FSE

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Chapter 3

"My face!" Broken Heart growled as she held a hand to the acid burns on the yellow half of her face, "That little pipsqueak Magi is going to pay for this!"

"You should be relieved its only surface damage and... not exactly scarring but purely cosmetic," Cold Heart turned to look at his servant as she withdrew her hand from her face showing the flesh burns around her eye. "It wont impair your combat ability but don't let yourself take any more damage if you can help it." Cold Heart turned back to his monitoring station, feeling a twinge of pain in his heart, "That body is little more than two corpses sewn together, animated by magic, nanites and your spirit; it will last a year at most before it wears down, with most of the internal organs barely functioning."

"A year is more than enough," Broken Heart held up her purple arm and clenched into a fist, telekinetically lifting a metal box off the ground and crushing it to the size of a dice, "I'll tear the Care Bears apart and leave them with a legacy of emptiness and failure! Ehahahahahahaha!"

OoOoO

Miracle Heart Kitsune stood in front of her grandparents, her six tails twitching nervously. Valiant Heart and Kind Heart stood behind her, having listened to the full explanation Mira had given them and waiting to see what would happen.

Life Heart Unicorn stood up and walked over to her granddaughter, taking her face in her hands and staring into her eyes, "I think there might be something. I'd have to magically scan your mind to find out what's wrong but it will take some time."

Sage Heart was about to speak up when his heartphone started ringing. "Hello. Confidence? Wait what?! Are they alright?... That's a relief."

"There's more," Confidence Heart turned to where she had managed to get her son up on a chair, still shivering after he had calmed down, "Shimmers went berserk during the fight but he says he can't remember anything that happened, or about attacking this... monstrosity."

Sage Heart looked over at Life Heart and Mira, who were both watching him, "That sounds like something we're looking at right now. Can you send him over?"

"I'll try. Thank you, Sage Heart." Confidence hung up and took a deep breath before walking over to where Shimmer sat, sipping a mug of hot chocolate she had given him to help him calm down.

Shimmers looked up as his mom crouched in front of him. "Are you feeling better, Shimmers?"

"A bit..." Shimmer mumbled before he finished the mug, "Momma, is daddy going to be ok?"

"He will, Defender and Guidance will help them heal. I'm more worried about you," she gently touched his cheek and made him look her in the eye, "I'm worried about what happened at Cold Heart's place. Do you remember anything?"

Shimmers shook his head, "No, I just woke up here after I saw..." he trailed off.

Confidence Heart felt herself tense up at the memory but forced herself to remain calm, "I just called Grandpa, he says he and Grandma might be able to help you. Do you want to go see them?"

"What about daddy?" Shimmers couldn't help but look to the door to the OR.

"I promise I'll stay here until daddy's alright. He'd be more worried about you too right now." She smiled, "Mira's there and I bet Kind Heart is too. Do you want to go see her?"

Shimmers smiled slightly and stood up, "Yes."

"Then go," Confidence took the empty mug as Shimmers departed then went to get one for herself. She wasn't sure if she wanted to calm down or remain agitated.

OoOoO

Kind Heart was all too happy to see Shimmers again and everyone waited patiently for ShimmeringStar's recap of the events at Cold Heart's castle, which left everyone shocked. Finally, Shimmers stood next to his sister as Life Heart Unicorn magically scanned both of them. It became nerve-wracking as the siblings waited for their grandmother to finish, even moreso when she stood back with a confused and worried look on her face.

"I... wasn't expecting this. Your souls are... the best was I can describe it is that they're split."

"Split?!" everyone else shouted.

"Grandma, what does that even mean?" Mira pumped her fists, her tails whirling as she stared up at Life Heart.

"It's not something I've ever encountered before," Life Heart rubbed her chin as she looked at her defiant granddaughter and shaking grandson, "But it feels like half your souls are what we see and the other half is resting in the back of your mind. Mira, do you remember when you used to say you heard voices in your head, back before our final battles with No-Heart?"

Mira's arms lowered, "Yes... I mean I thought they were just because I was so worried, wait!" her hands flew to the side of her head, "You mean they were real!? I remember now, it's the same voice I heard earlier! What's going on?!"

Shimmers was taken aback. He'd never seen his big sister suddenly looking so scared. "Mira?" he touched her arm and she flinched away, "What's in my head?! What's happening to me?!"

