The Masked Gunslinger (MHA Wild West AU)

Chapter Five - Death's Door

Days after Snipe and Lady Midnight's escape, Overhaul had sent a telegram to the famed Phantom Killer to hire him for a job. In his office, he was cleaning his Winchester Rifle when Kurono enters the room. 

Kurono: The Phantom Killer is here. 

Overhaul then put his Winchester Rifle on the table. 

Overhaul: Send him in.

Kurono exited the office and returns with the Phantom Killer. He was wearing a black trench coat with a black hat. His face was scarred. In his back was a broadsword. In his holsters were two Revolvers. 

Overhaul: Stain! The Phantom Killer! Care for a drink?

Stain: I'm not here for drinks. I here you have a job for me.

Overhaul: Straight to the point. I like it!

Overhaul then pulls out a bottle of whiskey and pours himself a glass. After taking a sip, he begins informing Stain about the job.

Overhaul: I want you to find some people. 

Stain: Who?

Overhaul: A woman by the name of Nemuri Kayama. Also known as Lady Midnight. The other is none other than Snipe. 

Upon hearing Snipe's name, Stain smiled. Silence began to fill the room. 

Stain: The Masked Gunslinger. 

Kurono: You know of him?

Stain: Personally no. Professionally yes. Snipe is good with a gun. Perhaps one of the best.

Overhaul: He's an overconfident yellow bellied cocksucker! And what's worse is that he's a goddamn government agent! 

Stain: You want him alive as well? 

Overhaul: No. I want him dead. I want that son of a bitch put in the ground! I want the vultures feasting on his rotten corpse! I trust that won't be an issue?

Stain: None at all. As a professional, I am obligated to complete the job I've been given. What price?

Kurono: $5,000.

Stain: You're going to pay me double. Half now, and half when the job is complete. Do that, and Snipe will be dead and Lady Midnight returned to you. 

Overhaul laughs at Stain's offer.

Overhaul: Is that so Stain? I've never heard of a Bounty Hunter being a negotiator before! 

Stain: If you want the job complete, then that will be my price. Hunting down and killing Snipe won't be easy. He's just as fast as I am. 

Overhaul: Not likely. While he escaped, I put a bullet in his back. I doubt it killed him, but I doubt he'll put on much of a fight.

Stain: Never underestimated a Gunslinger. When backed against the wall, a pistol can lash out and do serious damage. 

Despite Stain's warnings, Overhaul scoffed it off. He firmly held his belief about Rifles being superior than Pistols. As much as he wanted Snipe brought to him alive so that he could execute him, he just wanted Snipe dead. 

Overhaul: As long as Snipe is dead, I don't care what you'll do. Just find him and kill him! Bring Lady Midnight to me alive!

Overhaul then hands Stain his $5,000 payment up front. Stain tilts his hat as he leaves the office to hunt after Snipe and Midnight. As he does so, Kurono speaks with Overhaul.

Kurono: Why didn't you mention Aizawa? We can only assume that Snipe didn't kill him.

Overhaul: If Snipe was working with Aizawa, he likely warned him about us. He most likely ran, being the cowardly son of a bitch he is. I doubt he stuck around. And if he's stupid enough to stay behind, then I'll be more than happy to pay Stain extra if he kills him!

Kurono nods as he exits the office. Overhaul then goes to his balcony overlooking Musutafu. He looks to the distance and sees Stain riding in the same direction that Snipe and Midnight were riding. Meanwhile on the night they escaped, Midnight was riding towards the UA Fort. 

Midnight: Snipe! Are you okay?!

Snipe: Y....yeah.....I'm fine. Just.....just a scratch ma'am. I've been....through worse......

When they arrived at the UA Fort, Snipe falls out his horse. Midnight gets off her horse and sees Snipe's gunshot wound. 

Midnight: Aizawa! Aizawa!

Hearing the call, Aizawa rushes outside the fort and sees Midnight holding the wounded Snipe on her shoulders.

Aizawa: What the hell are you doing here Nemuri?!

Midnight: Overhaul found out! We ran out of town, but Snipe is seriously wounded! 

Aizawa: Help me get him inside! 

Aizawa then helps Midnight get Snipe onto an empty table. Aizawa checks on Snipe's wound.

Aizawa: Shit. No exit wound. The bullet is still in there. We have to get it out!

Aizawa then rushes into the first aid kit and pulls out a probe and rolled Snipe to his stomach. Midnight holds Snipe down as he inserts the probe into the bullet wound, causing excruciating pain for Snipe. Snipe screams in pain as Aizawa digs through the wound for the bullet. 

Aizawa: Come on! Come on! 

After what seemed like an endless amount of time, Aizawa gets the bullet out of Snipe's back. He then hands Midnight his Bowie Knife.

Aizawa: Heat the knife up! Put it in the fire!

Midnight takes the knife and puts the blade in the fireplace. After a moment, she brings the heated knife and hands it to Aizawa. She holds Snipe down as Aizawa presses the side of the burning knife on the wound to cauterize it. Snipe screams in pain as he passes out in shock. After sealing the wound, Midnight looks at the unconscious Snipe with concern.

Midnight: Is he.....

Aizawa: No. The bullet didn't reach anything vital and I was able to seal the wound before he lost too much blood. 

As Aizawa said that, she looked to the unconscious Snipe. She knew Overhaul would no doubt be sending someone to come after them. Aizawa knew this as well. But for now, they kept the Masked Gunslinger out of Death's door.