3

Gunfighters walked around town and glared at each other, all of them wondering who they should challenge first. Nick stood up with his chains binding him to the statue. Someone struck a match to light cigarette and then knocked him down. It was Cain.

"Have you been challenged to a fight yet?" he asked. Nick shook his head.

"Good, then I challenge you. I'll go get the time." Cain said, walking on him as he went to the saloon.

Vash looked down on Nick but helped him up.

"Did you sleep well?" Vash asked.

"It's hard to when you're confined against your will." Nick said. Both looked as Knives' men took the safety off the rifles they had. Knives stepped outside and headed for the saloon. His goons followed him.

"Why don't you fight back? Don't you even care?" Vash said.

"Of course I do, I want to make them all pay, but then again "Thou Shall Not Kill"". Nick explained.

"Some people need to die." Vash said, staring Knives down through his round yellow sunglasses.

Inside the saloon Knives was taking his cut of the profits the bartender made. The bartender then tried to make excuses to save some of it.

"I'm not buying your excuses Gene, where is the rest?" Knives asked. Vash stood right by Knives while ordering a drink. He went for his pistol but someone put a hand on Vash's shoulder.

It was Descartes, the man Vash stole from and left chained up.

"I challenge you." He said, the chain hanging off his arm while it was attached to a broken wagon wheel.

"I'm not fighting YOU." Vash said, turning away.

"You have no choice." He said.

"Why are you here?" Knives asked Vash, looking at him.

"I want the money." Vash said, turning to the counter.

"Well then you have to play by the rules. If you don't want to abide by my rules then get the hell out of my town." Knives said before taking a drink of wine.

"The Blonde man fights Descartes, and they fight at.....8:00 o'clock tonight." Gene said, drawing the time from a hat.

Bolstalk was showing off his shooting talents. As a little girl held up a card he shot right thought the ace. The townsfolk applauded.

"Nice shot." Knives said, watching.

"I am the best in town." Bolstalk said, gloating.

"That's what I hear, should we find out?" Knives asked, challenging him. Bolstalk nodded.

The people began to gather at noon for the first fight of the day. It was Legato and Cliff Schezar up first. Both men began preparing by tuning up their guns. Cliff had an automatic pistol while Legato had two gold automatic ones. Time drew near.

Gene stood at the podium.

"Clear the street, time for the gunfight." He shouted.

"Gentlemen, you are not to draw until that clock makes the first chime of the hour. Whoever is left standing is the winner."

"Whoa wait a second, what if someone gets an itchy trigger finger and fires early?" Legato asked.

"If they cheat, they'll be eliminated from the contest, permanently." Knives said, watching from his chair. The men loaded their guns.

"Good luck gentlemen." Gene said.

"I aim to kill boy." Cliff said, standing about 10 feet from Legato

"You're too kind." Legato said, readying his hand.

Time winded down, the hand moved and made a click when it hit 12.

Both men drew.

BANG

Cliff held the wound on his side as he sank to one knee.

Legato held his gun. "Whoa man am I fast." He said to himself.

"Did you see how fast I was?" Legato said as he turned to the crowd, but Cliff aimed his pistol again. Legato turned and fired again, hitting him in the leg.

"Are you done? You better stay down Mr. Quick draw champion unless you're still fighting." Legato said as he pointed his gun.

"Yes, I quit. You win." He said, throwing his gun away.

"Legato is the winner by forfeit." Gene said. The people cheered. The people picked him up and carried him in celebration. "Good shooting kid." One man said as they stopped in front of Knives.

"Good shooting? If the man had been any slower he'd have birds living in his beard." Knives said.

"Ah he's too afraid to admit it, come on guys, drinks are on me." Legato said.

Knives sat by the chained Nick. "Brings back memories doesn't it? It makes your heart beat faster." he asked.

The day went on, men and women challenging each other, some moved up, others died or were beaten. Only 8 would make it to the next round. It came time for Nick and Cain's fight.

"It's time." Knives said as he walked by Nick

"I ain't gonna fight." Nick said, and was knocked down from behind by Chapel.

"Move it, don't keep Mr. Knives waiting." He said as he hurried up and threw Nick into the gun shop.

Chapel mocked him. "Sermon over." He said.

Nick, while on the ground, knocked the swinging door into Chapel's face with his foot.

"My eyes!!!" Chapel said, holding them.

"I'm shocked at you." Knives said to Nick, and turned to Legato. "My reverend friend needs a gun." He said.

"There are other stores in town, but I guess their not as cheap enough for you right?" Legato said.

"You know your mouth gets faster every day, it's a pity your gun fighting isn't as fast." Knives said, snickering.

"I ain't slow; I am just as good as you." Legato said.

"Put your gun hand on the counter, go on. See Nick, my hand is a gun fighter's hand, his is an eating hand." Knives said, referring to Legato's hand.

"I ain't got no god damn slow hands!!!" he shouted.

"You know Nick and me are killers, the genuine article. Now my friend needs a gun. Do you have any or not?" Knives demanded.

"Fine." He said, opening a case to reveal a shiny white and silver gun.

"Can you remember the last time you held a gun?" Knives asked.

Nick didn't answer as he looked at it.

"Can I try it?" he asked.

Legato tossed it to him. Nick caught it and spun it on his finger, pointing to fire as in practice.

"How much?" Knives asked.

"150 double dollars." Legato said, and he wouldn't drop the price.

"Do you even have that much Nick?" Knives asked, turning to him.

"I have no money, the good Lord provides me with all I need." Nick said, handing the black Colt back to Legato.

"Then we're just wasting time. What is the cheapest gun you have? I mean the cheapest peace of shit you have in the whole stinking shop." Knives asked.

Legato came back a moment later with a rusted silver .45 automatic pistol. "5 bucks." He said.

"I'll take it." Knives said.

Legato took the clip out and began putting bullets in it.

"Whoa hold it; the preacher man has God on his side. He needs only one bullet. Otherwise he may be tempted to shoot his way out of town." Knives said, getting a holster for Nick.

Legato put one in the chamber and emptied the clip then handed the pistol to Nick. "That gun fires hard, I wouldn't sell it if it didn't." he told him.

"It's okay, I won't draw." Nick said, putting it in the holster.

"Oh yes you will, I know you too well Nick. When it's time you'll pull the trigger." Knives said. Nick just sighed as they walked out.