Shimmers was now outside in the cold night air carrying his care case while looking around to make sure no one saw him as it didn't occur to him he still could not use the carebear's stare although he tried to use his tummy symbol. "Come on! Come on! Stare!" He said out loud as his tummy symbol glowed but only a pink tire that went flat fired out of his symbol as Shimmers groaned in frustration. "Why, why can't I use that?" Shimmers said in frustration.
"Because your using it for the wrong reasons." Sage Heart said along with Lifeheart with her horn glowing in the dark night around Carelot in front of the hall of Hearts. "You can't leave now Shimmers." Sage Heart said opposing his move.
"Why? Why can't I leave? All your kids cept for Guidance Heart have all rejected me." Shimmers said wiping his eyes trying not to cry again.
"No Shimmers please, that is not true." Lifeheart said out of genuine concern.
"We don't want you gone son." Sage Heart bear said.
"Wait a minute, how did you know I was here?" Shimmers said backing away from them momentarily looking at Lifeheart's heart as they both sighed.
"Shimmers we were scrying in on you this night." Sage Heart admitted shamefully.
"You what? You mean you were spying on me? You saw me crying?" Shimmers said was more shocked than upset almost as if he was relieved they saw him.
"Yes." Lifeheart said as they both looked down in shame.
"But I asked my wife too, we just wanted to make sure you had no bad intentions. We were fearful you might retalliate against our kids." Sage heart tried to explained still sounding shameful. Shimmers took a few deep breaths to try and calm down. "Were sorry, we know that was wrong to do." he explained. Shimmers slowly approached them as they stood there unguarded.
"Do you two still think I am a spy?" Shimmers said eyeing them closely.
"No, your intentions are pure," Lifeheart said still looking ashamed. "We never should of questioned you."
Shimmers smiled. "Well, thats four that believe in me now, so I call that progress."
"You mean you forgive us?" Sage Heart looked astonished.
Shimmers smiled placing his paws on Sage's and Lifeheart's shoulders. "Yes." He said smiling.
"Oh thank you Shimmers!" Sage Heart said as they hugged him tightly as Shimmers hugged them back nuzzling his nose into there cheeks at random times as Sage Heart and Lifeheart smiled deeply. After they were done hugging Shimmers stood there and looked at them then away. "Wait, your still not thinking of running away are you?" Sage Heart said looking at him in deep concern. Shimmers sighed and faced the dark blue bear.
"Sadly yes Sage Heart Bear." Shimmers said. "Your family still rejects me and looks at me as there so called replacement." Shimmers said making quote marks.
"Please Shimmers stay here with us." Sage Heart said.
"Yeah we can talk to the other magi for you on your behalf." Lifeheart suggested.
"As much as I would like that, I'm afraid I have to decline that offer." Shimmers said as Lifeheart looked at him in shock with her jaw nearly dropping to the floor.
"But why? Don't you want to live with us in peace?" She asked clearly with a desperate sense of tone in her voice.
"I do Lifeheart," Shimmers explained. "But it has to be on there terms and not forced on them, and they have to accept me on there own as you have, willingly and until then, I'm afraid my presence has only caused one incident after another." Shimmers explained.
"Please Shimmers, will you at least give it one more day to think on this before you do this?" Sage Heart bear said as Shimmers sighed but then smiled.
"Since you freed Sweet Heart early from her punishment, I will give it more time." Shimmers promised as Life Heart and Sage Heart breathed a major sigh of relief.
"Thanks Shimmers. Will see you tomorrow okay?" Sage Heart said smiling placing his paws on his shoulders.
"You bet." Shimmers said managing a weak smile as Sage Heart nuzzled his cheek as Shimmers laughed out loud happily which made Lifeheart also smile proudly as they walked Shimmers back to his home and waived him goodbye.
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When Lifeheart and Sage Heart got home, they went into Sweet Heart's room and found her awake as she went to the corner of her room afraid of being punished for being up when she was not suppose to be up.
"I'm sorry, please don't punish me." Sweet Heart said as both parents felt bad for her reaction as Lifeheart quickly approached her.
"Oh Sweet Heart, were not here for that, its okay, don't be afraid." She said as she sat next to her daughter and consoled her rubbing her back as this sseemed to ease the little pegasus up.
"Then, why are you here?" She inquired as Sage Heart sat next to them.
"We are here to thank you for what you did for Shimmers." Sage Heart said.
"You mean you saw that?" Sweetheart retorted with her eyes alarmed.
"Yes, and thanks to you." Lifeheart's horn glowed showing the scrying pool showing Shimmers sleeping soundly again with a smile in his sleep as he murmured happily. "Aww, thanks Loveheart." He said blushing on his cheeks as the three of them wondered what that was about as they laughed, but were just happy he wasn't crying or having a desperate nightmare like he has been night after night.
"Wait, your spying on him mom?" Sweetheart said looking at her shocked.
"We were at the beginning," Explained Sage Heart bear. "Because we were afraid he might of been a spy for Noheart, and we were wrong." He admitted.
"Then why are you still looking into his room like this? You two taught me this is wrong to do." Sweetheart said a bit alarmed at this and confused at this example.
"We only did this to make sure Shimmers was okay," Lifeheart defended. "Not to spy on him, when we saw him crying after he woke up and after you left, he tried to.." Lifeheart closed her eyes and gulped then looked at her daughter. "Run away."
"Run away? But why would he do that?" Sweet Heart said alarmed.
"Its because of everything we have been putting him through," Sage Heart bear admitted looking down ashamed along with Lifeheart. "We and the other kids and the other magi, we were wrong Sweetheart. So very wrong about him."
"Can you ever forgive us for how we have been lately? Shimmers was also right in how he thought we punished you. It was to severe." Lifeheart asked. Sweet heart smiled.
"Of course I forgive you mom!" She said as she hugged her tightly unexpectedly as Sage Heart joined in with them as well.
