Chapter 19: Jasmine's fighting prowess
The morning after Thomas and Jasmine had sung their song in another language, Eduardo was zooming through the skies, looking for food for him and Sapphire. Eventually, he reached the Brazil nut trees near the border of the scarlet macaw tribe's territory.
He smiled as he bit two Brazil nuts from the branch he was perched on.
"Nothing like searching breakfast for my beautiful wife." Eduardo said to himself.
As he was about to leave, a voice called out to him.
"Hey, yo, Eddie!"
Eduardo looked back and saw an all too familiar scarlet macaw.
"Felipe." Eduardo said.
Felipe landed on the branch where Eduardo was perched.
"I see you're gathering breakfast for your wife, how's everything going with her?" Felipe asked.
"Good. Two days ago, we were able to gain a position for the Carnival show." Eduardo replied.
"So I've heard from a few of the scarlet performers, alongside those two songs that Blu's older siblings sang yesterday." Felipe said.
"You've heard?" Eduardo said surprised.
"Yep, and many of my tribe members wish to be part of the Carnival show themselves. And honestly, I too want to be there like the grand celebration we had not so long ago with the 1st anniversary of your daughter's return." Felipe replied.
"Is there something you wish to tell me, Felipe, because mostly you come to me with a reason." Eduardo said.
"Now that you speak of it, yes." Felipe said.
Felipe: "You see, each year in my tribe we hold a series of contests."
Eduardo: "And what are these contests exactly called?"
"It's called the 'multiple fighting competition." Felipe replied.
"What does it hold in exactly?" Eduardo asked.
"It's a contest where 1 or 2 macaws would take it up against 4, 5 to even 6 other macaws in order for them to learn the ways of combat when they are cornered by multiple birds." Felipe said. "Of course, there are some rules: No scratching, no biting, no hitting of the eyes and don't make the blow too powerful so that the component wouldn't die."
"Sounds like quiet a contest." Eduardo said. "But why ask me about it?"
Felipe: "Because many of my tribe had asked me to ask you if we could channel our friendly rivalry by holding these competitions together. Of course, if you agree on that."
Eduardo thought for a moment, but then he said: "Why not? It wouldn't be too bad for my tribe members to learn what it's like to fight on their own against a whole lot."
"I'm glad you agree on it, Eddie, will you tell your tribe?" Felipe asked.
"By noon we'll come back to this very tree and then I'll give you report, alright?" Eduardo said.
"Alright, then, see ya, Eddie!" Felipe said as he took off.
Eduardo then returned home.
"Hey, there, Eddie." Sapphire said as she gave a short kiss on his beak. "Where have you been, honey?"
Eduardo then told Sapphire what Felipe had just offered him.
"Oh, that sounds like a great idea from Felipe." Sapphire said.
"When we finish breakfast, I will gather the tribe and tell them the news." Eduardo said.
After they ate breakfast, they both gathered every tribe member of the spix macaw tribe.
When everyone was gathered, everyone wondered why they have been brought here.
Eduardo then told the tribe what Felipe had offered him, what the rules of these contests were and that these contests could further strengthen the alliance between the spix and scarlet macaws.
Everyone exchanged exciting faces to each other, and many agreed that they would gladly take part in it.
And with that, Eduardo already went to the scarlet macaw earlier than expected. One of the scarlet macaws told Felipe and Felipe went to Eduardo.
"So, Eddie, I see that your tribe has agreed on taking part in the contests?" Felipe asked.
"Exactly, Felipe and they can't wait to start them." Eduardo replied.
"Then I'll gather the entire tribe and we'll mee together at the open clearing near the river, alright?" Felipe asked.
"I'll see you there then, Felipe." Eduardo replied.
After an hour all the members of the spix macaw tribe and the scarlet macaw tribe had gathered at an opening near the riverbanks and also other birds and animals had gathered to see what these contests looked like.
Eduardo and Felipe told the tribes both once what the contest holds in, and which rules were attached to it.
Meanwhile in the crowd, Miguel was looking for his paramour, Bia. Eventually he found her, and the two exchanged a happy smile and even a small kiss. They were soon joined by Carla, Tiago, Renaldo and Skye. They all chatted happily, until an all too familiar and unwanted voice interrupted their conversation.
"Well, well, if it isn't the babies who come to look at a contest for real macaws." Antonio said, bragging.
"Back off, Antonio." Renaldo said, stepping forward. "Remember, this is a contest to strengthen the bond between the two tribes."
"There is no such thing as 'strengthening bonds between tribes', there's only the survival of the fittest and it is disgusting that the leaders agreed that it could be mixed with blue and red macaws fighting together." Antonio spat.
