I stopped at the park on the way home, taking a seat on the bench and gazing out at the bay. I was still a little pissed about not getting to do...anything today. It was frustrating, finally committing to a plan and then getting stopped dead in my tracks. Like, I had one more day to get ready for the next fight, to try and actually win.

I still had no idea how I was going to do that. I could take, bare minimum, four hits from the monster. I had a feeling it was far more though. If it was somehow being drained by the damage, I should have been able to feel it. At least I assumed that was how it worked. Since I couldn't...I didn't want to assume too much, but there was a chance it wouldn't break.

So, if I could take blows then being in the thick of things made an unfortunate amount of sense. I just had to keep calm and I'd be okay, which was easier said than done with the threat of a ten-ton lizard drowning me looming large. I breathed slowly. Leviathan was many things, but he wasn't exactly invincible, and certainly not all-powerful. He was smart though, Legend said as much, so I had to outsmart him. Great...

I had an idea for that though, at least Taylor did in a way: the spider silk with Clockblocker's power. Admittedly I wasn't sure how I would get the two together and make it work, but I'd manage. The hard part was I couldn't remember Skitter making strands of silk like that until well after the Leviathan fight. If I didn't have the resources, then the idea wouldn't work. So how to get them then? I couldn't exactly knock on the loft's door and say 'hey make me some spider silk braids'.

Well actually...no, knocking on the door and saying 'hello' would invite an interrogation from Tattletale. But an anonymous tip-off to make the ropes, with something letting them know I was on the level...hmmm. I headed back to my house and grabbed a pen and piece of paper. Now to figure out what to write.

'Dear Skitter.' No, too formal, too normal beside. 'I know you don't know me, but just listen to this note'. Stupid, cliché crap, and Skitter was way to suspicious to buy into it. 'Make silk, find Clockblocker, May 15th'. It wasn't the worst, and she did have a history, or future, of following the instructions of short, cryptic notes...

I still felt like it wasn't enough, I needed something that would make her take the note at face value. No questions, she'd just start spinning and in a day and a half we'd get together to kill the Endbringer. That was a fantasy really, but it was worth a fucking shot. I was getting...tired, of dying.

How to let Skitter know I was cool...oh, they had that code system didn't they? First letter of a name, plus a coloured object. It was pretty basic, but clever since their identities weren't public knowledge. Of course, how then to use it? If I put down a letter for any of their names, that would lead to them freaking out probably, and definitely not working with me. But if one of their members happened to have been outed already...

'R, leaf'. There, perfect. Rachel was publicly known as such, so it was safe to use her name here. Hopefully, if Taylor wasn't taking stupid pills, she'd show Tattletale and her power would bullshit the rest out. 'Make braided ropes of spider silk'. Simple, clear instructions. I'd leave 'how many' to the weaver herself. 'See you Friday'. I scratched the last part out, like my false starts. Then I tore off the paper from that part down. I added a simple 'thanks' in the margins and folded it up.

Simpler was better, and this was as simple as it got. Enough to catch that something was afoot, but not enough to make them jump to...too crazy a conclusion. I stuck the folded paper in my pocket and went out the door once more, going straight to the bus stop. It took a while, but finally one came that was heading down towards the Docks.

The ride felt short, and before long I was off and wandering the neglected streets of Brockton Bay's worst neighbourhood. I wasn't too worried, if Leviathan couldn't crack my projection I doubted some douche with a knife would. I was smart enough to keep my protection at the front of my mind as I searched for the Undersiders' hideout.

I knew it was some kind of warehouse, but I was passing by dozens. What had it been called again, red something? That felt right, so I kept my eyes out for signs. Lucky for me, besides some homeless people, the streets were practically empty. I hummed quietly to myself as I walked, a familiar tune I didn't really know. Wait, 'Black Bear'? Well, not a bad song to march down the cracked sidewalk to.

Damn, this place was going to be leveled when Leviathan hit. Like, most of it was crumbling as it was; tidal waves and monster battles weren't going to do it any extra favours. It was too bad, and I doubted many of these people would be sheltered, during or after the Endbringer attack. Assuming any of them even survived.

