Wish bear was doing a late shift on her staroscope and the caring meter sharply descended down four points. Wish bear's paws went down to her hips opening her paws dropping her star-o-scope to the clouds next to her feet. "Oh my stars? What is going on? Noheart couldn't be causing trouble so soon could he?" She said as she picked up her star-o-scope and began looking down on earth. She looked in the towns that had some people but nothing out of the ordinary, and pretty much empty streets since most were asleep. "What is going on here? Everything seems to be okay." Wish bear kept looking in different cities and rural areas but nothing. No signs of Noheart's shadows, Coldheart, or anything. Everything seemed at peace as she kept looking diligently for the next few hours with the caring meter going off. "Where is the trouble coming from!?" She said beginning to get really frustrated. Then just as fast as it began, it stopped as the care-o-meter went back to normal. "That's odd, I guess the care-o-meter must be broken." She said shrugging as she herself went to her house and eventually to bed.
--------------------------------
The next morning, Shimmers woke up from his position as his back hurt him. "Ohhh. my back." Shimmers said sitting up rubbing his bottom part of his back with his paw till he opened his eyes and saw where he was sleeping. "Oh no wonder." He said as he was sitting in front of his fridge. "I slept on the kitchen floor." He said talking to himself. Shimmers tried to get up, but he found it extremely difficult and fell back down on the first try. "Oh come on, this shouldn't be this hard!" He said trying to swing back and move foward to stand. But he fell back down again on his back. "Gurr, getting used to this new form is going to be harder than I thought." Shimmers said giggling at the irony of this. He then stood up and grasped the refrigerator door and pulled up on it as this barely managed to help him get up as he stood up on his feet nearly loosing his balance again as his right foot slipped somehow and swunng over to his right till he quickly placed his right foot down planting it firmly next to the fridge as the rests of his body steadied. "Phew, okay now time to go to the restroom." Shimmers first step was wobbly but successful as the rhyme Trueheart sung for him began to play in his head. "Step one, step two." Shimmers smiled as he remembered her sweeet kind voice determined to help him walk. As he daydreamed that moment again, he eventually made his way to the bathroom looking at his face in the mirror and saw his eyes red. "Ohh, my eyes are still red from crying last night". Shimmers said as he ran the bathroom sink water and began to wash his face with it trying to clear the redness from his eyes. "I can't have anyone seeing me like this, come on Shimmers get it together, you can do this." He said trying to encourage himself. But the redness remained as he splashed the water in frustration and kept trying to rub his eyes to clear the redness. Then he heard knocking at his door. "No not now!" Shimmers said as he tried to scramble for something in panic as he nearly fell again as he hugged onto the kitchen sink. The knocking got louder. "Coming!" Shimmers said as he grimaced looking around and smiled once he found what he was looking for.
"Shimmers, Shimmers its me Trueheart, wake up my cub." She said sounding very friendly. Shimmers blushed on his cheeks as his heart was calm just hearing her voice as he carefully made his way over to the door. "Oh hi Shimmers, huh? Wy are you wearing those?" Trueheart inquired a bit surprised seeing a pair of shades on him that shielded his eyes.
"Its bright outside and I am sensitive to the light first thing in the morning." Shimmers said lying as a tinge went down his spine as he felt so bad lying to her like that.
"Oh, okay no problem, I was just wondering if your ready for your first day here in Carelot. I wanted to be with you and show you around personally." She said smiling placing her hands on his shoulders. "I would like that." Shimmers said smiling back as this was helping him to lift his lonely spirits up as he never shared this closeness to anyone before.
"Come on, let's get you familiar with the cafeteria and get you something to eat." She said smiling with a open mouth smile as she gently held his paws in hers and began to walk him to the red building next to the black top hat where the magi resided and ate there morning breakfast. Shimmers lost his stepping once more. "WHOA!" Shimmers said as Trueheart caught him on his back side with one arm holding him there then grimacing as she tried to get him up right. "There, still getting used to your new body I see?" She said smiling at him sweetly. "Yes, its quiet frustrating that I can't even walk right." Shimmers groaned. "Its okay, I'm here for you." She said. Then as she held his paw she began to hum the song step one, step two then three and four." Shimmers giggled at this as this somehow made it easier for him to walk as she looked at him smiling. "There you go, you got this." She said smiling looking back at him then turning as they entered the hall of hearts.
Once they were in, they saw all the carebears in line getting food, and sitting at cafeteria tables. Shimmers tummy growled as this really lifted up his spirits just seeing the others there smiling, talking, and eating, and enjoying one another's company.
"Good morning Shimmers!" Shimmers turned and saw a unfamiliar purple wolf in a diaper as he ran towards Shimmers and hopped into his arms hugging him tightly.
"WHOA!" Shimmers said letting go of Trueheart's paw and braced for this impact as he fell on his back as the wolf cuddled him. "Good morning little fella, have we met before?" Shimmers said smiling not annoyed at all he was knocked over. This felt nice after the rough night he had.
"Heart Will Wolf," Said a stern voice besides them as the wolf winced and looked at his parents Lonesomeheart and Aqua bear. "Forgive our son Shimmers, he was very anxious to meet you since we left him over at Gramsbear during your transformation." Aqua bear smiled.
