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Chapter 20: Life and Love

Aurora was dozing while White Fang was out with Starfang for the day, until she was roused by a voice from outside.

"Aurora, are you in there?"

Aurora raised her head then shook it as she heard the voice again.

"Aurora. If you're there, please answer."

"Emerald?" Aurora stood up, "Emerald is that you?"

"Sort of. Please come outside, I can't fit inside."

"Just a moment," Aurora got to her hooves and carefully pushed her way out of the igloo, "Please don't let this be a dream," Aurora pleaded under her breath. Once outside, Aurora found herself face to face with Sage Heart Bear and Life Heart Unicorn. She stared at Life Heart then down to her massively pregnant tummy, then back up to her face.

Life Heart smiled and spoke in the familiar voice, "Hello, Aurora. It's me, Emerald."

"Emerald? You're alive! And a Care Bear?" Aurora stepped closer to her and bowed her head forwards. Life Heart leaned forwards until their horns touched and a flood of memories exploded inside both of their minds.

A moment later, Aurora raised her head and set it on Life Heart's shoulder as tears began to stain her eyes, "It is you, Emerald, you're alive."

Life Heart hugged Aurora's long neck, "I am, Aurora. I'm sorry I didn't come sooner, I thought I was the last unicorn still alive."

Aurora finally pulled back and lay down in the snow in front of her, "So much has happened, you've changed a lot. I mean, you're a Care Bear now."

"Care Bear Magi, yes, and a mother soon to be three times over," Life Heart rubbed her tummy, "Here, meet my mate: Sage Heart Bear."

Sage Heart bowed respectfully to Aurora then straightened up and turned to Life Heart, "Mind introducing me, Emerald?"

Life Heart giggled, "Sage Heart, this is Aurora. We were friends centuries ago."

Aurora bowed towards Sage Heart, "It's nice to meet you Sage Heart. Can I assume you are Love Heart's parents?"

Life Heart nodded, "We are."

"That explains a lot." Aurora leaned forwards and touched Life Heart's tummy with her horn, "I'm happy you've found someone who makes you happy, Emerald."

"I hear you did as well," Life Heart stroked her head. "Is he around."

Aurora pulled back and looked up and then smiled, "He will be in a moment."

As if summoned, White Fang and Starfang landed next to them. Starfang hid partially behind his father as White Fang gave the two Care Bears an odd look, "Hello. What brings you two here...Oi vey, is that a Care Bear Unicorn?"

Aurora smiled and stood up, "Fang, these are Love Heart's parents: Sage Heart Bear and my old friend, Emerald."

Life Heart smiled and did her best to bow despite her belly, "I'm called Life Heart Unicorn now nice to meet you, White Fang."

White Fang smiled, "Ah I remember you, but I'm not surprised you don't remember me, I was still young back then, ahh," White Fang got a wistful look in his eyes then shook his head, "What am I doing? Here meet our son, Starfang." He carefully ushered Starfang forwards.

Starfang gave a nervous smile; the young pegacorn's horn had finally started to grow in, only being a short stub at the moment, "H-hello."

"Oh my," Life Heart stepped forwards and reached out a hand, "I didn't think. He's really yours, Aurora?"

Starfang held still but he could feel a calm radiating from Life Heart and let her touch him.

Aurora nodded, "He is, the first Pegacorn but not the last if our apprentices continue their relationship."

White Fang snorted, "I would think so, they're only a year or two away from being mated, if Renegade ever gets off his tuchus and proposes."

"Yes, Love Heart told me about them, oof!" Life Heart suddenly winced and held her tummy.

Sage Heart had stood to the side, letting the old friends get reacquainted. When he heard Life Heart's little cry he was at her side in an instant. "Life Heart are you alright?"

"A contraction," Life Heart straightened up, "I think the babies are coming!"

Sage Heart quickly reacted to help his wife stand, "Can you make it back to Care-a-Lot?"

"I think so, Oooo!" Life Heart winced again then shook her head, "I don't think I have that long, these babies want out!"

"Then come inside, hurry!" Aurora moved into the igloo and cast a quick spell to temporarily enlarge the opening. Sage Heart helped Life Heart in as she gasped out, another contraction hitting fast.

White Fang and Starfang followed them in as Life Heart was laid back on a cloud bank Sage Heart conjured with his tummy symbol. "Do you know what you're doing, Sage Heart?" White Fang asked.

"I helped her deliver my son and daughter, I can handle this," he took a deep breath, "But I would appreciate some help."

OoOoO

"Wow! This place is huge!" Sweet Heart flapped her wings as she hovered in the sky over Pegasus Falls alongside her older brother, Love Heart.

Love Heart smiled, "Yeah and threre's a lot of different zones. Come on, I want to introduce you to Fauna and Blue." Love Heart motioned for Sweet Heart to follow him as he flew towards the royal caves off in the distance. Sweet Heart took a moment to stare out across the land then flew after him.

The siblings landed at the caves and Love Heart nodded to the guard. "Morning, Toadstool, are the Kingsire and Queendame at home?"

The guard nodded, "They are. Who's that?" Toadstool pointed a wing at Sweet Heart.

"I'm Sweet Heart Pegasus, hi!" she waved while she bounced on her hooves.

Love Heart smirked, "She's my little sister, I came to show her around."

Both guards stared as Love Heart and Sweet Heart headed into the cave. "How are they siblings?"

Toadstool shook his head, "Don't question it. It's already making my head spin."

Fauna and Blue were watching TV with their children, Arrow and Ruby, when Love Heart and Sweet Heart walked in. Fauna looked over her shoulder and grinned, "Hey, Love Heart, want to join us?"

"Sure." Love Heart walked around to sit on the second couch, something Blue and Fauna had added after visits from the Care Bears became more frequent.

Sweet Heart just stared around the living room of the royal caves. It was a large stone cavern, about the size of a high school gymnasium, but the stalactites and stalagmites had all been broken off and filed down to give everyone plenty of head room and it was lit by several magic lamps hanging from the ceiling and on the walls. In the middle of the chamber there was a huge blue area rug with Swift Heart Rabbit's and Grumpy Bear's symbols in patterns all over it and two couches seated near the edges, one made of green vinyl and an L-shaped one colored pale yellow where both Ruby and Arrow in their true pegasus foal forms were lying. In the middle of the rug there was a coffee table that doubled as a large storage chest where Fauna kept most of her DVD collection and against the far wall there was an entertainment center with a huge TV, about 50' in size, attached to a DVD player and sound system all plugged into a generator nearby that hummed with magical energy. Three exits nearby led to a kitchen that wouldn't have looked out of place in a human's home on earth (complete with tiled floors and walls), a bathroom with an ajar door that also looked like it belonged in a house on earth and contrasting them was the large next room that was composed of what looked like a giant bird's next full of multicolored feathers. The first two rooms were each powered by their own magical generators.

Blue stood up and walked over to Sweet Heart. "Impressed? Fauna helped us completely remodel the place after we got married," He chuckled and knelt down in front of her, "Happy to see you're doing much better."

Sweet Heart shook herself from her trance and turned to Blue, "Why do you look like a human? I thought you were the Kingsire of the Pegasus."

"I can shapeshift, watch." Blue shifted into his true form which made Sweet Heart jump back.

"Whoa! How do you do that?" Sweet Heart asked.

"It's magic." Blue smiled, "So how are you feeling after you were rescued from the hunters?"

"Much better, thanks." Sweet Heart trotted around to sit next to Love Heart on the couch.

Fauna leaned back on the couch, "So, Love Heart, what's been going on the last few days?"

Love Heart leaned up against the armrest, "A lot. To start with let me introduce my little sister: Sweet Heart Pegasus..."

OoOoO

Two hours later Life Heart was still in labor. The latest contraction finally subsided as Life Heart felt the sweat coated her body and panted, "How much longer? I thought they were coming now."

Sage Heart checked, "You're getting there, about 9cm. Just a little longer."

Aurora checked her with a spell, "You're doing well, Emerald. One seems to be fighting to get out."

Life Heart nodded, "I thought I'd be used to this after two, but twins," she took a deep breath, "I can do this."

