The Final Battles
The Jabberwocky laughed and shook his head as the light blue dragon advanced on him. "My dear, I will only fight you if you stay in this single form. I will not waste my energy on your trickery."
Fauna growled at him, "Fine by me. I vow to stay in this dragon form...until I have defeated you." She added cockily. The Jabberwocky roared and charged at her.
Fauna snapped her muzzle full of dagger sharp teeth at the Jabberwocky's neck. She tried to get a grip on it but he was just as quick as she was. Bringing fire to her mouth she shot a fireball at his eyes. The frill behind them deflected it and he whapped her with his tail. "Try again youngster."
Snarling Fauna bit down on one of his great wings, tearing a hole through it. She then proceeded to rip his hide with her silver talons. The Jabberwocky spun towards her as purple energy gathered in his mouth. Fauna released his wing just in time to avoid being hit by the energy bolt.
"You can't defeat me. Only the vorpal sword can deal a fatal blow." As he said it the wounds Fauna had inflicted began to heal up.
"That's not fair! You said my shifting was trickery but this is the same thing!" She let loose another bout of flame. As it blinded him momentarily, she charged forward and got her teeth around his neck, "If I can't defeat you, then I can at least slow you down."
Down on the ground, Shatter Heart and Blade Star were fighting with the other two Care Bear cousins. Shatter Heart shouted one of his sonic attacks, stunning Loyal Heart but Snowy shot him with one of his frost arrows, knocking the wind out of him and covering his upper chest with ice.
"So the snow fox learned a new trick," Shatter Heart struck the ice with a sword and it shattered. Loyal Heart charged at Blade Star who jumped over him and threw a shuriken into his back, only to be hit from behind with another frost arrow. Shatter Heart ran over to her and shattered the ice on her back only to get cut in the side by Loyal Heart. Shatter Heart turned angrily and slashed down, cutting Loyal Heart's leg. The dog backed off, limping and grimaced, as Snowy fired off several more arrows.
"Are you badly hurt?" Snowy asked.
"I may limp for a time, but ask later, look out!" Shatter Heart jumped and landed swinging down at the dog and the fox. Not wanting another sonic boom, Loyal Heart changed his flail into a sword, blocking both swords with his own. Snowy tired to intervene but was forced to run form a barrage of Shuriken from Blade Star. He turned to fire only to not see Blade Star as she had jumped above him and landed, slicing Snowy Heart in his back. Snowy Heart staggered forwards, struggling to keep his bow intact.
Loyal Heart saw Snowy get hit and did something he hoped he would never have to, he kicked Shatter Heart hard between the legs and left him cringing in pain as he charged Blade Star, actually scoring a powerful hit across her front and forcing her to step back, a cut in her front with a damp wound.
"Stay conscious, Snowy Heart, we must keep fighting for everyone." Snowy nodded and began firing arrows again aiming for Shatter Heart, but Blade Star intercepted the arrows with her shuriken. She smiled at Shatter Heart as he got up.
"Guess we won't be able to have kids," she snarked, despite the gravity of the situation.
"I wasn't hurt that bad, but he will be soon ENOUGH!" Shatter Heart's last word sent out a sonic attack that caused Loyal Heart to stagger back in pain, even Snowy Heart and some nearby knights felt the force of the sonic attack.
Snowy Heart tried to ignore the pain in his head and aimed an attack at Shatter Heart's mouth, freezing it shut. Before Blade Star could help him, Loyal Heart charged forwards and attempted to strike her, but not in time because of the pain in his foot and she pried the ice off Shatter Heart's mouth. Loyal Heart turned both of his swords into a halberd and swung the axe head down at a surprised Shatter Heart, who was unable to dodge and got a deep cut in his left shoulder. He forced it out and charged, only to slip as Snowy's arrows froze the ground under his feet. He got up again, cursing Snowy Heart's name.
