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Chapter 19: Consequences

Everyone stood mortified as Independent Bear delivered the report from his mission. Even Love Heart hadn't been told the full details over the phone.

Silence reigned in the Hall of Hearts until Brave Heart spoke up, "Where is Sarah now?"

"Cautious Heart took her home, Take Care said she'd look after her." Indy was doing his best to keep his emotions under control.

True Heart was staring at the table, "So Mental Heart had been around since the Care Bear Family began..."

"I know, I can't believe it either," Noble Heart rubbed her back.

"Question is, why was he keeping himself hidden until now?" Sage Heart asked.

"I don't know but I think we need to call John. The FBI's going to want to know why a small American town just vanished off the face of the Earth." Tenderheart pulled out his cell phone.

"Tenderheart," Love Heart's voice make the bear look up from dialing the contact information John had given them, "See if he can help Sarah too, find some relatives, get her some help."

"Ok," Tenderheart nodded then took his phone call into the leaders' office for privacy.

"While that's being sorted out we need to decide what we're going to do with the men who tried to steal our cubs." Brave Heart turned to Take Care, "Physically, how are they?"

"Injured but not severely. The fat one just fainted." Take Care took a deep breath.

"I know him!" the voice came from Lonesomeheart, "He's one of the people who kidnapped us and killed our parents!"

"Yeah!" Aqua backed her up. Redemption just nodded.

"Hopefully John can take them off our hands too," Love Heart folded his arms, "If we left them here I don't want to imagine what I'd do to them." He looked down at Mira, who was staring up at him. "I know you beat them, Mira, but after what they tried to do I want to make them hurt too."

Mira nodded, "Ok, dad."

Any further discussion was halted when Tenderheart emerged from the leaders' office. "John's on his way up here to deal with the mercenaries and to help Sarah."

It didn't take took long for the FBI helicopter to arrive again, John accompanied by two armored and armed men. Once he had Big Joe and the three mercenaries in custody he came to speak to Sarah at Take Care's.

It took some time to convince Sarah to go with John and he stayed at the Hall of Hearts to tell everyone what he had been able to do.

"I found an aunt and uncle of hers who can look after her and I can get in touch with therapists." John sighed, "I can't promise she'll recover but I'll do what I can. As for the men you captured, 'big Joe' is wanted on several counts of poaching we've managed to trace back to him. He's a U.S. citizen so we'll handle him as per the extradition treaty we have with most nations. The three mercenaries are being turned over to the CIA because they handle out of country affairs and Purity Corp is based in Australia, but I assure you we will get what we can out of them."

"Thanks, John." Tenderheart shook his head. "Just... do what you can for Sarah."

"I will. I promise." John turned and left and shortly thereafter the meeting dispersed.

OoOoO

"At last, the programming is finished. Behold, The Prank!" Quenos stepped away from the container where the nanomorph clown lay. "I've infused his personality with fragments magically copied from the minds of many madmen and serial killers. The perfect insane killing machine."

"Then activate it," Dr. Fright stared at the clown's face, "I want to see the terror it will cause."

Quenos walked up behind Dr. Fright. "You will see the terror first hand." Dr. Fright didn't have a chance to defend himself as Quenos grabbed his head in his left hand, "I need an animating spirit with psionic power to bring this being to life so it can have the focus it needs to follow my orders." He placed his second hand on the case containing The Prank.

"NO! STOP! LET ME GO!" Dr. Fright struggled to get free, only to find himself held in place by Mental Heart's psionic powers.

"Your use to us is at an end in your current form, one way or another that body will be devoid of a spirit this day." Mental Heart watched as a black aura of energy appeared about Dr. Fright's head, then traveled up and along Quenos' arm, leaving the vampiric body limp as the darkness traveled across his arms and was absorbed into The Prank.

Quenos dropped the now soulless body of Dr. Fright to the ground. "That thing will die without a soul inside. Now all we need to do is wait for it to awaken and then I will set it to its gruesome task."

"And I have the perfect target in mind." No-Heart spoke up from his throne, "A place the Care Bears believe is safe from my touch. Paradise Valley."

"You're not the only one who has had success." Andross had emerged from his ship with the three mercenaries he had taken to experiment on earlier. "I have given these three special enhancements that should help them against the special powers the Care Bears have, and even stop them from being shot down."

"I feel a test is in order then." Illyana stepped up to the mercenaries, "If you can find some Care Bears on Earth then it will be your job to disrupt, kill or capture them."

