The Intruder

Therapy

Watchtower

July 18th, 2027

(Midnight)

xxx

"Black Canary." Batman called out.

"Yes?" Said heroine turned around.

If she didn't know any better, she would think the Bat was stoic as ever, but years of knowing him and being a therapist told her he was worried. "What's wrong?"

"It's the team." Batman sounded almost.... despaired, "Nico Di Angelo tried to commit suicide." Black Canary's hand went to her mouth as he continued, "Fortunately the team managed to rescue him. However, he requires therapy along with the rest of them. Di Angelo and M'gann seem to be especially traumatized."

Black Canary nodded, "I'll talk to them." She left using the Zetabeams, looking worried.

——-

Mt. Justice

July 18th, 2027

When Batman announced that the team would be getting therapy, Nico wasn't surprised. He was guilty, but not surprised. What did surprise him, was that Black Canary was a therapist. She seemed okay, though. Nico didn't know how much he could tell her. While the league already knew about the Greek Gods, Nico didn't know if he was even capable of talking about his past in detail with anyone.

When it was his turn - he was last - he walked in warily. His eyes glanced at every door, window, and any weapon. It was a natural reaction that came with being a demigod. Nico sat down on the couch awkwardly. His head down.

Black Canary gave him a worried, but kind look, "So, Nico... before we start, is there anything I need to know? Besides that you're suicidal?"

Nico bit his lip nervously, before he nodded, "I... I don't know if I can talk about it... but there's a lot you need to know."

"Can you at least give me a vague description?"

Nico took a shaky breath, "I swear I'm not crazy, and this is real... okay?" Black Canary nodded, "I was ten years old back during World War Two... my mom, my sister, and I were traveling to America. We stopped at a hotel. That night, Zeus and my father Hades had a fight, and Zeus struck our house with lightning. My father protected me and my sister, but my mom died... and many others. I guess my dad decided he didn't want us to know about it... so he wiped our memories using the river Lethe. He sent us to the Lotus Casino - time runs different there. We stayed there for over seventy years before escaping. We made friends with my cousin. A son of Poseidon - Percy, and his friends. They had a camp for demigods - Camp Half Blood. My sister went on a quest, and... she didn't come back. She died... she left. I felt it. I sensed it.... even though we were miles away. I felt her die. I didn't know what it was at first, but I did. Her death tore me apart. I ran away from camp." Nico clenched his fists, "There's a saying at camp... the lone wolf never lived long. It's more true than you would think... especially for demigods. Greek monsters come after us... wanting revenge on our parents. I was ten when I had to kill my first monster. I had a dagger that could only kill Greek immortals, and I stabbed it." Nico grimaced, "The thing is, they can't die. At least not permanently. It came back to kill me a week later. This time it was in a pack of them - Hellhounds. A ghost saved me. In short he trained me, and gained my trust only to betray me. I met Percy again. I revealed my heritage, and eventually wound up fighting a battle with Camp Half Blood against Kronos' army. I left shortly after. I wasn't welcome there as a son of Hades." Nico didn't look up, "I helped Percy a few times after that... and I wound up getting a crush on him. He got a girlfriend, though. It was never meant to happen. Skipping forward, we fought a war against Kronos. We lost quite a few ... and I felt their deaths too. We won the war, but I still was an outcast. I left. The second war, I was captured in Tartarus after trying to shut the doors of death. I was trapped in a giant jar by the twin giants. It was dark... I couldn't breathe. I was in there for awhile - half dead - before Percy and the rest of the seven saved me. The seven was a group of seven demigods prophesied to fight against Gaea and the giants. Percy was a part of them. My half sister - Hazel - was also in it, and so was Percy's girlfriend. After that, I wound up helping them more. I fought - nearly died - and wound up actually making friends. Though the war was bloody, and we lost so much... we were able to bond. I started dating Will, but he died. Things derailed after that. Though they were still kind... until Annabeth died, and they wanted me to bring her back." There was a sharp intake of breath as Nico continued, "My father forbade it - and without his blessing I physically cannot do it! It's literally impossible! They stormed the Underworld, and tried to kill me. I had to fight them. I was injured, and I wound up shadow traveling away. Due to my injuries, I couldn't focus on where I wanted to go. I wound up in the Watchtower - I had accidentally shadow traveled there during the first war. I guess I passed out from blood loss." Nico bit his lip, "I'm sorry... I just... I thought you should know. I didn't mean to take so long."

