Out on the frontier, the only friend a pony can really trust is the gun in her hoof. Out where the land is wild and the buffalo roam, more than a few ponies have foregone scratching out a living on the farms or mines to seek riches and glory on the wrong side of the law. As a particularly mysterious and valuable cargo heads west on a long train journey, six mares follow with trouble in their wake, each intending to claim the prize for her own.
Also, a lot of ponies get shot.
Edited by: Exuno
Preread by: barbeque
Inspired by the art of: Coin-Trip39
(Make sure you take a look at the cover image full-size! It's fantastic!)
Chapters (3)
Very nice. I like what you have done here.
There are two kinds of people in this world. Ones who write good fanfiction, and ones who don't...
You do.
With Jack Elam:
Playing the part of Derpy. Or vice versa, I guess...
All kinds of fun here! Can't wait to see where you go with it!
Mike
Yes.
This chapter depicts a brilliantly characterized cast, and snags us from the get-go with its fantastic pacing, action and humor. I didn't expect to stumble across this while I was checking the list of newly posted stories. It stood out from the beginning, and, like only a few stories do, delivered on that promise til the end. And that cliffhanger.
This is setting up to be an amazing fic.
There is something wrong with my life, and that is the fact that I have not yet watched The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. And yet, this goes to show what a feat you've pulled off here- I mean, if a noob like me can find this story coherent, engaging and believable despite its cast (how, I don't even...), imagine what fans of the film would think. Just...
DUDE.
Anyway, needless to say I enjoyed this, and will be eagerly awaiting any updates (translation: MOAR). Now, please excuse me while I go watch the film and become enlightened.
Pitch-perfect characterization, zippy action, intrigue, ponified Old West milieu, AND it's not over yet? All of my yes.
nice
Yes.
I'm also writing a western story... but this is really good. Bravo!
3159637
Actually, I used the name mostly out of a desire for an appropriate western pun. It's not so much a retelling of any one story/movie, as it is a mashup of a lot of different western tropes and whatever other ideas were in my head.
(Of course, that's no reason not to go ahead and watch The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly anyways!)
Good characterization, nice use of dark comedy as so many of the best westerns have, really enjoyed it.
3159882
Haha, I can see that actually, watching the film. Still, I'm really enjoying it! Guess I didn't know I liked westerns as much as I do until I started properly exploring the genre (can you call it a genre? Probably not. Meh, it ought to be one).
It's even better that you've got an original concept, though. Makes me all the more excited to see where you go with this :D
Wow. Fluttershy actually murderous... Cool. And I can't wait to see how things will involve the Elements.
I am not 100% sure where this is going, or where it's been, but I upvoted anyway and starred it so hard because I want to find out.
(About halfway through)
HOLY FUCK, WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON?
(End of chapter)
Ooooooohhhhhh... Wait, so... What next?
Damn man, favourited and liked. I've always been a fan of westerns, so you already had me hooked on the description, not to mention the actual story itself. Keep it up dude.
By the way, did you specifically commission that artwork? It's pretty badass.
THAT RARITY IS A SPY
allmystery.de/i/t1bf971_tumblr_luxfkaoTi91r134jho1_500.png
IF THIS ISN'T AN ADAPTATION OF THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY....I will be mildly disappointed.
3161251
Actually, I contacted the artist to see if I could use his art from here, as that was the original inspiration. After talking with him briefly, he went ahead and decided to redraw the whole thing! (When planning the fic I ended up changing the name from Blazing Saddles because while I love that movie, it definitely sets a whooooole different set of expectations)
It sure turned out awesome though, huh?
Alright, I'm hooked. Now let's have a story!
WHY CAN'T I LIKE IT MORE?!
In all seriousness, brilliant! Love a good western, and this looks like it'll be awesome.
I believe this is relevant.
Good luck with this, by the way
I love westerns, oh my god, this is amazing. I've been waiting for a story like this for a long time. Thank you so much.
...Well, with artwork like that, you really can't say no. I'll get around to reading this eventually, looks good. And high praise so far to boot.
I must say, I was skeptical coming into this, but DAMN that was badass.
Please go further into their back stories. You've got me aching to know what happened and how they know each other.
MOAR! NOW!
...
MOAR
I'm going to hazard a guess that the Elements are going to be rather less than picky about personality in this story.
I would say that they're all more or less opposite themselves, but Twilight is still similar to her canon self, and AJ is... pretty much a typical robber.
Other than her and possibly Blueblood, the rest of the Mane 6 feel completely different. Without recognizable characterization, they share names with the familiar characters only.
I usually skip westerns, but the description sounded neat so I figured I'd give it a shot.
Really glad I did. This is great fun so far.
So I heard lots of ponies get shot...
COUNT ME IN!
It's been featured.
Somepony fetch the Sheriff.
Wonderful! Needs a sequel.
This fic could not have come at a more perfect time for me. I just recently marathoned a bunch of Clint Eastwood westerns and was thinking "There really should be more ponified versions of these things going around." I check the featured box a few minutes later, see this story, and I just about squeed so loud my windows shattered.
This is just so freakin' awesome. I can't wait for more.
A-fricken-mazing! More! :D
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Go on ...
beautifully done, I demand more
That was pretty brolic
can't wait for the next chapter
Awesome, can't wait for more. Want to see all the relationships between them, it's getting juicy!
but I have to wait! Nooooooooo
Do they not have males on the frontier?
It should be "The only friend a pony can really trust is the gun in their hoof."
I'm just saying.
Man. Right in my weakness for good westerns. Helps that you've done a good job of setting up an awesome sequence of firefights and backstories, without looking like you were trying too hard. That's a difficult balance to obtain.
Now, it does bug me a little that they're just magically capable of wielding firearms, but I'm willing to mostly overlook that. This has clearly been well thought out, and I surprisingly have no criticism to offer. Instead, will you accept what's probably my first new fave in months?
ok Good so far! all we're missing is Clint Eastwood...well for me.
3161299
Hell yeah it turned out great. It's a good redraw too. Though I can't help but laugh at the idea of the MLP cast in Blazing Saddles. Pinkie Pie would have a hell of a lot of fun with the Fourth Wall.
You got my attention, please continue.
3164107
How do you shot a gun with hooves? Simple: put an "Anthro" tag.
Also: This is just pure badass-ery! Vote, fab and all that shit. Keep it up!
Wow. The ending was just… wow. That cargo turned out to be really valuable.
3163887
LMAO your avatar!
Hehehe, old western action sounds just as awesome when read as it is when viewed.Keep it up, this seems like a very promising story.
AMAZING. Can't wait until the next chapter hits.
I grew up loving Clint Eastwood films! Thanks you SO much for doing this!
THIS IS AMAZING! Can't wait for the update!!!
I added this story to my watch list because the description and picture made me curious. Now to quote a very recent western movie; "You had my curiosity. Now you have my attention."
This is actually amazingly good. The characters are spot on, even if Fluttershy is rather more assertive than normal. The action is intense and well written. There's seems to be a strong, clear narrative and direction for the story as well as various sub stories.
Overall, I am eagerly looking forward to the next chapter