Chapter Text
The next day, the base was getting fixed by everyone in the Flock, who wanted to see their home shine once again. The area was getting cleaned by Matilda, Stella and Terrence, Hal and Bubbles getting logs, and the rest, Red, Chuck, Bomb and the Blues at the training area, checking for materials required for constructing the slingshot. Stella was happy that everything is now resolved and peace has returned to the lands.
Stella: “Well, I never thought me and Red would make amends. Talk about Luck.”
Matilda: “Technically, you made amends with him only, as he didn’t consider you as a rival or anything.”
Stella(mindlessly): “But still, will he accept my love when I’ll confess to him?”
Matilda: “I think it would be best if you give him time. Both of you just had their problems sorted and confessing to him right now would be a bad idea.”
Stella: “Well, you are- ah…”
She realised that she said this out loud.
Stella(Blushing): “I didn’t mean to say that out loud!”
Matilda: “Hehe. It’s alright. Atleast you are now feeling better than before, right?”
Stella: “Yeah. I just hope he-”
In a distance, they heard shouting which was very loud, as if someone snapped…
Red: “THIS THING WAS HERE THE ENITRE FUCKING TIME?!”
The trio was surprised by the sudden shout and went to the training area.
There, they saw the slingshot being perfectly fine, and intact, as if it never sustained damage.
Chuck: “Red, Calm down.”
Red(angrily): “CALM DOWN?! THE SLINGSHOT WAS HERE ALL THE TIME!!! Yet, you FORGOT about it?! Unbelievable!”
Bomb: “Sorry man. No need to shout.”
Red: “MIGTHY EAGLE! I am so done.”
The trio looked at the side to see the Blues wearing some noise cancelling ear muffs, so that they won’t hear Red screaming. It seems like they were handmade, so it explains why Red was cursing.
Jay: “Do you hear something?”
Jake: “What?”
Jim: “Huh?”
The Blues took away the ear muffs, and then they heard something.
Red: “How could you not REMEMBER this important thing at all?!”
Stella: “Red, Calm down!”
Stella suddenly came in front of him, so that Chuck and Bomb won’t get berated more.
Red: “But, Stella-!”
Stella: “Look. I get what you are thinking right now. But atleast we got the Eggs back!”
Red(sigh): “Alright. Please remember where you kept the slingshot next time, both of you.”
Chuck: “You got it bud!”
Bomb: “Yeah man!”
Blues: “Are you two” “going to kiss,” “Red and Stella?”
The sudden question made them blush and look down in embarrassment, not wanting to show their face.
Stella: “Blues?!”
Red: “What made you think like that?!”
The Blues were tilting their head in confusion, but in their minds, they were laughing as hard as possible, not expecting to see their idol, or rather, their friend and father figure blush.
Chuck: “SO, when you two are going to hang out.”
All of them looked at Chuck, who were not expecting him saying something like this.
Stella: “Well, I was about to ask Red. But why do you want us to hang out?”
Bomb: “Hey! You two are the MVPs, man. You deserve some time alone.”
Matilda: “Also, it would be good if you hangout with each other. You might able to strength you friendship which nearly collapsed, due to some certain schemers.”
Terrence: “You two deserve rest. It’s the least we could think off. The War made some heavy impacts.”
All of their arguments made sense in a way. Both Red and Stella wanted to hangout with each other, wanting to mend their friendship and their way of seeing each other. They really wanted to know each other better. Stella gathered the courage and looked at Red.
Stella: “Do you want to hang out with me, Red?”
Red: “…”
Red: “Sure.”
**************************************************
Two years later, the Flock were hanging out in the beach, having fun there. After the War, Red and Stella started to hang out everytime they got the chance. Blues started to visit their parents for a month, every two months, without letting the Flock know(but they know about this). Each time the duo hung out, they started to love each other, however they both still were afraid of confessing their love to each other. Others were saddened by it, knowing that they were afraid of the past. But still, they knew that they had intensions for each other as Red had an engagement ring with him, and Stella was styling her bows to have some red colours so that it reminds her of him. Besides that, the Flock were engaged with various activities, such as go karting to saving the island from Egg Bots, with Pigs and Birds turned into robots, who can also turn into vehicles. All of them were having a break from everything that happened during those times.
Red: “Ah! This is so relaxing.”
Stella: “You are right, Red. It is!”
Red: “I wish these days last forever.”
Stella: “Me too.”
