The sun had risen higher only a couple hours after its initial rise. It shone down on the jungle, giving it warmth and security. The morning birds, mammals, and reptiles of Rio welcomed the sun as their sense of time and their only source of light. Well, some did. Others wished that it was night longer. Back in her family's den, Flor unwilling woke up as light went inside the den and irritated her eyes. She rubbed her eyes and let out a yawn. She got to her feet and looked around to see her parents and brothers still asleep. She smiled.

It's nice to be back with them, she thought.

Flor walked out of her tree den and walked across to the middle of the nearest branch. She smiled as she looked out and saw birds flying up in the sky. She contently smiled to herself.

"Now I can join them," she whispered.

"Join who?"

The voice startled her so much that she nervously flapped her wings, stopped, and looked back to see her father. She sighed.

"Daddy, don't scare me like that."

"Sorry. I didn't know you were having a me-moment."

Blu walked over to her daughter and heaved lightly.

"Boy, surviving two traumatic like that… I think I'll have a heart attack if there's one more."

"So, are we going to move back?" asked Flor.

"Back?"

"Mommy and you told us that your first home in Rio was in or near the sanctuary. It provided protection from all the dangers the jungle has to offer. So…are we?"

Blu took a moment to think and inhaled and exhaled deeply.

"Flor, do you like it here?"

Flor looked up at the sky, seeing a few clouds and birds being guided by the wind. She then tilted her head down to see the trees where birds either made their homes on or were perched on. She saw mammals also climbing trees, swinging on them, or just sitting on them. She looked down at the ground to see the critters, reptiles, and mammals of the dirt walk casually across the jungle, not seemingly caring about any danger. She looked up at her father and showed him a content face.

"I do…but are we going to move back?"

Blu shook his head, which confused Flor.

"But why? After everything that happened last night…"

"True, I was scared by Nigel and Bela. I was mortified when Nigel threw you off the cliff. I was angry at Nigel for everything he was doing. I felt like it was the end for all of us…but there was always something giving me hope…like she did."

"Like who did?"

Blu smiled.

"The bird who saved your mother and me. In fact, we named you after her. She was the one that gave me the confidence and the faith to live out here."

"So her name was Flor too?"

Blu nodded.

"Unfortunately, she…moved, but her memories are still with me. She was a good friend."

"Well, you'll meet her again, right Daddy?"

Blu's eyes widened, wanting to leak. To meet Flor once more… Someday, that would come to realization, but hopefully not for a very long time. Blu was in no rush to live life to the edge, but he was not going to hide in a secured house for the rest of his life. He was just living life the way any bird would live its life. He was not only living it for Jewel and his sons, but he was living it for Flor…both of them. He smiled and faced his daughter.

"Say? You want to get breakfast with me?"

"Really?" Flor inquired happily.

"Yes. I mean, you can fly now?"

Flor, knowing her father was hinting a bit of sarcasm, proudly shook herself and stood sternly.

"Of course I can. I'm an expert."

"Alright then, Miss Expert. Follow me."

Blu took off, and Flor quickly followed behind him. They flew through the trees, passing birds and mammals who noticed them. Some of them even waved at them. They flew for a couple of minutes and landed on a branch containing guava. However, they were not the first visitors of the tree. A Scarlet Macaw had two guavas and was about to take off with them when he recognized the two birds and stopped himself.

"Oh, hey. Good morning."

"Alex," greeted Flor. "How do you do?"

Alex chuckled slightly.

"So sophisticated Flor. Just need to bow and say sir."

Alex looked up from Flor to Blu. Alex's face slowly dropped.

"Blu, about yesterday-"

"Alex, a father has to do what he must to protect his family."

Alex smiled and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Thanks a lot. I still feel guilty though… Say, I would like to introduce you to my family. Are you free tomorrow?"

"Well, tomorrow is my day off," Blu joked.

However, Alex took it seriously.

"Blu, you actually work?"

Flor sighed and explained.

"Don't let my Daddy's jokes fool you. He's been in America for fifteen years, according to Mommy, so they kind of rubbed off on him."

"America?" wondered Alex as he looked up at Blu again. "You're from America? But you look like you're from here."

