A/N: I want to thank my friends HeartGallery/ChildAtHeart and Snickerdoodle/ChipperHeart for letting me borrow their characters for this chapter

Chapter 32: Meet and Greet

"How much longer?!" Independent Bear stood between the demon bull and Life Heart Unicorn with his katana held in both hands. Life Heart was crouched next to an unearthed box, her horn aglow as the writing on the top burned with white fire.

"Almost there! Please hold on Indy!" She held her hands close to the box which felt like she was sticking her hands up against a bonfire.

"Hurry!" Indy shouted, psionically charging his sword so it thrummed with transparent blue energy and using it to hold back the demon as it charged, his energy just barely holding the beast back as it tried to get to Life Heart. Indy put all his effort into a swing and forced it sideways, feeling a painful *snap!* in his right forearm which he was forced to let fall limp as the demon fell on it side.

Indy grit his teeth against the pain and held the sword in his left hand towards the monster, grateful it was his dominant hand. As it tried to get up, Indy charged and sliced into its exposed belly which made magic pour out in the form of dark blue smoke and momentarily split its attention between its attacker and the one working on its box. That was all that was needed.

"Begone from whence you came and trouble us never again!" Life Heart shouted the final words as the lettering finally burned away from the box lid. The demon bellowed as its whole body evaporated into dark mist that dissipated into nothing a moment later.

Life Heart swiped her forehead below her horn and stood up, "There it's done," she turned and almost jumped when she saw Indy's arm, "Oh my stars! Independent Bear! Your arm!"

Indy was still forcing himself to stay upright, "Hurts like hell. Can't move it. Probably broken."

Life Heart examined it without touching it, "I'd try to fix it if I wasn't out of magic."

"Take Care can fix it," Indy sucked in air through his teeth, "I just need a splint for now."

"Alright, just hold on!" Life Heart searched around until she found two sticks as Indy used his tummy symbol to conjure two long strips of gauze.

"It is gone for good?" Indy asked as Life Heart splinted his right forearm and tied it tight.

"As far as we're concerned," Life Heart helped Indy to stand, "Destroying entities like that completely is nearly impossible but they can't stay in this world without some sort of anchor, be it a person or an object."

"Like that box?" Indy conjured another piece of cloth that he and Life Heart used to put his broken arm in a sling then picked up his sword. He stared at the box and telekinetically floated it up to hover in front of him. He quickly slashed at the box several times with his katana until it was pulverized into shards and splinters which fell to the ground then sent one last pulse of telekinetic energy at them which scattered them to the wind. "Just to be safe," he sheathed his sword.

Life Heart nodded, "Now let's get home." She had to focus for a full minute before she was able to conjure up a cloud car, with only just enough space for two to sit. Indy carefully climbed into the backseat while Life Heart took the wheel and they took off for home.

Medical ethics would probably have demanded that Take Care Bear not treat her husband's broken arm to avoid emotional involvement, but having helped raise the Care Bear Cousins and even looking after the Care Bears on occasion when they were all cubs meant that 'emotional involvement' was all but unavoidable for her. Thankfully, even with the portal in place, The Kingdom of Caring was its own jurisdiction for legal matters.

Indy sat perfectly still as Take Care carefully set the broken bones then wrapped and plastered his arm until it was in a proper cast. "There, just give it a few weeks," Take Care swiped her forehead.

Indy tested the arm but winced, "Still hurts but it's secure. Were you worried about me?"

"Of course." Take Care sat down, "I know you can handle things but I can't help but worry when you have to do something this dangerous."

Indy smirked and held up his bound forearm, "Want to kiss it better?"

Take Care rolled her eyes, "I don't want that taste in my mouth, will this do?" she leaned over and gave Indy a quick kiss on the cheek.

Indy touched the spot with his left hand, "Better, thanks dear."

"Anytime, babe," Take Care stood up, "Thankfully Life Heart just needs rest, I'd better go discharge her."

Life Heart only remembered to turn her Heartphone on once she got home and found Sage Heart and Sweet Heart out on a caring mission. She immediately saw several messages from Love Heart and Confidence, most urgently being 'call ASAP'.

Worriedly, Life Heart dialed her son's number opting to use the video phone. She smiled as Love Heart's face appeared in the screen. "Love Heart. How's your quest going?"

"It's going great," Love Heart turned the camera sideways so Confidence's face appeared next to his, "Did you gid rid of the demon?"

