Hello once again, I'm back! Temporarily (she says), but for one last story. If you know me well, you'll probably figure out that this story is slightly similar to an upcoming film later this year. I'll leave you to figure that out, but I hope you enjoy this. Because, what's more fun than transforming characters?

Chapter One

On a Sunday afternoon, The Anti-Villain League submarine base was always a relaxing area if agents needed to finish last-minute paperwork or continue an ongoing case. However, most agents had returned home by midday to their families. Having already booked the weekend off, Gru was amongst many agents. But, he found himself back at the submarine with an urgent request, something he refused to sit on any further.

Safe to say that Valerie Da Vinci, the snooty director of the Anti-Villain League, wasn't impressed when she'd be late for her weekly meeting with her group of arrogant friends. Having to miss out on the first round of gossip just to hear Agent Gru beg her for something absurd.

Gru also wasn't pleased with her reaction.

"Oh, this is ridiculous!" Gru yelled, throwing himself back into his chair. Unfortunately for him, the chair swung him around, making his aggressive impact as threatening as a party clown. With crossed arms, he waited until the chair faced him opposite Da Vinci again.

"Excuse me, Agent Gru?" Da Vinci snapped back, "Would you mind raising your voice a little more, just so my pen can dive straight down on your P45?"

She wasn't kidding. Clicking her pen multiple times, she whipped out said form. Passing agents stopped, flinching and gasping. Widening his eyes, Gru shook his head and uncrossed his arms.

"Okay, okay," Gru raised his hands in surrender, "Look, Da Vinci–"

Da Vinci shot him a glare. He could've sworn she possessed telepathy, as he could feel the daggers penetrate his skull.

"Director Da Vinci," he inhaled, "Lucy is…exceptionally brilliant. Your best agent. She knows how to shut off from work to be a wonderful mother, and when to jump straight back into being a super agent."

Tapping her foot, Da Vinci listened.

With pleading eyes, Gru continued, "You have to give her this opportunity."

"I have to?" she mocked.

"Well, since you're retiring–"

"Transferring," Da Vinci corrected, "but that doesn't give you permission to tell me what to do. I'm still on the job for another month."

Gru gulped, "I'm just suggesting."

Da Vinci drummed her acrylic nails on the desk, making Gru cringe. She scoffed, "And what makes you think she'll nail the job, hm? The last time I checked, she's already been fired once."

"Because she asked to be, that was my own fault," Gru argued, "other than that, what grievances has she caused you?"

Da Vinci tapped her chin, swaying in her chair. "She has raised the imprisonment percentage above and beyond expectations…"

"Exactly!" Gru grinned, leaping from his seat.

She gave him a strange look.

Clearing his throat, Gru sat back down. "I mean, exactly."

She puffed air through her cheeks. "It's an agent's duty to bring villains in, however. What has she possibly done to exceed that?"

Gru bit back on his tongue to avoid arguing. "Remember Argutron? Boy, that guy was tough. It was always No, you didn't catch me, I called time out! like we were in kindergarten!"

Da Vinci shuddered, recalling Argutron very clearly. Thank goodness she was director, only her agents had to deal with that.

"Yes," she nodded, "Agent Wilde was the only one who actually made him shut up."

"And Dopplegänger!" Gru continued, "She managed to trick him with his own Dopplegängers, which was the most intelligent thing I've ever seen!"

Da Vinci smirked, leaning back in her seat and nodding. "That was pretty impressive."

"You see?" Gru smiled, unable to prevent himself from looking smug, "I could give examples for years, Director, but you only have a month."

She raised her eyebrows. There he goes with the snarky comments. But, once again, he wasn't wrong. Agent Lucy Wilde, despite the several tiffs they both had, was the most exceeding agent that the AVL had to offer. From there, Da Vinci could only imagine the wonders that Wilde would bring to the agency.

"I'll give it some thought," she decided, opening her diary and jotting down a note.

Gru smiled, knowing that was a good sign. Yet, the beam faltered and he sank into his seat when she barked at him, "but, if she so much as falls out of place, consider the offer denied."

She jabbed a finger to the row of desks near the main meeting table. "Otherwise, the job goes to Boring Bob."

Gru widened his eyes, following her gesture. His blood boiled just watching Agent Bob, cleaning every single key on his computer keyboard. Having him for a Director…he shuddered. The job wouldn't be the same.

Gru shook his head, sitting up. "She won't let you down, director. I promise."

He held out his hand for a shake. Da Vinci glanced at it with a peculiar look, before strutting away. Gru heaved a sigh, staring at the ceiling. He really hoped this would work out well.

Just as he turned to leave, Da Vinci called back, "Oh, Agent Gru, almost forgot."

"Oof!" Gru grunted, as someone shoved into him. A criminal in handcuffs, looking like she could use a nap. Or the right weapon to knock out Da Vinci.

"Take her to the cells," she called out, her heels echoing in her wake.

