Marinette had never been to America before. And now, she was walking in a city, on another world, that had been hit by nearly every catastrophe imaginable. Skitter's part of town was marred, with damaged streets and buildings, but…

People were active. Some cleaning up, some working on new businesses, a truck drove by, loaded with supplies, and as they passed by Marinette heard people talking about how things were getting better, especially with the "bug bitch from hell" in charge.

"They really say that?" Marinette murmured to Taylor. She could feel Tikki vibrating in excitement in her purse.

"As long as they work with me, I don't care, and it's… an affectionate nickname."

Marinette nodded. She wasn't certain what to say to that. Fortunately, they'd managed to find clothes for her that were… Acceptable. Tattletale had left a bag for her, including a nice crimson shirt, skirt, shoes and underwear in her size.

Marinette really wasn't certain if she'd want a power that could tell her what size bra someone wore.

As they progressed down the Boardwalk Marinette noticed that more stores were being built, completed storefronts next to ruins.

"This used to be the tourist part of the city," Taylor said. "They had private security that mostly kept the bad guys out—or anyone who wasn't wealthy looking enough. Then it got hit by Leviathan."

"It's… coming back," Alya said.

"Yes." Taylor looked around. "I bet that once the gateway to Gimel gets widely known it'll be as prosperous as it once was."

"And it's yours." Chloe said.

"Mostly. We still don't have water, but in some respects we're better off than Downtown—it got hit hard by Leviathan and then Piggot dropped bombs on Crawler and Mannequin to kill them."

Marinette shook her head. One second, Taylor was a tour guide. The next second? She reminded them she was a warlord, someone who owned territory, who was the law in her territory, along with other criminals.

What would Maman say? Hopefully, this would be the first step to helping Taylor not be a criminal so they could get ready for the end of the world. She gripped her purse strap tightly. She'd been the heroine of Paris and sometimes that had seemed nearly impossible but the world?

No. Wait.

Worlds. Marinette took a calming breath. She had her friends. She had her allies, she had Chat Noir, who was also Adrien—eeeeeee!

She'd be fine.

"That building over there is where you can change," Taylor said. "It has some underground passages to other buildings so you can change and come out there."

"Okay," Marinette said. Taylor turned and walked into another alley, and conversation started to still as a swarm started accumulating over the buildings, a swarm clone "walking' to the edge of one building and staring down at the crowd.

"Let's go," Chloe said.

Changing with her friends around her was… Strange. Marinette had reconciled herself to not knowing who the others were. Or rather, who Chat Noir was. "Tikki, Spots on!"

Ex-Director Piggot waited with the PRT squad and two members of the local Protectorate, along with Weld and Clockblocker.

"Why isn't Director Tagg here, Ma'am?" Weld asked. He had agreed to do this, but he had made it plain he was leaving soon.

Emily couldn't blame him.

Odd, how our worst wounds were self-inflicted. If we'd kept better control over Shadow Stalker—if we'd just tossed her into juvenile hall, Skitter would probably be standing next to me. Probably not named Skitter. Emily's lips twitched at the conniption fit PR would have had over that name.

"Because this isn't the main negotiation," Emily said. "Tattletale is a thinker seven with a gift for twisting the truth. Director Tagg wants any meetings with her to be in a formal setting." And not one where we're already on the back foot because they're doing us a favor. "Remember that in your interactions with these new parahumans. We have no idea what she has told them."

And there they were, at the end of the street, walking to where Piggot and the other's waited, the tent behind them.

Skitter was in the front, but Piggot noticed that the other group stood slightly apart from her and Tattletale. Not hostile…but making it plain they were their own group. And their dynamics… They were centering around the shortest, possibly youngest member. Ladybug.

"Remember," Piggot said. "Do not initiate a fight, and if one breaks out, we are to pull back using minimum force." Not to mention, we're all expendable. Tagg hadn't liked that, not one bit, but the orders from on high were clear.

"Looks like Tagg doesn't want to talk to us yet," Tattletale said.

"Who are they?" Marinette asked.

"Director Piggot used to lead the Bay PRT, before she got replaced by Tagg," Tattletale said. "The two protectorate members are Triumph and Miss Militia, and the metal ward is Weld. He's a Case 53…" Tattletale frowned in concentration. "He's here as a favor, but he's leaving the wards. You've met Clockblocker." She paused. "Also, in-case you didn't know, we kidnapped Piggot, Skitter invaded Triumph's house when he was at dinner, and Weld is a hard counter to her bugs."

"Did you do anything to Miss Militia?" Marinette asked.

"Not… much. No." Taylor said.

Not much. Marinette felt faint, took a deep breath to calm herself down.

