The three of them rode all the way to the Junkyard Forest. Upon arrival the soldiers continued on to the Fancy Fucktown of Fucks.
"Alright, spread out and see what we can find!" Jovian yelled.
"Great, searching for nothing," Terry groaned.
After 10 hours they all met up and pooled together what they found.
"So, we got some food for the town, couple of shiny clicky things, couple of ouch-what-was-that-I-just-stepped-on-oh-neat things, three fuel cells for the school, a necklace for my mom cause she's the real deal at making me meals," Jovian said.
"Cool cool, but I found sixteen arrows for hunting, seven forks, a clock, a rug to cover my jacked up floor, few cans of paint, and this big shiny box with a lock on it!" Thee countered.
Terry placed down a single long object covered in a cloth.
"Guys, sit down for this, I found the best thing ever. Better than whatever the map was directing us to," Terry said with a devilish smirk.
Terry slowly uncovered his find to reveal a shiny blade.
"It's a frickin samurai sword, dudes," Terry yelled.
"You looked for ten hours and all you found was a katana?" Thee asked, her words coated in hate.
"No, I found this in the first 5 minutes, I then spent 9 hours and 55 minutes cutting up shit I found, day well spent," Terry explained with pride.
"Lucky," Jovian whispered.
Junk rustling in the background alerted them to someone there. They all turned and looked into the tree line. A large bear was slowly inching his way from the forest into the junk pile.
"Shit, guys, it's a freakin bear," Thee whispered.
"Save us, Thee," Terry cried out.
The Bear smelled the air and slowly walked towards where the group was sitting on a mound of junk. He picked up the pace as he spotted them. Terry immediately took off but Jovian was frozen with fear. Thee grabbed his arm and started running but the bear quickly caught up. He swiped at them and knocked Thee down the mound. Jovian was unharmed and ran back to the top of the mound. The bear tried to chase but couldn't find the footing to climb that side of the junk mound. He turned his attention to Thee who was still trying to stand after the attack.
"Thee, run!" Jovian yelled.
"I can't, I twisted my ankle, bad!" Thee yelled back.
The bear was feet from her and she screamed. Another scream was heard from the side and Terry came running in with a rock in his hand. He jumped off some junk to get above the bear. He slammed the rock down on the bear's head and landed on top of it. The bear was unfazed and bucked Terry off. He landed right beside Thee and screamed out in pain. The bear lunged for Thee but Terry quickly covered her with his body and the bear bit onto his arm, cracking it in half easily.
Terry screamed before passing out. Jovian began throwing things at the bear but he didn't stop his assault. Jovian looked around in desperation and saw the samurai sword Terry had found. He picked it up and clumsily charged down the hill, tripping several times but rolling back to his feet. He reached the bear and slashed one of its legs causing the bear to howl out and release Terry. The bear did a quick turn and Jovian stood his ground and stared at the bear's eyes.
He wasn't thinking about anything but to protect his friends anymore. He rushed forward but the bear swiped at his arm and cut it open. Jovian dropped the sword and screamed. Thee picked up the sword and poked it into the bear. The bear ran off and tried to remove the sword from his side.
"That gave us some time," Thee said.
She stood from willpower alone and grabbed the unharmed arms of Terry and Jovian. She started marching and dragging them through the junk. She fell a few times but managed to clear the junk pile and reach the tree line.Jovian started fading in and out of consciousness at this point. Thee stopped suddenly and noticed a second bear charging at them. It quickly pounced over them, knocking Thee to the ground.
"I tried, guys," Thee cried.
As the bear lowered his head to bite Jovian his head was jerked violently back. Jovian looked up and saw his dad holding the skin of the bear's head and holding his stone ax at his neck. In one movement the bear's head was cut clean off. Mark tossed the head away with disdain. He grabbed the body with one hand and lifted it over his head and tossed it several yards away with ease.
"This isn't the bear that hurt you, where is that bear?" Jovian dad asked calmly.
"It should be over in the junk piles," Thee responded.
"Be right back."
Terry regained consciousness and started screaming in pain. Thee tried her best to calm him down and he managed to stop screaming.
"Thank you guys for not leaving me behind," Thee said, tears coming to her eyes.
"Hunk Master Dunk Master doesn't need thanks to save his friends," Terry said, trying his best to smile.
"Thank you as well, Thee, you dragged us along even while injured, I'm amazed," Jovian said as he clutched his bleeding arm.
"Hunkess Master Dunkess Master doesn't need thanks to save her friends either," Thee said, trying to hold back her tears.
