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The Confidence Secret","description":"","count":"42","submission_left_submission_id":"1961083","submission_left_file_name":"2827755_jcriver_o_segredo_de_confiante_letra_kristen_itc.jpg","submission_left_thumbnail_url_huge_noncustom":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/2827/2827755_jcriver_o_segredo_de_confiante_letra_kristen_itc.jpg","submission_left_thumbnail_url_large_noncustom":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/2827/2827755_jcriver_o_segredo_de_confiante_letra_kristen_itc_noncustom.jpg","submission_left_thumbnail_url_medium_noncustom":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/2827/2827755_jcriver_o_segredo_de_confiante_letra_kristen_itc_noncustom.jpg","submission_left_thumb_medium_noncustom_x":"120","submission_left_thumb_medium_noncustom_y":"103","submission_left_thumb_large_noncustom_x":"200","submission_left_thumb_large_noncustom_y":"172","submission_left_thumb_huge_noncustom_x":"300","submission_left_thumb_huge_noncustom_y":"259","submission_right_submission_id":"1961087","submission_right_file_name":"2827760_jcriver_o_segredo_de_confiante_letra_kristen_itc.jpg","submission_right_thumbnail_url_huge_noncustom":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/2827/2827760_jcriver_o_segredo_de_confiante_letra_kristen_itc.jpg","submission_right_thumbnail_url_large_noncustom":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/2827/2827760_jcriver_o_segredo_de_confiante_letra_kristen_itc_noncustom.jpg","submission_right_thumbnail_url_medium_noncustom":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/2827/2827760_jcriver_o_segredo_de_confiante_letra_kristen_itc_noncustom.jpg","submission_right_thumb_medium_noncustom_x":"120","submission_right_thumb_medium_noncustom_y":"103","submission_right_thumb_large_noncustom_x":"200","submission_right_thumb_large_noncustom_y":"172","submission_right_thumb_huge_noncustom_x":"300","submission_right_thumb_huge_noncustom_y":"259"}],"description":"This chapter contains dialogues in Portuguese and Spanish, but the translation into English is in parentheses.\n\nChamp learns that Confidence Heart has a secret, but they will still have to deal with Hector's father's inexplicable attitude and Cheer Bear's jealousy.\n\nThis story is the official continuation of @aquabear and @SeaHeartCat work, and contains characters from other authors. A complete list can be obtained at https://inkbunny.net/j/366917-jcriver-introduction\n\nGood reading. ;)","description_bbcode_parsed":"This chapter contains dialogues in Portuguese and Spanish, but the translation into English is in parentheses.

Champ learns that Confidence Heart has a secret, but they will still have to deal with Hector's father's inexplicable attitude and Cheer Bear's jealousy.

This story is the official continuation of \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taquabear\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taquabear\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
and \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSeaHeartCat\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSeaHeartCat\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
work, and contains characters from other authors. A complete list can be obtained at https://inkbunny.net/j/366917-jcriver-introduction

Good reading. ;)","writing":"[center][b]The Care Bears\nThe Confidence Secret\n1st Part\nChapter 04[/b][/center]\n*****\n\nRalph could not sleep with excitement. He turned from side to side on the bed, just waiting for the day to dawn for him to meet his new furry friends, those who would help him convince Andre and Carlos, and the other villagers in the village, to take care of his big model. After all, this was his dream, to see his work maintained by all, but mainly as an activity for children. How happy he was with that.\nHector could not sleep of anxiety. He had told his father that he had made new friends, and that they were coming the next morning to meet him. Calvin liked to hear this, but he would have to leave early to deal with an emergency at his job, promising that he would return before lunch to see his son's new friends.\nFred, for his part, could not sleep, but not because he was anxious or worried, but because he had slept all afternoon on the train. And now that the presidential train had arrived in Sao Paulo, he had stayed in the hotel's reserved lobby while everyone else was asleep. Sleepless, he'd spent his time reading a few papers, concentrating on his reading until he heard a familiar voice coming from behind and asking,\n- Still awake?\n- Arghh! - yelled the secretary, jumping on chair and seeing Frank behind him, laughing - What a scare, dammit! I wasn't sleepy and I decided to entertain myself a little... And you?\n- I'm looking for my briefcase, I do not know if I left it here or on the presidential train.\n- I believe it's there on the couch - the young secretary said, pointing to a leather briefcase that the businessman soon recognized as his own - And taking advantage of the fact that you're here, I'd like to ask you if it's too late for me reconsider taking 15 days off.\n- Not at all, since it's your right. But last week you were convinced that you did not need a vacation. What happened to change your mind?\n- Well, I'm seeing things. I swear I saw some sort of flying saucer this afternoon while we were passing by... I think the name of station was Batavia.\n- A flying saucer? And there were green beings in the window? - Frank asked mockingly, smiling at the secretary.\n- Well... Actually it was not a flying saucer, it looked like a sports car, but it was made of cloud and flying, and I could see two beings inside it, only they were not green, one was pink and the other brown or red. They even looked like teddy bears. I swear I saw them as well as I see you now...\n- Repeat what you just told me! - Frank shouted, jumping up from his chair, showing signs of intense emotion.\n- A kind of car made of cloud and two colored beings inside - the secretary began, showing surprise at his boss's reaction - But that must have been just delirium. What I could not imagine is that you have an interest in ufology...\n- I'm not an ufologist - the old man said, calming down - Where did you say you saw this strange flying object?\n- A place called Batavia, I do not remember right... It was only a few minutes before we reached in Rio Claro.\n- It must be Batovi, then - Frank mused, almost fully recovered, but his eyes still glowing with excitement - Well, if you want your vacation, just talk to Elizabeth, she'll take care of the paperwork. It's late now, have a good night, Fred.\nAnd bowing in a cordial and ancient way, the old man left the room quickly, while Fred followed him with the glance suspicious that his boss had some important secret, but whatever that was, only the future and Frank could say.\n*****\nThe day had barely begun when Champ left the house where the teenagers lived, making no noise to wake up his friends. At least he had not missed the hour like the day before, something that was still inexplicable to him. He quickly made his way to the gym, where scored to meet with Confidence to go to the Earth, where the mission to help Hector awaited them. It was being easier than the bear thought at first, and he already counted that everything would end soon, so that he could celebrate his last attended mission and his adulthood, which was the personal goal of all Care Bear, however much they pretended otherwise.\nStill, Champ was surprised when he got to the gym and did not meet the fennec on the sports court, even more knowing that she was as punctual as he, not usually late.\n- Where will she be? - he asked himself in a low voice.\nThat was when he heard a crash of boxes dropping, and could only come from the storeroom of the gym. The door was closed, but a light indicated someone was there. The bear went to the door and was about to open it, as he looked out the glass window. In doing so, he saw something that simply paralyzed him.\nThe storeroom didn’t contain many interesting things, just a few family heirlooms, mostly related to sports, prizes, and a few other things of that sort. So it was very strange and suspicious for Champ to see Confidence in there, stirring those things that no one generally stirred, except the sportsman himself and Swift Heart. But what made the athlete more paralyzed was to see the sneaky way the fennec looked at it all, as if she didn’t want anyone to find out what she was doing. His face was pale, his breath was breathless, and on his face there was clearly stamped fear and guilt, which disconcerted the sportsman, who up to now had judged her friend to be an unblemished person.\nFor a few seconds, Champ remained in the doorway, when he noticed that Confidence's ears turned to that side.\nThe female fighter really did not want to be discovered in what she was doing, nor give explanations. It was not to the harm of those bears that she was practically snooping at her papers, but surely they would not understand her and would judge her either crazy or someone dangerous. So she stayed alone all night, locked in that little room, turning over the paperwork, and attentive to any noise that came from outside. When she heard what seemed to be someone's breath, followed by footsteps, she realized that was no longer alone there. She had to guard everything immediately, which did with tremendous agility, before she stepped out the door, ready to attack if necessary. But when left, she saw no one outside, which bewildered her, until again she heard footsteps coming down the hall.\nChamp, as soon as he realized that Confidence had heard him, ran into the bathroom and stood there for a few moments before leaving, trying to act normally as if he had not seen anything.\n- Good morning, Confidence - he said, holding back his emotions.\n- Good morning, Champ - she said, trying to do the same - Have you been here a long time?\n- No... I came in and went to the bathroom to put my brace back on my forehead, it fell while I came here. And you, where were you? I did not see her when I entered...\n- I was in the locker room putting my kimono in the closet, heard a noise and I came here.\nChamp knew this was a lie, but Confidence could not tell whether the bear was lying or not, since she had not seen he.\n- Well, can we go to earth? - he asked anxiously to the young woman - We have a mission to fulfill...\n- Let’s go! - the fennec exclaimed, and they both got into the cloud car and headed off, trying to appear casual to each other, but in the background suspecting of their actions.\nMeanwhile, at the same time, Cheer, Bright Heart and Treat Heart woke up to the sound of the doorbell ringing in the teenage house.\n- I'm going, I'm going - said the young bear, who rose quickly from the bed, her hair to be combed, to see who it was, and stood face-to-face with Trueheart as soon as she opened the door.\n- Oh, hello dear - said the matriarch of the bears - I'm sorry to wake you up so early, but I just wanted to talk to Champ before he...\n- He's already gone - said the raccoon, approaching - I heard the moment he woke up, had his coffee and left trying not to wake us, which is impossible. He told me yesterday that he needed to get up early to meet Confidence and...\n- Find her again? - Cheer asked irritably - After all, what did he see in that fox?\n- And it is precisely about her that I need to speak to Champ - said Trueheart thoughtfully - But maybe you can help me better than him, and since Noble did not like the idea of me looking for Champ to talk about it...\n- What subject? - asked Treat, yawning - Did I miss anything? Has to do with food?\n- No, but can I come in and talk? - asked the matriarch.\nSoon the four teenagers of them were sitting around the table, looking at each other with curiosity, hoping that Trueheart explained was doing there, and what she wanted with them.\n- I'll tell you what's going on. Neither I, nor Grams Bear, believe in the good intentions and history that Confidence told us in his first meeting with Braveheart and Nobleheart. She keeps some very big secret that we need to unravel, and I wanted Champ, who is always with her, to keep an eye on her for us.\n- I confess I don't believe much in story she told - Bright Heart said thoughtfully - Though coherent, something in her eyes denounces it is not the whole truth. But we can’t make her talk, either, if she does not want to...\n- I don't believe her it one bit, even more with what she has done - Cheer said sternly, her eyes sparkling with jealousy, something she had never felt before - For me she would go back where she came from...\n- Calm down, Cheer - said Treat Heart - Just because Champ and she are friends, you do not have to hate her and be jealous.\n- I don't hate her, I just ... I ... Okay! I'm jealous of them, and I hate her for it! - cried the pink bear - I never thought I would say or feel it for another bear or cousin.\n- It's no good to have bad feelings - said Treat staring at her friend - But why are you telling us this, True?\n- I'd like to ask all you to keep an eye on Confidence, instead of Champ do this - the matriarch continued in a low voice - Not that I think he'll do something bad, but he might end up talking about our suspicions for the fennec, since the two are friends, and hinder us in discovering her real intentions. Not to mention that Noble does not want to involve Champ in this. Would you then accept to help me?\n- Of course yes! - replied Cheer without hesitation.\nBut Bright Heart and Treat heart looked at each other with doubts in their eyes.\n- I do not like to think I'll be watching over a care bear cousin to see his character and his real reasons for his behavior - said the raccoon - Don't count on me for anything, I'll only do something if I have a reason for it.\n- I'll also do it this way - said the female pig, whose smile had disappeared from his lips.\n- So that's all right - said Trueheart, a little annoyed at the inventor and the gluttonous - But since you volunteered, Cheer, keep your eyes and ears attentive, and anything let me know. Ah! And before I forget, Friend Bear has a mission for you.\n- And what would be? - asked the young bear, regaining her good humor.