[https://img.wattpad.com/ff3740c720fa0fcfe81ff1962b2afa31ffd6c6ae/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f3656365550535349483554315a413d3d2d313333393531363539302e313736643533643633636534393561663437383731333138353437302e706e67]
Sorry, but it's true.
To be a hero you need a few specific things, as outlined by Texan Hero Network;
1.) A heart of gold (subjective, Jay thinks.)
2.) Loyalty to your teammates (unless you are Alpha Man. Alpha Man is Class S so he doesn't really do 'teamwork.')
3.) A unique power that can be used to protect the city (though unique is subjective, considering the city has a bunch of heroes with run-of-the-mill superstrength.)
Regarding that relatively low bar of entry, you'd think that Jay would have been accepted into the Network years earlier. But the council had rejected him so many times—nobody wanted to believe that common sense was a superpower.
But after years of vigilante work, he'd proven himself once and for all. He was finally, finally, a superhero.
"Hey, where's Pixiepuff's latte???
Okay, so he's a super sidekick, one that fetches lattes occasionally. No shame in that...sidekicks still play a vital role in protecting the good citizens of Neo Houston...
Jay looks up from his phone. Magical Girl Pixamena is scowling at him, holding her winged Pomeranian securely in her arms. She's astoundingly cute, with her long pink twin tails draping down a petite frame—but her frills and glitter have no effect on the sidekick. He has come to understand that they forgot to add "everything nice" when concocting this overpowered pixie...
[https://img.wattpad.com/81170eb1cf75e01ecf0449e15ea7ae6d63b40ccd/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f6375413163416c6f516a4d5734773d3d2d313333393531363539302e313737626435653636303263336461393230303335333437323135362e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
Jay looks up from his phone [https://img.wattpad.com/9b49ee37d868f2b8780b13d9edf98d3e2fdb283c/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f37566e704435342d6d45704752413d3d2d313333393531363539302e3137376361386461396239353639326635393536353435353434372e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
Jay coughs awkwardly, rubbing his neck. "Um, I didn't think it was a good idea to give Pixiepuff coffee, considering caffeine is bad for dogs. I know he's a magical dog from space, but the vet said he should be on a typical canine diet."
Pixamena flushes, squishing the purple dog to her chest from her seat on the couch. "I don't care what the vet said. If I told you to do something, you're supposed to do it. I will be the one who decides what's a good or bad idea."
Jay sighs, setting the latte down on the coffee table. "I'm just doing my job, Pixamena. My power is the ability to recognize the wisest course of action—I'm called Quickwit for a reason. It's common sense that you shouldn't give dogs coffee."
"Common sense sucks," Pixiepuff growls, "I want my chocolate Frappuccino with double whip and two pumps of sugar-free vanilla!"
The blond glares, green eyes narrowing at the pomeranian. "You get a pup cup and you'll like it."
The purple dog returns the intense look as his little tongue dips into the whipped cream.
The sidekick suppresses his anger. He and his partner haven't been getting along very well recently...they haven't been on many missions yet, but when they did work together, they seemed to continuously clash. It just seemed that Pixamena resisted anything he suggested!
Thankfully, before Jay can embarrass himself further by throwing hands with a fluffy purse dog, his phone vibrates. In unison, both Pixamena and Jay tap their phones, causing a hologram to project in front of them.
It's Darius Nobis—the esteemed leader of the Network. The dapper man straightens his tie, pale skin contrasting nicely with the dark gray of his suit.
"Greetings Pixamena, Quickwit. Suit up, a new threat has appeared; Stygian has taken Senator Marcus Haxon hostage downtown. Apprehend the villain and save the victim."
Pixamena and Jay nod solemnly before running to their vehicles. The petite woman jumps onto her bright pink moped, magically conjuring a cat-eared helmet.
Jay's vehicle is a little more humble. He climbs into his beat-up minivan, putting his seatbelt on. The Network offered to buy him something more flashy, but it didn't make sense to waste company money that way. His reliable beater got good gas mileage and could hold several civilians inside.
