Chapter 3: Evil's face revealed: My name is Shadow Heart
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The Care Bears, Care Bear Cousins, and Z Fighters alike sat around in one of the sitting rooms of Capsule Corp. The sadness and glum was so think you could slice it with a knife. After failing to revive the two ill women with a Care Bears Stare, Friend, Cheer, and Funshine Bear summoned some of the other Care Bears and their cousins. Even Noble Heart and True Heart had come to the aid of the Care Bears in this their hour of need. The Z Fighters had finally calmed Vegeta down to the point he could tolerate the Care Bears, which was enough for Goku. Bright Heart, being one of the smartest, had teamed up with Gohan and Bulma, but even the combined brain powers were unable to come up with even a slight solution. Their last hope was a combined Care Bears Stare, in the notion the combined power of the bears would be enough. Care Bears and Z Fighters both hoped and prayed that the Care Bears caring powers could bring a miracle to their home, but it was not to be. Although they gave it everything that had, even though the Z Fighters had held hands and prayed with them, it still was not enough to bring Chi Chi and Mrs. Briefs out of the clutches of the Coma Disease....
* * *
-Flash Back-
"Everyone ready?" True Heart asked. The other Care Bears and Cousins nodded. True Heart Bear, Noble Heart Horse, Tender Heart, Brave Heart, Cheer, Friend, Secret, Funshine, Bright Heart Raccoon, and Good Luck Bear held hands and lined up in front of Chi Chi and Mrs. Briefs. At their request, Bulma, Gohan, Krillen, Eighteen, and Goku held their hands. Together they all prayed to the powers that be that the Care Bears power would be great enough. After a long moment of praying, True Heart announced, "Care Bears, Stare!" while Noble Heart announced, "Care Cousins, Call!" Bright beams of pure love and caring filled the room and impacted on Chi Chi's body. After a few minutes without results, they tried Mrs. Briefs. Again the same results occured, which was nothing. Again and again they tried, Goku, Krillen, Gohan, and Eighteen even offered energy to add to the beams, but it still was unable to cure them. In despair, Bulma and Gohan broke down while the Care Bears tried their best to console their Earth friends.....
* * *
"Anyone got any ideas?" Krillen asked, running a hand through his black hair. Eighteen just looked at him, a sort of smile tugging at her lips. 'He looks so cute when he runs his hand through his hair like that..' she thought. She shook her head, 'Come on Eighteen, stay focused on the task at hand' she reprimanded herself. Though Goku had assured the Care Bears again and again that it wasen't their fault, the Care Bears couldn't help but feel that they could have done better, and had no problem voicing this opinion. Goku sighed, 'That sounded like me a little while ago' he thought. He looked over at the creatures who devoted their lives to love and caring. They all looked so sad sitting there holding their heads in their hands. Goku saw a twinge of movement off the corner of his eye and turned. Vegeta stood in the doorway, his anger at being put to sleep long gone. He had almost a thoughtful look on his face, as if pondering what he could do.
"Kakarott, you said these..bears...fire energy beams that are composed of feelings correct?" he asked. Goku nodded, "Yea thats right, but why do you ask?" Vegeta sighed, "Its obvious baka brains, combine our Ki and feed it to them, it may work then" he said. "Yea but Vegeta, we already did that." came Gokus reply. Vegeta smirked, "We didn't try it as Super Saiyans, and your brat and mine can fuse correct? So bring them in also." Goku's eyes lit up, 'It just might work!' he thought. "I'm going to go get Trunks and Goten. If I know them right, they are together, so it shouldn't be much of a problem." Goku announced. He concentrated for a second then put two fingers to his forehead, using the Instantaneous Movement technique to teleport to the boys location. A few seconds later, he re-appeared, Goten and Trunks holding onto his arms.
