Chapter 4 The Hall of Hearts
Everyone was now in the hall of hearts and were beginning to throw a party for their most recent member, Shimmeringstar. Trueheart banged a wooden heart shaped gavel and the hall of heart's fell silent.
"Everyone," Announced Trueheart. "As you already know we have a new member of our family. The first human to join our family, Shimmeringstar!" Shimmeringstar waved at them all with one hand. Everyone clapped their hands together in thunderous applause. Trueheart banged her gavel again to get their attention once more. She spoke again, as the applause died down. "Now, Shimmeringstar." She directed for him to stand up and he did. "Can you please give us a brief story of how you became a member of our family?" Shimmering star nodded and cleared his throat as he began to speak.
"Thank you Trueheart," Shimmeringstar said as he spoke outloud. "I'd first like to thank God for me being here, for without him, I would not be here alive with you nor without his grace and forgiveness. Second off, I'd like to thank you the members of the carebear family for giving me this once in a life time opportunity to be a member of the carebear family. Thirdly, I'd also like to thank Wishbear and Tenderheart bear for digging around my parent's property and searching me out although they didn't have permission." Said Shimmeringstar smiling playfully at Wish bear as their was light hearted laughter that echoed thereafter. "I'd also like to thank you all the entire family for saving me from Noheart and from the path of darkness. If it wasn't for you, who knows where I'd be right now." Everyone looked to him with compassion for his gratefulness to them all. "Fourthly, I'd just like to say, in a few moments I will be part of this family forever!" Every one cheered loudly. He continued to speak nonetheless. "Now, for my history. Well, as you know the testimony about what happened to my parents when I was only seventeen years old still a senior in high school. I came home alone to find them charred." The Hall of hearts grew solemn after that comment. "Then as I investigated a few weeks later after I had set up preparations for their funeral, I found this red heart shaped locket with the false message that Noheart had put into place." Everyone murmured angrily. Trueheart was about to bang the gavel again to restore order until Joaquin gently grabbed her hand. She looked to him surprised, but Joaquin smiled at her and let go of Trueheart's paw as he motioned for the bears and the cousins to be silent. Everyone calmed down. "Then I became his apprentice and he gave me the new name of Darkage." After wards, the mood felt gloomy and very dark. "But then you bears came along and exposed Noheart thus revealing the truth of what really happened and turned me from the darkside forever!" He shouted in triumph. "Then you gave me a new name, and I love that new name, Shimmering star and made me a offer I couldn't refuse. Although Noheart caused me a great deal of pain, I forgave Noheart and I joined to be together with you, forevermore!" He said as he pumped his fist into the air in victory. Everyone applauded. "I have only one thing left to say!" Everyone grew quiet. "I won't let you down!" He shouted with conviction. Thunderous applause took place their after. After a few moments of that standing ovation, everyone sat back down in their seats as Trueheart and Nobleheart stood side by side with Shimmeringstar.
"Joaquin, I mean Shimmering..." Stammered Trueheart. "Which do you prefer to be called?"
"Don't matter." He replied.
"Joaquin, do you promise to uphold the beliefs of the carebear family?"
"I do." Replied Shimmering star.
"Do you promise, to uphold the truth of what we stand for?"
"Yes!" Shimmeringstar said with no wavering or delay.
"Is their anybody here who objects to this member joining, raise your right hand now?" Trueheart said. After waiting for a brief moment, nobody objected. Just as she was about to proceed...
"Wait!" Shouted Aqua bear who stood up out of his chair. Everyone looked in his direction. "I have a question."
"Speak." Commanded Trueheart bear.
"Shimmeringstar, are you going to go through the training to become a caring guardian?" The room fell silent as they waited with anticipation for Joaquin's answer.
"I'll do whatever duties it takes to fulfill my responsibilities!" Everyone cheered. Aqua bear gave him a thumbs up and sat back down in his chair.
"Well then, if their are no further questions or objections, I hereby pronounce Shimmeringstar as a official member of the carebear's family!" Everyone cheered as Joaquin hugged Trueheart and shook hands with Nobleheart horse. Redemptionheart, Aqua, Lonesomeheart, Trueheart, and Nobleheart horse all posed together as Friend bear offered to take their picture with Joaquin in the center with one arm around Trueheart, and the other around Redemptionheart bear.
"Say cheese!" They all smiled and Friend bear took the picture.
"Party time!" Yelled Birthday bear as they brought out the food from the kitchen. Their was cake, chicken casserole, a tuna dish, and of course Grams bear's happy apple pie. Aqua bear grabbed Joaquin's hand with his paw and walked him to the line which now formed around the buffet table in the center of the room where others were also waiting for their fair share of food. Shimmeringstar had a slice of every dish and looked as plump as Lotsaheart elephant.
