The sounds of booted feet making contact with the ground echoed all along the hallway as General Eagle gracefully made his way through the halls of his ship, the mighty Hammer of Justice. Although he generally wasn't a social being anyway, he was particularly glad that he was alone at this time. Many things were falling into place and he had a lot of things to think about.
His meeting with Commander Octopus went well; he was pleased with the result. But if that fool thought for a moment he was done with him then he was about to be very unpleasantly surprised.
That annoying pest was one of the main reasons he had to play this game with Owl in order to regain her trust. A lot was destroyed ten years ago, Earth, Owl's home, her family and the budding, beautiful relationship they had developed. He would get his revenge.
Ten years ago...
Eagle stopped walking and closed his eyes for a moment. If only he could go back in time and save Owl instead of having let her fall through his grasp. He suddenly slammed a hand on the wall, his face as hard as marble. What good was it to have all this power and yet be powerless in the face of love? It was irritating to him; a symbol of his weakness and yet he had spent the last ten years looking for Owl, he was too far gone at this point.
The General righted himself, fixing his uniform and once more the sound of booted footsteps filled the long hallway.
Ten years ago he had met Owl; it was the first time he had felt the true emotion of love and he was never going to let it go.
10 years earlier
(Earth)
She was called Owl in her little slum town. It was a name that reflected her personality well, for she had an ability to see beyond the reigning darkness and always hoped for better days. It wasn't that she was naïve or foolish, it was more that she couldn't accept the fact that life had nothing more to offer. She had a few friends whom she called family that delighted in her optimism and the mirage like hope she seemed to offer them.
Her unwavering perusal of something just out of reach gave all of them something to live for. It was after all a very dry and weary land where they lived, so hope for something better was always welcomed no matter how unlikely.
"Owl, Owl," Moa ran into the abandoned building the gang used as a hang out.
Everyone turned to look at the little girl. They had found Moa years ago, abandoned somewhere along the river that ran parallel to where they lived. Her appearance spelled out nobility, but the severe limp in one of her legs made it clear why she had been left there.
"What is it Moa?" Owl, the captain of her team of rag tags asked. She was lying on her back on a pile of rubble staring at the cracked ceiling.
"It's a body!" She exclaimed. "I found a huge body!"
Owl jumped up from her relaxed position, but it was Lark who answered first.
"Another one," he grumbled. "Is it at the same place?"
"That mad king must be in execution mode again," Fish replied with a grimace.
"Is it by the river?" Owl asked as she dusted herself off, walking toward the panting girl.
Moa motioned furiously in another direction as she shook her head.
"No, no it's not what you think! He doesn't look like one of us!"
"Poor guy, was he mutilated or something?" Fish asked in almost bored tone. She really didn't care.
Moa was so excited she could barely contain herself.
"Fish, I'm telling you it's not what you think. I think he's not even from Earth! You have to see him," she urged.
"Ok, ok little lady, calm down and lead the way," Owl chuckled. She motioned for the others to come as well as she followed the little girl out.
-O-
If a word could be used to describe what they were feeling at the moment, shock would definitely have been an understatement.
Owl could not believe her eyes and neither could the rest of the gang. Moa was practically dancing around what looked like a military clad giant propped up against sand and stone in one of the caves near the river.
"Is that what I think it is?" Fish stared at the body like it was either an amazing treasure or vile disease; Owl couldn't tell.
Lark took a step forward toward it, but Owl put a hand to his chest.
"Moa," she began gently. "Please come here sweetie."
"Aren't these freaks supposed to be immortal," Fish muttered quietly, her eyes never leaving the seemingly dead figure.
"I don't think he's dead," Lark whispered.
"Moa, come here now," Owl commanded.
And that's when two very blue eyes popped open.
Owl jumped into action, grabbing Moa and practically throwing her to the back of the group.
"Well, well looks like I have run into a smart one."
It was a deep, commanding voice, a voice that matched the face and body it was coming from.
Fish grabbed Moa's hand and moved further back as Owl and Lark watched wearily as the giant slowly rose from his seated position.
