Disclaimer: Why do I keep writing these? You know I don't own the shows! I'm nowhere near Joss' level of genius... Wait, let me rephrase that: I may be somehow connected to his psyche, but I'm not him, nor own anything connected to him or his shows. I also don't own Highlander and anything connected to that either.

Author's Note: This part's made possible -- and influenced -- by the group Mediaeval Baebes. A very cool female rock group that mixes medieval music with modern rock. Simply amazing. It's also possible by the new Buffy soundtrack. Blessings upon Joss for getting Once More, With Feeling on CD!

Author's Note 2: You're going to see something that I should of probably done in the previous story when Buffy got her sword -- not Dawn --, but it didn't feel right until now to put it in. Hehehe...are you guys in for a surprise! Also, I've never actually described a sword fight in detail, so I'm sorry if it sounds a little choppy... And it's a little gory, so you've been warned.

Author's Note 3: Fun little fact about Immortals -- you can kill them again and again, and they'll still keep coming back until you slice off their head!

A Special Thank You: This part goes out to William Lee Pifer. It is due to him and the ideas he gave me that the following battle and subsequent talk were possible. Thank you for letting me use what you told me, William!

Twilight Unicorn: The Vampiric Unicorn (who finally figured out a way to cut down on the Author's Notes (I hope)!)

Part 8

Seacouver, Joe's Blues Bar: 3am, Day 3

Spike tossed the last drunk out of the bar while Dawn held open the door for him, thoughtful.

"I think that's the same one that tried to get me to sit on his lap," Dawn commented as Spike dusted off his hands, which then stilled after he registered what the Immortal Slayer had said.

"That so?" he said casually.

"Mmm-hmm," she answered just as Methos called them back into the bar.

The Immortals, Watcher, Vampire and Messenger sat in front of or stood behind the serving bar, each with a drink of their choice.

"Why was I given that sword, Whistler?" Dawn asked quietly, her gaze upon the Messenger intense.

After downing the rest of his beer, Whistler said, "You remember what I said earlier, about the Powers That Be have been planning somethin' since before I joined up?" At everyone's nod, he continued, "Well, seems Their plan is just about to come to life – so ta speak –. But there's a slight problem: somehow, two of the other side's informants were able to find out a little of what Their plannin'. The Powers ain't happy with it, and are speedin' things up in hopes of keeping Their enemies from stoppin' what they've been plannin' for so long."

"That doesn't explain why I have that sword," Dawn said frowning.

"It does, 'cause you, Methos, and your mom and dad are all part of this plan," the Messenger said seriously.

"What about me," Spike asked, curious.

Whistler studied Spike for a long moment, then said honestly, "They don't know what to think of you, Vampire. The only thing I'm getting from them concerning you is that as long as you stay by Dawn's side and help, They'll leave you alone. It's either that, or you're dust in the wind buddy. You're a wild card in all this, and They don't like it."

His face blank, Spike drawled out, "Fair enough, considerin'."

Dawn rolled her eyes, then said – slightly impatient –, "This still doesn't explain that sword!"

"Chill," Whistler said, "I'm getting there. The reason you got that sword is 'cause your gonna need it when you take your place as a Champion of Light in the final battles. And the reason you got it now is 'cause you'll be needin' it soon... But They didn't tell me why or how, so don't ask."

With these words, the Messenger stood, and looked at Methos. He said, "Teach her how to use that sword well, Champion. She's going to need every edge she can get to face what's coming. She may have great power, but she doesn't yet understand it," then turned around and left the bar.

The silence that fell with Whistler's leaving was leaden with confusion and unease from all except the ancient Immortal. It was several minutes before Dawn turned to Methos, and asked, "Uncle, what did he mean about you teaching me about my sword? I already know how to use a sword."

"Not like the one you've been given, Child," Methos said quietly, before standing to get his coat.

He returned to where the others were, pulled out his sword, laid it out on top of the bar, then looked at Dawn, and asked her, "Tell me: is this sword an ordinary sword that any Immortal or Warrior would use?"

Dawn quirked an eyebrow, "It looks like it. But knowing you...it isn't"

Methos smiled and tapped the younger Immortal on the nose before saying, "Smart girl. You're right."