\n*****\nLife was not easy for Emily, a girl whose ancestors had African backgrounds. Not that this was the problem itself, but the color of his skin was a laughingstock at his school, which was near the center of Salt Saint Marie, a city on the border between the United States and Canada. That region had been colonized by the French and the English, and racism was commonplace with Latinos and Negroes. His best friend, Julian, had Honduran parents, and he suffered from the same problem.\nAnother week had gone by at school, and the jokes had once again been ruthless. Fortunately it was Sunday, and neither the girl nor the boy would need to hear tasteless jokes. To distract her head a little, Emily went to one of the city parks and sat down on one of the benches, sad and pensive. She heard when someone sat next to her, but did not turn her face to look at who it was.\n- Why are you sad, little girl? - asked a thin female voice.\n- My classmates make fun of me because I'm black, unlike them - the girl replied, almost crying - They will not leave me alone, and the other girls do not want to become my friends.\n- This is a very sad thing - the person said again in a voice of sorrow - But don't worry, Emily, I'm here to help you.\nThe moment she heard his name, she jumped up and turned her face to the side, seeing for the first time who it was sitting next to her. For a few seconds she said nothing, petrified with surprise and contentment.\n- Hey! You're a Care Bear! - exclaimed the girl.\nCheer smiled at that, and looked at his new friend.\n- You can call me Cheer Bear - she said - And I want to help you face your schoolmates, and show them you're no different from them.\n- Sí, usted no és diferente de cualquier persona (Yes, you are not different from any person) - said another bear approaching - But since you should not understand Spanish, then I speak in English myself. I'm Amigo Bear.\nAmigo Bear was the only care bear who knew practically all the languages spoken around the earth, and his favorite being Spanish. For this very reason, its symbol in the belly was the Aztec sun, to bring it closer still to the Latin American peoples. And not to confuse him with Friend Bear, he always presented himself with his name, a mixture of Spanish and English, wherever he went.\n- Do you two really want to help me? - said the girl, jumping with joy from the bench, almost unable to believe.\n- Not only you, but Julian too - Cheer explained, laughing - How about taking us to your friend and talking to him too?\nQuickly the two bears, along with Emily, reached the house of Julian, who was playing alone in the yard.\n- Julian! See who came to visit us! - cried the girl, overflowing with happiness.\nThe boy looked up and faced Cheer, dressed in his yellow jumpsuit and his hair stuck like a ponytail, and Amigo Bear, with his color dark orange.\n- ¿Cómo estás, Julian? Vine aquí para ayudarle y se convierten en su amigo también (How are you, Julian? We're here to help you and become your friends too) - spoke in Spanish Amigo Bear smiling, shaking hands with the boy.\n- Estoy bien, pero podría ser mejor (I'm fine, but it could be better) - replied the boy in the same language, with a little dismay.\n- ¿Por qué? No contentos con nuestra venida aquí para ayudarte a ti ya tu amigo también? (Why, are not you happy about our coming here to help you and your friend too?).\n- Bueno, yo... (Well I...).\n- Hey! Would it be too much to ask you two to speak in our language? - Cheer asked, trying to look annoyed, but with a big smile on his lips - We don't understand anything.\n- You know that my favorite language is Spanish, dear Cheer - said the polyglot, laughing - And when I have the opportunity to hablar com alguien que sabe, soy de lamisma (talk to someone who understands, I really enjoy).\nEveryone laughed at that, which greatly cheered Cheer and Amigo Bear to see the two children forgetting their sorrows.\n- So, how are you going to help us? - Emily asked, with her heart lighter.\n- We want to see your classmates so we can talk to them and show them they're wrong - said the pink bear - Do you know where we can find them?\n- Of course - replied Julian - The boys must be playing rugby in the field of the other block, I'll take you there.\n- In that case, Amigo Bear will accompany you, and I will accompany Emily to call the other girls in your class. After, the two groups meet here to talk together. Right? - Cheer asked with a wink.\n- Right! - answered the two children.\n- Cierto! - replied Amigo Bear in Spanish, just so that the companion of mission would shake the head negatively, with a great smile on the lips, before each pair follow to one side.\n*****\nRalph drummed his fingers constantly on the table, paced back and forth, chewing his fingernails in extreme nervous agitation of anxiety. He could not wait for her two new furry friends to come and talk to Carlos, the boy who, like that old man, was in love with trains.\nIn fact, the old man now remembered the countless times when the young boy had been with him at the station, beside him, watching the trains pass or stop. Wherever Ralph was, Carlos too was there enjoying the trains.\nBut while his friends did not arrive, he was killing time in looking at his \"great and little rail empire\", where trains of all types and railroads ran. For years he had worked on it, and yet his model was not ready. He always lived by stirring or adding something, and he wanted to pass that taste on to other residents in the village.\nIt was then that he heard the door of the hall where he kept his little railway slowly opening, and Tenderheart and Love-a-Lot came in looking around. In fact, the couple was surprised at what they saw, for they did not think of the wealth of details the old man had put there. Even the warning from Friend Bear the day before, that Ralph had a great toy, could not have prepared them for that wonderful sight.\nAh! Finally - Ralph blurted out, seeing the two coming in - I've been waiting for you for hours. I thought you were not even coming.\n- Our time zone is different from that of Brazil - Love-a-Lot explained, looking around still surprised - Wow! I confess that I am amazed at your work!\n- In fact, we had never seen anything so beautiful and so lovely in our lives - Tenderheart went on - We knew you had a train model, but not that it was that big and had so many details.\n- This is my world, where everything is fair and beautiful - said the old man, smiling and touching his toy with great affection - I have been working long hours to get here, and it is not and will never be ready. Every doll, cars, shops, buildings, trains, each has its true story and a story I created. There are Mr. and Mrs. Merrilow, buying pastries on Ykito's bench, or \"japa\" - and he pointed to two little figures in the model, next to a miniature of snack bar, with an oriental-looking salesman at his side - And here is Jorge, a black of ninety-pounder, beating in the thief who tried to steal old Carmen. Or \"Seu\" Zé Lucas and his faithful \"Pidonho\", a beige dog who loves to bite the pants of the Postman Nersão, who is dating Linda, who is Florinda's sister, who is a teacher at the school where the Merrilow children are studying and has a case with the train driver Frederico, the \"Rico\". And so on. Sometimes I spend hours talking to them, even if only I talk...\n- I can understand now why you want everyone to share this place - said Love-a-Lot with a smile - Your life and your feelings are practically here.\n- Now you got the spirit of the thing - agreed the old man - But for all to share, we must begin with Carlos. What are we waiting for?\n- It's that... He speaks Portuguese and we English - explained the pink bear - Let's have to wait Amigo Bear, who is our translator, to...\n- I think Carlos has English classes at school -Ralph joked with a smile - Not to mention that I speak Portuguese and can act as an interpreter.\n- And I also speak a little Portuguese - interrupted Tenderheart - I'm taking some Spanish and Portuguese lessons with Amigo Bear to be able to serve on those occasions as well. That is why we are on this mission.\n- I didn't know that - Love-a-Lot murmured in surprise - You should have told me... But if it's all right, let's go after Carlos.\nA few minutes later, the couple and the elderly arrived at the train station. Carlos was not there, so he should been on the railroad bridge, which was his favorite place to watch the trains pass when he wanted to be a little alone.\nIn fact the boy was right there, sitting on an improvised wooden bench. He never tired of watching the trains pass, and his dream was to be stationmaster like his father, but there were times when he felt like doing something other than that. Outside of school, where he studied and could play sports, there was nothing left to do but see the trains, except when he talked to old Ralph, who, being also in love with trains, told the stories about the lines of North America and compared them with the Paulista lines.\nSo it was a surprise for the young to look sideways and see that old man approaching, accompanied by two creatures he had never seen before anywhere.\n- Carlos! - said the old man – Como você está (How are you)?\n- Muito bem, senhor Ralph (Very well, Mr. Ralph) - said the boy, surprised – Mas quem são eles (But who are they)?\n- Eu ser Tenderheart Bear e ela Love-a-Lot Bear (I'm Tenderheart and she's Love-a-Lot) - answered the male bear with a Portuguese accent – Nós dois ser Carinho Bears (We're Care Bears).\n- Eu já ouvi falar de vocês na escola (I've heard of you at school)! - replied the boy smiling with joy – Vocês ajudam as pessoas que estão com alguma dificuldade (You help people who are in difficulties)!\n- Isso mesmo (That's right)-Tenderheart agreed cheerfully – Mas hoje nós estamos aqui para realizar um sonho de Ralph (But we're here today to help Ralph realize a dream).\n- A realizar um sonho de senhor Ralph? Qual sonho? (To realize a dream of Mr. Ralph? What is this dream?).\n- What is he saying? - asked the bear in English, because she understood nothing of what they were saying.\n- You do not understand us talking? - asked the boy in English with an accent - Then we'll speak the same language. I have classes in grammar and English language at school - explained the kid, seeing everyone's surprise - I do not speak very well, but we can try...\n- And in all cases, I can still serve as a translator - Ralph said, smiling, his eyes shining behind his glasses.\nCarlos laughed at that, looking at the old man and the two bears intently.\n- What do you want with me, anyway? - the boy asked.\n- We want to show you something that you're going to like very much, and that Ralph wants to share with the community, and we choose you and your father to be the first to see - explained the brown bear - After, you'll help our friend here to bring the rest of the Village to help.\n- I'm curious. Can’t you tell me what it is?\n- Come with us, I'll show you - Ralph said, gesturing with his hand, and then the four of them headed for the old man's house.\nThe boy was very curious to know what that respectable old man and the two bears would show him. A thousand things went through his head, but nothing prepared him for what he saw. As soon as he entered the room where the old man had made the model, he gaped, his eyes bulging, looking around and lost in the thousands of details in that miniature imitation of real life.\n- Isso é maravilhoso (That's wonderful)! - he said quietly to himself - A mock-up! I had seen some, but never one of that size. I did not even know you had one, Mr. Ralph! Why did not you tell me before?\n- Ralph, only - the old man replied, smiling happily - This is my hobby when I'm not at the station, and I want it to become your hobby as well. I want you and your father to help me continue to work on this great project. And I want your friends to come and help us too. I want our whole village to have this place as a meeting point and leisure, especially for parents and children to spend more time together in a healthy activity and that involves all of us, precisely because Batovi has arisen thanks to Companhia Paulista.\n- I certainly want to help you with that, Ralph. But how can I do this?\n- Where's your father, Carlos? - asked Love-a-Lot.\n- At the station. Today the second boss Alberto did not go to work because he has the flu, and my father went in his place.\n- Then let's go and talk to him, too. Now that you've seen Ralph's model, it will be easier to persuade your father to help you come to terms with him - said the female bear.\nAndré was annoyed to have to work on Sunday. It was usually that day that he and his wife and Carlos were did family programs, going to Rio Claro, Itirapina or other nearby cities to stroll, and all this on Paulista trains, thanks to the free pass they had. After all, the railroad provided many things to its employees, which motivated them to have great zeal for the place they worked. But it was also rigid in her standards, not tolerating delays in trains, or poorly made services or poor service on the part of the employees. When something like this occurred, an investigation was opened, and the case was analyzed in detail by the company's own director, Mr. Jonas de Albuquerque, who was always the first employee to comply with the regulations.\nBut even with all this and the good salary he earned, André still had the right to think it bad to work on Sunday. But he was a good professional, and he did not discount his frustration with the passengers and other companions. It was when he looked out her little office window, and she saw her son, Mr. Ralph, and two strange creatures approaching. Astonished as to who these two strangers might be, he stood up and went to meet them. Carlos, seeing his father, rushed to embrace him, being that he was still staring at the two strangers.\n- André, como vai você (André, how is you)? - Ralph asked in Portuguese.\n- Muito bem, mas... O que são esses dois (Very well, but... What are these two)? - asked the station master, pointing wide-eyed at the pair of bears.\n- Nós sermos Care Bears (We're Care Bears) - Tenderheart explained – Eu ser Tenderheart Urso e ela Love-a-Lot Urso (I'm Tenderheart Bear and she's Love-a-Lot Bear).