Advent Of A Gunslinger

“...Maybe we shouldn’t have sprung this on him in front of the crowd,” Mau muttered to his wife, “I think we might’ve embarrassed the tom.”

Bombay was about to respond, “You’re probably--”

But she was interrupted by Mio throwing his arms around them both. “No no…I happily accept! I’ve always wanted a new family, and I’m sure my biological parents would be honored by the gesture.”

“We’ll do all that we can to honor them by taking care of their son as our own,” Mau insisted with a purr.

Bombay was a;ready cleaning behind her new son’s ears with her tongue--a common gesture of affection in Abyssinia. “Oh how wonderful! It’s as if we’ve been watching you grow all this time underneath our own noses!”

“And of course, by taking you in,” Mau turned to the crowd, “We’re also taking on your wife as our new daughter-in-law. Come on up here, madam.”

“M-me?” Spitha gasped from her seat and darted her eyes back and forth, visually embarrassed due to the fact that all eyes were on her as she got up, spread her wings, and flew over to the stage. “I-I’m honored, really! Oh my…I didn’t prepare an acceptance speech! How vexing for an esteemed author like myself…”

Mio embraced her by nuzzling the side of her shoulder. “Don’t trouble yourself, love. I was wholly unprepared for this as well. Though, this means quite a lot for the relationship between Abyssinia and the Dragons, does it not?” he asked the royal pair.

“That it does,” Mau replied, “Accepting a dragon into our seat of royalty is certainly going to boost their presence politically, which will hopefully mean a more stable relationship between our two nations.”

“Oh dear,” Spitha muttered as she swished her tail back and forth in a nervous fashion. “That sounds like quite a lot of weight to carry…” But then she balled her claws up and put on a brave, determined smile, “But for the sake of my man and his new family, I’ll happily take on the responsibility.”

“That’s exactly what any good wife does for her partner,” Bombay added with a teasing purr towards Mau, “Nothing makes me happier than supporting this big black cat of mine.”

Spitha giggled and patted Mio on the head. “Seems we have something in common. I think we’ll get along just fine.”

“So it’s official then,” Mau offered Mio the document, to which the young tom eagerly signed it. Everyone in the crowd started to clap and cheer for them, happy that the royal family was now much more stable thanks to their newly adopted son.

Once the audience died down, Mau turned his attention to Axel and his crew. “Now then…as for you all….Ms. Kora. Please step forward.”

The she-cat took a step forward with the slightest hint of a shaky purr in her throat as she flicked her tail. Being given an honor by the king himself was something she’d never have prepared herself for.

“You’ve shown exemplary performance both as a martial artist and as an Abyssinian,” Mau went on, “Your expertise with an ancient tome of ours--that is now on display in our museum--has helped further research into our past and uncover our hidden potential. I’m certain that your sister is more than proud of you from the beyond.”

“Oh it…it was nothing really,” she mewled modestly, “B-but I appreciate your honor all the same!”

Bombay held a case of medals made of refined ores that Mau would grab from. The first one was a medal shaped like a fish specifically for Kora. “For your efforts, I dub thee as one of Abyssinia’s Lions.”

Kora knelt down and accepted the medal as Mau placed it over her shoulder, then stood upright. “Thank you…”

“Vido,” Mau addressed the griffon and continued down the row. “Step forward.”

“YES! THAT’S MY BOY!” His mother Gabriella screeched from the middle of the crowd. Much to the amusement of the audience.

The young griffon sighed into his claw as he stepped forward, and held his head high.

“You provided your team the transportation they needed and braved through countless traumatic experiences in order to see this through. There were countless moments where you could have easily left them all be, and yet you never faltered. For someone at such a young age, you’ve set an example for all griffons on how selfless and courteous they should be. Wherever your father is, he’s proud of you. I’m most certain of it.”

“Gracias…” Vido knelt his head down in order to accept his medal. It was a in the shape of a griffon’s wing.

“You are the second inductee into Abyssinia’s Lions.”

Gabriella could be heard sobbing to herself from the crowd with tears of joy running down her face as she blew her nose into a tissue.

“Ay, mama…” Vido chuckled to himself as he stepped back.

Lastly, Mau would approach Axel. The hippogriff had already stepped forward with a small, yet proud smile on his face.

“And lastly, Axel…where do I even begin? You’ve led this entire operation initially for the sake of your family, but eventually rose to the occasion to help not only yourself, but everyone who was affected by the slavery that once plagued these lands--”

“YE!” Fleche shouted from her seat as she flew into the air, “That’s my wee brother I tell ye! He’s the best!”

“Can’t argue with that,” Axel replied under his breath as he went along with the praise from his sister.

“...to which we would like to grant you the honor of being known as the Captain of Lions,” Mau appointed Axel a medal that was adorned in the shape of a simple crosshair--a circular edge with four lines. “I hope that this is a satisfactory way to congratulate all of your hard work. You’ve earned it, Sir Remington.”

Axel looked down at the medal, and out to the crowd of his newfound friends and family. Fleche was cheering for him alongside Ms. Martha and Clarabelle who were practically jumping out of their seats to shout his name.

“...Yes, Mr. King…” he replied as he brought Vido and Kora in for a hug with both arms. “Yes it is.”

“Eyyyy!” the griffon chirped.

“Aw, Lord Remington…” the she-cat purred.