-Wild Aces-

Straightening out his legs, Yugi felt his boot hit something before tensing as a familiar sound echoed through his ears. The sound resembled that of a child's rattle, but was faster and had a grinding sound going with it. Feeling his blood run cold, he whimpered as he bit down on the rope, causing it to rip into the corners of his mouth.

"Cody, put those damn rattlers in your own wagon!"

'I want Yami…' Yugi whined, feeling the wheel he was tied to move as the wagon shifted. Blinking behind the blindfold, he gasped at realizing that they were leaving, he could now hear them snapping up a harness to the wagon he was on.

"Is our little guest having fun?"

Whoever was talking, Yugi could already tell that he didn't like this person. Their voice was riddled in a tone that would cause a priest to curse. Sickly sweet, yet, making it sound as if you were inferior all the same. Growling, he chose to ignore the copper taste in his mouth while turning his head in the direction the voice had come from.

"What do you think, Silver Mane?"

'Great, Silver Mane is here now,' Yugi growled. This was the one that had caused a lot of problems for everyone, including his Yami. 'I hope he gets what he deserves in the end.'

"You did well, Cole."

"Thanks, boss."

"So Silver Mane, what's the plan?"

"Simple. Keith and I along with a few of the others are going on to the depot in Pecos City, west of here. You and the others however are going to be a decoy for those brainless Aces when they arrive."

"What? You mean we're the ones that are going to be shot at?"

"Oh good, I see you get the picture."

'No, this can't be happening! I'll be stuck with Silver Mane and Yami and the others will go after the other group!' Yugi was mentally hyperventilating. This couldn't be happening to him. He wanted to be with Yami and his friends.

"Everything's ready, Silver Mane."

"Good, let's get a move on then, before they arrive."

"Sure thing."

Feeling the wagon lurch to life, Yugi cursed as loud as he could, but it was muffled by the rough rope. Things were not going well for him at all, and by the way things looked… he wasn't going to see Yami or his friends again.

Steering the wagon out of the barn, Keith smirked while looking back at the youth tied to the large gun. They had draped a cloth over the spiky hair to hide his looks. The decoy wagon even had a cloth draped over a thing they had set up to look like a Gatling gun while draping another cloth over a stacked up hay bail, making it look like someone tied to the gun.

Pegasus chuckled as he rode his horse up beside the wagon. "I can't wait to see the looks on their faces."

"You really riled up the hornet's nest this time," Keith chuckled. "You do realize that if Yami catches you…"

"He comes my way and I'll use the runt as a hostage," Pegasus snapped before grinning evilly. "Or show the little one the same respect Yami showed my brother."

"Fast and quick?"

"Indeed, right between the eyes."

'Yami killed his brother… shot him right between the eyes,' Yugi fought back the tears that had threatened to fall. He had asked Yami about some of the things he had done, but Yami had never mentioned anything about giving someone a 'dead shot'. 'Oh… Yami… why?'

"Enough idle talk," Pegasus sighed, clearing his throat before pulling out a pistol and shooting it up in the air. "Everyone on my party, Let's ride!"

Whistles and cheers greeted Yugi's ears as the wagon he was sitting in, once again lurched to life, this time at a much faster pace. Being jostled from the gun as well as the rough terrain, he sighed in knowing that he wouldn't be able to send any clues this time, now his rescue depended on the Aces and his friends.

"Hmph, this place is just about as welcoming as a graveyard," Bakura grumbled, glancing around the small town to notice all the bland coloring of the buildings that had missing or broken shutters that were flapping in the warm breeze.

"This town has fallen on a lot of hard times as of late," Ryou sighed, looking around to find a lady ushering her son quickly back into a worn down General store. "Or that's what the Doc told me."

"This place reminds me of Gulch Springs," Marik chimed in, taking a look around while riding his horse up closer to Bakura and Ryou.

"Gulch Springs is starting to look a lot better, after seeing this place," Bakura muttered. "All this place needs is a few skeletons sitting on the porch and a buzzard somewhere and then you would have Graveyard Town."

"As much as I hate agreeing with Powder and Dynamite," Seto smirked, actually enjoying the glares that Bakura and Marik were giving him. "They do have a point. With a town like this, it's going to be really hard getting information from them."

