Chapter 8: The endless song of battle
-------------------------------------------------------------
"Follow me if I advance, kill me if I retreat, avenge me if I die..." -Anonymous
The battle lines were drawn..
Just as soon as True Heart gave the orders to the Care Bears, the entire family had assembled on the front lawn of Capsule Corp.
And as soon as she had asked again for the help of the Z Fighters, Goku and Vegeta gathered Earths finest and they split themselves into two groups. Now they stood assembled on the front lawn, waiting for True and Noble Heart to pick their sides and give them their directions. Christie, brought to Capsule Corp by Goku, was still grief-stricken over the dramatic events of earlier. With her help, Goku and the others had pieced together the tragedy that resulted in the re-awakening of Dark Heart.
But the Z Fighters and Care Bear Family had bigger issues than how Dark Heart was reanimated. They had the issue of defeating him along with Shadow Heart. With the Family and Z Fighters divided into two teams, each assigned to one enemy, they could handle both of them at the same time.
In one team, was Bright Heart, Brave Heart, Lotsa Heart, Treat Heart, Loyal Heart, Cozy Heart, Proud Heart, Gentle Heart, and Playful Heart.
In the other was Tender Heart, Grumpy, Cheer, Funshine, Love-A-Lot, Bedtime, Harmony, Wish, Friend, Secret, Champ, Good Luck, Share, and Birthday.
It was decided between True and Noble Heart that, since their Family organized themselves in groups of Care Bears and Care Bear Cousins, that True and Noble would lead the groups accordingly. Vegeta, Trunks, Piccolo, Tien, and Yamcha were chosen to go with Noble Hearts team, while Goku, Gohan, Goten, and #18 were picked by True Heart.
The two groups assembled together in front of Capsule Corp did indeed look like an army, a very unusual army, but an army nonetheless.
"Care Bears, Care Bear Cousins, and fighters of Earth, thank you all, from the bottom of our hearts, for risking so much to fight beside us today. I know you have suffered greatly, for the whole of Earth and Care-A-Lot has suffered, and if we do not stop Shadow Heart and now Dark Heart, the Earth, Forest of Feelings, or Care-A-Lot will never be in peace again. Its time for us to make a stand against evil and end this once and for all!" True Heart declared to the ones gathered. Her announcement was met by deafening cheers from the Family, and even some of the Z Fighters.
Noble Heart walked around, passing out something out of a bag to each and every person on the lawn. "These are what Goku calls Senzu Beans. If your injured, eat it, it will restore your health no matter how serious your injury" he said. All the Bears and Cousins took one and stuck it away, save for the Z Fighters, each of which had a small personal bag of them anyway.
"Bulma and Videl will be watching us from Capsule Corp. Not only will they be watching, but the whole world will be watching, lets make everyone on Earth proud!" Noble Heart said.
The Care Bears created the Cloud Cars needed for travel, four persons to a car. Five were given to True Hearts group, and four were given to Noble Hearts. At first glance, Vegeta felt horrified to ride in "that abomination" but after some urging from his wife and son, he finally just relented, but insisted he at least sit in the front seat, as "The Prince of all Saiyans will NOT ride in the back like some child!"
Everyone climbed inside and the cars rose high in the air and took off like 9 white rockets, True Hearts team headed for River Town, while Noble Hearts went to North City.
From the ground, Bulma, Videl, and a heartbroken Christie watched them leave, hope brimming in their hearts, but doubt flowing in their minds.
From the Other World, King Kai and King Yemma watched, hoping for Earths finest to, with the help of their visitors from Care-A-Lot, wipe the evil and threat from the face of the Earth.
From high above the Earth, young Dende and Mr. Popo watched them go, praying to the Supreme Kai's for victory.
Even from New Namek, who's people had been alerted to the disasters on Earth by Dende, the Namekiens prayed to their God for a supreme and swift eradication of the evil on Earth.
Unfortunately for Goku and the Care Bears, not everyone watching was on their side.
