Or at least, that's what the Lone Star Psychiatric Center claims [https://img.wattpad.com/297469efbb07a22fff3bf527187473ce5f18d7b0/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f56313158424b2d416a41446655673d3d2d313334313136363033312e313736353936666236353033343733323738363633323136393132382e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

Or at least, that's what the Lone Star Psychiatric Center claims...Jay has his doubts. Not about villains being reformed, but he doubt that L.S.P.C can do it. Because it's one thing if your patients just don't respond well to treatment—It's another if you consistently fail to keep your patients patients.

That is to say, the Lone Star Reformatorium has a terrible track record when it comes to keeping its supervillains locked up.

Today, Jay is visiting a patient infamous for such jailbreaks—Razzmatazz. He sits at the window, waiting patiently. He thrums his hands on the counter, trying to dismiss his nervous energy.

Coming here always gives him the creeps. Though it's branded as a place where villains can receive treatment, the barren white walls, numerous security cameras, and armed guards posted at every door make it clear to anyone entering that this is also a prison.

The hero shifts in his seat, restlessly bouncing his leg as he waits. A few moments of uncomfortable silence later, the orderlies escort the dark-skinned woman into the chamber.

Razzmatazz sits at the window, grinning ear-to-ear. Her eyes go wide as she leans forward, nose almost pushed up against the glass. A moment of silence passes as green eyes meet the ever-shifting rainbow hues of Razmatazz's irises.

"Boo!"

Jay smiles. "Horrifying, Raz."

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Razzmatazz giggles, handcuffs clinking as she pushes the pair of heart-shaped glasses up her nose [https://img.wattpad.com/9aa69d8ecd202db9a590496ffbd9cfc6a8010fca/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f44656e70656c6a586965756f63413d3d2d313334313136363033312e313738656337346436643030313336613838313831323139313434302e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

Razzmatazz giggles, handcuffs clinking as she pushes the pair of heart-shaped glasses up her nose. "Quickwit, it's been sooooo long! What kept you!?"

The sidekick rubs the back of his neck, sighing. "Sorry, Raz. Hero work has kept me busy, I'm actually here to escort a prisoner today after this"

Razzmatazz tilts her head owlishly, rainbow braids cascading over her shoulders. "I've been informed you have been doing astonishingly well—did you really defeat that new villain twice already?"

The sidekick nods. "I did, his name is Stygian. But how have you been? Are you taking your meds?"

The woman huffs, hair going a shade of purple. "Yes, I'm taking my medicine! I always take my meds."

Jay tries not to roll his eyes. She has a history of going off the deep end, so he's not sure how accurate that statement is. "I know, Raz. Keep taking them."

Razzmatazz leans toward the glass, eyes bright. "Tell me about Stygian. What kind of villain is he?"

The sidekick chuckles at her eagerness. Though he can't blame her, he imagines it's painfully boring here. "He's an activist who seems to take his missions to the extreme—but I'm still gathering data on him. so far, so I don't know much about his weaknesses or personality."

Raz nods, adjusting the yellow bucket hat she has manifested with her powers. "I hear they're debating naming him as a class A. Is that true?"

Jay hums. "The duration of his powers combined with their versatility makes me agree that's a real possibility."

"Nice! That's amazing, Witty! Who'd expect a C-class sidekick to take down an A-class Villain?"

Jay snorts. "I took you down, and you're A-class."

Razzmatazz pouts. "You didn't take me down, you just convinced me to hospitalize myself..."

"Our duel was legendary."

"You literally just told me to take my meds," she squawks.

Jay shakes his fist dramatically. "Nobody will forget how we fought until the sun rose."

"Are we still talking about the same event?" Razzmatazz cracks, laughing loudly. Jay can't help but join in, their voices echoing in the cold and empty building.

Suddenly though, the woman's voice cuts out abruptly. Jay looks up to see the reason why—Massasauga is stalking toward them, face contorted into a scowl.

The man approaches the glass, looking like he's observing a cockroach rather than a person.

Razzmatazz smiles eerily, braids going a stark red. "Hello there."

Massasauga declines to respond, turning his head to glare at his sidekick. "Let's go. We're not here to fraternize with the enemy."

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Jay rises reluctantly, giving one last glance at his friend before following his partner down the hall. Before they make it to the courtyard though, Massasauga grabs Jay by the suit, slamming him into the wall.

Alarmed, the sidekick attempts to struggle away, only for the repugnant man to grasp him by the jaw, locking him in place.

"Listen here, you fucker," he growls, "you aren't a hero because you're hot shit."

Massasauga tightens his grip, bruising the skin under Jay's suit. "The only reason the Network ever contracted you is because it would make them look like crap if they didn't after you got lucky with Razzmatazz."

"Get off of me! I'll report you for this!" Jay growls, tightening his grip on his attacker.

But his partner only laughs cruelly. "Let me remind you where we stand, Quickwit. One of us is a beloved icon of the Texan Hero Network, and one of us is a stray sidekick who not even the most idiotic super would want as a partner."

Massasauga brings his face even closer to Jay's, eyes narrowed. From here, the sidekick can see the broken blood vessels in the man's eyes—no doubt from Stygian's boot clobbering him directly in the face.

"If you wanna work in this industry, you better learn your place," the man spits.

Finally, Massasauga releases his sidekick, giving Jay one last rough push into the cold brick wall. He stalks off toward the courtyard, leaving the sidekick shivering with rage.