Malik chuckled at the pout and glare that Marik was giving Seto before turning to look at Ryou. "You better do all the talking then Ryou, since you are the most sincere out of this little group."

"Me? Why me?" Ryou asked, looking back at Malik before noticing that all the others, aside from Yami were looking at him.

"You are the only one with manners," Seto supplied. "Bakura bites everyone's heads off, Marik is just scary, Malik is pushy, and well Yami with his current mood would shoot someone."

"I do not bite everyone's damn head off!"

"I'm not scary!"

"What makes you say that I'm pushy!"

Grumbling, Ryou pulled his horse up to a post before dismounting and tying the dappled mare to a post beforeheading into one of the shops. That crafty Seto, he went and got everyone riled up at him to keep him busy. That was so unfair! Shaking it off, he jumped when he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to find Yami. "What are you doing?"

"Since the others are caught up in a glaring contest, I thought I'd join you." Yami sighed, forcing a smile.

"Thanks; I just hope that we find Yugi soon."

"Me too, Ryou. Me too."

Walking into the nearest building, which was the General store, Ryou and Yami looked around the place and blinked at the nearly empty shelves as well as the emotionless figures that were in the back near the counter.

Glancing over at Yami, Ryou shrugged before the both of them made their way to the counter. Offering the folks a smile, he noticed a little boy hide behind his mother's large frilly and puffy dress. "Um, excuse me but my friends and I were wondering if you could help us?"

Yami's eyes darted around the small group before falling onto the store keeper who was looking him over, but mostly staring at the gun that was revealed hanging from its holster around his hip, since his duster was pushed back behind the gun. Fixing the duster to cover the guns again, he looked up to have his crimson lock onto worn hazel.

"What do you want? This town has had enough of outlaws!"

"Outlaws? What makes you think we're outlaws?" Ryou asked looking at the keeper before looking back at Yami who was staring at the keeper.

"You're friend has a rather impressive gun there," the keeper barked. "Not to mention that someone that looked a lot like him was drug in here not to long ago by a rowdy bunch.

Ryou blinked, taken back at how fast Yami had vaulted over the counter and slammed the keeper up against the wall while gripping the other's shirt in his fist. "Yami!"

"You saw Yugi!" Yami growled, narrowing his eyes. "Where is he?"

"Yami, put him down," Ryou sighed, leaning over the table while taking in the terrified looks on the others faces. "You're scaring these folks."

Shaking the keeper and ignoring Ryou, Yami's eyes darkened. "I'm waiting for answers!"

"H-he was on the wagon that left just 20 minutes before you rode in!"

"What direction?" Yami snapped,watching the man raise a trembling hand to point out the window. "They went east?" Seeing the nod, he released his hold before jumping back over the counter and running out of the store.

Blinking, Ryou mumbled apologizes before rushing after Yami. Seeing the other climbing on his horse, he quickly did the same. "You know that wasn't the best way to handle things."

"It got answers though, didn't it?" Yami replied before giving his horse a nudge, getting the horse to canter up to other who had quit bickering, but were still glaring at one another. "C'mon we have a wagon to catch heading east of here!"

Nodding, everyone nudged their horse and galloped out of the town with amazing speed. Yami taking the lead with Bakura and Ryou behind him and Marik and Malik beside those two while Seto and Joey brought up the rear.

Elsewhere…

The group with the decoy wagon traveled slowly. The driver chuckled while eyeing a white sack that set across from him. Watching whatever was in the sack moving, the driver smiled before using the end of the leading reins to whip the bag. Hearing the familiar dance of rattles, he chuckled before hearing a snort across from him.

"Why do you taunt those rattlers for Cody?"

"It's what I do, Cole," Cody chuckled, hitting the bag again to earn a raging hiss and actually watch the bag lurch a bit as one of the rattlers tried to strike blindly.

"You better be glad that they're in a bag, or else you'd be a dead man."

"Maybe so."

Hearing racing hoof beats heading their way, Cole looked behind him to see one of the scouts coming toward them.

"THEY'RE COMING!"

"Who?"

"THE ACES ARE COMING!"

"Damn!" Cole cursed, looking back at Cody. "Get a move on!" Rounding back, he rode over to the other wagon.

