Chapter 10:
The Prediction Comes True
The sun began to sink upon the horizon painting the world a soft crimson in between dark black storm clouds which continued to creep in. Almost as if sensing the tragedy which had befallen a short time ago within the city, a cold chill worked itself across the jungle. A soft mist hovered unseen upon the breeze, beginning to dampen the trees and forest canopy high above. The sun continued to shine, reflecting off the water droplets, forming a majestic rainbow over the mountain where Christ the Redeemer stood.
Deep in the jungle though, a spark of outrage began to fall in a certain hollow – the home of Blu and Jewel. The large female macaw paced back and forth. Her frustration and anger blossomed upon her face. The last few drops of light began to vanish as the night set in. Her eyes reflected the night sky. Her beak trembled as she fought to control her usually calm self. Blu held up his wings and was going to speak, but fell silent as she eyed him through two angry slits of vengeful fury.
"Don't you dare say anything, Blu!" she warned him, not bothering to stop herself from pacing around the hollowed chamber. "I told her to be home for dinner! She should have been back hours ago! When I get my wings on her, she will never be allowed from my sight again. I guarantee you that one."
"She'll be back." Blu reassured her. "Let's just stay calm. She's the responsible one. She has never broken our trust before. I doubt she would begin to break it now."
Jewel turned to glare at Blu. She pointed an accusing wing at her mate. Her eyes darkened as her anger began to rise. She was just about to say something when Blu's wing fell to her beak issuing for silence.
"Be quiet for a moment, do you hear that?"
Jewel did as Blu suggested. She remained silent and listened to the silence of the air. A soft cry seemed to fill the air it seemed faint at first, but after a couple of moments it seemed to be coming from right outside the hollow.
"What is that?" Jewel asked.
"It sounds like whimpering, or sobbing." Blu pointed out. "Either way its right outside the hollow, come on, let's check it out."
The rain started to fall heavier, drenching the tree branch. The large raindrops splattered loudly, landing with force against the bark. The tree creaked under the onslaught of the monsoon type weather. The tree shifted as the wind shrieked. But regardless of the nasty weather, Blu shielded his eyes and hopped out of the hollow. He turned back to Jewel and kissed her on the forehead.
"Listen to me, there is no sense in both of us getting wet. Stay here with the boys, and I'll search and see where that sound is coming from."
Jewel nodded her agreement.
"Be careful, Blu." She said showing a little concern for his safety. Sure he may be the one responsible for Rose's disappearance but she couldn't stand the fact of losing both of them in the same day.
"I will." Blu smiled in a reassuring manner.
The male macaw crept along the wood, following his ears as he focused solely upon the crying sound, over the shrieking of the gale force winds. Blu moaned as raindrops struck him in the eye, causing them to sting. He had never felt rain this powerful before.
"Come on, where are you?" he asked himself, "I know you're there, so please be around here somewhere."
The wind swept through his feathers causing him to stumble. His body shifted backwards as the wind picked up momentum. The winds almost seemed like a hurricane, impossible but not unheard of for Brazil. Blu cringed as he struggled to push himself forward. He could scarcely see a small blue lump hiding from the fierce activity going on. He focused on it and recognised it after a few moments.
"Jade!"
Upon mention of her name, the baby macaw looked up. She eyed her father, and continued to sob. He scrambled forward trying hard to not be pushed back by the wind. Blu grunted as he eventually made contact with the baby and shielded her from the dangerous rainfall. He coughed, spitting out water which continued to fill his beak and nose. He shook his feathers and studied the puddle at his talons.
"Don't worry, Jade. Daddy's got you. I won't let you go I promise."
Jade continued to whimper in his wings. Her tears ran down his soaked feathers. He closed his eyes and sheltered her.
"It's okay, Jade. The storm will be over soon." He said. "We have got to try and make it inside. I'm going to toss you. You need to try and fly to your mother. Do you understand?"
