THE MOMENT
The group of masked henchmen froze as soon as the handsome man in a blue blazer and chrome tie appeared in the middle of the street. He emerged from a black portal, seemingly unbothered by the chaos unfolding around him. Before he arrived, the minions were looting the downtown shops, setting fires, and seemingly making it a point to destroy as much property as possible. Their villainous leader was appropriately concerned by the man's presence, and he remained still as the man moved straight toward him.
"Max Destruction...," Orion spoke the villain's name with a stern, cold edge. The minions who'd halted their rampage all disintegrated in an instant. They crumbled into white dust that dissipated in the breeze. "...you have violated your agreement with the Minions Union. Your Villain license & Shadow Enclave benefits will be suspended for 90 days."
"I don't need the Minions Union, I can just make NPCs!" Max Destruction gestured at the unfinished chaos where his minions once were. The NPCs weren't exactly cheap, but he doubted he could expect reimbursement from Orion. Still, he had enough resources to create a few more squads. "I don't need the Shadow Enclave either!"
"I'm afraid that's the deal if you want to live here and have a career as a villain," Orion shrugged. "We won't force Enclave membership; however, we do require all Villain Minions and Hero Sidekicks to be Sapient individuals. A.I. entities and hive minds are acceptable if certified, but we can't allow programmed, spiritless NPCs to take the jobs from qualified, enthusiastic persons. You've already started the mess...," he added. "...you can shorten your suspension by agreeing to your minion's demands, and letting them finish the job you started with NPCs. But, instead of the usual arrangement, you take the fall for your minions this time. Spend a short sentence behind bars to show everyone's doing their job, and you'll be out in 45 days."
"I still get Enclave pay in jail, right?" Max asked. It wasn't a bad deal, all things considered. He could spend 45 days planning his next move and deciding if that next move was somewhere else entirely.
"I thought you didn't need the Enclave," Orion chuckled, but nodded. Max Destruction sighed.
"I'm going to, now that I have to keep the breakroom stocked with snacks."