"What's going on, dad?" Starfang peaked into the room where Life Heart lay on the bed of conjured clouds.

"She's giving birth, Starfang. If you want to watch then just stay back and let mom and Sage Heart handle it." White Fang sat next to his son.

Starfang watched for a moment, then turned to look up at his father, "How does this work, I mean how does the baby even get inside her?"

"Oy vey," White Fang covered his face with a wing, "I hoped I could wait to explain the facts of life, but I guess there's no avoiding it now."

As White Fang began his explanation, Life Heart cried out in pain as another contraction hit. Sage Heart checked one more time and shouted, "Now! push now!"

Starfang kept shifting his gaze between his father and Life Heart, until he was the first head emerged at which point he started to feel ill and turned away. White Fang just rolled his eyes and followed his son into their shared bedchamber. "Not pleasant is it?"

"Gross," Starfang's tongue hung out as he shook his head.

White Fang put a reassuring wing around his son. "Life is gross sometimes but it's worth it. Let's just leave them to finish shall we?"

A few minutes later they heard the crying of two foals.

Sage Heart and Aurora each took one of the newborns to bathe in hot water, cleaning off all the unpleasantness that came with birth then wrapped them in blankets.

"Two unicorns, a boy and a girl," Aurora carefully levitated the dark pink male unicorn Care Bear over to Life Heart, who carefully took hold of him. Sage Heart sat down next to Life Heart, holding the powder blue girl unicorn care bear in his hands. Both looked very much like their mother, save for their horns being short and stubby instead of long and pointed like her own.

Life Heart smiled, "Thank you, both of you," she gave Sage Heart a kiss.

Aurora sat down next to Life Heart, "Any ideas for names, Emerald?"

"Are we going to give them Care Bear names or Unicorn names," Sage Heart asked.

Life Heart looked up to Sage Heart, then to Aurora, then back down to her twin children. "I think we should give them Care Bear names, but," she smiled, "if we gave them unicorn names, and with my old name, I was thinking of Spinel and Zircon."

Sage Heart watched as the blue girl struggled with that little strength she had then down at his newborn son who was dozing peacefully. "I think we should call him Meek Heart Unicorn and her Wild Heart Unicorn."

Life Heart nodded and yawned, "Those sound lovely. Can you give them their tummy symbols, I need to sleep..." Life Heart's eyes closed and Aurora caught the newly named Wild Heart Unicorn then carefully transferred her to a small soft nest of downy feathers she'd conjured up during the labor.

"I like those names, just a moment." Sage Heart's tummy symbol lit up and fired off two bright comets of white light that settled on the newborns' tummies, white light that faded to reveal their tummy symbols: Wild Heart Unicorn had a heart with a lightning bolt through it and Meek Heart Unicorn's was a heart resting on a cloud.

OoOoO

Love Heart finally finished recounting the events of the previous two days and took a drink while the four pegasus digested the information.

Fauna was the first to speak, "Is No-Heart dead?"

Love Heart sighed, "I want to say yes. I went back after I was fixed up and I got a good night's sleep to find his body, but it was gone. I hope he just dissolved into nothing like Dusk Heart did, but I can't be sure."

Fauna groaned, "Great, so he might still be out there. I want to be mad at you but after all the shit that happened I guess I can't blame you for just wanting to get home and get some rest."

Love Heart stood up and stretched, "Speaking of home, I'm gonna go pick up my parents and head home."

"I'll stick around, I want to see more of the Falls," Sweet Heart stood up from the couch then literally flew past Love Heart.

"Have fun!" Love Heart waved after his sister, then turned back to Fauna, "almost forgot. Swift Heart's having her second kid soon so told me to ask you to stop by."

"Really?" Fauna was up on her feet in an instant, pulling her daughter Ruby and her son Arrow off the couch, "We gotta go pay them a visit!"

"Yeah, it'll be nice to get away." Blue shifted into his true Pegasus form as the five of them headed for the entrance.

"Won't the council throw a fit if you leave?" Love Heart remembered just how obtrusive the council had been during his three year stay in the Falls.

Fauna grinned and shook her head as she shifted into her true form, "Guess you didn't hear. We booted out all the old council members and started bringing in some new blood, to get us out of our slump and they're alright with us taking off to visit some places every now and then."

"Everyone was replaced, except White Fang as head shaman," Blue sighed, "When he calls the other shamans lazy and irresponsible failures he's not just being crotchety."

"Yeah, but he said my brother could take his place once he's fully trained," Fauna grinned, "I can't wait to hear how pissed Tonar gets when a 'half-breed' gets a spot on the council."

As they stepped outside, Love Heart turned to the northern region, "See ya later," he waved over his shoulder then took off into the sky not looking back to see where the royal family was going. He spotted what he thought was Sweet Heart hovering nearby but decided to just let her be. If she needed him she could contact him magically.

Love Heart landed outside White Fang's igloo and carefully ducked inside. "Mom? Dad? Are you..." Love Heart's words died on his lips as he saw the scene in front of him. Life Heart sleeping on a conjured cloud and two baby unicorn Care Bears sleeping in a nest of downy feathers.

Sage Heart held up a finger to his lips then beaconed Love Heart closer, "Say hello to your new baby brother and sister: Meek Heart Unicorn," he pointed to the dark pink male foal, "and Wild Heart Unicorn," he pointed to the pale blue female foal.

"Guess this was a bad time to visit," Love Heart sighed.

Sage Heart shook his head, "Not at all, being here was a huge help for both of us. We'll just wait here a couple days and bring them home for everyone to meet."

Love Heart nodded then crouched the nest. "Hey. I'm your big brother, Love Heart. I hope you two do well. I'll see you both at home." He stood up, "Sweet Heart decided to stay to look around, I'm gonna head home."

Sage Heart waved as his son slipped out of the igloo, then sat down next to the still asleep Life Heart.

OoOoO

"Sorry about the dust, I haven't been here in a while." Gentle Heart undid the lock on the front door of her old house and opened the door.

Sweet Heart darted in and immediately started coughing as the dust rose around her. She stepped out and shook herself off, "So I can live here?"

"If you want to. But why do you want to live alone when you're so young?" Gentle Heart looked at Sweet Heart. Despite her age, the pegasus was just as tall as she was.

Sweet Heart finished shaking the dust from her wings then huffed, "I spent 16 years trapped in a magical dome with my parents and they have two new babies now. I haven't had a good night's sleep in the week since they came home. Besides I know how Care Bears age and I'm older than all of Regal's kids even though I look younger."

"She just needs some time alone." Soulful Heart had come along mostly to keep Gentle Heart company while Bright Heart was busy on a caring mission. "And if she decides not to live alone she can always go home."

Sweet Heart grinned, "Thanks Soulful!" She grabbed his hand and shook it. Then her tummy symbol glowed.

Images flashed in Sweet Heart's mind: spiders, falling forever, and No-Heart's visage. She let go of Souful's hand and stumbled backwards, grabbing the door frame for support.

Gentle Heart was at her side in a moment, "Sweet Heart, are you alright?"

Sweet Heart shook her head, "I need to lie down for a bit."

"OK. Here I'll show you the bedroom." Gentle Heart guided Sweet Heart into the house.

Soulful watched them go for a moment then looked down at his hand. He had felt what could be best described as a spark of magic when she touched him, probably because of the young woman's ambient magic aura.

Gentle Heart returned a minute later, right as the upstairs window of her house opened and a blast of air fired out, along with a considerable collection of dust. "Oh my!" Gentle Heart and Soulful Heart looked up at the cloud that was thankfully not over their heads.

"She's efficient, I'll give her that." Soulful lowered his gaze as Gentle Heart shut the door.

"She just needs some rest."

Sweet Heart lay on the new clean bed and stared at the ceiling. What were those images? They felt like memories except they weren't her own. Sweet Heart sighed and closed her eyes, maybe now she could get some sleep.

Sweet Heart was awakened the following morning by a rapid banging on the front door of her new home. Though she was groggy, she got up and answered to find Zippy Heart Roadrunner standing there.

"Here you go, special delivery!" he handed her an envelope then took off.

