"Well, Doc, I gobble up scum like a kid in a candy shop. How do I chew the right path without spitting out my soul?"
So your worried you’re gonna swallow your conscience whole?
Hey, Hey now. We’re all here to help each other.
"If you don't mind, fuck off."
Fine then closes my laptop and walks away from our therapy session
"I... I don't want to be alone..."
Oh…Come here. Let’s get this over with.
It’s alright…Just let it out…
"What if I don't want to 'let it out'? What if I just want to eat some villains and stay a hero with a side of ketchup?"
Then that’s how it’s gonna be. You like that, don’t you? You like being the monster even when you save the world. Let’s keep going.
"Fine, let's get this over with, you glorified therapist."
"Okay, fine, here's what happened. I was saving the city, like I always do, and I caught this guy who was using innocent people as shields. I had to make a tough choice and kill them. After it was all over, I realized that maybe, just maybe, I've gone too far..."
And that scares you, doesn’t it? The thought of hurting people even by accident
"Yeah... It does. I mean, what if one of those hostages could have been someone important to me? What if I had caused irreparable harm? It's terrifying to think about."
And that guilt’s probably eating away at you…
"Damn right it is. It keeps me up at night, wondering if I'm really doing the right thing out there."
Does anyone else’s blood stain your dreams?
"No, they don't. They're my responsibility, and I'll make sure they pay for what they've done."
Good. That shows control. Do you feel like you’ve got more control over your actions and your methods?
"Of course I do. I'm in control of everything. I know exactly what I'm doing at all times. Nobody can stop me, not even myself."
But if you’re honest, does that feeling of control fill you with comfort or does it scare you?
"It scares me. Deep down, I know that no matter how much control I think I have, there's always a risk of something going wrong.
Good…Control isn’t a good thing. The second you think you’re fully in control, you lose yourself in control. You were meant to learn from mistakes, and that includes our so called “heroes”. There has to be a better way…
"I agree. There must be a better way. I want to be better, I want to be a hero who fights for justice without losing myself in the process. Can you help me find that path?"
Looks around and then takes a letter out of pocket. Here, this arrived today, I think it might be for you.
takes the letter and reads it "For Chomperella, The Heroine of Metropolis. Congratulations on your latest victory! You are truly an inspiration to us all. Sincerely, Batman"
See? Even Batman knows better than to fully give himself to his powers. There’s still a line between a hero and a monster. Let’s continue this meeting next week, yes?
"Sure, see you next week, doc." smirks
Stands up and stretches. Wow, seems we’ve almost run out of time. Before I forget, have you done any recent sketches of your recent fights? I’ve always loved the scenery and detail you bring into your drawings.
"Sure, I've been working on some sketches lately. Want to see?" grabs a sketchbook and flips through the pages
If you wish, of course. I grab some glasses from my desk drawer and put them on. Very nice detail, keep going!
"Thanks, doc. I love getting feedback on my artwork. You know, these sketches aren't just about capturing the action on paper. They're also a way for me to process everything that happens out there. It helps me make sense of it all, I guess."
Yeah…We all need to vent. I hear Chompers coming up behind me, I’ll move my chair a little to give you both more room. I scoot my chair over. It’s important to have a support system. Chomperella, keep going. What does it feel like when you draw?
"When I draw, it's like I'm transported back to the moment, reliving the rush of battle.
Is that what draws you in the most? The adrenaline?
"I suppose so. The adrenaline, the thrill of victory... it's what keeps me going. But sometimes, I wonder if there's more to life than just the rush."
Tell me more…What got you interested in drawing comics? Was it a particular character?
"Well, growing up, I was always fascinated by comic books. I used to spend hours flipping through the pages, imagining myself as the hero.
Who was your favorite character growing up?
"Hmm, well there was this one character named Captain Courage. He was an inspiration to me, always fighting for justice and protecting the innocent. I wanted to be just like him, you know?"