"That's okay," Shimmers said rubbing the little fellas tuft on his head. "I needed a hug." Shimmers said as his voice trailed off at the end as Heart Will wolf nuzzled him and hugged him again as Shimmers giggled cutely and hugged him back as Lone and Aqua bear looked worried for a moment at Shimmers voice trailing off but shrugged it off as they heard him giggling. Heart will wolf nuzzled noses with him smiling then got off of him and stood next to his parents. "He has alot of energy." Shimmers said giggling as he had his hand paws down supporting himself in his current sitting position.
"Yeah Shimmers this is Heart will wolf Heart, Heart Will Wolf, Shimmeringstar bear." Lonesomeheart said in a friendly tone as the wolf waived at him.
"Hi!" He said smiling.
"Hi." Shimmers said smiling as Trueheart offered him a extended paw. Shimmers grasped it and Trueheart pulled him up as Shimmers sunglasses fell at a slight angle.
"Shimmers is everything okay? your eyes are very red." She said trying to get a closer look at them.
"I'm fine." Shimmers said averting her gaze as he quickly fixed his sunglasses to cover his eyes. "My eyes are always red in the morning when I first get up." Shimmers whinced as he felt even worse lying to Trueheart again who was being so kind to him as she looked at him concerned.
"Okay," She said still worried for Shimmers sensing something was very wrong but let it go since she didn't want to push the issue to make Shimmers shutter and close up like a clam even more. Shimmers tummy growled again and louder. "Shimmers didn't you eat last night?" Trueheart inquired.
"No, to be honest Trueheart, I just wasn't hungry after yesterday's events." Shimmers said as he looked away again quickly rubbing his eye inside since a tear escaped it again till he faced them again.
"Well are you hungry now?" She said in a friendly tone. "We have plenty here to eat and lots to choose from."
"Yeah and we can join you if thats okay." Aqua bear said sensing he could really use a friend right now.
"I would like that very much." Shimmers said somehow managing to hide the quiver in his voice as that sad feeling was invading his tummy along with his hunger. They went and got in line and waited there turn. Tenderheart saw him and waived at him.
"Hi there Shimmers," Said the brown ursine bear in a very friendly manner as Shimmers quickly remembered how he had grabbed him around the throat as Darkage and slammed him to the clouds as he felt so guilty about that. "How are you doing thus far?" Said the bear as if he never did him any wrong.
"To be honest kind of rough, its hard getting used to this new body." Shimmers said trying to hide this guilt.
"Oh sorry to hear that," Said the bear sympathetically. "But I'm sure Trueheart can help you like she did yesterday. Isn't that right Trueheart?" He said smiling,
"You bet Tenderheart bear." She said smiling widely as she held Shimmers paw which made Shimmers blush once more and smile.
"Okay, well I already ate so I gotta go now duty calls, see you later Shimmeringstar." He said waving at him. "I love that name of yours." He said as he walked off which made Shimmers smile as he began to feel a bit better as the loneliness seemingly evaporated away. After the long wait at the line, Trueheart held his paw the whole time till they gathered the utencils and trays and got what they wanted and sat down at a table together with Shimmers and Trueheart sitting on one side while Aqua bear, Lonesomeheart bear sat there with Heart Will sitting comfortably in Aqua bear's lap as he rubbed his head affectionately as the wolf closed his eyes smiling enjoying the affection. Shimmers crossed his hands together and closed his eyes and began to pray as the others looked at him curiously.
"Shimmers what are you doing?" Trueheart asked.
"Oh he's giving thanks Trueheart," Lonesomeheart explained.
"Yeah, its something we see Redemptionheart do all the time given her fate." Explained Aqua bear.
"Oh sorry, I meant no harm by it." She said flushing a bit nervously feeling she might of offended Shimmers. "Sorry Shimmers."
Shimmers opened his eyes and no longer felt guarded as he removed his sunglasses and smiled at Trueheart. Shimmers eyes were very much still red but Trueheart and the others didn't question it. "Its okay Trueheart, I took no offense to it." Shimmers said as he grabbed his knive and fork and began eating his dripping syrup pancakes. Shimmers didn't realize how hungry he was as he ate his pancakes and eggs and hashbrowns and sausage pretty quickly as his tummy felt normal surrounded by love and good company. Shimmers sipped down his orange juice and Trueheart was glad to see him eating since she was very worried that he didn't eat anything last night. "That was delicious, who made all this food?" Shimmers inquired.
"Share bear and Grumpy bear did." Trueheart replied.
"Yeah, Sharebear loves to cook while Grumpy bear likes to make the pastries." Lonesomeheart pointed out as Aqua bear hand fed apple sauce to Heart Will and held his sippy cup for him as he downed his apple juice as the wolf smiled contently. After they were all done they all gathered there trays.
"Hey Shimmers later on today is it okay if you stop by our house? We would like to begin your heart training if thats okay with you?" Inquired Lonesomeheart bear.
"I would love that." Shimmers said feeling pretty confident in that since he knew that art craft very well.
"In that case will see you later today after your training." Aqua bear said waving him off as Heart will ran up to Shimmers hugging him around his legs briefly before running off on all fours as the caring guardians tended to other business.
"Training?" Shimmers said looking at Trueheart questioningly.
"Yes training," Trueheart said as she grabbed his paw as the two started walking again to a training facility where beams of white energy could be seen from afar firing off.