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A few hours later, Shimmers was at home trying to sleep and was able to for about two and a half hours more. He didn't have any nightmares thanks to Sweet Heart's secret spell. Shimmers was actually blushing as he looked underneath the blankets and noticed he had a hard on since he dreamed about Loveheart. "Gulps, thank goodness no one is here to see that." Shimmers said blushing hotly on his cheeks as he spent some time in bed for awhile to satisfy himself as he ejaculated for the first time in his carebear form wetting the cloud blanket with his semen as he moaned a bit louldly from this as he just lay on his tummy letting it ooze out of him. But as he came to, he remembered the last words Loveheart had said to him, and as that began to play in his mind along with the other instance of you'll never be one of us, the smile gradually left his face as he cleaned himself off with a towel and walked towards the restroom. and began to take his shower scrubbing himself, and taking really good care of his toes and soles as he even laughed slightly since he found his paws were a bit more sensitive than in his human form. As he got out and began to dry off, although he tried to brush it off, he found his mind wondering to the negative things taht Confidence Heart fennec had been saying to him. "Will find out what your up to Shimmers, and when we do, will expose you for what you are!" She shouted in his mind while vividly seeing her smirking face as Shimmers began to brush his teeth. Shimmers tried to think on more positive things like Trueheart and how sweet she has been to him, but his mind quickly rewinded back to the magi, his first day here, and the door slamming in his face as he barely managed to hang onto his toothbrush to prevent it from falling to the floor again. Shimmers sighed and brushed his tongue looking into the mirror as he mouth spit the content out and began to do his mouthwash swishing from a product "all caring mouth wash." Shimmers was humored at the name as he spit the mouth wash out into the sink and rinsed it out with the running faucet water. Shimmers rinsed his face off as well trying his best to keep his promise, but over and over again, his mind wandered to thoughts of running away, to the slamming of the door, along with the mistrusting faces of the magi time and time again as he slumped over looking disheartened.
"Wait, what day is it?" Shimmers said as he looked at a sandy brown calender with his symbol as the picture on top of the calender in the month of Augest, 16th as he shook in sorrow. "No, so soon? Why did this have to be today?" He said as he looked around as his heart raced as the emotions hit him over something hard from his past. This was the last straw, as he gave into his thoughts of wanting to get away as he looked at the clock which said 6 a.m. when Trueheart came over around 7 a.m. "There is still time, I need to go." He said to himself before he realized his heart presence could be sensed by his two friends. "Ohh darn, I forgot about that." He said to himself as he remembered a dark spell that Noheart had once taught him to mask his dark presence when he was his apprentice. "I know I'm suppoe to turn away from all of that, but I need a way to escape. I don't want to hurt them or anyone here anymore." Shimmers said as a tear escaped his lips as his paws began to glow a dark black as his symbol unsurprisingly turned a shade of grey instead of its usual yellow lustering brightness. Shimmers sighed as he felt something had died in his heart regretting that spell the moment he used it. But no time to worry about that, as he quickly grabbed his red square care case and opened his door slowly and looked around. When he saw no one was around, he quickly scampered off as he went outside. He quickly hid behind some cloud trash bins when he heard voices.
"Good morning, Champ bear." Tenderheart bear said running with Champ bear with his usual jog.
"Morning Tenderheart." Champ bear said trying to keep his spirits up.
"How does it go between you and Confidence?" He asked as the two were jogging by.
"She still isn't talking to me." Champ bear said with his face looking down momentarily.
"Oh, you want me to talk with her?" Tenderheart offered as the two were running away from Shimmers current spot as the two didn't see him since they were to preoccupuied talking to each other.
"No, I'm afraid that would only make things worse, you know with Shimmers and all.." Champ bear said as this shook Shimmers down to the core as a tear went down his cheek leaving behind them but what he didn't hear. "Its not his fault! Why are they treating him like this?" He asked looking at Tenderheart bear sadly as the two disappeared into the distance of the early morning going down a rainbow lit path. As the two disappeared Shimmers found a secluded spot as he tried once more in a desperate manner to activate his tummy symbol.
"Come on, carebear's stare!" He said softly trying to make sure no one heard him as his tummy lit grey instead of white and this time he managed to form a small cloud car that landed just about ten feet in front of him. "Yes, finally." Shimmers said covering his mouth realizing just how loud he was as he quickly hopped into it. "Now how do I drive this thing?" He said as he pressed a button and it reversed violently into some trash cans with a cat meowing loudly as some trash fell out of the trash bin. "No, I want to go up, not backwards!" Shimmers groaned as he took a moment to look at the buttons and hit a heart grey shaped button that went up slowly ascending but not moving as he saw what looked like some carebears and cousins approaching. But when he saw a blur of green, he quickly took a closer look and noticed it was none other than Loveheart bear doing his jogging and he was up in the air exposed. "Nonono, I must go before he notices this!" Shimmers said as pressed his foot down on the pedal and began to move forward slowly but wobbly at first. He then quickly learned to pull up on the wheel as that made it go high while turning left to right was just that, as he began to move forward as the bear approached closer. Shimmers then heard a voice from behind.
"Wait, Shimmers is that you?" He heard turning and exchanging glances with Loveheart bear as the two looked at each other momentarily as Shimmers then quickly turned around with his care case next to him on the passenger side and Shimmers grey cloud car took off into the distance till Loveheart looked like he was watching desperately trying to chase. "Wait, Shimmers don't go!" Loveheart said as he disappeared into the distance. Loveheart looked up in desperation as his symbol lit up and formed his cloud car as he hopped in and tried to go after Shimmers. He went down underneath descending with his cloud car, but there were several grey clouds this day as he looked around desperately for his cloud car, but sighed as he found no sign, not even a cloud trail for him to follow. Loveheart bear slammed his fist hard against his own dashboard as he went up above.
