i flew all night slightly above cloud level. i didn't run into any trouble and i kept above the road to see where i was going. i didn't know were i was going until the sun started to rise in back of me. i was heading westward, and that was fine with me. when the night cleared away and the sunlight fell over the land i saw i was in a sort of desert. and ahead of me was a small town. i smiled at the sight of the town. i was in the wild wild west... i'm in my element.
i flew over and landed on the road and started walking down. i walked down the dry desert road and the dirt crunched under my hooves. i looked up to a large looming sign above the entrance to the town... "apalooza" the sign read. i believe i've had business here before... yes, if i do recall i robbed the bank here...i think i'll make another withdrawal before leaving. i thought to myself and smiled.
i walked past the sign and took my first steps into the small western town. i looked forward to see a few ponies just walking around. some sitting on porches listening to one stallion who was playing a lovely tune on his guitar. he looked over and saw me. at the first sight of me he strummed too hard and an off key note cut through the air startling the whole town. every pony was now looking at me with fear and disgust spread idly across their faces.
i kept walking down the dirt path and the ponies either ran away or backed away in fear. i walked through the town with an evil smile on my face. i stopped and turned when i got to a saloon... i could use a few drinks. i walked over and up the shaky wooden steps to the doors. i walked over and pushed the doors aside. i walked into the dimly lit bar as the doors swung closed behind me. the bar which was once alive with chatter now grew silent.
"anypony miss me." i said. three ponies sitting at a table all stood up. they all had the insignia of the crimson order.
"you are a fool to come here..." said one of the ponies. "this town is under the protection of the crimson order."
"is that so." i said reaching for a throwing knife on my bandolier. i grabbed it and threw it at the pony that just spoke up. it cut through the air and stuck him in the neck. he clamored for life but soon dropped dead.
"thats it." said one of the others. they both drew their weapons and came at me. i unlatched the tomahawk and held it in my hands. one of the ponies ran up to me and tried to slash me from the left with a large sword. i ducked under the attack and from my position i lashed out my axe and in one clean sweep cut right through his leg. he fell to the ground howling in pain as i spotted the other pony. he was a unicorn and his horn was starting to glow.
"oh no you don't." i said. i threw the tomahawk at an angle and it whirled through the air. it passed my the unicorn and took off his horn. he yelled out in pain as the tomahawk stuck into the piano on the other side of the bar. i started walking over to the pony who was screaming in pain and holding his hooves over the bleeding stub that used to be his horn. i stopped beside him and stuck out my back leg. i curb stomped him on the neck and i could feel his neck snap under my hoof... then he was silent. i walked over to the piano and pulled out my axe. i looked over to the pony still sitting on the piano bench with a look of fear on his face. "sorry 'bout the piano." i said tipping my hat to him.
i walked over to the bar and took a seat between two other ponies. sure enough they both got up and ran. the bar was filled with a few dirty looks as well as some cries from a few terrified mares in the bar. along with the cries and moans of pain from that poor guy who's leg i chopped off. i'm sure he'll be fine...maybe.
"take whatever you want." said the bartender with his hands up backing away in fear.
"thats awful kind of ya partner." i said hopping over the other side of the bar. i grabbed a few large bottles of vodka, gin, whiskey and other things and put them in my bag. i noticed that my bags seem to hold more than they should. i guess there must be a charm on them too like my money pouch. i hoped over the counter again and walked over to the pony with no leg. he was still writhing in pain. he looked at me and growled and i stopped next to him.
"you won't get away... this town is...under crimson protection." he said.
