Date: Wed, 29 Jun 1994 15:35:29 CDT Reply-To: Highlander TV show stories Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: Heather Hirshorn Subject: Highlander's Daughter Part 04 WARNING! Extreme, graphic violence! If you have weak stomach or have just eaten lunch, you might want to save this part for later! ************************* Highlander's Daughter Part 4 *********************** "Wait, Duncan, you can't just go out into the middle of a party with your sword drawn. Let's make sure it's him first, then take this outside." Duncan reluctantly lowered his katana. "You're right. I just hope Youngblood is civilized enough to wait." Duncan led the way out of the room with Devon close on his heels. They reached the living area and began searching for the source of the sense. They did not have to search long. A tall, lanky man with close cropped brown hair stood almost dead center, his nose in the air as if sniffing out a foul odor. He turned and made eye contact with Duncan first, then Devon. He pointed at Devon and growled, "It's her I want. The Highlander's daughter." Devon pushed Duncan aside and faced the immortal. "Alright. Let's go outside, shall we?" Without another word, he left the apartment. When Duncan tried to follow Devon, she halted him with a hand on his chest. "This is my fight, Duncan. I can do this alone." He started to protest and Devon whispered, "Please?" Duncan merely nodded and stalked away, toward the rapidly departing Nick Chaney. Both Devon and the other immortal headed for a small alley behind the apartment building. He faced her and stated formally, "My name is Celis Tamingbone, and I have come to take your head." Devon drew her katana from beneath her dress. Celis' tawny eyes glittered as he drew his own sword. Neither noticed the dark figure that emerged from the shadows. Nick had never seen an actual fight and despite his anxiety, his heart lept with excitement. The first attack drove Devon further into the dark alley. The tip of his blade caught her shoulder and blood soon seeped through her blouse. Devon faltered for an instant, but the wound seemed to flood her with renewed vigor. Within moments, Devon forced Celis onto the defensive and found a vulnerablility in his stance, allowing her to score his chest. Celis gasped and stumbled, unable to recover as quickly as Devon. Engrossed in the drama before him, Nick advanced perilously close to the combatants. He yelped as someone grabbed his collar and yanked him backwards. "If you value your head, you will keep your distance." Nick spun around and tripped over Duncan. "I thought Devon asked you to stay in the apartment, MacLeod." "Just keep your mouth shut." Duncan replied tersely, and then his attention was no longer on Nick but rivited on Devon and Celis. Celis grinned. "Another has joined our little game." The smile faded. "And one more. This space is getting rather crowded, Devon, but it will soon be reduced by one." Devon frowned in confusion. She had felt the additional buzzes as well, and assumed that Dunacn had ignored her and found them, but she had no idea who the other immortal was. Unless... Celis pressed the advantage gained by Devon's brief lack of concentration and with a quick slash, managed to tear the ligaments in her wrist. Her katana went crashing to the pavement. "NO!" Duncan screamed as Celis' blade sang through the air towards Devon's neck. Devon threw herself forward while a cloaked shape hurled at Celis and stayed his arm. Devon rolled over, snatched her sword from the ground, and lept to her feet. Her now emerald eyes widened in shock as she watched Stephen Youngblood hold Celis' arm in a vice grip. "Finish it!" Stephen snarled. Slowly, she lowered her sword. "Back off," she whispered. Stephen nodded and released Celis. Celis wasted no time in engaging her again, but to no avail. The vision of Duncan's terrified expression fed Devon's assault and this time it was Celis who was disarmed. No one stopped Devon's hand as her katana severed his head. There was no sound save that of Devon's heavy breathing. Then Stephen's chilling chortle rent the thick silence. Threads of blue light had begun to encircle Devon's small frame. Warily, Duncan kept watch on Stephen, lest he take advantage of Devon's weakness during the quickening. But Youngblood remained utterly motionless, enthralled by the building electric storm. A wind whipped Devon's red tresses wildly around her shoulders. Her hands tightened around the hilt of her sword and lightning wound around the blade. Suddenly, a particularly strong charge knocked Devon to her knees and her body convulsed and spasmed as she was enveloped in the dazzling array of silver flame. Duncan had become too involved in the power of Devon's quickening to notice Stephen's stealthy approach to her side, but Youngblood's fervently impassioned voice roused him. "Now we will be one, my Joanna, but only for a moment. Then I will have your power and I will take your head!" Duncan took a step forward, but too late. Youngblood had already taken a hold of Devon and his back arched in exaltation as her quickening poured through him as well. He cried out in triumph as he felt the strength surge through his bones. "Yes, oh yes my Joanna!" Then, Youngblood's expressioned changed to one of agony as blood vessels all over his body began to burst. He tried to let go, but he was held fast. "Aaaaaaaaaah! NONONONO!" He writhed helplessly, his screams ripping through the night as his skin cracked and peeled away and with an audible sound, Stephen's eyes popped from their sockets. Finally, his head exploded in a maelstrom of fire and blood. Devon slumped to the ground like a rag doll released from animation. Duncan stumbled over to her inert form, leaving Nick retching behind him. He touched her tentatively, reassuring himself that the firestorm was over. He then lifted her in his arms, and carried her away from the scattering of limbs that was once Stephen Youngblood. =========================================================================