Life Heart was preparing another spell, "A moment let me see if I can make things clearer." There was a bright flash of light and there was suddenly a bright purple bear shaped silhouetted outline glowing and standing in front of Miracle Heart.

"Shimmers, look!" Kind Heart was pointing.

Even Valiant Heart was at a loss, "What's going on?"

ShimmeringStar was also facing a bear shaped silhouette outline, this one yellow. The silhouette outline that faced Mira looked the same but also... patchworked, kind of like Broken Heart but with many more pieces sewn together.

"Who... who are you?" Mira asked.

No one expected the outline to speak.

"My name is, or was, Soul Heart Bear."

"Did that... just talk?" Valiant asked.

"I did, Valiant Heart Horse."

"What are you? Who are you?" Shimmers pointed at the yellow outline.

"I guess no one here knew me before," the yellow outline folded his hands, "My name is Flash Heart Bear."

"Uncle Flash?" Mira turned to face the yellow outline bear, "Mom and Dad used to talk about you. I've visited your grave..." She trailed off which left everything in uncomfortable silence.

Sage Heart broke the silence, "How and why are you two here possessing my grandchildren?"

"We're not possessing them," Soul Hear turned to face Sage Heart, "We are them, or rather we are becoming them."

"I think the best word to describe them is that ShimmeringStar and Miracle Heart are mine and Soul Heart's reincarnations, but we've been stuck in their heads for a while since it's... not quite finished," Flash Heart folded his arms, "Truthfully I only woke up a couple years ago but I observed a lot of... things I thought were dreams, still think they might be. I remember waiting around my funeral like a ghost but then I was pulled into... something and the next clear memory I had was awakening as a passenger in Shimmers' head a couple years ago." He clenched his fists, "Then I saw that... that thing that was using my body like a meat puppet and I just lost it! I had to do something and before I knew it I was in the driver's seat of this body and just unloading on her. I didn't really know how to use this magic that well but I was just so angry."

"Wait!" Shimmer's pointed at the outline of Flash Heart, "You took me over! That's why I don't remember fighting Broken Heart?!"

"Yeah, sorry about that, Shimmers, but I just... I couldn't handle seeing what was done to me."

"As for me, my story's a bit different." Soul Heart spoke up, "Actually it has to do with the ones called the Shadow Magi." She touched her chest, "I am... was their mother."

Everyone listened intently as Soul Heart told her story. "I was created by No-Heart, a construct made from parts of different Care Bears and Cousins he had killed to be used as a weapon against the Care Bear Family, but he did his job too well and I rebelled and broke free with the magical abilities he had given me despite his torture. Once I was free I had to patch my body into something more stable and find a purpose and I found a family. The Shadow Magi were all lost Care Bears that were victims of environmental disasters: Marine Heart nearly died in an oil spill, Flora lost her family to a clear-cutting operation as did Torrid Heart, Serious Heart... was another of No-Heart's escaped experiments, the only one who escaped from a whole batch of 'opposite Care Bears' he tried and failed to create but I don't want to go into too many details."

Soul Heart smiled, "For a time, I was happy, raising and teaching them magic as best as I could. I had a family and I should have let that be enough, I should have brought them here to join The Care Bear Family but... I couldn't let go of my past. Almost 14 years ago I left Marine Heart in charge and went to get my revenge on No-Heart. I wasn't strong enough and he killed me..."

There was silence for a moment before Soul Heart continued, "I remember, after my death I met your Great Wishing Star and it offered to let me be reborn," she pointed to Mira, "And then, I became you. I don't know if I jumped ahead too fast or skipped some part of the process but I've been sitting in the back of your mind since the day you were born, watching over you whenever I could."

Mira reached back and pulled two of her tails forwards, "Is this why I have six tails at age 13?"

"I think that if Soul Heart was infused with magical power to be a weapon for No-Heart that might have carried over to Mira," Life Heart said.

Valiant Heart had been thinking for a time and finally voiced a question on his mind. "Wait... are you two what's protecting them from Cold Heart's virus?"

"You mean that stinging sensation I feel all the time isn't just soul pains?" Flash Heart asked. "I knew it was a good idea to stick around until I faded away."

