Chapter 11:

Romance In The Rain

No sooner had the ceremony come to an end did the sky grow pitch black. Forked lightning pierced through the sky causing Blu to jump with fright. He eyed his new wife and held her wing. His wings trembled as the crackling of thunder erupted through his ears. His talons shook as he swallowed a large lump in his throat.

"Are you okay?" Jewel asked. "I've never seen you so afraid."

"I-I-I just don't like thunderstorms." Blu frowned. "They really scare me. I mean really badly scare me."

Jewel wrapped her wings around her husband and hugged him reassuringly. She listened to his rapid heartbeat, his nervous breathing, and his beak which chattered almost beyond control.

"Hey, Pet." She soothed, "Everything will be okay. I promise."

Blu nodded his head. He eyed the darkening sky and watched lightning strike the horizon. He shuddered as he listened to the crackling of thunder. He couldn't seem to calm himself down.

"A-A-Are you sure?" He asked. "In Minnesota, there are stories about things called tornadoes."

Jewel smiled reassuringly. She hugged him tighter.

"In my entire life, I've never heard of a tornado hitting Rio. You are very safe here."

"Yeah, but most experts-"

Jewel silenced his nervous antics by pressing a wing to his beak. She smiled at him.

"Instead of being afraid of the rain, why don't I show you how romantic it can be? Come on, Blu."

Jewel stepped out into the rain and let the rain water splash against her feathers. She started to sway her body and tapped her talons against the ground, letting them splash in the mud and puddles.

"Come on, Blu." She smiled, "Dance with me."

Nico and Pedro who stood behind the duo, nodded their heads. They started to dance, throwing their wings through the air, they pointed to the quartet.

"Come on you guys, this is a party. We need music." Nico yelled, cupping his hands together.

Harmonious melodies erupted through the jungle as every bird present started to dance. Blu watched a little anxiously, his eyes moving off the darkened sky to the lovely dancing figure of Jewel. She watched him. Her eyes glistened amplified by the lightning. She laughed as she held her wings out. Her voice called out to him.

"Dance with me, Blu." She smiled, "Come on, you can do it."

Blu could not resist. He stepped out from the protective tree which sheltered him. The rain splashed against his body, soaking his feathers. He formed a nervous smile as he stared into Jewel's drenched sapphire eyes. Her smile deepened.

"Welcome to the party, Blu." She soothed, hip checking him. Blu stumbled backwards but found his wings wrapped around Jewel's torso.

"Oh no, Pet. You're not getting away from me this time."

Blu swung his body around, enjoying the feel of Jewel's drenched feathers upon his own. Both birds stood eye to eye, their bodies swayed as the moved simultaneously. The music awakened the rhythm of his heart. His soul seemed to fly, drowning his fear.

"Yes," Jewel giggled. "You're doing it. Please don't stop now. Keep dancing!"

Blu spun Jewel who became entangled in his grip. His wings wrapped around her further. Her body seemed to become an extension of his.

"Yes, Blu!" She smiled, "Keep dancing!"

Blu nodded his head. His beak stopped chattering. His eyes reflected the lightning which caught his interest.

"No, Blu!" Jewel said to him. "Don't worry about the storm. Look at me, focus only on me."

"Um, okay." Blu nodded, he spun her one final time before the song came to end.

Nico flew through the air, spinning his bottle cap hat in a professional manner. He eyed the group of creatures.

"Let's slow things down a bit. This little song should be on the list of Blu and Jewel's greatest hits. I like to call it... Fly Love."

The canary begun to whistle the familiar little tune, he landed upon the ground and placed his bottle cap hat upon his head before singing the lyrics to one of Blu's most cherished songs.

"Wasn't really thinking, wasn't looking, wasn't searching

For an answer

In the Moon Light

When I saw your face!

Saw you looking at me, saw you peeking, from under moon beams

Through the palm trees

Swaying in the breeze.

I know, I'm feeling so much more... than ever before

And so I'm giving more to you than I thought I could do.

