Chapter 7:The Future Is Bright

Jewel lofted into the air and executed a rhythmic ballet as Blu began their song.

All I ever see, we never get a break,
We've been working for days.
I feel the heat, burning down my back,
Blood, sweat, and tears, will you testify to that?

Jewel dropped back down to the stage, and as the two macaws danced around each other in tight circles, they began a short duet.

I feel the heat you give baby,
I never want to say farewell, oh,
Our passions will rise when the kingdom, it falls.

Jewel then performed her ballet on the stage as her mate opened up his beak once more.

Nothing lives for long, I'm shackled at the feet,
I've been working as your slave.
Try hold me down, and you move and wake the beast,
I'm on top girl, as I never miss a beat.

The two macaws proceeded to meet in the middle, and they walked, wing in wing, to the edge of the stage. The orange lights morphed to glimmering golden streams as they combined their voices.

I feel the heat you give baby,
I never want to say farewell, oh,
Our passions will rise when the kingdom, it falls!

The myriad of golden beams now began sweeping all over the room as Blu soulfully sang into the mic, keeping his gaze on Jewel the whole time.

You're my golden sun!
Take my wing and rule the world,
Across this jungle, girl.

Blu concluded his solo, and he now began an energetic accompaniment as Jewel cast her voice into her mic.

Giving all I've got, when there's nothing left to give,
I'll be fighting till the end.
Raise your flag boy, don't let it drop.
Dark nights where the sky's cold, the land's hot.
I don't want to know, so don't tell me.
Demons whisper in my ears, they're from the dark side.
Raise your flag boy, don't let it drop.
Dark nights where the sky's cold the land's hot.

The band ramped up the strength of their beat, and the two macaws faced each other for their final duet.

I feel the heat you give baby,
I never want to say farewell, oh,
Our passions will rise when the kingdom, it falls!

Rinaldo oriented the beams of light on the disco ball above, and a shining storm of golden squares orbited across every inch of the room. Jewel faced her mate and belted out the final verse of the song.

You're my golden sun!
Take my wing and rule the world,
Across this jungle, boy...

The tuba player let loose a deep solo as their voices faded, and the band joined in soon after, finishing the song with a flourish.

The music quickly dropped off, and as the two macaws bowed, the applause they received was on a whole other level than the previous two displays.

"Thank you all so much! We hope you all enjoyed our performance as much as Blu and I did! That is all the entertainment we had scheduled for tonight, but this club will stay open past midnight! Enjoy the rest of your time at The Blue Palm!"

They disappeared behind the violet curtain as it slid shut, leaving a gap just wide enough for the neon signs above the stage to be seen. They followed a hidden stairway down the side of the stage, and they soon re-emerged on the soft floor of the club.

They made their way through the crowd in search of their friends' table, and they received a few forceful slaps on the back along the way. When they finally found it, Pedro, Nico, Maricela, Frank, and Ricardo were already seated, and that left two more spots for them.

Blu and Jewel sat in between Maricela and Ricardo, and they all poured their praise the two Spix's Macaws.

"You was a sight to see! You two love-hawks got some sweet moves, yo!" shouted Pedro.

Nico smiled and added, "You really rocked this place! So much charisma! So much talent! Maybe it will rub off on the rest of us!"

Frank and Maricela felt obliged to chime in as well.

"You two are naturals when it comes to pleasing the audience!" exclaimed the female.

Her mate then said, "They way you moved together was mesmerizing, not to mention the sound of your voices as they swirled together! It sent chills up my spine!"

"You all really think that? We can say that you four did very well yourselves!"

"I guess we have to take your word for it, Jewel. You are the master, after all!"

Despite the time that had elapsed from the first performance to the last, the storm had maintained its intensity, and the club was briefly illuminated by periodic bolts of lightning. "I am going to get something to drink, Frank. I will be right back!"

A loud rumble of thunder had overpowered Maricela's voice, and her mate had caught none of what she had just said. "What did you say? I didn't hear you!"

Maricela waited for another peal of thunder to die off, and she said, "I am going to get a drink! I will be right back!"

"Oh, okay, honey! I won't be going anywhere!"

The Scarlet Macaw hopped down from her chair and approached the nearby bar. The others continued chatting, and Blu spotted Rafael and Eva at another table. He leaned in close to Jewel and said, "I am going to talk with our toucan friends for awhile. Do you want to come along?"

"No, Blu. I am going to stay here with my father. We have a lot to catch up on. I will wait for you to come back."

"Okay, Jewel. If you start to feel lonely without your love-hawk, just wave your wing, and I will return!"

Blu winked at her and walked off before she could reply.

Very funny. I guess I will keep that in mind, Mr. Love-hawk...