"The effect of having your soul be split in two means your past-selves are creating some sort of barrier against a foreign entity," Life Heart looked from Soul Heart to Flash's spirits then to Mira and Shimmers, "It's the only thing that sets you two apart from everyone else."

"I can feel it too, it's getting harder to stay separated but we can hold out long enough to fix this," Soul Heart said.

"Flash Heart, what do you mean about fading away?" Kind Heart sounded concerned.

Flash Heart sighed and folded his arms, "That's the thing about reincarnating: we don't get to keep existing, we just disappear."

Soul Heart nodded, "Our situation is unique but we can't continue to exist at the same time as the both of you. You aren't old enough for this to seriously affect you but it will cause serious damage to you if your soul is split between the two of us. I'll do what I can to help you through this and see my children saved, but after that I'll have to let myself fade away."

"Speaking of which, we can't spend all day like this," Flash Heart said, "Just don't be afraid to ask for help while we're around, Shimmers." Flash gave a thumbs up before both he and Soul Heart were pulled back into their new selves.

Mira felt around her stomach and chest for a moment but remained silent. Shimmers was much more vocal, "So that's Uncle Flash?" he smiled, "I can't wait to tell momma and daddy about this, what about you Mira?"

"Huh?" Mira shook her head to rouse herself, "yeah, sure." Shimmers didn't seem to register how unfocused his sister was before he and Kind Heart departed.

Mira lingered outside her grandparents' house for a time, her six tails scrunching together then unfurling over and over until Valiant Heart snapped her out of it.

"Mira. Tell me what's bothering you."

Valiant Heart Horse's voice made Mira jump slightly, "Huh what?!" she shook her head, "oh just... what Soul Heart said about fading away... I mean..." she kicked the ground. "I don't want Soul Heart to die? Disappear? Fade away..."

Valiant Heart put a comforting hand on her shoulder, he wasn't sure what to say as Mira hugged herself, her six tails wrapping forwards around her own body, "She has a right to exist but, if we can't both exist then... what am I supposed to do? I wish I could give her the life she deserves."

"I can't tell you what she wants, but I think you need to live your life for yourself. I don't want to sound callous but she had her life to live, it's your turn now and to use the gift she's given you to help save us." Valiant smiled as Mira turned to face him, "Now what are you going to do to help save everyone?"

Mira blinked back some tears and gulped, "I think I have a lot of training to do. What about you?"

Valiant nodded. "I think Kind Heart and I need to be ready to meet the Shadow Magi."

OoOoO

Redemptionheart sighed as she twirled a feather between her fingers and looked at her captive. Despite being tied down for over a week, Passion Heart Wolverine still looked strong and hardy. Redemption was about to start tickling him again, then sighed again and sat down on the ground.

"What's the point..." she let the feather fall from her hand as she slumped forwards.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Passion Heart leaned forwards, "You haven't even started."

"Yeah, but you're not going to tell me anything so why bother," Redemption mumbled. "We could just keep doing this forever and ever but what's the point?"

"Is this part of that disease you told me about?" Passion asked. Redemption just nodded. "Damn, didn't think it would be this bad, I mean..." Passion shook his head, "OK, I'm not going to just let this take me down." He bared his teeth and growled as he began pulling his arms forwards. Redemption looked up, then jumped to her feet as she saw the metal star Passion was bound to start to bend as he pulled. Before she could say anything the metal sheared off which left Passion to drop the now useless metal arms to the ground as he unbound himself.

"What? How? Could you do that the whole time?" Redemptionheart surged briefly back to life as Passion tore his legs free.

"After I had a day to rest," Passion Heart stepped forwards with a grin on his face. He poked a claw under Redemption's chin and tilted her face to look into his eyes, "But I was having too much fun with that."

RedemptionHeart blushed and smiled, "Wow... I mean..."

"Declarations of love later, I think I should talk to your leaders. Can you take me to them?" Passion asked.

Redemption felt a surge of enthusiasm even as the apathy started to crawl back into her mind, "Yes, if you let me do this to you again."

Passion Heart laughed, "It's a deal."

OoOoO

The Kingdom of Caring was too quiet. Most of the Care Bear Family hadn't bothered to leave their homes, forcing themselves to even come to a daily meeting felt like too much of a chore. Even the small burst of enthusiasm Redemption had gleaned from Passion Heart was wearing off as she dragged her feet through the clouds to lead Passion Heart to the Hall of Hearts.