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As if something had died, Aqua bear and Lonesomeheart looked at each other with graved concerned looks on there faces. "Do you feel that Aqua? I can't sense Shimmers heart presence!" Lone said concerned as they were feeding there cub.
"Yeah, we better go check on him!" Aqua bear said as they picked up Heart Will wolf just about as he was to take another bite of his apple sauce as they picked up there cub and dashed out the door. When they got there, they saw Trueheart knocking on the door looking desperate.
"Shimmers, Shimmers please its me Trueheart, please answer!" Trueheart said banging on the door as she saw the two caring guardians approaching. "Oh hi, morning you two." She said smiling at them.
"Good Morning." They both said in unison with Heart will wolf waiving at her but not smiling. "Trueheart, we can't sense Shimmers heart presence, its like his heart life just vanished!" Aqua bear said which made Trueheart's eyes wide in worry as she stared a emergency caring key and placed it in the lock opening the door to Shimmers house as they all walked in.
"Shimmers? Shimmers? Where are you?" Trueheart said looking in the bedroom as Lone and Aqua looked in the bathroom. "He's not here." Trueheart said lifting up his cloud blanket which had a yellow cum stain on it as she dismissed that for the time being.
"He's not in the bathroom either." Lonesomeheart said looking desperate. Just about when they were about to think of other things, they heard the emergency bell. "Huh? Who's calling a emergency meeting?"
"I don't know but we better go and find out what's going on and let everyone know we can't find Shimmers!" Trueheart said trying to fight the worry in her heart as they all dashed off to the hall of hearts.
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After arriving there, they saw Loveheart and all the magi in the inside along with some of the sleepy headed carebears yawning as they entered followed by the leaders, Nobleheart, Braveheart, and Tenderheart bear. "Loveheart, what is the meaning of all of this? Why did you call this meeting? And what happened to your paw?" Nobleheart inquired as Life Heart and Sage Heart bear followed by the rest of the magi entering the hall.
"Its Shimmers," Loveheart said concerned dismissing his concern for his paw for the moment as his hand was bandaged up with a white cloth. "I saw him in a cloud car this morning up in the air. I tried calling out to him, but he just took off." Loveheart bear said.
"Shimmers? What? Are you saying he ran away?" Trueheart said with her heart skipping a beat as she approached the lime green bear.
"Yes Trueheart," Loveheart bear said in a direct manner as she grabbed him by his chest fur and began shaking him. "Hey, Trueheart. calm down!" He said trying to unleash her grasp upon his chest fur.
"This is all your fault! You didn't even go after him did you? You wanted him GONE!" Trueheart said as Nobleheart stepped between them as she let go of him as Loveheart bear shot a annoyed look at Trueheart.
"I didn't chase him off Trueheart! Matter of fact, I chased after him in my my own cloud car to try to catch up to him, but by the time I went to go look for him, he was gone and that is the honest truth!" Loveheart bear said defending his actions as he narrowed his eyes at Trueheart.
"Even so, you wanted him gone! Oh my Shimmers, no!" She said as she began to sob and turned her head into Nobleheart's arms embrace as he hugged her as she began to cry. "Shimmers! My cub! My cub!" She shouted buring her head into her mates chest sobbing.
"I never wanted him gone Trueheart," Loveheart bear said a bit cold. "I wasn't the one who told him to run away. He did that all on his own." Loveheart said as he tried to shield the guilt in his heart he was feeling trying to somehow alleviate his own guilt in all of this.
"Whoa, we all need to calm down a moment." Lifeheart said trying to calm them all down. After everyone was now wide awake, everyone took there seats as Lifeheart continued to talk and turned to Aqua bear and Lonesomeheart bear. "Caring guardians, can't you track him using the heart?" Life Heart asked. The two caring guardians shook there heads.
"No, for some reason this morning, his heart essence disappeared seemingly around the same time that Loveheart said he saw Shimmers running away." Aqua bear pointed out. Lifeheart sighed already tired from the nights activities.
"I have one last idea," She said. "I can do of my own scrying spells, this magic can watch anyone around the world anywhere Trueheart. Don't worry. will find him Truehaert." Lifeheart said rubbing Trueheart's back for a moment as she turned facing her with a tear going down her cheek. This seem to calm her down for a moment.
"Please if you can find him, cast the spell." Trueheart asked in a desperate tone. Lifeheart smiled.
"Of course." She said smiling as her horn began to glow but with a smaller screen than before with the grey clouds forming around the scrying monitor as it glowed. But when it showed a picture, nothing but a gray, black screen appeared. "Hey. this has never happened before!" Lifeheart said now looking very worried.
"Huh? I thought you said you could find him!" Shouted Trueheart.
"This has never happened before Trueheart," Lifeheart said scratching her head with her unicorn horn glowing. "This should be working!" She said till she thought deeply for moment. "Unless he casted a spell to counter act being spied on." She said snapping her fingers. "Of course, he must of casted a shielding spell to prevent himself from being followed. But that would mean he used.." She said stopping not wanting to worry Trueheart even more.
"He used what?" Trueheart asked desperately. Lifeheart quickly quick wittingly thought of something to calm Trueheart down.
"I don't want to jump to conclusions, but I have to do some research in my unicorn spell book to see for sure." Lifeheart said as Trueheart sniffled. "Don't worry will find him, I'll put all my resources into finding him Trueheart." She said as Trueheart sniffled but that seem to calm her down a bit. Trueheart then lifted up her head as Champ bear spoke.
"We need to go down to earth and find him sports fan!" Champ bear said smashing his fist against his open palm. "He was there for me when I needed him, we can't just give up on him!" He said.
"Great idea Champ bear." Braveheart said. "Cousins all other activities are suspended for the time being. Finding Shimmers is our number one priority." With that all the cousin's left as Tenderheart held Trueheart's paws momentarily.
"Dont worry Trueheart, will find him! I promise!" Tenderheart said smiling before taking off. "Carebears move out!" He shouted as all the carebears exited the building as the cousins and carebears headed out with only the founders, and magi all present. Lifeheart then turned towards Loveheart.
