She didn't mean to tase him. She didn't want to do it. But, when it came to bringing justice for her parents, she couldn't risk anyone standing in her way. Even if it was her own husband.

Then again, as she stormed through the maze of hallways within the Anti-Villain League, Lucy stressed over wondering why the Sixties Supers were here. That wasn't part of any plan - she only had the annihilation of Apex crossing her mind. And now, after Tina Nelson thanked her for something she had no involvement in, she was truly a rogue villain.

Maybe…she could join them?

Stopping in her tracks, Lucy glanced over her shoulder. That tiny, somewhat irritating, voice told her to go back. But she became accustomed to shutting it down. Focusing on the real job. Her new job. Villainy.

Reaching the depths of the AVL blimp, Lucy twisted her mouth. She hadn't actually toured this area before. It was restricted for the researchers and forbidden machinery, mostly invented by villains they'd previously defeated or weapons that were total duds. However, remembering this, her intrusive thoughts only caused her to smirk as she slipped into one of the many rooms.

Upon entering, a bright light made Lucy wince. She held a hand over her eyes, squinting to find the culprit. Green…glowing…an extreme ability to blind anyone, by the looks of it. However, as she stepped closer to the object, Lucy gasped.

"The emerald reactor…" she realised, stepping towards an angle that the glow wasn't blinding her sight.

Feeling her pulse quicken, Lucy glanced at the red sign urging, Handle with extreme care.

Her eyes scanned the smaller box of text underneath. She would've skipped the boredom entirely and moved onto the stealing, but Lucy's heart skipped a beat when she noticed one particular line:

Past experiments have proven this reactor as a key component in the late Professor Flux's Time Machine. This component must not be within the area of this machine.

Inhaling, her hands clasped the reactor. She clenched her teeth before ripping the component away from its attachment. It took a moment for Lucy to grin. The emerald reactor…in her hands! Nothing could compare to it, not even the Dupont Diamond or the Zodiac Stone.

"I've got it…" Lucy chuckled.

However, her celebration was cut short. A few seconds later, the floor gave a violent shudder. Losing her footing, Lucy gripped a nearby table, widening her eyes. What was that?

She glanced outside the window, met with passing clouds and soaring birds. Waiting for the clouds to move, Lucy caught sight of a flickering green pipe curving on the side of the airship. Glancing at the reactor, she remembered - it gave the ship its fuel to hover within the air without having a captain. The pipe sparked and fizzled, drained from the reactor's energy.

The floor shuddered again. Lucy stumbled with a yelp. She stared at the reactor once again, contemplating her decision. "Dang, there's always something."

When he finally regained consciousness, Gru grimaced as he lifted his head from the cold floor. Gru swallowed several times, soothing his dry mouth. He blinked, rubbing the blur from his eyes. Sat on the floor. Pounding headache. Limbs feeling like they'd been shocked by lightning-

Gru widened his eyes. Standing from the floor, he circled the prison cell he was trapped inside. He rushed towards the door. "No…no, no, no, no!" he cried, slamming his hands against the door several times.

Another voice wailed, "But I can prove to them I'll be better!"

Gru glanced to the side, spotting the recognisable orange, red, and purple colours. Penned in individual glass cells were Bratt, Eduardo, and Vector, with the latter pacing and struggling to catch his breath. A dawning realisation struck him. Not only was he trapped, but imprisoned with the three imbeciles he hated the most.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Gru murmured to himself, "Okay…okay…don't panic Gru, think."

"Enemy reunion," Bratt cheered, though he wasn't any more enthusiastic than his silent accomplices, "woohoo."

Eduardo was the one to break the silence. "Gru, my dear friend–"

"No."

"Please, hear what I have to say–"

"I don't have to listen to any of you," Gru turned on his heel, clenching his fists tight enough that his knuckles paled, "just because you're all goody annoying heroes now doesn't mean I forgive you for the hell you've put me and my family through."

"But I am sorry," Eduardo stressed, pressing a hand against the cell door, "I have no idea what these two put you through, but I know that my head was lined up with my broken heart."

