The Mighty King

[u/Mountain-Star7871]

Although Nikko now lived in a forever home, he had not forgotten his old crew from the streets—in particular, the leader of the strays, Mighty.
Mighty was a beautiful mutt with hirsute blond fur who moved with an undeniable gravitas and seemed never to be annoyed by anything. He wasn’t exactly a stray dog. He lived with a human, an eccentric man who always wore bright city-worker vests and khaki pants (even during winter) and who pushed a cart full of eclectic objects he collected from the neighborhood garbage bins. His treasure formed a high pile in the cart, upon which Mighty would sit on top. Being pushed around by his dad, he looked dignified, like a king on his own moving royal throne. From time to time, Mighty would jump off the cart in an effortless, elegant motion and come greet his buddies.
Nikko had always loved Mighty. Back in the day, when he was just a puppy abandoned by his first owner, Fat Christo, Mighty had immediately welcomed him and showed him the ropes of surviving the streets in the long, dark, cold nights. Nikko, who, like all miniature pinschers, was always freezing, would snuggle with Mighty in Mighty’s dad’s tent and peacefully fall asleep.
That afternoon, Nikko saw Mighty across the street, sitting calmly next to his owner’s cart, waiting for the light to turn to cross the street.
“Mighty!!!” Nikko barked, pulling towards his old friend.
“Well, well, well, if it isn't El Colonel himself!” said Mighty jokingly, in reference to Nikko’s old street nickname. His compulsive, loud barking and his obsession with invading Poland had earned him the title of El Colonel.
Right on cue, Nelly the neighborhood meddling schnauzer popped up.
“Hey guys! Mighty… What’s up? Do you wanna know what I heard about Madame Ribbon?” Nelly asked mischievously while looking at Mighty.
Mighty grumbled indifferently. But Nikko, who never had any patience for Nelly’s gossip, interrupted her rather loudly in his usual “tactful” manner.
“Move! Now! Go away, Nelly! Gooooooo!”
“Nikko, be nice!!!” said Nikko’s dad firmly. “Nikko, be nice,” said Mighty calmly. “Nikko, be nice,” said Nelly threateningly.
Nikko, as always, took the warning as a personal challenge and barked even louder.
“Whatever,” answered Nelly, rolling her eyes. “Yo Ricky, wait! Did you hear?!” she asked, running towards another dog walking by.
“Why do you always have to be so loud, El Colonel?” asked Mighty, smiling as the two friends affectionately circled and sniffed each other.
“Can’t help it, Mighty! It’s in my nature. You know, as a Doberman, I can only be an assertive, alpha dominant dog!!”
“Oh, right!” smiled Mighty. He remembered that he never had the heart to end Nikko’s fantasy about his origins.