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I hope you enjoy", "description_bbcode_parsed": "This chapter is full of revelations and relationships. I hope you enjoy", "writing": "[u][center]Chapter 47: The Ties that Bind[/center][/u]\n\nLove Heart tried his best to relax as Tenderheart drove the cloud car home. He would have been flying alongside the fleet of cars that were returning to the Kingdom of Caring but Healer and Gift were clinging on him too tightly. Even if it had only been a day or two, they were scared. Love Heart put his arms around them and held them close as they came back in sight of the clouds.\n\nLove Heart smiled, “Look, we’re home.”\n\n“Really?” Gift Bear tried to stand up, forgetting she had her seatbelt on and being pulled back to her seat.\n\n“Yup,” Love Heart patted his daughter’s back.\n\n“Finally,” Healer Bear yawned and snuggled up to his father’s side.\n\nAs soon as the cars landed, Love Heart picked his two sleepy children and headed for the hospital. He soon found himself joined by two more children, his little brother and sister Meek Heart Unicorn and Wild Heart Unicorn.\n\nMeek Heart pulled at the leg of his brother’s shorts. “Big brother, what’s going to happen to the Shadow Magi?”\n\nLove Heart paused and looked down at his twin siblings, “We’re going to do our best to help them.” Love Heart looked up as another wave of cloud cars came in, bringing with them the rest of the Care Bear Magi and the defeated Shadow Magi. “On that note, you should go with mom, I have to take care of things.”\n\n“We’re Magi too,” Wild Heart put her hands on her diapered hips and gave an indignant glare up at Love Heart.\n\n“She’s right, Love Heart,” Life Heart approached her children, “And I need to see these Shadow Magi as well.\n\nLove Heart sighed, “Alright, mom.” He looked down at his twin siblings, “I guess you two can come along.”\n\n“Alright!” Wild Heart jumped in the air then skipped towards the hospital. Meek Heart let his mother scoop him up as they entered.\n\nTake Care was suddenly overwhelmed as all of the magi came in with their defeated enemies. She was a flurry of action as she ran through and did her best to fix up everyone’s injuries, prescribing bed rest for most of the Magi except for Love Heart, Confidence and Flash Heart.\n\nMeek Heart and Wild Heart were at Sage Heart’s side as he lay on one of the beds.\n\n“Is daddy going to be alright?” Meek Heart looked up at Take Care Bear.\n\n“Yes,” Take Care was examining Calm Heart Lynx then went over to check Sage Heart and shook him gently.\n\n“Huh?” Sage Heart woke up.\n\n“Daddy!” Wild Heart almost jumped for joy as Sage Heart sat up.\n\n“You can go home, Sage Heart,” Take Care smiled, “I’ll look after everyone else.”\n\n“I’m done here,” Life Heart removed her hands from Marine Heart’s burned and bandaged arm. “He’ll recover but it’s going to hurt for a few days.”\n\nSage Heart got shakily to his feet and Life Heart took his arm to support him, their youngest children clinging to their legs as they left.\n\nTake Care was only too happy to take a break, especially when Gift and Healer woke up and demanded her attention. She picked Healer up and sat down on the couch with him on her lap, where Love Heart was already bouncing Gift Bear on his knee.\n\nConfidence Heart sat next to Love Heart and leaned back against the couch. “So, what are we going to do with the Shadow Magi when they wake up?”\n\n“I’d like to know the same thing,” Flash Heart stood in the doorway to Take Care’s waiting room.\n\nTake Care felt Healer cling to her as he saw Flash Heart (Gift Bear thankfully being distracted by her father). “That depends on how they react. I don’t want to [i]do[/i] anything to them except help them recover. Is Flora asleep?”\n\nFlash Heart looked back over his shoulder towards the entrance to the treatment rooms for a moment, “Once I said was going stay she let herself sleep. I’m going to spend the night in case they wake up.”\n\n“That’s a sound idea,” Take Care stroked her son’s head to try and calm him, “They need someone they trust to help them adjust.”\n\n“I don’t know if they’ll trust me, even with those things gone.” Flash Heart stared at his feet.\n\nTake Care carefully passed Healer to Love Heart, who in turn passed Gift Bear to Confidence Heart, then walked over to Flash Heart. “Flash Heart Bear, I can assure you that other than Marine’s arm they weren’t seriously injured, especially not for a Magi.” She smiled, “From what I’ve seen, they’ll recover quickly. It’s fortunate they’ve all been freed or those orbs might have killed them.”\n\nFlash Heart tensed up for a moment upon hearing that, then relaxed once he realized what Take Care had said. “Thank you.”\n\n“It’s not a problem, now go sit with them. They’ll need their leader to explain things when they wake up.” She gently turned Flash around and gave a soft push to get him out of the room.\n\nHealer had calmed down once Take Care sat back down, Love Heart bouncing him on his knee like he had for Gift, who was currently hugging Confidence Heart. Love Heart smiled as he let Healer come to a rest. “Feeling better, little guy?”\n\nHealer nodded and hugged his father, “Yes, thanks daddy.”\n\n“They’re sweet kids,” Confidence smiled down at Gift who looked up at her.\n\n“Thanks Auntie Confy,” Gift giggled. ‘Auntie Confy’ was the name she and Healer had taken to calling Confidence Heart once the relationship she had with Love Heart and Take Care had been explained to them, as best as they could understand, but they still looked up to her like a second mother.\n\nIt wasn’t long before the twins were tired enough to be put to bed. Confidence Heart zipped Gift and Healer into the onesie pyjamas she had sewn for them: pink for Gift and orange for Healer, and lay them to bed in their crib. After making sure the baby monitor was working, Love Heart and Confidence returned to the hospital area where Take Care stood with Flash Heart.\n\nTake Care nodded towards the two of them then turned towards the room where she’d stored the body she pulled out of No-Heart’s castle earlier. “Follow me. I need to show you something before everyone else starts asking questions.”\n\nTake Care had included a morgue in the hospital in the hopes she would never need it, every hospital needed one by design and because it allowed her to use it as cold storage for more sensitive medical supplies. The body itself was an emaciated, the skin was red and black and covered in blisters and pustules; parts of the body had been crushed, the left arm and part of the torso were smashed flat as was part of the head which looked almost skull-like with the eyes having burst and the nose flattened and the skin tight across the top.\n\nLove Heart had to fight the rising nausea in his stomach but kept it together, knowing Take Care had spent the better part of her day autopsying the body. Confidence Heart and Flash Heart weren’t doing much better, Flash Heart even had a hand over his stomach. Parts of the chest and head had been freshly sliced open during Take Care’s autopsy. Take Care kept up a professional demeanor as she pulled on new surgical gloves and grabbed her freshly sterilized tools to re-open the body.\n\n“If everything Flash Heart told us is true then this is No-Heart’s body.” She re-opened the cut she made in his head then looked up at the three of them, “I won’t force you to look inside.” She looked back down into the opening then closed it, “He died of extreme frostbite and severe blunt trauma.”\n\nFlash Heart swallowed his nausea before he spoke, “Makes sense. Soul Heart uses Ice and Gravity magic.”\n\n“Hydrokinetics, Cryokinetics and Chaokinetics,” Love Heart said.\n\nTake Care nodded, “That’s not all,” she moved to open the cut in his chest, “He was also suffering from severe dehydration and malnourishment before he died. I managed to find some undamaged DNA to run a test, but I’ve seen this before.” She put the tools in the tray for sterilizing.\n\n“I didn’t think anyone up here would have that kind of problem,” Confidence did her best not to look at the corpse.\n\n“Not on a Care Bear, on Dark Heart,” Take Care motioned for them to leave as she put the body into a cold storage tray, then disposed of her gloves and washed her hands. Once they were back in the waiting room, Take Care sat down at her computer and continued from where she left off, “Flash Heart just bear with me for a moment, you’ll learn more later. Love Heart, Confidence Heart I know you saw that movie based on our origin, remember how we defeated Dusk Heart?”\n\n“Yeah, by shouting ‘we care!’ over and over and getting him to admit that he cared too, which turned him human,” Confidence Heart rolled her eyes and smirked, “Let me guess, it wasn’t that cheesy.”\n\n“Not exactly,” Take Care began opening files on the computer, “But the events were very similar, and getting Dark Heart to admit he cared did expel the evil power from him, but he literally had to force the words out then a large red cloud of smoke poured out of his eyes, mouth and nose and flew off before the lair collapsed. Also while his magic did put Christy into temporal stasis I did have to give her treatment for the electrical burns she received, but I’m getting off topic.” She opened a file titled [u]David Hall[/u], “When we got out of his collapsing lair, Dark Heart, or David now, collapsed on the spot. He was suffering from severe malnutrition and dehydration after years of being possessed by the darkness that made him who he was.”\n\n“Yeah, he was a human from Paradise Valley taken over by something in a forbidden part of the valley.” Love Heart’s face hardened at the thought.\n\nTake Care nodded, “Whatever turned him into Dark Heart also made him mostly needless: he didn’t need to eat, sleep or drink, but he still needed to breathe, but once the sustaining magic left him he was hit with all the consequences of that, thankfully not fatally. He was in a hospital for months as they carefully brought him up to full health. He didn’t remember us from his time in Paradise Valley, or if he did then the didn’t say anything.” Take Care shook her head and returned to the topic she had been leading too, “My point it that, from what little of his body remains, No-Heart was in the same condition as David and if he hadn’t been killed he likely would have been in a similar state.”\n\n“So they were the same person?” Flash Heart folded his arms and cocked an eyebrow, “Or… they had the same source of power.”\n\n“That’s my hypothesis,” Take Care read over Dark Heart’s file, “After it escaped Dark Heart, that red cloud must have found another human to attach to and turn into No-Heart, except other than a hatred of us he seemed to be a completely different person. In hindsight it makes more sense than I realized: they both used lightning, could shapeshift and loved to tempt humans into doing evil things, albeit with different methods.” Take Care sat back in her office chair.