Advent Of A Gunslinger

Once Roseanne had put the fresh milk in the fridge, she and Axel both went to report to the captain’s quarters. On their way there, he would ask the minotaur a question.

“...Wait a sec, so this is a job that she needs both of us to tackle? I wonder why.”

“Well, it’s likely ‘cuz we’re headin’ down to the Milk Ranch in the middle of the valley,” she explained, “That place is run entirely by minotaurs like mahself. Cap’n probably wants me’ta go with ya to help things go more smoothly, ya feel?”

While that did make sense, Axel was still worried for her safety. After all, could this taurette woman really hold her own in a combat situation? “Tony would be devastated if his kiddo ended up buried in the dirt. Gonna need’ta see her in action myself.”

They both arrived at Celaeno’s quarters, and entered.

“We’re here, cap!” Rose shouted as she stepped in, “Ready fer the info we need for this here mission.”

“Ah, good,” she was at a small desk where she had been busy with a map. “You’re here. I’m sure Rose has already filled you in on the basic premise behind this mission.”

“Yeah, somethin’ ‘bout a Milk Ranch or what have ya?” he replied.

“Well, it’s more than that,’ she got up and showed him her map that she had been working on. Then pointed to the exact location on a nearby massive-scale wooden globe that she had. “We believe that this location in the midst of the Bone Dry Desert is housing a deadly individual with some unknown magic weapon that shouldn’t be used.” She sighed and looked away from them. “The problem is...the rest of my crew is too afraid of this mission. And I’d never force them to do something they aren’t prepared for.”

Axel raised a concerned eyebrow. “...Aren’t ya’ll some’a the most fearsome pirates in the entire aerial world? What could possibly keep ya’ll from goin’ down there?”

“...They’re too afraid to deal with it themselves. The minotaurs down there are quite strong. But literally nobody else in the entire Ornithian Guild wants to deal with it. So it’s been left undone for a long time.” She made eye contact with the hippogriff. “That’s where you come in. You’ve deal with countless outlaws and various beasts throughout the course of your career. Your bounty is up in the range of millions.”

Rose would add in her own take with some snark. “Huh. Well if he’s that skilled, it should be a bit higher, shouldn’it?”

“Guess they think they can put a price tag on skill,” Axel returned the sarcasm, and looked at Celaeno. “So ya’ll essentially want my help then, huh? And in return, you’ll grant us aide in destroyin’ them ‘Byssinians?”

“That’s right,” she replied, “Do you accept? Of course, I won’t force you if--”

He held up his claw. “I said it before, and I’ll say it again. I’m in.” He lowered his arm, and looked over at Rose. “However...I’m worried about this lady here. Is she gonna be capable?”

“Oh you don’t need to worry about that,” Celaeno replied as she went back to her desk, “Rosie has a mean shotgun arm. Isn’t that right?”

“Shhhhyooot! Ah reckon Ah can pick off a bullseye from greater’than’a half’a mile away,” the minotaur boasted proudly, and nudged Axel with her elbow. “Ya’ll ain’t got nuthin’ta worry about when Ah’m around, ya got that?”

Axel paused with an impressed glance at her arms. “Shotgun? Guess she is beefy enough fer it. But we’ll see.” “Alrighty, then. How long before we reach there?”

“About an hour,” Celaeno replied, “In the meantime, feel free to make yourself familiar with the other members of my crew. It’ll help if you know who you’re dealing with.”

As much as he normally would’ve liked to avoid it, Axel knew that it would be beneficial to at least find himself more familiar with those on this vessel. After all, this was their home, and he and his allies were guests in their domain.

“Understood. Though I’ve already met yer bird-friends,” he replied, “Is there anyone else?”

“Chiefly of which: There’s Rose, our doctor just in case you ever get hurt, and our weapon’s specialist--you’ll find them out and about around the ship. Anything else?”

Axel had already turned to leave the room. “That’s all, thank ya, ma’am.”

Rose followed close behind. “She was right about what she said, ya know. Wanna see mah shotty?” she asked with a wide grin on her face.

“...Certainly,” he kept his response devoid of enthusiasm. The truth was that he was actually very interested in seeing her firearms. But he wanted to keep her at a body’s length for the time being until he really got to know her. “But gimme a bit. I at least wanna meet these other two folks that make up ya’ll crew.”

“Oh, okay then!” she accepted his answer, and turned to head to her room, “See ya in a bit!”

Now on his own, Axel made his way to the upper deck. Kora was there, sitting on one of the barrels. “You alright, missy?” he asked.

