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seabysiren · 2 years ago

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birds of a feather

summary: a young bird with a strange fascination for the ocean meets the feathered serpent god.

you remember like it was yesterday. the change. you remembered feeling as light as a feather, free as a bird. chirping and whistling to the tune of the wind.

you remember finding a strange fruit. one that glows like the surface of the ocean. illuminating the greenery around it, you circled closer. something should've told you something was off. something was wrong. there were no birds chirping. no crickets or mosquitos buzzing.

just silence.

you hopped around curiously, talons gently crunching the smaller twigs beneath you as you cocked your head. the fruit was small, but it glowed brightly.

it beckoned you closer. closer. where you could see the strange blue light that wove itself around the small fruit. it was so bright, so pretty.

and without another thought you picked it up in your beak and swallowed it whole.

you couldn't remember anything after that. just unimaginable pain. it felt like you were a chick again, helpless and flightless on the floor of the forest. your wings felt heavy, a familiar weight that reminded you of diving into a lake and never being able to fly again.

colors and noises rang in your ears, vision swimming, voice cracking from sharp chirps into the high pitched screams. you felt big. too big. the gravity crushing bones and wings heavy.

then darkness.

when you awoke, something strange had occurred. no longer were your talons there, replaced with clumsy human feet. arms and digits wiggled curiously as you looked around. the water reflected the high sun, catching your eyes. you bent over and stared at your reflection.

human. you looked very much human. like the ones in the village not too far from here. with vibrant plumage on your shoulders. bright yellow markings dotted your face, as well as black feathered markings on your wrists and ankles.

you cleared your throat as you looked around. the forest had come back to life. familiar birds chirped in the air. frogs ribbited. bugs sung.

it was a foreign feeling. being human. their legs seemed to unsteady. and your wings always seemed to be stretching and flapping around. the feeling of flight came naturally, but with a little more energy needed.

it was hard adjusting to the weight difference. you never felt so weighed down in your life. but the human form also came with some perks. you were able to easily climb trees and grasp nuts and fruit more easily.

weaving the blades of fiber from trees were easier too. faster. you couldn't fit into a nest anymore, but you could craft yourself clothing. the fibers and greenery helped you blend in.

you made pretty shirts, loose and filled with vibrant greens and soft flower petals. bracelets and crowns made from flowers and leaves.

you were even able to interact with the humans. or just one human. she was known as the village's witch. or something, whatever that meant. she was still nice. she fed the yucatan jays nuts and fruits from her gardens. she fed you and your flock before you had turned.

and she was no different. she took one look at your form and shook her head. she muttered something under her breath and guided you into her hut. there she gave you warm, delicious soft bread. ripe, juicy fruits. even gave you soft blankets.

all she asked for were a few feathers. and you gladly gave them.

'call me chiichi, child.' she had muttered. and you eagerly nodded. she continued flittering around the hut, checking dried herbs and grinding something with stone tools.

'le paalo', stay away from the village. even if you look like us, they will not treat you kindly.' she smiled at you with a warm glance, and you took those words to heart.

you visited chiichi every few days. you shared the gifts with your flock, a small group of yucatan jays you were familiar with. you threw them seeds and fruits. they in turn gave you shiny things.

a huge misconception was that all birds, especially corvids, loved shiny things. that wasn't true. you loved shiny things. but you never seen birds steal jewelry from the humans.

the jays often gave you gifts from the beach. tumbled sea glass. pretty, soft colored shells.

and when you weren't hanging around chiichi, you were eagerly watching the beach. as a bird, you couldn't enjoy the water in fear of drowning. but now as a human you were eagerly able to interact with the warm water.

often with your flock of birds, you walked along the edge of the beach. watching the vibrant blues and greens that illuminated the sand. the beautiful reflections of the sun, and the calm waves that sung only peace.

your jays only gave you gifts nowadays. blue and pink pearls. smooth, clear rocks. and in return you gave them food. their happy chirps often echoed around you as they flew in circles, some even resting on your shoulders or against the long feathers of your wings.

you watch the sun set often. weary of the village edge, you kept far away as you enjoyed the burning oranges and reds that were swallowed by the horizon of the ocean. it was peaceful.

just being able to close your eyes and sing. sing familiar tunes of the jays as they flew and circled around you. being able to wistfully look off into the ocean. wishing that you could dive deep below to the unknown.