"What kind of training?" Shimmers asked nervously as he followed her walking in the clouds with her with his bare feet.
"Carebear stare training, all new comers must learn to master there tummy symbol power." Trueheart said looking at him smiling then turned as they approached the facility Shimmers gulped somehow having a bad feeling about this.
"Can we do this another day?" Shimmers said almost dragging his feet. "I am having alot of trouble as it is with this new body." Shimmers confessed.
"I wish I could delay this for you Shimmers, but we must all be ready. Especially since I fear Noheart will come after you." She said gulping but walking him to the training ground as the stare training got louder from the caring energy firing off left and right from the bears and cousins target practicing. Shimmers groaned but kept on going with her till they got in front of a beastly target. "Okay here's what to do," Trueheart said getting in position standing about twenty feet away from the target as she let go of Shimmers paw. "Now think caring thoughts, close your eyes, warm up your tummy symbol, open your eyes, aim, and stare!" She said as her tummy symbol glowed a bright white and it fired forward at a high speed hitting the Beastly target who had its arms up, to after being hit, his arms down to his sides looking stunned, then eventually the target showing a cheesy smile on Beastly with a top hat smiling. The target went away and a new Beastly target appeared. "Now you try!" She said pushing Shimmers forward from behind.
Shimmers sighed hunched over at first having never done this before as he felt overwhelmed. "Trueheart, I dont' know if I can do this." Shimmers said as his heart raced. "Relax my cub, you got this. Your the chosen one remember? This will come naturally to you." She said reassurningly as she rubbed his back. This seemed to calm Shimmers racing heart down as he closed his eyes to focus his thoughts in a positive manner. He then tried to clear his mind just like he did when he did his dark side heart training. Shimmers tried to think on caring thoughts, but all that came into his mind was his saber dueling, him somersaulting, and punching targets when he was in his human form. But how was this even caring attacking others? Shimmers shook his head and closed his eyes trying to refocus on his thoughts. He began thinking about family. His biological parents and the happy memories he had with them growing up. His symbol was starting to glow, shimmering, flickering, slightly as it had a low glow to it. "Your doing it Shimmers! Just keep thinking of caring positive thoughts" She encouraged. Shimmers smiled at this as he had thought of how Trueheart was teaching him to walk in his new form, how she and Nobleheart defended him when the magi opposed him joining the carebear family as his tummy symbol was beginning to glow brighter till his train of thought was interrupted as he opened his eyes hearing two beings land down next to him just a few feet away behind him.
"Oh hey look SweetHeart, its the new recruit." Confidence retorted smirking folding her arms as her two tails folded up behind her.
"Yeah, and it looks like he can't even warm up his tummy symbol to hit the target." Sweetheart said in a followed up mocking tone to match with the fennec.
"Must you two interupt again?" Trueheart said clearly annoyed at this interruption of his training. "Can't you see I'm trying to train him? You two interfering isn't helping." She said placing her paws on her hips narrowing her eyes at them.
"Oh come on Trueheart, lighten up a bit" Confidence chided smiling in a condescending way.
"Yeah stop being so overly protective of your "CUB!" Sweetheart giggled cruelly as she folded her wings beneath her.
"What do you two want?" She said crossing her arms over her chest and tapping her foot narrowing her eyes at them annoyed clearly not liking there disrespectful tone.
"Oh we just want to see the so called chosen one's training." Sweetheart replied trotting back and forth in a irritating manner.
"Yeah and from the looks of it, he can't even get his tummy symbol to light up." Confidence said in a cold manner as her tails circled around one another winding together then unwinding with her two tails now facing out. Shimmers tried to go back to his training trying to ignore them closing his eyes. "Hey there Shimmers, nothing to say to me today or what?" She said smirking walking towards him which caused Shimmers to stand guard no longer feeling relaxed as he now faced the fennec who stopped right in her tracks.
"Leave me alone." Shimmers said almost in a desperate way eyeing the fennec directly in her eyes. The fennec folded her arms together over her chest and narrowed her eyes at Shimmers. "Oh just like you left us alone when you attacked Carelot and the carebears? I think not." She said.
"CONFIDENCE! Enough of that!" She turned along with Shimmers and saw a angry Nobleheart with his eyes narrowed in a angry stare at the fennec who saw everything up to that point. "Your interrupting his training and this facility is meant for all to train here in peace, so if your not hear to train, you have no business here!" Nobleheart said approaching her, This made Shimmers smile admiring the founder as he approached her in a semi-aggressive manner. "Now either you and Sweetheart join us and train or get out!" Nobleheart said not giving the fennec a choice as this shouting caught all the attention of the other carebear and cousins who stopped there training to listen in. Confidence was shocked by this never having been yelled at by Noblehaert like that.
"Fine, I'll go," She said turning to leave before pausing and turning and facing Shimmers in a cold manner. "But why is it you favor this, this human stranger over your own kind! We protected you guys time and time again from evil and here he comes along, and your treating him like royalty after he is the same one who wanted to kill us all!" She said narrowing her eyes at Shimmers.