Life Heart smirked as she all but collapsed on the couch, "Yes, thankfully. I'm just going to need a couple days to rest."

Confidence smiled, "Well we have some big news!"

Life Heart leaned back and rolled her eyes, "Is it that I'm going to be grandmother?"

Love Heart coughed and Confidence jumped and they both replied at the same time, "How'd you know?!"

Life Heart sat forwards suddenly, "I didn't, I was just joking! Oh my stars, you mean you're pregnant?!"

Confidence nodded, her hands going offscreen to cradle her belly, "Yeah, I found out the day we left. It's just us and Take Care who knows but feel free to spread the news."

"What's the other big news?" Life Heart asked.

Excitement "We found this city, Meridiana, with a big angel statue at the center and there's tons of Care Bears here, or 'anthros' as they call themselves."

This really made Life Heart stare, "Giant angel statue? I remember, that was the place we launched the Cloud Clipper from. Dark Heart attacked when the five of us and the first of the cubs were onboard so we had to launch and leave so many behind… We thought they all died," Life Heart wiped a few tears from her eyes.

"Well they're alive, or at least a lot of them are," Confidence Heart answered, "We're gonna go meet a bunch of them today, see what they're like."

"And see if they want to move to the Kingdom of Caring once this is all finished," Love Heart added.

"Maybe we could build another gate here," Confidence suggested, "Ask Bright Heart but we gotta go, see ya later." The screen shut off.

Life Heart leaned back on the couch, her mind processing both new pieces of information. The return of Sage Heart and Sweet Heart from their caring mission was a welcome distraction from those thoughts and she got up just in time for Sweet Heart to see her.

"Mom!" Sweet Heart literally flew into her mother's arms, who caught her, "You're home!"

"Yes, I am," Life Heart stumbled a bit and set her daughter down, "Oof, you're a growing girl, not sure I can carry you anymore."

"She is," Sage Heart walked over and ruffled his daughter's hair, "she handled the caring mission all by herself today. I'm proud of you, Sweety"

Sweet Heart beamed, "Thanks dad."

"Why don't you go take a nice rest then," Life Heart gave a sultry look to her husband, who caught her meaning.

Sweet Heart didn't miss it either and unlike most earth children she wasn't ignorant of what that meant. "OK, have fun!" She took off and flew up the stairs, again literally.

The instant her door shut, Life Heart all but pounced on Sage Heart and began smothering him with kisses.

Sage Heart barely had a moment to speak between her assault, "Stars you're affectionate! Not that I'm complaining."

Life Heart finally stopped and lay her head on her husband's shoulder, "I just missed you, and Sweet Heart and everyone but especially you."

Sage Heart gave her a kiss, "I missed you too. The house has been quiet lately."

Life Heart hooded her eyes and pulled him towards their bedroom, "Let's make it noisy then."

Sage Heart let himself be pulled all the way to bed and moments later he was on top of his wife and both were making out, hot and heavy. Their time apart adding fuel to their fires despite it being the middle of the afternoon.

OoOoO

Loyal Heart and Defiant Heart were already at the park when Love Heart and Confidence Heart arrived and they were all stunned. Being told there were dozens of Care Bears and Cousins living in the city was one thing but actually seeing it was a whole other matter. Even though this was maybe a little less than half the anthro population of the city it was still more Care Bears and Cousins than they had ever seen in one place. Several were just hanging out and others watching the newcomers.

"So what's the plan?" Confidence scanned the park.

"Find and talk to someone, see how they are, ask if they want to move to the Kingdom of Caring or stay here, or just make conversation if you can't figure out how to bring it up," Love Heart took a deep breath, "Just mingle I guess? I never planned to try and be a leader."

"You're doing fine," Loyal Heart patted Love Heart on the back before the four of them split up to mingle, Kero just riding on Love Heart's shoulder silently.

Confidence looked around to find someone to introduce herself to, but a high-pitched voice made the decision for her.

"Mama! Fen! Fen!"

Confidence Heart turned to see a couple on a bench, an orange and silver… wolf? man and a purple fennec woman holding another toddler-aged fennec girl who was pinkish-red and was pointing at Confidence's ears while practically bouncing out of the woman's lap, which she threatened to be pushed out of by the mother's swollen tummy.

Confidence smiled and approached the couple as the woman spoke, "Hello, you're one of those newcomers, right? I know because Merry's so excited to see another fennec around here. She thinks her ears are beautiful and I don't want to discourage that."

