The Lightning Squad

By Heather N. Roberts

Puddles along the street mirrored the blue neon glow of the Chiang Mai business district. Tiny zips of lights flashed across the roadway, adding their spark to the reflective glow. Flickering lights continued to fill the street, until finally the mighty lightning bug army descended, rippling the puddles, at the rendezvous point chosen months ago.

King Fire-Burst perched upon a discarded paper cup and watched his minions with arms crossed, smiling with grim satisfaction.

“The full moon approaches!” King Fire-Burst bellowed. “This year we’re not taking the joint lantern festivals of Loy Krathong and Yi Peng with our butts down. We’re going out in a fiery glory! Who’s with me?”

Lights flashed from thousands of fireflies, pulsing in hearty agreement with their king. Hisses and squeals erupted from the swarm, hardly louder than the rustling trash captured in the street’s drains, but still making the air sizzle with the power of their agreement.

“I say we join with the mosquitoes. Their numbers are fierce,” Slow-Glimmer suggested.

Flashing-Frank squashed Slow-Glimmer’s comment with a hind leg to the mouth.

“We will not awaken the mighty swatter of the humans,” Fire-Burst said. “Let it be reserved for their sucking kind. Let not the humans associate us with those mindless buzzers.”

Thousands nodded in agreement with their king.

“I say we tip over their lanterns and let the whole place burn,” Harry hissed.

“That’s enough, Homicidal Harry.” King Fire-Burst frowned. “This is a matter of pride, not life and death. Our females fawn over the lanterns and ignore us, but that doesn’t call for anarchy.”

“Stick to the plan. Our future generations depend on it.” General Glow raised his fist in the air, and the glowing swarm departed to rest before tomorrow’s eve.

Amphai’s eyes reflected the twirling light of the shrine’s lantern, the khom pariwat, as his family walked past the temple. His three-year-old mind couldn’t fathom how the lanterns came to life on this magical night to dance for him. The delicate rice paper lanterns spun at increasing speeds—globes of mesmerizing light. He didn’t even mind that Arak, his older brother had been given the honor of carrying the khom loi, their sky lantern, to the river. Mother and Father whispered prayers as they walked, asking to increase their good karma. After all, they had abounded in good deeds all year long.

The sound of the rushing water lured Amphai onward. He couldn’t resist the call, and he took off running. Arak called, “Wait up!” but Mother and Father only giggled at their son’s exuberance.

Amphai leapt in the air, not in the least bit worried about the stir his family’s sky lantern would create in the world above. Father took the lantern from Arak, lit, and released it above the river.

Thousands of twinkling lights dotted the reeds surrounding the river.

“Steady, boys.”  King Fire-Burst flew to the water’s edge and clung to a bamboo reed, whipping back and forth over the turbulent waters. “This fateful year, the Lightning Squad takes their pride back,” the king vowed. “Tonight, will be a night of legends. Battalion One, did you bring it?”

“Yes, sir.” General Glow held one end of a tattered blue string. “Ready for action!”

Each of his soldiers gripped part of the cord and rose in unison.

“What about you, Battalion Two?”

“Yes, sir.” General Dim scrambled for his red thread and managed to grab the end before it fell into the rushing water below. “Got it, I’ve got it.”

Flashing-Frank rolled his eyes. “Figures old Dimmy fails when we need him most.”

“No, I’ve got it. You can count on me,” buzzed Dim.

Fire-Burst nodded and thrust his fist into the air, as a dozen lanterns were released. Battalion One surged out over the water, seized seven lanterns, and dragged them into line with their thread. Battalion Two sputtered forward. Dim crashed headfirst into a lantern, narrowly missed the flame, and plummeted into the water. Harry, despite his homicidal tendencies, snatched the fallen thread and completed the charge. Both battalions linked and felt the rush of the wind under their wings as their loosely held lanterns formed a circle and rose.

“Glow,” King Fire-Burst shouted, “get in there, man! We’re counting on you to get that center lantern down. Go, man. Go!”

General Glow zipped into the center of the circled lanterns, grabbed the thread, and flew downward with all his might, pulling the lanterns with him. As the battalions shifted, the lanterns formed into the shape of a heart. An “aww” arose from the human crowd. Amphai squealed, delighted to see his family’s good merits granting them even more magic this night.

Dim rose from the water and shook off his wings. Fire-Burst’s surge of confidence sank, as General Dim flew toward the action. “No, don’t—”

The general snagged on his battalion’s string. The thread wound around his foot. Panicked, he shot off, dragging it and the woven lanterns straight into Battalion One. Warriors scrambled to release their grasp. The whole cluster of lanterns burst into flames and plummeted toward the raging water below, dragging fireflies with it.

Fire-Burst covered his eyes, but he couldn’t shut out the screams from the humans, confirming the failure of this mission.

“Sorry, sir.” General Glow landed and bowed his head.

“Did we lose any men?”

“No, sir. They escaped the river. And it was brilliant while it lasted.” Glow nodded.

“That it was. Even touched the female humans’ hearts.”

The reeds rustled, and Queen Ever-Sweet burst through the leaves, landed, and covered her husband in kisses. General Glow turned away, only to be knocked over by his own exuberant wife. Even General Dim glowed with pride as an entourage of four lightning-ladies swarmed him with kisses.

Fire-Burst winked and flashed Dim an appendage up.

Though no one knows how well the festivities of Loy Krathong and Yi Peng went for any other creature in Thailand, rest assured the home fires blazed for the lowly lightning bugs.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Heather N. Roberts is the mother of four and a wife to an amazing husband. On her website she writes about encouraging insights from the Lord. Chocolate is her arch-nemesis, and she cherishes time spent in pursuing God. Heather has written for Focus on the Family, Guideposts, Christian Devotions, Grace Publishing, Prayer Connect, The Secret Place, CrossRiver Media, Positive Note magazine and others.

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