Don't know how it happened, don't know why but you don't really

need a reason.

When the stars shine

Just to fall in love.

Made to love each other, made to be together for a life time.

In the sun shine

Flying in the sky.

I know I'm feeling so much more than ever before.

And so I'm giving to you than I thought I could do.

Oh yeah.

Now I know love is real

So it's sky high as the angels try

Letting you and I

Fly Love."

Blu wiped a tear from his eye and looked into Jewel's sapphire eyes. The rain continued to fall around them. But they didn't seem to notice. They seemed lost in their own world... lost in time and unaware of anything else around them.

"I remember when I heard that song for the very first time," Jewel admitted, "It was on the trolley cart going to Luiz's garage."

"Yeah," Blu nodded, "I remember that day as if it only happened yesterday."

Jewel's smile deepened further as she admired Blu's memory of that one single moment. The sunset that night, as he tried to confess his undying love to her, his attempt had been ruined by a single cherry blossom leaf. But this time there was no leaf falling from the sky. She leaned her head in and rested it upon Blu's shoulder.

"I love you," she cooed.

Blu went bright red in the face.

"Eu Amo Voce," he said a little sheepishly. "Thank you for getting my mind off the storm, Jewel."

"You're welcome, Blu." Jewel sighed, hugging him. "You're very welcome."

Blu and Jewel looked at each other one final time before pulling each other into one of the most passionate kisses ever experienced by the young couple.

# # #

Far from where Blu and Jewel had held their wedding ceremony, five sets of eyes watched the gathering storm. Roger chuckled to himself as he placed his attention upon his marked wing. He watched the mark glow amongst the darkness. His bloodshot eyes deepened into furious pools of hatred.

"Ah, what perfect weather," He mused breathing inwards. "I always admired a storm before a victory."

Amber stepped forward and eyed the scarlet macaw. Her eyes filled with rage. She pointed an accusing wing at him.

"I told you to stay out of it." She growled. "This is my fight, not yours."

The scarlet macaw laughed insanely, turning towards the young macaw. He grabbed her face and threw her to the ground.

"And what makes you think you can order me?" He asked, "If it wasn't for me, you'd still have no interest in pursuing revenge."

"I know," Amber hissed, "What made you think I wanted revenge in the first place?"

"Because of your birthmark." Roger pointed out, "Everyone who has had their life darkened bares a mark of the shadows. Remember, you play a pivotal role in this little game. Your sister is the good guy, while you play a more tainted role in the grand scheme called destiny."

Amber rolled her eyes and stormed off. She peered back one last time and spoke to the scarlet macaw.

"I never wanted any of this, Roger." She said. "I want a normal life... the life that was ripped from me. You'd better stay away from the battleground. I don't need you or the others interfering."

The pale macaw in a green robe chuckled as he watched the spix macaw slip off through the jungle.

"That girl still isn't aware of the role she'll play in the upcoming events. Should I chase after her?"

"No need, Jollo." Roger shook his head. "Win or lose, her purpose will be fulfilled, and she'll have no further use."

"So what are you suggesting?" Jollo asked.

"After their little sisterly rivalry is finished, we'll get rid of both sisters." Roger laughed, "And then we'll set our sights on the newcomer, what was his name again?"

"We have gathered a little bit of information, he says his name is Nigel. He wants revenge on someone named Blu."

"Gather a group of margays and have Jose gather some monkeys. Send this Nigel, and all of the fore mentioned creatures down into the subway tunnels to await my orders."

Jollo bowed respectfully towards the large menacing bird.

"It will be done, after that I will return to the temple. My presence here is bad for my plan."

Roger nodded and dismissed the bird with a wave of his wing. He stared out at the jungle and formed a devilish smile. With his forces spread out, and now on their own separate missions of revenge. He could finally focus on his. The sabotage of the rest of them held the most significant importance to him.

"I hold no loyalty to anyone except myself." He chuckled. "That is the way of the dog... the lone wolf."