The girl nodded her head and before she could respond Blu tossed her across the branch. She fluttered her wings and fell into Jewel's embrace. Blu smiled and swallowed some of the rain water. He choked coughing and sputtering as he struggled to catch his breath. He shifted his body across the branch, letting the wind push him. He flapped his wings using them like the mast of a sailboat. He guided himself into the hollow, and collapsed on the floor. He coughed, spitting out the funny tasting water and shuddered.
"I think I made up a new sport. Typhoon branch sailing, let's never do that again." He moaned.
"Did you find Rose?" Jewel asked.
"No," Blu shook his head, peering out at the horrible weather. "Now I'm getting worried, how can Jade be here and Rose not be?"
Jewel ran to the entrance of the hollow and cupped her wings together to amplify her voice.
"ROSE! WHERE ARE YOU! ROSE!"
Jade lowered her head, her tears continued to fall. Her tail feather, body, and wings drooped with longing regret.
"Mommy," she called out to her mother. "Sissy Rose she drown-did."
Jewel spun around and eyed her youngest daughter. Her eyes filled with concern as she lowered herself to kneel beside the child.
"What did you say?"
"She drown-did, mommy." Jade repeated herself. "Bad bird drown-did her."
Blu's and Jewel's eyes widened in horror, they deciphered their daughter's under-developed language.
"A bad bird caused her to drown?" Blu arched a curious eyebrow. His beak trembled. He stood up on his talons and spread his wings. Without a word he turned to the opening of the tree and walked towards it.
"And where do you think you're going?" Jewel asked. "You can't go out there."
"Yes, I can." Blu admitted. "I'm going to look for our daughter, and this weather isn't going to stop me."
Blu peered back at his wife. His voice filled with anger, and regret. His eyes filled with painful tears.
"And you are going to stay here with the kids, do you understand?"
Jewel nodded her head.
"Be safe, Blu. Bring our daughter back safe."
"That's even if she's still alive." Blu pointed out, "But if she isn't I'll bring her murderer to justice."
Without another word, Jewel watched Blu disappear into the darkness of the night. His body moved with the breeze, gaining momentum and speed as he headed for Rio, never once looking back towards her.
"Be safe, Pet." She frowned. She wiped the tears from her eyes. Her heart began to break under the pressure of the current situation.
# # #
The rain continued to hammer the streets of Rio. The destruction was massive. Tree branches snapped from the large trunks, landing in the streets. Some splintered branches surfed down the streets either encouraged by the wind, or from large puddles of water heading towards the storm drainage systems. Beach chairs, concession stand tables toppled over, and drifted out to sea as the surf-on reached the edge of the beaches. The wind shrieked, causing cars and cable carts to move sway.
Police officers set up safety gates, shutting down a variety of roads. They waved their glow sticks guiding the large stream of traffic away from the beaches, not that anyone would be travelling there anyway. The city rested under emergency status, and an officer shouted through a megaphone, directing the crowds of hurrying people.
"Ladies and gentleman, can I have your attention please! We would ask that you return to your homes or seek higher ground. We ask that you would follow any safety information given to you for the time being. Please be advised that we are under typhoon status. We will keep you posted on the progressing situation."
Amongst the crowd of hurrying people a blue robed bird cackled to himself. He stared at the destruction happening around him.
"YES!" he cheered between a harsh cruel laughter. "Even the weather is on my side! Run you pathetic fools. Run as fast as you can!"
He peered up at the blackening sky. He could scarcely see the outline of a blue bird heading in his direction. He forced a cheerful smile.
"You're finally here," he cackled. "You took your sweet old time, Blu. But you've finally arrived."
# # #
Blu fluttered through the air. He kept his wings spread apart and used them like sails to push himself forward through the gale force winds. He eyed the destruction which decimated most of Rio's tourist attractions. He peered down at the humans hurrying to find their way to a storm shelter. His mind focused upon his daughter, and of his family seeking shelter at home. He swallowed a lump in his throat and ignored the stinging battering rain falling across his entire body.
"Please be safe, Rose" he sighed. "Please keep everyone safe, Jewel."
SLAM!
Blu's back arches forward as a large blunt object slams into his back. With his jaw dropped, he tries to scream as the sting of razor sharp nails tear along his back, ripping several feathers from his back. Without a word, he felt himself drop in altitude slamming into the roof top of a nearby skyscraper.