Valiant Heart looked over at his parents, Noble Heart had his head down while True Heart was trying to force herself to stay upright. Other than himself and his parents there were only three others at the meeting: Tenderheart, Confidence and Bright Heart and other than him they were all succumbing to the effects of Cold Heart's virus.

"Confidence, how are Love Heart and Anger Heart?" Valiant took on the air of authority as he spoke.

"Huh..." The fennec looked up, "Oh he's healed, I guess, just asleep right now." She slumped forwards, head leaning sideways on the table.

Valiant had to move on, turning to Bright Heart who was the only one still sitting straight at attention. "Bright Heart, please tell me you and Get Well will have a working sure soon."

"We're... We're trying." Bright Heart shook his head to try and focus, "The nano/virus combination is very volatile so once we can figure out what to do it should fall apart, which is also why it's been able to work so fast. We..." He paused, "we just need to figure out the key factor."

"Alright, then get back to it while you still can care about it," Valiant said. Bright Heart nodded then forced himself upright and plodding back to the hospital, passing Kind Heart on the way out.

Kind Heart watched the raccoon pass before she turned to the small assembly, "I checked on everyone, Valiant. Most of them weren't even out of bed so I had to drag them to the kitchen to at least eat and drink something." She collapsed into a chair, breathing heavily, "I can't keep this up every day. We need a solution soon."

"I don't know if I can help with that, but I think you can help me." Valiant, Kind and Tenderheart turned to see Passion Heart Wolverine enter with Redemption, the latter of the two slumped against the doorway, twiddling her fingers against the door frame.

"I don't know if you remember me, Passion Heart Wolverine of the *ahem* 'Shadow Magi'." He looked back at the barely-there Redemptionheart for a moment, "She gave up on the torture so I decided to come talk to you. You want to know where my family is?"

"Yes, we do," Tenderheart briefly managed to sit up straight, "We don't want to hurt them, at least no more than we've had to so far. We think they might be suffering the same thing that we are..."

Passion looked around at the almost empty room, "Yeah, I don't want to see this happen to them. But before I tell you, I want to see that purple fox... what was her name...?"

"My daughter?" Confidence Heart sat up, suddenly alert. "What do you want with Mira?" She wanted to jump up into a fighting stance but could just barely manage to turn her chair half-way to face him.

"Just... something she said to me has me uneasy, ok," Passion was instantly defensive.

"She and Shimmers are busy training, I'll go get them!" Kind Heart took off before anyone could protest.

Kind Heart stopped at the closet door that led to the Magi's hidden gym and knocked, "Shimmers? Mira? We need you out here now!" She had to shout to make sure they heard her.

"We're coming, Kind! Ow!" Shimmers shouted.

"Gotta keep your guard up." Mira's voice was calm and serious.

A moment later the door opened and Shimmers stepped out, catching Kind Heart in a hug.

"What's going on?" Mira shut the closet door behind her, her six tails twitching anxiously.

"That Wolverine you helped capture is going to tell us where the Shadow Magi are, but only if he can talk to you first, Mira."

Mira suddenly froze at Kind Heart's words, her tails frizzing out. Even though she knew why she had blacked out the last time she encountered the Shadow Magi she still wasn't looking forwards to it.

"Don't worry, I won't take over unless you ask." Mira blinked then looked over her shoulder to see the silhouette of Soul Heart with a hand on her shoulder.

Mira gulped them took a deep breath, "Alright. Let's go see him."

Passion Heart was helping keep Redemptionheart upright when Mira entered the room. Both froze when the saw each other until Redemptionheart's mumbling prompted Passion Heart to help her into a chair, "Just wait here," he whispered before he turned Miracle Heart.

Mira's tails twitched nervously as she stared at Passion. She could feel Soul Heart pushing at the back of her mind so she swallowed and spoke up. "You wanted to talk to me, Passion Heart Wolverine?"

"Yeah." Passion Heart approached until he was practically in her face, "Back at that sea park, you sounded like..."

"Your mother," Mira finished.

"What?!" Passion jumped, "How did you know that?"