Sweet Heart watched him go then shrugged and opened to find a card with Confidence Heart's and Love Heart's tummy symbols on the cover.

"You are cordially invited to the wedding of Love Heart Bear and Confidence Heart Fennec." Sweet Heart grinned then jumped up in the air and flapped her wings. "Woohoo! My big brother's getting married!"

OoOoO

At the moment, Take Care couldn't remember having a more stressful day. At 5 A.M. Guidance Heart come in just after her water broke, a week early but otherwise nothing to worry about. One hour later Swift Heart had come in also in the throes of labor.

It was nearly sundown when things finally calmed down. Take Care sat at her desk as she finished writing up the two birth certificates. Swift Heart had given birth to a blue girl bear she and Grumpy had named Tinker Bear while Guidance Heart's new son was a pink boy raccoon she and Anger had named Flair Heart Raccoon. Tinker's tummy symbol was a screwdriver and a wrench with a heart shaped claw and Flair Heart's symbol was a heart wearing a tricorn hat with a large red feather in it.

Get Well walked in and leaned on the desk, her longer hair now done up in a bun, "Long day, but they're all asleep at least."

Take Care managed a smile for the first time that day, "And healthy," she gave Get Well a somewhat sad look, "I'm gonna miss you."

"Hey, I'm not leaving till next week. You'll be fine, mom."

"I know. I've just gotten so used to you helping me around the hospital that I'm not sure I can handle going back to being alone again."

"You won't be alone mom, I'll be here." The voice had come from Cautious Heart Cat. Despite being a young adult she had developed a bad habit of eavesdropping around the house and she looked embarrassed as she entered the room. She walked up to Take Care and Get Well and looked up at them, "I know I can't do everything Get Well does but I can help."

Take Care felt her heart melt and pulled her daughters into a big hug with a huge smiled on her face, "I don't deserve you two some days. Thank you."

OoOoO

Patient Heart "Pace" Liger loaded his second suitcase into the back of the cloud car then stood back. He was dressed in a loose fitting green t-shirt and black shorts, the only pieces of clothing that he hadn't packed up for school.

"Ready to go?" Get Well walked up, her hair now done up in a loose ponytail and wearing an open jean jacket over a white t-shirt and a blue pleated skirt. She was dragging a large suitcase behind her and had a large duffle bag under her arm.

Pace gave her an odd look, "Why are you dressed like Cheer Bear from her old 'teenage phase'?"

Get Well looked down then back up at Pace, "I was half asleep when I put this on, besides I think it's a good college look. Did you say your goodbyes?"

Pace looked back at his family house for a moment, "Yeah, everyone stopped me to say goodbye and wish me luck. Soulful and Justin came over too. I just haven't seen Hugs today."

Get Well tossed her bags into the backseat of the car then sighed, "Me either. Maybe she slept in, or maybe she doesn't want to say goodbye." She shook her head then tried to smile.

"WAIT FOR ME!" Both Pace and Get Well turned to the voice only to be grabbed in a tight hug by Hugs Bear, which almost knocked them both over.

"Sorry! Slept in," She grinned, "I couldn't just let my two best friends leave without saying goodbye."

"Ack! Alright let me stand!" Get Well was about to topple over before Hugs let go.

As soon as Get Well and Pace were steady on their feet again, Hugs grabbed them both in another, more stable, hug. "I'm gonna miss you guys."

"We'll miss you too," Pace hugged back with his left arm and Get Well did the same with her right.

"We'll try to email, but we're going into pretty intense programs so we might not have time." Get well said.

"I know, Grams told me that college is a lot of work. Don't worry, I'll tell you everything that happens while you're gone." Hugs gave Get Well a kiss on the cheek, then turned and did the same to Pace, who blushed, before she released them. Hugs waved the whole time as Pace strapped into the passenger seat and Get Well took off then dove over the clouds down to Earth.

Get Well glanced sideways at her passenger as they dove below the cloud cover, Pace was still blushing. "You should have told her how you feel about her."

Pace shook his head, "No, not when were about to leave for so long. I mean what if she has feelings for someone else?"

Get Well rolled her eyes, "We're not leaving forever. We'll be back for Christmas and maybe spring break," she smiled, "Then again maybe we'll actually go on 'spring break' with the rest of the students."

"Maybe..." Pace sat back in his seat, "Are you scared?"

"About school?" Get Well kept her eyes focused forwards, "A little, it doesn't seem as bad as mom said it was when she went. Besides we'll be room-mates so at least we'll have each other to talk to if we don't make friends."

"I'm just happy they allow co-ed dorm rooms." Pace sighed then looked down as the college campus came into view.

Both Get Well and Pace were thankful that dissolving cloud cars meant they never had to pay for parking as they dragged their bags into their dorm room. It wasn't much: a bed on each side of the room, a single bathroom, a desk and dresser for each of them and a refrigerator and microwave to share. They'd had it explained to them that the dorm kitchen was open for all to use but they suspected they'd be living off instant and fast food for most of their time in college.

Get Well just dropped her bags on the floor and flung herself on the right side bed. "Well here we are. Class starts in three days. Are you ready?" She turned to watch as Pace stuffed his clothes in the dressed.

"Ready as I'll ever be. You?" Pace looked up after he shut the last drawer.

"I'm ready, guess we're gonna have to get used to wearing clothes all the time," she rolled her eyes, "The wonderful world of dress codes."

"Yeah," Pace sat on his bed. "It's strange just being here on earth long term. Longest I've done is a camp out with my family before."

"I've only been down here a few times, ever since I started helping mom in the hospital." Get Well rolled over and stared at the ceiling. "I'll get used to it."

Pace lay down on his bed, "Yeah. Me too."

OoOoO

Anger Heart knocked softly on the front door of Life Heart and Sage Heart's house. He stood, rocking back and forth on his feet until Life Heart answered.

"Hello, Anger Heart," she held a finger to her lips, "please be quiet, the twins are sleeping." Anger Heart nodded then followed Life Heart into the living room. Life Heart took a seat in the arm chair but Anger Heart remained standing. "Now then, you said you had something to talk to me about on the phone. Is something wrong?"

"Yeah." Anger Heart turned sideways and showed Life Heart the six tails that hung behind him.

Life Heart put a hand to her mouth, "Oh my! Six tails at your age...how old are you now?"

"I just turned 21." Anger Heart turned back to face her.

Life Heart smiled, "That's very impressive."

"IT'S...not..." Anger Heart had to hold back after shouting the first word. He and Life Heart waited for a minute to make sure Meek Heart and Wild Heart were still asleep before he continued.

"The first time my tail split was a surprise, I didn't even know kitsune were a thing until then. Once the pain started again I started doing as much magic as I could to force y third tails out. The fourth..." Anger Heart sighed and took a seat on the couch, sitting sideways so his tails didn't get in the way, "A couple years ago Guidance Heart and I were captured and taken to a laboratory where they experimented on us," Anger heart dropped his head into his hands, "I...don't want to remember what they did to us in there, but one day they were going....they were going to..." Anger Heart started to choke up but finally forced the words out, "They were going to stick me with something that would have killed me and...and Guidance she...she took my place...Oh god I thought they killed her!" He was crying openly now, not caring it his sobs awakened the twins, "I was so angry...I couldn't hold it in and I...exploded! I created an massive eruption of fire and burned everything to the ground! I killed them...all of them because I couldn't...I counldn't handle it!" Anger Heart cried finally overwhelmed and he fell sideways, sobbing brokenly into the couch.

Other cries mingled with Anger Heart's own, announcing that the twins had woken up. Life Heart excused herself and let Anger Heart get it out while she calmed her new son and daughter. Life Heart returned a minute later with Meek in her right arm and Wild in her left, both clung to her and nursed as she sat back down across from Anger Heart. The fox's wild sobs having given way to mild sniffs as he sat back up.

