Chapter 1

Sparkling Sky

It was a beautiful day in the Amazon. At least for someone else, the ray of the sun piercing to through the leafy curtain of my room. Silently trying to wake me up. I stirred at the sudden burst of light, and finally woke up from my dreamless sleep. I walked slowly out of my room, searching for the signs of movement, but of course nothing was really moving, as usual. My mom has already gone out again, I never got a chance to say "Good Morning" to her. In fact, it seems that she never realize I was here, alive and kicking. Oh yeah, where are my manners. My name is Frost, a spix's macaw, one of the many. Nothing really special about me aside from my "Harmonious" family, even that means I only have my mom left. My dad died when I was an egg, according to my mom, he died of incurable disease that spread out so quickly. But she said his death was quick and painless. I never really understand why she tell me that, although I never really asked her.

Standing in the wake of my hollow, basking by the golden ray of sun, I began my morning routine. Stretching and prepared my wings to fly, searching for something to fill my grumbling stomach. It's always been like this since I can fly on my own. Flapping my wings at steady rhythm to take off, already made up my mind to take a Brazil nut as a breakfast.

The morning was… well plain and uneventful, at least for me. I could see the tribe's leader Eduardo began patrolling as usual, with his wingman Roberto and the new bird, Blu… if I recall correctly. Passing them some warm greetings which they return it, I began to saw the groove. Some of the macaw already there, I'm talking about macaw from many species, not just Spix, but Scarlet and Gold-Blue too. Since the battle of the loggers, the tribes have reached a decision to make peace once for all, no more fighting against other tribes, and the food is free for all. Swiftly, I began to descend to a tree adjacent with the river, my favorite spot on the groove, where the nuts are the best. Many may argue that the Brazil nuts are all the same, but I believe that they are different. I can show them what I meant, but no one will care either. Besides, it's too exhilarating to argue with birds that never really pay attention to their surroundings.

Picking one of the hanging goodness on the tree, I began the effort to crack it open. It's not really hard to open a Brazil nut. Only sometimes, it slipped past your beak and fall on the ground. The first attempt turns out to be a complete failure. The nut bouncing and fell on the ground. I was tempted to ignored it and pick a new one, but then I remember we shouldn't waste up food. Swiftly I dove to the ground, pick up the nuts and get back on the tree. The second attempt was a delightful success as the nuts cracked in the half, revealing the scrumptious goodness inside, I began swallow all of them, leave no survivor except their shell which I tossed it on the ground, taking another one to satiate my hunger. I was prepared to return to my home, when I heard three unfamiliar voices, about my age. One of them was… I didn't mean to insult but, well… chubby, female. The other is a male macaw, his color scheme remembering me of the new bird, Blu. And the last one…

I was speechless! She is one of the most beautiful macaw I've seen in my entire life! her slender cerulean body adorned with her beautiful hazel eyes, not to mention her smooth voice. What really caught my attention was her tail. For most macaw, the tail usually let rested on the ground, mine included of course, but her tail was sprouting upwards. I didn't exactly know if she was doing that on purpose or not. I was stunned by the beauty, frozen in place. Until I snapped out of my trance and caught up in the middle of their conversation

The chubby female spoke in a tone that obvious she was not happy "Tiago! Stop doing that, that one hurts you know!"

I assumed the male named Tiago, he responded "Oh come on, It's just a Brazil nuts, stop being weak! It isn't that hurt!"

The chubby female shot a glare at him before turning back to the slender one "you okay Bia?".

Bia…, what a lovely name for a lovely macaw.

"I'm fine Carla, it's not really hurt anymore" she responded with her silky voice.

Carla then sighed before turning to Tiago, his face full of worried as Carla prepared to fly "I'm going to tell dad about this" she said as her presence begin to fade. Her departure soon followed by the two other macaws. I myself start preparing to take off, back to my home. I didn't exactly know what I'm going to do there. But that's the only place where my presence wasn't a nuisance to others. You see, I'm not a very sociable macaw. My childhood filled with teasing and mock, my mom didn't exactly provide any help either. The result is pretty much what I am now. Awkward, closed, and afraid of basically… everything. I do enjoy other activity such as learning my surroundings, remember that I can prove why Brazil nuts is different?. The truth is, I've been spending my time doing an experiment and learn about what really happened on the nature. For example, the reason why the Brazil nuts I claimed are the most delicious is because the tree is adjacent to a stream. That way, the tree will gained enough water and nutrition for the tree to grow big and strong, and providing a very delectable food. Not to mention the Amazon temperature sometimes equivalent to a raging volcano.., okay… maybe I was exaggerating but it really hot sometimes. That's why the water is really essential.

Passing some chicks on my way, playing lily pad-skiing. Face of joy on their face. Sighing, I finally reached my home. So, what's I'm going to do today. Maybe I can try flying through the jungle? Something interesting might be happening.