"Because..." Mira paused, staring into the confused and somewhat angry face of the silver and orange wolverine. "She's in here." She tapped the side of her head, "It's complicated but... she died and was reincarnated into me by our old... god I guess... the Great Wishing Star. But it was done too quickly so she's still in here. I can hear her in the back of my head right now..."

Passion Heart stared at her, then frowned, "OK, let's say I believe you. Can I talk to her?

Mira took a deep breath, "Alright. Soul Heart, come out."

She closed her eyes, her posture changed as her mind receded. When her eyes opened her expression changed to a gentle smile and her voice had pitched down though the effort was obvious. "Passion Heart, I know this is hard to understand but it's me, Soul Heart. I'm so happy t see you again."

Passion Heart just stared, then glared, "Don't you dare, changing your voice to sound like mom isn't funny!"

Soul Heart glared at him, "Passion Heart, if you don't believe me then," she leaned forwards and whispered into the wolverine's ear.

Passion Heart gaped and stepped back, "But... I mean only mom... it is you?"

"Yes," Soul Heart folded Mira's arms, "I won't tell anyone about that time if you can take us to the rest of the Shadow Magi. I don't want to see them attacking the Care Bears or other humans again."

Passion Heart sighed, "the Care Bears are one thing but... you remember how you found me?"

"Lying in the snow with a bullet in your side," Soul Heart said, "A sport hunter shot you to chase you away from his game."

"You really are mom, but yeah. I don't think they're going to want to help humans after that..." Passion Heart looked over at Valiant Heart and Kind Heart, who were listening intently.

"You don't have to do that," Kind Heart said, "Take Care and Get Well are doctors who never go on caring missions and Patient Heart Liger decided to become a veterinarian, an animal doctor."

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," Valiant Heart interjected, placing a hand on his sister's shoulder, "We need to find them soon, before the virus kills them or destroys their ability to care about anything. Can you show us where they are?"

"Yes, I can." Passion Heart said.

"Alright, I'm going to let Mira have her body back but I can talk to the other later." Soul Heart took a deep breath through Mira's body which then shuddered all over.

"Ugg, I don't like that feeling," Mira hugged herself, "just sitting back there and watching as my body moves out of my control." She looked around, "I remember everything so let's get going."

"Alright, let's go!" Shimmers jumped up.

Mira caught her younger brother's shoulders. "Not you, I need you to stay behind and protect everyone, just in case Cold Heart or Broken Heart tries anything while we're gone. You're the only one who can do this, Shimmers."

Shimmers nodded, "OK, good luck sis." He pumped his fists eagerly.

"I'll be back, Redemption," Passion kissed her on the forehead before he left with the others, looking nervous as they stepped out of the Hall of Hearts

Kind Heart conjured a Cloud Car for them but noticed the wolverine's expression as she took the driver's seat. "What's wrong?"

"You know Broken Heart Bear?" Passion asked, standing next to the back door but not getting in.

Mira froze in place, electricity threatening to course down her arm, "Yes, she's our enemy. How do you know her?"

"We do," Passion Heart got into the backseat. Mira hesitated then sat next to him after Valiant Heart got into the front passenger's seat.

"He showed up a while ago..."

"How long?" Mira interrupted, "And Broken Heart's a she."

Passion turned to her, "She? He sounds like a man."

"Long story short, Broken Heart is the soul of Shrieky implanted in a body made of my late uncle Flash Heart Bear and one of our most dangerous enemies, Mental Heart Bear." Mira explained, "But how long ago did she show up?"

"I don't know!" Passion threw his hands up, "We don't track months or weeks or anything, just days and seasons, maybe a season ago, and just took over, driving us to attack humans because of what they did to other animals. That attack at the water park was the first actual mission we did and then... well you took me prisoner so I have no idea what's happened to them."

"I see..." Mira sat back.

"I can understand why you might have submitted to her control but... did you ever consider that what you were doing was wrong?" Valiant Heart asked.

"Are you kidding?" Passion Heart growled, "Humans hurt every single one of us! I still have the scar from the bullet wound I took when I was a cub! We were able to learn enough to know what the animals in that park went through! That place deserved what we did to it."

"Rescue them first, moral and ethical debates later when we're not all going to die," Kind Heart interjected. "Now show me the way, Passion Heart."

