Sarge shot a bullet through the roof, "Everypony out... NOW!" The ponies in the bar quickly shuffled out, leaving only Red Glory, Sergent, and Cora.
Cora turned and looked at Red, astonished. "You..." Cora held back the urge to run and knock him over. "You are the pony who killed my Pa."
Red put up his front hooves, "Hey partner, I just wanted a dang drink alright? You should have heard Blood and Tears last night, and you should know what it means." Red downed the shot he had in front of him before continuing, "It means that I ain't attackin anypony." Red looked relaxed at Sarge's barrel, "And I would suggest ya put that away. Right now there's probably a sniper pointing his rifle at your head. I ain't so dumb as to come without backup." Red sighed before continuing, getting up and looking Sarge dead in the eye, "You wanna know what I really have planned for this entire state? Because all you have to do is ask, and I will tell." He turned to Cora and said, "My sincerest apologies madam, I thought that ranchhouse was abandoned, sure as hell looked like it was."
(Cough, Cora here, Cough) "Maybe somepony should look before they leap." She had nothing but acid in her voice.
Red smiled a bit a shook his head, "Now now, no need for such petty insults. Anyways, my plans don't involve the annihilation of the state as you might think. My attacks are highly coordinated, at least the ones I myself lead. But I'm slowly getting the rest of mah army disciplined and ready to fight for real. You see, take a look at the big picture partner. Who is currently committing most, if not all the major crime in this area? Me. You wanna know why? Because I'm cleaning this place up, givin it a good spit shine ya see. When was the last time ya heard of the Robin's gang, or the Fullard Twins gang? A little after I came around, that's when. Also, most of the places I target have some level of inexcusable corruption. Sure a few innocents die along the way, but the end justifies the means."
"Nothing justifies the death of an innocent. Absolutely nothing." Sarge said, death still in his eyes.
"Take a look at your country partner. It is no better, if not worse than me. I'm trying to free this fine state from that while I still can. I ain't seekin power, I just want life to be better for those further down the road. Sure the history books may remember me as a monster, but I will never, ever, commit intentional murder upon those who do not deserve it." Red said, looking extremely convinced of what he was saying, "Hell, take a look at this town, it is fully under my control, and yet no crime. No rampages through the street." Seeing the two ponies confused looks he decided to elaborate, "A while back I challenged the sheriff of this town to a duel, loser leaves town to never come back, winner keeps the town. That is if we lived. So we dueled, disabled him with a shot to the knee and took over, there is only one town left in the whole state that ain't under mah control, Armadillo."
Cora was disgusted, she couldn't imagine how Glory was justifying all this to himself. "You have a sick sense of justice, Red."
"Hm, just like your friend there? Killing for money? Ain't a whole lot better if ya ask me." Red replied, "You know, I just can't stand bounty hunters unless they only hunt those that deserve it. And good ol' Sarge here ain't one of them. He's more of an assassin for hire."
"Open your eyes, Glory." Sarge said, "Crime ain't dead cause you're taking over! It's still here, worse than ever! A gang pops up everyday. There's no stopping any of this crime. And I only kill scum like you."
Cora stared at the ground in front of her bitterly. "Anypony who kills somepony undeserving of it is disgusting." Cora stormed out of the saloon, not able to be around Red any longer.
"And those gangs that pop up are crushed the moment they try to hurt those I protect. Things get worse before they get better." Red said, "And mah eyes are open. Maybe you should do the same, go ta Blackwater and look at them new agents they got there. Look at how they operate, that ain't good for nopony." Red downed another shot before saying, "Now I really must take mah leave." in a flash, there was a gunshot from Red's pistol, knocking Sarge's pistol out from his hold and the room filled with smoke. When it cleared, it looked as if nothing had ever happened, no turned over chairs, no Blue Diablo and shot glasses in front of Red's old spot, it was as if he was never there.
Sarge walked out, shaking his head, "I don't think he knows exactly what's going on... I have a feeling I need to tell him before it's too late..."
The two found themselves approached by a pony who wore an outfit similar to that of a sheriff's, but with one major difference, instead of a star, there was a red, tilted-hourglass type symbol on his chest, "Excuse me, but as y'all are new 'round here as I can tell, y'all gonna need to tell me what your profession is, your intentions, were ya come from, that kinda stuff." he said. (Here's a pic of the symbol: View attachment 5570 )
"Hm, we don't appreciate bounty hunters much round here unless they come to me." The pony said, "I'm the new sheriff in town, True Heart. And if ya need work, there's a little trouble goin on down south of here at Providence Rock, give it a look and I'll give ya 50 bits for any information of use and 200 if ya kill some hooligans. 400 if ya capture the leader."
