The untamed wild west, where a man can lose themselves in the vastness of nature's furnace. Towns dotted this rugged landscape acting as manmade oasis in the harsh environment. One of these towns was San Asesino. Where a shipment of pure silver worth $10,000 dollars. It would be held in the town before it would head for the treasury; on board were several soldiers into one Private Ryunosuke Chiba who was nervous since this was his first deployment
"Nervous rookie?" Chiba's captain asked
"A bit" Chiba said holding onto his Springfield Trapdoor rifle
"Relax, we'll be fine the town is up ahead and once there the sheriff will take charge until we head out to New York" the captain said
"I see, good to hear" Chiba smiled before the brakes squealed on the train
"What in tarnation?" the captain asked before an explosion rocked the train "we're being robbed!" he shouted before a bandit kicked open the door, the Captain saw this and a shot rang out killing the captain, as his body collided with the floor screams filled the air as several bandits strode in demanding the valuables of the passengers on board, Chiba stood up loaded a round into his rifle and aimed down the sights before a small explosion was heard drawing his attention behind him, looking around he decided to chase the source of the explosion.
"10,000 in pure silver stolen from out underneath the noses the both the US Army and the US Marshalls, man it's looking bad for you isn't it?" a man asked as he examined the train tracks outside of San Asesino, this man had hair and eyes as blue as the open sky above them, he wore a cream coloured shirt, blue vest, Denim pants with a tan duster and hat with A badge had on his vest. This man was Nagisa Shiota, the Deputy of San Asesino.
"Why are we dealing with you Deputy Shiota, where's the sheriff?" a lawman from the Capital said
"Over there" Deputy Shiota said indicated a graveyard
"Dear lord, what happened?" the lawman said
"Shat himself to death from that there dysentery" the deputy said "So it appears I'm the sheriff" Nagisa said smirking
"Very well, sheriff now what do you know about the silver?" the lawman asked
"It was probably stolen an hour or two outside of the town. High explosive like Nitro or Dynamite were used to damage the tracks causing the train to break, then once that was done, they probably blew the linkage off of the train car holding the silver and went back the way the train came until they reached their hideout" Nagisa deduced
"And how would they know the train came this way?" the lawman said
"Call it a hunch, now since I know this area better then you I suggest you let me do my job and you do yours by handling the next shipment that comes through here to that there bank the stolen silver was going to" Nagisa said as he mounted his horse and headed back into town, aware that the lawmen from Washington were glaring at him "Damn city slickers, coming over here and think they can do what they want" Nagisa growled as he travelled back into town.
Upon reaching town Nagisa went to the local watering hole, the Imperial Saloon. He was a regular there when he was a deputy, and he would still continue to grace its hall as a sheriff.
"Howdy sheriff" the barkeep said as he slid a shot of whiskey over to Nagisa
"Hey there" he said downing the shot before looking around the bar taking in the patrons and the activities they were up to, from games of poker to having a drink and the odd ones having a meal. Nagisa sat back by the bar and leaned back sighing
"Is everything okay there sugar?" a voice asked
"You know how it is out there Yuzuki" he said as a saloon girl came up to him making him smile.
"I was wondering when you would come in for the experience of my pleasure.
"So easy night for you?" he asked
"A bit, hardly any customers, though considering I'm the favourite of the Sheriff, not many would want my company for the night" Yuzuki said
"Don't worry I wouldn't get mad, unless we were courting" Nagisa said
"Courting? My Mr Shiota are you flirting with me?" she asked slyly
"Depends, is it working?" he asked before kissing her.
"Hey now, don't think some of the others patrons here will be jealous" a voice said making Nagisa shake his head as an old friend walked through the doors
"Yuma Isogai, what are you doing all the way out here instead of that fancy city of yours?" Nagisa asked shaking hands with his old friend who was a US Marshall stationed up in Albany New York. Isogai indicated that he wanted a drink to the bartender
"I'm here to make sure the next shipment of silver reaches Federal Treasury" Isogai said
"So they sent you" Nagisa sighed
"Well I was a native of San Asesio" Isogai said as he paid the bartender
"Yeah, you were" Nagisa said taking another slug of whiskey before he got up "I'll be over in my office" he said slapping Isogai on the shoulder before leaving the bar
"Don't worry about him" Yuzuki said as she noticed the look on the Marshall's face.
