Chapter 1

0435 hours

"They say there's a band of noble owl worriers called the Guardians of Ga'Hoole, they are the eyes of the night, the silence within the wind, the talons through the fire, the shield that guards the innocent, the ones who mend the broken, who defend the week and vanquish evil. And it's this band of fearless and legendary owls that brings us to…"

"Soren?"

Soren, the barn owl, paused his writing mid-sentence and looked up in the direction he heard the familiar female voice coming from the doorway. He smiled in the dimly lit hallow where only a single candle gave enough light to see the almost empty book. He didn't need the light to know who it was though.

"Hello Gilfey," he said happily looking to where he knew elf owl was standing. Strangely, her eyes seemed to be glistening with star-like dots, allowing him to know where she was.

"Oh! I'm sorry. I-I didn't mean to interrupt your writing." She said apologetically noticing the book.

"It's alright. I was just working on another story to tell the owlets when we return to the tree," he said looking back to the book.

Gilfey giggled to herself. "You know that's not for another three moons."

"That's why I'm working on it now. The expedition will take up most of our time, and what I do manage to work on will hopefully give me the inspiration needed to create something the owlets will enjoy," he said with a smile on his face.

"They always enjoy your stories Soren," she said as she walked up next to him.

Soren chuckles to himself. "That they do. We are going to have a long night tomorrow; we should get some rest the sun's coming up," he said pointing a wing out the hole in large jungle tree.

"I guess you're right. Come on," she said walking toward the sleeping chambers. Soren blows out the candle he was using and joins Gilfey as they leave the room. "Remind me to tell Digger not to serve any more of those grass hopers, they didn't settle very well last time," she said shuttering slightly.

"I don't think I'll have to," he said remembering them himself.

Walking in to the sleeping chambers, they find Digger and Twilight in the middle of a conversation.

"I'm still surprised we are the first to explore this new jungle the Guardians recently discovered," said Digger munching on a caterpillar.

"Well, the king and queen feel we are the best suited for the job. Besides, it feels good to explore someplace new. And what better place to explore than a place where no owl has been before," said Twilight lightly strumming his lute.

"Is that so?" asked Gilfey as she and Soren entered the room. "I will admit that seeing the stars and constellations here is an interesting sight. You know, I've been working on a star map. Hopefully, if this map works an owl who has it will always know where it is," Gilfey said smiling to herself.

"Wow," said Digger. "You get all that from those little pictures?"

"Well, as long as you have a basic understanding of the stars, than yes."

"Hmmm, who knew?" said Twilight. "What do you think Soren? Ugh… Soren?"

Soren was looking out one of the several exits in the side of the tree. But, he was just staring, not even blinking.

"Soren, what are you looking at?" Twilight asked.

"There's something out there Twilight, I just can't seem to figure out what." He said not looking away from the hole in the tree.

"Are you sure?" asked Twilight.

"I can feel it in my gizzard," Soren said confidently.

"Well, your gizzard has never steered you wrong before. Is there anything we can do to help?" Twilight asked motioning toward the others.

"Hmm… for now, nothing. The expedition starts tomorrow and that is our top priority. Now get some rest, tomorrow is going to be a long night." The others agreed, after checking their helmets, and claws, went to their nests to rest. Soren took one last look outside circling the tree before reentering it and laid down in the nest he made for himself. Glancing out the window one more time, he closed his eyes and allowed sleep to take over him.

Author's note: and so it begins. This will take place after both movies; there will be some references to the books though. I own nothing besides the plot of this story.