Mark dropped from the trees and landed next to the group.
"Looks like the bear died from his injuries, good work you guys. Did you kids use a damn katana to fight a bear?" Mark asked.
"Tried to, yes," Jovian said.
"I found it, go me," Terry said and he started fading out of consciousness.
A bright light shone from above over the three of them followed by a booming bell ringing. Three papers floated down.
"Well, I'll be damned, you three Sleepers just became Wakers," Mark said.
"Whoa, no way, really? I'll be so excited when I wake up again,...hope I...don't remember this...so I can be...all...excited again...once I wake up," Terry said before losing consciousness again.
"We need to get them back to the town fast. Thee, grab those papers and hop on my back," Mark said.
Thee followed orders and Mark scooped up Jovian and Terry in each of his arms and started running full speed. Thee struggled to hold on, he faster than anyone or anything she had ever before, even faster than the birds flying in the same direction overhead.
In several minutes they arrived back at the town. Mark took the three of them to his house. Jovian mom was outside and rushed to meet them.
"What happened?" she yelled.
"Fought a bear, won," Jovian barely managed to utter.
"Oh hell yeah, that's my boy. Now put them down and let me help them," Jovian's mom said, trying to conceal her worry.
She raised her arms and her hands started glowing. She glided them over Terry's injuries. They slowly fixed themselves. The bones reset and the punctures closed. Jovian began to feel dizzy from the blood loss.
"Mom I found you a necklace but I lost it in the battle, do you still love me?" Jovian asked in a bout of slurred words.
"That's sweet, now be quiet, you're next," she said calmly.
"Since when could you do this? You kept all this a secret, I didn't know you are a Waker," Jovian said slowly.
Jovian slowly lost consciousness as his wounds healed.
The next morning Jovian woke up in his living room. He looked around and saw several members of the towns council in the room. They were talking with his dad and seemed very happy.
"With three new Wakers our town should easily win the food grant from the Fancies, no more pine needle tea and bread soup," one older man said, so giddy that he couldn't help but clap.
"Bah, with Mark here we should be living like royalty," another council member said.
"Doesn't your O.O.M status come with any perks?" a short and fairly young councilwoman asked.
"The one perk is that anywhere I dictate as mine doesn't get enslaved by the Fancies, the reason our town of Sol can be so close to the City is because I am here," Mark responded.
"Dad, what is going on?" Jovian asked.
Mark quickly rushed over and picked Jovian up and sat him up like he was a young child.
"Son, It's time for you to know the truth of everything," Mark said with a smile.
"This better not be like the birds and the bees talk, I still have nightmares," Jovian said with a shudder.
"Bring in the other two," Mark called out.
Thee and Terry were led into the living room and sat next to Jovian.
"So, you know at least a little about what being a Waker means, right?" Mark started.
"Well yeah, but only from what we hear from stories," Terry responded with excitement.
"Let me start from the beginning, about one hundred and fifty years ago, after the Great Split, there was an unknown event that kick started something in humans that led to a small percentage of us to awaken...abilities," Mark began.
Thee and Terry leaned forward in anticipation but Jovian groaned, he heard this part of the story a hundred times.
"Those gifted were called Wakers, those gifted whose abilities lie dormant are known as Sleepers. That much is known to you, what you may not know is there is a bit more to it than just that," Mark said before sitting on the floor in front of them.
Even sitting he was almost eye level with them as they sat on the couch.
"Those who will never have power are called Dreamers, most of the world is made up of Dreamers. But, most people outside the protected walls of the major cities are Sleepers," Mark explained.
"We know that much, get to the new stuff," Jovian groaned.
"Once you receive and look at your Power Ticket you are given a unique ability," Mark said.
"Duh, we kn-"
"But! You can lose this ability," Mark interrupted.
"How?" Terry asked.
"On the sheet lists your power, and below that lists your rule. You must follow this, absolutely, or else you will lose your ability permanently," Mark explained.
Thee gasped and looked at Jovian.
"Luckily, you have 4 chances at power," Mark added with a smile.
"Oh, thank god!" Thee said, relief washed over her.
Jovian mom, Sattie, walked into the room and sat in a chair next to the couch.
"Mom, what is your power and rule?" Jovian asked.
"I guess I can tell you, but I also must warn you. Never, ever, tell anyone your rule, they may use it against you," Satties said in a grim but caring tone.
"Alright," Jovian responded.
Sattie raised her hands and they lit up.
"I can heal any wound, so long as the person has one breath in their body, I can save them," Sattie explained.
"And the rule?" Thee asked, now almost falling off the couch with anticipation.
