“Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here to remember and honor those who are no longer with us. There’s no way I could ever fully convey how thankful all of us are for these two heroes. They’ve done more for us than they could’ve ever known. I am eternally grateful that I was able to call them friends. May you peacefully rest now, my comrades.”

A blue-cloaked man stepped away from the microphone and hovered over the casket in which Slinky and Matter laid. He brought up his hand and grabbed a flower through a small portal he made. As he walked away to his seat another man approached the microphone. An old scarf was wrapped around his dark suit and his face was covered in a mask most today wouldn’t recognize.

“Hi. I just wanna say that, even though it was an accident that we met in the first place, I’m glad we did. I was never really into the hero business much but, putting this suit and mask on again, I’m reminded of what it meant. Thanks for being there, bros.”

The masked man walked over and pulled out an old, decaying sword. Although its blade was now dulled and its handle was falling apart, it still somehow shined in the light as he placed it on Slinky’s chest.

Underneath his mask, he began to tear up and he whispered “Y-you still owe me pizza…you…beautiful man.”

He walked back to his seat as the fabric covering his face was now fully soaked and another person walked up. A woman adjusted her hair and took a deep breath before speaking.

“My husband isn’t able to be here today so on behalf of himself and me I just want to say how thankful I am to have known these two wonderful people. They helped so many people and I think we are all changed in one way or another because of them.”

In the audience, a gray-haired gorilla wiped a tear and whispered “I had the same thought, Gen.”

“Oh, C’mon. It’s not like we actually miss them or anything.” Said a woman who looked like a mouse.

“Shh. I can’t hear what’s going on. Did I win?” Said a very, very old man who kept playing with small bubbles.

A man stood up and came over to the microphone with a piece of paper along with another man who took it and began reading it.

“Hello, I’m Tekashi and I’m reading this note for Mr. Mallowmark here. It says ‘Slinky and Matter were so cool. I’m sad that they’re not around anymore and my children miss them too. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me and my family and may you finally rest.’ That was beautiful Mark, thanks. As for me, I haven’t been in this world for as long as all of you folks but you’ve all welcomed me with open arms along with these two amazing people. As Mark stated, thank you all for everything you’ve done.”

The two hovered over the caskets for a moment and then took a seat. 

The funeral coordinator came onto the stage and said “Well if there isn’t anyone else that would like to say anything then I will now ask that the caskets be closed and lowered in the Earth.”

Suddenly, bursting from behind the audience was a man with a thick mustache and an old purple coat. He slowly walked up to the front while finishing off a cup of tea. He showed no emotion as he approached the microphone and he placed the teacup down. There was silence for a moment as he looked out at the audience and then at the caskets. He pulled out a piece of paper and tried to read it before crumpling it up and tossing it aside.

“Jeff…” Gen said under her breath.

“When Slinky and Matter first came here, I was a nobody. I was pathetic and broke. But when they arrived in this city, I saw something. A future. They inspired me to be better, to be a leader. They did more for me than they ever knew. My jacket is off to you. It is with the utmost respect and honor that I will rename the Hero Society to the Slinky and Laughing Matter Hero Society. I’d like to take a moment of silence for these heroes.”

There wasn’t a sound to be heard from anyone as Jeff took off his jacket and raised his tea cup in the air. A sad harmony played as the room was quiet with many heroes softly sobbing to themselves. After a while, Jeff spoke again.

“Long live Slinky and Matter!” He said through tears.

The whole audience began to repeat after him saying “Long live Slinky and Matter!”

Jeff walked over to the caskets and said “...My friends. I…T-thank you.” Jeff said while profusely crying.

Later that day…

Kate, Theo, and the kids were at home still dressed in black from the funeral as several friends were with them eating some lunch together.

“How are you holding up, hon?” Gen asked.

“I’ll be alright.” Said Kate as she gave her a small smile.

“I know this isn’t really the best time but what are gonna do about the Society?” Asked Jeff.

“I was wondering the same thing. We’re losing too many heroes. We need some new blood to fill the ranks but no one is signing up.” Theo said.

“Do you think the entry test is a bit too hard?” Jeff said.

