Chapter 6: Evil Reborn
"..And there is darkness, in every heart" -- Squall from Kingdom Hearts
"Fu...shun...HA!!!" came the scream from the Gravity Chamber.
Trunks and Goten had, for their 7th time that day, performed the Fusion Dance in an effort to make it even more flawless than they already had it. Goku had warned them all, shortly after his discussion with King Kai, that an all-out battle with Shadow Heart was nearing, and all had acted accordingly..
****Flashback
"Ok guys, listen up!" Goku called to everyone gathered in what has now become the Care Bears new Hall of Hearts/living quarters. Everyone was there, all the Bears and Cousins, True and Noble Heart, Bulma, Goten, Gohan (who had, with Piccolo, been informed of what transpired recently), Piccolo, #18, Trunks, Vegeta (who had to be practically drug in by Bulma), even Tien and Yamcha attended this meeting. The room was, understandably, cramped.
"We all know what happened recently in Blue Lake--" Goku began. "Damn right we do Kakarott! And when I get my hands around that bastards throat I swear to Dende I'm going to..." Vegeta yelled, but shut up after Bulma whapped him across the head. "Vegeta please! Your not helping!" she said. Vegeta mumbled something under his breath but kept quiet.
Goku waited till all was quiet then continued, "As you all know, Blue Lake was destroyed because its dam collapsed. Me, Vegeta, and the boys went out there along with Bulma and a few of the Care Bears to find out why, and it looks like its Shadow Hearts doings."
This announcement brought gasps from the Care Bear Family, in addition to the Z Fighters who were just now learning of the news.
"Gohan, do you have the um..the.." Goku asked, scratching his head in confusion.
"Estimate Dad, yes I got it" Gohan said standing up. "We estimate in total, 92 dead, and roughly 121,000 comatose as of today" Gohan concluded.
"121,000! How can this be?!" Yamcha burst out. "We don't know how hes getting to this many people Yamcha, I wish we did." Gohan said. He motioned for his father, who spoke back up.
"Alright, King Kai had a talk with Noble Heart and True Heart through me earlier, King Kai says what we need to do is have an all-out combined effort, all the Z Fighters and all of the Family at the same time. I know it sounds hard, and I don't like not doing anything, but we have no choice but to wait until Shadow Heart moves again, then we'll stop him for good!" Goku announced as the Family and a few Z fighters cheered.
True and Noble Heart stood next, addressing their family. "Care Bears and Care Bear Cousins, I know this time has been hard, but we must hold together. I want all of you now to go on caring for the world, go out and help people in need, show the world we still care, despite out losses." Noble Heart began.
"But be careful, we don't know when or where Shadow Heart will strike again, so be on guard for it at all times." True Heart concluded.
****
Goten and Trunks were not the only ones training. Heading back to the desert where their first fateful battle was fought, Goku and Vegeta sparred almost every single day. Sometimes they would leave for the battlefield at sunrise and not return until well after dark, each bearing the marks of heavy battle. At times, they would have melees, either free-for-all, or father-son teams. It didn't matter to Goku wether Trunks or Goten was on his side, but Vegeta insisted Trunks stay with him. .
The Care Beard were doing their best to prepare also. Just as True and Noble Heart told them to, they were out helping any and everone they could. From cats stuck in trees to broken down cars, the Care Bears and Cousins were pulling triple-overtime to carry on caring for the world.
Back in Capsule Corp, True Heart and Bulma were sitting together behind Bulmas desk, looking over the hundreds of reports that had been turned in by the Care Bears.
"See this Bulma? 10 missing children incidents, 10!" True Heart said in despair. Things had been especially rough for True and Noble Heart. As the founders and guardians of the Care Bears, the brunt of the load had been placed on them, and they were doing everything in their power to hold up under the pressure.
Bulma leafed through the reports stacked on the desk. 'Missing children, runaway puppies, flat tires, schoolyard bullies, divorced parents, oh Dende, they have more problems than the cops in this city!" Bulma thought to herself. It was astonishing the amount of work the Care Bears went through, and all the while they did it without a word of complaint. No matter how tedious the job was, the Care Bear Family was happy to help out, tired and ragged out as they were.
True Heart and Bulma looked up as the door opened suddenly. Tender Heart and Grumpy Bear barged in, out of breath. "True Heart! Love-A-Lot Bear just fainted!" Grumpy yelled. True Heart jumped right over Bulmas desk and bolted out the door, following the now retreating duo. They rounded the corner and went down the hallway till they came to the door leading to back lawn of Capsule Corp. 'Oh Great Wishing Star please don't let it be the Coma Disease' True Heart pleaded.