\n- Ah, ursinhos carinhosos? Tudo bem. E eu sou o coelhinho da páscoa (Ah, care bears? All right. I'm the Easter Bunny) - André said wryly – Podem tirar suas fantasias, eu sei que são os amigos de meu filho (You can take away your fantasies, I know you are my son's friends).\n- E somos mesmo, mas não estamos fantasiados. Somos de verdade (And we really are, but we are not costumed. We are real).\n- É sério, André (Seriously, Andre) - Ralph said seriously - Eles não são crianças fantasiadas, nem ursos de pelúcia mecânicos. São de verdade. Nunca ouviu falar deles (They're not costumed children, and neither mechanical stuffed bears. They're for real. Never heard of them)?\n- Sim, já ouvi falar (Yes, I've heard of it) - the railman replied - Lembro que, há alguns anos, a imprensa da cidade fez um rebuliço quando alguém fotografou um urso de cores berrantes junto com uma criança, que explicou que ele era um Care Bear. Mas entre ouvir falar e acreditar que eles existam (I remember that a few years ago the city press made a fuss when someone photographed a brightly colored bear with a child, who explained that he was a Care Bear. But between hearing and believing that they exist)...\n- Pois nós sim existir (We exist, yes)! - said Tenderheart slowly and with accent. E nós querer falar com você (And we want to talk to you)...\n- Sendo sincero, Ralph fala muito melhor minha língua do que você (Being honest, Ralph speaks my language a lot better than you do) - André joked with a laugh - Mas diga afinal por que tenho a honra de conhecer dois ursinhos carinhosos e o que vocês querem de mim (But tell me why I have the honor of meeting two care bears and what do you want from me)?\n- Acho que eu posso responder isso para você, e em português (I think I can answer this for you, and in Portuguese) - Ralph said quickly, beginning to explain his hobby and his desire that the children of the village, as well as his parents, could learn and enjoy his great model, and as Tenderheart and Love-a-Lot had the idea of seek first for the station master and his son to talk about it - Carlos já esteve em minha casa, ele pode confirmar para você todas as minhas palavras (Carlos has been in my house, he can confirm for you all my words).\n- Eu confio em meu filho, e em você também, Ralph (I trust my son, and you, too, Ralph) - the railman replied with a smile - Mas precisava de tudo isso para vir falar comigo? Podia ter vindo conversar antes, afinal nos vemos praticamente todos os dias (But did you need all this to come and talk to me? You could have come to talk before, since we see each other practically every day)...\n- Mas eu nunca teria pensado em vocês dois para me auxiliarem nisso, e talvez vocês nunca acreditassem em mim, pensando que eu era um velho tarado, louco ou coisa do gênero. E como os ursos quiseram ajudar, me senti muito feliz por isso, e deixei que eles o fizessem (But I would never have thought of the two of you to aid me in this, and perhaps you would never believe me, thinking I was an old crazy, pervert or something. And as the bears wanted to help, I was very happy about that, and I let them do it).\n- Nossa missão é ajudar a qualquer um que esteja em dificuldades, ou triste por causa de alguma coisa (Our mission is to help anyone in distress, or sad because of anything) - Tenderheart explained excitedly - E como o desejo de Ralph era algo muito justo, foi prontamente escolhido para ser uma missão (And since Ralph's wish was something very fair, it was readily chosen to be a mission).\n- Se foi dessa maneira, tudo bem. Mas por que ela não fala nada (If it was that way, fine. But why doesn't she say anything)? - the railroader pointed to Love-a-Lot, who was practically oblivious to the whole conversation.\n- Ela não sabe falar português (She doesn't know how to speak Portuguese) - Tenderheart explained, before proceeding to her girlfriend - Andre wanted to know why you were not talking to us. He agreed to help his son and Ralph.\n- Wonderful! - exclaimed the female bear with a big smile - Tell him I'm very happy about that.\n- Eu não entendo nada de inglês, mas acho que ela ficou muito feliz pelo que ouviu (I don't understand English at all, but I think she was very happy for what she heard) - André guessed the meaning of Love-a-Lot's cheerful expression even before Tenderheart translated what she had said.\n- Você tem razão (You're right) - said the bear – Que tal você nos acompanhar até a casa de Ralph para conhecer mais de seu hobby (How about you join us to Ralph's house to learn more about his hobby)?\nThe stationmaster frowned with a sad look on his face.\n- Agora eu não posso, estou no meio do horário de serviço (Now I can't, I'm in the middle of job hours) - he said thoughtfully - Não posso simplesmente abandonar meu posto. Pode ser mais tarde (I can't just leave my job. Can be later)?\nEveryone looked at each other in silence, as if wondering if there would be any problems. As no one said anything in reply, they quickly agreed to meet at 6pm at Ralph's house to talk.\n- E enquanto isso nós voltaremos para Care-a-Lot, para ajudar mais pessoas (And, meanwhile, we'll go back to Care-a-Lot, to help more people) - completed Tenderheart, using his Stare to create a cloud car there in front of the station, which left the three humans gawked.\n- Wow! - Ralph exclaimed – Eu que queria ter um conversível assim, para guardar no bolso (I wanted to have a convertible like this, to put it in my pocket).\n- Nós podemos ver o carro (Can we see the car)? - asked the boy, delighted with the vehicle made of clouds, but solid enough to carry up to four adults.\n- Claro que sim (Of course) - said the brown bear, smiling - Quando vocês acabarem, Love-a-Lot e eu seguiremos viagem, mas voltaremos aqui na hora combinada (When you're done, Love-a-Lot and I are on our way, but we'll be back here at the appointed time).\n*****\nFrank was impatient to get to Batovi. He had left Sao Paulo earlier in the day without telling anyone on a solitary tour, constantly looking at his wristwatch to see how much time he still had to get, almost without enjoying the scenery and amenities of the Pullman car.\nThe old man had hardly slept all night, thinking and rethinking what Fred had told him the day before, making sure that his friend had not had an illusion, but that had seen something real and that he, Frank, knew very well what it was. He had to find the right person, and the fact that Batovi was a small village was going to help him a lot.\nThe train was now passing by Santa Gertrudes station, and would not stop there because it was an express train. It was 20 minutes before Batovi arrived, two stations later, where the train usually did not stop too, but that day he was going to do it just to meet the businessman. Frank looked out the window at the large ceramic industries that moved the city's economy and were using the Paulista freight trains, when he noticed something that made him jump from his chair and run to the emergency brake, pushing it without thinking twice.\nA heavy jolt shook the whole train to the point where, in the restaurant car, the passengers lost their meals and the train chief, charging the tickets, fell to the ground with the abrupt stop. Without explaining to anyone, Frank jumped off the train, to the surprise of the other passengers and officials who looked at the old man as if he had gone mad, before he disappeared in the middle of the bush. The train driver, also without understanding what happened, whistled his powerful \"V8\" locomotive and left with the train normally, not to be late.\n*****\n- I hope Grumpy does not get angry at this - said Champ, looking at the crumpled car in front of him, for going wrong in a cloud.\nConfidence Heart looked at his friend and smirked.\n- Still you think he will only be angry? - she asked.\n- You're right. Surely he will stay mad with anger.\n- Ah! That happens. After all, you did not hit that cloud on purpose...\n- No, but I should have diverted.\n- Well, your head should be somewhere else at that time, that happens to everyone - said the female fennec with some reticence.\nChamp knew she was playing to see if he fell into contradiction. After all, his mind was still mulling over the scene he'd seen in the gym earlier: Confident reading the files of the bears and acting sneakily.\n- I'm worried about Cheer - he said quickly, trying to disguise - You will not believe it, but she's feeling jealous of us.\n- Jealous? Just why are we training together and I'm your last instructor? This is a good joke.\n- I just hope she does not stay in it for long.\n- Do you want me to talk to her? - asked the fox after a few seconds in silence - Maybe if I look for her, and say we have nothing to do with each other...\n- I'd better not, she would be even more insecure - replied the sportsman - I that I should look for her and hit my things with her.\n- I think it's best - agreed the fox, smiling.\nChamp dismantled the cloud car before he and his friend approached Hector's house. By the star-o-cope, they had already seen that the boy's father had left at his usual hour, but he promised that he would return before lunch to meet his son's new friends, without imagining who they were.\n- Do you think he'll welcome us? - Confidence looked worried.\n- I don't know... You're Confidence Heart Fennec, remember? - said Champ laughing - You're the one who has to have extreme confidence in what he does.\n- I know. But I have not gotten used to dealing with humans that way.\n- And how did you handle it before?\nThe question made the female fennec choke.\n- Well... I... Just being... Is... - she stammered - Just being their friend.\n- But that's what we do every day!\n- It's just different from the way I had friendships and kept them. And I miss my old friends... - concluded the fennec sadly - Forget it, let's change the subject. Are you ready to receive my revenge?\n- Revenge? About what?\n- Well, yesterday you and Hector took advantage and tickled me. Today, I'm going to take revenge on both of you and tickle both of you.\n-You looked pretty tense before we started.\n- Of course! As if you didn't know me, Champ. I am a professional karate fighter. My body and my mind are prepared for it, and I do not usually let others touch me. Usually when they do, it's to do something bad, and in return they get a blow that makes them fly away. Not to mention that I had never been tickled before... Do you understand why I was tense when you two said they were going to tickle me?\nBut then you relaxed. Besides, you don’t trust us? Do not trust the friend who trains with you and a nine-year-old boy? - asked the bear with a small, mischievous grin.\n- I don't trust myself on such occasions. I can suddenly take a mortal blow and inadvertently. It is a new experience for me, as well as others.\nAs they talked, they walked toward Hector's house, and moments later they entered through the automatic gate already opened by the boy, who had seen his friends approach the window. The meeting point was again the boy's room, where the window was already open as it had been the day before.\nChamp was the first to jump the window and enter the bedroom, and barely did so, someone pushed him to the floor, sitting on it.\n- Got you! - Hector cried excitedly, and beginning to tickle the bear's feet, who began to laugh desperately.\n- Hahaha! Nohohoho! Stohohohop it! Hahaha! - the sportsman shouted.\nAnd sitting on his bear friend's back, she began to tickle him along with the boy, as Champ tried to get rid of it anyway. For several minutes the sportsman had to put up with it until he realized that Hector's bare feet were within reach of his hands, and he began to tickle them.\n- Hey! - cried the boy, in the first stride of fingers that Champ gave on the boy's soles.\n- Hahaha! I'll ticklehehehe yohohohohou tohohohoo! - said the bear, smiling and trying to keep going when the boy turned to him.\n- That's what we'll see! - replied Hector.\nThe boy then pulled his feet and got rid of tickling, but didn't pause for a moment to rub his fingers on the soles of Champ, aided by Confidence. The fox in the background was enjoying it, and decided to enjoy some more. Seeing Hector's feet there, she didn't resist and grabbed one of them, beginning to tickle.\nThis was totally unexpected to the young man, who screamed as he felt the hands of the fennec tickling him. With a jump, Hector let Champ and grabbed the fighter's arms from behind, beginning to tickle her belly. For a second, the thought of defending himself with a karate blow came over the head of the female fox, but she quickly pushed that thought away as she remembered that the boy was only joking, and with that she stood there, laughing at that feeling new to her. Already the bear, after catching his breath, sat cross-legged on the floor, just watching the other two playing happily.\n- That's enough - Hector declared after a few minutes tickling the fennec - I'm glad you're here.\n- And we're happy to see you animated - Champ answered with a smile. While your father is not coming, we can go and do something else...\n- How do you know my father left? - the boy asked in surprise.\n- Remember that we know many things. Well, what would you like to do in the meantime?\nThe boy thought for a moment, his hand resting on his chin, until he replied,\n- I wanted to practice my shots more on goal, after all I lost two penalties in the last games. Do you two help me with this?\n- Of course yes. I've played FIFA football before, I know what your rules are - said the bear - But I still prefer baseball.\nConfidence was still catching his breath, but she had stood up to watch their conversation. She looked at his mission mate, and then at the boy they were helping.\n- And who would stay in the goal? - she asked.\n- How about a little each? - replied the boy - Each one defends ten kicks.\n- Great! C'mon then, sports fans - said the bear.\n*****\n- Gol! - Hector shouted cheerfully to score another point.\nChamp was thrown to the ground on one side of the mark made by the boy, while the ball was on the other side. The bear, which had left his coat hanging on a bush near, was not too happy to have missed another chance to hold the ball. On the other hand, Confidence was laughing at that and helping the boy celebrates once more.