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Issue Number Eight
August Year Two
Written by Barry Reese
"Azure Skies, Part One"
Editor's Note : This story takes place after Hawk & Dove Annual # 1.
Dove hovered in the air, her arms outstretched. She could feel her heart hammering in her chest, but she fought back at the rising tide of fear that was threatening to engulf her. Be strong, Sara. You do this every day, helping people in need. This is not different. Really. "No matter how bad it seems, things can get better. I promise."
The young Hispanic woman before her wailed once more, clutching her infant son against her bosom. They were perched precariously outside the mother's apartment window, a fall of some four stories awaiting her. "Si, that is what they all say... But they don't understand... No one understands...."
Dove flinched as the woman nearly lost her footing. The mother wasn't a small woman and her bulk made her position all the more unsteady. "I can try. Talk to me. There's no reason to do something everyone will regret later...."
The baby's crying seemed to drop off a bit as his mother stared up at the beautiful lady in blue and white. Dove's wings were spread slightly, making her look angelic as the soft glow of Order began to surround her. Peace flooded outwards, soothing the burning pain in the woman's heart. "You... would listen to me?"
Dove's face lit up in a smile. "Oh, ma'am, I'd listen to anything you wanted to tell me! Can we please go inside though?"
Far down below, Jake Morrison watched as his wife helped the mother and child back inside the window. The crowd around him erupted into applause, and Jake joined them. They'd been heading out to dinner when they'd noticed the commotion -- Jake's idea of swooping in and grabbing the mother and child had been nixed by Sara, who feared something would go wrong and the child could be injured. He had to admit -- she'd been right. Sometimes he really realized what a lucky catch he'd made when he'd asked her out that first time.
The sense of pride he felt swelled even more. Theirs was a love that had transcended several lifetimes -- T'Charr and Terataya's, Hank and Dawn's, and Sara and Jake's. That last thought sent a chill through him. He still thought of himself primarily as Jake Morrison, even though Jake was just as dead as Hank and T'Charr. But I'm not really Jake -- or at least, not just Jake. I'm all those people, wrapped in a new amalgamated form. I wonder how Sara's dealing with it -- we haven't talked in detail about it since we came back from Limbo*. Maybe we should. Of course, we've been so busy with work and fighting crime that we haven't talked much, period. This whole superhero business is killing us -- I'd love to help out with the Republican fundraising that's going on, but I don't have time. It really sucks, too. We finally get someone in the White House I can respect, and I barely have time to keep up with what he's doing.
(*In the now-classic Hawk & Dove # 6.)
It was several moments before Dove and the woman exited the building, a towel wrapped around the mother's shoulders. Her baby was safely in the arms of a police officer.
Dove placed a hand on the woman's shoulders as they neared an ambulance that was going to take her away. "Remember -- I'll stop by in a few days to see you."
Dove glanced up as the first drops of rain began to fall. She barely heard the mother's thankful goodbye.
Something... in the air... it tugged at her.
Jake felt it, too, though he couldn't say anything to Dove without revealing their connection.
Dove watched as a sudden swarm of small, flying creatures passed overhead. It was only by squinting that Jake and Sara realized what they were -- hummingbirds and butterflies, hurrying together to escape the coming storm.
It was Sara who spoke aloud, "Hummingbirds and butterflies... Huitzilopochtli*?"
(*In Aztec mythology, Huitzilopochtli's name translated as "hummingbird on the left" and sacrifices were routinely made to the god/goddess at temples adorned with butterflies.)
"You say something, Dove?"
Sara jerked about as if startled to find herself back on the ground. She recognized Detective Watkins moving towards her. Their paths had begun to cross as of late, and she sensed his displeasure at having to deal with costumed heroes in Atlanta. "Oh... Detective. Handling jumpers is a bit out of your usual duties, isn't it?"
Watkins rolled his eyes a bit. "I've been assigned to our new Special Crimes Unit, specializing in metahuman activities. Anytime you and your boyfriend pop up, you can expect me to be right behind. Where is your beau, anyway? Not having a spat, I hope."
Dove rose into the air, a smile on her lips. She saw that Jake had already left as well, no doubt heading to their parked car nearby. "We're doing fine, Detective. Congratulations on your promotion."
Watkins grunted as she flew away. "Who the hell said it was a promotion...?"
