Care-A-Lot was a rush of activity as the day dawned bright and breezy. Preparations for rain were underway, with Cheer and Harmony tending Cheer's gardens and collecting rain barrels. Share had an army of bears cooking a massive feast, the likes of which hadn't been seen in Care-A-Lot for ages. Meanwhile, Tenderheart was overseeing the rest of the bears in preparing a grand greeting for their estranged cousins.
Out of all the bears, Grumpy was the calmest. That was strange, in some ways. He had the most to be nervous about, all things considering. In just a few hours, he would be performing a liberation for his brother in front of all the Thunder Bears and all the Care Bears. But nerves were strangely absent. He was excited that he would be able to help his brother, to ease his angry, pained burden. Though Maelstrom was less burdened than many other Thunder Bears, he was not immune to the destructive reactions that had surrounded his people since the rift. To finally have some relief in sight after so many generations had passed was incredible, and it was still surreal to Grumpy that he was the catalyst for all of this.
Grumpy spent the morning resting, as Tenderheart had instructed. He tinkered with his tools after a hearty breakfast, but didn't really do much. He was interrupted around lunchtime by a bright, cheery voice.
"Grumpy!"
Grumpy looked up from the small top he was carving out of wood to see Funshine walking down the path to his home with little Wonderheart skipping beside him. With a smile, Grumpy set aside his knife and the top and stood up, brushing the wood shavings off of his lap.
"Little wonder!" Grumpy exclaimed.
He caught her when she reached him and lifted her off the ground and whirled her around until she was laughing. She sat down on the soft grass, elated and dizzy as Grumpy tweaked her nose. Then he looked up at Funshine.
"Hey, Grumps," Funshine said, a crooked smile on his face.
"Hey," Grumpy replied. "What's up?"
"Tenderheart sent me to get you," Funshine explained. "Maelstrom sent us the message that they're an hour away. And that was twenty minutes ago."
Grumpy pursed his lips and nodded. He'd figured they were getting close. An almost unbearable tension was building inside of him. It was a pressure that was familiar and sad and nostalgic and painful all at the same time. It was a memory from his cubhood that was too real and a nightmare he'd almost forgotten. In the light of Care-A-Lot, the dark feelings that had made up his world as a cub seemed bizarre and wrong. And they were. But it took him living in a place of laughter and joy to really get the contrast.
Wonderheart stood up and grasped Grumpy's paw. "Uncle Tenderheart says we're supposed to meet on the other side of the Forest of Feelings."
"Where we met your brother," Funshine added.
Grumpy nodded. "Let's go then."
"Are we going to take the Rainbow Ride?" Funshine asked.
"I say we cut right through the forest," Grumpy said. "The Glen meets up with the Forest of Feelings over there. It'll take about twenty minutes. But it's a nice day."
"Sounds good, Grumps."
After grabbing his Carry-All, Grumpy led the way through the forest toward the edge of Care-A-Lot. He wouldn't get lost. The terrible ache tugged him like a magnet toward the distressed Thunder Bears, despite their distance. How would it feel to be surrounded by so much pain and anger and sadness? He didn't want to think about it.
When they finally got to the edge of their world in the clouds, they saw Share overseeing the arrangement of a table full of covered dishes under the enormous tent that Great Giving had produced on the day that things had changed. The aroma of cooked meats and pasta and sauces made Grumpy's mouth water. Tenderheart glanced over at the three newcomers and smiled. He held up a finger and turned to finish his instructions before heading over.
"There you are," he said pleasantly. "Been resting up?"
Grumpy rolled his eyes. "It's only one liberation, Tenderheart. Last time there were three. And those three were intense. Maelstrom won't be nearly as draining."
Tenderheart shook his head, but his eyes twinkled with amusement. "Humor me. I want you to go and have some food right now. But if you think you'll be okay…"
Funshine sniggered and Wonderheart giggled. They both knew that Grumpy wouldn't turn down first dibs on such a large, fantastic feast. Grumpy grinned as his eyes began to glow blue, keen interest crossing his expression.
