Forever UnitedForever divided2
by ~eternaldragonstear
Chapter 2 Shimmering Star to the Rescue
Nobleheart was now in a dungeon by himself and was sighing to himself. But he was surprised as he saw a stranger open his door and released him from his stocks. "Who are you?" Nobleheart inquired. Then Shimmeringstar releases his hood. "You! GO away I don't need your help." Nobleheart protested as he looked away.
"Not till after I rescue you." Shimmeringstar said as he helped him down picking him up from underneath his arms.
"This doesn't change anything you know. Just because you can save a horse doesn't mean you're off the hook for killing some rats." Nobleheart horse replied.
"Must we argue now? Keep it quiet or your going too." Too late,
Shimeringstar saw a nearby shadow leaving the room quickly.
"Now see what you've caused?" Shimmeringstar shot back at Nobleheart. "Let's go before more guards arrive."
Nobleheart rolled his eyes. "Typical. I wasn't the only one making noise, but I get the blame. What ever happened to respecting your elders?"
"Look, I'm not going to argue with you," Shimmeringstar shot back. "Now are you going to come with me or do I have to carry you?" He said narrowing his eyes at him.
Nobleheart horse snapped back angrily at Shimmeringstar. "ALRIGHT!" Nobleheart horse took a deep breath before speaking. "Alright. Just stay close, and do try to listen to me."
"Look, I know the way out Nobleheart,' Shimmeringstar replied firmly. "So follow my lead please and will get out of here, otherwise, you'll only lead us into trouble and possibly Noheart."
Nobleheart horse turned snapped at Shimmeringstar. "Nonesense. I've had to sneak in and out of this place hundreds of times. I know some good secret hiding places that we can crawl through. We'll never get caught!" He argued spiritedly while crossing his arms. "All you've ever seen is the out in the open. I know the hidden knoocks and crannies. Here, this way. Here's a good sized crack in the wall that even you can fit into." Nobleheart said pointing out.
"And I used to live here remember?" Shimmeringstar said now losing patience with this horse. "Now let's stop arguing and get going." He said to him as he turned expecting Nobleheart to follow.
Nobleheart horse replies back snydly. "Alright, fine. If you want to talk around in the open like a calf going to the slaughter, than be my guest. I'm going home!" Nobleehart slips into a small crack.
"Hey, get back here!" Shimmers said as he dove for him in a attempt and managed to grab his ankle.
Nobleheart horse came falling down on his face* Ouch! Let me go!"
"Sorry, I promised Trueheart I was going to rescue you and if I have to carry you the whole way then so be it!" Shimmers said as he picked up the horse elder and now held him firmly by his waist.
Nobleheart horse was now wiggling like a mad creature. "Put me down! This is no way to treat your elders! Let me go this instant young man!"
"Shh! your going to get us caught!" Shimmeringstar said as he placed a hand over the horse's muzzle.
Nobleheart turned his head to and fro but couldn't shake the humans hand off his muzzle. So he mumbled till he got fed up with it and finally did the thing he didn't really want to do. But this murdurer didn't leave him any choice! So he bit down hard on Shimmeringstar's hand which instantly drew blood.
"Youch!" Shimmeringstar said as he dropped the elder grasping his hand. "What did you do that for?" He said gazing at Nobleheart in disbelief that he would even do that to him.
"You grabbed me. What was I supposed to do? Let you drag me around like a stubborn cub, or one of your dead rats?" Nobleheart said with his eyes crossed.
That hit Shimmeringstar hard, although his feelings were hurt, he managed to stay composed. "Fine! Go your own way. But I'm not rescuing you again if you get caught." Shimmeringstar said as he wrapped his bleeding hand that he ripped from his cloak and turned away from Nobleheart.
Nobleheart stares blankly at him "Good luck with No Heart! Your going to need it!" He said with a rhy smile.
"Some friend you turned out to be. You promised to look after me, but I guess its just like you carebears to break your promises huh?" He said as he hid his face with a tear that escaped his eyes.
Nobleheart horse froze in place. "A Care Bear is meant to find peace, not murder." He says this over his shoulder, not even looking at Shimmeringstar to conceal his own emotions.
Shimmeringstar didn't say nothing back and walked out of the room as he heard troops and shadows coming to there location.
Nobleheart dives into the crack and quicky scurries away.
"What kind of crap is this! I come and rescue him and he doesn't let me help him!" He said musing to himself. Shimmeringstar continued to walk, but heard a scream that he recognized as Nobleheart.
Shimmeringstar hears Nobleheart. "Beastly! Let go of me!"
"Oh what fun! We recaptured you and this time your not going to get away this time carebear cousin..." Beastly said as he grabbed him along with some of Noheart's shadows.
"Now tell me, how did you get out of there in the first place?" He inquired looking at the horse inquisitively.
Nobleheart horse could do nothing but squirm. "No! N... *the sound of his voice is choked by shadows wrapping around him.*
"No matter," Replied Beastley. "This time, your not going to get away."
"Put him down!" Demanded a voice from the shadows.
"Who said that?" Beastly said looking around the room.
"I did!" Shimmeringstar said as he stepped forward.
"Ahh! Get him! Its Shimmeringstar.!" Shouted Beastley as he stepped away from Shimmeringstar in fear while some shadows stepped up while the others shadows, began to take Nobleheart away. Shimmeringstar made quick work of them with his stare coming out of his hands and went after Beastley and the other shadows. Beastley tried to run, but could not as Shimmeringstar grabbed him, and punched him hard in the stomach sending crashing to the ground. Shimmeringstar went after the other two shadows who were now taking away Nobleheart.
