Chapter 55:

The next couple of days seemed to stretch on for an eternity. With the typhoon now having passed an eerie calm began to sweep across the whole of Brazil. Everything had returned to normal. The world was at peace, resting under the freshness brought forth by the drenching rains. The sun now shined bright and cheerful almost as if apologizing for its absence during the disastrous weather. However the flat calm sky and pleasant weather was nothing more than a sickeningly cruel illusion. Unbeknownst to every creature or human, an evil force had descended upon the country and it would not leave without a fight.

Jewel had not really slept a wink. Her mind continued to wander with a million different thoughts and questions at once. Her heart skipped beats as she contemplated the real truth behind the tragic events which had haunted and blanketed the past couple of days. Her wings trembled as she held them close to her heart. A dark ominous feeling crept along her soul, filling her with a deep impending sense of dread. Everything which had transpired had all started when their daughter had failed to return home at the appointed time. With no clue to her whereabouts Blu had gone out to search for her, however he too had failed to return… still though… she continued to hold onto the faintest amount of hope.

"Please be safe, Blu," she sighed, "You must find our daughter safe and sound. I'm not giving up hope… I know you can do it."

She lowered her head ignoring the whisper of the breeze which greeted her in reply. She turned away and continued. "Be strong, Rose, you're father is out there searching to bring you home safe and sound. Just have faith, if anyone can find you, your father can, I promise you. It will just take a bit of time."

She let out a heartfelt sigh. Her eyes narrowed. "Speaking of time, I can't help but wonder if this is all about the warning Amber tried to give us. Is our time together as a family really over? Or will things just get a lot worse?"

Her eyes filled with painful tears as her voice trembled upon the word father Her mind drifted into thoughts of her blue feathered husband. He had not wanted to accept the possibility that Rose had met her end, but who could blame him? She had not wanted to believe it either, with the only witness being Jade, and with her being so young, there was no clear cut or accurate depiction on just what happened to her. She could be anywhere with anyone, or her fate could have been anything. Without a word he left to brave the storm in an effort to find her and bring her back home safe. She forced a smile and wiped the tears from her eyes. She did not want to think about the negative. She did not want to think about the hurricane force winds and rain. She did not want to think about the possibility that neither one of them would come home. She did not want to think about Amber's prediction of Blu's path being tainted by darkness. She just wanted to think that she would see them again.

Without another word she hopped out of the hollow and studied the rising sun. The wood still remained soaked, drenching the bottom of her talons. She let the wind rustle through her feathers. The forces of nature seemed bittersweet to the female macaw, they were nothing more than an eternal reminder that the days would continue onward regardless of how much she wanted time to stand still, at least until Blu and Rose returned to her. She forced a painful sigh and peered out at the horizon. The autumn day ahead would be a scorcher. She could feel it in her bones. The humidity crept into her wings causing them to swell. "Tulio told me that broken bones usually form arthritis." She reminded herself. "The pain will pass in time."

Her eyes drifted up to the horizon. The endless sea of green jungle stretched off as far as the eye could see. The wind continued to brush through her feathers. She stopped, freezing in her tracks as she noticed the trees. They were moving in the opposite direction. "But how is that…?" She found herself asking, her voice trailed off as she stared in confusion towards the unnatural event. "I've never seen the breeze go in the opposite direction of the wind. That should not be happening."

"Hey, Hot Wing!"

Jewel peered up and spotted the two familiar figures of Nico and Pedro coming in for a landing.

"What's popping?" Nico asked, "We thought you would need the help, especially with cleaning up after that big storm. There are downed trees all over the place."

"Mother Nature isn't cool." Pedro frowned, "She needs to learn to chill."

"Speaking of chill, have you seen the wind going in the opposite direction than the wind?" Nico piped in, peering out towards the trees.

"Yeah, that's robust…" Pedro piped in, nodding his head and noting the worried look on Jewel's face. Her bright sapphire eyes appeared millions of miles away. She hung her head low. He hovered at her side, placing a wing upon her shoulder. "What's wrong, Hot Wing? You look down and out? Did you and the blue boy have another fight?"

Jewel shook her head. "No, we're just fine. I'm just worried about our daughter. She's gone missing. Blu went to look for her too, but he has been gone for days."

Nico's eyes filled with concern. He shifted a wing across his bottle cap hat and landed upon his talons. His big bright eyes widened. "Whoa, stop, rewind, did you just say your daughter's missing?"

"Yeah," Jewel nodded. "That's what I said."

"Rose is missing?" Pedro repeated not quite following the situation. "That's robust!"

Jewel nodded her head again.

"Do you want help finding her?" Nico and Pedro asked in unison.

"If you want to help, you're more than welcome too." Jewel sighed, "She went to the city."

Nico and Pedro eyed each other a little more than fearfully. Their worried glances caught her attention.

"What, what is it?" she asked.

"The city has gotten really dangerous lately," Pedro explained.

"Yeah girly, the entire underground subway system is filling up with monkeys and margays, we don't know why they are down there but we definitely are not checking that place out. It is way too dangerous."