Gru shook his head. Yeah, he was broken-hearted too. That time when Lucy left for Australia, almost sweeping away the only chance of love that he welcomed in his arms. But, he wasn't transforming his minions into indestructible monsters just because he felt depressed. As for Eduardo and his wife who left him, Esmerelda, it still wasn't a strong excuse for him.

"You had a son," Gru pointed out, "you still had something, yet you chose to make everyone's life a living hell."

Eduardo glared back at him. "Hey, the plan didn't work!"

"And what if it did?" Gru threw his hands up, "Lucy and I would be dead in that volcano. The girls wouldn't have a home. Nobody would've had a home, because you would've destroyed everything. Did that ever cross your puny mind?"

Eduardo opened his mouth, only for an intelligible sigh to escape. No. No, it didn't.

"It'll be an extremely snowy day in hell before I forgive any of you," Gru snapped, turning away.

After a moment, Vector examined his nails and scoffed, "So much talk for a pretty darn pathetic hero."

Gru clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. The pain from his white-knuckled grip couldn't break through his internal rage. "Say that again."

Vector grabbed the cell bars. "Yeah, sure, we all caused terror upon your family. So what?"

Gru blinked. Did he actually say that? Was he talking to complete morons?

"But that's in the past," Vector continued, "we need to put aside our differences and beat the crap outta these sixties suckers."

"You are not changed," Gru snapped, "you will never change."

"You changed," Vector jabbed, "and by the looks of it, Lucy's changing too."

He turned away once again, glaring at the wall. No. Lucy wasn't changing. No matter how strong that sinister side of her grew, it couldn't overshadow the real Lucy. The hero that lived in her heart.

Sliding down the wall at a dramatically slow pace, Bratt sighed. He stared at the corner of his cell, hoping that somehow the tiny pieces of brick would come to life. Something, anything, to break out of the sheer awkwardness.

And then…they did.

Bratt widened his eyes as the pieces jumped. Just once. Then again, but he heard a bang in the distance.

Standing, Bratt crept to the corner, pressing his ear against the wall. "Do you guys hear that?"

Gru let out a titter. "The sound of silence? Absolutely loving it."

Ignoring his remark, Bratt listened closer. The bangs and crashes travelled towards the ceiling. Eyes following the movement, he noticed the other two villains stare at the ceiling also - the air vent.

"Something must've gotten stuck?" Eduardo guessed.

That something kicked the dampers from inside, enough to grab Gru's attention. All four men watched as the damper struggled to open, before a familiar high-pitched voice cried, "Open sesame!"

BANG!

As the damper fell with an ear-piercing crash, Edith also landed in the hallway between the cells. Unlike the damper, she landed with sophisticated strength, balancing on her knee and one hand, which Lucy taught her - the superhero landing.

Gasping, Gru rushed to the door with a beam. "Edith!"

"Hey, Dad!" Standing with an exhilarated exhale, Edith pointed at the ceiling. "It's not just me!"

Zooming through the open vent was another small person, clad in a white and pink metal suit that'd made Iron Man proud. Holding onto their arm was Margo, grasping a map as she desperately waited to reach the ground. Once she returned to Edith's side, Margo gave the smaller person a thumbs up. They pressed a button on their wrist, the mask revealing the hero to be Agnes.

Gru tilted his head. "Wha-? Agnes, when did you get that?"

Agnes bounced on the spot. "The minions made it for me when I was learning to ride my bike. Isn't it super cool?!"

Margo tapped Edith's shoulder. "Quick, we don't have much time."

"Right, right!" Edith snapped back into action. Rummaging through her pockets, she drew out a set of keys. She grimaced, staring at the infinite collection. "Let's see…ooh, he's got a spongebob one."

Margo glanced over her shoulder, also uneasy. "Hmm…maybe it's the blue one?"

"It's a car key," Edith pointed out.

Slumping her shoulders, Agnes stepped back. "We don't have time, fellow heroes. Stand back!"

Raising her hand, a yellow beam glowed in the middle of her palm. Margo and Edith flinched, rushing behind their younger sister. Aiming for the emergency fire alarm, Agnes shot a laser beam directly at the source.

KABLAM!

Everyone took cover as metal shards soared across the room. Agnes' laser beam attacked the device, disabling each cell door within the block. Whilst Vector and Eduardo stepped out, sighing in relief, Bratt cried out in relief as he kneeled and stretched out across the floor.

