AN: This is actually a somewhat delayed follow-up to "The Colossus Saga: Patrol Logs," chapter 33, as well as a follow-up for "Patrol Logs, Volume 2," chapter 4.

To Lyger 0: Archer? I have to say, the idea of the rest of the United Heroez watching them while they are totally oblivious to what everyone else is thinking is pretty amazing!

"So, Sent-Bee, to what do we owe the pleasure?"

Sent-Bee hummed, settling back in her chair and looking around the simple office setup. They were in a somewhat comfortable loft overlooking downtown Lyon, out one window of which she had a clear view of the boats going up and down the Rhône. In terms of size, it wasn't any larger than her own penthouse at Le Grand Paris, though the open floorplan gave the illusion of space. From this desk and conference table set in the corner she could see the entire floor, just by turning her head slightly. Off to one side was a simple kitchenette where Pegasus and Résistante were speaking quietly; a training area with mats and weights took up most of one half of the floor, bordered on two sides by racks of training weapons. Several folding tables and a stack of chairs rested against the far wall, enough for at least 30 people to sit comfortably when they were all out. Turning back to her host, she explained, "You know that the Heroes of Paris try to meet with as many hero groups as we can? I thank you for agreeing to meet with us." She raised her water glass and gave him a nod. "I must admit," she mused, "yours is the most… professional-looking headquarters that I've ever seen, at least among the newer hero groups that I've met with."

Across the desk from her, de Gaulle tipped his water glass in acknowledgement, tipping his chair back as he did so. "We've been trying, particularly since the Tarasque tore through Paris and the country started going to hell."

"Well, I'm relieved to see that at least Lyon came through it all in good shape," Sent-Bee told him. "Even while we were in Angola, those we had left behind in France were never far from our thoughts."

He chuckled easily. "I suppose we should be grateful that someone was thinking about us… President Guizot seemed more than happy to stay on Corsica after leaving France – at least we didn't hear anything more from her."

Under her helmet, Sent-Bee raised an eyebrow at him. "Well, we're all back now, and the Heroes of Paris, at least, are very interested in doing what we can for the rest of the country as we all try to rebuild."

De Gaulle leaned forward and gave her a knowing look. "The Heroes of Paris? Or the Mayor of Paris?" Sent-Bee cocked her head to one side. De Gaulle pursed his lips, examining her carefully. "On whose behalf are you really here, Mlle Bourgeois?"

Masking an irritated groan, Sent-Bee pulled off her helmet and shook her head, tossing her ponytail to either side to smooth it out. Placing the helmet on the desk between them, she slowly ran her fingers through her ponytail, stalling for time as she collected her thoughts. When Marinette had asked her to play "liaison," to represent the Heroes of Paris to the other hero groups, she had leapt at the opportunity. Her father had been in politics since before she was born; he had been Mayor of Paris most of her life. Having grown up with that intuitive understanding of "playing politics," she had figured that would only be a benefit in connecting with these other groups. Plus, her father's connections had proven useful multiple times in the last few years – a couple of heroes had escaped prison time just from the mention of the Mayor of Paris. So far, that had proved to be the case.

But now?

Finally, she let out a breath, fixing de Gaulle with a look. "My father is the Mayor of Paris, true," she acknowledged with a nod. "However, that is not why I asked to meet with you. I am not here for my father – he doesn't even know I'm making this trip; he hardly knows anything I do for the Heroes of Paris. I am only here to invite Liberté to work with the Heroes of Paris."

De Gaulle hummed. "Although you can't deny that it would look good for your father's reelection chances if you brought Liberté into the Heroes of Paris fold before the election," he pointed out, arching an eyebrow. "Between the Tarasque, the Chaos, the Lynchpin, that debacle out west… he needs some sort of a win to get public opinion back on his side, don't you think?"

Sent-Bee scoffed. "I take it your vote would go to Loubet if you lived in Paris?" De Gaulle shrugged noncommittally. Sent-Bee rolled her eyes. "If that's what you're worried about, I'm happy to hold off until after the election is over before making an announcement. Though the Heroes of Paris will happily support you any way we can before then." She placed her elbows on the desk and leaned forward, meeting his gaze. He stared back without flinching. Sent-Bee quirked an eyebrow. "Look: you can keep going your own way all you want; we won't stop you. But you and I both know that if the Lynchpin is operating in Lyon, it's only a matter of time before you really catch his attention. And next time, it might not be Mecha-Man who shows up. So let us help you."

