Chapter 54

Opening the door to the dungeon where Soul was keeping the immortals, Pitch turned on one of the lights. Making sure the oatmeal in her hands was not going to fall she turned on the light, "Dinner time guys." Closing the door behind her she walked slowly to the imprisoned immortals.

Renegade had been sleeping and the bright light forced him to wake up. Nova was already awake and she had been staring at the entrance with a serious expression, which softened slightly when she saw who the server was. Being tied up with gold laced ropes had left them with nothing to do but sleep and eat whenever someone came to feed them ever since their kidnapping. Even talking to each other was tortuous for them.

"Looks like its oatmeal again tonight." Pitch placed the bowls on the ground near them, glancing only briefly at the ropes that held them. Reaching into her pocket, she produced 2 gorgeous red apples. "And these I pilfered while I was in town."

"Th-thanks," Nova strained out.

Wincing internally Pitch made sure the food was close enough that they could reach it easily. "Do you guys need any water or anything?"

"Yes," Renegade said.

Nova managed to grab the apple with her teeth and pull it into her mouth. The spell she had used to turn human had worn off shortly after their arrival. She chewed the apple slowly, enjoying the sweet flavor, a nice change from the mostly flavorless food they had been forced to subsist off of.

Going to a spicket in the corner she filled their water bucket before bringing it to Renegade. "Soul says she is almost done getting what she needs from you and then she'll let you go. She promised me," Pitch told them.

A small growl escaped from Nova's throat at the mention of their captor's name as she slurped up the oatmeal.

Pitch reached out instinctively to stroke Nova's forelock to calm her, but caught herself and returned her hand to her side, "I'm sorry you guys. Really I am. I don't like seeing you like this."

"F-free us," Renegade begged.

"I wish I could," Pitch said as she moved the water bucket to Nova so she could have a drink as well. "But I owe her my life...and honestly she's the one person here I'm sort of afraid of. She's just so strong." Pitch wasn't surprised how easily she admitted things to them. She hated seeing animals in cages.

Nova finished drinking. "Talk...when...free," she said.

"It should be soon." She told Nova. She briefly looked to the door to make sure no one else was coming down. "Things around here are getting weird."

"How?" Renegade asked.

"One of those Care Bears switched to our side. Or not really switched; she left them and is just sort of living here. I'm pretty sure she and Glacial are sleeping together," she told him.

Neither Renegade nor Nova could think of a response to that. Nova finished drinking the last of the water and just lay there, staring at the rope wound around her front ankles.

Renegade shifted uncomfortably, wincing as his ropes rubbed against him. It was then Pitch realized the coppery smell wasn't from the ropes it was from large red welts forming where they were rubbing the captives skin. Her lip lifted, "I was afraid of that." Pulling a jar out of her pocket she put some green jelly on her fingers, "Here this will help with the rubbing." Gently Pitch rubbed the gel into Renegade's wound. Renegade eyes flinched as the ointment was rubbed on his injury.

"Sorry if it stings, but it will numb the skin under the ropes so they won't hurt anymore. And it will keep it clean since I know you can't heal while the gold is touching you," Pitch explained.

"Thank...you," Renegade said.

Pitch gave a small smile, "It's the least I can do. And believe me that makes me sick inside." Moving to Nova she checked her over for similar rubs, finding a few and treating them the same.

Soul Heart looked at the sword pendant floating inside an orb in front of her. "Very troubling," she commented.

Stopping grooming her feathers, Torrid lifted her head from beneath her upraised wing, "What is?" Looking at the sword she frowned, "Is it not supposed to be floating?"

"I'm making it float," Soul Heart replied. "It's the emotions I'm feeling from Flare Heart's doll that have me worried."

Torrid shuddered and shifted uneasily, "Everything is wrong with that doll. It's made of fire."

"Your pyrophobia aside, this doll has emotions and they are independent from Flare Heart herself," Soul Heart said. "Some time ago I was able to observe a group of bount in battle with another organization. I was not able to glean much but I witnessed something truly horrifying. When one of the bount was struck with a severe poison by their enemy the doll turned on its master and destroyed him before the poison could take effect, declaring that its master was too weak, even knowing that killing its master meant the doll would die as well."

"So you think Flare's doll thing is going to turn on her. I wouldn't be surprised. I jist said no good ever comes from fire. Ever!" Torrid said.

"Yes, I do," Soul Heart said. "The doll feels contempt for her, and every time she returns from her failed missions her clothing and parts of her fur are burned. I hate to do this to her but I will need to hold her back from missions until she becomes stronger or finds a new source for her power."

"It won't be easy. She always has to be in the thick of things. When you tell her that she can't go anymore she is going to fight it."

