Defrost

This is a story written by Yellow. This is the second story on the wiki, so be sure to check out the first by Moon. The cover is by me, Yellow, made in pic collage.

## Prologue

White Rose stared into the distance, the whirling snow landing around her. She closed her eyes and prayed. She prayed to the Stars, she prayed to her ancestors. Blissful silence surrounded her, a mist of frost settling over her whiskers. Opening her eyes, she was not on the clifftop any longer.

"White Rose," A new voice entered her world. The snow was thick under her paws and the trees were covered in it. The sky was a dreamy purple. She stared at the Snow Leopard in front of her in awe. He tilted his massive head, an amused expression on his face.

"Great Founder," White Rose gasped, wonder lighting her gaze.

"Yes," He rumbled gently, "But I'm not here to gossip."

"Of course," White Rose mumbled, embarrassed at her foolishness.

"I came to you for a reason," The Great Founder continued, his thickly furred tail sweeping the snow, "It is important."

White Rose nodded, her voice catching as she tried to speak.

"Oh, you could have a great destiny," The bigger leopard sighed, "You could. But," He paused, "Your cubs must live to see the light. Be careful, White Rose."

She could barely breathe for anticipation, kneading her paws in the snow, "What is it?"

He lowered his head, pain flashing in his amber eyes, "I..." The Great Founder seemed lost for words, "Hear this."

"*As the moon turns red,"* His voice was not his own, rather the voice of a thousand snow leopards, "*The lost ones shall cause the dawn of a new era, an age of eternal night shall be born."*

## Chapter One- Frost

The snow was amazing. It was the coldest thing I ever knew, but also the best. I gasped in delight as it covered my paws, my ears twitching. Azure bounded along next to me, and White Rose watched fondly from behind. I swiped my tongue around my jaws, feeling the snow melt in my mouth.

"It's so *white*!" Azure gasped, spinning around. White Rose purred, nudging my sister forward. I playfully knocked her over. She squirmed in the snow, spitting out mouthfuls and standing up. She crouched, hindquarters wriggling. I knew what that meant. *Run!* I leapt into a thick patch of frost, rolling around in it until I was thoroughly wet. Azure pounced after me, my tail flicking in her face before she disappeared under the snow. White Rose sat up in alarm, ears pricked. That meant Azure was in trouble! But my sister just popped back up, eyes shimmering with joy.

I forged ahead, enjoying the crunch of snow under my paws and the light tickle of frost on my ears. I sniffed the leaves of some plant I didn't know, yelping in delight as it's sharp, tangy smell touched my tongue. White Rose was at my side in an instant.

"Don't eat that!" She warned, "That's yarrow. I'm surprised it survived the frosts."

"What does it do?" I asked, staring at my mother.

"It'll make you sick," She told me, swiping her tongue over my ears. I shrugged away and bounded after Azure, who was lapping at a pool of water. I dipped my tongue in and sprang back in surprise.

"Cold!" I yelped.

"Yes," White Rose pushed her muzzle into my fur, "Here, have some snow instead. It's cold too." She pawed some whiteness towards me and I obediently took a bite. My teeth stung as the frost bit my gums, but it melted soon enough. Refreshing.

Azure was busy washing her paws, but I had no time for that! I needed to explore!

I darted through the undergrowth, which looked dark and scraggly. I sniffed almost every plant I found, desperate to know everything I could. Once Azure and I were old enough, we would have to leave White Rose. I couldn't imagine that yet, but it was so far away. Life without Mother? Unthinkable. But Azure and I would stick together, always. Always and forever.

I tore myself away from the dark thoughts cluttering my brain, and leapt to my paws. Azure had *finally* stopped washing herself. Which was good, because exploring without her would be no fun. She bounced over to me, eyes wide and excited.

"Where do we go first?" She asked.

I looked around. I couldn't smell much, because the thick snow masked most of the scents, but I could see a small tunnel nearby! I nodded towards it, racing my sister over. I squeezed in, coughing in the musty air. It didn't smell clean like out there. Azure hesitated behind me.

"Is this a good idea?" She asked worriedly.