Disclaimer: See previous chapters
"A Rainbow Connection"
Chpt. 9
"Bad news Lord No-Heart," said Mr. Beastly as he came running into the room. "The Care Bears and the Color Kids have escaped from the dungeon."
"What!" shouted No-Heart.
"I knew it!" said Murky. "This always happens. Just when everything is going my way Rainbow Brite comes along and ruins it."
"Calm down everyone," said Dark Heart, "There's no need to get all worked up over it." All eyes turned to Dark Heart who was sitting on his newly made throne. "They may have been able to defeat my shadow and free their friends, but then again I expected them to."
"Do you mean to say that they can undo what we did to that town?" asked No-Heart.
"It doesn't matter if they do. We just need to make my shadows stronger. Besides, we know where they will be going eventually," said Dark Heart coolly.
"And where might that be?" asked Murky.
"To their homes of course, to restore them. That is when they will be most vulnerable. They will have to get everyone together to do so, and when they do I will crush them all. Not a single one of the Bears and their Cousins, or even Rainbow Brite and the Color Kids will be left to stop us."
"And do you know where they will be gathering first?" asked No-Heart.
"I'm sure they will be restoring Rainbowland first," said Murky.
"Excellent then," said No-Heart, pleased. "Then we will strengthen Dark Heart's shadows and then we will go to Rainbowland to crush those fools once and for all." The sound of their laughter echoed throughout the castle.
The restoration of Rainbowland was going slowly. It had been decided that the fastest way was to use the Color Console, but they needed a way to add the Care Bear Stare to the rainbow in order for it to work. Shy Violet, Brightheart Raccoon, and Smartheart Bear discussed ways to do this. Everyone else went to the Caves to get the color crystals necessary for the restoration.
"What if we focus the Stare on the top of the castle where the rainbow is emitted?" suggested Smartheart.
"I don't think that would work too well," said Brightheart. "When the rainbow and the Stare meet a pulse is emitted from that point. It might disperse the cloud, but it wouldn't restore the color to the land."
"What we need to do is infuse the Stare in with the rainbow before it is emitted," said Violet.
"We could use a collector," said Smartheart.
"Good idea Smartheart Bear," agreed Brightheart. "We can connect a collector onto the Console."
"And then we Care Bears and Care Bear Cousins can focus the Stare on that and it will combine with the rainbow inside the Console," finished Smartheart.
"We would have to put one on each color tube to ensure that we don't cause the pulse to be emitted too early," added Violet.
The three designed the collectors and fitted them to the Color Console. When they were finished the Console was beginning to look like a pipe organ. Once everyone was gathered together the plan was explained and the preparations were completed. The Color Kids sat around the Console getting it started and the Care Bears and Care Cousins stood around the Console behind them.
"Wait for my cue," Violet to them. She watched the Console for a few minutes. "Okay, now!"
"Three, two, one, Care Bears Stare!" A sparkling rainbow shot skyward from the castle top and went behind the mountains. The clouds began to disperse and the land slowly regained its color and life. All cheered at their success, but their celebration was cut short as a lightning bolt crashed through the roof and destroyed the Color Console.
Wish Bear was looking through the telescope when Rainbow and Starlight landed nearby.
"Any sign of Dark Heart?" asked Rainbow as she dismounted.
"No," answered Wish Bear. "How about you?"
Rainbow shook her head, "I didn't see anything out of the ordinary on Earth. If he is still there he hasn't done anything yet."
"Watch out!" cried a voice from above. Wish Bear and Rainbow turned around and saw a cloud car that was careening out of control and crash into the clouds. They ran over to see who it was and if he was all right.
"Grumpy Bear what happened?" asked Wish Bear.
"It's Dark Heart. He's in Rainbowland. Just as we started the restoration, Dark Heart showed up and destroyed the Color Console. We tried to fight him, but he was too strong for us. The others are doing thier best to fight him and I came to get help."