\nIn fact, she had already had her turn. In ten penalties the fox held eight balls, a high number, but Hector, as a good sportsman, knew that what were really worth was the two goals he had managed to score. Now with Champ the situation had reversed, the bear had already lost eight balls in eight kicks, showing that he was a poor goalkeeper.\n- Damn it - said the athlete, punching the ground.\n- Oh, don't complain, my friend - said Confidence - Nobody is to blame, not even you, if you do not know how to play football.\n- I've already said that I prefer baseball - he remarked maliciously - Then you two would see, I would make one point after another.\n- Now enough of chat, and get ready again - Hector teased, picking up his ball and putting it on the penalty mark.\nChamp concentrated this time. He wanted to get the object. It was a matter of honor. After all, there was no sport he could not play. He watched as the young man began to run and prepared for the kick...\n- Gol! Another! - Hector shouted as the ball passed a few inches from the bear's hand, which had thrown on the ground to prevent the goal, but his hand did not reach the ball.\nThe boy was very happy, although he knew that only scored because Champ was a poor football player FIFA. So happy was he that he hugged Confidence strongly, who was embarrassed by it. As for the bear, it lay stretched out on the grass, grinding its teeth with rage.\n- Come on. You have one more chance - Hector said as he picked up the ball and saw the face his furry friend was doing - I promise I'll kick slower...\n- I don't want you to kick slower - said the sporting bear, jumping up - That would not be fair to myself.\n- All right - said the boy, putting the ball back on the penalty mark and pulling away.\nWith his excellent audition, Confidence could hear the beating of Champ's heart, and knew that he was very angry and eager to catch that ball. Hector realized this, too, but decided not to relieve his friend's request. He would give a powerful kick to the ball, and if the bear really wanted it, he would have to fight to get it. And with that thought still in mind, the boy started to run toward the ball, until he kicked it hard toward the goal.\nBut this time Champ was much focused, and with a very loud leap, he managed to grab the object before it once again passed. With a sigh of relief, the bear threw himself on the floor with the ball resting on his chest, laughing with joy.\n- You did it! - said to female fennec, approaching of his friend - Congratulations Champ.\n- No doubt it was a great defense - said Hector, also approaching and resting his hand on the bear's shoulders - Maybe a hundred more kicks and you become a reasonable keeper...\n- It's a challenge? - asked Champ, excitedly - Well, I'll take it any time you want to, sport fan!\nAnd so saying, he got up and returned the ball to the owner, while Confidence took his coat and gave him to dress, with a smile on his lips. Hector stared at the two of them for a moment, seeing how the bear and the fennec seemed close, until he asked,\n- Are you coupling?\n- No, we are not coupling - said the two men in unison, as they looked at each other uncomfortably.\n- I'm sorry to ask, you two are alike in many things, so I thought you was in a relationship - the boy explained a little embarrassed.\n- It may even be that we share a taste for sport and a few more things, but we are not a couple - Champ said - My heart already has a mistress.\n- And mine owns one, too - Confidence agreed, a little reticent - But that does not matter now. I hear a car approaching, it must be your father.\nEveryone then looked toward the automatic gate of the house, which was opening, at the same time as a black car entered. The boy soon recognized that was really his father, and ran toward him.\nCalvin was a tall man with no beard, black hair, and thin eyebrows, which on his slim face and two large eyes, gave an air of cleverness, calmness and attention, but something sad as well. He opened the car door as he saw Hector running toward him, and hugged his son tightly.\n- I'm back, as I promised - Calvin said, smiling - And you, how did you spend the morning?\n- Very well, I want to introduce you to my friends - the boy said, looking toward Confidence and Champ, who were fast approaching.\nBut as soon as Calvin stared at the pair of sportsmen, his smiling face closed, a grim and hateful gleam appeared in his eyes, as if to kill them both. And they noticed this sudden change of mood, so they slowed down a little worried.\n- Dad, these are Champ Bear and Confidence Heart Fennec, and they... - Hector began, but was quickly interrupted by his father.\n- Stand right there, you filthy bastards - Calvin shouted, slipping between his son and the two approaching.\n- Calm down, Mr. Calvin, we're just Care Bears - said Champ, in the softest voice he could find.\n- Exactly, we will not harm you and your child - Confidence said - We are here just to help...\nAn evil grin crept to Calvin's lips as he put his hands waist and grimaced at someone being fooled by another.\n- You two will not do any harm, okay, I'll pretend to believe it - he said, raising his eyebrows, seeming to calm down, but less than a second later, he pulled out a gun that was hidden under his shirt and pointed it at the two sportsmen - Finished my pretense. I know very well who you are. You have done so much harm to my family before! And I will not allow them to do even more. Now that's enough! I'm going to rid the world of a poisonous duo that pretends to be friends with others, and then betray and end the happiness of others!\nHis finger was steady on the trigger of the revolver, which pointed in the direction of the two athletes, while he was puffed with rage with his whole body trembling with emotion, showing that he was not bluffing and could even shoot at any moment, reason enough to make Champ and Confidence trembled with fear at that, stunned with such an outburst of hatred and rancor for no apparent reason.\n- Calm down, Mr. Calvin - said Champ, gently - Put that gun down and let's have a little talk...\n- Shut up! You furry stinker, I didn’t give you the right to say anything. And as for you, Hector, go inside now!\n- But father! - the boy protested, terrified - What you...\n- Don’t argue Hector! Go inside now!\nRunning and with great fear, the boy ran into the house. Champ and Confidence had their eyes on the human who threatened them. Both were gawking and afraid of the situation, because they had to calm the adult or he could provoke a tragedy, something they did not want.\n- Now we're going to settle our bills - Calvin continued when he saw his son come in - You've ruined my life once, and you will not do it again!\n- What are you talking about? - asked the bear.\n- And yet they pretend they do not know. That is why you two will die! Your liars, worthless! You pretend they love and care for others, but deep down you just want to take advantage, destroying families so you can continue to live comfortably their little fucking lives. I will take care that you don't do the same with my son, what did to me and so many others. I hate you all, with all my might! And I will gladly eliminate at least two of you from the face of the earth...\nAs he spoke, Calvin slowly approached the pair, always with the gun in hand, until he cocked the revolver and prepared to shoot. It was when it all happened in the blink of an eye, so fast that Champ did not even have time to stand on the scene. Confidence, even ten feet away from the adult, took an agile and surprising step, winning that distance and disarming the human with kicks and elbows. With another karate stroke, she took down Hector's father to the floor almost unconscious as she shoved the gun away from him.\n- Lets run away! - the girl shouted at her friend.\nAnd without wasting time, the two rushed to the wall, just as the chemist, grabbing his revolver again, fired in the direction of the two, but missed the shot. The bear balanced on the bricks and climbed the wall, jumping quickly, while the fox jumped again, grabbed the top of the wall, and jumped to the other side, so fast that she was already waiting for the athlete when he arrived at her side.\n- How did you do that? - asked Champ, surprised.\n- Now is not the time! - Confidence said sternly - Trigger the car cloud, fast or it reaches us.\nThe bear quickly caused the cloud car, which was hidden, to reappear, and both jumped into the vehicle. As they took off, Calvin managed to reach the top of the wall and began firing toward the two, who were already out of range.\n- Damn it! Million times dope! - he shouted, running into the house.\nHector waited for his father in the room, apprehensive of what he had done with his friends. He had never seen your father like this before, and was scared. As soon as the door opened, he went toward his father.\n- Dad, what... - the boy began.\n- Listen here, Hector! - Calvin interrupted brutally - If you talk to these bears again, I swear I'll punish you forever. Understood? Never talk to them again! Now, go to the bedroom and stay there till I tell you!\nThe boy gave a cry of fear, since his father looked like another person, so transformed that he was. Running upstairs, Hector locked himself up as he had been told, and began to cry with sadness. As for Calvin, as soon as he noticed that he was alone, he picked up the phone and made an international call.\n- Hello! It's Calvin. I need to talk to the boss. No matter if it is busy, it is an emergency situation! Urgent! Hello, sir? It's Calvin. They located me. No, they do not seem to suspect anything, but I do not want my son to get involved with them, especially since I have not talked to him yet... Of course I'm scared, and angry! Sorry, I did not mean to offend you. Do you think I'm in danger? I am so relieved to hear this. Great, I'll be waiting for instructions, and anything I'll tell you. Auf Wiedersehen.\nAnd he put the device back on the hook, still tingling with anger, and fearing for his safety and his son, if the bears found out who he really was...\n*****\nFrank walked as fast as he could along the tracks and railroad sleepers, and then through a bush-filled area that lay between the railroad and the streets of one of the small town neighborhoods. As the Paulista train traveled more than 90 kilometer per hour, it took some time to stop, and what the owner of the company had been looking for so breathlessly had been almost two miles behind.\nHe did not expect it to be easy, but he could not hide the disappointment when, arriving there, he searched all around and saw nothing that resembled what he had seen before. Was he mad or was no longer there? He circled the area and could not find the object he was looking for.\nBut among his qualities was persistence and judgment. Stopping a little and taking a deep breath, he returned to where the search had begun and looked closely at all the places. He did not take 20 steps when he found a double track of footprints, heading toward the houses nearby. They were not traces of humans. A smile curved his lips at the sight of this, as he followed the tracks through the wooded area to the back of a large, high-walled house lined with lichens, circling through it to the main gate. Despite the sidewalk of colorful pebbles on the public road, there was no pavement at the gate, so Frank saw that the footprints followed inward.\nFor a moment the old man was uncertain whether to ring the doorbell and question the residents, or whether he should take another approach. That's when he saw a lady come out of a neighboring house and decided to approach her.\n- Bom dia, senhora (Good morning, ma'am) - Frank began politely in a good Portuguese - Eu estou procurando um amigo e o endereço parece que é desta casa. É aí que mora o Emílio Duarte, piloto de aviões (I'm looking for a friend and the address looks like it's from this house. Is that where Emilio Duarte, an airplane pilot, lives)?\n- Não senhor, o nome do dono desta casa é Calvin Kayson, que trabalha em uma indústria da cidade como químico chefe, além de seu filho Hector. Por aqui não tem nenhum Emílio (No sir, the name of the owner of this house is Calvin Kayson, who works in a city industry as chief chemist, in addition to his son Hector. There are no Emilio's around here).\n- Então eu acho que me enganei de rua (So I guess I was wrong on the street) - Frank snapped quickly - Vou ter que telefonar para meu amigo para confirmar o endereço. Um bom dia e bom trabalho (I'll have to call my friend to confirm the address. A good day and good work).\nAs the girl walked away, Frank took another look at the house, feeling a swirl of feelings in his chest. On the one hand, he was happy, finally had found a child who should be being helped by whom he sought so much. But if he was also sure as to who this Calvin was, then there would be problems because of past things.\nFrank needed to talk to someone about it. It was when he saw a public phone on the corner, and running there, he deposited the Telebrás plug in the receiver and made an international call.\n- Hello! Jason? This is Frank. Tell Ernest knows that I have located a child who is still being helped by them, and that it is for him to go to New York and wait for me there. As? Does Dawson want to talk to me? All right, I'll be staying in Santa Gertrudes. G-E-R-T-R-U-D-E-S. Exactly. This time I believe that everything will work out. Yes, I think it's good for you to come here too, maybe I need help. I await news from there too. Anything please contact of me. See you.\nWhen the telephone was switched off, the old businessman slowly went to the station in that small town, to find some hotel nearby to stay overnight and to leave his contact with the railroad workers. But even if he had found what he was looking for in that place, he could not forget the original motivation that led him to make that trip, and he also decided to work on it.","writing_bbcode_parsed":"
The Care Bears
The Confidence Secret
1st Part
Chapter 04

*****

Ralph could not sleep with excitement. He turned from side to side on the bed, just waiting for the day to dawn for him to meet his new furry friends, those who would help him convince Andre and Carlos, and the other villagers in the village, to take care of his big model. After all, this was his dream, to see his work maintained by all, but mainly as an activity for children. How happy he was with that.
