Prologue

Deep in a star-filled forest, in an unknown place, there was a small, perfectly circular pool surrounded by tall, thick grass and shadows. From the shadows great cats emerged, only ever heard of in old legends and myths. There was silence for a moment, until one of them spoke-

"So.. it's time?"

"Yes. The darkness is approaching quickly and we must act now. We must choose the cats to lead our descendants to victory over evil."

"I will go first." A powerful, elegant she-tiger with rippling jet-black stripes and glowing amber eyes stepped forward to touch the pool with a claw tip. The water rippled out from the center, revealing an image.

"That is a good choice, I think," the first cat murmured, and the others nodded in agreement. "She will be an excellent leader." Satisfied, the tiger returned to her place.

"I'll go next." A snow leopard crept forward, her blue-grey eyes sharp and her thick tail slowly swaying back and forth behind her. She dipped her nose in the water, and her choice was revealed.

"That one? Really?" the tiger asked, surprised.

"Yes," the snow leopard's eyes flashed. "Is there a problem?"

"Well, the tiger began, I don't really know... if she would take her job seriously. She's young. " The other two nodded agreement. The snow leopard let out a low growl.

"So? they're all young. And do you think I didn't make sure she would be fit for the job? I'm the one who's been watching her, not you three. I think she is a good choice." The tiger sighed.

"Fine." And the image was sent away.

"My turn," a cheetah with golden fur and a sleek body decided. She dabbed a paw on the surface of the water, sending ripples out from her touch. The snow leopard slightly inclined her head to the pool.

"She is a quick thinker, as well as fast on her feet. She will lead well." The remaining cats murmured agreement, and the cheetah stepped back as the image disappeared.

"And, finally, my choice," rumbled a lion with a dark, thick mane and a muscular body. He leaned over to the pool and let out a steady growl from deep in his throat that made the earth shake and disturbed the surface of the water, letting an image appear.

"That is a smart choice," the tiger commented, sounding pleased. "He is strong and brave, but has a good heart." Everyone seemed satisfied, so the great cat turned back to sit in his place, while the tiger stepped forward again.

"Alright, we have chosen our leaders. Now we must prepare them to face the coming darkness. We all understand what we must do?" she checked. The snow leopard, looking down into the pool, seemed uncomfortable.

"Ah, I think we might have a problem," she began. The others followed her gaze to the star-filled pool now showing the four chosen ones. "Our leaders," she continued, "They're..." she trailed off, but her companions quickly understood what she meant.

"Well, if they find out, it'll only bring them closer. More united against the threat. It's nothing to worry about," The cheetah decided.

"That's it then." the tiger rumbled, accepting the cheetah's statement. "Anything else?" the others were silent. "Good. Then let us start phase one of our plan, and meet again in three moons."