I was free writing when coming up with this, just to have a small break from some of my super long fanfics that I feel like will never be finished. Probably only 4 chapters with this one.

....

Darkness. Cold, unformed thoughts. The world was a muffled echo, a distant hum. And then—light.

Cracks splintered through the eggshell like lightning bolts, and with one final push, the world outside revealed itself. A small red beaked gargoyle tumbled into the warmth of his rookery, blinking up at the massive forms of elder gargoyles watching over him and the dozens of other newly hatched younglings.

Inside his mind, five glowing figures stood before a large console, their luminous colors reflecting across the space.

"Alright, team! This is it!" Joy, a bright, yellow-skinned gargoyle-like figure, clapped his hands. He had small wings and a beak similar to the young hatchling's. "Our red one is finally here, and it's up to us to guide him!"

Fear, a thin, twitchy purple gargoyle, shuddered. "What if something goes wrong? What if he falls? What if one of the bigger gargoyles steps on him?"

"Ugh." Disgust, a green gargoyle with sleek horns and crossed arms, wrinkled his nose. "I am not touching anything covered in eggshell goo."

Anger, a short, red gargoyle with tiny wings, clenched his fists. "Why is it so bright in here? Who turned on the sun? I'm gonna have words with them!"

Sadness, a droopy, hunched-over blue gargoyle wearing glasses, sighed. "He's just a baby, and the world's already so big and scary. I hope we don't mess this up."

Red hatchling's beady eyes darted around the rookery, taking in the towering gargoyles, the soft flickering torchlight, the gentle squeaks of his fellow hatchlings. He flapped his tiny wings experimentally, stumbling as his claws scraped against the stone floor.

"Look at that! First steps!" Joy beamed, pushing a glowing lever forward. "Let's explore!"

Fear yelped and grabbed the console. "Wait, wait, wait! Let's not explore too much! That ledge over there looks awfully steep!"

Red hatchling wobbled forward, his beak opening in a curious chirp. He felt something—warm and solid. A giant hand had scooped him up, lifting him into the air. He squawked in surprise, struggling in the hand, afraid of being hurt.

"Wha—WHAT IS HAPPENING?!" Fear flailed.

Anger growled, steam practically pouring from his ears. "If this guy thinks he can just grab us—"

"Shh, wait," Joy interrupted. "Look at his face."

The red hatchling gazed up at the older gargoyle who was brown with a beard and had a kind gaze, his wide eyes reflecting the gentle smile above him. The elder chuckled, cradling him with care before placing him down among his fellow hatchlings.

Sadness exhaled, his wings drooping with relief. "He's safe."

Disgust flicked imaginary dust off the controls. "Barely."

Red hatchling chirped again, this time more confidently, as he shuffled forward to his brothers and sisters. The night was still young, and there was much to discover, a little smile showing for the first time on his beak.

Inside his mind, Joy clapped his hands. "Okay, team, that was a great first day! We'll keep things steady from here." He said, sending some of the memories to long term while red hatchling snuggled up among his other rookery siblings for a nap until turning to stone for the first time.

Fear gulped. "Until the next disaster, anyway..."

Anger crossed his arms. "We'll be ready for it."

And so, the not named yet Brooklyn's journey began. The emotions inside him stood watch, ready to guide him through the challenges of his new life, Joy vowing to keep Brooklyn to be happy as much as possible while he gazed at one of the memory orbs of the elder who held him.

.....

I'm hoping this mini story will bring back some of my writing confidence.