Chapter 26- dire situations
"ILOSOVIC!" barked Carla, rage and disgust burning inside her, "What are you and your horrible gang doing here!?"
Bia and Tiago flanked her, both their brown and hazel eyes on fire with rage as well. Justin, Virgil, Jojo and Lavender were especially furious, the latter two's crests spiked out all over the place, while Matilda was afraid and dumbfounded. The Spix macaws had the two bags filled with treasure behind them. Ganymede had his wings spread protectively across Mimas, Alexandre, Estelle and Sheldon while Io glared at Ilosovic and his gang also with volcanic yellow eyes, her fiery temper streak she had inherited from Jupiter showing itself. Titan and Brooke also glared fiercely at the gangster group while Miranda and Oberon concealed themselves behind the Spix macaws. Charon, Blueberry, Azul and Phoebe looked absolutely furious and Phoebe was barely restraining the urge to leap at Ilosovic and claw off his scornful face while Neytiri, Triton and Alessandro cowered behind Charon and Blueberry, eyes flooded with fear as they gazed at the gangster group, fearing the worst and hoping that they do not find out that they had been to the treasure deposit cave. And Milo and Velocity just stood there, completely dumbfounded like Matilda as to how Ilosovic and his gang of birds had managed to find this place. However, Milo, his brilliant red and yellow banded crest he had inherited from his Major Mitchell's cockatoo mother Sunset flared, shuddered at the intimidating looks on Ilosovic's gang members, especially Valack the barn owl and the hulking Gaston the black eagle. Kira and Aiden were also stunned at Ilosovic's unexpected appearance while Spock and Anakin looked on, confused and curious as to who these outsiders were. However, under the confusion, they clearly did not like this gangster group one bit and an urge to flee and get help was bubbling inside them.
Ilosovic smirked wickedly at Carla's question. "Well, what are we doing here?" he crooned, mockingly repeating Carla's question partially, "Well, that is a very good question. Since you lot had refused our command to join us during our last meeting a few days ago in one of the forests outside this giant enclosed jungle, we have decided that," Ilosovic narrowed his single green eye, "we would come after you and punish you the next time we meet, and that time has come."
"Yes, absolutely," said Morgana evilly, the sadistic urge to jump at Carla's group and attack them threatening to erupt. The other gangsters and the magpies and ravens all laughed. Carla's group, however, was not one bit amused. Anakin and Spock's eyes continued to dart around the darkening surroundings; half watching for predatory bat-birds on the hunt for the group was in a loosely cluttered part of the forest where there were fewer trees, and half wanting to return to their clan to get help.
"Look, we don't have time for pointless delays like this," sapped Justin, "We've got to get home."
The sadistic and scornful grins, however, never left Ilosovic and his gangster birds' faces.
"I'm afraid that's not gonna happen, you lot," crooned Ilosovic wickedly, "It's time to meet your fate."
As he finished this sentence, Gaston, Valack, Morgana, Elektra, Jafar and Drizella came forward and flared their talon claws like cats. Fear tore through Carla's group.
"And that could include some nice juicy macaw flesh being served for our dinner tonight," cackled Morgana evilly. Some of them, especially Matilda, Triton and Neytiri, uttered frightened whimpers but Carla, Bia and Tiago and some of the others took up defensive poses. Spock and Anakin began to whisper among themselves.
"You DARE threaten to eat us; you bunch of vultures," snarled Ganymede furiously, "We WILL become violent."
Velocity then flared her claws to back up Ganymede's threat. Then Valack's big eyes travelled to Spock and Anakin, Kira and Aiden.
"And as for those four there," crooned the barn owl sadistically, "Those two new feathered dinosaur friends of yours and our two gang members, we're gonna show them some punishment as well."
"Unless of course," said Jafar, "They show our allegiance to us."
At this, dread tore through Anakin, Spock, Kira and Aiden. The latter two shot Carla and the others frightened gazes while Anakin and Spock took up defensive poses. They aimed their torches at Ilosovic and his group.
"Look, you lot," snarled Spock defensively, "We don't tolerate hostile outsiders. Now either you leave us alone or we'll take action."
Anakin nodded in agreement. However, the gangster birds' mocking laughs sent disgust jolting the two archaeobirds into flinching.
"What's so funny?" snapped Anakin angrily.
