Sorry if the summary wasn't great - there were just too many elements to include and I couldn't fit it all in... but anyways, please read below as 'tis very important...

IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE!!! READ THIS BEFORE READING THE FIC:

Okay, hopefully you're reading this because it's very important and vital that you see what I have to say. So, the prologue, as you will find out as you read, is the introduction to this story for it explains my OC's past, which will be important as the story progresses. And because his past happens, well, in the past, it's the prologue to the story. Now, as you read, you'll probably be wondering: what the hell does this have to do with Xiaolin Showdown? It seems so completely irrelevant! Well, I PROMISE you that this story is related to Xiaolin Showdown - just not the prologue because it's my OC's past, which you have to understand to understand the whole story. So I SWEAR that this story is about Xiaolin Showdown - it just doesn't seem like it in the prologue because it's about my OC's past.

Okay, hopefully I made myself clear so I hope no one will flame it saying that this has nothing to do with Xiaolin Showdown. But I've done enough babbling so on with the story!

Disclaimer: I do not own Xiaolin Showdown, or the song at the end of the prologue. That belongs to Within Temptation and XS belongs to Christie Hui.

Prologue

1500 years ago: a village in China

An almost-full moon was just rising into the sky as stars began to appear and twinkle brilliantly above a bustling town. In the town, shops were lit up brightly and festively as people walked around, buying and selling goods of all sorts. The night air was cool – not too cold yet not too warm, and a gentle breeze rustled through, comfortable and inviting. One place within the town, however, was lit up more brightly than usual.

It was the town square, where a large crowd was gathered to celebrate the sixteenth birthday of the ruler's daughter. Food stands and shops circled the square but left the center open for the many dancing couples. At the heart of the square was a beautiful fountain. Under the full moon the water sparkled like a thousand diamonds as it fell into the pond. People chattered among themselves and laughed gaily as the night wore on.

A boy of sixteen stood under a streetlamp, eating an apple and surveying the crowd for a familiar face. He squinted and searched harder, his eyes glancing about until he finally found the figure of the girl he was seeking.

She was so beautiful. So beautiful it was beyond his imagination. Her long, silky black hair cascading down her back and swinging about as she danced, her pale, ivory skin and those heart-shaped lips… Her tall and slender figure, and especially those blue, cerulean eyes… His eyes were locked on her until the song ended and she bowed to her companion and left the dance floor toward the concession stand.

She was Karina, the daughter of the ruler, and the one he had loved since he first laid eyes on her. She would be his. He would guarantee it. Determined, he started towards her.

Upon reaching her he cleared his throat nervously and tapped her shoulder.

She whirled around, her sapphire blue eyes widening in shock. When her eyes fell on the form of the boy who had tapped her shoulder though, a frown flitted across her face. "Kendrick!" she exclaimed. "I was not expecting you!"

Kendrick ran a hand through his jet black hair and cleared his throat nervously. "Good evening, Karina," was all he managed to get out as a blush traveled up his face.

He was so nervous; he was beyond nervous. And with the way Karina was examining him at the moment only made him even more self-conscious. He felt her stare as her gaze traveled from his feet and up his muscular body and chest until it reached his face. As he looked back at her though, he thought he saw a flicker of annoyance flash across her face. And with that flicker of annoyance in her face, his own temper flared.

Why was she so annoyed at him? It wasn't like he had done anything wrong. Okay, so maybe he had been just a bit stalker-ish following her around and always talking to her even since the last full moon when he had first seen her. He had tried to talk to her, to show her his affection, but Karina would not have it and made it quite clear that she was not interested.

But Kendrick wasn't one to back down easily. And he had vowed that she would be his. It was all a matter of time.

"Karina," he began calmly. "I just want to say that-"

"Karina, dear?" another voice cut in.

Kendrick lifted his head in surprise at the new voice. His forest green eyes finally fell onto the form of a man that was walking over to join them. Once again, he felt his temper rise. Who was this man to think he had the right to just storm in on them while they were having a significant conversation?

But Karina, to his horror, looked utterly overjoyed to have this stranger join them. The man, when he finally reached the two, immediately placed himself right next to Karina, and had the audacity to slip his hand around her waist, pulling her closer! Karina, though, didn't seem to mind at all, and Kendrick was quick to notice.

