Disclaimer: So far I haven't made up any characters, and I probably won't, however the events are totally original.

Author's Note: This is where we get to stuff that didn't happen but that I wish really would. I know, I am weird, just R&R!

There's No Such Thing As Magic…Or Maybe There Is

         The February morning was dark and cloudy, the white streetlights giving the whole block an eerie look. Sunlight was beginning to lighten the sky, but it was having trouble breaking through the wall of clouds. The trees and fences cast pools of shadow about the sidewalk in front of me as I trudged to the bus stop.

         My face was creased in thought as I mulled over the words of Alex yesterday. Something's going to happen…What could it possibly mean?

         I noticed that there was no one at the bus stop yet, and a strange feeling of foreboding stole over my body, sending shivers down my spine. I longed to have someone in sight, but there was no one.

Suddenly, a hand grasped my shoulder. I whirled frantically, gathering breath to scream, when a voice whispered at me. "Quiet now, I must speak with you immediately. It is more urgent than you could imagine." I took a deep breath and pushed the voice of reason that told me to run for my life to the back of my mind. Before me crouched a black form whose face was shrouded in a dark cowl, through which I could see only the creature's eyes, wells of liquid blue fire.

"Who are you, and what do you want with me?" I hissed.

"Who am I? Why, I believe you know that, Princess of Leah. As to what I want with you, that is a long story." The black shape whispered at me.

Understanding rushed over me like a huge tidal wave that nearly knocked me over. At first I shook my head and rubbed my eyes, but when I opened them again, he was still there. "A…Allanon?" I said in complete and utter disbelief. "But…but…how did you get to this world…you're just in books…not real…how…" I trailed off, then pinched myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. "This is some trick. Allanon is magic. There is no such thing as magic, except in books." I said, exasperated. "I don't want to miss the bus!"

"That does not matter right now." His face became serious. "You must believe me. You must hearken to my words, highlander. I place in your protection two of your friends. If you do not guard them well, they will not reach home again. They are being hunted by the Skull Bearers."

"Skull Bearers?" I said skeptically. "That means that the Warlock Lord is here also, correct?" My voice contained obvious sarcasm.

"Yes, with his army of Trolls and Gnomes, no less. However, we alone cannot attack an army. Our concern is the Heir of Shannara. I do not know exactly which one of your friends holds the power, but I know that it is either Elissa or Amanda Kana." Allanon was speaking rapidly now, and I could just barely follow his words.

"Elissa and Amanda! No!" I exclaimed, forgetting my promise to myself that this was all nonsense, caught up in the urgency of his voice.

"Yes. I found them just in time, for the Skull Bearers now have that knowledge as well. They will seek to make an attack today. You must get the Kanas to the parking garage of your school as soon as you detect the presence of Skull Bearers. I will meet you there, and be able to protect them. You must get them to me." His words met disbelief upon my face. For a moment I considered his words.

"How am I to protect the twins? I carry no weapons. And how am I to detect the Skull Bearers before they are too close for me to do anything?" I questioned doubtfully.

"I will bestow upon you two gifts of magic. I will make it so that at a spoken word you may acquire the Sword of Leah, as well as an ash bow and arrows. Your clothing will also be changed into a hunting tunic suited for the wilderness. This form you may take to defend the Kanas against the Skull Bearers. Also, I will give you the power to send your spirit out of your body so that you may detect the Skull Bearers in time to evacuate the Kanas."

I said nothing, but merely watched as the Druid infused me with the magic required to do these things. When he stepped back with a satisfied look, I glanced at myself. I now wore a green tunic, and to my back was strapped the Sword of Leah and a bow with arrows. My backpack was gone. I also had soft shoes that could go swiftly and soundlessly over the hardest terrain. I looked back at the man whom I finally accepted as Allanon. "I see the change you have wrought upon my clothes. But how do I send my spirit out of my body?"

In the next few minutes, Allanon instructed me. When he was finished, I said "Erin." and changed back into my original form. "Thank you, Allanon. Luck be with you." I said as I started off towards the bus stop.

"Good luck, Princess of Leah." he replied. Then he turned and strode off down the sidewalk the way I had come.