The entire group began to speed up, the two wagons in the lead, with Cody driving the leading one with the other behind him. The rest of the riders were taking the rear, taking a position as if Silver Mane was still with them.

Traveling down a slope, one of the riders jerked his horse to the right as a bullet hit the ground right beside him. "Dammit, they've already caught up to us!"

Looking back, Cole gulped as 7 riders emerged from the dust cloud behind them. This was not good, but they had their orders. "DON'T LET THEM GET THE WAGONS!"

"Here they come!"

"Get ready!"

"Ryou, you and Malik stay behind me and Joey!" Seto called, knowing that even though the two of them had guns that they weren't ready for this much excitement.

Taking the order, the two pulled back behind their blond companion while watching as Yami, Bakura and Marik pulled away from the group, driving their horses straight toward the other outlaws.

Yami growled as he leaned in closer to Phantom's neck and locked his legs in place. His eyes narrowed at the large group that was heading toward them, it looked as if there were 15 or more that were heading toward them with guns drawn and bullets blazing.

Marik chuckled as he pulled out on his guns and tightened his grip on the reins. "Let's have some fun, boys!"

Reaching back into his saddle bags, Yami pulled one of the sticks of dynamite that he had held back for emergencies. Pulling the fuse out, he gave his horse a firmer nudge, causing it to speed up.

Bakura had noticed the dynamite and blinked before directing his horse over to Marik's. He had seen this move before and it wasn't a good idea to be behind Yami afterwards. "Get ready for a blast!"

"What?" Marik yelled, not knowing what Bakura was talking about as he turned to watch Yami throw a stick of dynamite in front of 4 goons heading toward him. "Yami, you idiot! You're supposed to light it…" he started but in a quick glance Yami had pulled out his pistol and shot the dynamite.

BBBBOOOOOMMMM!

"Nevermind!" Marik blinked, causing Bakura to chuckle as they continued to ride on, heading for the wagons.

Seto chuckled as he watched frightened horses running away with their riders left scattered in the wake of the explosion. "Leave it to Yami, to come up with something like that."

"I thought Marik was the dynamite lover," Malik mused, ushering his horse to keep up with Seto and the others.

Bakura grumbled as he rode in between the gunfire. He hated not being able to use the shotgun, since that was clearly his weapon of choice, but being on horseback left him to use only his pistols. Growling, he hissed as a bullet grazed his left cheek. "Dammit!" he hissed, narrowing his eyes while finding the one that had shot at him.

Holstering, the pistol, Bakura continued to glare at the rider while pulling out the loaded shotgun and cocking it ready. Stuffing the ends of his reins under his leg, he locked his legs in place, hoping that in trying one of Yami's little stunts, that his horse would actually keep going straight and not start wandering off on him. Aiming the shotgun, he smirked as he noticed the rider start to turn tail. Pulling the trigger, he chuckled as the other yelled out in pain before falling from his horse.

Marik chuckled at Bakura while his horse jumped over one of the riders that had fallen off from Yami's little explosion. Since the others were contending with the other riders, he decided to take after the wagons. Making his way up to the leading wagon, he noticed the driver pulling something out of a bag, but couldn't tell what it was, all he knew is that whatever it was-was being thrown right back at him.

Raising an arm out of reflex, he felt his hand grip around something. Peeking open an eye, he growled before hearing a rattling noise, confused at where it was coming from he looked over at his hand to come eye to eye with a rather pissed diamond back baring its venom dripping fangs with its body twisting around his arm.

"Dammit, Snake!" He yelled waving the arm frantically to dislodge the bind the reptile had on him. He had been lucky to have caught the thing behind its head, but that still didn't mean he wanted to hold it. Feeling the reptile's grip loosen, he flung it behind him to hear a startled eep and curse.

"DAMMIT, MARIK!"

Looking back at Bakura, Marik couldn't help but chuckle. His companion looked as pale as a ghost while glaring back at him. "Sorry bout that, Powder!"

Riding up beside Marik, Yami noticed the pale features on his companion but chose to ignore it. "Marik, I want you to take the other wagon and blow it up!"

"No sweat, but be careful Yami, this guy is throwing rattlers!" Marik sighed before pulling his horse back and ushering Bakura to follow him over to the other wagon that had steered off course.