"I must make 3 meals a day, and feed them to people I truly care for," Sattie said quietly.
"That's it?" Terry asked, skeptically.
"Well, for the most part, yes, but you don't need to know the rest," Sattie said and crossed her arms.
"Enough about that, let's look at your papers," Mark said with excitement as he handed each of them their folded Power Ticket.
Thee opened hers first and suddenly she felt an electric wave surge over her body and suddenly she felt different.
"Strangely, I feel...Awake," Thee said, slowly.
"Oh ha ha, not funny," Jovian said and pushed her shoulder.
"Shut up, I'm serious," Thee growled.
"Go on, what does it say?" Terry asked, impatiently rocking back and forth.
Thee read her Ticket.
Allbese
Can ingest anything for life energy
Stipulation
Must never kiss the opposite sex
"What…," Thee said quietly.
"What a...unique ability," Mark said with fake happiness.
"Uh, no, Jovian, your dreams are coming true, you better plant a fat one on these lips right now," Thee ordered.
Jovian's eyes widened and he started looking around at everyone in the room.
"What, why, I mean, well, what?" Jovian said, barely able to speak.
"Smooch me, now," Thee ordered, this time with more authority.
Jovian continued nervously looking at the people in the room and he started nervously chuckling and rubbing his hands together.
The old councilman in the room slowly raised his hand.
"I am willing to endure this...burden," he said proudly.
The rest of the room looked at him in confusion. He slowly lowered his hand and turned his head away.
"Just kidding, ha ha," he said nervously.
"I told you the whole town is after her," Terry whispered to Jovian.
Thee just scoffed and grabbed Jovian by the chin and forced a kiss. He quickly pulled away and laughed. He looked towards his dad and saw his look of extreme disappointment.
"Son, you could have the greatest Waker ability ever and I will still be disappointed in you today," Mark said, his tone as somber as could be.
A second Power Ticket dropped from the sky. It passed through the house without damaging it and landed in Thee's hand. She read it as fast as she could
Zappy Dappy
All attacks are charged with an electric charge. Energy amount dependent on effort put into attack.
Stipulation
Within the first hour of waking up, must pat head and rub tummy.
"Ha, easy peasy," Thee said before placing the paper in her pocket.
"Terry, you go next," Jovian said, still red faced from earlier.
"Don't want to save the best for last?" Terry said as he slowly unfolded his Power Ticket.
Telettes
Read minds at all times of anyone within 300 feet.
Stipulation
Will occasionally receive a mental urge, upon receipt of said urge, must speak exact thoughts.
"Oh hell yeah! Also, Mrs. Lunarstil, your chest looks wonderful today," Terry said confidently.
"You are damn right it died," Mark said proudly.
"Wonderful, now he has an excuse to be as vulgar as possible," Jovian grumbled.
Jovian opened his as fast as he could and quickly read it over.
Shy Artist
Can erase himself from the visible world, walk around like a ghost, and redraw himself back in at will.
Stipulation
Must never use Shy Artist in the sight of other Wakers.
"You better not be creepin' in the night," Terry said "actually, please do and tell me all about it."
Jovian looked at his dad who had a huge smile on his face. Terry started laughing and slapping his leg.
"I knew it, half this room is thinking about Thee," Terry said.
"Terry, please, shut up," Thee pleaded.
"Wait, which one of you all is thinking about...spaghetti sauce...and...what the...Jovian's butt?" Terry asked, extremely confused.
The room looked towards Thee. Her eyes widened in disbelief. Jovian shuddered and he looked out the closest window. He noticed an extremely greasy face with the creepiest smile staring straight at Jovian.
"Harry...freakin...Ogelton, Dad, please protect my innards," Jovian pleaded.
"Come on in, Harry," Mark called out.
Jovian groaned and slammed the back of his head into the couch in defiance. Harry slowly walked in and the room quickly filled with the stench of a zoo and old tomato sauce.
"Hellloooo," Harry giggled.
"Goodbye," Jovian responded.
"Don't be that way, sweet JoJoJo," Harry said as he approached the couch.
"Jovian, his thoughts are less than pleasant!" Terry screamed.
Terry started humming to himself to drown out the mental noise. Harry grabbed his arm and pulled him off the couch. With great joy on his face he sat next to Jovian.
"Your daddy tells me you three are now Wakers, how wonderful. I have a proposition for you, a mission, if you will," Harry explained.
"Ya'know, I just don't care," Jovian groaned.
"Trust me, cutie, I can make it worth your while," Harry pleaded.