"Well, aren't you going to order everyone to go look for him?" Lifeheart said looking at her son in the eyes. Loveheart crossed his arms defensivily in his pride.
"Why? He ran away on his own and he even casted a spell to prevent us from finding him so why should we lift a paw to help in finding him?" Loveheart said coldly as Sweetheart sniffled and stood in front of Loveheart.
"BIG BROTHER HOW COULD YOU BE SO MEAN!" Sweetheart confronted as this shook everyone up. "Your the leader of the magi, you should be ashamed of yourself! Yes were magi, but were also carebears and Shimmers is still one of us and aren't we suppose to look after our own?" She said looking at her big brother distressed as Loveheart bear looked down in shame as well as the other magi even Confidence as her heart was beginning to soften up a bit. Trueheart then turned and ran away out of the hall of hearts with Nobleheart following leaving the magi alone not being able to withstand anymore confrontation as Guidance and Redemptionheart both were sniffling with Passion hugging the doctor tightly consoling her.
"Magi, can you leave us alone with Loveheart bear please?" Sage Heart bear said. "But please wait outside a moment, we may need you after this." Everyone did what they were asked to do as the door was closed leaving only Loveheart bear alone with his parents.
"So what is it you two want to talk to me about?" Loveheart said sighing knowing this wasn't good as his heart was distressed but he was to prideful to cry or show any remorse.
"Son, we were spying on Shimmers last night and we saw him crying in the shower last night." Lifeheart said as this made Loveheart bear looked concerned.
"Wait, no, you mean the mighty caring guardian., cried?" Loveheart said as his heart began to open up a bit.
"Yes, it was my idea because like you I feared his intentions." Sage Heart bear said looking Lovehearts eyes. "He tried to run away last night but we interceded and not only did we stop him, he gave us a hug and we reconciled our differences."
"We made him promise to stay to think this through, but by the time we realized he had made up his mind, we were too late when you saw him taking off." Lifeheart said looking down sadly. Loveheart was now torn inside the very essence of his soul as he looked down in deep somber regret.
"What have I done!" Loveheart said sniffling. "I never meant for this to happen. Last night he tried to reconcile with me and I slammed the door on him." Loveheart said as a tear trickled down his cheek. "I shouldn't of done that." He said softening up his stance.
"Its not to late Loveheart, but for some reason my scrying spell is not working," Lifeheart said frustration. "I also only said those things to Trueheart to buy us some time so she doesn't lose hope in finding her cub." Lifeheart admitted. Sage heart then snapped his fingers.
"WAIT! maybe there is a way to find him!" He said as his eyes brightened up as if tasting something sweet as honey. "Loveheart, Lifeheart, if you combine your unicorn powers along with Loveheart's caring magic that he has been working on, it might be enough to counter Shimmers hidden spell." Sage Heart said as Lifeheart looked at him smiling.
"Sage Heart your a genius!" Lifeheart said as she turned to Loveheart bear. "If we combine our resources, it just might be enough to find him!"
"Great, lets do it then!" Loveheart bear said smiling. As both there bodies began to glow while holding paws all three of them, a new scry pool appeared as it seemed to light up into the dark of the channel chasing away the blotted black spots in the screen till a picture began to form. "Its working!" Lifeheart said as they saw a blurry but stable image of Shimmers standing over two epitaphs. "There he is!" Lifeheart shouted smiling. "But I can't pinpoint the location." Lifeheart said.
"I think I know where he is," Loveheart said. "Think about it, two epitaphs, his two parents." Loveheart bear said in a matter of fact kind of tone.
"He must be at his parents plots." They said as they saw Shimmers looking sad and also noticing his darkened tummy star symbol.
"I'll go get him." Loveheart bear said as he broke off with his parents.
"Wait Loveheart," Sage Heart bear said. "Take Sweet heart and Confidence with you. Those two might be needed to convince him to comeback." He said deep in thought.
"But Confidence might make things worse," Loveheart bear griped. "I want to get him back, I don't want to drive him away again." Loveheart said remorsefully.
"Confidence needs to see his brokenness, so she knows exactly who Shimmers is. She may of been acting out of line lately, but deep down we know she's a good fennec." Life Heart said. Loveheart bear nodded. "Take off her restriction, this is a emergency and we need to get him back now!"
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It took only fifteen minutes for Loveheart to secretly gather Confidence and Sweet Heart. He had to argue a bit with the fennec but she saw things his way once he said he would triple her time if she didn't cooperate as Sweetheart giggled happily at this while Loveheart undid her restraints. They were now in the same cloud car with Loveheart driving Confidence on the front passenger side, and Sweetheart riding in the back as they were all buckled in.
"So you know exactly where Shimmers is?" Sweetheart said.
"Yes, but we need to get there quick before he moves again." Loveheart said pushing his foot on the petal dashing down towards Red Lake where he knew Shimmers would be which was about one hundred twenty miles away from the grand canyon. As they went along flying around the forested and cindered country road. They quickly went to the place where it all began and where his parents were burned alive. Sure enough, they spotted Shimmers standing right next to them. "There he is! Hang on!" Loveheart said as he descended down quickly. Shimmers saw them and groaned. He tried to move, but he was stuck where he was at since he was to weighted down with sorrow to care as he took a deep breath and continued to do what he was doing till they landed twenty feet away from him. "Shimmers, there you are." Loveheart bear said running towards him. Shimmers looked at him shaking his head.
"You can't take a hint can you? How did you ever manage to find me?" Shimmers inquired.
"That doesn't matter," Loveheart bear said slightly sharply as Sweetheart flew in front of Loveheart bear's face with a scowl and quickly softened his tone. "I mean me and Life heart and Sage heart bear combined our magical energy to find you." Loveheart said more gently.
