Okay here it is. I think most of the writers block is gone but there is still some left. I hope this chapter isn't too confusing. Ap exams r over, so I will really be able to get the chapters flowing.
Q-bot docked the boat in a manmade harbor on the north end of the island. Proud Heart was instantly off the boat and kissing the ground, grateful for the feeling of solid land to once again be under her paws. "Aww come on Proud Heart, aren't you over reacting just a little?"
She spit a leaf from her mouth, "No. You just don't understand because you are a bear. You've no idea how scary water can be!" She quickly licked her paw before rubbing it over a patch of hair that was refusing to stay down.
Share glanced at the trees, then at the crows, then to a small pile of rocks. "Do you guys think we should split up or stay together?"
They thought about it for awhile, "Maybe we should split since the island is so small. I mean what could happen."
"Great Birthday you jinxed it. I vote we stay together!"
"I did not jinx it Proud Heart. You can't always have everything your way you know."
She crossed her arms nose in the air, "I never said that."
"Stop it! Don't you guys see what's happening? Because of the lack of caring in the world, we too are starting to stop caring. We have to find the others and fix things before we stop caring all together."
Stopping all talking, the group took a few minutes to calm their nerves and rationally decide on what the best way to look for crystal would be. Looking at the loch, they saw the still water, dark with reflecting the clouds above. The crows still circled but seemed afraid to actually land on the island. They watched the companions though, red eyes following their every move.
When she felt everyone had regained their composure, Share presented their options once again. "Why don't we take a vote. Who wants to stay together and search?" Everyone raised their hands. "Great, lets start at the rocks then work our way into the forest."
Tugs scampered over the rocks jumping from one to the other. "These would make a really good fort. I wish we had more time to explore them."
"We'll come back when this is all over ba..er... Tugs," Birthday caught himself. For the first time he realized that Tugs wasn't such a baby anymore. Sure he was still young, evident of his little break down earlier, but some things had definitely changed. He'd had a little growth spurt and was now up to Birthday's nose, and he nor Hugs needed their diapers anymore. Pretty soon they would be driving cloud mobiles, going solo on missions, and live away from Grams bear.
"Birthday, you ok?" He quickly wiped his suddenly misty eyes, "Fine. Just got a little dust in them." Tugs shrugged and continued his jumping.
Share slipped her paw into Birthdays. "I know. They grow up faster then you realize. Don't worry though, I have a feeling more cubs will be coming along soon. Which means plenty more b-days for us to celebrate." He laughed lightly.
Searching the rocks proved useless so they headed into the forest. In the dimming light, the trees looked like glowing skeletons of their former selves. All were leafless and for the most part dead. Proud Heart bounded up one part way in order to get their bearings. "There's a dried up stream bed a little ways that way, maybe it's over there."
Q-bot followed the felines pointed paw, rolling smoothly over the dry soil of the island. Upon reaching the bed he looked from the banks rather then go into it. "There is nothing over here."
"Let's try the forest again." They fanned out while walking through the trees, looking for any glimpse of purple, "I wish Bright Heart was here. He would be able to spot that crystal right away. I can't see hardly anything in this darkness." It was true, while they'd been looking the sky had begun to grow even darker meaning night was coming.
Tugs was the first to emerge on the other side of the island. The crystal sat in front of him on an oddly flat rock. "Hey guys, I found it." Running forward he picked up Noble Heart. Everyone felt a weight lifted from their shoulders, knowing they would soon have one of the people who raised them back among them.
But just as they were about to perform the spell to release him, a strong wind off the lock began to whip around them, creating small dust dervishes and turning the twigs into missiles that pricked when they hit.
"Maybe we should get back to the mainland before we do this." Bedtime had to shout to be heard over the wind.
"I agree, back to the boat." Bedtime stared up a lantern so they could find their way safely back to the makeshift dock. Proud Heart got into the boat groaning, after this I am never going on another boat as long as I live."
"It's a good thing the Cloud Skimmer is a ship then. Or else you'd never be able to go on it." replied Share laughing. Even Proud Heart laughed a little. None of them noticed a pair of eyes watching them from the Loch.
The boat was rocking due to the waves created by the sudden wind, forcing the Care Bears to hold on tightly to the sides. By then they were halfway across the Loch, the opposite side seemed just out of reach.