"What is it? You all look so scared," he mocked as he dusted his uniform. "Am I really that unappealing?"
No one spoke, they only watched in awe as the man rose to his full height; a full head taller than Lark, who was considered to be tall among their people already.
Owl and Lark were standing a few meters away, not exactly sure what to do. It was then that the humanoid turned and looked directly at Owl.
"Are you mute? And yet I heard you speak before." He tilted his head, his lips stretching into a mocking smile. Owl knew he was making fun of them but Lark was pinching her arm, warning her not to respond to his goading.
"You're kind," she began tightly, "is not welcome here."
"Owl, don't be so mean!" Moa cried, afraid they had hurt the man's feelings.
The man however simply smiled. His eyes scanned them all with a satisfied look on his face.
"I believe I have landed in a good place," he said as his eyes settled on Owl.
"I am pleased to meet you all, my name is Eagle." He extended a hand toward Owl.
"And who might you be...Owl," he mocked as she refused to shake his hand or even go near him.
Owl furrowed her brows at him and motioned to the others.
"Sorry mister we're not interested in making new friends. Let's go guys."
"I'm afraid that will not be possible anymore," Eagle sighed.
Before anyone could move, Moa was suddenly sitting on the man's broad shoulders. The poor girl didn't even realise it until she was actually looking down at her much taller friends.
Owl didn't waste any time, she quickly moved forward toward the strange man.
"Give her back," she growled.
Lark grabbed Owl's arm, trying to restrain her, knowing she had no chance even if she did attack the man. Fish also remained motionless, not exactly sure as to what she could do. Strangely enough it was the prisoner herself who seemed the calmest of them all. Moa wasn't afraid at all, the man was holding her so gently and securely she didn't feel threatened at all.
"Don't worry," Eagle admonished. "I'm not going to hurt her.
"I simply want to detain you without having to physically force you."
This time it was Lark who spoke up first.
"So what is it that you want from us?"
The man named Eagle smiled, but he was still looking at Owl.
"Directions, " he answered.
"This is my first time here on Earth and I really don't know where I am going."
"Well, where is it you want to go?" Fish piped up.
But before an answer could be given, Owl cut in.
"No, give Moa back first, then we'll see what we can do."
Eagle started to move closer to them, while Moa quietly sat on his shoulders with the biggest smile on her face.
"I think you'll run away if I do," he teased.
"But perhaps we can make an exchange instead?"
"I'll take you Miss Owl, in exchange for this little one."
"Fine," snapped Owl, shrugging Lark's arm off her. "Send her here and I'll come to you."
"Very well then," he agreed.
Eagle slowly lowered Moa from his shoulders and then pointed at Owl, motioning her to start walking towards him.
Owl scowled at him but marched over to the man as Moa trotted over to Lark. Once she reached him, Owl had to raise her head to get a good look at him; he was so much taller. His smile seemed to grow the closer she got; it gave her an eerie feeling. When she was about a foot away, his hand shot out grabbing her upper arm and pulling her close to his side.
In that one motion, Owl realised that if this man had wanted to he could have destroyed them all in an instant.
"Wonderful, shall we move on then," he suggested.
"To what?" Owl sulked. "We don't know what you want.
"You wanted directions," Fish chipped in. "Where to?"
"You seem real excited to have met us, but just so you know we're actually considered to be outcasts, so don't expect too much, Sir," Lark added eyeing Eagle wearily.
Moa was the only one who seemed genuinely at awe as to what was happening. Everyone was on guard but they were missing the wonder of the fact that they were conversing with a living, breathing, immortal citizen of the Sky. This was such a rare occasion, especially for people of their social status.
"Nonsense," Eagle replied. He looked down at Owl, "I certainly don't consider you an outcast."
"I'm not the one who spoke," Owl snapped. "Why are you looking at me?"
"Because I like you the most," he replied nonchalantly, as though he were making a remark about the weather.
That caught everyone off guard, but Owl was the first to recover.
"Well I don't like you," she retorted bitterly.
He kept his eyes on her for another moment before turning back to her friends.
"Well then," he motioned with his hand. "Shall we?"