Title: Dark Legend
Author: Rose
Email: vampmistress76
Rating: PG-13
Parings: W/Jack and a surprise pairing to be revealed.
Summary: Willow is pulled into a completely new world with a whole new meaning to the word "darkness".
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. Willow and the Sunnydale group belong to Joss Whedon. Legend belongs to Universal.
Setting: Late season 2; AU
Feedback: Yes, please.

Author's Note: There are a couple of changes to the Buffy'verse: 1) Although this is season 2, Willow took real well to magic and her magical abilities are about like they are in season 5. 2) Oz isn't in the picture.
Changes for the movie Legend: None, all the changes come AFTER the movie ended. Major change: After being tempted by Darkness, Lily realized she had been tainted by the dark and distanced herself from Jack.

Prologue

"Wait, I'm...what?" The confusion in Willow's voice matched the expression on her face perfectly. "Giles, are you sure?"

"You can't be serious!" An equally shocked Buffy exclaimed. The Slayer gaped at her Watcher in disbelief.

"Yeah, G-Man, I mean, maybe you forgot to clean your glasses and just read it wrong."

Giles shot Xander an exasperated look as Cordelia rolled her eyes and simply thumped the black haired youth on the back of his head.

"Ouch!" Xander rubbed the back of his head before pointing an indignant finger at the ex-Cheerleader. "Hey!"

"Ahem, as I was saying," Giles continued, bringing everyone's attention back to the nervously fidgeting red-head. "Willow, I know this is shocking to you. It has caught us all by surprise, in fact. But I am afraid that I did, indeed, read this prophecy correctly.

"But, Giles," Willow shook her head firmly in denial. "It mentions unicorns. Implying that unicorns are real. Unicorns, Giles! There's no such thing, although it would be neat if they were, with their cute little horns and..." Willow noticed the looks she was getting and quickly got back on track. "B-but that's not the point! The point is that I can't possibly be involved in a prophecy with unicorns!"

"Tell me about it." Buffy grumbled unhappily, earning her a stern glare from her Watcher.

"That's right!" Xander exclaimed. "Wills might've been obsessed with unicorns when we were little, but we've grown up since then. We know they aren't real."

"Like you didn't think vampires and demons were real a year ago?" Giles replied evenly.

"Exactly!" Xander said before actually registering what the Watcher had said. "I mean, no... I mean... that's different! Come on, Giles, we're talking about horses with horns stuck on their heads -"

"Alicorns." Willow interrupted softly.

"Huh?" Xander glanced at Willow.

"They're alicorns, not horns. And unicorns aren't just horses. They were magical creatures with the power to create wondrous things...light and compassion and love." The red-head then shook her head as if to clear it. "I mean...well, that's what I read anyway."

Giles interrupted then, making a point to study the aged textbook in his hand. "Well, be that as it may, I tend to take prophecies - no matter how ridiculous they sound - seriously. As I expect my Slayer to take them seriously."

"But I do take them seriously, Giles." Buffy protested. "But don't you think it's weird? I mean, you said this prophecy isn't about me for once, which, might I add WOO and HOO." Buffy caught Willow's worried expression and added, "I just mean, you said it involves Willow and I'm the Slayer and what can I do about it to help my bestest friend?"

"According to this, the Chosen One's 'crimson light' shall appear in the realm of shadow to protect the Unicorns - preservers of the light. With the assist of the wood-dwellers, only she shall deter the darkness which threatens the existence of all Creation." Giles glanced up from the book he was holding to add, "With the reference of the Chosen One's crimson light to be a she, I can only assume that it is someone - a ifemale/i someone - who is acquainted with a Slayer. Who else do you know who fits this description, Buffy?"

Sighing heavily, Buffy finally threw up her hands. "Alright, Giles, alright. We believe you. Just the concept of unicorns..." The Slayer's voice trailed off as she shook her head. Out of all the things she had seen in her short life, that the thought of unicorns - something seemingly innocent and harmless - would be the most difficult to believe in.

"Quite." Giles replied.

He knew how the others felt. He too had his reservations about the prophecy... at least, the part about the unicorns... but there was nothing he could do. As a Watcher he was bound by oath to uphold what the books revealed. And he was determined to guide his Slayer to succeed in her duty.

"Now, I suggest you go on patrol and simply concentrate on that for the moment. From what I can tell, this prophecy isn't due to happen for some time. It may not even be for our lifetime. Who knows, perhaps it refers to a past Slayer or, or - or perhaps a future Slayer for that matter. Hmm, I wonder if there is any mention in the Codex..."

"Giles," Buffy looked sternly, causing the Brit to glance up from where he had been shuffling through yet another book. "Give it a rest."

With a crooked smile, Giles set the book back onto the library table. "Yes, yes of course. So sorry."

Smiling, Buffy bounced off of counter she had been perched on. "Great. I'll just patrol and keep a look out for any of these horny horses...uh," Buffy blushed as she realized what she had said. Snickers from the rest of the Scoobies only made it all the more embarrassing. "I mean..."

Chuckling, Willow rose from where she had been sitting at the computer desk. "That's okay Buff, we know what you mean. So, want some company?"

"Right, can't be letting our buddy shoulder all the work." Xander replied.

Buffy nodded. "Yeah, I kinda hoped you would come. I want to keep an eye on Willow...you know, just in case."

"Alright then, since that's settled... coming Cordy?" Xander asked.

Cordelia gave the trio a look of disgust, and then rolled her eyes. "Whatever! Fine! If she is gonna be busy keeping an eye on Willow someone needs to keep an eye on you. I mean, it's not like I actually care whether you get eaten or not!"

Giles watched the young group leave the Library with a smile vaguely apparent on his face. Then, turning back to his beloved books the Watcher went back to researching all he could find about this new development supposedly involving his red-headed friend.

*~*~*~*~*~*

TBC...