Advent Of A Gunslinger

Once they all gave their parting words, the group of adventurers left the palace and headed back to the train station towards the entrance of the village. With the gold bars that Axel had collected from the emperor, the crew would finally be able to purchase themselves a new airship and continue their quest independent of Celaeno and her vessel.

Unfortunately, this also meant that they would have to leave them behind…

But none of them were able to dwell upon that thought. Why? Because they were swarmed with adoration of various monkey admirers that wanted their autographs or to simply say hello. It was almost overwhelming for them as the train pulled into the station.

The group of four quickly got onto the train, and relaxed as they got into their seats.

“Whew…” Kora let out a small huff upon taking her seat. “That was quite the experience. I never would have suspected that we would have managed to acquire a set of fans in a foreign land overnight.”

Vido responded with a chuckle, and gently flexed his wings out of the bandages. “Well, we did kinda save them all from a mass murderer and bust one of the largest criminal organizations that exists down there. I think that’s the end of the triads, amigos.”

Chang shook his head. “Not entirely. That is the end of one sector of those crooks. Loads more triads probably exist within other parts of the continent…” He glanced out of the train’s window and up to the palace temple where his father lived. “...But I believe that my father finally has what it takes to lead this Empire to greatness.”

“You sure you ain’t gon’ miss this place?” Axel asked as he set the case of gold next to him on the seat. “Ya really prefer hangin’ with us, don’tcha?”

The primate doctor glanced at the gunslinger. “That I do. You all have really opened my eyes to the true reality that I’ve been missing. Taking care of my subjects is one thing, but looking after my close family is another. That’s why I must continue to do so until I feel ready to return to the throne.” He peeked into his lab coat, and glanced at his Wukong Firearm. “...Curiously, he didn’t mention my weapon at all.”

“...If I had’ta take a guess,” Axel continued, “Might be the fact that he accepts you makin’ use of it now.” He tilted his head downwards, his eyes obscured by his hat. “...Hm.”

“...Axel?” Chang tilted his head almost upside-down to try and get a peek under the cowboy’s hat. “What’s wrong, my friend?”

Axel knew that if he said ‘nothing,’ then he’d be here all day with the doctor chimp pestering him. So he decided to come clean. “Just wonderin’ if my pa thinks the same way,” he admitted with a scowl, “But I don’t wanna bother ya with my thoughts.”

“It’s no bother at all, Lord Remington,” Chang replied supportively, “And given how great you are, I’m sure he’s proud of you from the beyond.”

With a sigh, the gunslinger tilted his head upwards. “...Thanks, pard. Glad to have ya here’ta encourage me.”

“That is what friends are for, aren’t they?” Chang replied with a big smile.

And so, with a loud blare of the train’s whistle and a hiss of steam, it started to pull away from the station and chug West towards the Saddle Arabian border. After a brief train ride, it wasn’t long before they arrived back at the Western Station. Sure enough, Celaeno’s ship would be waiting for them--still motionless and sitting in the exact same spot from which they left.

“Well now,” Axel muttered as he got off the train with the briefcase in his claw, “She ain’t moved at all.”

“Why would she?” Kora mused with a smug expression on her face as she adjusted her glasses, “We’re the ones carrying the bounty that she provided transport for. No one in their right mind would miss out on a chance for fame among her fellow pirates.”

Vido followed with a neutral expression of concern. “I wonder how she’s been...”

“I’d hope not,” Chang responded as he followed, “Celaeno is a mature woman. She’s not going to let one incident taint her perceptions forever.”

“Oh no, I’m not worried about that,” the griffon replied, “I just hope that she’s okay with heading back home.”

Axel chimed in. “Yeah, that’s right. We gotta head on back to Ornithia. That’s where the airships are made and sold, yeah?”

“That’s right,” Vido nodded, “But the thing is, she’s had a few...complications dealing with her home. I just hope she doesn’t feel apprehensive towards it, ya feel?”

