son of a bitch set up this whole thing!" Archer spat and began aiming at the natives from the windows. "He's just like Dutch!"
Without having any idea of the ambush, most of their men were shot upon initial impact, those who survived were quickly overpowered by the army of natives.
"Unless you want to be shot like a dog, surrender your weapons and come out!" Hassun yelled as the cabin was surrounded.
"Alright alright! Whatever Marston is paying you we can double it!" Archer shouted.
"Come out!" Chogan barked and both the captain and Archer hesitantly walked out with their hands up.
"What did Marston tell you?" Archer asked.
"The truth, Mister Fordham." John mused as the natives parted the way as he and Hassun made their way to the front.
"You son of a bitch you won't get away with this-"
BANG.
John didn't hesitate to blow the captains brains out and then looking to Archer who winced as blood spattered over him.
"... Feels shitty being on the other end doesn't it?" John asked with a small smirk of satisfaction.
"W-Wait! Marston, I-I know what you're thinking but it was Ross! I'm barely a glorified secretary to him! You've seen the way he treats me!" Archer babbled.
"Where is he?" John asked.
"I'll tell you where if you let me live!" Archer snapped, John looked to Hassun and the two nodded before Archer.
"A bastard once said, you aren't in the position to make demands... Tell me." John snarled and pointed the barrel of his gun at the other's forehead.
"He's at the police station! Just let me get on a train you and Miss MacFarlane will never see me again! Just let me live." Archer begged.
"... You'll just come after us." John stated and without any more arguments, he pulled the trigger.
John felt an immense sense of relief as he watched Archer's body fall.
"What a coward..." Hassun sighed and looked at John.
"I can't ask you to come with me to Blackwater..." John affirmed and Hassun rolled his eyes.
"We agreed to help you, we must see it through." Hassun insisted, clapping John's back gently.
"Can I offer you anything else?" John inquired.
"A safe resting place should we ever meet again weary from travel." Hassun explained.
"Of course. You'll always be welcome... I plan on settling in New Austin, in Hennigan's Stead." John retorted.
"Thank you John, but before we start planning for the future, let's finish this." Hassun chuckled softly.
"Thank you again... Let's go." John stated.
John mounted Harlow, and looked at his miniature army, it felt weird being in power. All the people looked to him for direction, John glanced to Archer's body, he would let the animals take it. He then began kicking Harlow's sides, the thundering sounds of the natives behind him as they followed him to Blackwater, this would be over, tonight. The sun fell and the company began descending on Blackwater, as people began seeing the battalion, they began retreating into the buildings, knowing this could only end one way.
John's face was plastered all over Blackwater, as soon as an officer saw him, guns were drawn.
"John Marston you are under arrest, you have one chance to surrender yourself to the law or be fired upon!" A police officer shouted as they approached the station.
John rolled his eyes, normally he wouldn't be so bold but it was almost as if there was a switch in his brain... It was suddenly shut off, he was devoid of any feeling.
"... Take the station, if anyone opposes, kill them..." John snarled quietly.
"You should get out of sight, you're already wanted, we'll take it from here. If you're seen too much you'll be wanted everywhere." Chogan said and John raised his brows.
"Look, I'll get out of sight for now, but I'm going to sneak into the station in the commotion. I'm going to find Edgar Ross." He explained and Chogan and Hassun nodded to one another.
John turned Harlow and before the officer would say anything else, Hassun and Chogan let out a war howl, John galloped out of sight as bullets began firing.
Edgar sat in his office, but as gunshots began ringing out in the streets he gasped softly and looked at the window. He got up quickly and glanced out of it, savages? What were they thinking raiding Blackwater? Surely they were out of their mind!? How could they have known that their artillery was gone-
Marston.
Ross went pale and ran back to his desk, grabbing his gun and quickly running out the door.
"M-Mister Ross where are you-"
"If anyone comes looking for me shoot them!" Ross snarled and ran further up the stairs. He had no way to make a quick getaway. He had to make a stand here.
John, on the other hand, slipped his hood up once more, and got off of Harlow behind the saloon and slapping his behind to get him out of Blackwater. John then began slithering his way through the buildings avoiding bullets as he walked through the back way of the station.
"Hey, you can't be back here!" A guard shouted, John narrowed his eyes and pulled the trigger.
"Shots fired!" Someone shouted and John quickly hid.
He hated office buildings, he hated police... He hated Ross. John growled and ran inside as more guards were looking for the source of John's gunshot and began pulling the trigger over and over again, only hiding to reload. He couldn't remember killing people in such a rage, it was like a flash. He kicked open the door to Edgar's office, empty. Son of a bitch! John almost crumbled but hearing the door to the roof opened, John gasped and ran towards it. Shoving the door open, John gasped as a bullet pierced his abdomen and he threw himself to the side. Shit.
"Couldn't just die, could you Marston?" Ross hissed.
"I could say the same thing you psychopathic fuck!" John roared and covered the bullet wound before he reached around and fired towards Ross as he ducked behind cover as well.
John groaned and ripped a piece of his sleeve off before slipping off his belt. He stuffed the bullet wound and wrapped the belt around his abdomen, putting pressure on it without actually having to put pressure on it. He just needed to live long enough to kill Ross.
"Oh I'm a psychopath now? Look at you and your savages raiding the town! You really take after Dutch don't you?" Ross taunted and began looking for John with his gun loaded, about to round the corner where John had ducked before. "Just give up John!" He demanded as he rounded the corner, but John wasn't there.