\n\n“Then that’s what happened to my mom,” Flash Heart tightened his hands into fists, “After she killed No-Heart he possessed her and changed her into that abomination that almost destroyed my family!”\n\nLove Heart put a hand on Flash Heart’s shoulder in comfort then turned to Take Care, “What should we do?”\n\n“I don’t know. If Soul Heart could expel the spirit by caring then she would have by now, or No-Heart wouldn’t even have been able to possess her,” Take Care closed the file, “For now, all we can do is rest and wait for the Shadow Magi to wake up.”\n\n“Alright, I’m going to sit with them,” Flash Heart went back to where the Shadow Magi lay unconscious.\n\nTake Care sighed and shut down her computer, “Now I need to sleep, it’s been a long day.”\n\nLove Heart watched her stand, weariness written all over the doctor’s form, then took her hand, “Before you do, please come with me, both of you,” he turned to Confidence Heart.\n\nConfidence smiled, “Alright.”\n\nLove Heart led them both back into their living room then turned around to face them. He took a deep breath and smiled before he began, “I know it’s been a hard day and that it’s probably going to get worse before it gets better, but I have something I want to talk about.” He took Confidence’s hand in his right, “Confidence Heart, you’re a strong woman and someone I can rely on in a fight or for comfort and I’ve seen you deal with heartache and loss but keep going and aren’t afraid to fight for the ones you love and you even helped us raised our children without even treating like they aren’t our own, and Take Care,” Love Heart took the lavender bear’s hand in his left, “You’re just as strong, you’re calm even when faced with some of the hardest moments of your life: having children, treating injuries and illness or even looking at,” Love Heart shuddered slightly, “the remains of one our enemies; you’ve been a great mother to our children even when you can’t find the times because of work. What I’m saying, to both of you, is: will you marry me?”\n\nTake Care blinked, “Both of us?”\n\nLove Heart blushed, “Well I don’t have any rings, but yes both of you. I love both of you and I don’t want to make either of you feel like you don’t have a place in my heart especially after all of this.”\n\nConfidence Heart squeezed tighter and chuckled, “Of course I’ll marry you you sap.” She turned to look at Take Care, who seemed more hesitant.\n\nTake Care had to process the thoughts for a few moments before she finally answered, “If you really want this, then yes I’ll marry you, Love Heart.”\n\nLove Heart reached out and pulled them both into a hug, tearing up slightly, “Thank you, both of you. I love you.”\n\n“I love you too,” Confidence gave him a kiss.\n\n“I love you, Love Heart,” Take Care stood on her toes to give him a kiss then carefully extricated herself from his embrace, “But I need to take a shower after all of this. It’s still been a long day.” She headed for the bathroom.\n\nConfidence still had an arm around Love Heart as she watched Take Care go. “Well I’m not tired, didn’t get to fight today,” she stretched upwards and pulled herself away from Love Heart, “I’m gonna go let Flash Heart know he can have Take Care’s room if he gets tired tonight.” Love Heart smirked as he watched her go, them followed Take Care to the bathroom.\n\nTake Care stepped into the hot shower and gave a sigh of relief.\n\n“May I join you?” Love Heart shut the bathroom door behind him as he stepped into the bathroom.\n\n“Love Heart?” Take Care hadn’t even reached for the shampoo yet when she heard his voice. She smiled, “Yes, please.”\n\nLove Heart was already stripping off his clothes as Take Care answered. He tossed them in the laundry hamper they kept in the bathroom and stepped into the shower. Take Care immediately blushed as she saw Love Heart. While Care Bears didn’t need clothing, being in an intimate environment still felt very different for them.\n\n“Something wrong?” Love Heart asked.\n\n“It’s just been a long time since we were together like this.” Love Heart reached out to stroke her cheek and she turned to look up at him, Love Heart was a full head taller than her.\n\nLove Heart averted his eyes for a moment, feeling a bit sheepish, “I know. But once I found out Confidence probably would never have children I thought I needed to give her more affection and time to make up for it. But when I saw how much she cares about Healer and Gift, especially the pyjamas she made for them, I felt I was neglecting you. I wasn’t sure until after tonight.” Love Heart smiled, “You handled seeing that body better than any of us, not to mention taking care of everyone up here, even our hopefully former enemies. I don’t want to live without either of you and Confidence already gave her blessing.”\n\nTake Care couldn’t help but giggle, “I noticed, why else would she tell Flash to use my bedroom?”\n\n“Good thing you heard that,” Love Heart put his arms around Take Care, “Time for me to make up for over two years of lost time.\n\nTake Care stood on her toes and they kissed then let go of him after almost slipping, nearly having forgotten the shower still raining down around them.\n\nLove Heart looked her up and down, “Motherhood really agrees with you.”\n\nTake Care blushed but kept her gaze on Love Heart. It was true she’d changed since having Gift and Healer: her breasts had grown a full cup size and her hips were wider, she’d noticed similar changes in the other new mothers in the Kingdom of Caring, maybe it was just something that happened to all Care Bears once they had their first children.\n\nLove Heart wrapped his arms around Take Care again, “I won’t let you slip,” he whispered. Take Care gasped as she felt Love Heart grab onto her ass and grip the cheeks tightly, lifting her off the ground so her face was level with his. Take Care wrapped her legs around his middle and her arms around his chest and they kissed, harder and more passionately than before. Love Heart spun around so he could press her up against the shower wall opposite from the controls, leaning hard into their kiss.\n\nTake Care gasped as they finished and felt their inhibitions washing away and Love Heart poked her from below. “Oh my stars!” she had a hungry look in her eyes but even then her more sensible mind forced her to ask, “Are you sure?”\n\n“I need to make up for lost time, and we can handle another kid,” Love Heart lifted her up then let her drop back down. Take Care gasped and moaned then they kissed again as Love Heart pressed her against the wall.\n\nOoOoO\n\n“Hey Flash, just to let you know you can use Take Care’s bed if you need sleep,” Confidence Heart leaned into the treatment room.\n\n“OK,” Flash Heart was still watching over the other Shadow Magi.\n\n“Worried?” Confidence Heart walked up next to him.\n\n“Yes, but more about what they’ll say when they wake up,” he turned his head to Confidence, “Aren’t you worried, about Love Heart and Take Care I mean?”\n\n“Worried they’ll push themselves too hard with fighting and healer, but that’s why I’m here, and I know they’ll be fine too.” She put her hands behind her head, “Or did you mean something else?”\n\n“I mean… you live here and... well I thought you and Love Heart were a couple,” Flash Heart rubbed the back of his head.\n\nConfidence Heart smirked, “We practise something called free love up here, anyone can be with anyone as long as all parties agree. No need to be jealous or hateful and it’s not like there isn’t love.” Confidence’s smirk turned into a gentle smile as she looked up at the ceiling, “I love Love Heart and I like Take Care too.” She gave a chuckle, “Not everyone does it, I mean Anger Heart and Guidance Heart are just with each other, same for Defiant and Loyal, but we don’t judge each other.” She turned back to Flash Heart, “If you decide to live up here you can go for it too.”\n\nThey stood tougher in silence for a time until Confidence Heart’s huge ears twitched as she heard the sound of the shower shutting off, “Excuse me, time for me to benefit from free love.”\n\nFlash Heart just watched her go. Even if he wanted to he couldn’t think about love now, free or otherwise. Just the thought that that wizard had taken over Soul Heart was eating at him, and so was the thought that he’d have to explain that to his family once they woke up.\n\nOoOoO\n\nTake Care and Love Heart dried each other off, both smiling and flushed from the steam of the shower and their lovemaking. Take Care giggled as Love Heart hung the towels up, “Thank you, Love Heart, I missed that.”\n\n“And I missed being with you like this,” Love Heart walked up behind her and gave her a kiss as she turned her head to him, then reached around under his arms to grope her breasts.\n\n“Ohhh!” Take Care sighed contentedly and leaned up back against him, “Thank you.”\n\n“For the grabs?” Love Heart smirked.\n\n“For everything. We’re not completely dry yet,” Take Care smiled.\n\n“Dry enough, and the dew keeps us cool after this.” Love Heart let go of her and opened the bathroom door for her.\n\nLove Heart and Take Care easily slipped into what was now the room for the three of them, the quick rush across the hall cooling them with the water droplet’s clinging to their fur. Once they were in the bedroom, Love Heart grabbed Take Care and gave her a kiss.\n\nTake Care sighed happily and let herself back onto their bed. “Finally here.”\n\n“In bed, or in bed with me?” Love Heart gave a small leap and hovered over Take Care so he could lie down next to her.\n\n“Both,” Take Care rolled over to face him and they kissed before they pulled themselves under the covers.\n\n“Hope you don’t mind if I join you,” Confidence Heart had slipped into the room and shut the door behind her.\n\nTake Care smirked and she and Love Heart scooted over to give Confidence some room, “I guess I should get used to this.”\n\n“Is that a problem?” Confidence smirked and slipped in behind Take Care, pressing her chest up against Take Care’s back and her arms around her.\n\nTake Care fidgeted, “Confidence, I’m still not sure about you and me…”\n\n“Alright,” Confidence Heart withdrew her arms and expertly rolled overtop of both of them under the covers, “But here we are.”\n\n“Yes, we are,” Love Heart rolled over and gave Confidence a kiss.\n\nTake Care smiled, “Thanks for understanding, Confidence.” She pulled herself up against Love Heart, pressing her breasts into his back.”\n\n“You’ve had your fun and I’m full of energy,” Confidence pulled herself closer to Love Heart and kissed harder.\n\n“I’ve got plenty of energy,” Love Heart wrapped his arms around Confidence as she slid onto him.\n\n“Good, because I need to burn off a lot,” Confidence Heart growled.