"Yeah, we came to take you back." Sweetheart said kindly. Shimmers shrugged as he then turned toward the two epitaphs as a tear went down his cheeks.
"Ohh for goodness sake, now why are you crying?" Confidence said impatiently. "Your so overly sensitive...." Confidence said as she realized what lay in front of Shimmers.
"Please Confidence, I am only asking this once, please lete me grieve in peace. This is the day my parents were burned alive by Noheart when he set the forest fire. Please?" Shimmers said covering his face bawling. Confidence quickly wished she took those words back as she read the names off of them. Confidence now knew she was wrong.
"Shimmers, I'm sorry, but we only came to bring you back." Confidence said in a much more gentler tone as she approached the tan bear.
"Why? So you can tease me like you always have? I just wish to grieve in peace. I have no intentions of going back. You all hate me." Shimmers said as he tried to walk away for a moment till Confidence stepped in front.
"Shimmers, I dont hate you,, I... I;m.. Soo.. .Soorry!" She said out loud as a tear went down her cheek as she hugged him nearly tackling him as Shimmers stood there motionless still crying. Loveheart and Sweetheart looked on worriedly for about 15 seconds till Shimmers wrapped his arms around her tightly. "I'm sorry I'm sorry! I was wrong." She said burying her head into his chest.
"Its okay Confidence, I.. I forgive you." Shimmers said as the fennec bawled a bit louder as Shimmers smiled cuddling the fennec. Loveheart bear also stepped up and hugged him tightly.
"I'm also sorry Shimmers!" He said hugging him tightly. Shimmers hugged him as well as Loveheart bear didn't cry, but he did hug him real tight like. "I'm sorry for slamming the door on you when I should of listened!"
Shimmers nuzzled Loveheart's cheek. "Its okay Loveheart, this is all I ever wanted." Shimmers said looking him in the eyes as his own eyes were red from crying as well. "Sweetheart in here." Shimmers said opening up one arm as she smiled open mouthed and flew in as all three cuddled as Shimmers giggled happily. After about five minutes of this, they finally broke the hugging huddle.
"Thank you for forgiving us." Loveheart said sniffling as a tear went down his cheek.
"Well, I think its time we went back to Carelot now." Shimmers said.
"You mean your your coming back with us?" Loveheart bear said breathing a sigh of relief.
"Yes, that is unless you don't." Shimmers was interrupted.
"Of course we want you Shimmers! Let's go!" Confidence grabbing Shimmers by the paw which made Shimmers smile following them happily to the cloud car which was still floating in a still position. Shimmers got in the back with Sweet heaet buckling up followed by Loveheart and Confidence hopping into the cloud car as well. "Let's go!"
"Next stop, Carelot!" Loveheart bear said with a open smile looking back at Shimmers contently before turning forward as they ascended into the sky back to Carelot.
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Back in Carelot, all of the bears and cousins had just returned without any sign of Shimmers. Trueheart greatly disheartened at this as she tried to stop herself from crying. "Ohh Nobleheart, where could my Shimmers be?" She asked hugging him tightly as the horse consoled her.
"Look!" Lifeheart pointed up into the sky as sure enough there was Shimmers riding with the other three magi.
"Shimmers!" Trueheart said as she ran along with the others to him as Loveheart bear's cloud car landed about twenty five feet just in front of the hall of hearts. Shimmers unbuckled his seat belt, but Trueheart was the first to hug on him tightly around his neck before he could even say anything as he hugged her back tightly smiling happily as she cried with joy nuzzling his cheek then looking at him closely in the face. "Please, don't ever run away again. Your part of this family and always will be." She said as she nuzzled him and kissed him on the lips.
"Thanks Trueheart," Shimmers said. "But I came back because these three convinced me and not only that, we made up." Shimmers said smiling looking at the three proudly as Loveheart bear stood up and cleared his throat.
"Magi, carebears and cousins, I was wrong to treat Shimmers in the way I did," Loveheart said looking down in regret momentarily. Then his facial features hardened as he looked up and gave a determined look. "From now on he is one of us and is equal to us, and I expect all magis to treat him as if he was one of our own, is that clear?" Defiant heart and Anger heart wondered what happened but when they saw Loveheart not playing, quickly fell in line joining them up front to greet Shimmers. Lifeheart and Sage heart applaud this move and saw how proud they are of Loveheart.
"I never officially welcomed you to to the kindgom caring, is it okay if we start over?" Loveheart saids offering his hand to shimmers with a kind smile.
Shimmers grabbed his paw and shook it. "Of course Loveheart bear!" Shimmers said loud and clear as he hugged Loveheart bear which caused him to smile so everyone knew beyond a doubt they were all united as the crowd cheered, with Trueheart looking on happily. As the crowd grew silent, someone pointed at Shimmers darkened star on his tummy.
"Shimmers, what happened to your tummy symbol?" Tenderheart bear asked. Shimmers looked down and had forgotten about that as he looked down. Shimmers took a deep breath and looked Tenderheart bear in the eye.
"I casted a dark spell that Noheart had taught me," Shimmers said closing his eyes at the expected disapproval of his family as he heard the voices of concern around him before opening his eyes and continued. "It was a shielding spell so that not even Aqua bear and Lonesomeheart could ever find me when I had run off." Shimmers explained. "But I promise to never do that again. I'm one of you guy's now." Shimmers said with his voice wavering a bit as a shiver of fear went down his spine. Trueheart bear sighed but she approaced her cub.
"Its okay Shimmers, everyone makes mistakes, and you do promise to never do that again right?" Trueheart bear said smiling but holding a very serious tone to her voice.
"Yes, I promise Trueheart. Cross my warm heart." Shimmers said crossing his heart as everyone smiled and cheered at this.
"Good, and never run away again!" She said hugging him tightly as he hugged her back.