As they speed off, GPS directing them to the crime scene, the blond tries to mentally catalog everything he knows about Stygian. The villain is a foe to contend with, that's for sure. Despite his newness to the game, the man has already pulled off several successful high-profile crimes—Jay and Pixamena would need to tread carefully.
The sidekick presses the intercom, connecting to his hero.
"Pixamena, don't underestimate Stygian. We don't know the full extent of his power yet, but we do know he can shapeshift, fly, and use short-range telekinesis. Take advantage of his tendency to monologue to attack him unawares—I'll handle the senator."
The sidekick frowns when only silence responds. Was she hearing him?
"Pixamena, respond."
The intercom goes dead as the connection is severed. Jay grimaces, gripping the wheel. Was it really too much to ask for a partner who listened to him?
As they arrive, Jay notices the building is sectioned off by police tape, debris scattered about everywhere. It looks like a bomb has gone off...but the real reason why the area is in disarray is much more serious.
Pixamena, Pixiepuff, and Jay dash to the scene, coming face-to-face with the menace himself; Stygian is lying back, relaxing on a reclining chair made of shadow. Above him, the senator is floating, entangled in dark ribbons of constricting black ribbons.
Above him, the senator is floating, entangled in dark ribbons of constricting black ribbons [https://img.wattpad.com/1c4674b770fb32ddb504925520fe7fcda8c6b98a/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f744d4148796252486c72564e76773d3d2d313333393531363539302e313737636138653063633536623633653939363236393834323635332e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
"Stygian!" Pixamena yells [https://img.wattpad.com/271a3850aaa847a20b866477e333c9bb8ef9f729/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f4c396a5a61747176345331666a773d3d2d313333393531363539302e313737636138656231663731343964373939343536303833393031372e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
"Stygian!" Pixamena yells. "Let the senator go! Your rampage is over!"
Stygian opens his eyes, grinning widely. Jay jolts as the bright red of his irises seems to glow even in the bright evening sun. The Villain stands, heels clacking as he sprouts two onyx black horns, a whiplike tail, and two enormous ethereal blue-black wings.
Jay can't help but swallow a lump in his throat. The man's ebony black suit glistens alluringly in the sunlight as he steps forward, eyes full of menace. The hero feels a little underdressed compared to Pixamena and Stygian. His outfit is much less flashy, just a simple purple-blue suit with blue gloves and balaclava.
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The villain smirks, smoothing out his black eye mask lackadaisically with glowing clawed hands. "They sent the Barbie doll? Really? I know the contrast looks good to the media, but did they really send you? To fight me?"
"Barbie is an icon and an inspiration to girls everywhere!" Pixiepuff spits.
Stygian smirks, shrugging. "So tragic we can't say the same for you, mutt."
Jay steps forward. "Stygian, why are you doing this? What has Mr. Haxton done to you to warrant being kidnapped? I don't understand..."
It's a lie. The sidekick knows exactly why the villain is doing this. In his research, he's discovered that Stygian is an activist of sorts. Only, instead of picket fencing he prefers to dangle corrupt men off bridges...
Actually, he can't help but understand Stygian's anger—Marcus Haxton is a menace. The politician recently passed a harmful bill that would target transgender folk all across the city. Still, Jay can't abide by the violent methods the villain is employing. Order needed to be maintained...even if that meant rescuing repulsive people.
Stygian's cherry-red eyes flick to Jay, widening when he sees the blonde. "Holy shit! Quickwit?!"
Jay jolts, confused. Why was Stygian so surprised to see him?
Stygian grimaces, dramatically throwing his hands in the air. "They assigned you to Pixamena?! Ugh! What the hell?!"
Pixamena's eyes dart to Jay's. "What's wrong with that?"
The raven-haired man sets the senator down, crossing his arms. "You two totally clash! Ugh, they couldn't find someone more on-brand?"
Jay blinks. Not the direction he was expecting, but he can work with it. "I don't understand, can you please explain more?"
Stygian nods, face serious. He launches into a lengthy diatribe about the flaws of the Network and how Quickwit should be assigned to someone else. As the man talks and talks, the sidekick flicks his eyes toward Pixamena, waiting for her to attack. But the woman just looks bored, patiently waiting for Stygian's rant to end.