Gru groaned, grabbing the criminal's arm and tugging her the opposite direction. If he had to take her, then he'd have to deal with the others…

The AVL cells were self-explanatory. Just like a prison, but for the more ruthless villains that the police couldn't handle alone. The cells were clean, but bland and mind-numbingly boring enough to drive them insane. Yet, some villains made use of their space.

Vector (Victor Perkins), set up a games corner. Or, more specifically, game corner. He found a way to mould a piece of his bedding into a ball, throwing it at the chalk-ridden wall. Drawn on the wall were three hoops, all different points.

"'Sup, nerd?" Vector sneered as Gru strolled past.

Gru ignored him, but soon faced El Macho (Eduardo Perez). As a token from his son, Antonio, he was granted to own a ukulele. Strumming away, he soon switched to a darker tune upon the sight of Gru.

"Well, well," Eduardo growled, "if it isn't Senior Traitor himself."

Gru rolled his eyes. Traitor? As if he wasn't the one that tied his partner to a dynamite-induced rocket years ago.

Soon, he jerked as Balthazar Bratt yelled out in frustration. He banged against the door, jabbing a finger towards Eduardo.

"You better start playing retro tunes, man," Bratt threatened, "or I'm gonna sing that 80s song you hate."

Clive nodded beside him, glaring at Eduardo.

"Choke on a shoulder pad," Eduardo replied, before playing even louder.

Growling to himself, Bratt covered his ears. He began to sing Karma Chameleon to himself, gradually growing louder to drown out Eduardo's strumming.

Gru directed his appointed criminal in her cell, eager to leave as soon as possible. As a matter of fact, he hadn't confronted all three villains since their defeats. Though he kept his head high alongside his victories, there were some instances that he, Lucy, and the girls suffered trauma from each of them. He wasn't keen to see them again.

"Got demoted to transferals, Gru?" Bratt mocked, "Perhaps you'll go rogue and join us in these cells."

Stopping in his tracks, Gru turned on his heel. "And I bet you'd love that.

Bratt scoffed, "Only if you were tied upside-down by your heels. Villain or not, you're the last person I'd choose to ally with, straight after Hector."

"Vector!" Vector yelled.

Gru smirked, "Yeah, the rogueness thing won't be happening. Especially not with our soon-to-be director."

Vector threw his ball at the wall. "Another one? Boy, this place must suck."

Bratt leaned against the wall. "What's their name?"

Gru smirked. "My wonderful wife, as a matter of fact."

Silence. Then, raging laughter came from Bratt's cell.

"Agent Wilde?" Bratt scoffed. "You must be joking."

Eduardo sat up, shocked. "Wait, wait. You and Lucia are married?"

"Bro, do you ever listen to what I say?" Bratt argued.

"You always mention a Grucy, you never mention–" Eduardo paused, finally connecting the dots, "–ohhh."

Vector squinted. "You're married now? That poor woman."

Ignoring the final comment, Gru turned to the door. "Yep, so you better prepare to be under her rule."

Bratt scoffed. "Yeah, right. Last time I checked, I beat her in a fight."

Gru stormed up towards the cell door. "You played dirty. She would've pummelled you in five seconds."

Without another glance backward, Gru left the room with pride swelling in his chest. The three villains watched him leave, with nothing more than the desire to watch Agents Grucy fail once more.

Feet heavy, Gru sighed in relief as he reached the front porch. He unlocked the front door, readying himself for the tornado of hugs that his girls greeted him with each day.

"I'm home!" Gru called into the hallway, the door shutting with an echo.

Nobody responded.

Hanging his keys on a hook, Gru entered the living area. The television was off. Board games were packed away. No mess evident to conclude that his girls were nearby.

Heart beating rapidly, Gru headed straight for the lab's elevator. He punched the button, jumping into the tube. As he travelled down into the lab, he spotted no sign of life either. No Minions in the middle of their jazzercise class. No Dru, ready to give him the biggest hug in his lifetime. Even no Nefario, who was intent on giving a daily report of the lab with a fresh cup of coffee.

All were absent.

He approached the heavy door in the shape of a safe, turning the lock. Peeking his head inside, Gru called, "Hello?"

He stepped into the dark, fists raised. "Is anyone down here?"

He tip-toed. Despising the silence; fearing the worst.

He flipped the switch. All of a sudden, party poppers ricocheted towards him. Gru jerked, holding up his hands to block the attacker. He opened one eye, but soon realised it wasn't an attack. Lucy, Dru, and Doctor Nefario stood in front of him, smiling.

It was a celebration!

"Here's to the forty-fifth anniversary of your first heist, brother!" Dru cheered, wrapping him in a strangling hug.

"Agh!" Gru groaned, patting his brother on the back before wriggling out of his grip. "Wait, my what?"

"On this day, forty years ago," Nefario announced, dramatic tone for effect, "you committed your first theft."

Gru finally caught in. "Oh, thanks…what did I steal again?"