"You feathered dinosaurs don't scare us," crooned Ilosovic nastily. Morgana, Drax, Valack, Gaston, Butch, Elektra, Drizella and Jafar and the magpies and ravens all snorted in mocking amusement. Anakin and Spock, at this, shook their heads in confusion.
"Feathered dino-what's-its?" asked Anakin. Butch then cheekily shoved his beak into Anakin's face and said, "To put it simply, pal, you're not a true bird like we are."
"In fact," put in Morgana, "You two are relics of our dinosaur ancestors."
Spock and Anakin shot each other another confused look as Butch burst out laughing.
"They sure don't understand the concept of bird evolution, don't they?" chortled Morgana spitefully.
"Maybe they're too stupid to understand anything," added Drax. The other gangsters laughed in agreement, making Anakin and Spock's eyes flash with hurt. That did it. Rage tore through Carla's group like a fire spreading through a flammable gas cloud and Io, her temper finally reaching breaking point, marched forward, hooked her claws onto Drax's beak and yanked him close to her face.
"How DARE you call our two archaeobird friends stupid, you rotten bullies!" she snarled, spittle flying into Drax's face. Drax, at this, raised a webbed foot and kicked Io in the stomach, knocking her back. Io gasped in shock and fell onto her backside, the weight of her fanny pack's precious treasure contents throwing her off balance somewhat as Drax, wiping his face of the saliva Io spat into his face with a wing, said, "Manners, scarlet brat."
Ganymede and Sheldon came over to Io and helped her back onto her feet. Then Ilosovic said, "I think it's time we executed our punishment, to be honest."
With that, he nodded to Gaston and the hulking black eagle, a sadistic look smearing his face, marched forward towards the macaws, falcon, cockatoo and two archaeobirds. Some of the birds backed away as the muscular eagle intimidatingly strode towards them, his beak twisting into an evil smirk as he enjoyed the reaction of the group. Then Ganymede, his brown eyes ablaze with the flames of rage, bravely stepped forward and jumped off the ground despite the weight of the treasure in his fanny pack weighing him down. However, as he prepared to slash his claws across Gaston's face, a falcon shaped comet darted in and charged into the scarlet macaw. Ganymede cried in shock but then he found himself pinned against the ground with a falcon talon to the throat. At this, the scarlet macaw gazed up and when his eyes met with the sadism-crazed pair of eyes belonging to Elektra, horror tore through him. The others saw Elektra pin Ganymede underfoot and cried in horror.
"GANYMEDE!" cried Io. Mimas tried to charge at Elektra but a line of black and white magpies came in and blocked her way while Gaston's talon lashed out and seized Tiago by the throat, much to the others, especially Carla, Bia and Matilda's, horrified screams. Tiago writhed in the muscular eagle's talon but the talon grip remained hard around his throat. Ilosovic then strode in, his green eye flaring with threat. Kira and Aiden looked on in confusion, unsure as to what to do while Anakin and Spock tried to get at Ganymede but were blocked by some ravens.
"Now you lot have exactly ten seconds to submit to us," the frigatebird growled, as the others of Carla's group tried getting past the other gangsters, "Or the Spix and scarlet macaws become dinner for Gaston and Elektra."
At this, Tiago's brown eyes gazed at Gaston's face as his tongue travelled around his beak, his eyes burning with delightful desire at macaw flesh. At this, Tiago gulped. Nearby, Elektra prepared the other talon claws and prepared to slit Ganymede's throat. Ganymede, his neck pinned down by Elektra's first talon, began to shout to his friends.
"No, guys," he begged, "Don't listen to him."
Carla, Bia and the others shot him a terrified look and then gazed at Tiago as he gazed helplessly back at them as Gaston hung him by the neck.
"I'm warning you, you lot," said Ilosovic threateningly, "If you don't submit to us after ten seconds," he eyed Carla and Bia, "Gaston will have your little brother for his dinner," his eye then travelled to Io, Estelle, Sheldon and Mimas, "and Elektra will be having scarlet macaw for her dinner as well."
Gaston backed this threat up by squeezing Tiago's throat to the point of cutting off his breathing, much to Carla and Bia's immense horror while Ganymede continued protesting against going with Ilosovic's threats. Kira and Aiden's eyes continued flickering back and forth from Ganymede to Tiago to the others while Anakin and Spock gazed at the two macaws as their lives hung on the brink. Then Spock felt a surge of determination and stepped forward, his torch aimed at Gaston.
