The Trail Ride
The Titans found themselves on a car ride to Texas. "Slug bug red no slug bug back!" Beast Boy shouted as he punched Raven. "Ouch, Beast Boy you dork!" she shouted enraged. "Break it up you two!" Cyborg shouted as he swung a yardstick at the two Titans who were fighting in the middle seats. "Do you have to use the yardstick to stop them?" Bee asked curiously, she had agreed to come on the trip. "Only thing that shuts them up." Cyborg replied proudly. The Titans had agreed to go on a charity trail ride and campout for two days. The Titans East had reassured them that they would protect the city during the other Titans absence. Meanwhile in the backseat Robin struggled to explain to Star that how to ride a horse. "So this horseback riding does not harm the animal?" she asked unsure "It doesn't hurt them Star this is what their trained to do." He said for the 6th time. "What if I fall?" Star asked timidly. "I doubt you'll fall Star. But if you do I'll be there to catch you." He said placing his hand on hers comfortingly. " Awww Robin and Starfire sitting in a tree K…I" Beast Boy started to chant when a suddenly Raven's hand slapped over his mouth. "Act like you have a brain." She said as she pulled her hand away. Beastboy was quiet as he imagined how he would impress all the hot chicks at the Ranch. Although he hated to brag, he did have some experience with riding. Who cares if it was only a pony at Lester's Possum Park? It still counted right? He imagined himself on a big white stallion like the knight's in those movies. "Yea a big white horse named Sliver." He said aloud. Raven looked at him funny but thought it best not to ask. A week before the trip they had gotten papers asking what level of riding they were comfortable at. She was shocked to see Beast Boy sign up for advanced, she had ridden before but it was only a pony at Lester's Possum Park. So she thought it best if she signed up for novice. Cyborg turned to Bee who was sitting next to him the passenger's seat. "So Bee what level did you sign up for?" he asked her "Intermediate, I went to a horse camp when I was five and still go." She explained. Cyborg was shocked he had no idea Bee knew how to ride. "What about you?" she asked "Novice." He mumbled slightly embarrassed. "Hey, its cool Sparky not many people in the city know how to ride." She said reassuringly. "Yea I guess your right." He said confidently. Before the Titans knew it they were at the Ball and Chain Ranch. "Ok y, all we here." Cyborg announced as he stepped out of the T- car. The Ranch looked like one would have expected it. The barn was huge with many stalls, rolling pastures and riding arenas. The ground was dusty and made rolling dust clouds as they walked inside. "Um we're the Titans were here for the weekend trip." Robin called out. Suddenly a young woman with fiery shoulder length red hair came running up to them. "Sorry, I'm Tammy glad you could make it." She said slightly winded "Our pleasure." Beast boy said slyly as he stepped forward, Tammy was a very pretty girl. She smiled "I'm one of the trainers here. So I'm guessing you'll want the tour?" she asked. "That would be great." Robin replied. Tammy showed them all around the barn and the pastures and of course some of the horses. Beast Boy spotted a black Thoroughbred that he hoped was going to be his own. "Who's that?" he asked pointing to the horse "Oh that's Bullet, he's a retired Race Horse. He isn't one of our trail horses." Tammy said "Oh" Beast Boy said slightly disappointed. They soon were joined by a cowboy, "You all must be the Teen Titans. I'm Josh Rue owner of the Ranch. I hope you brought some riding clothes." He said shaking hands with all of them. "Riding Clothes?" Robin asked looking at his uniform "Course, you can't ride in that. But don't you worry I've got some spare clothes for the boys and Tammy can lend the ladies some." Josh said and with that the Titans went to get changed into the proper riding garb. When they were all dressed up they met up for their first ride in the huge outdoor arena. The boy's jaws dropped when they saw the girls. Star was wearing a pair of blue jeans and a purple spaghetti strap shirt, Raven was dressed in dark blue jeans and a white tank top that said Doesn't Need A Cowboy with a jean jacket with cut off sleeves, Bee was dressed in pale blue jeans and a tan T- shirt that read Save A Horse Ride A Cowboy written on it. 'Wow, Raven's HOT!' beast boy thought as he practically drooled over Raven's new get up. Robin and Cyborg had similar thoughts about Star and Bee. They all were stricken from their thoughts by Josh's booming voice. "Ok, you lot ready for your first riding lesson?" he asked they all nodded unsure. "Ok then let's get you some horses." He said and led them to a row of occupied stalls. "Ok let's start with Robin; this is going to be your horse." Josh said motioning to one of the stalls. Robin glanced at his mount; it was a well muscled buckskin paint mare. "This is Liberty; she's one of the best cow ropers here. But she's level headed enough to be a good novice trail horse." He explained proudly. Robin looked at the horse she had a nice calm eye, her ears pricked forward at the sound of her name. Tammy led him inside and began showing the Boy Wonder how to tack up a horse. "And Cyborg you'll be riding Tiny." He said happily Beast Boy fell on the ground laughing "Tiny?" he gasped. "Shut up you little grass stain." Cyborg mumbled as approached the stall. He shot Beast Boy an evil smirk when he saw Tiny was actually a 17 hands high Belgian gelding. He had a golden coat and a blond tone mane and tail. "Tiny's a lot of horse but I think you can handle him." Josh said smiling as he clapped Cyborg on the shoulder. Beastboy waltzed over to the stall and let out an eek when he saw the huge horse. Cyborg had a feeling that he and Tiny were going to get along just fine. "Ok let's see Starfire your next." Josh announced as Star approached the stall. Star smiled when she saw her horse, it was a petite Arab mare with a coat of fiery chestnut. "This Fancy, she's one of the best we've got. Sweetest little mare you'll ever meet." Josh said as he nudged Star inside. "Hello." Star