Shadow Heart had seen them, through a portal he made out of a water puddle, assembling and coming after him and Dark Heart. He watched his magical puddle, even as the city around him burned and people fled in terror and horror.
"Oh yes...let them come."
*****
"Oh dear God!" #18 said as River Town came within sight. Dark Heart, though newly re-awakened, sure hadn't lost his touch for uncaring. Unlike Shadow Heart, who was actually destroying the city, Dark Heart was turning the city against ITSELF. His red lightning was no longer paralyzing and crystallizing people, it was instantly stealing all the love and caring from them.
As a result of this, the city's population was waging a civil war with each other. Riots erupted in the streets, people burned each others houses down, fighting and brawling ran rampant...the true nature of humans had indeed been revealed.
"This is even worse than I had thought, we're really gonna need some luck on this one" Good Luck commented.
The 5 Cloud Cars circled the city, looking for the source of the city's troubles. They didn't have to look long. They found Dark Heart atop the highest building in the city, an apartment complex with 40 floors. We was no longer wearing his trademark red jogging pants and shirt, but a pair of black pants and a long sleeve black shirt. His outfit contrasted with his red hair and blood red eyes.
The Care Bears landed the Cloud Cars on the roof behind him. So intent was Dark Heart on watching the destruction he didn't even notice the Care Bears or Z Fighters presence until True Heart shouted to him.
"Michael stop this!" True Heart yelled.
Dark Heart noticeably flinched, then slowly turned, a shocked look on his face, which he tried to hide. "Ah True Heart, how nice to see you again. Oh and you brought the family too! Hello there Tender Heart, I'm sure you remember me" he said with a cold laugh.
Dark Heart, formerly known as Michael, turned his eyes on Goku, Goten, Gohan, and #18. "Ah and you've brought guests! How lovely, I'm sure we can all..play a game or something together", Dark Heart said before breaking again into cruel laughter.
"Michael, its time to stop this! We can't let you take the love and caring from Earth! Look at what you've done. These people loved and care for each other, now, just like you, they feel nothing but anger and hatred. Listen Michael--" True Heart said before she was cut off.
"Stop calling me that! The Michael you know is gone, I am Dark Heart! I'll spare you and your friends if all of you turn and leave me to do my work", Dark Heart offered.
"Care Bears!" True Heart yelled in response. All the Bears lined up, side by side, Tender Heart to her right, Grumpy to her left. Beside the Care Bears, Goku, Gohan, Goten, and #18 lined up in fighting positions, the Super Saiyan auras flaring as the one pure blood and two half Saiyans went SSJ, and #18's battle aura erupting as she called on her internal power.
"Michael please! I'm begging you, from friend to friend, stop this!" True Heart yelled over the roar of power.
"Never!!" Dark Heart yelled as his eyes began to glow red.
"Care Bears Stare!" True Heart yelled as her symbol began to shine. In seconds, a blinding flash of rainbow light shone forth, all 13 beams hitting Dark Heart square in the chest. Goku and the others, having been forewarned about Dark Heart being as fragile physical wise as any other human, held their ground, but made no attack.
Dark Heart screamed in pain as he tried to back away from the Care Bears. He turned to run but found Goku right in his face. Before he could even blink, Goku grabbed him and held fast while the Care Bears continued Staring.
To Goku's surprise, Dark Heart just laughed and shifted into his cloud form. "Its not going to be so easy this time Care Bears!" Dark Heart announced. Instantly, he began firing red lightning at the group. This was not the type that stole peoples feelings, nor even the type that suspended a persons soul in limbo.
This was the kind that caused instant death, as Goku and the others found out after a stray bolt struck a fleeing man on the street, who instantly slumped over, lifeless.
"Oh dear Dende! Dad! We got to get him away from the city!" Gohan called. The Care Bears aimed again and fire another burst of rainbow light, to which Dark Heart responded by showing the group with his lethal red lightning. The Care Bears ran and ducked for cover, some of them barely escaping.
Goku growled to himself as he burst through the air, headed for Dark Heart. "Oh man, this doesn't look good" he said aloud.