you shook your wings, vibrant blue feathers flying loose and landing against the sand. leaving trails of black and blue wherever you went.

chiichi even gave you bread to feed to the fish. it was nice stepping into the shallow water with bare feet, watching the scaled creatures dive and swim for the bread.

that was until one night you had seen something strange. a human's head rested just above the deeper surface of the water. you stared. he stared straight back. instead of leaving, you proceeded to chunks of bread. maybe the creature was like a fish.

because he was under the water for so long. maybe he would enjoy the bread like the smaller fish in the bay did.

you jumped, wings fluttering around you in surprise as he slowly walked up to the surface, his tanned skin glistening against the water that slowly dripped down your form.

'what are you?' you asked, eagerly drinking in the strange form. pointed ears, wings against his ankles. small and fluttering the water off easily despite being completely submerged in water.

he stared at you with a questioning look before speaking himself. his voice was deep, resonating against the echoing waves.

'and what are you, chan ch'íich'o?"

'i am no bird.' you chirped back.

'the wings on your shoulders say otherwise.'

'then you too, would be a bird.' you motioned towards the small, cream colored wings that fluffed at the mention of them.

'they call me the cyancorax yucatánicus rivularis.'

'the surface dwellers call you a bird.'

you stared each other down. he was strange. and you were strange. two anomalies in the dead of the night.

'and what do they call you?' you shot back. his look of surprise briefly flashing across his face.

'my people call me k'uk'ulkan. the humans call me namor.'

a familiar scent wafted towards you, and you cocked your head. the same scent as the fruit that caused you to change. the glowing blue fruit.

'did you consume a fruit?' he tilted his head in confusion, eyebrows furrowing in turn.

'a fruit?'

you nodded.

'the one that grows blue. i can smell it on you.'

he stared at you for a moment more, before turning back into the ocean. and without another word, he left in a flurry of waves and splashes. you watched his figure disappear deep into the ocean, a twinge of jealousy washing over you.

you wished that you too could dive into the water like that.

the next time you saw him was when you were with your flock. it was right before the sun came up, and you had come walking across the beach to collect shells. a small woven bag was filled with sea glass and pretty shells you and your feathered companions found.

the presence of the stranger from the water was always tucked into the back of your mind. you had wondered. can he breath underwater? he has no gills like the fish, nor scales. he has wings on his ankles. he can fly, but shouldn't his feathers be weighted down by the water?

gently setting yourself into the soft, wet sand. you sat. gently fingering the smooth stones in your hands as you looked across the ocean and began to sing.

the melody that left your lips were not noises a human could make, but neither a jay. it was a strange tune that only you could sing. high chirps and echoing voices, a melodic tune that greatly contrasted against the soft morning tide.

you could hear his jewelry, clinking against each other as he rose once again from the ocean.

you kept your eyes closed, ears listening as you continued to sing. he stood silently, eyes roving across your figure. a strange hybrid of human and bird. with two long wings curled against your figure.

'hello k'uk'ulkan.' your voice abruptly stopped the tune that left your lips, opening your eyes to glance at him.

'your voice is beautiful, pixamech.' angel. he called you angel. you ignored it.

'are you truly the feathered serpent? the one who drowns the ones that come too close to the ocean?'

there was a pause before a small 'yes' was heard.

'chiichi told me to stay away from the ocean. that you would rip me apart and eat my wings. covet my bones. curse me.'

'those humans know nothing about me.' he laughed humorlessly, kicking sand beneath his bare feet as he continued to speak. his voice growing with each word, anger dripping from his words like venom.

'they are the ones who coveted my people. ruined the land. destroyed the ocean with pollution. slaughtering my people and then calling me namor. a child without love.' he finished harshly, taking in a deep breath as you calmly looked at him.

'you harbor lots of rage. regret.' you mentioned, looking at your hands as you wove together thick fibers of plants.

'if only you knew.'

the two of you fell into a comfortable silence, the white noise of the water filling the gaps.

'you are of the water.' you continued.

'but you have wings of the sky. can you fly?' he showed you. you watched intensely as the wings began to rapidly flap in a nonsensical rhythm as he raised himself off the beach, opening his arms as a mocking way of 'see?'

you rose, wings graciously flapping as you met him higher in the sky. you hummed.

'of the water and the sky. truly a god.' you muttered.

