Moments Of Peace

(Carter POV)

"You seem to be doing better today, sir." The Monopoly man says while sitting in his chair next to my desk.

Taking a breath, I continued working on the paperwork that had built up over my year-long "vacation."

"You and I both know that you've been checking up on me, and I appreciate it. Also, how the heck are you able to get through all this paperwork so fast? Which is saying something because I quite literally have super speed." The last comment sends the old man chuckling as he sits on his desk with only a small stack of papers, while mine looks like the New York Skyline.

"It's all about experience, sir. I'm not just a spokesperson for capitalism; I am quite literally connected to the very concept of it. Paperwork like this is essentially a break for me, but I can understand that it's not for everyone". The dapper fellow then grabs his cane and walks over to the window behind me that overlooks Metro City.

As he did so, I moved the multiple books and other miscellaneous items I had floating around to better my telekinesis.

"It is a wonderful city. A good choice for a peaceful man". The sun setting in the sky seemed to echo the edge in his voice.

"I have a feeling there is a but in this," I said as he twirls his cane in his hand.

Turning towards me, his eyes seemed a bit more on edge. "I understand the intricacies of this Jumpchain, and I understand that we shall endeavor to travel to larger worlds than this one."

"Is this going somewhere, or are you trying to state the obvious?" The jab only brings a scoff to the older man.

"While I am not the strongest being, nor do I hold any relevant powers, I can see what these worlds are doing to you, sir. You are afraid of the larger challenges, and I can understand why, as even I, given the knowledge of what beings out there can do, would act just like you if I were younger." Tapping his cane on the ground, he walks over to me and stands on the other side of my desk.

"I understand this, and that's why I'm taking my time with this. Given how this jump chain seems to work, I have the benefit of such things." Sitting up straight in my chair, I look towards the man.

"But deep down, you don't trust it, do you?" The question does hold some merit, as I am afraid of this all being some kind of game for a higher power.

"But that's not what makes you afraid now, is it?".

"Again, does this have a point, Monopoly man?" The man then answers by pointing his cane toward the city.

"You are afraid to go out there and truly interact with the world. You do not want to build up friendships, nor do you wish to build up anything meaningful, knowing that it won't last. Again, this is a logical conclusion given the limited amount of time, even if ten years hardly seems limited to the average human." The statement gives me a small pause as I turn away from him, trying to understand why he started this.

"It's about Wayne, isn't it? He nods as I sigh in exasperation.

Looking out onto the city, I see my brother fly around at speeds even the fastest jet could barely keep up with on its best day. With my enhanced vision, I see the happiness on his face as he saves a man from being mugged and a cat from a tree.

Turning away, I look towards my advisor, and he continues, "You are afraid to leave as well as afraid of the truth in a way. But I'm not here to ridicule you, just to offer advice. You don't need to tell him what you are but understand that he would not hate you for what you are, and besides, I don't think a being that seems to hold omnipotent power would want your body snatching and feeling down in the dumps about it." After saying this, he returns to his desk and continues to work.

With his words in mind, I nod to myself, feeling a bit better. Knowing Wayne, he would want to ask if I could bring him various instruments from other worlds. Yes, the music man had already existed before he had given up crime-fighting. He was always a fan of music; in his words, it was the only thing that helped calm him down, and I agreed with him.

Just before I could ponder further, I heard a ping on my phone and answered it. My assistant said, "Sir, Ms.Ritchi is here for her interview. Should I send her up?"

"Please do, thank you." I then hang up as the elevator begins to move down to the bottom floor of our tower. My X-ray vision showed me that this was Roxanne and not Megamind in disguise. Yes, the blue genius has tried to use holographic imaging to enter the building many times. Thankfully, X-ray vision goes right through it as well. He can hide his appearance by manipulating light, but he can't hide his internals.

After a few minutes, the elevator opens up, showing the reporter sporting a button shirt and a skirt, along with her assistant, the future Tighten, shuffling behind her holding a notebook. Cameras were not allowed in this interview, even though I had already placed all the floating books and papers onto various desks and shelves.