\n\nTake Care thought she would be upset or even bothered by this, but somehow she was enjoying the ride by proxy. She nuzzled into the back of Love Heart’s neck and sighed contentedly, drifting off to sleep when they finally finished, still embracing Love Heart.\n\nOoOoO\n\n“All of them defeated!” Soul Heart slammed the wall of her home on the island.\n\n“And free, safe from you.”\n\n“You’re still here…” She growled, “I still have them,” she turned to see where the heavily injured Shatter Heart and Blade Star were lying on slabs. “But I supposed I should thank you for this. The first two times I merged with the being whose body I took and our minds became one. Before this I was little more than living hatred trying to grab onto some semblance of life, becoming a new entity entirely but now.” Soul Heart grinned, “I still remember, I still exist as myself. I am evil! I am hate! I am No-Heart!”\n\nPurple lightning emanated from the body before No-Heart, in Soul Heat’s body stomped over to the two, “Now to improve on my greatest soldiers and put an end to the Care Bears once and for all!”\n\nBlade Star looked up at her master, “Soul Heart? No-Heart?” She looked down at the huge hole I her middle.\n\n“Lie still, soon you will be more powerful than ever!” No-Heart turned to the Shatter Heart, whose left torso still looked like it was about to call off, and waves his body’s hands in the air. Two streams of what looked like liquid silver flowed out of the darkness around them and into the two, filling in their wounds and sealing over them, then continuing to flow into their bodies.\n\nOoOoO\n\nTake Care had always been an early riser, even more so once Gift and Healer were born. As always she checked in on the twins and found Healer awake.\n\nHe smiled, “Good morning, mommy.”\n\n“Good morning, Healer,” Take Care lifted him out of the twin’s crib, “hungry?”\n\n“Yes.” As he was settled into Take Care’s arms he looked down at his twin sister, “What about Gift?”\n\n“Let her sleep, she’ll let me know when she’s hungry.”\n\nOnce she had Healer in his high chair, Take Care poured a bowl of cereal for him and herself then sat down to eat. Even at just over two years old, Healer was a neat eater and didn’t need much supervision. He finished fast and watched his mom eating.\n\n“I wanna be like you mommy,” Healer said \n\nTake Care swallowed then smiled at him, “You mean a doctor?”\n\n“Yeah!” He grinned at her.\n\nTake Care collected their dishes and dropped them in the dishwasher, “Well you’ve got a long way to go before you can. Right now mommy has work to do so be a good boy ok?” She kissed him on his forehead then helped him down, “Let’s get you changed.”\n\n“OK, mommy.”\n\nA few minutes later, Healer was out of his pyjamas and playing with a toy doctor’s kit in Take Care’s office while she checked in on her patients.\n\nFlash Heart had taken up the offer to sleep in Take Care’s bed and was awake by the time Take Care had eaten breakfast. He didn’t even notice Take Care or Healer Bear as he beelined for the exam room and found Take Care in there checking each of them.\n\n“Why aren’t they awake yet?” Flash Heart asked.\n\n“Because they’re asleep.” Take Care finished looking over Flora Bear. “Yesterday they were unconscious but it seems they all woke up some time last night then went back to sleep.” She turned to Flash Heart, “Being unconscious isn’t the same as sleeping, in this case their bodies were trying to recover from the injuries they sustained so their bodies were still working, now they’re sleeping properly.”\n\nA groan from Marine Heart Otter drew their attention. Flash Heart was at his side instantly, “Marine! Marine can you hear me?”\n\n“Yeah, I can,” Marine Heart groaned and opened his eyes, “Where are we.”\n\n“You’re in the Kingdom of Caring’s hospital.” Take Care said, “My name is Take Care Bear. How are you feeling?”\n\n“I hurt all over,” Marine tried to sit up, only to fall back down, “Wait, Kingdom of Caring!?” He tried to sit up only for Flash Heart to grab him.\n\n“Easy, Marine, they’re not our enemies, they never were.” He helped Marine sit up and look around the room.\n\nThe first thing Marine Heart saw was Flora Bear and despite his pain just jumped to his feet and out of Flash’s hands, “Flora?!” He stood over her, listening to her, “Are you alright?”\n\n“She’s fine, just asleep like everyone else.” Take Care took his hand, “now come over here and let me check you up.”\n\n“How did we get here?” Marine Heart became oddly subdued as Take Care sat him back down.\n\nFlash Heart took the chance to explain while Take Care ran Marine Heart through a check-up, “Short version: No-Heart took over Mom’s body and used us as weapons. The Care Bears freed us from him and now we’re here.”\n\n“I’d like the long version later,” Marine Heart groaned, “I can barely remember anything from the last couple months.”\n\n“That makes sense,” Take Care said, “Among other things, those orbs overloaded your serotonin, noradrenalin, dopamine, and adrenalin in addition to artificially enhancing your strength and magical abilities.” She saw the confused look on Flash Heart’s face, “In simpler terms: the chemicals in their brains that control emotions were released in larger amounts than usual and continuous flowing, along with the chemical that controls the fight or flight response; the overload caused their emotions to override their higher reasoning which is why they were so eager to fight at every opportunity. A human would have burned out and probably suffered an aneurism from the high emotional stress, fortunately you’re all made of stronger stuff than that.”\n\n“Right,” Marine Heart just nodded.\n\nOver the course of the next two hours, the rest of the Shadow Magi woke up and brought up to speed. None of them objected or even reacted severely to their surroundings, not even Passion Heart who barely even responded to the world around them.\n\n“What’s wrong with them?” Flash Heart watched his family gathered in the room just sitting around, seemingly waiting for something.\n\n“The overload has left them literally emotionally drained.” Take Care said, “Their bodies will need time to replace their emotional chemicals which means their most likely mental state will be shame and humiliation, they might even slip into apathy or outright depression.” She put a hand on Flash Heart’s shoulder, “Don’t worry, we’ll look after them.”\n\nBy now, Love Heart and Confidence were up and were looking after Gift and Healer for lunch. Take Care entered the kitchen once she was sure the Shadow Magi were at least awake.\n\nGift Heart grinned from her high chair and waved, “hi, mommy.”\n\n“Hello, Gift. Are you being a good girl?” Take Care asked.\n\n“Uh-huh!” Gift stuffed some pieces of sandwich in her mouth, some ending up on the high chair’s front table.\n\nConfidence laughed then turned to Take Care, “So how are the Shadow Magi?”\n\n“On their feet and recovering, but it’s going to be a while.” Take Care sat down, “I checked the DNA test I left running last night and I found out who that used to be, and one match for a family member. I think we should find and talk to him, see if can shed any light on what No-Heart is.”\n\n“I don’t think that will be much help,” Love Heart tapped his clean lunch plate, “Even if he can tell us something it’s not like he’ll give us a clue on how to beat him, or find him.”\n\n“I can help with that.” They all turned to Flash, who was still standing in the doorway, “If No-Heart has control of mom’s body then he’s probably back at our home. It’s a small island magically protected from humans.”\n\nConfidence Heart grinned, “Alright! So let’s head there.”\n\n“Not so fast, Confidence. We still need to let everyone know that the Shadow Magi are up and around and make sure they’re taken care of.” Take Care didn’t bother getting any lunch, she knew she could get some at the Hall of Hearts, “I’ve seen to their medical needs for the moment but it’s more important for them to get emotional support.”\n\nLove Heart smiled as he helped to clean up Gift’s high chair, “I can’t think of a better place for them to get emotional support.” Once his daughter was cleaned up Love Heart frowned, “But after what’s happened, it’s going to be hard to get anyone to trust them.”\n\nFlash Heart rubbed the back of his head, “The first time we fought we weren’t being controlled by magic, just blindly following No-Heart because we thought he was mom.”\n\n“I wouldn’t worry.” Take Care helped Healer out of his high chair, “We’ve forgiven people pretty quickly before, like David or Nicholas. It may take some time but I don’t think anyone here will hold a grudge.”\n\n“Maybe not the Care Bear Family, but we’re different,” Love Heart said.\n\n“Different?” Flash Heart gave him a confused look.\n\nLove Heart continued, “Care Bear Magi are different than other Care Bears: the rest of the Care Bear Family are the last of creatures called ‘The Heartbound’ who were created years ago by human magicians in a place called Paradise Valley before Dark Heart wiped out most of them and the Great Wishing Star gave them the caring magic we use like the Care Bear Stare. Care Bear Magi, like you and Confidence Heart, were created directly by the Great Wishing Star from Earth animals because the rest of the Care Bear Family find it too hard to be violent due to the nature of their creation so the Magi had to be capable of fighting to defend them.”\n\n“I see,” something about what Love Heart said made Flash Heart think for a moment, “What about you? Aren’t you a Magi?”\n\n“Technically no…” Love Heart paused for a moment, but Take Care took over when she saw he was having trouble how to word it.\n\n“Love Heart was born to Sage Heart Bear and Life Heart Unicorn after they were changed so he’s a ‘Care Child’ as it were, just like you two,” she smiled down at Gift and Healer, who were listening to everything being said even if they didn’t quite understand. “I noticed some interesting developments in the first two children born up here, Hugs and Tugs Bear, such as being able to perform skilled, if not complex, acrobatics despite only being 3 years old at the time. Once the Magi arrived I re-examined their tests and compared them to the other Care Bears, Magi, and Love Heart and Sweet Heart and I found out that Care Bears born to other Care Bears have the best of both sides: Magi and Ex-Heartbound. My guess is that the Wishing Star couldn’t make such drastic changes to normal animals or ones who were born with pre-existing magical changes so he changed our reproductive systems to allow our children to inherit the best of both worlds.”\n\nFlash Heart just blinked as he tried to absorb everything that was told, but he got the general gist, “I see. So will the Magi be angry about us?”\n\n“Maybe, but then again maybe not once we explain everything. On that note we should get moving while everyone else is at the Hall.” Love Heart picked up Gift Bear and carried her to the entrance.