'there's a reason why they call me k'uk'ulkan.'

'feathered serpent of the sky.'

it became a habit. meeting him early or late at night. sometimes weeks without a sighting then he came. he gifted you small stories. maybe he felt your longing for the sea. he showed you jewelry made from talokan. a place deep underwater.

he talked about his mother.

'my mother had eaten the plant. it made my people seek refuge in the water. made me like this. pointed ears and wings.'

'you have a mother?' he looked surprised.

'and you do not?' you shook your head.

'we are born from the sky. i can't remember if i had a mother. i don't even know if she is alive.'

'my parents are both long gone. she left me a legacy and a people to guide. to protect.'

he continued with his stories. of his people with gills and blue skin akin to your feathers.

'we have farms under the water. we harvested the power of vibranium. i was able to give my people what my mother wanted the most. the sun. fruit. the ability to survive without being fully submerged in water.' his voice is full of wonder. warmth for his people.

your wings ruffled in the wind.

'i... don't have that.' people. a family. a place you can call home. where people greet you warmly and call you by a name.

you felt warm whenever you saw him. you loved his voice, warm and deep. the way the sun reflected off his skin and the way the water cascaded from his figure.

you felt happy. giddy whenever you saw him. whether it his stories about his people or the legends.

it began with the gifts. you gave him pretty tumbled sea glass. all of different colors that reminded you of his eyes and the deep blues and greens that adjourned his figure.

woven bracelets out of durable fibers and feathers.

ripe fruit and seeds and fresh bread.

he took it all with a soft smile.

and each time it felt like you had birds in your chest with the way your heart fluttered like the wings on your back.

whenever you saw him, your wings would naturally flutter and fluff up, poising them to look wider, stronger.

your voice would slip into natural chirps and tweets that made him chuckle. he looked at you in endearment. his eyes lighting up whenever you called his name. k'uk'ulkan.

'please. let me show you my world.' one night he had asked, slight desperation in his eyes as he cradled your calloused hands within his warm ones.

'i will drown. i cannot breath. and my wings would only become weights.'

'we have suits for that. i can keep you safe from the water. you won't drown by my side.'

there was uncertainty in your eyes.

'but what if...'

'please, pixamech. let me love you.'

it felt like flowers bloomed in your chest. tears filled your eyes as you leaned against his chest, greedily inhaling his scent.

'of course.'

his smile was beautiful. blinding. like the warmth of the sun and calm as the ocean.

your sun. that dwells in the ocean and beckons only for you.

#namor x reader #namor x you #k'uk'ulkan x reader #k'uk'ulkan x you #wakanda forever #tenoch huerta #namor imagine #namor fanfiction #gn reader #birds of a feather

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sebeth · 11 months ago

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All-Squadron #4 (Revised1/4/24)

Warning, Spoilers Ahead…

“The Day of the Dragon King!” by Roy Thomas, Rich Buckler, and Jerry Ordway.

We pick up where issue three ended. It is the “wee small hours of the morning of December 8, 1941”, and the assembled heroes, minus Plastic Man and Phantom Lady, are heading to Pearl Harbor to aid the U.S. Military. Plastic Man needs to check in with the FBI and FDR, Phantom Lady wants to reassure her father that she is okay. Danette accompanies the heroes as her brother is stationed at Pearl Harbor.

We open with a group shot: Wonder Woman is flying in her invisible jet – no passengers allowed. Superman, Dr. Fate, Starman, the Spectre, and Green Lantern can fly on their own; Johnny Thunder rides on his Thunderbolt, Shining Knight and Danette are riding Winged Victory. Green Lantern uses his ring to carry Batman and Robin. The Spectre casts his mystical energies to carry Liberty Belle, Sandman, Doctor Mid-Nite, the Flash, Johnny Quick, and the Atom. Robotman hitches a ride by sitting on Doctor Fate!

Dr. Fate mentions he’s severely depowered due to the loss of his original power. He must have some power left if the sheer weight of Robotman isn’t snapping his spine!

Dr. Fate remarks his former power level was attached to his original helmet. He is now wearing a half-helmet that covers the top of his head to his nose.

Johnny Thunder fangirls all over Wonder Woman: “She’s a fantastic lady, GL, with her magical plane and lasso…Y’know, we gotta get you into the Justice Society one of these days!”

