Rio: Battle and Friendship
Author´s note: Hello everyone. This right here is my very first Rio fanfiction I ever wrote and I really do hope that you all will enjoy it. If you do, be sure to leave a review in a review section. Also please excuse some grammar or other mistakes regarding my English. It is not my first language and I am still struggling sometimes. With that being said, enjoy the story 😊.
(This story takes place after the socker match over territory of Spix macaws. Woodcutters never showed in the Amazon in this universe as well as Linda, Tulio and Blu´s friends from Rio de Janeiro. After the argument Blu had with Jewel, he decides not to fly away. Instead he follows the flock to their new home. Enjoy.)
Chapter 1: The day after
It was morning full of hatred and misery. The Amazon jungle just started to wake up into a new day.
Blu usually woke up as a last one from his tribe, but not this morning. His sleep was disturbed by a little fly that kept buzzing around his head. Blu and Jewel slept in a rather small room of their treehouse. Room´s entrance was covered with colorful flowers; ground was covered with a green grass which served as a carpet. All kinds of beautiful flowers were growing on the walls of this lovely bedroom.
Blu sadly looked at sleeping Jewel. His beloved wife wasn´t sleeping by his side as he was used to. His argument with her made here sleep on the other end of their bedroom. That fact hurt Blu very much. Since their argument they didn´t speak to each other, that made Blu feel even worse.
Blu left the bedroom and headed towards their treehouse´s entrance. He left their home and flew to one of tree branches. He was tired from both all the anger and sadness and lack of sleep. By loosing territory, Spix macaws were robbed of almost every source of food the knew. That wasn´t the worst of it. They had to leave they beloved homes, just because of him.
One of tribe members flew by and saw him sitting on a tree branch.
"You dumbass! We lost our homes just because of you! Even our food sources are gone now. Thank you very much…" said the tribe member angrily.
"It was just an accident. It wasn´t my fault…well not entirely. " said Blu with sadness in his eyes.
"You being here is one big accident…" said the tribe member and left him.
This conversation didn´t help Blu at all. He then saw Eduardo approaching him.
Eduardo landed on a same branch as Blu was sitting on. One look…that is that was necessary for Blu to read Eduardo´s emotions. There were many, but one was very strong one. Rage.
"Good morning sir. Can I help you?" asked Blu as diplomatically as he could.
"Blu…what you did yesterday…that was too much. Even for me. I am usually very calm bird, but what you did, that just boils my blood. Do you even know what you have done?" asked Eduardo with angry eyes.
"Sir…I understand that…" Blu was stopped by Eduardo.
"Understand? How could you possibly understand? You are an outsider. Well I will gladly recap it for you. You brought hunger upon us all. We have to look for new sources of food. That will take some time. Once we find them, we need to deliver them back here. That will take even more time. Do you have any idea, how screwed we are?" said Eduardo, raising his voice.
"Sir please, I understand very well what my actions caused. And I am ready to take full responsibility. I just need an opportunity to prove, that I can be of any help." said Blu, trying to calm Eduardo down.
Eduardo thought about Blu´s words. He knew very well, that he will need more wing power than ever before. Borders had to be watched as well in case of invasion. The tribe is week than ever before and surrounding tribes might take the opportunity. Then also food.
"Today, after lunch, come to me. I´ll assign you to the group of food suppliers. That will be your punishment for your actions. If you try hard enough, you might even find redemption." ordered Eduardo and caught a glimpse of a smile on Blu´s beak. That calmed him down. Blu accepted his punishment very nicely.
"Oh, by the way. One of our patrols encountered an unknown macaw this morning. That would be nothing special, but that macaw attacked the patrol. Luckily, there were no injuries. Based on what boys said, that macaw is hell of a fighter. Don´t you, Jewel or Kids fly too far from the tribe, you understand?" said Eduardo. He was afraid that Blu might do something stupid, so he had to warn him.
"Sure thing sir, we won´t." said Blu and smiled.
Eduardo nodded and left Blu alone. He had quite a lot of problems regarding the tribe, so he had no time to waste. Blu didn´t know what to think. From his perspective it seemed like Eduardo gave him a second chance. Chance to redeem himself. But Blu was still upset about his family being mad at him.
"But what to do with that?" Blu asked himself. Then one bright idea flashed through his mind.