"I know, so until then I'll have to keep her doll secured in here." Soul Heart turned to another object sitting on her table, what looked like a heart rate monitor connected by a tube to a glass bubble, "As long as you're here Torrid, can you help me with this last part of my project?"

She bobbed her head, "If I can sure. What do you need?"

"Heat this bubble," Soul Heart held up the bubble at the end of her object. "I need to cast the last spell and expand this object and it needs to be heated while I do so, however using fire may cause it to warp but with your temperature elementalism you can heat it directly which will speed up the process."

Cackling Torrid brought her wings forward, "I will be more than happy to do something the mighty fire cannot do." Holding her silver feathered wings up she closed her eyes and thought of warmth.

Soul Heart could feel the heat being projected into the orb and she smiled, "Good, now don't let my chanting distract you." Sould Heart began to chant her spells, which caused the orb to begin enlarging.

As they worked on the orb, Flare Heart carefully snuck into the room. 'Taking me off combat duty! Flamberge won't turn on me!' With the chanting muffling her movements and both Torrid and Soul Heart not looking at the floating pendant, Flare Heart was able to snatch her doll back. She felt the heat coming from it as she left the room. "I'll kill Snowy Heart and prove I'm strong enough," she said quietly to herself as she pulled out her transport mirror.

Outside of her house, Share sat on the front steps as Snowy once more worked on improving his powers. She was doing her best to be encouraging and to help keep him focused. "You are doing so good Snowy! Keep it up!"

"Nearly there," Snowy took a deep breath and held his left arm out, the pentacle floating up to his hand. His snowflake shaped bow appeared once again and the cold began to radiate outwards from it. Snowy's closed eyes scrunched up and the snowflake bow began to fold inwards.

Shivering, Share rubbed her arms. "Don't give up baby. I believe in you. I know you can do this."

Snowy smiled and the bow folded into a single wide shaft of white light. The glow suddenly lit up, nearly blinding Share as she threw up her arms to block out the light.

When the light faded, Snowy stood with what looked like an elaborately carved wooden bow in his outstretched hand.

"Oh wow Snowy! That is so cool looking! See I knew you could do it." Getting up she walked down the steps toward him, still trying to warm up after the chill.

Snowy exhaled, "I didn't think it would look so solid," he said. He drew back on the bowstring and as the blue arrow formed, the wooden bow suddenly stretched, growing into a longbow longer than Snowy was tall. He drew aimed up at the sky and suddenly felt a rush of energy as he fired off the arrow, which exploded into a large snowflake high in the sky. His bow shrank back to its normal size as he lowered it, "Whoa!"

He turned to Share and embraced her as she came in range, "Sorry I've been so busy with this, Share."

Surprised by the hug she gave a little yelp, "No biggie. I know this was important to you." Tilting her head up she gazed at the large snowflake. "It sure is pretty."

"It is, but it's just a weapon Share." he gave her a soft kiss, "You're still prettier."

Grinning she slid her arms around him, hugging him loosely. "And those kind of compliments are why I let you work on this skill." She kissed him, "It is so sweet that you think I am prettier than a snowflake."

"I always will," Snowy replied.

"Aww, how sweet. I could almost hurl," Snowy started, released Share and whipped around to see Flare Heart standing there, twirling her sword pendant on her right finger.

Share took a few more steps away from her boyfriend, "Snowy should I go get help?"

"Yes, go," Snowy leveled his bow at Flare Heart.

"Not a chance! Ziget Dich! Flamberge!" Flare Heart's erupted into fire, the metal armor forming on her forearms and lower legs. She swung her left arm out and sent a stream of fire out behind the two of them creating a wall of fire that cut off any chance to escape.

Share fell backwards as the flame shot up in front of her, holding her arm in front of her face to protect herself. "Snowy!"

Snowy was at her side in an instant. "You won't involve her in this!" Snowy declared. In an instant they had disappeared with a whoosh of his screen step.

Share gasped as they reappeared at the edge of the Forest of Feelings, "Share, please go and get someone who can fight this fire, probably Love Heart, I'll keep her busy as long as I can."

"Alright," Share gave Snowy a small kiss, "just be safe."

"I will," Snow promise. He gave a little kiss back then screen stepped back into the forest.

Flare Heart was still standing where she had been when Snowy vanished, "Sorry, but I can't let you put Share in danger."

"Wish I'd known you could do that, but it won't matter!" Flare's fire ignited even higher. "You're going to die today, Snowy Heart!" without a moment's hesitation she shot off twin streams of fire at the fox.