"He's in Rainbowland. That's why we couldn't find him on Earth," said Wish Bear. "We'll get the others and leave right away, okay Rainbow? Rainbow?" Rainbow had disappeared from beside her. She looked around and saw Rainbow climbing up onto Starlight.
"I'll go on ahead," said Rainbow. "You tell the others and follow along. Let's go Starlight." The rainbow came out of her belt and formed a road on which Starlight promptly began running.
"Oh dear, I hope she will be okay," said Wish Bear worriedly. Wish Bear and Grumpy Bear headed for the Hall Of Hearts to inform Trueheart and Nobleheart about Dark Heart.
Grey entered the door of the old house and saw that Bill was now awake. "You're up early," Bill greeted him. "Is something wrong?"
"There was some trouble down in town," said Grey, "But it's over now. I saw some friends of mine and that jarred my memory back."
"Well that's good to hear. Did you come back to say good-bye?"
"Not yet Bill, there are still some things I need to sort out and I was hoping you could help me."
"I don't know what I could do for you, but I'll do what I can," Bill answered. He pointed behind Grey. "Is this one of your friends?" Grey turned around and saw a small figure standing in the doorway.
"Hello, I'm Harmony Bear," she said coming in.
"What are you?" asked Bill.
"I'm a Care Bear."
"So you are real. I thought it was just a dream," said Bill. "The night of the riot years ago I thought I saw little bears. They were Care Bears weren't they?" Harmony nodded.
"You shouldn't have followed me," Grey told her. "The others might need your help later."
"Maybe," said Harmony, "But you need my help right now. And Rainbow needs yours."
"There's not much I can do. I was totally helpless against Dark Heart. Besides I told her I would help rescue her friends and that has been done. She will be fine so you should go on back."
"I can't do that yet, not until you come with me at least."
Grey shook his head, "And I suppose there is no way for me to change your mind. Fine you can stay but I'm not leaving until I find out what I need." He turned back to face Bill who was watching in wonderment. "Listen Bill, I may have recovered my memory, but some of it is still missing. I think it has something to do with C.T. Porter. His face is missing in the picture so I need you to describe him to me. I am going to try to find him."
Bill stood up, "I can do better than that. In an upstairs closet is a photo album that wasn't bunt in the fire. I kept it there to look through every once in a while to remember the good old days." He patted Grey on the shoulder and headed for the door. "I'm going to find some breakfast. Do you want me to bring you something?"
"No I'm fine," said Grey.
"Okay then. I hope you find what you're looking for, and if you do find C.T. tell him I said hello. See you later son." Bill left the house and Grey and Harmony Bear went upstairs. In the bedroom on the far side from where the fire was, Grey found the photo album where Bill had told him. He sat down on the floor and took in each picture as he flipped the pages.
"It's not true you know," said Harmony.
"About what?" Grey asked without looking away.
"About there being nothing you can do. You had no way of knowing what you would be facing when you decided to help Rainbow, but you stuck with it and protected her until you kept your promise. You have as much courage as Braveheart and a heart as big as Lots-A-Heart and you are just as caring as any Care Bear. There is plenty you can do."
Grey put the album down and stared into space. "Until a few days ago Rainbow didn't even know I existed," he started. "I stayed away from them and watched them only. I never made myself known to them. I've seen them go through some pretty tough times, but Rainbow was always strong enough to see it through. That day I saw her in the river though, I didn't see the usual strong willed leader, I saw a scared little girl. That scared me more than anything I've been through, beforehand or after, and I had to save her after seeing that. Even after that ordeal she still wanted to fight so I gave her all the help I could. She's a survivor unlike me. I've forgotten my past because things went bad and I ran away. And now I'm here trying to recover it but I have no idea what I will do when I find it. Rainbow is stronger than I ever was and that's why I say there isn't much I can do." Grey picked up the album again and starting turning the pages slowly.
"You can care," said Harmony. "In fact I know you care about Rainbow. You drew a picture of her." Grey's hand stopped mid-turn for a second.
"You saw that huh."
"It fell out of the book when Rainbow picked it up."
