Chapter 18 – The final day.
As the birds began to sing outside, Cozy Heart stirred and stumbled toward the bathroom, as she closed the door Thief Heart’s ear twitched as he blinked and yawned a bit. His bladder twinged as he shifted even a bit, he knew if he moved he’d start going before he could move again. He sighed as he relaxed himself, letting his diaper absorb the urine.
	“Ugh, not going before we all got set in them really did a number. If they try and say anything I at least have a normal excuse.” Thief felt Gentle start to stir as she yawned and blinked she sat up before freezing in place and frowning.
	“Aw…It’s soaked…I thought I’d do better…” Gentle started to tear up before Thief gently stroked her fur, She flinched before recalling all of last night’s events.
	“Morning, lamb. It’s fine that you had an accident, like I said no judgement here.” Gentle laid her head against Thief, leaning into the fur stroking Thief was offering. Swift started to stir as Cozy exited the bathroom after washing her fins.
	“Ugh…Stupid…Oh no…” Swift jumped up quickly, and looked down at their soaked diaper, getting Gentle and Thief to let out a big of a snicker. “It’s not funny you two! How the heck?!” 
	“Well, Swift, let’s remember none of us besides Cozy got to use the restroom before we all fell asleep, and on top of that, you and Cozy were asleep first. Gentle has a reason and as for me, I woke up and realized if I even moved I’d start going. In my case, I did it on purpose since either way I’d have a wet one on. Plus, we lost the bet to Cozy.”
	“Well, it wassssssss a long night lasssssssst night.” Cozy took a picture of Swift before hiding behind Thief and Gentle.
	“D-Don’t hide behind us, Cozy…”
	“Now, if you all don’t mind, I’m going to go change and take a shower.”
	“Mmm…Fine, take your shower, Thief.”
After a good bit of time, Thief, Swift, and Gentle had all gotten themselves cleaned and dried up for the day, Gentle was brushing her fur while Swift got the spots she couldn’t get herself. Thief meanwhile was getting his cloak adjusted as Cozy folded the blankets.
	“Alright, there, we’re all brushed, house is cleaned and we’re all ready.”
	“Let’s head to the Hall of Hearts, eat breakfast, and as for me, I’ll have to be ready for the next mission.” Swift snorted as Thief’s list and turned to him.
	“Your mission is the second one, you’ll have to talk to Tenderheart and Brave Heart to prepare yourself.”	
	“It’s still getting ready.” The two glared at each other before laughing at how silly they were getting.
	“Um…W…Why are you both laughing?” Gentle tilted her head a bit.
	“We could argue, but staring at one another made it hard to not break the angry glare. Besides, Swift Heart’s eyes make me want to just swim in them forever.” Thief’s flirty remark made Swift blush red as they shook it off.
	“Let’s just go you four, come on!” Swift led the way, Gentle holding Thief’s paw for some comfort, Thief not complaining at all, feeling like an older sibling holding their younger sibling’s hand. 
As the gang arrived at the Hall, the others were already gathered, Grumpy’s group seemed to be surrounded.
	“…It was the lasers being too high and hot, I’m just glad the other two weren’t hurt more, and that no one else came by during the event.” Grumpy has his arms shaved down, with a few other areas missing fur.
	“Whoa, Grumpy, what’s with the BEAR arm treatment?” Swift laughed at their comment making Grumpy turn onto them.
	“Glad you all could finally join us, and as for my arms, we had an incident at my lab last night. Thought it was ready to be shown but the laser lights weren’t ready yet, too intense.”
	“We’ll have to fix it, before we can throw a party with it.” Bright was sitting next to Champ as he was eating some cereal.
	“Well, luckily you thought quick and kept your wits about, Grumpy. Still, Wonderheart is complaining about sitting.” Tenderheart looked at Wonderheart who was using a pillow to sit, but still looking uncomfortable.
	“What happened to Wonderheart, Mend?” Thief walked up to Mend, who’s leg had a bandage on the spot the laser hit.
	“Ah, well, Wonderheart got a laser against her arm and her bottom. The fur on the bottom is still a bit raw, I mentioned wearing either a diaper or even training pants but she threw a bit of a fit.” Mend crossed their arms a bit annoyed.
	“Well, it wasn’t much better at Swift’s. We ended up playing War, with bets on who’d wear diapers since Swift didn’t have any night time pants for Gentle. So Gentle had to wear a diaper. I beat Swift, but Cozy beat Gentle and myself, so it ended with me, Swift, and Gentle all wearing diapers. Also ended up with us all wet, although mine was because if I moved at all I’d wet anyway.” Thief looked at Mend and saw a gleam in their eyes. “No, I will not wear one with you tonight. Last night was a special occasion.”
	“Awww, you spoiled the fun, Thief.” Mend pouted as Noble got everyone’s attention. 
	“Alright, everyone, let’s finish breakfast and get the first mission group ready.”
