With power comes a lot of therapy. Ha, and everyone thought it was responsibility

-A few days later-

Dr. Wong sighed for the fifth time during the most challenging client session of the day. 

In the morning, she had dealt with Mr. Goldenfold and his rather... extreme delusions. 

The thought made her shudder. 

A therapist is not meant to harbor biases or pass judgment, yet she found it difficult to contain herself. 

How could she possibly support a man who consumed his own feces?

"Wong. Calm down."

She instructed herself. 

"Take deep breaths. Deep breaths."

She was not typically so volatile, not even with Goldenfold and his antics. 

"Ugh!"

Now, she had to attend to her newest patient, Six D. VI in a family session, who apparently was struggling with his uncle's interference in his life.

"Shall we begin?"

The Wong asked.

"Whenever you feel ready, Six."

Said Mr VI's wife Rebecca, rubbing his back comfortingly, making Wong smile at his wife's support.

"Now Mr VI can you tell your uncle how his micro-managing your life makes you feel?"

Six looked at Wong like she was an idiot then at his uncle who was sitting to his side, wearing his usual yellow suit and top hat covering the top of his head.

"Uncle, you have been a manipulating SOB for as long as I've known. Since I started my journey you have been controlling my path and choices to be as chaotic as possible."

"In the bunker, you got us me and my friends all nearly killed. At the Battle of the Damm, it was the release of the Spore Carriers, infecting everyone. Then there was that surprise nuclear bomb to the face. And lastly, you probably did something to push David to blow me up with the building, and please deny it. We can all see your grinning face." 

As Wong finished taking notes, she noticed his expression.

"Would you care to add your thoughts, mister? Apologies, but I didn't catch your name?"

"I am Nyarlathotep, an Outer God. Known as the Crawling Chaos, offspring of Azathoth. I serve as the soul and messenger of the Outer Gods. My purpose is to execute the will of the Outer Gods, yet unlike my kin, I find spreading madness far more intriguing and pleasurable than the death and destruction they desire. That is the reason for my nature."

"So, that's why you're such an asshole to us pop!"

Rebecca told him off.

"Ah, Rebecca, you are my favorite daughter, but remember, I have many children, and your siblings are quite the envious sort."

said Nyarlathotep, smiling at her with his razor-sharp teeth.

"So, Mr. Nyarlathotep, don't you think that you're treating your nephew in the same manner that the other Outer Gods treat you? After all, you defy their commands to destroy and choose only to spread madness for your amusement," Wong interjected, offering her analysis of their family dynamics while adjusting her glasses.

"Don't you believe that you're projecting your issues onto your nephew and daughter, Mr. Nyarlathotep? I think if you extend an olive branch to your nephew and cease manipulating his life, it would resolve the tension between you and secure a strong ally."

Finished Wong as she started to drink her tea.

"Oooooooh, you're good, my esteemed Doctor Wong! Would you be willing to have my child? But my dear nephew neglected to mention that I did extend an olive branch," said Nyarlathotep cheerfully.

"I'm good really Mr Nyarlathotep? But did you now?"

Wong asked, turning to face Six with a raised eyebrow, prompting a sheepish response from him.

"Well, he did suggest that I create Gamers to entertain the family in my stead. Which I find hard to believe! Why can't he create other gamers himself?"

"Would you care to explain to your nephew why you made that offer, Mr. Nyarlathotep?"

Doctor Wong interjected.

"Ah! I see the confusion. I failed to mention that I am a God who gets bored quite easily. I don't have the time or energy to oversee other gamers at the moment. Six is the only gamer I've created because I found it COOL and FASCINATING at the time! That's why I wish to pass the responsibility of creating gamers to my Dear nephew, as the other Outer Gods are clamoring for more entertainment."

With that explanation, the family began to reconcile, and Wong found herself thinking of one particularly chaotic and strange family: THE SMITH FAMILY!

This family... they were uniquely twisted.

Yet, they had been her clients for years. Over time, they had even shown signs of improvement. They were dysfunctional, fractured, and in denial about their shortcomings.

