Chapter Two

August 9, 2005: Current Timeline

As he suspected, Duncan found the park devoid of any law enforcement figures. Likely there wouldn't be until the first morning joggers came through here. It gave him the chance to try and clear the area of any evidence before it was too late.

Duncan found a twenty-ounce bottle and filled it with bleach at the hotel. He used it to clean the blood off of the cobblestone pavement. He found the jacket still covering the sword, and cursed the carelessness of the other young immortal. Forensics got better every day at tracking down criminals, even from cases that had been closed for fifty years. Leaving even a hair could make life difficult for their kind half a century down the road.

Duncan took the coat and used it to wrap up the sword. It wouldn't be easy getting into the hotel without someone noticing it, but it was better than leaving it out here where someone could find it. The sword might go for a hefty sum at any pawn shop, but at the same time it could be used to hurt someone. Preventing the loss of innocent lives was worth the risk of suspicion.

As for the body there was little more he could do but hope there wasn't some small detail he overlooked. In messing with the crime scene he'd bought the younger immortal's freedom from persecution, at least for a little while.

When Duncan was finished he took a quick glance around him. The only sound of life was that of a chirping cricket.

Something caught his eye at the other end of the tunnel, and Duncan ran to one side to keep out of sight. Carefully, he edged towards the side and peeked. Someone was using a flashlight and inspecting the inside of the tunnel. It was hard to tell in the dark, but Duncan guessed it was a policeman. But he hadn't heard a vehicle pulling up or the sound of a siren. And what really amazed him, was that when the officer shone the light to see further into the tunnel, the light didn't seem to reach. It was like someone had placed an invisible wall inside the tunnel that-through some strange aberration of physics-didn't allow light to pass through.

Duncan was torn between investigating this phenomena and returning to the hotel. It made matters worse now because if he left the body to be found by police surely the bridge would be sealed off as a crime scene.

When the officer left he considered that it might have just been in his imagination. Duncan rubbed his eyes, noticing that he was tired. He looked down at the young one's body. Amanda was right. This was all a part of the same Game that had been going on since before Methos was born. And Methos was the oldest of them all!

Taking a final glance towards the end of the tunnel, Duncan made a cross over his chest. He whispered a small prayer on behalf of both the loser and the victor of this battle. Then, he returned to the Plaza.

August 9, 2005: Alternate Timeline

Duncan leaned against the railing of his terrace, gazing out at Manhattan from his thirty-second floor apartment. He had a cold beer in one hand and a cell phone in the other.

"Yes, Harvey," he said, when the other party answered. "Don't give me that attitude. You know I don't leave messages. Consider yourself lucky I don't just find another dealer cause after the low ball offer you made me on that Kaiser helmet I'm just about ready to drop you on your arse."

Duncan drained the bottle and flung it out into the air, following it's descent until it smashed into the road. It missed the driver of a beat up Lexus but it came close enough to cause him to jerk the wheel hard to the right. A van that had been close behind him collided into his side hard and fast causing the vehicles to skid to a stop.

"I got a new item you might be interested in," Duncan said, when Harvey was done repenting for the error of his ways. "Infantry army sword, from somewhere in West India, only been used three times. I've cleaned it up and it looks as good as new…no, the police won't find anything…because I took care of it! Look, do you want the sword or not? Fine…fine…my offer is one million dollars hard cash. One million or you lose it Harvey. Glad you see it my way. I'll meet you in the shop tomorrow afternoon."

Duncan pocketed the cell phone and picked up the sword. He admired the craftsmanship of the handle, and the smooth delicacy of the carbon that gave the blade its menacing black shade.

How such a sword ended up in the hands of a pathetically trained junior was an injustice. The fight didn't even last more than a half hour, and when it was over, the boy tried to reason with Duncan. What the hell did he think this was a Saturday afternoon karate class?

Duncan went back into the apartment as EMT's arrived to tend to the victims below. He closed the doors to block out the sounds of the city. On television Jeb Bush was rambling on about the state of the union and other such nonsense. Duncan placed the sword gently on the dinner table and went into the kitchen for another beer.

He was ready to sink into the comfortable easy chair and find a good game, when the buzz kicked in. He placed the bottle on the table and picked up the infantry sword. Perhaps before the night was out it would have the chance for one more real battle.