"That might actually work…well breakfast was always Jewels responsibility, maybe if I´d bring it, she wouldn´t be so mad. If I add an apology to it…yeah it might work. Even Eduardo gave me second chance, why wouldn´t she? So, what do I need? Well kids love mangos and Jewel goes nuts for those Brazilian nuts. Maybe some fresh water from the waterfalls too. Yeah it will be nice." Blu thought of his plan very carefully so that he wouldn´t mess up anything this time. He headed to the waterfalls – edge of their territory. On his way, Blu start thinking about that macaw that Eduardo warned him about. Why did he attack without provocation? Since his arrival to the Amazon, he was the one who needed to be protected. But if they were to bump into him, Blu knew that he would lay down his life to protect Jewel and the kids.
Blu got the waterfalls into his sight and collected some fresh water to his nature-made cup. He then took one sip himself and headed for another item on his breakfast list – the mangos. That shouldn´t be a problem, but what about those Brazil nuts? Closest area where those grew was now thanks to Blu controlled by the Scarlet flock. On his way, he dropped the water at their treehouse. The fact, that his family was still asleep was kind of relief for him. As he flew through the colony, those few eyes full of hatred were still watching and judging him. That one single mistake took everything from them. Their homes, food source, but most of all…their pride.
He went for the edge of their colony, to collect those mangos. His daughter Bia once took him to a hidden mango grove. It took Blu some time to find it, by in the end, his eyes landed on a beautiful grove full of juicy mangos.
"Still as beautiful as a day I saw it for the first time." sighed Blu.
Blu took his moment to admire the view, then he took two deliciously looking mangos and headed out from the mango grove.
"Why didn´t I tell Eduardo about that grove. I mean, in our situation is every food source valuable. After the breakfast I will tell Eduardo." said Blu out loud. „Well, and now for the grand finale – the nut. Where the hell am I supposed to get that nut?!" Blu landed on a tree branch nearby the colony boarders.
"Well, I might know where to find one of those…" said mysterious voice that appeared behind Blu.
Blu shrieked and almost fell from the branch he was standing on. He turned around and saw a Spix macaw. Blu wasn´t in the Amazon for long, but by that time, he managed to remember faces of every Spix macaw in their colony, thanks to his very good memory. But this macaw, Blu was sure that he never saw him inside the colony.
"And who are you exactly? I never saw you inside the colony" asked Blu with suspicion.
„You know, you can know every bird in the entire Amazon, and still you wouldn´t be familiar with me. I live separately from the colony." said unknown macaw with strange smile across his beak.
"I see, I didn´t know that. Ah, where are my manners, my name is Blu. It is pleasure to meet you…" introduced himself.
"My name is Marco, nice meeting you Blu."
Marco was about same height as Blu and even had similar shading of feathers. On his face across his right eye, he had a fresh wound which started to slowly heal. His eyes were toned into dark green and had a similarly curved beak as Blu. Only difference was narrow strip of black feathers that went from his forehead to his neck.
Blu wasn´t sure if his feather were naturally this color or if he had them dyed.
„What did you say about that nut?" asked Blue.
„Well I said that know where to find few of those. But you have to let yourself loose. Few minutes from here is huge Brazilian nut grove. I am suprised that you don´t know about it. After all, you were the cause that Blue aras lost that grove." said Marco.
„Well yes, there is, but that grove is beyond our boarders, which we cannot cross. That is considered betrayal, one of top three rules of the flock. If the enemy would find out, that would mean war!" said Blu in shock.
„In that case, one must do it either sneaky or cunningly. One tribe differ from the other mostly just by colors, take that away and no one will guess that you are from that or that tribe." responded Marco calmly.
„And how exactly are you going to do that? We have this bright blue color, you can´t just hide it that simply." objected Blu.
„Then watch!" said Marco and headed towards nearest glade with colorful flowers.
After Blu joined him, Marco plucked few flowers and started shaking them. Colorful dust started to fall from them, which Marco spread on his body. He then crushed remaining flowers with two rocks and substance spread on the remaining parts of his body, completing the camouflage. Marco was now standing in front of Blu fully covered in different colors.
„See? Would you consider me now as a member of your tribe?" chucked out Marco.
„Wow, those are flowers that that others use for tribal dances, correct?" asked Blu with interest.
„That is correct, but this is much more effective usage of them. As I said, now if enemy sees you, it will mean troubles only for you, not your entire clan." stated Marco with amusement.
„I still don´t know…" hesitated Blu.