Jewel let out a heartfelt sigh.

"Hold on, girl." Nico held up a wing. "We didn't say we wouldn't search the city. We just aren't going into the subway system. If she's anywhere else, we'll find her and bring her home, the same goes for your husband too."


#


Marco sat upon a makeshift seat deep in the center of a large boarding station. Abandoned subway cars littered the area, their doors stuck ajar allowing access to any creature small enough to fit. Inside a group of sleeping monkeys had decided to use them as a barrack much to the hawk's growing frustration. He shifted his back across the solid stone bricks stacked to his liking and grabbed hold of a beaker of water. He watched the commotion around him. Monkeys fought with each other as they struggled to reach stale candy bars from powerless vending machines. Rodents scampered across the tracks, squeaking as they slid back into their little holes

Without a word he swirled the contents of the clear liquid, admiring the ripples he made with relative ease. He drank from the glass before tossing it from his grip. The glass shattered as it struck the wall, leaving traces of sharp, lethal looking shards against the cracked pavement. "Where is that fool?" He asked. "I want answers on the macaw's condition. I want them now!"

As if on cue the monkey who had been responsible for drawing the runes and twisted Blu's spirit stepped forth from the crowd. He shifted his paws nervously as he anxiously avoided the hawk's stern gaze. His gnarled and jagged fangs chattered together as he fought to control his fear of the ferocious predator. Marco watched him for a moment before raising his voice into a ferocious growl. "You certainly took you sweet time getting here," the hawk growled. "How is our little friend?"

The monkey lowered his head, peering away as he spoke. "He's alive." The monkey admitted. "But there still no sign of any heartbeat or pulse, I can not explain it. I have never seen anything like this before. Any other creature would be dead for sure, I mean he was lit on fire and his skin was bubbling, boiling, and melting off his face and body for crying out loud. However what amazes me is there is not one sign of any visible damage. Whatever you have done, he is in perfect health except for the two missing vital pieces which you need to actually live."

The hawk cackled to himself and jumped to his talons. He spread his wings and lurched forward with his razor sharp beak. The monkey could feel his heart skip a beat as he just barely dodged the assault. "I have a theory on that one." The hawk smiled folding his wings together, and forming an amused smug grin. "It is said in some cultures that a pulse is considered to be the sound of the spirit. He would not have one because he is not the creature he once was. He is nothing more than an empty shell, a soulless dummy, the perfect tool to craft into a servant for the New World Order."

"But how would that explain the heart? He has no heartbeat?" The monkey queried. "What about that?"

Marco's grin only widened as he seated himself once more upon his seat. His eyes glistened as he gave an explanation for the monkey's question. "The heart is the symbol of love and compassion. If everything has gone accordingly, we have turned him into a creature of pure hatred and anger… a merciless killing machine… he wouldn't have a heartbeat because he doesn't have a heart… not any longer anyways."

The monkey closed his eyes and shuddered at the thought. He felt thankful he wasn't in the macaw's position. He could imagine the pain soaring through him as the runes burnt into his face leaving black impressions upon his flesh… if it had burnt into his flesh so easily, he could only imagine what it had done to his heart. "I would be careful if I were you." The monkey explained. "Black magic can't always be controlled. What if he decides to turn on us?"

"He won't," Marco explained, "That is the final piece of my plan. We have the ultimate bargaining chip. He won't betray us as long as we have his daughter."

Marco held up his wings and pulled his hood down over his eyes. His long black beak twisted into a vicious snarl. Finally, Rio would belong to the Dark Robed Society. All the animals and wildlife would be theirs to control… and they would be controlled… or they would be destroyed. Marco rose up onto his talons and glared at the monkey. "I think it is time for me to pay a visit to our new friend. He'll need a robe if he is to fit in to our new order, and then we'll see that he gets his desired weapons… then we'll test his newfound power."

The monkey cringed as Marco's voice shifted into a cruel maniacal laughter. "Go and get us a fresh victim won't you. It's time for Blu to experience his very first slaughter. Let's see just how merciless he really is."


#


Blu's eyes opened a crack as he heard the sound of approaching footsteps. He watched two creatures emerge into the tunnel where he remained pinned to the wall. His wings trembled as he fought against his restraints. He grunted and hissed as he tore at the greenish muck with his beak. Damp saliva drifted down his beak leaving damp trails down his bluish green feathers. Both creatures stood in admiration at the savage attacks and damage he left as he tore into his own skin, drawing blood, and ripping feathers from his wing column. This new Blu held very little concern for anything even his own personal safety. His beak never stopped even when he made contact with his own blood and open wounds.

"He's vicious," the monkey gasped, peering away in utter disgust. "I've never seen anything like it. He doesn't even feel pain."

"He's wonderful," Marco cackled, "He is the ultimate soldier. He will guarantee the birth of the New World Order."

