The Masked Gunslinger (MHA Wild West AU)

Epilogue - Collecting The Bounty

After liberating the town of Musutafu from Overhaul and the Shie Hassaikai Gang, Snipe rode for the Union Camp. When he arrived, he is met by two Union Soldiers.

Union Soldier: State your business!

Snipe: I'm here to speak with Captain Nezu. 

The Union Soldiers then led the Masked Gunslinger to the private tent of Captain Nezu. Upon entering, Snipe nodded at the two Union soldiers. They leave the tent, leaving Snipe and Nezu alone.

Nezu: Word has already spread about Musutafu's liberation. That would be your work I assume?

Snipe: Wouldn't be here if I wasn't. There were some....complications along the way, but I got the job done. 

Nezu: I've yet to hear from Aizawa. 

Snipe: I'm afraid Aizawa's met his maker.

Upon hearing that, Nezu's mood dropped. 

Nezu: That's....unfortunate. Aizawa was a good lawman and a decent man. A shame he died. No decent man deserves that fate.

Snipe: No one does. 

Nezu: Despite this....unfortunate loss, you were successful in liberation Musutafu from the grips of Overhaul and his Shie Hassaikai Gang. Thank you.

Nezu then hands Snipe his $25,000 reward. Snipe took the wad of cash and was satisfied. As he put his reward in his pocket, Snipe reminded Nezu of the other reward.

Snipe: Now for the other reward?

Nezu lets out a chuckle as he pulled the pardon from his desk. In a brief moment, Nezu signed the paper and handed Snipe the paper.

Nezu: For your invaluable work for the US Government, I hereby present you a pardon signed by the President himself. All crimes you've committed in the past are now wiped away. As of now, you have a clean slate.

Snipe: Pleasure doing business with you partner. 

Snipe then took the pardon papers and put them in his coat. As he prepares to leave the tent, Nezu stops him. 

Nezu: Before you go, know this. That pardon paper has wiped away all your past crimes. However, any crimes you commit in the future will not be wiped away by this pardon. And this is a one time deal. 

Snipe simply chuckles from under his mask.

Snipe: Consider that point taken.

Nezu: The time of Gunslingers and Outlaws are coming to an end. Law and Order will soon take control this savage land. The Wild West will soon be tamed. And with the end of Outlaws comes the age of peace and prosperity. A place where decent men and women can live in harmony. The future is coming Snipe.

As Nezu said that, Snipe thought about those words. Despite the wishful thinking, Snipe believed that the future Nezu speaks of is farther away than he'd care to see.

Snipe: That's a mighty ambitious future. Good luck with that.

Snipe then began riding his horse into the sunset. He was now a man with a clean sweep. Maybe the future Nezu spoke of wasn't as far off as he thought. Snipe was always the guy that just goes with the flow. 

Snipe: (Now let's see what the next town has to offer.) 

Snipe began riding for the next town looking for a new bounty. In this one job, he added more to his already impressive reputation. He had liberated an entire town from the vicious Overhaul and his Shie Hassaikai Gang. He had also taken down Stain the Phantom Killer in a gunfight. As Snipe rode, he ran into a caravan carrying a couple with their son.

Man: Excuse me mister? Could you point us to the nearest town? We've lost our guide and we don't want to run into any trouble!

Snipe: Sure thing, partner. There's a town North of here. A town called Musutafu.

Man: Thanks good sir! We're hoping to find a good claim. We heard there's towns here loaded with gold! We've come to claim our stake! 

As the man says that, Snipe rides up to the carriage and pulls $5,000 from his reward out of his coat and gave it to the man.

Man: W...what?! How.....why......

Snipe: Just in case that claim doesn't work out. Besides, if there is a good claim, that money should be able to get you the right help to mine it.

The couple were dumbfounded by the amount of money that Snipe had given them. They had never seen that much money before in their lives. 

Woman: T...thank you sir! God bless you! 

Snipe: Don't mention it ma'am. Just keep riding North from this trail and you should reach Musutafu by nightfall. 

As Snipe prepared to ride away, the son peaked from the carriage and saw Snipe riding by. Seeing Snipe's mask made the boy curious.

Boy: Excuse me sir? What's with the mask? Are you some kind of superhero or something?

Upon hearing the question, Snipe chuckles from his mask. He then decides to answer his question.

Snipe: I'm no superhero kid. I'm just a lone rider. As for my mask, let's just saw that things become simple with a mask. 

Confused, the boy gives Snipe a weird look. Snipe tips his hat to both the boy and his parents as he rides away. The family then makes their way to Musutafu to stake a gold claim. Snipe then decides to continue his life as usual. The Masked Gunslinger would play out his string till the bitter end. In the Wild West, it's kill or be killed. Snipe has lived by the creed for nearly all his life. There was no reason in the world to stop now. Snipe was the Masked Gunslinger and he had a reputation to uphold.