Black Canary smiled softly, "Nico... that's what I'm here for. I need to know these things. It's okay to rant to me. That's the whole point of this. To help you with your emotions."

Nico bit his lip, "I just... I don't want to fight anymore. I've fought nonstop for four years straight. Even after the Gods stopped the monsters from tracking me, I had to fight Percy and the seven. I... I need a break, and yet.... I can't."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know how. It's all I've known. I can't remember what my life was like before I started fighting. I don't know anything, but death, war, and fighting. I don't know how to be... a citizen. I've always been the hero who never got recognized. A person in the shadows that saved as many as possible, and no one ever knew. I can't remember a healthy parental relationship. I can't even think of having a home or someone who cares about me enough to stay and listen. The closest I ever had was Will, and he died shortly after. I don't know who I want to be... what I could do. Nico Di Angelo isn't supposed to exist - there's no record of me anywhere. I don't know what I could be besides a fighter or a criminal. I don't want to hurt anyone. I won't ever be a villain or a criminal... so I guess I'm a fighter. That doesn't make any money though. I haven't eaten much - the first real meal I'd had in two months was what Batman made me eat. I threw it up later... I can't stomach much food anymore."

Black Canary spoke up at that, "I can help with eating.... that's a form of Anorexia. There's ways the league can assist you with those things if you tell us."

"Really?" Nico was genuinely surprised, "You guys are willing to help me?"

Black Canary gave him a smile, "That's what we're here for. Is there anything else you need?"

Nico hesitated, "Is there anyway I could go to school? Like a normal school?"

The hero was shocked at that request. "School? You want to go to school?"

Nico recoiled, "Sorry... I... is that too much? I went to military school for a month, but I've never been to school - like a normal school. I've just always wanted to know what it's like. I'm sorry if that's wrong or something I..."

Black Canary cut him off, "There's nothing wrong with that Nico. I just didn't think you'd want to." She gave him a smile, "If you want to go to school, M'gann and Superboy are going to school in the fall. If you like, you can join them. I just have to talk to Batman. He'll have to make you a legal identity."

Nico perked up, "Really? You can do that?"

Canary looked at him curiously, "Of course."

Nico smiled, and his eyes lit up at her words. He vaguely reminded the heroine of a young child on Christmas who just got the best gift they could ever receive. Her heart ached a bit that Nico has this reaction over something that everyone else had. It was a reminder that Nico hadn't had a childhood - and what he did have he lost with his memories.

Still, a smile crossed her face at seeing the boy - who was usually somber - cheer up. His smile made the room light up, and his eyes gleamed with a light she hadn't noticed was gone. He had regained hope, she realized.

"Alright then... do you want to end the session here?"

Nico shuffled shyly, that grin still on his face, "If that's okay?"

"It's your choice - not mine. Feel free to talk to me about anything that you need - whether it be help with your emotions, a hug, a new toothbrush, something to decorate your room or otherwise, feel free to talk to me. Okay?"

Nico nodded, getting a bit more serious, "Okay."

Black Canary smiled at him as he got ready to leave, "Oh and Nico?"

Nico turned around, "Yeah?"

"You have a beautiful smile."

Nico blushed, and opened the door with a quiet 'Thanks.' With that, he slipped out of the room.

Black Canary stood up, and stretched. She sighed, "Looks like I need to have a talk with Bats. He ought to have talked to me - preferably before placing Nico on the team. That poor boy needed a therapist long before this."

She walked out with every intention to talk to Batman about psychology, and why you don't force a traumatized child onto a team who fight villains. He could've made things worse! He's supposed to be a detective!