Decided to take a tour in the jungle, I began take my leaf note. It was something I used to take notes with my observation. Although it didn't last very long, two or three days top and I need to write all of my notes to a new one. Satisfied with everything prepared, I soared to the sky. Diving into the dense jungle of Amazon. My first encounter was numerous insects. Amazon, being one of the largest ecosystems was filled with them. From harmless ants to a poisonous tarantula which I found really terrifying. Just imagine those furry legs crawling on your body, I just shivered at the thought. Hopped from one spot to another. I began documented everything I saw. One really caught my attention was snake skin replacement phase. Of course I couldn't get really close to the snakes, but that didn't falter my astonishment for them.

My studies were interrupted by a loud roar at the distance accompanied with a loud shriek of macaw. It fade away after a few moment, shrugging, I ignored that until I heard it getting closer, the event last for just a second. Resulting no reaction comes from me as the event happened so fast. Through the rustling bushes I saw a small blue blur flying towards… ME! The impact was inevitable, I was sent flying to a nearby tree. Hitting my head with a loud thunk.

My ears were ringing, my head hurts and I couldn't think straight. Above me was a spix macaw around my age. At the distance I could see a black figure despite my blurry vision, sniffing the air for a few seconds before retreating back to the bushes. It took me three breaths to finally have my head back in its proper state. That's also when I realized who rammed against me… It was her!

It was Bia! My heart began racing at alarming speed. Afraid she would hear my fastened heartbeat, I stand up abruptly. Sending her plummeting to the branch, barely missing the edge of the branch. Was she even breathing I thought as I didn't exactly saw any life signs, terrified by what was happening, my neurotic mind began its first panic strike. I desperately shaking her body, hoping such act would somehow bring her back. After a few seconds of shaking that feel like an eternity, I began to see her steady breathing. She hasn't yet opened her eyes but that signs already grant me a grand sigh of relief. Knowing I can't do much to help her, I tried to find a way to carry her all way back to the village. At first I was thinking on using a leaf, but the idea soon replaced with another one as it seems impossible for just one bird to carry another bird with leaves. I've seen how the "medical" birds carry the injured birds during the battle in the Pit of Doom, even professionals need two birds to do the task.

The other choice I have is carry her all the way to the village. First thing I need to check if there's any physical wound, satisfied and relieved that she suffer none, I began grasping her body with my talon. She was quite heavy, but I thought I could do it.

Fortunately for both of us the flight back to the village was going without a hitch. I was also a bit surprised when I saw the sky already started to darkened. Well, I never know I was gone that long…

Finally arrived at the village, I swiftly carried her into one of the tribe's healer. My act didn't go without notice. Soon, Eduardo arrived at the healer's hollow. He was taken by surprise when he saw Bia was the one injured. Quickly sending some birds to inform Blu and Jewel. I thought I saw similarities between her and Jewel. Never realized Jewel was indeed her mother.

Eduardo then saw me, his eyes full of panic "Hey you, who are you? What happened to her?"

I was quite intimidated by the barrage of the question, my response only "Ah.."

"Ah is not an appropriate answer, tell me what happened to her!" he pressed the issue.

"Whoa whoa, Ed. Take it easy" said a female voice from the entrance of the hollow, from her voice, I was certain it was Mimi.

"Sorry" he said to me apologetically.

"That's fine, sir" I said "My name is Frost. I was exploring the forest when she rammed against me."

"How come?" he asked, confused.

"I believe she was chased by a jaguar sir, I couldn't really get a clear image of her pursuer as I was knocked too" I replied "I bring her here as soon as I can"

From outside the hollow I began to hear four wing's beat closing by. It was her family, Blu, Jewel, Carla and Tiago.

"Oh Bia! What happened to you?" Jewel cried as she saw Bia's sleeping form on the moss mattress.

I began explaining the event once again just as I said to Eduardo, everyone tensed as I explained the jaguar part but then let out a sigh of relief when I told her she didn't have any physical injuries.

The healer finally come out, her face mood somehow brought comfort to her family.

"She is going to be fine, only a minor concussion. Luckily she was brought here soon." The healer said.

"Can we see her?" asked Blu.

"Yes you can, but keep the noise to the minimum. She need her sleep" The Healer explained.

Everyone began marching into the room, left only me, Eduardo and Mimi at the main room.

"Thank you for bringing her to safety" said Mimi.

"It's nothing really. Everyone would have done that if they were facing such situation" I replied, feeling embarrassed.

They both were flashing a smile to me before departing to see Bia's condition. To be honest, I want to join them as well, but decided against it as it feel inappropriate. A pang of jealousy hit me, as I see how close and wonderful their family is.

The grumbling on my stomach reminded me I haven't eaten anything since breakfast. Silently, I left the hollow to search for food. The sun has started to sink in the horizon, giving the sky the last golden tint before it was finally gone, replaced by the black sparkling skies.

When I was a chick, I remember I kept asking my mom "where's daddy?" She then showed me the night skies, saying "your daddy is up there, with the stars". Since that day I always find comfort in the night, believing that my dad is watching me. This night is no exception. And the recent event only makes me feel more right now.

Setting the passion fruit I took on the highest branch on my hollow tree. Lying on my back, watching the sparkling stars. And with a soft whisper I said

"I missed you, Dad…"