"Ok boys here is what we need you to do. We need you to go Super Saiyan, then fuse into SSJ3 Gotenks, alright?" Goku explained. "Uh, I guess so, but why dad?" Goten asked. Goku started to explain, but Vegeta interrupted him. "Because boy, you may be able to help save your mother. You DO want that right?" Vegeta asked. Goten and Trunks both nodded. "Ok then, go outside to fuse and then come back. Vegeta? We should go outside too. Powering up in here may be a bad idea" Goku added. Vegeta smirked, "For once Kakarott, that brain of yours is focused on something other than the kitchen." The two Saiyans and two half-Saiyans walked outside. "Vegeta, I was thinking. If we fused into Vegetto, that may help the effect right?" Goku asked. Vegeta scowled, "Forget it Kakarott, I fused with you once before, that was one time too many understand?" Goku nodded slowly. As they watched, Trunks and Goten took their places.
"Fuuuuuu!" the boys called as they began the complicated movements. "Shun!" they yelled, pulling their knees up into the 2nd pose. Anyone watching would assume the boys were doing some sort of ridiculous ballet dance, until they saw them fuse however. Then they would likely wet themselves. "HA!!" They yelled, putting their fingers together. The boys glowed brightly, one pink, one blue, then a giant flash of white light occured. When it cleared, there stood SSJ3 Gotenks in all his glory. "Ok Vegeta, our turn" Goku announced. At almost the same time, they went SSJ, then, yelling louder, they went SSJ2. Since Vegeta had not obtained SSJ3, he could only power up higher as Goku screamed louder. His hair grew to his waist and his eyebrows vanished from his face. When the light cleared, there stood SSJ2 Vegeta and SSJ3 Goku. "One day Kakarott, you WILL show me that" Vegeta commanded. Goku just smiled and gave Vegeta a thumbs up sign.
The 3 walked back into the house and the Care Bears stood wearily for one last go at it. They all lined up in front of the two. This time, to save time, they pushed the two beds close together, so the beams would hit both at once. This action would prevent the Care Bears from tiring so quickly by having to switch recepients. "Is everyone ready? Goku, Vegeta, and Gotenks, ready to power up?" Noble Heart asked. The three nodded their heads as True Heart added, "Not too much, your energy will collapse the building" she reminded. As the Care Bears took their stands, the battle auras of the three Z fighters exploded outward, filling the room with gold light. "Care Bears!" True Heart yelled, "Care Cousins!" yelled Noble Heart. "Stare!" "Call!" they commanded. Once again, beams of power filled the room, this time however, the 3 Super Saiyans placed their hands in the beams, flooding them with Super Saiyan energy. The extra energy made the beams take on a golden glow, but despite the combined efforts, despite Bulma and Ox Kings prayers, even despite Goku's SSJ3 and Gohans Mystic Talent being added to the mix, it still was not enough to bring the two sick humans back. After a few minutes, the battle auras and Stare Beams alike faded out of existance and the Care Bears slumped, frustratred and upset, into each others arms. "We're going outside now" Gotenks announced. Having less than a minute until the fusion ended, Gotenks didn't want anyone to see him unfuse. For some odd reason, it just was uncomfortable to him. "Yea, I'm going to go see Videl for a while dad, shes pretty hung up on this too. I'll be back to check on mom later" Gohan called before walking out, Gotenks leading the way.
"Kakarott, we tried. Whatever is doing this is obviously more than a match for Super Saiyan power" Vegeta growled. Goku looked at Vegeta in surprise. He had never expected Vegeta to admit to THAT, let alone in a room full of witnesses. If even Vegeta was doubtful of his power, it meant something was deadly wrong. "Somethings not right Kakarott, all of us combined could have beaten Perfect Cell a million times over, but we can't even open the eyes of your wife or my mates mother. What is the meaning of this..this trickery?" Vegeta mused aloud. Goku sighed and said, "I wish I knew Vegeta, I wish I knew...." Bulma suddenly sat upright. "The Dragon Balls!" she shouted. Gokus eyes lit up, "Of course! Why didn't we think of it before? We'll just get the Dragon Balls and simply WISH everyone better again!" That was enough for Bulma. She was already out of the room, headed for the safe that held the Dragon Radar. Roughly 5 minutes later, she returned with it. "Ok guys, after I press this and locate the Dragon Balls, you go find them and hurry! We'll use the first wish to wish everyone back to health and the next to wish that the disease never occurs again!" she exclaimed. Then, her thumb closed on the button on the top and pushed it.