Jewel turned back to the table, and she watched as Maricela returned with a small plastic cup. Inside of it was a blood-red liquid, and every so often, Maricela would swallow a swig of it. Jewel could almost feel the burn of the spiked beverage as it drained down the Scarlet Macaw's throat.

She cringed uncontrollably, and this earned her a curious glance from her father, who had been talking to her the whole time. "Are you okay, Jewel? Are you cold?"

She shook her head slightly and replied, "No, father. I am fine. What were you saying?"

"I was telling you..."

A few tables away, Blu had plopped himself down to Eva, who was drinking a bubbling orange liquid from a plastic cup. Hmmm, that must be the Mango Massacre flavor...

Eva was obviously less than sober, and after she had noticed that Blu was sitting next to her, she immediately started monologuing about the events of the past week. After listening intently for a few minutes, Blu had grown bored of her intoxicated babble, so he decided to change the subject.

He stared past her at Rafael and said, "So, Rafael, did you like the shows that we put on?"

"Of course I did, Blu! Pedro and Nico sure can rap. Maricela's and Frank's song was lovely as well! As for you and Jewel's debut, I am actually a little envious! I wish my voice was half as good as yours! And you dance pretty well, too!"

"That's not the first time I have heard that tonight!"

Eva downed the last bit of the mango drink, and she attempted to make her way back to the bar. So out of sorts was she that she tripped on her chair, and just before she hit the ground, her mate deftly caught her.

He hoisted her back to her seat and chided, "No more drinks tonight, Eva. You don't want to set a bad example for the kids! Besides, you need to be sober enough to fly home!"

"Whatever y-you say, Rafa...Rafael. C-can I take a n-nap? I am s-so tired..."

Before Rafael could reply, she had laid her head down on the table and drifted off into unconsciousness.

"Way to go, Eva! Now what will you do with her, Rafael?"

"This happens all the time. She should be back to normal in another hour or two!"

"Oh, okay then! Well, if you don't mind, I am going to head back to my table."

"Oh, I don't mind at all! See you later, Blu! Have a good time with Jewel!"

He slid off of the chair and made his way back to his mate. As he sat back down next to her, he stared at her lovingly, hoping she wouldn't notice.

I will always have a good time, as long as she is by my side. Always...

"Blu? Hello? Blu! Snap out of it!"

He was shocked out of his stupor by a loud scream, and he realized that it had come from Jewel, much to his chagrin. "What! Is something happening?"

"My father is leaving, that's what is happening! Aren't you going to tell him goodbye?"

Blu turned to him with as straight a face as he could manage, and he said, "Goodbye, Vicente. I hope you enjoyed our show! Have a safe flight!"

"Farewell, Blu. Farewell, Jewel. I am so proud of you both! You have really made my day! I am lucky to know such a pair of talented macaws. Well, I better get going! It looks like this storm isn't going to let up for awhile. I hope I don't get struck by lightning or something!"

"Oh, father, don't say that. You will make it home just fine! I love you!"

"I love you too, Jewel..."

The ragged macaw lowered himself from the chair and vanished into the crowd. Although they could not see his body, they could tell he had left by the gust of chilled air that the open door had let in.

"How much longer do you want to stay, Jewel? Are you tired?"

"Not really. Maybe we should try to wait the storm out. I just hope that the six macaws that we left behind are okay..."

The two macaws had passed the time conversing with the others, and the club had gradually grown less and less crowded, despite the storm that was still howling outside. After Pedro and Nico had opted to depart, leaving just four macaws at their table, Blu felt a sensation deep inside of him.

He slid off of his chair, and Jewel stopped him before he could escape.

"Where are you going?"

"Outside for a bit. I guess you could say that nature is calling! I will be right back!"

"Oh. Well, be careful! Try not to keep me waiting, love-hawk!"

Blu easily crossed the now-spacious floor of the club and slipped outside. After taking care of his "business," he re-entered the club and returned to his mate's side, albeit soaking wet.

"Oh my, Blu! Did you have fun out there?"

Blu shivered steadily, trying to shed as much water as he could from his sodden feathers.

"D-don't ask! Why don't y-you go out t-there and see f-for yourself how much 'fun' it is?"

"No thanks. I prefer to keep my feathers toasty and dry! Sorry..."

Three hours later, a much awaited silence had settled over the club, signaling that the weather system had moved on. The two macaws had decided to head home, and Maricela and Frank had agreed to join them.

The female macaw had managed to regain her sobriety much faster than Eva, having drunk only two cups of the Dragon fruit Disaster.

Just before they left, however, Blu and Jewel had one more bit of business to take care of. They hopped down from the table and marched over to Kipo, who was standing with a few of his buddies on the other side of the club. The other birds grew silent as they approached, and they waited for the spoonbill to acknowledge them.

"Oh, hey guys! Did you want to tell me something? You were superb earlier, by the way!"