Mexico City, Children of the Sun Compound.
"Coatlicue* will be pleased," Coral stared out at the cult's many followers, each carrying out their daily tasks. Most of them were working in the fields, helping provide food for the self-sufficient compound. Others, however, were doing more menial work, repairing fences or painting one of newly built temples.
(*The Aztec Earth Goddess and mother of Huitzilopochtli.)
"But what of Azure?" Jeric, a tall, thin man with a short beard, stood beside her. His hands were clasped behind his back, his sky blue robes looking soft and inviting upon him. He considered Coral extremely attractive, very intelligent and, most of all, enormously powerful. "Are we any closer to finishing the project?"
"We approach the end, yes. Our retrieval of the lost Azure means that we now everything back in place, as it should be." Coral caught Jeric's eye. "Your plan to capture her by sending out Azure 808 was an intelligent one, despite its failure*."
(*Ahhhh, so that's where the male Azure came from in Hawk & Dove (1989 series) # 28.)
Jeric's face flushed somewhat. They both knew that Coral's most recent lover had perished on a mission for the Children, and that Coral was never alone for long. Jeric felt his heart skip a beat as he considered the possibilities. "Thank you, Coral. Of course, you're the one who successfully brought back our wayward Azure." He clasped his hands behind his back, trying to appear confident and wise. "When do we launch the last phase?"
Coral's laughter caused Jeric to jump. For a second, he wondered if he'd misspoken and shown himself as a fool. But he saw the delight in Coral's eyes and relaxed. "Dear Jeric, it's already begun. By the end of the night, the one, true Huitzilopochtli will walk the Earth once more!"
Atlanta
"We don't have any proof that Azure's back," Jake finished off his second Tom Collins of the night, enjoying the light buzz that was beginning to take effect. "Let's not jump to conclusions."
Sara fingered the straw in her own drink, watching her husband. "What I saw back there -- what we saw -- was an omen. Like it or not, we're not normal anymore, Jake. We haven't been for -- maybe ever. You're a Lord of Chaos. I'm a Lord of Order. We've got to start paying attention to the more mystical side of life."
"I'm more concerned with the fact that we're both exhausted. I know I was the one who wanted to go out on patrols every night to start with, but I think we have to take a break. I don't know about you, but I feel like I need to take some time to sort out who and what I am."
"I guess I know what you mean... I woke up the other morning positive I was going to be late for class -- I thought I was still Dawn Granger, attending Georgetown."
"I don't think having Ren around helps that -- she reminds us too much."
Sara shook her head. "What are we going to do? Tell her to get lost? I like Ren. A lot."
Jake cleared his throat. "So it doesn't bother you?"
"That you -- I mean, Hank -- used to be in love with her? Not really. We're soul mates. I know that. T'Charr loved Terataya. Jake loved Sara. Ergo -- you love me." Sara's eyes twinkled. "Besides, you forget Dawn Granger wasn't in love with Hank Hall, either. She loved a police officer, remember?"
Jake flinched. He did remember. Monarch killed him just prior to kidnapping Dawn.
Sara's next words thankfully diverted Jake's attention elsewhere. "Hey -- that's dad!"
Jake turned to see Sara's father being seated. He was with a city councilman, no doubt discussing something to do with the Renaissance magazine that Robert Kincaid published. "Haven't seen him much since the party*."
(*The one that Reginald Keos and Kestrel crashed, back in issue # 4.)
"I talked to him on the phone the other day -- he seemed pretty relieved, in general. I think he'd been under a lot of stress."
"Look -- I'll pick up the check. You go on over to say hi to him. I'll join you in a sec."
Sara kissed him on the cheek before moving towards her father, leaving Jake alone for a moment. He hadn't mentioned it to Sara, but he'd begun to feel increasingly uneasy. Since their battle with Extant, they'd definitely noticed themselves becoming more attuned to things -- amplifying their already-existing ability to sense the presence of Order and Chaos. And right now Jake felt that something magical was about to take place... and it wasn't going to be a good thing at all.
The Higher Authority, in orbit above Earth.
Dr. Fate's golden helmet glinted in the light, reflecting the many torches which flickered about him. He had been studying an ancient New Genesis manuscript, describing in detail the fall of the old gods. Now, though, the red circuitry which was interlaced with his black bodysuit seemed to glow and shift. "Something stirs in the outer planes. An ancient horror being born anew...."