OoOoO

Marine Heart Otter lay on the beach and stared out at the ocean. He was hungry but just couldn't bother himself to go fishing. He finally forced himself up to his knees and looked over to where Flora Bear lay on the grass near the treeline, staring up at the sky. He wanted to go over and lie down with her but just couldn't muster up the desire.

A shriek from overhead managed to draw their attention as Torrid Heart circled around, coming in for a hard landing on the sand.

"Marine! They're coming!" She wobbled slightly on her talons as they sunk in the sand.

Marine Heart jumped up, suddenly alert as he darted over to help Torrid steady herself, "What! Where?"

Torrid pointed a wing up to where the cloud car was descending towards them. Flora noticed and managed to force herself to stand and stagger over to Marine's side, grabbing his shoulder for support.

"Marine, what do we do?" she asked, sounding only half-interested.

"Try to find everyone, both of you. I'll hold them here until you get back." Marine Heart said. Flora and Torrid said nothing but headed further inland. Marine forced himself to focus as the car landed, conjuring water around his hands to be ready. He was startled when he saw the car land and Passion Heart Wolverine stepped out.

"Passion?" Marine Heart relaxed for a moment, the water falling off his hands then tensed up as he saw Valiant, Kind and Mira in the car. "Did they force you to bring them here!" He dropped into a fighting stance, his hands spread with the claws pointing forward.

"No, I chose to bring them here," Passion walked up to Marine and carefully took his shoulders. He felt the otter relax and gave him a tight hug.

Marine gasped for a moment before hugging back, "I was worried we lost you," He whispered then glared over his friend's shoulder at the newly arrived Care Bears, until they stepped out of the cloud car.

Valiant Heart Horse was the first to step forwards, hands behind his back as he waited for the two to separate. "My name is Valiant Heart Horse and this is my sister, Kind Heart Bear and this is Miracle Heart Kitsune." Valiant nodded to each of them as they stepped forwards. "We are in charge of the Care Bear Family for the time being."

Marine Heart had been staring at the three ever since they got out of the car, his mouth hanging open.

"You're just kids!" Marine's shout made Passion Heart jump, then turn to the three.

Passion Heart looked them over, "I never thought about that, how old are you three?"

"I'm about to turn 14," Mira said, averting her gaze from Marine and Passion.

"Physically my brother and I are 13 but if you go by time then we're only three years old." Kind Heart added.

"Wait what?!" it was Passion Heart's turn to gape.

"Why would they put toddlers in charge of everything? How do you look so close in age?" Marine Heart's head was starting to spin.

"We'll explain everything later," Valiant Heart said, "Right now we're here to help you."

Marine Heart shook his head in an attempt to process what he had heard, "Help us?"

"Yes, because that's what we do," Kind Heart said, "and because you might be infected by a disease that Cold Heart has unleashed on us."

"We'll go into details later, just tell us if any of you have been feeling lethargic or unmotivated lately?" Valiant asked.

Marine Heart nodded, "Yeah, I've just been lying around on the beach lately. Even when I'm hungry I can barely force myself to go fishing... Is this because I'm sick?"

"You're sick!? We're sick?!" The shout came from Flora Bear as she had just emerged onto the beach with the rest of the Shadow Magi trudging behind her. Miracle Heart tensed up as they arrived and averted her gaze, crossing her arms to stop them from shaking.

"It's a disease created by Cold Heart that attacks your... caring gland..." Kind Heart looked at the small assembly of the Shadow Magi, "It's something only Care Bears have and we need it to survive. Almost everyone in the Kingdom of Caring is suffering from this and it sounds like you have too."

"Wait, almost everyone?" Glacial Heart Polar Bear spoke up, "Who isn't?"

"The three of us and my boyfriend, ShimmeringStar Bear," Kind Heart gestured to her brother and Mira then touched her necklace.

Valiant held up his arm to show off his bracelet, "These crystals protect me and Kind Heart from the virus, they're the last two pieces of the Radiant Heart Crystal, the thing that created us. Before you ask I can't risk removing it, I don't know if it will cure someone already infected and if it doesn't all I'll have done is get myself sick."

Kind Heart nodded, "As for Mira and Shimmers-"

"Yes! What about the pipsqueak Magi?" the too deep to be shrill voice shot everyone's attention up to Broken Heart Bear, floating over the gathering.