Confidence wiggled her ears, "Yeah, fennec ears rock. I love when I get to hear things no one else can, or people think they can just whisper around me to keep me from hearing them."

"So, you're really from the Kingdom of Caring?" the wolf? eyed her somewhat skeptically.

"Not originally, I'm from a town called Merdiana, I was raised by a human family before the Care Bears found me. My name's Confidence Heart Fennec."

"Passion Heart Wolverine," the man extended a hand, which Confidence shook both surprised at the other's strength.

"I'm Vivacious Heart Fennec, and of course this is my daughter Merry Heart," she set her daughter down on the bench between her and Passion

"Up!" Merry reached for Confidence Heart who eyed her, uncertain how to try and pick her up. She reached out for a moment and the toddler practically jumped into her arms which made Confidence stumble for a moment but managed to stay upright.

"Guess I should learn how to hold a kid soon," Confidence looked at the couple, "So what's your story?"

Vivacious looked sad for a moment and Passion coughed before he spoke, "We don't want to get into too much detail, but Viv was trapped in a job she hated and me and my friends helped free her and her friends and almost burned that place down."

Vivacious smiled, leaned up against Passion and took his hand, her other resting on her basketball-sized tummy, "But now we're together and our firsts are on the way."

"First?" Confidence looked at Merry, who was trying to grab the older fennec's ears, "What about Merry?"

Vivacious' face fell, "She's my daughter from my first mate… he died before she was born…"

"Oh…" Confidence lifted Merry up to let her grab at her ears, wincing slightly only for a moment until Merry let go of the silver stud she had put in that day. "So Merry's going to have a little brother or sister soon?"

Vivacious giggled as Passion answered, "Not too soon and more than one. I think we're having triplets."

Confidence gawked as she set Merry down, who toddled around Confidence to see the new fennec from all lower angles, "But you look like your ready to drop already!" she placed a hand on her own tummy, "Any advice for a mother-to-be?"

Vivacious stood up to pick up her daughter, "Be easy on yourself whenever you can be. I've never been all that overemotional when I've been pregnant, but you definitely bottle some of your frustrations up. Don't be afraid to talk about those frustrations, having that outlet makes a difference."

Confidence reached over to tickle Merry under the chin, which made the toddler giggle, "I'll try to remember that."

Love Heart only stopped to talk with a couple of anthros before he found himself ambushed by three: a dark green coyote woman in the middle wearing shorts and a sweater that looked oddly bulky on her frame, on her right was a pink bear with very broad hips for a man and long hair and on her left a grey wolf with a slightly swollen belly who looked to be trying to hide behind her long bangs; the coyote had her arms around both and was grinning.

"Making fast friends?" she asked.

Love Heart nodded, "Doing my best. My name's Love Heart Bear and you?"

"Crafty Heart Coyote, and these are my mates Flamboyant Heart Bear and Hidden Heart Wolf," Craft indicated the bear and wolf with tilts of her head.

"Mates, as in all three of you together?" Love Heart was having a moment to process that that meant.

Flamboyant grinned, "Yep, the three of us," he turned to give Crafty a kiss, who then turned to give Hidden Heart a kiss.

Crafty then patted her chest and down a ways, "Sometimes three is better than two," this caused all three to burst out laughing.

Love Heart just stared at the trio, assuming it was some private joke, and waited for their laughter to fade before asking, "How does that work out?"

"I know it's odd," Hidden whispered and rubbed her belly, "But we kinda came together to help a friend of Flambo's escape from a… job she was trapped in. It was rough but in the end we all ended up together."

"And I wasn't always…" Crafty paused and looked back and forth between her mates, who both nodded and each put an arm around her back, "a coyote. I used to be human."

Love Heart smiled, "So was my dad, Sage Heart Bear."

Crafty brightened up, "Really?"

Love Heart nodded, "Really. But I need to ask something important: Would you three like to live in the Kingdom of Caring?"

The question took the three of them by surprise and it was Hidden Heart who answered first, "I'd like that," she placed both hands protectively on her tummy, "I'd like to raise our child somewhere besides here."

"You're pregnant?" Love Heart waited for Hidden to nod before he smiled back, "Well congratulations to you and Flamboyant. We're expecting our first children too," Love Heart turned to spot Confidence Heart and waved to her, and she waved back before returning to her own conversation.

When Love Heart turned back the three looked unexpectedly uncomfortable at that announcement. Crafty spoke before Love Heart could say anything else, "The baby's mine."