Snowy dodged aside and tried to let off a shot from his bow, but was forced to keep running as Flare Heart swung her left arm towards him, the fire stream chasing him and igniting more of the trees surrounding them. "I won't fail! I am strong!" Flare declared as she raised her right hand, a fireball forming in her palm.

Snowy was forced to screen step away as Flare hurled the fireball, creating a massive explosion and leaving a scorched crater where Snowy had been a second ago, however the arctic fox was still knocked down from the force of the blast and only barely managed to roll out of the way as Flare leapt at him and punched down with a jet of blue flame on her forearm.

Snowy finally managed to draw back his bow and fire off a pale blue arrow at Flare Heart, striking her in the side of her arm and sending her flying a short distance. She righted herself, her clothes starting to burn away. "Just hold still!" She demanded as she shot out a jet of blue fire at Snowy. A sudden reflex prompted Snowy to raise his left arm, a pale blue disc appearing to block her strike.

Flare Heart growled and she kicked Snowy, scorching his clothes and sending his backwards. This time, Snow was able to right himself and he fired off another arrow, which struck Flare in the chest, a small snowflake appearing at the point of impact.

Flare winced from the impact and shook her arm, scattering some more fire around along with some burning fur. "Even if I lose here I'll burn down your precious home!" She spat at him. Her feet ignited into twin jet streams and she flew right as snowy, aiming one of her fire jets at his throat. A moment before she hit, Snowy screen stepped behind her and shot her in the back with one of his arrows. Flare Heart was flung through a nearby tree skid to a halt.

"Why do you persist in doing this?" Snowy asked as he approached Flare Heart, who was slowly getting to her feet. "You don't have to be my enemy."

"And join you're lovey-dovey family, hah!" Flare shot back as she turned to face Snowy, perspiration visible across her body even under the flames. "Why would I want to do that, to help kids share their feelings? To make the world a better place?! That's bullshit, you'll never win! At least this way I'm with a team that understands me, or at least lets me be who I am without trying to change me!"

"But-" Snowy was forced to jump back as Flare Heart leapt at him and brought his flaming fists down where he had been a moment ago.

"But nothing! Fight me now!" Flare Heart demanded. The flames emanating from her body were burning hotter, turning a pale blue. Flare Heart's whole body felt like it was burning but she didn't care as she launched another assault, numerous fire bolts flying towards the arctic fox.

Snowy didn't have time to screen step and there was little space to dodge so he drew back and his bow and retaliated against Flare's bolts with his arrows. Numerous arrows and bolts impacted each other as Snowy was able to fire off his arrows like a machine gun. The fire bolts froze in mid-air, falling to the forest floor between then only to melt from the heat of the fire surrounding them.

Suddenly Flare Heart appeared amongst her storm of fireballs and slammed into Snowy Heart, she smirked as she saw his robes catch fire and he fell backwards, but the burning sensation did not subside. Much to her shock, Snowy stood up and the fire dissipated from his robes.

"How! How are you still alive?" She demanded.

"My reiatsu fortifies me," Snowy replied. "For someone who uses powers from the same source as my own, you know so little about them."

"Shut up!" Flare Heart flared up again, her pain intensified as the rest of her shirt and top burned away and she charged at Snowy again. Her strikes became more wild and snowy was able to jump backwards. Snowy jumped over Flare and fired an arrow at Flare, but missed and it struck the ground, freezing the ground and making a snowflake patter from the center of its point, which quickly melted from Flare Heart's heat.

"Why! Won't! You! Die!" Flare demanded, firing off a bright blue bolt of fire with each exclamation.

"Because I've become stronger, and I have something to live for," Snowy replied. His voice was calm despite the raging inferno around him as he calmly dodged the bright blue fireballs. He drew back on his bow and sighted at Flare Heart. He took a deep breath and drew back, his bow growing into a longbow and the pale blue arrow grew, showing that it was actually a blue and white stripes arrow before he fired it. Flare Heart dodged aside only to see the arrow shatter a foot in front of Snowy Heart, scattering into numerous tiny arrows and peppered the area in front of him, a dozen of them striking Flare Heart and flinging her backwards.

Snowy's bow remained at its extended size as he watched Flare Heart stand. "Will you cease this fight?" he asked.

"How did you get so strong!?" Flare Heart demanded as she got back up.

"I stopped leaning on the crutch I gained from Wonderland," Snowy replied. "I have reconnected with the roots of my powers and combined them into something greater."

Flare Heart growled as she stood up completely. "I'll still win here, one way or another!" Flare Heart charged up again and flew at Snowy Heart. As Snowy dodged her blows he saw that more of her fur was burning away.

"Flare stop, you-"

"Shut up!" Flare shouted.