Obsidian's voice from the doorway to Fate's chamber made the mage turn. "Something wrong, Fate? I felt... I don't know what I felt, to be honest. I thought you were casting a spell or something."
"This is not of my doing, Obsidian. But I shall seek out its source nonetheless. I have a terrible sense of foreboding about this -- as if I have a hidden role in these affairs." Wrapping his golden cloak about himself, the master of the mystic arts teleported away.
Mexico City, the Children of the Sun Compound
Coral stood in the grand courtyard, dressed in the ceremonial garb of an Aztec priestess. The chanting of the Children grew ever louder, their excitement reaching a fever-pitch. Since being assembled an hour ago, word had passed from acolyte to acolyte -- tonight, at last, Huitzilopochtli would return.
Coral's voice, amplified by the wrap-around microphone she wore, boomed out to the masses. "Ever since Huitzilopochtli was driven from this world by the lesser gods, we have waited. It has been a long and difficult period for us, hiding in the shadows while the Sun Goddess was imprisoned. But we have no melded science with sorcery -- and we shall, at long last, have our Queen returned to us!"
The roar that answered her made her smile. The Children were devout, indeed. They had to be -- since the 1940s, the Children had experimented with various ways to create metahumans, ones that could serve as Huitzilopochtli until the return of the one, true Sun Goddess. These metahumans performed various tasks for the Children, destroying their enemies or stealing needed items being their most frequent functions. But sometimes mistakes were made, metahumans escaped. Such was the case with the female Azure that Coral had retrieved from the Slab*.
(*In our first annual.)
Coral lifted her right hand into the air, matching the pose of the Acolytes. A golden ring shone with an eerie light. The missing Azure had once been sent out to find this mystic object, but had grown confused and lost. She had mistaken a pretty trinket for the sacred relic, thinking it would restore the one true Huitzilopochtli. Her failure had led Coral to seek out the ring herself -- and she had found it, after many long and ardurous months. "With the Ring of Fate*, I summon forth the eternal spirit of Huitzilopochtli. I offer my body as hers. I offer my life as hers. I offer my soul as hers!"
(*As shown for the first, and only, time in More Fun Comics # 98)
Lighting flashed through the sky as a powerful gust of wind blew, howling like a banshee.
Coral braced herself, waiting to be filled with the essence of the Goddess. She threw back her head and felt the cold rain strike her face. Soon, she would be immortal! She would be --
"I have returned."
The voice, unamplified by artificial means, echoed through the crowd. Coral herself froze. She turned slowly to see Azure, beautiful and deadly striding forth from the temple. The realization that another had been chosen by Huitzilopochtli's spirit made her wilt. "Who...?"
Huitzilopochtli turned her deadly gaze upon Coral. "You lied to me. Imprisoned me. For that, you shall become my first sacrifice!"
Coral screamed. Huitzilopochtli had chosen the escaped girl! But why? "I have served you well! I have--"
Azure grabbed her acolyte by the throat, lifting her into the air. "I have slain the other false Azures. There is only one now. The true Huitzilopochtli. And you have definitely served my cult well -- for your own gain." A horrifying snap signalled the end of Coral's life.
Huitzilopochtli turned to the silent crowd. She raised both hands to the air and felt their love. "The Sun Goddess has returned! And all our enemies shall tremble -- beginning with those who imprisoned me before : Hawk and Dove!"
The chanting returned, stronger than ever.
Atlanta
Jake Morrison slept fitfully, his dreams filled with images of a blazing sun. The heat washed off of the glowing orb in waves, burning all it touched.
Sara Morrison felt the unease, as well. She needed the sleep badly, but her rest was anything but restful. Dreams of Aztec warriors storming across a broken and desolate landscape made her moan softly.
The figure who watched their slumbering did so with interest. Dr. Fate recognized their true natures, saw the remnants of the Great Experiment strewn across their souls. In time, they would be potent warriors -- for now, however, they were going to be sorely tested by what was to come. He waved a hand softly through the air, awakening both.
Jake saw the cloaked figure as he lifted his head from the pillow. Immediately fearing the worst, the word 'Hawk' escaped his lips. In less than a second, he was on his feet. "Sara! Change!" Hawk dove forward, slamming into Fate and pushing him back.
