Chapter Text
When all hope seemed lost, the Vault Hunters hung their heads in despair, but all was not lost. An ephemeral light pierced the clouds and a woman descended from them holding six golden keys.
“These are my bounty, and I shall deliver them unto you, oh worthy Seekers of the Vault. May you find what you seek.”
Timothy leaned forward, across the meager table that the Up and Over provided, eyes wide as Claptrap told the story of the Golden Key Fairy for the millionth time. Athena groaned and leaned back in her seat, covering her face with her hand while Nisha snickered. Wilhelm desperately tried to ignore them, but even he was smirking. Aurelia had long since wandered off, sick of the dreck.
“Really, Claptrap? It wasn’t that glamorous.”
“It’s my story, I’ll tell it the way I want to.”
Nisha elbowed the gladiator in the ribs with a grin. “Lighten up, Golden Key Fairy.”
“I hate all of you.” The ex-Lancer mumbled as she rose from the booth.
Claptrap continued his tale, with the Doppelganger enthralled while his other two companions silently suffered through the story. It certainly wasn’t the most glamorous or awe-inspiring moments in their travels.
It had been an absolute massacre. Scav guts and limbs littered the periphery, and yet more of them were charging. Pity’s Fall had proven to be one hell of a challenge to navigate, yet bore some sweet ass loot. The group had separated for a while, rejoining only as they prepared to face the Bosun. However, their number was down by one.
“Uh, where’s Athena?” Timothy scanned the area, nervously clutching his Hyperion shotgun.
No one answered; all were too busy trying to murder the scavs attacking them. There were far too many for the group to handle and a large percentage of the threats were badasses. Eventually Nisha backed up to where the doppelganger stood, trying to hold his ground.
“You got any pistol slugs? I’m out.”
He shook his head, knuckles growing white as he squeezed the trigger only to find it devoid of rounds.
“Well, shit.” The lawbringer muttered, pulling out her whip; she had sold most of her arsenal to make room for loot just a short while before they stepped into this particular area.
Wilhelm fell a few minutes later, no doubt being digistructed half way across the god-damn ship. Claptrap joined them a moment later, looking as embarrassed as a robot could. Aurelia was nowhere to be seen.
“Got any plans, kid?”
The Jack look alike shook his head, preparing to swing his shotgun like a club as scavs drew nearer. And then they heard it. A fierce battle cry and a wicked laugh as blood spattered across their faces. The three cornered Vault Hunters could only stare as Athena cleaved her way through the scavs cornering them, feeling a certain amount of embarrassment at needing a bailout. When she finally cleared the path, a stray light seemed to shine down on her. It gave her an aura of… well, gore. The gladiator swore under her breath as she dug through the pouch on her vest to hold out six golden keys.
“Found these buried in the back of a hold. Thought we could use them.”
“Nice going, Golden Key Fairy.”
The assassin rolled her eyes and started to walk off, trying her hardest not to turn around and murder Nisha. Timothy and Claptrap exchanged glances and Athena could have sworn the robot was grinning. She heard an awed whisper of ‘the golden key fairy’ as she moved on. She was definitely going to kill Nisha one day.