Chapter 6: Suspicions, Suspicions…?

It had just been an early afternoon back at Brandon's horse farm since Harmony and Windstorm rode off to Cow Town, trying to find her long lost friend, Baron. The young collie gave them shelter for those few days as well as a few life lessons to encourage her that some things can't be done alone. Brandon felt good that he was inspiring Harmony, but he still felt that guilty feeling of being alone forever in the end… Trying to push it aside, Brandon focuses on the now, mounting up on his horse, Ryder, guiding him to Dog Town for his few errands.

In the area of Dog Town, just mainly with its folks, the citizens began murmuring to themselves. It was about the rumors of the "riding hawk girl" that was spread across the mesa. Their opinions were divided, believing that Harmony was either a menace, or that it was a load of dung to try and scare most townsfolk into hiding. Some said stuff like, "She's a menace, ain't she?" And others went, "Nah, darn tootin'! Those are nothin' but silly stories!" One other dog citizen added, "Maybe we'd like to see the real deal and ask her in person…" The town wasn't all bad, except for a few demented citizens who went wild and rogue. "If she wants to fight us instead, let her come."

The citizens went about their day for now until Brandon rode into town. He was popular with everybody who lived here, due to his status as a rodeo star, a cattle driving cowboy, and just a young fella who wanted to live his life on the horse farm. But that doesn't mean he always isolated himself from everyone. Thanks to his friends, he learned to open up to people again after losing his parents.

"Howdy, folks! Hey, what's the matter?" Brandon heard them discuss the riding hawk girl before. Oh dear… hopefully Harmony wasn't too close to town, or else things might've been real serious for the cowgirl.

Sheriff Kurt Barkson, the german shepherd came out of his office, going up to Brandon to explain about the rumors of a riding Hawk girl. "You know that riding hawk girl story, kid? The town's in fear of her comin' over this way. Really serious, Brandon…"

"Riding... Hawk girl?" Brandon pretended to not know what Kurt was talking about. He really didn't want to lie to his hero, especially after all he did to help him pull through in life. Brandon only lied to protect his new friend, and would have to apologize later. "Uhh... I don't recall. Was that just now?"

"It's serious, kiddo. Cow Town's described her as the most dangerous outlaw on the Mesa, next to those other crazy outlaws who reside there. You haven't seen her around, have you?"

Brandon was stuck. Making a choice of one or the other was hard, so the cowboy had to come up with something to convince the town that they were wrong. "I... I think I did see her once." The town gasps and would bombard the collie with several questions. He interrupts them before they get an answer. "But she isn't what y'all think of her. An outlaw? Really? What kinda horse dung is that?" He dismounted, petting Ryder after referring to a slight little joke about horses to soothe his emotions. "I met her out on the Mesa, and she was nothing like these rumors you told me. She's a sweet, kind, adventurous and loving soul. She's not "The Riding Hawk-girl", as to refer to her as a crook. Her name is Harmony. Harmony Hawktail." Brandon went up to face the sheriff with his courage of sticking up for his friend. "And I believe that she's trying to fight the injustice that doesn't want her around any more. Sheriff Kurt, please… Harmony is not who she really is in the rumors. Just hear me out."

Kurt seemed really impressed with Brandon's courage to stand up for his friend, but then again, he cared for the town since they were still worried about who Harmony really is. "You sure? We don't know that, kid. The people here are still scared of these rumors, and they want it to be over with. I understand what you said was right, but…" The Sheriff sighs disappointingly, and sadly to finish. "I'm sorry, but you have to find this "Harmony" person, bring her over to us so she can make herself clear... got it, Brandon?"

"I- I understand." Brandon goes back to mount up on Ryder. "C'mon, boy. Let's go see her again." He tugs the reins to have Ryder gallop all the way to the closest location of Harmony, or at least, listening out for any familiar voices or looking for hoofprints. Ryder had to sniff out her scent, tracking the deputy hawk down to the outside of town. A riverside of some sort. There, Harmony and Windstorm had rested there before going on their journey to find Baron.

"Harmony? It's… it's the Sheriff of my town. He wants to talk to you." Brandon assured his friend, slightly fearful in his tone. He only met Harmony for a few days, yet he cared that much for his new friend.

"Why Brandon, what's wrong? Is it the Rough Riders gang that found their way in?" Harmony asked.