Hector could not sleep of anxiety. He had told his father that he had made new friends, and that they were coming the next morning to meet him. Calvin liked to hear this, but he would have to leave early to deal with an emergency at his job, promising that he would return before lunch to see his son's new friends.
Fred, for his part, could not sleep, but not because he was anxious or worried, but because he had slept all afternoon on the train. And now that the presidential train had arrived in Sao Paulo, he had stayed in the hotel's reserved lobby while everyone else was asleep. Sleepless, he'd spent his time reading a few papers, concentrating on his reading until he heard a familiar voice coming from behind and asking,
- Still awake?
- Arghh! - yelled the secretary, jumping on chair and seeing Frank behind him, laughing - What a scare, dammit! I wasn't sleepy and I decided to entertain myself a little... And you?
- I'm looking for my briefcase, I do not know if I left it here or on the presidential train.
- I believe it's there on the couch - the young secretary said, pointing to a leather briefcase that the businessman soon recognized as his own - And taking advantage of the fact that you're here, I'd like to ask you if it's too late for me reconsider taking 15 days off.
- Not at all, since it's your right. But last week you were convinced that you did not need a vacation. What happened to change your mind?
- Well, I'm seeing things. I swear I saw some sort of flying saucer this afternoon while we were passing by... I think the name of station was Batavia.
- A flying saucer? And there were green beings in the window? - Frank asked mockingly, smiling at the secretary.
- Well... Actually it was not a flying saucer, it looked like a sports car, but it was made of cloud and flying, and I could see two beings inside it, only they were not green, one was pink and the other brown or red. They even looked like teddy bears. I swear I saw them as well as I see you now...
- Repeat what you just told me! - Frank shouted, jumping up from his chair, showing signs of intense emotion.
- A kind of car made of cloud and two colored beings inside - the secretary began, showing surprise at his boss's reaction - But that must have been just delirium. What I could not imagine is that you have an interest in ufology...
- I'm not an ufologist - the old man said, calming down - Where did you say you saw this strange flying object?
- A place called Batavia, I do not remember right... It was only a few minutes before we reached in Rio Claro.
- It must be Batovi, then - Frank mused, almost fully recovered, but his eyes still glowing with excitement - Well, if you want your vacation, just talk to Elizabeth, she'll take care of the paperwork. It's late now, have a good night, Fred.
And bowing in a cordial and ancient way, the old man left the room quickly, while Fred followed him with the glance suspicious that his boss had some important secret, but whatever that was, only the future and Frank could say.
*****
The day had barely begun when Champ left the house where the teenagers lived, making no noise to wake up his friends. At least he had not missed the hour like the day before, something that was still inexplicable to him. He quickly made his way to the gym, where scored to meet with Confidence to go to the Earth, where the mission to help Hector awaited them. It was being easier than the bear thought at first, and he already counted that everything would end soon, so that he could celebrate his last attended mission and his adulthood, which was the personal goal of all Care Bear, however much they pretended otherwise.
Still, Champ was surprised when he got to the gym and did not meet the fennec on the sports court, even more knowing that she was as punctual as he, not usually late.
- Where will she be? - he asked himself in a low voice.
That was when he heard a crash of boxes dropping, and could only come from the storeroom of the gym. The door was closed, but a light indicated someone was there. The bear went to the door and was about to open it, as he looked out the glass window. In doing so, he saw something that simply paralyzed him.
The storeroom didn’t contain many interesting things, just a few family heirlooms, mostly related to sports, prizes, and a few other things of that sort. So it was very strange and suspicious for Champ to see Confidence in there, stirring those things that no one generally stirred, except the sportsman himself and Swift Heart. But what made the athlete more paralyzed was to see the sneaky way the fennec looked at it all, as if she didn’t want anyone to find out what she was doing. His face was pale, his breath was breathless, and on his face there was clearly stamped fear and guilt, which disconcerted the sportsman, who up to now had judged her friend to be an unblemished person.
For a few seconds, Champ remained in the doorway, when he noticed that Confidence's ears turned to that side.
The female fighter really did not want to be discovered in what she was doing, nor give explanations. It was not to the harm of those bears that she was practically snooping at her papers, but surely they would not understand her and would judge her either crazy or someone dangerous. So she stayed alone all night, locked in that little room, turning over the paperwork, and attentive to any noise that came from outside. When she heard what seemed to be someone's breath, followed by footsteps, she realized that was no longer alone there. She had to guard everything immediately, which did with tremendous agility, before she stepped out the door, ready to attack if necessary. But when left, she saw no one outside, which bewildered her, until again she heard footsteps coming down the hall.
Champ, as soon as he realized that Confidence had heard him, ran into the bathroom and stood there for a few moments before leaving, trying to act normally as if he had not seen anything.
- Good morning, Confidence - he said, holding back his emotions.
- Good morning, Champ - she said, trying to do the same - Have you been here a long time?
- No... I came in and went to the bathroom to put my brace back on my forehead, it fell while I came here. And you, where were you? I did not see her when I entered...
- I was in the locker room putting my kimono in the closet, heard a noise and I came here.
Champ knew this was a lie, but Confidence could not tell whether the bear was lying or not, since she had not seen he.
- Well, can we go to earth? - he asked anxiously to the young woman - We have a mission to fulfill...
- Let’s go! - the fennec exclaimed, and they both got into the cloud car and headed off, trying to appear casual to each other, but in the background suspecting of their actions.
Meanwhile, at the same time, Cheer, Bright Heart and Treat Heart woke up to the sound of the doorbell ringing in the teenage house.
- I'm going, I'm going - said the young bear, who rose quickly from the bed, her hair to be combed, to see who it was, and stood face-to-face with Trueheart as soon as she opened the door.
- Oh, hello dear - said the matriarch of the bears - I'm sorry to wake you up so early, but I just wanted to talk to Champ before he...
- He's already gone - said the raccoon, approaching - I heard the moment he woke up, had his coffee and left trying not to wake us, which is impossible. He told me yesterday that he needed to get up early to meet Confidence and...
- Find her again? - Cheer asked irritably - After all, what did he see in that fox?
- And it is precisely about her that I need to speak to Champ - said Trueheart thoughtfully - But maybe you can help me better than him, and since Noble did not like the idea of me looking for Champ to talk about it...
- What subject? - asked Treat, yawning - Did I miss anything? Has to do with food?
- No, but can I come in and talk? - asked the matriarch.
Soon the four teenagers of them were sitting around the table, looking at each other with curiosity, hoping that Trueheart explained was doing there, and what she wanted with them.
- I'll tell you what's going on. Neither I, nor Grams Bear, believe in the good intentions and history that Confidence told us in his first meeting with Braveheart and Nobleheart. She keeps some very big secret that we need to unravel, and I wanted Champ, who is always with her, to keep an eye on her for us.
- I confess I don't believe much in story she told - Bright Heart said thoughtfully - Though coherent, something in her eyes denounces it is not the whole truth. But we can’t make her talk, either, if she does not want to...
- I don't believe her it one bit, even more with what she has done - Cheer said sternly, her eyes sparkling with jealousy, something she had never felt before - For me she would go back where she came from...
- Calm down, Cheer - said Treat Heart - Just because Champ and she are friends, you do not have to hate her and be jealous.
- I don't hate her, I just ... I ... Okay! I'm jealous of them, and I hate her for it! - cried the pink bear - I never thought I would say or feel it for another bear or cousin.
- It's no good to have bad feelings - said Treat staring at her friend - But why are you telling us this, True?
- I'd like to ask all you to keep an eye on Confidence, instead of Champ do this - the matriarch continued in a low voice - Not that I think he'll do something bad, but he might end up talking about our suspicions for the fennec, since the two are friends, and hinder us in discovering her real intentions. Not to mention that Noble does not want to involve Champ in this. Would you then accept to help me?
- Of course yes! - replied Cheer without hesitation.
But Bright Heart and Treat heart looked at each other with doubts in their eyes.
- I do not like to think I'll be watching over a care bear cousin to see his character and his real reasons for his behavior - said the raccoon - Don't count on me for anything, I'll only do something if I have a reason for it.
- I'll also do it this way - said the female pig, whose smile had disappeared from his lips.
- So that's all right - said Trueheart, a little annoyed at the inventor and the gluttonous - But since you volunteered, Cheer, keep your eyes and ears attentive, and anything let me know. Ah! And before I forget, Friend Bear has a mission for you.
- And what would be? - asked the young bear, regaining her good humor.
*****
Life was not easy for Emily, a girl whose ancestors had African backgrounds. Not that this was the problem itself, but the color of his skin was a laughingstock at his school, which was near the center of Salt Saint Marie, a city on the border between the United States and Canada. That region had been colonized by the French and the English, and racism was commonplace with Latinos and Negroes. His best friend, Julian, had Honduran parents, and he suffered from the same problem.
Another week had gone by at school, and the jokes had once again been ruthless. Fortunately it was Sunday, and neither the girl nor the boy would need to hear tasteless jokes. To distract her head a little, Emily went to one of the city parks and sat down on one of the benches, sad and pensive. She heard when someone sat next to her, but did not turn her face to look at who it was.
- Why are you sad, little girl? - asked a thin female voice.
- My classmates make fun of me because I'm black, unlike them - the girl replied, almost crying - They will not leave me alone, and the other girls do not want to become my friends.
- This is a very sad thing - the person said again in a voice of sorrow - But don't worry, Emily, I'm here to help you.
The moment she heard his name, she jumped up and turned her face to the side, seeing for the first time who it was sitting next to her. For a few seconds she said nothing, petrified with surprise and contentment.