"Carebears stare!" Shouted Shimmeringstar cupping his hands together as they shimmered a bright white unleashing a mean beam of white energy causing the shadows to faulter to the side, while Nobleheart was knocked semi hard to the ground from the force Shimmers attack. The shadows cursed and retreated not wanting anymore. "Are you okay?" Shimmeringstar said gently placing a hand on Nobleheart's shoulder as he noticed he was now bleeding from a semi deep gash upon his stomach. WIthout saying a word, Shimmeringstar took his shirt off. "Hold still, I need to slow down the bleeding." He said as he attempted to wrap the elder up.
Noble Heart was having a hard time breathing. With every breath, he could feel the wound move. "What have you done to me?" he said, watching the blood ooze out of the wound. He watched as the blood fell from the gash in his stomach, watching it bleed over half of his tummy symbol. The wound looked as though it had cut his tummy symbol in half.
"Me? I haven't done anything," He replied as he wrapped his shirt around him and tightened up the shirt around the wound. "But saved your furry hide." Although the wound was drastically slowed, it still bled slightly. "We better get you over to Redemptionheart's fast! Please, let me carry you. You won't make it on your own strength."
Noble Heart didn't like looking weak in Shimmering Star's presence, but he knew that if he didn't at least let the youngster help him, he would die on the floor of that miserable castle. "Don't let me down," he said slowly.
Shimmeringstar was taken back in surprise that he consented to his help. "I won't, I promise." Shimmers vowed as he bent down and offered for him to get up on his back. "C'mon, get on my back. I'll carry you."
"No," he said demandingly. "You'll split me more open than I am now. Why don't you use your jacket and create a carrier for me. You can hold me in front of you much easier."
Shimmeringstar at first almost objected, but sensed Noheart nearby. So he took off his brown cloak and wrapped Nobleheart inside of it. "Hang on!" Shimmeringstar said as he wrapped Nobleheart up and held the elder in front of him and ran down the hall carrying a disgruntled horse. Shimmers ran into a dark room and ran quickly through it, and was now outside the castle as he ran past a door way that led to the outside.
"Comeback here SHimmeringstar!" Shouted No heart as he transformed into his lightning form and landed in front of them stopping Shimmeringstar dead in his tracks. "At last we meet again! But this time, it will be you who falls." Nobleheart said as his voice slowed to a whisper at the end of his comment.
"Can you go away Noheart? Can't you see I'm carrying a sick carebear who needs medical attention?" Shimmeringstar griped out of frustration. "Hang on Nobleheart, I have to place you down." He said as he gently laid Nobleheart down on the dark purple clouds and prepared for battle.
Noble Heart winced as he was set down on the clouds. Unlike Care-A-Lot clouds, the clouds of this place were cold and hard. "Good luck," he said weakly, wrapping himself in the cloak to keep himself warm.
Shimmeringstar got out his duo saber and battled with No heart trading with blows. back and forth. Shimmeringstar made quick work of him or so it seemed but before he could deliver the blow...
"You may have beaten me, but at least I can destroy that carebear!" Shouted Noheart as he aimed and fired purple lightning with a out stretched blue hand striking Nobleheart causing him to cry out in pain.
"NOBLEHEART!" Shouted Shimmeringstar as he quickly knocked away No heart's hand and placed his saber just inches away from No heart's throat with adrenalin searing through him. "You'll pay for that cheap shot with your life!" He raised his saber and was about to strike down till...
It felt like Noble Heart's insides were trying to force their way out of him. He could feel his gash spreading wider and wider, the blood gushing out of him. Though he could not see it, the color of his fur was beginning to go pale with blood loss.
Shimmeringstar felt Nobleheart's life signs fading away. "Nobleheart!" He placed his weapon away, and ran towards the elder and wrapped him in his arms. "Nobleheart, please, don't die! Hang on." He begged to him looking at him directly in his eyes hoping he'd respond.
Noble Heart felt pained as he breathed, each breath hurting more and more. He didn't want to think about how much agony talking would be. Rather than describing how he felt, he lifted the shirt Shimmering Star had used to bandage him, showing him what No Heart had done to him. He couldn't look himself due to how much moving hurt, but he could feel how much deeper the wound had become while it widened.
"Nobleheart," Shimmeringstar replied. "This is going to take alot of my strength, but I have no choice!" His eyes began to glow white, as he sent out a spector. Noheart saw that he was beginning to teleport and slowly made his way to his feet. "You can't do that! Your not getting away from me!" No heart reached out with his hands and struck the two heroes as Shimmeringstar took the brunt end of it shielding Nobleheart from the attack as his eyes continued to glow. This continued on as he grimaced in pain till the spector finally reached Carelot. "Teleport!" He said as they both disappeared from site.
"Nooo!" Shouted Noheart. "You'll pay for this some day Shimmeringstar! I promise you! I shall have my revenge!" Noheart said shaking his fist.
Back in Carelot, the carebears were pacing back and forth nervously in front of the hall of hearts wondering if they ever were going to see Nobleheart ever again.
"Do you think Nobleheart's going to be okay?" Inquired Aqua bear to Trueheart.
"I hope so," Trueheart replied. It was just then that Shimmeringstar appeared right in front of them with Nobleheart wrapped in his arms.
"Where's Redemptionheart bear? Nobleheart needs immediate medical attention!" Shimmers said looking around for her frantically.
"I'm right here!" Replied the multi colored bear stepping forward.
"Nobleheart has a deep gash to his stomach across his tummy symbol." He replied. Redemptionheart took a look and saw that Nobleheart was still bleeding clear through the jacket.