\n\nA few minutes later, Love Heart and Take Care were pushing strollers with Gift and Healer in them while Flash Heart and Confidence Heart helped get the shadow magi up on their feet and walking to the Hall of Hearts, mostly to get the blood circulating in them while they could.\n\nThe rest of the Care Bear Family were understandably nervous when the Shadow Magi entered the Hall of Heart’s cafeteria, but once Take Care explained to everyone what had happened to them the tension in the air diminished significantly, though some of them kept casting glances at the six new family members who mostly just slouched over their food and ate mechanically. Flash Heart glanced back at them but mostly kept his eyes on his family members.\n\nLove Heart, Confidence Heart and Take Care sat at the next table over from the Shadow Magi with Gift Bear and Healer Bear once again secured in high chairs.\n\n“So what’s the plan?” Confidence Heart asked.\n\nLove Heart was ready with an answer, “After lunch, and we put the kids down for their afternoon nap I’m going to head down to earth and search for any family No-Heart has on Earth. Can you give me any addresses, Take Care?”\n\n“I can,” Take Care leaned over to wipe some jam from Gift’s face, despite her protests, “It’s the same way we can find children who need our help on Earth.”\n\n“So this will be like a caring mission,” Love Heart had heard about the missions the Care Bear Family used to go on much more frequently before things turned south.\n\n“Count me in,” Independent Bear came to sit down with them.\n\n“Indy? Are you sure you’re ready for this?” Love Heart looked him up and down.\n\n“I just drained myself healing Anger Heart yesterday, I just needed a good night’s rest.” Indy reassured him before digging into his lunch.\n\n“And after that we take the fight to No-Heart.” Confidence Heart’s face grew into a grin.\n\n“Once I get back and determine who can fight, then yes we will,” Love Heart smiled back at her.\n\n“Oh yeah! I’ve been waiting for this.” Confidence Heart pumped her fists in the air.\n\n“In the meantime, keep an eye on the Shadow Magi.” Love Heart looked over his shoulder and saw Flash Heart looking back at him. “I mean because of the state they’re in.”\n\nTake Care saw Flash Heart’s somewhat hurt expression and cut in, “They need people nearby for emotional support so they don’t do anything drastic.”\n\n“I’ll be fine, don’t worry about me.” The voice came from Calm Heart Lynx, who sat across from Flash Heart. Everyone at the other table started, but Flash Heart smiled and turned to face her.\n\n“Calm Heart?”\n\n“Yeah, I’m here, just not sure how to feel about all of this.” She looked over at Love Heart, “It’s just strange that you’re being this kind to people who tried to kill of capture you, emotional control or not.”\n\nIt was Healer who spoke first. “Why?”\n\nCalm Heart looked at the little blue bear, “Why what?”\n\n“Why’s that strange?” Healer asked.\n\n“Well…” Calm Heart had to think for a moment, “Because people usually want to make others suffer when they’ve hurt you.”\n\n“Why?” Healer asked again.\n\n“It’s just… human nature and a desire for justice, or revenge,” Calm Heart said.\n\n“Revenge… the most worthless of causes.” The voice came from Loyal Heart, who had walked over with Defiant Heart.\n\n“Pardon?” Calm Heart looked up at the pair.\n\n“It’s from one of his favorite movies: Camelot,” Defiant Heart smirked and took Loyal Heart’s hand, “I’ve seen it enough times with him in the last three years. But yeah, take it from me. The pointless cruelty I inflicted on Anger Heart and Guidance Heart out of jealousy lead me nowhere.”\n\n“Not the best example, it led you here eventually,” Loyal Heart gave Defiant a kiss on the cheek.\n\n“True, but I didn’t know that at the time, and this was supposed to be a punishment,” Defiant Heart blushed slightly when Loyal kissed him.\n\n“I think the Great Wishing Star had more in mind than punishment, but that’s not important right now,” Loyal Heart turned back to Calm Heart, “Despite the wrongs you have done us we do not bear you any grudge. We even tried to reform No-Heart’s servant Beastly many years ago, and it only failed because Beastly had no real desire to reform. If you truly wish to change then we will be here to help you.”\n\nCalm Heart was tearing up and she wiped her eyes, “I… don’t know what to say.”\n\n“Don’t say anything,” Defiant Heart said, “Just eat and try to feel better. Now excuse us,” He tugged on Loyal Heart’s arm and they headed out the Hall of Heart’s exit.\n\nFlash blinked as he watched Defiant and Loyal leave, “Three years? I thought you just came up here three months ago.”\n\nConfidence Heart laughed, “Hyperbolic Time Chamber.”\n\n“What?” Calm Heart and Flash Heart both stared at her.\n\nLove Heart continued, “After our first fight with Passion Heart when he was infused with the green orbs I decided we needed more time to get stronger, especially the ones who had just begun learning magic. So mom managed to trap us here in a field that made time go faster for us, so three years passed for us while only three months passed in the real world.”\n\nFlash Heart and Calm Heart just stared at Love Heart, who smiled and pointed to the two cubs still eating lunch, “How did you think I had two two-year old cubs in such a short time?”\n\nCalm Heart blinked, “This place… is weird.”\n\nOoOoO\n\nTwo hours later, Love Heart and Independent Bear were in a cloud car heading down to earth, both having changed into their “battle outfits”. Indy leaned on the door and looked down at Earth. “So this is a ‘caring mission’?” he asked.\n\n“More or less,” Love Heart checked the GPS Take Care had given him again, “Care Bears go down to earth and help people, usually children, who need emotional support or are dealing with personal problems they can’t solve on their own. Kind of like therapists for minor problems but the goal is to help them become better people as they grow up.” They fell beneath the clouds as the city came into view, “At least this should go like that, I hope.”\n\n“So who are we looking for?” Indy asked without looking away from the ground.\n\n“Johnathan Fletcher, the brother of Norman Fletcher, the man who became No-Heart,” Love Heart had gone over the document a few times before they left on this mission. Indy just nodded without saying anything.\n\nAfter another hour of silent driving, Love Heart landed the cloud car in front of a suburban house and they both stepped out, leaving the cloud car intact and parked on the street. At the front door, Love Heart rang the bell and they stood, waiting for an answer.\n\nA middle-aged man with male pattern baldness answered, then squinted down at the green and silver bears on his front step. “Who are you?”\n\n“My name is Independent Bear,” Indy kept his hands at his sides.\n\n“My name is Love Heart Bear,” Love Heart offered his hand to the man, “We’re Care Bear Magi. Are you Johnathan Fletcher?”\n\n“I am,” Johnathan looked at his hand but didn’t offer it.\n\nLove Heart pulled his hand back, “We’re here about your brother, Norman.”\n\n“And my daughter, Viola,” Johnathan sighed, “Or she calls herself ‘Shrieky’ now. Come in,” he turned around and let them follow him inside.\n\nThe house was sparsely furnished but at least it was clean. Johnathan led them into the living room and motioned to the couch while he sat in an armchair. “Alright, what do you want to know about No-Heart?” he asked.\n\n“You know about him, Johnathan?” Indy asked.\n\n“Just call me John, and yes I know what Norman became.” John sighed. “I think it was about 20-25 years ago, I stopped counting. I had just gotten married to a girl we were both in love with, but Julia chose me and Norman seemed to accept it. I should have realized something was wrong. We didn’t exactly get along growing up, I was the younger brother and I always wanted to impress him and I ended up surpassing him in almost everything when we competed. He was jealous but he hid it well… Then one day he just turned up on my front doorstep covered in purple smoke, a year after my daughter was born, and said that big changes were going to come, and soon everyone would know the name ‘No-Heart’. At first I thought it was a dream but then every year he showed up, talked to Viola, got her interested in the magic he practiced and accidentally drank some magic elixir that gave her that shriek of hers.”\n\n“Where’s your wife?” Love Heart asked.\n\n“Julia divorced me shortly after Viola started calling herself Shrieky, then she…killed herself a year later,” John rubbed his eyes as he fought to hold back the tears. “I know she still loved me because I found out she left everything to me, including a large life insurance. Good thing too because I couldn’t find the energy to work for a decade after, especially not with the therapy…. I sent Shrieky to live with No-Heart after that because I just… I couldn’t stand to look at her, especially after Julia said she couldn’t stand to see what my brother did to our daughter.” He wiped his eyes and looked at the two Care Bears, “Was that all? What’s No-Heart up to?”\n\n“He’s dead, at least Norman is,” Love Heart said. “We found his body yesterday.”\n\n“What?” John’s expression became one of shock. “I…I can’t believe it.” Tears began to flow afresh and he rubbed his eyes, “I…I hate what he did but I… I don’t know how to feel.”\n\n“It’s alright to cry, even if he became something you hated,” Indy said. “We just wanted to know, we had to know if you knew anything.”\n\n“I haven’t seen him in years, and I haven’t seen Viola since I sent her to live with him, I don’t know where she is.” He stood up, “Please, go.” He pointed to the door.\n\nNeither Love Heart nor Indy objected. They got up and left John to his grief.\n\nLove Heart and Indy just sat in the front seats of the cloud car in silence. Clouds began to build overhead as the temperature dropped.\n\n“Did you learn what you wanted to know?” Indy asked.\n\n“Sort of… we know that No-Heart used to be human… or at least that whatever No-Heart is possessed him,” Love Heart had his hands on the steering wheel, then they sagged to his sides, “Whatever No-Heart is has been ruining lives and I don’t know what to do…”\n\n“Let’s be simple about it,” Indy put a hand on Love Heart’s shoulder, “Let’s go back home, get everyone together and finish this fight.”\n\nLove Heart cracked a mild smile, “Right let’s-” at that moment Love Heart felt his cell phone going off from where it was stored inside his chest symbol. He fished it out and answered, “Hello?”\n\n“Love Heart! It’s Confidence. Get back here now! It’s No-Heart!” Confidence was practically shouting into the phone.\n\nLove Heart hung up and started the engine. “Looks like the decision’s been made for us. Let’s go!” He took off towards the Kingdom of Caring.", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "
Chapter 47: The Ties that Bind