Dove changed almost as quickly, though her alarm came more from her husband's cry than from any feeling of danger. "Hawk! Give it a rest! He's not here to hurt us!"
Dr. Fate stopped Hawk's assault by freezing him in mid-air. "Your wife speaks true. I have come to warn you of a mutual enemy's return."
Dove sighed. "Huitzilopochtli. I was right about the omen, wasn't I?"
Fate tilted his head as he let Hawk back to the floor. "I sensed a connection between the three of you. Now I understand why my magicks brought me here. Yes. It is Huitzilopochtli, she who was banished from the world of man long ago. She has returned."
Coming Up In Hawk & Dove # 9 : "Azure Skies" continues, as our heroes come face-to-face with the ultimate Azure! Plus : Dr. Fate!
WORDS OF A FEATHER
Thanks are given to Mike Hintze for the use of Dr. Fate. Go read his JSA series.
I have no idea how many people out there remember Azure or the many mysteries surrounding her/him/it. This storyline might bore the pants off all of you, but I hope I'll make it interesting enough that you'll want to stick around for the duration. For those of you who actually do some research, you'll find that Huitzilopochtli was historically depicted as male. Barbara and Karl Kesel had Azure claim that gender concerns were beneath her, and implied that she could take any form she wished. The appearance of a male Huitzilopochtli later in the series only further confused things.
Beginning with # 11, I promise a slow move away from elements lifted directly from the Hank & Dawn era of Hawk & Dove. Jake and Sara will continue to have new foes of their own, such as Keos and the Scream Killer.
Beginning this issue, we have a series of "guest celebrities" answering mail for us. Look for Etrigan the Demon next issue. But first -- Etrigan's soul mate, Gary Dreslinski!
The worm known as Reese rightfully stepped aside to allow his betters to answer the mail for the newest issue of Hawk and Dove. The Dreslinski will be stepping, if only for one issue, into the place where the glory that was S'Chak and Kor once stood. The Dreslinski is pleased and honored by this unique opportunity to allow people to grovel in front of the greatest that is the Hawk and the Dove.
Barry,
Why do you address the worm? He is but a tool for the Lords of Order and Chaos as they write fanfic!
Just had to drop a line about Hawk and Dove #6. Excellent resolution of all those dangling plotlines from Armageddon and the old series, and very cool way of handling Extant. I have a feeling that when he returns, he'll be even more depraved than ever, now that he's realized that the good of Hank Hall is totally out of him completely. Hank Hall... now there was one worthy of the glory of Chaos... S'Chak and K'orr, I'm very sorry to see go. The letter column here is as fun as the story, but I'm sure a suitable replacement will be found.
The passing of S'Chak and Kor was a true shock to all close to them. Their families say that in lieu of flowers, you should send your eternal soul to the Lords of Chaos.
It might be interesting to see Sara and Jake meet Dr. Fate and have Nabu give his 2 cents on this. And since I write JSA...(plug plug)
The Dreslinski do not understand your plugs. If the Hawk and the Dove will meet with the lowly mortal Dr. Fate only time, and the great burning will tell. ...
Heh heh, well, time will tell.
That is what the Dreslinski just said worm!
All in all, a great beginning arc to a great series. Keep Hawk and Dove coming, and I'll definitely keep reading!
The Hawk and the Dove will come regardless, they are eternal. You are but fuel for the Burning.
Regards, Mike Hintze
The worm Reese wants the Dreslinski to thank you for writing in. The Dreslinski on the other hand wants to flay your soul, and thank you for writing in. So come here "Mike"...
The Dreslinski has also received another letter to answer:
Dear Hawk and Dove,
Have you seen my pants?
Neil Gow
The Dreslinski has indeed not seen your pants, Mr. Gow. Perhaps you should look upon your head. And another letter:
Oh Great Dreslinski, You are a wonderful replacement for S'Chak and Kor. Damn the mortal Reese!
Yours, The Dreslinski
The Dreslinski thanks those of the Dreslinski for writing in, and for supporting the certain damning of the Reese. We of the Dreslinski have enjoyed answering your mortal letters this time. We look forward to having the opportunity to do so again in the future.