"We better get him to my clinic, asap!" She replied. Shimmeringstar nodded as they got there as soon as they could with Shimmeringstar carrying him carefully.
The sight of Noble Heart in such a state made several sick. To see their founder, the one who many of them consider a father figure, in such a state was completely frightening. Seeing that strong someone at the verge of death in the arms of someone already known as a murderer made them feel so scared.
Brave Heart Lion ran up to the situation, ready to pounce on Shimmering Star. "What have you done?" he hollered, looking over tearfully at his beloved founder.
Shimmeringstar sensed the mood and the fear of the bears. He was shocked to say the least at this.
"I didn't do anything to Nobleheart," Shimmeringstar replied calmly. "I rescued him just like I said I would do."
Brave Heart scouled at Shimmering Star, an expression that he found hard to hold as he watched his founder bleed. "Put him down right now!" he said forcefully, trying to fight back his negative emotions.
"Not until we get him to Redemptionheart's office," Shimmeringstar replied with firmness. Why was he acting like this? He thought to himself.
Brave Heart stood in front of Shimmering Star, holding his arms out in front of him. "We'll take him from here," he said forcefully, taking a step forward as he spoke in hopes of looking tougher. "You just set him down, gently. You hurt him anymore and I swear you'll be in the same spot he's in, only nobody'll wanna help you!"
As he spoke, a few other Care Bears and Care Bear Cousins lined up behind Brave Heart to help block their intruder's path. Brave Heart could feel Funshine Bear's paw land supportively on his shoulder. "You tell 'em Brave Heart," She said, readying her stance for a Care Bear Stare in case the predicament got any worse.
"Your wrong Braveheart, Everyone step back!" Demanded a sky-blue bear that stood in front of Shimmeringstar. "Can't you see he's trying to help? All of this needless bickering is not going to help Nobleheart get any better. Now stand aside!" He said authoritatively as Shimmeringstar was glad to have some help. Wish bear, Aqua, and Lonesomeheart, and Redemptionheart also stepped up in front.
"Stand aside! This is my patient!" Redemptionheart bear shouted. "And if any of you hinder Shimmeringstar carrying Nobleheart, you could worsen Nobleheart's condition and he may never recover. Is that what you want? Do you want him to die?" She asked staring down the opposing bears who were backing Braveheart. Redemptionheart was not the aggressive type by nature. But when it came to the care of her patients, she'd do anything to help that patient, against any opposition.
Despite how protective he was feeling, Brave Heart decided to stand aside. "If you all can keep an eye on him, and REALLY keep an eye on him, then okay," he said, waving his followers to stand back. "I don't want anything else to happen to poor Noble Heart, especially in the hands of that murderer."
Shimmeringstar looked at Braveheart in shock but threw ignored it as he carried Nobleheart past them.
"Why did you say that?" Sky-Heart bear said as he pushed Braveheart to the side with a shoulder check knocking Braveheart aside.
"Yeah, that was uncalled for!" Lonesomeheart bear said standing over Braveheart who now lay on his back.
"You can call him what you want, but who rescued him? You certainly didn't!" Aqua bear scowled as he walked past him as well. Wish bear merely shook her head from side to side before she spoke.
"I can't believe you guys! Were suppose to be carebears that help one another. But instead, you choose to verbally abuse Shimmeringstar instead of loving him and helping him when he risked his own skin to rescue Nobleheart. I'm ashamed of you all!" Wish bear said as she walked past them following Shimmeringstar.
.Brave Heart was furious. "I didn't kill anyone!" he shouted as he slowly got up from the ground with the help of his friends. He had thought about persuing his attackers, but Proud Heart Cat held his arm. "Don't," she said firmly, looking Brave Heart in the eye. "The longer we make them wait, the longer Noble Heart has to wait."
Proud Heart could feel Brave Heart's arm beginning to shake from his supressed emotions. She really felt badly for him, especially since she felt similarly. "Hey, come on now," she said, slowly letting go of his arm. "You'll have plenty of time to drill that arrogant show off. He's got to know what he's doing isn't the Care Bear way, and who better to tell him that than the leader of the Care Bear Cousins." As Proud Heart's paw left Brave Heart's arm, she could feel Brave Heart grab onto it. She could see tears slowly leak from his eyes. "I may be the leader," he said, his voice effected by his emotions, "but I'm not the founder. He's the one lying in the arms of a killer, and I don't know if he'll ever be the same."
They finally arrived at Redemptionheart's clinic and Redmemptionheart went in opening the door for Shimmeringstar to step through along with his friends. After they entered, Redemptionheart bear stood by the door and blocked it from anyone else entering.
"I'm sorry, but since everyone is here and the waiting room is not big enough, only Tenderheart, Trueheart, Braveheart, and Shimmeringstar's friends will be allowed in here." She replied. Everyone grumbled as Braveheart, Trueheart, and Tenderheart all entered the waiting room while Redemptionheart bear led Shimmeringstar to the emergency room and gently laid Nobleheart down on a bed covered with white tissue covering a brown bed.
"Is he going to be okay?" Shimmeringstar said concerned.
"I won't know till I run some tests." Redemptionheart explained. "So please, I'm going to ask you too wait in the waiting room along with the others." Shimmeringstar nodded and walked out of the room entering the waiting room.
"Shimmeringstar?" Wish bear said as she stood up.
"Yes Wish bear?" Replied Shimmeringstar.
"I apologize for the carebears acting so viciously towards you. I don't think your a murderer." She said as she came up and hugged him.