"Its amazing," Shimmers said almost in a soft whisper. "What's amazing Shimmers?" Shimmers was stunned she heard him till he saw her eyes and remembered in his studies against the magi as Darkage that fennec's had amazing hearing. "Its amazing how fearful you are of me replacing you even though I made it clear I had no such intention of doing so." Shimmers said. "I'll be the judge of that when it's made clear your hear spying for Noheart." She taunted folding her arms. "Your not thinking clearly Confidence, your jealousy, your rage, which I see is blinding you as it did me till Noheart poisoned my mind and I joined him." Shimmers said laying his head in shame.
"So you think putting on a show of theatrics will convince us all you changed?" She said in a sadistic manner clearly enjoying this. "You may have them all fooled, but you don't have all us magi fooled no sir." She said smirking as she was walking up to Shimmers almost muzzle to muzzle again. "I am here to watch you, to make sure you don't hurt anyone anymore! And the moment you slip up were going to!" She was about to place her paws on him till Braveheart stepped up and pushed her away.
"Now that's enough young lady!" Braveheart said as she growled and reached for Braveheart instinctively till she felt someone grab her wrists and threw them down to her sides as they were being held down forcefully. When she looked it was none other than Shimmers!
"Do not ever lay your hands on your own family!" Shimmers said as he held her in place. A fit of rage went through her as she struggled to free her wrists.
"Let me go!" She shouted unable to free her wrists. "Let me go Shimmers, I'm warning you!" Threatened the fennec.
"Its one thing if you do not like me, or lay your hands on me, but I as long as I am around you will never lay your hands on your own family." Shimmers chided with a determined look in his eyes. She then tried to knee him between the legs, but Shimmers lifted his knee up and blocked her from doing so then she used her two tails and grabbed Shimmers wrists wrapping her tails around them trying to lift him off the ground but Shimmers quickly pulled her wrists forward with a foot in front tripping her feet as she stumbled to the ground.
"Confidence!" Sweetheart said as she flew up in the air and dashed down quickly towards Shimmers. But Shimmers quickly turned towards her and blocked her from hitting his chest. Sweetheart then turned and tried to hind kick Shimmers which Shimmers quickly avoided and smacked Sweetheart on the face hard with a open paw which stopped her dead in her tracks. "Ow!" She said as tears welled up in her eyes. "Why did you do that!" She said as Confidence got up and was about to grab Shimmers from behind till a green paw stopped her.
"What is going on here?" Loveheart said as he eyed the stranger up and down. "Why did you smack my baby sister?" He said as lightning began dancing around the bear's green body as Shimmers got into a defensive stance.
"Its because Confidence was about to harm him." Braveheart shouted stopping Loveheart's lightning momentarily as Loveheart turned to face him. "Shimmers stepped in after I defended him from her." Said the lion pointing at Confidence.
The lime green bear stared at Confidence. "Is this true Confidene? Did you start this?" He said looking at her. Confidence was about to deny it till she saw the many witnesses around her and decided there was no honor in lying as she looked down.
"Yes, its true." She said as her two tails drooped behind her resting her tails on the cloud embankment.
"Why would you do that? You know as magi we don't do that!" Loveheart said shouting at her angrily this time.
"I know, I'm sorry, I was angry at Shimmers." She confessed. Shimmers lifted up his paws.
"Unbelievable," Shimmers said shaking his head as everyone turned to him. "For once I didn't start anything or say anything to you, It was you who started this with me, and the only reason why I grabbed you was because you were about to hurt Braveheart just because he stopped you from you trying to lay your hands on me." Shimmers said defending himself. "Family should never do that, no matter the reason." Shimmers said sharply.
"ENOUGH!" Loveheart bear shouted as Confidence and Sweetheart and looked down in shame as Shimmers was unfazed by this since he knew he was in the right. "Trueheart I am sorry for Confidence's action, I can assure you she will be dealt with for acting out of line." Loveheart bear said.
"Loveheart I." Confidence stammered.
"You've done enough damage for one day," Loveheart said looking at her. "Sweetheart and Confidence, leave the training ground, you two have caused enough trouble for one day." He said looking at those two.
"Sorry big brother." Sweetheart said softly as she unfolded her wings and flew off while Confidence looked at Shimmers in a confrontational manner as if to say 'this isn't over' kind of look as she flew off aiming one hand into the sky then flying in the same direction as Sweetheart as Loveheart watched them disappear.
"As for you, I want you to stay away from them!" Loveheart said narrowing his eyes at Shimmers. Shimmers had enough as he quickly approached the lime green bear just as Loveheart was about to turn away he quickly saw this and braced himself as Shimmers got nose to nose with him.
"You have some ego on you," Shimmers said looking into his eyes deeply. "I didn't start anything with you or your family, and yet your being overly aggressive with me for no reason when all I am trying to do is fit in and thats not fair!" Shimmers shouted.
"Fit in? Fair? Was it fair when you attacked us and took my parents away? Huh! Tell me WAS THAT FAIR WHEN I THOUGHT I WOULD NEVER SEE THEM AGAIN?" Loveheart said eyeing him. Shimmers backed off and grabbed his right arm as his lips wiggled in guilt. "Huh, thats what I thought." Loveheart said with a satisfied smirk then turned away and walked away marching towards the magi black hat. Trueheart quickly came to Shimmers side.
"Shimmers are you okay?" Trueheart said in a sympathetic tone.
"No I am not." Shimmers confessed shaken up by all of this negative confrontation. Shimmers grasped his paw in her hand. "He's right you know, what I did wasn't right and.."