Wonder Woman responds: “As one new to so-called man’s world, Johnny, I’m just proud to be part of the All-Star Squadron!”

For those unfamiliar with Golden Age era of DC Comics – Wonder Woman was never an official member – she was…wait for it…the secretary! Don’t get me wrong, my love for the golden age characters of both DC and Marvel is limitless but a team whose roster consists of Doctor Mid-Nite, the Atom, Batman, and Sandman (not exactly powerhouses) along with Hourman and Hawkman (limited powerhouses) and the heavily trained Amazon is made the secretary?! Why Diana didn’t tell the men exactly what they could do with the secretary role is beyond me!

Hawkman worries about Shiera Saunders, his fiancée, who is on “an archaeological dig in the Yucatan…and I know enough about Axis activity in Mexico from when I was down there before to be concerned.”

Editor’s note refers us to All-Star Comics #9, 1941. Props for Roy Thomas for continuing to seamlessly blend in stories that are over forty years old into the current series. Roy Thomas could teach modern writers and editors a thing or two.

Shiera Saunders didn’t become Hawkgirl until All-Star Comics #5 so she’s definitely a rookie thus Carter’s concern.

Johnny Quick fanboys over meeting the Flash. Jay, always a class act, turns it into a mutual admiration society.

The Atom and Robotman are having an inferiority complex contest. I vote for the de-powered Dr. Fate. Fate’s currently as useful as a taxi, at least the Atom knows how to throw a punch, and Robotman is made of metal.

Liberty Belle asks for Doctor Mid-Nite’s assistance in discovering the origins of her abilities.

Superman’s reminiscing over the influx of costumed heroes including Wonder Woman “whom I hope to get to know a lot better.” Down boy!

Superman notes he was the first superpowered individual to “come out” as a mystery man. Superman should always be the individual that starts the heroic age – whether it’s the Golden Age or the Modern Age.

I love the small talk between the heroes. What else is there to do during the flight over? Especially as this is the first meeting for many of the characters – not including the fight with Per Degaton which doesn’t allow much “getting to know you” time. Degaton’s disappearance into the time stream has muddled the events of the previous three issues for the heroes. They only know they were in San Francisco fighting…someone. A good explanation for why the heroes don’t remember Monster, Sky Pirate, King Bee, and Professor Zodiak in the future.

Batman’s not contributing to the conversation but how is Dick Grayson not gabbing with his fellow heroes? A silent Grayson isn’t natural!

Social time is over as we arrive at Pearl Harbor. The United States Military is rightfully nervous of any flying objects and let loose on the heroes. The heroes land at Hickam Airfield and the military informs them of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The Atom continues his inferiority complex only to be told that now is not the time. It’s war time and everyone must step up – not just the people with powers.

Liberty Belle is all for storming Japan right now. The General is all “Slow your roll, honey!” (Not his exact words, of course).

Superman correctly points out that he could end this war in one day. Add in the Spectre – one glimpse of the concentration camps would bring whole new levels of ‘God’s Vengeance” out to play – and we would have the shortest war – and comic series – in history.

Hawkman, JSA chairman, mentions that the group should maybe check in the President or Congress before they decide to wreak vengeance in foreign lands. Liberty Belle’s response is “Hell, no. Group vote for kicking ass and taking vengeance!” (Again, not an actual quote). We get a near unanimous “aye” for kicking ass. Hakwman, secretly wanting to kick ass and take vengeance, decides that group vote is the way to go. Hawkman appoints Starman to watch over the United States fleet (what’s left of it) in Hawaii. Starman also wanted to go on the vengeance mission but concedes that it’s logical for him to stay in Hawaii. The General has this “I can’t officially approve this, but they went that way!” vibe.

The Batman, Robin, Sandman, and Flash stay in Hawaii to assist Starman. The rest leave to pursue the Japanese Fleet. Green Lantern realizes that the Shining Knight and Danette have disappeared from the group.

Sir Justin and Danette arrive at Wheeler Field. Remember this is where Rod Reilly, Danette’s brother (and the original Firebrand), was stationed.

Sir Justin warns Danette to prepare herself: “But I beg you not to expect too much…for this be war now and, in any war, in King Arthur’s day or this, men die and women weep.”

Danette informs Justin that “You don’t see me weeping…”

Sir Justin responds: “Nay, Danette Reilly…you be made of stern matter, indeed. Yet be not ashamed of tears, if they do come…for they are the stuff that healing is made of.”