De Gaulle furrowed his brows, examining Sent-Bee carefully for a long minute. Finally, he let out a slow breath and nodded. Rising partway out of his chair, he held out a hand. "Very well, Mlle Bourgeois," he agreed. "We will join your… Heroes of Paris?"

"'Heroes of France', we were thinking," she corrected with a relieved smile, standing up and taking his hand.

"To the Heroes of France, then," he responded, giving a small smile. "Although I would ask that you wait until after the election to make any announcements. I have no interest in being used as a political pawn."

Sent-Bee stifled a laugh. "Believe me; Ladybug feels the same way. As, for that matter, do I," she muttered under her breath. He raised an eyebrow in surprise, and she cocked her head to one side, studying him more closely. He was only a year or two older than she herself was, but something in the facial features stirred a memory. She'd only seen a few pictures… but she passed one at City Hall every time she visited her father's office. "I take it you've actually had similar experiences?" she asked. Her brows furrowed suspiciously. "Then 'de Gaulle' is more than just a nom de guerre, isn't it?"

He nodded, his mouth set in a thin line. "My mother's family. Father tried to get into politics on that connection, but it didn't go too far."

Sent-Bee quirked an eyebrow. "My sympathies."

He shook his head. "I'm not disappointed."

She gave him a deadpan look. "You and I both know that's not what I meant."

"I know."

Sent-Bee let out a breath and picked up her helmet off the desk, glancing back toward Pegasus. "Well, as much as I'd 'enjoy' talking political parents all afternoon, we do have another stop to make before returning to Paris," she told him.

"Of course," he acknowledged as they walked back toward the kitchenette, where Pegasus looked up from his conversation with Résistante. "Be sure to keep me informed."

"As long as you will do the same," she agreed.

Pegasus gave Résistante a nod and rose from the table. "If you have any suggestions for improving fuel consumption, I will happily include you in our 'think tank,'" he told her.

Résistante hummed, pursing her lips in thought. "I'll give it some thought."

Pegasus raised an eyebrow at Sent-Bee. "I take it everything went well?"

Sent-Bee glanced at de Gaulle and nodded. "One down, one more to go."

"Voyage!"

Moments later, Sent-Bee stepped through the portal into a cloudy Eastern European afternoon. Looking around the city, she frowned. "A pity we have no idea where to find these particular heroes," she mused.

Pegasus shrugged. "Evidence suggests that they are well connected to their city," he pointed out. "Perhaps they will find us before too long."

"Maybe…" She hummed and pulled out her phone. Taking a quick picture of them with a tall, gold-domed cathedral behind them, she hit a couple of buttons. "Of course, we can leave a few hints for them, too." Out of the corner of her eye, she could see a couple passersby pausing and pointing at them, whispering to each other. Ignoring the attention for now, she started down the street away from the cathedral, scanning the shops and apartment buildings on either side curiously. "But in the meantime, we can always play tourist until they arrive."

Pegasus hustled to keep up with her. "Are you looking for anything specific?" he asked.

Sent-Bee furrowed her brows. "Other than our erstwhile heroes? Not especially. Although I wouldn't mind some caffeine…"

"Is that a café down there?" he asked, pointing off to one side. With a nod, Sent-Bee followed him in that direction, her eyes focused on the distant sign. Coffee, tea… after spending all day so far jumping between portals, she could use something to get her through the rest of this trip. They were only halfway there when Pegasus cocked his head, glancing into one of the shops they were walking past. "Do you think Sabrina would appreciate one of those?" he asked.

Sent-Bee cocked her head, momentarily confused before noticing the charm bracelet Pegasus was indicating. She shrugged. "If it comes from you?" she asked rhetorically. "She'd probably wear it until it crumbles to dust. Why?"

Pegasus frowned. "She appeared distressed this morning when I told her about this trip," he admitted. "I hoped that a souvenir would ease her distress."