"I know you don't," Replied Shimmeringstar as he wrapped his arms around Wish bear and held her closely, as he sat down in a chair allowing WIsh bear to fall into his lap. His friends looked onto him. "Thanks for helping me out there Sky-Heart bear." Sky-Heart bear merely nodded while Lonesomeheart and Aqua bear smiled at him in understanding.
"Hey, what happened to your hand?" Wish bear said as she finally noticed the wrapped cloth around his left hand.
"Long story short, Nobleheart bit me there after I tried to forcefully carry him with me since he didn't want to come with me." He explained.
"That's awful!" Wish bear explained.
Shimmeringstar merely shrugged it off as he said. "Well, that's what I get for putting my hand over his muzzle huh?" He said trying to lighten the situation, but the room became deathly quiet as no one responded and looked at him questioningly.
Brave Heart let out a low sound of distaste as the friends made idle chit chat.
"Can you blame Noble Heart for defending himself?" he said under his breath to Tender Heart, looking at Shimmering Star's hand with a strange delight. Tender Heart shrugged at Brave Heart's comment.
"He could be hurt," he said, trying to sound neutral as he looked at the bite on Shimmering Star's hand from a distance. Brave Heart rolled his eyes at Tender Heart's concern.
"He'll have to wait," he explained. "Noble Heart is the priority, not him. It would serve him right if it got infected."
Trueheart bear shot Braveheart a warning look which caused him to shutter.
"Why do you treat me like that Braveheart? After everything I've done to protect you and this family?" The human said defensively, managing to hide his hurt. "I'd never wish for anything bad to happen to you." Shimmeringstar said with his voice trailing off but he managed to look the lion directly in his eyes.
Brave Heart wanted to stand up and march right up to Shimmering Star, but one look from True Heart ended that idea. Brave Heart crossed his arms like an angry little child and glared at Shimmering Star. "I've done everything in MY power to protect my family," he said angrily. "I'm the leader of the Care Bear Cousins, and if... if anything happens to Noble Heart it'll be my responsibility to take care of my family." Brave Heart had a hard time finishing his sentance, finding it difficult to bring himself to say anything about Noble Heart dying.
It was just then that Redemtptionheart bear stepped into the room.
"Nobleheart is now in stable condition," Redemptionheart replied. "The bleeding has stopped, but I won't know for sure if there will be any further complications till tomorrow." She replied.
"Well, at least the bleeding has stopped." Shimmeringstar stated. "Now what?"
Brave Heart knew that the bleeding coming to a stop was a good sign. "I'd better go tell the others!" He said, a new sense of hope and excitement coming to his vioce. "Tender Heart, you stay here and make sure everything goes alright. I wanna make sure he doesn't get hurt again, if you know what I mean." As his sentance came to a close, Brave Heart's gaze went from Tender Heart's concerned eyes to a backward glance in Shimmering Star's direction. Not wanting anyone else to have the last word, Brave Heart bellowed the word "CHAAARGE" as he exited the waiting room, stopping short with a painful yelp as he accidentally got his tail stuck in the door.
Lonesomeheart went over to where Shimmeringstar leaned forward and whispered to him.
"What a jerk." Said the hot pink bear with a bit of disgust.
"What's his problem? I risked my skin and saved his founder. Why is he treating me with such contempt?" Shimmernigstar said a bit agitated. But as Lonesomeheart looked the human in his eyes, she could see he was clearly hurting in the inside from all of this. Poor guy. She thought to herself. Her facial expressioned softened as she smiled at Shimmers.
"I don't think your a murderer." Lonesomeheart replied.
"Thank you," Shimmeringstar replied willing to take any comfort that he can get since the earlier attacks from the carebear's family. "That means alot to me." He said appreciatively and managed a weak smile, but Lonesomeheart could see it was forced, and more out of pain than it was from her praise to him. "I just wish more of the bears shared your opinion."
"They will," Replied a marine colored bear as he made his way over and stood next to his wife Lonesomeheart. "You belong with us Shimmeringstar and will always be your friends." Aqua bear stood deep in thought for a moment. "Just be positive, and will help you through this." With that, Aqua bear leaned into the human and hugged him unexpectedly.
"Thank you. Both of you." Replied Shimmeringstar as Lonesomeheart also leaned in and gave him a hug.
"Will always be your friends. No matter what." Lonesomeheart said reassuringly. Sky-Heart bear looked on with approval, but didn't say anything. He was just glad that his friend was feeling better.
"I'm still sad that Braveheart made that comment about your wound," Replied Redeptionheart, "Speaking of which, your wound needs to be treated. Come with me." Shimmeringstar broke apart his embrace from Aqua bear and followed Redemptionheart bear to the back in another room. He sat down in a chair as the multi-colored bear took a first aid kit out from a shelf connected to the wall. "Hold out your hand." She instructed softly. Shimmeringstar did just that. "Now this may sting a little." She warned as she poured some peroxide to disinfect the wound. She looked at it in shock as she saw how deep the teeth marks were in his hand. "This bite wound is deep." She commented. "This must have really hurt." She replied as the peroxide finally poured out of the wound till it finished bubbling out.
"It did," Replied Shimmeringstar. "But not as much as being called a murderer." He said looking down sadly.
"Now, I'm sure he didn't mean it." Redemptionheart bear said as she now placed a blue bandage over the wound and took some gauze and wrapped it around his hand.
"He did," Replied Shimmeringstar. "And on top of that, he said it would serve me right if my wound got infected. I never would have thought these carebears cousins could be so cruel!" He said with a tear now streaming down his eyes. Redemptionheart bear saw this mighty caring guardian crying, broken down, and helpless. This shocked her a bit, since he was the bravest person in this family that she knew and leaned on him from time to time. She quickly finished wrapping up the hand and sat down next to him and hugged him.