Standing up from my desk, I welcomed the two and said, "Right on time, Ms. Ritchi. I assume this is your assistant, Mr. Stewart, right?"

The woman nodded as her assistant seemed surprised and asked, "Wait, you know my name?"

"Of course, I like to have all the details." The comment left an impressed look in the reporter's eyes.

"Smart, and thank you, Mr. Davenport, for this interview; I imagine it wasn't easy with your busy schedule." Chuckling to myself, I shook my head.

"To be honest, my employees do a decent amount of the work for me, so my schedule is rather open. But I assume this isn't why you wish to speak to me?" The woman then pulled out a notepad and sat down after I offered the two seats.

"To be blunt, Mister Davenport, that would be correct. I hear you had to take a year-long vacation from your business, and it has made some of my co-workers a bit confused as you seem not to be having any issues. Is there anything you wish to elaborate on?"

Sitting back down, I answered, "Nothing suspicious, mind you. I just felt like I needed a break. I do admit there were some personal developments, but Nothing too serious." After writing that down, my second offered some drinks, and while Hal asked for some water, Roxanne refused.

"Well, thank you for answering that. I assume your fans would want to hear how you're doing."

Wait, I have fans? 

"I never knew that I had fans, but that was definitely enlightening. Do you have any other questions?"

"Not really, other than how you are doing, as that has been footage taken of you being kidnapped by our resident of blue idiot." The nickname, while technically incorrect, was humorous.

"I am fine, as are the cities. Golden Boy won't let anything happen to me, nor would he let anything happen to you, as I assume you are aware." Shaking her head, Hal snorts in amusement.

Looking the boy over, it almost surprised me how much of a heel change gaining powers does to this kid as well. He does seem a bit creepy, mostly in a keyboard warrior-type way rather than a megalomaniac way, but honestly, power is one of the greatest unmasking factors.

The next few questions weren't really of any import as they were mostly just asking questions about how Daily Business is done within the company. I gave the standard corporate answers, but thanks to my enhanced charisma, the two didn't seem very bothered by my answers.

This wasn't an official interview; it was more like a get-together, and I understand Roxanne is trying to get answers relating to the true identity of my older brother. I assume it's due to this universe's logic that she's not able to see the very identical looks between my older brother and the city's hero.

"Well, this has been enlightening, Mr. Davenport, but we need to head out as we have a lead on Megamind's newest scheme." Nodding my head, the two left after gathering up their things, and at this moment, I flick a small tracker onto Hal just in case Megamind gets any ideas for him.

It won't do anything harmful as it's just meant to track his location and vitals, so I will know if Megamind decides to say to juice up people with my brother's powers. 

Not to say I haven't been keeping an eye on the genius as well his intellect is the highest on the planet he is very oblivious to certain things like the tracker and internal microphone I slipped on them the last time you tried to kidnap me with his giant Mech. 

Even now, the blue alien doesn't know that he's being monitored in 14 different ways. After showing this to Wayne, he seemed a bit perturbed but was fine with it, as it would lead to an even lower possibility of casualties.

It has been effective in recent months as most of the Blue Man's crimes have been stopped before they've even been able to begin, and he has no idea why. An unintended side effect of this has been my brother's willingness to keep doing his superhero business because Megamind hasn't been as prolific as he was before, and he seems less tired than he was.

I have been having chats with my brother about that, but they seem to be more like therapy sessions. And while the solution seems obvious to him, it's less so as it's what he's been doing all his life, and he's been struggling to understand what he has outside of Metro Man.

But that conversation is for another day. As I sit back down and continue working, I see the stacks of papers gone and the Monopoly Man sitting at his desk smoking from his pipe, which brings a small smile to my face as I break out some champagne.

On days like these, such things matter so much more.

(To be honest, there's not much to do in the world of Megamind, and I am shocked at the number of votes for the boys and Spider-Man. Even if I favor Avengers EMHS as the next world, I'm going to have to come up with a plot for it, but feel free to give me recommendations for what you would like to see my main character do. To anyone reading this, I thank you for your continued viewership. Even if people don't like my writing, it helps to know that at least someone is reading it.)