Valiant Heart charged at the Wonder Knight, hitting it hard and staggering it slightly, but not enough and it took a swing at him. Valiant Heart backed off, drawing the sword form his back, causing the wings to vanish, "This should be fun!" he said, readying himself for the Wonder Knight's next attack. The axe glowed a multitude of colors, just like Dementiva's magic. Hissing he swung his axe in an over head chop, aiming for the joint in Valiant's armor where his elbow was. Valiant Heart blocked the downward swing with his sword, and even with the added strength of his Bankai, he could feel just how strong this being was.
"Your creator must be proud!" he said forcing it back and swinging at it several times with the electrical blade, aiming to chop off its head.
Flapping its wings it avoided the attack, but just barely. Dementiva laughed, "He cannot speak. I have no need for him too." The Wonder Knight shot chaos magic from his axe at Valiant, but it bounced off his armor.
Valiant Heart snarled, "Why not fight me yourself, Dementiva!" he jumped back as the knight attacked him again, forcing him to dodge and swing out at it, locking his sword against the axe.
"You silly creature. Everyone knows the Queen is the last to enter a battle."
"Then, I'll take this battle to the sky!" Valiant Heart stuck the sword on his back, growing the wings again as he jumped up, the wings allowing him to float up above the platform, lightning conjuring in his hands, "Or are you and your little toy scared!"
She laughed, "For all the glowing armor, you are not very bright. Or did you forget the wings on my Wonder Knight. I do believe I just made a rhyme." Screeching the knight took to the air, easily catching Valiant Heart and swinging at his wings with the axe.
Valiant Heart, despite being caught, grabbed the axe haft with his hand, "Oh I didn't forget!" he said holding out his free hand at the Wonder Knight's head. There was a slight build up and a bolt of lightning shot out, blasting into the Wonder Knight and forcing it to release its hold on Valiant Heart, blowing it back several yards until Valiant let the one bolt dissipate as he began shooting several bolts of lightning at the knight from each hand alternatively.
The lightning sizzled when it hit the Knight's head, causing him to screech. "Block the attacks you fool!" Dementiva shrieked at him. Conjuring a shield she sent it flying to her Wonder Knight.
Valiant fired a bolt at the shield, but his attack was absorbed, probably as the shield was intended, and it made it too the knight, "Fine then, I'll deal with this thing up close!" He flew, charging at the Knight and striking with his fingertips, which were clawed from his bankai armor, and attempting to claw at the knight's body directly. The Knight in turn tried to bite whatever part of Valiant that was exposed and rainbow chaos venom glistened on his fangs. Valiant grimaced as he felt the thing bite into his arm but he saw his chance and struck out at the knight with his free arm, sinking the claws into the things head and sending a powerful electrical charge into the knight's body.
"No!" Dementiva yelled as she watched the charred body of her Wonder Knight drop to the floor. Valiant Heart checked the spot where he'd been bitten, and sighed in relief, the armor had held and had already regenerated, and then he glared down at the sorceress.
"Your knight is dead, Dementiva! Stop cowering behind your creatures and face me yourself!" he shouted down at her.
Her hair shot out, tangling Valiant in its coils. "I grow weary of this!" She began to reel him in while reciting a spell.
Valiant Heart struggled against her bonds, trying to electrify the hair in vain but he shouted back at her, "Good, cause I'm sick of you too!"
As he reached her she gripped his armored head with her hands. "Feel your world slip away, nothing makes sense. You can't distinguish light from dark, up from down, imaginary from real. The world around you fills with screams as you are enveloped in glorious chaos!" She poured her magic into his body.
Valiant Heart felt unimaginable images running through his head and body; the sensations were horrible and unimaginably painful. Then Valiant's arm shot out and a blast of lightning struck Dementiva, disrupting her spell and knocking the two of them away from each other.
Dementiva glared at him in anger, "How could you stop that spell! No one can break free while in the grip of my magic."
"Guess you don't know the first thing about Soul Reapers." Valiant Heart smiled, "You see, my Zanpakuto isn't just a weapon or a piece of my soul, it's a sentient being as well, and since we're basically merged right now, Alastor here will react to protect me when I can't. Sorry but you can't find his mind, it's too electric, so you can't trick me with your little mind spells."
Dementiva's mouth hung agape like a fish gasping for air. Her magic was all about deceit and illusion. How was she to drive him mad if it wouldn't work on him? In a fit of rage she created a spear of chaos energy and flung it at Valiant.
