Destination Unknown Chapter 2: Birthday Bash, a rio fanfic

Alright! Here we go with chapter two! It is super long...at least to me. So read and review!

Chapter 2

Birthday Bash

Nico and I flew from behind the curtain and circled the club a few times, just taking in all who were there. We spied Blu and Jewel off to the side with their three chicks, Aaron, Brandie, and Jason. The Blue Macaw chicks were now thirteen and allowed into the club, with the exception of their parents got to be chaperones. "Jewel!" I called to her and we glided closer.

"Hey Sonny!" She stepped forward and we shared a hug, "This is crazy!"

"Tell us about it!" Nico replied for the second time.

"Literally or figuratively?" Blu asked and stepped up.

"Oh brother…" Jewel laughed and shot me a look, "Blu, you don't have to ask that every time."

"Oh…oh right…" He ruffled his deep blue feathers and blushed. Jewel chuckled and pecked him on the cheek, causing him to blush harder.

"You guys want to come to our table?" Nico asked breaking the awkward moment, and we hovered in the air again. Both parents shot a look over their shoulders at the chicks, who were talking to some of their friends.

"Oh come on guys!" I laughed, "Let the kids have a little fun."

"Well…I don't know…" Blu rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

"Where could they be safer?" I posed the question with a raised eyebrow.

"Only in the hollow." They sighed, defeated. Nico chuckled and the Macaws took to the air and followed us to where Pedro, Nora, Rafael and Eva were seated. The Toucans had allowed about half of their kids, minus the five that had moved out of the hollow, to come to the party.

"Hey Ralphy! Hey Eva!" As we landed they scooched over and the four of us took a seat.

"They ready yet?"

"I sure hope so! We've only been planning for the past month and a half!" I said and we all laughed.

"They should be starting any minute now." Nico smiled, and we turned our attention to the stage. Soon after the lights dimmed and the stage went black. Nico pulled me close and pecked my neck affectionately. "Here we go sunshine." He whispered. I smiled and nuzzled my head into his shoulder, showing him that I had heard. Moments later, the music started. A single light shined on Sel on center stage, facing the crowd serenely, her purple necklace glittering brightly as she started the lyrics softly…

A word's just a word; 'til you mean what you say.

Another light shone on Diego to her right and he sang the next two lines just as softly.

And love isn't love; 'til you give it away.

Brother and sister took turns with the next two lines, first Selena, and then Diego.

We've all got a gift, yeah, something to give…

Both finally sang together with a burst of energy. Bright and colorful lights lit up the entire rest of the stage revealing the other dancing teens. Each were performing their own moves; Ray breakdancing, Gwyn freestyle, Ellie hip hop, and Manny played away at his guitar.

To make a change
Send it on; (echo)
On and on (echo)
Just one wing can heal another.
Be a part (echo)
Reach a heart (echo)
Just one spark starts a fire (all together)

Selena sang the next line above the group, belting her voice out like I would sometimes.

With one little action, the chain reaction will never stop. Make us strong; shine a light and send it on!

Diego and Sel backed into the crowd of teens while Ellie and Ray took over the next verses, smiling at the crowd.

Ellie: Just smile (Ray: Just smile)
And the world (Ray: And the world)
BOTH:
Will smile along with you
Ray:
That small act of love
That's meant for one
BOTH:
Will become two

Gwyn and Diego took the next small segment, and led up to the chorus a second time…

If we take the chances
To change circumstances
BOTH:
Imagine all we can do
If we...

ALL:
Send it on (echo)
On and on (echo)
Just one wing can heal another (altogether)
Be a part (echo)
Reach a heart (echo)
Just one spark starts a fire (altogether)

Gwyn blasted the next part of the chorus with incredible vigor.

With one little action, the chain reaction will never stop. Make us strong; shine a light and send it on!