"Thanks, Kipo! It means a lot, coming from you. We are just about to head off. We left our children at our home, along with the children of the two Scarlet Macaws from earlier. We really need to check on them, and besides, it's getting very late."

"I see. Well, you all just go on home and get some rest. I can take care of things from here! How much longer do you want this place to stay open?"

"For...one more hour. After that, have this place cleaned up and closed down."

"No problem, Jewel! You and Blu won't have to worry about a thing! See you later!"

The two macaws waved happily before walking off to join Maricela and Frank. They all made their way to the exit and lofted into flight. The storm had dumped a significant amount of water on the city, and many of the streets below had become rivers.

They flew on through the chilled, musty air, and they soon arrived at the patch of jungle that was their home. The silvery glow from the crescent moon above illuminated the rain-soaked sanctuary, turning it into one giant, gleaming crystal.

A small area of the jungle ahead was devoid of light, save for a small glimmer in the center, and the four macaws knew that that was the clearing they were seeking. They glided down into the tree belonging to Blu and Jewel, and much to their relief, all six macaws were accounted for.

After a few parting words, the five Scarlet Macaws departed for their own home, allowing the other five the chance to finally turn in for the night. However, just as Blu and Jewel were tucking their children in, a flash of light from outside caught their attention.

Ricardo dashed over to the hole and quickly peered around. Another brief glare cut into the hollow, and Ricardo whirled around, his eyes glowing with excitement. "Mama! Papa! Come quick! There are bright lights going across the sky!"

He burst from the tree and flew up to the crown, and his brother and sister soon followed.

"What could it be, Blu?"

"We sure won't find out sitting in here..."

Blu and Jewel joined their children on a rain-slick branch, and as Blu caught sight of a number of the strange lights, he knew exactly what they were.

"Ahhh, a meteor shower! I haven't seen one in a long time..."

"How does a 'meteor shower' happen, Papa?"

"Small rocks and debris in outer space get pulled into Earth's atmosphere, Esperanza. They burn up as they fall, and that is what makes them glow. Linda once told me that if you make a wish on one, it is supposed to come true. But you have to wish it in your head, not out loud."

"What canwe wish for, Papa?"

Blu chuckled and replied, "Anything you want, Vicente! It doesn't matter how silly or weird it is!"

The five macaws waited for another meteor to fall, and then they each repeated their wish in their minds.

Ricardo, Esperanza, and Vicente all wished for their parents to have more babies in the future.

Their parents, however, wished for long and cheerful lives, both with each other and their children.

"How long can we stay up and watch, Mama?"

"Not much longer, meus filhos. It is already past your bedtime..."

This was not the answer that they wanted to hear. They hoped that their father would allow them to stay up, so they repeated their question to him next.

"You can stay up until it is over. Then-"

Jewel gave him a disagreeing kick in his side. "Do you really have to undermine me in front of them, Blu? That is not very appropriate conduct!"

"Do you have to get physical with me every time you get angry? Just let them stay up a little longer, honey. One night can't hurt, can it?"

"Hmmph. I guess not. But no more late nights after this. Understood?"

"Completely, honey. Oh, did I ever tell you how beautiful meteor showers are?"

"No. You don't have to tell me that, though. I admire them as well."

"They may be lovely, but not as lovely as you..."

He pulled Jewel close to him and gave her a peck on the cheek. "Point well made, Blu. Now, how about less kiss, and more watch?"

"Easier said than done, meu anjo..."

Their children scooted over to their mother's side as the shower continued, and Blu laid his head on top of Jewel's. She then spread her wings out on either side of her, enfolding her mate and children at the same time.

As they shared each other's warmth on this cold, yet peaceful night, a hidden light seemed to shine within them.

As they sat and watched the heavenly spectacle above, they realized that this night was the start of a long, bright future for them all. They couldn't have been any closer to the truth...

A/N:

Meus filhos.=My children.

Meu anjo.=My angel.

Song Guide:

Fenech-Soler

Golden Sun

I, WolfOnFyre, would like to take the time to announce that...

I am concluding my five story arc with this final update.

I just wanted to let you all know that this has been one hell of a ride,

And it is one that I will NEVER forget.

After all that I put Blu and Jewel through, it seems that things will finally be looking up for them...

I would like to give my eternal thanks to the following writers, in no particular order:

Zacarais, mildirk, Count Doofus, and Mord44.

You gave me the inspiration to keep going, and even helped me overcome a few episodes of writer's block along the way.

I am now going to focus on my Rio/Guardians of Ga'Hoole Crossover(please check it out), and another secret story that I shant reveal to you yet, as it is a work in progress.

This story may be over, but rest assured, because MANY more will follow...

Thanks again, all of you, and may you all continue to write captivating stories about the awesome world of Rio.

Best wishes from...

*The Wolf who is on Fyre*