Love Heart tried his best to relax as Tenderheart drove the cloud car home. He would have been flying alongside the fleet of cars that were returning to the Kingdom of Caring but Healer and Gift were clinging on him too tightly. Even if it had only been a day or two, they were scared. Love Heart put his arms around them and held them close as they came back in sight of the clouds.

Love Heart smiled, “Look, we’re home.”

“Really?” Gift Bear tried to stand up, forgetting she had her seatbelt on and being pulled back to her seat.

“Yup,” Love Heart patted his daughter’s back.

“Finally,” Healer Bear yawned and snuggled up to his father’s side.

As soon as the cars landed, Love Heart picked his two sleepy children and headed for the hospital. He soon found himself joined by two more children, his little brother and sister Meek Heart Unicorn and Wild Heart Unicorn.

Meek Heart pulled at the leg of his brother’s shorts. “Big brother, what’s going to happen to the Shadow Magi?”

Love Heart paused and looked down at his twin siblings, “We’re going to do our best to help them.” Love Heart looked up as another wave of cloud cars came in, bringing with them the rest of the Care Bear Magi and the defeated Shadow Magi. “On that note, you should go with mom, I have to take care of things.”

“We’re Magi too,” Wild Heart put her hands on her diapered hips and gave an indignant glare up at Love Heart.

“She’s right, Love Heart,” Life Heart approached her children, “And I need to see these Shadow Magi as well.

Love Heart sighed, “Alright, mom.” He looked down at his twin siblings, “I guess you two can come along.”

“Alright!” Wild Heart jumped in the air then skipped towards the hospital. Meek Heart let his mother scoop him up as they entered.

Take Care was suddenly overwhelmed as all of the magi came in with their defeated enemies. She was a flurry of action as she ran through and did her best to fix up everyone’s injuries, prescribing bed rest for most of the Magi except for Love Heart, Confidence and Flash Heart.

Meek Heart and Wild Heart were at Sage Heart’s side as he lay on one of the beds.

“Is daddy going to be alright?” Meek Heart looked up at Take Care Bear.

“Yes,” Take Care was examining Calm Heart Lynx then went over to check Sage Heart and shook him gently.

“Huh?” Sage Heart woke up.

“Daddy!” Wild Heart almost jumped for joy as Sage Heart sat up.

“You can go home, Sage Heart,” Take Care smiled, “I’ll look after everyone else.”

“I’m done here,” Life Heart removed her hands from Marine Heart’s burned and bandaged arm. “He’ll recover but it’s going to hurt for a few days.”

Sage Heart got shakily to his feet and Life Heart took his arm to support him, their youngest children clinging to their legs as they left.

Take Care was only too happy to take a break, especially when Gift and Healer woke up and demanded her attention. She picked Healer up and sat down on the couch with him on her lap, where Love Heart was already bouncing Gift Bear on his knee.

Confidence Heart sat next to Love Heart and leaned back against the couch. “So, what are we going to do with the Shadow Magi when they wake up?”

“I’d like to know the same thing,” Flash Heart stood in the doorway to Take Care’s waiting room.

Take Care felt Healer cling to her as he saw Flash Heart (Gift Bear thankfully being distracted by her father). “That depends on how they react. I don’t want to do anything to them except help them recover. Is Flora asleep?”

Flash Heart looked back over his shoulder towards the entrance to the treatment rooms for a moment, “Once I said was going stay she let herself sleep. I’m going to spend the night in case they wake up.”

“That’s a sound idea,” Take Care stroked her son’s head to try and calm him, “They need someone they trust to help them adjust.”

“I don’t know if they’ll trust me, even with those things gone.” Flash Heart stared at his feet.

Take Care carefully passed Healer to Love Heart, who in turn passed Gift Bear to Confidence Heart, then walked over to Flash Heart. “Flash Heart Bear, I can assure you that other than Marine’s arm they weren’t seriously injured, especially not for a Magi.” She smiled, “From what I’ve seen, they’ll recover quickly. It’s fortunate they’ve all been freed or those orbs might have killed them.”

Flash Heart tensed up for a moment upon hearing that, then relaxed once he realized what Take Care had said. “Thank you.”

“It’s not a problem, now go sit with them. They’ll need their leader to explain things when they wake up.” She gently turned Flash around and gave a soft push to get him out of the room.

Healer had calmed down once Take Care sat back down, Love Heart bouncing him on his knee like he had for Gift, who was currently hugging Confidence Heart. Love Heart smiled as he let Healer come to a rest. “Feeling better, little guy?”

Healer nodded and hugged his father, “Yes, thanks daddy.”

“They’re sweet kids,” Confidence smiled down at Gift who looked up at her.

“Thanks Auntie Confy,” Gift giggled. ‘Auntie Confy’ was the name she and Healer had taken to calling Confidence Heart once the relationship she had with Love Heart and Take Care had been explained to them, as best as they could understand, but they still looked up to her like a second mother.

It wasn’t long before the twins were tired enough to be put to bed. Confidence Heart zipped Gift and Healer into the onesie pyjamas she had sewn for them: pink for Gift and orange for Healer, and lay them to bed in their crib. After making sure the baby monitor was working, Love Heart and Confidence returned to the hospital area where Take Care stood with Flash Heart.

Take Care nodded towards the two of them then turned towards the room where she’d stored the body she pulled out of No-Heart’s castle earlier. “Follow me. I need to show you something before everyone else starts asking questions.”

Take Care had included a morgue in the hospital in the hopes she would never need it, every hospital needed one by design and because it allowed her to use it as cold storage for more sensitive medical supplies. The body itself was an emaciated, the skin was red and black and covered in blisters and pustules; parts of the body had been crushed, the left arm and part of the torso were smashed flat as was part of the head which looked almost skull-like with the eyes having burst and the nose flattened and the skin tight across the top.

Love Heart had to fight the rising nausea in his stomach but kept it together, knowing Take Care had spent the better part of her day autopsying the body. Confidence Heart and Flash Heart weren’t doing much better, Flash Heart even had a hand over his stomach. Parts of the chest and head had been freshly sliced open during Take Care’s autopsy. Take Care kept up a professional demeanor as she pulled on new surgical gloves and grabbed her freshly sterilized tools to re-open the body.

“If everything Flash Heart told us is true then this is No-Heart’s body.” She re-opened the cut she made in his head then looked up at the three of them, “I won’t force you to look inside.” She looked back down into the opening then closed it, “He died of extreme frostbite and severe blunt trauma.”

Flash Heart swallowed his nausea before he spoke, “Makes sense. Soul Heart uses Ice and Gravity magic.”

“Hydrokinetics, Cryokinetics and Chaokinetics,” Love Heart said.

Take Care nodded, “That’s not all,” she moved to open the cut in his chest, “He was also suffering from severe dehydration and malnourishment before he died. I managed to find some undamaged DNA to run a test, but I’ve seen this before.” She put the tools in the tray for sterilizing.

“I didn’t think anyone up here would have that kind of problem,” Confidence did her best not to look at the corpse.

“Not on a Care Bear, on Dark Heart,” Take Care motioned for them to leave as she put the body into a cold storage tray, then disposed of her gloves and washed her hands. Once they were back in the waiting room, Take Care sat down at her computer and continued from where she left off, “Flash Heart just bear with me for a moment, you’ll learn more later. Love Heart, Confidence Heart I know you saw that movie based on our origin, remember how we defeated Dusk Heart?”

“Yeah, by shouting ‘we care!’ over and over and getting him to admit that he cared too, which turned him human,” Confidence Heart rolled her eyes and smirked, “Let me guess, it wasn’t that cheesy.”

“Not exactly,” Take Care began opening files on the computer, “But the events were very similar, and getting Dark Heart to admit he cared did expel the evil power from him, but he literally had to force the words out then a large red cloud of smoke poured out of his eyes, mouth and nose and flew off before the lair collapsed. Also while his magic did put Christy into temporal stasis I did have to give her treatment for the electrical burns she received, but I’m getting off topic.” She opened a file titled David Hall, “When we got out of his collapsing lair, Dark Heart, or David now, collapsed on the spot. He was suffering from severe malnutrition and dehydration after years of being possessed by the darkness that made him who he was.”

“Yeah, he was a human from Paradise Valley taken over by something in a forbidden part of the valley.” Love Heart’s face hardened at the thought.

Take Care nodded, “Whatever turned him into Dark Heart also made him mostly needless: he didn’t need to eat, sleep or drink, but he still needed to breathe, but once the sustaining magic left him he was hit with all the consequences of that, thankfully not fatally. He was in a hospital for months as they carefully brought him up to full health. He didn’t remember us from his time in Paradise Valley, or if he did then the didn’t say anything.” Take Care shook her head and returned to the topic she had been leading too, “My point it that, from what little of his body remains, No-Heart was in the same condition as David and if he hadn’t been killed he likely would have been in a similar state.”

“So they were the same person?” Flash Heart folded his arms and cocked an eyebrow, “Or… they had the same source of power.”