"Thank goodness," he slumped, kissing the floor, "I couldn't sleep in a mouldy cell again."

Gru rolled his eyes. "Don't get used to it," he then frowned, kneeling in front of his daughters, "girls, what you've done is extremely reckless."

Their thrilled smiles dropped. Margo bowed her head, realising that she held the most responsibility out of the three.

Holding both her sisters' hands, Margo sighed, "Dad, I'm so-"

Placing a gentle hand on Margo's shoulder, Gru interrupted with a solemn smile. "But you would make amazing spies," he finally continued, wrapping his arms around the three, "your Mom would be proud, too."

Upon the mention of Lucy, Agnes jumped out of Gru's hug. "Mom! Where's Mom? We need to save her!"

"And Dru, we have to save him!" Bratt piped up, attracting odd glances from the family. Widening his eyes, Bratt folded his hands together in front of him. "Can't I care about the welfare of others?"

Rolling his eyes, Gru nodded, "Yes, he's right. We need to find Dru and Nefario first."

"You can have them."

Another voice caused Gru to flinch. He could've recognised that nasally voice from anywhere.

Stepping in front of his girls, Gru clenched his fist and glared at the new intruders. The three villain-heroes followed suit, ready for battle. Tina, along with her Sixties Supers crew, shoved Dru and Nefario towards Gru and the girls in a rather anticlimactic resolution.

He wasn't in the mood for their games, or whatever peace treaty this was. Lucy was his priority.

Gru threatened, "You better get out of the league before these sleeves roll up."

"Yeah?" Tina jutted out her hip, "You and what muscle?"

"Hey!" Dru stepped in front of Gru, crossing his arms, "I'll have you know my brother is the toughest of the tough. He broke my wrist during an arm-wrestling match. And I'm telling you, you do not wanna challenge him to one of those."

Gru cocked his brow. "So you guys…don't want them?"

Dru gasped. "I just defended you!"

Gru shook his head. "No, I don't mean it like that," he side-eyed Tina, "what changed your mind?"

On cue, the floor rumbled beneath them. Everyone gasped, balancing themselves or grasping the closest thing to them. Wrapping his arms around the girls, Gru knelt to their height and drew them close to his chest. Dru shut his eyes and hugged Bratt, who widened his eyes and caught an obvious flush across his cheeks.

"What is that?" Gru glanced upward, searching for the source of disturbance.

Pretending to ponder, Tina circled the family. "Why d'ya think the blimp is suddenly collapsing?"

The blimp wasn't his and Lucy's main base, they were mainly located in the AVL submarine. But when they were directed to the blimp, it was for emergencies, lectures, and important announcements. His agent training provided a risk assessment, which covered everything that could malfunction in both bases. Its power source relied on something powerful, infinite…

…Something that a villain would want…

A dooming realisation cast over him. "The reactor," he soon glared at Tina, "what did you do?"

With a relaxed smirk, Tina held up her hands. "I didn't do anything."

He raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. Until he realised…she wasn't the only villain on this blimp. With the daunting realisation, Gru's expression dropped. Surely not…

Lucy loved her job. She wouldn't risk the destruction of the AVL blimp, right?

But this wasn't Lucy.

"Such a shame, losing that pretty wife of yours," Tina shrugged, getting a kick out of Gru's sullen face, "but at least I've got a pretty sweet candidate for the Sixties Supers."

Reaching into her pocket, Tina pulled out a twinkling dust ball. Launching it onto the floor, everyone coughed and spluttered as the smoke flew to the back of their throats. Waving the dust from his face, Gru stormed towards the door, only to find Tina and the villains vanished.

He turned, checking everyone - especially his girls - were still there. Hands flying to his head, Gru repressed the urge to crush his skull. This was not his day. Or week, for that matter.

Growling, Gru gestured to the villains, "Nefario, take the girls and the villains and follow the Stupid Supers."

Nefario saluted. Margo nodded, whilst Edith and Agnes high-fived with grins.

Gru waved his hand, "Dru, come with me, we're gonna find Lucy."

"Yay!" Dru cheered, slapping his brother on the back, "Brother bonding time!"

Maybe that was a mistake.