The harmonizing of all the teens voices made the crowd go nuts! All of us at the table had abandoned it and were now dancing away on the floor, smiling uncontrollably at our chick's performance.
Ellie:
Oh, send it on

Selena:
There's power in all of the choices we make.
Gwyn & Diego:
So I'm starting now, there's not a moment to wait

Gwyn:
A word's just a word
Until you mean what you say
Gwyn & Ray:
And love is not love
'Til you give it away

Selena slid out to the front of the stage as she belted the next lines…

Send it on (Selena held the echo out longer for extra effect…)
On and on (Diego echoed strongly)
Just one wing can heal another
Be a part (Diego echo)
Reach a heart (Gwyn echo)
Just one spark starts a fire
Gwyn: With one little action
The chain reaction will never stop
Make it strong (Diego: Shine a light)
Shine a light and send it on
Send it on (Ray)

Send it on
On and on
Just one wing can heal another
Be a part (Gwyn echo)
Reach a heart
Just one spark starts a fire
With one little action (Selena belted a higher note, harmonizing further…)
Ellie and Diego: The chain reaction will help things start
Make us strong (Diego: Shine a light)
Shine a light and send it on (Gwyn: Shine a light and send it on)
All: Shine a light and send it on!

All six of their voices, Manny included as he sang in the chorus, blended perfectly into one rich, clear, and brilliant note. Each and every one of their faces were shining with smiles, and all swelled with pride as the crowd lost their minds. When our chicks posed, wrapping their yellow wings around each other, I couldn't help myself; my eyes filled up with tears. The darn things started softly rolling down my cheeks and I sniffled once, quietly. Nico noticed and pulled me to him.

"Don't cry, babe." He murmured, but as we pulled back I noticed the shine of tears in his eyes as well.

"They're just so big…" I whispered and received another tight hug.

"I know. I know." Nico replied from where his face was buried in my shoulder.

"Hey! Don't we get a hug?" As Nico and I pulled apart the chicks appeared and we immediately smiled and enveloped them with a hug and praises.

"That. Was. OUTSTANDING!" I told them with another sniffle.

"Aw mom! Don't cry!" Gwyn hugged me tightly and my tears flowed for only a moment longer.

"I'm not sad! I'm so proud and happy I could just explode!" I replied and looked her in the eyes; it was almost like looking in a mirror. Then I hugged Sel tightly, and turned to my son. At first he didn't notice, as he was looking across the club at something.

"LOVED the harmonizing!" Nico exclaimed hugging his girls and getting Diego's attention.

"Thanks!" Was all he said, and turned to focus on whatever it was across the room again. He turned to leave our group, but I stopped him with a cough.

"Excuse me mister, but mom wants a hug!" I spread my wings and received a lopsided smile, and one of the quickest hugs in all of history. Then the chicks flew off to talk to their friends. Nico watched them go, but he kept his gaze on Diego. "What is it, Nico?" I asked and stepped over to him.

"Diego too…" He sighed and pointed to a spot on the dance floor where he was talking to a cute buttery-yellow canary as she danced with some friends.

"What's wrong with that?" I asked and wrapped my wing around his waist.

"Nothing…I guess…" He stammered, "We'll talk about it later, ok sweetheart?" He asked with a pleading look.

"Only if you stop worrying for one night and dance with me," I grinned, "And save your son…" I pointed a feather at Diego, who was obviously flustered as he tried too hard to talk to the girl.

"Anything for you." Nico replied, getting in the zone and kissing me quickly. Then he twirled me around and walked away, motioning for Pedro to follow him to the boys.

"You little flirt!" I called and smiled to myself. What am I worried about? Diego's got it in his blood.

"So yeah…" Diego ruffled his feathers, trying for the hundredth time in the past five minutes to make this conversation less awkward. He couldn't help it. Lillie was the most gorgeous girl he had ever had the pleasure of knowing. Her feathers were a soft butter color and her soft white down was visible throughout her body. Lillie had luscious long, black eyelashes that framed her angelic baby-blue eyes. The white patch on her chest was a deep cream color with little flecks of dark brown, tan, and yellow. She had moved to Rio three years ago from Paraguay, and ever since then Diego had the most incredible crush on her, but every time he got a chance to talk to her he couldn't seem to form intelligent thoughts.