"Excuse me, but I must object-" Kendrick started, but never got to finish his sentence for the next words Karina uttered left him speechless.

"Kendrick, I would like you to meet my fiancé, Derek."

The world started to spin and Kendrick's vision blurred until he couldn't even recognize the two people standing before him. Fiancé? No! That couldn't be! His temples began to throb and the noise of the party slowly diminished until all he could hear was the pounding of his own blood in his ears. He closed his eyes and forced himself to breathe deeply, but it was no use. His heart felt like it had been ripped into two, and his lips was parched and dry. "Fiancé?" he whispered.

"Kendrick?" a voice called out to him. "Are you all right?"

It was Karina's voice, and for once she didn't sound annoyed. She actually sounded genuinely concerned. But how could she! She knew that he loved her! How could she agree to marry that man when Kendrick would always love her more than any other being alive!

Feeling betrayed and dismayed at the turn of events, Kendrick slowly took once step backwards, and then another, until he turned his back on the couple and ran away. Away from the party and the incident that had taken place. Away into the darkness, his heart pounding in misery.

Kendrick's foot splashed into a puddle and sent water spraying everywhere as he walked along a deserted road, his mind and heart wretched with distress.

What was so good about Derek anyway? Why would Karina choose Derek over him? What did Derek have that he didn't? Kendrick was handsome enough with his midnight black hair and strong form, his forest green eyes and his angled face. And his friends had always teased him about the dark and mysterious aura that made everyone crave him. But why not Karina?

The initial shock and hurt had passed and now all he felt was anger. Anger and frustration – with himself, Karina, Derek, and the whole world. It just wasn't fair! Why should Derek be the one to bask in her beautiful glow while Kendrick was the one who loved her? Fate was so cruel sometimes.

But he wasn't going to sit around and let fate control his life. Karina would be his. He just had to convince her that he loved him more than Derek ever could!

A sudden splash of water that didn't come from his own feet stopped him mid-stride though and he narrowed his eyes in suspicion. He stopped and strained his ears to listen, and there came another splash, and the soft tap of footsteps behind him.

"Who's there?" he yelled into the darkness of the alley. No one answered. But his finely tuned ears told him otherwise. Someone was hidden from his view, watching him. He could feel the stare traveling up and down his back. Unconsciously, he shivered.

"Show yourself, coward!" he shouted.

He heard a whimper coming form his left, and he whirled around, ready to fight, but was caught off guard when a boy appeared from behind a trashcan.

He uncurled his fists and looked at the boy in surprise. The boy was young, no more than seven years old, with loose, shaggy hair that needed trimming and a bony figure, probably from starvation. He wore tattered rags, and was shivering from the cold.

"Oh!" Kendrick let out a gasp. Squatting down so he was the same height as the boy, he asked, "Hey there little boy. Are you lost?"

"I'm hungry," was all the boy said, his eyes looking up at Kendrick's pleadingly. "Do you've money? Please, just a little and I'd be eternally grateful!"

Kendrick's heart swelled for the boy, his anger forgotten. "Sure," he answered. "He took out ten yuan and handed it over. It wasn't like he needed that money anyways. "There you go."

The boy's eye immediately lit up with joy. "Oh thank you sir!" he cried happily.

Kendrick smiled. "You're welcome." But his smile vanished and was replaced with shock as the homeless boy began to glow white, until it was so bright Kendrick had to shield his eyes to keep from being blinded.

When he opened them, the boy was gone, and in his place was a beautiful goddess-like woman dressed completely in white. She had long, wavy, silvery blonde hair that cascaded down the small of her back and smooth, porcelain skin, her pristine blue eyes peering dramatically out of her face. She wore a stunning off-the-shoulder white dress, with a gold belt hanging slanted around her waist, a bright red ruby in the center. The silky material clung to her curves and the skirts reached completely to the ground, kissing the floor as they fluttered in the wind. She was absolutely beyond gorgeous.

As Kendrick gaped in shock, the woman smiled at his confusion and said gently, "I am Kisara, goddess of benevolence, and tonight you have shown kindness that cannot be explained in words." She smiled again before adding, "I shall reward you with one wish. What do you desire, young man?"