Back in Soul Heat's lab, she finished her chanting and released the now beach-ball sized glass orb on the table. "Thank you, Torrid. You can stop heating now."

Relieved, Torrid lowered her wings, feeling dizzy from having used her ability for so long. "Did it work?" She asked Soul Heart while looking at the orb.

"Yes it did." Soul Heart picked up the orb, "Now it will be able to contain the magical essence from the immortals. Now I must-" Soul Heart's eyes when wide when she saw that Flare sword pendant was gone. "Oh no!"

Looking quickly in the same direction of Soul, Torrid flinched. "This is bad right? Very very bad?"

"Yes!" Soul Heart pulled out her mirror and focused which made it show the image of Flare Heart and Snowy's fight in the middle of the burning Forest of Feelings. "She's gone to fight Snowy Heart!"

Torrid saw all of Flare's clothes were gone as well as most of her fur. "We should go help her!"

"I'll go," Soul Heart said as she tossed her mirror forwards, "I won't ask you to go into a burning forest Torrid."

"Should I get Glacial or someone?" Torrid really wanted to be away from even the image of those flames.

Soul Heart shook her head, "No, I'll go alone." And then she stepped through her portal, which shut behind her.

Snowy felt a burn in his side as Flare's jet fire punch cut him in the side. He screen stepped away from Flare Heart and fired off one more arrow, which struck Flare in the middle of her back, which sent her sprawling forwards. Snowy watched her flames as she pushed herself agonizingly upwards.

"No…. I can't lose…" Flare's voice was desperate.

"You're weak," a voice growled from Flare Heart.

"What?" Flare's eyes went wide.

"You're too weak for me. You're finished." The voice was calm and for an instant there was nothing, then the fire on her body erupted into a bright pillar shaped like a nine-tailed fox with a sinister grin on its face and Flare Heart screamed in pain.

Snowy stared, horrified as he saw Flare's flesh was burning away. Flare Heart was writhing in agony as the fire ate away at her body. Snowy tried to approach but the visage of the fox snapped at him.

Flare Heart turned her agonized stare towards Snowy and pleaded, "Please help me!"

Snowy didn't know why but he drew his bow and fired an arrow at the flaming beast, which encased its front in ice. It barely took a second for the ice to melt and the flame to burn higher. Flare Heart's screams became gurgling as the flames burned her down and she collapsed forwards. One last time she begged, "help…me…" then the fire consumed her and Snowy was forced to avert his gaze.

All of a sudden, the fire disappeared. Not just from in front of him but all around. The raging inferno just extinguished itself and Snowy turned to face forwards only to see her remains dissipating into blue dust.

"I was too late." Snowy started when he saw that Soul Heart was standing there, staring up as Flare Heart's dust dissipated into the air. "I tried to stop her, I should has hidden her doll better."

"Soul Heart!" Snowy notched an arrow to his bow.

She turned to face the arctic fox, "I didn't want her to do this. She came here on her own. But as long as I'm here…" She raised her arm and a rainbow colored ball of energy formed on her hand, "I think it's time to end this."

Share hurried back through the Forest of Feelings, Confidence and Love Heart on her heels. "We have to hurry guys! Otherwise I'm pretty sure she'll burn down the whole forest."

"But there's no fire," Confidence Heart pointed out, "I can't even hear it anymore."

"Maybe Snowy was able to-" Love Heart was cut off by a massive explosion, the shockwave of which struck the three of them and blew them on to their backs.

Slowly Share got to her feet. Her cheek had gotten scratched on the tree root she fell on and it stung slightly. Panicking she yelled, "SNOWY!" and ran faster to his home.

Soul Heart's open palm was facing the ruins of Snowy Heart's home. Snowy was just staring at her, his bow having slackened.

"Shocked? Don't be, I haven't even started yet," Soul Heart said.

"No, I'll stop you here!" Snowy drew back on his bow and fired another massive arrow, which shattered right in front of Soul Heart and struck her with even small arrow. Despite the spirit arrows that struck her, Soul Heart didn't even flinch.

"I'm impressed you've gotten so much stronger. I can give you a chance to join me now if you wish," Soul Heart offered.

"Snowy! Are you okay?" Share called as she arrived. The sight of the ruined home made her gasp, "Oh no, Snowy! Please, answer me!"

"I'm here!" Snowy called out, directing Share's attention to where he was facing off with Soul Heart.

Breathing a sigh of relief she headed over to where his voice had come from. "Oh Snowy I am so glad you are-" Seeing Soul Heart she stopped short again. Love Heart and Confidence arrived behind her.

"Soul Heart!" Love Heart immediately drew something out of his pockets and with a flash of light his swords were in his hands.

