The Life and Legacy of Dallas Leslie: The Man in the Straw Hat
Part 1: Leaving the Farm
After the tragic death of his father at the hands of bounty hunters, Dallas Leslie stood in the corner of the barn, clutching the worn straw hat that had belonged to his father. The hat, a symbol of his father's love and resilience, sat heavy in his hands as he read the letter his father had left behind. In it, his father detailed his hidden past as a wanted criminal and expressed his deep hope that Dallas would forge his own path, free from the shadows of his father's life.
With a heavy heart, Dallas packed a few belongings, placed the hat on his head, and set out from the farm that had been his home. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the fields he had once tended with his father. As he walked away, he vowed to honor his father's memory by living a life of courage and integrity.
Part 2: The Early Days
Dallas's journey was difficult at first. He wandered from town to town, doing odd jobs to make ends meet. He worked as a ranch hand, a blacksmith's apprentice, and even tried his hand at prospecting for gold. Despite the hardships, he never forgot his father's lessons or the values he had instilled in him.
During this time, Dallas honed his skills with a gun. He practiced relentlessly, driven by the memory of his father's death and the need to protect himself in a world that could be brutally unforgiving. His reputation as a skilled marksman began to spread, and he earned the moniker "The Man in the Straw Hat" due to his distinctive headwear.
Part 3: The Turning Point
Dallas's life took a significant turn when he found himself in a small, lawless town on the edge of the frontier. The town was plagued by a gang of ruthless outlaws who extorted money from the townsfolk and ruled through fear. Dallas, witnessing the suffering of the innocent, felt a fire ignite within him.
One fateful evening, as the outlaws attempted to rob the local saloon, Dallas stepped in. With quick reflexes and deadly precision, he disarmed the gang leader and held the rest at bay. The townsfolk, emboldened by Dallas's bravery, rallied behind him and drove the outlaws out of town.
This act of heroism marked the beginning of Dallas's journey as a gunslinger. He became known for his sense of justice and his willingness to stand up for those who couldn't defend themselves. However, his actions also attracted the attention of other outlaws and bounty hunters who sought to challenge his growing reputation.
Part 4: Meeting Jim Boy Calloway
Dallas's reputation eventually led him to cross paths with Jim Boy Calloway, a notorious gunslinger who was compiling stories of the West's greatest gunmen. Intrigued by Dallas's exploits, Calloway sought him out for an interview.
The meeting was tense, as Calloway's reputation was well-known to Dallas. However, Calloway saw potential in Dallas and, rather than a confrontation, the two exchanged stories over a campfire. Calloway recognized in Dallas a rare combination of skill, integrity, and a sense of justice that set him apart from other gunslingers.
Part 5: A Tip for the Future
Before parting ways, Calloway gave Dallas a piece of advice: "There's a gang out there, led by a man named Dutch Van der Linde. They're unusual, not just outlaws but dreamers. There's a man in that gang named Arthur Morgan. If you ever meet him, you might find more than just an ally—you might find a cause worth fighting for."
Dallas nodded, taking Calloway's words to heart. He continued his journey, his path now more defined by a sense of purpose. He sought out the Van der Linde gang, driven by a desire to find a place where his skills and values could make a real difference.
Part 6: The Encounter with Arthur
Dallas finally tracked down the Van der Linde gang's camp. As he approached, he remembered Calloway's advice and prepared himself for the unexpected. When he arrived, he found the gang unusually welcoming, a testament to Arthur's influence.
Arthur Morgan greeted him with a firm handshake and a warm smile. "We heard about you, Dallas. The Man in the Straw Hat. Welcome to the Van der Linde gang."
Dallas felt a sense of belonging he hadn't experienced since leaving the farm. As he settled into the camp, he shared stories with Arthur and the others, finding kindred spirits among the outlaws and dreamers. He knew that he had found more than just a gang—he had found a family, bound by a shared vision of justice and freedom.
Part 7: The Final Moments
Years later, as the Van der Linde gang began to crumble, Dallas found himself once again at Arthur's side. This time, it was on the snowy slopes of Mount Hagen. The echoes of gunfire and shouts filled the cold mountain air. Arthur Morgan, gravely weakened by tuberculosis, fought valiantly but knew his time was running out.
As Dallas searched for Arthur amidst the chaos, he saw his friend slumped against a boulder, breath coming in ragged gasps. Dallas hurried over, his heart heavy with worry.
"Arthur!" Dallas called out, kneeling beside the fallen gunslinger.
Arthur looked up, his eyes filled with a mixture of pain and relief. "Dallas... you found me," he whispered, his voice weak but steady.