Kendrick's mind was whirling. A goddess? Standing right in front of him? How was that possible? All he had done was give the boy some money. And a wish… she would grant any wish…

"I wish for Karina to love me!" he blurted out before his mind could object.

Kisara frowned then. "I am sorry, but I cannot grant wishes of love. Love is something that must be natural. I cannot force love."

Kendrick's heart fell. "But I love her more than anything!" he pleaded. "Why can't you grant this one wish for me? Grant this wish and I'll never ask for anything else! Is it really not possible?"

Kisara looked at Kendrick gravely and said. "On one condition."

"Anything!"

"If I am to grant you your wish of love, you must surrender your innocence to me. You will be placed under a curse, a curse that will follow you to your death. Once the curse is placed, there is no going back." She looked at Kendrick. "Are you sure you want that wish?"

"Yes!" he cried. So consumed with passion he didn't give a second thought to what Kisara had said, and didn't bother to ask what the curse would be.

The goddess looked at him pityingly before chanting a spell. When she finished, she turned and said to Kendrick, "Your wish has been granted. There's no turning back now." And then she disappeared in a flash.

Kendrick felt a jolt of excitement run through his veins. Finally! Karina would be his! Tomorrow he would look for her, and then they would finally be together.

The sun was high in the sky when Kendrick departed his home to the market to look for Karina. She always went there midday every day, and today would be no exception. The streets were crowded as usual, and Kendrick could barely push his way through, to his frustration. He really needed to learn to control his wrath.

There she was! He stopped and gazed at her, lust in his eyes. She was gorgeous. So, so beautiful words couldn't even begin to describe her. Today she wore a gown of silk that shimmered under the sunlight and reached all the way to the street, lace and frills feminizing the dress. He started towards her, but hesitated as a fear made its way into his mind.

What if the spell didn't work? Would Karina still not love him? Now that he thought about it, there were so many loopholes. Who was he to trust a stranger's words?

Too late, and Karina saw him.

But to his surprise and delight, a smile lit up on her face. She began to walk towards him, and when they were a foot away she peered up into his face and blushed. "Kendrick…" she smiled, a dimple in her cheek.

"K-Karina," he stuttered, not believing this was true.

"You're so handsome and sweet, kind and gentle, but brave and bold as well. What's there not to love about you?" she asked playfully.

Kendrick's heart soared with joy. His wish had been granted! But then an image of Derek flashed into his mind. "I thought you were engaged to Derek though," he said carefully.

"Oh, that nobody?" She waved a dismissive hand. "I don't know what I saw in him before. He's of no interest to me." She looked up at him flirtatiously. "Not when you're around."

"So are you going to break off the engagement?" Kendrick asked excitedly.

Karina didn't answer, and instead smiled slyly at him. "Meet me tonight at the hill with the lone cherry blossom tree." She batted her eyelashes coyly. "I'll be waiting."

And with that she turned around and dashed off, her lustrous black hair flying behind her.

It was dark and the air was cool as Kendrick made his way to the hill where Karina said she'd be waiting. For what? His brain wondered eagerly. A kiss? He thought, a grin making its way across his face.

A cool wind blew at him and ruffled his hair out of his face and he strode forward. He looked at the sky, which was filled with bright, glittery stars. His gaze then fell onto the moon. It was a full moon tonight, and soon it would reach its peak. The moon had never looked more beautiful to him.

He finally reached the spot, and there was Karina, waiting as she'd told him she would. He made his way towards her, and Karina smiled up at him when he arrived.

"Hey darling," she cooed, reached up a hand to brush away the loose strand of hair that was in his eyes.

"Karina," Kendrick smiled, nodding at her.

"So formal, are we not?" she asked him, her eyes dancing mischievously.

"If you wish," he answered.

She wore a dress that just reached her knees. It was silk, as usual, and was a deep blue that complemented her sapphire blue eyes. The dress was sleeveless and laced, the skirt ruffled with a slit on one side. She had left her hair loose so that it swirled around her gracefully every time the wind blew.

