Ripple Effect: An Immortal Spacemonkey Story

Disclaimer: As much as I might wish, I do not own Stargate: SG1, Highlander: the Series, or any recognizable characters from either show. However, any characters that are not from either show are mine and I will use and abuse them as I see fit. Everyone else will be returned eventually, for I am only borrowing for a while, but they might end up a bit scuffed.

This is a short story, inspired by a review from White Elf Elder, and bouncing ideas off my partner in crime Lori, and making it fit within my Immortal Spacemonkey Universe.


~SG1SG1SG1SG1SG1~

Teams of SG-1 kept showing up. Some had all members of the current SG-1, while some had a team made up of the original members of SG-1. Other variations included Jonas, Janet (their Janet had been killed the previous year in a car accident), Kawalsky, Ferretti, and even one team had Nyan on board. One of the more interesting team ups included -Jack's mini me, Ryaac, Jennifer Hailey, and Cassie Fraiser. At least Kinsey didn't come through the gate.

The weirdest version of SG-1 involved Jack, Sam, Teal'c, Daniel, and Tanis. That version of SG-1 went straight to the brig, especially after all their eyes flashed gold. As a result of the SG1-Goa'uld team-up showing up, Dr. Lam had to quietly remind the General to mind his blood pressure, and Cam, Daniel, and Sam had to literally sit on Teal'c to keep their friend from beating the Goa'uld to death. They were quickly escorted to the brig.

Then, there was one group that came through that gave Daniel pause and a heart attack; a massive heart attack to be honest. It was the one group he never wanted to see again in a million years.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and Danil, as Hades, showed up, complete with war paint. Thankfully, they didn't bring any horses with them, but were wearing modern military fatigues with their swords strapped across their backs like days of old.

Daniel and Methos just about swallowed their tongues when they saw who came through the gate. Immediately they ordered that the group be thrown into the brig next to the members of the Goa'uld SG1; yes they bypassed the normal chain of command, but it was an extreme circumstance. This version of SG-1 was dangerous. Luckily, the members of SG-Horsemen didn't fight it and went into their cells with little resistance. The alternative-earth Immortals were surrounded immediately by troops, but luckily they didn't attack. They glowered and mouthed promises violent retribution and death towards the undercover Immortals though. All the while, the two Immortals from Universe A could feel the others' Immortal signatures easily; it was like an army of trolls were pounding from within using battering rams.

They explained to Landry quickly about why they acted so fast. Daniel spoke rapidly about the significance of the war paint, throwing in random facts designed to obfuscate the General and bore him enough to avoid any further explanations.

The guards were able to see to it that the members of the Immortal SG-1 were completely disarmed. Their guns, swords, knives, and zats were removed from their possession before they were hustled off to the detention area under heavy guard.

Knowing that others were all around them that did not know about Immortals, Daniel and Methos reverted to Ancient Greek to keep their conversation to themselves. It was the one language where all of the other experts in Greek were currently off-world.

"Just like old times," Methos snarked. "This could be fun."

"What the hell?" Daniel asked his friend, looking slightly off kilter, as they walked through the halls of the base. "No. No fun. No horseback riding. No pillaging, plundering, and mass murder."

"Like I'm serious. This is my nightmare come to life. Kronos, Silas, Caspian, you, and me back together in our evil ancient boy band," Methos grumbled, rubbing at his face.

"This is even worse than the very gay and proud Daniel that came through," Daniel whispered.

Methos snickered at that one. "His outrageous flirting with all of the multiverse Jacks was hilarious. Reynolds almost had an aneurism when he saw that one, but then mentioned something about giving a copy of the footage to Teal'c."

"Great," Daniel said grumbled.

They entered Daniel's office and found Teal'c and Sam already there waiting for them. Cam, according to Teal'c, was busy dealing with Team Tanis.

Sam was sitting on one of Daniel's stools while Teal'c was sitting on the lumpy couch, patiently performing kelno'ream. While he didn't need to perform the ritual act since the loss of Junior, he enjoyed the quiet meditative aspect of the traditional Jaffa meditation ritual.

"So, how are things?" Methos asked sourly, before throwing himself on the couch next to the Jaffa. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back, praying that all of this was just a nightmare.

Daniel plopped down onto his desk chair and leaned back, resting his elbows on the arm rests, templing his fingers. "This day has gone from confusing to irritating to wonderful," no doubt referencing the arrival of Janet Fraiser, "then suddenly, it went straight to crazy town, populated with nightmares."