"Well, that's enough reason to strengthen the bonds between the two tribes, you big bully." Bia said.
Antonio frowned and said: "No one asked you something, birdbrain, and if these contests could also have been for children, I would gladly take it up against the six of you combined."
Carla, Bia, Tiago, Renaldo, Miguel and Skye looked at each other, then they started bursting out laughing, with Tiago and Skye laughing the hardest.
"You find my words funny, huh?" Antonio said angrily.
"Your words?" Carla said. "No, the stupid fool that says them."
"When we grow up, we'll see who is right." Antonio said a bit threatening and flew off.
Felipe: "Remember, everyone. Although many have been able to hold out for long, I have never seen someone, or a duo win from 4 to 5 to 6 macaws."
Eduardo: "So impress us and show us that a victory in duo or alone is possible."
And with that, the contests began. It was a day of fighting and grunting, with spix macaws fighting red macaws, but also spix fighting other spix and scarlets fighting other scarlets. It was a true spectacle to behold, with even some other macaws joining the contests against the spix and scarlet macaws.
During the contests, Blu and Roberto also fought together against 3 scarlet and 3 spix macaws. Roberto mainly fought with his strength, whilst Blu fought more with tactics. Although Blu may not look that muscular, he is physically stronger than one might expect, even his siblings were astounded for the strength their younger brother had. Although both Roberto and Blu lost, they were still cheered upon by the crowd for the fact that they held it out for about 20 minutes. Blu was exhausted and felt some pain in his stomach from the punches he received, but his kids still cheered for him when he came back.
Then, Jewel volunteered to fight against 4 other female macaws. Three of them being scarlets and 1 being a spix macaw. Jewel fought defiantly, being the fiery girl she is and was able to deliver hard blows to her opponents. Yet, she too was eventually pinned down after 10 minutes of heavy brawling. Still, her family cheered for her because of her fierceness in brawling.
The entire day went on like this, 1 or 2 would take it on against more macaws to harness their fighting skills against multiple opponents. Still, none of them could ever win against large numbers. For Thomas however, this seemed easy but he didn't volunteer himself because he believed that if the battle would turn fierce, he might lose control again and let his demonic other self take him over and violate the rules of combat.
Jasmine on the other hand, after seeing multiple fights, became excited and decided that after the next fight, she would enter the frame.
When the last fight had finished, Felipe presented 4 muscular scarlet macaws.
Felipe: "And these are the ones who have the most experience at these kinds of contests. Who is brave enough for the challenge?"
Nobody spoke. Most of the macaws had already fought a brawl, but others were a bit frightened by the looks of the muscular scarlet macaws.
Then Jasmine flew towards them and said: "I am."
"Ah, Jasmine, you haven't brawled today, have you?" Eduardo said.
Felipe then said: "Are you certain you want to take on 4 of these fine warriors, Jasmine?"
"You're doubting me, aren't you? Well, then, to prove my combat skills, Felipe, I want you to send 2 more." Jasmine said.
"And who will be your partner then?" Eduardo asked.
"No one." Jasmine said emotionless.
Everyone gasped in shock, does Jasmine really want to take on 6 scarlet macaws on her own? Only Thomas had a smirk on his face, knowing his sister wasn't kidding around.
"Are you sure about this?" Eduardo asked a bit dumbfounded.
"200%" Jasmine replied.
There was a pause, but then Felipe asked two other scarlets to join in, which they eagerly did, since they thought that 6 against 1 will be an easy victory for them.
(Immigrant song from Led Zeppelin begins to play)
The 6 scarlet macaws stood around Jasmine, waiting for the signal from Eduardo and Felipe, whilst Jasmine readied herself for the brawl to begin. The air was thick with anticipation.
(Ah-ah, ah! Ah-ah, ah!)
Felipe and Eduardo exchanged nods. "Begin!" they called out in unison.
("We come from the land of the ice and snow")
Jasmine sprang into action, her talons gripping the ground as she launched herself towards her opponents. Her wings spread wide; she became a blur of blue in the midst of red.
("From the midnight sun, where the hot springs blow")
The first scarlet macaw lunged at her, but Jasmine was ready. She twisted mid-air, her right wing slashing through the air like a blade. The scarlet macaw was thrown off balance, tumbling to the side.
("The hammer of the gods, will drive our ships to new lands")
Two more scarlet macaws closed in, attempting to flank her. Jasmine's eyes narrowed, and with a powerful beat of her wings, she shot upward, causing them to collide into each other below her. She dove back down, talons outstretched, aiming for a precise, non-lethal strike.