At that exact moment, Lucy skidded around the corner of a hallway with the reactor in her hands. With the ship on the brink of collapse and her own life in jeopardy, one big question remained: exactly what was she supposed to do now?

Gasping for breath, Lucy pressed herself against the wall as three AVL agents raced past her. She stared at the emerald glow, the big opportunity in her hands. Think, Lucy, think.

And then she remembered. Professor Flux's time machine was compatible with the reactor. She glanced around the hallway. One of these rooms must keep it locked away. Maybe she could just slip back to the day that her parents died.

Would that be going too far?

But, before she could contemplate her decision any further…

"I strongly suggest you hand that over, Wilde."

Lucy found herself facing Da Vinci. In her hands lay an intricate weapon - another illegal weapon, judging by the ghastly appearance.

"Or what?" Lucy cocked her brow, "You gonna shoot me with your bubble gun?"

Da Vinci clenched her jaw. "You know damn well this ain't a bubble gun."

Lucy couldn't find any reason to feel scared. Somehow, she knew that Da Vinci wouldn't hurt her. Perhaps it was the finger that wasn't anywhere near the trigger. Or, perhaps, there wasn't enough willpower in the director to actually fire a weapon at her own agent.

Or so she thought.

"So, now I'm a villain, are you gonna shoot me?" The best thing she could do is stall. "I meet the criteria list for shoot on sight."

Luckily, Da Vinci loved the chatter. "I'll shoot anyone who threatens my agency."

"You knew about my parents. You brought back the illegal weapon supply," Lucy twisted her lips, "but I don't think you did that willingly."

Swallowing, Da Vinci jabbed her gun towards Lucy. "Shut your mouth."

Lucy crossed her arms. "Why the sudden retirement, then?"

"TRANSFERAL," Da Vinci yelled, storming up towards the redhead, "I AM TRANSFERING, YOU IRRITATING PUNK!"

Before Lucy could respond, she could hear the struggle in Da Vinci's voice as she continued, "You know, I was starting to find you quite admirable as an agent," and then, she glared, "thank goodness you turned into a villain, because the thought of you replacing me was nauseating to think about."

Lucy clenched her fists. "Shoot me, then."

Da Vinci whipped the barrel into position. Desperation plastered across her face. Yet, her hands shook. Her furrowed brows softened.

Lucy noticed this. She knew something was wrong.

With an exasperated groan, and the sheer embarrassment of allowing Agent Wilde of all people to tap into her insecurities, Da Vinci bared her teeth as she pressed the trigger.

But Lucy's hand grasped the edge of the barrel, aiming the gun away as an ear-piercing BANG echoed through the room. Da Vinci's expression dropped. She tried tugging it back, but Lucy's grip - even with one hand - overpowered her. Instead, the weapon was yanked from her hands.

Lucy chuckled, "Wow, you were really gonna do it."

WHIP!

Da Vinci kicked the emerald reactor out of Lucy's left hand. It cluttered across the floor, abandoned in the shadows. Lucy stared, humbled for a moment.

Tossing the weapon aside, Lucy swiped at Da Vinci's legs. Luckily she one-upped her Director in the combat department. She smirked as she grabbed Da Vinci by her blazer, dragging her towards the open window of the blimp. The faulty engine sent shock waves through the vehicle, almost causing Lucy to slip. Her grip slipped on Da Vinci, who just managed to grab the window ledge. The winds urged to snatch her up.

"Please," Da Vinci pleaded, "I'll…I'll tell you the truth."

Lucy shook her head. "Too late."

Glaring up at Lucy, Da Vinci snapped, "I hope you fail."

"Alright, well good luck finding someone to replace you," Lucy smirked, before stomping on Da Vinci's hands.

"AHHHHHHHH!"

Da Vinci's blood-curdling scream was enough for Lucy to leave the scene. She strode away, fighting back the internal shock in her system.

You shouldn't have done that. What are you doing?

Lucy stopped. Since when did she feel remorse for her Director? She shouldn't even give her the benefit of doubt. When has Da Vinci done anything for her?

Please, let me out!

What is that? Shaking her head, she ignored the voice. All she needed was that reactor, and she could move forward with her mission.

However, when she reached the shadow that swallowed the reactor, it must've literally done so. Lucy whirled around, not a single reactor in sight.

