Prologue:

A Different Kind of Adventure

The final day of the summer season drew to a glorious start. The wind swept through the jungles forcing the trees to sway in unison. Like some glorious dance, the branches and leaves rustled in every direction, properly choreographed by the forces of nature. The day promised to be a scorcher with very little humidity, or chance of rain to offer some relief from the tropical climate. As the sun began to rise over the tree tops, it soaked through the canopy of trees into the hollows which rested a short distance below.

The first few rays of the morning sunlight shined through the opening of the hollow of a small cannonball tree. Jewel formed a peaceful smile as she nuzzled Blu with her beak. She instinctively drew to his neck, kissing his cerulean feathers, and secretly hoped for some kind of reaction from the slumbering bird. He moaned and wrapped his wings around her, almost as if hoping for some reassurance that she still lay there on his chest. Jewel closed her eyes and let out a peaceful sigh, she moved up and down with the rhythm of his breathing. She listened to the beating of his heart. It was these kinds of intimate moments that made her feel safe in his wing. They hadn't changed positions all night. They covered her like thick fur blanket, which provided the right amount of warmth to allow her comfort.

From everything that had happened between the two of them lately, this moment seemed to pass like some kind of wonderful dream. She couldn't help but let her smile deepen. She didn't need to worry anymore. Dark Blu would never return. Marco and his band of villains rested in the afterlife. Even the world seemed to remain still, frozen forever in time. Finally she herself rested within the wings of the bird she loved. From all aspects in her mind, she could be at peace… relaxed… and content with her lot in life. She could finally be happy.

"Life is perfect." She sighed, "Absolutely perfect."

Blu moaned again and let his eyes open a slight crack. He formed a sly smile, having heard every word of what Jewel said. He pressed his wings tighter against her back, and leaned in to kiss her passionately. He longed to feel her beak against his every single morning. It filled him with happiness, and made him look forward to each dawn. Awakening next to her, proved to be the greatest feeling in the world. He knew only too well that the feeling felt mutual between the two lovebirds.

"I love you, Jewel." He smiled.

Before Jewel could respond, Rose and Rico fluttered into the hollow. They hovered in place for a moment before coming in for a landing. They stood in awkward silence as they both peered at the intimate look on their parent's faces. They didn't really acknowledge their arrival, they just stared wide eyed and sort of shocked by the sudden appearance.

"Did you two just get in?" Jewel arched a curious eyebrow.

Rose nodded and hung her head to avoid her mother's stern expression. She swallowed a lump in her throat.

"I'm sorry, mom. I thought you would want an evening alone with dad." She explained. "I thought I would show Rico some of the sights. He hasn't been in this section of Rio for very long."

This time Blu arched a curious eyebrow. He peered at the strange coloured macaw with a sort of mistrust. He felt a surge of overprotective fatherhood flow through his being. He couldn't trust Rico, not until he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt whose side he really was on. There seemed to be a certain suave manner about him, something that warned Blu that the newcomer could sweet talk his way out of any situation. He already knew that Rico held the position of a thief, but could there be more about him than that? Could he be a master manipulator? Could he be working for some new enemy that even Marco couldn't stand?

"I see," Blu played along for the time being. "How long have you known him, Rose?"

Rose could sense her father's mistrust. She held up a wing and shook her head in open defiance. She didn't want to answer the question, because she knew it would only expand the tension between her father and her new boyfriend. She lowered her head further and began to speak, changing the subject.

"He's agreed to share his story with us. Please, give him a chance. I think he'll be able to answer all of your questions."

Rico nodded his head.

"Please, Blu. Can you listen to me for a little while? I will do my best to answer all of your questions. If you still have any left over after I finish, than I will answer those as well. I don't want to start things off on the wrong foot."

Blu nodded his head in defeat. He couldn't deny him the right to be honest. He also found himself a bit curious about the macaw's origin story.

"Alright, but if I think you are lying, you'll be out of here faster than you can open your beak. If we're going to listen to your story, than I want nothing but honesty. Do I make myself clear?"

Rico smiled and spread his wings.

"I understand, sir. I won't insult you by giving you anything other than the truth. But it is fair to warn you, the story I am about to tell you is a heartbreaking one. It is a story about a great evil which haunted the land. It tells of a time of hardship and pain for the birds who dwelled on the borderlines of Rio de Janeiro… these were my people…. the blue and gold macaws. It all started several years before I was born. Just north of the borderlines lies a secret dwelling ruled by a group of vicious predators known as hawks."

Blu's eyes widened as he thought about the species for a moment. He shuddered and tried to shake off the memories.

"Hawks… you mean the same species of bird Marco was?"

Rico nodded.

"You see, this isn't the first time I've run into Marco. He's the evil I am speaking about. The evil which continued to grow like a disease with every member added to his Dark Robe Society. This is also their story. But enough with the questions… let me share with you the path of a thief."