"Shimmers no, you got to stop blaming yourself," Nobleheart said as he walked up to Shimmers and messaged his arm. "We told you already, we forgave you for that." He said in a reassuring manner.
"Even so, there isn't a moment that goes by that I don't feel guilty about it." Shimmers replied looking Nobleheart in the eye. "I wished I never would of joined Noheart." Shimmers said.
"Its okay Shimmers, we all make mistakes," Trueheart said nuzzling his cheek with her nose. "All that matters is that your here trying to make up for it. That takes a big bear to admit that." She said making Shimmers smile and giggle when she kept nuzzling him.
"Shimmers," Braveheart said as Shimmers looking at him. "Thanks, for saving me, if you hadn't been there, I know Confidence she would of kicked my tail in and.." He said still shaken at the fact that a family member almost laid her hands on him.
"Your welcome Braveheart," Shimmers said as he began to calm down smiling at Braveheart. "I'm your protector right? It was my pleasure. I don't want to see any of you getting hurt." Braveheart smiled as Shimmers elbow bumped him.
"Okay everyone let's continue our training." Braveheart said as many of the bears and cousins nodded approvingly of what Shimmers had done for Braveheart.
"Ready to continue Shimmers?" Trueheart inquired having him face the target.
"I'm sorry Trueheart, not after that last confrontation. I am way to shaken up to concentrate with these feelings of guilt." Shimmers said looking down. "But I can try..." Shimmers said looking down. Trueheart smiled at him proudly. Shimmers closed his eyes and tried to concentrate, but all that played in his mind was Loveheart's harsh words even as he tried to tune them out, he couldn't silence Loveheart's words in his own mind as his tummy symbol didn't even glow as he opened his eyes sighing. "I'm sorry, I just can't." Shimmers said looking down feeling bad.
"Its okay, my cub, will try again tomorrow okay?" Trueheart said in a reassuring tone. Brightheart stepped up and stood in front of Shimmers.
"What is it Bright Heart?" Trueheart inquired.
"Shimmers, first off I want to thank you for saving Braveheart, that was bold." Brighthert said admiringly making Shimmers blush a bit.
"Thanks," Shimmers said. "So what is it you want?"
"Um can you meet me in my lab? I have to test something and I need you to do it." Bright heart said kindly. Shimmers smiled.
"Yes, I'll gladly do that." Shimmers said smiling as he took off with Trueheart grabbing Shimmers paw, along with Brightheart grabbing his as they left the training rink..
---------------------------------------------
Bright Heart, Trueheart, and Shimmers went to a isolated area at the edge of Carelot where Bright Heart's lab was located. After Trueheart and Shimmers entered, Bright Heart looked around as if to make sure no one followed them and closed the door behind them. "This way!" Bright heart said as Shimmers smiled as Trueheart squeezed his paw affectionately till they arrived. He closed yet another door and closed the heart red shaped curtain against the only window. "Brightheart, is there a reason why your being so secretive?" Trueheart in inquired.
"Yes, with the way the magi and Loveheart are going after Shimmers, I don't want to give them any further ammunition." Bright heart said clearly showing he was on Shimmers side and Trueheart.
"See Shimmers? There are plently of family members here who want you around." She said nuzzling his cheek with her nose which made him smile and giggle. "Aww, thanks you two." Shimmers said as the two continued to hold paws.
"Shimmers, do you remember those guns that some of your former associates used against us in the attack on Carelot against the magi specifically?" Inquired the raccoon.
"Yes." Shimmers said feeling bad about that.
"Do you know where they came from?" He said lifting up a class dome around the futuristic looking gray pistol as Bright heart placed the dome glass on its side.
"Honestly, no," Shimmers shrugged being honest. "Please believe me, I wouldn't lie to you." Shimmers said.
"We believe you Shimmers," Bright heart said in a kind tone. "But watch and observe, when I try and touch it." Bright heart gulped and tried to grab it but it immediately glowed a bright red around that paw of his that tried to reach for it as he quickly pulled his back sucking his appendages that got hurt.
"Brightheart?" Shimmers said coming over to him concerned as the scientist quickly dismissed the concern. "I'm fine, now can you please try and pick it up? I want to see if this has the same affect on you." Shimmers reached for the gun, and he was able to pick it up with everything seemingly normal as he held it and observed it. "Now what?" Shimmers asked. Bright Heart looked over almost in sadness till the gun burned his paw the same as Shimmers cried out in pain. "OW! OWWW! That hurt!" Shimmers said dropping the gun rubbing his right paw as Bright Heart breathed a sigh of relief smiling.
"Brightheart, why are you smiling? That wasn't funny." Trueheart pointed out looking at him annoyed.
"Its because this is a good thing Trueheart, allow me to explain." He said still smiling greatly relieved that his experiment had passed. "You see these guns are anti caring, anyone that is a carebear or cousin, or specifically us with great caring powers, it harms, but those on the dark side, or ones that have no feelings of caring, it doesn't burn." He said smiling more widely. Trueheart looked as astonished as a light bulb went off in her head.
"That means, this proves that Shimmers is truly making the conversion from the dark side to being one of us." Trueheart said with a open mouthed realization as they both stared at Shimmers happily.
"What?" Shimmers said slightly nervous still holding his hurt paw.