"Oh, that was so good," Said Shimmeringstar as he patted his stomach contently.
"You can say that again and that's the truth!" Agreeing Lotsaheart.
"After that meal, I don't think I'll need to eat for another week!" Said Shimmeringstar. Redemptionheart, Aqua, Lonesomeheart, and Trueheart looked at him as if he was serious. "Well, at least not till tomorrow." He said bashfully. They all laughed.
"Hey Shimmeringstar," He turned to Nobleheart. "I've got something for you!" He held out his paw and handed him a golden heart shaped key.
"What's this?" He said scratching his head.
"Its the key to your new home!" He said enthusiastically. Shimmeringstar held the key and examined it. Then he looked back up and faced Nobleheart horse.
"Thank you!" He said. Nobleheart reached out his paw expecting a handshake but instead Shimmering star pulled his paw towards him and embraced him in a hug.
"Haha! Your welcome." He said as he was gently placed back down to his feet. "Your house is located in the west side of Carelot next to Wishbear's house. You can't miss it. Also we took the liberty of placing all of your things inside your new house for you. We didn't know how you wanted your things placed so were leaving that up to you."
"Not a problem," Shimmeringstar said. "Thank you. All of you for everything!" He said as he looked around to the rest of his friends that stood beside him.
"Your welcome!" Said Nobleheart. "If you ever need anything, just contact us at our home. We live in the downtown area of Carelot next to Tenderheart's house. Hey, Aqua, and Lonesomeheart bear. Why don't you walk Shimmeringstar to his home."
"Sure," Said Aqua bear. "I'll walk my big brother to his new house."
"Big brother?" Inquired Shimmeringstar as he looked surprised looking directly at Aqua.
"Yeah! Why not? I've always wanted a bigger brother," Aqua bear said in a overly friendly tone. "I figured since your older than me, and your now a member of the carebear's family, why not?" Shimmeringstar laughed.
"If you want me as a bigger brother you got it!" He picked him up and set the bear gently upon his shoulders. "Lead the way little brother!" Aqua bear pointed west of the hall of hearts and they went on their way with his sister.
"Hey Shimmeringstar?" Inquired Lonesomeheart bear as they walked over a rainbow bridge.
"Yes Lonesomeheart?" He replied.
"Since your his older brother, does that make you my brother too?" She asked.
"I don't see why it wouldn't." Answered Shimmering star.
"He's my brother," Said Aqua bear defensively. "Find your own brother!" Lonesomeheart bear stuck her tongue out at Aqua bear.
"Now, be nice Aqua bear. She is your sister you know and your only biological sister." Shimmeringstar said firmly.
"I suppose your right." He said sounding a little down. "I'm sorry sis."
"That's okay bro." She said as she gently grabbed his right foot accepting his apology. "I still love you."
"Hey, Shimmering star," Inquired Aqua bear. "Since your going to become a caring guardian soon, do you mind if me and my sister help you to train for the trials?"
"Not at all little brother. But first, I need to reconstruct another light saber."
"Hey," Said Lonesomeheart bear as she stopped in her tracks and Shimmeringstar and Aqua bear turned to face her.
"What is it Lonesomeheart?" Inquired Aqua bear.
"I was just thinking," She said. "Why don't you go see Brightheart. I heard he was trying to replicate one of our sabers in his science lab. Maybe he can make one for you!"
"I don't know," Thought Shimmeringstar. "I think I should make my own caring saber instead."
"I understand." Said Lonesomeheart bear. "But if he can make you one sooner, the earlier you can begin your quest to become a caring guardian!" Shimmeringstar stood still deep in thought.
"That would be nice," Thought Shimmeringstar outloud. "But are you sure Brightheart won't mind?"
"I don't see why he would." Said Lonesomeheart bear pointedly.
"I'll see him tomorrow then. Let's go its getting dark out here." Said Shimmeringstar as they continued on their way to his home as the sun was now setting over Carelot.
After they came to his house Lonesomeheart, and Aqua bear decided to stay awhile and visit with their new member as they just reached the front porch of his new house.
"Wow, this looks really nice!" Said Shimmeringstar with awe as he took a moment to observe the house. He took his golden key and unlocked the heart shaped door knob. "Well, better put you down so you don't clunk your head." He said to Aqua bear as he gently placed him down to his feet. After Shimmeringstar unlocked the door, he walked in with his two guests and closed the door behind him. As he looked around, he saw all of his brown boxes that had some assorted clothes and a few other items which he salvaged from his parent's storage shed which were neatly stacked three boxes high. It was a single room with a king sized bed in the right corner of the house with a window just above it. Their was also a sink and a toilet in the other far corner of the room which led down a long narrow hall with only some shower curtains for privacy. Their was also a big blue navy carpet that was ovel shaped covering the wooden empty floor with a big red shaped heart in the center of the rug. In the center of the room straight ahead of them between the bathroom hall and the King size bed, there stood a single stove, and a modern Frigidaire refrigerator which had a small freezer on the top which was nicely decorated with stars and heart designs. He also noticed a piece of paper stuck on the refrigerator's left side. He walked over to it and grabbed it and read it.