And as for Da Vinci, she clenched her eyes shut as she hurtled through the air. Ready to accept her fate…

"Gotcha!"

A brief scream slipped from her mouth. Glancing upward, she wasn't sure if she was thrilled or exasperated to see Agent Wilde's equally enthusiastic middle daughter grabbing her hand. Then again, this was a nine-year-old who jumped out of a collapsing blimp to save her life.

Edith called from above, motioning for Agnes to help her back up, "No need to panic!"

Agnes nodded. With her high-tech suit, she zoomed downward to grab her sister's hand, tugging Edith and Da Vinci back through the window and onto the bottom floor of the blimp.

Margo, who almost fainted from watching her sister dive off the blimp, peeked through her fingers. "Edith…do not do that again."

Flicking her hair back in process, Edith grinned, "I make no promises."

Whilst Agnes focused on the traumatised state of the AVL director - Da Vinci curled into a ball in silence - something caught her eye in the background.

Agnes gasped, holding out her hand. "Mom, wait!"

Lucy paused. Breath hitched. She turned halfway staring back at her three wide-eyed girls. Even the hero-villains stared at her with panicked expressions.

Her girls…

"Mom," Margo stepped forward, "don't run away again."

Nearby, Lucy heard the familiar roar of Gru's airship. She spotted Nefario piloting within the large hole of the blimp, also staring up at her.

The reactor glowed brighter in her hands. But that wasn't her priority. Or was it? Her parents? Or her family?

She couldn't leave her girls. She couldn't leave Gru.

"Tough choice."

Lucy flinched.

Eduardo stepped in front of Bratt, Vector, and the girls. He was a father, so his protective instincts kicked in despite who he defended.

Tina stepped in between Lucy and the others, gripping the emerald reactor in her hands. "You don't wanna go with them," Tina jabbed a thumb at them, sneering at the hero-villains, "even as their normal selves, they couldn't defeat you. How could they protect you?"

Lucy bit the inside of her cheek. Tina was wrong. But she had the reactor.

With a cunning smirk, Tina held out her hand for Lucy to take. "Well?"

Staring at Tina's hand, Lucy sighed. She glared at the Sixties Supers, taking a few steps back and shaking her head. There was only one safe option, and hopefully it'd be temporary. "I work alone."

With a final glance at her girls, Lucy snatched the emerald from Tina's other hand. Before she could reach out to grab it back, Tina screamed, "HEY!" as Lucy ran in the opposite direction.

Punching his fist into his other hand, Black Knight stood on the edge of the ship, ready for an epic chase. However, Tina threw a hand in front of him. She glared as Lucy escaped. "No. There's better things to steal. Let her fail."

Edith balled her fists. She tried charging towards Tina, but she struggled to tear away from Margo's grip. "You let our Mom get away!"

"She's not your Mom anymore, you twerps," Tina snapped, "she's long gone, now…just like us." And with that, she pressed a button on a set of keys.

Another airship, sparkling red with gold engraved on the bonnet - Sixties Supers - hovered beside Nefario's, bashing into the side. Gritting his teeth, Nefario stabilised the vehicle, steering as far away from the enemy vehicle as possible.

Hopping onto the window's edge, Tina saluted the girls, "'Til next time," before leaping out and onto the airship. Her companions followed, cackles shared amongst them.

Staring with her mouth agape, Edith cried, "We can't let them get away!"

Margo shuddered at the thought of more danger. She began tugging Edith away. "Yes we can."

Ignoring her sister, Edith grabbed Eduardo's hand, tugging him towards the window. She watched as the airship

Edith tapped his arm, pointing at the ship. "Give me a boost, old man!"

Eduardo lay a hand on his chest, eyes furrowed. "Excuse you, I'm not old."

"Just do it!"

Rolling his eyes, Eduardo hoisted Edith over his shoulder like a rugby ball, and launched her towards the ship. Edith released a large battle cry as she hurtled towards the villains.

"By the power of Cardboard Chris…" Edith flew towards their vehicle, reaching for the katana strapped behind her back, "I hereby sentence you to…"

Margo ran towards the tight edge of the podium. A hand reached out for her sister, but there was no use. "EDITH!"