("To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!")
Jasmine's training with the Azul Clan and her experiences in the war against the Emberwings and Svaken had honed her reflexes to perfection. She weaved between her opponents, her movements fluid and precise. She delivered a quick series of blows with her wings, each impact carefully measured to comply with the rules.
("On we sweep with threshing oar, our only goal will be the western shore")
Another scarlet macaw came at her from above, attempting to pin her down. Jasmine rolled to the side, her talons grazing his feathers as she evaded his grasp. She used her momentum to spin and deliver a powerful strike with her wing, sending him sprawling to the ground.
("Ah-ah, ah! Ah-ah, ah! We come from the land of the ice and snow")
The remaining three scarlet macaws regrouped, forming a tight circle around her. Jasmine paused, her chest heaving as she calculated her next move. She feigned left, drawing two of them in, then swiftly darted right, slipping through their defenses. With a flurry of strikes from her wings and talons, she took them down one by one.
("From the midnight sun where the hot springs flow")
One scarlet macaw attempted a bold move, diving straight at her with talons extended. Jasmine ducked and rolled, narrowly avoiding his attack. She sprang up behind him, delivering a sharp tap to his back, sending him skidding across the ground.
("How soft your fields so green, can whisper tales of gore")
The fifth scarlet macaw hesitated, clearly reconsidering his approach. Jasmine took advantage of his uncertainty, moving in with a series of quick jabs with her talons, forcing him to retreat.
("Of how we calmed the tides of war, we are your overlords")
The final scarlet macaw stood, panting heavily, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and respect. Jasmine approached him, her stance firm and unwavering. She gave him a chance to attack, but his resolve faltered. He hesitated, and that was all Jasmine needed. With a swift, controlled motion, she knocked him off his feet, ensuring he landed softly.
("On we sweep with threshing oar, our only goal will be the western shore")
The crowd erupted into cheers as the match concluded. Jasmine stood tall; her feathers ruffled but her spirit unbroken. Roberto was looking with complete wonder to how the girl he was secretly in love with had fought with both tactics, strength and fierce determination.
("So now you'd better stop and rebuild all your ruins")
Jasmine was still panting and looking at the crowd. Blu, Jewel and the kids (including their paramours) roared with excitement at the fact that their aunt took down 6 muscular scarlet macaws in just about a minute and a half.
("For peace and trust can win the day despite of all your losing")
She then saw Thomas, who had his wings crossed over each other and was looking proudful towards his sister. Jasmine then let out a roar of excitement herself, holding her wings in the air in the form of a fist.
("Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh")
Jasmine took a deep breath, her heart still racing from the adrenaline of the fight. She had shown them all that a female macaw is capable of taking down 6 muscular male macaws in just a matter of time.
("Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh")
The crowd's cheers echoed through the area, a testament to the impressive display of skill and bravery they had just witnessed. Jasmine bowed her head slightly, acknowledging their applause.
("Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh")
Eduardo and Felipe were still dumbfounded of what they had just seen. They nodded their heads to each other and approached Jasmine. Jasmine turned around to face them, with the crowd now becoming silent.
(Music ends)
"Jasmine…" Eduardo began. "I have no words right now. What you just showed us was unbelievable…"
Felipe: "You are the first ever macaw to win such a contest against multiple birds at once and in a very short time even."
"Oh, it was nothing, guys. But I must catch my breath a bit." Jasmine said, still breathing heavily.
"Where did you learn those combat skills?" Eduardo asked curiousy.
"With the clan me and Thomas previously lived in." Jasmine replied.
"Well, one day, but not today, I wish to hear more about this clan you talk about." Eduardo said. "But for now, we shall celebrate in Jasmine's honor!"
Everyone cheered, with Antonio as the only exception, not believing a spix macaw female just bested 6 male scarlet macaws in just a short amount of time.
Tiago noticed this and said braggingly to him: "What's the matter, Tony? Can't take the fact that our aunt just won from 6 of your kind?"
Antonio was a bit startled and said: "That's your aunt!?"
"Yep." Carla said. "And now also the first one to ever win these types of contests on her own. Any words on that, Tony?"
Antonio grunted and flew away, muttering angrily to himself.
The kids laughed at this and celebrated further with their love interests.
Although Sapphire was celebrating a lot, she couldn't help but wondering something to herself.
Such strength. Would her brother Thomas also be that strong? And this clan they talked about; would also they have such strength? If they do, then they… Sapphire thought for a moment and thought back then. No, Sapphire, it's not possible that that clan had ever faced them. Those demons are long gone.
To be continued…