Amazon Adventures

Chapter Seventeen: Blue And Red

Bia was indulging in her favourite pastime: observing the myriad insects found within the Amazon. She was currently looking with great interest at a rare Carabid beetle.

"Amazing..." She turned her head to follow the beetle's path. She then found herself looking at a young green-winged macaw, who was her height and around her age. "Oh. Hello."

"Sorry to interrupt." The young bird apologised. "I was just admiring this incredible specimen, and I didn't want to disturb you."

"That's okay." Bia shrugged. "It is a fascinating species, isn't it?"

"It sure is." The young bird nodded. "I love studying insects. Butterflies, beetles... all kinds."

"Me too." Bia smiled. "I'm Bia, by the way."

"Miguel." The green-winged macaw smiled.

"Nice to meet you." Bia grinned.

"And you." Miguel nodded. "Hey, I know this great polyergus nest over to the south. Want to take a look?"

"Sure." Bia smiled.

"Right this way." Miguel took off, and Bia followed suit.

They soon landed beside the polyergus nest, watching the Amazonian ants at work.

"What impressive creatures." Bia remarked. "Did you know they can lift up to a hundred times their own weight?"

"Did you know queen ants can lay thousands of eggs in a single day?" Miguel countered.

"Wow, you really know your insects." Bia smiled, impressed.

"So do you." Miguel grinned. "I thought I was the only bird around here interested in stuff like this."

"Me too." Bia declared. "You wanna come over to my hollow? I've got a really great chrysalis collection."

"Really?" Miguel gasped. "So do I!"

"Bet mine's bigger, though." Bia boasted.

"We'll see about that." Miguel smirked.

Miguel and Bia flew over to Bia's family's hollow. Jewel was there, snacking on a berry.

"Hi, mom." Bia waved.

"Hi, sweetie." Jewel smiled. She then noticed Miguel. "Who's your friend?"

"This is Miguel." Bia introduced him. "He's here to see my chrysalis collection."

"Nice to meet you, ma'am." Miguel said politely.

"What good manners." Jewel noted. "I know a little bird who could learn a thing or two from you..."

"C'mon, Miguel." Bia urged.

Once they entered Bia's room, Bia wasted no time in showing off her collection.

"...And this is an owl butterfly chrysalis I found a couple of weeks back." She declared.

"Okay, you win." Miguel declared. "My collection's got nothing on this. What's your secret?"

"Just lucky, I guess." Bia shrugged. "I'll bet your collection's pretty good, too."

"Well, I wouldn't know about that..." Miguel said modestly.

Bia and Miguel hung out a lot over the next few day. Other than her father, Bia didn't know any other birds as hungry for knowledge as she was. There was just something about spending time with a like-minded companion that she really enjoyed.

One day, they were observing an owl butterfly.

"Isn't it beautiful?" Bia whispered.

"I'll say." Miguel nodded. "Look at those wings."

"Well, well." An obnoxious voice rang out, scaring the butterfly away. "What have we here?"

Bia and Miguel turned to see Antonio landing on a nearby branch.

"Hello, Antonio." Bia glared.

Miguel said nothing. Instead, he gulped loudly.

"A red macaw and a blue macaw hanging out together?" Antonio grimaced.

"Why so surprised?" Bia asked. "Our tribes' feud ended months ago. There's nothing wrong with us being friends."

"Oh, gag me." Antonio spat. He approached Miguel. "Hey, Mig. Remember me?"

"You know each other?" Bia asked.

"Y-you could say that." Miguel stuttered.

"I know Mig, alright." Antonio sneered. "He's a total nerd, just like you. No wonder you're hanging out together."

"Just leave us alone, Antonio." Bia said firmly.

"Or what, little miss brainbox?" Antonio stared her down. "You gonna sic your little bugs on me?"

"J-just go, Antonio." Miguel added.

"What was that, runt?" Antonio growled. "You standing up for her? What is she, your girlfriend or something?"

"N-no!" Miguel quaked.

"You gonna make me leave, shrimp?" Antonio glared.

"That's enough, Antonio." Bia stepped forward. "Back off."

"For now, maybe." Antonio sniggered. "We'll pick this up some other time."

Antonio flew away.

"You okay, Miguel?" Bia asked.

"Y-yeah." Miguel sighed. "I-I'm fine."

"What's with the stuttering?" Bia inquired.