"That was a really great performance;" Lillie said, a bit shyly, "You and your family are really amazing up there." Unbeknownst to Diego, Lillie was crushing on him as well. She blushed every time he was close to her, and couldn't help but giggle dumbly at everything he said. Those honey-amber eyes of his made her knees feel weak, but she was too shy to say anything about it.

"Thank you." He gave her a lopsided grin that made her heart flutter, and they just stared at each other for a moment; baby blue and honey-amber eyes locked on each other in a totally different world.

"Psst! Diego!" A slightly familiar voice called from behind them. The young canary immediately thought it was his father and internally groaned, Why now? Why in front of the girl?

"I guess I gotta go…" He rubbed the back of his neck and smiled at Lillie sheepishly, "See ya 'round Lillie, and stay beautiful." Then he shot her a smooth wink as he turned around and flew towards the voice. As he landed, he looked around, but didn't see his dad anywhere. "Dad?" He called.

"No, but I'm here and I've got some advice." Diego turned around to see a Raggiana Bird of Paradise standing there with a wide smile on his bright blue beak.

"UNCLE TADEO!" Diego nearly screamed and jumped forward to wrap his wings around his uncle's neck.

"Hey there bud!" Tadeo wrapped his wings around the young canary and chuckled. "Now who's that girl?"

"Oh she's just…someone from school…" He ruffled his feathers and blushed.

"She's Lillie, and Diego's in loooove with her!" Ray explained and jumped out of the way as his cousin lunged at him in an attempt to strangle him.

"Ah ha!" Tadeo grinned and patted his yellow shoulder, "Here's my suggestion," He leaned in closer and motioned for the boys to get closer, "Serenade her. That is always a way to win a girl's heart; and you being Nico and Sonora's son, I'm sure you've got something in the works."

"Well…" Diego hesitated.

"We should do that one song!" Ray suggested and gave his cousin a look.

"It just…It has to be perfect though…" Diego chanced a look over his shoulder at Lillie again, and smiled warmly when he saw her dancing with her friends.

"It IS perfect. We've been working on it the past three months! It can't get any better!" Ray exclaimed.

"Alright. Come on!" Diego laughed and spread hi swings.

"Wait!" Tadeo caught his wing before he could fly off, "Where's the rest of you Canary's? I need to talk with your mother, and say hi to your sisters too." He said as Diego stepped back.

"They're around; Sel and Gwyn are talking with friends, I'm sure, and mom and dad are over there by the bar. How are you here though?" Diego asked after thinking for a moment, "I thought you could only leave Kingdom Paradise during Carnival."

"Actually, dear, we were able to make an exception." An incredibly beautiful female Raggiana Bird of Paradise stepped up next to Tadeo. She had a graceful air about her and one could easily tell she was royalty.

"Auntie Arianna!" Diego wrapped her in a respectful hug as well. "I'm so glad you're both here! Gwyn and Selena will just freak! Not to mention mom."

"Nice to see you too," She smiled softly, and her light amber eyes glittered, "Now get up there and get your girl." She winked at him and the boys nodded while they took off.

"Tadeo?" Another voice sounded behind the two Birds of Paradise and they turned to see Nico and Pedro making their way to them.

"What's up, bird?!" Pedro jumped forward and immediately launched into a special wing bump. "I thought you were dead!"

"Not dead, but happy and alive my friend!" Tadeo smiled and they shared a bro-hug.

"I see you took care of Diego," Nico motioned to his son, who was flying back-stage, "I was just on my way to save his feathers." The bottle cap wearing canary's voice was strained with emotion. It seemed that a lot of things were affecting him that night.

"I'm sorry to have stolen your spotlight, camarada (buddy {Portuguese}). I just wanted to let him know I was here." He apologized.

"Not to worry, I think we had the same idea." Nico took a deep breath and pushed his emotions away. "We had better tell the girls though, so we can get a good spot to watch."

"Of course." Arianna smiled, then turned to Tadeo, "Where did your son go?"

"Oh…last I saw of the little scamp was his tail feathers heading for the bar." Both parents turned to look at the bar and spotted their son heavily flirting with a very un-interested drink girl. "TICO!" He called and snapped the boy out of his daze. With one last wink at the girl, he turned and soared over to his parents.