Wong always kept this in mind. However, there were days when they truly tested her patience, leading her to clench her fist, delve into her purse, and retrieve a stress ball to squeeze tightly.

She felt she might need a therapist herself at this rate.

There were moments when she contemplated quitting. After all, she had saved enough to retire comfortably, especially with the gold bullion Mr. VI had given her as payment. But she restrained herself.

She reminded herself why she did this work: she believed she could make a real difference in people's lives, even for a family of Outer Gods. And to think, she mused, this family of Lovecraftian Outer Gods was somehow less dysfunctional than a human one.

"Ooh, I know! I have some ideas, Bossman. Why don't we create a ninja Gamer based on that one series with the loud blonde ninja! Or, hear me out, we make Mr. Fire Mic snap snap into a Gamer."

Rebecca suggested enthusiastically as they exited Wong's office.

She had saved wayward kids before. She had seen them turn to productive, happy adults. It gave her purpose. And she wouldn't give that up because of the Rick Sanchezes and family or Goldenfolds of this world.

Wong smiled.

Today's last client was an odd one though, even for her. They had requested a home visit. She didn't usually do home visits of course, but this time she made an exception.

The client was 12-year-old girl, a victim of a troupe of serial killers. Trapped by them for 6 years. Traumatized. Broken. Abused.

She felt for the girl and the obscene fees offered helped too.

Wong checked her phone.

A right turn here. She took to the sidewalk and changed directions, coming to a atop before an empty plot of land. Wong checked her phone again, confirming the address.

Yes. This was it. The phone showed as much. But that couldn't be right? Maybe she had input the wrong address? Wong scrolled up and checked the address again. No. The address was correct.

Suddenly, she heard a noise from the plot ahead. She looked up, and found herself face to face with a floating plane of neon green. She recognized it. A portal.

"Rick Sanchez. Of course it's him. Why would it be anyine else."

She muttered under her breath with vitriol. Still, she stepped into the portal because she needed to have some words with that man.

Wong half expected to find a death trap or some elaborate prank on the other end of the portal. But what she found on the other side of the portal....she did not expect. A cozy room. Three mugs of hot coco, and one of green tea, for her.

And the girl from the pictures that had been sent to her, sitting on the couch opposite her seat, twitching nervously beside a man of noticeably italian descent.

Most importantly, no Rick Sanchez to be found. Interesting. So s he found herself thinking.

"You're not Rick Sanchez."

She mused.

"No. I'm not. I'm just a worried father. Please take a seat."

Wong nodded, sinking into the plush sofa and took a sip of the green tea. It was her favourite. For a moment she thought it was just an elaborate prank or an illusion by Rick.

But he would never be this considerate. Not in her wildest dreams. He was more likely to trap her in some world that mildly inconvenienced her every few seconds.

Maybe a tickling feather world or stub-your-toe dimension. Not in a million years would Rick Sanchez show her the decency of having a proper conversation.

"I hope the tea is to your liking."

The man asked, kindly.

Yeah. No!

This couldn't be Rick Sanchez. This was someone else. Undoubtedly. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad, after all. She smiled.

"Shall we begin?"

Wong asked.

"Whenever you feel ready, Riley."

The man said, rubbing the girl's back comfortingly.

The girl took a sip of her hot cocoa, and let out a breath she had held for a while now. Her shoulders eased up, and her body language looked relieved. She looked back up at the man once more and nodded.

That was some trust she had placed in him. An actual father figure. That's good. Abused children need someone like that in their lives. A stable pillar of support. This was already off to a good start.

Wong's smile widened just a bit.

"So?" 

Wong prodded gently.

"I'm ready."

The girl said, resolute.

Good. Wong thought. Accepting that you have a problem is the first step to solving it. Maybe this would be another notch to her belt. Another child was saved. And Dr. Wong liked that thought.

The end...

Of this story, but not of the others

Arthur note:

Last chapter tribute to Fanfic writer GoldFinger, Story: In This Corner Of The Multiverse.