OoOoO

Shimmering Star Bear was finally out of diapers. After a week without an accident, Love Heart told him he didn't have to wear them anymore. It felt weird to the young bear, he couldn't remember when he hadn't worn them. But he still felt proud of himself as he stepped outside, only to find Mira doing warm up stretches just outside the front door.

"What are you doing, Mira?"

Miracle Heart looked over her shoulder as she did a leg lunge, "Getting ready for my first real mission. I'm escorting Trickster Heart Hare on a caring mission."

Shimmers perked up, "Can I come!" He was practically bouncing on his toes.

Mira turned to face him, a look of mild concern on her face, "Sorry Shimmers, but it's too dangerous right now. You're too young and you aren't skilled enough at fighting or helping people to do much."

"Aww..." Shimmers pouted.

Mira smiled, "Relax. When you're older and stronger you can come along, but for now just stay at home with mom and dad. I'll see you after lunch." Mira stretched her arms then jogged off towards the Hall of Hearts.

Trickster was waiting outside the Hall of Hearts when Mira arrived and he looked down at the four-tailed purple fennec-kitsune as she slowed to a stop. "Are you sure you can protect me, kid?"

Mira scowled up at Trickster, "This 'kid' stopped all the other cubs from being kidnapped the other day, and you're only a couple years older than me you just look older because you're not a Magi."

"Alright, yeesh!" Trickster held up his hands and stepped back. "I've got the caring mission data so let's go." Trickster conjured a cloud car from his tummy symbol and literally hopped in. Mira just sighed as she got in the passenger's seat barely having time to buckle up before Trickster took off.

OoOoO

Shimmering Star Bear was thinking about what his sister had said for the rest of the morning and through lunch. It was only when he was returning his tray alongside his parents that he saw Wish Bear doing the same and an idea flashed into his mind.

"Mama, Daddy can I go talk to Wish Bear right now?" he looked up at his parents eagerly.

Love Heart nodded, "Alright, just don't be too long ok?"

Shimmers nodded and took off as Wish Bear was leaving the Hall of Hearts, catching up to her just outside; she had apparently lagged behind Defender and Hope who had left the Hall of Hearts a few minutes ago.

"Wish Bear!" Shimmer's voice made her stop partway down the main rainbow road, "I have a wish for you!" the tan cub practically skidded to a stop in front of her.

Wish smiled down at him, "Alright, what's your wish?" Her tummy symbol started to glow.

Shimmer took a deep breath, "I wish I could be older, stronger and learn magic fast so I can help mama, daddy and big sister Mira fight the bad guys!"

Wish blinked but before she could say anything her symbol lit up bright and bathed Shimmering Star in its light. Shimmers breathed in deep as he felt the warmth spread through him. Then the light vanished and Shimmers looked down at himself.

"Nothing happened..." Shimmers pouted.

Wish crouched down in front of him, "I'm sorry, Shimmering Star, but even my wishes can't do everything. You're going to have to wait to grow up and get stronger on your own."

"Ok..." Shimmers hung his head then turned and dragged his feet as he walked back towards the Hall of Hearts and met his parents as they exited.

Wish watched them talk then hug for a moment before she turned to head home, not noticing her symbol had been glowing the whole time and only then just faded back to its original tone.

OoOoO

Miracle Heart Kitsune was grateful that she didn't have to actually participate in caring missions as she watched Trickster Heart Hare talk to the child he was supposed to help in the middle of a huge concrete plaza filled with benches and rectangular concrete planters full of plants. Mira honestly hadn't been paying attention to the mission as she kept on guard in case Mental Heart showed up.

Mira heard the gunshots before she saw those responsible and she was on her feet in an instant, metal gauntlets and boots forming from her tummy symbol as she did so. Even though people were already fleeing she had to shout, "Get away!" as she ran towards Trickster.

Trick had dropped behind a concrete planter as the three mercenaries clad in black armor came into the plaza, each carrying an assault rifle. Mira ducked behind the stone planter with Trick before they could spot her, flattening her ears so they wouldn't show over the plants.

"What's going on?" Trick whispered.

"Mercenaries just like the other day," Mira whispered back, "But they're using live weapons and there's people here." Mira peeked around the corner to see them searching the area presumably for them.

"Trickster, call for backup. I'm going to keep them busy or try to beat them if I can." Mira took a deep breath then charged out.

"Wait what?!" Trickster was about to follow her on instinct until the sound of gunshots made him stop and pull out his heartphone and dial the control room. "Com'on pick up!" he had to shut out the sounds of gunfire as he kept his head down. Thankfully, Brave Heart picked up after only two rings.

"Hello Trick?" Brave Heart didn't have time for more as Trick started all but shouting.