"where you really all there was..." i said laughing at him. "there is no hope for you..." i said taking out my tomahawk and holding it up. "this town is no longer under you're protection." i said to him. i brought my axe down onto his face and his body jolted before going limp. "this is my town now." is said... i looked up and stared over the rest of the ponies in the bar. "is that a problem with anypony?" i asked in a threatening voice... only silence. "good." i walked back and looked past the door.
there were other ponies out there but they were searching. they all were part of the crimson order. there was one heading right for the saloon. i grabbed my bow and an arrow and got it ready. i kicked out the saloon doors and fired the arrow right into the forehead of the pony. he dropped dead and i looked around. there were only three others. i pulled out another arrow and planted it in the skull of one more.
one of them fired an arrow at me as well but missed. it stuck into the wall of the saloon next to me. saving time i yanked the arrow out to the wall and fired it back at the archer who like the other two too it right to the head. all was left was a pony with a large axe. he was shaking and seemed afraid... he actually pissed himself making me laugh. he dropped the axe and his face turned a crimson red. he ran as fast as he could. i thought that killing him would be wrong, then i remembered...i don't care. i pulled another arrow back and let it go. it tore through the air and made its way through the back of the ponies head. he fell to the ground and skidded a bit then was still.
i looked around and smiled.i looked over and saw a large building with a bank sign on it. time to get to work. i stepped down from the saloon porch and walked down the road to the bank. it took me only a minute before i was standing in front of the bank doors. i tried opening them but they were locked. i listened closely and i could hear ponies whimpering inside. they must not want me to get in... too bad. i reached for my skull key but i stopped myself. i know a more dramatic way of getting in. i turned around and bucket the door as hard as i could. i broke inward and almost flew off the hinges. the air filled with the screams of mares and stallions as they saw my face. i turned and smiled.
"what's the matter... don't want to see dear old scar." i said smiling at the terrified ponies.
"please don't hurt anypony." said one mare. she was a teller. the tellers had their hands up and they were trembling in fear. i walked over and stood right in front of her. i ran my hoof under her chin and she winced in fear.
"you think so vulgar of me... i'm offended." i said. "i just want to make a withdrawal."
"just take it and get out." she said yelling in anger and fear.
"i might have to go into the vault for this one." i said eyeing the vault resting behind them.
"no... you can't go into the vault." she said desperately.
"i wasn't asking." i said. "i was telling you that i'm going into the vault." i said hopping over the counter and walking to the vault. i pulled the skull of my hat and flipped out the key. i used it to unlock the vault and it slowly slid open. the door opened to reveal mountains of bits and gold bars. i smiled and walked in as my eyes turned a bright gold from the light of the gold in the room.
i walked in and started looking. i filled my bag with as much gold as i could. my money pouch was filled and i started pilling gold bars into my bag along with other gems and treasures. once my bags were nice and heavy... but not as heavy as they should have been. and there was very little left in the vault i decided i was done. i walked out of the vault with a smile spread across my face.
"you won't get away with this." said the teller. "the crimson order will stop you." i just laughed at the irony.
"stop me..." i said. "one of them couldn't even stop himself from pissing all over himself when i put an arrow through the skulls of his dumb buddies..." that statement set a wave of fear over the room. "now... i must be going." i said tipping my hat and walking out of the bank. i walked out into the road and kept going.
i walked down thinking were to strike next. i walked along and came across a train station just as a train was pulling up... perfect. i walked over and onto the station. as the train came to a halt and the doors opened i walked up. i stood in front of the only door to the train and it opened up revealing a few ponies getting off the train. The stallion leaving the train immediately cringed in fear and backed up upon seeing me. As he back up I walked onto the train. Any ponies that recognized my face left the cart or the train entirely. Any ponies that didn't know me yet stared at me with confusion, but the fear shed off of the other ponies left an air of uncertainty and concern in the cart. The doors closed and the train set off.
I took a seat and saw a map of the train route on the wall across from me. After looking it over I was heading west still... Good. The next stop was a a big town called manehattan. I think I'll get off there. I rested on the seat and hid my face under my hat. I closed my eyes and tried to regain some of my energy.