"Well, I do need to think of my health," Grumpy said.
Tenderheart chuckled and sent Grumpy to the table. Funshine was put to work with Cheer, who had shown up with a big smile in the time he'd been gone, and they began to paint a banner, the last task to be done. Wonderheart hurried to collect a bunch of fresh flowers that she planned to give to the elders. She was so excited to meet more Thunder Bears because she'd gotten along so well with Maelstrom. In fact, she had picked up quite a bit of Thunderspeak over the past month, and she had been able to hold broken conversations with the Thunder Bears.
Grumpy heaped a plate with a ton of delicious food and sat down to eat. He noticed several Care Bears giving him sideways glances, murmuring to each other and studying him when they thought he wasn't looking. He knew that there were a few misgivings. Some thought him to be an infiltrator, a sort of spy to ruin them. But those who were close to him had no such thoughts. They were rather defensive about what was said about him.
Tenderheart had to have severe words with a group of young Care Bears who had asked Grumpy if he wanted to electrocute them and if that was why he had been creating such horrible storms in front of a bunch of cubs. Grumpy had been humiliated, and his fur had betrayed him, changing from blue to black in seconds. That change had made the cubs panic, thinking that Grumpy was going to hurt them.
Tenderheart had soothed the situation, keeping his tongue civil until he'd gotten the cubs calmed down and the perpetrators separated from them. The rage that came from Tenderheart had become a legend over the last two weeks, and nobody dared to try and provoke Grumpy to his face again.
Though things were difficult with some of the more distrustful Care Bears, others were genuinely curious about Grumpy and his innate abilities. Many had come to visit him in the Gloomy Glen, bearing food and loaded with questions. He had gained a closer friendship with everybody that had come to visit him. The ones who refused were scared of him, which he could understand to a degree. Still, he wished that they would come and talk things out instead of whispering behind his back and filling the cubs' heads with fear.
Grumpy mused on all of this while he filled his belly and watched the hustle and bustle of the Care Bears. The pressure grew greater and greater as the time ticked down. He kept his eyes on the horizon, searching for the approaching thundercloud that was bringing his entire people to visit. Finally, the wind shifted and the smell of a storm swept over Grumpy. He popped the last bite of food into his mouth then stood up and made his way over to Tenderheart.
"Are you full?" Tenderheart asked distractedly.
"Yep," Grumpy said. When Tenderheart continued to focus on other things, he tapped the copper bear on the shoulder and pointed at the swiftly approaching black cloud. "They're here."
"Oh, yes. Right on time."
Tenderheart quickly organized the Care Bears into a group under the exquisite rainbow banner, waiting for the cloud to dock. It was enormous, and that became more apparent the closer it got. There were hundreds of pairs of glowing eyes locked on them as the cloud approached. Maelstrom headed the cloud to guide it and represent the welcome, and the imposing forms of the elders were swathed in the traditional white paint arranged in bolts of lightning. The air around them was heavy, and Grumpy swallowed at the pressure.
He took his place beside Tenderheart, and it was obvious to all that he was different than the rest of the colorful bears by his black fur and glowing eyes, which were white hot from the pain radiating from all of the individual Thunder Bears. Funshine stood on his other side, his fingers flexing nervously. He wasn't the only one who was wary. There were so many Thunder Bears, which most Care Bears had considered to be a sworn enemy for all of their lives, and they were all taller, most at least by a head. Neither side was comfortable with this meeting, both wary and angry for perceived wrongs. And once again, it was Grumpy who would have to bridge the gap.
