The Star Before the Queen"

Chapter 1: A New Beginning

The year was 1980, and the world was on the brink of change. For Michael Knight, however, everything had already shifted. One moment, he was a 30-year-old man in 2024, celebrated for his talent in music and dance, yet burdened by the weight of unrealized dreams. The next moment, he found himself enveloped in warmth, his body tiny, weak, and utterly foreign.

When his eyes fluttered open for the first time, the sight before him was surreal. Two faces hovered above him, their expressions a mixture of exhaustion, joy, and awe. Mathew Knowles, a man with a kind smile and a commanding presence, cradled him gently in his arms. Beside him was Tina Knowles, her beauty striking even in the glow of post-delivery fatigue. Her soft voice carried a warmth that made Michael feel safe despite the confusion swirling in his infant mind.

"Michael," Tina whispered, her eyes misty with emotion. "Our firstborn. You're so beautiful."

Michael's heart pounded—or rather, it felt like it should have. Michael? His name had been Michael before, too, but this wasn't his life. Not his time. And certainly not his body. He tried to speak, but the only sound he could muster was a tiny cry.

Mathew chuckled, rocking him slightly. "He's strong, just like his daddy. Look at him, Tina—he's going to be something special."

Michael's thoughts raced. Mathew Knowles? Tina Knowles? The realization hit him like a freight train. He was now the son of Beyoncé's parents. The year must be 1980, and if he was their firstborn… then he was Beyoncé's older brother.

As Tina rested, Mathew placed Michael in a bassinet beside the hospital bed. Michael's tiny fists curled and uncurled as he struggled to process the absurdity of it all. His adult consciousness remained intact, but his body was that of a newborn, fragile and helpless.

Through the haze of disbelief, another thought emerged. Beyoncé hadn't been born yet. That meant he had time—a chance to shape the future, to be a part of her journey from the very beginning.

The door opened, and a nurse entered with a clipboard, her voice gentle. "He's healthy, Mrs. Knowles. Eight pounds, four ounces. Born September 5, 1980, at 8:44 p.m. Congratulations."

Michael committed the date to memory. It was his new birthday. As surreal as it was, this was his life now.

He looked at Tina, who reached out to touch his tiny hand. "You're going to do great things, my little Michael," she whispered, her words carrying a weight he couldn't yet fathom.

In that moment, despite the shock of his reincarnation, Michael felt a sense of peace. He wasn't sure what the future held, but one thing was certain: he had been given a second chance to shine. And this time, he wouldn't let the spotlight slip away.