And...nothing happened! "Huh? What gives!?" she shouted. She pressed it again and again, still nothing. Retreating for a tool set, she returned and opened the back of the radar. "Hmm...all the parts are working and in order" she said more to herself than anyone else. "But Bulma! If they parts were working we would be able to find the Dragon Balls. We can't even get ONE of them to show up on screen, let alone all 7." Krillen said. Bulma mentally kicked and cursed herself. They had used the Dragon Balls a few months ago to wish everyone back to life, and Krillen used the last one to remove the Androids internal bombs. Now that had at least 5 months to wait until the balls charged. In desperation, Bulma slumped into Vegetas arms and began crying. "Oh Vegeta! N-now we'll never g-get mom b-back!" she moaned softly. Vegeta was helpless to do anything but pat his mates back. 'Hmm, wish I was more loving at times like this, I hate to see her cry and me be unable to console her' he thought. "Don't concern yourself with it woman, its much too dark outside to hunt Dragon Balls right now anyway, we'll fix your contraption in the morning and be off" he said, trying to sooth her.
Goku, having watched his friends suffer countless times before, felt his anger grow. 'I don't know whats causing this, but I can sense its something evil,I just KNOW it!' he thought. Goku growled louder before yelling, "I wish whatevers doing this would just show itself to me!!". Immediently after those words left his mouth, every light in Capsule Corp blew and went out. "Alright Kakarott, way to go blowing all the damned light bulbs!" Vegeta yelled. "Vegeta, I DIDN'T blow the light bulbs" Goku replied. "Well then baka if you didn't then who--" he began. He never finished. Seconds later, Trunks and Goten came running into the room, slamming the door behind them. Goku and Vegeta stood at the same time. "Whats wrong?" both asked in unison. "Theres a monster chasing us! He looks like a big scary shadow and hes immune to our Ki blasts!" Trunks answered, shaking. "Immune to Ki blasts?" Vegeta asked, looking at Goku. "Yea dad, me and Goten shot him with a good one, but he acted as though he wasen't even fazed." Trunks cried, shaking with fright. Vegeta said nothing, but sighed and walked out towards the door. He knew his son and Goku's made a habit of inventing monsters, mostly to annoy their fathers. 'This is not the time for such jokes boy' Vegeta thought to himself.
"No Mr. Vegeta don't! Hes too strong for you!" Goten yelled at the back of the leaving Vegeta. "Boy, if this is another of your jokes, you will WISH a monster was chasing you!" Vegeta threatened before slamming the door shut behind him. 'Honestly I don't know why these brats have to invent absurd stories at times like this. I can tolerate their stupidity normally but this is not the time for fun and games!' he thought to himself. He continued walking until he reached the front door. He smirked a bit in spite of himself and exited out the door, stepping into the cool night air and walking into the middle of the front yard of Capsule Corp. "Humph, some monster, I guess hes the imaginary boogey man!" Vegeta laughed to himself. A noise behind him however made him jump. He spun around to see Goku and Bulma exiting the front of the house with Krillen and #18 behind them, followed by True Heart and Noble Heart, with Goten and Trunks cowering behind the Care Bears. "Like I said woman, a mindless prank by our brats." he yelled to Bulma. "Now boy, come here for a moment so your father can show you what happens to bad little Super Saiyans that lie through their soon-to-be-missing teeth!" Vegeta growled, advancing on Trunks.
He never made it. What happened next will haunt him for the rest of his life and probably longer. He had taken barely 2 steps towards the house with a sound that sounded like the screams of a thousand humans rang into existance. Everyone, Vegeta included, remained frozen in their tracks. Goku put himself in front of the other, Bulma peeking out under his arm. Vegeta stood stock still in the yard, then smirked widely. "Very funny Kakarott, a nice sound effect considering its source." Vegeta chucked. "Vegeta," Goku said, in the most serious voice he had ever used, "That was not me making that noise, nor anyone over here." Vegeta felt his blood run cold, 'If not Kakarott, then....?' he thought. Suddenly the air in front of him seemed to shimmer, as if heat was rising off from it. Vegeta grit his teeth, his senses suddenly drowned out in a wave of evil energy. 'This makes Cell look like that fool Kakarott! But where is it coming from?' he thought. Suddenly, he saw where it was coming from.