"I was hoping to save our fight for the end, but we might as well have our fight now!" Soul Heart gathered up the silver energy in her hand.

"Snowy, get Share out of here," Confidence Heart said.

"But-"

"Just go!" Love Heart shouted as he charged at Soul Heart and swung his swords at her, only for her to fire off her rainbow energy blast right at him.

Share gripped his hand briefly, "I know you've worked hard for this. I can go hide at Gentle Heart's house. You can stay and fight, I know it's what you want."

Snowy was about to, until her felt the burn on his side from Flare Heart, "No, I'll come with you. I'm still worn out from my fight with Flare."

Seeing him flinch she looked him over and saw the burn, "And you're hurt! Come on sweetie, I have you." Taking his arm she helped him away from the battle.

Love Heart and Confidence were flung out of the Forest of Feeling as Soul Heart followed after them, hovering above the ground, "I'll leave the forest alone for now, as a favor to Torrid Heart, but this place." She looked around then took a deep breath, "EVERYONE! COME OUTSIDE!" She bellowed, her voice amplified by sound elementalism.

Love-a-Lot took her hands away from her ears, "What was that?"

"I'll go check," Valiant grabbed his Zanpakuto before he ran outside.

Tender Heart, Brave Heart, Champ, and Grumpy had been eating lunch when the waves hit them. Brave Heart had jumped, sending his bowl of ice cream flying onto Grumpy. "Holy tarnation, was that an earthquake?"

"I don't think so Brave Heart," Tender Heart told him. But before he could hazard a guess to what it was, the Caring Meter let out a mournful wail.

Wiping the ice cream out of his eyes, Grumpy goraned, "Ooooo what now?" Looking around briefly Champ couldn't see any disturbances. "It must be coming from the Forest."

"Well then what are we waiting for?" Brave Heart ran off towards home with the three bears trying to keep up with him.

Almost every member of the Care Bear family was drawn to the noise, the only ones missing were Grams, Proud Heart, Love-a-Lot, Funshine, Harmony, Trust, Hugs and Tugs; every one of them had a similar reaction to seeing Soul Heart's battle with Love Heart and Confidence.

"She's here!" Noble Heart exclaimed.

True Heart gripped his hand, "Oh Noble, what should we do?" Her voice was filled with fear for her family.

"Fight," Loyal Heart declared as his silver armor and red cape formed on his body and he drew the blue steel sword that appeared at his side.

"Definately!" Valiant Heart drew his Zampakuto which ignited into it's electrified form. Around them every combat ready member of the family was drawing their weapons or flaring up their elemental powers.

Soul Heart threw Love Heart and Confidence off her and floated up even higher, "I see that you're all prepared to fight for your home. Unfortunately I'm not here to have a fight I'm just here to destroy." She swung her hand in front of her eyes, which began to glow. "Your home is finished."

Swift Heart balled her hands into fists, "Yea see we still have a problem with that. So be ready for a fight anyway!"

"Got that right! Bankai!" Valiant Heart shouted as he powere dup to his electified metal demon form and flew right at Soul Heart, "Akuma Rensei Tokkan!" he began to spin like a top as he flew, the lightning forming a drill around him.

Soul Heart didn't miss a beat and she conjured a huge boulder and hurled it at Valiant Heart. The Wolvering plowed right threw it only to meet with a cold slash from the black ice sword that had appeared in Soul Heat's hand, and blasted into the ground with another rainbow energy bolt.

"Don't go one by one, hit her all at once!" Confidence Heart shouted as she leapt up at Soul Heart, jets of air shooting out her feet.

With his infamous yell of "CHARGE! Care Cousins Call." Brave Heart led the cousins in an assault on Soul Heart. "Care Bears, Stare!" Since most of them didn't have any special powers this was the best they could do to aid their comrades. The multicolored light beams hit Soul Heart from all sides, enveloping her.

And as the light enveloped Soul Heart, blasts of energy struck her form every direction, Love Heart and Confidence were right up with her and they landed powerful blows at her.

There was a cry of fury from the middle of the cloud and a sphere of wind, fire, ice and lightning flew outwards, pushing all of them back. Piece of Soul Heart's uniform were damaged and she looked a bit beat up, but she was more angry than hurt, "Enough! Say goodbye to Care-a-Lot" She raised her hands and conjured a dozen of her rainbow orbs. Before she could hurl them, Independent Bear appeared above her and slashed at the orbs, his katana coated in bright blue energy. Three of the rainbow orbs exploded, knocking Soul Heart and Indy to the ground, the others, however, fell to the surface above where Soul Heart had been hovering.

Love Heart was standing there and he hastily shoved Confidence out of the way, too late to dodge aside he took the brunt of the explosion and was hurled a considerable distance.