In the end, she was lucky.
As they barreled through the door, they found Funshine and Lotsa Heart Elephant standing over Love-A-Lot, who lay on her side on the ground. True Heart reached down and felt for Love-A-Lots pulse, which was strong. She opened her eyelids, but they were not the trademark glazed of the Coma Disease. Bulma appeared behind them moments later with one of Capsule Corps doctors. The doctor, although unfamiliar with the Care Bear anatomy, informed Bulma it appeared she had fainted due to exhaustion. Bulma picked Love-A-Lot up and ran back in the house, Lotsa Heart, Tender Heart, Grumpy, and Funshine on her heels.
Bulma ran down the hall, entering the infirmary. She gently placed Love-A-Lot on one of the beds, being careful not to disturb her any more than she already was. Looking and feeling helpless, Tender Heart and the others stood in the doorway. Thinking quickly, Bulma began issuing orders. True Heart, go back to my office and get that small desk fan I was using earlier. Tender Heart go and get me a bowl of cool water, Funshine, go get me a washcloth, Grumpy, an ice bag if you please, and Lotsa Heart?" she asked, looking as everyone scattered except for the pink elephant.
"Lotsa Heart, what happened?" Bulma inquired. Lotsa Heart explained that, just after a caring mission, Love-A-Lot complained of being dizzy, then simply fainted. "How many caring missions had she been on?" Bulma asked. "Um, lets see, I think it was her 12th today" Lotsa Heart replied. 'Twelve missions! No wonder she fainted' Bulma thought with a sigh.
When the others returned, Bulma set her desk fan on 'Low' and positioned it on the stand so it was blowing softly on Love-A-Lot. She placed the ice bag on her head and used the cool water to wet the washcloth so she would wipe Love-A-Lots face and arms with it, in an effort to bring her body temperature down.
Tender Heart, Grumpy, Funshine, and Lotsa Heart left the trio to attend to their missions, but True Heart remained with Bulma, sitting on a stool at Love-A-Lots bedside. Bulma looked over at True Heart, her face creased with lines, both from worry and lack of sleep. "Bulma.." True Heart began in a voice whos weakness made Bulma recoil. "Bulma...why?" True Heart asked, her voice breaking. "Why..what True Heart?" Bulma asked. "Why..do people hate? Why do humans rob, hurt, and kill each other? I've been a Care Bear for a long time, and I've been caring for the world even before the Great Wishing Star made me a Care Bear..and still I don't know.." True Heart said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Bulma looked at the elder Care Bear, who had tears glistening in her eyes. She placed a hand on her shoulder, "True Heart I.." she started. True Heart just looked up at Bulma, locking teary eyes with her for what seemed like an eternity, before she finally broke down in Bulmas arms and cried her heart out, cried for those lost to Shadow Heart, cried for the anguish of the Family, cried for the humans who seem so intent on hurting themselves. As Bulma held True Heart, uncontrollably crying in her arms, she felt the tears start to fall from her eyes. "I don't know True Heart...I really..don't...know.." she whispered to her.
*******
Meanwhile, in a place very unlike the city, five people are running around laughing. They are 5 children playing tag on the baseball field of a summer camp, laughing like best friends, because they ARE best friends. And rightly so, these 5 have been through a lot together.
Theres John and Dawn, the blonde haired twins. And Christy, the brown-haired heroine that help to give Dark Heart a human spirit. Theres Bryan, the buzz cut blonde Camp Champ, who used to bully everyone. Then theres the red-headed boy of about 15 with the sky blue eyes.
Michael, the one who used to be known as Dark Heart, the most feared villain the Care Bears had ever faced.
And right now, Michael was on his back with laughter. After all, it felt good to laugh. It had been just 3 weeks since he had been freed from his evil, but he was enjoying ever second of it, from the games of tag down to the cartwheels. After his freedom was restored, Michael, John, Dawn, Christy..even Bryan, had formed a friendship so strong it seemed like almost nothing could break it...
Almost...
As the five were playing and laughing together, a clap of thunder was heard. Bryan looked up into the darkening sky, which began to flash with lightning. "Uh oh guys, it looks like its going to rain. We better get indoors." Bryan yelled to his friends. The others agreed and they took off running for the cabin. Without warning, a lightning bolt strikes the ground, sending all 5 of them sprawling on the ground. The rain begins to fall, soaking the ground around them in mere seconds. In less than a minute, the sunlit cloud-less day has turned into a rainy disaster. As the kids pull each other up to head in, Johns eyes widen with horror at a sight in the distance.
