Chapter 7

The next morning was very busy. Everyone had been given a job to do. In Blu's room, his family plus a few others were helping him get ready. Except for Jewel and Blu, who were arguing.

"Why can't we go? We're a family, and families stick together. You have said that yourself a few times. So let us come." Blu looked away from her to avoid showing his face, along with his emotion.

"No, I can't. I have to protect you. If one of you got hurt, I couldn't live with myself. Do you understand?"

"Yes I understand, but you don't. We stick together, no matter what. We don't want to feel useless. So please, let us come?" Before Blu could continue arguing, another voice joined in.

"Let them come, Blu. We need all the help we can get." Both Jewel and Blu turned their attention to Ghoul, who stood at the door. "Excuse my intrusion. I did not mean to, but the argument sounded urgent. I agree with Jewel. Would you rather them stay here alone, even though I stay."

"Yes, I would rather that more than their death."

"We have no wounded, so no longer require Jewel's aid, and she would be useful. Fortune may also wish to see Bia, so only Tiago and Carla will be left. Do you want them alone?" Blu opened his beak to speak, but paused, thinking of what words were to come out. Jewel looked at him, expecting an answer.

"Fine, they can come." Jewel embraced Blu out of happiness. "But if they die, it's on your head. Understand?"

"Crystal clear." Ghoul turned and left the two birds as they went to help prepare.


In another room, Sapphire was choosing the ones that would accompany the group. In front of her stood the birds she hand picked. From left to right stood ten birds. First was a muscular Scarlet macaw called Brawler. Next was a set of twin Blue and Yellow macaws named Lian and Kian, then a Kestrel known as Tranq for his ability to put his foes to sleep and a Lear's macaw called Shocker. After was Cockatiel named Scorch along with Logan,Stalker, Cody and Boah. They stood at attention as she briefed them.

"Remember, our mission is to escort and protect. Then Fortune will be in charge once we arrive. If you do not know, our destination is Fortune's home. It will be a four day journey if we have no interruptions, which will be highly likely. So be on watch for any suspicious activity. This may be a one-way trip, so say goodbyes to friends and family. Any questions?" The team continued to stay quiet. "Okay then. Feel free to ask me anything after the briefing, and good luck. All of you. Dismissed." The team left the room, leaving Sapphire alone. She was about to leave before a smaller bird stepped in her way.

"Hello Sapph. Are you ready?"

"Yes Ghoul, but i'm letting them say their goodbyes first. This may be a one-way trip. So I guess this is goodbye." They both looked to the ground, thinking of something to say. Ghoul looked up to his life long friend.

"It's been a long run. Lots of regrets. I'm guessing the same with you. Anything you want to get off your chest."

"Just one thing. It was an honor to live side by side with you, brother."

"The honor was mine, sister." As if their death was very close, they hugged like it was last time they would see each other.

"I'll miss you" cried Sapphire as she hugged her friend.

"I'll miss you as well." They broke the hug, looking to each others faces. "See you on the other side."

"Same to you." They shared one more hug before splitting up.


At least half an hour has passed since Blu and his family had finished preparations. Blu stood alongside the team, which wore defensive armor and weapons such as metallic claws and blades on wings. At least, most of the team was present..

"Where is Cody?" The team looked around, trying to find him. Blu spotted him flying in towards them.

"Don't get your feathers all ruffled. Lil didn't want to let me go. Neither did the little one." He landed in the spot that was saved for him. "Well, I'm here. Are we leaving, or are we just gonna be left standing around. Your choice, of course."

"Not yet." The team turned their heads to the voice, where Ghoul stood. "First, a farewell." Ghoul went over to a tall stack of crates, watching over the room. "All of you have been chosen as our final hope. You all have been in tough situations, lost friends and family and have almost died yourself. But nothing like this has ever occurred." Ghoul took a pause, watching everyone closely. "But now is not the time to grieve. Now is not the time to let grudges and vengeance take hold. Now is not the time we hide. Now, we come from the shadows and into the light. Now, we take the fight to them. Now...we end this war. Now go, and win this war! Save the world!" As he was finishing his speech, the team left the building through a large window, everyone cheering behind them. Ghoul watched them leave, then whispered in prayer.

"Be safe, and good luck."


In a matter of minutes, the team of eighteen birds had reached the city outskirts. They had managed to slip out unnoticed because of several distractions by some patrols. Blu flew to the front where Sapphire was positioned in the formation.

"So, what's our first stop?"