**********
If things were going bad for True Heart, they were going horrible for Noble Heart. Like True Hearts group, they had no problem finding their quarry. UNLIKE True Hearts group, the battle didn't start so smoothly. The instant Vegeta laid eyes on Shadow Heart, he leapt from the car and rocketed straight for him, going SSJ in mid flight.
"Shadow Hearrttttt!!!!!" he screamed as he thrust his hand forward, firing a Ki beam the size of a minivan at Shadow Heart. Vegeta saw, felt, and KNEW his blast connected. The whole street simply vaporized where he had been standing and all the buildings within 100 feet instantly shattered like glass. Noble Heart and the others gasped. Vegeta may have got Shadow Heart, but the odds were he killed a couple of dozen people while he was at it.
The drivers hurried to land the cloud cars, using what was left of the city park. They got out and scrambled over to Vegeta, who was smirking over the huge hole in the street.
"Well, I guess we can go and get the Dragon Balls from Namek now" he said with a smug look.
"Vegeta don't be so confident! We don't even know if he's gone!" Piccolo warned. Vegeta gave him a look of disgust and pointed to the large hole in the street. "Well green bean I tell you what, go over there and I'll blast you like I did him, and then King Yemma can tell you whether or not I got you!" he yelled.
Before Piccolo could open his mouth to argue back, an evil laugh rang out. To everyone's horror, especially Vegetas, black smoke began to flow up from the hole. In a matter of seconds, the smoke assumed a human shape and, in another few seconds, Shadow Heart was reformed and completely healed.
"Nice shot Vegeta, but I'm afraid the likes of you pose no danger to me", Shadow Heart said with a sadistic smile.
"Care Cousins, Call!" Noble Heart yelled. Blinding light shone, and the beams of the Cousins Call impacted Shadow Heart like a meteor shower.
"No! Please stop! Arrrgggggh!!!!" Shadow Heart screamed. Right before their eyes, Shadow Hearts body exploded into dust. The Cousins ceased calling, and for a long moment, just started as if they couldn't believe it.
Then the celebrations began, with the Cousins jumping up and down and hugging each other. Yamcha, Trunks, and Tien sighed with relief, Vegeta scowled in anger that it wasn't him to finish him off, and Piccolo breathed a heavy sigh, thankful the threat to the Earth was at least half over.
"Everyone, fantastic job! Ok now, lets go meet up with True Heart at River ToOOWWWWW!!!!" Noble Heart began, which broke off into a scream of pain. Everyone gasped as red lightning, which had simple appeared out of thin air, shocked Noble Heart in the same manner it shocked Vegeta not so long ago. After a few, breathless seconds, the lightning stopped and Noble Heart slumped to his knees, his breathing short and ragged.
Then the group all screamed as one as lightning bolts struck each and every person, the lightning searing every part of their bodies. When the lightning ceased to spark, the Cousins and Z Fighters alike fell to the ground and all was silent until an all-too-familiar laugh sounded in the air like the toll of a funeral bell.
Right in the center of the fallen Care Cousins and Z Fighters, Shadow Heart materialized into view, a smug look on his cold face.
"All these animals you have here Noble Heart...too bad none of them happened to be a possum, maybe then you'd know we always play dead until you turn your back", Shadow Heart said, an evil tone dancing on his tongue.
"No...it can't be..we watched you vanish..", Bright Heart said weakly. "Oh Bright Heart, or is it Dim Heart? You Care Bears are all so nieve, thinking your little Stares and Calls are going to just go Poof! Goes the bad guy anytime, every time. I told you before, your love and caring can't touch me, so I just played along, vanished, and waited till your guard dropped. So simple..even YOU could have figured it out." Shadow Heart said mocking Bright Heart.
A scream from behind Shadow Heart made him turn around just in time to see an enraged Vegeta, in SSJ2, slam his fist square into his face. Shadow Heart went flying, but Vegeta vanished and re-appeared behind him, bashing his body with kicks and punches that Shadow Heart was helpless to block. With a final kick, Vegeta sent him like an out-of-control missile into a pile of rubble that USED to be a large city bank.