"That hurt," he moaned, struggling to get up onto his talons. "That wasn't fun at all... what hit me anyways."
"I would have thought you would have been able to figure it out by now." He cackled. "But considering we have never been officially introduced I guess it could be overlooked, just this once."
Blu's eyes widened as a large creature dressed in a blue robe stepped forward. His face remained carefully hidden, except for a razor sharp beak hanging out. His cloak waved in the wind gusts, but it didn't seem to affect the creature in the slightest.
"I should have known there would have been more of you guys running around..."
The robed creature laughed insanely and held out his wings. His blackish coloured wings held very little in terms of true colour, they blended perfectly amongst the night sky.
"I am the last one, thanks to you. You killed my entire band of six brothers, and I have come to claim their revenge."
"Six brothers?" Blu arched a curious eyebrow. "I've only met four, unless of course you count the girl."
You killed my band of mercenaries," the creature repeated. "You killed them all. Amber, Roger, Jose, Jollo, and Nigel... each one met their ends because of you. Well it is time to pay the piper."
"Where's my daughter!" Blu growled, his eyes slit dangerously, "I swear to god if you hurt her. I'll make you regret ever laying a talon upon her."
The hooded creature laughed and shook a wing inches from Blu's face. His eyes burned with amusement.
"You'll make me regret ever laying a talon upon her? How amusing. I never would have thought someone like you had hatred harboured inside of them. But you win, my friend, you win. I'll go quietly, but before I do. I would like to invite you to my headquarters."
"I'm afraid that's out of the question." Blu shook his head. "I must find my daughter."
"How unfortunate," the creature chuckled, "I wasn't asking you to come. I was telling you to come."
The creature spun around and rammed his body into Blu, knocking the wind from him. Within seconds, he hopped on Blu, slamming his head against the concrete. Blu could feel the senses being knocked from his body. His head lulled to one side. His eyes closed and he fell unconscious.
The first thing he became aware of when the world returned to him was the blackness of the room around him. His head hurt him majorly. It pulsed as his brain knocked around within his skull. He tasted blood within his beak, his tongue seemed unusually heavy. He spit surprised to find a piece of a cotton ball hanging from his beak. His wings seemed unusually cold, they wouldn't move. Upon further investigation, he found himself pinned to a brick wall, a large spreading of greenish muck held him in place.
"How is our little prisoner doing?"
Blu shifted his attention to the robed figure that seemed to appear from nowhere. Behind him a group of margays followed suit. The cat like creatures chuckled to themselves and pulled a large bucket of the greenish muck.
"He's doing fine. He's just regained consciousness a couple of minutes ago." A monkey reported.
"Is he able to respond to me?" The robed figure asked. "I wish to indulge him a bit before we proceed with my plan."
"It shouldn't be a problem." The monkey chuckled. "He has a bit of cotton swabbing in his mouth, but that was to stop the bleeding inflicted from your little battle. You did a number on him."
Blu watched the robed creature stop in front of him. He slapped Blu with his wing, listening to the wind being knocked from the senseless bird.
"Wake up and talk to me!" the creature chuckled.
Blu rolled his head to one side and opened his eyes a crack.
"Why did you bring me here?" Blu asked, "What did you do to my daughter?"
The robed creature slapped Blu again, not bothering to dignify the macaw's questions with an answer.
"Learn your place, bird. I ask the questions, you give the answers."
"Who are you?" Blu asked, spitting blood from his beak. "Please, I must know. Are you Marco?"
The robed creature formed a wicked smile and held up his wings. He removed his hood revealing a sadistic look hawk. His dark bloodshot eyes burned into the macaws. He nodded and laughed.
"I see you've heard of me. I must say, I'm shocked to learn that little fact."
Marco snapped slapped his wings together and turned to the monkey. His smile widened.
"I've had enough of this, draw the runes."
The monkey chuckled and pulled out a rather sharp stick. He dipped it in the bucket and pulled out a bunch of the greenish muck.
"Don't move, this will sting quite a bit."