"Our first stop is a small area close to New York. The area that splits South and North America is filled with Sentinel patrols, so we have to go around. We will be getting a supply restock there. That is all you need to know. Go back to your family. They need you."

"Yes ma'am." Blu flew back from the front to the middle where his family was flying. He stopped next to Jewel who had noticed him fly back to her.

"So? Where are we going?"

"Outskirts of New York. I think the kids should rest until we reach the area. It'll be a few hours." As Jewel put the kids to sleep on her back along with Stalker who had two of them, Blu went over to Cody. "How you feeling, wingman?"

"Just great, knowing that we face impossible odds against thousands of near indestructible robots with a small group of birds. So yeah, just great. How bout you? You good too?"

"Yeah. I guess so." Blu looked beside him to see Jewel with Boah and Bia on her back and Stalker with Tiago and Carla on his. "Do you think I've made the right choice?" Cody gave a confused look to Blu.

"What about?"

"About bringing them. Was it the right decision? And don't lie to me." Cody stared in front of him, thinking about what to say.

"Well, that depends. They might die, but at least you die together."

"Well that makes me feel better."

"But if you left them, then they would have to live with you being killed. And also, what if the safe house was attacked. Would they stand a chance?"

"No. I guess not. Thanks."

"No problem. Anything for my wingman." The team continued to fly, the rest of the trip in silence.


When they were in the city, Bia sensed something nearby. She went close to her father, trying not to act suspicious. "Um, dad?"

"Yes honey. What is it?"

"I think we're being followed."

"I've had the feeling we were. I'll inform Stalker. Thank you for the information." Blu drifted back to where Stalker was. As he did, he caught some movement behind the group. "Movement behind us. At least three targets. Break off and hit them from behind. I'll inform Sapphire."

"Yes sir." When the right moment arrived, Stalker quickly broke off into a nearby building. Blu went up to the front next to Sapphire.

"We're being followed. Stalker has broken off to engage from behind. Me and Cody will engage from the front while you lead the team ahead."

"Good plan. Alright, I think you should go now if you want to catch them off guard." Blu gave Cody a nod, then darted behind the group, seeing Stalker coming at them from the building. He heard Sapphire yell something out, but couldn't hear over the rush of the wind against him. When they were close, he saw a glimpse of something red before hearing a loud voice.

"NOW!" Blu looked on his left to see two birds headed for him. He looked at Cody to see he had the same problem. At the last moment, they both dropped down, avoiding the ambush as the attacking birds rammed into each other. They both went around to where Stalker headed to see him in combat with three birds. Stalker seemed to be winning until something hit him in the back. He fell forward, revealing a dart in his back. Blu saw the source, a bird with a blow pipe hidden in some rubble.

"Cody! Get down!" Cody ducked just as a dart flew over his head.

"Nice call." They went back to back, watching around. "Okay mate. Here's the plan. You distract them, and I go around taking out the dart blowers. Good."

"Better than no plan. Let's do this." Cody went to his shadow form as Blu launched himself towards a nearby bird, knocking him to the ground. "Cody. Non-lethal." He saw Cody pop up behind a bird aiming at him and quickly knocked him out.

"Right. No killing. Easy enough." Cody disappeared again before striking another down while Blu knocked two more down. Blu turned when he heard something behind him, seeing a bird standing before him.

"Hello there. Care to meet my brothers?" One second there was one, then the next, multiple duplicates came out from him. "Cause they want to meet you. Get him." The clones charged at Blu, only to be laying on the floor a few seconds later. Before he struck the duplicator, he was hit out of the way by a blast of air. He saw a bird holding his wings out to his sides, wind rushing past him. This gave Blu an idea. They're mutants.

"Cody! Stand down!" He stopped Cody before he could knock another out. "Show them who we are." Blu and Cody slowly took off their masks to show their true selves. "See. We are living creatures, just like you."

"I see you have met my contact." Blu looked up to see Sapphire with the rest of the group along with some others. A macaw next to her stepped forward, obviously in command.

"Stand down. These are our guests." The attackers backed off from Blu and Cody who were holding Stalker up. "Sorry for the confusion. We have to be extra wary in these parts. Do not worry. Your friend is only unconscious. He will be awake in a an hour. I'm sorry if this interferes with your schedule" he said, apologizing to Sapphire.

"It is okay, friend. We just need rest and supplies" replied Sapphire. The leader nodded in response.

"Of course. Quickly, follow me to our base. You will be safe there." The birds left the area, unaware of a nearby watcher.