Date: Fri, 27 Oct 1995 21:02:26 -0400 Reply-To: "William H. O'Hara" Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: "William H. O'Hara" Subject: Pure Quickening(working title) Hi all, This is my first Highlander fan-fic.. Infact one few stories that I've ever written. Its kinda of sloppy, and I really appreciate any critiscm or suggestions, list members can give.. Thanks -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The swords clashed into each other over and over. Neither gaining and edge or falling back, in mortal stand still. One screams the song of serenity, one whails the end of all time,.. All fall in their path Slowly, two men study the pieces on their chess board. The blond man moves a piece while talking to his opponent about today's discovery. A sword has been found lying in front of an old antique shop across town. "So Mac, how did you find the sword?", asked the blond one. Macloed gazes at the board, thinking over the whole subject again, and the game. He places a piece close to his friend's king and responds, "Its like I told you the first time, I went to check on the house and I found it lying there." "Why don't you ask Joe about the sword. Its obviosouly a well crafted blade. Maybe one of us was tracking you and something happened." Macleod sets his head into his hands, thinking of how often young Richie can be so obstinate. Realizing that he is slowly but progressivly is learning; he goes over about the differences between him and Joe. Returning to the game, Duncan MacLeod finishs his strategy moving his Queen towards Richie's king blocked on several sides by pawns. Thinking of the pawns, he tells Richie how often the Watchers are used to trap others as the pawns did. Richie nods in confirmation but with a deep regret hidden in himself. Digesting it all; Richie asks Macleod, 'So do you know anything about this sword?" "Yes, I do. Many Men and Women have fought over the sword for power and money." (flashback) Scotland, 1797 In a small village lies in the confines of the Highlands. Soldiers fight for glory and the freedom for Merchants to make more money. As the village is pillaged by the English, The sole occupants of the tavern are a well dressed woman and a barbarian fit to the title. Both as Immortals act as unaware of their surroundings and talk of future plans. "I tell you this caper is soo easy.. You'll regret it if you don't help me. The fool doesn't even know the swords worth." Duncan replies in his Scottish brogue, "Amanda, Why must you always steal? For its only a sword!" "Yet, to the right person it can be worth atleast a thousand shillings." "I tell you, do not invovle me in this if this is just for gold. I only wish to serve the innocent and protect them from those barbarians outside!" Amanda looks dismayed and retorts with how to stop looking out for people and himself. Duncan pays little heed for he has much more time to learn such matters. (Present) Richie patiently waiting asks MacLeoud again. MacCleod remembers of the day, he decides to remain silent. "Fine, don't tell me.. I'm leaving" Duncan nods and slowly watches Richie exit. Duncan has every hint that Richie would soon visit Joe but hopes not. In any case, soon it probably would not matter. It is aid the sword of peace held firm the grasp of one hand while the sword of destruction in the other. In balance they work, parted they must fight to regain one. Unlike the tavern in Macleod's memories, Joe's place is crowded at all times. Richie doesn't feel the presence of other immortals but knows that his watcher must be in here somewhere waiting to tag onto him again. It seemed that watchers had there uses sometimes, so he decided not to press on the matter at the moment. Richie slowly moves through an impatient crowd as they await the setup of the next band. The music finally begins when Richie finds Joe serving drinks at the bar. "Hey Joe, I need to talk to you in private." Joe walks to the door at the side, and motions Richie to follow. "So Richie, whats on your mind?" "I dunno. Something weird is going on. Mac found a sword at his old antique shop. He wouldn't say but he seemed very troubled by it." Joe begins to think but hopes not. Finally he asks Richie, "What type of sword, what condition was it in?" Richie explains how the sword is probably worth a million dollars and is in excellent condition. Joe becomes suddenly anxious to end the conversation, troubled by the idea that Duncan's time had come. He ushers out Richie with an apology and prays... Duncan