“Oh? Yes, I am quite well, Axel,” she replied with a purr, “I have already become acquainted with the other individuals aboard this vessel. The doctor in particular is quite the character.”

He figured he may as well ask for her direction since she apparently already knew where to go. “Really now? Where the med bay at, Kora?”

The she-cat pointed her tail to one of the doors near the stern of the ship. “That-a-way, good man. I just left the doc’s presence not too long ago.”

“Gotcha,” he shifted his eyes left, then right. “Seen Vido anywhere?”

“Last I recall, he’s going to do his best to apologize to Lady Celaeno for his...actions,” she shivered with a low mewl. “Here’s hoping that it doesn’t go poorly. Do you think you’ll be okay on the mission she has in store?”

“I’ll be fine. Thank you kindly,” he tipped his hat, and turned to head through the door that Kora had pointed out. “...And don’t worry. We’ll make sure things go right next time. Got a feelin’ that Vido may have endured somethin’ similar in the past. The way he reacted when his ship was destroyed…” he looked down at the wood beneath his claws.

Kora hopped off the barrel, and gave the hippogriff a quick hug. “...I’ll go speak with him soon.”

Axel didn’t respond to the gesture, but he wasn’t put off by it either. “Thank ya.” And with that, he went onwards.

He opened the door, and found himself in what appeared to be an infirmary on one side. Complete with hospital beds and equipment trays needed to deal with illnesses and lodged objects in one’s body. On the other, it looked like a laboratory with loads of chemicals and a microscope on a long table.

“...Pretty darn reassurin’ if anyone gets hurt.” “...Hello?” Axel called out, “Friend’a mine said a doctor works here.”

There was no one in sight. At least, not in front of him. Above him, however…

A rustling sound could be heard.

“Hm?” Axel looked up…

And there, he found what appeared to be a monkey-person in a lab coat? He had light brown fur, and was about the size of the Abyssinians, but--well, a primate. His left hand held onto one of the ropes that were tied into the ceiling, his right hand held onto a book, and his left foot--which was more like a hand--held onto a coffee mug. “...If I can just make sure that we’re strong enough, we can take down those--”

“Ahem,” Axel called out, “Down here, sir.”

“...?” the primate looked down, and realized he had another guest. His voice was light with an accent reminiscent of Far Eastern dialects. “Ah, sorry. Didn’t see you there. Was just hanging around. You one of Kora’s friends, right? Gunslinger?”

“That’s what I reckon, yeah. Yer cap’n told me to stop by and greetcha.”

The monkey finished the contents of his mug, and used one hand to climb downwards off of the other ropes to a tire swing. He looped his tail around the mug’s handle, and placed it upon a desk nearby. After which, he stood upright, and straightened out his coat. He didn’t look much older than Kora. “That is better. Ahem. Ni-hao, Lord Remington. My title is Dr. Jiānqiáng Wukong...but for the sake of simplicity, you may call me Chang.”

The Crown Prince

Axel’s eyes went wide as he thought over the name. “...Wukong? As in, the monkey king from that folktale? You mean that’s real?”

“Er, something like that? My father is the currently residing Monkey King of the Palace in Neighjing where he works alongside the ponies.” He put a hand to his chest, “I am Celaeno’s resident medical professional, and will be ready to assist you or your friends if you are ever in danger, hǎo ba?”

“...I see,” Axel took a look around, “So yer a Gizmonk, eh?”

“That one way to put it, yes,” Chang walked over to his chemical table, “But just because I am doctor does not mean I cannot fight.”

Near the table was a solid red staff about the size of a broomstick. It had two gold caps on each end, and the upright end had a trigger and stock attached to it as well. Was it a firearm of some kind?

“...Ya shoot, Chang?” he asked.

“I dabble in the art of shooting, yes,” the doctor responded as he put a cork in one of the colored bottles. Upon closer inspection, they appeared to be potion bottles--not just random chemicals. “But do not expect me to do so unless emergency happens.”

“Can’t argue with that,” Axel thought to himself. “Fair enough. Glad to have met ya, Prince Chang.”

The monkey’s voice turned cold. “...Just Chang. Please.”

“...Understood, Chang.” Axel was about to leave the room. He opened the door, and out of nowhere, a large, bird-like figure rushed past the door, and silently turned one of the corners. “...The hell was that?”

“Our weapon’s expert,” Chang said from behind him, “A griffon named Gabriel. Try not to approach him--he’s not a people person.”

Axel noted the trail of jet black feathers that were left in the hall. “...Good’ta know.”