"Drop that Spix macaw and have that scarlet macaw released and then get outa here RIGHT NOW!" he bellowed at Ilosovic. The frigatebird shot him a fierce, single-eyed gaze.
"Or what, four-winged dinosaur," he retorted. Spock replied by shoving his flaming torch closer to Gaston to prove his point, making Gaston gasp in shock and release Tiago. Tiago fell to the floor and expanded his chest to pull in a much needed breath of air. Anakin then went over to Elektra and also shoved his torch close to her as well. Elektra, at this, backed away from the dancing ball of orange flames and released Ganymede, who made a hasty retreat to the others.
"Don't you even THINK of setting my two gang members on fire, you two," snarled Ilosovic furiously. Anakin and Spock, however, did not budge. Elektra and Gaston, their eyes flooded with terror, gazed at the balls of fire hovering near them, the heat emanating from the flames. Elektra then tried to creep away but Anakin's wing caws holding the torch followed her every move. As Ilosovic sauntered towards Spock (who was really bluffing), the archaeobird bravely said, "I mean it, pirate-face. I will singe the feathers off this eagle."
"Maybe my message isn't getting through," said Ilosovic stubbornly. Then what came next sent horror tearing through Carla's group, Anakin especially. Ilosovic nodded to Valack. Then without hesitation, the barn owl darted forward, raised a talon and before Spock could react, Valack's claws came down across the archaeobird's torso, sending some blood drops flying. An agonised archaeobird screech filled the air, accompanied by horrified cries from Carla's group. Spock flew like a stone and crashed violently at the foot of a tree trunk. His wing claws clutched his side where Valack had struck him and his face was twisted in agony. A red patch began to grow through his lush metallic blue wing feathers. Anakin, when he saw this, rushed in and released a squawk of surprised, before rushing over to his cousin's side. Miranda and Oberon and several others followed. Ilosovic and the other gangsters looked on with sneering faces.
"That's what you get for messin' with us," crooned the frigatebird nastily. Miranda shot him an enraged look.
"Now you've REALLY crossed the line you BRUTE," she snarled.
"His clan will NOT be pleased when they hear or see about this," put in Oberon. At this, surprise tore through Ilosovic's gang.
"There are more like those two?" asked Drizella in surprise.
"Well, that's not important," said Ilosovic, his wing up at Drizella. "Let's just kill these brats right now, including those two feathered dinosaurs."
At this, Milo, Kira and Aiden felt something come over them. Seeing the scene escalate out of control as the meat-eating birds came around Carla and the others, their talons prepared to slaughter them, Kira shot the cockatoo a stern look.
"I want you to go and alert Spock and Anakin's clan, NOW," she said in a whisper. Milo shot her a confused look.
"But…" he began but Aiden cut him off.
"No time to argue," he said, "Just go and be quick."
At this, Milo hesitated but when he heard the terrified shouts of one of the Spix macaws and saw that Ilosovic had Carla by the throat close to Valack's talons ready to kill her while the rest of the gangsters had the others pinned, writhing and squirming, the instinct to bring help exploded within him. Without hesitation, Milo immediately took off his fanny pack for the treasure's weight would slow him down and within seconds, he disappeared into the darkening jungle, his wings flapping like mad and adrenaline pumping into his body. As soon as he was gone, Kira and Aiden turned to Ilosovic as he held Carla.
"Hey, Ilosovic, guys," said Kira, picking up Milo's fanny pack that the cockatoo had left behind. At this, Ilosovic and the others stopped their preparations to slaughter Carla and her group, and Anakin and Spock and turned their annoyed gazes at the glaucous and Spix macaws.
"What is it, Kira and Aiden?" snarled the frigatebird.
"Don't you see we're close to an exciting moment?" said Morgana. The other gangsters looked on bitterly as Aiden raised something in his wing.
"Have you noticed what those brats have got in their bags and fanny packs?" said Kira (this is a ruse).
"There is something we must show you," said Aiden, "Carla and her group have found something."
At this, Carla and the others felt dread tear through them. Some began to beg and protest to Aiden and Kira while some others barked enraged comments.
"Kira, Aiden," squawked Jojo, his crest feathers spiked out.