"Let's sit," she told him. She held out a hand and Kendrick willingly took hold of it as they sat down onto the cool grass beneath the cherry blossom tree. It was spring, and the tree was filled with beautiful white and pink flowers.

He stared and her and couldn't help himself. She was just too irresistible. He dipped his head down, and Karina followed until their lips touched. The kiss was gentle at first, but then he deepened it, pulling her closer and she wrapped her hands around his neck.

When they pulled away, Kendrick reached out to brush Karina's hair out of her face. "You're so beautiful darling," he whispered.

Karina replied by smiling as she cuddled up next to him, her head on his chest. Kendrick moved his arms until they were around her and he smiled in content. Finally, everything was as he wanted. Even the night agreed. It was clear with a thousand sparkling stars, and the moon was full, its radiant glow spilling over then, adding to the romance.

He gazed up and realized the moon had reached its peak. It hung above them like a guardian, and he smiled. But then his smile disappeared and turned to a frown. He suddenly felt different. His blood started to pound in his veins and he felt the sudden urge to run and be wild. His eyesight suddenly became more vivid and all his senses magnified to a crescendo. And then he heard something… something that sounded remarkably like a heart pounding. But it wasn't his heart he was hearing – it was Karina's. He sniffed the air, and smelled her blood. Her sweet and pungent blood throbbing beneath her skin. It was overpowering.

"Uh, Karina," he said hesitatingly. "Can you excuse me for a moment?"

She pouted her heart-shaped lips and said, "You don't want to be with me?"

It was quite the opposite. He wanted more than anything to be with her. So much that he became alarmed at his craving. He was feeling more animal-like by the minute, and it frightened him.

"Just a moment," he replied, alarm spreading quickly throughout his body. Not waiting for an answer, he tore away from her and ran down the hill and into the nearby woods where the trees would shade him.

His breathing became more ragged and his urge to run to too great to ignore. So he complied, and began to tear blindly through the trees.

He couldn't think at all and animal-like instincts began to take over. What was happening to him?

As he ran his bones began to tighten and shrink and he stifled a shout of pain. He heard the tearing of flesh and tissue and knew it to be his own. His bones cracked and re-melded, his muscles reshaped. He dropped onto his hands as black fur the color of his hair began to grow all over his body until he was completely covered. His face became a snout, and he let out a howl that reverberated across the clear night.

He had turned into a wolf.

He continued to run gracefully, his movements agile and swift. His paws pounded on the ground and he was running so fast he was only a blur of black. He had never felt so free in his life.

And then he remembered Karina, and with her came unanswered questions.

He screeched to a stop, horror in his eyes. How had this happened? What caused him to turn into a wolf? Was it a curse? What had he done wrong? Or was this all a dream? He blinked his eyes rapidly but the image wouldn't fade. It was real. Everything was real. He was a wolf.

But… how?

And then he remembered something Kisara had said. "If I am to grant you your wish of love, you must surrender your innocence to me. You will be placed under a curse, a curse that will follow you to your death. Once the curse is placed, there is no going back." That's what she had said. And this was the curse. He would forever be a werewolf.

NO! His mind shrieked in protest. It couldn't be… it was too cruel, too unbelievable. This couldn't be true!

But his heart told him otherwise. He had wished for Karina's love. And this was the price he had paid.

Remembering her, Kendrick let out a whimper and laid onto his stomach, resting his head in his paws. She would be waiting for him. And he had told her he would be just a moment. He had to go back. For her sake. But how would she react? For crying out loud he couldn't even talk anymore! How would they communicate?

And then a plan formed in his mind. He could scare her off. Yes! That's it! He would go up to her in his wolf form, howling at her until she ran away. Then he could confront her tomorrow and say that when he came back, she was nowhere to be found, so he had gone home.

The plan seemed plausible, and Kendrick started to trot back to the hill where Karina was waiting.

She was sitting under the tree, leaning against the bark and staring into the horizon. Kendrick felt a pang of guilt, but quickly shook it off. This was the only way. If he just left her alone, she might think he had abandoned her. But if SHE ran off, then he could say she wasn't there when he had come back for her.

But as he stared at her, the moon shined even brighter on him, and he felt himself losing control to the animal in him. Her hot blood rushing in her veins and her pounding heart was too much for him. Saliva started to drip from his mouth as he stared at her perfect figure. Her blood… her enticing blood… it was too alluring. He had to taste it, had to taste her tantalizing flesh.