Anger Heart stared at his feet, he hadn't even registered that Life Heart had left the room let alone when she returned with the infants latched onto her as he continued. "I barely remember what happened other than the blue fire everywhere but when I finally came to I had four tails. I tried to forget the incident and even held back on magic training for a while. And then a year ago I got the same tail-splitting pain again and without even trying I had my fifth tail, and this..." he pulled what he guessed was his sixth tail out from behind him, "two days ago the same thing happened and now I have six. I can feel the power growing inside me and I can't stop it! Why is this happening!"

"Shhhh!" Life Heart shushed him, partly for reassurance and partly not to upset her foals. "I think I know what happened. Just give me a moment." The twins were done feeding so Life Heart carefully burped the both of them over her shoulder and put them back down to sleep before she returned.

Life Heart took a seat next to Anger Heart, "Just let me magically scan you, OK?" Anger Heart nodded and Life Heart's horn lit up as a field of green magic swept over his body. Life Heart smiled, "I didn't think I would get to say this, but what you had was called a 'Kyubi Awakening' and you are a nascent Kyubi."

Anger Heart looked up at her, "Nascent what?"

"Kyubi no Kitsune, or nine-tailed fox. Kyubi are the most powerful of all Kitsune but they are very rare. It takes normal foxes over a thousand years to reach that level of power but every so often a nascent Kyubi is born, one with the potential to rise to that level much more quickly, often less than 300 years, unless they trigger a Kyubi awakening." Life Heart took his face in her hands to look at him, "An awakening is triggered when a nascent Kyubi's emotions overload in an extreme manner coupled with all the magical knowledge they have gained up to that point. It literally erupts as a fountain of magic and from that point on their progress towards their ascension accelerates, until they reach the threshold of eight tails."

Anger Heart pulled back from Life Heart, "And then what?"

"Then a similar event needs to occur. The ninth tail isn't just another rung on the ladder, it is an apotheosis of magic and form and it can't just be grown in to, one needs to meditate or trigger that ascension." Life Heart reached out for Anger Heart but he shrank away.

"So it's going to happen again?" He stared at his hands which he then clenched into fists, "I'm going to lose control and explode. What if it happens here? What if I burn up everything around me?" He looked up to Life Heart, who had a look of concern of her face, "Can you teach me to control this?"

Life Heart withdrew her hand and shook her head, "I've known Kitsune before but our magic isn't quite the same. I can give you some basic lessons on how to bring out that magic but you'll have to learn how to use it on your own. Just remember, Kitsune magic specializes in transformation and illusion."

Anger Heart nodded, "I will." Then he whispered to himself, "I'll never let that happen."

OoOoO

Brave Heart Lion was having an internal panic attack. Shortly after they had gotten married Feral Heart Tigress revealed that she was pregnant and neither of the could have been happier, even if it had happened before the wedding no one seemed to mind. At first things were going just fine, but then Feral Heart went into premature labor. Ten days premature.

For a human or a Care Bear Magi, 10 days would be a minor inconvenience at best but for normal care bears that was the equivalent of being a whole month premature and Feral Heart wasn't helping matters as she lay on the hospital bed.

"No. Nono nono no! It's too soon!" She was crying even though she was between contractions, "Not again."

"Feral, sweetie, talk to me please." Brave Heart took her hand in his own. It suddenly seemed so small in his own.

Feral turned her red-rimmed tearstained eyes towards her husband and mate, "I can't lose another one, not now. I'm too early just like before."

Brave Heart did what he did best and put on a brave face for someone looking to him for love and support. He thumped his chest with one hand, "I promise you, Feral, this won't be like last time. That was in the wild and here you have one of the best doctors around. She helped Regs deliver five kids so she can handle this, right?" He turned to face Take Care, who was monitoring Feral's progress.

Take Care looked up, "I can, but it's going to be rough so please work with me."

Feral didn't have any time to respond as another contraction hit and Take Care ordered her to push. Brave Heart stayed at Feral's side even as she voiced her worries, taking her vice-like grips in stride, though he was able to endure the pain for her sake.

"It's a boy." Take Care stated matter-of-factly. She didn't even pause in her motions once the umbilical cord was cut, taking the newborn liger cub to be cleaned and taken care of.

"Can I see him?" Brave Heart approached Take Care.

"Not now, I need to make sure he's healthy." She looked over at Brave Heart, his pitiful face reminding her of how he'd looked as a cub. She did her best to give a reassuring smile, "I promise I'll do everything in my power to make sure he lives, now go sit with Feral until I'm finished."

Brave Heart nodded and took a seat next to Feral Heart's bed. "How are you feeling?"

"It hurts." Feral was still crying.

"Any ideas for a name?" Brave Heart squeezed her hand.

Feral turned her head away from her husband and pulled her hand away, "What's the point? He's just going to die like the rest."

"Don't say that!" Brave Heart's shout startled Feral as he darted around to her face, "He'll pull through and so will we. Now can you help me think of a name, please?"

Feral had to force herself to smile then reached out and touched Brave Heart's tummy symbol, "Royal," she mumbled.

Brave Heart smiled and took her hand in his own, "Alright, Royal Heart Liger it is."

It was three hours later when Take Care finally delivered the news. "Your son is going to live, but he's going to have to remain here in in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for at least a few days." Take Care pointed to what looked like a cylinder where the newly named Royal Heart Liger lay with several tubes attached to his body. Royal Heart was Sea-green with black stripes and a lion's tuft on his tail; his mane hadn't grown in yet, possibly another side effect of his premature birth. "His lungs aren't fully formed yet but as long as he stays here under observation he should be fine to go home in about week or so. I'm not sure how our aging process works on premature cubs."

Feral finally gave a genuine smile, "Yes, thank you Take Care." Before anyone could respond, Feral Heart was out like a light.

Brave Heart turned to look at his now sleeping wife, "Poor Feral, but at least she's letting herself sleep now."

Take Care nodded, "She should stay here until Royal's ready to leave. I should warn you that I don't know if this is going to be a recurring problem yet. If you have any more cubs we might have this same scare all over again. Are you doing alright?"

Brave Heart nodded, "Better now, but I do have a lot to think about. Can I stick around until they can come home with me?"

Take Care sighed, "I had a couple guest rooms set up when I renovated this place into a hospital for this kind of situation. You can stay there until you're ready to go home but I'm not cooking for you."

"Thanks Take Care," Brave Heart suddenly hugged her, which took the doctor by surprise.

Take Care gently pushed him off. "Cautious Heart can show you to your room. Excuse me but I need to write up the report for this."

It was three weeks later that Take Care finally cleared Royal Heart and his parents to go home. She could have released them a week earlier but she wanted to make certain that Royal Heart was in good health before he was discharged. Feral Heart cradled the sea-green cub in her arms the entire ride home, with Brave Heart driving low and slow lest he wake his son. In the last three weeks, Royal Heart had grown a mane much like his father had when he was a cub, albeit not as thick as Brave Heart's but thicker than Chance or Pace's had been.

Brave Heart opened the door for Feral and even undid her seatbelt as she refused to let her son go until they were inside and he was laid inside his crib. Both parents stared down as the sleeping liger and smiled.

"He's beautiful, Feral," Brave Heart put and arm around her shoulders.

Feral Heart reached down and stroked his tiny head, "He is. Wait..." She traced down to his tummy, which was still blank, "We never gave him a tummy symbol."

"Here, let me. It's the least I can do." Brave Heart's tummy symbol glowed and fired off a pale white beam onto Royal Heart's tummy. Royal Heart fussed slightly at the sudden tickle and warmth but settled down when his symbol appeared: a heart with a gold scepter topped with a blue jewel running from the upper right to the lower left.

"Thank you," Feral Heart gave Brave Heart a kiss, "My first real cub. I promise I'll keep you safe."

"He doesn't have to be our only cub."

Feral Heart giggled and rested her head on Brave Heart's shoulder, "Maybe, but let's wait until he grows up a bit."

OoOoO Part 2

"Sorry I'm late, needed to help out with Royal Heart," Brave Heart was panting as he stepped through the door to Harmony Bear's house. Anger Heart Fox and Guidance Heart Raccoon were already there, tuning their instruments.

Harmony Bear looked up from the sheet music she was organising, "Well you're here, so let's get to rehearsal."