"This proves your one of us Shimmers, and that your truly sincere of being one of us." Trueheart said smiling. "Does this mean we can show this to the others?" Inquired Trueheart.
"Yes, now that we know this, it will mean Shimmers will have to hold it again, and I'm sorry it will cause his paw to burn but its to prove." Bright heart got interrupted.
"I'll do it!" Shimmers said enthusiastically. "Shimmers are you sure?" Trueheart asked. "I mean you just hurt your paw and.".. "Yes Trueheart, I need to lay my intentions and any doubts to rest with everyone and the magi I have nothing to hide."
Bright smiled. "Great, in that case will do this tomorrow morning first thing okay?" Bright Heart asked.
"Yes." Trueheart and Shimmers said at the sametime looking at each other before surprised as they both started laughing.
-------------------------------------------
Confidence Heart fennec and SweetHeart were both brought before Lifeheart and Sage heart bear and Loveheart made them report the truth of what happened.
Lifeheart placed her paws over her muzzle while Sageheart rubbed his hand on his forehead.
"Were sorry, we were just trying to rattle his cage a bit, whats the big deal?" Confidence Heart asked not feeling guilty for any of this.
"Rattle his cage?" Loveheart bear snapped.
"Young lady, you nearly harmed one of the leaders of the carebear cousins!" Sageheart said a bit loud which was not in his character which silenced everyone. "I know you two don't trust Shimmers, and neither do I for that matter, but starting a physical incident? What were you two thinking?" Sageheart showed in a sorrowful look on his face.
"Sage Heart its not a big deal, nothing happened." Confidence said defending herself.
"Yeah, he's just an outsider who doesn't belong." Sweetheart said and went quiet as she saw a scurging burning look from Lifeheart Unicorn.
"It is a very big deal," Lifeheart said siding with her husband. "We barely lived here over a year and you two have been causing too much trouble lately, so you two don't give me any choice. I'm going to have to punish you two."
Sweet Heart and Confidence Heart were stunned, "Punish!?" They said together.
Love Heart sighed and nodded, crossing his arms, "I agree, even if I have my suspicions about him we can't just let you two off the hook for what you did."
"Yes," Sage Heart said, "Life Heart and I talked about it and we've decided that you two are to be grounded for the next week. Literally."
Before anyone else could speak, Life Heart continued, "You won't be allowed to go on any missions, caring or Magi based unless there's a serious emergency, furthermore you won't be allowed to use magic or fly until this grounding is lifted. And before you ask I have something to make sure you don't break this." Her horn flashed and two wings set with a small black gem appeared in her hands. "These are magical inhibitors I made in case we need to keep someone like No-Heart prisoner. They lock off magical energy flow to prevent any use of high-level magic, including the aura that lets you fly with wings, Sweet Heart." She levitated the rings over to Love Heart, "They're set to automatically shut off after 7 days and don't try to remove them or we'll have to reset the time. I will remove them if we have an emergency we might need you for."
Love Heart sighed as he carefully clipped the rings around Sweet Heart and Confidence Heart's upper arms. Both Confidence and Lifeheart were both shocked, and unamused by this. SweetHeart was taking it harder than Confidence who just rolled her eyes unrepentant.
"These are uncomfortable," SweetHeart said trying to stretch out her wings.
"SweetHeart don't," Confidence chided. "Its clear to me we have some sympathizers here." Loveheart was about to say something as they turned away.
"Now you two don't ever talk to them like that." Loveheart bear said as that did make him mad as he got in front of Confidence and Sweetheart. "Apologize or I will ask them to extend your punishment." Loveheart bear said crossing his arms. Confidence and Sweetheart sighed.
"Were sorry." They both said in unison as Lifeheart waived them off and dismissed them. Loveheart bear also walked away tending to magi business as SageHeart and Lifeheart at each other worriedly.
"What are we going to do with those two Lifeheart? Where did we go wrong?" Sageheart said with a quiver in his voice as Lifeheart simply nuzzled his cheek as the two went home in preparation for dinner and for the event later on that night.
------------------------------------------------
Shimmers was just walked over by Trueheart holding paws with him still as she lead him to Lonesomeheart's and Aqua bear's house. Before Shimmers knocked, Lonesomeheart had opened the door. "Welcome you two, come on in." She said invitingly. Shimmers and Trueheart came in happily and sat down on the kitchen chairs as Aqua bear appeared holding his son Heart Will Wolf.
"Hi Shimmers!" Heart will wolf said waving frantically as Shimmers couldn't help but smile back. "Hi." Shimmers said waving back as Lonesomeheart handed him and Trueheart one cup of water each.
"I was wondering Shimmers if you might me up for a saber training session with me and Lonesomeheart?" Offered Aqua bear kindly.
"Sure." Shimmers said.
"Shimmers are you sure? Your still barely getting used to your knew body." Trueheart said concerned.
"Yes Trueheart, I could use the exercise to relieve some of this stress I have been feeling." Shimmers admitted as he gulped his water down as Trueheart bear also followed suit.
"Great in that case, can we get started?" Aqua bear said anxiously as Shimmers nearly spit out his water nearly choking on it as he swallowed but ended up coughing and banging his chest. "Shimmers are you okay?" He asked.
