Red Dead Redemption

Undead Nightmare : Salvation

By Lee Homer

Disclaimer: I don't own anything of Red Dead Redemption Undead Nightmare so there's no infringement intended. I would also like to give credit to MindlessDream for the idea of a second outbreak. Very ingenious and it gives Jack a chance to kick zombie butt.

This isn't a crossover although I will be using a character from Red Dead Revolver as the stranger. Reviews will be most welcome as I'd like to know how this story is going.

They say that catastrophes happen when men play god. That was once a theory, now it's a fact.

1914. the undead had been prowling the wilderness for four years ever since the Aztec mask had been stolen by Seth Briars. The skies were dark, the vegetation was dead, mythical and dangerous creatures roamed the wilderness and survivors were becoming obsolete. Things had gone from bad to worse over the years. Towns had become forts, with a handful of survivors to guard the walls and doors. Supplies were low along with ammunition and medicine. Three- quarters of Mexico's population were now, ravenous zombies. The country was in complete turmoil.

There had been no assistance from outside forces, which meant that the survivors were completely on their own. ammunition was now essential as attacks increased throughout the day and the night. New Austin had become a "No Go Zone" as it had become home to the undead hordes. Across the plains of Hennigan's Stead and West Elizabeth, a small number of towns still stood. The army had taken over Blackwater and reinforced it with temporary guard posts. Manzanita Post also had the army to look out for them as the survivor's there were prone to attack from undead animals. Thieves Landing never had assistance as it's population of smugglers and outlaws made a defence line of their own. The only town that seemed to be in need of assistance was MacFarlane's Ranch. the survivors there hadn't had any assistance for weeks and were beginning to run out of supplies. The ranch had suffered repeated attacks from the Undead and they were losing survivors by the hour. The town was on the verge of falling.

Flames engulfed the street, the remaining survivors resorted to the roof tops and the MacFarlane House. The Undead had gone for now, but they would soon be back to finish what they had started. The MacFarlane house had been boarded up from top to bottom. The only access was through the roof window and onto porch roof. Inside, Jack Marston and Bonnie MacFarlane were counting out the remaining ammunition supplies.

Jack couldn't go back to Beecher's Hope because of what happened to his zombified father. He retreated to MacFarlane's Ranch where Bonnie let him stay with her. As he sat there by the naked, dim flame lamp, he remembered the event where he encountered his dead father.

It was outside Beecher's Hope when it happened. Jack was returning to gather supplies when John appeared behind him. frightened and enraged, Jack took his Gun and shot his dead father down. He could remember the look of pain on his father's face. he felt bad and he knew that he had killed a member of the family. Ridden with guilt, he torched the place and fled to MacFarlane's Ranch. he never felt safe since then and as he looked at Bonnie, he could tell that she didn't feel safe either.

"We're going to get through it." he assured her as he placed his hand on her shoulder. "I know there's a way to beat them. there just has to be a way?"

"Don't be too sure Mister Marston." Bonnie sighed as she placed the last chest of ammo onto the table. "We're down to three chests each. We're not going to last out much longer. Where's that damb army and their men?"

"They'll come." Jack replied as he gazed out of the roof window. "They got to come. The ranch can't take much more of this punishment. I wish I knew what was causing all of this?"

"It's a foul act of god is what this is." Bonnie growled as she winced at her aching arms. "He's sent the devil's minions to destroy this country because of it's corruptness and crime. We deserve this but not all of us."

"I don't think it's to do with that." Jack dismissed the religious claim. "There's go to be another explanation to all this foul catastrophe?"

Bonnie didn't want to argue with Jack's scepticism. She resided to her bedroom where she closed and bolted the door from the inside. she then knelt by the side of her bed, bowed her head and began to prey. She needed a miracle and she needed one real soon.

"Oh lord." She mumbled as a tear emerged from her eye. "Please do something for us? We need a miracle. Our precious home can't take much more of this chaotic suffering. Please help us? I know you can hear me up there, God? If you help us then we will be entirely grateful for the rest of our days. Amen."

Jack heard the prayer from outside the door. he wanted to stay strong for her but he couldn't deny his beliefs. He didn't believe in God and he didn't believe that it was all religious. All he knew was that they needed help and soon. The door clicked and Bonnie emerged, displaying reddish eyes. She had been crying and made sure that she show it to anyone else.

"It's alright to be scared Miss MacFarlane." Jack said as he hugged her. "You're doing the best you can here. As long as we stay here, then we're safe."