Blinking at the news, Yami shook his head before noticing Seto, Ryou, Joey, and Malik taking care of the other riders that were left, leaving this wagon driver all to himself. Turning back to the wagon, his glare intensified as he took in the small cloaked figure in the back of the wagon. 'Yugi.'

Leaning over, Yami ushered Phantom to go faster, causing the stallion to speed up his already racing gallop. Gaining closer and closer to the point where he was beside the back of the wagon, he took a closer look at the figure and blinked at noticing twigs of hay sticking out from under the cloak.

Malik gasped and growled as he noticed Marik pulling out a very familiar sack before pulling out an even more familiar item. "That low down dirty bastard… He lied to me!" he hissed, eyeing the dynamite as Marik lit it before tossing it into the back of the other wagon.

"One…."

"Two…"

"Three!" Marik cackled as he and Bakura pulled away as the wagon exploded, sending pieces of wood everywhere. Pulling their horses to a stop they looked back to notice the driver lying on his side groaning in pain from where he had jumped off the wagon.

Not sure what to make of it, Yami growled before urging his horse to go even faster. Riding up to be level with the driver, he noticed the man sticking his hand into a large white sack, making him think back to Marik's warning about rattlers. Not letting the man get the best of him, he rode a bit closer before jumping onto the driver's bench and punching the driver into the back of the wagon.

Red eyes narrowed as Yami watched the man tumble into the back, causing the cloths to be pulled away, revealing nothing but a bail of hay propped up against some logs and tied together twigs, which were now snapped.

Reaching down, he quickly pulled the wagon horses to a stop before jumping into the back with the driver that was now sporting a bloody nose. Taking a closer look at the driver, he remembered the description Mokuba had given him, pinning this guy as the one that had taken Yugi in the first place.

"You're too late!"

Climbing over a bale of hay, Yami grabbed the man by his shirt collar. "Where is he?"

"I'll never tell you!"

Growling, Yami vaguely noticed the others riding up beside him. Narrowing his eyes, he shook the man harshly. "Tell me where they are, now!"

"No!"

Tossing the man aside, Yami growled while climbing back over the driver's bench to retrieve the white sack. Walking back over to the man, he crouched down while shaking the bag, causing the snake inside to hiss and shake its tail wildly.

"Yami, what are you doing?" Bakura asked, eyeing the sack warily.

"Tell me where Silver Mane is, or else I let out your little friend," Yami growled, glaring at the man while shaking the bag once again, making the snake even more angry. Seeing the man turn a bit pale, he quickly doubled up a piece of cloth before dipping his hand into the sack causing all his companions to pale.

Sighing in relief at not being bitten, Yami slowly pulled out the rattle snake, taking notice that his hand was firmly behind the snake's head, while its body was coil around his wrist and beating his arm frantically with its tail. "I need answers, and I need them now!"

"Who's the crazy one now, Seto?" Marik asked, glaring over at Seto, who was looking a bit pale at seeing a deadly reptile that close.

Cody paled as Yami put the snake right in front of his face. It was only mere inches away from his nose and he actually felt the tips of the snake's tongue flick across his nose before baring its needle like fangs.

"I'm waiting!" Yami glared, shoving the snake further into the man's face, actually letting the snake snap at him, but the man luckily jerked back before the fangs could latch onto him.

"H-h-he's going to Pecos Town!" Cody cried. "He plans on taking over a train there that is hauling gold and weapons!"

"And what about the little one that you kidnapped?" Yami hissed, his glare making Cody wonder who was actually more dangerous, the rattler or the Ace holding the snake.

"Silver Mane has him!"

Growling at the answer, Yami whistled before climbing off the wagon and back into his saddle with the rattler still attached to his arm. Motioning for the others to head off, he turned back to the rider and glared. "You picked the wrong person to screw with," he growled before tossing the snake right at the man, and watching in grim satisfaction as the other screamed but was unable to avoid the strike as the rattler latched onto his throat.

Nudging Phantom, Yami ignored the pained screams from the rider as well as the continuing dance of the rattler's tail as he rode up to his companions. "I want the rest of you to head to Daxton."

"But Yami, he told us that Silver Mane was heading to Pecos Town!" Ryou stated.

