Blu was born in Rio. He knew that. But he had more memories of being a small-town bird in Minnesota in the company of the human he’d been proud to call his caretaker, friend… even maternal figure, Linda. And he was happy with that. Sure, maybe he didn’t know how to fly at first, but he was happy.

Then came the trip back to Rio at the behest of ornithologist and Linda’s now-fiancee, Tulio, to visit his aviary as Blu was – to his surprise at finding out – the last male Spix’s Macaw, which presented a prime opportunity for his female Spix’s Macaw to bond with him and perhaps save their species.

Things got off to a… rocky, violent start when Blu first laid his eyes on the beauty of Jewel, who immediately distrusted him and the humans he came with – he could still feel her talons on his throat. To put a long story short, after being abducted and chained up together by smugglers, him trying (and failing) to flirt with her, meeting new friends in the city like Pedro, Nico, Luiz and Rafael, and dealing with the utter terror of a cockatoo that was Nigel, plus finding his courage to fly to protect Jewel… it brought them closer than ever. And with that act of bravery, she became his one and only… and he to her.

Their three chicks seemed to be living proof; two girls and a boy, which meant their species’ future was secure. However, that also meant having to move to the wild; leaving Linda, the one who had cared for her for fifteen wonderful years, to care for his own newfound family. But it had to be done.

Besides… the Blu Bird Sanctuary was only a stone’s throw away now that the pair – both avian and human – were permanently based in Rio. So it wasn’t really a goodbye, more just a… ‘see you later’.

On a quiet, peaceful night in the vibrant rainforest, not far from the city itself, Blu and his family were huddled up together in the comfort of their nest, basking in the cool midnight air. He was safe, his mate was safe, and his kids were safe. That was enough.

…

And then there was a noise.

Jewel, naturally, was wide-awake at the ready, her eyes shooting open with a faint gasp.

“Blu.” she whispered, nudging his still-sleeping form. “Blu, did you hear that?”

The tired macaw’s eyes wearily opened, a mumble escaping his beak. “N-No, Linda, I… I-I don’t need a cookie right now…”

With a frustrated huff, Jewel whapped the back of her now-definitely awake mate’s head with a wing, who looked around in alarm.

“Blu!” Jewel hissed, getting his attention. “I heard something out there. Listen.”

A beat passed.

Rustling.

Blu gulped. “I-It… could be the wind.”

“Or it could also not be.” Jewel firmly urged. “I’m gonna go scope it out. You stay with the kids.”

At this point, Blu had two options: listen to his wife, or listen to his heart.

He went for the latter.

“No.” Blu interjected, bravely holding a wing out in front of her. “I’ll go look. You wait here.”

Jewel, taken aback, tried to protest. “You? Blu, no, you can’t–”

“I can.” Blu insisted with a nod. “For you. My one and only.”

…Ay, she couldn’t refuse when he talked like that. Instead she sighed… then leaned in to press her beak to his. “Be careful.”

With that, Blu cautiously peeked outside. Nothing there.

Another rustle. It seemed to come from the ground floor of the rainforest.

He took a deep, steadying breath and flapped down from their tree, letting his talons sink into the earth beneath them. The macaw was fully prepared to try and ward off whoever thought of harming his family – if he could handle Nigel, he could handle anybody, right?

Well… he could try.

But as he padded further along, he stopped at the sight of something… laying on the ground?

Once he got further into the light, a stunned exhale left him.

It was a bird. An unconscious, still alive bird, who looked like they’d seen better days. Their wings were battered and bruised, and their feathers were noticeably unkempt.

Oh. This wouldn’t do at all.

“Uhh… honey?” he nervously called up to the tree. “Could you come down, please? I think I am gonna need some extra help with this.”