Valiant was hit hard by the spell, hurt but not badly, and he staggered backwards, "Looks like things are just in my favor now!" He flew and charged at Dementiva, suddenly spinning at her like an electrified drill.
"AKUMA RENSEI TOKKAN!" as he shouted he slammed hard into Dementiva, the powerful electrical charge blasting her hard and knocking her back, and the spinning of Valiant Heart's armored body causing a great deal of damage to her body before he stopped and leapt back.
"A little shocked are we?" Valiant asked, snickering at his own joke.
She got to her feet, eyes flashing with silver sparks, "That does it!" She raised her arms to the sky, body erupting in multi colored flame, "I call upon the raw energy of Wonderland to come to my aid. As your ruler I command you to aid me in defeating my foes." She laughed as the ground rumbled around her, rising above her head. She pointed her hands at Valiant, "Swallow the invader!"
Valiant Heart stepped back, actually worried and a bit scared for once, "This isn't good!"
Raising the gong mallet, The White Rabbit swung it at Grumpy's head. "Let go of me!"
He ducked under her swung, "Only if you'll stay and talk with me Swift Heart."
She scowled and stomped on his foot, "I said stop calling me that! I'm The White Rabbit of Wonderland."
He still didn't let go of her, even as he bit his lip in pain. "No you're not. You were part of the Care Bear Family and your name was Swift Heart. Dementiva erased your memory and used you to take over Wonderland."
She shook her head, "You're wrong, I have always been this way. Otherwise there could be no Wonderland. Who else could report all the goings on to Dementiva."
"What can I do to convince you that you don't belong here?" He thought of some memories that might help jog hers. "What about your burrow in the Forest of Feelings? Do you remember that? It's as far from the Rainbow River as you could get it because you hate water."
"I live in the palace with Dementiva. My rooms are adjoining hers incase she needs me in a hurry." With her free hand, she took her pocket watch out. This device doubled as the White Rabbit's weapon. It seemed the only way to get this bear to leave her alone would be to take him out.
"What about Cozy Heart Penguin? You two can't go a single day without checking in with each other."
She pressed the button used to wind the watch. It glowed and extended into a staff that was made of two clock hands, sharpened at the ends. She swung the staff at Grumpy, finally forcing him to let go. "No penguins in Wonderland, try again."
He stared himself a shield with his tummy symbol on it to block her attacks. "Remember the day True Heart and Noble Heart brought Fauna home? You gave her your blanket because you thought she looked cold and then you wouldn't let them put her in anyone else's bed but yours."
She faked a jab at him before kicking his arm with a round house kick. "I don't know a Fauna and if I did I most certainly wouldn't have been so nice to her."
Grumpy was getting frustrated. He had brought up two of Swift Heart's closest friends and still he was getting no where. His eyes caught site of her belly button ring, "Ha! Your piercings! They were done at a mall and you used to have a lot more of them! They were your way to stand out."
"I got these in Wonderland."
He smirked, "Oh yeah from who?"
She faltered as she tried to bring up a name. However, she couldn't remember when or where she had gotten them done. Instead, she tried to slice Grumpy's leg with the sharp part of her staff.
"For Halloween you were Jessica Rabbit and you performed a song and dance routine. When the Care Bears and Cousins got into a fight, I apologized to you with a blue rose."
That part caused her to stop as an image of a blue rose in a picture frame flashed across her mind. "We don't have Halloween here."
Grumpy caught another blow on his shield. "I know your favorite thing to do in the entire world is to run. You feel free when you are going as fast as you can."
That was true. As White Rabbit she was able to zip all over Wonderland and she was exhilarated knowing nothing could touch her.
Taking advantage of the pause he grabbed her and pushed her against the wall. Her staff was knocked from her hands and she struggled to get free.
He looked into her eyes, "When we were on a caring mission to help Etienne, we listened to a song called I'd Come for You. You didn't know it but that song inspired a promise that I made to always be there for you. No matter what. Why else do you think I'm here trying to convince you of a life you don't believe you had?"