Finally reaching the ship, Edith raised the katana with a prideful grin as she cheered, "IMMINENT DEFEAT!" before smashing the tip of the katana into the vehicle's engine.

The Sixties Supers cried out as the ship malfunctioned, delving into a sudden descent. Glaring at Edith, Tina snapped, "You'll regret that, punk!" before kicking her with a swift boot to her chest.

Gasping, Edith lost her balance, falling backward off the vehicle. She shut her eyes, screaming as she plummeted towards the ground. Nobody close enough to help her…

WHAM!

Until something sticky wrapped around her arm. Edith opened her eyes, her throat aching as she screamed louder at the sight of the water surrounding Pier 12 just ninety feet below her. She watched the Sixties Supers yell out as they crashed into the water below alongside their ship. Overwhelmed from the sheer terror, Edith fainted, her arms dangling and her hat slowly slipping from her head.

Stretched out from Nefario's airship was the long stretch of his Sticky Hand weapon, temporarily given to Gru when he was younger. At the other end were Margo and Agnes, wincing as they struggled to hold on. They kept a firm grip until Nefario kicked autopilot into gear, finally joining the girls to help pull Edith up into the ship.

Dropping the Sticky Hand, Margo and Agnes ran towards their sister. Edith lay unconscious, unresponsive to Agnes as she poked her cheek. Margo lay a hand across her hat, eyes furrowed.

"Edith?" she cried, shaking her gently, "Edith, can you hear me?"

A small mumble answered her question. Though, Margo and Agnes struggled to understand what was said.

"That…

…was…

…AWESOME!" Edith bounced onto her feet, screaming in delight.

This time, it was Margo who fainted. Being the oldest sister truly sucked.

"Well, would you look at this?"

Gru shut his eyes, fighting the urge to let out an agonising yell. Ever since him and Dru began their hunt for Lucy, it seemed his brother couldn't stop talking. But, he was the - unfortunately - best option. He couldn't bear letting his daughters see Lucy in her villainous trance, Nefario wouldn't be able to keep up, and the hero-villains…just no.

"Who would've thought that you and I would be the ones stopping Lucy from villainy?" Dru laughed, "How the tables turn, am I right?"

Halting in his tracks, Gru sighed. He almost blew his top when Dru crashed into him, walking so closely behind. Turning on his heel, Gru clapped his hands together like an agitated teacher, "Okay, Dru, I'm gonna need you to shut up."

"Oh, come on, you old grump!" Dru punched his arm, "I'm just trying to lighten the mood."

"WELL YOU'RE NOT!" Gru shouted, clenching his fists.

Dru flinched. His mouth shut, considering the hysterical state his brother was caught in.

"You're not. You're not lightening the mood, you're making it worse!" Gru snapped. His face fell into his hands, shaking his head. "I failed her, I could've stopped this from happening, I could've just told the truth and Lucy would be the Director and we could all be happy–" Gru caught his breath, "so stop trying to lighten the mood when it cannot be lightened."

Dru pursed his lips, swallowing. His shoulders slumped,

Rubbing his eyes, Gru sighed, "I'm sorry, I just-"

"No, I get it," Dru nodded, "You and Lucy are soulmates. I've never been as close to someone like you two are."

Before reuniting with his brother for the first time, plus meeting his sister-in-law and his nieces, Dru never experienced the heartbreak of potentially losing a loved one. He could count his father, but he was always emotionally distant. He cared about people, up to the point that his heart exploded just from seeing his family in the morning. Yet…there wasn't anyone that he could care about. Just his father and Fritz.

"C'mon," Dru patted his shoulder, drawing him in for a hug. Fortunately, Gru accepted it. Whilst Dru hated to be the younger twin, it was nice to act like a big brother for once.

"You're gonna be fine, and Lucy's gonna be fine," Dru smiled, echoing his brother's words in Bratt's lair, "I've got both your backs."

Drawing away from the hug, Gru gave him an appreciative smile. Until he glanced beyond his brother's shoulder. The smile faded.

Tilting his head, Dru turned. A gasp, soon turning into a grin. Cut short on her journey was Lucy, a deer in headlights.

"Lucy!" Dru cheered, running towards her and opening his arms wide for a hug.