"I know, he shouldn't of said that either. That wasn't very nice." She said agreeing with him.
"Maybe I should just leave! Everyone else would be better off!" He bellowed loudly.
"Don't think that way! That's not true! We love you and we need you!" She said as she now hugged him tightly consoling Shimmeringstar.
"And I need you guys too. But I feel so shunned." He said as he hugged the bear back and cried in her arms as he leaned his head into her chest.
"Well, your loved here with us." Redemptionheart bear said as she caressed his back consolingly.
Back in the waiting room, the others chatted together.
"Trueheart, why did Braveheart say those cruel things to Shimmeringstar? He risked everything to rescue Nobleheart." Aqua bear asked a bit irritated at the situation.
"Don't take it personally Aqua bear, Braveheart's just upset right now." Trueheart explained.
"Saying he's a murderer and hoping his wound get's infected?" Aqua bear said apprehensively. "That isn't right! He hurt Shimmer's feelings. I could sense how hurt he was inside." He said now looking sad reflecting on Shimmeringstar's pain. Trueheart remained silent not knowing what else to say sinse it might raise tension that might make this situation worse. Not knowing what else to do, she gazed at Tenderheart and made eye contact with him that expressed, "Do you know what to say to make this because I'm fresh out of ideas!"
Tender Heart had tried to stay as out of the argument as much as possible since he felt it wasn't his argument to begin with. He had hoped to look like he was as absorbed in a magazine article as he could, but with True Heart's question he realized that he wasn't fooling anyone. "I don't know," he said with an honest sigh. "I know what I saw him do to the rats, but I didn't see what he did in No Heart's castle. I'm afraid to listen to anybody accept Noble Heart, and he...I..."
For the first time since the whole thing began, Tender Heart was at a loss for words. He wanted to believe that there was still good in Shimmering Star, but his memory of the mangled rat corpses remained as buried in his mind as the dead rats were in their cloud graves. Having to be one of the Care Bears responsible for the makeshift funeral, he was still battling the mental image. "I want to go for a walk." He finally finished his sentence, setting the magazine down messily as he walked toward the door.
Aqua and Lonesomeheart, both turned to Trueheart.
"Why are they being so mean to Shimmeringstar? This is very similar to what happened the last time and he ran away because of it!" Lonesomeheart stated.
"Yeah, so why are they acting up like this again? Maybe they do want Shimmeringstar gone!" Said Aqua bear a bit sadly. Sky-Heart bear stood up in front of them.
"Perhaps its best, we all wait for Nobleheart to wake up and let him tell us his version of things and not make any more predictions on the matter since none of us were there and don't know what truly happened." Sky-Heart bear aid trying to mediate the situation.
"Sky-Heart? Are you saying that Shimmeringstar did this to Nobleheart?" Lonesomeheart asked as she turned and faced him.
"No, I..." He stammered.
"Then why would you even say that?" Aqua bear said with a tear streaming down his cheek. Sky-Heart bear was about to respond and tell Aqua bear he was only trying to be impartial in the matter. But after seeing the state of mind he was in, he knew that was the last thing he needed to hear especially since he knew how emotional Aqua bear could be. He admired his loyalty and affection for Shimmeringstar, but that also made Aqua bear vulnerable to believe that Shimmeringstar could never do no wrong. He took a long deep breath before responding.
"I have my reasons," Sky-Heart bear replied. "Everything will be known in due time." This clearly got Aqua bear upset as he got in his face.
"Then just tell us!" Demanded Aqua bear. Sky-Heart bear narrowed his eyes at the young bear, but looked away. This angered Aqua bear as he grabbed him by the tuft of his chest fur and yelled. "TELL US!" He demanded shaking the blue bear. Just then, Shimmeringstar and Redemptionheart just walked in the room.
"Aqua bear? What are you doing?" Redeptionheart bear asked.
"Sky-Heart bear won't give me the reasons for..." Wish bear then stood up and shouted before anyone else could say another word.
"That's enough," Shouted Wish bear. All eyes were now turned to her. "Our elder is in the hospital, and Shimmeringstar is being called a murderer! We have enough problems as it is already! Can't we all just get along without accusing each other?" She said frustrated. She looked over at Shimmeringstar who walked towards her concerned.
"Wish bear?" Inquired Shimmeringstar.
"I'm sorry, its just that I can't take anymore of this and everyone calling you a murderer!" Wish bear said as her eyes began to glisten.
"I'm sorry that your going through all of this." Shimmeringstar replied as he hugged her and consoled her. She hugged him back. Everyone remained in silence for a time.
"I suggest you all go and get something to eat since there isn't much else that can be done here. I'll let you all know if there's a change in Nobleheart's condition." Sky-Heart bear nodded as he looked at Shimmeringstar along with Lonesomeheart and Aqua bear.
"Let's all go to the hall of hearts." Replied Shimmeringstar as he helped Wish bear to her feet. As they walked out, Wish bear ran up to Shimmeringstar's side and grasped his left hand in her paw. Shimmeringstar looked over and responded by gently squeezing her paw as they all walked over to the hall of hearts together.
Redemptionheart and Trueheart were the only ones that remained at the clinic together.
"I hope everyone get's along and no fighting breaks out." Trueheart said.
"I hope so as well," Replied Redemptionheart. "With Nobleheart in the state of condition that he's in, all this fighting isn't going to help things."
"I know." Replied Trueheart bear as she got up.
"Hey, where are you going?" Replied the multi colored bear.