With those words, he lifted the sword from the bar, and walked over – and onto – the stage where the musicians would perform during business hours. Standing in the center of the stage, Methos held the sword downward on his right side, his head bowed. Moments passed before he raised his head, eyes closed. His expression was calm as he brought his sword up before him in a guard position. He then pressed his left hand against the side of the blade facing him, and followed the blade from its hilt to the tip with that hand, before slowly dropping said hand. A strange humming seemed to fill the room for a moment after that, then his sword began to glow...the blade changing from metal into crystal.

Dawn gasped as she looked at the crystal blade. Within the crystal, a green as vibrant as the leaves of the evergreen trees shone, making it almost seem like it was an emerald blade instead of a crystal one. She looked up from the sword to its welder, and saw the challenge in his now open eyes, which were as green as his blade. Swallowing, she nodded, went around the bar, and grabbed her own sword from where she had hidden it while she worked.

As Dawn did this, Methos looked at Spike, and said in all seriousness, "If you value your life and the life of the one which you have Bonded yourself to, Vampire, don't interfere in what is about to happen."

Spike nodded his agreement as Dawn reached the stage. As the Immortal Slayer stood on the stage, Joe said dryly, "If you guys break anything, you're paying for it... And don't say to put it on your tab either, Old Man. I want immediate compensation."

Methos only nodded his understanding as he looked at Dawn intently. The young Immortal Slayer stood before him: uneasy, but ready. With a curt nod the two began to circle each other. Seconds later, Methos struck out high, aiming for Dawn's neck. The Immortal Slayer instantly deflected the blow with Slayer reflexes, her eyes hardening with resolve as she moved her sword to strike at her opponent's stomach in the same move.

Methos sneered as he blocked the blow as though it were nothing, saying mockingly, "Is that all you have, Girl? I thought your mother, father and mate trained you better than this!"

A dangerous glint appeared in Dawn's eyes as she snapped, "What makes you think this is my best, Ancient?"

His eyes hard, the ancient Immortal said quietly with increasing intensity as they continued circling each other, "Then do your best, Girl. I will not train one who will not perform like they would in a true battle during practice. Your mother learned the same thing when I taught her how to use her own blade... Use what you possess, Child! You are a Slayer created from a Slayer that has battled against all odds and become the best of her kind, a vampire that even his own kind fear, and the very source of what you once were: energy. You are also an Immortal, a Warrior, and a Champion. You are all these things. As such, fight as what you are!"

With a cry of rage, Dawn struck at Methos.

"Damnit," Joe hissed. "I should have told them to take it to the dojo!"

Spike – eyes firmly set on the two Immortals fighting – asked tightly, "What do you mean, Watcher?"

"I've only seen him like this once before, and Duncan received the brunt of it. The Old Man's pulling out all the stops. I don't think I'm going to have a bar left when they're done... But maybe I will, considering he'd have to pay for the damage."

Methos barely deflected the blow aimed for his face, and sneered again. "Sloppy, Girl!" he snapped. "Focus! Don't just strike. Think about what you're doing!"

"I. Am!" Dawn gasped out as Methos slashed his blade across her stomach, ripping her shirt and cutting her stomach beneath. "Ugh!"

"You call this your best, Girl? I should not be able to touch you, let alone draw first blood!" Methos snapped out as he swung his sword, aiming for her head.

With a low growl that would have made Angel proud, Dawn moved with supernatural speed and blocked the swing. With a strength that was a combination of her parentage and her calling as Slayer, she pushed Methos' sword away from herself.

As he fought to keep a hold on his sword and bring it back into play, Dawn shoved her own sword into his stomach. With a grunt, Methos' eyes snapped to Dawn's face...watching her reaction.

Dawn stilled, looking at the flame-red blade inside Methos, swallowing. Her eyes flew to the ancient Immortal's, and saw grim satisfaction. She watched as he moved back, her sword sliding out of him and to her side...dripping with the Immortal's blood.

"You think you've won, Girl?" Methos whispered as the blue lightning of his Quickening flickered over his wound, healing it far faster than it should have. "I've barely begun! You've just fought me as an Immortal... Now you shall fight me as a Warrior and Champion of Light!" With those words, the ancient Immortal brought his sword up.

In confusion, Dawn watched as Methos' blade began to glow...the color seeming to shift and move like long grass in a field whipped about by stormy winds. With a speed that should not have been possible, the ancient Immortal moved towards her. With a cry, Dawn dropped to the ground and kicked out, hitting Methos in his just healed wound.

