>>19864511Since this might be the only time Ironmouse might be in the OP, I might as well post a western story I was toying with, with you and Ironmouse.
The church’s bell tolls. Steel grinds against leather. Gunpowder ignites, the rapidly enlarging flame pushing against metal. A scream taints the ears of men and women hiding in buildings, watching in anticipation.
Dust rises from the ground.
Then a stillness.
No, not stillness, not even silence, but rather, heavy breathing fills the air. When the dust settles only one stands, the figure sigh's and takes heavy steps toward the small body bleeding in the sand. The winner re-holsters his trusted revolver and tips his hat upwards. His knees bend towards the figure on the ground. His hand picking up a small sombrero and places it on the head of the wounded figure, protecting her eyes from the setting sun.
"I didn't want this you know, I liked you"
The small body cough's up blood, a laugh, followed by a defiant grin.
"I-i do not allow outlaws in my city, not even decent fellows like you."
The criminal lifts his head revealing a grisled but handsome face.
"I had no choice Ironmouse, they found me."
"My last resort was this city, I even used an alias."
"Why couldn't you turn an eye, just this once?"
The mouse groaned and with a fierce will she shoved her ears through the tiny holes at the side of the sombrero. One of her ears stained with her blood.
"And, let the town be in danger from the group chasing you?”
A slight tear rolled from the man's eye.
"I am sorry it couldn't be like you. It must have been hard, hearing about all these tall tales of the criminal groups looking for your friend."
The mouse laughed softly again, interrupted by a cough.
"Nah, was never worried once, knew they never stood a chance."
She grinned, blood dripping from her mouth.
"Now go, you wouldn't want to get caught before finding what you’re looking for."
"At least me get you a doctor, to ease the pain."
The small body heaved.
"No, let me die in peace. Besides, if you help me, it will only bring trouble to the town."
He sighed deeply and reached for his pocket, he unpeeled his last cigarette and placed it in the cute mouses mouth. He really wished it could have been ironmouse. He stood up and began walking, they would be here soon and he had to move swiftly.
The last thing he heard from the town he grew up in where the soft cough of his childhood friend.