"I know" Isogai said
The next day Isogai and Nagisa stood on the platform as a train was in the station
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Nagisa asked as he watched the silver being loaded on
"What else should we do?" Isogai asked as several armed Marshal were getting on the train
"A Night run" Nagisa said as he felt annoyed
"Look, these carriages will be empty besides us, the Army and the Marshalls" Isogai said "Anyway we leave in five minutes, I suggest you get your weapons ready" he said picking up a Spencer 1860 Carbine and checked it ammo
"I agree" Nagisa said picking up a Winchester Model 1873 and then checked his twin Smith & Wesson Schofield mark 3 revolvers
"You good?" Isogai asked spinning the chamber on his Single action Army revolver
"Yeah, you?" Nagisa checked on his friend before putting a knife behind his back.
"Yeah" Isogai said as the two stepped onto the train. What they weren't aware of was a single person, leaning on the station wall smoking a cigarette, before flicking it away and approaching the train and getting on it.
Nagisa was becoming more and more anxious as they travelled further and further away from the town.
"Don't worry we're coming up to a switch junction, once we get there you can changed trains and ride back to the town" Isogai said
"Yeah, but that's why I'm jumpy" Nagisa said
"Come on, it's not long we're heading to somewhere like San Venganza, or Rose Creek" Isoagi mirthfully said
"Yeah, but something bad is still coming, why else would we have to pull this plan off?" Nagisa asked a hand resting on his sidearm
"Afternoon Gentlemen" a soldier said walking up to the two
"Good after Captain Reynolds, how is everything?" Isogai asked
"Pretty quiet, also we're the only thing for miles according to my sharpshooters up top" Reynolds said
"Good to hear" Nagisa said as he looked out of the window
"Don't worry Sheriff, you'll be back in the Imperial by nightfall" Reynolds said as he left
"I still don't know how that guy became a captain, he looks more like a rustler then a soldier" Nagisa chuckled
"He's undercover since the last captain was killed" Isogai said "Besides you would rather somebody like Hex?"
"Nah, prefer someone like that Slade guy" Nagisa muttered, when suddenly the train lurched. Looking at each other the two law enforcement officers grabbed their rifles and went to investigate what the source of the sudden stop was.
"There's no track" Capt. Reynolds declared
"What do you mean?" Isogai asked jumping down followed by Nagisa
"There is no track" Reynolds called out showing that the train tracks had indeed gone missing
"Son of a bitch" Nagisa said as he started scanning the surrounding environment "Get ready"
"Why?" Isogai asked loading his rifle
"This is a trap" Nagisa said
"How?" Isogai asked
"Someone must have seen the train or" Nagisa started
"There's a spy in our midst" Isogai finished before the sound of horses charging were heard
"Capt, get you men aiming at the ridge" Isogai shouted as he prepped his rifle
"Take cover" Nagisa said as the horses were within view. Isogai and Nagisa quickly aimed down the sights of their guns and started to fire. Capt Reynolds quickly gave the order to fire making the soldiers in the train cars stick their guns out of the windows and fired as the bandits fired back. Nagisa quickly got back into the train
"Where is he going?" Capt Reynolds asked
"I have no idea" Isogai shouted as he had to duck into cover to reload.
Nagisa was running through the carriages to reach the train itself, only to be stopped by flying lead. Pulling out his Winchester he scanned the environment in case he was shot at. Upon reaching the second carriage from the front he frowned and squatted down, looking at something. Realising what had happened the first time they had tried this. Standing up and reaching for his revolver a rifle was placed on the back of his neck
"Howdy Partner" Chiba said taking the revolver
"Ryunosuke Chiba, you were the last person I would have guessed" Nagisa said
"Yeah, well what can I say, the pay's better" Chiba said tossing Nagisa's revolver behind him, "Now where's the silver?"
"Why do you think I would know?" Nagisa asked
"Because my scout saw you load it onto the train" Chiba said
"In the caboose" Nagisa said as he was shoved in the back as Chiba stepped in front of him
"Show me" Chiba said as he shoved Nagisa
"Alright, alright" Nagisa said as he slow got up with his hands up "You'll be swinging from the gallows for this"
"Not if you're eating lead first Sheriff" Chiba mocked.
"These guys are not getting to the train with all of this firepower, so what are they aiming to do?" Isogai asked
"No idea" Capt. Reynolds said as he shot a couple more off their horses. In the carriages carrying the soldiers, each time one solder was empty they were switch out to reload
"TNT!" a voice yelled as a bundle of red sticks were thrown towards the train.
"GET DOWN!" Isogai shouted as he fired a round at the dynamite making it explode in mid air. He then turned his attention back to the bandits as a bullet just skimmed past Isogai's hat
"You okay?" Capt Reynolds shouted as he raced over to where Isogai
"Yeah, I am" Isogai said "Where is Nagisa?"