"I won't! I won't! I promise!" Shimmers said closing one eye and smiling happily and meaning it as Lifeheart and Sage Heart came from behind and rubbed Shimmers ears as he closed his eyes with a smiling open mouth. "Ohhh that feels good." Shimmers said enjoying that affection as Lifeheart and Sage heart giggled as he blushed from Lifeheart and Sage heart saying how cute his ears are with everyone now knowing he was all in now and they were truly united as one. After this was done, Lifeheart placed one paw on his shoulder.
"Shimmers, we would like to invite you over to a magi dinner tonight, can you attend? " Lifeheart asked sweetly to him.
"Magi dinner?" Anger heart said with his ears perking up. "No cause I have other plans tonight with Guidance Heart." He said protesting as his wife kicked him in the shin.
"We do not have other plans Anger heart." She said looking at him annoyed.
"Yeah he does, he forget but tonight is game night with me." Defiant heart said not really wanting to tend to this dinner either as Sage Heart frowned since he was getting quiet tired of these two sorry attitudes.
"I'll attend." Passion Heart spoke openly. "Its only proper since your part of this family now Shimmers."
"Thank you Passion." Redemptionheart bear said nuzzling noses with him as he smiled and giggled.
"Well I won't, I have other plans!" Defiant heart said crossing his arms.
"ENOUGH!" Loveheart said sharply as Shimmers shuttered remembering for a moment how he had yelled at him. Loveheart noticed this and quickly turned to Shimmers. "Sorry Shimmers, not you, your good. Relax." He said smiling at him showing him this wasn't directed towards him as Shimmers calmed down and couldn't help but smile back at him as he just melted at the green bear's smile. Then Loveheart turned his attention to these two with a serious look as Confidence stepped beside him. "You two will attend and welcome our guest of honor and cancel your game night plans. This is very important, and ALL MAGI will attend." Loveheart shouted. "Otherwise anyone who doesn't attend, will get these placed on them for as long as I see fit." Loveheart said smirking as he showed them the same harnesses that were kept on Sweet Heart and Confidence.
"I am still not attending." Defiant said crossing his arms and about to turn away from Loveheart. Anger heart quickly changed his tune.
"Okay okay I'll go!" Anger Heart said as Confidence flew in front of Defiant.
"Where do you think your going Defiant?" Confidence said crossing her arms and narrowing her eyes at the badger.
"I was just." Defiant heart stammered.
"Your not going anywhere." Loveheart bear said. "Your going to tend to this dinner tonight or I swear I'll." Loveheart's lightning started dancing around his body as Confidence picked up a metal weight with her two tails and snapped it in half which made the badger shutter.
"Okay okay, I'll attend." He said not wanting any further trouble.
"That's more like it," Loveheart said as the lightning disappeared from his body as he turned towards Shimmers who was giggling at this. "Shimmers, go get ready for the dinner tonight please, I'll swing by to walk you there later." He said very nicely to him as Shimmers nodded and turned being followed by Trueheart holding his paw as they disappeared. Defiant Heart walked over to Anger heart fox.
"Have you noticed that?" Defiant heart said.
"Notice what?" Anger heart inquired.
"How.. protective and nice he is being to Shimmers?" Defiant heart said.
"Yeah overly nice if you ask me." Anger Heart said in a curious manner.
"Yeah almost as if he likes Shimmers or something." Defiant heart smirked in a teasing tone as Loveheart turned towards the badger and got face to face with him over hearing this conversation.
"Yes I do like Shimmers, unlike you two he's really nice, you have a problem with that?" Loveheart said narrowing his eyes at him.
"No, no problem at all." Defiant heart said raising his paws up in surrender.
"Good. Now go get ready and DON'T BE LATE!" He shouted as the two ran off quickly to get ready. Sage Heart bear and Lifeheart stood next to Loveheart as he did that.
"Thanks Loveheart for giving Shimmers a chance." Lifeheart said.
"Yeah were so proud of you." Sage Heart said. Loveheart turned his head towards them.
"It was my pleasure, especially after all how we treated him, I feel we owe this to him." He said almost regretfully.
"Now now, none of that Loveheart bear, Shimmers is happy and he doesnt want to see you sad, now go get ready. We have to get the house ready for our special guest." Life heart said as they all dispersed to get ready for the dinner party.
-----------------------------------------
Shimmers was looking into his closet along with Trueheart bear trying to find something nice and dinner appropiate for him to wear. Shimmers found some dark brown shorts, tan moccasins, dark brown dress socks, and a nice black button up shirt. "Now try these on Shimmers." Trueheart said as she handed them over the items to Shimmers as he was in his bedroom with Trueheart as she placed the shirt around him with his arms stretched out. He grabbed his tan shorts and placed them on along with his socks and shoes. He went to the bathroom and looked astonished.
"I, I look cute." Shimmers said blushing not realizing how good he looked in this till now in his new form.
"Yeah you do my handsome cub." She said rubbing his shoulders with Shimmers smiling.
"Thank you Trueheart for helping me. This is really nice." He said appreciating this.
"Anything for my handsome cub." She said nose nuzzling his cheek as Shimmers closed one eye smiling as the doorbell rang.
"Oh, that must be Loveheart bear." Trueheart said as she answered the door it indeed was.
"Hi Trueheart, I just came to pick up Shimmers." Loveheart bear said waving at her.
"Okay, Shimmers Loveheart is here for you." Trueheart said. Shimmers then appeared at the door and saw Loveheart bear in a black tuxedo, black slacks with his bare green feet. Shimmers eyed him up and down momentarily.
"Hi Shimmers, whoa, you look good." Loveheart bear said eyeing him up and down with a smile which made Shimmers smile and blush.
"You look adorable in that to." Shimmers said as Loveheart bear blushed a bit but smiled at him too.
"Okay you ready to go?" He asked kindly.
"Yes, let's go." Shimmers said as Loveheart offered his paw in friendship and Shimmers took it and began to walk Shimmers to his parents house.