Sir Justin is my favorite character is the series at this point – brave, compassionate, chivalrous, a true knight.

Sir Justin notes that Danette is very warm to the touch. Foreshadowing!

Danette finds Slugger Dunn, Rod’s sidekick, and fellow member of the Navy. Slugger takes Danette to a comatose Rod.

Back to vengeance! The Spectre and Superman are unable to locate the Japanese fleet – something they find very frustrating.

The Dragon King and the Japanese military are hiding on a small island near Wake. The military men are very uncomfortable with the Dragon King’s presence. The King reveals that he has a plan to “render the entire Japanese Empire safe from the most powerful members of America’s so-called Justice Society!” (A.K.A The reason the war didn’t end in one day).

The Dragon King reveals that the Japanese have possession of the Holy Grail along with Hitler’s ownership of the Spear of Destiny. The Editor’s note refers us to DC Special #29, September 1977. In the DC Special, set in November 1940, Hitler uses the Spear to summon Valkyries to attack Washington, D.C. causing the formation of the Justice Society.

Tojo and Hitler will use their respective relics to “make both Hitler’s Fortress Europa and our own greater East Asia co-prosperity sphere totally impregnable to counterattack by America’s most powerful costumed champions!”

The Dragon King casts a spell to enslave the heroes. The extent it affects you depends on your power level – the more powerful you are, the faster you fall. Commence hero vs hero fight.

I take it back – Doctor Fate can, in fact, throw a punch. Hawman responds with a mace blow to the head.

Superman, Wonder Woman, and the Spectre aren’t “mortal humans” so they are offering more resistance to the spell but can’t risk getting close to the fight.

Liberty Belle asks Doctor Mid-Nite for the “411” on the Green Lantern. Doc mentions that pesky weakness to wood. One driftwood headshot later and Alan is down for the count.

Libby is my second favorite character in the series. She’s all about taking charge and kicking ass.

Robotman, Liberty, Johnny Quick, the Atom, and Doctor Mid-Nite brawl with the Japanese soldiers.

Johnny Thunder has fallen under the spell much to the dismay of the Thunderbolt.

Dragon King muses “Dr. Fate, Green Lantern, and now Johnny Thunder have fallen prey to the power of the Grail. Yet it is the Spectre – Superman – and to a lesser extent, Wonder Woman, who are the real keys to my plan’s success.”

1) Johnny Thunder is not the brightest so I’m not that worried about him falling under the spell. (Sorry, Johnny, I still love you).

2) Diana needs to step up and put an end to this disrespect. First, she’s relegated to being a secretary and now she’s “a lesser extent”? Come on, Diana! Are you going to let Libby hog all the take charge and kick ass action?

The Dragon King notes that “my colleague Dr. Daka has done his part by managing to shield our escaping fleet from their heightened senses”. The editor’s note informs us that we’ll find out more about this in a future issue.

Doctor Fate and Hawkman end up flying out of the spell zone so Fate regains his senses. Diana seems to fall under the spell and flies after Johnny Thunder.

Hawman tricks Green Lantern to picking up the ground heroes and pursuing him in the sky. Johnny Thunder, Wonder Woman, Superman, and the Spectre follow the fleeing group.

Everyone regains their senses once they are out of the range of the spell. The Squadron realizes that if they get too close they will become “servants of the Axis”.

Hawman thinks that he’s “Got to head down to the Yucatan – before anything happens to Shiera! But first, I’ve got a bombshell of my own to drop – on both the Justice Society and the All-Star Squadron!”

Next issue: “The Feathered Serpent!”

I loved this issue. An excellent (mostly) done in one. Strong character moments and interactions. Tight continuity. Editor’s notes. A plot that kept moving. I really miss the comic style before “decompression” became all the rage. All this and an explanation for why the Justice Society didn’t invade the Axis homelands and end World War II in a day. Marvel’s Golden Age powerhouses were the Sub-Mariner, the Human Torch, and Toro. Even with that trio, the second World War could still last years. DC had Superman, Doctor Fate, the Spectre, Green Lantern, Johnny Thunder, and later the Marvel Family (Billy, Freddy, Mary) – any one of those individuals could have ended WWII within a week so an explanation was needed as to why it continued for years.

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