The slow vibration of the moving train was comforting and soothing. I sometimes caught myself dozing off but I woke myself up... Can't sleep during the day. Some pony might catch me or I could miss the stop. After sitting and resting for awhile I thought that it would be a shame if this train went undisturbed. I looked up to see an empty cart... Well this ones clear.
I am getting pretty hungry and the map says its a four hour trip. And by my guess ( and also this watch I stole.) it had only been less than an hour so there's three more to go. Think I might go grab myself a bite to eat. I let out a deep yawn and I got up. I scratched my head and walked down the cart. I opened the doors to the next cart and walked in.
Everypony in the cart looked over to me and the feeling of fear and disgust flooded into the cart. Most of the ponies I walked by backed up in their seats. I gave them an evil smile to instill fear and I carried on. I think I know what I can do with this train. The same thing happened the next few cars until the catering car came up.
There were a few ponies sitting and eating in the car but when they noticed me they slowly slipped out of the cart. There was a large store like counter sitting across the room with lots of food and other things... And a cash register. I walked over and leaned against the counter as the mare was ducked behind it putting things away.
" ahem..." I said clearing my throat.
" yes how may..." Said the mare getting up and looking at me. She made eye contact with me and she froze. She stuttered a little bit and I leaned there smiling.
" hey there honey..." I said. " got anything good.?"
" please don't hurt me." She said backing up. I just laughed. The expression has been said to me so many times its funny now.
" I don't know..." I said. " you've got such a lovely face... I'd love to dig into it with an axe." I said causing fear and terror.
" please no... You can have anything... Please just...please." She said tearing up and almost crying.
" we'll I know something that could persuade me otherwise." I said. She blushed and put her head down causing a few tears to fall to the floor.
" I'll lock the doors." She said... I laughed. She looked at me with disgust but fear over all.
" lovely gesture sweetie." I said. " ...but that's not what I meant..." I said pointing to the cash register. I could feel a huge weight lift off her already heavy shoulders.
" yes... I'm sorry." She said opening the register.
" I'm flattered you thought of it." I said smiling as she filled a bag with all the money in the register. She handed me the bag and I grabbed it. I also reached over and grabbed a muffin. " thanks sweetie..." I said turning and leaving the cart. I walked out of the cart and placed the money in my bag. I ate the muffin before I reached the end of the second cart.
I kept walking before I got to the cart I was in. I looked at the end of the cart and noticed a sign above the door across from me that said "luxury cart.". I smiled and thought it would be a nicer place to rest my hooves. I walked over and opened the door to the cart and walked in. There were a few snobby looking ponies sitting in fancy seats. There were some open ones.
I walked over and grabbed the first open seat and sat down. I put my hooves up and leaned my hat over my face. The other ponies looked at me with disgust once again... But not fear. They mustn't know who I am. Then again what do the rich have to care about me for. They're rich... They think I can't get to them, I think I'm going to like this train.
I noticed one of the ponies leaving looking very dissatisfied and angry. He looked ready to complain but he probably just left to cool off or something. I relaxed and closed my eyes letting the vibration of the moving train calm me down. I started to drift off a little bit when I was woken up by a voice.
"Sir... Sir wake up." Said a voice. It was a male voice.
" what?" I said angrily because some pony had the audacity to wake me up.
" you need a special ticket to ride it he luxury cart." Said the voice again.i pulled back my hat and showed my face while also getting a view of the pony. He was a brown stallion with a conductor's cap and suit on. I looked at him and I could feel the tension of fear building up in him but he tried to remain calm... It wasn't working. He was sweating and his eyes where darting around... He knew who I was.
" what was that about a ticket?" I said with a glare. He was shaking now.
" you hum... Need a...a ticket to... To ride in t-the luxury cart." He said.
" look at him... He can't afford a ticket for this cart." Said a snobby sounding pony who left earlier... He went and rattled to the conductor. I don't like this pony now... And his voice is making me angry. I let out a deep frustrated sigh and stood up. I could see that I easily was taller than the conductor and the rich pony.