She paused in her struggling briefly, "Why does it matter so much to you? Why are you trying to make me into this person I am so clearly not?" For reasons unknown to her, she felt her heart accelerate as she stared back into Grumpy's eyes. 'Why do I suddenly feel so weak in the knees?'
This was the moment he had been dreading yet wanting for so long, "Swift Heart do you know what a blue rose represents?"
The White Rabbit nodded, "It is used to symbolize obtaining the impossible as well as love at first sight or being enchanted by someone." There were extensive rose gardens in Wonderland so she knew all sorts of botanical symbolism. The realization this knowledge brought caused her breath to shorten and her eyes to widen, "Oh."
"Swift Heart Rabbit, I have been in love with you for a long time now. I love the way you always voice your opinion and never back down from a challenge. I love how you defend those you care about and never push them out of their comfort zone. When I'm with you I can relax and be myself. Just seeing you in the mornings is enough to brighten up my grumpiest moods. I was going to tell you all this the morning you were taken, and when Blade Star abducted you I was terrified I'd never see you again. So you have to remember who I am and who you are because I need to know if you love me as much as I love you."
The White Rabbit felt new warmth spread through her body coming from her heart. Something was awakening inside her at the blue bear's words, something she always had carried with her. A flickering light drew her and Grumpy's attention to her stomach. Just becoming visible through the slit in her jacket was the outline of a red heart with light blue wings. The flickering of it was mirrored by Grumpy's rain cloud tummy symbol.
A name for the new emotion she was feeling came to her mind, backed up by the strange events unfolding around her. She didn't know this bear and didn't believe a word coming out of his mouth but that didn't matter. Something deep inside her was calling out to him, begging her to listen. Looking back into his eyes, the White Rabbit replied, "I love you too Grumpy."
Their tummy symbols began to blink even more rapidly until both were emitting a steady glow. As the glow spread, the white fur around her belly began to darken from white to light blue. It spread up her shoulders, down her arms, and legs and over her face.
Grumpy covered the small distance between them and pressed his lips to hers. As soon as he felt her respond, the aching in his heart disappeared.
Slowly her arms wound around his neck as images began to flood her mind. They were of the people and places he had tried to get her to remember. She started to recall more memories of her old life, including when Dementiva had her changed.
Grumpy's hands remained on her hips, holding her against him. His heart was hammering at finally getting to kiss Swift Heart, and because of their closeness, he noticed hers was too. Their lips moved together perfectly, as if they had been made for one another. Swift Heart was the one who deepened the kiss, using her paws to pull Grumpy's head tighter against her lips. He responded by pressing her harder against the wall. He was fully aware of how tightly their bodies were pressed together, from her chest against his to his hips against hers. A small moan escaped her lips as they kissed. All outside thoughts were forgotten as the two finally satisfied their hunger for one another.
She brought her legs up slowly one at a time to wrap around Grumpy's middle, allowing his hands to rest on her butt to keep her there. Gradually his hands moved up over her hips, caressing her sides. His thumbs skimmed over her newly returned tummy symbol, causing her to shiver. Moving her lips away from Grumpy's she forced him to follow, teasing him with her kisses.
Separating finally due to lack of oxygen Grumpy smiled, happy to see that Swift Heart had fully returned to her normal shade of light blue. Lowering her to the ground, he couldn't resist kissing her briefly once more. She grinned up at him running a paw down his face. "Why didn't you ever say anything?"
He closed his eyes, placing a paw over hers, "I thought you would laugh at me and think I was joking. We flirted a lot but I never knew if you were sincere."
She nodded, "I always liked you Grumpy. I didn't realize it was love until recently. But I think deep down I always knew." She rested her head against his chest, "When Shatter Heart told me you were in the rescue party I knew I was going to be saved."
Hugging her tight to him he continued planting light kisses on the top of her head.
Swift Heart realized the position they were in mirrored the one in her emotion bubble and she told Grumpy about what Shatter Heart had said.
"He didn't have to tell me. As soon as you were gone I felt like a part of my heart had died. The others were…" They quickly looked at each other.