My depressing thoughts were interrupted by a sight that was recognizable to at least one set of memories. 'Redmond Welding', red-something. Well, it was a warehouse and I didn't really have any other places to explore so...time to see if I was lucky.

First I had to find a way inside, easier said than done. The main door was sealed with a rusted chain, and was frankly massive. I didn't have super-strength, and though I was confident I could just snap the chain with a firm kick I didn't want to damage the hideout of the people I wanted to work with me.

I had some decent urbex experience at least, so I was pretty sure I could find a way inside. I slowly walked around the outside, carefully examining the building. All told, it was actually in good condition compared to its neighbours: a crumbling outbuilding and a corner store gutted by a fire god only knew how long past.

Unfortunately, there didn't seem to actually be a way in, not an obvious one anyway. No broken windows at ground level, the only ones were way too high to reach. No obvious holes in the wall to allow easy entry either, my preferred method when it came to these crumbling warehouses. I started my second lap, pausing for a moment as I came across something.

A door. I wasn't totally sure how I'd missed it the first time, it was pretty obvious against the red brick of the walls. Then again, I'd probably just parsed it out; doors were usually locked and I doubted the Undersiders were that lax on security. It wasn't like anything else was revealing itself to me though so...fuck it. I walked up and tried the handle.

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I nearly fell over as the door swung open without protest. I quickly righted myself and slipped in, closing it behind me as quiet as I could. A quick glance around revealed...a warehouse. There was discarded crap all over the place, and it really looked abandoned. But at the same time...there was a path through the clutter, not obvious but clearly traveled more than the rest of the floor. I followed it with my eyes as it snaked further back in the building, towards a staircase.

Well, that'd be it probably. I made sure to tread lightly as I crept towards the stairs. Just in case, I pulled my scarf up and over my nose and mouth. I wasn't really looking to be outed by my own clumsiness...again. And it would be my luck that I get up to the door and have someone open it into my face, like it was the Three Stooges or something.

Despite my anxiety, I made it without incident. The stairs creaked slightly, hopefully too quiet to be heard over whatever they were doing inside. Or maybe I was actually lucky and no one was home. Either way, I didn't waste time. As quick and quiet as I could, I got to the door at the top, slipped the note under, and padded back down the stairs. I had just reached the exit when I heard the hinges squeak and a shout echoed across the warehouse.

I was out though, with any luck unseen in the gloom on the ground floor. Once outside, I beat a hasty retreat down the twisting alleys and sidestreets of the Docks. I wasn't totally sure where I was going, but worst case was I had a bit of a hike out. I could live with that, if it meant getting away clean. I didn't really want to earn the wrath of any of them.

As I turned into another alley, I saw someone standing at the opposite end. I doubled back before they could see me, whether just a regular person or not...better not to chance it. I took the alley across the road instead. It headed down, towards the water, rather than up unfortunately. I took a right on the next street and quickly crossed, heading towards the distant spires of the downtown.

Just at the mouth of another alley, I saw two more people standing there. They looked big and...weird. I ducked back around the corner I'd just rounded and peered out, examining them. Something was off, they seemed to be standing still but it was like their bodies were still moving. It was hard to make out any features, or even clothes on them. Were they capes, some kind of Strangers that obscured their bodies? Was this something else? Was it a--

“I really would recommend staying still,” a girl's voice drawled from behind me. There was a click of what had to be a hammer cocking and I swallowed, hard. “When I say go, you're going to walk down that alley right there, got it? Then we're going to have a...chat.” I felt the blood drain from my face. Uh oh. “Go.”

I went, walking slowly, doing the best I could to hide how my heart was galloping along in my chest, or how sweat began to sting my eyes. That was Tattletale...probably, at least judging by the way she talked. Taylor wasn't quite so chipper when putting a gun to someone's back. I saw, as I approached, the people weren't any such thing. Rather they were mounds of bugs, roughly humanoid and writhing. I couldn't suppress the shiver as I passed them and headed into the alley.

“Far enough,” Tattletale said after a moment. “Turn around.” I did, and I was right, it was Tattletale. And...