"It's a long story," said Blu, "but Blu and I will tell you about it tomorrow. Where do you think we should meet?"

"Should we meet by the creek near here? To be honest, my kids need a bath, but when I saw bath time, they escape. So instead, I saw we're going to play at the creek."

Blu's eyes widened in amazement.

"That's brilliant. I should do that."

"But it won't work, Daddy. I already know of the plan."

Blu sighed.

"I'll just think of something else."

Alex chuckled.

"Alright, should we meet around when the sun is at its highest peak?"

"That's…um…one in afternoon. That sounds great."

Alex secured his fruits around his talons.

"Well, I better get going. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Bye, Alex," said Flor.

"Bye," said Blu.

Alex flew off back to his den.

"You know what, Daddy?"

Blu looked down at his daughter.

"What is it, Flor?"

"I think Alex can be your good friend too."

Blu smiled as the breeze brushed against his feathers on this new chapter of his life.

"Here you are... Ugh, how pitiful."

The black-hooded bird looked at the tied up Bela. It only had been a day and a half since its hired assassin was missing. Bela had told her superior, the medium-sized bird that had been recovering this whole time, Nigel and her were going to eliminate the killers of Delores, one of his greatest disciples, a couple of nights ago. However, she did not return when she said she would. Even though his second-in-command suggested him not to, the Red-Throated Caracara flew around in search of Bela. To creatures around the area, he was just a normal bird of prey, but to his followers, he was a bird with a vision.

He envisioned a jungle where the strong survived, and the weak died off. It had always been like this, but ever since humans intervened, the weak became strong and the strong became weak. However, both animals and birds were helpless when it came to human beings. With the destructible and conservational actions humans made, it disrupted this law of nature… It changed the jungle and all of it's inhabitants.

The plan was simple. First, gather the strongest of birds, mammals, and reptiles. Next, ruin conservation sites humans made. Third, figure out how to operate the bulldozing machinery the humans had and either destroy it or use it against them. Four, ward off any humans from entering the jungle. Finally, let the strong survive and conquer the weak. It was a plan that was in its second stage as other members tried to understand the technology humans had. Delores was assigned to destroy the conservation efforts of the bird sanctuary area near Rio. However, she became too greedy with her appetite for rare birds and figured out there were two last Spix's Macaws. The Spix's Macaws had died out since they were weak, and this falcon expected it to be easy. When word had spread that Delores was killed as two Spix's Macaws survived, he was devastated. This small action would poison his plan and eventually killed it off. If it spread that the weak killed one of his strongest ally, then other birds who followed and worshipped him would cast him aside. His plan would fail. In order to avenge this humiliating defeat, he hired Bela to exterminate the birds.

Now, almost recovered from his injuries a month ago, he looked down at the assassin he hired. Once proud at her, but now…he looked down at her with a dull face.

"Bela, you failed? Those Spix's Macaws got the best of you, didn't they?"

Bela weakly nodded.

"P-Please, w-w-wa-ter."

"Poor Bela, you have been here only for a day and you need water."

The caracara sighed.

"What happened?"

Bela stood silent for a few moments and then spoke.

"Th-The Sp-Sp-Spix's…ch-chicks."

"Chicks? So those two lovebirds have made a family. I guess that was to be expected though. I mean, when you get word of two Spix's Macaws that are opposite gender, it would only be a matter of time… Wait. Their chicks did this to you?"

Bela ashamedly nodded. The caracara showed a face of sympathy and brushed his wingtips against the back of her head.

"Oh, you poor Dear. How long have you suffered from that night, determined that you will live. Let me help you."

The caracara moved his wing away from her and swiftly slit her throat with his talon. He shook his foot to wipe off most of the blood and turned around as Bela gagged for breath for a few seconds. Once it became quiet, the caracara sighed and looked up at the sky.

"Those Spix's Macaws are ruining everything… I guess it is best to leave them be…for now. Let's just move on to the next conservation site. These blue birds… They will live for now, but when the time comes, they will shudder in fear and will eventually die when the true law of nature comes back to kill them. Remember, only the strongest will survive."