Blu shifted his attention to the two creatures and cocked his head to one side. Blood and meat from his own wing dangled from his beak. He had heard every word they had said. His beak twisted into a savage snarl and lurched forward in an attempt to bite them. He hissed, spraying blood and spit through the air towards the monkey. His beak remained wide as he growled like a demon from the pits of hell. Both the hawk and the monkey could see clear down his throat.

Marco stared into Blu's eyes which burned out fiercely as they shifted so easily from being completely emotionless to that of a vengeful and hate filled creature. They were no longer the chocolate brown they once were. Now they appeared blacker than the night, with bright red irises which seemed to glow with a mystical light. Any further appearance of his eyes appeared glassy and foggy almost as if he himself could not see from them and reacted from an increased sense of smell.

"Let me go!" Blu hissed, "Let me go!"

The hawk raised his wings to calm the enraged creature. His voice rang out in a soothing tone. "Calm yourself, my friend." He said. "We don't mean you any harm. We only restrained you so you couldn't harm yourself."

"You mean me no harm?" Blu cackled, "I played a part in slaughtering your little pathetic group of brothers and you mean me no harm? That's a good one, I almost forgot to laugh. Let me go and we'll see if you are any better than they were. I can't wait to rip out your intestines, devour your heart, and drink your blood."

The monkey backed away shuddering at the thought. "Our little bird has gone insane." He cringed.

"Indeed," Marco nodded, "He is no longer the creature he once was. It looks like I was correct and the timid bird is now a cold blood and merciless killing machine. However, that doesn't mean he can fight." Marco's eyes glistened as he lowered his head and turned his back away from the vicious macaw. He nodded his head. "Yes, their deaths were a necessary loss. We have got much more important things to worry about now. Like-"

"Like where is my daughter," the macaw spit, continuing his attempted attacks upon the hawk. His eyes glistened and shimmered as they grew bloodshot with each attempt. The veins in his head began to swell, bulging from the skin from the sheer effort of each movement he made. "Tell me where she is! Don't make me come after you, Marco. I will slaughter you without a second thought."

Marco kept his back turned away from the macaw. "Oh believe me, you'll see her." He said, "But first I want to play a little game with you."

"A game?" Blu arched a curious eyebrow. "What kind of game are you referring too?"

Marco peered over his shoulder, his eyes glistened as his wicked smile widened "Oh it is a little game I like to call conquering the city of Rio de Janeiro. Are you interested in helping me?"

Blu continued to glare into the eyes of the robed creature. "Maybe, what's in it for me?"

"If you help me, I will reunite you with you daughter. I will also give you a position of power within our new order."

"Tempting," Blu nodded his head. "What do you suggest we do?"

"If we are to last in our little game and if you expect to see your daughter, you must first prove your loyalty to me. There are a few creatures out there that pose a significant threat. In fact you know them quite well. They are your friends, Nico, Pedro, Rafael, and the always lovely Jewel. I want you to defeat every single one of them, make them know the true meaning of pain however I want you to leave them alive."

Blu's smile faded as he contemplated the request. He shook his head. "And what If I decide I don't want to leave them alive? What if I want them to suffer a slow horrible and agonizing death?"

Marco shrugged his shoulders. "I guess I could live with that. The decision is up to you. I'm leaving you in charge of this little operation."

Blu's smile formed back on his face. The veins in his head swelled as he pulled himself from the greenish muck. He landed on his talons and cackled insanely. The macaw moved forward and stood beside his new master. "So you will let me do whatever I want? I like the sound of that."

Marco peered at the monkey for a moment and snapped his wing like a pair of fingers. "Go and fetch my new brother one of our many robes. I think purple should suit him just fine."

The monkey scurried off to do as the hawk suggested. With two murderous birds now on the loose, he didn't dare to question any order given to him. He feared the consequences should he enrage either one of them.

"There is one thing though," Marco said once they were alone. "You must choose a weapon."

"A weapon?" Blu arched a curious eye. "What kind of weapon are you referring too?"

Marco shrugged his shoulders. "It could be anything. Each member of the Dark Robe Society held a unique weapon which suited their personality. Amber used her head, Roger used his strength, I use my wing blades… what will you use?"

Blu's eyes scanned the room for a couple of moments. He formed a wicked smile as he saw two long sharp pieces of metal. They looked perfect for slicing his opponents open like a knife going through butter.

"I want those…" he said, "I could use them for each of my wings, underneath one of your robes and take my opponent's by surprise. They won't even know what hit them until they lie bleeding at my talons in two separate pieces."

Marco grinned as he snapped the end of his wings like a pair of fingers. "Bring in the prisoner."

Blu's eyes widened as he watched a monkey bring in a trembling puffball bird who stared at the intimidating creatures completely terrified. Marco pointed a wing towards the trembling creature.

"Now is the time to see if you can actually live up to your claims. Kill him."

Blu's pitch black eyes narrowed as a cruel smile crossed his beak. His voice fell flat and emotionless like a demon scheming his next move. Fastening the metal onto the blood feathers of his wings, his smile widened even more as he contemplated what he was about to do. "With pleasure!"