"Goodbye Shimmers, have a nice dinner." Trueheart said kindly to him as Shimmers waived to her as she went back inside Shimmers house to clean up. Shimmers noticed that Loveheart's paw was just as welcoming as Trueheart's. He was a bit shocked by this since he expected a leader's paw to be a bit more rough but he enjoyed holding paws with Loveheart all the same.
As they disappeared into the distance now alone, Loveheart gazed at Shimmers. "You have a very special bond with Trueheart don't you? It was very obvious the moment she asked you to be part of the carebear family." Loveheart bear said.
"Yes, she has been so sweet to me. She taught me how to walk, and made me feel welcome here." Shimmers said being careful on what he would say.
"Just a question though before your symbol went dark, were you able to use your carebear stare?" Loveheart asked.
"It would shimmer a few times, but no it never fired yet." Shimmers said looking down regrettably. Loveheart noticed this and quickly tried to change the subject but Shimmers spoke before he could. "Do you think it will ever return to what it was before Loveheart? I'm worried it won't ever turn back to normal since I casted that dark spell that Noheart had taught me." Shimmers said with fear in his voice. Loveheart shuddered slightly, for some reason, he couldn't stand when Shimmers doubted himself so he stopped walking and placed a reassuring paw on his shoulder.
"I know it will Shimmers," Loveheart bear said kindly looking into his eyes. "You have a very kind heart and that will overcome any darkness that stupid spell did to your tummy symbol." Shimmers smiled back while blushing on his cheeks a bright red.
"You you think I am kind?" Shimmers inquired smiling at him.
"Yes, and your my guest of honor. Now I don't want to hear anymore talk of you feeling sad, I want you to enjoy this dinner with my family." Loveheart bear said smiling at him.
"Okay Loveheart." Shimmers said as the two continued to walk and now were in front of his parents house. Loveheart knocked on the door standing next to Shimmers. It wasn't long as Confidence answered. She had on a beautiful pink dress, and had her hair tied back with a purple bow tie and wore some nice white dres shoes.
"Oh hey you two, come on in." Confidence said as Loveheart gently grabbed Shimmers paw and walked him in slowly. When they entered, they saw the living room all decked out in blue and purple party decorative streams on the walls.
"Wow, who set this up?" Shimmers asked impressed.
"Not to brag, but I did." Sweetheart said pointing to herself. She had on a white skirt and red pokadot red hearts evenly spaced around it. "Do you like it?" She asked kindly.
"Yes, it looks really good Sweetheart." Shimmers said kindly smiling at her which made her smile back.
"Thank you, oh come into the kitchen, the food is about to be served." She said walking into the kitchen with Loveheart and Shimmers following from behind, When they entered here, they saw the kitchen in pink and bright white attire on the walls and floor with Sage Heart's, and Lifeheart's tummy symbols aligned in the middle of the floor together, On top of the back door, there was a tummy symbol of all the magi there of there kids and there was one empty space. Shimmers was to shy to ask about why that was empty as Loveheart took him to the seat of honor which had his tummy symbol on the back of the brown chair.
"Have a seat Shimmers, make yourself at home here." Loveheart encouraged as Shimmers sat down looking around almost in awe.
"This is nice! I love how you guy's set this all up." Shimmers said already focusing on this special party which made Lifeheart and sageheart smile as they brought over prepared food on a silver covered tray.
"Were glad you like it Shimmers." Lifeheart said placing down the prepared food. "Sweetheart and Confidence set this all up just for your special dinner with us tonight." She said smiling,
"Aww, you guys didn't have to go all out like this." Shimmers said feeling slightly nervous being the center of attention.
"Why not? Your part of this family now and yes this is a very special occassion." Sage Heart said countering Shimmers as Anger, Defiant, Guidance, Passion, Redemptionheart bear all entered and took there respective seats as all were dressed in similar dress attire.
"Okay, now that everyone is here, lets eat." Lifeheart said as Passion and Redemptionheart held paws bowing there heads in prayer before beginning to eat as Loveheart was sitting right next to Shimmers. Shimmers ate his chicken wings, and mashed potatoes while Loveheart ate his chicken and stuffing.
"So Shimmers, can you share a little about yourself with us here?" Sage Heart inquired. "Possibly things about your child hood?"
Shimmers leaned back and gulped down some chicken as he drank down soom lemonade as he wiped his muzzle with a white napkin. "Well, I started a chess club in high school, and I went to Williams High School." Shimmers explained. "I also played basketball during my lunch periods usually by myself since most kids didn't care to play with me." Shimmers said.
"That sounds quiet lonely." Guidance said concerned.
"It was," Shimmers explained. "I wasn't the most social as a kid, but I did have a few close friends I am no longer in contact with from that time." He explained.
"Did you practice martial arts in high school?" Confidence asked curiously.
"No Confidence, I only learned all fighting forms after the death of my parents," Shimmers said placing his fork down looking down.
"Shimmers?" Guidance heart said looking at him concerned.
"This is the day his parents passed away." Sweet heart explained gently as this caught Defiant's and Anger Heart's attention.
"So how did they die again?" Defiant asked as Anger Heart hit his side. "Ouch, what did I do? I was just asking."
"Shimmers you dont have to answer that if you don't want to." Sage Heart said protectively as he bit into his steak.
"Its okay, its about time you all knew how that all went out and where I was at the time." Shimmers said as he looked up as he tried not to sob. "In that time, I was coming home from school riding the bus one day, and as I was walking home after I graduated high school, I could see smoke coming from the direction of my parents house so I ran towards it." Shimmers explained. "They were suppose to be there at my graduation, but they never showed up to it, and I quickly found out why." Shimmers said as his heart beat fast as he clinched his fist. "I ran so fast and hard, I was out of breath, by the time I got to my house. It was burning and I saw a firetruck there with them there hosing down the fire." Shimmers said turning away for a moment closing his eyes as if fighting back some bad memories. "After the fire was put out, I... I..." Shimmers said sniffling. "I identified my parents burnt bodies, a site that is seared into my memory to this day." Shimmers said sniffling as a tear dropped down from his eye down to his cheek as Loveheart bear looked at him concerned. "And this is the sameday they passed on from ten years ago." Shimmers explained as Defiant heart and Anger Heart were also sniffling as the guilt washed over them. "And the rest of the story you all already know." Shimmers said.