Bonnie just nodded in agreement. As she looked up at him she wiped her eyes and returned to her duties. She ignored Jack for a few minutes as she tried to pull herself together. the undead could be heard over the horizon as their demonic, disembodied cries sent chills down the survivors spines. Everyone believed that the Army had left them to die. Bonnie sighed as she knew that there would be no miracle, but what she didn't know was that her prayers had been answered.

A figure appeared from within the dark, eerie horizon. It was riding steadily in from Cholla Springs and it appeared to be heading toward the ranch. as the figure appeared into the dimly lit street fires, it's features became more clearer, but the mount appeared to be more mysterious than the rider. Jack stared down at the rider and narrowed his eyes as he fixed them on the horse. It was a horse that rung a bell in his mind. the horse had flames trailing from his legs, tail and torso and it's skin was a deathly black with an orange glow emanating off it.

"Miss MacFarlane." Jack gestured. "Take a look at this?"

Bonnie walked over the window to see what was going on. As she looked at the rider, her eyes widended in disbelief as she knew where the horse had come from.

"Oh my god." She gasped. "That's one of the four horses of the apocalypse. The strongest horses of the spiritual world."

"I don't understand?" Jack replied confusingly.

"Pa told me once that when first infection took place, the devil summoned the four horses of the apocalypse to roam the land and kill everything that stood in their way. There were four horses with distinctive names. War, Pestilence, Famine and Death. War was the horse engulfed in flames. Pestilence is a pale horse with immense speed, Famine is a smaller horse that attracts locusts and Death is an invincible monster that kills anything in it's path. That horse down there is War."

"Then who's the rider?" Jack asked as he looked at the mysterious man. "I haven't seen him around here before?"

"Well isn't that your job to find out Mister Marston?" Bonnie replied sarcastically. "You go on down. I'll finish up here."

Jack nodded in agreement and headed for the exit window. As he stepped out onto the roof, he made he towards the small wooden ladder in which he made for emergency's. climbing down the ladder, he leaped for the porch roof which was level with him and landed on his knees rolling as he went. He looked down at the street and jumped again landing on a hey stack. He was now street level.

Walking over towards the rider, he made an evaluation of the rider. The rider wore a blue- grey cowboy hat along with a dark blue bounty hunter jacket. A white fur stripe ran down the crease, meeting the brown cufflinks. He wore grey trousers that covered matching cowboy boots and were caked in dust. His torso was covered in two bandoliers that stretched across his shoulders. he was armed with two odd- looking revolver pistols and a repeater rifle sat on his back. Jack then looked at the strangers face. he had brown beard that linked up to his sideburns with three scars cutting through each cheek. His eyes were in an angry expression and were trained on Jack. His mouth was grinding up chewing tobacco as the stranger spat the black residue on the ground.

"Can I help you mister?" Jack asked as he fixed his gaze on the stranger.

The stranger dismounted his horse and tilted his hat in a friendly gesture. Jack couldn't tell if he was going to be trouble or not and kept his hand hovering over his revolver. The stranger noted Jack's nervous position and approached the young rancher in a friendlier fashion.

"It's okay friend." He said as he raised his arms. "I don't bite and I certainly don't wish to kill anyone at a time like this."

"Who are you?" Jack asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Who I am isn't important." The stranger replied. "Why I'm here is. You see, I'm here to see Miss Bonnie MacFarlane."

"I see." Jack said, easing his gaze slightly. "And how do you know miss MacFarlane?"

"Let's just say that I'm the answer to her prayers." The stranger replied as he stood in the same position without flinching. "This is MacFarlane's Ranch isn't it?"

"What's left of it." Jack confirmed. "What do you mean "your Answer to her prayers?"

"Look lets go inside and I'll explain why I'm here." The stranger suggested as he gestured towards the house "But first you've got to relax mister?"

"Marston." Jack replied. "Jack Marston and forgive me for being so edgy but we can't exactly trust anyone these days because of what's going on."

"I understand that Mister Marston." The stranger replied. "But if I was a thief or a criminal then I wouldn't have bothered to talk to you. I would've killed you on sight."

"Hmm, Okay then follow me." Jack said cautiously gesturing the man to follow him into the house. "We have climb up to roof. It's the only secure entrance into the house."

"Smart idea." The stranger replied as he climbed up the porch and towards the ladder. "Look, mister Marston. I apologise if I can't introduce myself but believe when I tell you that you wont understand."

"Oh I understand alright, Mister." Jack replied as he climbed in through the window. "You just need to explain it to Miss MacFarlane."

Bonnie seemed to be more welcoming than Jack as she watched the stranger climb in through the window. She had that feeling that he was there to help them and decided to exploit that feeling.