"When some of you tell me I have a hard time making friends, remember this," Chloe said.

"Right," Marinette said, and put herself out in front of everyone else, walking the last few dozen yards up to the rotund woman standing in front to her own forces.

She looked far more formidable than Chloe's father.

"Director Piggot?" Marinette said, holding out her hand. "I'm Ladybug and I hope we can help you."

"Yes," Director Piggot said, taking Marinette's hand for a bare second. "I am to understand you provided vital help with the Echidna situation and have played a role in the Undersider's… Decisions."

Marinette nodded, noticing how Adrien flinched at the name. "Yes, but we hope we can break the… time bubble?"

"It was one of Bakuda's bombs. We'd hoped that we could immobilize or even kill Leviathan, but that didn't happen."

"Triumph," Taylor said.

"Skitter," Triumph replied.

"I wished things would have worked out differently." Skitter said.

"I think we can all share that opinion."

Inside the tent, Marinette paused. There were three forms, frozen in the act of jumping free.

"What about the respawning Nazi?" Tattletale asked.

"Nazi?" Alya said.

"Alabaster. Used to be part of the E88. Or is part of the E88, depending on your point of view."

"It has been decided, given recent events, that even a hint of violating the endbringer truce could cause real damage. Alabaster will be treated as if he was released during the truce period."

"Which means?" Alya asked.

"PRT decided letting a Nazi murderer go free was less important than keeping what's left of their PR intact." Tattletale said, grinning at the heroes.

"If—"

"Please," Marinette cut off Triumph. "Let's all focus on what we're supposed to be doing here today. Rena Rouge, remember what you read, what Endbringer fights are like.

"Still don't like it," Alya said.

"Join the club," Triumph replied. "But it's vital.

"And it's not what we're here for," Taylor said.

"Right," Tattletale said, losing a bit of her grin.

"How are we going to do this?" Adrien asked. "I mean, if they're frozen, and I break this, they'll think that they're in the middle of a…"

"Battle with Leviathan. That's why we're using Clockblocker's services," Piggot said. "He'll freeze the tent if need be, and that will block anything they do." She paused. "We've verified that none of Bakuda's grenades were in the area of effect."

"Good," Marinette said. "Chat can stand behind them…"

"And I'll stand behind Leather-kitty," Clockblocker said. "I can freeze you if they freak so no need to worry about getting killed."

"What about you?" Taylor asked.

"She cares!" Clockblocker said, putting a hand to his chest. "I can tag my own suit."

"A purrfect plan," Adrien said.

A quiet "Oh God, they exist in multiple realities," filled the air, but Marinette couldn't tell who said it.

"I believe we should get started," Piggot said. "Chat Noir, this attempt will be covered under the Parahuman Good Samaritan Act—you will not be liable, even if the attempt fails or leads to injury or death."

"I… Yeah," Adrien said.

"Good luck," Marinette whispered to him as he passed her.

As the other's left the tent, Adrien stared at the three men. They'd come here to fight a monster, and if he…

Well, he'd do his best. With a ton of sensor equipment to record his success or failure.

"Did you know Dauntless?" Adrien asked.

"Not… tremendously well. He was a nice guy, though," Clock said. "You know you're working with villains, right?"

"Skitter helped us," Adrien said. "I mean, she can be… Terrifying, but we worked through that."

"Terrifying, eh. Which one of you did she give the bug-treatment to?"

"Ladybug. But she didn't mean to hurt her." Adrien kept pacing around the bubble. "Then she was trying to find out who Haw—Hawkmoth was, and she sort of terrorized a family."

"That must have been pretty bad."

"Well, given that Hawkmoth can empower people who are feeling strong emotions, like…"

"Entomophobia? Being eaten by the minions of a terrifying bug cape? Having her do that buzzing speech thing?"

"All of the above," Adrien said with a grin.

"How'd you fix it?"

"Well, Ladybug lost her temper and we almost had a fight, then we grabbed Ladybug, and then we all sat down and had a talk and worked things out."

"And then," Clockblocker said. "Because there must be balance in the universe, your city was invaded by a Class S threat."

"Yah."

"On behalf of Earth Bet, I apologize for our suck invading your world."

"Apology accepted," Adrien said. "Now I think I know how to do this…"

And hopefully won't kill everyone in the bubble. He stared at it, focused on the idea that he was killing the time field. Just like he'd hit some Akuma's charm, even if they were still holding it.

Plagg was destruction. Adrien guided destruction.

"Cataclysm!" he shouted, Clockblocker standing behind, ready to freeze the tent. He felt an odd shudder, and then…

"—OVE!" Dauntless shouted. The three spun around, bringing their hands up defensively… And then blinked and stopped.