"She saw it too! I drew it so I wouldn't forget. I do care about her, but she's a just a kid to me. It's more like," Grey stopped turning the pages and touched one of the pictures, "A father caring about his daughter," he said quietly. Grey closed the album, stood up and put it back in the closet. He then turned and looked out the dirty window.
"What is it?" asked Harmony.
"I remember now," he said softly. "I know where I can find C.T. Come on, let's go."
The first thing Rainbow saw as she and Starlight broke through the cloud cover was smoke billowing out of the roofless Color Castle. She saw Dark Heart, Murky and Lurky standing in front of it. Gray figures littered the ground except for six who were holding off one of Dark Heart's shadows. Red, Buddy, Patti, Funshine Bear, Friend Bear and Best-Friend Bear were beginning to weaken when Rainbow landed. Rainbow joined in the fight and used the rainbow to knock the shadow back.
"Thank goodness you're here Rainbow," said Patti.
"How are all of you?" Rainbow asked.
"We're beginning to get tired," answered Red. "This shadow is stronger than the other one was."
"Dark Heart has already got to the others and there aren't enough of us to beat his shadow," said Friend Bear.
"Trueheart, Nobleheart and the others will be here soon so we have to do our best until they get here," Rainbow told them. Dark Heart instructed his shadow to cease the attack.
"Look Murky Rainbow Brite's big sister is here," said Lurky.
Murky growled and hit him with his hat. "How many times do I have to tell you Pea-Brain? She is Rainbow Brite."
"Silence you fools," commanded Dark Heart. He turned his gaze toward Rainbow. "So glad you could join us Rainbow Brite. I was just having a bit of sport with your friends while I was waiting for you. I suspect the rest of the Care Bear Family will be here shortly so why don't we wait for them. That way I can crush you all at once."
"We will beat you Dark Heart," Rainbow protested.
"I don't think so, and to prove it I will take you last. I want you to see all of your friends fall first."
"Not if we can help it Dark Heart." Both groups looked up to see a parade of cloud cars in the sky.
"Ah, here they are now," said Dark Heart. "Attack!" Dark Heart's shadow once again moved forward. The twelve in the air and the seven on the ground pelted the shadow with beams of color and feelings. The shadow fell back and then pushed forward. Each side struggled against the other to gain the upper hand. Eventually the shadow began to lose ground and after letting out a cry it burst into colored sparks.
"I thought you said that your shadows would be invincible now," Murky projected at Dark Heart. "They're beating us again!" Dark Heart looked down at Murky with glowing eyes and said nothing. A shadow rose from the ground, enveloped Murky and dropped him unconscious onto the ground.
"Murky!" said the surprised Lurky. Dark Heart turned his gaze toward him and Lurky covered his mouth and shrank back. Shakily he picked up Murky and ran off, leaving Dark Heart alone with his shadow.
"Turning on your allies?" shouted Rainbow. "Not even Murky deserved that."
"He is a cowardly fool," said Dark Heart, "And his use to me has ended. Now back to the task at hand. You have done well to beat my shadow, but I have more." He raised his hand into the air, "Arise and attack." Five more shadows rose up and joined the other one. "Take them all except for Rainbow Brite, leave her for last."
The six shadows surrounded Rainbow and her friends and pressed in for the attack. The Bears and Cousins stood in a circle around Rainbow and the Color Kids and tried to hold them back. Rainbow and the Kids did what they could to help, but with their divided defense the shadows soon moved in close. Each grabbed a Bear or Cousin and drew back. They dropped them on the ground unconscious and drained of color then went back in for another. A third swoop left Rainbow standing there alone. Dark Heart laughed as he had his shadows surround Rainbow. Rainbow steeled herself as one drew close. It suddenly stopped and howled in pain then burst in sparks.
"Didn't anyone ever tell you it's not nice to pick on girls Dark Heart?" said a voice from behind. Rainbow, Dark Heart and his shadows all turned in the direction of the voice. In the distance stood a man wrapped in a cloak holding a bow.
"Who are you?" asked Dark Heart angrily.
