Rio: Citadel of Combat
A/N: Heyo folks, it's Poshil and still alive. For those who don't know me I welcome you to my little part of the forum where I share my imagination in story form. As for the rest who do remember me, yep I'm back and I apologize for being gone for a couple years by now. Since my last adventure as a Rio writer, let's say things didn't go so well due to both my lack of ideas and personal life going wack but that's sorted out, for the most part. Anyway, moving ahead here I present a new story where I twist the Rio universe, this time in the form of an Role Play Game kind of setting. For my few followers that still want me to finish my other Rio stories, I'm sorry to say this but those will continue to be put on hold and along the way in the future taken down so I don't clutter my page with unfinished projects. That said, enjoy this tale and hope to hear from you soon!- Poshil
Chapter 1: Adventure Waits for No One
And here we are again, back in the lush and vibrant jungles of the Amazon. Since a certain family of macaws moved here, life in the Amazon continues to be far from dull. Not like things were ever dull. Take for example the minor territory dispute between the Scarlet Macaws and the Blue Spix Macaws or when a group of humans invaded the area to deforest the jungle for profit while putting the macaw species at risk of being endangered. Now that's quite a wild time.
But we already know this or for the most part, have an idea that the Amazon life is more than it meets the eye. Today's tale we return to follow up on our favorite Blue Spix Macaw family, the Gundersons, a family of five Macaws led by the father and hero of the group, Tyler "Blu" Gunderson. Alongside him is the daring and courageous mate Jewel, and their three wonderful kids: Carla, Bia, and Tiago.
Living in the Amazon has been quite a challenge, but the family adapted and became one with the wild. More the most part. Everyone but Blu as he still holds onto his mindset of living life as a model citizen like a human. Much to Jewel's displeasure, she learned to cope with Blu's habits as it does have its benefits in a way. All is not as hopeless as it sounds. While Jewel insists Blu to embrace his instincts as an Amazon bird, his unique mindset and thinking are what will also help him improve life for her and the Blue Spix Macaw tribe.
All in all, a unique family with a unique life with unique friends and family. But it's safe to say: they can call this home. But home is not without obstacles to get there. Blu and his family faced several strange occurrences since moving into the Amazon. While mentioned before, the Scarlet Macaws and the dangerous humans were one of the many problems Blu and his friends have dealt with. In general, just being in the Amazon is constantly an adventure for the family, and today is about to begin a new one.
Blu never got the chance to explore the entirety of the Amazon Jungle since moving here. With the advantage of being able to fly, he can survey the area from a safe distance while admiring how much he's missed out in exploring the world. Sure, he would've settled in the comfort of a nice warm bed and a warm meal at a convenient distance than living inside a tree while foraging for food on a constant basis but so long his family is safe and happy, he's content on changing his lifestyle.
It's something Blu accepted since mating with Jewel. In the end, Blu knew his comfortable lifestyle would come to an end when meeting the wild, free-spirited macaw that is Jewel. But past that he's thankful Jewel broke him out of his shell and refined him to stand up for himself as well as becoming someone to rely on.
With all said and done, Blu took this opportunity to explore the Amazon in search of a gift for Jewel as both a thank you and an anniversary gift. Since being mates, the two macaws the thought of celebrating their anniversary never crossed either mind. And so, Blu sets off in search of something he thinks could be a worthy gift for Jewel.
After flying several miles away from the Blue Spix Macaw territory, Blu stumbles upon a section of the Amazon Jungle he's never explored before. His father-in-law Eduardo showed him the majority of what he calls the safe zones of the jungle and the areas considered dangerous or forbidden for the Blue Spix Macaws. But here, Eduardo has never ventured to this section.
As of now, Blu can use this opportunity to gauge the area whether its safe for anyone to visit or too dangerous when he returns to report to Eduardo and his tribe. So far, Blu has found nothing remotely posing a hazard, in fact, the area is rather unsettling quiet. That said Blu continue into the uncharted area in search for a gift and the area's condition until he stumbled upon something he wouldn't expect to be out in this neck of the woods.