"Don't you two DARE…" barked Blueberry. Too late. Kira and Aiden had already unzipped Milo's fanny pack, exposing its precious contents. A colourful load of glitter and colour shone in the moonlight as it bounced off the gold and gems. When Ilosovic and his gang's eyes saw the beautiful contents, Ilosovic's grip on Carla's neck went slack. Carla dropped to the floor as Ilosovic then sauntered over to the fanny pack held by Kira and Aiden.
"Wow," he murmured in awe, "Isn't that…"
"Gold and some precious stones?" said Valack, finishing Ilosovic's sentence. Carla and the others looked on angrily as Kira and Aiden handed Ilosovic the fanny pack filled with some of the treasure. The evil frigatebird grinned as he gazed at the colourful items in the bum bag. Turning to the other gangsters, Ilosovic said, "Guys, have a look at the other fanny packs and the two bags those brats have been carrying."
At this, the gangsters set to work in getting to Carla and company's fanny packs and bags. Squawks of protest and a struggle then ensued. Carla tried pushing Valack's wings away from her fanny pack while Ganymede and Mimas struggled with some ravens with one of the bags. However, the group was eventually overpowered and soon, the fanny packs and the two bags were unzipped, revealing more colourful and glittering materials glinting in the night light.
"Woooaaah," breathed the gangsters in awe.
"Looks like these brats have been treasure hunting," said Morgana as she rudely gazed into Bia and Tiago's fanny packs at the gold and gems.
"Where did you get these?" asked Butch. At this, none of Carla's group gave a reply, only furious scowls. Bia and Tiago immediately reached for the zips of their fanny packs and closed them back up.
"That's none of your business," snapped Tiago bitterly.
"Now will you do us a favour and let us go?" asked Justin. Anakin looked on in confusion while Spock remained curled on his side, clutching is painful scratch. A sneering smile crept into the beaks of the gangsters.
"I'm afraid not, brats," crooned Ilosovic evilly. Suddenly, a piercing screech sounded overhead, but it wasn't from that of a true feathered bird. At this, the gangsters' eyes travelled this way and that in the air. However, Anakin and Spock immediately recognised the screech.
"It's one of the predatory bat-birds on the hunt," cried Anakin, "We must get outa here now!"
"Predatory what?" asked Morgana in confusion. No sooner than she said these words when a massive flying creature glided over the group. It had the same features and body shape as the other predatory bat-birds Carla and her group had encountered but because it was night, its eyes glowed frighteningly in the dark. However, this bat-bird wasn't alone. Three more then appeared. This sent fear tearing through both Ilosovic and Carla's group members. However, the group members led by the former did not care about that.
"Guys," said Ilosovic, "Change of plan."
At this, the other gangsters looked up. "If those flying creatures eat macaws, falcons and cockatoos," said Ilosovic, much to Carla and company's shock and horror but what he said next chilled them to the bone. "Then we'll have those creatures eat them while we get out of here."
When these words reached Kira and Aiden's ears, they flinched in horror. This was not going according to what they had planned but then more frightening bat-bird screeches made them jump and shoot their terrified gazes into the sky. The four bat-birds were circling above the group, like vultures above an animal close to death. It was clear that they had sensed prey on the ground and had come to investigate. Ilosovic's eyes then travelled to the fanny packs and two bags filled with the treasure.
"Guys, seize those fanny packs and bags," he commanded. And with that, the gangsters pounced onto Carla's group and another struggle began. Cries of frustration and anger erupted from Carla's group as they fought against the wings of the gangsters as they seized their fanny packs and tore them from around their waists and out of their wings. Anakin tried to intervene but was struck by a wing and flung back against a tree while Kira and Aiden stood rooted to the spot, too dumbfounded to do anything. Then after another while of more struggles, all the fanny packs and both bags were pulled from Carla's group and taken away by Ilosovic's gang members. Carla and the others were devastated.
"We NEEDED those precious gems and gold to save our sanctuary," cried Bia tearfully.
"Not to mention that we have worked ever so HARD to find it," put in Tiago.
"Yeah, we've risked our lives for it," put in Justin. Matilda, Jojo, Virgil, Lavender and the other macaws and Velocity also cried as Ilosovic nonchalantly shot them an unsympathetic gaze.
"Sorry, brats," he said as he picked up one of the bags, "But I'm afraid your quest is over." His eyes travelled to the two bags and fanny packs. "This treasure is ours now, and we're gonna use it as bait to lure in some humans so that we could attack 'em."
