A/N:Alright the start of my new story: Howling Star: Dance in the Shadow of Light. Technically my goal is for the story to become a trilogy like the Final Fantasy XIII series with a special story to end. I am hitting the ground running and following my character Star (who I have made up myself) as she is trying to get back home from Lightning's world.

Words in Italics= telepathy spoken between the wolves. Werewolves in their human form can also use this ability.

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy XIII characters except for my own. Final Fantasy XIII belongs to Square Enix.

Prologue

Thunder rumbles off the mountains upon the world of Zoralth, home of many distinct creatures ranging from all sorts of sizes. The skies are dark, red lightning clawing their way across and flashing intensely. The Dark Forest was silent as the creatures' coward in fear, even the insects knew it was not the time to chirp. A sudden flash of red brightened the sky as the pattering of paws runs through the forest, the owner obviously in a hurry as he weaves in and out of the trees. Behind him a terrible roar sounds, the blast of wind from an attack and a mighty claw from an appendage rips through the earth, leaving scars trailing behind it. Hurry, they are not going to last against that monster. Must warn everyone else! The paws quickened their pace toward their destination.

A few miles far from the scene in a place called Lupin Meadow a group of werewolves in whichever form they chose, frisked around or went hunting or teaching young. A female wolf relaxes in the sun as she watches her kids play around, sometimes reminding them to play nicely. Her name is Silver and she is like the alpha female of the pack. Full of authority with a big heart, she has respect from her peers. Feeling lazy, she stretches then trots back to the den. Hidden in the den, was a sleeping child whose werewolf powers have yet to show as well as her potential. At the age of 10, she is really rebellious and full of mischief however, the wolves love her. Her hair was fair and black. Her brown eyes in contrast to her tanned skin were to die for, the perfect combination. On her forehead was a little star-shaped birthmark, no one knew how she obtained it.

Star. Star honey, time to come play with the others. Silver popped her head in, walked over to the little bed and tried to nuzzle her child awake. "Not now mom," Star moaned as she tried to get out her mom's reach by sinking lower beneath the grass blanket. Unfortunately, her feet were sticking out so Silver decided to tickle them instead.

"Ok Ok I'm up! I'm getting up! Stop tickling me already!" Star laughed as she felt the furry fur rub against her sensitive skin, crawled herself up and out then gave her mom the cutest look a 10 year old could muster. You know that look does not work on me, but you are still the cutest. Silver licked her face, eyes twinkling. Don't take too long, your brothers and sisters are waiting to play. She trotted out as Star got dressed.

The sun was bright that Star has to shield her eyes from being harmed. Taking a deep breath and switching to wolf form, she romped across the meadow and got attacked by her siblings, who were practicing how to pounce. Come on sis! The kids squealed as they tumbled around her, Teach us how to pounce! Star smiled. She loves her family so much. OK here is how you pounce. Star crouched down and demonstrated the move, explaining as she went along. Now you guys try. The kids eagerly got into mode but before they could lift a paw, the ground shook violently. What's happening? The members of the pack got together as Star and anyone younger got pushed into the middle. The skies turned dark and a shadow blocked the sun as red clouds rolled in from the distance and the wolves began to get jumpy. Everyone stay calm. Silver was at the head of the pack, noble as always. Her ears perked and her eyes scanning the place, slowly with concentration. The pack looked around as well, ears alert. Suddenly, a movement attracted their attention, and a werewolf burst into the clearing, running to the group. He stopped in front of the group and sat on his haunches, breathing heavily.

Shadow! Silver met her mate as he took a breather and covered him with licks. Not now honey, everyone is looking. Shadow said, embarrassed by his wife's public affection. Now's not the time, I need you all to find a safer place. He looks at everyone as they all looked at each other then back at their alpha male as he was about to explain what was going on. There was this monster, so powerful and huge. I was prowling around and it just appeared out of nowhere. Luckily I was in wyvern territory and when the monster started rampaging, they all attacked it. They put up a tough fight, but one by one they started falling, that monster just plucked them out. The werewolves murmured amongst themselves then listened for the instructions. Look, everyone needs to leave, I know this place is our paradise but as I was running back, the wyvern lands were destroyed almost to bare rock and roots. We need to leave!

