As Lainey was being engulfed in love, an invisible Maggie and Penny stepped up beside Dakari. Penny laid a hand on his shoulder and he too disappeared from sight. In all the commotion, no one noticed. The three backed up a respectable distance so they could watch without worry of being bumped into. A news crew, cameras rolling, came running to the little group.
“Lainey, Lainey,” they shouted. “Where have you been all this time? “Were you hurt?” “Can we get a word?” On and on they shouted. Nobody paid any attention.
One reporter got inventive and hoisted himself on the shoulders of his cameraman. Now standing about ten feet tall, the entire group looked up at him.

“Who brought you here?” “How did you get here?” He called.
Penny looked around for Dakari. “I don’t know, there was just some boy here in the park when I got here. I didn’t know him but I asked him if he could call my parents. I would really like to thank him.”
A bevy of police cars, sirens squawking, came right over the grassy knoll. They began to send away the paparazzi, wanting to get answers from Lainey themselves. Maggie knew it would be best if they were well removed from the scene, and finally succeeded in pulling Dakari away.
The three went across the way to some eateries and ordered lunch. They got enough to take sandwiches back to the soldiers, and sat down to eat. From this distance they could safely watch Lainey being loaded into the family car. The police escorted them out of the park, away from the public eye. Dakari sighed, put down his untouched sandwich, and walked away.
“Perhaps a few minutes on his own then?” Maggie said disheartenedly.
“Just a few, it’s time we got him home to the island.” Penny said, now the motherly voice of reason. “That should cheer him up.”
They finished their sandwiches and headed out to follow Dakari at a discreet distance. He was nowhere to be seen. They strolled slowly down the little esplanade, found an indoor coffee shop and stepped inside as the air had grown quite cool. Thick grey clouds had rolled in, promising a cold rain to all who didn’t seek shelter. Maggie messaged her brother their whereabouts and they sat down to get warm and watch the little television the shop provided. The sound was muted but they could see ads running for all the things that one could do in the area, the perfect thing for the avid tourists out exploring.
They hadn’t sipped their coffees long enough for the ads to repeat when Dakari stepped in. In his hand he held a little bag from one of the local gift shops. Maggie’s eyes raised in question, but her attention was taken by one of the other patrons shouting at the shop owner.