"There is nothing you can offer me that I have any need for, and before you offer your ten thousand cans of mushroom spaghetti sauce, no, not even that," Jovian responded.
"If this mission succeeds I will be allowed back into the Fancy Fucktown and you will never see me again," Harry added in a sing-song way.
Jovian's eyes lit up and he stood up and crossed his arms.
"Who do you want dead? Is it my mother? Sorry, Mom, it must be done," Jovian responded firmly.
"No, no, I simply need this special...tool that I was supposed to escort from one of the other big cities to this one here," Harry said, gesturing for Jovian to sit down again.
Jovian shook his head and took two steps back. Harry sighed and spread his arms out, increasing the stink in the room.
"Now, I am about nine years late with my delivery, but it's special enough that they won't mind," Harry said.
Mark leaned forward and got to his feet. He walked over to a closet in the corner of the living room and opened it. Inside was a long chest with seven complicated locks. He dragged it out and placed it in front of Jovian.
"Listen up, pup. You have an ability that isn't suited for combat, so, you will have to take advantage of all the training we have done while you were growing up," Mark explained as he rested his hand on his son's shoulder.
"No way, the super duper special chest you said never to touch?" Jovian squealed.
"Go ahead, open it, the locks are fake," Mark said with a smirk.
Jovian rolled his eyes and dropped down to open the chest. He suddenly stopped and looked up at his dad.
"Hold up, dad, what is your Waker ability?" Jovian asked.
"I'm glad you asked," Mark said as he began removing his gear.
Mark stripped all the gear off of his upper body revealing countless burn marks and scars.
"I have no Waker power," Mark said calmly.
"What?" Harry blurted out.
"That's my line," Jovian said.
"I am fairly proud, I made it onto the prestigious Orders of Magnitude without the aid of my abilities, well, for the most part," Mark explained.
"What do you mean? Nice pecs by the way, I one day wish to have a chest like that," Terry asked.
"I was a Waker, now I am what is known as a Sleepwalker, a Waker who has lost all chances at power," Mark explained.
The eldest councilman angrily interrupted.
"Don't sell yourself short, Mark. Not just any Sleepwalker, The Sleepwalker King, One of the Four Royals. And most importantly, the second strongest Member of the Orders of Magnitude. To the world outside of our city of Sol you are 'The Zetta, Mark Lunarstil, Sleepwalker King'. Very impressive," he explained, clearly showing his admiration.
"Damn, dad, you are almost as cool as me, and half as cool as mom," Jovian joked.
"Well, you're half right," Mark said with a laugh.
"So how did you become so powerful," Thee asked.
"To be honest, it worked out well for me. My first ability allowed me to stay awake and never require sleep, with that I was able to train day and night, with the helpful healing touch of your mother back when we were teens. My second power allowed me to augment my body in whatever way I wanted, but only once. My third power made it so that when I spit, the spit became explosions, the downside was that my stipulation was that I couldn't swallow, weird how that worked out," Mark explained.
"I remember, a year before Jovian was born you received that ability, blew up our whole house, then the shed. And then...the open air sneezes that wiped out the Caster family's entire farm. Then you decided to finally get rid of that stupid power," Sattie said
"Wait, as in Billy Caster? I heard he was carpet bombed by the Fancies and now spends his life in a wheelchair," Jovian said.
"Jovian, you help Harry do what he needs. Should be a good way to develop your powers," Mark said.
"Don't just ignore me!" Jovian yelled.
"Don't you wanna open the box?" Mark said quickly.
"Yes!"
Jovian quickly opened the box and inside was a set of weapons and a new outfit, one similar to Mark's.
"To be completely honest, it was empty until a year ago. I wanted to be like 'You see, my son, the training and the patience to never open the box. That...is the gift I give.' But your mom kinda...urged me to think differently," Mark explained.
"Jove, you are kinda weak so I convinced him to add a bit more help to the box," Sattie said bluntly.
"Clothes and a family heirloom paired with hard truths...this is like a bad Christmas," Jovian said.
"This is a great Christmas! That jacket carries the Mark of The Sleepwalker King!" Mark yelled.
"Ha, Mark of Mark," Terry blurted out.
"It will keep you mostly safe from the other Orders of Magnitude and their disciples," Mark explained.
"Yeah, cool, can I go?" Jovian said.
Jovian was motivated by the desire to be rid of Harry so was excited to get going. He quickly ran through his house and out the door.
"Come quickly, we can finally send Old Man Spaghetti back to whatever hellish kitchen he came from," Jovian said with glee.