Dallas adjusted Arthur's position to make him more comfortable. "I'm here, Arthur. Just rest."
Arthur managed a faint smile. "I don't have much time left, Dallas. But I'm glad you're here. There's something about seeing a friend... makes it easier."
Dallas's eyes softened with sadness. "I'm here with you, Arthur. You ain't alone."
They exchanged stories, reminiscing about their adventures and the bond they had formed. As Arthur's strength waned, he looked up at Dallas, his expression earnest. "Dallas, there's something I need you to do for me."
"Anything, Arthur," Dallas replied.
Arthur took a deep breath, his gaze unwavering. "When you find John... tell him I said hello. Tell him to take care of his family. And tell him... tell him I tried."
Dallas's eyes filled with tears, but he nodded firmly. "I promise, Arthur. I'll tell him."
Arthur managed one last, faint smile. "Thank you, Dallas. You've been a good friend."
With those final words, Arthur's eyes closed, and his breathing slowed until it stopped altogether. Dallas sat with him for a long moment, the weight of his promise heavy on his heart.
Gently, Dallas placed his father's straw hat on Arthur's chest, a symbol of their shared legacy and the bond they had formed. Rising to his feet, he looked out over the mountains, the snow falling silently around him.
Part 8: Meeting John
Dallas kept his promise. He found John Marston and delivered Arthur's message. John was deeply moved, and the bond between the two men grew stronger. They continued to fight for justice, honoring Arthur's memory in every step they took.
Part 9: Vengeance
Years later, Dallas learned that Micah Bell was responsible for Arthur's death. His heart burned with vengeance as he made his way to Mount Hagen, where Micah had taken refuge. The climb was treacherous, but Dallas's resolve never wavered.
Reaching the summit, Dallas saw a confrontation between Dutch, John, and Micah. As Dutch shot Micah, Dallas moved swiftly, delivering the final, fatal blow with his customized Double Action Revolver. The treacherous outlaw crumpled to the ground, his eyes wide with shock and fear.
Dutch and John turned to see Dallas standing there, his revolver still smoking. Dallas approached Micah's corpse, his expression hard and unyielding. He looked at John, then at Dutch, and finally down at Micah.
"That was for Arthur, you son of a bitch," Dallas spat, his voice filled with venom. He then spat on Micah's lifeless body, the final act of contempt for the man who had betrayed them all.
Dallas knelt and retrieved Micah's revolver, replacing his own worn Double Action with it. "People say Micah's hits harder than the normal Double-Action. Also looks cooler," he remarked, a grim smile playing on his lips. He cleaned the revolver with gun oil and holstered it.
He turned to John, his expression softening. "Arthur told me to say hello," he said. "He wanted you to know he tried, and he wanted you to take care of your family."
John nodded, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Thank you, Dallas. For everything."
Part 10: A New Beginning
With Micah dead and justice served, Dallas felt a sense of closure. He had avenged Arthur and ensured that John and his family could finally find peace. As he rode down the mountain alongside John, he felt the weight of the past lift from his shoulders.
Dallas knew that his journey was far from over, but he faced the future with a renewed sense of purpose. He had honored his father's memory, upheld Arthur's values, and found a new family in John and those he had come to care for.
And as the sun set on the snowy peaks of Mount Hagen, Dallas Leslie, The Man in the Straw Hat, rode into the horizon, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead with courage, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to justice.
Part 11: Meeting Jack Marston
Long after he learned of John’s death, Dallas Leslie’s heart was once again filled with vengeance. He learned that Agent Edgar Ross was to blame for John’s demise. Dallas learned that Jack, John’s son, was also going to avenge his father. He wasn’t slow to learn that Jack would easily be killed by Ross due to the latter having more training.
He quickly ran over to where the shootout was, and he saw Edgar draw first, shooting Jack’s gun out of his hand and shifting his aim towards his head. However, Dallas had a Cattleman Revolver in his off-hand holster, and shouted at Jack, “Here!”, then threw the gun towards Jack. Jack quickly grabbed the gun mid-air, aimed it at Edgar Ross and pulled the trigger.
Ross, stunned, fell backwards, dead. Jack noticed The Man in the Straw Hat smiling at him.
“Hey,” Jack shouted, pleasantly surprised. “You’re that Gunslinger that was friends with Uncle Arthur and my dad!”
“That’s right,” Dallas shouted back, his straw hat blowing in the wind. “Arthur and your dad were some fine people. I hope you’ll be like them.”
Dallas rode into the distance with his horse, Arthur (named after you know who), as a train came along. Jack, after the train passed, never saw Dallas again.
In this universe, Jack wasn't as well trained, and of course Dallas had to come into SOME events.