The cloud docked, and Maelstrom led the elders forward, the air tense and silent. Grumpy led Tenderheart and Funshine forward. Tenderheart was rubbing his belly badge, a habit that indicated his unease. Grumpy saw the gazes of the elders stop on the badge and their steps slowed. Without a word, Grumpy reached over and gently took Tenderheart's hand. Tenderheart started, glancing over, and Grumpy shook his head. That seemed to put the elders at ease, and they finally met in the middle. An awkward stillness filled the air. Then Tenderheart took a breath and extended his hands outward and said the same words he'd been saying to children for years in a tongue he'd only just begun to learn.
"Welcome to Care-A-Lot."
The elders tilted their heads and studied Tenderheart curiously. The bears on the cloud began to crackle and spatter in Thunderspeak. Maelstrom smiled kindly at
"Not bad," he admitted. "Not enough rumble though."
Grumpy chuckled and Funshine grinned.
"He's just started learning," Funshine said.
"You speak much better," the lead elder said plainly.
"More practice," Funshine replied. "Mist has been teaching me for months."
"Ah, yes," a female elder murmured. They all turned to look sharply at Grumpy. "Our little Mist." They scanned the smaller Thunder Bear, their eyes lingering on his belly. "You have markings now. What does this mean?"
Grumpy shrugged. "I'm not sure. I don't have different powers. I'm still a storm-bringer. I can beacon and make rainbows, but there's nothing else particularly interesting about my belly badge."
"You can change colors," Funshine added.
Grumpy pursed his lips. "True."
"Are you a Care Bear?" one of the elders asked.
Grumpy knew that question was coming, and he had nothing but honesty to answer with, even if he desperately wanted a different answer. "I don't know. Great Giving granted me a belly badge, but I've never lost my storm powers. I'm still a Thunder Bear. But I do have Care Bear powers." He looked from one elder to the next. "I honestly don't know what I am. I'm sorry but I don't have answers, and I'm not going to lie."
Funshine was quietly translating for the Care Bears, who listened with great interest to Grumpy's answers. The Thunder Bears listened just as intently, their eyes bright. The elders murmured to each other. One of the females finally straightened.
"Whatever else you are, you are still a Thunder Bear. You liberated three of our people, and Care Bears can't do that. In fact, it hasn't been done for over a thousand years. And those three have managed to liberate many of the younger cubs. The older ones they have much trouble with. Even your brother, who is one who is less affected than many. We wish for you to show us what you can do."
Funshine finished translating then jumped in. "To be clear, it's exhausting and he shouldn't do more than one at a time."
The elders actually laughed. "We know that, Yellow," the oldest Thunder Bear said. "It was common that many days were used to spread out our powers instead of one large burst of energy. But circumstances didn't allow for that time for Mist. But Mist must be very powerful to have burst bonds for three bears in one day without any previous discussion. So we ask him to do something difficult but well within his scope of power to prove that he did it the first time. If he can do it, things will finally look up for our people."
Funshine nodded then looked at Grumpy. "Good luck."
Grumpy smiled, turning back to the elders. "I'm ready."
"Maelstrom?"
The elders fanned out to watch as Maelstrom walked over and sat down in front of his brother. Funshine and Tenderheart took several steps back. And then all eyes were on Grumpy. Grumpy took a deep breath and lifted his hands to caress the air around his brother. Immediately, black mist was visible, and the Thunder Bears gasped and leaned forward. Grumpy ignored them and looked up at his older brother's face and spoke gently and quietly so that nobody else could hear.
"Always giving things up to help others. Including me."
Maelstrom smiled. "Seems like it was worth it."
"You're so sad that you couldn't stop them from hurting me. That you can't help everybody with their pain."
Maelstrom looked down, his jaw clenching. His eyes were dim with remembrance.
"You will help them from now on," Grumpy promised.
The black mist rushed over Grumpy's form, and Maelstrom yelped in surprise, his entire body seizing. He fell over and looked up at his little brother in surprise. Grumpy, in a swath of black light, grinned and flung his hands up. Lightning crackled through his body and out of his fingertips. It arced to the sky, and his belly badge billowed dark clouds up and up to create an instant storm. The Thunder Bears watched with eager, fascinated expressions as the storm erupted around them.