“Oh, now you wonder that?” Said Theo, sarcastically.

“Geez, sorry. I’ll make the test a bit easier, okay?” Said Jeff, a bit defeated.

“Seriously though, we have to figure something out otherwise we might have to downsize and we could lose a lot of funds.” Theo said.

“Well I’m due for another cup of coffee so I’ll let you do the brainstorming, Mr. Director.” Jeff quipped.

Peeking around the corner, the two kids listened to the conversation and, as Jeff got up and began to make his way to the kitchen, they scrambled into their room.

“Did you hear that? They need new heroes!” Cruz said.

“So what? It’s not like we can do anything about it.” Kim said.

“Well, we could still help!” Said Cruz.

“Just drop it. I’m going to Grampa Slinky's room. He told me I could go inside.” Kim said as she walked out into the hallway and came upon a door.

The two of them opened it and walked inside. Memorabilia was covering the walls and newspaper clippings on a tack board seemed to show very young photos of their grandfathers catching bad guys with the police. On the floor sat several boxes full of trinkets and gadgets and on a desk was a dusty computer and a note.

“To the next generation, I hope you can continue the family legacy and become the next successors in our line of heroes. On this computer, there are coordinates to a secret cave where you’ll find an old machine. You’ll know it when you see it. All you need to do is turn it on and walk through it one at a time. But be careful. There’s still a lot we don’t know about it. We haven’t tried using it while—-----------------and walking through. Also we—-------------------. The cave is very old so be careful as you navigate its crumbling halls. Good luck, heroes.” The note read.

“Hey, some of the words were jumbled up like someone spilled something on it.” Said Kim.

“Let’s go to that cave!” Cruz said, excitedly.

After they managed to navigate the old computer, they followed their phone’s GPS to where the cave should be.

“Oh, look. I think this lever is supposed to be hidden but the trees and stuff have stopped growing over it.” Kim said as she saw a lever along the rock.

As she pulled it an opening appeared and they walked inside. The cave was dank and moist as they found themselves in what appeared to be the main room. Off in the corner was a machine with a cloth draped over it. They walked over to it and pulled a rope which lifted it in the air above the machine before being in awe of this giant machine. Even though it was quite dated, its arch was still intact and the console was still functional. Cruz pressed a button and the screen turned on.

“Okay, I’m going to try to get it to start.” Said Cruz.

The machine started up and Kim stood in front of it and waited.

“You can go through it now, I think.” Cruz told her.

She walked up to the machine and stared at the archway, now glowing with energy. She walked through as a blinding light covered the cave. The machine began to sputter and made several weird noises before she was thrust out the other side. The machine started to smoke from somewhere and Cruz rushed to the opening of the arch. In his haste, he tripped over the rope that held the cloth above and, as he stumbled into the archway, the cloth fell over the machine covering all of the light that once again emanated from it. He was thrown out the other side and crashed into Kim and the machine began to clunk and sputter before one of the sides burst and a small fire emerged from it. The cloth caught on fire and it wasn’t long before the whole cave was ablaze. The kids quickly made it to the exit before the fire could block it and closed the cave off from being able to spread outside.

As they were catching their breath Cruz said “Well, oops.”

“Let’s not tell anyone about this.” Kim said.

As the kids walked home, Kim felt something in her pocket. She pulled out a stick and thought to herself if that could've been the reason the machine broke and then threw it aside. As the cave burned, all of the computers and furniture melted away. The rooms that were filled with all sorts of gadgets and hero items became ash. The machine that had started the fire with the letters P.C. across the side was now fully engulfed in flames and it began to fall apart. The letters burned as the flames licked the machine and the arch crumbled onto the floor in pieces. Everything was gone. Or perhaps not.

Several years later, somewhere underneath Salty City…

“Hey, hand me that drill.” A teenaged Cruz said.

“What do you think of this color?” Asked an older Kim.

“I like it. I think we’re almost done with this place. Just a few more things and it’ll be ready to go.” Said Cruz.

“Cool. I Can’t wait to see what mom and dad think!” Kim giddily said.

Cruz smiled and said “Of course they will. When they see Calibre Sanctum they’ll be really surprised.”