"What is it?" The boy asked with a cocky lilt in his tone.

"I want you to meet…"

"OH MY GOSH!" A very excited female voice sounded behind Nico, "TADDY!" With a whir of feathers, Sonora shot across the room and nearly tackled the father, in the middle of his scolding.

"Hey there Sunshine!" Tadeo laughed and wrapped his wings around her, and Nico turned a very un-natural shade of green. He allowed a bit of a scowl to cross his face, as the old friends laughed and held each other tightly.

"Oh I missed you so much!" Sonora exclaimed as they regained their feet, "You haven't been here since the chicks were nearly five!"

"I know! It's been so long, and I missed Rio so much!" Tadeo agreed, "But this time I brought the family." He stepped back and Nico took his mate's wing in his, pulling her to him rather quickly. She looked back at him with a warm smile and leaned back into his chest as Tadeo stepped aside to reveal his mate.

"Arianna, I assume?" Nico reached out a wing for her to shake, and eased the scowl off his face. She took it and opened her beak to reply, though Tadeo beat her to it.

"Arianna Paradise, Queen of Kingdom Paradise, and the absolute love of my life!" Tadeo said lovingly, and stroked her face with a flight feather.

"Flatterer!" She blushed and pecked his neon yellow and green cheek.

"Ah! But you deserve it!" He teased and kissed her back. In truth Nico was able to relax a little, seeing how much that Tadeo cared for his mate. Although Sonny seemed to sense his anxiety, and nestled closer to him, making his worries partially melt away. She was also subliminally telling him that they would talk about it later.

"Jeez dad!" A voice called form behind them. Tadeo and Arianna laughed and stepped apart to reveal their son.

"Nico, Sonny; this is Tico, our son, and prince of Kingdom Paradise." Arianna explained in a gentle, and elegant voice.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Tico smiled and took Sonny's wing in his and placed a gentle kiss there. Again Nico scowled.

"I'm Nico Canary, and this is my mate Sonora." He emphasized and shook Tico's wing, while squeezing it a bit harder than needed. The boy took the hint, and nodded in understanding.

"I'm sorry to appear fresh; I was raised to greet beautiful women in such a way." This earned him a slap on the back of the head form his father.

As this took place, the lights dimmed and a bright spotlight landed on Diego and Raymond up on the stage.

"Come on! Let's get a good spot!" Pedro called as he flew towards the stage with Nora on his wing. Tadeo and Arianna followed closely but Sonny held Nico back for a moment.

"What?" Nico asked and looked back at her confusedly. Sonny had her eyes hooded and she tugged him to her by his chest feathers; a self-satisfied smile tugged at the edges of her beak. Not to mention he could feel her warm breath on his face.

"You. Are. Adorable." She murmured and kissed him Long and passionately in the middle of the club. Nico was utterly shocked and could only stand there with wide eyes as Sonny kept her beak pressed to his. After nearly thirty seconds she pulled back and butterfly kissed his cheek with her long eyelashes.

"Wh…What was that?" Nico breathed as he floated back to reality.

"I can't believe you're still jealous for me." She smiled brightly and wrapped her wings around his waist.

"That obvious huh?" He blushed a bit and rested his forehead against hers.

"Blatantly obvious," She giggled, "But I want you to know that there is no bird in the universe I could possibly love more than I love you, and I would never, EVER leave you for anyone!" Sonny ran her wings up to Nico's shoulders and pulled him to her again, "I love you." She purred forcefully and shook him a little.

"I love you." Nico replied as he kissed her back and spun her around while holding tightly to her waist. As they pulled back they turned to the stage and rushed up to their friends together.

Diego turned and threw the thumbs-up at Ray when he saw his parents appear, and then young canary turned back to the crowd with a cocky smile only Sonora could love. "Alright guys, Ray and I have been working on a song for a while, and I think it's high time we gave it to you!"

The crowd cheered again excitedly, clapping their wings ecstatically. Sonora turned to Nico, "What are they performing?"