	“Hmpf, the bracelet’s going to feel weird on my furless arm…Cheer, you’re still leading yes?” Grumpy looked over at Cheer.
	“I’ll take the lead, Grumpy. It’s like you said, I lead you all into the Silver Lining safely. I’ll do it here as well.”
	“That’s the way, Cheer! We’ll get more of our family rescued!” Share smiled. 
	“Alright, now who’ll be on Care Control? Tenderheart, you’ll be busy preparing for the second mission.” True Heart added the last part to tell Tenderheart to take the day off from being in the tower.
	“If not Tenderheart, I can *yawn* take over…” Bedtime yawned a bit as he ate his jam covered toast. 
	“I’ll help Bedtime out, mom.” Wish was sitting next to Bedtime, and the closeness they were sitting at suggested something happened overnight, however no one was going to try and pry. As everyone finished Thief raised his hand.
	“True, can I ask something, a request of sorts?”
	“You may, Thief.”
	“I’d like the eight of you who are still in monotone range to stay at the tower’s top floor, with Wish and Bedtime. That way, the five saved from this missing, barring any issues, can be healed. I’d also like to ask Tenderheart and Brave to stay behind here in the hall, we need to strategize for Void. Mend, mind staying with us for the strategy meeting?”
	“Not at all, Thief. Strategy is my middle name!” 
The hall cleared up, Tenderheart was talking to Wonderheart, who was fussing a bit, which was very unlike her. Gentle went over and talked with Wonderheart and the two seemed to come to an understanding and making a pinky promise.
	“Huh…Now I wonder what those two made as a promise?”
	“Not sure, Tenderheart, what just happened?”
	“Ah, well, Gentle got Wonderheart to agree to wearing some training pants, but in exchange Gentle agreed to wear some as well while at the tower. Swift seems to be going to the store with the two of them.”
Thief looked outside the window and saw the three walking together and gave a small smile.
	“Gentle really knows how to worm her way into other’s hearts. She’s a kind one. All the more reason to rescue the remaining belly badges quickly.” Thief walked over to the other three.
	“Well, she may be the youngest cousin, but she’s always had a personality that could help other’s calm down, despite her not liking to get involved in conflict with others.” Brave sat down in one of the four chairs around the table, as Mend rolled out the map.

	“Caring tower to Silver Lining crew?”
	“All good, Wish. We’re all ready.”
	“Hmpf, even a bandage around my arm doesn’t help with the bracelet feeling off.”
	“Ah, brighten up, Grumps! We’re almost done with this Void Heart dude!”
	“Yeah, and I gave us all a bit of my luck!”
The five bears got into the Cloud Car as they began to drive toward the former castle, which was now a giant battlefield looking area. 
	“Ok…This looks bad, Cheer, are we sure this is going to go well?”
	“We have to try Share, we’re a group.”
	“Ugh, I got a bad feeling. I’m glad I asked True to watch Dibble for me.” Grumpy got out with everyone else, Share opened the glovebox and pulled out the knife sets she asked Thief for, four sets. Funshine grabbed his bow and arrows as the other four bears held the knives and got used to their weight as they walked to the arena.
	“Welcome, bears! I figured if you all were going to come for the remaining badges I’d give you a hell of a fight! Come!” Five creatures landed around the arena, surrounding the bears, Behemoths.
	“Guys, stay alert! Those are behemoths. They’re very strong creatures!” Bedtime seemed more alert, the behemoths appearing seemed to put him into full alert mode, which was rare. 
	“In each of these Behemoths, is one of your family’s badges. However if they beat you…Well, you’ll be gone for good. Good Luck.” As Void snapped his claws, the behemoths roared and rushed.
	“Everyone, dodge under them and strike at them!” Cheer called the command as the bears followed her lead. Funshine aimed an arrow at the back leg, making his slide onto it’s side and hit another behemoth who roared in anger. Good Luck took the behemoth’s distracted anger and slashed at it’s back, making some of the void that created it dissipate, before he dodged it as it turned on him. 
	“Whoa, that was kind of close.” Good Luck tried to see how the others were doing, but due to the chaos on the battlefield, he couldn’t see anyone. He focused on his Behemoth and tapped his mic. “Guys, they’re made of the Void. If you harm it, we might open up enough to grab the badge.”
	“Be careful, you five. Remember Grumpy said the Void Snake’s core was protected, most likely it’ll be the same.” Wish was watching, biting her thumb a bit worried. The battle continued for a bit until Funshine shot his arrow in the mouth making the behemoth collapse. Funshine rushed forward and used the bracelet to grab Gentle’s badge. As soon as he did he was teleported outside the arena.
	“Oof! What the heck?”
	“Hmpf, congratulations bear, when one of you get the badge I’m teleporting you out. No helping your friends now you see.” Funshine growled in annoyance but sighed.
	“Hey, Wish, I got Gentle’s badge back.” Funshine heard Gentle’s bleet in surprise in the background.