Under her helmet, Sent-Bee raised an eyebrow at him dubiously. "A… souvenir," she deadpanned. "I don't think that's what her problem is, Max."

"What do you mean?"

Sent-Bee blinked. "Do you have any idea how much she missed you in Angola?"

"Yes."

"Then extrapolate from that," she told him curtly. "And make sure that you treat my best friend right… because otherwise I will end you. Mmkay?"

Pegasus blinked. "I… will?"

Sent-Bee nodded, clearing her throat. "Good. So…" She paused just outside of the small café as her breath suddenly turned cold, fogging up her face shield. The sky above remained the same cloudy grey… but somehow the temperature had dropped substantially in the last minute. Sent-Bee cocked her head to one side, looking in either direction, up and down the street. People continued walking around them, though a couple had paused, looking around in confusion. Beside Sent-Bee, Pegasus reached up to place one hand on the horseshoe mounted on his back. Sent-Bee's hand drifted down to one of her belt-holstered yo-yos.

"This makes no logical sense…" muttered Pegasus, his gaze shifting from side to side.

"Does it ever?" Sent-Bee hissed back. She was just glancing back at the café in front of them when a spectral hand seemed to reach out through the brickwork toward her. A head emerged next, and the mouth almost immediately opened to release a ghastly screech. Sent-Bee's stomach tensed as she watched the entity appear, rising to its full height on the sidewalk in front of her. Resisting her immediate urge to run, Sent-Bee held up one hand in a gesture of peace. "Z–zachekayte!" ["Wait!"]

Pryvyd Kyyeva hesitated for only a moment before its scream rose in pitch and volume, and it reached out toward Sent-Bee. Behind her, Pegasus pulled the horseshoe from his back and spun it onehanded in front of her, though the ghost phased through it without any visible effect. Sent-Bee stepped back another pace, scanning the street in either direction nervously. Pegasus retreated after her, trying to keep himself between her and Pryvyd Kyyeva.

Suddenly, a man wearing muted yellow with dark blue highlights stepped between Pryvyd Kyyeva and Pegasus and muttered something to Pryvyd Kyyeva. The ghost froze in place and folded its spectral arms, eyeing Sent-Bee and Pegasus suspiciously. Vovk copied its stance, turning on the two heroes. "What are you doing here?" he demanded, switching to English.

Sent-Bee took a deep breath to still her racing heart and scoffed. "Took you long enough," she drawled. "Would you believe me if I said that we came to see you?"

Vovk furrowed his brows suspiciously. "And why would you do that?"

"A couple of our friends… bumped into you the other day," she explained, as Pegasus backed away from the two Ukrainian heroes, eyeing them warily. "Nochnoy Storozh and Nochnaya Vedma came here because we sent them a tip. They met you, and they told us things didn't go so great. So we're here to talk."

"So talk."

Sent-Bee swallowed nervously. "First, I want to apologize for the misunderstanding. We had been informed of suspicious activity, and they were our closest ally who could come and investigate. We didn't know then that you were actually heroes, so they couldn't know. But now that we know that Kyiv has a couple heroes of its own, we would like to offer you the opportunity to work together. If you are interested."

Vovk frowned. "And what does that mean? French and Russian super-people coming in here to tell us what to do?"

Sent-Bee shook her head adamantly. "Absolutely not. If any of us or our allies come here again, it will be at your request. And if they come, it's your country, so you're the boss."

He hummed slowly, pondering his words. "And… what?"

Sent-Bee shrugged. "We like making friends. If you're ever in trouble, we're happy to come and help you; our hope is that if we're ever in trouble–" again, she didn't add "–you might come and help us. That's all we want."

Vovk's eyes darted back and forth between them. "Perhaps that can be an acceptable arrangement," he allowed. "But I do not think Pryvyd can actually leave the city – or at least I do not think Pryvyd has tried."

"That's fine," Sent-Bee assured him. "Our goal is to be as unobtrusive and helpful as we can."

Vovk nodded slowly and shared a look with Pryvyd Kyyeva. "I think we can work something out," he agreed, holding out a hand to Sent-Bee.

AN: Tomorrow will be the beginning of "The Last Jagged Ride."