„Alright, we will do you this way: I will show you, that it can be done, and I will bring you one of those nuts. You will then just owe me one. Is that acceptable?" asked Marco.
Blu went into thinking: „Shouldn´t I report him to Eduardo? On the other hand, I really need that stupid nut. I don´t want Jewel to be mad at me anymore."
Blu sighed „Alright, please bring me one. Then I will owe you, until you collect it from me."
„Ok, wait." said Marco and took off in the direction of Scarlet macaws territory leaving Blu alone.
„Oh boy this is bad idea…really bad one…But I just can´t stand Jewel being mad at me anymore. I will do anything to redeem myself." mumbled Blu.
Sound of flapping wings ripped him out of his thoughts. Marco was coming back – but not alone. Marco´s plan went out of hand and now three Scarlets were following him. Blu knew that if they saw him, there would be even more troubles for the tribe, so he decided to hide.
Marco landed on glade nearby where Blu was hiding. He immediately entered his battle stance and waited for his opponents. It didn´t take long until three Scarlet macaws were standing in front of him with not very friendly expression on their faces.
„You have no right being on our territory not to mention stealing our food!" shouted one of his opponents – apparently their leader.
„We both know that there is enough food for more than just one tribe. So share." replied Marco with smirk across his beak.
That made Scarlets even more furious.
„Being a tough guy, huh? Well I want to see you smile after we beat the hell out of you!" shouted Scarlet macaw and charged at Marco.
When he was few meters from Marco, he flapped his wings a prepared his talons for strike. But Marco saw right through his attack and countered it with little difficulty. Scarlet didn´t quit and prepared for another attack but Marco was faster and delivered him strong kick to his mid-section. That attack did it´s damage, but that wasn´t enough to ground the Scarlet down. Marco took off to the air and prepared for his final attack. He started descending head first and picked up speed. Few centimeters above ground, Marco opened his wings and headed straight towards the enemy. When he was moments from his target, Marco flipped his body and struck the Scarlet macaw with his talons. That the end for him. Scarlet collapsed to the ground in pain.
„Felipe!" shouted second Scarlet and charged at Marco. Marco simply dodged and attacked with kick to the beak. That was another target downed.
Third Scarlet, youngest one, just stood there and looked at his companions lying on the ground in pain.
„You want to end as they did?" asked Marco with a small grin. Third Scarlet just nodded as a ´no´.
„Didn´t think so, wait ´til those two wake up and get out of here. And don´t you try to track me, it would end the same." said Marco and took off to the nearest tree and hid.
Blu and Marco waited few moments until the three Scarlets left. Marco then looked around for Blu. It took him only a few moments until he spotted him.
„Well come here…" said Marco in Blu´s direction.
Blu came out of his hiding and joined Marco.
„Wow, that was really something…" said Blu in thrill.
„Well first one was able to pick up a fight, but was far away from my current level. Those two remaining…waste of words." replied Marco.
„I´ve never see anyone fight like that. It was simply awesome." said Blu.
„I hope you enjoyed it, you probably won´t see it ever again. I learned this fighting style at the army." said Marco with chuckle.
„Huh, army? You are a soldier of some kind?" asked Blu with great interest.
„Nah, no, but me and my family used to live near a military base. We lived on edge of the forest, so we were easy prey. One day, when woodcutters came, we tried to escape but a branch hit my wing. I was wounded and easy target." Marco showed Blu a scar on his right wing. „Then we went by foot. There was nothing we could do to get away from him…" said Marco with sadness in his eyes.
„´Him´?" asked Blu with tension.
„Heh, it was a Hawk, twice as big as me, his beak shone in a light of a moonlight as sharpened steel. I got caught by his talons. I cried at Judy to run…she just wouldn't listen. There was this tree that got strike by a lightning and came down. It killed both my wife Judy and son Nick. I tried to get to them, but Hawks talons were still around me. He started to choke me. I looked him in the eye and saw nothing. No trace of guilt, sadness or compassion, nothing. Last thing I remember from that night is that group of Blue-fronted Amazon started to attack him."
„I woke up in a infirmary near that military base. It was group of parrots, different in species, that trained there, ate there…lived there. They healed me, fed me, trained me. After that I left and never saw them again."
„Why did you leave?" asked Blu.
„Maybe I hoped that I would find that Hawk and bring him to justice. I never did. He is probably doing something evil right now, and I can´t stop him from doing it." replied Marco.