"While I easily recognized your doubles, I did not recognize the others. Who were the last people that came through the Stargate DanielJackson? You and AdamPierson transformed yourselves to become pallid as apparitions when they appeared," Teal'c intoned, his deep voice rumbling.

Methos started laughing while Daniel looked at his friend with a slightly bewildered expression.

"I don't know if I should laugh or throw something at you Teal'c," Daniel said warily.

"You endeavor to throw any projectiles in my direction, I will be forced to send O'Neill a copy of the security footage of your flamboyant counterpart attempting to seduce an O'Neill alternate Earth counterpart," Teal'c promised, an evil smile across his face.

"Fair enough," Daniel said, backing away from that topic.

"What now?" Sam asked. "I'm busy working with black BDU Carter and have to get back soon. I told them I needed to take care of something quick. What are you going to do about your crazy looking doubles and their merry band?"

Methos shrugged, "I was thinking of throwing them down a well and letting them rot."

"What if they kill themselves in front of everyone to get out of the brig and then you will have five very angry Immortals to deal with," Sam replied, looking at everything logically.

"So what should we do? Behead them ourselves? Ignore them? Have a sit down with them and braid each other's hair?" Methos shot back.

Sam shrugged also. "It wouldn't hurt to talk to them, let them know that Immortals aren't widely known to exist here on our world."

"Yay. I get to talk to my potentially insane self. I've always wanted to do that. Should be enlightening," Daniel groused, clearly not wanting to do this.

"Well, if your Immortal double, which that in itself is weird because the other doubles so far aren't immortal, is truly insane then you will know what it was like for us four years ago when you went sideways," Sam said brightly while Teal'c merely raised his eyebrow, expressing his agreement.

"Great," Daniel sighed. "Sam, can you hack the security feed and loop it so that way no one will see our conversation."

She scoffed at that request. "That's easy, it's not like I don't that on a monthly basis. I'll get on it before I go back to working with the other Sam on this multiverse invasion problem." She got up and quickly left, leaving the guys behind.

Teal'c, having nothing better to do, offered to stand outside of where SG-Horsemen were being held and keep others away, with a promise that he would leave Tanis alone.

~SG1SG1SG1SG1SG1~

Daniel and Methos strolled into the holding area, looking casual and unconcerned. Having the five alternate world Immortals literally behind bars helped with that façade.

"Well, look who it is," Kronos smirked, not even bothering to glance at the two Immortals from Universe A. He clearly felt the others' presence well before they showed up.

"So guys, what's new? How is life in your universe?" Daniel asked, smiling tightly. "You having Ori troubles too?"

"The band is still together? Don't you guys get tired of each other? I know I did," Methos added, looking at his doppelgänger closely.

Caspian and Silas remained quiet, deferring to Kronos, Methos, and Danil to speak to the others. They weren't the brains of the outfit, but they were cognizant enough to realize this. They were the brawn, the lead-blockers for the quarterback and his running backs.

"So, the others in this place don't know about Immortals I gather," Kronos asked. "What a shame. They should be bowing down to worship you like gods, yet you hide from them like scared rabbits."

Daniel snorted. "We're not gods and neither are you. Our universe has enough beings running around pretending to be gods, they don't need us adding to craziness. So, humanity in your world knows about Immortals?" he asked, his brow furrowed.

Methos-B laughed. "Of course," he said. "How can you be worshipped and feared if the populace doesn't know who you are. Immortals are the rulers of our planet." He said it like it was the most logical thing in the world. "The humans are unruly and need to be controlled, like cattle."

Daniel crossed his arms in front of his chest but abruptly dropped his arms when he noticed that evil Danil was doing the exact same thing. "Do you have a supreme ruler where you are from? An Emperor Palpatine? One ring to rule them all?"

Danil looked at his non-evil twin in confusion. "What is an Emperor Palpatine?"

Daniel smiled and chuckled slightly. "Don't let Teal'c hear that or he will talk your ear off about Star Wars."

"Cause he is such a chatty individual," Methos snarked.

Daniel snorted in laughter. "Seriously though, who is in charge of your world? And if you are gods, why are you doing front-line work on an SG team? Shouldn't you have minions or something?" he asked.

"Darius," Methos-B answered, looking at his twin for any reaction.

"What?" Methos asked, his brow furrowed.

"He is our leader, you idiots," Caspian growled. "Speak with care or I'll rip your tongue out and feast on it."

Silas simply nodded, glaring at the Immortals from Universe A.

