Chapter Text
"Why do we have to break him out?" Phinks moved over to his shorter boss with his arms folded, the spurs on his boots clinking as he walked. Chrollo glanced over his shoulder after adjusting the saddle on his blue roan horse, turning to face him slowly.
"Because he's my friend, Phinks. He's a moron but I won't leave him behind." He said before moving over to the campfire where everyone else had gathered, each finishing up the last bites of their scavenged meal. "Come on everyone, we're on a very tight schedule this morning." Chrollo called as he watched them all for a moment before turning back towards his horse and swinging up into the saddle. He clenched his jaw in annoyance as they all started moving at their own pace, clicking his tongue impatiently as he turned his horse, urging him into a quick gallop. He could hear the others shouting after him as he got further and further away; the sun began to peek over the mountains, the horse’s heavy breathing and the pounding of hooves the only thing he could hear now.
He stood himself up in the stirrups as he surged forward faster, clenching the reins tighter in one hand and resting it on his left thigh. As the sun rose higher over the mountains, it started to get warmer, if only by a little. The horse huffed in exertion, the sun steaming in the sweat glistening on his dark coat. He couldn't help but smile softly, glancing down at his companion. With a gentle tug to the reins, they slowed down into a considerate trot.
"Sorry, Malik. You alright?" he asked as they came to a stop on a small ledge and gazed over bare desert, already a heat wave covering the majority of the land below. Malik huffed again and chewed on his bit as he breathed deeply, his ears perking as he looked ahead. Chrollo leaned forward to pat soothingly along his neck, glancing around for any sign of trouble. He watched the dark lines further out that made up the railroad tracks, waiting for the train silently as he sighed, resting his free hand on the horn of his saddle.
When he heard the whistle blow and the loud roaring engine, he looked to his left, seeing the large and quickly approaching train. He took a deep breath, glancing back over his shoulder to see if his gang had finally caught up to him. There was no sign of them, turning around to face forward and urged Malik to the nearest slope to get down, standing up again to make it easier on him as he stepped down carefully.
As soon as he was off the slope, he shouted loudly and tightened his grip on the reins. Malik huffed before practically shooting forward, going at top speed within seconds. The speed caused Chrollo's eyes to water and his duster to glide behind him with his movements, his free hand going up to keep his hat on his head. He steered him closer to the train as they caught up to it, keeping alongside it so he could look inside. He met the eyes of a young boy, startling him and leaned back from the window. He urged Malik faster and passed the window as the boy turned to his mother, tugging on her sleeve. He glanced over everyone in the cart as he passed before looking to the darker cart with no windows and a locked door. He grit his teeth as he got closer, reaching his left arm out for the rail. As soon as his fingers brushed it, he threw himself off of Malik and gripped the bar tightly, hitting the door with a low groan and straightened up.
Malik kept up his speed, waiting for his riders orders, huffing and snorting. Chrollo turned to look at his horse, waving a hand and Malik started to slow down, eventually disappearing from his line of sight. He turned back to the door, looking it up and down as he adjusted his hat.
He looked at the lock, kneeling on one knee so he was eye-level with it as he pushed his coat aside to reach into a leather pouch attached to his holster, pulling two thin metal prongs out. He carefully inserted both into the small slot, turning and tweaking them carefully until he heard a faint click. Keeping the one hand still, his other continued to move slowly until he heard a louder click and the lock fell open.
Chrollo stood and put the tools back into his pouch, pulling the lock from the door and tossed it aside before pushing the door open. He stepped into the dark cart, the only light coming from the open door that he closed behind him, making the cart darken once again. He glanced around when his eyes stopped on a figure leaned against the furthest wall, moving a hand to his pistol out of habit. He stepped closer until he was standing above them, tilting his head slightly.
"So, what are you in for?" he asked, moving his hand from his holster to his hip. The man in front of him was motionless until he lifted his head slightly, a mischievous smirk the only thing visible from under the brim of his hat. A cuffed hand then moved up, a slim finger pushing up from underneath it to meet his eyes, gold bearing into slate grey.
