Last one to the waterfall is a rotten egg!â
Blu watched as they did loop de loops and barrel rolls, then slid down a waterfall.
âYeah!â Tiago shouted. âThis is great!â
Jewel landed on a branch. âTiago!â she called, tossing him a piece of fruit. She ripped into her own fruit, juice dripping down her beak.
Blu had never seen her act this way. âWhoa.â
He decided to go brush his teeth first, keeping up his regular routine. But as he was brushing, he realized he wasnât alone. Eduardo was standing there. Watching him.
âMorning!â Eduardo bellowed.
Blu swallowed down the toothpaste foam and started coughing. He didnât like being snuck up on.
âSee you overslept a little bit here, son,â Eduardo said. âOur days start pretty early here in the jungle.â
Jewel swept back in and Blu quickly wiped his beak.
âMorning, Daddy!â
âThatâs my girl, already up and at âem!â Eduardo said proudly.
âWhy did you let me sleep in?â Blu asked Jewel under his breath. He hated looking lazy in front of his father-in-law.
Jewel looked at him. âWhat are you talking about? You sleep in every day!â
âYeah, butââ
Bia swooped in carrying clay in her talons. âHey, Dad, Aunt Mimi says clay is good for your digestion. Try some!â And despite Bluâs protests, Bia shoved the clay into his beak, making him cough again.
âItâs good, right?â Bia grinned. âIâm gonna go get some more.â She took off.
âSmart girl. Clearly she takes after her mother,â Eduardo said fondly. âSo I thought Iâd take Stu here for a little tour of the area. Show him around.â He put his arm around Blu. âLetâs shake that city off you, son.â
âOh, thatâs a great idea!â Jewel exclaimed. âYou go have fun with Daddy and Iâll explore around here with the kids!â
âOh, oh yeah, okay. Sure. Yeah, great, I just gottaââ Blu pulled out his fanny pack. âOkay, ready.â
Eduardo cleared his throat. âOkay. Stu, come here. Itâs okay, Stu. Come closer.â
Blu moved a little closer. âEven more? Okay, yeah.â
âNot so close,â Eduardo said.
Blu backed off. âOh, okay.â
Eduardo sighed. âListen, I know you come from a . . . I realize a different background.â He pointed to the pack. âBut, you gotta . . . you gotta lose that human pocket, okay?â
âOh, this is a fanny pack,â Blu corrected.
âItâs human,â Eduardo said firmly. âAnd I canât have my flock corrupted, so you understand.â Finished, Eduardo flew off. âIâll meet you by the clay banks!â he called.
âCome on . . . corrupted?â Blu let out, exasperated. âBy a fanny pack?â
Jewel tried to calm him. âRemember how I was when I met you?â
Blu nodded. âUh, yeah. Rude, violent, borderline psychotic.â
Jewel smiled. âAll right, easy there, partner. I was wild. These are wild birds.â She smoothed Bluâs feathers. âWe have to try to be culturally sensitive while weâre here. Besides, it wonât kill you to leave behind the fanny pack.â
âAll right,â Blu agreed. Jewel flew off as Blu put the pack on the ground.
âHappy wife, happy life,â he said, sighing. He took flight, trying to keep up. Then he looked back at Jewel, with the kids and Roberto.
Jewel waved. âHave fun, honey!â
âUh, yeah, sure. Bye!â
Â
In another part of the jungle, a different expedition was taking place. Nigel, Gabi, and Charlie stalked through the rain forest. Nigel had disguised himself with leaves and vines.
âThere he is,â Nigel said, looking into the sky. A blue bird was flying unsteadily ahead of them. âNowâs our chance. Prepare the