The monkey dug the stick into the side of Blu's face and proceeded to draw a small character upon the macaw's face. Blu cringed as he felt his skin ripping under the dragging friction of the sharp stick. The muck itself seemed unusually cold; it sent a cold chill down his spine. Blu tried to free his wings and stop whatever they were planning to do to him. He moaned, but was silenced by another slap from Marco.
"I told you not to move, bird." He growled. "Continue with the runes, monkey. Be quick about it, I don't have all day."
The monkey nodded and finished his drawing on the left side of Blu's face. He studied his work for a moment.
"Yep, that is definitely the symbol of fire."
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Marco arched a curious eyebrow. "Get on with it..."
The monkey jumped to Blu's opposite side and proceeded to draw the next rune upon his face. Blu cringed as he felt the sharp stick once again tear his flesh. This time the muck seemed to sting as it sunk into the open wound.
"That's the symbol of impurity done."
"What's left to do?" Marco asked.
"I still have to draw the rune of darkness, and the circle of sealing. Blu won't know what hit him. Who he is now will be completely destroyed... perhaps even forever."
"Do it!" Marco commanded. "I don't care who he is now, I want him destroyed. I will worry about reforming him."
Reforming me? What does he mean by that? Blu thought to himself
"We're not talking about an empire, or someone's favorite toy. We're talking about destroying a soul here!"
"Just continue on with drawing the runes!" Marco commanded. "The sooner his soul is destroyed, the better for me."
The monkey sighed and continued to draw the final rune. He stabbed the stick into Blu's chest, drawing the rune. He traced it, pushing it down. Blu winced as he felt it move into his heart. The greenish muck filled him with an intoxicating pain. He didn't faint, but he couldn't stop himself from twitching.
"There that's the final rune. It's been placed upon his heart. I'm going to proceed drawing the circle of sealing now."
"Do it!" Marco nodded.
The monkey dipped the bloody stick back into the bucket and scooped up another batch of green muck. Without a word, he traced a circle around Blu's talons. Blu found that he could no longer pass the circle. Somehow he was trapped within the confinements of an invisible cage.
"There he's been sealed." The monkey growled. "Let's finish this once and for all."
"Wait," Blu called out, slamming his wings against the invisible force field. "What are you planning to do?"
Marco shook his head and held up his wings.
"I'm very glad you asked, now that you're sealed, there is no point in not telling you, it's not like you can get away now."
His eyes glistened as a wicked smile formed upon his face.
"I am going to make you into my obedient little puppet."
Blu looked on in horror as Marco proceeded to pull out a big black book with a demonic looking skull pictured on the cover. The very look of it sent shivers down his spine. Blu found himself peering away, despite the fact that he could not escape from his captivity. Somehow, the circle kept him from moving.
The gathering of creatures started to stamp their feet in a catchy rhythm. Marco shifted his wings out and proceeded to sing.
"I am Marco, yes.
Marco, that is my name.
I am Marco, yes
Controlling you, that is my game
It's a game I have mastered
For I know psychology well
Ask me how I got this way
I'll never, ever tell.
Muahahahaha!
I am Marco, yes
My intentions are not pretty
With you as my puppet
I'll soon rule the entire city
I am Marco, yes
My evil plans are done
Most people don't like evil
But YOU'LL think it's fun"
The group of margays danced around Marco, acting as background singers. Their eyes burned viciously at the macaw. They carried on the next part of the little song. Their cruel laughter rang out in unison.
"Evil guy! He's such an evil guy!
His name is Marco, yes
Nobody knows why
He'll flip you inside out
Make your conscience swell.
You'll do his evil deeds
And nobody... will know why."
Marco gave them a cold glare and issued for silence. He carried on the next bit of the song alone. He slapped the macaw who attempted to block out the cruel intentions of the song. They quite clearly explained his fate. He would not be able to avoid becoming a henchman of evil. Especially to one as powerful as what the hawk boasted himself to be.
"Now I will get revenge
For all my brother's deaths
Think you can stop me?
I highly doubt you can.
From now on, Rio city
Will know our evil names
I won't tell you how I got them
But they deserve the fame!