- Hey! You're a Care Bear! - exclaimed the girl.
Cheer smiled at that, and looked at his new friend.
- You can call me Cheer Bear - she said - And I want to help you face your schoolmates, and show them you're no different from them.
- Sí, usted no és diferente de cualquier persona (Yes, you are not different from any person) - said another bear approaching - But since you should not understand Spanish, then I speak in English myself. I'm Amigo Bear.
Amigo Bear was the only care bear who knew practically all the languages spoken around the earth, and his favorite being Spanish. For this very reason, its symbol in the belly was the Aztec sun, to bring it closer still to the Latin American peoples. And not to confuse him with Friend Bear, he always presented himself with his name, a mixture of Spanish and English, wherever he went.
- Do you two really want to help me? - said the girl, jumping with joy from the bench, almost unable to believe.
- Not only you, but Julian too - Cheer explained, laughing - How about taking us to your friend and talking to him too?
Quickly the two bears, along with Emily, reached the house of Julian, who was playing alone in the yard.
- Julian! See who came to visit us! - cried the girl, overflowing with happiness.
The boy looked up and faced Cheer, dressed in his yellow jumpsuit and his hair stuck like a ponytail, and Amigo Bear, with his color dark orange.
- ¿Cómo estás, Julian? Vine aquí para ayudarle y se convierten en su amigo también (How are you, Julian? We're here to help you and become your friends too) - spoke in Spanish Amigo Bear smiling, shaking hands with the boy.
- Estoy bien, pero podría ser mejor (I'm fine, but it could be better) - replied the boy in the same language, with a little dismay.
- ¿Por qué? No contentos con nuestra venida aquí para ayudarte a ti ya tu amigo también? (Why, are not you happy about our coming here to help you and your friend too?).
- Bueno, yo... (Well I...).
- Hey! Would it be too much to ask you two to speak in our language? - Cheer asked, trying to look annoyed, but with a big smile on his lips - We don't understand anything.
- You know that my favorite language is Spanish, dear Cheer - said the polyglot, laughing - And when I have the opportunity to hablar com alguien que sabe, soy de lamisma (talk to someone who understands, I really enjoy).
Everyone laughed at that, which greatly cheered Cheer and Amigo Bear to see the two children forgetting their sorrows.
- So, how are you going to help us? - Emily asked, with her heart lighter.
- We want to see your classmates so we can talk to them and show them they're wrong - said the pink bear - Do you know where we can find them?
- Of course - replied Julian - The boys must be playing rugby in the field of the other block, I'll take you there.
- In that case, Amigo Bear will accompany you, and I will accompany Emily to call the other girls in your class. After, the two groups meet here to talk together. Right? - Cheer asked with a wink.
- Right! - answered the two children.
- Cierto! - replied Amigo Bear in Spanish, just so that the companion of mission would shake the head negatively, with a great smile on the lips, before each pair follow to one side.
*****
Ralph drummed his fingers constantly on the table, paced back and forth, chewing his fingernails in extreme nervous agitation of anxiety. He could not wait for her two new furry friends to come and talk to Carlos, the boy who, like that old man, was in love with trains.
In fact, the old man now remembered the countless times when the young boy had been with him at the station, beside him, watching the trains pass or stop. Wherever Ralph was, Carlos too was there enjoying the trains.
But while his friends did not arrive, he was killing time in looking at his "great and little rail empire", where trains of all types and railroads ran. For years he had worked on it, and yet his model was not ready. He always lived by stirring or adding something, and he wanted to pass that taste on to other residents in the village.
It was then that he heard the door of the hall where he kept his little railway slowly opening, and Tenderheart and Love-a-Lot came in looking around. In fact, the couple was surprised at what they saw, for they did not think of the wealth of details the old man had put there. Even the warning from Friend Bear the day before, that Ralph had a great toy, could not have prepared them for that wonderful sight.
Ah! Finally - Ralph blurted out, seeing the two coming in - I've been waiting for you for hours. I thought you were not even coming.
- Our time zone is different from that of Brazil - Love-a-Lot explained, looking around still surprised - Wow! I confess that I am amazed at your work!
- In fact, we had never seen anything so beautiful and so lovely in our lives - Tenderheart went on - We knew you had a train model, but not that it was that big and had so many details.
- This is my world, where everything is fair and beautiful - said the old man, smiling and touching his toy with great affection - I have been working long hours to get here, and it is not and will never be ready. Every doll, cars, shops, buildings, trains, each has its true story and a story I created. There are Mr. and Mrs. Merrilow, buying pastries on Ykito's bench, or "japa" - and he pointed to two little figures in the model, next to a miniature of snack bar, with an oriental-looking salesman at his side - And here is Jorge, a black of ninety-pounder, beating in the thief who tried to steal old Carmen. Or "Seu" Zé Lucas and his faithful "Pidonho", a beige dog who loves to bite the pants of the Postman Nersão, who is dating Linda, who is Florinda's sister, who is a teacher at the school where the Merrilow children are studying and has a case with the train driver Frederico, the "Rico". And so on. Sometimes I spend hours talking to them, even if only I talk...
- I can understand now why you want everyone to share this place - said Love-a-Lot with a smile - Your life and your feelings are practically here.
- Now you got the spirit of the thing - agreed the old man - But for all to share, we must begin with Carlos. What are we waiting for?
- It's that... He speaks Portuguese and we English - explained the pink bear - Let's have to wait Amigo Bear, who is our translator, to...
- I think Carlos has English classes at school -Ralph joked with a smile - Not to mention that I speak Portuguese and can act as an interpreter.
- And I also speak a little Portuguese - interrupted Tenderheart - I'm taking some Spanish and Portuguese lessons with Amigo Bear to be able to serve on those occasions as well. That is why we are on this mission.
- I didn't know that - Love-a-Lot murmured in surprise - You should have told me... But if it's all right, let's go after Carlos.
A few minutes later, the couple and the elderly arrived at the train station. Carlos was not there, so he should been on the railroad bridge, which was his favorite place to watch the trains pass when he wanted to be a little alone.
In fact the boy was right there, sitting on an improvised wooden bench. He never tired of watching the trains pass, and his dream was to be stationmaster like his father, but there were times when he felt like doing something other than that. Outside of school, where he studied and could play sports, there was nothing left to do but see the trains, except when he talked to old Ralph, who, being also in love with trains, told the stories about the lines of North America and compared them with the Paulista lines.
So it was a surprise for the young to look sideways and see that old man approaching, accompanied by two creatures he had never seen before anywhere.
- Carlos! - said the old man – Como você está (How are you)?
- Muito bem, senhor Ralph (Very well, Mr. Ralph) - said the boy, surprised – Mas quem são eles (But who are they)?
- Eu ser Tenderheart Bear e ela Love-a-Lot Bear (I'm Tenderheart and she's Love-a-Lot) - answered the male bear with a Portuguese accent – Nós dois ser Carinho Bears (We're Care Bears).
- Eu já ouvi falar de vocês na escola (I've heard of you at school)! - replied the boy smiling with joy – Vocês ajudam as pessoas que estão com alguma dificuldade (You help people who are in difficulties)!
- Isso mesmo (That's right)-Tenderheart agreed cheerfully – Mas hoje nós estamos aqui para realizar um sonho de Ralph (But we're here today to help Ralph realize a dream).
- A realizar um sonho de senhor Ralph? Qual sonho? (To realize a dream of Mr. Ralph? What is this dream?).
- What is he saying? - asked the bear in English, because she understood nothing of what they were saying.
- You do not understand us talking? - asked the boy in English with an accent - Then we'll speak the same language. I have classes in grammar and English language at school - explained the kid, seeing everyone's surprise - I do not speak very well, but we can try...
- And in all cases, I can still serve as a translator - Ralph said, smiling, his eyes shining behind his glasses.
Carlos laughed at that, looking at the old man and the two bears intently.
- What do you want with me, anyway? - the boy asked.
- We want to show you something that you're going to like very much, and that Ralph wants to share with the community, and we choose you and your father to be the first to see - explained the brown bear - After, you'll help our friend here to bring the rest of the Village to help.
- I'm curious. Can’t you tell me what it is?
- Come with us, I'll show you - Ralph said, gesturing with his hand, and then the four of them headed for the old man's house.
The boy was very curious to know what that respectable old man and the two bears would show him. A thousand things went through his head, but nothing prepared him for what he saw. As soon as he entered the room where the old man had made the model, he gaped, his eyes bulging, looking around and lost in the thousands of details in that miniature imitation of real life.
- Isso é maravilhoso (That's wonderful)! - he said quietly to himself - A mock-up! I had seen some, but never one of that size. I did not even know you had one, Mr. Ralph! Why did not you tell me before?
- Ralph, only - the old man replied, smiling happily - This is my hobby when I'm not at the station, and I want it to become your hobby as well. I want you and your father to help me continue to work on this great project. And I want your friends to come and help us too. I want our whole village to have this place as a meeting point and leisure, especially for parents and children to spend more time together in a healthy activity and that involves all of us, precisely because Batovi has arisen thanks to Companhia Paulista.
- I certainly want to help you with that, Ralph. But how can I do this?
- Where's your father, Carlos? - asked Love-a-Lot.
- At the station. Today the second boss Alberto did not go to work because he has the flu, and my father went in his place.
- Then let's go and talk to him, too. Now that you've seen Ralph's model, it will be easier to persuade your father to help you come to terms with him - said the female bear.
André was annoyed to have to work on Sunday. It was usually that day that he and his wife and Carlos were did family programs, going to Rio Claro, Itirapina or other nearby cities to stroll, and all this on Paulista trains, thanks to the free pass they had. After all, the railroad provided many things to its employees, which motivated them to have great zeal for the place they worked. But it was also rigid in her standards, not tolerating delays in trains, or poorly made services or poor service on the part of the employees. When something like this occurred, an investigation was opened, and the case was analyzed in detail by the company's own director, Mr. Jonas de Albuquerque, who was always the first employee to comply with the regulations.
But even with all this and the good salary he earned, André still had the right to think it bad to work on Sunday. But he was a good professional, and he did not discount his frustration with the passengers and other companions. It was when he looked out her little office window, and she saw her son, Mr. Ralph, and two strange creatures approaching. Astonished as to who these two strangers might be, he stood up and went to meet them. Carlos, seeing his father, rushed to embrace him, being that he was still staring at the two strangers.
- André, como vai você (André, how is you)? - Ralph asked in Portuguese.
- Muito bem, mas... O que são esses dois (Very well, but... What are these two)? - asked the station master, pointing wide-eyed at the pair of bears.
- Nós sermos Care Bears (We're Care Bears) - Tenderheart explained – Eu ser Tenderheart Urso e ela Love-a-Lot Urso (I'm Tenderheart Bear and she's Love-a-Lot Bear).
- Ah, ursinhos carinhosos? Tudo bem. E eu sou o coelhinho da páscoa (Ah, care bears? All right. I'm the Easter Bunny) - André said wryly – Podem tirar suas fantasias, eu sei que são os amigos de meu filho (You can take away your fantasies, I know you are my son's friends).
- E somos mesmo, mas não estamos fantasiados. Somos de verdade (And we really are, but we are not costumed. We are real).
- É sério, André (Seriously, Andre) - Ralph said seriously - Eles não são crianças fantasiadas, nem ursos de pelúcia mecânicos. São de verdade. Nunca ouviu falar deles (They're not costumed children, and neither mechanical stuffed bears. They're for real. Never heard of them)?