Jay groans, hand flying to his face. Was she seriously going to let this opportunity go?
"...and that's why I think you should either be assigned to Delta or perhaps even upgraded..."
"If you're done trying to convince my sidekick to switch teammates," Pixamena snaps, "it's time for you to go down!"
Stygian's eyes narrow dangerously. "Come at me, you Hasbro knockoff."
The strawberry blonde-haired woman grins, her translucent fairy wings lifting her off the ground. "Pixie puff-puff transform!"
Colored lights sway around the woman as she starts conjuring her signature green-pink dress, kitten heels, and sparkly weapons. The cameras on the sidelines watch her, enrapt as she dances around in the air.
Jay clenches his fists. "Pixamena! Are you seriously doing your long-ass transformation right now?"
The woman ignores him, continuing the fanciful routine. Jay glances at their enemy, becoming more enraged when he sees that even their foe doesn't have the common sense to attack—the villain is watching her transform, impatiently tapping his foot.
The sidekick's face contorts in frustration. It's clear that he can't rely on his stubborn partner to follow orders. He takes a deep breath and steadies himself, gripping his trusty staff tightly. If he has to take on the villain alone, then so be it.
Without a moment's hesitation, he charges at Stygian, determined to take down the dangerous villain. Stygian gasps as Jay launches a fierce attack, narrowly dodging the swinging staff.
But Jay isn't one to give up easily. He perseveres, targeting Stygian's feet with swift and precise strikes that demonstrate his years of practice. Though Stygian stumbles, he manages to conjure a shadow to cushion his fall, retaliating with several dark projectiles.
Jay dodges as several sharp-tipped shadows whiz by his ear, missing skin by just a few precious inches. Stygian cackles as he endures a direct hit to the sternum, manifesting a dark wall just in time to block the next attack.
Grimacing in determination, Jay readies himself to swing again. But before he can strike, he's interrupted by Stygian's manic laugh.
"Jesus!" Stygian exclaims. "You're bold, aren't you?"
The blonde ignores the comment, instead listening to the sounds of Pixamena's finishing transformation. "Pixamena! Grab the senator!"
Finally, Jay's partner joins the action. Pixamena springs forward, glimmers trailing behind her as she swoops the older man from his spot on the ground.
Jay turns to the villain, weapon at the ready. "It's over, Stygian! Your hostage has been secured, give up!"
Stygian laughs as huge black wings of shadow flutter behind him. "I should have known I wouldn't win against you."
The hero huffs. Was that sarcasm?
The colossal wings arch as Stygian crouches down. "It was wonderful meeting you, Quickwit. Until we duel again!"
With that, the villain launches into the air, etheric wings carrying him away from the duo.
With a heavy sigh, Pixamena turns to her teammate. "We're not going to catch him," she growls.
Quickwit nods in agreement, expression grim. "I know," he says. "But at least we were able to save the senator."
Pixammena storms off to her moped, strapping Pixiepuff into the sidecar. As they make their way back to headquarters, Jay thinks about the strange new villain they encountered today. Stygian was definitely an odd duck, with strange powers even stranger motives.
But there's no time to speculate. He and Pixamena have a fan meet-and-greet scheduled for today. They hurry back to HQ, eager to prepare for the event and put their recent loss behind them.
Of course, though, Jay can't escape his partner's wrath.
"How fucking dare you," She seethes, still glammed up from her transformation. "You stole my thunder!"
Jay rolls his eyes, applying his deodorant as they walk toward the car. "I told you the plan, you're the one who fucked it up."
Pixamena narrows her eyes, fire burning behind the glittery irises. "And I told you that I make the plans. Remember that I am a B-class hero, and you are a C-class sidekick. So you do what I say. Understand?"
The blond grimaces. "I understand. Let's go, your fans are waiting."
The woman huffs, jumping into the limo with a sour look. Jay follows close behind, sliding into the seat furthest from the magical woman.
To be honest, the fan interaction was the most intolerable part of the job. Not because he hated his fans, but because he didn't have any.
Jay didn't get into hero work to be famous, but it still bothered him that he was treated so differently. It was always depressing to sit there as his partner got all the praise, recognition, and adoration as he sat on the sidelines.