said cautiously as she held out her hand. Fancy thrust her velvety muzzle into her hand. Starfire was delighted by the horses action and began to pet and talk to the mare. "Ok, miss Bumble Bee your next." Josh said and showed Bee to a black Perchron mare that like Tiny was also rather large, she stood at a height of 16 hands high. "This is Bell, she's a little bit tougher to handle but I understand you have some experience." He said smiling at her. Bee nodded "She's a beauty." She said as she entered the stall and began brushing the black mare. "Ok Raven your up." Josh said as he pointed to a black gelding with a thick wavy mane and tail. "This is Diablo, he should suite you fine." He said. Raven walked up to the dark horse and moved his forelock that covered his rich brown eyes. The horse sighed in a bored manner, "I think I've met my match." She said as she stroked Diablo's ebony neck. "Ok Beast Boy, last but not least." Josh said smiling at the green teen who was fidgeting impatiently. Beast Boy imagined the white stallion from earlier. "You'll be riding Chippy." Josh said "Chippy?" Beast Boy repeated stupidly, 'That does not sound like the name I wanted to hear.' He thought. Beast Boy looked into the stall to find a short, stocky, and fuzzy pony. "Chippy is Shetland pony paint cross. Don't let his size fool you; he's got more energy then a race horse." Josh said seeing the shocked look on Beast Boy's face. "He's so small." He said in awe "Yea, but he's a bit of a handful. To much for a novice, he needs an advanced rider." He explained. Beast Boy grumbled as he entered the stall and began to tack up the pony. The Titans soon all found themselves in tacked up and standing by their horses in the arena. Everybody's horses stood still, that is except Chippy. The little pony could not and would not stand still. Beast Boy struggled to keep him in one spot. "Heal Chippy." He grunted as the pony tossed his head anxiously Beast Boy scolded him, the Pony reacted to this by stomping on Beast boy's boot. "Ouch!" he squealed as he hopped up and down in pain. "What's a matter Beast Boy? Can't handle the little pony?" Cyborg teased as Tiny practically slept beside him. "He's tougher then he looks." Beastboy replied rubbing his sore foot. "Ok you all ready to learn to ride?" Tammy asked as she joined them in the ring on Bullet. Tammy showed them how to mount the horses they all got on eventually; Beast Boy had underestimated Chippy's height and had flung himself over the pony instead of on top of him. Tammy showed them how to stir their horses and the cues for the various gaits. Pretty soon all of the Titans were moving around the arena with ease. Robin was riding nearby Starfire. He had seen how nervous she had been about the whole thing, so he wanted to be sure he was there for her. Every time Star lost her balance Robin prepared to move Liberty over enough so he could break her fall. But this was never needed because Fancy always stopped whenever she felt the young alien's weight shift. After awhile of riding near Star and seeing that Fancy was like a babysitter he began to canter Liberty around the ring. The gait felt strange to him, the mare had a smooth rocking horse like canter. Beast Boy saw Robin cantering his horse around like a REAL cowboy. Cyborg caught on and pushed Tiny up to a canter as well. Robin suddenly heard what sounded like thunder. He looked to the sky and saw no trace of a storm; he then turned to see Cyborg cantering Tiny. The huge horse's massive hooves made it sound as though a storm was about to hit as they stuck the dirt. "Yo, Robin you think you can out run us?" Cyborg asked as he slowed Tiny to a walk. "I bet we can." Robin replied excepting the challenge. "Hey, guys hold up I want to join!" Beast Boy shouted from the center of the ring. "Ok then get your pony's butt over here!" Cyborg shouted. Beast Boy kicked lightly but received no response from Chippy. "Giddy up boy." Beast Boy said as he kicked a little bit harder. Still no movement, Beast boy now resorted to kicking as hard as humanly possible. All this did was make his legs tired and cause Chippy to yawn. Cyborg and Robin were laughing so hard they could have fallen off their stopped horses. "Beast Boy take your reins and just give him a little slap on the rump." Tammy instructed as she walked Bullet to the center. Beast Boy shrugged and lightly slapped the pony on the rump with his reins. Chippy went berserk and bucked Beast Boy off straight into a manure pile. Cyborg laughed, Star looked concerned, Robin was trying hard not to laugh, Bee snickered and Raven merely stared. Tammy vaulted off of her horse and helped Beast Boy up. "You ok?" she asked "Yea I'm fine." Beast boy replied glumly. He felt humiliated he just got bucked off a pony and a little tri colored paint one at that. "Only your pride hurt?" she asked knowingly "Just a little bruised." He said smiling at her. "You know you can get another horse if you like. Something a bit easier." Tammy suggested. "Nope, when you fall off the horse you gotta get back on. Plus, this means war." Beast Boy said glaring at the pony who was now gazing. Tammy smiled and hopped back on Bullet. Beast Boy stomped over to Chippy and looked him straight in the eye. "You think you're so tough. But you know what I will triumph." He hissed the pony merely sighed and went back to eating Beat Boy hopped on and kicked "Walk on." He said sternly and to his surprise Chippy obeyed. "Ok let's do this." Beast Boy said. "Ok on your mark get set go!" Robin shouted and they took off. A cloud of dust blocked the entire take off but when it cleared Robin and Cyborg were half way around the ring and Beast Boy was about a yard from the starting point. "Ouch." He thought to himself as he tried to sit Chippy's jack hammer trot. "Come we can do better then this!" he shouted to the pony as he watch Robin and Cyborg run laps around them. Suddenly Chippy broke out into a choppy but fast run. "What the heck?" Cyborg said as he saw Beast Boy come flying past him on a cloud of dust. "Yeeehaw!" Beast Boy shouted as he crossed the finish line. He looked at his teammates shocked expressions. "We just got beat by a pony?" Robin said amazed.