Love Heart blinked, "What?"

Crafty's voice suddenly rose, "I don't want to talk about it! It's a painful part of my past but important and I thought that wishing star would take it away too when I became an anthro but it said it couldn't take anything away and…"

Flamboyant Heart put a hand on her shoulder and gave her a kiss, "It's alright, Crafty."

Crafty was crying slightly, "Thanks, Flambo."

"Sorry… I didn't know it was a sore subject…" Love Heart averted his eyes.

"It's alright," Hidden assured him, "We'll tell you more later but, yeah, the baby is mine and Crafty's, but it'll be all three of ours when its born."

Love Heart looked over at Defiant Heart nearby, "I think I understand, maybe…" he turned back to them and tried to change the subject, "Do you think everyone else might want to move to the Kingdom of Caring?"

Flambo was happy for the change of topic and scratched his chin before he answered, "Some of us, mostly the younger ones. Quirky Heart Tanuki would know better but some of the older ones have put down roots here and might not want to just abandon what they have here."

Love Heart nodded, "We might have a solution for that, but it'll have to wait until my task is complete."

"You mean like with that magic sand?" Crafty was also happy to distract herself from the previous discomfort.

Love Heart pulled the Heart Book up for them to see, "Yeah, these magic cards… you know I think I know someone who can explain it better. Kero!" Love Heart's shout drew the guardian beast's attention and he zipped up from Love Heart's shoulder.

"Hey, Love Heart, what's up?" Kero asked casually.

Hidden gawked, "Oh my stars, It's alive?"

Kero pounded his chest importantly, "I am Keroberos, Guardian Beast of the Seal of the Clow Cards and protector of Love Heart and the Heart Cards."

The conversation quickly fell into the long explanation of the history of Clow Reed and the cards, and Love Heart's quests first to capture and now transform them.

Defiant Heart had nervously wandered the crowd, unused to being around so many anthros, actually being around those like him… mostly. He didn't want to force it but his intersex nature still made him feel like an outcast. He finally stopped to talk to a pair that were talking, a purple cheetah with very broad hips and narrow shoulders and a darker purple muscular bear.

He cleared he throat, "Excuse me."

The cheetah turned to him, "Oh hello, miss umm…" the cheetah's voice was higher pitched but clearly male and he seemed to be trying to recall Defiant's name.

"Not miss, I'm a man," Defiant had a feeling he'd have to explain that for a while.

"Sorry!" The cheetah seemed nervous as he introduced himself, "I'm Exuberant Heart Cheetah."

"And call me Rebellious Heart Bear," the muscular bear's voice was feminine as she offered her hand to Defiant. They shook both surprised at the other's strength, "So what's the deal with the tits then?"

"I'm intersex," Defiant released her hand, shaking it slightly, "I was born that way but I used to be human till a mad scientist kidnapped me after I ran away from home and turned into a badger."

"What's intersex mean?" Exuberant asked.

Defiant sighed, already knowing he'd be tired of explaining this, "It means I don't fit into strictly 'male' or 'female' but I have elements of both. From what I've learned I'm a 'hermaphrodite' because I have both functioning sex organs according to the last doctor I saw before I became a badger." He paused and looked at both anthros, "actually I think you two are too?"

"What? Me?" Exuberant pointed to himself quizzically.

"You mean you think we're intersex," Rebellious laughed, "sorry but I'm all woman."

"There's degrees of intersex, it's not just one thing," Defiant tried to keep his knee-jerk response under control, "it can also mean having body proportions that are more suited to the gender opposite to your sex," he pointed at Exuberant's hips, "Like having wide hips and narrow shoulders on a man," then turned to Rebellious, "Or broad shoulders and more muscle mass on a woman."

"Huh, never thought about that," Rebellious turned to see where Flamboyant Heart was engaged in conversation with Love Heart and Kero, "I guess my brother, Flambo, is too them, I mean he and Xu-xu are in competition for which man has the biggest ass in town." She burst out laughing and Exuberant just giggled and blushed.

"Happy to educate, I guess," Defiant rolled his eyes.

Exuberant managed to get his giggles under control, "I'll have to tell Golden Heart about that next time I see her."

"Who's that?" Defiant Heart looked around the park.

"Oh, she's not here. She lives out in the forest with the pandas and her brothers," Exuberant explained, "though after the lab exploded things have been getting harder."

Defiant raised an eyebrow, "Tell me more."