"Showed the mayor a magic trick. Didn't take too kindly to it." The tone in his voice was playful and carefree in a way. Chrollo then folded his arms, putting his weight on one leg as he raised an eyebrow.
"What was the trick?" He asked, suddenly curious. The man chuckled and straightened up enough so he could see him better, humming under his breath.
"I asked him to swallow a lead bullet for me and told him that another would appear in my pistol." He explained.
"Did it work?" The man's smirk widened, nodding slightly.
"Oh yeah. But then that one disappeared between his eyes." Chrollo couldn't help but smile, chuckling softly and shook his head.
"You and your magic tricks, Hisoka." He said as he knelt down in front of him, reaching for his tools again. Hisoka hummed and held his hands up for him with the same smirk.
"What can I say? I love the attention." He admitted softly with a wink when Chrollo met his eyes, making him roll them and pull his hands closer. Hisoka watched as his hands worked on unlocking the cuffs, humming in contentment when they loosened around his wrists. Chrollo pulled them off and tucked his tools away, tossing the cuffs to the side and stood up.
"Alright, let’s get going." Chrollo said as he looked to the door then to a larger one opposite the two. He moved over to it, undoing the latch and slid it open. A gust of wind blew past him and kicked up some straw in the cart, moving his hand up quickly to hold his hat down. He leaned out and put his thumb and index finger into his mouth before blowing, a loud whistle echoing throughout the canyon they were in.
Hisoka stood up and stretched, groaning under his breath as he practically loomed behind the raven haired male, readjusting his hat. Chrollo smiled slightly as he saw Malik gallop between the canyon wall and the train to get up to his rider before turning to Hisoka. "Sorry I couldn't bring your horse. I had to get here in time." He said as he stood aside. Hisoka only smiled and waved a hand, stepping closer to him.
"I never minded riding double with you, boss." He said, saying the last bit almost mockingly. Chrollo frowned and opened his mouth to retort when he heard the door slam open behind him. He turned quickly to see a shorter blonde boy, pointing a shotgun right at them both. Panic moved him, shoving Hisoka out of the train and onto Malik's back. Hisoka's breath hitched as he was pushed out, maneuvering himself the best he could so he would land in the saddle, grabbing the reins. Malik huffed and whinnied when Hisoka landed on him, throwing his head back in discontent as he continued to gallop alongside the train.
Chrollo moved to jump out when there was gunfire, the shot hitting his right arm and the blast causing some debris to hit his face. He groaned in pain, falling to the floor and holding his arm with his good hand. His eyes met with Hisoka's as he laid there, propping himself up the best he could and grit his teeth tightly through the pain that shot up through his arm.
"Ride out!" he shouted at him before looking up at the boy as he moved to the open door. Hisoka watched as the barrel came into view then looked down at Chrollo who continued to shout at him to leave, looking ahead as the canyon ended. As soon as he was able, he turned Malik quickly so they weren't trapped between the train and the canyon anymore, urging him away from the train quickly and cursing under his breath.
"Dammit!" the boy cursed as he watched his prisoner ride off, glaring down at the man he previously shot, his gun pointed to his head. His glare softened slightly before he scoffed and smirked lightly. "Who would've thought I'd catch you, releasing one of your gang members." He spat, moving closer to press the barrel to the side of his head.
Chrollo groaned softly from the heat of it pressed firmly to his skin, feeling a burn begin to form there. His hand shakily moved for his pistol, wincing under his breath. The boy noticed and turned the shotgun to hit him hard in the face with the butt of it, pulling the pistol from the holster and pointed the barrel at his head again. Chrollo gasped, pain blossoming all around his face as he coughed and turned his head away. He could feel warm liquid drip from his mouth and nose, the taste of iron heavy on his tongue. He turned his head towards the boy again, glowering dangerously up at him. "I'd say I landed big cash with you."