Vegeta flung his hand back, charging a ball of Ki the size of a beach ball, but before he could fire, he could hear King Kais voice ring inside his head.
-Vegeta don't! Think of all the innocent people you'll kill if you throw that! Lure him away from the city first!- King Kai spoke to him.
-What?! You?! How dare you invade my thoughts? This weakling is down, its time to make sure he STAYS that way!- Vegeta thought back.
-Vegeta please! Get him away from the city first! Its not worth killing all those people in the city just to destroy him- King Kai said to him.
-Ah, your caring for the humans again, how thoughtful!- A new voice rang in both their heads.
Vegeta whirled in circles, looking for the source of the voice, until he realized it was in his mind, same as King Kais.
-Shadow Heart you monster! I demand you release those people from your grasp and get off of my Earth!- King Kai raged at Shadow Heart.
-After I have wiped the love and caring from you...'Earth', as you call it, I will. But, I seem to have noticed you don't want Vegeta fighting me because of all the people left alive in this city- Shadow Heart answered.
"ARRRG!!! Come you miserable excuse for a fighter!" Vegeta yelled to seemingly no one. The others all looked at him as if he had gone crazy. "Um, Vegeta, maybe you got hit a little hard back there" Yamcha began. "Shut up you clown! I hear that wretched Shadow Heart in my mind. Hes mocking the King Kai of this world with the fact that humans still live in this worthless city" Vegeta snapped at Yamcha.
-Oh no they don't Vegeta..not anymore- Shadow Heart said, a faint hint of laughter in his voice.
-Shadow Heart NOOOOO!!!- King Kai screamed at him so hard Vegetas ears began to ring.
Without warning, the sky lit up as if a solar flare had been fired, bathing the entire city in red light. When it dimmed and faded, it appeared that nothing had happened. Vegeta looked around, confused as to what could have happened that left so little a visable effect.
-Alright then King Kai, theres no one left alive now, me and Vegeta can continue our little game- Shadow Hearts cold voice sang in Vegetas mind. And sure enough, he was right. Vegeta quickly sensed for any Ki's left and found only his group. Every other person in the city was gone...their life, souls, and bodies wiped out of existance in seconds.
"That fiend!" Noble Heart exclaimed once Vegeta informed him of what happened. Brave Heart roared in anger and in moments, ALL of the cousins were blowing, braying, barking, and calling in outrage over what Shadow Heart had just done.
Instantly, before anyone could move, blink, breath, or even think, Shadow Heart appeared right in the middle of the Z Fighters and Care Bear Cousins. He smiled coldly at them, a smile that made even Noble Heart cringe slightly with fear.
"And now, the fun begins", he said, his tone dripping of evil.
******
"So what was Michael like, you know, before all this?" Videl asked the brown haired girl sitting across from her.
Christie had been asked to stay at Capsule Corp until this mess was solved. Bulma reasoned that she would be safer there then at the summer camp. Although they had gotten her story, Bulma had hesitated pushing any questions about Michael, now Dark Heart once again. This time, however, she felt they needed to know what they were dealing with.
"Michael was..he was kind to me, even when he was Dark Heart. He tried to spare me when he attacked the Care Bears and he truely showed he cared for me", Christie replied, her eyes downcast. She had only been at Capsule Corp for a few days, but already Bulma could see she had deep feelings for Michael, and was truely hurt by this, although she knew in her heart it wasen't his fault.
"So, how did Michael turn good the first time?" Bulma pressed. Christie blinked at the odd question, "Um, Noble Heart said his evil left when he admitted how much he really cared", she replied.
"Christie, how strong is Michael? Physically speaking", Videl asked. "Physically? No stronger than any other boy. He can't lift thousands of pounds or fly or blow things up like I've seen the guys around here", she replied with an confused look, beginning to wonder why this question was posed to her.
