City Runner - A Day in the life of the Millennium Marvels

By: Poppy Patel   Millennium City is no stranger to Heroes. The list includes, but is by no means an exhaustive list, the officers of the Millennium City Police Department; the Millennium City Fire Department, as well as members of Millennium City Medical Response, who are often first on the scene of medical emergencies.   In very recent history, however, we have a new breed of Hero to add to the above list. These men and women put their lives literally on the line to protect those of us without abilities, skills or the technology to protect ourselves from those who do, and would use those abilities for the detriment of others. I recently had the fortune of encountering a group of these would-be heroes and witnessed first hand the sort of situations these people deal with, often at the request of the emergency services or law enforcement professionals. This group, calling themselves the Millennium Marvels, consisted of a diverse group of Powered individuals. For reasons that will become clear as you read this article, their real names were never asked for, or given. This group consisted of Brick Wall, a man made seemingly of living rock. A gentle giant of a man with a true patriotic streak made all the more evident by his Red, White and Blue costume. Crusader, in his fully sealed armoured suit. Djinn, a man seemingly from an Arabian Nights story; a man of sand and earth. The fairer gender are represented in this team by Lady Liberty. Again, sporting the Red, White and Blue, she proclaims to stand for Liberty and Justice. Lastly, and quite possibly the most frightening of the team, is the hero known as Úlfhéðnar, the literal translation being Wolf-Warrior. Being a shape-shifter, this hero transforms into a quite terrifying Werewolf-looking form, though he is clearly intelligent and has a keen understanding of how the police function. He uses this knowledge to ensure that the team are working within what laws are currewntly enforceable and so that the team are able to assist the MCPD the best way possible.   I encountered this team after tracking down Lady Liberty and cornering her for an interview (which she always seems willing to give). Through her, I met Djinn, Brick Wall and Úlfhéðnar. Whilst introductions were being made, the group and I were made aware of Firestorm's assault on the Vetrinelli Family home in Quays, the. The Millennium Marvels allowed me to travel with them, to observe and record their involvement. They seek to do good and, that is easier with a reporter watching their every move.   Once we arrived at the Vetrinelli Family estate by way of a swirlinig tornado of sand, akin to something out of the Wizard of Oz, it was clear that the situation between Blizzard and Firestorm had escalated dramatically. Firestorm, following the tragic deaths of what has now been confirmed to be his family in the attack in Fairview , hurled ball after ball of fire at the mansion, whilst Blizzard did his best to block the fire with ice. When the enraged Firey Hero turned his attacks on his once friend, The Marvels moved in. It's also worth noting that, at this time, I had not met Crusader. This fight was my first introduction to the armoured Hero. The team, working as a cohesive group, fought to control and contain Firestorm, his explosive area attacks seemingly unending as the group fought to contain him and bring some semblance of calm to the situation. Whilst this was ongoing, Crusader helped sheild Blizzard.  After an impressive pile-driver into the gravel of the driveway by Lady Liberty, Firestorm ceased fighting and appeared defeated. Although victorious, the Marvels did not celebrate victory; the vanquished hero could be any one of them, if pushed far enough. It was a sombre reminder regarding the sanctity of their identities and repercussions of their actions.   The Millennium Marvels and Crusader were thanked by Aurora Vetrinelli who emerged after the fight concluded.   The City Runner will do our upmost to bring you more on this, and any other Hero team wishing to show a public face to the world.