"Three more of those mercenaries showed up, and they just started shooting!" Trick took a breath, "Mira's fighting them but she needs help! They have guns!"

Brave Heart had to hold the mission center phone away from his ear for a moment, "Alright, just stay down. I'm sending Independent Bear."

"Good." Trick hung up then turned on his camera phone and stuck it out at an odd angle so he could see around the concrete planter without exposing his head to any potential gunfire.

Miracle Heart's was hard pressed to keep up with the three mercenaries on her own. Her reflexes, eyes and ears were good enough that she blocked every bullet fired at her and still land a few punches, but she had to keep pulling away from them after each hit as they tried to box her in or stab at her with their knives, even tried to grab at her tails until she electrified her body.

"Gotta get some distance," Mira was jumping around, using her aerokinesis to hover across the ground in short bursts. People nearby were screaming and Mira could hear sirens in the distance, too far off to get there in time. "This has to work." Mira jumped up and flew into the sky. The three mercenaries were temporarily startled as Mira flew over them and formed the transparent electric blue stun sphere in her hand. "Ya!" Mira hurled the orb down at them. She grinned as the electric orb hit the ground in between them and expanded to catch them all in its electricity.

Mira wasted no time, dropping down hard next to the stunned mercenaries, ignoring the pain from the impact as she charged her fist with blue lightning. "Burst!" Mira charged through the sphere and felt the explosion behind her. She was panting, winded from taking on three solo, and turned around to see her handiwork.

At first it seemed fine, the mercenaries were unconscious just like back at the playground, then they started to stir. One had his face mask removed and Mira saw the electric burns healing before her eyes. "Oh no..." she re-tensed just in time to avoid a barrage of gunfire, dropping behind another concrete planter. She thought about flying up but no, they knew she could fly. Thinking fast she shot a bolt of lightning straight upwards and was rewarded with the sound of gunfire as they shot at what they thought was her taking off.

Mira jumped out from behind the planter even as she heard more people screaming and ran right past a little girl who was sitting on the concrete, too paralysed with fear to move. Mira was too busy dodging for her life to notice the girl and Trick was still hiding on the other side of the plaza. Mira shot a bolt of lightning at one of the merc's assault rifles as he was reloading and hit the magazine, several bursting sounds indicated the heat from her lightning had detonated the gunpowder inside the bullets, rendering them useless. Her moment of triumph was short lived as the merc ditched his now useless rifle and drew a knife as he charged forwards. Mira just barely blocked the knife with her gauntlet and kicked him hard between the legs, but only hit armor. A punch to his stomach was more effective and gave her some breathing room.

Indy arrived like a bolt from the blue, jumping out of his cloud car (that flew into a building and vanished in a harmless puff of clouds) and dropping on top of one of the mercenaries still armed with an assault rifle, slicing the weapon in two then stabbing him through the chest. His partner didn't have time to react as Indy swung his sword through his neck. Indy watched them fall unconscious, the properties of Magi weapons the only reason they were still alive.

The remaining mercenary looked over his shoulder at Indy's arrival, only to get a kick to the legs from Miracle Heart which forced him to back off, not exposing his back to them.

"Just surrender," Indy's voice was calm but firm as he pointed his katana left-handed at the mercenary, "I can drop you without killing you just as easily."

Groans from behind Indy made him look behind him to see the two mercenaries getting back up. One turned to Indy, "That hurt you bastard!"

"What the hell?" Indy was suddenly on the defensive as the one who still had a working assault rifle opened fire. Indy just barely had a time to throw up a psionic barrier to block the bullets as the other reached for his sidearm. Mira darted behind the barrier before he could shoot at her, panting as the prolonged fight was taking it out of her.

"They healed from my lightning too. How do we beat them?" Mira asked.

"Drop your weapons! Now!" Mira and Indy turned to the voice saw the third mercenary had grabbed the little girl, holding her off the ground and pressing his sidearm handgun into the girl's head. "I'll kill her if you don't stop using magic and throw down your weapons in ten seconds!"

"TEN!"

The girl was too terrified to even struggle. Indy didn't drop the barrier as he stared at the hostage situation.

"NINE!"

His mind raced, the paralyzing effect of Magi weapons didn't affect them, or they could recover from it too fast for it to make a difference.

"EIGHT!"

Magical injury didn't work either according to Mira but what if...

"SEVEN!"

Indy didn't see a way out. He dropped his sword. The Mercenary looked at Mira, still tensed for action, and the barrier still shimmering between the two Magi and his partners.

"SIX!"

Indy's katana dissolved as a ball of energy formed in his left palm, the right palm still held up sideways to keep the barrier intact.