"Oh my God, TWISTER!" he yells pointing. And hes right. At a distance of about 100 feet away, a small black tornado winds its way down to the Earth, blood red lightning flashing inside it. The twister touches the Earths surface, kicking up a roar of dust. The twister vanishes, and the kids can see a faint outline in the dust cloud. When it settles, a man, larger than any man they have ever seen, is standing there with his red eyes fixed on them. 'Dear Lord! It reminds me of how MY eyes once looked!' Michael thinks in horror.
The figure, who seems to be clad in some sort of black armour, brushes his silver hair out of his eyes and smiles. "Ah yes, Dark Heart, how good I should find you here." The man says in a voice that sends shivers down everyones spines.
"My name isn't Dark Heart anymore, its Michael! Who are you and what do you want with us?" Michael called out.
The figure advances on the group, who shrink back behind Michael and Bryan. "My name is Shadow Heart, and what I want is simple; I want you to join me, in robbing this world of its love, its caring, and ESPECIALLY its people!" the man called out. "No way! Michaels not Dark Heart anymore, he'd never help you!" Bryan yelled. "Thats right! I've broken free of the evil curse I was once under, and I won't go back!" Michael agreed.
Shadow Heart just laughed, as the rain poured and the lightning flashed. "Oh yes..you will.." he said.
*******
"Alright...alright....yes, I understand. Ok, thank you, bye", Gohan said as he hung up the phone. He had been calling the hospitals nearby, to see if the people inflicted with the Coma Disease had any change in condition, bad or good. None had, they stayed the same frozen statues they were.
Gohan sighed, running a hand through his black hair. "Any luck?" his father asked, walking into the office. "No Dad, same as usual." Gohan replied. Sighing, Goku sat in the chair next to his son. "Dad? Is this guy really as bad as you guys say?" Gohan asked. He may be 18 years old, a man by legal and his familys standards, but Gohan was by no means above asking his father for help or advice.
"Yes Gohan, he is. Not even Frieza was this cruel. I really don't know what to say.." Goku replied. Gohan looked at his father in shock. If even Goku was at a loss for words, it couldn't be good. "Say Gohan, any difference?" asked a voice from the doorway. Gohan looked up, it was Champ Bear. "No Champ, sorry, but things are the same." Gohan said.
"Aw, it will be alright sports fan" Champ said, wandering over to father and son, "I'm sure we'll find a way to beat this, after all, nobody cares like a bear!" Champ winked at Gohan, who, along with his father, couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Thanks Champ, we needed that" Gohan confessed. The three sat and talked for a few minutes when the phone rang again. Gohan picked it up and placed it on speakerphone so the others could hear. "Hello this is Dr. McCann from Orange Star Hospital. With whom am I speaking?" The doctor asked. "This is Gohan, a family friend of Bulma Briefs" Gohan replied. "Well Mr. Gohan, I'm sorry to inform you and the rest of Capsule Corp this, but it appears we have yet another outbreak of this mysterious coma-causing disease here" the doctor said. "ANOTHER one?!" Gohan asked.
"Yes Sir, I know its hard to hear, with a couple of your own family members afflicted and all, but the original count infected here at Orange Star was originally 277, its now jumped to 453 in the last 8 hours, I'm sorry, but we're working around the clock to develope a cure, till then, we just got to kinda hang in here." The doctor concluded.
"Yes..your right Dr. McCann, thank you." Gohan said then hung up. Champ sighed, "Well Gohan, looks like things are getting worse". Gohan nodded in agreement and reclined in his chair. Goku, who had been sitting with his head in his hands, suddenly reared back in his chair with an "OWWWW!!!!!" that echoed down the halls.
"Dad? Whats wrong!" Gohan asked frantically. "Go..Gohan..Don't you feel this..wave of evil?" Goku asked through gritted teeth. Gohan indeed didn't feel anything, but the sight of his father grinding his teeth and tearing at his hair made him realize something BAD was happening. "Gohan, you and Champ grab hold of me, we're going to the source of this!" Goku said. With a demi-Saiyan and Care Bear latched onto him, Goku placed two fingers to his forehead and vanished, locked onto the Ki signal of some very unfortunate campers.