Methos and Daniel's eyes grew wide with that revelation.

"That's gross. Nice to see that you're still the psycho you always were," Daniel observed.

"You know, the more things change," Methos began.

"The more they stay the same," Daniel finished for him, nodding sagely.

"That surprises you. Why?" Danil asked, with a sarcastic smirk on his face, enjoying besting his self in knowledge, ignoring the banter between the two.

"What is your Darius like?" Daniel asked instead.

"He is the most ruthless son of a bitch there is. He cut through armies, destroying his enemies. Taking all that lay before him. Never has there been anyone as terrifying and powerful as Darius. Humans were no match for him and his forces. He destroyed most of the Americas and Europe. He torched Africa. Asia is in ruins. He is known as Darius the Mighty," Kronos replied, sitting up and staring intently at the copies of his best friends.

"You allowed someone to best you, to rule you?" Methos scoffed. "The Kronos from this world would never have allowed anyone to control him."

"Where is my double? And the Caspian and Silas of this world?" Kronos asked, his eyes narrowed with suspicion.

Daniel perked up with that, sparing his friend from having to say anything. "Oh they were killed several years ago. Kronos tried to kill the human population through bioterrorism. I wasn't there for it, but the stories of it were fabulous," Daniel said. "Anyhoo, what happened to your Australia and Antarctica? They didn't get destroyed?"

"No. He spared Australia because it makes for a perfect prison since just about everything on that continent is designed to kill you. You don't need to destroy what will destroy others first. And Antarctica is fine. Our Stargate program is based out of there," Danil said, grinning evilly at Daniel. "Plus, you know, penguins."

"Penguins," Daniel echoed. "Of course. Makes total sense."

"Wow. That is pretty different from the Darius I knew," Methos said easily. "I take it he didn't experience a Light Quickening and became a priest?"

Caspian and Silas started laughing at that.

Kronos answered for the group. "No. He is very fond of slaughtering the religious though. Thou shall not have other gods before Darius. He is the God with a capital g. We're gods with a lower case g," he uttered, his voice filled with total conviction.

"Isn't he worried that someone, one of you guys maybe would try to over throw him at some point? It must be a nice view from atop the pile he has constructed," Daniel asked.

"Nobody goes up against Darius. Others tried. The Macleods tried. The Kurgan tried. Ramirez. Jacob Kell. Xavier St. Cloud. They all tried and were slaughtered for their extreme hubris," Methos-B said, his voice completely serious. "It was really something to see when he destroyed Amanda Montrose. Do you have an Amanda here in your world? Because Duncan Macleod rebelled and failed, Darius had her tortured and raped, repeatedly, in front of Duncan before he was killed. She is now chained up in a cell, driven mad. She cries for release, for her beloved Duncan. It is quite entertaining," Methos-B elaborated, enjoying the effect his words were having on the Immortals outside of their prison cell.

"Oh look, he's going to cry," Danil said, smirking at his twin.

Daniel simply rolled his eyes at his evil counterpart, not feeling the least bit like crying. He really wanted to throw a few live grenades into the cell and then torch the place with a flamethrower for good measure though. "I ran out of tears centuries ago," using his colder, older persona to throw the others off. "Not my circus, not my monkeys."

"Well, it certainly has been fun chatting it up with you guys, but we have our galaxy and apparently several universes to save. So, sit tight and don't go anywhere. If we find anything on how to stop the Ori in our universe, we will be more than happy to let you guys know. In the meantime, you say anything about Immortals or the Game, I will be-head all of you with a song in my heart and a smile on my face," Methos announced, grinning smugly at the others, getting up to leave.

Daniel shook his head, slightly amused at Methos. "I got stuff to do too. We'll be seeing you guys. In the meantime, you guys sit tight."

With that, the two Immortals left the holding area and joined Teal'c who was waiting patiently.

Once outside of the holding area, far away enough from the other Immortals, Daniel sagged up against the wall, with Methos propping himself up on the opposite wall. Both of the Immortals looked like they had been run over by a Replicator army and slapped around by a Kull warrior.

"Did you discover what you were seeking DanielJackson?" Teal'c asked, coming up besides the two Immortals.

"We really are, were, a bunch of unpleasant assholes back in the day. I've always wondered what the world would look like if we hadn't gotten our heads together. Now I think I know. And Darius," Daniel said in amazement.

"He was the best of us. I knew him before his Light Quickening, but even then he wasn't as bad as they were making him out to be," Methos added, shaking his head in disgust. "Well, this just adds to the nightmares I have that keep me awake at night."