Guidance Heart got up and walked over to where her son, Flair Heart Raccoon, sat in a swing that Anger Heart had assembled. "Hey there, don't worry mommy and daddy are just going to play some music, OK?" but Flair was asleep.

"Why didn't you ask Grams to babysit, or anyone else?" Harmony asked.

"Grams is busy getting everyone's clothes ready with Cheer and Love-a-Lot, and Funshine and Playful Heart are decorating." Anger Heart was about to snap his fingers, but stopped himself, "And I have to go help Treat Heart bake the cake later. This wedding prep is getting insane."

"Well go complain to Confidence Heart, or better yet finish tuning and we can get started." Harmony set the music up in front of her keyboard.

"Just remember we have to practise quietly today. I'll find someone to watch Flair for our dress rehearsal, I promise." Guidance picked up a bass guitar.

OoOoO

Preparations for their wedding raced along once Confidence Heart hit her last month of pregnancy. Some people suggested waiting until after the baby was born until they had the wedding but that was quickly shot down by the actual parents in the family pointing out that there would be no time for such plans once a baby had arrived. Confidence Heart did her best to try and keep in shape, dialing it back as she progressed before finally giving up on her exercise when she hit her 36th week.

Confidence Heart Fennec was awakened by her kid's movements and she grumbled and tried to go back to sleep, but the kid's motions forced her to get up and lumbered over to the bathroom. "Damn kid sitting on my bladder," she mumbled to herself as she shut the door behind her.

Love Heart was seated at the table behind a small pile of waffles and plates of scrambled eggs and bacon. Confidence Heart staggered in, obviously trying and failing to run as she dropped into the chair and started loading up her plate. Love Heart just rolled his eyes and finished off his own plate. "Good morning."

"Monin," Confidence said through a mouthful of food.

Love Heart took his dishes to the sink, "So what are the plans today?"

Confidence swallowed and paused to think for a moment, "Well...the rehearsal was yesterday, so...right! I have to get my final dress fitting today now that the kid's stopped growing." She patted her huge belly somewhat harshly.

"Right to the 11th hour." Love Heart walked over to Confidence and gave her a kiss before she resumed her eating frenzy, "I'm meeting up with Indy, Brave Heart and Defender for my bachelor party."

Confidence sniggered then swallowed again, "Take it easy then. Don't tip them too much."

Love Heart blushed, "Not like that! we're having a movie and board games night like we did when we were kids..." Love Heart paused then shook his head as a memory of Flash Heart appeared in his mind's eye. But he pushed them away and smiled, "Have fun at your fitting."

"I'll try, but they girls have been hinting that it's a trifecta: dress fitting, bachelorette party and baby shower every time I see them." Confidence groaned, "If I miss the wedding the day after tomorrow it's because I've been dragged into their hell."

"I thought you liked girly stuff."

"I have my limits, and Cheer and Love-a-Lot are it."

OoOoO

"I'm telling you it should had been white." Cheer scrutinised the dress that Grams fixing up around Confidence as she stood on a podium.

"Yeah, even if I wasn't pregnant that would still be a no." Confidence's arms felt stiff being held out sideways as Grams finished fixing the dress.

"I think the blue compliments her fur perfectly," Love-a-Lot smirked, "Besides we're kinda pressed for time. We can't design and sew a whole new dress now."

"And there. We're done." Grams stepped back and they took in the dress.

The dress was pale blue with dark blue highlights, long gloves up to her shoulders and highlights down the sides. Confidence Heart looked down, only for her belly to block her way. Overall it was simple but well made. "Thank you, Grams. Now can you get me out of this thing, I don't need to wear it for a couple days."

"No problem." Cheer and Love-a-Lot were at her side in a moment and in what seemed like the space of a moment, they had her undressed.

Confidence Heart blinked then stared at them and the dress now on the mannequin, "What the? How did you two...?"

"Lots of practise, not let's get to your shower!" Love-a-Lot grinned as she and Cheer grabbed Confidence by her arms.

Knowing her fate was sealed, Confidence only put up a token resistance as they dragged her away. She had a feeling she was going to be repressing memories of this day for a long time to come.

OoOoO

Because Independent Bear was the only one among them still single, Love Heart opted to have his bachelor party at his house. Brave Heart and Defender Bear didn't object. At the moment they were all seated around Indy's dining table playing Settlers of Catan.

Defender scratched his head as he looked at his hand of 12 resource cards. "Still no bricks."

"Just build a development card or two, it's only a matter of time before someone rolls a seven." Love Heart tapped his hand on the table.

"I want to but I only have one sheep, ugg does anyone have any sheep they want to trade for wheat?" Defender looked around at the table.

Brave Heart pushed a couple cards in his hand upwards, "I could use some. Two wheat for one sheep?"

"I'll take it." Defender passed the two cards to Brave Heart and took his one, then set down six cards to pay for two development cards.

Indy smirked as he took the dice for his turn, "Brings back memories." He rolled a seven and Defender sighed in audible relief as Indy moved the bandit to a spot where Love Heart and Brave Heart's towns were. He took a card from Brave Heart, paid for a road and passed the dice to Love Heart

"Yeah." Love Heart sighed as he rolled the dice, a nine. "Flash Heart used to hoard bricks every time we played this as kids. Eventually we figured out a way around it. I wish he was still here."

Brave Heart lowered his cards, "Do you want to stop playing?"

Love Heart smirked, "Yeah right, you're only saying that because you're losing."

Brave Heart smirked back, "Don't count on it. Hey can you get some more chips?" he tapped the empty bowl.

Love Heart stood up and felt a tug on leg. He lifted it up to find a plastic ball and chain attached to his leg. "OK, how in the hell?" He looked back at the three.

Indy levitated his cards for a moment then caught them again. Love Heart scowled, "Really, Indy? You barely use your psionics and now you use it to pull a prank?" He easily undid the clasp from his leg and grabbed the bag of chips. "Confidence and I been living like a married couple for years now, why are we making such a production of this? We don't even care about the 'living in sin' thing humans seem to make a big deal about."

"Because it's fun, and we need some fun after all the drama lately," Brave Heart grabbed a chip from the bowl as Love Heart poured the in.

Love Heart nodded then looked down at his cards. "I guess. Hey mind if I duck out after this game before we start the movie? I have something I need to do."

"Alright, try to be back in ten minutes please," Indy said.

OoOoO

Love Heart flew to his house and grabbed a package Zippy had delivered early that day as he literally took off and flew through the Kingdom of Caring. He landed at the border between Care-a-Lot and the forest of feelings and unwrapped the package, a bouquet of poppies, which he set in front of Flash Heart Bear's gravestone.

"Hey Flash. I meant to drop by earlier but things have been crazy lately." Love Heart put a hand on the small spire of Flash Heart's gravestone, weaving his magic into the now very rough black bandana to repair the damage done to it by the elements. "Confidence and I are getting married in a couple days. I wish you could be here, I'd probably make you an usher though so you wouldn't have to dance with someone other than Harmony, maybe you could even play the music." Love Heart smile faded and he wiped some tears from his eyes. "I guess I forgot to tell you this but Dusk Heart's dead. I killed him. I guess I feel kinda satisfied but...yeah I don't know how else to feel. I just hope that you're at peace, wherever you are." Love Heart turned and walked back into the Forest of Feelings towards Indy's house.

OoOoO

Bright Heart was just getting into his suit when he heard a ding from the computer in his workshop. His bow-tie was still undone as he walked over and saw a message from his deep space transmitter array.

"Finally! Let's see..." Bright Heart opened the new mail from his deep space friend.

"Bright Heart Raccoon

_ _

"I have good news and bad news for you. The bad news is that war was erupted in the Lylat system and I am caught at the center of it. The details are difficult to discern but suffice it to say that things are rough at the best of times.

_ _

"The good news is that my hyperdrive has been a rousing success, though I admit that the faster inner-system travel might be responsible for the tensions that led to this war, though my avocations for such things are probably responsible. I may be able to visit you in a decade, if not sooner, assuming things don't go badly for me.

_ _

Your Friend: Andross"

"Bright Heart, we have to go!" Gentle Heart appeared at the door to his workshop.