Duncan opened the door and was quite surprised to find his old friend standing in the doorway.

"Nicholas," Duncan said, smiling, and lowering the sword. "Come on in.

"Hello Duncan." Nicholas Ward entered the apartment. His usually long blond hair was cut short for the times, and his rock star clothing made him look like a David Bowie's missing twin brother.

"What brings you to my humble abode?" Duncan asked exchanging the sword for his beer once more.

Nicholas looked at the sword and sighed.

"A new trophy?" He remarked, ruefully.

"Well, I would have had two," Duncan said. "But some brat grabbed it and took off. You want a beer?"

Nicholas was silent for a while. He shook his head in disgust as he refused the offered beer.

"This has gone too far," he said, fixing Duncan with an angry glare. "Those were just kids out there. Not seasoned immortals."

"What do you care?" Duncan asked. "We both agreed that the Prize was all we were after and nothing else."

"Yeah, back when were killing the ancients like Silas and Kronos that was fine," Nicholas argued. "But we're not even giving these people a chance. They didn't choose this-"

"What's a matter Nicky, a little angst darkening your outlook on life?" Duncan teased. He took a swig of beer before. "Why don't you write a song about it and see if it'll go platinum? I'm sure the next sultry sixteen year-old that comes bopping your way will make you forget your conscience. Just like it made you forget killing Amanda's boyfriend, remember."

Nicholas withdrew his sword and pressed it to Duncan's throat. Duncan made no move to stop him, but made a wry grin as he took another chug of beer.

"This ends now," Nicholas said. "We're gonna go to the roof of the building and finish it there."

Duncan seemed to be considering his proposal. Then, with a swift movement he threw the bottle in Nicholas's face. Nicholas deflected it with his free hand, giving Duncan a chance to duck out of the way and grab the Indian sword. He ran into the living room to grab his katana. When he returned the apartment door was wide open.

Nicholas bolted down the hall and into the emergency exit. He took the stairs two at a time clearing the floors as fast as possible with Duncan not far behind.

Duncan caught up on the thirty-seventh floor. Nicholas spun around and parried the thrust of the katana, only to have to duck to avoid losing his head to the infantry sword. Duncan swung the blades side by side. Nicholas met both blades but was forced onto his back. He kicked desperately with one foot, hitting Duncan in the stomach and forcing him to stumble back. He lost his grip on the infantry sword as he tried to catch himself on the railing. It rattled down the stairs echoing loudly.

Nicholas ran up another floor and opened the fire exit door. He ran to the elevator and frantically pushed the buttons.

Duncan burst from the fire exit. Nicholas spun around and parried Duncan's blade. The two immortals exchanged blows, letting the sound of their weapons clang loudly in the hall. Frightened neighbors opened their doors once before slamming them and calling the police. Duncan's back was to the elevator as the doors opened up. An elderly woman was inside, and she screamed in shock. Thinking quickly, Nicholas parried Duncan's blow and delivered another sharp kick to the stomach, sending Duncan stumbling back into the elevator moments before the door closed.

With the police coming, Duncan wouldn't risk going to the roof. Nicholas sank to his knees, allowing himself a moment to breathe.

"I'm too old for this," he sighed.

The buzz returned suddenly. Nicholas got to his feet and prepared himself for another attack. He was pleasantly surprised to find the second set of elevator doors open, and the short strawberry blonde boy step out.

"Nick!" Richard shouted, rushing to his mentor's side. He held out his hand, exposing the bluish "Y" shaped tattoo on his wrist. "I felt something on the way up. Was that him?"

"Yes," Nicholas replied. He took his student's out reached hand and got to his feet. "We need to leave. This place will be swarming with policeman soon. Head down to the car and be ready to get out of here when I return."

"Why, where are you going?"

Nicholas hit the elevator button again. "I need to get Gavin Platter's sword. Macleod probably has a huge cash deal waiting for it. He won't give it up so easily."

"I should go with you," Richard argued. "You're in no condition to fight him again if he comes back.

The elevator doors opened again, carrying a couple from upstairs who didn't appear to notice them.

"Go!" Nicholas said, in a tone that invited no argument. He shoved Richard into the elevator and didn't take his eyes off of the junior until the doors were closed.