Jay leans against the wall, attempting to slow his thundering heart. For a moment he debates just walking out of there and calling it quits...was this all worth it? He definitely had a different vision for himself when he decided to become a hero. He definitely didn't picture himself as a much-despised sidekick, passed around like an unwanted side-dish...

However, he just brushes his suit off, heading towards the courtyard with one last sigh. He's worked too hard for too long to give up now. He can't let this bad apple ruin this for him, Jay is meant to be a hero, no matter what anyone says...

Besides, as underappreciated as he is, Jay is making a difference. Razzmatazz is proof that he's a positive force in the city...no other hero would have ever thought to check if a villain was in the middle of a mental health crisis.

Houston needs a hero like him to help people like Razz—nobody would try to understand them unless they knew what it was like to be an outcast, like him. He keeps that in mind as he exits the building, waiting for the shuttle to arrive.

Besides him and Massasauga there are also quite a few guards posted at the gates. He thinks it's a little overkill, considering that the villain they're transporting is just Frame—she's not very strong, just a little unpredictable. Still, Jay prefers overcautiousness to a lack of concern So he doesn't comment.

When the vehicle finally arrives, Jay steps forward to open the door and unload the bound villain within. She should be restrained, the handcuffs suppressing her powers, but you could never be too careful. Jay keeps one hand on his staff, ready for action in case things go south.

Massasauga doesn't seem to share his sidekick's apprehension, blearily yawning as he fiddles with some gadget.

However, the billionaire would come to regret his inattentiveness—as within the vehicle is not the C-class villain, but a smirking Stygian kneeling where the woman should be.

Jay jumps away as the villain springs forth from the back of the car, laughing gleefully as the guards rush forward to apprehend him.

Blades of shadow swirl around Stygian, toppling over assailants left and right with precise strikes. Massasauga tries to react, but he doesn't get the opportunity as a tentacle of black slams him roughly into a brick wall, immediately knocking him out cold.

Jay grimaces at the sight of destruction around him. It's only been a few moments and already Stygian has wreaked havoc on the courtyard, leaving only him standing.

Jay charges toward Stygian, aiming his weapon at the man's exposed back. The villain pauses his prodding of Massasuga's unconscious body to duck, giggling as Jay dodges a swipe from a purple-black claw.

Jay narrows his eyes, staff swinging down on Stygian's arm in an attempt to disable, but he underestimates the villain's reflexes as Stygian catches the weapon effortlessly. Before Jay has a chance to react, Stygian rips the staff from his grip, sending Jay flying.

He braces for the unforgiving bite of concrete, but it never comes. Instead, Jay is flung into the constricting embrace of etheric shadow.

He struggles widely to get free, but it's no use—the coils of black keep him securely in place, refusing to allow him even an inch of movement. Stygian laughs as he watches the sidekick struggle, flicking his hand to summon the cocooned hero closer.

"Admirable effort as always, Quickwit. You nearly got me, good job!"

Jay scowls. "What are you doing here, Stygian? Where is Frame? What did you do to her?"

The sidekick flinches as a tendril of shadow caresses his face, causing the villain to giggle mischievously. "So sweet that you have concern even for villains...not to worry, I just set her loose so I could gain access to this facility."

Stygian turns his gaze to the hospital, scowling at the imposing structure. "They say they're helping people, but the reports of abuse say otherwise..."

Jay's eyes widen as a shadowy wall is slammed into the building, tearing through stone and concrete. He struggles harder as the patients begin to pour out, running for their freedom as frantic guards attempt to stymie the current of bodies.

Jay tenses as he spots the familiar rainbow form of Razzmatazz dashing towards the fence. She's grinning wildly, fuzzy rainbow boots dashing towards freedom. However, the villainess pauses as she notices the pickle Jay has found himself in. She approaches the scene cautiously, hair slowly transitioning between the colors of the rainbow.

"Stygian, I take it?"

The villain grins, vermillion gaze meeting her iridescent irises unflinchingly. "The only!"

Raz's eyes dart to Jay's. "Let him go, he's just a sidekick."

Stygian pouts, leaning over with his hands on his hips. "But we're having so much fun!"

The woman crosses her arm at the refusal. "I said drop him."

Stygian rolls his eyes. "Why so serious?"

She huffs, eyes going steely. The villainess goes rigid as she transforms with a wild flash of color. A moment later the form of Razzmatazz has vanished completely, replaced with what appears to be a man in a labcoat. He brandishes a comically large syringe, smiling evilly.

"Time for a shot! Hold still!"

Stygian's eyes go wide with fear. "Augh! I just freed you, and you're gonna do this?!"

Razzmatazz doesn't listen, dashing towards the villain with needle brandished. The villain drops Jay, wings flaring as he flees hastily.

The sidekick only gets a moment of rest on the ground before he realizes Razzmatazz has reverted to her normal form, sprinting once more for the fence. Jay gives chase, determined to not let her escape.

"Raz, you can't leave!" He yells, panting. "You need to stay here!"

The villainess ignores Jay, laughing hysterically as she tears a hole through the fence with a transformed paw. "I'm just going on vacation Witty! I'll be back soon!"

Jay curses as he watches her grow several spider-like legs, scaling a nearby building. "What about your meds!?"

"You worry too much! I've got a three week's supply!"

"Razzmatazz! What if you run out?!"

"I'll rob a pharmacy!"

"Razz, no!"

The woman reaches the top of the building, waving cheerfully before she disappears from sight.

Jay groans, pinching the brow of his nose. This was a problem.

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