Eventually they were called away to other duties, but before that Daniel and Adam had a talk with the SF guards they had on the brig. They told them under no circumstance were the five individuals were to be let out of their cell for any reason.

"If they look like they are in distress or even if they've hung themselves, do not assist them. Let their bodies hang and call one of us before you even think about opening the cell," Daniel instructed the guards.

One of the guards, a Sergeant Bowerman, laughed. "Come on Dr. Jackson. We got this. We won't have any problems. I've been here for three years now. I know how to handle them."

Daniel leaned in, speaking in a very cold tone, pointing at the cell behind them. "Those guys with the crazy war paint are not your average prisoners. They are serial killers. Give them even the smallest opportunity they will take it and slaughter everyone in their path. They don't care about anything other than themselves and their agenda. The big guy, Caspian, is a cannibal. I am sure you know what that is."

Bowerman gulped slightly, unnerved by Dr. Jackson's tone. "Are you sure?" he asked unnecessarily. How many times has the archeologist been wrong, really?

The archeology and language expert of SG-1 gave the sergeant a look of exasperation and slight condensation. "I've seen their markings before. I know what they are and so does Dr. Pierson. Trust me when I say they are monsters of the worst kind. Got it?"

"Uh, yes sir," Bowerman managed to respond without stuttering.

"Good. I'm glad we have an understanding," Daniel said and smiled, reverting to his normal-ish, more upbeat personality (upbeat for him). He then turned on his heel and headed back to his office.

Methos just sighed and told the airman to call him if he needed anything. He had a stack of things that needed to be translated, waiting for him in his office. Multi-universe invasion or not, he still had to get a handle on the backlog of artifacts and translations that had built up over the time he was off-world with SG-21.

He had joined SG-21 about six months after his original team had been killed in battle Kali's planet. While it took some time for them to gel as a team, they were a good group who functioned well off-world. He enjoyed his team and his work with them. It was good fit. While he deeply regretted what had happened to his original team, it didn't ruin his view of working with vulnerable mortals. It was their choice, he rationalized, and they had every right to put themselves in the thick of things.

His new team was a direct contrast to his original team, the team that laid waste to lands across the modern day Mid-east.

Major John Kaar, Sergeant Ross Leitman, Dr. Emily Rowse (Doctorate in Engineering), and himself made up SG-21. They were a motley crew, but it was comforting to trust that they wouldn't suddenly turn on him and try and take his head, barring any bizarre alien influence. It felt almost like home and it was nice.

~SG1SG1SG1SG1SG1~

Soon enough for some, but not soon enough for others, Universe A's SG1 team thwarted evil black-t-shirt SG1's plans to steal Atlantis' ZPM aboard the Odyssey and took back their ship. Afterwards, Sam used an Asgard directional energy weapon to help recreate the tear that the alternate universe team caused and send the jerks back.

Sending the team, the one with Janet Fraiser and Martouf on it, was a bit harder. While it was nice to see their two friends again, it hurt to know that they would never get a chance to hug their friends and let them, especially Janet, know how much they are missed and loved. While this was a nice substitute, it wasn't their Fraiser and Martouf, and it felt a bit hollow.

Getting the Immortal Alternate Earth members of SG1 out of the facility proved problematic. Methos had checked in on the group every so often, keeping an additional eye on them, especially when Daniel had left with their version of SG1 to solve the tear in the fabric between the Universes. He didn't trust the Horsemen. Methos could tell they were looking for the slightest opportunity to escape and wreak havoc upon the base.

After much debate and planning, the security staff decided to move the Horsemen, from their cell to the Gate Room surrounded by many layers of security. Daniel and Methos made it perfectly clear to the security personnel and General Landry how dangerous the five people were. They didn't go into the details, but they did let it be known that they were serial killers and Daniel casually mentioned that Caspian was a cannibal. With that tidbit, Landry actually asked if it would be better if they killed them instead of sending them back to their Universe. He was joking, probably.

Daniel, Methos, and Silar, who just happened to be near-by, all went slightly pale upon hearing that.

The security team, backed up by Methos, Daniel, Teal'c, Harris, and Abbott who were all armed with the swords originally carried by the alternate-universe Immortals, marched the Horsemen through the halls. Methos had given the explanation to Landry on why they were using swords; swords were the only weapon that the Horsemen respected and feared.

The Horsemen made it back to the Gateroom without incident, though once they got there, things got squirrely.

