Ever since "The Young Riders" was taken off the air after only 68 episodes, fans all over the world have been dreaming up stories about their favourite mail carriers. This section will present some of those stories.
If anyone has any material to contribute to this page, I'd be honoured to put it up. More than anything, I would love to see some stories focusing on Ike. ;-) Still, any TYR fanfic story, as well as crossovers between TYR and other series, will be most welcome. The stories have to be originals, though.
In addition, I'd also accept stories based on other movies and shows that Travis Fine has appeared in.
Disclaimer: "The Young Riders" was created by Ed Spielman and produced by the Ogiens/Kane Company in association with MGM/UA Television. No infringement on copyright is intended. The stories presented here have been written solely for the entertainment of the fans of the show. Each story is the property of its creator(s). No story or any parts thereof should be copied or downloaded in any way without the prior written consent of the author(s).
Moreover, the book covers are all my own creation, and are not to be posted anywhere else without my permission. However, the authors are welcome to use them to accompany their stories on other sites as well...just give me some credit, please. Thank you.
On that note, I have to express my profound gratitude to all the generous people who let me borrow their screen captures in order to make most of these book covers. So here's to Broedy, Jane, Kathleen, Joanna, Melissa, Ann, Beth G., Cass, and Charla & Shannon!! :-)
Vaya Con Dios, Ike! hereby proudly presents its very first fan fiction contest. Read the entries and find out who the winner is!
The Stories
*** indicates finished story
| Ike's young son is playing match maker.
*** A LESSON OF LOVE by Kristin
Short Story | |
 | Lost in a heavy snow storm, Ike might not have survived had it not been for a beam of light on the horizon and a strange foursome...
*** BLEAK MIDWINTER by Miss Raye
Short Story | 
2001 Nominee
* Short Story |
 | Ike reminisces about his past from that fateful day up to his
employment with the Pony Express.
*** EXPLODING IN SILENCE by Kellie
Short Story | |
| Ike is about to settle down with a family on his own.
*** ALTERED PRESENCE by Waitstill Baxter
Part 1 | Part 2 | |
 | Even an ordinary ride can sometimes turn into something special.
*** AN AFTERNOON'S PASSING by Aimee
Short Story | |
 | Cody is smitten with the new lady in town. When the woman's estranged husband suddenly shows up, trouble is near...for her as well as for Cody.
*** THE ROAD TO FREEDOM by Amy Keefer
Short Story |
2001 Nominee
* Short Story |
 | The riders have all gone to the Christmas dance in town...well, all except one.
*** ONE SILENT NIGHT by Jill D.
Short Story |
2000 Nominee
* Short Story
2003 Nominee
* Lifetime Achievement Award |
 | Lou is taken hostage by some bankrobbers. Later, she has an accident and loses her memory. Will she ever get it back? And will Sam, Teaspoon, and the riders be able to save her from her captors?
*** THE HOSTAGE by Amy Keefer
Short Story | |
 | Arriving in Sweetwater on the westbound stage are seventeen-year-old Rebekah McLaughlin and her six small siblings. After their father's recent passing, they are all alone in the world. Now, how would they get by, if not with some help from Ike and his friends.
SEASONS by Jill D.
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | |
 | Since the day of Ike's death, a dark cloud of misfortune has hung over Buck and the other Riders. Buck, troubled by his friend's death, has seen a vision of a man in black. As the riders are hurt one after another, can Buck stop it before someone else is killed?
*** A DARK SOUL SET FREE by Miss Raye
Short Story |
2000 Nominee
* Best Title
* Storyline with Most Suspense
* Short Story
2000 Winner
* Storyline with Most Suspense |
 | While on a run, Ike is taken captive by a gang of outlaws. After making a narrow escape, he is determined to get the ultimate revenge. Will he succeed, or will his friends be able to convince him otherwise?
*** IKE'S REVENGE by Amy Keefer
Short Story | |
 | As Ike and Buck are about to embark on the biggest adventure of their lives, Ike takes a quiet moment to reminisce about his past.
*** A TIME TO SAY GOOD-BYE by Mary
Short Story |
2000 Nominee
* Short Story
* Visual Effect (book cover) |
 | What if Ike had been the one left standing after that fatal bullet exchange with Neville? This is an alternative ending to 'The Presence of Mine Enemies'.
*** ONE AFTERNOON IN ROCK CREEK by Sherri
Short Story | |
 | Buck and Ike are best friends and as close as brothers. At one point, they make a promise to always look out for each other no matter what. After Ike is dead, Buck must find a way to cope with the loss. Can he possibly do that? And will Ike still be able to make good on his promise? Find out in this utterly heartbreaking, yet also hopeful tale. (Warning: Sensitive people might find one of the scenes in this story somewhat disturbing.)
*** THE PACT by Mary
Short Story |
2000 Nominee
* Short Story
2003 Nominee
* Tear-jerker |
| Teaspoon asks Ike to team up with an old friend of his for a secret mission. Now, who is this friend, and what is the mission about?
SEPARATE WAYS by Rhiannon
Part 1 | Part 2 | |
| When a mysterious woman arrives on the westbound stagecoach, she causes Buck to consider troubled moments from his past. Will it be too much for Buck and will her presence in Sweetwater come between him and Ike?
*** A QUESTION OF COLOR by Melanie
Short story | |
 | Ike tells the story about how he and Emily met and fell in love.
*** THE DAY I DIED: THE STORY OF IKE McSWAIN by Dayna Caldwell
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 |
2004 Nominee
* Endearment
2004 Winner
* Endearment |
| A few of the riders are a day late and Ike starts to worry. Reluctantly, Teaspoon agrees to let him go search for his friends.
SILENT SAVIOUR by Suzy
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | |
 | Ever wondered what happened to Ike and Buck before they joined the Pony Express? When Ike falls in love with the daughter of the rancher he and Buck work for, it might lead to serious consequences for the people involved. This is the backstory to THE LOCKET on Kirsten's The Young Riders Saddlin' Station.
*** A FATHER'S WRATH by Allison K. East
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | |
 | Christmas time brings back memories...lots of memories.
*** THE MOST PRECIOUS GIFT by Kristin
Short story | |
 | About a year has passed since the Pony Express closed down. Follow the lives of the people remaining in Rock Creek, Nebraska.
LIVES LIVED by Kristin
Chapters 1-3 | Chapter 4 | |
Drop by Welcome to Sweetwater and read Kathy's beautiful story about how Ike lost his ability to speak: IN THE SILENCE (1999 AYRF Nominee in the category Short Story).
You may also want to visit The Young Riders Back in Business and read Gizmo's TEN LITTLE INDIANS, a story in which Ike is one of the central characters (1999 AYRF Winner in the category Most Wanted).
What if we could rewrite the ending of The Presence of Mine Enemies? What would you have liked to have happened? I assume that most of you would want Ike to make it. Now, let's say that he did. Do you think that he could have had a future with Emily? If so, what do you think they would do? Where would they go? If not, what happened? Why didn't it work? What drove them apart? Maybe we could write our own version of the story. Let's see some action here guys!! ;-)
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