Miracle Heart had been doing her best to remain out of the conversation until that point but upon seeing Broken Heart she felt her blood boiling.

"No, don't!" Soul Heart's voice shouted in the back of Mira's head as her six tails flared out behind her before she launched into the air, conjuring her armored gloves and boots as she flew straight at Broken Heart, shaking off any attempts by Soul Heart to hold her back.

Mira drew back her right arm as she screamed: "YOU HURT MY DAD!" Her fists exploded with lightning as she delivered a haymaker to Broken Heart's face, which was deflected by psionic energy and shoved back by a blast from an open palmed thrust. Mira managed to stay level in mid-air and just barely dodged a blade of light that sliced where she had been floating a mere second ago.

"So he survived?" Broken Heart kept swung the light blade back at Mira and tried to catch her in a psionic grip. "I'll make sure to finish him off after I deal with you!"

Mira felt the psionic grip close around her but managed to force her head down to avoid decapitation and force the psionic grip to break, freeing herself. She shot a blast of lightning at Broken Heart which struck her in the chest but only left a black scorch mark.

As everyone watched the fight, something snapped inside Marine Heart Otter. He growled then shouted up at Mira as she flew at Broken Heart again. "Hit her with your tails!"

Broken Heart couldn't hear the shout over the winds as she threw up her arms to block her face again, but Mira's huge ears caught the words at the last moment and she spun around, swinging all six of her tails right at Broken Heart's stomach. Neither were expecting the fluffy purple fox tails to hit with any force but Broken Heart felt the wind knocked out of her six times in a row before she was sent hurtling towards the ground. Not wanting to give up the advantage, Mira shot off after Broken Heart.

Flora stared at Marine as he continued to watch where the combatants had been mere moments ago. "Marine Heart?"

"I just... I'm sick of Broken Heart controlling us. He...She... It's not mom but we're not strong enough to fight back, we're bested by a barely teenager." Marine Heart seemed to slump over the more he spoke.

"Then go help her!" Valiant Heart's voice cut through the tension. "Stand up and fight now that Miracle's taking the charge. She needs your help! We need your help and we can help you!"

"Please," Kind Heart stepped forwards, "Broken Heart is working for Cold Heart, this is your chance."

"To stand up to her!" The twins spoke the final line together.

Their words lit a fire inside the Shadow Magi as they turned to where the sounds of battle were reaching them.

"Let's go!" Passion Heart shouted then took off, conjuring an axe into his hands, shortly followed by the rest of his family, Valiant Heart and Kind Heart.

OoOoO

Broken Heart hit the ground hard and was just getting back to her feet when Mira dove at her, landing an electrified flying kick to Broken Heart's face which knocked her down again.

"Why you little!" Broken Heart jumped up and shot a laser at Mira, which forced her to dodge aside and send another bolt of lightning at Broken Heart before charging again.

"Just die!" Mira shouted.

"STOP!" Soul Heart's voice in the back of Mira's head went unheeded and unfortunately another laser blast shot through Mira's left shoulder. She tried to ignore the pain but slowed just enough for Broken Heart to catch her in a psionic grip.

"Now I'll finish you off and then I'll exterminate those pathetic Shadow Magi!" Broken Heart formed a light blade over her left arm.

"You're the one who's pathetic," Mira grunted out, finding it hard to breathe around the much firmer grip.

"What?!" Broken Heart paused, readying her piercing strike.

"You've hated us... since before I was born...Shrieky... now you're one of us...why did you let Cold Heart do this to you?" Mira managed a smirk before the grip tightened and squeezed the expression off her face.

"DON'T CALL ME SHRIEKY!" Her shout didn't even make the leaves rustle.

"And...you...lost...your...shriek," Mira taunted.

Broken Heart was about to impale Mira when wooden trunks shot out of the trees and slammed into her, shattering to splinters on impact. Broken Heart turned to try and retaliate when she was grabbed by several vines that grew from the ground to hold her back.

"RAAAARGH!" Passion Heart jumped and Broken Heart and slammed his axe down at Broken Heart's head, but she managed to jerk aside and it struck her shoulder, only making a shallow cut.

Broken Heart sent Passion flying back with a psionic shove and tore the axe from her shoulder, which dissolved in her grip, but didn't have a moment to recover before a blast of cold and water from Marine and Glacial sent a torrent of ice spikes into her, peppering her front and melting out of the tiny punctures they made in her chest right as Torrid Heart dove down and raked her face with heated talons, just barely missing her eyes.

