When Worlds Collide

99) Problems But a B*tch Ain't One

Nico stood in a supply closet, hiding from the teen heroes and cursing life.

Why was he cursing life? Well, a lot of reasons. Firstly, because he was supposed to be on a field trip. It might have sounded stupid, but it was to a museum for VH's class and he wanted to be there. Secondly was because instead of being at the museum with the coolest guy ever, he was in Taos, New Mexico, about to speak at a press conference for the League when he wasn't even a fucking member.

Her heard his name being called in the hall and internally groaned before stepping out of the supply closet.

"There you are," the teen said. "They're just about ready for you."

Nico nodded to the guy, attempting to recall his name. He knew they had met before, he had been in the meeting where he gave the funding for the very building he was currently in.

"Ed, did you find him?" Virgil called from around the corner.

Ed, Nico thought to himself. His name is Ed.

Ed waved for Nico to follow him as he walked down the hall. "Yeah, I found him," he called back before making a turn and seeing Virgil with a few other kids Nico hadn't seen before. "Demosthenes, I would like you to meet Tye Longshadow and Asami Koizumi. They were both held by the reach with Virgil and I. Now, they're reservists for the League."

Nico shook their hands. "Are you members, technically speaking?" He asked.

Both shook their heads.

"After the whole Reach and Magnetic Field Disrupters thing, we chose to stick to the side lines," Tye said with a shrug. "We were invited to join the Team, but we turned them down."

Nico chuckled. "I did the same— except I did it because I wanted to piss off Lex Luthor and it's harder to do when you have to obey the law. I really  hate that guy."

The group chuckled. "Us too."

Nico was about to ask about their powers when someone in his comm told him that it was time. He let out a sigh, saying a quick goodbye before going up to the door. The demigod quickly made sure the toga thing Piper had forced him to wear was sitting correctly before walking out, immediately greeted by flashing lights.

He paid them no mind as he approached Kaldur who, despite Nico telling him not to previously, bowed. The demigod internally rolled his eyes before offering a hand to the Atlantean and shook it. They held it longer than most people usually would, but apparently it was customary to do since people were taking photos. As soon as they released hands, they both turned to face the crowd that had gathered to hear them speak.

"I am honored to present Demosthenes, also known as Ghost King, leader of the Last Olympians. He has agreed to speak today on the current meta-human crisis and to give a better understanding of why this center's work is so important," the hero said before stepping back, gesturing for him to address the people.

Nico gave a nod to the second Aquaman as he stepped forward. "Thank you all for coming today. I am aware that you have already heard from Dr. Dorado, the director of this Center, Aquaman, one of the Co-Chairs of the Justice League, along with an assortment of meta-teens who chose to speak on this important subject, so I will keep this as brief as I can." As he spoke, his eyes scanned the crowd, searching for his disguised teammates. "I believe it's no secret that my team and I are very passionate about putting an end to meta-trafficking. Our people do what we can to stay out of the affairs of the outside world, however when we heard about how severe this problem had gotten, we knew we could not stand by and do nothing.