Loyal Heart had only stopped to chat with a few anthros before his own thoughts intruded on his objective and he found himself drawn to Anger Heart Fox and Guidance Heart Raccoon.

The couple was watching Calm Heart talking to an orange wolf when Loyal Heart approached them.

"How did it go?" Guidance turned to Loyal Heart.

"Alright. Some are eager to move up to the Kingdom of Caring but others don't want to leave," Loyal Heart glanced over to where Defiant Heart was still talking to Exuberant and Rebellious.

Anger Heart took notice, "Someone else on your mind?" his tail swished agitatedly.

Loyal snapped his gaze back to the couple, "Yeah, Defiant Heart. We're kind of a couple now and I'm just worried about how things are between us, how fast and far we should move and I don't know if he'd even want that."

Guidance leaned up against Anger Heart, "In bed?" the question made Loyal Heart jump but he nodded. Guidance smiled, "One of you could be more spontaneous like Anger Heart."

Anger Heart smirked in response and put his arm around Guidance's middle, managing to grope one of her breasts with the same arm which made Guidance giggle and blush, "If your partner has trouble starting things then take initiative, just ask him if he wants that or if you want him to be that for you." He turned and gave Guidance a kiss.

Loyal Heart blushed at the thought and fidgeted, "Maybe I'll ask him later tonight…"

It was mid-afternoon when the visitors reconvened and shared their information. Whether or not they wanted to move to the Kingdom of Caring seemed to be split on generational lines, with the older anthros wanting to stay in Meridiana while the younger ones were eager to uproot and move to the Kingdom of Caring.

"And then there's those ones living in the woods," Defiant Heart added, "Exuberant and Rebellious said they'd show us where they lived if we wanted to see them."

Love Heart nodded, "Sounds good," he looked around at the anthros dispersing to return to their homes, "I'll go see them with Kero to see what they think," he turned to Confidence who didn't need to be asked.

"Count me in!" she pumped a fist in the air, "Might even stay with them overnight."

"Then I guess we'll head home for the night," Defiant Heart stretched, he seemed more relaxed after his conversation with the two he had mentioned.

Loyal Heart took a chance and put an arm around Defiant's shoulders, he didn't flinch, "Sounds good, see you tomorrow." The couple headed back to the apartment they had bee gifted while Love Heart and Confidence met up with Exuberant Heart Cheetah and Rebellious Heart Bear who led them out of the city on foot.

The sun was nearing the horizon by the time they approached the stone carved cave where the pandas lived. Love Heart and Confidence were impressed with the dwelling that had just been carved from a natural rocky outcropping, including windows, with a tree near the exit.

The inhabitants sat around outside: a silvery blue bear, a golden bear and two pandas. The golden bear lit up when she saw the group approaching and jumped to her feet.

"Exuberant!" she waved with a huge smile on her face.

"Golden Heart!" Exuberant put on a burst of speed if only to remind everyone that he was a cheetah and he all but tackled Golden Heart into a hug and gave her a hard kiss.

Rebellious was eager to meet the other bear but didn't take off, merely walking up to him and clasping hands before hugging, "Hi, Rescue Heart, we've got some guests," she turned with Rescue to introduce Love Heart and Confidence.

"Hi, nice to meet you," Love Heart waved, then turned to the pandas who both hopped up to greet them.

"Nice to meet you too, I hope you're feeling alright," the female panda spoke.

Her brother picked up without hesitation, "My name is Perfect Panda and my sister's name's Polite."

"Before you ask, yes they always talk like that," the voice came from the tree overhead. Love Heart and Confidence Heart looked up to see an autumnal orange and brown anthro up in the tree, they both had to squint to see him as he blended in with the mutlicolored leaves that had yet to fall.

Sensing they wanted a better look, the anthro jumped down which sent a shower of leaves down around him. "Hi, I'm Chipper Heart," he was munch younger than the others and more rodent like with a huge bushy tail and buck teeth. He was mainly orange with a thick brown stripe across his head and down his tail with black and white bordering it; he was about the same age as Hugs, Tugs and Sweet Heart.

Love Heart offered a hand, "nice to meet you, Chipper Heart Squirrel."

Chipper Heart wilted slightly and pulled his tail around, "I'm not a squirrel, I'm just a chipmunk with a big tail."

"Sorry," Love Heart winced slightly.

"It's fine, what do you think I am?" Confidence pointed to herself.