"TO make sure Shimeringstar doesn't try running away again, and to make sure the peace is kept between him and Braveheart." Trueheart said as she scurried away.
It was now lunchtime in the Hall of Hearts, but the normally bustling afternoon hotspot of gossip and glee had the feeling like the wake of a funeral. Everyone seemed to speak in a whispered hush, and as if they didn't they seemed out of place.
Brave Heart sat at a table with Tender Heart, picking at his food as he talked to his friend. "I sure hope Noble Heart wakes up soon," he said, taking a nibble of his lunch. "I bet he'll be relieved to see Mr. Jedi chased off."
Tender Heart dropped his fork with a loud clang. "You don't know that," he said, lowering his head. "The only one who would know is Noble Heart, and we just have to be patient."
Brave Heart smirked at Tender Heart's response. "I wish I could be as understanding as you sometimes buddy," Brave Heart said, nudging Tender Heart in a brotherly manner. "But this isn't one of those times to be neutral. I mean, there's a reason we have intuition, and sometimes your intuition is the best yardstick you've got when you've got nothing else to work with."
Shimmeringstar and his friends Sky-Heart, Aqua, Lonesomeheart, and Wish bear entered the hall of hearts and all sat down together at a table eating. Shimmeringstar and his friends looked around as they sensed the unusual tension around the room. Nothing was said for a bit till Wish bear decided to brake the silence.
"So umm, what do you guys plan on doing in the mean time?" Wish bear asked not asking anyone in particular.
"I plan on hanging out with Shimmeringstar and hopefully do some saber training with him." Aqua bear said with a smile.
"Me too." Lonesomeheart said also smiling. Sky-Heart bear only observed as he sensed they were not smiling because they were happy. Rather, it was there way of trying to take Shimmeringstar's mind off of Braveheart. Sky-Heart sensed every ounce of pain that Braveheart had caused Shimmeringstar although he never showed it. "Isn't that right Shimmeringstar?"
"I don't know." Shimmeringstar said with a long sigh. Lonesomeheart and Aqua bear looked at each other before addressing Shimmeringstar.
"Why not? We thought you loved to train?" Lonesomeheart said with a look of concern.
"Yeah." Agreed Aqua bear said dismayed.
"I do," Shimmeringstar replied. "But just not today. I'm tired, and I just want to go to bed after I'm done eating."
"Shimmeringstar," Aqua bear replied. "C'mon. We all know its not like you to take naps in the middle of the day."
"Yeah," Replied Lonesomeheart. "Its a beautiful day outside and we'd like to spend some time with you."
"I would too," Replied Wish bear. "I have the afternoon off for once from my star-o-scope thanks to Lovealot covering for me. If you don't want to train, want to do something else?"
"Well I,,," Shimmeringstar stammered taken back by this display of caring they were now showing. Maybe if he tried shewing them away that might work so he could wallow alone. He just didn't want to be around anybody right now. He was sad, confused, and felt so alone despite his friends being around him. "Sorry guys, I'm not really in the mood right now. I'm going home after this lunch." He said as he chomped down on a tuna toasted scrumptious sandwich.
"Shimmeringstar," Wish bear replied as she looked right at him. "Its not good for you to be alone. Especially when we all know how much your hurting right now."
"I'm not hurting, its just that..." He stammered trying to argue.
"Yes you are," Aqua bear replied. "We can all see it on your face and I don't even have to read your mind to know that your sad right now. Especially after..." He stopped and looked over and saw Tenderheart and Braveheart and said this last comment so only his friends at the table could hear it. "What that lion did." The marine colored bear said with a tinge of anger in his voice.
"Yeah, that was totally uncalled for." Lonesomeheart replied irritated in agreement. "I mean, why did he do that? That was totally uncalled for." She said sitting back crossing her arms.
"Aqua, Lonesomeheart," Wish bear said sternly. "This isn't helping the situation any." Lonesomeheart looked down at the table.
"Your right Wish bear, Sorry." Lonesomeheart replied.
"Me too." Aqua bear replied.
"Shimmeringstar, were sorry, but were not going to leave you alone. Especially when we know how sad you you are and we don't want you running away again! Last time you did that, we thought we lost you forever." Wish bear said with a emotional glare of sadness on her face.
"I'm not going to run away. You can trust me." Shimmeringstar said. All three bears looked at him crossing there arms all at the same time. "Sky-Heart bear, you trust me don't you?" He said looking at him who hasn't changed facial expressions since.
"I do," Replied Sky-Heart bear out loud. "But these are your friends, and you shouldn't push them away." Then he spoke telepathically alone to Shimmeringstar thereafter. 'Especially this Wish bear. She really likes you and she might not come back to you if you keep pushing her away."
"I'm not pushing them away," Shimmeringstar replied in a whiny tone. But after he saw Wish bear looking at him with those loving eyes. He loved her and the last thing he wanted to do was push her away or hurt her. 'Your right Sky-Heart bear.' Joaquin communicated back telepathically to Sky-Heart bear.
"Yes you are!" Aqua bear stammered as he got up and gently placed his paws on his shoulders. "Please, don't push us away. We love you, and were your friends." Then Aqua bear leaned into Shimmer's chest with his head and wrapped his arms around him. "So please? Spend some time with us." Aqua bear pleaded. Shimmers sighed deeply.
"Okay, I will." Shimmeringstar replied giving in.
"Thank you." Aqua bear replied as Shimmeringstar hugged him back briefly till he went back to his seat.
"Your welcome," Replied Shimmeringstar. He was happy that he had good friends such as these that wouldn't leave him alone even though he wanted to be alone, especially in times of peril such as this. "Wish bear?"