thinks about that day with Amanda and how it nearly came to an end. The sword had turned out to be only in the "fool's" trust by another immortal. That immortal had been waiting for Amanda to fall into it. Amanda's well known thievry had nearly caught the end of her. (flashback) "Please don't kill me, I don't even have a sword or know how to fight!" "Liar, you have the sword that you stole from me.", cried Mar'sin. "Oh, really?", laughed Amanda. She brought out the sword, turned around and thrusted at Mar'sin. Mar'sin stepped to the side and parried. "Surely you can do better than this? Lancelot's women put up a better fight then you." "I'll show you a fight!" Amanda rushs into Mar'sin, and turns her sword, swinging for the final blow. With a laugh, Mar'sin parries the strike and cuts her in middle. Her strength fleeting her, Amanda drops her stolen blade thinking it the end. As Mar'sin prepares, he feels another coming towards him. He shouts, "This is not how the game is played. One unto one!" A heavy scottish accent replied, "Don't worry after your done with her, I'll come and take your head." Mar'sin realizing the poor results of the situation jumps into the air and disappears in a cloud of smoke. (present) "Hurry!", shouted a teenager. We don't want be caught by them. Two of them ran into an old dusty warehouse. The teenager closes the door and tells his friend to stay where she was. Running over to the other side of the warehouse, he hears his master calling for him. "Where are you little brat?!?!" Breathing heavily and a fear in his throat he murmers, "right here,.. ump Sir." "Did you put the sword, where I wished?", asked Mar'sin "Yes Sir!" "Excellent, I have no further uses for you as you are." "May I go?" "Why of course not", laughs Mar'sin. He pulls out of his inner breast pocket a .44 magmun and aims at the kid. "Please no! please no. I don't want to die." As the shot rings out, the boy's girlfriend hears it and starts running. "Where do you think, your going?", exclaims Mar'sin. "You think theres better party out there somewhere?" He grabs the girl and ties her up. "Don't worry, he'll soon wake up." Mar'sin walks over to where he placed the body. The kid's body begins to stir. The kid looks up with "oh no, whats happened face." Mar'sin proceeds to tell the kid about immortals and how his girlfriend will die unless he challenges another immortal named Duncan Mcleoud..... Practicing in the dojo with his Katana, Duncan feels another approaching. Not Richie. This must be the time, he thought. With a rush he finds the sword, thinking if this could be it. While Ducan waits for the battle to begin He wonders how Amanda lost it or maybe she sold it. Its of no revalence right now. Mar'sin's skill had grown very strong yet quietly. Possibily stronger then the Kurgan is what Connor had said the _last_ time, they had met. A teenager walks into to the dojo carrying the sword of destruction. "Duncan McLeod?", the teenager softly asks. "Where's Mar'sin? I don't want to fight you." "It doesn't matter!" Afraid that he will die or his girlfriend will die either way, he rushs into Duncan McLeod. Duncan makes a clean sweep through the boy, cutting him down. He wished that kid hadn't challenged him. Soon the quickening would end. Such an inexperienced immortal always was a shame to lose. Without a chance of winning. Seeing the quickening begining to flow, Mar'sin rushes into the dojo. Duncan looks at him with a dreaded gaze. "You nearly had a chance last time. Now its my turn and I will succeed!", shouted Mar'sin. He flew thourgh the air with the ferocity of the dragon katana that he was carrying. "I didn't take your head, so why should you take mine?" "You took the kid's. He was a companion of mine. Also I'm upset that you changed residences. It was so hard to plan this for a different place." Mar'sin Raises his katana for Duncan's head when Duncan asks about the swords. "The two swords allow the one who fights for justice the most to win. Its an arcane joke of mine that the winner of prize should be purest of all, Now die!" Duncan pushed his sword into Mar'sin's waist. Regaining his energy, Duncan stood up, pulled the sword and said, "Now you die!". The sword thrushed through Mar'sin's neck. As the quickening again flowed into him, he realized how that a Gathering would be such a bad thing with cleaning up all those bodies at your house. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- =========================================================================