„I don´t know what to say. I am so sorry for what happened to you." apologized Blu.
„It´s alright, you couldn´t know. I got over it. By the way, here is your nut." said Marco with smile and handed Blu Brazilian nut.
„I am in your debt. When you need anything, just ask." said Blu and was ready to leave but stopped.
„Do you think you could teach me that art of fighting you used? I am tired of being a punching bag." proposed Blu.
Marco took his moment to think Blu´s request through.
„Alright. Since I like your attitude, I will take you as my pupil, but remember…once we start, there is no coming back. I will treat you the same way as they treated me. It will also take quite some time." replied Marco.
„Sure, I will somehow make it. But how do I find you? You said that you live outside the colony." asked Blu.
„Don´t worry about that. I never stay a tone place for too long, but everyday at noon I rest at this glade, so just simply come here when you´re ready." said Marco.
„Nice. I´ll have to go, or Jewel will worry – at least I hope so." said Blu depressively.
„Oh? Love bird who is worried about his miss?" said Marco with smile across his beak.
„Almost, with that difference that she is not miss anymore, she is my beloved wife." replied Blu with even more smile.
„My my, and what happened between you two, if I may ask?" asked Marco.
„Well you said it yourself, I was the stupid one who lost that fight over territory. I got into fight with her. Now she, my kids, Eduardo and maybe just entire colony are mad at me." said Blu with a bit of sarcasm.
„My my, that answers a lot of my questions in one sentence." chucked Marco.
„I really have to go. I will come to see you as soon as possible." said Blu and took off in the direction of colony´s new home.
„Yeah, see you." said Marco just for himself.
Blu took Brazilian nut into his beak, mangos into his talons and entered colony´s nesting area. He entered his family´s tree house and laid rest of the breakfast on the table. He then entered bedroom where Jewel was still sleeping peacefully.
„Jewel. Jewel, my love, wake up!" said softly Blu.
Jewel opened her eyes and looked at Blu. He could still read her anger in her eyes.
„…what do you want?" asked Jewel with contempt in her voice.
„Only you, my one and only. Come on, hurry." said Blu and left the room. Jewel got up and followed him.
When she saw Blu´s doing, it made he beak shape into a soft smile.
„Breakfast for love of my life, best wife in the entire world." said Blu with smile.
„…mom? Dad? What´s going on?" came from an entrance of another room, where was already standing Carla and her sister Bia, while Tiago was still peacefully sleeping.
„…and of course for the best kids in the entire world." laughed Blu.
„Yaay breakfast! I am so hungry!" shouted Bia and started to eat. Carla joined her soon after.
„I must admit…you really surprised me." Said Jewel with a sweet smile across her beak.
„Yo, what´s going on here?! And why is dad already up? Before me?!" yawned Tiago who just woke up.
„Daddy brought a breakfast. Come on let´s eat." Said Carla while chewing piece of mango.
„Well now, since we all are here, I would like to tell you something." said Blu nervously.
Jewel and kids lifted their heads from breakfast and looked at Blu. That made Blu even more nervous.
„I am well aware of what I´ve done, but I already started correcting my mistakes. This morning I spoke to Eduardo and I volunteered into group that searches for food for the flock." he turned from kids just to Jewel. „I am so sorry for what I said yesterday. Even for my actions of course." said Blu sadly.
„Honey look at me. We don´t blame you. What matters it that you try to make things right, that is what we appreciate." Jewel looked at Blu with compassion and deep love. „Do you have plans for today?" asked Jewel.
„I will go report to Eduardo. I remembered that Bia a while back showed a beautiful mango groove. It´s not much, but it surely is start. I am sure he will want some help after that." replied Blu.
„That´s great, well I promised aunt Mimi that I will help her with some decorations in her house and kids will surely think something up. I really appreciate that breakfast, but what about you? Aren´t you hungry?" asked Jewel.
„Don´t worry abut me, I will pick something later." replied Blu with smile.
„Alright" said Jewel with loving smile.
Blu wanted to leave but Jewel caught him by his wing and gave him a passionate kiss. Kids didn´t like it very much, but Blu and Jewel didn´t care about anything but their moment.
„I would say that it is time that we take our leave. They might have some crazy idea, like kissing even us." said Tiago and left the house alongside his siblings.
Blu and Jewel laughed. Blu then went searching for Eduardo.
Next chapter: Marco´s Past