Broken Heart finally tore free of the vines only to feel a powerful bite hit her on the shoulder from Critter Heart Hyena as she emerged from Broken Heart's own shadow. Broken Heart didn't cry out in pain but managed to throw Critter Heart off of her, a chunk of her shoulder tearing out in Critter's jaws.

"We're done being your tools!" Marine Heart bared his teeth and showed his claws.

Broken Heart growled as she watched Critter spitting out the chunk of shoulder, looking at the Shadow Magi that now surrounded her, "Fine, then I'll finish you right here and now!"

Mira gasped for breath as the fight continued as Valiant and Kind Heart appeared at her sides.

"Mira, can you stand?" Kind Heart asked.

Mira just nodded, coughing as her throat unconstructed.

"That was a foolish action, Mira," Soul Heart's voice chimed in at the back of her mind. Mira could swear she saw a small image of Soul Heart with her arms folded and shaking her head from the corner of her eye. "You should have played to stall for time."

"Hold on," Valiant carefully massaged Mira's throat, Care Bear Stare energy emanating form his symbol which helped loosen up her windpipe.

"Thanks," She coughed again as she managed to stand up, Broken Heart was too preoccupied with the Shadow Magi to notice the three standing. "We need to help them."

"We're ready when you are," Valiant Heart turned to face the battle and linked arms with his sister.

Broken Heart was barely moving from her spot, pivoting and repelling the Shadow Magi as they attacked from all angles as she tried to lash out at them, clearly not used to fending off so many opponents. She was taking a lot of hits but they only managed to scratch her surface, nothing as severe as Passion's axe-wound or Critter's shoulder tear. She barely heard the shout from the twins.

"Care Bears Countdown! Four! Three! Two! One! Care Bear Stare!" Valiant Heart and Kind Heart's white stare beams struck Broken Heart dead on and she screamed out in pain.

Broken Heart turned towards the twins and was about to attack when a high pitched buzzing caught her attention. She didn't notice the orb of lightning until it engulfed her and despite not feeling pain she was rooted to the spot by electricity as the stares stopped and the Shadow Magi backed off.

"One of my dad's techniques," Mira stood in front of Broken Heart as she struggled to break free from the electric dome.

"I'll get you for this!" Broken Heart growled out.

"No," Mira snarled and held up her right hand as lightning gathered in her palm until she clenched it into a fist, forming a bright sparking ball of blue electricity. "I've added something to this so just stay down!" She drew her fist back then charged, "STUN SPHERE!" She punched right through the barrier, passing within centimeters of Broken Heart and bursting out the opposite side. "BURST!" She swung her arms down as the sphere exploded into a massive vertical fountain of blue lightning.

Mira panted as she turned around to see the scorched ground, where Broken Heart had fallen to one knee. Her yellow left arm hung seemingly useless at her side and about half her fur had burned off in patches, but she looked up and glared with an intense malice that belied her seeming injuries. "YOU! YOU!" She tried to stand, her legs seemed to be barely functional.

"Finish her off!" Marine Heart shouted. The Shadow Magi pounced but Broken Heart shot upwards into the sky before any of them could reach her.

"I'll be back!" a sphere of psionic energy enclosed Broken Heart and she shot off into the distance.

Mira clenched her fists as she watched her escape, "That's how Mental Heart used to run." She sighed, "Damnit! Almost had her!"

"She will come back, once she's recovered," Valiant Heart turned to the Shadow Magi, "Will you come with us to the Kingdom of Caring, please?"

"We can't promise what will happen, but we will help you and when Cold Heart and Broken Heart are defeated and we've found a cure, we'll help you find your place in this world." Kind Heart said.

Marine Heart looked at his family, then to Mira, Kind Heart and Valiant Heart. "Alright, at least for now. So how do we get there?"

"That's the easy part." Miracle Heart created a cloud car from her tummy symbol, as did Valiant and Kind Heart.

As they all boarded, not having any real possessions to take with them. Passion Heart sat next to Mira and whispered to her, "Should we tell them about Soul Heart?"

"When we get home, I'll let her speak to them." Mira started the engine, "For now let's just get out of here."