So when they walk up to their booths for the signing, he sighs in defeat as he sees the long line of bedazzled Pixamena fans waiting for her autograph. He sits in the rickety chair, zoning out as his partner takes her sweet time with each adoring subject.
At least three excruciating hours go by before finally, the last person in line is ready to greet their favorite hero. By now, Jay has completely given up any pretense of interest, favoring to scroll through his social media. If nobody cares about him, why should he pretend?
"Hello!" Pixamena greets cheerfully. "Thank you so much for waiting so long! I'm so happy to have such a dedicated fan!"
The man coughs, nervous. "Um, I'm actually here to see Quickwit."
Jay is alert immediately. Someone's here for him? He sits up, eagerly putting his phone down to greet his fan.
However, his blood runs cold as he sees the person requesting him—shaggy dark hair, pale skin, mahogany brown eyes—it's fucking Stygian.
Jay tenses, waiting for Pixamena to react, but the woman makes no move. She just pouts, looking extremely disappointed that the man is here for her sidekick and not her.
The blond clenches his jaw. Why wasn't she doing anything!? The villain they just fought was standing before them!
Wait.
Jay looks back at the raven-haired man, studying him.
Was she seriously not able to recognize the criminal because he wasn't wearing the stupid domino mask?!
Pixamena giggles awkwardly, standing from her chair. "Excuse him, he's not used to fan interactions. I'll, um, get some water while you two chat."
Jay wants to scream as he watches his partner walk away, cluelessly leaving him alone with an incredibly strong supervillain.
He turns back to face the man, waiting for the inevitable attack. But it never comes.
"Can you—can you sign this for me?" The villain asks, presenting a T-shirt to the hero.
Cautiously, Jay picks up a sharpie. "Ah, sure. Who should I make it out to...?"
"Gannet," the man smiles.
Robotically, Jay signs the T-shirt. Leaving a corny "Keep being a hero, Gannet!"
He hands the garment back to the man who immediately puts it on with a huge smile. The villain pulls the bottom of the shirt out, stretching the fabric to look at where Jay has nervously scribbled. "Oh, shit, this is so cool..."
Gannet looks up, nearly vibrating with excitement. "I've been waiting so long to meet you, but I finally worked up the courage today. I saw you fighting Stygian on the news, you were amazing!I couldn't believe you took such a strong opponent down!"
Jay blinks. Is he being mocked? Did the man come here just to mock him?
"Um—Stygian is a very intimidating foe. He's incredibly strong from what I've observed, but he was no match for me and my partner."
The dark-haired man flushes, hands playing with his bangs. "Be less humble, you did everything—who else would've thought to attack during a hero transformation? That's unheard of!"
Jay coughs, clearing his throat. "Well that's my power...it's just common sense to attack when the enemy is distracted..."
Gannet nods, looking enraptured.
Jay stands, eager to be away from this strange situation. "But uh, thank you for coming to see me today. I have to go now—"
"Wait—"
The villain shifts his feet nervously. "Can you um, can you shake my hand?"
The blond's heart races. What would Stygian do if he refused? Would he attack? Common sense couldn't do much against a blade of shadow slicing through his rib cage.
Out of ideas, Jay just smiles pitifully and presents his hand. Stygian grins, looking a tad manic as he shakes it. Impossibly, the sidekick remains unshanked as the villain releases his hold a few moments later.
"It was amazing meeting you Gannet. Until we meet again."
Stygian smiles brightly, nodding. "Yes, I'll be back at your next signing. I can't wait!"
With that, the hero hastily retreats, climbing into the limo as he stares blankly out the window.
When still, no attack comes, Jay runs his fingers through his hair.
What the fuck just happened?
What the fuck just happened? [https://img.wattpad.com/f590f8a42381bf92e8983b1d4a88e6205ee81162/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f387237723551765a4f71496954513d3d2d313333393531363539302e313735633634323839383463666137373332393436333334343232342e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
[https://img.wattpad.com/65feae585604948c5a56abb2aef80439f3a09364/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f7473527032455862542d385148513d3d2d313333393531363539302e313736626262653163613961393136383734393939363631393834332e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]