While the birds were enjoying their break, Red saw a bottle drifting towards the beach, prompting to check it out. Stella notices it too and follows Red. Everyone else looked at the duo and abandoned everything they were doing to check what was going on.
Red: “Huh? What’s a drift bottle doing here?”
He noticed that a paper was rolled up inside the bottle. He wasn’t sure, but it felt like opening it will give him some answers. He opened it in front of everyone and looked at the contents. It was a letter which was meant for Stella as it contained some coloured writing. He gives the letter to her, and she reads it.
Stella: “Dear Stella…”
Poppy(letter): “How are ya doing, best friend? It’s been almost two years since we last saw you. Things have been going down in Bird Island after we told the kidnapping to Judge Peckinpah. One day, we saw the Blues in the streets with their parents and the next day, they are gone. Neiderflyer is being a jerk even still, so does Robin.”
Dahlia(letter): “But, we have been enjoying things without you, even if we miss you. Well, one day, we decided that we too want to have a vacation, so we tried to go on a vacation, just like you, so that we could find some adventuring in another land.”
Willow(letter): “We had to build a boat, so that we could get away from the men who suddenly started to ask us out after you left. The villagers there are making a ruckus there, so we had to get away as fast as possible(sorry, if Poppy didn’t tell you this). As usual, we found Gale not doing any work as usual, so the three of us had to work on the boat.
Gale(letter): “Update: We found an island and it didn’t seem like anyone was inhabited there. We soon found out that it was a very mysterious island with some really cool things. Alas, I cannot write much about it as it would blow your mind if you saw them. By the way, we wanted to invite you there, considering that Red might be working you all out. So, it would be best if you come here and hang out with us.”
Poppy: “Please come, or else Red would taste our wrath!”
Dahila: “I hope you could come, who also have a surprise.”
Willow: “If you don’t want to come, then it’s alright. Else if we found Red denied permission, you know what Poppy wrote. Also, this is the coordinates of the island, courtesy of Dahlia.”
Stella: “Yours Sincerely,
BFFS of yours!”
Everyone heard everything what the letter had to offer and became worried about Stella leaving Piggy Island. Red wasn’t much worried about Stella leaving the Island as others, but before that, some things were making him worried about his friends’ safety. He didn’t know what those pigs will plan, but he was sure they will take revenge on what happened two years ago.
When Red was in deep thought, a dark aura was surrounding Stella, making everyone, even Red, who just snapped from it, scared.
Stella(angrily): “First, they ruin the reputation of Red. NOW THEY WANT TO MAKE HIM TASTE THEIR WRATH IF I DON’T COME?! IF I SAW THEIR FACES, I’LL MAKE THEM FACE MY WRATH!”
Hal: “Woah, calm down! No need to be angry.”
Bubbles: “You really need to stop getting angry on them, considering that they are not here.”
Matilda: “Well, it’s your choice, if you want to go there. Will you accept it?”
Stella: “But, is it really okay if I leave this place to go where ever they are right now?”
Everyone looked at Red, who was looking at the letter, knowing they won’t be able to hurt him easily.
Red: “No, not at all. On the contrary, it would be best if you go there.”
Everyone became shocked, knowing what he said could really affect his and Stella’s relationship. Even Stella was shocked, but reading the letter might made him scared a little.
Everyone: “WHAT?!”
Chuck: “B-but Red-”
Red: “No buts! But still, if you want to, you can stay, Stella. Else, you can enjoy your time there.”
Stella: “…”
Stella: “Alright. Maybe there I could train for my new power.”
Red: “Alright. Everyone, get back to whatever you were doing earlier. We don’t have all the time.”
Bomb: “Alright Red. Hope you have fun.”
Before they could return, Red asked he and Stella could play and they agreed. They had two volleyball matches, before returning to the base.
Stella: ‘What is Red really thinking? Is there something he doesn’t want us to know?’
**************************************************
In the evening, Red was near a cliff, looking at the sun. He had a lot of things on his mind, considering he was worried about the things that concern the pigs. He thought that King Pig will launch a very devastating plan and it could hurt everyone near him, especially Stella. He really didn’t want Stella to get hurt. She already lost something important, and she can’t afford that again, just like him. He really doesn’t want to lose Stella.
Red: ‘If Stella ended up getting hurt or something, then I’ll never forgive myself.’
He eventually felt someone’s presence, and he looked behind. It was Stella, who was looking tense.
Stella: “Hey, Red.”
Red: “Hey, Stella. What brings you here?”