As the orbs exploded, the Care Bears fell to the clouds, covering their heads with their arms. Illusion had even gone as far as to grab Grateful and cover her as he hunched down on the clouds. The heat from the explosion raced over them in a strong burst of air. The clouds beneath them shook and a good number of them began to dissolve. Feeling the cloud under her dissipating, Swift Heart scrambled backwards until she felt solid clouds again. Her ears were ringing from the blast waves and as such she couldn't quite focus her eyes on what was happening in front of her.

"Impressive," Soul Heart commented as she stood up. Part of her facial fur was burned away and she turned, black ice sword in hand, to face Independent Bear.

"I may not have anyone significant here, nor does anyone here truly appreciate my company. But they are my family and this is my home and I will defend it from you," Independent Bear declared, his whole body gleaming with energy."

"A noble attitude, but as I said, I'm not here to fight!" With a sudden sweep of her arm, Soul Heart sent a wave of smaller rainbow spheres towards Care-a-Lot. A few of the battle ready Care Bear Family members who had stood up again were struck back, most of the crying out in pain, and the rest of the orbs peppered the city, blowing holes in or even outright destroying several homes.

Wish Bear watched as her bright yellow door went flying from her house and lodged itself in Birthday Bears window. Nearby she heard Jolly cry out and Cozy telling him to not move. Champ had avoided the orb shot his way and was standing ready for more, looking angrily at Soul, "What did we ever do to you to deserve this!" He yelled at her.

"You have no idea!" Soul Heart said. Further outbursts from her were halted when Indy struck her with his sword, the spirit energy on his body burning her and forcing her to jump back and focus her attention on the white bear.

Valiant whirled around and exhaled in relief when he saw his house was still fully intact, "Thank goodness."

"It seems her aim was a bit off," Loyal Heart noted, seeing that Noble and True Heart's house was still standing.

"Then let's get her before she does any more!" Anger Heart shouted and he got up and charged at Soul Heart, who had her back turned to him. Anger Heart struck Soul Heart hard with one of his sai, coated in fire. Despite the force of his blow the strike didn't even break through Soul Heart's clothing. Soul Heart responded with a backhand to Anger Heart's face, sending him up and landing next to one of the holes in the clouds.

Seeing her boyfriend in distress, Guidance sent out beams of light and pulled him away from the hole and closer to her.

Confidence Heart had finally gotten herself up and darted over to Love Heart, who was still lying where he had been flung after the rainbow orbs landed on him. "Love Heart! Are you alright?" she asked, checking him over.

Love Heart was bleeding lightly from several points on his body, but nowhere near enough to indicate severe damage. The green bear managed a weak smile, "I feel like I just swam through an ocean of razor blades, but I'll be fine."

"Just stay there then," Confidence whirled to face where Soul Heart and Indy were fighting, "I'll handle this!" She charged towards Soul Heart.

Soul Heart managed to kick Indy away and rounded on Confidence just in time for her to kick Soul Heart in the chest. Soul Heart coughed and staggered a bit and received blasts of blue energy from Indy. Loyal Heart had charged towards Soul Heart, his sword humming with blue energy as he slashed at her. Soul Heart actually cried out in pain as the blade managed to cut through her clothing.

"Don't let up!" Loyal Heart declared, only to have Soul Heart slash her black Ice sword across his chest. The blade only cut a groove through his armor but also spread ice across his torso, freezing his arms in place as he was forced to jump back.

Defiant Heart charged past the staggering Loyal Heart and swung his spear at Soul Heart, however her counterstrike with her black ice sword sent him flying into Care-a-Lot, smashing though the remains of one of the houses. However Swift Heart was right in Soul Heart's face in an instant and she kicked the iridescent purple bear in the chest, dodged and around her sword before she swung her powerful leg at Soul Heart, staggering her and before she could get a better footing Confidence Heart jumped in and with a burst of wind from her elbow, she threw a punch poewrful enough to send Soul Heart flying.

Soul Heart didn't have time to right herself as she tumbled end over end back towards Indy had who raised his katana over his head in both hands, blue energy flowing through the blade. He swung down hard at Soul Heart as soon as she was in range. The burst of energy forced the non-combat members of the family to shield their eyes but Brave Heart wasn't having any of it. "Care Bear Cousins Call!"

"Care Bears Stare!" Tenderheart added and once again the beams of light fired over Soul Heart, giving Independent Bear just enough time to get out of the way.

