So, I have had this requested for some time. And indeed, I had been planning on writing one. But I was most surprised to see the number of requests, and for it to be an Origins. I mean, I thought it was very unpopular, save for a few friends who used to read it back when it first came out. So, I give to those who have been waiting ever so patiently, X-Birds: Origins.
In the northern parts of the USA, in the state of Minnesota, the town of Moose Lake was an unlikely habitant of such an area. Normally the only birds in this area were geese, ducks and other North American common birds that could handle the colder climates. But this bird, he was different. His name was Blu, a rare Spix macaw. A blue bird from a place far from the house he lived in. As a companion. He stressed that word enough when, as he hated being called a pet.
But there was something else with this bird. No one else knew, but himself. And his owner, after one uneventful day. They both still had trouble believing it. But after that one incident, he came to forget about it.
He lived happily as the companion to a human bookshop keeper, a red-headed woman named Linda. They shared much time together, as they were the best of friends.
But ever-watching eyes observed from afar. Waiting, for their chance to strike.
Blu was a rather happy macaw. Despite living in one of the colder states of the US. It was unlike a bird of his kind to live in such temperature. That was where Linda came in, always caring for him. Keeping him warm and fed in her library/home. Blu enjoyed reading and learning. He was particularly smart. There was only one flaw he had. He could not fly. He just could not, no matter how hard he tried.
Even though he was a type of bird that was capable, he could not. Although he had never tried, most of the time. So he gave up trying, as did Linda give up trying to teach him. They weren't sure whether he physically could not or if it was some kind of fear. They simply did not know. Even the local veterinarian did not know. Though that part of him was not the only mystery.
Linda knew a lot about birds. And there was one other thing he had. One thing they kept secret. One thing they never let out. For it would be seen as unnatural. For several years, they never spoke of it.
But nevermind that, for that will be spoken of later. For now, we focus on Blu. His life in Minnesota, when it was calm and peaceful. And when he was at a rather young age. If he were a human, he would have been a teen at this age. And he had many friends around the same age.
Speaking of these friends, Linda had spoken of the night before this day. He had woken with excitement, eager to see his surprise. He found nothing in the kitchen so it could not have been hot chocolate. Nothing in his cage. He felt a little disappointed, but the day was not over. At least, he thought so. Until midday came. That is where we find him, perched by the bookshop's counter next to the computer as Linda went to get something in her break from the computer.
Linda must have noticed. She came back out, carrying two cups of hot coco. And she looked a little worried at Blu's downcast look.
"Here's some hot chocolate to cheer you up, Blu!" she said cheerfully, setting the drink down by him. The macaw glanced over at it, then back to the window at the front of the store. It snowed lightly outside, little white spots drifting down to the ground. "Blu? What's wrong?" The teen macaw remained still. "I put marshmallows in it. You're favorite." The bird sighed, still looking at the window. Linda glanced at the window, then Blu. And understood perfectly. "Oh Blu, your surprise will be here soon" she said with a cheeky grin.
And just as she said, a knock came at the door. Blu's head perked up. "Huh. I wonder who that could be?" Linda said, standing. Blu couldn't see her mischievous grin so took it seriously, thinking it wasn't his surprise.
He watched over her shoulder, still hopeful. But he couldn't, as she stood in the doorway and blocked his view. There was some talking, a voice he recognized. The macaw started squawking excitedly as soon as he saw who came through. A military macaw, a macaw with red and green, settled on a brunette woman's arm. The military macaw squawked back, hopping to the counter as the women passed into the kitchen to get some refreshments.
"Cody! I thought you were visiting Australia! I thought I wouldn't see you again!"
"Well, it was only a short visit- wait, never see me again?"
"The snakes, and the spiders." Cody just stared at him with a weird look.
"You need to stop watching Animal Planet." He continued to awkwardly stare, but then he rolled his eyes and pulled his nervous friend into a hug with his wings. Finally he broke it off and stepped back. "How's the bookstore been? Busy as usual?" It was a Monday, so not much business. But weekly, the bookstore got enough to be considered 'busy'.
But today was the week after the end of school holidays, so no kids were coming as they were at school still. In about an hour though, there would be a few coming by for books to help them in class or a classic read. And just like those kids, both birds enjoyed a good read. Although Cody was more for adventure and fantasy. Sometimes even rather dark stories, which Blu steered clear of.
Linda walked out with another cup of hot chocolate, but without marshmallows and instead a chocolate malt. Cody took a sip, then raised his head back up.
"Ah...Love me some Milo" he sighed, enjoying the chocolate taste with warm milk. He turned to Blu. "You should try some." But Blu declined with a shake of a talon.
"I will be fine without some chocolate powder that I could accidentally breathe in." Cody shrugged.
"Suit yourself." He went back to drinking the drink, now taking gulps down his beak while holding the mug in a talon to keep it balanced.
As Blu watched his friend drink, he couldn't help but overhear their two human companions talking. And was excited to hear they would be going out to the park nearby. It wasn't snowing today, so was a perfect opportunity. Obviously they had heard a little squawk from his beak, and Linda chuckled at him.
Little did they know, a dark shadow of a bird watched eagerly, perched across the street.