“That’s my hypothesis,” Take Care read over Dark Heart’s file, “After it escaped Dark Heart, that red cloud must have found another human to attach to and turn into No-Heart, except other than a hatred of us he seemed to be a completely different person. In hindsight it makes more sense than I realized: they both used lightning, could shapeshift and loved to tempt humans into doing evil things, albeit with different methods.” Take Care sat back in her office chair.

“Then that’s what happened to my mom,” Flash Heart tightened his hands into fists, “After she killed No-Heart he possessed her and changed her into that abomination that almost destroyed my family!”

Love Heart put a hand on Flash Heart’s shoulder in comfort then turned to Take Care, “What should we do?”

“I don’t know. If Soul Heart could expel the spirit by caring then she would have by now, or No-Heart wouldn’t even have been able to possess her,” Take Care closed the file, “For now, all we can do is rest and wait for the Shadow Magi to wake up.”

“Alright, I’m going to sit with them,” Flash Heart went back to where the Shadow Magi lay unconscious.

Take Care sighed and shut down her computer, “Now I need to sleep, it’s been a long day.”

Love Heart watched her stand, weariness written all over the doctor’s form, then took her hand, “Before you do, please come with me, both of you,” he turned to Confidence Heart.

Confidence smiled, “Alright.”

Love Heart led them both back into their living room then turned around to face them. He took a deep breath and smiled before he began, “I know it’s been a hard day and that it’s probably going to get worse before it gets better, but I have something I want to talk about.” He took Confidence’s hand in his right, “Confidence Heart, you’re a strong woman and someone I can rely on in a fight or for comfort and I’ve seen you deal with heartache and loss but keep going and aren’t afraid to fight for the ones you love and you even helped us raised our children without even treating like they aren’t our own, and Take Care,” Love Heart took the lavender bear’s hand in his left, “You’re just as strong, you’re calm even when faced with some of the hardest moments of your life: having children, treating injuries and illness or even looking at,” Love Heart shuddered slightly, “the remains of one our enemies; you’ve been a great mother to our children even when you can’t find the times because of work. What I’m saying, to both of you, is: will you marry me?”

Take Care blinked, “Both of us?”

Love Heart blushed, “Well I don’t have any rings, but yes both of you. I love both of you and I don’t want to make either of you feel like you don’t have a place in my heart especially after all of this.”

Confidence Heart squeezed tighter and chuckled, “Of course I’ll marry you you sap.” She turned to look at Take Care, who seemed more hesitant.

Take Care had to process the thoughts for a few moments before she finally answered, “If you really want this, then yes I’ll marry you, Love Heart.”

Love Heart reached out and pulled them both into a hug, tearing up slightly, “Thank you, both of you. I love you.”

“I love you too,” Confidence gave him a kiss.

“I love you, Love Heart,” Take Care stood on her toes to give him a kiss then carefully extricated herself from his embrace, “But I need to take a shower after all of this. It’s still been a long day.” She headed for the bathroom.

Confidence still had an arm around Love Heart as she watched Take Care go. “Well I’m not tired, didn’t get to fight today,” she stretched upwards and pulled herself away from Love Heart, “I’m gonna go let Flash Heart know he can have Take Care’s room if he gets tired tonight.” Love Heart smirked as he watched her go, them followed Take Care to the bathroom.

Take Care stepped into the hot shower and gave a sigh of relief.

“May I join you?” Love Heart shut the bathroom door behind him as he stepped into the bathroom.

“Love Heart?” Take Care hadn’t even reached for the shampoo yet when she heard his voice. She smiled, “Yes, please.”

Love Heart was already stripping off his clothes as Take Care answered. He tossed them in the laundry hamper they kept in the bathroom and stepped into the shower. Take Care immediately blushed as she saw Love Heart. While Care Bears didn’t need clothing, being in an intimate environment still felt very different for them.

“Something wrong?” Love Heart asked.

“It’s just been a long time since we were together like this.” Love Heart reached out to stroke her cheek and she turned to look up at him, Love Heart was a full head taller than her.

Love Heart averted his eyes for a moment, feeling a bit sheepish, “I know. But once I found out Confidence probably would never have children I thought I needed to give her more affection and time to make up for it. But when I saw how much she cares about Healer and Gift, especially the pyjamas she made for them, I felt I was neglecting you. I wasn’t sure until after tonight.” Love Heart smiled, “You handled seeing that body better than any of us, not to mention taking care of everyone up here, even our hopefully former enemies. I don’t want to live without either of you and Confidence already gave her blessing.”

Take Care couldn’t help but giggle, “I noticed, why else would she tell Flash to use my bedroom?”

“Good thing you heard that,” Love Heart put his arms around Take Care, “Time for me to make up for over two years of lost time.

Take Care stood on her toes and they kissed then let go of him after almost slipping, nearly having forgotten the shower still raining down around them.

Love Heart looked her up and down, “Motherhood really agrees with you.”

Take Care blushed but kept her gaze on Love Heart. It was true she’d changed since having Gift and Healer: her breasts had grown a full cup size and her hips were wider, she’d noticed similar changes in the other new mothers in the Kingdom of Caring, maybe it was just something that happened to all Care Bears once they had their first children.

Love Heart wrapped his arms around Take Care again, “I won’t let you slip,” he whispered. Take Care gasped as she felt Love Heart grab onto her ass and grip the cheeks tightly, lifting her off the ground so her face was level with his. Take Care wrapped her legs around his middle and her arms around his chest and they kissed, harder and more passionately than before. Love Heart spun around so he could press her up against the shower wall opposite from the controls, leaning hard into their kiss.

Take Care gasped as they finished and felt their inhibitions washing away and Love Heart poked her from below. “Oh my stars!” she had a hungry look in her eyes but even then her more sensible mind forced her to ask, “Are you sure?”

“I need to make up for lost time, and we can handle another kid,” Love Heart lifted her up then let her drop back down. Take Care gasped and moaned then they kissed again as Love Heart pressed her against the wall.

OoOoO

“Hey Flash, just to let you know you can use Take Care’s bed if you need sleep,” Confidence Heart leaned into the treatment room.

“OK,” Flash Heart was still watching over the other Shadow Magi.

“Worried?” Confidence Heart walked up next to him.

“Yes, but more about what they’ll say when they wake up,” he turned his head to Confidence, “Aren’t you worried, about Love Heart and Take Care I mean?”

“Worried they’ll push themselves too hard with fighting and healer, but that’s why I’m here, and I know they’ll be fine too.” She put her hands behind her head, “Or did you mean something else?”

“I mean… you live here and... well I thought you and Love Heart were a couple,” Flash Heart rubbed the back of his head.

Confidence Heart smirked, “We practise something called free love up here, anyone can be with anyone as long as all parties agree. No need to be jealous or hateful and it’s not like there isn’t love.” Confidence’s smirk turned into a gentle smile as she looked up at the ceiling, “I love Love Heart and I like Take Care too.” She gave a chuckle, “Not everyone does it, I mean Anger Heart and Guidance Heart are just with each other, same for Defiant and Loyal, but we don’t judge each other.” She turned back to Flash Heart, “If you decide to live up here you can go for it too.”

They stood tougher in silence for a time until Confidence Heart’s huge ears twitched as she heard the sound of the shower shutting off, “Excuse me, time for me to benefit from free love.”

Flash Heart just watched her go. Even if he wanted to he couldn’t think about love now, free or otherwise. Just the thought that that wizard had taken over Soul Heart was eating at him, and so was the thought that he’d have to explain that to his family once they woke up.

OoOoO

Take Care and Love Heart dried each other off, both smiling and flushed from the steam of the shower and their lovemaking. Take Care giggled as Love Heart hung the towels up, “Thank you, Love Heart, I missed that.”

“And I missed being with you like this,” Love Heart walked up behind her and gave her a kiss as she turned her head to him, then reached around under his arms to grope her breasts.

“Ohhh!” Take Care sighed contentedly and leaned up back against him, “Thank you.”

“For the grabs?” Love Heart smirked.

“For everything. We’re not completely dry yet,” Take Care smiled.

“Dry enough, and the dew keeps us cool after this.” Love Heart let go of her and opened the bathroom door for her.

Love Heart and Take Care easily slipped into what was now the room for the three of them, the quick rush across the hall cooling them with the water droplet’s clinging to their fur. Once they were in the bedroom, Love Heart grabbed Take Care and gave her a kiss.

Take Care sighed happily and let herself back onto their bed. “Finally here.”

“In bed, or in bed with me?” Love Heart gave a small leap and hovered over Take Care so he could lie down next to her.

“Both,” Take Care rolled over to face him and they kissed before they pulled themselves under the covers.

“Hope you don’t mind if I join you,” Confidence Heart had slipped into the room and shut the door behind her.

Take Care smirked and she and Love Heart scooted over to give Confidence some room, “I guess I should get used to this.”

“Is that a problem?” Confidence smirked and slipped in behind Take Care, pressing her chest up against Take Care’s back and her arms around her.

Take Care fidgeted, “Confidence, I’m still not sure about you and me…”

“Alright,” Confidence Heart withdrew her arms and expertly rolled overtop of both of them under the covers, “But here we are.”

“Yes, we are,” Love Heart rolled over and gave Confidence a kiss.

Take Care smiled, “Thanks for understanding, Confidence.” She pulled herself up against Love Heart, pressing her breasts into his back.”

“You’ve had your fun and I’m full of energy,” Confidence pulled herself closer to Love Heart and kissed harder.

“I’ve got plenty of energy,” Love Heart wrapped his arms around Confidence as she slid onto him.

“Good, because I need to burn off a lot,” Confidence Heart growled.

Take Care thought she would be upset or even bothered by this, but somehow she was enjoying the ride by proxy. She nuzzled into the back of Love Heart’s neck and sighed contentedly, drifting off to sleep when they finally finished, still embracing Love Heart.

OoOoO

“All of them defeated!” Soul Heart slammed the wall of her home on the island.

