Chapter 13
The next day was very busy. At Nico and Pedro's club, birds were rushing everywhere with lights and decorations. Behind the stage, some were practicing their act. Cody and Gholu were in the back practicing their act while Lilian and Jewel went to spend time with Sapphire. They decided to get to know her better, since they once hated each other, but had decided to forgive each other when Sapphire and Ghoul came to the school. They were flying around Rio, enjoyibg the views and getting to know one another more. "So, how was life before you met Kronos?" asked Jewel. Jewel saw fear come into Sapphire's eyes at the mention of his name. "Well, it was...depressing. You see, I am an orphan, and wasn't excepted by any orphanages. I hadn't met Ghoul then, but he too was the same. One day, I was looking for food when a savage looking hawk came down and slammed into me. I could tell from the look in his eyes that I was to be his next meal. I awaited the inevitable, which never arrived. I opened my eyes to see it one the ground, out cold, and an old looking falcon standing over it. The falcon, and I think you can guess who, walked over to me. I was heavily injured, and couldn't fly. I began to slip out of consciousness, but managed to make out what looked like a small monkey appear above us, then I blacked out. After some time, when I woke, I was in what looked like a medical bed. Being in an unknown place, I began to panic. But another bird, and you know who, Lilian, since it was her, came in and calmed me. She introduced herself, and we became friends. She helped me a lot, and I decided that I wanted to help her. But one day, a small black canary found me as I flew through the forest. He said I was needed. He promised riches beyond imagining. Being the poor bird I was, I couldn't resist. Before I disappeared, I saw Lilian. She recognized Ghoul, and started flying to me. If she had come earlier, she would have stopped me. As we travelled, I became a good thief, and Ghoul became more like a brother. We had the same story, which was being abandoned as chicks because we were different. We were later found by Crone, who took us to Kronos. He told us we were not alone and taught us how to hate all those who were non-mutant. That day, we swore to join him. But we never should have. He treated us not as equals, but like the dirt that lay under his claws. But we couldn't leave. We tried once, but he stopped us and threatened us. We were forced to work for him. Ghoul was the first to feel no regret. I began to feel no regret, till we became cold blooded killers. We became his personal thieves and assassins. He taught us how to feel no remorse, no mercy and no regret. From time to time, my good side would try to break free, but it was always stopped by Kronos, torturing me to keep it back. But I have now been released, thanks to Zeel, and the rest of you, and that mysterious bird. I always wonder who he is." She went deep into thought, not noticing the large building she was headed for. Jewel quickly knocked her out of the way before she collided. When she regained her balance in the air, she turned to Jewel. "Thanks. Nearly made a good impression of myself on that window. I wonder if the boys are having fun." They continued to fly around, unaware of the bird watching them. The bird had a small communication device, which she held to her beak. "I found them sir. Shall I continue following?" There was a crackle, then a deep breath on the other side. "Yes. We must wait. They will be here soon. Await the signal." She turned the device off and took off, following them silently.
Ghoul and Cody were practicing when Boah came by. They were using their powers to disappear and reappear as they did tricks in the air, making it look like there was a light on them that was flashing on and off. "That's some cool tricks there." They were both startled and flew into each other. Cody fell onto the floor lightly, but Ghoul got knocked back far since he was smaller. "Why'd ya do that, man. Now my head hurts"complained Ghoul while rubbing his head. "Well, I need some help from Cody. It's about something in his expertise." Cody looked curiously at the young macaw. "Okay, who is it? One of Spix Macaw tribe? Is she cute?" Boah raised his wings to Cody and shook his head. "No not one of them. Someone else. But I need to tell you privately." As he spoke the word 'privately', he looked to Ghoul. "Alright, alright, I'm going. Geez." He left the room, going to see what else there was to do.
Boah went to check if he was really gone, and saw he was. He turned to see Cody's smug face, which wore a sly grin. "I think I know who now." Boah looked at him nervously, hoping he wasn't correct. "It's Jewel's girl, Bia? I had my suspicions, how you all of a sudden get nervous around her, and how you always pretend not to notice her. Now it seems I was correct."
"Is it really that obvious?" Cody nodded, still having the sly grin. "So you want my help with her?" Boah nodded. "Help to ask her out?" He nodded again. "Well then, you came to the right bird. Now, first, you got to find out their interest, which is obvious. Then, you use it to your advantage. That's how Blu got me with Lil. I got myself injured, and she took care of me. I got to know her more, and then I made my move. It's easy." Boah liked the plan, before Cody continued. "But, she might be a bit tough, because your not into books, now are you? That means we need a different approach. Let's see, she likes science, and you are sort of good at that, so maybe not. And she can read minds, so she would know right away, so you will have to focus on something else. Hmm...I got it! Try and find a nice flower. She's been pretty down lately, being alone and all. But don't rush it. Become her friend first, then slowly advance. Try to predict how she would react before you act. That's all the advice I can give you. Good luck, and as the Jedi say, may the force be with you." He left to join Ghoul, and Boah left to find some flowers for Bia.
It was almost time for Carnival. The performances were put on in Nico and Pedro's club. Both mutant and non-mutant birds watched. The Spix Macaw tribe painted their faces, and were going to perform their song all together. Their performance was the first to be on. The next was Rafael and Eva. As Eva sang, everyone tried not to feel pain, afraid to anger her. Other acts went on throughout the night, including Cody and Ghoul's, which was a favourite. Boah performed tricks using his power by sliding around by creating paths of ice through the air in front of him. The club cheered for every performance. After two hours of perforamnces, Nico and Pedro gathered everyone to leave for the parade. They all left to watch the parade, which had begun by the time they arrived. Cody and Jewel's family were sitting together with Linda and her family. They all enjoyed the celebration. As they watched, they were being watched. In several locations were cloaked birds, awaiting the signal by their leader. They all watched from a distance, watching out for their targets.
Zeel was flying through the forest before he was grabbed a something that hit him in the side. He landed on a branch and prepared to fight. But he calmed when he saw who it was. He lowered his defense towards the cloaked figure."Don't do that." He sat back against the tree and began reading his mind. What he saw, though, changed his expression. "You can see how urgent I am, can't you?" Zeel couldn't believe what he was seeing. "You must go, now. We will take the tram. It has already been called back. They changed their plan. They will be coming earlier. The earliest we've been able to make out is later tonight. We must go, now!" They took off to the tram, ready to face the incoming threat.