I was reading over my fanfics on my computer (I do that sometimes for revision purposes) and realized I need to improve on my writing skills. I want to become a better author to make the people who actually bother to read my stories a little more satisfied. I'm not saying I'm going to stop writing, I'm just saying I need you guys' help! Can you guys PM me on anything I need to work on? That would be appriciated ;). Well with that off my chest here's chapter 3 (Oh and I've decided that I may do some stories on the side, mostly consisting of one shots and two shots so be on the lookout for that) Sorry about that XD...without further ado...Chapter 3.

Chapter 3: The Rescue Prelude

Blu was gaping at the bulldog, unsure wether to laugh at the comical appearance of the dog, or to get angry because he wasn't taking any of this seriously.

"Where going to rescue Jewel in that?" Blu asked a little harshly.

"What's wrong with my suit...?" Luiz asked a little sadly. The Bulldog was sporting a golden two piece suit, with a fruit hat for carnaval. Blu thought it was a bit much...

"It's just-...nevermind" he said shaking his head in disapproval as he got in the bulldog's hat, "Forget it, we're wasting time here, let's go save Jewel." Just as Luiz was about to start running.

"Wait what about Pedro?" Nico inquired

Blu looked at the little yellow guy and felt sorry for him. He didn't have the heart to tell him that if what he said is true and he free fell unconscious to the ground...it's very unlikely that he survived. Blu had to lie to him for now, it was the only was he'd be able to concentrate on the problem at hand.

"Don't worry we'll look for him later I promise." Blu told Nico with the best comforting smile he could muster.

Rafael catching on to what Blu was doing, quickly played along with it. "Yeah amigo, after all this is over I'll have all of Rio looking for your buddy. Right now though we've got to save Jewel."

Nico looked down at his feet. A little torn between both situations. "He like a brother to me..." he began almost crying. He seemed to stop himself though and put on a forced confident smile. "Yeah you're right. Let's go, we've got a parade to attend too."

Rafael nodded "That's the spirit amigo! Now come on, less yappin more flappin'!" He said excitedly as he took off into the air. They all laughed at Rafael's riddiculesness as the three Avians and the Bulldog took off to Carnaval.

###

Jewel slowly awoke to the sound of cheers and laughter. This interrupted the wonderful dream she was having destpite her current situation. She smiled to herself as she remembered bits and pieces of remembered her...blu...children...and most importantly freedom. In her dream she was free with Blu in the forest. Free to live her life, away from humans and their dispicable greed. But that was a matter she would rather discuss with Blu later, right now she needed to find a way to escape. And fast. She slowly looked around and took in the dim light shining through the roof of the float and slightly illuminating her confinement through the cloth. Sure it wasn't bright light but at least she could see. She squinted through the cloth she could make out a couple of cages and their inhabitants. Next to her was a very broken looking bird looking like he was on the edge of death. This bird seemed familiar

"Hello?" she called out.

He didn't awnser.

"Hellooo?" she called out again.

The bird shifted this time to see who called him, but he quickly fell down again as he yelled in extreme pain and agony. He gave up movement and just decided on answering back from the ground.

"Hot wing?" he said in a way you could tell that just talking was taking a huge effort to do.

Despite her situation, Jewel couldn't help it when she blushed at the name. All these years on her own in Brazil after being hit on by countless males, and she still wasn't used to it. But she knew Pedro didn't mean it like that and she didn't get offended. But it would be nice if he called her by her name.

"I have a name Pedro." She said chuckling.

"Hehehe...ok sorry Jewel." He said her name with playful contempt. "So I see that your locked up in here. Nigel get you too?"

"Yeah." she answered a little irked at hearing the cockatoo's name. "When I get my talons on him... he's going to wish he was never born." she thought.

"And you?" she said as she broke her thought. "What on earth happened to you?"

"Ahh..it's nothing. A couple of broken ribs, probably a fractured wing, and I most likely have a concussion. But I'm cool." he paused ,chuckling then wincing, and asked "Hey, and Blu?"

Tears reached the brim of Jewel's eyes as she thought about their arguement. She really hoped in here heart that she would come for her but after what she said to him... she really doubted it.