Stella: “Well, can’t I sit beside you for a moment or something?”
Red: “I don’t think you are here for that, but rather about my decision, yes?”
Stella sighed, knowing that he has known about her intentions…
Stella: “Red. Why do you want me to go to the island where my best friends are?”
Red: “…” *turns around*
Stella: “Why are you not answering?”
Red: “I don’t want to answer that.”
Stella(worried): “Is there something that you are not telling me?!”
Red: “…”
Stella: “Do you hate me?”
Red was suddenly surprised by Stella’s question. He turned around again to see her looking like she was about to cry.
Stella: “Is it because that I am annoying or something?!”
Red: “Stella?”
Stella(not listening): “Is it because I took your precious time that you could’ve spent guarding the Eggs?”
Red: “Stella...?”
Stella(starting to panic): “Is it because the things I said before?!”
Red: “Stella!”
She snapped out of her mumbling, realising that she was getting angsty in front of Red.
Stella: “Oh, Sorry.”
Red: “I know that you are worried about leaving everyone here, but could you listen to me? I’ll talk.”
Stella: “Mmmm.”
Red(sigh): “Well, I think that you should reconnect with your best friends again after so long here. I mean, two years have passed, yet still there will be some people who will miss you and others. Except me.”
Stella: “Red…”
Red(awkward): “Oh, don’t mind me. Anyways, everyone, including you have cut off your friendships and relationships due to me becoming a wanted criminal. The Blues have managed to do something about it, but others can’t have the luxury. All because of me. So, I want you to live your life to the fullest, no matter what you think.”
Stella: “Red…”
She wanted to tell her feelings about him, to him. She was afraid about not confessing his feelings to him. She didn’t want to be separated by him. And she definitely knew it would take years to come back if she went there.
Stella: “Red. I w-wanted to say something.”
Red: “What is it, Stella?”
Alas, she still had no courage to tell those feelings. But she did improvise…
…by hugging him and tell him that…
Stella: “All the best defending the Eggs, alright?”
Red was taken aback by the encouraging words by Stella, but he knew that he won’t be able to see her for a long time.
Red: “All the best working on you new power too, incase you find pigs there.”
Both of them retracted from their hug and sat down to watch the sunset. Near them, hiding inside the bushes, were the Flock, realising that Red cared about them much, however they could say that he too was scared about confessing his feelings to Stella.
Terrence: “Red, I hope you don’t regret your decision.”
**************************************************
The next day, at evening, Stella was packing some of her stuff into the boat Red used. Fortunately, it had extra fuel and paddles, so if the boat runs out of fuel, there are alternate options. Everyone was gifting her something worth remembering and using. Chuck gave her a head band, Matilda gave her a camera, Bomb a hat(he didn’t know what he could give her much of an importance), Bubbles some snacks, Hal a guide to parkour(as she shown interest, and was surprised by his gift), Terrence a memory photo they took, Blues a whistle for emergencies, and finally, Red a book.
Stella: “Thanks guys. It means a lot.”
Hal: “Anything for our Flock member. After all, the Flock never forgets.”
Stella: “Geez, I shouldn’t have said that.”
Bubbles: “What are you saying, this is good.”
Stella(sigh): “Hehe. Alright, alright, no need to tease me. But, Red. I have a question.”
Red: “Ask away.”
Stella: “What is this book you gave me? This doesn’t have a title in the cover.”
Red: “Open it and you will see.”
Stella opened the book, not expecting something that would change her life.
Stella: “‘The Guide to become a Great Leader.’ Oh Red, I should have expected this.”
Chuck: “Classic Red.”
Bomb: “You are really worried about Stella, huh?”
Red: “Hey, the pigs came to our island too. Can’t hurt to be extra cautious.”
Matilda: “But, you could’ve given her something more useful, you know?”
Stella: “I don’t think a guide cannot be more useful than a camera, but still, I get your point.”
Red: “Oh, and if you don’t want to implement what you see in the guild, fine by me. I mean, you are going in an actual vacation, so my guide will ruin it.”
Stella: “Are you kidding me? This might be helpful for me. For all I know, you don’t know what will happen next.”
She looked at the sea, looking at the direction which will lead to the island where her friends are. She looked at her companions one last time.
Stella: “Will you manage without me, everyone?”
Chuck: “We will, Stella.”
Bomb: “Don’t worry about us.”
Blues: “We will” “support your” “decision, Stella.”
Matilda: “Make sure the girls don’t hurt themselves.”