The shimmering in front of him began take on the appearence of dark gray smoke. Then it began to take shape. It swirled and twisted, slowing forming a figure. The figure standing before Vegeta looked to be made of pure darkness, and in fact, it was. The swirling slowly formed into the figure of a shadow. Not the shadow of a man or even an animal, but the shadow of a THING. It appeared human, both in the size of the shadow and in the arms, except it had claws for fingers. Its head was shaped somewhat like a bats and it had bat-like wings on its back. For legs, the creature had none. Just a swirl of blackness that reminded Vegeta somwhat of the bottom half of an annoying Genie in a Disney movie Bulma had made him watch with the kids. The figure shimmered fully into view. As Vegeta glared at it, two glowing red eyes appeared in the creatures face, if you could call it a face. It had no depth or detail, it was simply a shadow of a...thing, a creature. And the evil energy radiating from it was enough to drive you insane with psychopathic urges.
"What...what in the hell IS this thing?!" Vegeta stammered, backing up somewhat. The creature just floated here, not moving or even speaking. Its red eyes fixed upon Vegeta. "Thats the thing we saw dad!" Trunks yelled, clutching Goku's leg in terror. "Oh my stars! It resembles Dark Heart in his cloud form!" True Heart exclaimed. "You think it...?" Noble Heart asked her. True Heart shook her head, "No,this creature is more evil than Dark Heart ever hoped to be! Its not him, its something far worse!" True Heart said. Mighty as they were, the two eldest Care Bears were practically trembling themselves. The shadow suddenly turned to face those at the door. Everyone gasped, with the exception of Goku, and inched back a little more. The creatures red eyes flashed brightly for a second then dimmed back down, turning its back on the others and facing Vegeta again. By this time, Vegeta had recovered his composure and was at least trying to get his old cocky attitude back.
"Humph, so you were scared of a mere shadow eh trunks? Well let your father show you how to deal with such annoyances!" Vegeta declared. He flew with speed faster than lightning at the shadow, aiming a punch right to the head of the offending spectre. And missed! Vegeta could barely believe it. He had hit nothing but air and the shadow was nowhere to be seen. "Hmm, see boy! A mere trick of the mind!" Vegeta boasted laughing. Vegeta forgot only one thing, while facing your son, its hard to watch your back. The shadow appeared right behind the laughing, bragging Vegeta. "Vegeta behind you!" Goku yelled. He didn't even get a chance to turn. Before he could move, red lightning bolts shot from the shadows eyes, enveloping Vegetas body in evil electricity.
"AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!" Vegeta screamed in sheer agony. He dropped to the ground, writhing in pain. Goku yelled and blasted off for Vegeta, going SSJ as he did. He was within 2 feet of Vegeta when the force field materialized. Goku hit the wall of red lightning and was repelled back, crashing right into the onlookers as he sailed back into the door of Capsule Corp. From his spot in the tangled heap of bodies inside the building, he could hear Vegetas screams get louder. Goku stood, trying not to tramble any of the others and flew after Vegeta again. True Heart and Noble Heart also freed themselves and ran after Goku. "We have to try it True Heart, ready?" Noble Heart asked. After getting the 'yes' nod, True and Noble Heart fired their stare beams at the force field. They tried and they tried, but each time the beams merely dissapated just inches before contact with the field. "Hurry! Go get the other Care Bears and Cousins!" Noble Heart yelled to Trunks. He ran inside as he was told and returned a minute later with the rest of the group.
