Eventually I'm going to come up with a way to differentiate between Good Duncan and Evil Duncan. But I won't worry about that until they're in the same scene together. So if things get confusing bare with me, I'll try to minimize it.

Also, this chapter is going to be a little short. Sorry about that. :)

Chapter 9

"I'm not surprised you recognize me," Horton said. His tone was as calculated and arrogant as it always was. "Ward appears to have underestimated you again."

Duncan forgot where he was for the moment as the embers of a flame he had long thought suffocated, rekindled again. Without hesitation he drew his katana, ready to slice open this monster.

"Fire!"

Devon hit the ground as bullets shredded the highlander instantly. He covered his ears as gunfire drowned out the sounds of New York and threatened to shatter his ear drums in the process. In the confusion he wasn't sure if he should try to run or if he should help.

Duncan felt his heart and organs tearing apart. Killed instantly, he dropped the sword and fell forward, splattering blood all over the pavement and Devon's own clothes.

"Get him in the van, now."

Devon looked up and watched helplessly as three men picked up Duncan's body and tossed it into the back of the van. He saw someone else fitting his arms and legs with shackles before slamming the door shut. These people knew what they were doing!

He looked up at Horton, who was now standing over him and holding out his hand. The van sped off, followed by the terrified gazes of the on lookers. Only a few men remained behind, one to help Horton and the others to provide spin control.

"You should come with us," he said, urgently. "The police will be here shortly and they will ask you questions you can't answer."

Devon scrambled to his feet and grabbed Horton by the lapels.

"Who the hell are you people?" He screamed, forcing Horton into the Lexus. The other gunman rushed to Horton's aid, trying to pry the younger immortal from his employer.

Horton struggled to remove a small knife from his pocket and drove it into the young Immortal's stomach. Devon weakened and lost his grip.

"Help me get him in the back seat," Horton ordered the man.

"But he tried to kill you, sir. Is it wise?"

"Do it."

They drove off as soon as Devon was secure, leaving the others behind to be certain the police never got word of what happened.

While Duncan and Nick still battled along the fields, Harvey approached the area where Richard had fallen. From his experience with Duncan he knew that bullets wouldn't keep him down for long. But the little prick gave him a scar along his neck and he was dying for payback.

"Little punk," Harvey cursed. He raised his gun, expecting to find Richie's body, but was surprised to find it gone. The sniper rifle was still there, but the kid had moved off somehow without him seeing. "Where'd you go you little piece of crap?"

Harvey looked around and saw thought he saw kid's blazer off to his left. He pumped several shots into it before moving in to get a better look. Duncan would finish off the David Bowie clone

As he got closer the stench of rigor mortis filled his nostrils. He never heard of an Immortal staying dead for that long. When he was close enough he caught a glimpse of the fatigues of one of the snipers he just shot.

A bullet ripped through his back and tore through his stomach. Harvey toppled over the corpse, managing to catch a glimpse of Richard, standing over one of the other bodies, rifle in hand.

Nice shot kid, Harvey thought. A second shot silenced his thoughts forever.

Nicholas circled Duncan, waiting for him to make the first move. The battle had run about twenty minutes and he was all ready exhausted.

"Why kid yourself, Ward?" Duncan taunted. He had long since shrugged off his coat and was now twirling the blade occasionally, daring Nicholas to rush him. "You have no more backup and you could never hope to defeat me without it. You practically served me yourself and your student on a silver platter. And even if you do, where will you go where you won't run into other immortals. Others who would love nothing more than to take your head for all of the knowledge it contains. We were in on this together Ward and you're just as guilty as I am. Not even your Watchers will be able to protect you forever."

"It's possible you're right Macleod," Nicholas conceited. He saw Richard out of the corner of his eye, taking aim at Duncan with one of the sniper rifles. The boy would have a clear shot if he wasn't in the way.

The voices of a thousand immortals screamed from within. Nicholas tried to tune them out, but they grew louder and louder with each day. Now they cheered for his death as well as Duncan's.

He took one last glance at Richard. He'd have a better shot of killing Duncan during the quickening.

Sorry my student, Nicholas thought. It looks as though my chronicle ends here.

"But I hope you're ready to pay the price for that platter." Nicholas lunged for Duncan's stomach.

Duncan sidestepped the attack and spun around on his feet. The blade came down fast and hard.

"Nooooo!" Richard screamed, taking aim and firing.

Duncan didn't have time to react. He was on the ground at almost the same time Nicholas was.

Richard dropped the rifle and ran to his mentor's side. Nicholas' head fell a few inches from his neck and new fresh blood added to the coppery sent of the blood all ready spilled.

A gust of wind picked up as a mist formed. Richard ignored it as he took Nicholas's sword and kicked Duncan onto his back. He raised the sword, ready to behead the highlander and end it for good.

But the first bolts of lightening struck him. Richard stumbled back as the voices and memories of immortals filled his thoughts.

Amanda Montrose through the eyes of Nick Wolfe the faces of men and women slaughtered by Caspian Hugh Fitzcarn hard at work learning to read Jeremy Peterson and his loving wife and daughter endless numbers of recently activated Immortals, cut down before they had a chance Marcus Constantine battling for his life in the arena.

Dark clouds blocked out the sun and a gale force wind surrounded Richard as he unwittingly absorbed the Quickening of his mentor, his first assignment in the Watchers, and his dearest friend.

Duncan revived in time to see the brat steal his victory. Deep within he felt the power of Nicholas Ward's quickening, but he was powerless to absorb it. He got to his feet and readied his sword in preparation.

"Enjoy it while it lasts!" He screamed in rage.