Even Heroes Need Saved.

Chapter 5.

Roxanne was pacing in the backup lair. She hasn't heard from Megamind in a long while. If he was going to be away longer, Megamind would've called her. Something was wrong. Her boss gave her extended time off for her protection until the issue was resolved. No pay would be docked so that was a relief as she knew if Hal was out, she would be one of his first targets. Minion checked every channel. No sign of Megamind. However there was signs of Tighten and his powers returning. Minion was toggling through some channels until channel 8 was on and it showed Tighten. He had some blood on his cheek that was long dry. Not his own blood though as there was no injury on his cheek. Probably from the murders he committed at the prison, which was an eerie thought in itself. The new villain of Metro City also had a crazed look on his face. It looked like a madman high on acid.

"Hello, Metro City. Tighten's back and he is here to stay. You all must be wondering where your hero Megamind is! Well, here he is in all his glory." The camera turned to Megamind. It was an absolute sight to behold. It brought tears to Roxannes eyes. Megamind was on the building she was held captive on by Tighten..... Only he was in worse shape than she was. She had no injuries when she was captured but Megamind looked like he was beaten in multiple places. Possible broken bones. And his lip was cut. Blood was on his suit. His blood. His suit was torn in the places he was stabbed at. Small places but they were noticeable. And was he.... Shivering? Minion looked like he saw a ghost at the pure shock at his friends condition. "Go on, Megamind. Tell Roxy and the City what's going on. Why you weren't there. Why you failed them..." Megamind began wheezing before speaking. His ribs were probably broken.

"People of Metrocity.... Tighten does have me.... But please do not be afraid. Minion will help with the patrols. It's..... Not me but it's close to it. Please listen to him. In case I don't make it back.... He will be your new hero. Please don't be dismayed. I know this sounds cliché but it's true. You are all strong. That strength is what Metrocity is all about..... You can fight back against him....." Minion was watching the screen in pure horror and was recording it. He had to. It was protocol. Megamind then looked at the camera. Roxanne could see that Megamind was tired. He was losing the mental fight with Tighten. The glow in his emerald green eyes was diminishing. Megamind was trying to be strong for not only her but for all of Metro City. But he was still fighting.

"Roxanne...." the news reporter turned back to the TV when her name was mentioned. "Tighten..... He wants you. No matter what he does to me, DO NOT come find me! He can do whatever he wants to me! DO NOT come find me! Please. Minion, whatever you do, don't let her find me. I'm bait!" Tears began flowing from Roxannes eyes again. "I love you, Roxanne. I will try...... to make it home. Don't give into..... any demands." Megamind let out another wheeze before continuing his forced speech. "If anything happens to me.... Know that I love you. I always have...." Tighten then turned the camera back to himself. "You have one month to change your mind about the engagement, Roxy. Break it off and he lives. Don't break it off and he will be executed in front of all Metro City for his past crimes.... Which should have been done years ago.... There will be a broadcast on Megaminds process once a week to prove that he's still alive. Ta."

The camera turned off and Minion stopped recording. Roxanne began sobbing. Minion hugged her as he didn't know what else to do to comfort her. Music Man then arrived to the scene. "How did you get here?" Minion asked suspiciously. "It was the only building with a welcome mat imprint." the retired hero said. Roxanne was wiping her tears. "Apparently you saw the news." Roxanne said. Music Man nodded. "I cannot go back to being Metro Man but I can do what I can to help." Roxanne nodded in understanding. Minion was rewatching what he recorded when he noticed something. Megamind was doing something with his hand. He was tapping the metal pole he was tied to.... Tapping in a sequence. Minions eyes widened. Megamind wasn't just tapping out of stress or boredom. "Guys, Sir wasn't talking for no good reason. He was keeping the camera on himself! It's a code! Morse code!" Minion said and got a pen and paper. He began writing down each tap Megamind made in the recording until he got a pattern down. He showed it to Roxanne and Music Man.

-... .-. .. -. --. / --- ..- - / - .... . / -... .-.. .- -.-. -.- / .- ... .--. .-.-.- / .. - / .... .- ... / -... . . -. / .--. . .-. ..-. . -.-. - . -.. .-.-.-

Roxanne looked at the morse code in front of her. She then began deciphering it as Megamind taught her how to use morse code. At first she thought it was a hobby he did and wanted to try it. She had no idea he would take morse code seriously. She wasn't too good at it so it would take a while. Minion and Music Man were discussing tactics to rescue Megamind as to give Roxanne space to work. She hated being interrupted when she was close to cracking a case or code. Seconds seemed like minutes and minutes seemed like hours but it did not stop Roxanne. She did not want to break off the engagement. She wanted to get Megamind safe and sound. If that was not determination, the two guys didn't know what was. When Roxanne finally cracked the code, she gave it to the boys. Music Man had no idea what the fuck Megamind was saying but to Minion, it made perfect sense. "Music Man, I think you should leave. We will call you in case you need anymore help." Minion said. Mudic Man nodded and walked out of the backup lair. Minion turned to Roxanne. He looked serious. "Come with me, Ma'am."

Author's Note: If you want to try to solve the puzzle before continuing to the next chapter, then go ahead. You can do it by hand or just copy and paste the morse code in a morse code decipher. Any way you do it is fine. If you are too lazy to do it, go to the next chapter anyway. Have fun!