"Don't tell me you've already forgotten about me." He pulled the off the hood and revealed his face.
"Grey!" cried Rainbow happily.
"Grey? I thought you perished under that pile of rubble," said Dark Heart.
"Turns out death was overrated so I came back." Grey pulled an arrow out of the quiver on his back. "And I brought a few friends along with me." Twelve Care Bears and Cousins stepped out from behind him and stood six to each side. Rainbow saw that Tenderheart, Braveheart and the others she met when she first entered Care-A-Lot were among them. "Come on over here and join us kid," Grey told her as he placed the arrow on the string. Rainbow darted through the gap in the shadows that Grey had made.
"Stop her!" Dark Heart ordered. The two closest shadows reached for Rainbow and were stopped by a Care Bear Stare. Grey shot the arrow at one and quickly fired another at the other one. Both shrieked and burst apart.
"Thank you," said Rainbow when she reached Grey.
"You're welcome, but let's leave the reunion till later. We've got some work to do right now." Grey pulled out another arrow, Rainbow noticed it was a color crystal, and shot it into the air.
"What do you expect that to do?" Dark Heart laughed.
"Watch it and see," Grey told him and pointed up into the sky at the arrow. Grey pulled out a caring crystal arrow and placed it on the string. The first arrow soon began to fall and Grey shot the second at it. They hit each other and exploded, sending dust falling to the ground. The remaining shadows howled as the dust landed on them and writhed in pain before they burst into sparks. Dark Heart stepped back inside the castle door and watched as the dust settled on the surrounding area. Those who were lying gray and unconscious on the ground soon regained their color and woke up.
"No!" cried out Dark Heart as he changed into a cloud and began to grow. A large, black, prismatic cloud with eyes now hovered over the Color Castle and leered down below. "I will not be defeated! I am invincible," it bellowed.
"Everyone gather quickly," said Grey. "Stand ready for attack. Fire on my mark." The Care Bear Family lined up in rows of eleven. The Bears stood in the first two lines and the Cousins in the third. Rainbow and the Color Kids stood in behind them. Grey looked up at Dark Heart. "Dark Heart you are a bully. A bully who hurts others that don't think the same as you. Behold bully, at the crowd that now stands up to you. When we all stand together as one, even the toughest bully will fall. Guardians of Feelings, show him some tough love."
"Care Bears," said Tenderheart.
"Care Bear Cousins," echoed Braveheart.
"Stare!"
"Call!" Thirty-three beams of white light struck Dark Heart who only laughed at it.
"You are only a shadow Dark Heart," said Grey. "A shadow of evil from a boy's heart, an evil that was banished when he admitted his feeling for a girl. You may think you are invincible, but you are a shadow all the same. And no matter how big or dark a shadow may be, even the smallest ray of light can pierce that darkness and banish the shadow. Guardians of Color it's your turn."
Rainbow touched the star on her belt and sent the rainbow at Dark Heart and the Color Kids sent beams of their own colors at him too. Dark Heart reeled with the added attack and groaned. He grew larger and sent lightning bolts lashing out.
"Don't let up," Grey encouraged. "Dark Heart must be stopped here and now. For the future of Rainbowland, for the future of Care-A-Lot and for the future of Earth we must be strong."
"No!" cried Dark Heart. "How is this possible? How can I be losing?"
"You are an abomination Dark Heart. Something that should never have been created. You are an imbalance in the harmony of the universe." Grey pulled out an arrow, with a tip made of fused color and caring crystals, placed it on the bowstring and pulled it back. "I made this one with your name on it Dark Heart, to restore the balance." Grey let go of the bowstring and the arrow flew through the air. It alternated between emitting bands of color and bands of light in a fireball as it streaked towards Dark Heart. Dark Heart's eyes grew wide as it drew nearer and shrieked when it hit. A shockwave of light erupted from the point of impact and knocked everyone over. The light spread over all of Rainbowland and it was so strong that Rainbow had to cover her eyes. A feeling of dizziness and weightlessness came over her and caused her to pass out.