" alright you..." I said to the conductor " sit down." I said as he obliged by hitting the floor. " and you... I hate your voice... Shut up." I said pointing to the snobby pony. He seemed taken away by my demand.
" why I never... Do you know who I am." He said. I quickly wiped out my tomahawk and held it to his neck. His eyes struck to the size of toothpicks.
" does it look like I give a damn." I said. " now take your seat...and shut the fuck up." He quietly backed up into his seat and glued his mouth shut. " alright this is how it's going to go..." I said speaking up even thought had everyponys attention already. " all of you are going to hand over all your valuables and money...if you refuse, fight back, or keep anything from me... I'll kill you... I have no problem looting corpses." I said.
I wiped out my bag and walked over to the first pony I held out the bag and my axe and she started putting her jewelry and money into the bag. I moved onto the next stallion who put his watch and his money in the bag. Pony after pony I looted everypony and it all went smoothly. Once they were all looted I stood at the door to the head of the train. I tipped my hat to them.
" thank you everypony for the patronage." I said. I then pointed my axe at the conductor. " you get over here." I said. He immediately got up and walked over. " into the caboose...now." I said he walked in through the doors and left them open. I tipped my hat again and went into the front of the train. It was full of mechanics and levers and conductor stood in the corner shaking in fear.
" what are you going to do." He asked.
" make an early stop." I replied. I turned around to the last cart and bent down. I unfastened and pulled out the bolt holding the engine and the train together. Soon the carts began to lose speed and fall behind. I closed the door and watched it drop further and further behind. I smiled and went back to the conductor.
" oh celestia please don't hurt me." He said getting on the ground and covering his head.
" get up." I said. He shot straight up with his eyes closed like he expected me to hit him with my axe. Instead I put the axe away and sat against the wall. " quit being a little bitch and just drive the damn train." I said.
" you're not going to hurt me?" He said.
" not if you don't grow some and toughen up." I said. " you're going to take me to manehattan." I said. " but you're going to stop before we hit the city got it... Don't want to get caught now do I..." I said. " if you enter the city I kill you."
" yes sir..." He said turning to the controls and doing his thing. I smiled and laid back again. I covered my face with my hat and closed my eyes. I started dozing off again letting the shaking of the train slowly put me to sleep. I started dreaming about what kind of trouble I could get in at manehattan. I'm sure it's a good place to start an uprising of bandits... Or go on a crime spree.
Since it seems like one of Equestrias larger cities I'm certain there are going to be guards stationed there as well as those annoying crimson followers. I should be ready to fight as well as run and hide someplace too. I can fight but I can't take on an army... So I'll have to be smart. Maybe a change of clothes or appearance. The one thing that seems to give me away are my red eyes and the scar running across my face. My line of thought and my rest was soon interrupted by a voice.
" sir... Sir were here." Said a familiar voice. I looked up to see it was the conductor. That's the second time he woke me up in one day. " were here." He said. I got up and looked out the window. In the distance I could see a large city resting across a Forest. There were large meadows that fell into a forest near the city. This conductor could have just brought me into the city while I was asleep but he was too scared to dare try... That's good. I smiled and opened the train door and hopped out. Before I left I looked back at him.
" I was never here." I said. " bandits robbed the train no dislodged the couplings... Not me, understand." I said violently. He shied back and nodded his head. " good." I said spreading my wings and flying a bit into the air. I flew towards the forest to take cover from any suspicion. If I want to have some fun without getting in serious trouble I'll need a change of style. I think dying my clothes would be good... And I was thinking of a mask. I think I would look awesome with a mask.