Goku was having a time of it. He put both his hands to his side, praying that this would work. "Kaa Meeee Haaaa Meeee HAAA!!!" he yelled, firing the bolt at the sphere. The beam collided with the field, trying to break through and for a second, the sphere shimmered out of view. "All right!" Bulma cheered. Suddenly the force field crackled violently and the blast was expelled directly at Goku! With a cry of surprise, Goku backhanded the blast safely away into orbit where it exploded harmlessly. Krillen lept forward, forming an spinning energy blade in one hand. "How do you like this? Destructo Disk!" he yelled. He flung the spinning blade directly at the shadow, hoping it would cut through the sphere and slice into him. No such luck, in fact the disk even splintered into pieces upon contact with the field! Together Krillen and #18 launched attack after attack and each time were either blown backwards or shocked for their troubles. His anger almost out of control, Krillen lept at the monster firing a massive Ki beam. The shadow inside the field raised a hand and the beam reversed faster than Krillen could ever have hoped to dodge. The beam hit him full force and exploded, driving him back into the ground where he lay motionless for a good while before shakingly getting to his feet.
By now the Care Bears and Cousins were assembled in their places on the front yard. "Care Bears!" "Care Cousins!" Noble Heart and True Heart called. "Stare!" "Call!" They commanded. All 8 bears and cousins, joined by True and Noble Heart, fired their beams at the force field. It would have been better to fight a battleship with a popsicle stick. The beams all dissapated before they even touched their target. By now Vegetas screams of agony were ear-splitting and Goku was beginning to show exhaustion from all the Ki he fired at the force field. Eighteen, although she couldn't tire, was getting frustrated. At least she was able to damage Cell with her attacks. On this guy they were going nowhere! 'Hell, we can't even hit him because hes behind that force field!' Krillen thought. With one last ear-shattering scream, Vegetas body thrashed in pain, then lay still. The shadow had finally seen fit to release him, but he did not drop the shield. The shadow turned its face (or what could be considered its face, seeing as how its eyes were showing on this side) towards Goku and then he heard it speak.
"Take the fallen" was all it said. The force field suddenly shimmered out of view. Goku moved to attack, but the shadows figure shifting made him stop. The shadow shimmer for a moment, then faded out of view completely, becoming the same dark gray smoke as when it first formed. This time it formed into the shape of a human, with the exception this human would be about 7' feet tall. The smoke assumed a human shape then it faded into view, revealing what looked like an exceptionally tall human man. The man had silver hair that ran to his shoulders and seemed to be wearing some sort of black leather armor. Not like the kind Vegeta had worn his first time on Earth, but similar to the leather armour worn by the knights of the middle ages. In addition to the leather chest armor, the man had leather pants and some sort of leather boots. The figure before them looked in every way as evil as he sounded, from his black leather boots to his glowing red eyes.
The figure smiled a slight smile at the group, then pulled his foot back and kicked Vegeta savagely towards the assembled group. Even from the distance he was, Goku heard every rib in Vegetas body snap like toothpicks. With a bloody gurgle, Vegeta fell at the feet of his wife and child. Vegeta tried to speak, but could only cough up blood. What worried Bulma was the blood was a deep red. 'Oh Dende, if its this dark he must have punctured or broken something vital!' she thought in a panic. "Quick Goku! Gimme a senzu bean!" Bulma yelled. Already ahead of her, Trunks had produced one from his pocket and was trying to get his blood soaked father to swallow it. After much difficulty, he succeeded. Vegetas wounds began to heal, but even with the senzu bean Vegeta made no attempt to get up and continue the fight. Goku, his anger growing, turned on the shadowed man.
"Why are you doing this?! We never did a thing to you so why hurt my friends? Is it YOU thats been causing the people to die in these horrible accidents lately?" Goku accused. The shadow man laughed a laugh with enough evil in its tone to make Frieza piss his pants. "You are correct. My name is Shadow Heart. Not only have I caused the people to die but I've also been responsible for the so called 'Coma Disease' thats been rampant here on Earth. How about a little demonstration?" the man asked with an evil sneer. "What?! NO!" Goku yelled, but it was too late. The man pointed at Krillen and suddenly, without warning, Krillen simply slumped over onto the ground. "Krillen no!!" Eighteen yelled. She checked his vitals, they were still there, but one look into his face said it all: his eyes were already glazing over and his skin turning cold. Shadow Heart laughed even louder. "There now you see? And all this time you thought it was a simple disease!" he bellowed, laughing louder.