“It’ll take more than that’ta keep someone like her down,” Axel snarked with a scoff as they neared the airship, “Hm…” Another thought swam through his head. One that he didn’t share with the others. “Wonder how Rose is holdin’ up.”

The group made it onto the parked airship, and Chang broke off to let the captain bird know that they had successfully returned. Soon after, Axel was called down to the captain’s quarters to discuss what they had procured.

The gunslinger met with the captain, and showed her the briefcase filled with gold bars. “Right here, ma’am. Our bounty was a good’un.”

“Wow...you really met with the emperor himself?” the captain lady replied with an impressed trill, “Amazing. That’s all yours, Mr. Remington. Shall we plot a course for Ornithia? That’s where all the best airships are made.”

“Damn. She don’t want none of it? Well I guess the monochromatic avian was right when he said she’s already pretty well off.” Axel shut the case, and responded, “Darn tootin’. Though, you gon’ be okay with headin’ back to yer home?”

“Don’t worry about me,” Celaeno folded her arms and sat back in her seat, “What’s most important is getting you all where you need to go.” Silence lingered in the air as she paused to think about something for a minute or two. Then, she finally spoke. “...Never thought I’d say this, but I just might miss you all.”

Axel raised a brow. That was the last thing he had expected to hear from her. “...Is that a fact now, huh?”

“I’m serious,” she replied, “All three of you have brought something to this ship that I never would’ve guess. The Abyssinian--Kora. She’s a very logical person and was the first to actually have a conversation with Chang which helped him socialize with the rest of us. Vido’s words have resonated with me in ways that...have opened me to new ideas, let’s say.”

“...Glad ya think so.” Axel’s response was delayed--he wasn’t sure how to take such compliments towards people he had known for about a month.

But Celaeno wasn’t finished.

“And you...you’re the only one on this ship that understands the pain that Roseanne is going through,” she went on, her eyes drifting downwards from shame, “I...didn’t really know what to say to her when it happened. But you’ve gotten to know her father, haven’t you?”

“...I have,” Axel tilted his head down. “Pity. I suppose I’mma miss ya’ll too.”

“Mm...I’ll get ready to set off. However, I think Roseanne could use someone to talk to right about now.” Celaeno got up from her desk, and tipped the cowboy’s hat upwards so she could see his face. “I know you’re not as prickly as you let on. Give her an ear...please?”

Axel broke eye contact for a moment, and gently swatted her claw away with his own. “No promises.” Without another word, he turned and left the room with the case.

Once he got back up to the main deck, he would address his companions. “Alright. Vido, Kora--saddle up. We’re makin’ progress and gonna get ourselves a new ship soon.”

“Muy bien--that’s great!” Vido chirped, “Good thing I always keep my flying license on me. We’ll be on our way in no time!”

“Correct, though…” Kora rubbed her hand against her chin, “That does beg the question: Where do we go from there? Back to Klugetown? Lord Remington?”

“I’ve been thinkin’...” Axel looked out to the horizon towards the region they had just returned from. “If we head back’ta Klugetown too soon, we’d be puttin’ ourselves right in a trap. But...if we were’ta cut off all their supply routes like we did with this’un here…”

Kora would add a thought of her own. “Then we could weaken their supply chain and force them into a position where they would have no one left to rely on.”

“Ay. And after that, they’ll run dry because they won’t have anymore slave labor. Then we can crush them before they even realize it!” Vido proclaimed as he slammed his fist into his open claw.

“...Ya’ll really wanna do this, don’tcha?” Axel thought to himself. But then, he immediately started to think about Roseanne and his mind drifted in that direction instead. “Alright--ya’ll done a lot and deserve a rest. So go chill for a spell, ya hear?” he said as he handed Kora the case of gold.

“Woah!” Kora’s body nearly dropped to the floor upon holding it, but she managed. “...Where are you off to right now, Remington?”

Axel was already on his way towards the crew’s section of the ship. “...Gonna go have a chat with Rose. See how she’s holdin’ up.”