******
Perhaps..the word 'unfortunate', is putting it lightly. At the moment, Bryan was lying face down in the mud, struggling to get up. Shadow Heart, laughing all the while, strolled casually over to him. Michael, also layed out in the mud, was already on his feet. John lept at Shadow Heart with fists raised, trying desperately to do SOMETHING to fend off this man. Shadow Heart, without even looking in his direction, fired a massive red lightning bold straight into him. John hit the ground, his eyes glazing over in seconds as the Coma Disease stole his mind, body, AND soul from him.
"John..no..." Dawn cried, kneeling over his body. Shadow Heart lashed out again, striking both Dawn and the still struggling Bryan with red lightning, wiping control of their minds and bodies right out from under them. He turned to Christy, who was cowering over the prone bodies of her friends. "Oh no..please..don't hurt her.." Michael pleaded.
Shadow Heart smiled a bit, and replied, "Oh I'm not going to hurt her..""
With that, Shadow Heart raised both hands and cupped them, much like Vegetas Final Flash position. Red energy exploded between his cupped hands, forming a ball of red energy with lightning lancing out in all directions. Michael backed away a few feet and tripped over a rock on the ground, falling flat on his back in the mud. Just a few feet away, Goku, Gohan, and Champ Bear blurred into existance.
"Oh no!!!" Goku yelled. He wanted to jump at Shadow Heart, scream, fire Ki, anything, but in the end, he, like Gohan and Champ, was frozen in his tracks by the waves of sheer evil radiating from Shadow Heart.
"I'm not going to hurt her...you are..Dark Heart!" the man yelled. Before anyone could even blink, let alone move, he fired the massive lightning bolt straight at Michael, who screamed as the blast tore right into him, invading his body, mind, soul, even his very essence. Michael screamed and thrashed as his body was enveloped in red energy, the lightning crackling over his skin. Goku and the others watched, too horrified to move.
After a few seconds, the light faded, the lightning stopped, and Michaels limp body fell to the ground. With a laugh, Shadow Heart assumed his cloud form and vanished. Goku started to fly after him, but stopped himself and turned his attention to the wounded. A quick check of John, Dawn, and Bryan revealed that they feared, they were all infected with the Coma Disease. Christy, who had latched onto Champ Bear once she saw him, could barely stop herself from crying long enough to tell Gohan the red-headed boys name was Michael.
Gohan walked over to Michaels body,lying face down in the mud. He grabbed his shoulders and gently rolled him over on his back. "Michael? Michael, wake up! You gotta wake up for us!" Gohan said, shaking him slightly.
Gohan turned to face his father, "Dad, I don't know if hes going to be ok or not..". Goku, who had been looking at his son with sympathy, adopted a look of horror at what he saw his son did not. "Look out Gohan!!" Goku yelled pointing behind him.
Gohan turned around just in time to get a red lightning bolt straight to the chest. The force of the blow propelled him back almost 50 feet, where he smashed into the ground with a loud crashing noise. The figure with red hair laughed, that damnedable, all-too-familiar laugh and morphed into a blood red cloud with bright red eyes.
"Michael..? Whos Michael? I..am...DARK...HEART!! And soon, I'll be coming back for your family Care Bear" Dark Heart said, staring at a fright-strickened Champ Bear. "And yours.." he finished, looking at Goku before flying off with a loud, ringing laugh.
Goku, still numb from shock, yelled
over to Gohan, who was just now getting up out of the dirt. "Gohan!! Grab
those three and lets go! We have to get back to Capsule Corp. as fast as
we can, the others are in danger!" Goku yelled. Wasting no time, Gohan
grabbed John, Dawn, and Bryan, holding them in his arms as he, Champ Bear,
and a still crying Christie held onto Goku as he vanished in seconds back
to Capsule Corp...
***************************
With Dark Hearts evil nature re-activated, how will the Care Bears deal with their old, but powerful nemesis? What was the purpose of this fiendish act by Shadow Heart? And even more pressing, will the inexperienced Z Fighters and ragged and worn Care Bears even be able to deal with this new threat, plus Shadow Heart, and STILL find time to care for and protect the planet?
Chapter 7: Havoc and Chaos -- coming soon
So, now that were about half-way through the story, what do you think? Was this a good idea? Bad idea? Is the concept of an action/adventure crossover between Dragon Ball Z and The Care Bears too far-fetched? Are they two categories which simply shouldn't be mixed? Or is this a classic masterpiece in the making? Let me know, fast reviews mean faster chapters.
Also, to clearify things, the ages of the characters are as follows: Gohan is 18, Trunks and Goten both are 10 and 9, respectively, and Christie is about 14, seeing as thats what she would likely have been in A New Generation.
Till next chapter...
-Angel of Death - viperbloodstone@yahoo.com