He took a step forward, but then stopped himself. No! He couldn't do it! He loved her! But the animal inside him took over his mind and with a chilling howl, he leapt from the trees he was hiding in and tore up the hill towards Karina, his love.

His howl attracted her attention and she turned towards him, confusion in her eyes. As soon as she saw him though, her face took on a look of sheer terror.

Kendrick wasn't even conscious. Only his animal instincts existed. He was no longer in control as he tore up the hill, his eyes glowing yellow, saliva dripping from his mouth.

Karina started to run, but he as a wolf was much quicker. He pounced onto her, pinning her onto the ground. She struggled to escape, pure fear in her eyes. She was sobbing hysterically, but Kendrick took no notice. Her blood… her tempting blood… he craved it, lusted for it.

He raised his paw to slash her throat open with his claws, and Karina screamed in terror. But he paused a moment too long and Karina had kneed him in the stomach, sending him off her in pain. Karina used this chance to tear down the hill, her dress in shreds and her once lustrous black hair, now encrusted with dirt, trailing behind her.

Kendrick let out a growl of fury and followed her, ignoring the pain in his stomach. He quickly caught up, and once close enough, he leapt onto her once more. This time he didn't hesitate as he lashed his paw out and sliced her neck open with his claws.

Karina had been screaming and now the shrieks of horror ended with a gurgle as blood sprayed from the wound in her neck and she stopped, dead instantaneously.

Kendrick only felt excitement and exhilaration as he stared down at his prize, his own kill. He bended down and placed his snout down to her neck, the blood painting itself onto him as he licked her blood. It was warm and metallic, just a bit sweet.

But then the realization of what he had done hit him full force and he stared down at Karina in dismay. He had killed Karina, his love! She had died at his own hands! He slowly took a step backwards, and then another, his heart wrenched with agony and sorrow. Tears welled up in his eyes. He had let the curse take control, and it had killed Karina.

He spun around and began to run; he wanted to run and run and never stop. To run and hopefully escape the horror he'd just witnessed. But he knew he could never escape it – it would be forever etched into his heart. Surrendering to his sorrow and angst, he fled from Karina, his heart ripped into two, running away into the darkness of the night. And as he ran, he let out a howl. A howl that was filled with despair and anguish.

The curse would follow him to the death. He would never escape for as long as he lived.

The child without a name grew up to be the hand
To watch you, to shield you or kill on demand
The choice he'd made he could not comprehend
His blood a grim secret they had to command

He's torn between his honor and the true love of his life
He prayed for both but was denied

So many dreams were broken and so much was sacrificed
Was it worth the ones we loved and had to leave behind?
So many years have past, who are the noble and the wise?
Will all our sins be justified?

The curse of his powers tormented his life
Obeying the crown was a sinister price
His soul was tortured by love and by pain
He surely would flee but the oath made him stay

He's torn between his honor and the true love of his life
He prayed for both but was denied

So many dreams were broken and so much was sacrificed
Was it worth the ones we loved and had to leave behind?
So many years have past, who are the noble and the wise?
Will all our sins be justified?

Please forgive me for the sorrow, for leaving you in fear
For the dreams we had to silence, that's all they'll ever be
Still I´ll be the hand that serves you
Though you'll not see that it is me

So many dreams were broken and so much was sacrificed
Was it worth the ones we loved and had to leave behind?
So many years have past, who are the noble and the wise?
Will all our sins be justified?

A/N: Well, there you go. Nothing to do with Xiaolin Showdown in THIS chapter, but I SWEAR the story as a whole is VERY Xiaolin Showdown related.

But enough about that as you probably are getting sick of me reminding you. On another hand, what do you think? Was the description good, okay? The explanations clear or fuzzy? Feedback will be very much appreciated, so if you've time, please leave a review!

And oh yes, I almost forgot. The song at the end is called "Hand of Sorrow" by Within Temptation. It's my current song obsession, and I thought it fit Kendrick really well at the end of the prologue, so stuck that in there.

Anyways, that's all for now.

xxFireWarriorxx