"Miss MacFarlane, I'm sorry to barge in here at a time like this." The stranger said as he removed his hat in a polite gesture. "But I've come here to offer help to the ranch."

"Who are you mister?" Bonnie asked as she pulled up a chair. "We haven't seen you around here before?"

"It think it's best that you never know my name, simply because you'll wont understand if I was to tell you." The stranger replied. "I'm here to help you save your town as well as the country."

"How?" Jack grunted. "How do you intend to do that?"

"You mean; "how do we intend to do that?" the stranger corrected. "I've been looking for you as well, Jack Marston. I need a man like you to help me in a mission of God."

"Mission of God?" Bonnie said suspiciously. "Are you a preacher?"

"No Ma'am. I'm no preacher." The stranger nodded. " but I know how to put an end to the undead plague. I just need your help in it."

"You know how to put a stop to all of this? You must be crazy!" Jack snarled.

"If you think so?" the stranger replied as his expression changed to an angry frown. "But the plague isn't caused by what you think it is. It isn't warfare, it isn't the devils minions. It's all to do with one man. a sleuth as a matter of fact. You see the first undead wave was caused when an ancient Aztec Mask was stolen from the rebel known as Abraham Reyes. It caused the dead to rise from the grave and all animals of the mystic plain began to roam the wilderness. Your father, John Marston had to kill Reyes and return the mask to it's resting place, in order to restore the balance of life."

"My father did that?" Jack's eyes widened.

"He sure did." the stranger answered. "After that everything was restored to normal for the next few months, but the chamber which housed the Aztec mask was still open. On the night of the second plague, a sleuth known as Seth Briars entered the chamber and took the mask. Now wherever he goes, the dead will rise with him. your father was originally resurrected from his grave to find Seth and return the mask before he could fully rest In peace, but you killed him out of fear and anger. Now the burden is down to us,"

"How do you know all this?"

"I told you. you wouldn't be able to understand. What I can tell you is that in order to restore the world as we know It, we need to find Seth, return the mask and destroy the chamber that it came from."

"Where is the chamber?" Bonnie asked.

"it's deep underneath the villa at Escalera. It had been boarded up after the first plague, but Seth had found a way to tear it apart again. Now he could be anywhere with that mask."

"The only way we could possibly find him is by finding out his scruffy, lowlife accomplices." Jack said as he clicked his finger. "They usually hide out down in Armadillo.

" but the place is in a dangerous area. The army declared it unsafe." Bonnie added.

"Cholla springs isn't as bad as the army make it out to be." The stranger pointed out. "The towns there are still fully guarded. They're exactly in the same position as you are. The army can't get to them, but we can."

"You seem to be forgetting something." Jack returned the point. "I don't have a horse."

"Oh really?" the stranger replied as he pointed towards the window. "Take a look outside?"

Jack stared down at the street and was astonished at what he saw. Another horse miraculously appeared next to the strangers war horse. It was white and black and a grey, ghostly mist loomed underneath it. the stranger appeared behind Jack and said;

"I give you death. one of the four horses of the apocalypse. He's invincible, fast and tough. He's your mount now."

Jack's jaw dropped. "How did this just happen? How did that horse get there?"

"That doesn't matter." The stranger replied. "Right now, we must get moving. We can get supplies from Armadillo when we arrive."

The general store had been ransacked of it's stock as desperate ranchers had smashed the windows and looted everything they needed in order for them to survive. Now, it looked like a mess as shattered glass lay scattered across the road, flames engulfed the porch the roof itself was charcoal black. Inside the store, the injured clerk was crouched behind the counter, clutching a rifle in fear. He had experienced enough and his fear level began to rise when he heard the sound of boots entering the room. His limbs were shaking and his breath was panting. One sudden movement would result in pain as the looters injured him during the raid. He just wished he could die.

"Is anybody here?" came a voice from within the doorway. "It's okay. I'm not a looter. I'm just a man willing to pay for some supplies."

"D-Don't come any closer." The clerk trembled as he peered his head over the counter top, brandishing his gun. "This store is closed. Y'hear?"

The stranger stepped back a little as he didn't want to spook the clerk. Raising his hands slowly in the air, he slowly began to approach the counter, choosing the right words to say in the process.

"Sir, it's alright, I'm not a looter. Please put the gun down?" he said calmly.

"How do I know that?" the clerk barked as his gun rattled. "How do I know that you don't plan to feed me to those monsters out there? How do I know that you don't plan to shoot me and take my ammo!"