"I haven't seen him" Reynolds said
"So why did you shoot him?" Nagisa asked as they reached the caboose
"He was annoying me and would have likely stopped our first attempt, which succeeded" Chiba smirked
"And why are you after this silver shipment, you already have the one before" Nagisa said as he pulled out a box and stepped away from Chiba
"Why else, money" Chiba stated "the more you have, the more power you have, and as you known being of what these people call the orient we don't have a lot of power, so I joined teh amry and started to plan this little jaunt" Chiba explained
"Yes here we are a Sheriff and a former US Army sharpshooter" Nagisa said as he pulled out a second and third case.
"Yeah, but now I have more power then you" Chiba said as he opened the case his smirk becoming a frown as he picked up a rock "What is this?"
"That would be a limestone" Nagisa said making Chiba open all of the cases seeing them filled with nothing but rocks
"Where's the silver?!" Chiba demanded
"I'd say either Boston or Carson City" Nagisa smirked as he pulled out his knife and pointed it a Chiba's throat "So how about you be dropping that there rifle and sticking them thieving hands of yours skyward" Chiba grunted as he dropped his rifle slowly, before he quickly struck Nagisa in the jaw knocking the blue haired sheriff to the ground making a handkerchief fly out a bit, Chba tilted his head in curiosity before picking it up, a faint smell of something sweet coming from it.
"A token of affection?" he asked before he felt something sharp quickly fly across his arm "AH, why you!" he snarled before grabbing his rifle and blasting the lock off of the door before running onto the back of the caboose whistling as he did so to summon his horse. Nagisa quickly grabbed his gun and cocked it before firing at Chiba, who dodged all of them as he leapt onto his horse.
"Shit" Nagisa said holstering his gun and looking around "How many?"
"Three got away, but most of our men are alright" Isogai said
"Well, get this train turned around and get back into town" Nagisa shouted
"Why?" Capt Reynolds asked.
"I have a bad feeling" Nagisa said as he scowled while look at the horizon.
Fuwa was getting ready for her evening shift and decided to indulge in a nice hot bath, adding her favourite scents she slid into the larg copper tub and just allowed herself to soak up the warmth and the serenity for the environment she was in, lowering her head into the water, taking in the muffled sounds of the twon. She felt herself fade into the embrace of the water when something tight grabbed her hair and lifted her out of the water
"Howdy ma'am" Chiba said as he pulled Fuwa out of the water and held a straight edge razor to her throat
"What do you want?" she asked afraid while trying to stop water getting in her mouth
"Oh just waiting for the sheriff" Chiba viciously smirked.
As soon as the train got into town Nagisa jumped off of it with his guns fully loaded.
"Nagisa, what's wrong?" Isogai asked as the soldiers started to file out with the injured
"He's acting squirrelly alright" Capt Reynolds said. Nagisa rushed off to the Imperial hoping that he's gut was wrong, only to be shook when out the front was Chiba holding Fuwa wioth a rope around her neck and the rope connected to a horse.
"Well, well, well lawman looks like I got your girl" Chiba taunted
"Let her go" Nagisa said
"Oh don't worry we will, as soon as you give me all the cash in the bank" Chiba said
"And if you don't" Nagisa said as his hand twitched next to his gun.
"This" Chiba said before whistling as the horse moved slowly away tightening the rope around Fuwa's neck.
"Stop, stop" Nagisa said "alright, you can go and get the money out of the bank, under my authority, just let the girl go" Nagisa said , or my boys are going to have some fun with your girl and all of her friends, understood?" Chiba asked
"Like a fine wine" Nagisa said as he looked at the bank, where he spotted Isogai getting into position with his rifle, which he equipped with a scope to help him get a better aim on Chiba's men. Nagsia nodded his head slightly before he went back to his office. Two of Chiba's men followed Nagisa in order to make sure he was going to keep his end of the bargain.
Once Nagisa was inside and the goons of Chiba were standing outside the door Isogai acted quickly and pulled out his whip, he whistled hoping to gain the attention of the goons guarding the door, which didn't work, rolling his eyes he tried again which again didn't work. He was about to try it again when a crash was heard inside making one of them walk into the Sheriff's office. Only to exit out of the window. Nagisa then jumped out of the window and shot the goon with his spare Schofield twice in the chest, spinning it to place back in the belt mounted holster that was when he noticed Isogai was holding a whip
"Get her down from there' Nagisa said as he reloaded before he grabbed his
"What are you doing?" Isogai asked as he was tossed Nagisa's knife.
"Making a withdrawal" Nagisa said as he glared at the horizon as he walked to the bank.
"Put all the money you have in this bank, into bags so I can take with me" Chiba said pointing a gun at a young woman before cocking its hammer back "Now please"
"Don't you know its impolite to point a gun at a lady?" Nagisa asked
"Sheriff Shiota, you knew what is going to happen" Chiba said before he moved his mouth to whistle when Nagisa socked him in the mouth before kicking him onto his ass. Chiba growled and fired at the sheriff before bolting out the door.