"Shimmers, I'm, I'm sorry for your loss." Defiant Heart said wth Anger Heart nodding. "It was wrong of us to mistreat you like we did."
"Yeah, can you ever forgive us?" Anger Heart said as a tear went down his eye. Shimmers looked them both in the eyes smiling.
"Of course I forgive you. Clean slate yeah?" Shimmers said as Sage heart raised a glass.
"Here here, I'll drink to that, to Shimmers and his new family." Sage heart said as everyone clanked glasses together and drank down half a glass of assorted drinks. After they were all done eating, everyone was talking happily with one another as Loveheart Passion, and Shimmers were laughing together as Passion explained how he met Redemptionheart bear and how they fell in love. Then after awhile they heard a spoon clanking against a glass cup to silence the room. It was Lifeheart as the room fell silent.
"Shimmers, we are here to officially welcome you to our family. You were welcomed into the carebear family, but we want to welcome you to our family and make you a magi officially like our son Loveheart." Lifeheart said smiling.
"Oh? how so?" Shimmers asked curiously.
"I have a gift for you," Lifeheart said walking over to him with a hand over his head. "May I?" She asked.
"You may." Shimmers said looking up at her hand as she placed it on his forehead as it began to glow as Shimmers felt a warm tingly sensation in his body.
"Wait mom, are you, making Shimmers like us?" Sweetheart said smiling. Lifeheart continued without answering as her horn glowed brightly blinding the room in a bright light as everyone closed there eyes momentarily till the light dispersed violently out of the room.
"Open your eyes Shimmers." Lifeheart enouraged as she lifted up her hand from his forehead. "Welcome to the family my child." She said happily as Loveheart looked amazed.
"Oh Shimmers, your forehead!" Loveheart bear said excitedly.
"What is it Loveheart?" Shimmers asked as SweetHeart stared out a portable mirror and handed it over to Shimmers pointing to the mirror. Shimmers looked into it and his jaw dropped.
"Ohhh my, I have a star on my head just like you and Sweetheart." Shimmers said touching it.
"Yes, this means that like us you can use unicorn magic and all the elements that come with it and to learn at your own pace." Lifeheart said smiling.
"Thank you Lifeheart. You have no idea how much this means to me." Shimmers said as a tear went down his cheek.
"Is this a party or what? Let's welcome Shimmers into the fold!" Confidence shouted as they all cheered and Shimmers smiled closing his eyes. Then suddenly, Shimmers symbol began to flicker then it glowed brightly.
"Whoa, hey my symbol? Could it be?" Shimmers said as he was hopeful rubbing his symbol as all the magi looked at it with his tummy symbol flickering and shimmering to life as the darkness around his three shaped star disappeared and it glowed brightly unleashing a beam of white energy as the beam came out and stood in front of the room still up above there head for all of them to see as his tummy symbol still glowed. Then as they stood in awe, the beam of light went towards the door and hit the empty space that had his symbol on it.
"Shimmers look!" Lifeheart pointed out as his tummy symbol stopped glowing and returned to its former glory with full color as the empty symbol, now made its mark with all the other tummy symbols with the all the other magis.
"Oh my," Shimmers said as he looked at it amazed as he saw his symbol placed there. "I,, my tummy symbol has been restored." Shimmers said excitedly smiling.
"Yes it has and not only that, just like Redeptionheart bear, you are now officially part of the magi family." Sage Heart said rubbing his shoulders smiling as Shimmers hugged him.
"Welcome to the magi family Shimmers!" Sweet heart said running up to him and hugged him tightly as Shimmers giggled and hugged her back tightly.
"Thank you, this was the best dinner invite I have ever had." Shimmers said joyfully. After another thirty minutes or so of them talking together with Shimmers happily, Loveheart escorts Shimmers home holding his paw as Shimmers is smiling happily as he walks him home along with Confidence also holding his other paw as Sweetheart walks with them. When they arrive at his home, Shimmers was skipping along happily as Loveheart bear was feeling good as well. Loveheart then turned to Shimmers as they arrived at his door.
"Here you go," Loveheart bear said. "I hope you had a great time, I know I did." Shimmers hugged him tightly as Loveheart didn't expect that and hugged him back.
"I did, thanks for doing this for me Loveheart bear." He said hugging the lime green bear tightly as Loveheart bear closed his eyes rubbing his back.
"You are most welcome." He said as they stopped hugging. Shimmers unlocked his door and went in as he waived them goodbye before closing his door as they were waiving him off smiling. Loveheart bear then heard his smartphone going off as he quickly picked it up and got an urgent message from Lifeheart with her head as the avatar and it read. "Loveheart I need to see you privately, please do not tell anyone about this, just swing by quickly. Its urgent." "I gotta go guys." Loveheart said as his smile left his face now worried.
"What is it big brother?" Sweetheart inquired.
"I can't say. I'll catch up with you two tomorrow, goodnight." Loveheart said smiling as he ran back towards the direction of his parents house as Confidence and Sweetheart waived him off.
Shimmers as he entered his house he got undressed and was humming to himself happily as he took a shower smiling thinking of Loveheart bear for some reason, his smile, his paws, that bear was just so cute and for some reason, he was having some nice thoughts about him as he kept smiling also remembering the sound of his voice running through his head and the kindness in his voice. "He's such a sweet bear." Shimmers said dreamily as he turned off the show as he blushed noticing something between his legs. "Oh, I can't have that." Shimmers said giggling as he dried off and hopped into bed and quickly faded to sleep.