"Sir calm down. Does I look like I'm going to kill you?" the stranger replied. "Am I holding a gun? No. so just put the gun down and relax. The looters are gone now. I'm just looking for some food, water and ammunition. I'm even willing to pay for it."

"O- 0kay mister." The clerk said as he slowly lowered his rifle. "But any sudden moves, and your brains will be all over the wall."

The stranger nodded as the clerk rose up to his feet and brushed the dust off his piny. The stranger made note of the clerk's injuries and tried to find a way of calming him down. He understood why the man was suffering from shock and anger. Desperate and cowardly men did this to him and the stranger despised cold blooded cowards.

"Gee I am sorry to hear about your ordeal sir. I hate cowardly men like that. They'll die before the rest of us I can tell you that." He said. "I can always help you with those cut's if you wish?"

"No that's quite alright mister." The clerk replied as he searched the shelves for stock. "I apologise for pulling a gin on you like that. What is it you'd like? I have some food over in the store room?"

"I just need two crates of revolver shells, three crates of repeater shells, a crate of dynamite, a pound of beef jerky and half a pound of bacon, my good man." the stranger replied as leaned up against the counter.

The clerk searched the dark and musty store room, where he found the supplies that the stranger needed. Piling the crates, he carried them out to stranger and mopped the sweat off of his face. the stranger then studies the content of the boxes to see if supplies were adequate. Satisfied, he then pulled out a small was of cash from his pocket and paid the man.

"Here you go." He said as he slapped the money into the clerks hand. "This for the store and this is for you."

"Thanks mister." The clerk smiled as placed the notes under his piny. "You're lucky. These shells were exported from Armadillo. The sheriff use to use them."

"Then they'll do." The stranger replied as he tilted his cap and headed for the exit. "Take care of yourself."

Watching from the porch of the MacFarlane house, Jack pondered over the stranger's claims. He wasn't too sure whether if he was to trust the guy or not. How did he know so much about the first outbreak and his father? He certainly wasn't a face that he had seen before and he knew everyone in New Austin. He didn't want to be distracted by the thoughts, but he couldn't ignore the fact that this guy could be a fraud. Bonnie sat on the steps next to him. she wanted to wish him good bye as it was the first time that she would be left alone to attend the ranch. she hugged Jack and kissed him on the cheek. She was scared to loose to him as he was like a younger brother to her.

"Promise me you'll come back safe?" she said as she released Jack from her arms.

"I will miss MacFarlane, I promise you that." Jack replied. "Besides, I'm a Marston."

Once the stranger had finished packing the supplies on his horse, he signalled Jack to join him. he was ready to leave. Jack reluctantly walked towards the Death horse and waited for the stranger to mount his horse. Somehow, the stranger sensed Jack's uneasiness.

"You don't trust me do you?" he said as he looked down at the young Marston. "I understand. I would feel the same way if I was in your boots."

"I want to know how you know so much about the last breakout." Jack replied. "I also want to know how you know about my father?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you, boy." The stranger mumbled as he positioned himself comfortably on his saddle. "But it might become clear to you along the way."

"Just tell me?" Jack growled. He had had enough of the riddles. "I'll believe you. I see and hear weird stuff all the time."

The stranger looked down at the ground and sighed. He was going to have to tell him sometime. "Alright, mister Marston. I am what's called a guardian rider. I have been sent from the heavens to help clear this mess of a country. I can't tell you my name, but Miss MacFarlane prayed for help and I answered it."

"Okay." Jack acknowledged with a confused look on his face. "I don't believe a single word of that?"

"Well before I died, I was once the Brimstone champion." The stranger silently added. "I won the mother of all shooting competitions. When I died, only the body decayed, but my soul was resurrected to become a guardian rider and here I am today. You don't have to believe me, but you must trust me if you're ever going to live the rest of your life in harmony."

"You're right, Mister." Jack replied as he mounted his horse. "I'll hide my scepticism until we put a stop to this."

"That's what I like to hear." The stranger smiled as the two men headed towards Armadillo. With a huge tug at the reigns, the two men galloped out of the ranch and headed into the dead stricken fields of Hennigan's stead. The undead moaned and growled as they possessed the fields and smaller ranches. Some of the blocked the roads which meant that the stranger and Jack had to plough their horses right through them. Bat's squealed in the sky and undead animals prowled on the living animals.

Armadillo appeared in the desert below them as dimly lit light the size of a star. It was a deceiving ride as the road didn't look as terrifying from where the two men were. However, the undead lurked from around the corner and even the short ride to Armadillo was going to prove a challenge.

To be continued in chapter two real, real soon. Please read and review this one so I know if I got off to a good start.