Ruins.
Almost like out of an Indiana Jones film Blu used to watch back in Minnesota. In the heart of the unknown area lies a vast network of Mayan ruins littering across the jungle. The architecture and carvings across the decaying walls were unfamiliar to Blu but one thing's for sure, this was quite a find. Blu swooped down for a closer look at the engravings of the ruins' walls and columns, intrigued of what civilization that used to live here that developed this wonderous infrastructure.
"I know for certain Bia would spend hours looking at these glyphs and engravings." Blu thought as he examined the walls.
While deep in thought Blu's ears caught the sound of another set of wings fluttering nearby, someone else was here. He didn't want to take chances on whether these new guests were friendly or not. He quickly took shelter behind a nearby wall and waited for the wings to fade away.
"Wow, check out this place!" a young voice perked up.
"No kidding, Felipe is good at finding cool places."
Blu immediately recognized those voices and left his hiding spot to find his three children perched on a nearby column where he was examining the ruins. His sudden appearance startled his kids but the three macaws quickly recognized their father as they swarmed him for a hug.
"Kids let me go! You know you're not allowed to explore outside the safe zones without Mom or I!" Blu cried out.
"We know, Dad!" Carla replied.
"That's why I'm here."
Not a second later, Jewel lands beside Blu in a sudden gust that almost knocks him off his feet. Much to his surprise, he found his fanny pack around Jewel's waist.
"Not going to lie, this thing is ridiculous Blu." Jewel said as she sets down the fanny pack. "But it does come in handy when the kids are in constant need of a snack. But on another topic, what are you doing all the way out here?"
"Um, just exploring the area." Blu replied, not sharing the other half of his little venture. "Speaking of, what are you four doing here?"
"The same as you I suppose. Felipe mentioned of some ruins he stumbled a while back and we thought we could use a little adventuring."
"Felipe mentioned it, darn." Blu mumbled in frustration, saddened that he wasn't the first to discover these ruins. "Well since we're here, Bia could you help me with something?"
"Of course father, what is it that you need help with?" Bia asked.
"Follow me."
Blu led his family back towards the wall he spotted earlier with the glyphs. He recalled loaning Bia book on ancient glyphs and hoped she could decipher the symbols to put his interest of the civilization that used to live here at rest so he could continue on searching for a gift. Bia examined the glyphs with the utmost concentration while muttering to herself the meanings of the worn-out symbols.
"Well sis? Don't keep us waiting!" Tiago shouted out impatiently.
"You're going to wait longer if you keep rushing me. Now hush little brother." Bia replied. "Alright, I think I got some of the meaning."
"And?"
"According to these glyphs, these ruins served as some kind station for trade and transportation.
"Like a train station?" Carla asked.
"Sort of, but I'm not sure on what they used for transportation. Can't be boats since there's no water."
"Perhaps." Blu added in as he examined the area. "But the water could've dried up long ago. Look here." Blu said as he pointed to some decaying wooden boards beside the ruins. "Judging by the structure of those boards, this used to be some kind of pier."
"So this area used to be a port." Bia said.
"My thoughts exactly. Good thinking dear."
"Aw thanks Dad!"
"That's cute and all you nerds, but how about this: we explore INSIDE the ruins?" Tiago suggested.
Before anyone could debate Tiago and Carla rushed into the ruins with Bia chasing Tiago for the remark. Blu got up and flew after the kids with Jewel tagging behind. The chase didn't last long as Blu and Jewel caught up with the three waiting in front of what appears to be a monument of an ornate warrior from a lost age. Blu was speechless of how the statue was carved. The detail of the warrior's spear and shield along with the armor he wore. Almost drawn by it, Blu slowly moved closer to the statue, passing his kids along the way.
"Cool." Tiago commented.
"Not as cool once Dad starts yelling at us." Carla replied, bracing herself for a verbal beating from Blu.
"Hush now Carla." Blu said as he examined the statue. Something was almost calling him as he gazed onto the statue. For some odd reason, Blu could've swore he's seen something like this at a museum he visited long ago.