Nico smiled and shrugged, "I don't know. Some high-profile, top secret song they wrote that no one can hear until right about…now!" As he said "now" the music jumped and Diego spun around as the lights flared and Ray started picking away at his guitar.

Yeah...Ohhh…

Diego crooned smiling at his parents then focusing on Lillie as he launched into the song.

She rolled in from the west in a summer sun dress; hotter than the heat in July! With her wind-blown hair it just wasn't fair, the way she was blowing my mind!

He flared his wings out around his head as he sang the last part, and reached out to her, causing a now very relaxed and happy Nico, to beam at his son.

Have you ever noticed every hurricane gets its name from a girl like this? She's the cat 5 kind keeps you up at night hanging on to the edge of a kiss!

Out of the corner of her eye Sonny saw the girl Diego was apparently singing to blow him a kiss as she danced on. You be good to my boy now. She thought tenderly, and smiled as she remembered the first time Nico sang for her…

She's a beautiful mess, yeah the kind you love to love! But what happens next, I got a feeling when the sun comes up;

As he launched into the chorus, his sisters joined him on stage and danced in the background with incredible style.

I'm gonna wish I had a storm warning
I'm gonna wish I had a sign
I'm gonna wish I had a little heads up, little lee-way little more time
Some kind of radar system locked in on love
I got a feeling by the time the night finds the morning
I'm gonna wish I had a storm warning

Ray turned the guitar over to the background music and joined Diego to sing the next verse.

Both: Ain't it funny how it feels when you're burning your wheels somewhere between going and gone?

Diego solo: You get so lost that you can't turn it off, you give in and you just turn it on!

Both: She's a harp on a reign red lips like a flame she's the girl from your favorite song!

Diego was totally into the song now; not to mention locked into his girl. Both of his parents noticed and shot him a look that said "Take her up there!" And as he blasted into the chorus, Diego did just that.

What a beautiful mess! A one part angel, one part perfect, one part wreck! The kind of flood you'll never forget!

He reached out a wing to Lillie, and pulled her up on the stage with a spin as his sisters danced up closer to him. Nico couldn't help himself, "There's my boy!" He crowed and pulled his mate to him, and kissed her quickly.

At this Manny joined Sel on stage, Gwyn and Ray started dancing in a complicated samba making the crowd go ballistic.

"And look at our little girl!" Sonny replied with a smile, "She's got a way with Manny."

"Ah, yes…" Nico coughed and changed the subject, "Look at Gwyn! She dances with the vigor and life of her mama!" He then spun her out on the dance floor for the end of the song.

I'm gonna wish I had a storm warning
I'm gonna wish I had a sign
I'm gonna wish I had a little heads up, little lee-way little more time
Some kind of radar system locked in on love!

Diego twirled Lillie to him as he sang the line, showing her that he meant what he sang; she seemed not to notice, though, and spun out again. He was not to be deterred though, and continued to sing right to her.

I'm gonna wish I had a storm warning
I'm gonna wish I had a sign
I'm gonna wish I had a little heads up, little lee-way little more time
Some kind of radar system locked in on love
I got a feeling by the time the night finds the morning
I'm gonna wish I had a storm warning
Yeah, I'm gonna wish I had a storm warning
I'm gonna wish I had a sign
I'm gonna wish I had a sign, or storm warning!

All three chicks finished with a flourish, and Diego pulled Lillie to him. "That, was for you."

"Diego…I…I…" Lillie stuttered, as the crowd lost their minds.

"What?"

"Umm…I have to go…" She looked at the ground, "Meet me at the waterfall…We'll talk there." With that she flew off the stage and through the door to the club. He was stunned, but excited. His first song had gone perfectly!

"Great job Diego!" Gwyn soared across the stage and hugged him tightly.

"I love you guys!" Sel abandoned Manny, who flew back to his friends, and wrapped her wings around her brother and sister. All three hugged tightly for a long while, as the crowd went crazy. Their birthday couldn't possibly go off with a bigger bang!

So there you go... Third person is sort of my weakness, and I see it as super choppy. But I need to hear what you guys think. Also: Juliet116: that last part was for you! :D