Bright Heart hit the shut down option on his computer and turned to face her, "Sorry, I just got a message from my friend in outer space."

"Alright, tell me about it later." Gentle Heart stepped forwards and tied Bright Heart's bow tie, "We have to get going before I'm late."

"Alright. I never thought she'd choose you as a bride's maid, or is it matron?" Bright Heart scratched his chin.

"You would have if you joined the two of us and Guidance Heart for the anime marathons we had while Love Heart was gone." Gentle Heart smiled and turned once in place. "How do I look?"

Confidence Heart had thankfully not chosen to dress her bride's maids in ridiculously ugly dresses: no poofs, no frills, and no garish colors, just a simple sleeveless yellow dress with a ribbon belt that tied into a bow at in the back right above where her short tail poked out.

"You look beautiful," Bright Heart kissed her. "Are you going to dance with Defender Bear?"

"Only the first dance, then I'm all yours." Gentle Heart kissed him back, "Let's go before we re-enact our wedding night."

OoOoO

Sweet Heart Pegasus and Truth Bear were acting in dual roles as the ushers and the security for the wedding, standing outside the front door of the old Caring Castle which had been renovated and fixed up for the wedding. If any emergencies or attacks happened during the wedding it was their job to fly off and deal with it. Sweet Heart was wearing a simple pale green dress without a back, which made it more comfortable for her to wear with wings.

"Are you ready for this?" Truth turned sideways to look at Sweet Heart.

Sweet Heart pumped her fists up in front of her, "I'm ready for anything! Nothing is going to stop my brother's wedding!"

Truth smiled, "Good to see you're enthusiastic."

Love-a-Lot Bear stood at the altar, dressed up in a special pink dress she had designed for the occasion, something simpler than she usually preferred but with heart patterns up and down the sides. A pillow with the ring sat atop the altar and Love Heart stood just in front of it with his best man, Independent Bear, at his side.

Harmony was seated at her electronic keyboard and at the signal started playing the wedding march on the organ setting. Then the groomsmen entered with the bride's matrons (as they insisted on being called): Gentle Heart walked with Defender Bear while Guidance Heart walked with Brave Heart before they split off to stand to either side of the altar.

Finally, Confidence Heart walked down the aisle with her matron of honor, Swift Heart Rabbit.

"You didn't have to do this," Confidence whispered, low enough only she could hear.

"You don't have anyone to give you away, besides if you fall you need someone to catch you," Swift Heart smirked but also kept her voice too low for anyone else to hear it. Confidence Heart just rolled her eyes then smiled as she reached the altar, needing to stand back a fair bit to avoid knocking into anything.

Once the music stopped, Love-a-Lot began: "Dearly beloved, we are gathered together today to officially join Love Heart Bear and Confidence Heart Fennec in marriage, though at this point it's more of a formality." She glanced down at Confidence Heart's pregnant belly as a few snickers echoed through the audience but then returned to the matter at hand. "Now then would you two please recite your vows?"

Love Heart nodded, "Confidence Heart, you first came into my life at what I thought was the lowest point. I'd just lost my home and my father but you picked me up out of the dust and helped me carry through to the future. Even as we had to weather loss, separation and hardship you were still there for me and I feel like I don't appreciate you enough for everything you've done. You been by my side in battle and in life and there's nothing more I want than to show everyone how much I love you." Love Heart had teared up slightly and had to wipe his eyes on his black tuxedo's sleeve.

Confidence Heart spoke up, "Honestly, when we were kids I didn't think we'd get to this point. Back then you were just a fun guy who new magic and could teach it to me, but you became my friend and more. When I lost my brother and parents you kept me going, kept me living and kept me going even on the long restless nights on the run. When we came here I was so happy to find a place where we could just be together, even if we had to fight. When you left I felt lost, but I knew I would see you again so I kept going and I became stronger because of it. I honestly wanted to deck you when you came back but that was until I remembered everything we'd been through together and everything we were going to go through. This whole show here, this is because I want us to be more than just a couple, I want us to be together always."

"Alright then," Love-a-Lot raised her voice, "Love Heart Bear, do you take this Fennec Fox to be your wedded wife, for good and for ill, in sickness and in health for as long as you both shall live?"

Love Heart took Confidence's hands and squeezed softly, "I do."

"Good, Confidence Heart Fennec, do you take this Bear to be your wedded husband, for good and for ill, in sickness and in health for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do!" Confidence's shout made some of the assembly jump.

Love-a-Lot took the rings and handed them down to the couple, both simple silver wedding bands. Love Heart took the ring and slid it onto Confidence's finger right up to the engagement band and Confidence did the same for him.

Love-a-Lot raised her hands, "Now with the power invested in me by the Great Wishing Star, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss."

Love Heart and Confidence leaned in embraced and kissed to the wild applause of the Care Bear Family.

OoOoO

It didn't take long to set up for the reception, everyone pulled the chairs they had sat on during the ceremony to the side, pulled out the tables and set up for the meal. A small stage was set up off to the side where Harmony Bear's instruments were set up.

Love Heart Bear sat up at the head table with Confidence Heart Fennec on his right and Independent Bear on his left followed by Defender Bear and Brave Heart Lion. Swift Heart sat next to Confidence Heart followed by Gentle Heart with Guidance Heart on the end. Treat Heart and Anger Heart entered, pushing trays of food that they served to the assembly, including an extra large serving for Confidence Heart. Confidence was able to exercise her self-control as Indy stood up to deliver his best man toast.

"I've known Love Heart literally all my life. We grew up together with our father, Sage Heart, who we thought was dead until only a short time ago." He nodded towards where Sage Heart sat in attendance with Life Heart. "When we thought we were alone in the world, it was Love Heart who got me to try and find help for us despite my fears. And that's what led us to Confidence Heart. I don't wish to take full responsibility for us being here today, it was Love Heart and Confidence Heart who made their relationship work in ways I still can't understand. I've seen them fight together and live together through ups and downs and through joy," Indy took a deep breath, "And sorrow." He raised his glass of orange juice high but lowered his head, "Let's drink both to my brother and new sister-in-law, and to remember Flash Heart Bear, without whom we wouldn't be here either." The mood dampened somewhat, but no one objected to tempering the joy with somber sorrow and they drank before they all dug in.

In between gulps of food, water and juice, Confidence Heart looked over at a small table near the back and smiled. "Looks like the kids are having fun."

Love Heart looked up and smiled at the sight as well. In order to keep the wedding from getting derailed, and because they didn't have much of a taste for the fancier aspects of the wedding, Playful Heart Monkey and Funshine Bear had volunteered to watch all the infant Care Bears: Flair Heart Raccoon, Meek Heart Unicorn, Wild Heart Unicorn, Royal Heart Liger and Tinker Bear; they had dragged their "apprentices" Chance Heart Liger and Trickster Heart Hare along for the ride. It helped that such duties meant they didn't have to dress up for the occasion, why risk fancy clothing with kids and food?

Love Heart couldn't help but smile as Playful Heart made a goofy face which made the kids shriek with laughter, except for Wild Heart who tried to reach out for him with a scowl. Funshine deflected her attempts with a serving of applesauce. Love Heart turned back to his food.

Brave Heart and Guidance Heart finished their meals first and excused themselves to join Harmony Bear and Anger Heart on their little stage off to the side.

The meals were finished and once again everyone moved to rearrange the main room of the Caring Castle into a dance floor, with snack food and chairs off to the sides for those who wanted to take a break. Only the kids' table manned by the four pranksters of the Kingdom of Caring stayed set up. Love Heart and Confidence stood off to the side as everyone insisted they not have to work on their big day. Finally, the dance floor was ready as was the band. Everyone stood aside as Love Heart and Confidence Heart made their way to the center of the dance floor.

Harmony Bear tapped the microphone on her little stage and spoke up. "Alright Care Boys and Care Girls, the bride and groom have made requests to us for music we're going to play. We have four songs lined up for the first dances of the evening which the four of us will perform live for you."

"What's your band called?!" Trick shouted from across the hall.

"Magic Harmony now let us play!" Anger Heart shouted back.