"Crap we forgot about the others. Come on we have to check on them." Gripping his paw she ran them out of the castle, just in time to see what happened next.
Dementiva laughed again as the earth split, racing away towards Valiant Heart. Then she felt the power slipping away from her. "What's happening?" Looking around frantically while trying to gain control of the earth once more, she saw her White Rabbit emerge from the castle, hand in hand with the blue bear. What's more, she was no longer white. "No! My power!" She gave one more defiant scream as the towering pieces of Wonderland that had been called to aid her fell in on her head, crushing her into the crevice she had created and burying her forever.
"What just happened?" Grumpy asked
Smirking Swift Heart replied, "I'm not her White Rabbit anymore, so she can't control Wonderland's power."
His eyes skimmed over her body, "Even if you're not, I think you should hold onto that outfit." She shoved him playfully.
The Jabberwocky clamped down on Fauna's forepaw as blood flowed down his neck. Roaring in pain she tried to get free but his grip was powerful. Using her free paw she tried to claw the Jabberwocky's eyes out. But then Dementiva's dieing scream echoed across the battle field. The Jabberwocky instantly let go as he and Fauna watched the ground of Wonderland swallow her body.
"Well now, that is a twist of events."
He moved away from Fauna, "Whoa! Where the hell do you think you're going. I'm not finished with you yet old man."
He chuckled at her, "Young one, I was merely called here by the ruler of Wonderland. Now that she is dead and her control gone, I answer to no one. Don't take it personally, you fought a good fight and you stayed true to your promise, despite what 'tricks' I pulled on you. Farewell."
With a mighty roar he took to the sky, soon vanishing from sight. Fauna watched him go, reverting to her human form. "If Dementiva is dead, then that means..." she quickly ran back to the castle.
When the death cry was heard, Blade Star suddenly appeared at Shatter Heart's side, "It appears that our allies have left or been defeated, we should retreat."
"I'm not leaving until I wipe the floor with these two!" Shatter Heart said, but Blade Star held him fast.
"We failed this time, Shatter Heart my love, but we will have other opportunities," she said, pulling the small mirror out of her pocket.
"You will not flee today!" Loyal Heart declared, pointing his halberd at them, "Stay and fight us!"
"Sorry, but we know when to cut our losses, and besides," she held up the mirror, "since this artifact I 'borrowed' from the Red Queen can be used in our world as well, I think we've gained an advantage over you Care Bears." Blade Star tossed the mirror down and it grew to full size.
Shatter Heart smiled, "See ya around, we'll be after you before you know it!" Snowy Heart pulled back his tri-bowstring, about to launch a dozen arrows at the two retreating bears, but he released just too late and the arrows soared through empty space as the two bears jumped back through the mirror and they and the mirror vanished.
"I missed!" Snowy Heart said, letting his bow dissipate and falling to his knees because of the painful wound on his back.
"It is not a total loss," Loyal Heart said, dissipating his weapon and helping his friend to stand, "it appears that our friends were victorious, we should go and see them." Snowy nodded and the two of them began carefully making their way up to the platform where they'd heard Dementiva's death cry.
Valiant Heart blinked in surprise as Dementiva was swallowed up.
"What the heck just happened?" he asked aloud. Valiant Heart looked around and spotted Grumpy and Swift Heart, fully restored, coming towards them and smiled, dashing towards them without bothering to dispel his bankai form, "Grumpy, you did it haha!"
At that moment, Loyal Heart and Snowy Heart arrived at the top of the hill in time to see Valiant Heart dashing off.
"Is that what Valiant Heart was training for?" Snowy Heart asked, noting the electrified armor.
"Perhaps, but look," Loyal Heart pointed out what Valiant was so happy about and smiled, "It appears that our friend Swift Heart is back to her old self." Snowy smiled and the two of them moved as quickly as they could despite their injuries to greet their friends.
Before any of them could reach Swift Heart however, a grey wolf went running at full speed past them. She yelped happily before running head long into Swift Heart and knocking her to the ground. She then proceeded to lick the rabbit's face, tail wagging happily.
"Okay Fauna, okay, I'm fine." Instead of pushing her off however, she wrapped her arms around the wolf's neck hugging tight.
