It had been difficult to explain, but the Doctor and Donna had managed to return all five victims to their homes. They refused to answer any awkward questions, like usual. Witha'an remained unconscious through all of their cleaning up, but once they had returned to the TARDIS, exhausted and ready to leave (though the Doctor insisted they couldn't leave before seeing what they had come for), he came to.

The Doctor held a finger up to Donna and began talking to Witha'an urgently. Witha'an, are you all right? Why did it take so long for you to wake up?

How…how long?

Hours!

Really?

Yeah…Are you okay?

I suppose. My head hurts…I'm so tired. Doctor, please tell me now, what is going to happen to me? What are you going to do? Please don't make me stay here. And I can't go home.

It's all right, I won't make you stay here, I wouldn't dream of it. For your sake and the sakes of all of the Dreans. And I know you can't go home. I understand. We'll figure something out, I swear, but for the meantime, you can stay with us. Not permanently, I don't think. I don't think you want that, do you? You're not a traveler, and we aren't warriors.

You are correct, Doctor. I want a home, and you cannot give that to me. But I don't believe that there is anywhere in the universe for someone like me.

Don't say that! Hey, there's always somewhere. I've felt the same way.

And have you found a home?

No, the Doctor replied truthfully. But I've found the next best thing—friends. We aren't the only telepathic beings out there. I'm sure we can find you a place.

I will hold you to your word, Doctor.

Trust me. I lie, but I keep my promises. And I promise you, I will find you a home.

"Doctor?" Donna asked quietly. "What are you saying to him?"

The Doctor stood up. He had been kneeling on the ground next to Witha'an. He looked directly at Donna as he replied. "I told him we would find him a home."

Donna smiled. "Of course we will."

"But for right now," the Doctor continued, "I think we should all go and see the 'surprise' I had planned. I think it's about the right time. Let's go outside."

"I hope it's worth…well, everything. I dunno. We would have helped out here anyway, of course, but…I dunno. Never mind. Oh, let's just go see it, shall we?" Donna blundered and corrected herself. The Doctor did not question her or respond, just helped Witha'an up into a standing (on four legs, not two, though he was capable of it) position and walked outside with Donna.

It is very dark, Witha'an observed. And indeed, both of the moons of Drea were in their newest stage on opposite sides of the sky, providing hardly no light onto the field that shone gold under the sun. The sky was extremely black. There were no stars to be seen.

The Doctor nodded. "Five…four…three…two…one," he murmured. "Zero." At his last word, one of the brightest flashes Donna had ever seen lit up the sky. She gasped, and was nearly blinded by the light.

"On the darkest night Drea had ever seen, this occurs," the Doctor whispered. "A flash of light lasting for over three minutes. Everyone comes outside to marvel at it. It is a miracle, they say. They don't understand it. No one knows where it came from. Precious few written records about the event survive for the archaeologists when they finally get around to exploring here, and astronomical knowledge about it is lacking severely. It is one of the greatest unsolved mysteries of all of time and space."

"Did we come here to solve it?" Donna replied in wonder. She couldn't see him through the glow, only heard his response.

"No…I wasn't going to disturb such a beautiful mystery. I just wanted us to see it. I figured there are some things we are better off not knowing. The universe doesn't want to be understood fully, do you think that's true?"

"I don't know," Donna responded truthfully.

Witha'an, what do you think?

There was a long pause before he responded. I think that you are right. Some things do not need to be known. And I think that you were speaking of more than just this light. Am I right, Doctor?

The Doctor was surprised at the small creature's perception. Had he been to open with his thoughts again? He had thought he had guarded this information well.

You did. I guessed. But I am right, aren't I?

Yes. I'm so sorry, Witha'an. Your race was such a young one. You were genetically modified for war, you know.

And they were all killed.

In the first few days of the war. Oh, that pointless, pointless war. The first of so many, I'm sorry to say. They never learned their lesson.

Of course they didn't. But this means that I, like you, am the last of my kind.

Yes. I would not wish this fate on anyone. I am so, so sorry. I don't think I can convey how sorry I am. Not with words.

You do not need words, Doctor. I understand, for I feel the same for you. But Doctor, will you do me a favor?

What do you need?

I do not wish to live like this.

The Doctor was not shocked or horrified by Witha'an's words. He accepted them with grief, and tiredness, and resignation. I know. I will take you where you need to go.

I thank you.

Suddenly, all of the light in the sky was gone. Donna cried out with shock. "Doctor! I can't see!" She had no knowledge of what had just passed between the two aliens standing beside her. Of course, how could she? She was only human, after all.

"Yes, I know." The Doctor could barely see, either, but he could tell exactly where they were, and he reached out for Donna's hand. "Here I am. Come with me, we have someplace to go." He laid his other hand on the also nearly blinded Witha'an's back and guided them back into the TARDIS. The spaceship immediately adjusted the lighting to be just the right combination of wavelengths and intensity that everyone could see perfectly comfortably despite the previous strain on their retinas. Witha'an, now?

Doctor, please.

So, yeah. This happened. Honestly, I didn't know what the surprise was when I started writing. i knew it was going to be an astronomical phenomenon, but other than that, I had no clue. I hope it was fairly believable. No, they never figure out what it is, but I know...heehee. Actually, a lot happened in this story I wasn't expecting. I finished writing it; There are two more chapters. I'm going to post one tomorrow and one the next day. Think of it as a Christmas present! Happy Holidays! Thanks for reading!