"Thank you," Harmony nodded back to Anger Heart, who had taken up an acoustic guitar and stepped forwards with Guidance Heart. "The first song is a slow one that Love Heart and Confidence said really started their relationship, before everything turned upside down. Moon on the Water."

Anger Heart played a couple notes to test as he and Guidance stepped up to the microphones then played a single strum as Guidance Heart began.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5xZ-Qw9nE0

"Full moon sways

Gently in the night of one fine day

_ _

On my way

Looking for a moment with my dear

_ _

Full moon waves

Slowly on the surface of the lake "

_ _

You were there

Smiling in my arms for all those years

_ _

Then Anger Heart joined as their voices raised and Harmony joined them her keyboard. Except for the new married couple, everyone stared in awe as flashing purple and green balls of light appeared and floated in thin air over the stage.

_ _

"What a fool

I don't know 'bout tomorrow

What it's like to be

Ah...

_ _

I was sure

I could let myself go

Even though I feel

The end

_ _

Old love affair

Floating like a bird resting her wings

_ _

You were there

Smiling in my arms for all those years"

_ _

Love Heart and Confidence slow danced to the song, their heads rested on each other's shoulders even with her belly in the way.

"I still remember when you got me that DVD set of Beck, it was my twelfth birthday." Confidence whispered, her eyes closed.

Love Heart nodded gently, "Yeah. You hated it because you said it wasn't your thing."

"Then mom and dad told me I should appreciate the thought and I came back and apologized and we marathoned the whole thing that weekend. I think that's when I really started to fall in love with you." Confidence Heart smiled and pulled back, "You think Yukio and Maho will mind us stealing their song?"

"Nah, they'll understand." Love Heart smiled and they kissed as they kept up their slow dance as Brave Heart added his drum set into the song.

_ _

_ _

"What a fool

I don't know 'bout tomorrow

What it's like to be

Ah...

_ _

I was sure

I could let myself go

Even though I feel

The end

_ _

Full moon sways

Gently in the night of one fine day

_ _

You were there

Smiling in my arms for all those years

_ _

What a fool

I don't know 'bout tomorrow

What it's like to be

Ah...

_ _

I was sure

I could let myself go

Even though I feel

The end

_ _

Full moon sways

Gently in the night of one fine day

_ _

You were there

Smiling in my arms for all those years"

Most of those in attendance were teary eyed as the song finally finished, including the band. Even the children had gone silent as the song washed over them.

Brave Heart broke the spell as he tapped the cymbals on the drums. "That was beautiful but even if we are remembering good and sad times, I think we need some more energy in here." He nodded to the two as Anger Heart pulled up an electric guitar, Harmony twekaed her electric synthesizer piano while Guidance grabbed a base guitar. "This is Dragon Soul!"

The much faster rune got everyone up and dancing. Even Confidence Heart became livelier, her extra weight seeming to disappear as Anger Heart started the opening guitar riff, then he and Harmony both started singing and the glowing balls of light changed to orange and blue, dancing along with the rest of the assembly.

_ _

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Goqzyg6kfiw

_ _

"Don't stop, don't stop! We're in love now!

Don't stop there's so much to be found

We can find paradise

All we have have to do is go go, free your soul!

_ _

Mysteries abound,

In this world that we will see (that we will see)

Foes all around

But I will go fearless and free

_ _

I'll give you strength

You give me love, that's how we'll live (that's how we'll live)

My courage won't fade

If you're with me, my enemies can never win

_ _

We will fight for love and glory

We will live to tell the story

There is nothing we can't live through

Nothing ever dies, we will rise again!

_ _

Don't stop, don't stop! We're in luck now!

Don't stop, keep your spirit proud!

And ride upon the wind,

All we have to do is go!

_ _

Don't stop, don't stop! We're in love now!

Don't stop, there's so much to be found

We can find paradise

All we have have to do is go go, free your soul!

Dragon Soul!

_ _

Mysteries abound,

Made of a deep energy (energy)

Foes all around

But I will go fearless and free

_ _

I'll give you strength

You give me love, that's how we'll live (that's how we'll live)

My courage won't fade

If you're with me, my enemies will never win.

_ _

We will fight for love and glory

We will live to tell the story

There is nothing we can't live through

Nothing ever dies, we will rise again!

_ _

Don't stop, don't stop! We're in luck now!

Don't stop, keep your spirit proud!

And ride upon the wind,

All we have to do is go!

_ _

Don't stop, don't stop! We're in luck now!

Don't stop, there's so much to be found

We can find paradise

All we have have to do is go go, free your soul!

Dragon Soul!

_ _

Don't stop, don't stop! We're in luck now!

Don't stop, keep your spirit proud!

And ride upon the wind,

All we have to do is go!

_ _

Don't stop, don't stop! We're in luck now!

Don't stop, there's so much to be found

We can find paradise

All we have have to do is go go, free your soul!

_ _

Don't stop, don't stop! We're in luck now!

Don't stop, keep your spirit proud!

And ride upon the wind,

All we have to do is go!

_ _

Don't stop, don't stop! We're in love now!

Don't stop, there's so much to be found

We can find paradise

All we have have to do is go go, free your soul!

Dragon Soul!"

The dance floor had returned to life as the band took a short break before the next song.

Anger Heart only to swap his electric guitar for a different type for the next song and Harmony grabbed an acoustic gutiar. "Love Heart requested this song so it's his fault if you don't like it." The fox's words elicited several chuckles, "Alright," he strummed the guitar, "Let's See How Far We've Come!"

Brave Heart led them in and the balls of light changed to white and grey as they continued to dance along with the music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d7EbtLb8ok

"Hello?

Hello?

Hello?"

And then the drums and guitar started as Anger Heart sang.

"I'm waking up at the start of the end of the world,

But it's feeling just like every other morning before,

Now I wonder what my life is going to mean if it's gone,

The cars are moving like a half a mile an hour and I

started staring at the passengers who're waving goodbye

Can you tell me what was ever really special about me all this time?

_ _

But I believe the world is burning to the ground

Oh well, I guess we're gonna find out

Let's see how far we've come!

Let's see how far we've come!

Well I, believe, it all, is coming to an end

Oh well, I guess, we're gonna pretend,

Let's see how far we've come!

Let's see how far we've come!

_ _

The colored balls of light began to light up until they shined all the colors of the rainbow.

_ _

I think it turned ten o'clock but I don't really know

Then I can't remember caring for an hour or so

Started crying and I couldn't stop myself

I started running but there's no where to run to

I sat down on the street and took a look at myself

Said where you going man you know the world is headed for hell

Say your goodbyes if you've got someone you can say goodbye to!

_ _

I believe the world is burning to the ground

Oh well, I guess, we're gonna find out

Let's see how far we've come!

Let's see how far we've come!

_ _

Well I, believe, it all, is coming to an end

Oh well, I guess, we're gonna pretend,

Let's see how far we've come!

Let's see how far we've come!

_ _

It's gone gone, baby its all gone

There is no one on the corner and there's no one at home

It was cool cool, it was just all cool

Now it's over for me, and it's over for you

Well its gone gone, baby its all gone

There is no one on the corner and there's no one at home

Well it was cool cool, it was just all cool

Now it's over for me, and it's over for you

_ _

I believe the world is burning to the ground

Oh well, I guess we're gonna find out

Let's see how far we've come!

Let's see how far we've come!

_ _

Well I, believe, it all, is coming to an end

Oh well, I guess, we're gonna pretend,

Let's see how far we've come!

Let's see how far we've come!

_ _

Let's see how far we've come!

Let's see how far we've come!

Let's see how far we've come!

Let's see how far we've come!

Let's see how far we've come!

Let's see how far we've come!!!

Let's see how far we've come."

After two fast paced songs everyone was exhausted. This time Harmony Bear took center stage, dragging her keyboard to the forefront as everyone else stepped back for her as Guidance took Harmony's acoustic guitar from her and took up her own bass guitar again. "Alright everyone, just one last song, I promise it'll be real short. I still don't know how Confidence Heart found this song cover but here it is: New Moon."