Valiant was next to arrive and smiled down at wolf Fauna licking Swift Heart's face, "Looks like you're just as happy to see her as I am," he chuckled, turning to Grumpy, "So I'm guessing you finally told her how you felt Grumpy."
Fauna backed off of Swift Heart and moved to sit at Grumpy's side, tail still wagging. Grumpy nodded, "Of course I did."
Swift Heart extended her hand up, "Yo lover boy help me up." Gripping her paw he pulled her to her feet and helped her dust off her back. Swift Heart held her arms open to Valiant Heart, "So where's my welcome back?"
"I think it would be best to remove that electrifying armor unless you want to hurt her," Loyal Heart said as he and Snowy approached. Valiant looked down at his still present bankai armor, smiled and exhaled, the armor turned into lightning which flowed back into the scabbard at his side and reformed the basic katana that he carried. Then he smiled and hugged Swift Heart.
"Good to have you back, Swift Heart," he said, his eyes tearing up a bit.
"Don't go sappy on me now Valiant. Not after you held it together so well." She stepped out of the hug patting him on his cheek.
"Go easy on him Swift Heart," Snowy Heart said, wincing from the wound in his back, "when Grumpy realized that you had lost who you were, it was Valiant Heart who rallied us all together when we were all lost in despair, I think he deserves a chance to cry."
Loyal Heart limped forwards, "Indeed, he has been a real leader here for us."
Smiling she kissed Valiant's cheek, "I wouldn't have expected any less from him." She looked at the other two cousins, "I hope if you look like this the other guys look worse."
Loyal Heart sighed and shook his head, "We injured them severely but Shatter Heart and Blade Star retreated when they heard Dementiva die."
"They said we'd see them again," Snowy Heart added, "And we'll be ready for them."
As Swift Heart hugged Snowy and Loyal Heart, Fauna walked over to Valiant. Sniffing she turned her nose up at him, "Valiant I think your glowing armor is cool and all, but it makes you smell like a singed carpet. Any way you can prevent that?"
"Well it's kinda hard to prevent that, bankai is quite powerful," he said, "not to mention that knight I was fighting didn't smell too rosy either."
"Bankai, what's bankai?" Snowy Heart asked.
"Basically the strongest form of my Zanpakuto," Valiant paused and asked, "Do you hear that?"
Everyone stopped and listened, "I cannot hear anything," Loyal Heart said.
"I know, up until Dementiva died those two armies were fighting, guess they stopped," Valiant said, "maybe we should go take a look."
Swift Heart led the way towards the battle ground. There they saw the red queen encircled by the White Queens remaining troops. Mirana was standing on the outside of the circle speaking with the Hatter.
The Red Queen saw them and screeched, "You! I knew you would be trouble."
Swift Heart grinned at her, "That's the nicest thing you ever said to me."
"Mirana, what is going to happen now?" Loyal Heart called down to the White Queen.
"She has decided to surrender and will return to her own part of Wonderland." She smiled at Loyal Heart, "Apparently she was planning to stage a coup anyway once Dementiva had gotten rid of all those who would pose a problem to her rule."
"I guess these people have no honor at all," Loyal Heart said shaking his head.
"Considering those wounds we got, maybe we should stay here for a couple days to recover," Valiant Heart suggested, "I'd rather not return to the Kingdom of Caring in this state."
Swift Heart smiled as she felt Grumpy hug her from behind, "I think that's a good idea. Plus, I can show you guys all the cool spots in Wonderland."
Mirana interjected, "You all are more then welcome to continue staying in my palace. We owe you a great debt for saving our home."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Loyal Heart bowed and almost fell down the steps, Valiant tried to steady him and they both fell, but only down two steps fortunately. Suddenly Valiant Heart began laughing, then Loyal Heart and Snowy Heart joined him.
Swift Heart laughed and shook her head at them, "Clumsy clumsy clumsy. I guess coordination doesn't come with you're new powers."
Grumpy smirked, "But they do have skill."
"And Valiant does have a nicer uniform." Fauna agreed, laughing along with the others.