Tribute

[images for these things]

There are many stories about heroic deeds.

Tales of grand adventure and epic battles.

Tales that become legends that are sung about for generations to come.

In short, stories worth remembering.

This is not one of those stories.

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It all started on a bright summer day, and we join our heroes as they...

"That one looks nice."

"Ohh, how about that? Don't you think it would fit you perfectly?"

"With my figure?"

...are enjoying a nice break from the hunting, being on a shopping trip to the city.

Silver, Shiva and Pallette looked over the clothes in the window. On a bench close by, Atos was happily nursing a popsicle, while Snex and Metro were resting beside a not insignificant amount of bags and other packages.

"This is all your fault." Metro looked at Snex.

"My fault? How is it my fault?" Snex took a swig from a water bottle and handed it over to Metro.

"'Come along', you said. 'It'll be relaxing', you said."

"Well, compared to-"

"Don't." Metro wiped the nuzzle of the bottle and downed some of it.

Snex shrugged and looked at the girls. "You're right, though. I didn't think it'd be this bad. Normally Silver would get three or so bags and carry all of them herself."

"Sounds like a case of underestimating women in a group." Metro handed the bottle back to Snex. "Especially with money."

"Enabling each other? I can see that."

"Even so, how long have we been out? Two hours? I lost track, like, eight stores ago."

"Closer to three, I think."

"And why are they not bothered by the heat?"

"Beats me. I think girls just kind of switch off everything else when they're shopping." Snex nodded towards the trio again. "And you know how relentless at least two of them are normally."

"Aren't we?"

"We are when we fight."

"And this?"

"If it's a fight, we already lost. Might as well make the best of it. Aren't there any fun stores around here?"

"Like what? Video games?"

"I could go for that."

"Maybe use him as an excuse to split off into a toy store." Metro nodded towards Atos as the three girls started making their way back towards them, without any new packages this time.

"Enjoying yourselves, boys?" Shiva grinned.

"Oh, it's just peachy." Metro's delivery was in perfect deadpan. "I'm exhausted. Isn't it time for a break or something? Lunch? Anything?"

"Maybe you're right. What do you think?" Silver turned to her companions.

"I wouldn't mind a bee-"

"Shiva."

"Okay, okay." Shiva laughed. "A burger, then."

"Not letting her drink?" Snex looked up at Pallette.

"As if that would be possible. But she said she'd hold back today. Isn't that right?" Pallette turned to her girlfriend.

"Right." Shiva put a hand on her shoulder and pulled her into a half-hug. "Alright, anyone have any other suggestions?"

Metro shrugged. "A burger sounds fine to me."

Snex nodded. "I think there's a place around the corner."

Silver and Shiva grabbed two bags each, still leaving Snex and Metro with most of the work, and they all headed down the street. Sure enough, half a block away they 

"That voice..."

"Someone you recognize?"

"There's only one who sounds like that... but I thought he was behind bars!" Snex looked around.

"Attacking me me for no reason out of the blue, that's fine. I can handle that. But now - you put innocent people, and  most importantly, my family at risk. That's not happening. I'm gonna give you exactly what you deserve."