Hal: “Stay positive.”
Bubbles: “Eat lots of good food.”
Terrence: “Don’t let yourself stray in the wrong path.”
Red: “And become the leader they look upto. And stay safe.”
Everyone hugged her, tears forming on their eyes(except Red). They broke out pf their hug afterwards and Stella boarded the boat, saying their good byes.
Stella: “Good bye everyone.”
Everyone: “Goodbye!”
She started the motor and sailed towards the location. Everyone was shedding tears, now that Stella was gone, they might have to live without her.
Red: “Guys?”
Chuck(sobbing): “You won’t get it.”
Bomb: “Why did you sent her away?”
Red: “Guys. You really should stop this. You thought I won’t notice you, or something.”
Matilda and the others were too sad to argue with him. They enjoyed Stella’s company and they were happy with it.
Red: “Well, do come back to the base to guard the Eggs. I have to go somewhere else.”
Red went back, wanting to be left alone. The others stopped crying and looked at him. Chuck and Bomb felt something was wrong when Red told them that he wanted to go somewhere else.
Jim: “Is he alright?”
Jay: “I think he’s hiding something.”
Chuck: “Then let’s find out.”
**************************************************
At the cliff, Red was again watching the sun, lost in thought. He was reminiscing about the times he had with Stella. At the same time, Stella was seeing the moon rise, also lost in thought. She was reminiscing about the times she had with Red. Both of them were having fun in the memories they made together. Both of them started to take a liking to each other, but it was the past events that made them never confess their feelings to each other. Remembering their memories made them stop acting, making both of them shed a tear. Both of them had a sad look, remembering about the letter.
Red: “Stella.”
Stella: “Red.”
Near the bushes, everyone was looking at Red, since they cannot see Stella again. His sad look, and his eyes unable to be shown made them worried.
Matilda: “Why does he look sad?”
Chuck: “Shhh! Keep quite.”
After a few minutes, both of the birds started to cry, everyone becoming sentimental. Suddenly, did they saw their leader pull Titan’s Wrath and the letter and smashed it with a brutal force.
Red/Stella(crying): “WHY?!”
Both couldn’t handle being separated from each other. They were crying so much that they were too occupied to see their surroundings(land/sea respectively).
Red: “Why did I agree on the departure?!”
Stella: “Why did I accept the invitation?!”
Red: “I should not have agreed to the departure…”
Stella: “I should not have accepted the invitation…”
Red/Stella: “…else I could finally have confessed my feelings to Stella/Red!”
Everyone knew that what they were seeing was an emotional moment and they knew Red truly needed to be alone. They left him alone, making sure that he is fine.
Red/Stella: “If only that letter didn’t come here, I could’ve lived a happy life!”
Red was looking down, missing his ‘sunshine’, while Stella looked up, missing her ‘moonlight’. Now, they could do nothing but see as they sob quietly, nothing disturbing them.
Red got up and went back to the base, sighing. He knew that he still needed to be the Egg Defender and the leader the Flock needs. Stella refiled the motor in the boat, knowing it’s going to be a long journey.
Red/Stella: “Stella/Red… I promise I won’t fall in love with someone else. I will come for you, no matter the cost.”
**************************************************
As both of them were reminiscing about the departure five years ago, Red suddenly remembered what he found after smashing the letter. It had a hidden note where they girls planted a bomb somewhere which they forgot about. It was a sound one, but the explosion was so bad, it ruined the architecture of the Bird Village. So, they were wanted criminals too.
Wait…
Red: “I REMEMBER.”
Everyone was in the boat at the time, even Silver Poppy, Dahila, Willow and Luca, the hatchling. Everyone was confused by Red’s sudden remark.
Poppy: “What did you remember?”
Red: “Who was it who told Judge Peckinpah that I ‘kidnapped’ the Blues?”
The three girls(Poppy, Dahlia, and Willow) realised that they might have done a real terrible thing. Everyone(except Silver and Luca) remembered that what ruined their trip back to the Bird Island.
Dahlia(panicking): “Oops.”
Willow: “Sorry.”
Red: “Forget it. You did something worse in Bird Island, so it doesn’t matter.”
Chuck(confused): “What do you mean?!”
Red: “Remember the sonic boom we heard?”
Bomb: “Yeah.”
Red: “Well…”
Poppy: “We placed it inside your house, Red.”
Red(shocked): “WHAT?!”
Well, it’s going to be roller-coaster of adventure now on…
…
It will continue.