Chapter 14:
A Shimmer of Hope!
Jewel hadn't said very much since her initial meeting with the blue robed bird earlier that evening. Her sapphire eyes remained narrow, lost in her own thoughts. They filled with glassy tears which she struggled to fight back. Her beak trembled as she continued to think about the events of the past few days. It became quite clear that this robed creature had done something to her husband, but she couldn't quite figure out what that something was.
"Oh, Pet..." she began, her voice trembling. "You were such a compassionate bird. You cared about everyone other than yourself. Now you're evil, and looking to hurt everyone out of sheer enjoyment. What did they do to you?"
Without another word her head fell forward. She could not deny her tears any longer. She let them roll down the creases of her cerulean face until they disappeared into the void that was her open beak. She coughed and sputtered, nearly vomiting from the sudden shock of the liquid passing down her dry almost aching throat. But in a manner of reasoning, she found herself thankful that she was at least drinking something other than the puddles of stagnant water upon the floor.
Her mind filled with thought about her children. Were they safe? Did they make it to Rafael's grotto? Would Blu and his new friends track them down and keep them prisoner? Was this robed creature responsible for the disappearance of Rose? She couldn't bear the thought of any more questions, or the chance of them being in any serious danger, so she attempted to wipe the thoughts from her mind.
"I hope you are safe, please take care of yourselves and Jade." She sighed. "You're mommy will try and stay strong. I promise."
She felt the tears renew in her eyes. The thought of not being able to see her children shattered her heart. Her beak trembled as she struggled to remain strong, and not let these evil creatures break his spirit. She would find a way to break free. She would find a way to return Blu to her former self, and she would make that robed bird pay for everything he put them through. Her beak formed a sly smile. After a couple of minutes, her tears subsided. She allowed herself to relax. Without a word she peered at her two companions with her peripheral vision. They both appeared to be sleeping.
At least those two are keeping calm.She thought with a reassured smile. At least that's some good news.
Jewel caught a vision of movement through the far corners of the room. She strained her eyes attempting to make out the shape which continually dodged her line of sight. From the way it moved, it appeared to be a bird, dressed in one of those robes. Her eyes widened as she studied the familiar pattern of the way he moved. One word escaped past the crease in her curved beak.
"Blu...?"
The large male macaw stopped and emerged out of the darkness like an apparition. Dressed in his new purple cloak, his hood covered his eyes from sight. Despite that fact, Jewel knew that he kept a careful watch on her. She knew they wouldn't move off of her during the time he remained standing in front of her. His beak twisted into a savage grin. He seemed to enjoy watching her as a mere prisoner. After all she was the stronger of the two, and being a prisoner didn't fit her character very well. He cackled to himself as he took notice of the damp impressions down her cheeks, obviously left over from her tears.
"You have been crying?" he queried. "Why? Haven't I been more than merciful? I could have killed you if you would have preferred that."
Jewel listened to the almost mocking tone in his voice and came to the realisation that it wasn't his voice. It rang out in a dark, ominous, condescending, hateful, and vindictive tone. The creature who took on the appearance of her husband, the creature who held all of his memories, was nothing more than a cruel heartless monster. A former shell of the caring, kind hearted and compassionate creature he once had been.
"Blu, this isn't you!" she said. "I want my husband back. Please, tell me what they've done to you, and we can make everything all right again."
The blue macaw didn't take the time to respond to the female's voice. He continued to glare out at her underneath his hood. His eyes continued to shine with a mystical light. He forced a confident smile and stepped mere inches from the female.
"You think you can make everything all right again?" he arched a curious eyebrow. "You presume that you can save me from the darkness?"
Jewel nodded her head.
"I just want my husband back, the way he used to be. I love the way you used to be."
Blu cackled again, spitting with disgust.
"You're a fool. The Blu you know is gone forever."
"No he isn't." Jewel protested. "I saw you freeze dead in your tracks at our home. You couldn't hurt me. Deep down you still love me, as much as I love you. We're meant to be, and I can save you."
"I-I-I love you too." Blu's voice shifted back to his natural voice. For a mere moment, Jewel could see the compassion in his eyes. Although they remained glowing, she could see the soulful brown hidden just behind all that exterior differences. She couldn't help but form a smile. She couldn't deny that Blu still existed within the cold shell of his new monstrous appearance.
"You're still in there, Pet... aren't you?" she smiled. "Please, tell me what they've done to you."