"Dear Shimmeringstar, I hope you like some of the decorations in which we left for you since you didn't have much to decorate with. We also left some entrees of food for you that's easy to heat up for when you get hungry. We also know that you've been through alot with lacking sleep and all. So we decided that its best we give you the week off until you get to feel at home with us. Feel free to go to any place around Carelot or the Forest of Feelings. If you want any other food or clothing, go see Grams bear. Also breakfast and lunch and dinner are always served at the hall of heart's each day if you grow tired of the frozen entrees. We will give you your new responsibilities at the end of the week. Until then, enjoy your stay here with us as we look forward to having our first human member! Have a nice day! Sincerely yours, signed Nobleheart and Trueheart." 'Thank you!' Shimmeringstar thought to himself. 'That was thoughtful of them.'
'Hey, I can hear your thoughts remember big brother?' Inquired Aqua bear in Shimmeringstar's head.
'Oh, I forgot.' He said a little embarrassed as he walked over to his bed and sat in it. Lonesomeheart and Aqua bear stood in front of him.
"So you two," Shimmeringstar said trying to make conversation. "Who is this Mel'feir that you told me about earlier?"
"He was the one who taught me how to use my powers!" Lit up Aqua bear.
"He was also the one who gave us these sabers!" Lonesomeheart bear replied happily.
"He also taught me how to sword fight!" Said the hot pink bear proudly.
"How long did you know him?" Asked Shimmeringstar.
"Two years." Replied Lonesomeheart bear.
"Where is he now?" Shimmering star inquired. Lonesomeheart bear's eyes become watery.
"He had to return to his own world. He told us to find the family in which we belong to before he took the portal back to his own world." Then she teared up while Aqua bear embraced her sister.
"Sorry," Said Aqua bear. "Its just that we miss him and haven't heard from him since. Some days we wonder if he's doing alright."
"Its alright," Replied Shimmeringstar. "I understand. So, this Mel'feir is from another world huh?"
"Yeah. He told us that their used to be carebears in his world a long time ago just like us until they were believed to be destroyed by the evil God of that world."
"Interesting!" Said Shimmeringstar as he looked very intrigued by the story they were telling him. "Tell me more!"
"That's all we know." Replied Lonesomeheart bear looking up to Shimmeringstar with her cute teary black eyes. "Mel'feir never talked much about his world with us. He just told us that someday hopefully, you'll find the answers to all of those questions some day."
"I'm sorry to hear that he didn't reveal much of himself to you," Commented Shimmeringstar. "He seemed like a very detached person."
"He was not a detached!" Shouted Lonesomeheart bear snapping at Shimmeringstar. "He shared everything else with us! He was like a father to us!"
"Sorry," Shimmeringstar said apologetically. "I didn't know you were that close."
"That's alright," Said Lonesomehart bear as she calmed down. "I didn't mean to snap at you. Its just that we miss him!"
"Just like I miss my parents." Replied Shimmeringstar in understanding. After a brief moment of silence, Shimmeringstar decided to break the ice with a new topic. "So, tell me about this caring Guardian prophecy." (If you want to read the actual prophecy, its at the end of my first story,"The Rise of Darkage.")
"Well, we believe that the chosen one of the prophecy is to lead us in our campaigns against those who oppose us from spreading caring all over the world." Lomesomeheart heart bear explained patiently. "It is said that the chosen one will be picked by the two elders."
"Who are the two chosen ones?" Inquired Shimmeringstar curiously.
"We don't know." Replied Aqua bear. "We don't even know the time when they will appear." Shimmeringstar holds his chin deep in thought.
"You said that their were two of them right," Shimmering said out loud, the two caring guardians nodded. "Have you ever thought they might already be among us?"
"Shimmering star," Smiled Lonesomeheart bear. "Your not saying that it might be..."
"Yes." Replied Shimmeringstar before she could finish her question. "Who amongst the carebear family showed up in a pair?"
"Nobleheart and Trueheart!" Aqua bear said outloud.
"Correct little brother," Answered Shimmeringstar. "We must inform the two elders immediately, for this could be of vital importance later. Will do this first thing in the morning." Shimmeringstar led his company out the door and went to bed right afterwards reflecting upon his new life that he knew he had to fulfill and adjust to.