“Who are you?” Skitter demanded, her voice flat and menacing. She towered over me, insects flitting and crawling over her costume. I raised my empty hands.

“No one!” I squeaked. “Uh, just...a kid, looking around you know? Um...who are you?” Was it just me or did the swarm that now filled the alley grow a little louder as Tattletale frowned.

“You clearly know,” she said sarcastically, holding up the note. Yeah it figured. “Spill it.”

“I need silk rope,” I replied with a shrug. “There's one cape in the whole city who can do it. I'll pay but I can't--” I choked on my excuse as Tattletale pressed the gun against my forehead. Or at least, against my projection. I forced myself to stay as still as I could, not giving any excuses...just in case.

“You know our code,” Skitter said flatly as bugs began to crowd around me. “You know our names.”

“I don't!” I protested, earning an eyeroll from Tattletale.

“Talk,” Skitter demanded as my vision went dark. I nearly panicked, til I realized it was just thousands of bugs crawling all over me. Then I had to stop myself from throwing up. “Or I'll introduce you to the Schmidt Pain Index.”

“The--”

“The only words out of your mouth,” Tattletale interrupted me. “Should be 'I'm sorry' followed by a damn good excuse to not kill you here and now.”

“I saw you go in,” I lied, even though it technically wasn't a lie. I'd seen them go in...through Taylor's eyes. The rubber grip on Tattletale's pistol creaked.

“Skitter,” she said sharply. “Maybe a two.” I heard an affirmative grunt, then felt several points of pressure across my body. Not painful but--

“Shielded.”

“Dammit.” There was a deafening 'bang' and I felt what must have been a bullet impact my forehead. I flinched and, for a split second, felt bugs crawling across my real skin before hurriedly focusing.

“No effect.”

“You shot me,” I said numbly.

“Yup.” She popped the p. I felt sweat sting my eyes. Being buried under a pile of insects was warm. “So, a cape. Your umbrella's a little better than old Glory Hole's, huh?” The bugs around my eyes moved aside, revealing a frowning Tattletale and a pissed-off looking Skitter. I couldn't see her expression, but her bugs were really kinda loud.

“Y-yeah,” I replied, trying to keep my voice from shaking. “I uh...I'm new, you know? Look I don't want to be on your guys' bad side, alright? Forget the rope, forget me and...and I'll forget you. Deal?” She stared at me a moment, then nodded slowly.

“As long as we understand each other.” Tattletale raised her other hand holding... “Amelia D'souza, Arcadia student. Really shouldn't bring your wallet out when you're trying to mess with a bunch of villains, hm?” I swallowed heavily, when had she...

“We're not going to out you,” Skitter said in the least reassuring voice I'd ever heard. “Unless we have to. Don't make us.”

“That all clear enough, kiddo?” I nodded slowly, making sure to nod my projection at the same time. “Great. Don't come back again or I'll let Bitch know I got her a new chewtoy.”

With that, they both turned and left. Tattletale dumped my wallet on the ground in front of me, but I didn't move to grab it. I was still covered in Skitter's swarm and really didn't want to chance it. So I stayed perfectly still, eyes scanning what I could to keep a look out. After about five minutes, the bugs slowly dispersed and I was left alone in the alley.

I stepped forward on shaky legs. Fucking christ. That was why I hadn't wanted to see them in the first place, Tattletale was scary and Skitter was terrifying. I was going to scrub myself raw when I got home, but I doubted that would help. It still felt like tens of thousands of tiny legs were pricking my skin, even though really they'd never touched me.

I retrieved my wallet and ducked out of the alley. This time I made a beeline towards the downtown, only stopping when I finally reached the edge of the docks. I waited at an empty bus stop, pulling down my hood and scarf. There, now I was just a normal kid again. Unless the Undersiders were watching.

I gritted my teeth as I got on the bus home. God dammit, what a waste of time. Fine, whatever, I'd just pull Skitter aside when Leviathan was right on top of us. Maybe that would convince her to listen. Probably not but...well, what the fuck other option did I have? It wasn't like I could do anything against an Endbringer.

I sighed and shut my eyes. Maybe, just maybe, I'd finally have some luck...