"Rough Riders Gang… uh, no. No... My town's suspecting you as the "Riding Hawk Girl". I wanna help prove your innocence. Help prove that the rumors are entirely wrong."

"I see, well I might as well get this over with so that your town is not livin' in fear o' hearin' my name all over the west. I won't let you deal with this alone."

"And I won't let you carry any burden alone either. Glad to have you with me, Harmony." Brandon smiled, pulling Ryder's reins to the direction of his town. "Well now, let's ride! Hyah!" Brandon whipped the reins for Ryder to gallop, yet it was a slow, controlled gallop that he could rhythmically ride to easily. Harmony does the same thing, getting Windstorm to gallop or canter along with Brandon and his horse.

The cowpokes rode their horses into town, nearly causing a brief amount of panic near the divided folks due to Harmony's sudden presence in town for the very first time. "We're here! Don't worry folks, she ain't hostile. H-Hey, hold on…" Immediately, most of the townsfolk went inside of their buildings comically in fear, some of them held on to the rumors. "... I figured much." Brandon sadly sighs, knowing this would happen.

Harmony rides in silence next to Brandon, remembering how she made friends here, and it almost feels as if they were going to turn on her after what Brandon told her. Even so, the situation wasn't completely out of control yet.

Kurt walked up to meet with Harmony. "So, you're this "Riding Hawk Girl" that Cow Town's talkin' about, huh...? Are you just pretending to be friends with the kid for our trust?"

"I don't know what rumors you've been hearing or who told you all this, but please let me assure you that I'm not what you're thinking right now. If I was, I would have already started trouble."

"She's honest. I can tell." Brandon looked to the Sheriff. "When was the last time you guys had a raid or someone comin' into town like that?"

"A few months ago. But what does that have to do with her?" The Sheriff looked at Harmony dead in the eyes for a moment, seeing if she had any good or bad intentions... Then he made his decision. Kurt realizes what Harmony can do for him in order to change his mind. "Alright, but... to prove that you ain't like how the rumors say 'bout you, then I'm giving you a challenge."

"If you don't believe me, at least listen to Brandon. He's been in this town longer than I have. However, whatever this challenge is, I will accept it. Just name it." Harmony was willing to do anything at this point.

"You're an actual riding Hawk-girl, yeah?" He would point over there for Harmony to see. A bloody bay colored horse stood around in the riding corral, wearing the Sheriff's saddle and tack. It was angrily huffing and snorting, impatient with the fact that the horse was going to be ridden sometime sooner. There was no way he could get near that horse like that unless someone was willing to tame it. "Help me break that horse in with your skill, and we'll call the rumors off."

Seeing the horse suddenly rear up and buck around in the corral, Harmony responds. "I suppose I ain't got a choice do I?"

"It's the only way." Kurt placed his hands on his hips. "I decided to pick out a new horse this time for myself, but, knowin' me… I'm gettin' old. I can't ride as well like I used to back then. You got one shot at this, partner."

"Alright, Sheriff. It's a deal." Harmony smiled until Brandon interrupts her, wanting to tell her a little more about the horse.

"Umm, Harmony? That horse right there…? He was just ridden in a rodeo we held last month. You sure you wanna take him on?" Brandon seemed worried for Harmony, not sure if she even had such skills like he did before.

"Did you ever ride him before?"

Brandon slowly nodded. "Yeah… I did. Got thrown off a few times…" The cowboy had this strange feeling that the horse grinned back at Brandon, aware of his buck-offs.

"Even if I fall off the first time, there don't seem to be no other way to prove that I'm no outlaw." Harmony stated.

"Yeah." Brandon was sure about Harmony's confidence. He gives her a few more tips to help her out. "If you want, try riding with one hand up! I know it's for rodeos only, but... sometimes I do it when breaking in a horse. Just hold onto the reins or the saddle horn with the other. Anything goes!"

Kurt looked over to Harmony. "Now, ready to go in the corral, miss? Dan's gettin' impatient now…"

"I'm ready, sheriff, if it means proving my innocence!" She enters the corral and doesn't back down when the fierce horse bares his teeth at her. "I see you're gonna be a tough one to break."

Dan snorts at her face, then standing still for her to hop aboard on the saddle. This wasn't going to be really easy for her to say the least, but would she manage to ride longer than 8 seconds?

"I ain't scared o' no wild horse like you Dirty Dan." She cracks her knuckles and jumps right on the saddle, grabbing the reins with one hand.

