The Witch of Care-A-Lot
Chapter One: What is She?
A cool spring breeze whistled through the training ground of the Forest of Feelings, chilling an already exhausted (and impatient) Grumpy Bear for what seemed (to him) the millionth time. Putting his discomfort aside temporarily, he watched as his newest student prepared to practice her newfound stare. "Alright, Patient Heart." He said, stifling a groan. "One more shot, and then I really think we oughta call it a day."
The meter-tall white wolf turned her head towards her instructor, eyes twinkling, lips pulled into a teasing smile. "You can go if you like." She stated. "I suppose it is getting a little chilly out here. As for me, I'm gonna practice 'till I get this right." Bracing herself against a sturdy tree trunk, she closed her eyes and thought back to her battle with No Heart. The familiar feelings came rushing back as clearly as they did that day: Fear. Love. And the intense, instinctive desire to protect her new family. Grumpy watched as a bright, warm blue light appeared in her tummy symbol. Unlike his or any of the other's stares though, Patient's light began to spread until her entire body was glowing like an angel. As she opened her now glowing, pupilless eyes, she squinted, focusing on the blurry image of a target on the far side of the grounds. When she could feel the power about to burst, she cried out: "Care…Bear…Blast!"
A huge beam of light erupted from her symbol.
It's on target!
Or so she thought.
The beam cleared the target by a mere half-foot, creating a thunderous boom as it snapped the tops of the trees in its path before arching into the sky. As the glow faded from her body, she turned toward Grumpy Bear, jumping up and down with excitement. "Didja see it?!" she was so excited, she couldn't get the words out fast enough. "Didja see me? I know I did it this time!"
Speechless, the short blue bear pointed at the new haircut the Forest had been given. For a hundred yards beyond the target, there was a six-foot wide path of smoldering tree stumps. "You know, Patient Heart." Grumpy finally managed to breathe out the words. "At first I thought we should work on that incredible power of yours. "But maybe your aim is the bigger issue here."
"Just let me keep practicing, and I'll get it right, I promise!"
"No way!" He pointed to two similar tracks blasted into the treeline. I don't know that the Forest of Feelings can take any more of your practice sessions!"
Stunned, Patient stared at Grumpy, clear sapphire-blue eyes blinking back the tears that would have been the only evidence of his thoughtless comment. "I-I guess you're right, Grumpy Bear." She managed. Please, voice, don't start breaking up on me now. "I'm probably doing more harm than good here." With that, she shuffled out of the practice clearing. Although her head was held high and level, Grumpy could just make out a few muffled sobs.
"Aw, good going, Grumpy." He kicked at the ground, sending a small puff of cloud flying. "Here comes the guilt trip. They oughta start calling me 'Tact Bear' after this." As he started after Patient, he heard a low, rumbling growl from the treeline. Eyes pointed at the ground, he refused to look at the source. "You can come out now, Loyal Heart."
A blue dog, slightly taller than Grumpy, stormed out from the treeline toward him, a less-than-pleased look on his face. He stopped mere inches from the bear, eyes betraying an intense anger. "Was it quite necessary to tear her down like that?"
"I wouldn't have had to, had you shown up here to train her yourself like you were supposed to." Grumpy shot back. "We all know how you feel about her. When are you gonna stop hiding from her and tell her how you feel?" A thought struck him, and he smiled, a sneaky, diabolical smile. "Or am I gonna have to tell Love a Lot? You'll never hear the end of it then."
"Well I…I…" Loyal Heart stammered, thrown off by the verbal counterattack. "Wait a minute, that's not the point! You'd better go apologize to her! She thinks she's a monster now, thanks to you!"
"I know better than to call her a monster, Loyal Heart." Grumpy pointed toward the splintered remains of the clearing. "But I have yet to see a Care Bear—Or Cousin, for that matter—do anything...like...thaaa—" swaying slightly, he fell face first onto the cloud floor with a poof.