"I am afraid I can't let you do that, my little subjects!" The werewolves lifted their heads to the menacing voice as the sun disappeared and demonic clouds thundered. "I am enjoying the tearing of this little world. In a land full of ruin and creatures struggling to survive, their cries and shrieks is like music to my ears!" A hellish arm appeared from the clouds, claws ready for plucking. "I need more. Give me the satisfaction by annihilating you! " Cheeky guy, he is faster than I thought. Shadow glowered with despair then he barked at the frozen pack. Run! Run now you guys! Silver, lead the pack away. I'll keep him busy.

No. Silver trotted up to him and touched noses. If you are staying back to fight, I'll stay too. The wolves chorused as well, not willing to let their leader stay behind for them. Thanks but you guys need to go. I'll keep him busy. Silver shook her head and looked at him straight in the eyes. Remember our pack's motto? Never leave anyone behind. Once we stick together, our bond cannot be broken. Shadow stood silent for a moment then replied back. I understand. We are not going to fight it. We are going to run, run like your lives depends on it. Everyone needs to live for tomorrow! I know this place is our heaven but, I believe we will find a better place so get ready.

"Are you done talking? Ready or not, here I come." The arm went into action and plunged straight at them. Run now! The wolves broke into a run away from their paradise. "There's no escape for you!" The arm impaled the solid ground and cracks split across the surface. Star was keeping up with the pack until one of her siblings Rhyder tripped and fell behind the group with the cracks coming up fast. Thinking fast, she skidded to a halt and rushed back to help him. Star! What are you doing? Silver, noticing her daughter running back stopped the whole pack and watched the scene with dread.

Are you ok? Star has reached Rhyder and helped him to his paws. Please sis, he whined to her, leave me behind. I'm slow and clumsy and it'll slow us down. Star snarled at him. I will never leave a family member behind! Remember our family motto! Come On! By this time the cracks have reached them and with an uneven surface below them, they kept falling down. Silver made a move to rush back and help them but Shadow grabbed her tail before she took off. What are you doing? Let me go! She snarled at him but he shook his head. We don't have time for them, wait and see. She snapped her jaws irritable at her mate then looks back with a worried expression.

Star was right below Rhyder on a ledge, thanks to the shift in elevation as a gaping hole opened up and started to suck them into a vortex. GO Rhyder! Star shouts up, encouraging him as he struggles to lift himself out. I can't! The force is pulling me in! Rhyder grappled to hold on, his claws sliding. The vortex was getting closer and closer. At the last moment and split second decision, Star used her whole strength and pushed him out of the hole as she losses her foothold and gets sucked in. Her brother tumbled out, rolled to a halt and looked back in surprise and panic as he watched his sister get sucked down into the vortex completely.

NO! Rhyder cries out as he runs back as the hole closes over Star's head and the earth becomes even once more. Star! Star! I'll get you out! I promise I will! He tries to dig at the spot where the hole closed up but his mother picked him up by the scruff as the pack ran off again as the arm started to destroy their paradise. "GGGRRROOAARRR!" The voice bellows as the arm retracts back into the sky after leaving a ruined landscape. " Flee cowards! I shall be back again, so be prepared!" The sky cleared up once more as the clouds faded away, leaving behind a deserted and devastated paradise as its inhabitants fled.

It's all my fault. It's all my fault. Rhyder sobs uncontrollably as the pack finally found a place to rest. The rest of the members tried to cheer him up but he continues to blame himself internally. It's not your fault. Shadow padded up and laid a paw on his son's shoulders. It's not your fault.

Where am I? Star thought as she drifted through the vortex of swirling light after she got sucked in. I can't think...drifting off... She closed her eyes and let her body be surrounded by the intense brightness of light. Somewhere else a shadow mesmerized itself and watched Star's body drift away on an imaginary current. It chuckled "It has begun" and disappeared.

A/N: Done. Ok I know that sometimes prologues are not supposed to be this long but I wanted to set the mood. I felt that if I didn't address Star's childhood in the beginning then it just wouldn't make sense later on in chapters since I want her to address where she comes from and what is her background to others. Please leave reviews if you can. I am not forcing you to leave anything but if you do, it is very much appreciated! :P