However, he was met with a swift chop to his neck. The impact was enough to knock Dru unconscious. After years of training, Lucy knew a thing or two about secret pressure points that could knock-out her opponents. Unfortunately for Dru, he exposed the easiest area.

Gru's chest tightened, his anxiety almost cracking open and spilling out as absolute despair. Her stunning fiery hair almost blended into black. Where joy and optimism danced behind her green eyes was a desire for evil.

Lucy glanced between her husband and the door labelled High-Level Danger Storage. Only one man and a plank of wood between her and her parents' survival.

"Honey…" he sighed.

Lucy glanced away. She didn't need to see his despair, despite how much it crushed her heart. Besides, he was against her need for justice. Why should she listen to him?

He's right!

There's that voice again.

Listen to him!

And she did, though it wasn't exactly what she wanted to hear.

Cautious with his wording, Gru explained, "You need to put the reactor back, this blimp is going to fall."

She shrugged, "I could…but that time machine that Apex talked about? He wasn't bluffing."

Gesturing to the door, Gru followed her gaze. No, no, no.

"Lucy, think about this," he pleaded, preparing himself for whatever miracle he needed to knock Lucy out of her villainous trance. Hopefully, it wouldn't include combat.

But before he could continue, Lucy unhooked a weapon from her waist. "I have, and I've made my decision."

Glancing at the weapon, Gru gasped. His father's most prized weapon from his glory days. The Atomizer.

"Don't," Gru held up a hand, "just think about-"

WHOOSH!

Below his feet, the entire floor was swept into an electric blue cloud. Gru screamed as the floor collapsed, colliding with the level below. He opened one eye, wincing as his arm took a brutal fall. He stared up at his wife above, whose smirk implied she was impressed with herself.

"I've done enough thinking," Lucy adjusted the weapon back to her waist, "and I've made up my mind."

And with that, she bolted towards the door.

Stumbling to his feet, Gru rummaged through his coat jacket for something, anything, to get him back on track. When nothing came to his aid, Gru stomped the ground, "AGH!" Where was his grappling hook when he needed it?

"Need some help, mi compadre?"

Eduardo's voice caused Gru to cut his tantrum short. He faced the three hero-villains, his girls, Dru, and Nefario, standing beside the airship. He sighed in relief, shocked to admit he was glad to see them all. At least they were safe.

Gru gestured to the ledge that Lucy roamed upon, "I need to get up there!"

Cracking his knuckles, Eduardo nodded at Vector and Bratt. Gru glanced between them, slightly regretting his request. How could they possibly communicate through a simple nod?

Eduardo gripping his arms soon answered his question. Digging his feels into the floor, He spun Gru around and around and around…until he used his muscle to launch Gru into the air.

Crying out, Gru flailed his arms and legs as he tried to find his balance. Fortunately, Clive flew towards him, transforming into a launch pad. Concentrating on the robot, Gru clenched his teeth as he bounced off the pad, soaring higher and closer towards the ledge.

But it wasn't enough.

"No, no, no, no!" Gru yelled as he slowly descended…

Before a blast of musical notes and the booming chorus of an 80s rock song threw him back into the air. Bratt furrowed his eyes, focusing on the correct piano keys as he used each beat to guide Gru closer to the ledge.

"Now, Vector!" Bratt declared.

Drawing out his squid gun, Vector smiled, "Man, I told you, call me Victor."

Cocking his squid launcher, Vector fired two squids at the top of the podium. Riding the waves of Bratt's melody, Gru bounced off the force and towards the two squids. But, it was impractical. His hands slipped, the slime lessening his grip.

"GAH!" Gru gasped, ready for the fall. However, two hands grasped his own. He glanced up, and the biggest chuckle escaped from his chest. "Girls!"

With one hand holding onto Agnes, who used her mechna-suit to hover in the air, both Margo and Edith held onto Gru. Pressing a button inside her palm, Agnes activated two rocket-boosters to help her sisters keep a tight grip.

Spotting Lucy heading towards the room, Gru gestured upward. The girls understood, throwing him high into the air - with enough landing to ensure his safety.

And with enough leverage, he pulled out his freeze ray, aiming it at Lucy, who reached for the door's handle...

…and fired.