Carla and the others gazed back at the gangster group as they gloated and prepared to take off. Kira and Aiden shot them a saddened look as they prepared to follow Ilosovic's group, much to the outrage of Carla's group, especially Jojo and Blueberry. Then as more screeches exploded from the four circling bat-birds as they glided above the group's heads, their gleaming eyes glowing menacingly in the dark, Ilosovic and his gang opened their wings and took off into the dark, their talons clutching the fanny packs and two bags in their talons and gloating laughter escaping their beaks.
Carla and the others were left alone, completely devastated. The treasure that they had worked ever so hard to harvest had been snatched by those horrible gangsters. Not only that, feelings of betrayal and rage boiled with the devastation and despair at Kira and Aiden's abandoning of them. However, none had realised that they had already sent help but Carla and company were too blinded by the concoction of negative emotions that boiled within them. All of them felt like collapsing on their fronts, crying their eyes out but some terrifying screeches exploding from the bat-birds snapped them out of their trances.
"Wait, where's Milo?" asked Velocity.
"What are we gonna do?" cried Phoebe in despair.
"Our home's now DOOOMED!" cried Neytiri, tears streaming down her face. Then Carla's eyes fixated on the four monstrous bat-birds as one of them touched down near them.
"Never mind about Milo, the gangsters, our home OR the treasure," she shouted, "Those bat-birds are heading our way!"
"You'd better hide, NOW," shouted Anakin as he carried the injured Spock in his wings. At this, the air flooded with the sounds of flapping wings as most of Carla's group took off and headed for the trees. As Velocity and the last ones left, Carla shot Anakin and Spock an alarmed look.
"What are you gonna do?" she cried, "Your cousin's injured."
Anakin was about to answer when a piercing screech erupted from his snout-like beak as something came up behind Carla.
"Look OOOUUUUT!" he barked. At this, Carla only had enough time to turn round and see an enormous beak lunge at her. At the last second, the chubby Spix macaw, her green eyes flooded with terror, leaped into the air as the bat-bird's beak plunged into the ground only to miss. Then Carla flapped like mad after the others in her group except Milo towards the scatter of trees.
"Carla, in here!" shouted a voice. At this, Carla's gaze snapped in the shouter's direction and landed on Azul who gestured her to a large hollow. At this, the Spix macaw swerved for the hollow and dived in through the hollow with the others crammed inside for the hollow was just large enough for all 26 birds. Carla then uttered a, "Shhh!" and the others quietened down. Outside, Anakin had quickly taken the injured Spock to the safety of another hollow in another tree. He clambered up the tree's trunk; Spock hanging on to him and one of Anakin's fore-wings wrapped around him while Anakin's three other claws were latched onto the trunk. As soon as he came to the hollow concealed by plenty of branches, Anakin gently placed Spock into the hollow and gave him some damp moss and a large leaf so that he could treat his wound.
"Cousin," protested Spock.
"Shh," hushed Anakin, "Keep quiet and don't make a sound. I gotta do something to lure those predatory bat-birds away from Carla's group and bring in help."
And with that, he opened his wings and leaped off the hollow's rim, leaving Spock to look on in confusion. However, he began to treat his injured torso where Valack had struck him with the moss and leaf, which had stopped bleeding now.
Anakin glided through the air towards another tree and landed on it. Then he peered out at the four bat-birds, which had all landed and were lumbering around on all fours, as their glowing eyes began to scan the trees for any flash of colour. Anakin's eyes then travelled from one tree to the next until his eyes landed on an entrance to a large hollow where a vague outline of two or three macaws could be seen. At this, the archaeobird drew in a horrified breath after deducing that this was where Carla's group had gone to. The hollow was low, did not have many branches to conceal it and one of the bat-birds was precariously close to the said tree. Then Anakin began to think of a plan to distract the four bat-birds. However, as he was on his own with Spock unable to help because of his injury, Anakin soon realised he was helpless against these four giant featherless bird-like monsters. He began to hope that a patrol group of archaeobirds might come by soon. Back in the hollow, Carla looked with terror-filled green eyes at the four hulking pterosaurs as they continued limbering slowly by the trees. Their gleaming eyes which burned with hunger were scouring each and every tree for any flash of colour. Behind Carla, the rest of the group was crammed tightly together, shivering with fear with their eyes bulging out of their sockets. Bia, Tiago, Matilda, Justin, Virgil, Jojo and Lavender were huddled together in one group; Ganymede, Io, Estelle, Sheldon and Alexandre, Titan, Brooke, Mimas, Oberon and Miranda were huddled in another group; and Azul, Phoebe, Neytiri, Charon, Triton, Blueberry, Alessandro and Velocity were huddled in a third group. However, Milo was nowhere to be seen.