"Bulma, if Michaels just a regular boy, then Goku, Gohan, Goten, or #18 would kill him instantly if they hit him!" Videl said in horror. "Your right Videl, but I think Goku and the others know that by now, True Heart would have told them", Bulma replied, easing Videls mind over the subject.
"But what about Michaels other strenghts?" Videl asked. Christie explained to Videl and Bulma Michaels evil talents, shape shifting, lightning strikes, being able to materialize objects out of thin air, though he was weak physically, his psychic talents were astounding. The question still raced through all their minds, would Goku and the others be able to defeat him, without causing him serious harm?
The three sat in silence for a long time, Bulma sipping her coffee quietly as Videl rested her chin on her hands and Christie just sat with a downward glance.
Suddenly Bulmas face lit up. "Christie, I think I have an idea! Videl, go activate the signal to Kami's Lookout so Dende will contact me. I think there might be a way.." Bulma said.
******
"Masenko!" Gohan yelled as he fired his yellow blast. It missed Dark Heart by a mile, rocketing off harmlessly into space.
In a way, Vegeta and his group were lucky. With all the people in the city gone, there was no worry about civilian casualties. True Heart, however, was not so lucky, there was still people alive in River Town...THOUSANDS of them, and they had to protect each and every one.
And Dark Heart sure was making it hard for them. After he'd fled the rooftop, he had stayed in his cloud form and the cloud cars filled the sky as they dodged and circled around him, trying to hit him with Stare beams, to little success. Goku, Goten, Gohan, and #18 took flight after him, but any blast they threw went right through him with no effect whatsoever. To their credit, however, they DID make sure to tone the power way down on their attacks, in the event they got lucky and hit him
Dark Hearts lightning blasts weren't helping either. Though the Care Bears and Z Fighters dodged them, the people of River Town were not always so lucky. Goku hated it, but he knew there was likely more than a couple of people hit by stray lightning.
There must have been thousands of Ki blasts and Stare Beams fired at Dark Heart during the battle, but in the end, none ever connected or even came close. However, as if balancing the scales,
"Michael PLEASE listen to us!" Goku yelled to him as he dodged a lightning strike aimed for his head. Goku opened his mouth to continue but Dendes voice in his head stopped him cold.
-Goku, its Dende, can you hear me? We got an idea!- The young Namek practically yelled in his head.
-Yea Dende, but you got to wait a second so I can distract him ok?- Goku asked mentally, He opened the mental connection he had to Gohan, speaking to his son through his mind.
-Gohan listen to me! Dendes got an idea, but you got to keep Dark Heart distracted so I can listen to him alright?- Goku asked. After getting the all clear from his son, Goku blasted off a good distance, watching the battle continue in the city.
-Alright Dende, go ahead- Goku thought.
-Goku, have you stopped Dark Heart yet?- Dende asked.
-No, in fact its worse! These people are in danger and his heart is too filled with evil to listen to any of us- Goku replied.
-In that case, I have a plan. What I want you to do is...- Dende began.
*****
BLAM!! BLAM!!! BOOOM!!
Things may have been looking up for Goku's side, but Vegetas was still the worse for wear. After it became obvious Vegeta wasen't holding back any power, the Care Bear Cousins created cloud cars and high tailed it away from the immedient battle area.
Not that they didn't try of course, but after the 9th consecutive failure of the Care Cousin Calls, Noble Heart told all Cousins to break away from the fight, since it was obviously out of their hands. Now they watched from a cliff outside the city. From their vantage point, they could see Ki blasts and explosions rock what was left of the city. In a way, Noble Heart thought those instantly taken by Shadow Heart were lucky. They were not subjected to the living hell that the Coma Disease was, and their deaths were painless and fast.
But Vegeta didn't want Shadow Hearts death to be fast OR painless, he wanted it to be slow and agonizing. After yet AGAIN being rendered helpless at Shadow Hearts hand, Vegeta was quickly putting him at the #1 spot on his "People to kill" list.