"you backstabbing asshole" Nagisa said pulling out his rifle and aiming at the retreating Chiba after breaking a window to use as a barrier. "Everybody get down and then get out the back way, I don't want there to be when he starts to shoot" he said as he looked around. Once he was sure the coast was clear Nagisa hopped out the window he looked around as he stayed low to the ground, suddenly a bullet ripped past him making him dive over a water trough to take cover and looked around.
"That's right sheriff hide like a little mouse" Chiba said as he aimed down his rifle as he hid on the general store, he looked around, shifting his gaze to the town bell and frowning he shifted his gaze to the town hall's bell and chambered around before shooting the bell "How's that little sheriff" he laughed as Nagisa rolled out of cover and fired his own rifle at Chiba.
"Asshole is using the bell to rebound his shots to hit me" Nagisa growled out as he fired off some more rounds before he had to reload while Chiba was quickly trying to snipe the sheriff. Nagisa looked over his cover and aimed again before hearing his rifle click "not good" Nagisa said as he tried to run from cover to cover, but thanks to Chiba's reflection sniping off the bell it was making it hard for him to get to his office where he was taking the ammo of his rifle. He then switched to his revolver as he got closer to the general store, about a meter or two away from it he suddenly noticed that Chiba had stopped firing at him "Must have run out of ammo" Nagisa murmured, only to have a bullet fly past his head "Nope" Nagisa said returning fire with his own gun as he took covered as Chiba walked out of the general shop
"Quit hiding sheriff" Chiba barked as he walked forward firing his gun
"Who's hiding you scum sucker!" Nagisa shouted back as he snuck off a few round, one of them blowing Chiba's hat of his head
"LUCKY SHOT!" Chiba said as he fired at Nagisa, making the sheriff run back further while firing. Once the two side were out of bullets in their guns they went to reload, only to find they had one bullet each left "How many round you got left?
"One, You?" Nagisa replied
"Same" Chiba said "Why don't we do like them Mexicans and have a standoff?"
"Fine by me" Nagisa said
Soon the two gunslingers were standing out in the street as the wind blew from the west making their duster fly up like capes
"On the tone of the bell" Nagisa said loading the last round into his revolver
"You got it lawman" Chiba smirked as he did the same before returning the gun to his holster and let his gun hang by his side. Nagisa gulped down his nerves as he knew that the various members of the town were watching with baited breathe. He looked back to Chiba who had a smirk on his face. The bell suddenly rang out making the two gunslingers reach for their guns at lightning fast speed, raised them up and fire at each other, they waited as the smoke from their guns cleared.
"Who...who won?" Fuwa asked nervous as she stood next to Isogai. They waited without a breath of air going in or out of their lungs until the bell finished tolling making Chiba fall to his knees
"Damn it" he said falling forward into the dirt, staining it red as his blood flow from the bullet wound over his heart. Nagisa sighed in relief as he put his revolver away.
"So that's that then" Isogai said as he sat down next to Nagisa watching as the undertaking placed Chiba's corpse into a coffin
"Yep" Nagisa said getting up and walking over to the Imperial "Just wish I didn't have to end the life of a soldier"
"He gave up being a soldier when he shot his captain" Isoga said
"So you staying around her for long?" Nagisa asked
"Nah, I have to move on to my next job" Isogai said "Got word that Roy O'Barron is heading to Rock Ridge" he said
"You think you're going to catch him this time?" Nagisa asked
"Maybe" Isogai said "anyway you have an appointment to keep" Isogai said as he saw a smiling Fuwa walk up to them
"Marshal" she said smiling
"Afternoon ma'am" Isogai said
"I'm afraid I'm going to have to steal the Sheriff away for a moment or two" Fuwa said grabbing Nagisa's hand leading the confused lawman away into the Imperial
"Have fun" Isogai laughed as he walked away as Nagisa and Fuwa celebrated the happy ending they received.
G'day Guys Grizz here. so over on the discord server I'm apart of with a posse of other writer who are in the Assclass writer's community we decided to do a fanfic contest where four of use chose the criteria and that we would have to write about it, so this is my entry a fic centred around a train heist and a in town shoot out. Now two of the criteria were Nagisa and Chiba had to be characters so I figured that I would make Chiba a villain since I don't think that's been done before.
Now in this fic I've hidden Easter eggs to several other westerns I've seen/read so see if you can find them all, if you want you can send me a PM or leave a review with what ones you found
So until next time I'll catch you on the flipside.