I flew fast towards the forest and soon I was inches from the trees. I ducked down into the forest and flew low to the ground and slowed down so I don't crash. I headed in the direction of the city and flew past trucks and fallen trees. I could see the growing towers looming over the forest past the canopy. I was getting close. I kept flying and I could see faint signs of ponies and buildings. seeing this i slowed down and touched down to the ground so i don't arouse suspicion.
i walked past a few trees before they began thinning out to reveal a park. there were a few ponies in the park and they hadn't noticed me walk in so i was in the clear for now. i should try and hide my face as much as i could. i trotted over to a path and nonchalantly started walking out of the park. i managed to get out of the park alright and now i was walking through the city streets. i looked around and i was lucky enough to stop near a bunch of shops. maybe even the market itself or something.
a smile spread across my face as i looked over and i could see a tailor shop. i should be able to dye my clothes there. then maybe i can find a mask. i looked around and saw there were indeed guards on duty here and a few ponies had crimson order insignias on. i slowly started walking down the street hoping nopony would notice me. i managed to get halfway through without incident.
i kept my head down a little as i passed uncomfortably close to a few crimson followers walking down the street. when they left i let out a silent sigh of relief. this is the first time in a while that i've been scared. i know that if i set off one guard and they know it's me they'll lock up the whole city. i won't survive if they figure me out, and i'm sure they gave up on hanging me and will kill me on sight. while i was distracted by my thoughts i looked up to see i was right in front of the tailor... phew. i opened the door and walked in. there was a ringing and i heard a voice from the back of the store.
"be there in a minute." said a female voice. i walked over and leaned against the counter while a stunning blue mare with clear white hair walked into the room and stood behind the counter. i looked at her and she looked at me and smiled... what? she must not know who i am... that means i can play nice guy until i get what i need. come to think of it i made eye contact with a few ponies on my way here... this place must not be aware of my existence yet... still, a change of feature couldn't hurt. "can i help you?" she asked.
"i was wondering if you dyed clothes here." i asked.
"yes we use a magical formula to instantly and permanently dye clothes..." she said. i smiled.
"wonderful..." i said. "i'd like to dye my clothes then."
"of course... do you know the primary and secondary colors you want." she asked. i stood there for a second and thought on the colors i wanted. i had a beautiful idea.
"dye the primary color crimson... and the secondary color black." i said.
"alright sir just take off the gear you want dyed and place them on the counter." said the mare. i backed up and started unstrapping all my gear and clothing. i took off everything including my hat. i left my bags on the floor and took off all the gear on my clothes and put them with my bags. i walked over and dropped the gear on the counter. she panned over it and ran a few numbers in her head. "the total for all this will be 142 bits." she said, what i rip off... oh well.
"here you go." i said handing her a small pouch with the money in it." she smiled and grabbed the gear. she went to the back and closed the door while i took a seat at one of the chairs lying around. i sat close to my gear and crossed my arms. playing nice isn't killing me as much as i thought, it's not actually that bad... what am i saying, i am scar... king of the outlaws and most wanted and dangerous pony bandit in equestria.
i sat there for a few more minutes wondering how long this would take. soon though my question was answered when the mare came out with a red and black pile of leather and cloth. that must have only been five minutes. i walked over and she handed me the clothes. i grabbed the leather armour and started strapping it on. after that i put on my duster... then my hat. i smiled and tipped my hat to her making her blush.
"thank you kindly ma'am." i said smiling.
"any time." she replied. i walked over to my gear and started strapping it back on. i refilled my utility belt and sheathed my sword. i strung my bow over my back along with the quiver of arrows and i strapped my saddle bags to my side. they were heavy from all the stolen goods/ blood money. finally i grabbed my tomahawk and tucked it back inside of the duster hidden from view. i tipped my hat again and walked outside with my new armour and gear. the leather and the duster were varying shades of red and crimson along with dark black covering the details and ridges.
i walked down the roads for an hour looking for some kind of mask store... or something to hide my face but there was no luck. after almost an hour of looking for masks i gave up on that and decided to just settle for a bandana or something else but no luck there either. i kept looking and it started getting a bit dark now. there is literally no face wear in this fucking city. i let out a frustrated sigh and decided to hunt down the nearest bar.
