The Kingdom of Caring had crumbled.

No more were the glorious days of love, kindness, and saving those who were in need. No, now all the remnants of the family that lived there could only try to survive for themselves.

Now, the once tall and proud founders of the family struggled to keep anything going. Noble Heart Horse tried his hardest to live up to his name. He had to, for it was all he had left in the world that had been forsaken. True Heart Bear barely managed to keep her sanity. She had watched so many of her children die while she could do nothing. She and her fellow founder and mate had been rendered immortal by the Great Wishing Star.

They shouldn't have died. None of them should. Care Bears and their Cousins were special beings, neither animal nor human. But when the humans' world broke, so did they.

And so they were in quite the bind.

Out of the original Care Bear generation, one still remained. But this bear, Tenderheart, didn't have much time left. And so he, like all before him, lies dying of something unknown before the founders.

"I-I'm fine, I swear. I'm gonna pull through, True Heart." Tenderheart coughed. His soft voice had gone gravelly with time and the sheer effort he was exerting to speak. She smiled, knowing that he was only doing this for her. It pained her greatly just to watch, but it was something she had to do. There was no way she wouldn't be with him…her last.

"We're here with you, son." Noble Heart said gently. Though none of them were their true biological children, they still had raised them. They had all grown rather close in these last few years as their numbers dwindled.

"I-I'm sorry," Tenderheart said, sounding ashamed. "I-I didn't want to put you two through this…"

"No," Noble Heart replied, grasping his paw. "It's not your fault. You can't help it, son."

"Neither could the others," Tenderheart sighed. His eyes strained to keep open. The two founders knew he could not have much time left. "B-but I'm sure they're okay now…"

"I'm sure they are." True Heart nodded. Tenderheart smiled before shutting his eyes and going silent. True Heart crumpled into Noble Heart's side, and he stared at out into nothing, crestfallen.

An era had ended.

Outside of the Hall of Hearts, a small figure stood quietly. Honey Heart Rabbit looked around, but saw nothing.

She was of the third generation, one of the only cousins left after whatever had taken the majority of the first two. Sometimes she wished that she had gone as well, but thinking that way was selfish, something a proper care cousin wouldn't be.

It wasn't her fault that no one seemed to understand. Angrily, she glanced down at her tummy symbol, a gear next to a heart. She was proud of it, yes, but it hadn't always been this way...

"Still moping around, I see?" Honey Heart swiftly looked up before sighing exasperatedly. Before her stood Timber Heart Wolf, a gruff cousin who seemed to be very much older than he really was.

"I was just thinking." Honey Heart replied. The wolf rolled his eyes.

"Uh-huh. Why don't you come and help out?" Timber inquired, crossing his arms.

"You know exactly why," She said matter-of-factly. "My parents would much rather me stay up here where it's safe and where I won't do what I'm destined to!"

"Easy there, I didn't ask for another moving monologue." Timber Heart growled.

"Look, Timber, I'd love to come," She said quietly, slumping down into a sitting position against the wall. "But I can't risk it this time. They'll take my tail if I get caught."

"They'll take your tail?" Timber repeated.

"You always did miss figures of speech." Honey Heart smiled faintly. Timber was silent for a moment before he returned the smile, his top canine tooth protruding as it always did when he grinned.

"We'll be back soon, Honey. Take care of yourself, and please try to find something to do." Timber said before walking off. Honey sighed once again, and got to her feet.

"Something to do." She murmured, pacing back and forth.

Perhaps she could help without being noticed. Honey Heart had never gone on a caring mission by herself before, but it was more important now than ever. The others wouldn't have to know that she was gone, no, she didn't have to risk Timber or the others getting in trouble because of her.

"Here's to losing my tail!" Honey laughed as she dashed off on her way.

-•-

Earth was very very dark.

The uneasiness as Honey Heart hopped along was slowly rising as she ventured further into the world.

"Maybe this was a bad idea-oh!" She exclaimed upon seeing a human.

Honey had not seen very many of these in her few trips down to the planet. They were all scattered about, and the other bears and cousins kept her behind them when she had encountered them.

This one doesn't seem so scary, Honey Heart thought, He just looks like he needs help.

"Hey!" Honey Heart called, coming closer to him. The figure, who was tall and very thin, turned to face her. His jaw was slack, and his eyes were dull and blurred. It looked as though he had not eaten for days.

"I'm Honey Heart Rabbit," She bowed politely. "I'm a Care Bear Cousin, and I'm here to help!"

"Rabbit." The man said, his voice low and gravelly. Honey Heart looked up at him confusedly.

"Yes, I'm a rabbit alright." Honey nodded, feeling unnerved by the man's twitch.

"Food." He replied, a twisted grin appearing on his face. Honey Heart gasped and reeled backward as the man thrust his hands out to grab her.

"Yikes!" She yelped as she bolted away. Though it was clear that the man could not keep up with her, Honey Heart still ran until she was far out of range. Panting, she slumped down against a tree.

He wanted to eat me! I remember things being off about people, but nothing like this…

Still, she thought, she'd made it out alright. She was capable of protecting herself with her speed and wits. Honey wasn't going to let her parents be right about her, not now. She glanced at her symbol once more before she began her journey back to Care-A-Lot.