"Has anyone seen Milo anywhere?" asked Velocity in a low voice.
"Maybe he's flown off in a wrong direction?" asked Alessandro.
"Sshh!" uttered someone, making Alessandro close his beak. Then all eyes turned to the hollow entrance which was partly obscured by Carla. Carla continued watching the four bat-birds as they continued scanning the trees and began to plan a way of escape.
"What do you have in mind, Carla?" whispered Lavender.
"Let me think," whispered Carla in reply and began to put her thinking cap on. Could one of her group members distract the bat-birds and lure them away? However, due to the number of bat-birds present (four), Carla realised that this was impossible. Even if one were to be led away, at least one would stay behind and continue to look for the group. Maybe sneaking out might work? But then Carla saw how close one of the bat-birds was to their hiding place and immediately placed this idea as out of the question. The bat-birds' hunger-filled eyes were burning with determination and appeared very alert. As with any predator, their eyes and ears were cocked to picking up any sound made by their prey and even if Carla and company moved as quiet as a mouse, it would still alert the bat-birds. As Carla continued thinking of other ideas, she heard a small growl. At this, she turned her gaze and saw one of the bat-birds walk away after something.
Outside, Anakin had rustled some leaves to get the bat-birds' attention and had darted off to another tree as soon as one of the bat-birds' predatory gaze turned his way. However, as he looked out, his heart sank. Only one bat-bird emerged from the loosely scattered cluster of trees. The other three were still in the forest, looking for Carla and her group. Anakin emitted a word of frustration. There was no way he was going to lure four monstrous creatures out by himself. His only hope now was to wait for a passing archaeobird patrol. Back with Carla's group, Carla continued watching the other three bat-birds as they continued searching the trees. It was clear that they weren't going to give up until they had found the group.
"Carla," whispered Bia, "Have they gone yet?"
Carla didn't look her way and only shook her head. Then suddenly, she slipped as she tried heaving herself up to get a better view of the bat-birds. Her talon claws raked over the wood, making a scratching sound, much to her alarm. The scratching noise made by her talons seemed to have carried for one of the bat-birds, the one nearest to the group's hiding place, had snapped its piercing hunger-crazed gaze in the direction of the noise. The creature then began to saunter on its four limbs, its wings serving as forelegs, towards Carla's group's hiding place. At this, Carla, her feathers on end and terrified green eyes on the creature, told the group to sink back, which they did while Carla ducked. The group timidly waited as what seemed like a short time seemed to pass by slowly. Then the sound of heavy breathing became louder as the bat-bird neared the tree. Next, the creature peered into the hollow. Carla and the others remained perfectly still, some trying to restrain their urges to breathe uncontrollably or shake as their terror filled eyes gazed at the reptilian eye of the massive pterosaur. A black, narrow pupil surrounded by a pale yellow iris was visible through the eerie blue glow of the eye. A membrane, which Bia had identified as a nictating membrane, flicked back and forth over the eye. The reptilian eye continued hovering in front of the hollow until finally, it moved away. As the bat-bird's eye left, Carla's group began to breathe sighs of relief.
"Man, that was close," said Tiago in a low voice. The others were about to agree but then suddenly, the terror returned like a thunderclap as the hollow suddenly jerked forward. The macaws and Velocity all cried in sheer terror as they were thrown forward by the rocking hollow. Outside, one of the bat-birds had charged into the tree and had jolted it forward. The creature charged at the tree again and pushed it forward, making the hollow violently rock again. Inside, the 25 macaws and falcon all huddled together and screamed in immense fright. Then Ganymede felt dread consume him when he realised what the bat-birds were trying to do.
"They're definitely hunting us!" he bellowed. This sent horror tearing through the others as the hollow jerked forward again. Then what happened next made the group's terror reach explosion point. As the hollow rocked forward another time with the macaws and Velocity thrown forward towards the entrance, a sharp tip of a beak rammed into the hollow and snapped at the group. At this, the group all screamed and cried as the snapping beak tip missed them.
