Welcome to Gaia! ::

The Lantern Festival (10) : Scientists have been hard at work trying to understand the strange, glowing qualities of the luminescent caterpillars found in the caves by the reservoir. The caterpillars still shrivel up if they are taken out of the caves but their glowing secretions have been processed into an organic paste that can withstand the outside world. The city is selling paper lanterns infused with various seeds. The glow paste is full of minerals to support healthy plant growth without risking damage to the environment; all lantern purchases come with a small packet of activating power that will heat the paste up enough to mimic the effects of a candle without the concerns of flammability. When the glow paste loses its heat, the lantern will return to the Earth and upon the first rain (or any contact with water) the paper will dissolve and the seeds may begin to grow. All proceeds from the lanterns are put right back into the community to support local conservation and environmental protection efforts.

Drew lay Dani down in a leaf hidden glen, off the side of the road. she opened her eyes, briefly due to the heavy bruising. "Drew... I'm so sorry ...I know you want me to stay...away from the fighting...but those people... I didn't ... know .. what to do." Dari had never seen his Daddy like this; first beating the patootie out that monster- Daddy had been so angry, and now he was so sad and scared. Drew hushed Dani, "Shh, rest Dani."

She quieted. Drew turned to Dari, "Watch over her for a minute. I'm going to step out of this little, what do you call it.. grove? to make a phone call. I will be right back."

Drew stepped out of the grove. He pulled out his phone and called Jeremy and Myles' apartment. He was shaking. "Jeremy, Myles I need your help badly. Don't call anyone, not the Police, nor any emergency services, or even my parents. Dria though, is a possibly. Please come right away to the place I have directed and bring medical gear." Hanging up, he went back into the grove and said to Dari (cat form), "And now, we wait."

Drew looked up at the and his heart seized, until he realized that it was Jeremy and Myles. His face was dark with fear. "Over here. It's my younger sister Dani. We were in a battle. It was at the reservoir. She was setting our spot, while I helped Dari get ready for his first Human time at the beach. Dani is a younger Senshi - not a fully mature Senshi - called a Chibi Senshi. Her powers are somewhat weaker than a mature Senshi. So, we have her stay as backup, and hopefully never have to have her fight, usually she comes in for crowd control or first aid. Today however, I was still helping Dari get ready when a creature attacked the reservoir. She did what she was supposed to do for once - stay back and contact me - but I didn't get there quick enough. The creature was dragging people into the water... they would have drowned or worse, but she jumped into action. She transformed and attacked it. The people were released from its grip and escaped. It turned its anger on her and grabbed her, though fortunately she was able to power up some armor first, though it wasn't enough. My attacks caused it to drop her which caused it to drop her which did more damage. I was able to dust the youma."

Even Cat Form Dari looked sad. "It seems to just be Major Bruising, but there's a lot of it. And Daddy and Aunt Dani, can't go home like this, there will be questions, the police will be involved, hospital... can't involve them in this War."

Drew nodded and led both of them over to her. As he did, his foot hit a small rock and dislodged a Star Charm that was hidden in the dirt. He didn't notice it.

He and Dari and came and sat next to Dani, who was lying in what seemed to be a bed of leaves that Drew and Dari had made up for her and had made her as comfortable as possible.

Dani's body and face and face were covered in large ugly bluish black bruises. At the sight of Caia and Jeremy, she lifted her head stiffly and forced herself to say one word, one name in confusion - "Drew?"

Drew and Dari hushed her. "It's alright, they're friends. They're here to help. Rest." She nodded faintly and put her head back down. She was almost 13 but it could have been hard to tell with the bruising.

Dani nodded as much as she could, her lips were swollen shut, as was one eye.

Drew was badly worried about her but was also very proud of her. He did not know how she was holding back tears of pain; only knew she could not cry out due to her mouth's swelling.

Dari was very scared and now saw what it meant to fight in this war. He curled up gently next to Dani's leg to comfort her.

When the Cardinals came it brought peace to Drew's and Dari's hearts - everything would be alright. Their scrapes were healed.

Dani's swelling went down, and the bruising cleared up. It was cleared that she was still not fully well - she was slightly dizzy as she started to sit up with Drew's help. Drew spoke slowly, "Not so fast Dani. Thank you, Caia, you've done wonders! And thank you Jeremy! Thank you both!"

Dari now sat on Dani's lap, soothing her. "Thank you, Dani, for teaching me the true meaning of courage." He whispered.

Dani managed at that point to stand up on her own without dizziness. "Thank you, Caia! I feel great."

Drew nodded and smiled, "I think that she will be fine." He turned to Jeremy and nodded. "Yeah, I do think we will need that ride home, thank you."

Suddenly, Dari's ears perked up. "Do you hear that?"

"What?" Drew and Dani, said together, alarmed.

Then Dari's eyes went wide. "Look!" He pointed with his right forepaw to the sky over the Star Fest.

The Lanterns were being lit and were going floating off into the sky.

"Whoa," Drew commented. "How beautiful." Dani whispered.