Phenomenal One

Author's note: This is a supernatural/western story and takes place in the Law Dogs 'verse. If you haven't already read Law Dogs and Legend Killer, you may be a bit confused, but I'll try to give you enough information about the settings and situations to get through. Be aware that characters from the previous two stories will show up from time to time and they might be more than human in some cases.

Needless to say, there will be much blood and swearing. Some implied sexual violence and lots of AJ torture and angst.

Prologue

The Betrayal

Somewhere south of the Montana Territory - 1875

Strong arms belonging to his trusted friends Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson held him up on his feet; otherwise he would be sprawled on the ground. He closed his eyes just before the heavy fist cracked against his jaw, whipping his head to the side. It was quickly followed by a vicious kick that slammed into his midsection, forcing all the air out of his lungs. For several nauseating seconds he couldn't breathe, and then with a sickening lurch, he was able to draw a whopping breath. He instinctively tried to double over, to protect himself, to ease the gouging pain. But the supporting hands of his so-called friends were holding his arms tight, preventing him from moving, from dodging the blows and retaliating. His legs were unable to hold his weight and he sagged in their grip while three more kicks to his stomach had him gagging, blood staining his lips.

The hands abruptly released his arms and he crashed to his knees, clutching his stomach. He fell forward on his face into the damp mud on the riverbank. Mocking laughter rang in his ears. Too hurt to be humiliated, he worked a hand underneath his body and pushed himself over onto his back. The clouds spun above him and he closed his eyes and just focused on breathing. The cool river right next to him tumbled over jagged rocks.

Despite the crushing pain, AJ Styles was furious. They were in the middle of nowhere, on the run after their latest bank robbery. It had been a large score and things had gone perfectly until Kenny fucked up and some of the town's folk ended up dead. The local law enforcement and probably a sizeable posse were hot on their trail. And now Kenny pulls this shit. But Kenny hadn't acted alone.

The two young idiots who called themselves the young bucks, Matt and Nick, cackled. "What's wrong AJ?" they taunted. He ignored them. Instead he tried to focus his gaze on his former friends, to ask why they didn't have his back. He mouthed the word, "Why?"

Without expression, Doc and Karl picked him up out of the mud. He didn't have the strength to resist as he sagged between them, a low moan clawing past his throat. The pain in his stomach radiated outward, competing with the pain in his head. Darkness hovered at the edges of his vision. But inwardly he seethed.

Kenny, his eyes wild, closed in on them and grabbed AJ by his thick brown hair, forcing his head back and so he could stare directly into AJ's eyes. AJ glared back. He saw the hatred and insanity on Kenny's face. Though Kenny had joined their gang a little less than a year ago, AJ had to admit the young man had fit in nicely, quickly making friends with the kids. He was fast with his gun and a great horseman to boot. But AJ had never fully trusted Kenny. There was something not quite right about the man. However AJ never let personal feelings that get in the way of what was best for Bullet Club. He knew one day Kenny might pull something like this, and he half suspected the young bucks would join him. They were arrogant and had often chafed at AJ's control of the group. Needless to say, AJ had never put up with their shit and that had bred resentment. Before Kenny, they had been too afraid to go up against AJ. Once Kenny came, however, AJ knew it was just a matter of time. But he had honestly thought the others would have his back. They had rode together for years, trusted each other through heists and robberies, yet in the end it had was insecurity and jealously that had led them here, to this moment.

And they all turned on him.

"You can't be surprised. You had this coming AJ!" Kenny raved, spittle flying from his lips. "We helped you do the big jobs, we helped you with the big scores! We gave you the most money from each heist! And you didn't do it alone. We made you! Everybody called you a leader? Everybody called you the boss! Well, AJ, if you are the boss, I'm just going to say it. You have now. Been. Fired!" Behind Kenny, Matt and Nick grinned with psychotic excitement.

"Too bad there are no trees around, so we can't just hang you. And I wouldn't waste a bullet on you." Kenny leaned in close and AJ could smell his breath, see the grime on his cheek. Kenny's eyes held no hint of sanity; only hatred and triumph. With his free hand, Kenny grabbed AJ's throat and slowly started to squeeze, choking him. AJ thrashed trying to get his legs underneath him so he could fight, to pull away, but he was not match for the combined strength of Karl, Doc and Kenny.

Stepping closer Kenny increased the pressure. AJ's face was turning red. He struggled harder but to no avail. His empty lungs were demanding oxygen but there was nothing, no hope of mercy from Kenny Omega and AJ knew it. The darkness increased and his struggled grew weaker, until finally he went limp. Sneering, Kenny jerked his hand away from AJ's throat. He examined AJ closely for a few seconds, trying to see any signs of life. Satisfied, Kenny released AJ's hair and signaled to Doc and Karl to let him go. AJ slumped bonelessly to the mud, flat on his back. Looking at the others, the gleeful young bucks Matt and Nick Jackson, the grim Doc Gallows, Cody Hall and the expressionless Karl Anderson. Kenny smirked, "Bullet Club for life." He brought his boot down hard right on AJ's chest but there was no response. "Except for AJ Styles." He spit on AJ's face.

The young bucks hurried forward to get their kicks in as well. Their boots thudded heavily on AJ's limp body. Doc and Karl looked disgusted but they didn't move to intervene.

Then Cody Hall, who had been holding the horses and keeping a look-out shouted, drawing their attention from AJ. "Posse on its way!"

They could see dust rising in the distance. "Fuck!" Kenny snarled. The others ran for their horses. However, Kenny drew his gun and turned back to the river bank "Changed my mind AJ," he started to say, but stopped. AJ's body had disappeared. Kenny looked around for it but it was gone. Eyes narrowed, he realized AJ must have crawled into the river.

"Kenny, we have to go!" Matt shouted.

Cursing, he holstered his gun. He scanned the turbulent surface of the water, but there was no sign of their former leader. "Drown then, AJ," he muttered to himself, and then raising his voice he called out to the Bullet Club. "Come on, boys, let's ride." Spurs chiming, Kenny ran to AJ's horse and swung up into the saddle. The saddle bags were heavy with their ill-gotten gains. He didn't look back to see if the others were following, he knew they would. He set the pace at a swift gallop, leaving nothing behind but tracks and prairie dust.

TBC