- Sim, já ouvi falar (Yes, I've heard of it) - the railman replied - Lembro que, há alguns anos, a imprensa da cidade fez um rebuliço quando alguém fotografou um urso de cores berrantes junto com uma criança, que explicou que ele era um Care Bear. Mas entre ouvir falar e acreditar que eles existam (I remember that a few years ago the city press made a fuss when someone photographed a brightly colored bear with a child, who explained that he was a Care Bear. But between hearing and believing that they exist)...
- Pois nós sim existir (We exist, yes)! - said Tenderheart slowly and with accent. E nós querer falar com você (And we want to talk to you)...
- Sendo sincero, Ralph fala muito melhor minha língua do que você (Being honest, Ralph speaks my language a lot better than you do) - André joked with a laugh - Mas diga afinal por que tenho a honra de conhecer dois ursinhos carinhosos e o que vocês querem de mim (But tell me why I have the honor of meeting two care bears and what do you want from me)?
- Acho que eu posso responder isso para você, e em português (I think I can answer this for you, and in Portuguese) - Ralph said quickly, beginning to explain his hobby and his desire that the children of the village, as well as his parents, could learn and enjoy his great model, and as Tenderheart and Love-a-Lot had the idea of seek first for the station master and his son to talk about it - Carlos já esteve em minha casa, ele pode confirmar para você todas as minhas palavras (Carlos has been in my house, he can confirm for you all my words).
- Eu confio em meu filho, e em você também, Ralph (I trust my son, and you, too, Ralph) - the railman replied with a smile - Mas precisava de tudo isso para vir falar comigo? Podia ter vindo conversar antes, afinal nos vemos praticamente todos os dias (But did you need all this to come and talk to me? You could have come to talk before, since we see each other practically every day)...
- Mas eu nunca teria pensado em vocês dois para me auxiliarem nisso, e talvez vocês nunca acreditassem em mim, pensando que eu era um velho tarado, louco ou coisa do gênero. E como os ursos quiseram ajudar, me senti muito feliz por isso, e deixei que eles o fizessem (But I would never have thought of the two of you to aid me in this, and perhaps you would never believe me, thinking I was an old crazy, pervert or something. And as the bears wanted to help, I was very happy about that, and I let them do it).
- Nossa missão é ajudar a qualquer um que esteja em dificuldades, ou triste por causa de alguma coisa (Our mission is to help anyone in distress, or sad because of anything) - Tenderheart explained excitedly - E como o desejo de Ralph era algo muito justo, foi prontamente escolhido para ser uma missão (And since Ralph's wish was something very fair, it was readily chosen to be a mission).
- Se foi dessa maneira, tudo bem. Mas por que ela não fala nada (If it was that way, fine. But why doesn't she say anything)? - the railroader pointed to Love-a-Lot, who was practically oblivious to the whole conversation.
- Ela não sabe falar português (She doesn't know how to speak Portuguese) - Tenderheart explained, before proceeding to her girlfriend - Andre wanted to know why you were not talking to us. He agreed to help his son and Ralph.
- Wonderful! - exclaimed the female bear with a big smile - Tell him I'm very happy about that.
- Eu não entendo nada de inglês, mas acho que ela ficou muito feliz pelo que ouviu  (I don't understand English at all, but I think she was very happy for what she heard) - André guessed the meaning of Love-a-Lot's cheerful expression even before Tenderheart translated what she had said.
- Você tem razão (You're right) - said the bear – Que tal você nos acompanhar até a casa de Ralph para conhecer mais de seu hobby (How about you join us to Ralph's house to learn more about his hobby)?
The stationmaster frowned with a sad look on his face.
- Agora eu não posso, estou no meio do horário de serviço (Now I can't, I'm in the middle of job hours) - he said thoughtfully - Não posso simplesmente abandonar meu posto. Pode ser mais tarde (I can't just leave my job. Can be later)?
Everyone looked at each other in silence, as if wondering if there would be any problems. As no one said anything in reply, they quickly agreed to meet at 6pm at Ralph's house to talk.
- E enquanto isso nós voltaremos para Care-a-Lot, para ajudar mais pessoas (And, meanwhile, we'll go back to Care-a-Lot, to help more people) - completed Tenderheart, using his Stare to create a cloud car there in front of the station, which left the three humans gawked.
- Wow! - Ralph exclaimed – Eu que queria ter um conversível assim, para guardar no bolso (I wanted to have a convertible like this, to put it in my pocket).
- Nós podemos ver o carro (Can we see the car)? - asked the boy, delighted with the vehicle made of clouds, but solid enough to carry up to four adults.
- Claro que sim (Of course) - said the brown bear, smiling - Quando vocês acabarem, Love-a-Lot e eu seguiremos viagem, mas voltaremos aqui na hora combinada (When you're done, Love-a-Lot and I are on our way, but we'll be back here at the appointed time).
*****
Frank was impatient to get to Batovi. He had left Sao Paulo earlier in the day without telling anyone on a solitary tour, constantly looking at his wristwatch to see how much time he still had to get, almost without enjoying the scenery and amenities of the Pullman car.
The old man had hardly slept all night, thinking and rethinking what Fred had told him the day before, making sure that his friend had not had an illusion, but that had seen something real and that he, Frank, knew very well what it was. He had to find the right person, and the fact that Batovi was a small village was going to help him a lot.
The train was now passing by Santa Gertrudes station, and would not stop there because it was an express train. It was 20 minutes before Batovi arrived, two stations later, where the train usually did not stop too, but that day he was going to do it just to meet the businessman. Frank looked out the window at the large ceramic industries that moved the city's economy and were using the Paulista freight trains, when he noticed something that made him jump from his chair and run to the emergency brake, pushing it without thinking twice.
A heavy jolt shook the whole train to the point where, in the restaurant car, the passengers lost their meals and the train chief, charging the tickets, fell to the ground with the abrupt stop. Without explaining to anyone, Frank jumped off the train, to the surprise of the other passengers and officials who looked at the old man as if he had gone mad, before he disappeared in the middle of the bush. The train driver, also without understanding what happened, whistled his powerful "V8" locomotive and left with the train normally, not to be late.
*****
- I hope Grumpy does not get angry at this - said Champ, looking at the crumpled car in front of him, for going wrong in a cloud.
Confidence Heart looked at his friend and smirked.
- Still you think he will only be angry? - she asked.
- You're right. Surely he will stay mad with anger.
- Ah! That happens. After all, you did not hit that cloud on purpose...
- No, but I should have diverted.
- Well, your head should be somewhere else at that time, that happens to everyone - said the female fennec with some reticence.
Champ knew she was playing to see if he fell into contradiction. After all, his mind was still mulling over the scene he'd seen in the gym earlier: Confident reading the files of the bears and acting sneakily.
- I'm worried about Cheer - he said quickly, trying to disguise - You will not believe it, but she's feeling jealous of us.
- Jealous? Just why are we training together and I'm your last instructor? This is a good joke.
- I just hope she does not stay in it for long.
- Do you want me to talk to her? - asked the fox after a few seconds in silence - Maybe if I look for her, and say we have nothing to do with each other...
- I'd better not, she would be even more insecure - replied the sportsman - I that I should look for her and hit my things with her.
- I think it's best - agreed the fox, smiling.
Champ dismantled the cloud car before he and his friend approached Hector's house. By the star-o-cope, they had already seen that the boy's father had left at his usual hour, but he promised that he would return before lunch to meet his son's new friends, without imagining who they were.
- Do you think he'll welcome us? - Confidence looked worried.
- I don't know... You're Confidence Heart Fennec, remember? - said Champ laughing - You're the one who has to have extreme confidence in what he does.
- I know. But I have not gotten used to dealing with humans that way.
- And how did you handle it before?
The question made the female fennec choke.
- Well... I... Just being... Is... - she stammered - Just being their friend.
- But that's what we do every day!
- It's just different from the way I had friendships and kept them. And I miss my old friends... - concluded the fennec sadly - Forget it, let's change the subject. Are you ready to receive my revenge?
- Revenge? About what?
- Well, yesterday you and Hector took advantage and tickled me. Today, I'm going to take revenge on both of you and tickle both of you.
-You looked pretty tense before we started.
- Of course! As if you didn't know me, Champ. I am a professional karate fighter. My body and my mind are prepared for it, and I do not usually let others touch me. Usually when they do, it's to do something bad, and in return they get a blow that makes them fly away. Not to mention that I had never been tickled before... Do you understand why I was tense when you two said they were going to tickle me?
But then you relaxed. Besides, you don’t trust us? Do not trust the friend who trains with you and a nine-year-old boy? - asked the bear with a small, mischievous grin.
- I don't trust myself on such occasions. I can suddenly take a mortal blow and inadvertently. It is a new experience for me, as well as others.
As they talked, they walked toward Hector's house, and moments later they entered through the automatic gate already opened by the boy, who had seen his friends approach the window. The meeting point was again the boy's room, where the window was already open as it had been the day before.
Champ was the first to jump the window and enter the bedroom, and barely did so, someone pushed him to the floor, sitting on it.
- Got you! - Hector cried excitedly, and beginning to tickle the bear's feet, who began to laugh desperately.
- Hahaha! Nohohoho! Stohohohop it! Hahaha! - the sportsman shouted.
And sitting on his bear friend's back, she began to tickle him along with the boy, as Champ tried to get rid of it anyway. For several minutes the sportsman had to put up with it until he realized that Hector's bare feet were within reach of his hands, and he began to tickle them.
- Hey! - cried the boy, in the first stride of fingers that Champ gave on the boy's soles.
- Hahaha! I'll ticklehehehe yohohohohou tohohohoo! - said the bear, smiling and trying to keep going when the boy turned to him.
- That's what we'll see! - replied Hector.
The boy then pulled his feet and got rid of tickling, but didn't pause for a moment to rub his fingers on the soles of Champ, aided by Confidence. The fox in the background was enjoying it, and decided to enjoy some more. Seeing Hector's feet there, she didn't resist and grabbed one of them, beginning to tickle.
This was totally unexpected to the young man, who screamed as he felt the hands of the fennec tickling him. With a jump, Hector let Champ and grabbed the fighter's arms from behind, beginning to tickle her belly. For a second, the thought of defending himself with a karate blow came over the head of the female fox, but she quickly pushed that thought away as she remembered that the boy was only joking, and with that she stood there, laughing at that feeling new to her. Already the bear, after catching his breath, sat cross-legged on the floor, just watching the other two playing happily.
- That's enough - Hector declared after a few minutes tickling the fennec - I'm glad you're here.
- And we're happy to see you animated - Champ answered with a smile. While your father is not coming, we can go and do something else...
- How do you know my father left? - the boy asked in surprise.
- Remember that we know many things. Well, what would you like to do in the meantime?
The boy thought for a moment, his hand resting on his chin, until he replied,
- I wanted to practice my shots more on goal, after all I lost two penalties in the last games. Do you two help me with this?
- Of course yes. I've played FIFA football before, I know what your rules are - said the bear - But I still prefer baseball.
Confidence was still catching his breath, but she had stood up to watch their conversation. She looked at his mission mate, and then at the boy they were helping.
- And who would stay in the goal? - she asked.
- How about a little each? - replied the boy - Each one defends ten kicks.
- Great! C'mon then, sports fans - said the bear.
*****
- Gol! - Hector shouted cheerfully to score another point.
Champ was thrown to the ground on one side of the mark made by the boy, while the ball was on the other side. The bear, which had left his coat hanging on a bush near, was not too happy to have missed another chance to hold the ball. On the other hand, Confidence was laughing at that and helping the boy celebrates once more.
In fact, she had already had her turn. In ten penalties the fox held eight balls, a high number, but Hector, as a good sportsman, knew that what were really worth was the two goals he had managed to score. Now with Champ the situation had reversed, the bear had already lost eight balls in eight kicks, showing that he was a poor goalkeeper.