For a moment, it seemed to have worked, until Soul Heart stood up amongst the beams of light. "You're dumber than I thought," she said, her pained and angry expression replaced with one of glee. "I'm still a Care Bear, your stares and calls have not effect on me." Soul Heart raised up a massive orb of rainbow energy, "But You did give me the chance to do this!" before anyone could react, Soul Heart hurled the orb right at the hall of hearts, and a moment later several smaller ones were hurled at the now stunned Care Bears.

Seeing a rainbow orb coming at them Cozy threw herself on top of Jolly to protect him from further harm. His arms came around her as well, pulling her down as close to the clouds as he could get her. Grumpy and Swift Heart both watched as an orb blew up their house, totally obliterating everything inside. Playful heart was running away from the battle to get to Funshine. She was waiting inside her house having been told she should stay inside where it was safe. He'd never been so panicked in his life, not sure if she was okay or not.

When the smoke finally cleared Indy was the first to get to his feet. Not even bothering to check the damage he charged at Soul Heart again as she came back to earth. Soul Heart wasn't able to defend against his first two slashes and she staggered backwards. Indy tried to move in for a kill but Soul sidestepped and blasted him with lightning then kicked him back towards the rest of his family where he lay, groaning.

"The clouds are breaking up!" Friend called a warning to her family members as she and Secret avoided a sink hole. Illusion grabbed Indy's arm, pulling him clear of one just before the clouds fell away. "We gotta do sometin to keep her from doin dat again."

"Is everyone still alive!" True Heat called.

Noble Heart was up and scanning the area, sighing when he saw there were no casualties, "No, thank goodness but by some miracle everyone's alive."

"Miracle?" Love Heart had heard what was said from where he was lying. Despite the pain coursing through his entire being he forced himself to stand as other words echoed through his mind.

"Thank goodness no, it's a miracle everyone escaped with their lives considering the damage Soul Heart was able to do in such a short time and against the kind of opposition we presented," Blue replied.

"Lucky we got out alive again," Defiant Heart said as he got up.

"No one's been killed?" Love Heart asked himself again, "But with all her power how... unless..." Love Heart forced himself to stand.

"Love Heart!" Confidence looked over at him from where she was crouched, nursing her arm after taking a direct hit from one of the orbs. She watched him stand and turn to face Soul Heart. "Just stay down, we can handle this."

"You're a courageous one, you really should listen to your girlfriend," Soul Heart stated, sounding a bit bemused.

"Not if it means losing our home," Love Heart began a slow and deliberate walk towards Soul Heart.

Soul Heart conjured a baseball sized rainbow orb in her right hand, "You really should stay down unless you feel like dying today."

"Alright, then kill me." Love Heart's flat statement sent a greater shock across the family than the devastation that had already been wrought.

"Love Heart are you crazy?" Brave Heart called after him.

"You've seen what those rainbows can do!"

Swift Heart got ready to grab him but Grumpy grabbed her arm, "If he wants to get blown up that's his choice, but I'm not losing you."

The ball of rainbow energy hurled right past Love Heart's face, striking one of the house ruings just behidn him. "Last warning!" she warned.

"I don't think it is," Love Heart's voice was still calm even though he was only twelve feet from Soul Heart.

Soul Heart snarled and conjured more small orbs of rainbow energy which she began hurling at Love Heart. The green bear didn't even try to dodge as every single orb flew past him and struck more debris or just dissipated in the air.

"What's she doing? Why isn't she finishing him." Champ asked. Cheer looked at him horrified and he quickly amended his statement, "Not that I want her to, I'm just saying she has plenty of opportunity to."

Soul Heart raised her hand and began to charge another blast, when Love Heart grabbed her raised hand. "You can't do it can you?" he asked, "You can't kill me, or anyone for that matter. Both times you've attacked us no one's died even though you have both the means and the opportunity to do so, and even now you haven't even destroyed the homes where the expecting mothers are."

"Shut up! How would I even know which homes are inhabited?" Soul Heart demanded as she wrenched her arm out of Love Heart's grasp.

"I don't know, but your eyes are still glowing so maybe you know some kind of magic. My point still stands, you can't kill me or anyone here can you?" Love Heart asked.

Hearing this statement, a few of the braver family members began to close in on them. "You know he has a point there. I mean mah Harmony is in the Forest but the other gals and the cubs are here an you could easily taken them down," Brave Heart stated.

"Get back!" Soul Heat swung her hands out, a thick shadow pushing Love Heart and some of the closer family members away from her.

Love Heart wasn't even phased as he stood upright despite being forced back, "Now I understand. That's why you needed to kidnap Nova and Renegade, somehow they're going to help you break this barrier of yours."

"At least we know for sure they are still alive now." Treat Heart mused, relief flooding her.

"But what could you need them for? How will two immortals let you kill people?" True Heart asked.