The mark seemed to glow as he touched it.
"Yes," he continued onwards. "The only one who will have any victory celebration is me. Rio de Janeiro will know the name Roger the scarlet macaw."

# # #

Blu and Jewel danced through out the remainder of the afternoon. Lost in the rhythm of the music they failed to see the three sets of eyes watching them. Rafael, Nico, and Pedro all watched in amazement.

"Wow, they're really into it aren't they?" Pedro smiled.

"Aw come one, amigo. There isn't anything wrong with open displays of affection. They're on their honey moon after all."

Nico nodded his agreement. His smile grew deeper as he toyed with his hat. He couldn't peel his attention away.

"They really love each other don't they?"

"Yes," Rafael nodded, "Blu really made her change for the better."

The three stopped dead in their tracks as Jewel's laughter cut through the air. They jumped startled by the sudden noise coming from the duo.

"My stomach," Rafael sighed, "Those two are giving me grey feathers."

"You say that about everything, Rafe," Nico grinned.

"Yeah, bird. You need to chill." Pedro nodded.

"Did either of you know that Blu jumped from an airplane to save Jewel's life?" He asked, recalling the vows from earlier that day.

Both canary and cardinal shook their heads looking rather shocked that Rafael would ask such a strange question.

"Boy, am I glad that I'm not the last one to find out." The toucan sighed.

# # #

Blu and Jewel finally stopped dancing as the sun began to set upon the sky. The storm had passed, and left a pleasant evening in its wake. Both macaws sat with their three onlookers, who continued to serve them cheerfully.

"We should start off by thanking you guys." Blu smiled. "I never would have had friends who would be willing to do this back in Minnesota."

Rafael, Nico, and Pedro bowed their heads respectfully towards the male macaw. Their smiles never faded.

"It was a pleasure, Amigo." Rafael replied.

"Yeah it was fun," Pedro squawked.

"Anytime you want a bit of romance, we're your dream team." Nico added.

Blu and Jewel nodded their heads, and eyed each other for a moment. Their expression turned serious.

"Actually we need your help with something."

The trio of birds let their smiles disappear. They listened to Blu who retold the story of Amber and the scarlet macaw Roger.

"So you need our help to take down a great evil?" Rafael asked, he swallowed a large lump in his oversized throat.

"Yeah," Blu nodded, "I can't risk anything happening to the eggs Jewel is carrying. I need you to assist me in protecting her."

"Consider it done," Rafael nodded. "I can't let you two lose your children. We'll protect them, no matter what."

Jewel held up a wing in protest.

"Who says I need protecting? I can handle my sister."

"We know you can." Blu soothed, "We're just worried about the eggs, and then there is the question of how many creatures do these two have at their disposal?"

"Six," Rafael admitted.

All the birds present turned to face the toucan. Their eyes filled with curiosity.

"I saw at least five robed creatures pull Nigel out from the jungle. The cockatoo looked dead, but they seemed pretty interested in helping them out."

Blu stroked a wing across his chin.

"You didn't happen to get any of their names right?"

Rafael nodded.

"There was a lot of talking and arguing amongst them. There was Jose the monkey who dressed in a yellow robe, Roger who dressed in a black robe, there was a figure in green who I couldn't begin to tell you what kind of creature he was, finally there was a creature dressed in Blu, I have no idea who he was, but he didn't seem to interact with the group very much. They didn't even acknowledge him. With Amber and the possibility of Nigel, that would make six creatures altogether."

Blu nodded his head and forced a smile. Finally something seemed to be going his way. Rafael had given him some much needed answers. He turned to Jewel and held her wing tight with his own.

"Six against four definitely isn't bad."

"You mean five," Jewel said, "There are five of us here."

"No," Rafael shook his head. "You can't get involved in your condition."

Jewel's eyes hardened as she eyed the group of creatures that surrounded her. Her beak twisted into a snarl.

"We'll see about that."