"I-it happens when I'm n-nervous." Miguel admitted. "It'll p-pass soon."

"I'm guessing you've had run-ins like this with Antonio before." Bia supposed.

"Yeah..." Miguel nodded, his stutter vanishing. "I've always been kinda shy. Antonio singled me out for that, and bullied me pretty much non-stop. If I hadn't buried myself in my insect studies, I might not have survived."

"You should stand up to him." Bia told him.

"I can't." Miguel shook his head. "I'm not strong enough. Every time I see him, I turn into a nervous wreck."

Bia mulled over the problem for a moment.

"You know who you remind me of?" She said finally. "My dad."

"I do?" Miguel frowned. He had met Blu a couple of days ago. He had seemed friendly enough.

"Yeah." Bia nodded. "My dad can be pretty shy and nervous too sometimes. But when push comes to shove, he can actually be pretty brave. You wouldn't believe some of the heroic things he's done."

Bia went on to reveal some of Blu's greatest moments, such as the time he saved some trees from being blown up by flying the dynamite into the air. Miguel was awestruck.

"I wish I could be like that." He sighed. "But I'm not. I'm just a spineless coward."

"Don't be so hard on yourself." Bia chided him. "Nobody ever said being brave was easy."

"Too bad for me, huh?" Miguel shrugged.

"Cheer up." Bia suggested. "Let's forget about that jerk Antonio. I know where to find a really amazingly-built stingless bee nest. Want to take a look?"

"Sure." Miguel nodded.

For the next few days, everything was well. But one afternoon, while Bia and Miguel were admiring an Amazon spider's web when Antonio found them.

"Small world, huh?" He sneered. "I was just thinking about you nerds."

"Not again."Bia rolled her eyes. "Go away, Antonio."

"Is that the majority view?" Antonio taunted, as he approached Miguel. "Huh, squirt?"

"W-well..." Antonio fell back into his stuttering.

"Back off!" Bia stood between them.

"Ooh, scary." Antonio snickered. "How's it feel, Mig, knowing a girl's tougher than you?"

"I said get away from him." Bia declared.

"Or what?" Antonio snorted. "What are ya gonna do, talk me to death?"

"Just leave, Antonio." Bia glared. "Pick on someone your own IQ for a change. I think there are some dung beetles nearby."

"You're calling me dumb, are ya?" Antonio's smirk vanished, replaced by a glower. "Think you're better then me, do ya?"

"No, just smarter." Bia shot back.

Antonio shoved Bia, knocking her into the dirt.

"Ah!" Bia cried, as she landed on her side.

"You don't look so smart now!" Antonio taunted.

"L-leave her alone!" Miguel stepped forward.

"Make me, shrimp." Antonio glared.

Miguel took a step back. He looked at Bia, then at Antonio, and made up his mind. Gritting his beak, he shoved Antonio with all his might, pushing the bully back.

"Ahh!" Antonio growled. "You little-"

Miguel shoved Antonio again, knocking him onto his back.

"I'm done being pushed around by you." Miguel said firmly, his stutter gone.

"You're gonna pay for that!" Antonio stood up.

"No, he won't." Bia stood beside Miguel. "You may be bigger, but there are two of us, and only one of you. It's simple math. Or is that too much for your primitive brain?"

"I don't have time for this." Antonio spat. "We'll finish this another day, nerds!"

And with that, Antonio flew away.

"Are you okay?" Miguel asked Bia, who was rubbing the wing she fell on.

"Yeah." Bia nodded. "It was just a little scrape. You were amazing just now, you know that?"

"Oh, it was nothing." Miguel said modestly. "I couldn't just stand by and let Antonio get away with hurting you."

"Not so spineless after all, huh?" Bia smiled.

"Guess not." Miguel admitted.

"I knew you had it in you." Bia hugged Miguel, planting a small kiss on his cheek at the same time.

"Th-thanks." Miguel said, flustered. "If it weren't for you, I'd still be cowering before that bully. I'm glad you're my friend."

"And I'm glad you're mine." Bia replied.

"Hey, I know a butterfly chrysalis nearby that should be hatching any time now." Miguel remarked. "Wanna go watch?"

"Lead the way." Bia nodded.

The two chicks took off (Bia's wing wasn't hurt badly enough to prevent her from flying), ready to indulge in more of their favourite pastime.

To Be Continued...

(Rio 2 and all associated characters are the property of Blue Sky Studios and 20th Century Fox.)