Beginnings [solo]

A reedy cry exploded into the warm air, reverberating through the richly colored night sky with a surprising intensity.

The strained heaving of the laboring Queen was oddly the only noise detectable within the stifling night, the rest of the world seemingly holding its breath for fear of disrupting the tense atmosphere. Even as the shrieks fell away into a series of weak groans, the territory remained free of the gentle rustling of foliage or the soft chattering of night-dwelling creatures. It was almost as though the sentient free territory knew. As if it had somehow predicted the course-changing events that were currently taking place. After what seemed to be a lifetime of desperate moaning, which rose and fell with the gentle breeze that licked away the more ferociously powerful noises, the sounds of pain finally ceased. Only exhausted purring and the soft squalling of newly-born kits remained in the place of agony and labor.

Deeply situated within the protectively secured bounds of the Nursery, a newly-made Queen was much too absorbed in the awe-inspiring sight of her kits to notice the peculiar silence that hung heavily in the warm night air. Curling herself tightly around the plump, wriggling bodies that were tightly pressed against her heaving belly, the sudden exhale of an unearthly breeze went completely unnoticed. Flecks of partially visible starlight were unfurled within the sticky air, glimmering and pulsating in time to the many different heartbeats before vanishing as quickly as they came. The soft pieces of downy fur and foliage that filled the spacious den were ruffled from an unseen presence, folding and swaying as though stirred by footsteps. The bitter scent of frigid water, ancient stone, and cold starlight was only just tangible among the plethora of rich scents that coiled within the heavily shaded den.

A pair of murky eyes, unseen to all of those who resided alongside the new mother, were alight with the fiery spark of anticipation. Resting just alongside the Queen resided Sparrowleaf, whose ghostly fur rippled and swayed softly in the stagnant air of the late Newleaf night. Blinking down at the fuzzy bodies of the many kits who eagerly pawed at their mother's belly, the former Medicine Cat's gaze was clearly searching for something. Breath bated with the maelstrom of emotions that were bubbling up within her chest, the tabby's features were shaded with stern notes of careful determination. Everything had lead up to this particular moment in time, lifetimes of planning, where the pieces could finally fall into place. She had to be sure of the choice. Nose wrinkling in a faint display of dismay, the she-cat felt a twinge of irritation. How was she supposed to know who was the correct choice? The champion of her visions?

However, before Sparrowleaf could become too entangled in her vexing train of thought, something caught her attention. A kit had rolled onto its back, its chubby round belly on display as its short limbs peddled about in the air. Despite the kit's lack of thought, sight, or attention, it seemed to be practically calling out to her in the form of awkward wriggling movements. Ears twitching at the little kit's squeaking noises, the former Medicine Cat could feel what little uncertainties she still clung to melt away like snow during the first day of spring. "Hello, little one." Sparrowleaf uttered, voice uncharacteristically soft. She had never been entirely fond of kits as they were more a menace than anything else, but the raw potential in the round little face before her made her exuberant. She nearly felt as proud as the new mother sprawled out beside her.

There was no response to her unheard question, only the quiet sounds of suckling and helpless mewling. Reaching out with a careful forepaw, the pristine white of her toes was a stark contrast to the rich shadows that heavily bathed the little kit. Gently brushing her paw along the downy fur of the living creature, she watched as the movements gradually ceased. Eerily, in place of any further movements or sounds, the kit's blue eyes only snapped open, gazing up at Sparrowleaf with such an intensity that it startled her. Despite the youth exuded by the baby-blue gaze, something else, much more ancient and forbodding seemed to reside within the bright depths. Unlike it's kin and Clanmates within the cozy shelter of the den, the kit was now completely aware of the former Medicine Cat's presence among the living- even if it wasn't able to completely understand the implications as of now. "What a fighter you are," Sparrowleaf murmured, blinking down at the kit, "I have no doubt that you will bring forth the time of greatness. A vision of light within this age of darkness." Cradling the little kit's face with the utmost care, the StarClanner's unearthly form seemed to ripple with a spasm much more intense than any of its previous counterparts. "It is for this purpose I give you the eyes of fate, little one. May you see what you must to serve this burden that has been placed upon your shoulders. You will learn that there is no price that is too high when it comes to the greater good."

As the Medicine Cat's words trailed off to a heady silence, an odd change within the young kit became prevalent. The soft, pastel hue of the kit's eyes began to darken, bleeding into a richer, darker color that was the color of deep amber. Fiery colors simmered down into unusual mute, molten reds and golds. And for just the briefest moment, a knowing glint seemed to yawn open in the kit's gaze before being swallowed up by the brilliant storm of colors. Even as Sparrowleaf's ghostly form began to dissipate into the air like mist beneath the scorching morning sun, the kit's eyes remained opened.

Witnessing all.