But for all their efforts, the Z Fighters just simply were losing ground against him. At one point, Vegeta, Trunks, Piccolo, Yamcha, and Tien had surrounded Shadow Heart and all blasted at him at the same time, with disasterous results. Shadow Heart simply waited till the blasts closed in then vanished, causing the Z Fighters all to shoot themselves. Seeing that not work out prompted them to use Ki blasts individually, rather than in a group.
But if its one thing they DID do in a group, it was attack, which is what they were doing right now.
As Shadow Heart stood in the center of the street, dodging Yamchas every punch and kick, Vegeta blurred into existance behind him, aiming a spin kick at his head. Shadow Heart blurred out of existance and Vegetas kick sent Yamcha crashing into a building.
"Special Beam Cannon!!!" Came Piccolos yell behind him. Almost with a bored expression, Shadow Heart simply stepped to one side, not even looking behind him. The blast cork-screwed its way through several buildings before blowing up, taking a good hunk of South 8th Street with it.
Suddenly, Tien and Trunks were right in Shadow Hearts face, their punches and kicks a blur of white skin. Back stepping, Shadow Heart blocked every one of them without ever losing that cursed evil smile from his face. Without warning, he clamped his hands down, catching one of Trunks and one of Tiens fists in his own. His arms exploded with red lightning, which he coursed into the bodies of his helpless attackers. After a few seconds of torment, he reared back and threw them both into what used to be a pawn shop.
"AaaarrrrrrRRRRGGGGG!!!" Vegeta screamed as the lightning bolts of SSJ2 flared higher on him. He flashed at Shadow Heart so fast even Goku would have had a hard time dodging. He punched, and he kicked, and he blasted, and he grappled, but in the end, he hit nothing. It was as if though fate simply wouldn't allow Shadow Heart to even be touched by the Z Fighters.
Vegetas roundhouse was stopped shot by Shadow Heart seizing his leg in mid-kick. Vegeta had time for one low growl at him before Shadow Heart picked him up by his leg and slammed him into the concrete so hard he crashed through the street and into the sewer.
"Thats right Vegeta, into the stench you go, right where you belong!" Shadow Heart called down into the hole.
KA-BOOOOOM!!!!!
So wrapped up was he on taunting Vegeta that somebody FINALLY got a shot in, Piccolo.
And it was surely a good one! Piccolos blast tore right through Shadow Heart and kept going, carving a path of destruction over a mile long. From their cliffside shelter, the Care Cousins hoped beyond hope that the nightmare was finally over.
But hope is often misplaced, as it was in this case. Within a minute, Shadow Heart had reformed his body and was giving Piccolo the beating of a lifetime for the shot he got in.
"Oh you don't like it now do you?" Shadow Heart taunted as he beat Piccolo like a rag-doll. After a few more hits, he grabbed Piccolo by his antenna and slung him away. Piccolo plowed face first into the street, leaving a rut in it over 20 feet long.
"And now.." Shadow Heart began, looking at the rubble where Trunks and Tien were climbing out of, "Time to finish off those two pests" he said, raising a lightning covered hand.
"FINALLL FLASSSSSHHHHH!!!!!!!" Came a yell below him.
Shadow Heart looked down in surprise. "Didn't I throw him--" was all he got out of his mouth. The Final Flash vaporized him, the street, and the nearby buildings on both sides in less than a 1/1000th of a second. The energy Vegeta put into the attack was mind blowing and the sound of the explosions deafening.
Trunks and Tien went right back into that pile of rubble and Yamcha, who had freed himself, was shaken by the explosion to the point he almost fell right out of flight. Piccolo, who had been TRYING to drag himself to his feet, was throw down face first by the sheer shockwave force.
And in the middle of it all was Vegeta, his aura so powerful the concrete around him was beginning to erode and break away. He still had his hands raised skyward in Final Flash fashion, the last bits of golden energy almost completely faded away. The Z Fighters (except for Piccolo, who was still getting to his feet) rushed to the hole in the street.