John suddenly pointed the barrel of his gun against Ross' back.
"Drop it, old man." John commanded.
"... Alright, Marston..." Ross growled and hesitantly tossed his gun aside before John kicked the older man down, looking down at him. "If you kill me they'll never stop coming after you Marston..." Ross said seriously.
"... You sound just like Mister Fordham before he died... He basically renounced you and said this was all... Your fault... For a second, I almost believed him, but I know he's just a coward... Died on his knees, just as you're about to do." John mused, watching Ross' eyes widen.
"Y-You're a damn madman!" Ross insulted.
"... Maybe I am... But I know you're never gonna extort anyone ever again..." John said and Edgar huffed.
"Then kill me you weak bastard!" The other bellowed.
"... I will... Trust me." John said and smirked.
He then pointed the barrel of his gun down and pulled the trigger, blowing out Ross' kneecaps, the other screaming.
"You goddamn animal! I should have killed you when I had the chance!"
"Yeah... You should have." John said unemotionally and shot out his other kneecap, ignoring the wailing of pain.
John made sure to make Ross bare unimaginable pain before he pushed the barrel of his gun against Ross' head.
"... Do you regret fucking with me..?" John asked.
"... Fuck... You..." Ross whimpered.
"Good enough..." John said and pulled the trigger.
John was free... He walked to the edge of the building and looked down to the chaos that was unfolded, but as Hassun and Chogan looked to him, John held up his hand and Hassun and Chogan whistled, calling off the attack. John retreated out of the station and whistled for Harlow. Everything moved so fast, as he began meeting the natives outside of Blackwater.
"Was anyone killed?" John asked.
"No, a few injuries... Is it done?" Hassun questioned.
"It is... Thank you... My family will be safe thanks to you." John stated. "You'll always have a safe place to stay at the MacFarlane's Ranch should you ever pass through New Austin, go tend to your wounded, you need to get out of sight anyway." John said.
"Thank you, John, you've done us a great service as well. We will meet again brother." Chogan said.
Just like that, John was alone again, he remembered this feeling... The feeling of freedom, the realization that he would never be hunted again. John quickly kicked Harlow and retreated towards Tanner's Reach. He hadn't seen Bonnie in months, he only hoped that West was there for once... However as his adrenaline began wearing off, John suddenly felt a dull pain radiating from his stomach, his shirt suddenly beginning to get wet. Looking down and moving his coat, he cursed under his breath, he forgot about the gunshot wound. He just... Had to stay awake...
He didn't realize how much he had bled out... He was getting tired so fast. No... Goddammit, he was so close! He was riding by the river and he was beginning to black out. His heart was slowing and he was... So tired. The world, which was going by so fast was suddenly passing by him so slowly as if John could see every little detail in the leaves, the green northern cedar, the smell of the blooming flowers and the summer night breeze hitting his skin... Everything was so calm and peaceful as he rode, he passed by deer who would pick up their heads and watch him ride.
It was so serene, he could smell the Snowbell and the Fire Lilies... He could smell Bonnie's perfume, how he could he would never understand but he could smell it combing it through his hair.
John...
He could feel her whispering against his skin. John could feel her silk nightgown gently rubbing against his skin as she laid upon him. Was he dying? He had been near death plenty of times but it was nothing like this that he could remember. He could hear everything and nothing, he could hear his heart beating and the river flowing. John just focused on staying awake, he had to stay awake... He had to stay alive...
"Come on Harlow..." He murmured and blinked, his head slowly lulling to the side as his strength began fading.
He was so close... He could see the trail towards the cabin that he and Bonnie had made with trips on Harlow, he already felt so relieved at seeing wagon trails as well from West Dicken's wagon. She had to be okay... He had to know. As the cabin began coming into view John saw West Dicken's carriage. He was there...
Before John could even slow Harlow, he suddenly fell off of the horse and hit hard on the floor. His vision was fading from both the heard hit on the floor and his stomach wound. He rolled onto his stomach and tried to desperately crawl towards the cabin.
I'm here... I'm right here...
John's exhaustion was getting the better of him, he was so tired and sore. Was he seriously going to die right here? He was so close to seeing Bonnie again... So close to seeing his newborn child. Harlow whinnied and approached John, leaning down and sniffing him carefully.
"... Good horse." He chuckled tiredly and shakily reached up and carefully patted Harlow's snout.
Harlow snorted and neighed loudly as John's hand fell. He could hear soft echoes, who was he hearing.
"... -ohn... John!?" That voice, he knew that voice, feeling himself being rolled onto his back he looked up, there she was.
"Bonnie..." He groaned softly.
"John!? Jesus Christ what happened!?" She cried.
"... I love you, Bonnie." He muttered.
"Nigel help me get him inside! He's covered in blood!" She screamed.
"Good lord Mister Marston can you hear us!?" He asked as he began trying to haul the bloodied man inside.
"I love you, Bonnie..." He repeated breathlessly.
"John please you have to tell me what happened!" She cried.
John was fading and he was too tired to continue as Bonnie continued begging him to stay. He saw her... She was so big, he was right she was so close to popping. She was so ready to give birth, even if he didn't see his child he was able to see that Bonnie was safe... Maybe that was enough.
Sorry this chapter took 5ever, I lost my muse and I didn't want to fuck this chapter up, I hope it was alright! Thanks for following this fanfic! Thank you for all the support as well!
-Eros