"Yeah, wrong wind pipe." Shimmers said. "That hurts when that happens." Shimmers said as he breathed quick then his breathing calmed down as it passed. After Shimmers finished the last of his glass of water along with Trueheart all of them headed outside in the back yard.
------------------------------------------------
As Sweetheart and Confidence were walking with there heads down and complaining to each other about how unfair this punishment was, they heard saber dueling and voices.
"Carebear's stare!" They heard in the distance as they heard the crack of a ball against a bat and saw a stare float away.
"How did you do that?" They heard.
"Wait, who's?" SweetHeart inquired.
"Shh." Confidence said as the two snuck up on the scene to see what was happenning.
"Its something I learned when I used to train with my former comrades," Shimmers said. "It takes awhile to learn that, but its a very handy skill." When Confidence peered over the cloud hill, she saw Shimmers battling with Aqua bear.
"In that case dodge this! Dolphin fire!" Shimmers braced himself for this as Shimmers tried to counter.
"Kashikahayha!" Shimmers shouted extending his hands out but nothing came out. "Huh?" Shimmers said shocked.
"Shimmers look out!" Lonesomeheart shouted. Shimmers stood there to stunned to move as Aqua bear's paws glowed, the fire turned from red to blue fire waives, they hit Shimmers but it didn't burn."
"Huh? What happened?" Shimmers said. "Why didn't I get burned?" He asked Aqua bear.
"Simple, I can control my dolphin powers." Explained the blue bear running up to Shimmers. "Are you okay?" He inquired.
"Yes, but I don't understand? What happened to my powers?" Shimmers said looking at his paws in shock. Trueheart stepped up to him.
"Well, if I were to guess, your powers have not returned to you yet Shimmers, perhaps with the transformation your powers take awhile to ascend to your new carebar body." Explained Trueheart.
"Great just great, whoever heard of a protector who can't use the carebear's stare, and can't even use his own powers?" Shimmers said looking down since this was a pretty rough day for him looking down.
"Whether you get them or not, will make no difference in your admittance here in the carebear family Shimmers. We love you and you belong here." Trueheart said hugging him as Aqua bear hugged him tightly as well.
"Thanks you two, but perhaps this is the Great Wishing Star punishing me for what I did." Shimmers said closing his eyes sadly.
"Shimmers, the Great Wishing Star would never punish any of us like that," Trueheart pointed out. "You saw how fond he was of you as we are." She said holding hugging him tightly.
"Thanks Trueheart, but until I get my powers, all I can do is one on one combat." Shimmers pointed out. "If its okay with you all, I would like to get something to eat and go home now." Shimmers said as Trueheart bear sighed.
Confidence and Sweetheart both layed low again behiind the cloud hill as Confidence rubbed her paws together. "Oh boy, just wait till I tell the other magi, this will make it more easier to embarass Shim..." Confidence saw the disapproving look in Sweet Heart.
"Noo, please Confidence, don't tell anyone, I am already in trouble and I hate being grounded," Sweetheart whined. "I don't want to be grounded for another seven days, please, Lifeheart will do it to both of us." She explained almost tearfully. "Besides, don't you think he has suffered enough for one day? Please I mean look at him? He's practically broken." She said as Confidence took another look and saw Shimmers holding his head low as he walked home with Trueheart not even holding paws with Trueheart clearly wanting to be alone. Confidence sighed since she could relate when she got a injury in a tournamanent and just fell short by one match from making the final fight and winning it all.
"Okay, I won't tell," She said as Sweetheart breathed a sigh of relief. "But neither will you, deal?"
"Deal." She said shaking hands with the fennec as the two both went to there respective homes. In the shadows something caught the fennec's ears and saw a shadow swiftly move but didn't quiet get a glimplse of whatever that was as she shrugged it off and went about her way.
------------------------------------------
In Redemptionheart bear's home, she was there alone as she was getting ready for bed and sighed sadly as she saw the empty part of the bed where her mate always sleeped with her. Then she jumped with joy when she heard the door open then close.
"Redemptionheart? Sweety? I'm home,, if you'll have me that.." He nearly got tackled when his wife hugged him tightly running at him full speed as he was shocked but hugged her tightly as he closed his eyes. "I've missed you, I'm sorry." He said as a tear went down his eye.
"So am I, I missed you to so much." She said as the two hugged and caressed each other.
"Listen honey I um." Said the wolverine as she took her finger and silenced his mouth.
"Shh, I forgive you and I always will," She said to him looking at him deeply in the eyes as he was stunned by this not knowing what to say right away. "Yes you hurt me, but I still love you and I always will." She explained. Before the two hugged though the wolverine looked her in the eyes. "What is it?" She asked already knowing her mate.
"A couple of things, concerning the newcomer." He said sighing and gulping at the sametime knowing this part might be hard to explain.
"What about him?" She inquired.
"I saw how close you two have been getting when you were doing his check ups." He said as she let him explain. "I'm sorry, I did spy on you several times with him, and just on him in general and I'm sorry. Its just that after I made you cry, I thought you didn't.." He said closing his eyes with his lips quivering sadly.
"Love you anymore?" She finished as he shook his head up and down. "Honey, how could you ever doubt me like that? I told you my heart is always yours, I don't want anyone else but you sweety, you." She said nuzzling his nose as he almost tried to back away from her as she looked at him surprised thinking he was refusing her affection.
"There's something else," He interjected as Redemptionheart bear stood there crossing her arms.