“And free, safe from you.”

“You’re still here…” She growled, “I still have them,” she turned to see where the heavily injured Shatter Heart and Blade Star were lying on slabs. “But I supposed I should thank you for this. The first two times I merged with the being whose body I took and our minds became one. Before this I was little more than living hatred trying to grab onto some semblance of life, becoming a new entity entirely but now.” Soul Heart grinned, “I still remember, I still exist as myself. I am evil! I am hate! I am No-Heart!”

Purple lightning emanated from the body before No-Heart, in Soul Heat’s body stomped over to the two, “Now to improve on my greatest soldiers and put an end to the Care Bears once and for all!”

Blade Star looked up at her master, “Soul Heart? No-Heart?” She looked down at the huge hole I her middle.

“Lie still, soon you will be more powerful than ever!” No-Heart turned to the Shatter Heart, whose left torso still looked like it was about to call off, and waves his body’s hands in the air. Two streams of what looked like liquid silver flowed out of the darkness around them and into the two, filling in their wounds and sealing over them, then continuing to flow into their bodies.

OoOoO

Take Care had always been an early riser, even more so once Gift and Healer were born. As always she checked in on the twins and found Healer awake.

He smiled, “Good morning, mommy.”

“Good morning, Healer,” Take Care lifted him out of the twin’s crib, “hungry?”

“Yes.” As he was settled into Take Care’s arms he looked down at his twin sister, “What about Gift?”

“Let her sleep, she’ll let me know when she’s hungry.”

Once she had Healer in his high chair, Take Care poured a bowl of cereal for him and herself then sat down to eat. Even at just over two years old, Healer was a neat eater and didn’t need much supervision. He finished fast and watched his mom eating.

“I wanna be like you mommy,” Healer said

Take Care swallowed then smiled at him, “You mean a doctor?”

“Yeah!” He grinned at her.

Take Care collected their dishes and dropped them in the dishwasher, “Well you’ve got a long way to go before you can. Right now mommy has work to do so be a good boy ok?” She kissed him on his forehead then helped him down, “Let’s get you changed.”

“OK, mommy.”

A few minutes later, Healer was out of his pyjamas and playing with a toy doctor’s kit in Take Care’s office while she checked in on her patients.

Flash Heart had taken up the offer to sleep in Take Care’s bed and was awake by the time Take Care had eaten breakfast. He didn’t even notice Take Care or Healer Bear as he beelined for the exam room and found Take Care in there checking each of them.

“Why aren’t they awake yet?” Flash Heart asked.

“Because they’re asleep.” Take Care finished looking over Flora Bear. “Yesterday they were unconscious but it seems they all woke up some time last night then went back to sleep.” She turned to Flash Heart, “Being unconscious isn’t the same as sleeping, in this case their bodies were trying to recover from the injuries they sustained so their bodies were still working, now they’re sleeping properly.”

A groan from Marine Heart Otter drew their attention. Flash Heart was at his side instantly, “Marine! Marine can you hear me?”

“Yeah, I can,” Marine Heart groaned and opened his eyes, “Where are we.”

“You’re in the Kingdom of Caring’s hospital.” Take Care said, “My name is Take Care Bear. How are you feeling?”

“I hurt all over,” Marine tried to sit up, only to fall back down, “Wait, Kingdom of Caring!?” He tried to sit up only for Flash Heart to grab him.

“Easy, Marine, they’re not our enemies, they never were.” He helped Marine sit up and look around the room.

The first thing Marine Heart saw was Flora Bear and despite his pain just jumped to his feet and out of Flash’s hands, “Flora?!” He stood over her, listening to her, “Are you alright?”

“She’s fine, just asleep like everyone else.” Take Care took his hand, “now come over here and let me check you up.”

“How did we get here?” Marine Heart became oddly subdued as Take Care sat him back down.

Flash Heart took the chance to explain while Take Care ran Marine Heart through a check-up, “Short version: No-Heart took over Mom’s body and used us as weapons. The Care Bears freed us from him and now we’re here.”

“I’d like the long version later,” Marine Heart groaned, “I can barely remember anything from the last couple months.”

“That makes sense,” Take Care said, “Among other things, those orbs overloaded your serotonin, noradrenalin, dopamine, and adrenalin in addition to artificially enhancing your strength and magical abilities.” She saw the confused look on Flash Heart’s face, “In simpler terms: the chemicals in their brains that control emotions were released in larger amounts than usual and continuous flowing, along with the chemical that controls the fight or flight response; the overload caused their emotions to override their higher reasoning which is why they were so eager to fight at every opportunity. A human would have burned out and probably suffered an aneurism from the high emotional stress, fortunately you’re all made of stronger stuff than that.”

“Right,” Marine Heart just nodded.

Over the course of the next two hours, the rest of the Shadow Magi woke up and brought up to speed. None of them objected or even reacted severely to their surroundings, not even Passion Heart who barely even responded to the world around them.

“What’s wrong with them?” Flash Heart watched his family gathered in the room just sitting around, seemingly waiting for something.

“The overload has left them literally emotionally drained.” Take Care said, “Their bodies will need time to replace their emotional chemicals which means their most likely mental state will be shame and humiliation, they might even slip into apathy or outright depression.” She put a hand on Flash Heart’s shoulder, “Don’t worry, we’ll look after them.”

By now, Love Heart and Confidence were up and were looking after Gift and Healer for lunch. Take Care entered the kitchen once she was sure the Shadow Magi were at least awake.

Gift Heart grinned from her high chair and waved, “hi, mommy.”

“Hello, Gift. Are you being a good girl?” Take Care asked.

“Uh-huh!” Gift stuffed some pieces of sandwich in her mouth, some ending up on the high chair’s front table.

Confidence laughed then turned to Take Care, “So how are the Shadow Magi?”

“On their feet and recovering, but it’s going to be a while.” Take Care sat down, “I checked the DNA test I left running last night and I found out who that used to be, and one match for a family member. I think we should find and talk to him, see if can shed any light on what No-Heart is.”

“I don’t think that will be much help,” Love Heart tapped his clean lunch plate, “Even if he can tell us something it’s not like he’ll give us a clue on how to beat him, or find him.”

“I can help with that.” They all turned to Flash, who was still standing in the doorway, “If No-Heart has control of mom’s body then he’s probably back at our home. It’s a small island magically protected from humans.”

Confidence Heart grinned, “Alright! So let’s head there.”

“Not so fast, Confidence. We still need to let everyone know that the Shadow Magi are up and around and make sure they’re taken care of.” Take Care didn’t bother getting any lunch, she knew she could get some at the Hall of Hearts, “I’ve seen to their medical needs for the moment but it’s more important for them to get emotional support.”

Love Heart smiled as he helped to clean up Gift’s high chair, “I can’t think of a better place for them to get emotional support.” Once his daughter was cleaned up Love Heart frowned, “But after what’s happened, it’s going to be hard to get anyone to trust them.”

Flash Heart rubbed the back of his head, “The first time we fought we weren’t being controlled by magic, just blindly following No-Heart because we thought he was mom.”

“I wouldn’t worry.” Take Care helped Healer out of his high chair, “We’ve forgiven people pretty quickly before, like David or Nicholas. It may take some time but I don’t think anyone here will hold a grudge.”

“Maybe not the Care Bear Family, but we’re different,” Love Heart said.

“Different?” Flash Heart gave him a confused look.

Love Heart continued, “Care Bear Magi are different than other Care Bears: the rest of the Care Bear Family are the last of creatures called ‘The Heartbound’ who were created years ago by human magicians in a place called Paradise Valley before Dark Heart wiped out most of them and the Great Wishing Star gave them the caring magic we use like the Care Bear Stare. Care Bear Magi, like you and Confidence Heart, were created directly by the Great Wishing Star from Earth animals because the rest of the Care Bear Family find it too hard to be violent due to the nature of their creation so the Magi had to be capable of fighting to defend them.”

“I see,” something about what Love Heart said made Flash Heart think for a moment, “What about you? Aren’t you a Magi?”

“Technically no…” Love Heart paused for a moment, but Take Care took over when she saw he was having trouble how to word it.

“Love Heart was born to Sage Heart Bear and Life Heart Unicorn after they were changed so he’s a ‘Care Child’ as it were, just like you two,” she smiled down at Gift and Healer, who were listening to everything being said even if they didn’t quite understand. “I noticed some interesting developments in the first two children born up here, Hugs and Tugs Bear, such as being able to perform skilled, if not complex, acrobatics despite only being 3 years old at the time. Once the Magi arrived I re-examined their tests and compared them to the other Care Bears, Magi, and Love Heart and Sweet Heart and I found out that Care Bears born to other Care Bears have the best of both sides: Magi and Ex-Heartbound. My guess is that the Wishing Star couldn’t make such drastic changes to normal animals or ones who were born with pre-existing magical changes so he changed our reproductive systems to allow our children to inherit the best of both worlds.”

Flash Heart just blinked as he tried to absorb everything that was told, but he got the general gist, “I see. So will the Magi be angry about us?”

“Maybe, but then again maybe not once we explain everything. On that note we should get moving while everyone else is at the Hall.” Love Heart picked up Gift Bear and carried her to the entrance.

A few minutes later, Love Heart and Take Care were pushing strollers with Gift and Healer in them while Flash Heart and Confidence Heart helped get the shadow magi up on their feet and walking to the Hall of Hearts, mostly to get the blood circulating in them while they could.

The rest of the Care Bear Family were understandably nervous when the Shadow Magi entered the Hall of Heart’s cafeteria, but once Take Care explained to everyone what had happened to them the tension in the air diminished significantly, though some of them kept casting glances at the six new family members who mostly just slouched over their food and ate mechanically. Flash Heart glanced back at them but mostly kept his eyes on his family members.