Chipper knew it was a trick but sensed she wouldn't tale offense as he stared at her ears, "A rabbit?"

Confidence laughed, "Nope, a fennec fox but these ears are natural. So you're a Chipmunk with a huge tail, looks pretty."

Chipper brightened up, "Thanks, I like it," he brushed his tail a few times before he let it go.

"So, what're your stories?" Love Heart sat down and Confidence sat next to him.

"We've lived out here as long as we can remember," Perfect started.

"These three joined our family though they lost their eldest members," Polite added sadly.

Golden Heart sat down with Exuberant still clinging to her, "We were raised by a couple bears named Sophia and Yano, they adopted all three of us when Chipper was still a baby."

Rebellious and Rescue seemed to be competing to be hold the other protectively as Rescue spoke, "They taught up a lot about nature and to stay away from the old observatory and the monsters from there."

"From Von Reichter," Love Heart's statement made them all shudder.

"Seems Cold Heart never really let go of his obsession," Confidence folded her arms.

Polite nodded, "He was a vile monster and nearly scared us away."

Perfect nodded as well, "If not for CB6 we probably wouldn't be able to stay."

"What happened to your parents?" Love Heart looked at Chipper.

Chipper scuffed the ground with a soft kick, "They disappeared after the big boom, I think mom said they had to leave because nature was hurt."

Rescue scratched his head, "Yeah, I remember dad said something about their connection being important once, but we don't know where they went, maybe to the big scar the explosion made."

"What explosion?" Kero finally spoke up from where he had been resting on Love Heart's shoulder which made everyone jump.

"Sorry, I keep forgetting he surprises people, this is Keroberos, or Kero if you prefer," Love Heart pointed to Kero, "but he has a point, what explosion?"

"I remember," Rebellious raised a hand, "this giant black island monster showed up in the bay and was gonna smash the town to pieces, then suddenly it turned around and wandered to the old observatory and then BOOM!" she flung her arms out as she shouted which made everyone jump.

"If you can find CB6 he can probably tell you more," Exuberant added. Love Heart, Confidence and Kero had to remind themselves that most people weren't in on CB6 and Soul Heart being the same person before they mentioned they already knew them.

Love Heart touched the Heart Book at his side then stood up, "Can you show me where this place is?"

All seven locals shared looks, clearly nervous about it. Love Heart was about to withdraw his request when Chipper raised a hand, "I can show you, it feels sick near there though."

"You don't have to, just point us there," Confidence also stood up.

Chipper shook his head, "No, I'll show you! This way!" he bounded off before anyone could stop him.

"We'll bring him back safe!" Love Heart called as he and Confidence took off after Chipper, who was surprisingly fast.

Love Heart and Confidence gaped as they arrived at what cold only be described as a scar on the land, a vast area of blackened earth and shattered trees scattered all over. Chipper shuddered and clung to his tail, even Love and Confidence could feel the emptiness of the area.

Love Heart crouched down and scooped up some of the damaged earth, dropping it almost as quickly, "I think it's been poisoned by whatever chemicals were in Cold Heart's lab." He stood up and took hold of the heart key around his neck.

"What are you going to do?" Chipper asked as Love Heart held the key out.

Confidence grinned, "He's going to do some magic."

Chipper's face lit up, "Magic? Real magic!" he started hopping up on his toes. Confidence just nodded towards Love Heart as he held out the key.

"Key of the Heart

With Powers Burning Bright

Reveal the Staff

And Shine Your Light

Release!"

Chipper watched in awe as the key floated out of Love Heart's hand and spun around, glowing bright and extending into a long green staff which Love Heart grabbed out of the air and spun around.

"Magic is real!" Chipper's eyes shined, "what are you going to do?"

"I'm going to heal the forest," Love Heart pulled two cards out of the book, both green with heart symbols on the back.

"Hold on!" Kero flew in front of Love Heart's face, "that's a big risk, do you even have the magic to handle this?"

"I want to do something for the people who stay behind," Love Heart held up the cards, the already transformed Earthy and Watery cards, "and I need to push myself to make sure I'm ready for Su Yung." Love Heart threw the Cards forwards and jabbed the staff at them, "Earthy! Watery! Use your power to cleanse the poison from this land! Release!" The two spirits emerged and flowed down into the earth below. Everyone watched as the black earth churned and faded to a much healthier looking earthy brown spreading outwards. Love Heart felt a little drain but thankfully the two elemental cards carried the burden easily and eventually the swept back and floated in front of Love Heart.