"I-I-I can't." Blu sighed. "It won't let me."
"Who won't let you?" Jewel asked. "What's happening to you?"
Blu didn't answer. In the matter of a minute, he charged forward, striking his metallic blade through the moss which held Jewel in place. He turned his attention away as she landed on both talons. His voice continued to shift between the dark evil hiss, and his natural familiar voice.
"I-I-I can't control it." He screeched. "Please, run now and don't return here for me. You cannot save me!"
Jewel shook her head and watched Blu's wings go to his head. He moaned, struggling to keep his composure.
"Go now! Do not return here for me!"
Jewel's eyes filled with horror at his words. She continued to shake her head. Her voice rang out with concern.
"I can't leave you here. I'll be back, Blu. I promise."
"N-No!" Blu snapped. "GO NOW!"
Jewel spread her wings and flew through the tunnel as fast as she could go. She never peered back to look at Blu who fell to the ground. His body convulsed. His breath escaped his body with muffled gasps. After a couple of minutes he got back up onto his talons. The veins along his body bulged and swelled as he cackled to himself.
"Run, Jewel." He laughed. "You will never see you're precious husband again. I'm the one in control now."
# # #
Marco sat upon his large makeshift throne. With an outstretched wing, he swirled a beak of crystal clear water, watching the ripples he created with ease. There was something about controlling the forces of nature which seemed to impress him. That was why he could change Blu without a second thought. The boy definitely held potential within him. After all, in a matter of a few days, he conquered relatively most of Rio. He even had set up an anointment ceremony where he, Marco, would crown himself emperor of the New World Order. Once he succeeded in that, he would have his underlings search out and destroy the ones who threatened him – the remaining numbers of the spix macaw species.
"I should have turned that boy from the very beginning. He would have been the perfect seventh warrior for my mercenary band."
Marco cackled and peered at his mark. His eyes glistened as a savage smile appeared upon the ends of his beak.
"Isn't that right, men?"
"Aw, I didn't know you cared." Blu's voice ran out from behind him. He swallowed a lump in his throat and turned to eye the blue macaw that towered over him with a mischievous smile. Marco rolled his eyes, not amused by the macaw's ability to sneak up behind him. He held a wing to his heart, and glared at the macaw.
"What are you doing here?" he asked. "Aren't you supposed to be checking up on the prisoners?"
Blu circled around the frustrated hawk who glared at him. He couldn't help but glare back in an intimidating standoff.
"I did," Blu explained. "I came to inform you that my wife had escaped and is heading back towards the jungle."
Marco tossed his beak from his wing and jumped to his talons. He raised his wings ready to issue commands to his squadron of monkeys and margays, but before he could speak, Blu's wings snapped his mouth shut.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you. I know full well she'll head to Rafael's grotto, and I'll be heading there myself."
Marco nodded his head and seated himself back down. He glared at the macaw with an increased interest.
"How do you know she'll be going there?" Marco arched a curious eyebrow. "What possibly could make you think she'll head there and not run for her life?"
Blu shrugged his wings and cackled to himself. He didn't like making his commander look like a fool, but in the present circumstance, he just couldn't resist.
"Oh a little thing called her children!" he smiled. "She sent them there right before I captured her. She'll run right to them, and I'll be right there, ready to strike."
"And what if your plan fails?" Marco suggested. "Have you ever considered that she can break the spell cast upon you?"
"Of course I have." Blu chuckled again. He raised his wings and wiped them across his purple robe. "I look forward to seeing her try."
# # #
Mid-afternoon sunlight shined through the canopy casting comfortable warmth to flow throughout the jungle. On all sides the trees started to change colour, encouraged by the cool northern breeze seeping in. Despite everything, the atmosphere of the day brought a cheerful smile to Jewel's face. Her tail feathers shifted as she let herself perform a couple of loop de loops through the sky. She laughed as the sun toasted her feathers, and the breeze swept across her body. These were the two simplest forms of nature, but it sure beat being trapped within the underground subway tunnels.
After a couple of minutes her eyes narrowed as she resumed her task. She soared as fast as her body would allow her to move. She needed to get to Rafael's grotto and make sure her kids were okay. She also needed to warn the adults about the impending threat which had set its sights upon the whole of Rio. Creatures, humans, and everything in between the land and sky would be in serious danger if the robed bird managed to succeed in his task. Plus he held Blu hostage, and she knew that he wouldn't release him without a fight.
