Hey everybird! What's up!?

So first off, I hope you all had a good April fools' Day with lots of laughs and jokes! Of course I hope you didn't do any dangerous pranks that would hurt someone too!

And second, I know that with this story, I stepped away from "To Be a Leader" and to be honest, I kinda of ran dry on what to do with that story and need to rethink about that. But it seems more of you are enjoying this story anyway, so might as well continue it!

Lastly, I did forget to mention this last chapter, but a quick thank you to Tomada The Falcon for the fav and follow!

Chapter 8: Unexpected Surprise

The high up macaw, the leader, was very confused by Jewel's statement as she wore a confused look in her eyes, clearly she had no idea what Jewel was talking about, thinking she must be crazy. Jewel, in the meantime, was just waiting for her mother to recognize her, despite of course the last time Jewel and her mother saw each other was when Jewel was just a little chick. However the high up macaw just stayed silent for a couple of minutes before focusing on the task at wing.

"I don't know what you're talking about, but I have no daughter nor a mate." The high up macaw finally spoke. "My name is Sapphire, now why are you here?"

Jewel was going to say something, but Blu thought she would say something wrong which would anger Sapphire and well now wasn't the time…

"Let me handle this Jewel, we need to do this right." Blu softly told his mate as Jewel was almost going to argue back, but knew Blu had a point as she gave in, Blu turning towards Sapphire. "We heard that one of our tribe members have been spotted with a few others by a patrol of Military macaws and we searched for, well you birds."

"And let me guess, this member is this female's mother?" Sapphire pointing at Jewel, the leader taking an interest now.

"Yes, that is correct and where are my manners…" Blu excusing himself. "I'm Blu and this is my wonderful mate Jewel, and these are our kids, Bia, Carla, and Tiago."

Sapphire was thinking really hard as she then came down from her high spot, the rest of the council surprised, but they stayed quiet as Sapphire came face to face with the family. And as Sapphire was now just a couple inches away from her, Jewel was sure Sapphire was her mother and she just wanted to hug her after so long, but decided otherwise as Sapphire continued speaking.

"Welcome to our unique tribe." Sapphire addressed. "My council has been deciding what to do with your family, but final decision goes to me and I will not put you back in your prison, you will be allowed to go about here, but kept under watch, I trust you wouldn't break out of here."

"Of course, we accept your decision and thank you for your hospitality." Blu understood.

"Excellent, now how would you like a tour of the place, I'm sure you'll find it much better than your cell." Sapphire suggested.

"It would be a pleasure." Blu replied as Sapphire led the way for the family as a couple of guards joined them, to make sure there wouldn't be any trouble as the tour started.

And indeed the cave system this tribe of macaws lived in was better than Blu and Jewel thought. Sure there were lots of rooms with rock walls, but there were gems and diamonds lightning everything, there were even some area entirely made of jewels as Sapphire showed the family everywhere. And to Blu and Jewel's surprise, just like in the council, there were all different kinds of macaws, of all ages, and all wearing the strange face paint to know they belonged here.

"As you can see, we're all a big family here, that's what these markings mean." Sapphire explained why they wore the face paint. "There was once a big fire years ago outside, it took all our homes, everything was burned down, so we all decided to come here and hide where no one could ever harm us again and started our own tribe."

"Makes sense, you can't burn rocks as easily as trees." Blu agreed as Jewel gave Blu a look that said "Seriously?".

"Exactly and we have lived here in peace since than with one simple rule: Never go outside the cave system unless to collect our supplies like food and herbs for medicine or any other emergency." Sapphire said in a direct tone of voice to make it clear. "Now I saved the best for last." Sapphire smiled a little as the family could hear loud rushing of water and could soon enough see sunlight coming down as they arrived at their last destination. "This is where we get our water and also some natural light." Sapphire stepping aside to show the family a very beautiful scene.

It was an open roof to the outside world, sunlight shining down as the opening was for a waterfall to pour into the cavern down below, green life growing around the roof and on the sides of the cave walls. Around the cavern were the tribe's members, catching some sun, others getting a drink of water, taking a little swim in the small lake that formed on the cave floor, or just chatting with each other.

"Wow, very beautiful." Bia commented as it was indeed so.

Looking up at the open roof, Jewel began to think of an idea, but someone interrupted her thoughts as a Scarlet macaw came flying to the group.

"Hey Sapphy, our guests are finally out of their prison I see." The Scarlet explained as she came landing down in front of the group. "Name's Jessica, good to see you all."

"Jessica here is the second most important one here, she's in charge whenever I'm out, not feeling well, or need a break." Sapphire explained as she then turned back to her friend. "And I see you were catching some sun."

"Yes I was." Jessica replied. "Great to see you Sapphy."

"You too." Sapphire. "Listen, can you show this family to their room, I have other things to attend to."

"Of course, if you'll follow me." Jessica instructed the family as Sapphire turned to leave, Jewel keeping her eyes on Sapphire for a few seconds, sadness clear in her eyes as the leader of this tribe left. "It's worrying, but exciting that you five showed up, it's been so long since we had contact with the outside." Jessica said as she led the family to their guest room.

"We can say the same." Blu replied politely as after a walk through the cave system, they came to an empty room, of course naturally carved out.

It was't the nicest looking place like the other areas the family were shown in their tour, but it was certainly an upgrade from having to be kept in a jail cell with bars blocking their way out. However of course as they were told, the two guards which accompanied them were just outside, to keep watch and make sure they didn't go out as the family and Jessica went inside.

"Well, this is where you'll be staying for the time, make yourselves comfortable and at home as best you can." Jessica said. "If you have anything else you need, just talk to me or Sapphy. I guess I'll leave you to it." Jessica then leaving the family to be alone.

As soon as they were alone, Jewel could finally speak up as she turned to Blu, with a serious look in her eyes.

"Blu, we have to escape tonight, through that opening in the roof, get out from this crazy place." Jewel said to Blu's surprise.

"But Jewel, that was your mother wasn't it?" Blu taken aback.

"Blu, she…" Jewel sighed. "She didn't even recognize me, like she forgot about me, my father, everything, except what she knows now." Jewel explained as she was going to regret what she was going to say next… "Maybe my mother is really dead…" Jewel hanging her head down.

"Don't say that again." Blu said in a different tone of voice as he lifted up Jewel's head. "Look, you're a hundred percent sure that was your mother right?"

"Yes." Jewel replied.

"Then I say we stay here for the time being, learn about this place and what happened to cause your mother to forget and maybe, she'll remember you when we spend some time with her." Blu figured. "We just need to be patient for an opportunity, trust me, okay?"

"Fine Blu, we'll do it your way." Jewel crossing her wings, deep down still not liking where this would go, but went along with it as Blu gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"That's my Jewel." Blu smiled before he addressed his whole family. "Now we better get some sleep, I think we all had an eventful day." Blu suggested as Bia, Carla, and Tiago all agreed with their father, laying down on some soft leaves that were about to use as beds.

Blu settled down himself after his kids fell asleep, making sure to kiss each of them goodnight before laying down himself. However Jewel couldn't as she still didn't believe this was her mother now, trading her old life for this…

And that's a wrap on this chapter!

When we come back, we'll start with Sapphire and well all I can say is, prepare yourself to be even more surprised!

Until than…

See everybird later!