"That was disgusting," The Watery retched, "but it's all clean and I need to sleep." It flowed back into its card.

"The land was poisoned but it should be fertile again," The Earthy turned to Chipper who just stared in awe at the spirit.

"Are you the earth mother?" Chipper asked.

"I am the Earthy Card, Heart Card of the Earth, but I am no deity, and I need to rest," The Earthy flowed back into its card.

Love Heart replaced the two cards in the book and withdrew two more, one of which was red and gold instead, "Keroberos, I'll need your help and connection to the sun with this."

Kero's wings grew and he changed into his true form, "Love Heart, are you certain about this?"

"Only with your help," Love Heart stepped out onto the now clean earth followed by Keroberos, Confidence and Chipper, who felt eager now that the earth was cleaned. Love Heart didn't walk took far before he threw the untransformed card up into the air and spun his staff around.

"Spring, Summer, Winter, Fall

Ancient forces heed my call!

Wood Card, discard your former might

And draw new power from my light

Heart Card!"

The Card transformed and emerged, its leafy spirit glowing brightly as Love Heart knelt and jammed the bottom of the staff into the earth then threw the second card up, "Flowery Card! Earthy Card! Restore this forest to full bloom." Love Heart's tummy symbol and unicorn star both lit up and began to shine brightly as the Flowery Spirit emerged. Both spirits flew around him and Keroberos caught on, throwing his wings wide and breathing a beam of energy into the sky, which made the sun light up brighter than normal.

The spirits sank into the ground and there was a rumble as grass grew and trees started to sprout up everywhere. Confidence Heart Fennec and Chipper Heart Chipmunk staggered around and watched in awe as the forest regrew at lightning speed, trees, flowers and other plants sprouting up like one could only see in time-lapse simulations. Love Heart poured his magic into the staff and earth for almost 15 minutes even as the forest growth left their field of vision.

Finally, The Earthy and The Flower returned to their cards without a word and Love Heart collapsed, his staff shrank back into its key form in his hand. Keroberos panted as well, involuntarily shifting back to his smaller form as Confidence Heart helped Love Heart to his feet.

Chipper touched one of the trees, then grinned and scampered up into the branches, "It's real! The forest is back!"

"Yes, it is," the older female voice drew everyone's attention as two bears seemed to emerge from the trees: a yellow female and a silvery grey male who was holding onto her shoulder.

Chipper leapt down and stared at the two, then charged at them crying, "MOM! DAD!" he jumped into their arms and gave them a hug, "YOU'RE BACK!"

"Yes, we are," the male bear said.

"Now that the forest is healed, we can return to you," the female bear said. She turned to Love Heart as he was supported by Confidence Heart on his wobbly legs, "My name is Sophia and this is my mate Yano. I see we have you to thank for the restoration of the forest."

Love Heart nodded weakly, "Yeah… it…was…everything…"

"You used up almost all your magical energy," Kero said from where he perched on Confidence's shoulder.

"Can't drag you all the way back to town like this," Confidence nodded, "But I can try to get you to the pandas."

"You could stay here," Yano suggested.

"Yeah! We can camp out here together!" Chipper hopped down from his parents' arms.

"Good," Confidence helped Love Heart lie down on the ground then lay down next to him, "Sleep tight," she gave Love Heart a kiss.

"Ahh, young love!" Sophia hugged her mate, "It's good to be back."

"It's sweet, like you," Yano kissed her, "Chipper can you watch them just to be safe, we want to go see how Golden and Rescue are doing."

Chipper saluted like a boy scout, "Can do, dad!" He bounded up into a nearby tree to keep watch as his parents left to check on their other adopted children.

OoOoO

Loyal and Defiant had moved the TV into the bedroom at Soul Heart's old apartment so they could lie down and watch together in the evenings, Loyal just in boxer shorts and Defiant likewise but also wearing a loose T-shirt as he still hadn't bought any bras.

Defiant squinted at the show they were watching then turned to see Loyal Heart laughing at an apparent joke. "You can understand that?"

Loyal turned to him, "Yes. We travel all over the world to help children so we have a 'gift of tongues' as Bright Heart called it." He saw Defiant's confused expression and added, "We can understand any language."

"Huh," Defiant turned back to the TV.

Loyal Heart sensed his next question and added, "You'll get it when you get your tummy symbol."

"OK," Defiant pulled up his shirt and touched his blank white tummy, "So do you speak English or some personal Care Bear language?"