“Hey, turn it up. It’s a story about our little Lainey! I heard she was found today!” His crisp accent labeled him a local.
By the time the shopkeeper added some volume to the breaking story, the announcement was half over. No doubt it would run repeatedly as she was a local kid, whose parents were prominent in the area. All three of them stared at the screen, as the reporter who had hoisted himself up filled the screen.
“The police aren’t releasing much information at this point.” The reporter stated. “They have said that while her clothes were torn, and not the clothes she was taken in some months before, she does not appear to have suffered any physical trauma. We have heard rumors that she has no memory of her captors, or how she got back into the area.”
The reporters, scrambling to fill the air time, kept speculating on what could have happened to her, while the footage showed a jubilant Lainey, holding hands with her mother, happily eating an ice cream cone. Dakari smiled at the screen, opened the little gift bag and showed the others his newest treasure. He had traded the shopkeeper one of his remaining red crystals for it. On his palm was a little miniature of Smeaton’s lighthouse, red and white bands painted brightly. The light was represented by a little white crystal which Dakari has charmed to glow purple.
“I will never forget the sister of my heart who returned you to me.” Maggie sighed. She looked at the statuette with eyes filled with gratitude. He pocketed it, and they stood to leave.
_________________
Against his better judgement, Grandfather allowed Dalya to persuade him to take her to the training yard. She promised to go straight to the clinic afterwards, but she felt she needed to be with people who loved her father on a night such as this. She couldn’t allow her father to be memorialized without any of his children in attendance.
He messaged the staff and they had rolled a large couch into the arena. At least he could keep Dalya off her feet while she listened to the stories. Werecats she hardly recognized came up to tell funny stories of her dad. They all quieted as some of the very youngest werecats went to the front. His newest students started the memorial off with teasing about his constant need for help with technology.
Story after story, the love poured out. Older werecats shifted as emotions took over them, while many cried openly for the loss of a friend. Grandfather, sitting between Katalea and Dalya, ended the night with memories from his childhood. He comically recounted tales of two naughty boys who competed over everything. They had grown up together as rivals and ended life as the best of friends. He wondered if the girls could see the similarities.
Food was served as they gathered as a community. The sun went down in spectacular reds and oranges, a tribute from the goddesses for a life well lived. They watched together and solemnly reflected. Small campfires were started as no one wanted to leave.
Grandfather called for a moment of silence for his second in command. The flames from the small campfires instantly died and the cool night air rushed in. In the sudden darkness a large flock of white doves, charmed to glow iridescent, were released. They circled the arena twice before disappearing heavenward. In the silence, everyone filed out.
Katalea left the training yard and went back down to the beach. She rested on the sand to wait for the others to come. As she thought of the words she wanted to say she lazily played with the waves, causing a water spout one moment, a backwards wave the next.
She heard a few people begin to trickle down and turned her attention to them. Young men began a bonfire as the alpha’s from the different Prides gathered.
There were at least twenty alpha’s in attendance, and Katalea noted that every Pride was represented. Some of the Pride’s were very small, consisting of no more than three families, others were large with almost the same number as Katalea’s Pride. All had different laws, traditions, and hierarchies. Some could shift to more than one animal, while others could read minds.
She stood before them and addressed them with kindness. “Thank you all for coming to meet with me. I want to make sure everyone is settled in here on our island, find out what needs still need to be met, and discuss the possibility of a merger.”
She knew she was the youngest alpha, and certainly the only female. She sensed no resentment amongst the alphas, which surprised her. Listening to Abe had caused her to doubt herself, doubt the goddesses.
One older gentleman, gray in his hair and wrinkles on his face, began to speak. “My name is Paulo. I can only speak for my Pride, but we are honored to meet the Black Panther. None of us felt like this would happen in our lifetime.” At this he bowed his head in respect.
Katalea could hear murmurs of agreement within the group. Another man spoke, middle aged and somewhat paunchy. “I am Marcus. My Pride is very small. We are grateful to have protection. We would be honored to merge with you but we fear that our traditions will be forgotten.”
Katalea listened as many voiced their concerns. Most were very happy with the way they had been integrated into life here on the island, and all planned on staying. She told them of her plans for their children’s education, and her plans for expanding the housing situation so everyone would have more options.
“But before we can do all that, iI think it is important for us to unite. Instead of a merger, I suggest we form a new Pride, with a new name, something we all agree on. We can set up new laws by council meetings with all those here invited to join as equals.” She took a moment to drink some water. As she looked around and saw nods of approval. She didn’t think they were expecting that.
She continued, “We all know that a war is coming. I have not mentioned this to the whole population, but Dakari has been rescued. They are dealing with some complications but should be home soon. When the weredragons realize that he is home, I am expecting bedlam. I would be honored to stand with you all and fight for Our Pride.”
A few mouths dropped open at the news of Dakari. Many had been recruited by him and were shocked when he was abducted.
“What should we call Our Pride then?” Said a young handsome alpha Katalea had not seen before. She assumed he must have just come of age as she had met all the leaders as they moved to the island. Up until now, she thought she was the youngest. She was grateful to see another young face.
“I have given this some thought. I wanted it to be something that would mean something to all of us. What do you think of Freedom Pride?” Katalea asked.
“That is a good strong name,” Paulo said, looking around. “We are all on this hunt for freedom and can only achieve it together. I will second that nomination.”
Unanimously the Pride’s voted the name in. Katalea had one more piece of business to discuss.
“Until now, we have never had an official name for the island. I would like to propose that we legally change it to Freedom Island.” Her smile widened as she saw her suggestion had hit home with the group.
“Here, here” could be heard throughout the group. Handshakes and man-hugs were given all around as alphas began to introduce themselves to those they didn’t know. The youngest alpha, Calvin, was welcomed by all.
“I have never seen you as the Black Panther,” Calvin ventured, stars in his eyes. “Would it be awkward if I asked to see Her now?” He flushed bright red all the way to his ears.

Katalea didn’t hesitate, she shifted and roared. The others all fell to their knees.