Gokus eyes went misty. He was on the verge of tears because of a monster with absolutely no heart or remorse. Not even Cell or Frieza killed or hurt people this cruely! He turned to Shadow Heart to say something but what he saw froze his words in his place. For a brief second, Goku thought he saw the screaming face of Krillen vanish inside the monsters chest. 'Snap out of it Goku! Don't let him control your mind!' he scolded himself. "Why won't you stop?! What has Earth done to you!?" Bulma yelled at him, tears coming down her face. The Care Bears and Care Cousins were simply horrified. Not only was this creature able to transform like Dark Heart, but he would have made Dark Hearts most evil rampage look like a trip to the petting zoo. Things were by no means looking good for the Z Fighters OR the Care Bears.
"Why won't I stop?" the creature repeated. Then its red eyes narrowed on Bulma and he vanished. For a long second, nobody even dared to breath. Then the horrible creature appeared right in Bulmas face, not even 2 inches away. Everyone was frozen in terror, even Goku and Vegeta. The creature just looked down at Bulma and smiled an evil smile. "I won't stop, because humans still exist." he said simply. He turned and began to walk away, those standing anywhere near him parting like the Red Sea. The creature walked back into the yard and his black smoke began to form again. "Oh and by the way" he said without turning around. The creature known as Shadow Heart transformed back into his shadow form and turned, blazing his red eyes on Noble Heart and True Heart. "I'll be back to deal with you later, Care Bears!" it vowed. Without another word, the creature shimmered and vanished from view.
This last statement left all who bore witness to it frozen in fear. After a long moment, Bulma, Eighteen, and Goten and Trunks broke down into tears. The Care Bears hugged each other tight and began to cry also. Not because they couldn't beat the monster or drive it away, but because their friends had to suffer while they were powerless to help. Vegetas eye twitched in sheer rage. "How DARE that monster assault the Prince of all Saiyans!" he bellowed, scaring those crying even more. "Vegeta please! Your not helping calm things!" Goku pleaded. Vegeta fumed, but as Goku asked, kept his fumings low. Goku tried to console Eighteen, but she was just too shocked to listen to him. When she had gained control over her emotions, True Heart tapped Noble Heart on the shoulder and motioned him aside. They conferred for a few minutes, then beckoned a sobbing Bulma over. They whispered something to her and she nodded yes, trying to smile despite the tears. "Care Bears and Cousins!" True Heart called. The Care Bears assembled before their elders. "We have decided that we will stay here tonight to keep watch over the family. Tomorrow we will return to Care-A-Lot and call a Care Bear conference at the Hall of Hearts. We MUST figure out how to defeat Shadow Heart!" Noble Heart informed them.
It was a long while before the tears stopped. Goku carried his fallen friend inside, lying him on another bed next to Chi Chi and Mrs. Briefs. For Goku, who suffered more than anyone, trying to remain cheerful was as agonizing as Vegetas previous lightning bursts. He had already lost a wife and now his best friend to a monster with no regard to human suffering or life. For as long as he lives, Goku would never forget the hails of laughter coming from the shadow as he tortured his Vegeta, who he finally dared to call friend. He knew that despite Vegetas diamond-hard exterior, deep down he had a heart and, knowing Vegeta, he'd be damned if he'd let anyone hurt his family, then damage both his body and pride and get away with it! He looked over at Vegeta, who was leaning against the wall. 'I know what your thinking Vegeta, that your weak and pitiful for succumbing to the attack. But your not, your neither weak nor pitiful' Goku thought in pity, watching the man who was first his enemy then ally torture himself mentally for the earlier episode.
'Damn you Shadow Heart you miserable bastard! I should have wiped the grass with you, you worthless excuse for a fighter!' Vegeta raged mentally. He had done nothing but insult himself since he recovered. After a while of it, Goku tried to console him, telling him that even he would probably have given in to the attack. Vegeta said nothing, but a faint flicker of his old self shown when he retorted, "Kakarott, you would have given into that monster easily. He had but to wave a needle in your face and you'd cower like a baby!' Goku, despite the insult, had to laugh. It WAS a well-known fact he hated needles and shots. He patted Vegeta on the back and exited, heading towards the room Goten and Trunks were sharing. He listened at the door for a moment, making sure he was not interrupting if the boys were consoleing each other. To Goku's surprise, he heard laughter from inside. He slid the door open and there was Trunks and Goten, immersed in a video game. Goku smiled, glad to see the boys spirits were still high. Without a word he shut the door quietly and returned to the infirmary, where he had taken to sleeping since Chi Chi had fallen ill.