Loyal Heart lay back and stared at the ceiling, "Hmm… pretty sure we speak English since Noble, True and Life Heart all knew English before we got that gift and Sage Heart also spoke Japanese. He told me once that he hears everything in Japanese since that's his first language."

Defiant turned back to the TV and borrowed the remote, not sure what to make of that.

Loyal kept his eyes on Defiant as he changed the channel to something in English. Trying to nerve himself based on the advice he'd been given, "So Defiant, do you want us to move faster?"

Defiant turned his head to Loyal, "Faster? I mean we were worried about moving too fast but maybe…"

"I know," Loyal Heart rolled onto his back, "But the more I think about it I do want to go farther if you do but I don't know how to do it and I'd like it if you took charge when we're along and tried to do something or…" Loyal Heart's voice faded.

Defiant Heart smirked and rolled over, "Like this?" he gave Loyal a kiss on the cheek.

Loyal Heart blushed, "Yeah, but more if you're up for it."

Defiant Heart had to think about that when he felt a sudden wave of arousal pass through and around him and grinned seductively, "Well then how bout now," he pulled his shirt off, letting his breasts bounce free and quickly pulled off his boxers around his rapidly hardening erection. Loyal Heart gasped as Defiant pulled him over and kissed him hard on the lips. The same arousal passing through him as Defiant pulled back and rolled the dog on to his front, pulling Loyal's boxers off too.

"Too much?" Defiant paused but was still feeling painfully hard.

"No! Keep going!" Loyal hopped up on all fours and raised his tail, giving Defiant easy access to his butt-hole.

Defiant didn't waste anytime and grabbed Loyal Heart, ramming his hard cock into the dog's ass with little warning. Loyal Heart gasped as he was taken, doggy style, his own dick throbbing to life as he was pounded in the ass.

Defiant was too eager and came in Loyal's ass in very short order, panting slightly as he pulled out but not tired and feeling his own pussy aching for attention as well. "Sorry, Loyal. My first time…"

"That's alright," Loyal Heart rolled over, his shaft and knot throbbing as he begged, "Please…"

Defiant didn't need to hear any more as he grinned and lifted himself over Loyal Heart. He carefully lowered his vagina over the tip of Defiant's dick. Both of them shuddered as Loyal Heart's tip poked into Defiant, hitting his hymen and making Defiant pause.

"You don't have to," Loyal Heart sounded apologetic but his eyes still begged Defiant to keep going.

"I want to!" Defiant grit his teeth and let himself fall on Loyal's dick, feeling a sharp spike of pain and sudden *pop* as Loyal's knot blew past his nether lips and Loyal exploded inside him from the sudden shock.

Loyal grunted and panted as he released a couple loads into Defiant before he slumped back on the bed. "Thank you… Defiant."

"It was fun for me too," Defiant tried to pull himself off Loyal's still hard dick.

"I mean for… taking charge," Loyal Heart smiled.

"Yeah and, unf!" Defiant screwed up his face, "I can't pull off!" he slumped back down.

Loyal Heart looked apologetic, "Sorry, it's a canine thing. My knot's swollen up inside you so we're stuck together for a while."

"Guess I should get used to that," Defiant Heart sighed and carefully leaned forwards until he was lying on top of Loyal Heart, his breasts pressed up against the dog's chest, "too bad it was so short."

"First time for both of us," Loyal Heart wrapped his arms around Defiant and gave hi ma kiss, "We'll get better."

"You want to do this again?" Defiant sounded surprised as they rolled onto their sides so Defiant could hug him back.

"Yeah, I think I'm falling in love," Loyal blushed.

"Maybe," Defiant sounded nervous, "I mean I like you but we just met,"

"that's alright," Loyal Heart snuggled up to Defiant, "We'll have plenty of time to see where this goes, but I like your confidence."

"And I like your honesty, and you make me feel…" Defiant paused, "Not 'normal' but accepted."

"Aww," Loyal Heart gave Defiant another kiss, which the badger returned, "Want to watch something while we're stuck together?"

"Sure," Defiant groped for the remote, "but I'm picking, I need something I can understand."

"That's fine, mind if I feel your chest?" Loyal's hand slowly crept between them.

Defiant chuckled, "Sure, never thought I'd hear a gay man appreciate tits."

"Only if they're yours," Loyal Heart carefully reached between them and carefully squeezed one of Defiant's breasts, which made the badger gasp before he turned the TV back on.