"FIVE!"

Indy took a deep breath, his anger boiling over internally as the small ball in his left palm convulsed with energy.

"FO-" Indy's hand whipped up and he shot a small ball of psionic energy right at the mercenary's head, splattering it like chunky salsa. His arm, still holding the gun jerked and fired, thankfully jerking outwards and missing the girl but making her scream at the loud noise.

Mira was stunned but Indy jumped into action, conjuring a new katana and rounding on the last two mercenaries, pushing his psionic barrier ahead of him. The two mercenaries opened fire, their bullets bouncing off his barrier. Indy ducked as he dropped the barrier and took his sword in both hands, with a short shout of rage he swung upwards at the first mercenary as psionic energy wreathed his katana blade, slicing through him and his armor from groin up through his head as he hovered upwards; in almost the same motion, Indy spun at the last mercenary and sliced through his neck.

This time his head fell off.

Indy hit the ground and dropped his katana in shock, where it dissolved on the ground and just stood there, staring at the bloody bodies.

Miracle Heart felt her stomach turn and stumbled off, dry heaving as her breakfast had long ago processed through her stomach.

Trickster stood up in the silence and immediately regretted it, but at least managed to keep his composure and walked over to the screaming girl to gently pull her away from the headless body of the man who had held her hostage as sirens finally signaled the arrival of the police.

OoOoO

Independent Bear was grateful that Trick took the initiative to explain things to the police. The mercenaries having shot first in a place full of civilians meant their deaths were ruled as self-defence and defence of others on Indy's part and he was allowed to go home within an hour of killing them.

First thing Indy did was to dump his blood stained clothes in his washing machine and jump in the shower, trying to scour the blood from his fur. He knew word would spread quickly, everyone would know what he did. Even as the red stains washed out of his silver fur, Indy started to cry. What would happen now? What would everyone think of him.

What would Take Care think of him?

Indy didn't bother redressing after he stepped out the shower and was just finished drying off when he heard a knock at the door.

"Indy, can I come in?" It was Take Care.

Indy gulped, no time to properly process things. He couldn't stop from sniffing or the tears from flowing as he entered his living room, "Yes."

Take Care had come alone and worry was plastered all over her face. She immediately approached Indy and looked him up and down, "Are you injured?"

"No..." Indy said, he turned and slumped onto the small couch he owned.

Take Care sat down next to him, "Trick told us everything. The girl's in shock but getting help, some people were injured by stray bullets, but none severely."

"Other than the three men I killed..." Indy's voice sounded hollow.

Take Care was about to say something when the front door opened again and Confidence Heart Fennec entered. "Hey, Indy. Take Care."

Indy looked over at her, "Confidence? Why are you here?"

"To check up on my brother-in-law after this." Confidence walked over and crouched in front of Indy. "And to repay a favor."

"Favor?" Indy asked.

Confidence Heart gave a small smile, "Ten years ago, when we found Feral Heart Tigress, I did the same thing. Poachers were shooting at me, Brave Heart, Connie, and Feral and even hit Tugs in the shoulder. I was so mad I charged at and killed them. I heard that you stood up for me in front of the rest of the Care Bear Family and defended my actions to save their lives." She edged in next to him so she was sitting on the opposite side to Indy that Take Care was.

Indy nodded, "I remember...but this feels... different..."

"I know." Confidence Heart looked at her hands, "I still remember it like it was yesterday. All I could see was red and think about how they were going to kill us if I didn't stop them. I felt sick for days afterwards. It's never going to go away completely but... just remember... if you didn't do what you needed to then, you, Trick, that little girl and my daughter would all be dead now." She placed a hand on his shoulder, "I need to go see her now. Just take some time off." She looked over at Take Care, who had remained silent throughout the exchange.

Take Care nodded, "Doctor's orders, just let it out."

Confidence Heart stood up and heard Indy sob out, "Thank you," before he started sobbing openly. Take Care hugged him to try and calm him down.

They stayed on his couch for over three hours before Take Care made him some ramen to at least get him stable. Indy ate it gratefully but barely seemed to register as she helped him to bed.

As Take Care was turning to leave, Indy spoke up. "Take Care, please stay with me."

Take Care turned around, "What?"

"By my side, don't leave me until I fall asleep." He sounded so scared.

Take Care nodded, "OK. She sat down on the foot of his bed, then leaned over and kissed him. Indy just barely kissed back. Take Care stroked his rather long hair and face for half an hour before he was finally asleep, but she didn't leave. Eventually she fell asleep on top of the covers next to him.