"They're TRYING TO KNOCK US OUTA HERE!" bellowed Bia in immense fright. Tiago and Carla, together with Justin, Matilda, Virgil, Lavender and Jojo and the others, all screamed and huddled together as the hollow rocked forward again and the beak tip was rammed into the entrance. The bat-bird had shoved its beak into the hollow, trying to snatch one of the macaws while another bat-bird kept charging into the tree. The other two looked on, apparently waiting for their meals to be flushed out. The hollow continued rocking violently forward and the bat-bird's beak jammed into the hollow, snapping at Carla's group. One of the snaps of the beak tips caught one of Jojo's head feathers and tore it out, making Jojo cry in pain. The bat-bird withdrew its beak and spat out the lush blue feather before resuming its vicious attempts to pull out Carla's group while its teammate continued rocking the tree forward, screeching angrily. Then as the bat-bird's beak shot into the hollow again, it closed on the tip of Brooke's tail. At this, the female blue-and-gold macaw screamed as the bat-bird then began to try and yank her out.
"BROOKE!" cried Titan. The other macaws and Velocity latched their wings onto Brooke's wings and began to pull all their might, the tree rocking violently forward. A vicious tug-of-war between Carla's group and the bat-bird then began with the latter trying to pull Brooke out and the former trying to pull Brooke back into the hollow. Then Titan lashed at the bat-bird's beak and slashed it with his claws. The bat-bird jerked its head back from the shock of the pain and released Brooke's tail, sending Brooke flying into the other macaws and Velocity as the lot crashed into the hollow floor. However, this did not deter the bat-birds and they continued trying and force Carla's group out, one hitting the tree and the other ramming its beak into the hollow. Carla and the others with her gazed at the bat-birds outside and when they saw that they were showing no signs of giving up, despair consumed them like a fire. All courage had been burned away. It was clear that these creatures were too powerful to drive away and doing so would only result in fatalities. Lavender had been lucky to have escaped with barely a few bruises when she attacked a predatory bat-bird to release Miranda at the entrance to the Cave of Colours and Sparkles but still, it was an extremely close brush with death. Lavender, along with Jojo and Felix, were normally a trio of brave macaws but now, in this trapped state, any trace of courage Jojo and Lavender had was completely gone.
"Carla," cried Justin, "How can we get out of this?"
Carla, at this, gazed at him. Then her wing slid over to Justin's and interlocked with his. Justin, at this, gazed at Carla who looked back with sad eyes. Justin, seeing that Carla's expression was telling him something, then turned and linked wings with Matilda, much to her surprise. Matilda turned and then linked wings with Tiago. Lavender and Jojo did the same and joined wings with Tiago and Matilda, and Virgil as well. Ganymede, Io, Estelle, Sheldon, Alexandre, Mimas, Titan and Brooke then linked wings, Ganymede and Mimas linking wings with each other, their eyes fixated on each other especially and Io and Sheldon joined wings with Jojo and Virgil. Then Miranda, Oberon, Phoebe, Azul, Triton, Blueberry, Charon, Neytiri and Alessandro joined wings with each other and Charon, Oberon and Phoebe joined wings with Carla, Lavender, Alexandre and Brooke. Bia and Velocity then crept along and when they saw that other macaws had linked wings, looked on in surprise. Tiago, Virgil and Sheldon, at this, offered the two their wings. Bia then came over to Virgil's side and linked wings with her brother and Virgil while Velocity joined Sheldon's side and linked wings with Sheldon and Oberon. Bia then looked at Carla and Tiago who gazed back at her with sad eyes. Then all 26 birds prepared to be thrown out of the hollow right into the jaws of the bat-birds. Three of them stood in front of the hollow while the fourth prepared to charge at the tree. The macaws and Velocity then braced themselves as the seemingly final seconds of their lives began to flow by. Ganymede, Io, Estelle, Sheldon, Alexandre, Mimas, Titan and Brooke then leaned their heads towards each other and closed their eyes, Mimas and Ganymede touching foreheads, Miranda, Oberon, Phoebe, Azul, Triton, Blueberry, Charon, Neytiri and Alessandro also closed their eyes and turned their heads to each other, Neytiri, breathing rapidly, huddling against Charon, and then finally, the Spix macaws and Velocity huddled together and closed their eyes, Velocity doing so last. Their lives flashed before their eyes as the group then prepared for the inevitable. However, a loud screech rang out from outside but it wasn't from any of the bat-birds, alerting Velocity into opening her eyes. She gazed outside the hollow in confusion.