"What the fuck?" the albino said.

"I—Clockblocker?" Dauntless said in shock. "What—where's Leviathan?"

"Gone," Clockblocker said. He sounded stunned. "I didn't… I didn't really believe you could do it, Chat, everyone thinks they can but…"

"Clockblocker!" Dauntless snapped.

"Oh, right, you three got hit with a Bakuda grenade, got time stopped and then, well, Chat Noir, he's from another world, broke the bubble. And… Leviathan got chased off, but then the Slaughterhouse Nine showed up and we have a new dire—"

"Clockblocker?"

"Yes,sir?"

"Breathe."

"I assume the time bubble has been destroyed?" Piggot's voice filtered in.

"Yes, Director," Dauntless said. "Does the truce still apply?"

"Yes." Piggot opened the flap. "Alabaster, you have twenty-four hours starting now, but be advised the Empire is no longer a power in the Bay."

Alabaster didn't say a thing, just nodded and left the tent.

"Could have said thank you," Jotun muttered.

"Not something Nazi's are real big on," Clockblocker replied.

Adrien stared after Alabaster, and then staggered as Clockblocker slapped him on the back. "Dude, you know what this means? There are thousands of Grey Boy victims! You can free them all!"

"Thank you, Chat Noir," Dauntless said. "From the bottom of my heart."

"Same here, guy," Jotun said. "You need a favor, say the word."

"I… Thank you," Adrien replied. His ring beeped. "But, I… can't stay long. Powers thing."

"I understand," Dauntless said, following Adrien into the light. "It's not raining," he murmured.

"Dauntless," Miss Militia said.

"Miss Militia. Triumph. It's good to be back, but my…"

"All safe and taken care of."

"Good. Thank you."

"Chat Noir," Piggot said.

"Yes, Ma'am?" Adrien asked.

"If you're willing, we can transport you to Grey Boy victim sites. It may take a few days to prepare."

"I can do it—"

"It's not you—oh, right," Tattletale said. "A bunch of the victims are going to be crazy, the whole endless torture loop thing so you… Well, working with someone? Toybox?"

Piggot's lips compressed. "Yes, thank you Tattletale." She turned to Adrien. "One of their capes, Cranial, has the ability to remove memories."

"So you remove the traumatic memories and… Wow, that is going to cost."

"Yes. And Chat Noir…"

Adrien opened his mouth, only for Tattletale to break in. "He'll be participating as an independent cape working on a contract basis."

"But I don't want to…"

"Oh, this isn't about pay," Tattletale said. "It's about all the bounties. Government employees can't accept them, but contractors can."

"Right." Adrien shook his head. The ring beeped again.

"But the important thing is that you're back with your friends, Dauntless," Marinette said. "And the same will hold for all the other victims."

"Yes." Emily paused. "However, now that we know Chat Noir has this capability, I'm required to put down one other condition."

"Yes?" Marinette asked.

"Given the nature of Grey Boy's activity, Chat Noir's mental fitness must be regularly evaluated either by a PRT psychologist or one of your own choice, and said psychologist will have the right to order rest periods. That's non-negotiable."

Tattletale's face lost its smile. "Yeah…yeah, that's actually pretty reasonable." Then she grinned at Chat. "And since Cranial will be yanking any bad memories out of their heads, it's not like you're losing anything by resting."

"I—" Adrien almost said he wouldn't need it. Then he remembered reading about Grey Boy. He was considered scary even for the Slaughterhouse. "Yeah-yeah, I can handle that."

"Excellent. Since the primary meeting will be happening tomorrow, I'll leave you to your own activities." Piggot nodded and headed to the PRT transport, where Dauntless was already standing, accompanied by a number of medics.

"Thanks," Weld said to Adrien. "I won't be working with the Protectorate, but it has good people in it."

"What he said," Clockblocker added. "And hey, if we make peace, maybe you can drop by the Wards—just… No sun-blotting swarms."

"Not even if it's hot outside?" Taylor asked.

"Skitter made a joke. Oh God, Skitter made a joke." Clockblocker shook his helmeted head. "I think I need to go update my will. But seriously. Thanks."

"That went pretty well," Tattletale said. "And it gets us a ton of rep. Dauntless was popular. It also got me some information."

"What?" Adrien asked.

"They're not just hiring Cranial. They hired the whole Toybox."

"That would cost…"

"A lot yeah. You'd have to be spending money like you thought the world was coming to an end."

With that, the group became quiet as they turned to return to Skitter's territory, Adrien heading to an alcove to detransform and feed Plagg.