Vegetas attack had obviously taken quite a bit out of him, his hair was no longer stark straight, some of it was now falling away to the sides. His breathing was quite ragged, coming out in long laborous gasps. His battle aura faded as he slipped out of SSJ2, leaving him in normal SSJ state. "Oh wow dad! You really got him that time!" Trunks exclaimed. The other Z Fighters joined in the cheer. Even Piccolo, who had finally rejoined the group, had a please smile on his face.
"Comeon Vegeta, lets hurry to River Town and meet up with the others", Piccolo suggested.
Vegeta looked up at Piccolo, a victorious smirk on his face. "For once Namek, I agree. Hurry up before that baka Kakarott blows this for us all!" Vegeta shouted up to him. Five auras flared, followed by five warriors streaking off across the sky, the Care Cousins right behind them.
*****
"Goku, are you sure this will work?" #18 asked. King Kai had informed them all of what was to happen, and all had their doubts. Goku nodded to #18 while in flight. Everything was set, all Goku had to do was get his attention.
Which proved to be hard, seeing as how Dark Heart was much more content to fire lightning blasts than have a chat. When a huge Kame Hame Ha whizzed right by him, however, Dark Heart stopped his blasting long enough to turn to Goku, his red cloud eyes narrowing on him.
"I thought I'd finish these annoyances off first, but I guess you just want to be first in line!" Dark Heart declared with an evil laugh.
"Michael, I wish you would stop this! The Care Bear Family wishes you would stop this too, a lot of people wish your evilness would stop" Goku yelled to him. Dark Heart flew down to where his cloud form was level with Gokus face. "Wish all you want, YOU can't stop me, THEY can't stop me, NO ONE can stop me!" Dark Heart roared.
"Not even Christie?" Goku asked in a soft tone.
At these words, Dark Heart visibly faultered. "Ch..Christie?" the cloud asked.
In seconds, Goku vanished from view. A couple more seconds, and he re-appeared, Christie hanging onto his arm.
If Dark Heart faultered before, he stumbled now. His form crystallized as he shape-shifted into his human form, materializing in front of her.
"Christie..I.." Dark Heart began. Christie ran forward and threw her arms around his neck, breaking down for the 3rd time that day. He tried to push her off, but the harder he pushed the tighter she held. "Michael..please..come back to us.." she cried into his shoulder.
And even as his physical body resisted, a civil war raged inside his mind.
"You hear that? She wants you back, the real you!"
"No she doesn't! Shes just saying that! Once shes got you wrapped around her little finger she'll throw you off like everyone else did!"
"That isn't true, look at her! Look at the Care Bears and the other fighters, they all really care about you!"
"Where were they when you needed them? Why didn't they stop Shadow Heart from ravaging your mind and soul? I'll tell you why, because they...don't....CARE!!"
By now, everyone was watching the scene before them. The Care Bears, #18, Gohan and Goten were now joined by Vegeta, Piccolo, Trunks, Yamcha, Tien, and all the Care Bear Cousins. It was becoming clear that Dark Hearts evil side was winning over his good side.
"Care Bears and Care Bear Cousins! One who was once our greatest foe, then friend, and then foe again is trying to break free of Shadow Hearts grasp! Open your hearts, and give him the love you hold for him!" Noble Heart called to the Family.
"Care Bears!" True Heart called. As one, the Care Bears lined up beside her. "Care Bear Cousins!" Noble Heart yelled out. "Stare!" yelled True Heart, "Call!" said Noble Heart, their voices ringing out at the same time.
The flash was brighter than the Solar Flare, the hum of power audible even from a great distance. The beams of color and love crashed into Dark Heart, who was still being gripped by Christie.
At first, he tried desperately to break free, but Christies whispered voice stopped him. "No Michael, I won't let you go..please, I need you" she had whispered.
"See? She DOES need you!"
"No! No no no! Shes lying to you! They're ALL lying to you! You can't break Shadow Hearts grip!"
"....Yes.....I..can"
"No you can't! Your nothing do you hear me? Your love and caring won't do you any good once Shadow Heart rules this world, just forget it! You can't do it!"
"Yes I can!"
"No you can't!! You mustn't!"