	“She’s a bit surprised, are you helping the others?”
	“I can’t.”
	“Ah, seems Void is teleporting them outside the arena. Meaning they can grab the badge but be unable to assist others.”
	“Tch, even an arrow won’t go in.”
	“It’s all good buddy, we got this handled! Besides I just finished mine and am helping Cheer.” 
	“Be careful, Good Luck, your behemoth may regenerate it’s stamina while you’re assisting.” After a minute, the behemoth Good Luck had downed roared. Good Luck stabbed the one Cheer was facing and kicked off it as the one he was fighting rammed into it, the horns of both behemoth’s stabbing one another. 
	“Good Luck, grab a badge and let’s go. Grumpy, Share, I’m sorry!”
	“Sheesh, stop apologizing, Cheer! We knew this wouldn’t be an easy operation.” Grumpy slid to the slide before slashing the side of the behemoth. 
	“He’s right! You two get back to safety. The less of us in here, the more we can concentrate.” Share jumped back from the horn. Good Luck and Cheer reached in and grabbed Love-a-Lot and Loyal Heart’s badges, teleporting just like Funshine.
	“Ok…Wish, we got Love-a-Lot’s and Loyal Heart’s.” Good Luck announced as he was on his back. Back at the tower Loyal Heart barked happily as Love-a-Lot smiled as she was teaching Wonderheart some fun card tricks. Eventually another 30 minutes went by, as Thief’s group arrived at the tower.
	“What the heck is going on?!” Thief rushed over.
	“Funshine, Good Luck, and Cheer got their badges, but Void Heart’s been having them face Behemoths. Grumpy and Share are holding out well but the other three can’t go help as Void Teleported them out and has a barrier up.” Bedtime leaned back, putting a curled up finger under his chin.
	“Well, who did they save then?”
	“Gentle, Loyal, and Love’s.” Tenderheart let out a silent sigh in relief at Love’s name. He went over to where Love and Wonderheart were. Thief meanwhile sat next to Gentle. Gentle saw Thief’s furrowed brow and looked at Swift, who walked over and laid their head on Thief’s lap.
	“Hm? What is it, Swift.”
	“Lean close, Silly.” Thief did as told, and Swift gently kissed him.
	“S-Swift…?”
	“Stop worrying, they’ll be ok. You believe in them yes?”
	“I do…I just…”
	“They’ll…They’ll be ok…I…I trust them…” Gentle was fidgeting a bit, seeming to be trying to make herself believe her words. 
	“They got it!” Wish smacked her paws on the table, everyone looked.
	“Ugh, that was not pretty. I got Togetherness’ badge.” Grumpy grumbled as he was teleported.
	“Well, I got Laugh-a-Lot’s.” Share sighed as Void roared.
	“Let all hear this!” Void’s voice roared in the earpieces, as Wish put it on speaker.
	“Thief, you and I have a score to settle! If anyone else tries to get in between you and I, there will not be a person left the next moment.” Thief growled a bit as Swift lifted their head and let Thief walk up to the monitor.
	“Thief, what—”
	“Put me on speaker, for Void’s side.” Wish gulped but did as Thief wished for, turning the Cloud Car’s speaker on.
	“Listen here, Void Heart, I’ll fight you, but it’s going to be on my terms! You’ll hand over one of the remaining badges, and as soon as I put it in the vehicle, we’ll fight.” Thief gave Mend a gesture with his hand, showing he had a plan he’d explain. Mend bit their thumb as Void laughed.
	“Fine, come at me, you and those caring bears and cousins! I’ll crush you all!” The transmission ended as Cheer’s group started to drive back. 
	“Thief, what in the world—”
	“My plan is simple, Brave and Tenderheart will get their badges, take the one I give along with them, and all three will be returned. Tenderheart, can we call the others that were on earth up here? As soon as the remaining ones for True, Wish and Watchful are returned I want you all to rush over so we can hit Void with the stare!” 
	“That’s a reckless plan, youngster. But I see why you made it. If you can hold Void Heart off long enough in a solo fight, we can all get there and freeze him in place.” 
	“If that happens, Thief can actually get to that white sphere of consciousness!” Mend slammed their fist into their other paw’s palm. 
	“Thief, it’s dangerous. Can you truly be sure you can hold him off?” True walked over and put her hand on Thief’s shoulder, giving that motherly worry in her voice.
	“No worries, True Heart.” Thief gently removed her paw. “I’ll make sure we all reach the end we want.” The others in the tower looked concerned, but Mend sighed.
	“You’re crazy, Thief. But you actually have a plan this time. Tenderheart should I call?”
	“Yes, call them up, Mend. Tell them to start returning. It’s the last battle.” Tenderheart gave Mend the communicator list for each member. Thief looked out the window at Void’s castle with a stern look. Swift walked over and held Thief’s paw as they looked with him.