* * * * *
"Ok, we know that Shadow Heart is the cause of the Coma Disease, but what does the disease really do?" Tender Heart asked. Him and the rest of the Care Bears were sitting in one of the meeting rooms with Gohan and Bulma. Having been called by Bulma and informed of the incident earlier, Gohan rushed from Videls house to the Capsule Corp building to be with his friends and family. Bulma sighed, "We don't know what it does really Tender Heart, we only know those infected are put into a coma-like state. Take Krillen, one moment he was fine then he suddenly lapsed into a coma. Its like a weird spell that Shadow Heart uses." Gohan looked grim. Bulma had told him how not even his fathers KameHameHa could penetrate the shield, how Vegetas body was racked in pain, how all their combined strenght had failed to make the monster so much as flinch. This worried him greatly, seeing how powerful his father was. And Vegeta! If Vegeta could not even lay one finger on him, he HAD to be a toughie. Cheer and Funshine Bear had literally cried themselves to sleep in the living room of the building and True Heart had covered them up to prevent them from getting any sort of sickness. She needed all the Care Bears and Care Bear Cousins in top shape for their toughest battle yet.
"Boy, we sure need some good luck right about now" Good Luck Bear muttered. Secret Bear leaned over, whispering something to Friend Bear who translated, "Secret Bear thinks its going to take a lot more than good luck". Secret Bear shook his head up and down in agreement. Once again the room lapsed into silence, no one being able to think of anything to say. Bulma had just finished her 9th cup of coffee, a record even for her. Despite all the caffine, she had to struggle to keep her head up and her eyes open. The group mulled over Shadow Hearts power for a few more minutes then Gohan stood up. "Ok gang, I think we should all just hit the sack. No ones going to be able to do anything tonight and we are all worn out." he said. Noble Heart, eyes heavy from fatigue, glanced at a clock on the wall and gasped. "Oh dear! Its almost 2:30 a.m.! Care Bears and Cousins we need to be off to sleep. We have to head back to Care-A-Lot tomorrow." he reminded everyone. One by one the Care Bears stood slowly and made their way to the room they would share for sleeping. Tender Heart debated waking Cheer and Funshine up, but decided they had been through enough and to just let them be.
Last to leave were True Heart, Noble Heart, Gohan, and Bulma. True Heart turned to Bulma with as big a smile as she could muster and said, "Don't worry Bulma, I'm sure we can find a way to defeat Shadow Heart!" "True Hearts right, love always conquers over evil" Noble Heart agreed. Gohan nodded in agreement and walked for his room. Bulma just sighed, "I hope your right Noble Heart....I hope your right.."
* * * * *
Even as Bulma spoke these
words, the shadow watching them laughed its evil laugh. "Your hope is lost
foolish woman. There is nothing but fear and pain now!" the shadow cackled.
It had had fun tonight. Not only had it inflicted much pain upon them but
it had gripped the families in fear. "Ah yes my friends" the shadow said,
looking at the image of True and Noble Heart speaking to Bulma, "I haven't
forgotten about you. I have been rude by not visiting like a good friend
should. But don't worry, I'll rectify that mistake very soon....."
~~~~Despite their best efforts, even involving Fusion, Mystic Talents, and Super Saiyan 2 and 3, plus an additional 8 Care Bears, the Z Fighters and Care Bears and Cousins are unable to revive or even stir Chi Chi and Mrs. Briefs. To make matters worse, the source of all the recent evil has finally reared his head, with disasterous consequences. After defeating Vegeta like he was a toddler, the monster known as Shadow Heart has placed Krillen in the clutches of the Coma Disease also. The Care Bears depart for Care-A-Lot tomorrow for a meeting, but will it help? And what of the warning given by Shadow Heart? Look for the 4th Chapter in the Shadow Heart Saga, "Say Goodbye to Care-A-Lot" soon. ~~~~