As the Cloud Car pulled up into the garage, Thief was waiting at the elevator.
“You guys came on time. I called the five that you guys saved.” Grumpy got out and went over to Thief.
“Good, it’s easier than having to wait. I hate having to do extra work when I shouldn’t have to.” Grumpy walked into the elevator with Share, Funshine, Good Luck and Bright Heart. Thief followed last as they headed up to the top floor. Grumpy felt something on his leg and looked down.
“Yay Grumpy! Dibble happy!” Grumpy looked surprised before seeing Thief’s small smile and sighed and picked Dibble up.
“You tagged along with Thief Heart to see me, Dibble? You’re such a smart little girl.” Grumpy tickled Dibble getting her to giggle as she hugged Grumpy. The elevator dinged as it opened at the watchtower. Tenderheart and Mend were talking to one another as Champ was sitting with Proud Heart Cat, Wonderheart, Harmony Bear, Cozy Heart Penguin and Grams, while Dibble went over to Hugs and Tugs as they played.
“The mission was a success, as the team has fully returned.” Thief walked out and sat down at the chair he was using.
“Oh Purrfect! I have a date with Loyal Heart later.” Proud Heart walked over to Funshine who set the five orbs out. She picked it up and got her color back and purred in happiness as she handed the next to one Cozy Heart.
“Ooohhh, It feels good to be back with my badge. Thank you all so much!” Cozy Heart hugged the gang before she and Proud headed out, Cozy to go take a swim. Harmony picked hers up and as she regained herself she smiled.
“Ah yes~ I’m back and ready~” Thief and Mend got the same expression and looked at Tenderheart.
“Yeah, she tends to get sing-songy when she talks. It’s just a quirk of hers.” Thief sighed, he wasn’t going to be ready for that just yet. Grams gently picked hers up and got her color back and hugged the group giving them each a forehead kiss. Grumpy looked away trying to hide his embarrassment as the other four had their small blushes with a smile. Grumpy couldn’t help but let a small smile out as he was looking away. Mend noticed and chuckled to themselves quietly. Grams gave Wonderheart her badge. Wonderheart quietly blinked and only took it when Grams told her to. Thief saw the others concerned.
“Out of the three cubs, Wonderheart’s the one who fell first. Hugs and Tugs kept being told stories but Wonderheart fell into Monotone. Just watch.” As Wonderheart’s badge glowed and returned to her, her eyes filled with vigor and life as she jumped off the couch.
“My badge is back! My color too! Hugs, Tugs, look!”
“Oh goody good! You’re not quiet anymore!”
“Yeah, it was kind of scary with you being so quiet Wonderheart.” Tugs moved his foot back and forth a bit. Wonderheart immediately hugged the two causing all three to fall off laughing in enjoyment. Funshine let out a sigh of relief as Tenderheart’s tense position loosened. Wonderheart got up and walked over to Thief and Mend.
“Um…What about Uncle Tenderheart…His is still there…When will his be saved…?” Wonderheart was holding her bunny plush. Thief frowned and got down onto a knee and put his paw on her shoulder.
“Look, Wonderheart. I’d love to give you a definitive answer but with how risky it’s getting and how when I did something reckless,” Thief glanced over at Bright Heart with an expression that showed he felt guilty about being so reckless. “I lost my badge, we have to be careful as we go in. I promise you, we’ll get his back, not a single Bear or Cousin will be left behind.”
“You promise, you’ll all save Uncle Tenderheart?”
“Yes, when is the question but we WILL save Tenderheart. Now I have one important mission for you. Keep Hugs and Tugs happy and don’t let them fall into Montone. Can you do that?” Wonderheart looked at Thief with determination as she nodded.
“They’re my best friends! I’ll make sure they don’t fall into it!” Wonderheart went over to them and Dibble as they started to play games. Tenderheart smiled and looked at Thief.
“You promise? No one left behind?”
“Yeah. We’ll get everyone’s badge back from Void Heart. Even if we have to leave one or two behind to retreat from a mission, we’ll get them all back. Now that we know the Stare can hold him back for a moment, we got a retreat option.”
“We just have to be careful. Can’t believe it’s already getting late. His castle will be ready when we’re all in bed and into lockdown mode. Well, it’s almost dinner. We’ll figure out the next mission group after dinner, and before bed. Fair?” Thief and Tenderheart nodded as everyone headed down, Grumpy and Tenderheart helping the cubs and Dibble clean up before heading down together. Champ pulled Bright Heart away during the walk and went behind a wall to talk in secret.
“Bright, we need to talk.”
“What is it, Champ? This seems urgent to you…”
“We need to take first watch tonight. I…At midnight I want to attack Void Heart’s castle. Solo.”
“Champ?! That’s suicidal! Why?”
“…For Thief. If I can find and get Thief’s badge back, then…Well it would make up for him losing it to get yours back, since I asked him. I just want to be even.” Bright frowned but hugged Champ.
“Alright, when True and Noble ask, we’ll raise our hands. You first, ok? When they ask for a second I’ll raise mine. Make it seem natural.” Champ nodded with Bright’s suggestion and kissed his forehead before both blushed and looked away.
“So um, to the Hall of Hearts, sports fan?”
“Y-Yeah. Sure.” The two rushed off, unbeknownst to them, Thief Heart was listening from the shadows. He sighed and began to plot as he stealthily made his way to the Hall of Hearts. He had an idea, but he’d have to get the pieces prepared in secret.
At the Hall, everyone was eating and chatting. Mend and Grumpy were chatting casually, while Grumpy was feeding Dibble. Thief and Swift were asking questions to better know the other. Eventually True tapped her glass’ side with the flat end of the knife.
“Alright everyone! We need to plan out the guards for the night.”
“I’ll take first watch, mom.” Champ raised his hand with calm demeanor. Thief silently watched as Bright Heart raised his after.
“I’ll watch with him. We work well together.”
“In that case, I’d like to take the second watch, if I may, True Heart.” Thief spoke up immediately. “I’m not much help without my badge. So if I can at least keep watch, I’d feel useful.”
“I’ll help him on second watch.” Swift Heart stood up quickly, their eyes filled with determination. Noble chuckled and looked at True.
“Seems we got a quick decision already, dear.”
“Yes, seems so. Alright Champ and Bright will start their watch at 10 PM and at 3 AM Thief and Swift will switch out with them.” Everyone mumbled in agreement about it. As everyone scattered to put their dishes away, Thief quietly had Wonderheart, Tugs, and Hugs follow him to a secret spot.
“What did you want, Thief Heart?” Tugs tilted his head in curiosity.
“How would you three like to assist me with something tonight?” The three looked at one another a bit confused. “Champ’s planning to do a solo mission at Void Heart’s tonight. I was going to secretly gather you three before Midnight, hide in the Cloud Car trunk and when Champ is inside, I’d lead the four of us to the area, but without being seen.”
“But how can we help? Wonderheart’s the only one with her badge, and it’s not too strong yet. Not like everyone else’s.” Hugs seemed worried. Tugs nodded and even Wonderheart agreed.
“Easy. By the point we’d be there you three will probably need a change, yes Wonderheart, Mend and Tenderheart told me about your night issues. So…Skateboard, angled correctly, becomes a catapult. If done right, it could distract Void Heart for a moment while Champ steals the badge back. After that, we’d escape before being seen and hide once again. I’ll make sure to bring a spare for you three. We just can’t say anything. Deal?” The three looked but all shook Thief’s paw in agreement. They went back to the main area as if they never even disappeared and Thief blended back in as well. This plan was going to be the difference between success or failure, and Thief was hoping it was the former.