"Yes Shimmeringstar?" Wish bear replied as she turned to him.
"Thanks for everything. Especially during the trial." He said looking at her appreciatively.
"Your welcome," Replied Wish bear with a smile. "And thanks for not pushing us away or we would have kept pestering you till you changed your mind." She said with a playful smile. Shimmeringstar smiled at Wish bear and now saw that Sky-Heart bear was right. It wouldn't of been wise of him to push her, or his friends away. "What are you smiling at?" Shimmeringstar said as he turned over and saw the sky-blue bear smiling while leaning back on his chair contentedly. He didn't respond as they all returned to there food.
Brave Heart watched with a smirk as the conversation in his periferal vision continued. "What have they got to smile about?" he said under his breath, spitting out the words like a bite of spoiled food.
Overhearing the words, Cheer Bear and Share Bear leaned in. "Probably bragging about those rats," Cheer said, sitting next to Brave Heart.
Tender Heart hated thinking about the dead rats. "I hope not," he said, taking a deep sigh. Share sat next to Tender Heart, feeling sorry for him.
"Don't worry," she said. "You know the old saying. What comes around goes around."
Upon quoting the old saying, the table noticed True Heart walk through the front door.
"Speaking of coming around," Cheer said, nudging Brave Heart in the elbow. "I wonder where she's planning on sitting."
Trueheart walked past the table and walked towards Shimmeringstar's table.
"Hi everyone! Mind if I sit here with all of you?" Trueheart asked.
"Not at all Trueheart, just pull up a chair." Replied Wish bear with Lonesomeheart and Aqua bear nodding with hearty approval. She has won over there respect as of late unlike the other elder who shunned there close friend. "So what brings you here?"
"Oh, just thought I'd make sure that Shimmeringstar here is doing okay." Trueheart replied as she looked over at the human.
"I'm doing alright, all things considered." Shimmers said as he continued munching on his sandwich.
"I want to apologize for Braveheart's behavior. But he's taking Nobleheart's state very hard. He's very worried about him."
"Its not your fault he's acting so viciously towards me." Shimmers replied. "I deserve it I guess." He said as he continued to eat while the others looked on with alarm.
"That's not true," Replied Trueheart as she placed a gentle arm around him. "Your loved and valued here Shimmers. The bravery you showed to defend us is something we all consider heroic."
"I wish that were only true." Shimmers replied doubting the elders words for he knew the reality of the situation. "I only did what I had to do in order to defend you and my family. Had Noheart and his horde won, it might of been you or others that would have been hurt. And I love you guys way too much to let that happen to any of you. Even Braveheart." He said looking over at the lion. "But I feel so rejected here. Anything I do seems to only be scrutinized and I no longer feel appreciated around here." He said as he now stopped eating because he was obviously upset and sad about this.
"You know that's not true." Replied Trueheart as she snuggled up to him closely wrapping a consoling arm around him. "We all care about you a great deal. We'd all be very sad if anything were to ever happen to you." She said messaging his back lightly. Shimmeringstar hugged her back but somehow managed to hold back his tears. He had to admit, this made him look weak. But he didn't care about how this looked at the moment. He was in desperate need. He didn't want to be alone. He knew that would destroy him if he ever left. So his heart was torn between staying or running away since since the second option seemed like the logical thing to do to stop the needless division. His friends looked on and continued to eat but all nodded in agreement with Trueheart.
"We would all miss you." Wish bear replied. "So don't you dare ever think of leaving us." Wish bear said with a tear escaping her eyes. The other bears agreed, even Sky-Heart bear who had a cheesy grin which was rare for him.
"Thanks Trueheart, I needed that." He said as he hugged her back.
"Anytime Shimmeringstar, anytime." Trueheart said as they finally stopped embracing as they heard a loud slam behind them. Everyone turned to see that it was Braveheart who had done that and was about to have a few choice words with Shimmeringstar. Braveheart felt betrayed, and hurt by Trueheart's betrayal. She should be taking Nobleheart heart's side not this murderer! He couldn't take it any longer.
"Braveheart? Why did you slam that tray?" Trueheart asked as she now gave him a glaring look of disapproval.
"And why do you pick his side over Noblehearts?" He shouted defiantly pointing at Shimmeringstar.
"Braveheart, you know its not polite to point. Me and Nobleheart raised you better than that." Trueheart said with her patience now wearing thin with this lion. She was not about to let this lion whom she once raised make a fool of her in front of everyone. But before she could reply, Cheer, and Share bear interjected...
Share Bear strode beside Brave Heart and crossed her arms. "You also taught us to express ourselves and share our feelings," she explained. "That's what we're doing. Sharing our feelings of disgust."
Brave Heart was suprised to see how gutsy Share was being, but the support only made him feel better. The only thing that would make him feel even better right now is to break up Shimmering Star's support group so that he'd feel more in the right than guilty. "I'd like to further share my feelings myself," he said, eyeing the group to find their weeknesses and take them away like a hunter lion would with the weak of a herd of prey. "True Heart, why aren't you in there with Noble Heart? Redemption Heart could need your help to change his... his... uh... his medical do-hickey or his whatchama tube in his tummy. If I was you, I'd be keeping my eye on him instead of hovering over weaping willow over here. After all, Noble Heart's injury IS the worst injury a Care Bear has ever received."
Trueheart was shocked that Share bear was taking Braveheart's side. She then turned to Share bear.
