Advent Of A Gunslinger

“Hey, it’s Vido!” Axel cheered as his griffon friend landed in front of them. “And…”

As well as a larger gray-colored griffon female. His mother!

“Mrs. Magpi--”

“Ah! I’m so glad to see that you’re okay!” the large griffon interrupted Axel with a tight hug. “It had been so long since I had seen either of you that I was worried you’d both return to me in body bags!”

Vido cleared his throat and nudged his mother with his elbow. “...Mama. You’re crushing him.”

Gabrillella looked down and noticed that Axel had been coughing up air. “Oh! Sorry about that, dear…” she let him go immediately.

“Agh…it’s fine,” Axel regained his breath, “I’m happy’ta see ya too, ma’am. Been a while, ain’t it?”

“About six months from my account, my dear,” she said with a chuckle as she looked at the mare next to him, “Ah. This must be your sister. Great to meet you.” She leaned forward and whispered. “If you’re looking for a great man, my son might be an option for you~”

Fleche could only manage a giggle as a response.

“Mama…” Vido buried his face in his claws. “Please don’t embarrass me in front of them. It’s only been a few months, but it feels like I’ve known them for years.”

“Ain’t that right?” Axel replied, “You’re like family’ta me now, Vido. Wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Si--indeed,” Vido agreed and took a look around the city’s square. “Though I wonder where the rest of our amigos are. I hope they didn’t forget about today.”

“It’s a reunion,” Axel assured him, “They’ll be here. I know they will.”

In order to spend more time with his friends, Vido decided to provide a distraction for his mother. “Uh…mama, why don’t you go check out some of the food stands. I hear they’re frying fish today. Your favorite!”

Her eyes snapped to one of the food stalls and instantly went wide. “Oh, good idea, mijo! I’ll be back soon!” With that, the griffon lady spread her wings and took off. Whether she caught the hint or simply wanted to sample the local delicacies was anyone’s guess.

“Your mother is heckin’ adorable I must say,” Fleche complimented her, “I see where ye get ye caring desire from, Vido.”

“Yeah I suppose,” he replied with a chuckle as he shook his head, “Mi mama always likes to take care of whoever she comes across. It’s the whole reason she opened the inn near the border.”

“Been meanin’ta stop by,” Axel spoke up, “Beent tryin’ta get my life back in order but I never properly thanked her for givin’ me a place’ta stay.”

Vido waved his claw dismissively. “Ah, don’t worry yourself, brother. Saving the entire Southern Hemisphere is more than enough. Plus, her business has been booming ever since you stopped by!”

“Well lookee here,” Fleche nudged her brother teasingly, “My wee brother’s makin’ history in ways big and small. Ma and pa would be proud of ye.”

“Don’t forget the twins now,” the hippogriff replied, nudging her back, “They watchin’ over us just as well.”

Just then, their dialogue was interrupted by yet another familiar voice.

“Yea verily! It seems I have returned to grace the presence of my illustrious friends once more!”

Everyone turned to see Kora arrive in what appeared to be imperial robes of red and yellow.

“How are you, everyone?” she asked as she approached them, “You’re doing well I take it?”

“Hells yeah!” Vido flew over and wrapped one of his arms around her, “Now that you’re here, our original group is pretty much complete! It’s great to see you, Kora.”

Axel flew over and greeted her with a shake of his claw. “Good’ta see ya. I was honestly wonderin’ when you’d show up.”

“Fret yourself not, Lord Remington. And good day to you too, Lord Magpie,” she regarded them with a purr. “I’ve been merely doing some…self-reflection over these past few months that we’ve been apart and have been trying to find myself a new purpose.”

“Well?” Fleche asked with a curious gaze, “Didja find yerself? How does that work anyhow?”

“...It’s a long and complicated process,” she admitted with a flick of her tail, “I believe we’d be here all day if I tried to explain the ins and outs of soul-searching. Just know that it was a necessary journey and I’ve realized that I want to live in the East.”

“The East, hm?” Axel muttered as he thought about where she had spent the last few months of her life, “Isn’t that where--”

“You’ll see in a moment, Lord Remington,” Kora sniffed at the air, “Now, why don’t we get some food and wait for the rest of our friends to arrive? Everyone should be along soon for the award ceremony.”

Axel tilted his head. “...ceremony?” he then took out the invitation and took a closer look at it. “...food…live entertainment…award--well I’ll be damned.”

Kora gave him a smug cat grin. “Prepare to be honored, my Lord.”

“...Dammit’ta hell--”