"I know but Silver Mane is robbing a train, and I remember hearing Yugi's grandpa talking about this certain train run, and it is heading for Daxton then back to Vander."

"If we're in Daxton, then where will you be?" Bakura asked, looking back at Yami curiously.

"I'm going to Pecos Town. I know a lot of shortcuts to get there, and I'll make it there in no time."

"But alone? I don't know if that's such a good idea," Marik mused, not noticing the glare he was getting from Malik.

"I'm getting Yugi back," Yami growled. "I don't want him in the crossfire. Silver Mane is already putting him in danger, since that train does have soldiers traveling in it as well."

"Alright, but we better see you in Daxton!" Bakura yelled, glaring at Yami.

"Bakura's right," Seto mused. "We'll be waiting for ya."

Nodding, Yami offered them all a smile before turning Phantom and galloping off in the other direction. Pecos Town was a long way off, but he knew that if he could make it to the ravine nearby and cross the river, that he could cut through half the time and actually meet the train leaving the Pecos station while on its way to Daxton. 'I'm coming Yugi, I promise I wont let ya down!'

Watching Yami riding off, Marik was shocked of his musing by a sharp smack to the back of his head. "What in the hell was that for, Powder?" he glared before noticing Bakura across from him glaring.

"It wasn't me, nitwit!" Bakura hissed. "And quit calling me POWDER!"

"If you didn't hit me, then who… did?" Marik asked, turning around to find a pissed off looking hell cat.

"It was me!" Malik hissed, glaring at Marik while pointing an accusing finger at Marik. "You lied to me about the dynamite!"

"Let me explain…"

"You told me that you used it all up the last time!"

"Malik… darlin'… sweetheart…"

"Don't try to sweet talk your way out of this one!"

Yelping, Marik nudged his horse making it gallop off as Malik took another swing at him. Looking back he noticed Malik chasing after him, still looking enraged.

The others chuckled at hearing Marik yell out apologies while Malik promised him an early grave when he got a hold of him.

"Well c'mon we better head out to Daxton," Seto sighed just as Marik and Malik galloped past him. "And with the way those two are going… its going to take a while."

"You just wait till I get a hold of you!"

"Oh Malik, it was just one stick!"

"I'm glad you're not like that," Bakura mused, looking over at Ryou, who smiled back.

"Malik has always had a nasty temper," Ryou chuckled, riding his horse up closer to Bakura's before leaning over and giving the outlaw a quick kiss on the cheek. "You're just lucky that I'm not ill tempered or that you make me angry."

"Oh and what if I were to make you angry?" Bakura asked, smirking lightly, while rubbing a hand across Ryou's cheek.

"Make me angry and I won't cook for you," Ryou chuckled before leaning up and kissing Bakura on the lips then riding away.

Blinking, Bakura grinned while mentally relishing the quick kiss before having the words actually sink in. No more of Ryou's cooking… well he better not make his little Ryou angry, had he.

Joey chuckled lightly as everyone headed off in the direction of the desired town. Marik and Malik leading the way while zigzagging around. "I think Marik has met his match, don't you?"

"Indeed," Seto chuckled, riding up beside Joey. "I take back saying that Malik was pushy, I now say that he is as scary as Marik, if not even more scary."

Turning serious, Joey looked at Seto sadly. "Do you think Yugi will be alright?"

Leaning over as much as he could, Seto rubbed Joey's cheek before giving him a comforting kiss. "Don't worry pup, I'm sure he'll be alright."

Flushing slightly, Joey nodded with a smile on his face before nudging his horse to go faster. "Then we better get a move on."

Nodding, Seto nudged his horse as well, causing the stallion to head off in a steady gallop.

"Malik quit trying to kill Marik and let's go!" Ryou yelled riding off behind Seto and Joey.

"Marik, quit being an idiot!" Bakura yelled before chuckling. "Never mind, you can't do miracles!"

"I heard that, Powder!"

Growling, Bakura nudged his horse and galloped up to catch up with Ryou and the others. He blinked though as Marik rode by him with Malik still hot on his heels threatening to have his hide. "I knew I should of rode with Yami," he sighed before ushering his horse beside Ryou. 'But then again I'm happy right here!'