"Okay, well while your father admires that statue, you kids go ahead and grab a souvenir for the trip back." Jewel said.
The three macaws nodded and foraged around the ruins for a trinket to take back to their home. Jewel continued to keep a close eye on Blu, somewhat concerned on why Blu hasn't shifted his gaze from the statue. He kept staring into it in awe, almost in a trance. Jewel reached out to shake Blu back to reality, and it did the trick as Blu snapped out of his thoughts. He shared that the statue might be hiding something near the base.
Blu reached out towards the statue, rubbing off dust near the feet of the warrior to find a carving in text he couldn't read. After a close examination, Blu noticed the letters protruding up and instinctively pressed down onto the letters like a button.
In a split second, the stone tablet of letters caved in and Blu plummeted into the base of the statue.
"Blu!" Jewel cried out as she heard Blu crash landing into a room underneath the statue.
"Oh no! Dad! Are you okay?" Bia cried out upon hearing the ruckus.
"Just my pride dear…and my ribs." Blu groaned after brushing himself from the fall.
After a quick squint, Blu stumbles into a room that took his breath away.
Like the statue before, the room had 6 of these stone warriors positioned in a circle holding a sword towards the center of the room. The area was surrounded by a lake of crystal blue water with a waterfall behind two of the warriors filling the area along with several canals channeling water out the ruins to ensure the area doesn't flood.
"Wow." Blu muttered to himself, baffled on how a civilization built all this.
Jewel and the kids caught with Blu and like him froze in awe to the grandeur of the room. Once out of the trance, the group ventured deeper into the room out of curiosity. At the center where the stone warriors pointed to, a sole pedestal holding a blue sapphire. The precious gemstone shined brightly from the single hole of light from the room's ceiling. It was a beautiful work of craftsmanship, something Blu at first glance thought this would make a great gift for Jewel but considered against it since it wouldn't be much of surprise.
"I say I had enough adventure for one day. Can we go home?" Bia asked.
"Sure thing, let's just fly out-wait where's Tiago?"
Tiago, the troublemaker he's born to be. Curiosity got the best of him as he approached the lone sapphire. In a panic, Blu quickly swooped in and stood between the gemstone and Tiago. Tiago attempted to get around his father but Blu stood his ground.
"Not another step Mister! We shouldn't touch this!" Blu ordered.
"Ah come on Dad! I'm not going to touch it, just wanted to look at it." Tiago argued.
"Tiago! Listen to Dad for once, that thing might be booby-trapped." Carla pleaded.
"Booby-trapped, really? You watched too many movies! As if this thing could harm anyone."
Tiago made one step towards Blu, readying himself to juke him when he suddenly felt a single stone sink in under his left foot. Blu's heart immediately froze when he saw Tiago's foot over an odd color stone, it was a trap. Seconds later the waterfall nearby suddenly roared into a massive downpour, flooding the area in water.
"Ha! Called it!" Carla gloated.
"Can you taunt later!?"
The family quickly took off flying towards the room's light source, hoping it was a way out of the flooding room. As the group approached the hole, more water flooded in from the light source, knocking the macaws out of the air and into the lake below. After scrambling to the surface for air the group desperately flew towards the tunnel they went in from to enter the room, only to find it sealed up by a slab of stone. With all known escape routes blocked off, Blu spots another tunnel on the other side of the sapphire pedestal.
The group flew as quickly as possible to when Blu felt his foot tipping the sapphire. The sapphire fell over and shattered on impact before the room filled with light, blinding Blu and his family for a moment as they desperately tried to fly towards the tunnel on the other side.
After reaching the tunnel, Blu rubbed his eyes to see rocks crumbling off the walls. This could work in their favor as the rocks might seal off the water from further flooding the area. That said Blu and his family flew pass the rocks and further down the tunnel, spotting a glimmer of sunshine from a broken hole in the ruins. After a desperate push, the group flew out of the ruins and onto the soft plains of grass. They were safe.
A/N: And that wraps up the first chapter, thanks for reading and hope to hear from you soon!- Poshil