It was one of the wildest rides that Harmony's ever done in her whole life. Fortunately, she was well trained in riding horses before, so this could be very appropriate to say that THIS wasn't her first rodeo. Since, of course, Dan had taken her for a special kind of rodeo in the corral! The horse went around the corral, jumping and bucking in numerous laps. He tried literally everything to throw the cowgirl off the saddle. Kurt wasn't able to break in Dan, but Harmony had this one-shot to break in the stallion all by herself.

"Yeehaw! Ride 'em Harmony!" Brandon cheers on Harmony, knowing she was close to beating the horse at last.

After a while, Dan panted and gave out a final buck before stopping in the middle of the corral. He was exhausted after his attempt to throw Harmony off. It seems there was a victor in this wild match here, and that was none other than Harmony Hawktail!

"Well that was one heck of a ride, the fastest I've one yet. You could have thrown me off if you wanted, not that I mean to brag." Harmony would wait for Sheriff Kurt's response after she either hopped off the saddle or stayed on Dan a little longer.

"Not bad, not bad at all!" Kurt crossed his arms with a smile on his face, impressed by Harmony at last. "Taught yourself all that, eh?"

"I've done this for as long as I can remember, as my pa had it in him when he taught me."

"Hmm, then your father would be very proud."

"Thank you, Sheriff… What's your name? Kurt, is it?"

"Yep. Brandon must've spilled the beans, but not in a bad way! Heh heh." Kurt chuckles, looking over to Brandon.

"It was no biggie. I didn't know how Harmony wouldn't get to know your name at first." He then turned around to look back at Harmony who hopped off of Dan. "Ho-ly. Cow! You were really amazing out there, Harmony!"

"Thanks Brandon, I'm sure you'll stay on longer than last time when you're ready to ride Dirty Dan again."

"Huh, yeah... Sure. I mean, I can ask the Sheriff anytime." Brandon's face turned red, but that doesn't mean he was going to back out of that goal anytime soon.

"You've done a good job for me today, Hawk- No... Harmony." He goes to shake Harmony's hand in respect.

Harmony shakes Kurt's hand as well, feeling proud that she's earned his trust. "Thanks Sheriff, I know you're just trying to do your job protecting the good folks of Dog Town. But it looks like I now got to prove my innocence elsewhere if the rumors have spread to the next town."

"Heh, seems fine to me." Kurt would lean against the wooden post of the sheriff's office, smiling back at Harmony. "Feel free to come here anytime, cowgirl!"

"Well, guess we'll be seeing you again, Harmony. Now then… be careful out there, alright?" Brandon sees Harmony hop back on Windstorm, preparing to head out.

"Thanks Sheriff, now I really must be on my way. An old friend of mine is in trouble and he needs me. But I'll be back when I can. Oh, and Brandon? I won't forget to write."

Brandon tips his hat to Harmony, knowing that things may work out in the end... or something so sudden may occur between these events. "Okay, head on over there now! You got a friend to save! Save him!"

Harmony tips her hat to Brandon, confident she can save her friend, despite the possibility he may be an outlaw going by the name of Boot Hill Buzzard. "Time for me to ride! Hyah, Windstorm!" She snaps the reins on Windstorm as they ride off once more in the distance.

Brandon, Kurt, and the townsfolk who saw Harmony ride and tame Dan effortlessly stood outside, seeing her head off into the horizon. For the sheriff, Kurt believed that Harmony was 100% not a dangerous outlaw that the rumors had previously stated. For the folks, they sighed with relief and were relaxed that no trouble had come to their beloved town. Or so did they think… Lastly, for Brandon, he believed that Harmony held the capability to rescue her longtime friend, no matter the cost. He was hoping to see her again, hopefully wishing to know her more overtime. "You got this, Harmony. I'm with you all the way to the end of the Mesa."

End of Chapter 6

Coming Soon, Chapter 7: A Visit to the Hospital/The Dreams Revealed/Reunion With Ellie

Author's notes: Chapter 5 and 6 so far are actually based off the discord rps Bovine Beauty and I do together through roleplay. I thought it would be cool to copy and paste the characters' dialogue and modify it a little to fit in with the fanfic. There will be more stuff like this in the upcoming chapters. Hoooooo boy! I don't know how many I'll write and split, but this is going to be one helluva long ride. See you in the next chapter!