"He's gone." she finally awnsered, emotions threatening to rise to the surface once more.

After a long akward pause Pedro awnsered in a very serious tone. "Doubt it."

"What?" Jewel asked a little confused

"I said I doubt it. Look Jewel you may not see it but that kid cares about you. Underneath all that clumsiness and social akwardness, I sense that he truly has some strong feelings for you. In all my years I've never seen anything like it." he finished soberly.

"He cares for me?" she voiced her thoughts out loud as tears ran down her cheeks.

"You're damn right he does Jewel, you just need to be patient with him." he groaned a little as he held his head with his good wing. "Now Jewel I'm going to see if some sleep will at least make this headache go away, cool?"

"Okay..." she muttered absentmindedly lost in thought.

"Alright, wake me if you need anything." He said readying himself for a nap.

"Wait." Jewel stopped him. "Can I ask you something?"

"Shoot."

"Does he love me?"

There was a long pause where all that could be heard was the sounds of the ongoing parade.

"I don't know, when you see him why don't you ask him." he awnsered wisely. "Night."

"Night." Jewel awnsered back. So he cared for her. After all the things she told him he was still coming for her. That is some true determination. Now the question was did he love her. She would just have to take Pedro's advice and ask him next time she saw him.

"Come on Blu," she thought smiling. "I'll be waiting."

###

"Are you sure this one's it?" Blu yelled as he struggled to make himself heard above the crowd.

"I'm positive. It's the only one that looks like it was carelessly put together." Rafael manage to yell back.

"Well your right about that..." Nico yelled as he looked at this abomination. "How did that float even make the auditions?" Nico thought to himself.

"Then what are we waiting for let's go save Jewel!" Blu said making his way toward the float.

"Wait," Rafael said "This could be a trap. We need a plan."

Gears began turning in Blu's head as he contemplated an escape plot. "We need numbers. A lot of birds." Blu told Rafael and Nico. "Gather up as many birds as you can in five minutes. I can't fight Nigel one on one but I may be able to beat him with several more birds."

"Don't worry we got you." Nico told Blu smiling.

"Yeah Blu remember I said I know everyone. I meant it. I can get you in army in five minutes. You go and save Jewel." Rafael said as he winked at Blu.

"Okay I will." Blu told them both as they took off to find reinforcements. He himself started to climb the float. "Funny," Blu thought "in the short time I've been here it seems as though I already have a family."

He reached top and hid from the smugglers on the roof of the float. "Man aside from looking bad it smells bad too." Blu muttered under his breath. He then saw an opening in the cloth and made his way toward it.

"Don't worry Jewel, I'm here." he whispered as he slipped into the float and landed with a soft thud on the ground.

###

Jewel was still thinking to herself when she suddenly heard a small thump on the floor of the float and a small shadow through her cloth. At first she thought it was Nigel but then the shadow spoke.

"Jewel?" the voice asked worriedly. Jewel knew that voice anywhere.

"Blu!" She yelled back.

"Jewel." He repeated as he removed the cloth off her cage.

"You came. Why?" Jewel whispered softly seizing what may be her only oppurtunity to coax the truth out of him.

Unsure how to awnser, Blu began to stutter as he spoke. "J-Jewe-l I-I um..." he began, then stopped to muster up courage. "Jewel I lo-"

He was cut off by as flash of white plummage slammed into him. It was Nigel.

Jewel shrieked in horror. "No, leave him alone."

Nigel merely cackled and without looking at Jewel picked Blu up and pinned him against the wall by his neck making Blu gasp for air and Jewel scream once more.

"Je-wel..." Blu managed to get out before Nigel squeezed even tighter.

"No Nigel, please don't...your going to kill him." Jewel pleaded

"No no pretty bird, don't worry your pretty little head feathers. He cackled. "I think I'm going to have my fun first."

Well thats chapter 3 hope you liked it! I promised a longer chapter and I deliver B-)! You know the rules ppl. R&R! Any questions or concerns feel free to PM me :D. Well chapter 4 coming soon. TO FANFIC!