i went to turn around and head back into the town because i had seen a decent looking bar earlier. as i was turning my eye caught something and my gaze stuck to the object. in the window of a blacksmiths shop. laying under a suit of armor and next to a few mounted weapons... was a mask. it was thick and made of steel with intricate symbols and designs engraved into it. it was a tainted kind of steel so it looked black... like it was burnt. it had the resemblance of a skull but instead of teeth there were sharp fangs. and instead of large open circles for eyes there were two thin strips like it was squinting and gazing into you're soul... it was perfect.
i quickly trotted over excited to purchase the mask... or steal. i think having a kind attitude is starting to affect my brain. once i get the mask i'm dropping the good guy act. i walked up to the blacksmiths door and pushed it open. i walked inside and i saw the blacksmith at a grinding wheel sharpening a sword. there were sparks and flares everywhere. i want to make quick work of this and get it done with. he looked over and saw me. he smiled and stopped kicking the wheel pedal. the wheel grinded to a halt and he placed down the sword. the beautiful sparks filling the room vanished and it was much quieter.
"hello there young adventurer." he said. he must not be aware of who i am... i think the whole town is like that. "what can i do ya for."
"the mask in the window." i said pointing to it. "how much for it." i asked. he smiled and walked over. he walked past me and picked up the mask from the window and dusted it off. it had a lot of dust on it. he held it up and looked at it. he smiled and looked over to me.
"this mask here is a relic." he said. "it is imbued with great and powerful magic... it can fit anypony and the magic tethers it to you're face. you can take it off but only you're hooves can take it off." he said.
"you said powerful magic..." i said. "what kind of magic?"
"well now that's the wonderful part." he said. "it's a void of magic... so to speak, you see youngin this mask is impervious to magic. magic has no affect on it and the wearer." he said. i couldn't have heard anything more perfect in all my life. finally no more pesky unicorns and they're damn magic. "a lot of ponies think it's evil... i saw to hell with them."
"how much for it?" i asked. he smiled and chuckled to himself.
"it's been here for a long time collecting dust... but its still not going to be cheap." said the old blacksmith.
"i don't care." i said. "i've got a bar of gold with you're name on it." i said. he laughed.
"you adventurers and you're talk of big money... lets see this bar of gold then." he said laughing and smiling to himself. i quickly undid my bag and pull out a bar of gold i stole from the bank. it's easy spending big like this when you know you didn't have to work too hard to get the money. i could see his expression change from happy to shocked and amazed. "sweet celestia you weren't kidding." he said.
"i don't joke... is this enough."
"y-yeah... kid you've got a deal." he said eager to get his hands on the gold bar... i'll be sure to visit this shop later and make another deal with mr blacksmith here... but that's later. i handed to stallion the gold and he handed me the mask. i grabbed it and i was shocked at how light it was. like it was made of paper mache or something. it was ridiculous. and the mask was small before but i could feel and see it growing in my hoof. i looked at it and i held it up. how am i supposed to see through those eye holes.
"so have you ever tried it on yourself." i asked.
"hmm... no, never bothered to..." said the blacksmith.
i brought the mask closer to my face and looked at it. i turned it around and checked it out. it just seemed like a regular metal mask... hard to think it wards off magic or something like that. i flipped it over and held the part of the mask my face goes into close. i slowly brought the mask closer to my face to put it on when the unexpected happened.
the mask flew from my hoof and stuck right to my face. everything was black and i started freaking out. i yelled into the mask but it was muffled. i heard the blacksmith was yelling and trying to help. i tried prying the mask off my face and i felt a deep pain burrowing into my back and legs and... well everything was in pain. i could feel something creeping along my body. then before i knew it my body fell to the ground limp and i could feel my mind slowly slipping away only to be replaced by maniacal and evil laughter.
for the second time in a long time... i felt fear.