Advent Of A Gunslinger

The dragoness led the gunslinger and his sister to the recently erected City Hall of Klugetown. Straight ahead in the central office, Mio was busy delegating jobs to several Abyssinians who had been assigned to work with him.

“...You make sure the food is still fresh, you go keep tabs on the shops, and you let me know if I’ve missed anything--and someone please get me a sardine-flavored coffee--I’m swamped here--”

As the other catfolk left the room, Spitha approached Mio and patted him on the head, causing the tom to purr and nuzzle into her claw instinctively.

“...Is my little man well?” Spitha asked, “Do you need a break?”

“Rrrrr…” he flicked his tail and replied, “No no…I’m simply working as hard as I can to ensure the opening for the city is going well. I just hope the invitations that I’ve sent out have found the rest of our friends.”

“Well…” Spitha stood aside which allowed Mio to see Axel and Fleche. “Looks like some of them have already arrived, hun.”

“Helloo,” Axel said with a snap of his finger-claws.

“How are ye?” Fleche added with a wide grin on her face.

“Ah! It’s one of the Hundred Heroes,” Mio approached them both and shook their claw/hoof with each of his paws. “Glad to have you here, Axel. And I hope you’re doing well, Fleche.”

“Eh?” Fleche tilted her head, “Hundred wot-now?”

Axel rolled his eyes with a small smile on his face. “Must be some kinda legend spun about us to make us sound better. But last I checked, there weren’t no hundred of us.”

Mio let them go and shrugged his shoulders. “I suppose they’re accounting for all of us, Celaeno’s crew, and the various armed forces that the Abyssinian King and Queen mobilized in our efforts to stop slavery. The rumors simply rounded it up to a hundred or so. But…that’s neither here nor there. I’m just glad you were able to make it. This has been my desire ever since I came to this place--to rebuild it and make it suitable for everyone--including ponies.”

“Oi, come to think of it, I do remember seein’ some fellow equines gettin’ off the train with us,” Fleche pointed out. “Think they’re here to see what’s changed?”

“More than that, prolly,” Axel chuckled, “Can’t wait’ta see the look on their faces when they realize this place was fixed up without the help of not nair a single princess.”

“Well I can’t take all the credit,” Mio replied as he straightened out his blue suit. “There were so many of us working together that I can’t imagine getting it done without you.”

Spitha scratched the underside of his chin. “Oh don’t be so modest, dear. You were still the center of it all. The motivation behind our work. In fact, I got back into writing because of you you know.”

“Now that sounds interestin’,” Axel spoke up, “I’d like’ta purchase one’a yer books one day. Ain’t never read somethin’ made by no dragon before.”

Fleche nudged him with her hoof. “Ey. Don’t be rude to the lady’s kind.”

“It’s quite alright,” Spitha shook her head, “In truth, not too many dragons are authors, so I figured it would be a good thing to branch out into. After all, someone needs to document our culture, lest it get lost. There’s no telling what direction the dragons are headed in if people like Rongu remain around and actually sully my kin’s reputation.”

“But in the meantime, we’re currently celebrating the opening of my new city,” Mio changed the subject to lighten the mood, “So relax yourselves, you two. You deserve it.”

“‘Preciate ya,” Axel replied, “Hopin’ the others will make it. Wonderin’ how Vido’s doin’ mahself…”

Fleche nodded in agreement, “Ye. That boy’s got a nice head on his shoulders, so I wonder how it’s been for him lately--”

“Well if you do see him, give him my regards,” Mio said as he turned towards his desk, “I’ve got a lot of stuff to deal with.”

“Hun…” Spitha followed him, and waved to Axel and Fleche.

The siblings caught the hint and left the two alone, leaving his office.

“...Oi. Things have really turned around since we last been here haven’t they?” Fleche asked her brother.

“Yup. Surprised you were so eager on comin’ along though. Thought you woulda been…afraid of comin’ back out here,” he explained calmly.

“Are ye kiddin’? We’ve made so many new friends that I couldn’t possibly turn down an invitation! I’m glad I came because I get’ta meet ‘em on much better terms that aren’t life or death situations.” She nudged him with a smug grin. “...and maybe find myself a nice guy or gal to settle down with, eh?”

“...You know we ain’t good at courtship. Ain’t in our family nature,” Axel shook his head with a chuckle, “But if you wanna try yer hoof at it. Fine by me. I’m gonna go see if they have any kinda clown or mime shows goin’ on…”

But just then, they were interrupted by a familiar voice….

“EY! QUE PASA HOMBRES!”