- Damn it - said the athlete, punching the ground.
- Oh, don't complain, my friend - said Confidence - Nobody is to blame, not even you, if you do not know how to play football.
- I've already said that I prefer baseball - he remarked maliciously - Then you two would see, I would make one point after another.
- Now enough of chat, and get ready again - Hector teased, picking up his ball and putting it on the penalty mark.
Champ concentrated this time. He wanted to get the object. It was a matter of honor. After all, there was no sport he could not play. He watched as the young man began to run and prepared for the kick...
- Gol! Another! - Hector shouted as the ball passed a few inches from the bear's hand, which had thrown on the ground to prevent the goal, but his hand did not reach the ball.
The boy was very happy, although he knew that only scored because Champ was a poor football player FIFA. So happy was he that he hugged Confidence strongly, who was embarrassed by it. As for the bear, it lay stretched out on the grass, grinding its teeth with rage.
- Come on. You have one more chance - Hector said as he picked up the ball and saw the face his furry friend was doing - I promise I'll kick slower...
- I don't want you to kick slower - said the sporting bear, jumping up - That would not be fair to myself.
- All right - said the boy, putting the ball back on the penalty mark and pulling away.
With his excellent audition, Confidence could hear the beating of Champ's heart, and knew that he was very angry and eager to catch that ball. Hector realized this, too, but decided not to relieve his friend's request. He would give a powerful kick to the ball, and if the bear really wanted it, he would have to fight to get it. And with that thought still in mind, the boy started to run toward the ball, until he kicked it hard toward the goal.
But this time Champ was much focused, and with a very loud leap, he managed to grab the object before it once again passed. With a sigh of relief, the bear threw himself on the floor with the ball resting on his chest, laughing with joy.
- You did it! - said to female fennec, approaching of his friend - Congratulations Champ.
- No doubt it was a great defense - said Hector, also approaching and resting his hand on the bear's shoulders - Maybe a hundred more kicks and you become a reasonable keeper...
- It's a challenge? - asked Champ, excitedly - Well, I'll take it any time you want to, sport fan!
And so saying, he got up and returned the ball to the owner, while Confidence took his coat and gave him to dress, with a smile on his lips. Hector stared at the two of them for a moment, seeing how the bear and the fennec seemed close, until he asked,
- Are you coupling?
- No, we are not coupling - said the two men in unison, as they looked at each other uncomfortably.
- I'm sorry to ask, you two are alike in many things, so I thought you was in a relationship - the boy explained a little embarrassed.
- It may even be that we share a taste for sport and a few more things, but we are not a couple - Champ said - My heart already has a mistress.
- And mine owns one, too - Confidence agreed, a little reticent - But that does not matter now. I hear a car approaching, it must be your father.
Everyone then looked toward the automatic gate of the house, which was opening, at the same time as a black car entered. The boy soon recognized that was really his father, and ran toward him.
Calvin was a tall man with no beard, black hair, and thin eyebrows, which on his slim face and two large eyes, gave an air of cleverness, calmness and attention, but something sad as well. He opened the car door as he saw Hector running toward him, and hugged his son tightly.
- I'm back, as I promised - Calvin said, smiling - And you, how did you spend the morning?
- Very well, I want to introduce you to my friends - the boy said, looking toward Confidence and Champ, who were fast approaching.
But as soon as Calvin stared at the pair of sportsmen, his smiling face closed, a grim and hateful gleam appeared in his eyes, as if to kill them both. And they noticed this sudden change of mood, so they slowed down a little worried.
- Dad, these are Champ Bear and Confidence Heart Fennec, and they... - Hector began, but was quickly interrupted by his father.
- Stand right there, you filthy bastards - Calvin shouted, slipping between his son and the two approaching.
- Calm down, Mr. Calvin, we're just Care Bears - said Champ, in the softest voice he could find.
- Exactly, we will not harm you and your child - Confidence said - We are here just to help...
An evil grin crept to Calvin's lips as he put his hands waist and grimaced at someone being fooled by another.
- You two will not do any harm, okay, I'll pretend to believe it - he said, raising his eyebrows, seeming to calm down, but less than a second later, he pulled out a gun that was hidden under his shirt and pointed it at the two sportsmen - Finished my pretense. I know very well who you are. You have done so much harm to my family before! And I will not allow them to do even more. Now that's enough! I'm going to rid the world of a poisonous duo that pretends to be friends with others, and then betray and end the happiness of others!
His finger was steady on the trigger of the revolver, which pointed in the direction of the two athletes, while he was puffed with rage with his whole body trembling with emotion, showing that he was not bluffing and could even shoot at any moment, reason enough to make Champ and Confidence trembled with fear at that, stunned with such an outburst of hatred and rancor for no apparent reason.
- Calm down, Mr. Calvin - said Champ, gently - Put that gun down and let's have a little talk...
- Shut up! You furry stinker, I didn’t give you the right to say anything. And as for you, Hector, go inside now!
- But father! - the boy protested, terrified - What you...
- Don’t argue Hector! Go inside now!
Running and with great fear, the boy ran into the house. Champ and Confidence had their eyes on the human who threatened them. Both were gawking and afraid of the situation, because they had to calm the adult or he could provoke a tragedy, something they did not want.
- Now we're going to settle our bills - Calvin continued when he saw his son come in - You've ruined my life once, and you will not do it again!
- What are you talking about? - asked the bear.
- And yet they pretend they do not know. That is why you two will die! Your liars, worthless! You pretend they love and care for others, but deep down you just want to take advantage, destroying families so you can continue to live comfortably their little fucking lives. I will take care that you don't do the same with my son, what did to me and so many others. I hate you all, with all my might! And I will gladly eliminate at least two of you from the face of the earth...
As he spoke, Calvin slowly approached the pair, always with the gun in hand, until he cocked the revolver and prepared to shoot. It was when it all happened in the blink of an eye, so fast that Champ did not even have time to stand on the scene. Confidence, even ten feet away from the adult, took an agile and surprising step, winning that distance and disarming the human with kicks and elbows. With another karate stroke, she took down Hector's father to the floor almost unconscious as she shoved the gun away from him.
- Lets run away! - the girl shouted at her friend.
And without wasting time, the two rushed to the wall, just as the chemist, grabbing his revolver again, fired in the direction of the two, but missed the shot. The bear balanced on the bricks and climbed the wall, jumping quickly, while the fox jumped again, grabbed the top of the wall, and jumped to the other side, so fast that she was already waiting for the athlete when he arrived at her side.
- How did you do that? - asked Champ, surprised.
- Now is not the time! - Confidence said sternly - Trigger the car cloud, fast or it reaches us.
The bear quickly caused the cloud car, which was hidden, to reappear, and both jumped into the vehicle. As they took off, Calvin managed to reach the top of the wall and began firing toward the two, who were already out of range.
- Damn it! Million times dope! - he shouted, running into the house.
Hector waited for his father in the room, apprehensive of what he had done with his friends. He had never seen your father like this before, and was scared. As soon as the door opened, he went toward his father.
- Dad, what... - the boy began.
- Listen here, Hector! - Calvin interrupted brutally - If you talk to these bears again, I swear I'll punish you forever. Understood? Never talk to them again! Now, go to the bedroom and stay there till I tell you!
The boy gave a cry of fear, since his father looked like another person, so transformed that he was. Running upstairs, Hector locked himself up as he had been told, and began to cry with sadness. As for Calvin, as soon as he noticed that he was alone, he picked up the phone and made an international call.
- Hello! It's Calvin. I need to talk to the boss. No matter if it is busy, it is an emergency situation! Urgent! Hello, sir? It's Calvin. They located me. No, they do not seem to suspect anything, but I do not want my son to get involved with them, especially since I have not talked to him yet... Of course I'm scared, and angry! Sorry, I did not mean to offend you. Do you think I'm in danger? I am so relieved to hear this. Great, I'll be waiting for instructions, and anything I'll tell you. Auf Wiedersehen.
And he put the device back on the hook, still tingling with anger, and fearing for his safety and his son, if the bears found out who he really was...
*****
Frank walked as fast as he could along the tracks and railroad sleepers, and then through a bush-filled area that lay between the railroad and the streets of one of the small town neighborhoods. As the Paulista train traveled more than 90 kilometer per hour, it took some time to stop, and what the owner of the company had been looking for so breathlessly had been almost two miles behind.
He did not expect it to be easy, but he could not hide the disappointment when, arriving there, he searched all around and saw nothing that resembled what he had seen before. Was he mad or was no longer there? He circled the area and could not find the object he was looking for.
But among his qualities was persistence and judgment. Stopping a little and taking a deep breath, he returned to where the search had begun and looked closely at all the places. He did not take 20 steps when he found a double track of footprints, heading toward the houses nearby. They were not traces of humans. A smile curved his lips at the sight of this, as he followed the tracks through the wooded area to the back of a large, high-walled house lined with lichens, circling through it to the main gate. Despite the sidewalk of colorful pebbles on the public road, there was no pavement at the gate, so Frank saw that the footprints followed inward.
For a moment the old man was uncertain whether to ring the doorbell and question the residents, or whether he should take another approach. That's when he saw a lady come out of a neighboring house and decided to approach her.
- Bom dia, senhora (Good morning, ma'am) - Frank began politely in a good Portuguese - Eu estou procurando um amigo e o endereço  parece que é desta casa. É aí que mora o Emílio Duarte, piloto de aviões (I'm looking for a friend and the address looks like it's from this house. Is that where Emilio Duarte, an airplane pilot, lives)?
- Não senhor, o nome do dono desta casa é Calvin Kayson, que trabalha em uma indústria da cidade como químico chefe, além de seu filho Hector. Por aqui não tem nenhum Emílio (No sir, the name of the owner of this house is Calvin Kayson, who works in a city industry as chief chemist, in addition to his son Hector. There are no Emilio's around here).
- Então eu acho que me enganei de rua (So I guess I was wrong on the street) - Frank snapped quickly - Vou ter que telefonar para meu amigo para confirmar o endereço. Um bom dia e bom trabalho (I'll have to call my friend to confirm the address. A good day and good work).
As the girl walked away, Frank took another look at the house, feeling a swirl of feelings in his chest. On the one hand, he was happy, finally had found a child who should be being helped by whom he sought so much. But if he was also sure as to who this Calvin was, then there would be problems because of past things.
Frank needed to talk to someone about it. It was when he saw a public phone on the corner, and running there, he deposited the Telebrás plug in the receiver and made an international call.
- Hello! Jason? This is Frank. Tell Ernest knows that I have located a child who is still being helped by them, and that it is for him to go to New York and wait for me there. As? Does Dawson want to talk to me? All right, I'll be staying in Santa Gertrudes. G-E-R-T-R-U-D-E-S. Exactly. This time I believe that everything will work out. Yes, I think it's good for you to come here too, maybe I need help. I await news from there too. Anything please contact of me. See you.
When the telephone was switched off, the old businessman slowly went to the station in that small town, to find some hotel nearby to stay overnight and to leave his contact with the railroad workers. But even if he had found what he was looking for in that place, he could not forget the original motivation that led him to make that trip, and he also decided to work on it.","pools_count":1,"title":"The Care Bears - The Confidence Secret - Chapter 04","deleted":"f","public":"t","mimetype":"image/jpeg","pagecount":"1","rating_id":"0","rating_name":"General","ratings":[],"submission_type_id":"12","type_name":"Writing - Document","guest_block":"f","friends_only":"f","comments_count":"0","views":"4","sales_description":null,"forsale":"f","digitalsales":"f","printsales":"f","digital_price":""}