Love Heart, Confidence Heart and Take Care sat at the next table over from the Shadow Magi with Gift Bear and Healer Bear once again secured in high chairs.

“So what’s the plan?” Confidence Heart asked.

Love Heart was ready with an answer, “After lunch, and we put the kids down for their afternoon nap I’m going to head down to earth and search for any family No-Heart has on Earth. Can you give me any addresses, Take Care?”

“I can,” Take Care leaned over to wipe some jam from Gift’s face, despite her protests, “It’s the same way we can find children who need our help on Earth.”

“So this will be like a caring mission,” Love Heart had heard about the missions the Care Bear Family used to go on much more frequently before things turned south.

“Count me in,” Independent Bear came to sit down with them.

“Indy? Are you sure you’re ready for this?” Love Heart looked him up and down.

“I just drained myself healing Anger Heart yesterday, I just needed a good night’s rest.” Indy reassured him before digging into his lunch.

“And after that we take the fight to No-Heart.” Confidence Heart’s face grew into a grin.

“Once I get back and determine who can fight, then yes we will,” Love Heart smiled back at her.

“Oh yeah! I’ve been waiting for this.” Confidence Heart pumped her fists in the air.

“In the meantime, keep an eye on the Shadow Magi.” Love Heart looked over his shoulder and saw Flash Heart looking back at him. “I mean because of the state they’re in.”

Take Care saw Flash Heart’s somewhat hurt expression and cut in, “They need people nearby for emotional support so they don’t do anything drastic.”

“I’ll be fine, don’t worry about me.” The voice came from Calm Heart Lynx, who sat across from Flash Heart. Everyone at the other table started, but Flash Heart smiled and turned to face her.

“Calm Heart?”

“Yeah, I’m here, just not sure how to feel about all of this.” She looked over at Love Heart, “It’s just strange that you’re being this kind to people who tried to kill of capture you, emotional control or not.”

It was Healer who spoke first. “Why?”

Calm Heart looked at the little blue bear, “Why what?”

“Why’s that strange?” Healer asked.

“Well…” Calm Heart had to think for a moment, “Because people usually want to make others suffer when they’ve hurt you.”

“Why?” Healer asked again.

“It’s just… human nature and a desire for justice, or revenge,” Calm Heart said.

“Revenge… the most worthless of causes.” The voice came from Loyal Heart, who had walked over with Defiant Heart.

“Pardon?” Calm Heart looked up at the pair.

“It’s from one of his favorite movies: Camelot,” Defiant Heart smirked and took Loyal Heart’s hand, “I’ve seen it enough times with him in the last three years. But yeah, take it from me. The pointless cruelty I inflicted on Anger Heart and Guidance Heart out of jealousy lead me nowhere.”

“Not the best example, it led you here eventually,” Loyal Heart gave Defiant a kiss on the cheek.

“True, but I didn’t know that at the time, and this was supposed to be a punishment,” Defiant Heart blushed slightly when Loyal kissed him.

“I think the Great Wishing Star had more in mind than punishment, but that’s not important right now,” Loyal Heart turned back to Calm Heart, “Despite the wrongs you have done us we do not bear you any grudge. We even tried to reform No-Heart’s servant Beastly many years ago, and it only failed because Beastly had no real desire to reform. If you truly wish to change then we will be here to help you.”

Calm Heart was tearing up and she wiped her eyes, “I… don’t know what to say.”

“Don’t say anything,” Defiant Heart said, “Just eat and try to feel better. Now excuse us,” He tugged on Loyal Heart’s arm and they headed out the Hall of Heart’s exit.

Flash blinked as he watched Defiant and Loyal leave, “Three years? I thought you just came up here three months ago.”

Confidence Heart laughed, “Hyperbolic Time Chamber.”

“What?” Calm Heart and Flash Heart both stared at her.

Love Heart continued, “After our first fight with Passion Heart when he was infused with the green orbs I decided we needed more time to get stronger, especially the ones who had just begun learning magic. So mom managed to trap us here in a field that made time go faster for us, so three years passed for us while only three months passed in the real world.”

Flash Heart and Calm Heart just stared at Love Heart, who smiled and pointed to the two cubs still eating lunch, “How did you think I had two two-year old cubs in such a short time?”

Calm Heart blinked, “This place… is weird.”

OoOoO

Two hours later, Love Heart and Independent Bear were in a cloud car heading down to earth, both having changed into their “battle outfits”. Indy leaned on the door and looked down at Earth. “So this is a ‘caring mission’?” he asked.

“More or less,” Love Heart checked the GPS Take Care had given him again, “Care Bears go down to earth and help people, usually children, who need emotional support or are dealing with personal problems they can’t solve on their own. Kind of like therapists for minor problems but the goal is to help them become better people as they grow up.” They fell beneath the clouds as the city came into view, “At least this should go like that, I hope.”

“So who are we looking for?” Indy asked without looking away from the ground.

“Johnathan Fletcher, the brother of Norman Fletcher, the man who became No-Heart,” Love Heart had gone over the document a few times before they left on this mission. Indy just nodded without saying anything.

After another hour of silent driving, Love Heart landed the cloud car in front of a suburban house and they both stepped out, leaving the cloud car intact and parked on the street. At the front door, Love Heart rang the bell and they stood, waiting for an answer.

A middle-aged man with male pattern baldness answered, then squinted down at the green and silver bears on his front step. “Who are you?”

“My name is Independent Bear,” Indy kept his hands at his sides.

“My name is Love Heart Bear,” Love Heart offered his hand to the man, “We’re Care Bear Magi. Are you Johnathan Fletcher?”

“I am,” Johnathan looked at his hand but didn’t offer it.

Love Heart pulled his hand back, “We’re here about your brother, Norman.”

“And my daughter, Viola,” Johnathan sighed, “Or she calls herself ‘Shrieky’ now. Come in,” he turned around and let them follow him inside.

The house was sparsely furnished but at least it was clean. Johnathan led them into the living room and motioned to the couch while he sat in an armchair. “Alright, what do you want to know about No-Heart?” he asked.

“You know about him, Johnathan?” Indy asked.

“Just call me John, and yes I know what Norman became.” John sighed. “I think it was about 20-25 years ago, I stopped counting. I had just gotten married to a girl we were both in love with, but Julia chose me and Norman seemed to accept it. I should have realized something was wrong. We didn’t exactly get along growing up, I was the younger brother and I always wanted to impress him and I ended up surpassing him in almost everything when we competed. He was jealous but he hid it well… Then one day he just turned up on my front doorstep covered in purple smoke, a year after my daughter was born, and said that big changes were going to come, and soon everyone would know the name ‘No-Heart’. At first I thought it was a dream but then every year he showed up, talked to Viola, got her interested in the magic he practiced and accidentally drank some magic elixir that gave her that shriek of hers.”

“Where’s your wife?” Love Heart asked.

“Julia divorced me shortly after Viola started calling herself Shrieky, then she…killed herself a year later,” John rubbed his eyes as he fought to hold back the tears. “I know she still loved me because I found out she left everything to me, including a large life insurance. Good thing too because I couldn’t find the energy to work for a decade after, especially not with the therapy…. I sent Shrieky to live with No-Heart after that because I just… I couldn’t stand to look at her, especially after Julia said she couldn’t stand to see what my brother did to our daughter.” He wiped his eyes and looked at the two Care Bears, “Was that all? What’s No-Heart up to?”

“He’s dead, at least Norman is,” Love Heart said. “We found his body yesterday.”

“What?” John’s expression became one of shock. “I…I can’t believe it.” Tears began to flow afresh and he rubbed his eyes, “I…I hate what he did but I… I don’t know how to feel.”

“It’s alright to cry, even if he became something you hated,” Indy said. “We just wanted to know, we had to know if you knew anything.”

“I haven’t seen him in years, and I haven’t seen Viola since I sent her to live with him, I don’t know where she is.” He stood up, “Please, go.” He pointed to the door.

Neither Love Heart nor Indy objected. They got up and left John to his grief.

Love Heart and Indy just sat in the front seats of the cloud car in silence. Clouds began to build overhead as the temperature dropped.

“Did you learn what you wanted to know?” Indy asked.

“Sort of… we know that No-Heart used to be human… or at least that whatever No-Heart is possessed him,” Love Heart had his hands on the steering wheel, then they sagged to his sides, “Whatever No-Heart is has been ruining lives and I don’t know what to do…”

“Let’s be simple about it,” Indy put a hand on Love Heart’s shoulder, “Let’s go back home, get everyone together and finish this fight.”

Love Heart cracked a mild smile, “Right let’s-” at that moment Love Heart felt his cell phone going off from where it was stored inside his chest symbol. He fished it out and answered, “Hello?”

“Love Heart! It’s Confidence. Get back here now! It’s No-Heart!” Confidence was practically shouting into the phone.

Love Heart hung up and started the engine. “Looks like the decision’s been made for us. Let’s go!” He took off towards the Kingdom of Caring.", "pools_count": 1, "title": "Care Bear Magi Life Chapter 47", "deleted": "f", "public": "t", "mimetype": "image/gif", "pagecount": "1", "rating_id": "2", "rating_name": "Adult", "ratings": [ { "content_tag_id": "2", "name": "Nudity", "description": "Nonsexual nudity exposing breasts or genitals (must not show arousal)", "rating_id": "1" }, { "content_tag_id": "4", "name": "Sexual Themes", "description": "Erotic imagery, sexual activity or arousal", "rating_id": "2" }, { "content_tag_id": "5", "name": "Strong Violence", "description": "Strong violence, blood, serious injury or death", "rating_id": "2" } ], "submission_type_id": "12", "type_name": "Writing - Document", "guest_block": "f", "friends_only": "f", "comments_count": "0", "views": "32" }