Silas and Caspian, neither of them the sharpest tools in the shed, decided that now was the time to attack.

Caspian on the left side of the column of alternative world Immortals, struck out and launched himself at Daniel, impaling himself on his own sword, dying fairly quickly. Silas also struck out and threw himself at Methos, knocking the other Immortal into the wall.

Methos, not overly worried about covering for himself pushed off the wall and attacked.

"I will eat your heart and roast your eyes for dinner," the cannibal snarled in an old forgotten language from ancient Mesopotamia.

"Yeah right," Methos grunted as he attacked the large hulking figure, forcing the Immortal closer and closer to the active wormhole, while Danil, Kronos, and the other Methos simply stood to the side, watching with interest.

Caspian stumbled slightly when his heel's hit the ramp to the Stargate. Methos, pressed his attack, keeping his opponent busy, who was forced to try and use his brute strength against Methos' attack with the alternative-Earth Methos' Ivanhoe. He continued to back the cannibal up the ramp, forcing the other to retreat.

Finally, Methos backed Caspian close enough to the wormhole. With a shout from Mitchell to get down, Methos dropped to the ground and rolled off the ramp, out of the hail of bullets that came from the SF guards.

Caspian was hit many times over and was knocked back into the giant blue puddle.

Mitchell looked at the other Horseman and grinned. "You boys want to walk back in one piece or full of holes? Your choice."

Kronos glared at the other Immortals that were not a part of his merry band, but offered no resistance. The others, thankfully, followed along with their leader through the Gate and out of the universe and into their own.

"Jackson, what about the one you killed?" Mitchell called, never taking his eyes off the retreating backs of the crazy version of SG-1.

"Leave the sword in him and throw him through the gate," Daniel said coldly. "It will be a nice message for their leader."

Two of the SF guards grabbed a hold of the dead Immortal and dragged him up the gate and pitched him head-first through the wormhole.

Soon after, the gate shut down and all of the alternate versions were back, presumably, in their own universes.

"Damn, Jackson. You're covered in that guy's blood," Mitchell exclaimed, looking at his teammate who was covered in blood.

Daniel shrugged. "I've been covered in worse," he said quietly, trying hard to not remember the look on Silas' face when he died. "I'm going to go clean up and get some work done before I head home."

Sam, who came into the Gateroom once the wormhole had shut down, shared a look with Teal'c, and then glanced at Adam, who was staring off into space.

"Dr. Pierson, that was some impressive skills you showed," Mitchell observed, not understanding what happened.

Adam grunted and mumbled something about needing to get some work done before the day was done.

~SG1SG1SG1SG1SG1~

After Daniel's much needed shower, he found himself back in his office, but was unable to focus on any of his work. Instead, he stared off into space thinking about the "what ifs."

What if he hadn't wised up and left the Horsemen? What if he had stayed with them? What if Darius hadn't taken that Light Quickening? What if the Highlander and Methos hadn't defeated Kronos, Caspian, and Silas all those years ago? What if the Four Horsemen and Hades had stayed together across the centuries? What if he was still as evil and sadistic as the Danil of Immortal Earth?

He was broken out of his revere and solitude by the presence of another Immortal's Quickening and a knock on his closed office door.

"Come in," he called out, knowing that it was Methos.

The Old Guy came in and threw himself on to the couch, but not before handing his old friend a can of Guinness.

"It's been a long week," Methos said, popping open the can. "You're thinking about 'what ifs,' aren't you?"

"And you're not Old Man?" Daniel replied, opening up his can.

"So many regrets, Danil, Methos answered, his voice sounding tired. "We changed, thankfully. The Horsemen are all gone, save us. We were a nightmare and I feel bad for that other universe, but there is nothing that we can do for them."

"True," Daniel said, sounding somewhat morose. "I am grateful that we changed, but seeing them brings back some painful memories I would rather not have to deal with."

"I hear you. But we live, grow stronger to fight another day. It is the only thing we can do. Here's to the past being in the past and for us not having our heads still completely up our asses," Methos pronounced, raising his can in the air.

"Here here," Daniel said, raising his can as well, before taking a drink. It had indeed been a long week.

The end.


A/N: Thank you as always for reading my stories. I do appreciate it. If you feel so inclined, feel free to leave behind a review. Constructive criticism is always appreciated.

I also want to thank Lori for her encouragement and criticism. She pushes me to grow and become a better writer. Without her help, the Immortal Spacemonkey universe wouldn't have grown beyond the first story. Thanks a million Lori!