"It doesn't matter to you, soon I'll be finished with them and this will mean nothing!" Soul Heart pulled out her teleportation mirror and stepped back through it. "I won't forget this!" she declared as she vanished through the portal.

As she vanished a sigh of relief came from the Care Bears. It was short lived however as they began to realize all the damage that had been done. Going to Cozy, Swift Heart knelt down next to her and Jolly. "Where did it get you?"

He moved his hands, showing the large circular burn on his side. "It looks worse then it is sheila. No worries."

"Sssstop Jolly, thissss issss ssssserious." Cozy Chided him.

He gripped her flipper. "Really love. OI've 'ad worse."

Swift Heart nodded, "Yeah but I'm sure she's never seen it before. I'll go get some bandages from Take Care's. Hopefully it hasn't be too destroyed." Getting up she dashed off, working hard to avoid the cloud holes.

"Then I guess anyone who can should get to work on fixing this," Tenderheart said. He concentrated and stared at one of the holes nearby, repairing it with clouds.

Noble Heart and True Heart had moved over to speak with Love Heart, fixing clouds as they went. "Love Heart you should sit down. We don't need you taking any more risks today." True Heart chided him.

"It was a risk that needed taking," Love Heart said. "And now I know her weakness." Love Heart heaved a sigh and dropped to the clouds he was standing on.

Noble Heart smirked, "I'm not so sure Confidence would agree. You scared us with that move."

"Got that right!" Confidence Heart was in front of Love Heart in a second, "wy would you put your life in danger like that?! How did you know she couldn't kill you."

Love Heart leaned back, his eyes wide as he tried to get a response out, "It was an educated guess."

"A guess! I thought I was reckless but you risked your life on a guess?!" Confidence shouted.

"Enough bickering you two. There is a lot of damage that needs to be repaired." Tenderheart scolded as he moved by. "Swift Heart told me that the further in we go the worse it gets. The Hall got hit pretty hard apparently."

True Heart sighed, "I'll get a team together to start over there. And I should go make sure mom and the kids are okay." Squeezing Noble Heart's hand she moved away.

"Would you like me to get Take Care to take a look at you Love Heart?" Noble asked him.

"I suppose I should get looked at," Love Heart said.

Confidence Heart sighed begrudgingly, "I suppose I should too." She looked at her right arm which was covered in dried blood, "I can still move it but I can't risk anything more serious happen."

"I guess I should go help too," Guidance Heart said as she moved to help carry Anger Heart to Take Care's, since he was unconscious.

Champ came running over to Guidance, "Need some help with him sports fan?"

"Yes. Thank you Champ," Guidance said as he helped her lift Anger Heart from where he lay.

Harmony had decided she had been kept away for long enough and as soon as the aftershocks had subsided she set out for Care-A-Lot. "Tells me I can't go cause it could be dangerous. Then all I hear is a symphony of explosions and feel the ground shakin'. And that fool thinks I'm just gonna sit tight? That is a pipe dream yo," she muttered to herself.

However her anger subsided when she saw all that was left of her friends' homes. "What the...? Did The Rolling Stones invite Queen and the Sex Pistols over or somethin? My house!" She exclaimed as she saw her former home cut in half.

"It was Soul Heart." Independent Bear limped towards her, his right arm hanging uselessly at his side, "She showed up and just started going nuts, blowing up everything she could."

"Indy what are you doing? Why aren't you chillin in Take Cares waiting room?" Some weird instinct made her want to reach out and fix his arm and fuss over him but she refrained, figuring it was the hormones. "Tell me a lot of the others aren't like this. Wait! No one is dead right?" Now she did move forward, gripping his shoulders and looking directly into his face.

"I don't need to see Take Care, I'll be fine and everyone is still alive. It turns out that Soul Heart is incapable of killing anyone," Indy replied. "Some of the others are hurt but nothing too serious."

Harmony crossed her arms and scowled at him. "Mmmhmm oh sure your fine. I guess letting your arm hang like that is the new thing huh?"

"I heal very fast, it's part of my nature. If I need to see Take Care I'll wait until everyone else has been treated," Indy replied. "You should probably go see your husband."

Harmony bit her lip looking irritated. "You already told me no one has sung their last song so I'm not in a big hurry. Besides he'll just freak and spaz all over me when the most strenuous thing I done today is lecture you." Looking around she saw Take Care trying to bandage two people at once. "I'll go see if doc needs an extra hand. Later Indy." She walked in the direction of Take Care Bear, knowing Brave Heart would find her eventually.

Indy took a deep breath and held his right arm. he winced a bit as he felt the bones knit themselves back together then moved his right arm. "Faster than before, that's good," he commented.