"YES I CAN!!!" Michaels voice rang out, but not inside his mind.
Before the Z Fighters and Care Bear Family's eyes, Michaels body shuddered for a moment, then slumped over on the ground. The Care Bears and Cousins ceased their Stares/Calls and, along with the Z Fighters, held their breaths and waited. For one long moment..Heaven and Earth stood still.
Then his eyes opened, sky blue colored eyes.
"Oh Christie thank you!" Michael yelled as he grabbed Christie in perhaps the tightest hug she had ever felt. If Vegetas Final Flash was enough to deafen you, the hoise coming from the onlookers cheering was enough to resurrect your hearing again.
Up above on Kami's Lookout, Dende and Mr. Popo were doing a ridiculous dance together, so great was their joy.
Back at Capsule Corp, Bulma and Videl were doing some deafening of their own. The employees of Capsule Corp had been ready to swear Ms. Briefs and her visitor had gone stark raving nuts when they suddenly jumped up and started cheering, laughing, and crying on each other. 'Bulma! Bulma it worked! Dark Hearts back to normal!' King Kai had sang into Bulmas head. And thats all she wrote for those two.
Amid all the cheering, a faint, echoing laugh was heard. At first, no one paid much attention, since people were laughing all over the place. But as the laugh grew louder, one by one those gathered stopped to take notice.
"Oh..how touching", a icey voice called to them.
Shock and horror was on every face as they looked skyward. A black cloud, with red eyes was hovering just above the nearest building. The cloud zoomed down in front of the group and materialized into the all-too-familiar form that had become known as the symbol of Earths suffering.
"SHADOW HEART!!" They call screamed at once. "No! I destroyed you! I evaporated everything for an entire city block! You can't be alive, its IMPOSSIBLE!" Vegeta raged, his whole body trembling.
"Nothings impossible if you put a little...heart into it", Shadow Heart said, chuckling at his own joke. He turned to Michael, "Ah, I see your escaped my mind ravageing, no matter, you won't be alive much longer anyway so enjoy your freedom while it lasts!" Shadow Heart mocked.
His hands exploded with red lightning, which he aimed solely at Michael. "Now DIE!" he screamed, firing a lightning strike before any of the Care Bears or Z Fighters could even blink.
In the end, the blast never touched him. Its unintended target held its ground, even as the life began slipping away.
Christie had thrown herself in front of Michael..taking the blast ment to rob HIM of life.
As she fell, Michael caught her in his arms. As the Z Fighters and Care Bear Family rushed towards them, no one even noticed that Shadow Heart had simple walked away from the chaos he had created, laughing aloud as he vanished. "Until next time, my friends!" he called behind him.
But no one heard.
"Christie! Oh Christie why?!", Michael asked, his eyes brimming with tears. With the last of her strenght, Christie reached into her pocket, pulling something out. She weakly took his hand and closed his around the object.
"Michael..I want you to have this, keep it..for me." She said, her life fading faster by the second.
Michael could only nod, tears falling from his eyes.
"I..love you..Michael.." she said. She smiled at him, one last, beautiful smile.
And then she was gone, her life willingly sacrificed to give him a chance to live his.
All around him, the Care Bear Family burst into tears. #18, Android or not, couldn't stop herself from crying. Yamcha, Tien, and Gohan ground their teeth in sheer rage. Goten and Trunks fell silent, Goku LOOKED on the verge of tears. Even Vegeta was stunned into shock-induced silence.
Michael opened his hand, still held by Christies, to see what her last gift was.
It was a marble..the same little blue marble she used to free the Care Bear Family, not so long ago.
Even as the Z Fighters stood silent, the Care Bear Family cried, and Michael screamed the injustice to the Heavens, Shadow Heart watched from a distance.
"Don't cry...you'll be joining her
soon" he promised.
***** How will Christies death affect the fighting spirit of the Care Bear Family? What can the Z Fighters do against an unstoppable enemy, and how will Michael cope, now that the one person he truely cared for is gone?
Guess you'll have to wait for
Chapter 9: "Resurrected Memories"