"That's true Share bear, but I also taught you to be caring and considerate and not to be mean to others," Trueheart replied. "And Braveheart, why are you questioning what I'm doing? Redemptionheart has Nobleheart taken care of and if she needs my help, she can call me on my caring beeper." She explained as she showed her the red heart shaped communicator. "Also, I care for every member of our family, and Shimmeringstar is in need since you guys keep blaming him and don't know for sure if your accusations are true or not." She said placing her hands on her hips.
Shimmeringstar could not take it anymore. He got up from the table and walked out. Lonesomeheart, Wish bear, and Aqua bear, did want to follow him, but Sky-Heart stood up and stopped them.
"Let him be lads, He needs his time alone." Sky-Heart bear said as they all sat back down but were all very concerned. Upon seeing him leave, Trueheart decided that this stops here and now. Enough pain has been caused, and it had to stop somewhere or things would only get worse.
"Now what's the deal Share, and Braveheart? Ever since Shimmeringstar came back, you've done nothing but insult him, accuse him, and even wished bad things on him. Tell me, are you any better than he?" Trueheart said hoping that would bring them to there senses.
Brave Heart and his supporters shrunk back in shame. They knew she was right, and they had behaved childishly by trying to push the blame onto someone else in order to make themselves feel better. For some reason, it was just easier for them to identify the problem if they had someone to blame besides themselves. As they all said a collective "sorry," the tones of their voices reflected more concern over the situation than the person they were appologizing for.
Trueheart gently placed her paw on Braveheart's shoulders.
"That's okay Braveheart, we all make mistakes." Trueheart said consolingly. It was just then that her caring beeper went off. She picked up a red heart shaped device that was the size of her paw. "Trueheart here."
"Trueheart Nobleheart has awakened. He's weak, but conscious." Redemptionheart bear replied.
"Really? That's great! I'll be right over!" She said clicking the communicator off. "Everyone, Nobleheart's awake. Let's go over and see him!" Trueheart led the way out the door and went over to Redemptionheart's office. Lonesomeheart, Wish bear, Sky-Heart, and Aqua bear all followed suit as well.
Meanwhile, Shimmers was alone at his house reflecting on the days events. He was very sad over all the division that was taking place and began blaming himself for being the cause. He sat alone in his house for awhile till he finally decided to go for some reading material. After trudging through some books, he found a bible and decided to read that. He read John Chapter nine the blind man that received his sight. That poor guy, rejected and all alone. Not even his own parents wanted him except for Christ who came back for him after he was rejected by the chief priests of that time in Jerusalem. He thought to himself before getting down to his knees and began praying to the Lord almighty. After a few minutes, he found renewed strength in Christ and decided it was time to stop running away, and time to face his problems. He put the bible away and walked back to the hall of hearts with his head held high determined to face his problems head on.
Now after everyone arrived at Redemptionheart's office, Redemptionheart stepped out and aloud only Tenderheart, Braveheart, and Trueheart to go see Nobleheart. The other bears protested, but did what the multi colored bear asked nonetheless.
"Now keep in mind he's very weak." Warned Redemptionheart bear as she led them inside the room where he now lay. Trueheart was astounded that he was even awake at all considering all the contraptions he was on. Nobleheart was breathing weakly through a oxygen pipe.
"Hi Nobleheart, how's it going?" Trueheart said as she came up beside him and held his paw.
"Hey, where did everybody go?" Shimmeringstar said to himself as he looked around but found no one around. "I wonder where they went." Then it snapped to his attention as he sensed Nobleheart's life sign with the heart and that he was awake. Not well, but at least awake. He hurried over to Redemptionheart bear's clinic as fast as he could.
Noble Heart blinked slowly as he looked at his loving family. His breath weezed gently as he let out a pained smile. "Hello everyone," he said softly. Talking took an effort since his midsection had been sliced open, and deep breaths were rather painful. He watched his family breath a collective sigh of relief upon his few words. As he watched his young family's relief, he noticed that Shimmering Star, the young human of his family, was not towering over the rest of his short family members. "Where is Shimmering Star?" He asked, bracing himself for the pain of talking. "I want to talk to him, to appologize for the way I behaved. Even after all I said, he still saved me."
Brave Heart slunk back upon Noble Heart's words. The guilt of his strong accusations stung his heart, and he knew he had to make things right for Noble Heart's sake. The last thing he needed to do was upset Noble Heart any further, especially in such a fragile state. Slowly he snuck away from the group as they talked amungst themselves, hoping to set things right by retrieving Shimmering Star before anyone else could.
"Nobleheart, its good to see you. How are you doing?" Trueheart asked as she took one of his paws into hers with a tear now flowing down her eyes. Redemptionheart, Aqua bear, Lonesomeheart bear, Sky-Heart bear Wish bear all smiled confidently.
"Hey, where's Shimmeringstar?" Inquired Aqua bear. "We should go get him."
"I don't think that will be necessary." Replied Sky-Heart bear as he was looking out a window. Aqua bear and his friends gazed out the window and saw Shimmeringstar approaching as they also saw Braveheart approaching him.
"Uh-oh, we better go stop this before those two go at it." Replied Lonesomeheart alarmed.
Sky-Heart bear stepped in front, "Let them be lass, let them be and watch." Sky-Heart bear replied.
Outside the clinic...
Joaquin saw Braveheart as he approached and looked at him with caution.
"What do you want this time Braveheart?" Shimmers replied gazing right into the lions eyes.
Authors Note: I'd like to thank Teacher bear for all of her support. Without her help, this story would not be as good as it is in my opinion. I'd also like to thank my loyal fans of my series. I hope you all enjoy this last chapter. I had fun writing it. God Bless you all and have a nice day.^^