Oh. My. Sjöfn! Everybody loved Griselda's nagging at the two of those dorks! You guys are awesome. This whole fandom is friggin awesome.
The next morning, Marianne awoke in the strange new room and it took her a moment to remember what had transpired the night previous. Marianne stretched and rolled over. There was a sudden thundering against her door and she jumped.
"What?!" she yelled, loving not having to be a proper lady anymore.
"A train, Miss Marianne!" shouted a familiar voice she recognized as Stuff. "Let's ride."
Marianne was suddenly awake and slung her clothes on, still caked with dirt from the previous days. She wrapped her bandana around her neck and dashed out the door following the other gang members to the stables.
While the other horses were prancing eager for the upcoming run, Gunner stood asleep while Marianne saddled him. Thang looked in at her as he fought to get his horse to take the bit. "Wouldn't you like a more… active horse, Miss Marianne?" he asked.
"Gunner's never let me down before," Marianne said leading the calm horse outside and swinging up into the high seat of her saddle. Bog's horse thundered to the front of the pack and even on the giant half Percheron stallion, he was imposing and looked bigger than the horse.
"We've got a New York Railways Train full of bank money going to a town to buy off another batch of ranchers and farmers. You lot know what to do! Let's ride!" he shouted. Marianne glanced at the other's cheering and smiled at them still unsure of everything. The gates to the old convent opened and the riders raced off.
Gunner went from dead head to speed demon in moments. Thang, Stuff, and the others gaped in awe as the horse went from dead last to eating up ground, long body stretched, ears pinned, and in moments he was almost outpacing Bog's long legged horse. Even Bog watched in shock as she passed him a wicked smirk on her lips.
Bog laughed and spurred his horse on as they raced over the plains. Marianne pulled Gunner back so that Bog could lead them to the train they were supposed to rob.
She could see the smoke from the train before they even rounded over the hill. He saw a mad smile and a familiar wild glee in her eyes as she shifted her bandanna over her nose as they raced down to the train thundering down the tracks.
"Right, Tough Girl, only those of us who know how to jump a train are doing this. You keep watch and learn," Bog laughed.
Marianne shot him a glance and then turned to face their destination once again. She leaned over Gunner's neck and Bog pulled up short. She wasn't…
She edged closer to the platform, her hand easing out.
"Damn," he snarled and raced forward to try and stop her but was too late as her little hand grabbed the railing. Oh God she's gonna rip her damned arm off! his mind screamed. Instead of keeping her feet in the sturrips and maiming herself, she kicked herself out of her saddle and swung into the car like an old pro, her free hand landing on her gun a second it was drawn and ready to shoot.
Bog blinked in surprise and then followed close behind, followed by some of the older, more skilled train jumpers in the gang, they seemed to know exactly what to do. Some guarding doors some keeping a lookout.
"Come on," he said to Marianne, "We'll get the haul," he said, grabbing her arm and gesturing to the front of the next car. She nodded and followed.
He led them into the money car filled with armed guards wielding shotguns.
"Lookout," she growled and ducked around him and fired three rounds into the guards legs, dropping them one by one. He glanced at her impressed and strode forward with his imposing form. The Teller's hands shot up in the air.
"Smart move," he growled taking the Bank Bags and slinging it over his shoulder and sliding the car door open. He turned his head slightly and hollered a 'let's go' over his shoulder. Marianne kept her eye on the wounded men, their guns now safely away but saw the Los Duendes dive onto the backs of their fellow Los Duendes' horses and clinging to them as they headed off to look for their horses. Bog dove next onto a horse with Thang.
"Come on, Tough Girl!" he shouted. Stuff rode up next to the car and waved her gnarled hand.
Marianne looked back and gave out a loud whistle. Bog heard the thundering of hooves and his head whipped around. Gunner was gaining and gave a nip at Stuff's horse as he shoved the mare out of the way.
Bog watched in amazement as she leapt into the saddle and spun her horse back around. "What are you all gawking at?" she asked yanking her mask down. "Let's get out of here!"
All of the gang was staring but Bog was gawking. How did she…?
000
"What do you mean Los Duendes kidnapped my sister?!" Dawn screeched clinging to her tiny gloved hands as Roland delivered the news.
"I tried to get her back but they fired at us, and we barely got away," Roland said.
"This is unacceptable!" Mayor Fairchild roared. "Gather as many men as you need and bring my daughter back."
"The New York Railway Company has offered to send out extra guards. We've received a telegram moments ago saying they would send some men out for a price. We could use the extra guns," Roland said smirking that snake in the grass smile he had.
"Done," the mayor said.
Dawn wondered off and found Sunny. "I heard, Miss Dawn," he said hugging his friend as she cried.
"Dad said he's bringing in men from the New York Railway to help," she sobbed. Sunny jerked back in surprise.
"What? Miss Dawn they are nothing but trouble."
"But they will bring her back safe," she cried into his shoulder. Sunny patted Dawn on her back.
"Sheriff," he said stepping forward and raising his hand, "I would like to volunteer for the search party."
"Well I guess we could use all the help we could get," he chuckled sarcastically. Sunny hated him almost as much as Marianne but he had to make sure Dawn would be happy and smile again. If this was the way… so be it.
Well it was a nightmare to start but once I started writing I couldn't stop! Special thanks to abutterflyobsession for sending in some suggestions! I will be using all of them that I can. Cross my hearts ;)
Jellybelly: Amen, son!
Guest: As you command.
tmwillson: She is good at the awkward.
guest: Thanks as an aficionado of Westerns (my first love in movies) and a lover of animation (especially Strange Magic now) the fandom demanded it of me.