Lucy playfully bumped his shoulder, "The Queen's crown, c'mon!"

Nefario presented Queen Elizabeth's crown to him, carefully balanced on an immaculate pillow.

"Ah," Gru remembered, though it wasn't a major achievement he'd call his favourite. "Well, I didn't steal it from the Queen, I stole it from Scarlett Overkill," Gru clarified, then soon thought, "I wonder if she's still trapped in that ice."

"Maybe she's come out of it, still the same age," Nefario chuckled.

Lucy gasped, "Like Captain America! Except…less Captain and more villain. She'll freak out when she finds out you've retired."

"And that we have hoverboards!" Dru whipped out his own hoverboard, demonstrating with wobbly knees. He hasn't lasted five seconds, as the board sent him crashing towards a shelf. "Oof!"

Gru, Lucy and Nefario winced. They waited for movement, and soon sighed as Dru's head popped out of the rummage of boxes.

"I'm okay!" he gasped.

"All great, all peachy," Gru nodded, before turning to his wife. He held her hands, unable to contain his excitement, "So, I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Hold that thought, my honeybear," Lucy held a hand over his mouth, "we planned something for this special occasion."

Gru's eyes furrowed. "You…did?"

Dru called, "Minions!"

A spotlight shone on Dave the Minion, dressed in full Bob Marley costume. "Booka!" he commanded, blasting celebratory music. On cue, a row of Minions emerged from each tunnel across the lab. They all ran across the podiums, flying banners with various phrases: We Love You Gru; Congratulations; Best Ex-Villain Ever; I'm Hungry.

Gru felt three figures brush past his leg, almost losing his footing. But, soon smiled once he saw his daughters roll past him on roller skates. They held different words spelling out We Love You Dad! with Agnes' one including (and unicorns!) at the end in a tiny glitter font.

One Minion, over enthusiastic, shot Gru's Freeze Ray but ended up accidentally aiming for Gru.

"Woah!" Gru yelled, grabbing Lucy and ducking under the ice.

Dru, in a fit of laughter, screamed when the ice froze his hand.

Lucy cringed as the destruction finally came to a halt. Multiple Minions had bumped into each other previously, starting a quarrel and pushing each other off the podiums. She turned to Gru, who watched with an open mouth.

Clearing her throat, Lucy gave an awkward, "Ta-daa?"

Gru couldn't help but admit it. Yes, it was a disaster. But, he appreciated the thought.

With a smirk, Gru rolled his eyes. "Well, despite the disaster and payment for replacements to come…you guys did this all for me?"

Dru held Lucy's shoulders, "Don't look at me. She had the idea!"

Lucy winced as his frozen hand touched her shoulder. "That's cold!"

Gru gave her an affectionate smile. Lucy crossed her hands behind her back, giving her husband a shy smile.

"Minus the disaster part, yeah, pretty much me." she shrugged.

Exchanging knowing smiles, Dru, Nefario, and the girls excused themselves to another room in the lab, leaving Gru and Lucy alone. As for Gru, he couldn't help but adore the…unique, perhaps, spectacle of the celebration.

"What?" Lucy laughed, though she could read him like a book.

"Nothing, just…" Gru sighed from the total adoration he held for his wife, "you're a dedicated AVL agent, yet you went through all this to celebrate the life of a villain."

Lucy slung her arms around his neck, "Not a villain, my husband," she clarified, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"Hmm," Gru hummed, feeling a warm tingle down his spine, "for a villain celebration, you didn't do too bad either."

Knowing he was kidding, Lucy pushed his shoulder. "I suppose villain parties were darker? Or did you just go and commit crimes like the bad boy you were?"

Gru blushed at the nickname, tugging his sweater collar. Then, he realised… "I wouldn't know. I've never been invited to one."

Lucy's jaw dropped. "What?"

"Yes, they all thought I was too young and too weird," Gru shrugged, "it's no big deal, I didn't like them either."

Lucy frowned, pulling her husband in for a tight tug. "Poor honeybear…"

"Yeah, yeah…" Gru contemplated, "as long as you're not uncomfortable celebrating this. I know it's probably a stretch because…your parents."

Slipping her hands into his, Lucy gave his palm a firm squeeze. "Hey, relax. I wanted to do this. And it's not like you were a terrorising villain, you just stole things."

Gru slumped his shoulders jokingly. "Oh, that boosts my ego."

Lucy stammered, "I…you know what I mean."

Gru gave her a reassuring kiss. "I'm only teasing."

Linking her arm around his, Lucy tugged him further towards the center of the room. "Oh, almost forgot! Dru made you a cake, but…"

She forced a smile.

Gru tilted his head. "What is it?"

She squeezed his arm. "Try to…be positive about it. He asked me to test taste and…let's just say I almost threw up from one bite."

"Oh, great. Just what I need," Gru joked, "food poisoning on a weeknight."

Lucy nudged him slightly, before they both chuckled amongst themselves and joined the others for some inedible cake.