By late afternoon, Jewel landed within the grotto. Her talons made a soft thud as they landed upon the dirt ground. She eyed her surroundings and smiled as all eighteen toucan kids swarmed around her. Jewel could remember their last meeting. It had been a little over a year ago when she and Blu first met Rafael. Back then the kids appeared to be really cute and harmless, but that quickly proved to be a false ploy, the kids were hardened warriors, capable of tearing out feathers, and ganging up on an opponent. They had quickly overwhelmed both Blu and Jewel, and with only the lucky intervention of their father did they manage to survive the encounter. Now they seemed so happy to see her. They jumped and cheered as loud as they possibly could.
"Auntie Jewel, Auntie Jewel, Auntie Jewel... where's Uncle Blu?"
The noise alerted the three adults who remained sequestered within the grotto. Fluttering and jumping to the ground, Rafael, Eva, and Jose joined the group of creatures. Jose and Rafael attacked her with a barrage of curious questions, forgetting to give the macaw time to answer them.
"Jewel, amigo, are you okay?"
"Yeah, tell us what happened?"
"What did they want with you?"
"Did they hurt you?"
"How did you manage to escape, aye corumba that must have been a good adventure."
"I heard from the kids that Rose is missing, did they have her?"
Jewel stuttered, trying her best to issue for silence, but the barrage of questions kept on coming. Eva raised her wings and glared at the two males furiously. Her large curved beak formed a sneer as she glowered at them.
"Honestly, you two. Can't you see that she has been through a lot? To escape from such an ordeal, and manage to make it back here is nothing short of miraculous. Give her space and some time to answer your questions."
Eva turned her attention to Jewel and wrapped her black wings around her. Eva tried to smile reassuringly and pull her from the crowd. She glared at the rest of the audience who attempted stood too frightened to move.
"Not one word from any of you until I say it is okay to do so. Jewel needs her rest. Do I make myself clear?"
Jewel shook her head and broke free from the toucan's grip. She sighed and seated herself upon the ground.
"I wish I could rest but there is not enough time. Every second counts and there is much that you guys need to listen too."
Jewel began to relate the story of her capture. She told about Blu and about the blue robed bird and his ambition to create a new order for him to rule. The large group listened intently, never interrupting. Every single creature held onto her words, and shuddered as they thought about everything that would happen if this creature got his way. Only when she finished did Rafael speak.
"Aye Corumba! That is some pretty horrible stuff, but what concerns me is you said that Blu was there?"
Jewel nodded her head and turned her attention to Rafael.
"Yes, and he was acting all weird. Like there were two different personalities within him. His eyes also were different."
"Can you tell me how exactly his eyes were different?" Eva piped in. "I want to know everything."
"His eyes, they're usually a chocolate brown. But they were glowing with a bright red light."
Rafael flew to Eva's side. He wrapped his wings around her, and rubbed his bill against hers.
"What are you thinking about, my juicy little mango? Are you concerned because of his eyes changing colour? I mean do eyes normally change colour on their own?"
Eva lowered her head to give the matter a thought for a moment. Her eyes shined as she considered the possibilities.
"Not without magic. It could be voodoo, or it could be a dose of black magic. I would have to see him to know for certain."
"Is there a cure for those kinds of things?" Raphael asked.
Eva nodded.
"I know a bit of voodoo and can assure you that there is a cure for most spells. What it sounds like to me, some creature cast a spell to cause all the negative energies to dive into our friend, Blu. His spirit would not be able to handle that kind of energy and it would overpower him and change his very essence. If that is the case, we can use a positive force to return him to normal."
"A positive force...?" Jewel echoed, arching her eyebrow. "I am not sure that I understand."
Eva chuckled and forced a grin, she wiped a wing across her mate's beak. She studied him for a moment before giving a reply.
"Let me put it in simpler terms. There is only one thing more powerful than any evil force on Earth. That my amigo is true love! If you can get close enough to Blu and give him a good passionate kiss, which shows that you are his true love, you will break the spell cast upon him."
Jewel swallowed a large lump in her throat and peered at the setting sun. The world around her seemed unusually dark. The fate of her husband rested within her wings, but what if she wasn't his true love? Could she still break the spell cast upon him? What if she couldn't? Too many things could go wrong. She eyed at the gathering of creatures trying to hold onto her fading courage.
"Okay," She sighed. "It's worth a try. Next time I see him, he's getting the most passionate kiss of his life."