The Marvels #1 : The Marvel of Water

Chapter 9

I was tired, hungry, and did I mention tired? Every city in the world had a Power. For every Power, there was a Rebel. That meant, in Chicago, there was a Rebel station. Most important, that station was well equipped, with transportation, shelter, and food. I had no idea where the Rebels were, so I just wandered around. Kind of stupid, since I kind of stand out. Humans saw me and screamed their lungs out. Calm down people! I’m just a freaky-looking… oh. One man in an elegant black suit and top hat, saw me, and cursed loudly. He fumbled in his pockets, and pulled out a business card. Then, he screamed, and ran away, leaving the business card. I looked around cautiously, and then bent to pick up the card. On it, it read, “China in Chicago, Asian cuisine restaurant, 88 Blackens Street.” Well, I might as well check this out, right?

The leader of the world is the leader of the Powers. He or she lived on a mechanical floating island in the ocean. In every city, there was a leader of that city. The leader of the Power of Chicago was very powerful, and very angry. Her name was Becky Sanders, and she had never like the director of entertainment, and the assistant director, and the assistant to the assistant director. Namely, Martin, Marvin, and Soupy. They cowered before her, begging for mercy. “Madame, it was that marvel freak! We had the best security, a level 2 electrical whip! He… just whooshed, and disappeared!” sobbed Soupy. “Yes, he summoned all the water too!” cried out Marvin. “Turtles were hitting us with their flippers! Sharks were head butting us out of the water!” explained Martin. Mr. Giddyhopps walked in and scoffed, “As the head of the Marvel Masters of the Power of Chicago, I, Mr.Giddyhopps, announce my arrival.” It was a Power custom, to walk in and announce your title and you name. He looked at them and laughed cruelly, “Martin, if I remember, you wanted the marvels as your little circus pets. Therefore it is your fault. Am I correct?” Martin cried, “It was a lucrative idea, sir! You would have done the same thing.” Mr. Giddyhopps laughed, “Am I that stupid? I think not.” Suddenly, the phone ran. Ms. Sanders scowled, and answered it. Her eyes widened, and she nodded several times. She glanced at the Magic twins and Soupy and said scathingly, “You have a chance to redeem yourself. The marvel has been spotted near the harbor. Don’t fail me this time.” The Magic twins and Soupy nodded and bowed obsequiously several times before retreating out of the room. “Fools,” muttered Mr. Giddyhopps. 

Blackens Street was in the “bad” sector. It was full of dilapidated brick buildings. A sour smell filled the air, and rats scurried down the filthy concrete street. Tarnished gold numbers hung on the buildings. “84, 86, ah, 88!” I exclaimed. A rusty sign hanged off the front door, “China in Chicago”. At least, all the glass was on the windows, which was a luxury in Blackens Street. I stepped in, and found the gentleman in the suit and hat. He looked at me calmly and said, “Next time, try not to walk in broad day light. Now, will you have the roasted duck, or chicken chow mein?” I blinked. “Is this the Rebels of Chicago?” I asked. The man in the suit hissed, “Quiet! I guess you want every Power in the city to come running here!” then he gestured behind the counter. “Go! Follow me!”

He led me into the kitchen, then the storage room. Let’s just say, the kitchen was defiantly violating some health regulations. You know, like all of them! The bushed a barrel of rotten apples aside. Underneath was a trapdoor. He gestured at me, “You first.” I nodded, and then said, “There is better food down there, right?” He grinned, “Yeah, we wouldn’t eat that thing we call food that we sell.” He made a disgusted face, and then pointed at the trapdoor. I opened it, and then slid down the tunnel.    

“Poof” I landed on a soft mattress. I got up, which was lucky. The suit guy came barreling down. He grinned, “Welcome! Now great Marvel, how can we help you?” I pretended to think, then said, “Hm… I don’t know. Getting out of Chicago and into New York, New York seems nice.” The suit guy nodded thoughtfully, “Yes, but why? New York is one of the greatest Power cities! Most Marvels go out of the way to avoid that place.” I looked him in the eyes, and said, “The Marvel ship. Journey. The one that takes me to Marvel Island, a place where humans can’t come? Heck, humans can’t even step on the Journey!” Suit guy again nodded and said, “Yes, but even so, the Power guards the perimeter of that ship, because they know of the importance. But we will help you. Now come, we’re going to meet the armada of the Rebels of Chicago!”