Rain pelted down, soaking the watching bears. Grumpy smiled at his brother, who no longer exuded pressure and pain. He was at peace. The rain was refreshing as it splashed down onto his face. Maelstrom grinned and popped to his feet. The Care Bears watched in bemusement as Maelstrom let out a crack of thunder. The elders followed, and suddenly the Thunder Bears were going crazy, crackling and rumbling and barking out noises as they danced.
"What's all that about?" Harmony asked.
Grumpy turned with glowing blue eyes and a beaming smile. "Hope. For the first time since the split, there's hope for us."
Tenderheart clapped his paw on Grumpy's shoulder. "How do you feel?"
"Starving," Grumpy replied, his eyes wandering over to the large tent with the laden tables underneath.
Funshine grinned as the celebration went on amidst the Thunder Bears. "Let's eat, then?"
"What are you saying, little bear?" Maelstrom asked, breathless from dancing.
"Hungry. Announce that food is available."
Excitement flashed across Maelstrom's face. He had rather enjoyed the food he'd had with the Care Bears the week before. He threw back his head.
"Who's hungry?" he roared.
The Thunder Bears turned to look at him. Grumpy grinned as the Care Bears gaped at the sheer loudness of that call. Maelstrom explained that the Care Bears had made a feast for their reunion and that they could have as much as they wanted. Interest was high, and Maelstrom turned to bow to his little brother.
"Lead the way, little bear!"
Grumpy turned to Share. "You might want to resume cooking," he warned, his eyes sparkling.
Funshine laughed as Grumpy led the crowd of Thunder Bears toward the tent. Share looked at him.
"What's so funny?"
"We've got to feed three hundred Grumpys!"
That thought made Share freeze. "I think we better start the second course," she said then disappeared to find her assistant cooks.
"Maybe the third and fourth, too!" Harmony called.
The Care Bears began to laugh. Even those who were wary of Thunder Bears had new things to think about. Things would be different forever for the two tribes now that they were back together. They had a lot to learn about each other, but that was okay. They had time. Funshine smiled to himself.
"It's going to be quite the adventure," he murmured.
Grumpy came out of the tent into the downpour, skittering back to the Care Bears tent with a heaping plate. He chewed thoughtfully and looked around the rainy Care-A-Lot. His eyes rested on the outcropping of the islands that contained the statue of Benefare. He stopped chewing as he thought about that statue. The only clue about where the journal was that it was somewhere in Benefare's secret. Benefare's Secret was the name of the statue. Could the journal be inside the statue?
"Hey, Tenderheart?" Grumpy asked after swallowing. "Did you ever check the statue for Benefare's journal?"
Tenderheart stiffened, his brown eyes swinging around to stare at the outcropping. "It's somewhere inside Benefare's Secret," he murmured.
Funshine had heard the conversation, and he brightened. "Maybe it is in the statue!"
"We'll check after the storm," Tenderheart said, a smile stretching across his face. "For now, let's be good hosts, Funshine."
The three bears watched lightning split the sky, illuminating the statue. Benefare's Secret stood smiling over his discovery, the entire land of Care-A-Lot, and the stone eyes faced the direction that the Thunder Bears had come from.
Grumpy thought that some things shouldn't have been a secret, like what really happened between the Thunder Bears and the Care Bears. But perhaps Benefare had hidden his journal for a time when the truth would be more easily accepted. And Grumpy knew the truth was accepted partially because of him. It wasn't easy for everybody, but it was easier than if they hadn't known a Thunder Bear. Grumpy finally tore his eyes off of the statue to turn to his brother who was bounding over to talk with him.
Benefare's Secret wasn't just Care-A-Lot, Grumpy thought fondly. It was the truth. And it was finally out. Thanks to him.