"Go on." She encouraged.
"I saw Shimmers training with your two friends, Aqua, and Lonesomeheart, and when he tried to counter one of Aqua bear's attacks, he tried to use his pattened beam attack with his arms outstretched and his powers didn't work." He said almost in a way that disturbed his mate since he seemed almost ready to celebrate this.
"That's not good, and honey, I know you don't like Shimmers but please, I am begging you, please don't tell the other magi, please? He's just trying to fit in and I saw how broke he was." Redemptionheart grabbing his paws into her own which startled him at first, but when he saw she was serious, he sighed and looked at her.
"For you, I won't tell anyone, I promise." He said but looking away at her and backing away from her as he was about to turn to leave till she felt her hand in his as he shuttered but stayed not looking at her.
"Passion, please don't go. Come to bed with me." She said as he wa quivering almost in sadness. But she gently turned him around guilding him by his paw and nuzzled noses with him and kissed him deeply as his eyes opened up in shock and delight. She held his paw tight and turned around and dragged him. At this he didn't refuse as he wiped away a tear and went upstairs with her and lay with her.
------------------------------------
As Shimmers waived Trueheart goodbye, he closed the door and went and took a shower. As the thoughts of this day ruled through his day as he began scrubbing his furry body with the scrub brush. "you don't belong here, dont ever touch me! Was it fair when you attacked CARELOT and took my parents!!!" Shimmers rubbed his eyes trying to fight the urge to cry. But he remembered that look on Loveheart's face. "That's what I thought." He said as the guilt washed over SHimmers heart and mind and body, he began shaking. "Noo noo not now!" Shimmers sniffled as the tears escaped from his eyes with the hot shower running creating steam seemingly hiding his tears and sounds of sadness...
----------------------------------
Sage Heart and Lifeheart waited for Sweetheart to step into her room for what they had planned that night. "Now, are you ready to start scrying on Shimmers?" Sage Heart asked.
"I would have if I didn't have to punish our children." Lifeheart explained. "I'm sorry hun, it will have to wait till the next day to carry out your request." Sage Heart sighed but then came to.
"That's okay, I understand. We got tomorrow, and if Shimmers is up to something I am sure it will need more than one day for his plan to form." Sage heart said contently as the two went to bed exhausted from the days events.
--------------------------------------
Confidence came home not accustomed to walking ever since she got her second tail which was now grounded thanks to her current punishment. She entered her home with her mate Champ bear who was no where in site at the momentum as she slumped on the couch in exhaustion. "I need to get back in shape." She said to herself unable to believe she was this winded. Then that's when she saw her mate come out of the bedroom.
"Oh hi Champ bear," She said smiling thinking everything was all good, as she reclined her paws on the beige carpet underneath her feet with her tummy symbol in the middle of it. "How has your day gone?" She asked forgetting he was there.
"How could you sit there and act so casual after what you did at the caring training facility today?" Champ bear said very sharply as this made the fennec wince.
"Champ bear, please its been a long day, can you please just give it a rest for one day?" She said rolling her eyes not really caring to have this conversation.
"No! What the hell were you thinking nearly grabbing Braveheart like that just because he was protecting Shimmers from you trying to de-escalate a situation that you were causing?" Champ bear said yelling at her. "Your my wife! How could you act like that and disgrace us like that?" He said scowling at her. This set her off as she shot up and got face to face with her mate.
"And how could you be on Shimmers side after everything he has done?" She said as the two met noses and scowling faces.
"Because, Shimmers wasn't wrong, you were wrong for going there in the first place with Sweetheart to cause trouble." He said sharply. She was about to say something. "You know what, I don't have time for this," Champ bear said walking away.
"Hey, don;t you walk away from me Champ bear!" Scowled the fennec trying to chase after him. "You started this beef at least have the curtesy to finish this!" She said getting in his way and laying her hands on him preventing her mate from going up the stairs as Champ bear had to quickly regain his balance as he then looked at her with shock and hurt which immedietely made the fox struck in her heart with guilt as the churning of her tummy with sadness also stirred about. "Champ, please, I'm sorry I didn't mean to, please." She said in a much more reconciling tone as Champ bear lifted his paws up as Confidence stopped trying to console him.
"I can't believe your so blinded with your jealousy and mistrust of Shimmers that you have thrown everything that you stand for out the window," He said as a tear escaped his eyes as Confidence wished she could take that back. "Not to mention, you changed Confidence, your not the same person I married before. That person never would of layed her paws on me, unless we were doing a karate match." He said rubbing his eyes. "I married you because you had honor, grit, and above all you stood up for those that couldn't fight or stand up for themselves, and now your the one picking up on someone helpless on the new bear." He said sharply as she lowered her head in shame. Champ bear felt bad about this but the fennec lifted up her paws refusing to be consoled by him as a tear trickled down her cheek. "Wait Confidence, I didn't mean that.." He said as she turned her back to him as he paused there as she spoke softly to him.
"No you meant it Champ bear," She said in a soft tone. "I think I need to be alone now to think." She said as she went up the stairs by herself and closed the bedroom door as Champ bear looked down biting his lip. He sighed and then he went on the couch feeling helpless with his own thoughts running inside his own head thinking of how he could of confronted her differently to make his point without ruining there night as a tear trickled down his cheek.