The margays continued on performing as backup dancers and singers and carried on the final bit of the song.
"Evil guy, he's such an evil guy.
His name is Marco, yes
Nobody knows why
Can anybody stop him?
They shouldn't even try.
Cus you'll do his evil deeds
And nobody... will know why!"
Marco cackled and raised the book to his face and proceeded to read the words aloud. Blu strained his ears as he attempted to hear the strange sounding language which no longer exists upon the Earth today. The circle at his feet started to glow like wildfire. The muck erupted into flames singing his talons. Blu found himself jumping to avoid the extreme heat, but not even that stopped him from avoiding the pain. The runes on his heart started to pulsate, Blu fell to the ground, he let out an exasperated gasp. He twisted his body as he felt the pain course through his blood stream. In every way, it felt like he was dying. His heart seemed to pulsate in his chest, slamming against his lungs, and other bodily organs. Blu convulsed, his saliva dripped from his mouth, evaporating amongst the flames. He could see the monkey hold up his paw and point at the margays.
"Get him back up on his feet! Be quick about it!"
Blu couldn't stand the pain. With all of his strength, he ripped his wings free from the muck on the wall and grabbed the first two margays to reach him.
"Get away from me!" He growled in a voice that didn't seem to be his own. Blu's eyes widened as it rang in his ear. He formed a smile and tossed the felines away from him. Blu forced a scheming smile. The pain in his heart continued to intensify. But the pain seemed to be moving more towards his skull. The two marks on his face seemed to glow bright, blinding him temporarily. His hearing intensified. He could hear the turning of the pages amongst the confusion which erupted throughout the room. The monkey that had drawn the runes upon him continued to shout.
"Get over there! Hold him down! Do not let him move a muscle. Destroy him if you have too. I don't care."
"NO!" Marco hissed. "Do not kill him! I need him alive!"
"But he's going to-"
"Delay that order!" Marco repeated. "Restrain him but do not kill him!"
The margays rushed throughout the room, attempting to keep Blu pinned down. None of them could. Blu continued to toss the senseless felines away, one at a time like they were nothing more than pieces of hay stuck to his coat of feathers. His evil wicked smile deepened as the runes dissolved. His heart stopped beating, he could feel nothing but hatred flowing through his soul. His head rolled to the side, he fell to the ground. The monkey rushed over to him and examined the burns in the rock from where the muck had been.
"What on Earth happened here?"
"Never mind the rock, is he alive?"
The monkey held a paw to the bird's chest. He shook his head sadly, at the burned marks in his otherwise perfect face.
"Well, out with it, is he or isn't he?"
"I-I-I don't know."
Marco slapped the monkey in the back of the head. His eyes burned viciously at the unfortunate creature.
"What do you mean you don't know? Is he alive or isn't he?"
"He has no pulse," the monkey frowned. "Not even a weak one, it's just not there at all. He also doesn't have a heartbeat. His breathing is normal, it's like certain parts of him died, while the rest of him remained alive."
Marco chuckled and folded his wings together. He could only really say one thing which slipped his mind.
"Excellent."
# # #
Jose stopped dead in his tracks and turned back to peer at the jungle of Borneo. His heart seemed to suddenly hurt him. He couldn't explain why but he could feel a sudden stabbing pain in his heart. He looked down at his mark which seemed to glow like an intense wild fire. He shook his head and frowned.
"That's new." He said. "It's never done that before."
He peered at the trees and stared confounded by what he witnessed. The trees were moving towards the breeze, instead of with the breeze. The whole force of nature seemed to be off balance. Peering down at his mark again, his teeth sank into his lower lip. He cursed under his breath and slammed a foot against the ground.
"It's Marco... It has to be. What has that crazy old hawk done this time? And more importantly, why do I feel this sense of dread? I better hurry up and get to Rio, before its too late. Something tells me something big is about to happen, and I might need to do some damage control."
The monkey burst into a powerful sprint across the airport. He located the plane belonging to the animal control center of Rio de Janeiro, and boarded into the cargo compartment. He hid himself amongst the boxes carefully out of sight.
"I'm finally coming home."