Proud Heart hung slightly over the side, fur turning green. As she gazed dazedly into the murky water below, she could have sworn a huge shape swam under the boat.
"Eeeeck! Bedtime, something just swam under the boat." Yawning he went to examine the fathoms below. There was nothing but stormy water and sea foam.
"I think your mind is playing tricks on you Proud Heart. There's nothing..." A scream from Share was heard before the boat capsized. Lucky for Q-bot water no longer damaged his circuits or he would have been fried.
"Care Bears, are you okay?" Tugs was the first to surface, followed by Bedtime, Share, Proud Heart, and finally Birthday.
"Were fine. What was that?" Share spit seawater out of her mouth, "You didn't see it?"
Birthday shook his head. "It was...THAT!"
Out of the Loch burst a long green neck topped by a head full of sharp teeth. It's eyes were in the front of it's head, signaling a predator. The thing lifted it's head to the sky before lunging at the group of Care Bears.
"Everyone dive!" The monsters head hit right where Tugs had been a moment ago. Q-bot using his propellor, the one that come out of his head, cleared the water and landed back on the island. "This way Care Bears, it can't go on land."
Proud Heart was the next to arrive, helped ashore by Birthday. Bed time, Share, and Tugs were cornered by the monster. The thing lowered it's head, growling sinisterly.
"Give me back what's mine and I'll spare your lives." It's eyes narrowed, drilling holes in the Care Bears courage and getting straight to the nerves. Tugs still clutched Noble Heart tight, eyes wide in fear.
"Care Bears stare. Proud Heart call." Birthday and Proud Hearts stares hit the monster in the side of the head, momentarily blinding him. He roared, shaking his head to clear his vision. The Care Bears in the water swam as fast as they could for land. Share and Bedtime had entered the shallows, thinking Tugs was right behind them. A hapless scream from the youngest member of the team showed them the error of their assumption.
The monster had swam to put itself between the Care Bears on shore and the one in the water.
"Tugs give him the crystal, it's not worth it."
"No, it doesn't belong to him. Noble Heart is a member of the family. He doesn't deserve to be trapped for all of time, held captive by this monster."
"I was asked to guard that crystal by a friend of mine. She said not to let anyone near it. For 25 years I've guarded it, and I'm not about to let you have it. Now give it back before bite your head off."
"Wait! Who is this friend of yours"
The thing turned it's head to land, "None of your business." He snarled before turning his attention back to Tugs.
Proud Heart got a 'cat ate the canary' grin across her face, "She wouldn't happen to be a certain pegasus pressed over taking No Heart down. Fa..."
"Shhh. Don't say her name out loud, are you insane. I take it you know her."
"Yes, she's helping us to get our family members back from being trapped in this crystal state. So we'd really appreciate if you would give us that crystal. It just happens to be one of our founding members."
The Loch Ness Monster slowly moved towards the shore, "How do I know you're telling the truth. You look identical to those creations of No Hearts."
Birthday stood there, foot tapping, 'If I ever wanted Tender Heart to give one of his lectures about love and caring now would be it.'
"What do we have to do to prove to you we are who we say we are?"
"Answer the security question Fauna told me only a true Care Bear would know the answer to."
"What is it?"
"People spend their lives searching for treasure; gold, priceless artifacts, gems, silver, but not all treasure is silver and gold. What is the most valuable thing in the entire world?"
Q-bots lights started blinking as he thought about the answer to the riddle.
Birthday, Share, Tugs, Bedtime, and Proud Heart just smiled knowingly. As one they answered Nessie.
"The love you are shown and you show others."
A small smile spread across the great creatures scaly lips, "Correct. The crystal is yours for the taking. Be sure to give Fauna my regards when you see her."
They waved goodbye as the serpent dove below the waves and into his beloved Loch.
"I don't understand it. How did you know the answer?"
"You learn a few things in our line of work." Grinning they felt a slight warmth on their fur. Looking up, they gasped as a small beam of light penetrated the clouds. The light brought hope to the group. It showed No Heart was weakening, and the world was ready to get it's greatest treasure back.
Finally this chapter is posted. Yay! And now that all the hard work is done, I promise the next chapter will be up by next week. Probably not before the weekend cause it's prom. Hope you like it.