Harmony started to play a simple melody on her keyboard. The balls of light changed to blue, pink and gold and shrunk at first but expanded and contracted as they danced along with the music again.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4N1FTgsU3HvKfmdUNZ7MVA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gN3bVnihRM

"Go forth and love! Your heart will know the way

Just like a flower blooms even though it wilts so soon

As long as you believe,

you can do anything

And your wish will come true

_ _

Through the tears I've shed, I see it clear

Although this world has broken me down and made me cry

Though there's sadness and pain,

there's a magic I'd never change

Please don't take it away

_ _

Oh! I know something will start tonight

The door to all our dreams is open wide

Once the day has waxed and waned away,

We'll begin again, start our parade,

A new moon!

_ _

Look to the sky tonight, for destiny is calling,

A sign in every shooting star

Ah!

My heart!

I wonder why it's pulling me to

Where

you are,

Gravity like I never knew

Now's the start of our

_ _

New moon!"

Then Anger Heart cut in with a heavy electric guitar solo that only settled down right before Harmony started to sing again.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUHhCm5-ynxX3e9H276i_TA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSTk7vSGa5I

"Go forth and love just like a flower would

Although its life is short still it blooms so beautifully

All that you want to be,

With this magic you'll see

I'll make reality

_ _

I can sense the fear within your eyes

That you can see this world is too good to be true

It brings tears to my eyes,

Just how perfect it all had seemed

I can't even smile

_ _

Something says tonight will bring a change

The premonition's knocking on my door

Waiting as the moonlight fades away

The parade will start, beginning with a

_ _

New Moon!

_ _

Among the shining sky lies everybody's future

Each one of us a shooting star

_ _

My

Heart beats

So full of passion as I feel your

Gra-vity

Has begun to pull me stronger

_ _

Everything starts now!

_ _

New Moon."

The glowing balls of light finally disappeared as the band set their instruments down, now thoroughly winded, to a thunderous applause. Love Heart and Confidence Heart went to get off their feet for a while as Harmony turned on the dance mix she had created for the rest of the dance reception.

Anger Heart was sweating more than he should have been, his six tails twitching agitatedly as he hurried into the kitchen to get away from everyone.

"Anger Heart, those lights were beautiful." Guidance Heart had followed Anger Heart and she gave her husband a kiss on the cheek. "Did Life Heart teach you that?"

Anger Heart shook his head, "I learned how to do that last week. It's called fox fire, not real fire just dancing colored lights kitsune use to distract or entertain people." He gulped then made sure they were alone before he spoke again, "I didn't do that on purpose. Those lights just came out as we started playing, I couldn't control it."

Guidance Heart saw the panic in his eyes and hugged him to calm him down, "Hey it's alright. No harm done and everyone loved it."

"I guess..." Anger Heart averted his gaze to the floor, "I promise I won't burn up everything around me."

Independent Bear took a step outside to relieve Sweet Heart and Truth Bear on guard duty. He took a deep breath of the early evening air and tried to relax, until he felt his left arm spasm as his hand half-clenched. He grabbed his left hand with his right hand. "Gotta keep it under control." He took a deep breath as the spasms stopped and he sighed. "Alright, Indy, you can do this." He made his way back inside and found Take Care seated at a side of the room. She was the only female there in a suit as she adamantly refused to wear a dress. Her eyes were on Cautious Heart who was carefully dancing nearby on her own.

Take Care turned as Indy sat down next to her, "Not going to dance?"

"Not alone, that and I'm too tired. You?" Indy turned to Take Care.

Take Care shook her head and took a drink from the water cup she held, "Not in the mood. I might have stayed home if Cautious Heart hadn't asked me to come."

"Too bad Pace and Get Well couldn't be here." Indy turned to watch the dance floor again.

Take Care nodded and finished off her drink. "Once Cautious gets tired I'm gonna head home. You?"

"I might head home when you do, if you don't mind the company."

Take Care smiled, "I wouldn't. Looks like Cautious is winding down."

The reception finally petered out and everyone began to disperse. Anger Heart, Guidance Heart, Sage Heart, Life Heart, Swift Heart, Grumpy, Brave Heart and Feral Heart picked up their now sleeping children and headed home, followed by Love Heart and Confidence Heart, who waved goodbye as everyone else started the clean up.

The sun was half-set as Love Heart found the cloud car with "JUST MARRIED" painted on a banner on the back. Confidence Heart lay her head on Love Heart's shoulder as he set the autopilot to drive them back to Care-a-Lot.

"That was beautiful." She chuckled and patted her pregnant tummy, "I was worried she'd want to come out in the middle of the reception, or the ceremony."

Love Heart chuckled, "Our life isn't that kind of bad comedy, but she'll be out soon enough."

"Not soon enough for me. At least I'll always be able to wear this dress." Confidence snickered, "I didn't mind being an 11thhour bride. Thank you for everything." She kissed Love Heart on the cheek.

"Thank you for everything," Love Heart parroted and kissed her back.

OoOoO

Take Care emerged from the maternity ward, having taken off her scrubs to meet Love Heart in the waiting room. Love Heart was in her face in an instant and almost babbling to her. "What's wrong? Is Confidence alright? Is the baby alright? Did you save them?"

Take Care fixed Love Heart with a glare, but his expression was unchanged as she spoke, "Come with me and I'll explain it to both of you."

Their baby girl, a purple fennec fox, was lying in a newborn's crib next to Confidence Heart's bed; the infant had the same birthmark as her father, an dark purple eight-pointed star on her forehead. Part of Confidence Heart's belly had been shaved and stitched back up and she had a look of exhaustion and fear on her face, one that Love Heart mirrored.

Take Care stood aside and let Love Heart and Confidence Heart hug, though Confidence winced and lay back down. "I'll give you the quick version. Confidence Heart Fennec, you have a condition called endometriosis, a condition that makes conceiving and carrying a child to term difficult and risky. Considering how long you two have been sleeping together this does explain why you only got pregnant now. Because of the complications I had to do an operation to save your life and thanks to the surgery and your healing factor this won't cripple you. In a month you should be back on your feet and doing your original martial arts and exercise routines, however." She saw the looks on their faces, "You're sterile now. Confidence Heart, this will be your only naturally born child. It's actually a miracle that you made it all the way through the pregnancy and gave birth before anything went seriously wrong."

Confidence Heart chuckled and winced, "Heheh, ow! A miracle huh? Then let's call her that," she and Love Heart turned to look at their newborn daughter.

Love Heart echoed what they were both thinking, "Miracle Heart Fennec."

Take Care nodded, "Alright then, Love Heart can you just come with me to help fill out her forms."

"OK." Love Heart and Confidence kissed before Love Heart followed Take Care.

Confidence Heart lay back on the bed and wept quietly, both for sorrow and joy. Pain and relief, how should she feel now? At least her daughter was safe and alive and the both of them would make sure she grew up safely.

A short time later, Love Heart returned and gave their daughter her tummy symbol: a red heart with an eight-pointed purple star at the center.

OoOoO

"Are you ready for this?" Tenderheart did up the business tie on the front of his suit and turned to Love Heart and Brave Heart, who were both struggling with their own ties.

"As ready as I can be. Miracle Heart's only six months old, Tenderheart, why are we doing this now?" Love Heart finished his tied, it felt like it was strangling him.

"Because getting us to meet the United Nations was hard enough, and if we skip this meeting we could ruin our credibility with them," Tenderheart checked a briefcase he had with him.

Brave Heart finished with his tie and put an arm around Love Heart's shoulder. "Cheer up, we're about to enter a brave new world. We're gonna make history today!"

"That or embarrass ourselves," Love Heart sighed, "Alright, let's get go."

BOOK 2 END

Next part: Far beyond the reaches of the solar system the Care Bears next adventure begins. Brought by a signal sent into space, new enemies and allies come forth from the stars and in turn the Care Bears are drawn out from their home. But all does not go as planned. Loss comes with the discovery and terror grips the known galaxy as the Care Bears and their new allies fight for freedom, and a chance to change everything.

Care Bears Family Adventures, Book 3: Space

Will you join them on their adventure?