He expelled a breath in pain sharply, then brought his sword down swiftly where Dawn lay...only to find her not there. Looking up quickly, Methos barely blocked the fist heading towards him. He let the blow that was meant for his face slip down his arm and slammed his elbow into Dawn's chest...hard, when she drew close enough to him with her own momentum. The sound of her sternum snapping was heard by all.

With an expression of stunned shock on her face, Dawn dropped to the ground...dead, her sword clattering off of the stage.

For a long moment Methos stood there, staring at Dawn, then looked up to see Spike still at the bar with Joe...looking beyond pissed and ready to rush him.

"You can go to her now, Vampire," Methos said wearily as he stepped off of the stage and picked up Dawn's sword, then headed towards the bar.

As Spike practically flew to Dawn's side, Methos sat down at the bar. Without a word, Joe placed a cold beer before the ancient Immortal, and said dryly, "You know you're going to have to do a lot of explaining when she wakes up, right?"

Methos just nodded, before downing the beer without taking a breath. With a sigh, he put the empty bottle down on the bar, and said, "I know. But it was necessary."

"Why?"

"She needs to know that she can't just rely on one set of abilities. She has many different avenues that she can draw from, if she would only recognize it."

"Mind explaining that in more detail?"

"Sure...as long as this doesn't get put in any official Watcher Chronicle, Joe."

"It won't. But it'll go into my unofficial one, which you guys will get when I die."

Methos nodded his understanding, then said, "Alright. You know how Immortals seem capable of doing things that shouldn't be possible? Like the fact that we can get hit all we like and barely even bruise, but stick us with a knife or some other sharp instrument and we're hurt badly?"

"Yeah."

"Well, a lot of it is due to what a Quickening is."

"Huh?"

"The simple explanation is that a Quickening is pure energy. You see how this can be possible when you watch as the blue lightning arcs across a wound when we heal."

"Makes sense."

"This 'energy' or Quickening gives us an edge we wouldn't ordinarily have in a battle or everyday life. Now, Dawn also has several other abilities besides being an Immortal. She– Yes, Joe?"

"Aren't you going to tell me what Immortals can do, Methos?"

The Immortal gave the Watcher a sly look, and said smirking, "And not have you wondering what is or isn't capable by an Immortal? I think not... As I was saying, Dawn has many other abilities due to what she is. As a child born of a vampire she has all the qualities of a vampire, but none of the weaknesses."

"Like that movie: Blade?"

"Exactly, except she will never need to drink blood. As a daughter of a Slayer – as well as being a Slayer herself –, she possesses those capabilities as well."

"Wait a minute, if she's born of a Slayer and a Slayer herself...doesn't that double her abilities in that area?"

"It could if she learns how to tap into that extra layer she possesses. But for some reason, the Powers That Be are keeping that from happening. Buffy's talked to me in frustration about this to no end, and They won't explain why."

"Perhaps you can ask Whistler to find out why."

Nodding his agreement, Methos said, "It might work. Anyway, there is still one more area that Dawn can put into use and that is the fact of what she was before becoming what she is now. And that is the fact that she was pure energy before becoming a being of tangible substance. In this case: human form."

Before Methos could go on, both mortal and Immortal heard the distinctive sound of an Immortal coming back to life.

Spike held Dawn to him as she drew in ragged breath after ragged breath. After several moments, the young Immortal Slayer moaned and burrowed further into her lover's embrace.

A few seconds later, Dawn muttered darkly into Spike's chest, "I'm going to kill him. I swear it."

Spike chuckled, saying, "Can I drink the blood 'e spills, then?"

Dawn half-heartedly swatted at Spike's arm as she pulled back from her mate, looking around the stage. Frowning, she asked, "Where's my sword?"

"The Old Bastard 'as it, love."

Now scowling, Dawn stood and began walking over to where Methos and Joe were, Spike following. She stopped before Methos, and said shortly, "My sword. Now."

Methos shook his head, and said calmly, "Only after I explain a few things to you, Dawn. You may know a lot about physical fighting, but there is more than that to being an Immortal...let alone a Champion."

Crossing her arms over her chest, she said with a trace of anger in her voice, "Then begin talking, Uncle, I'm listening. And if we're not done by the time the sun rises..."

Smiling faintly in amusement, Methos nodded and said, "Understood."

9am (well past sunrise), Joe's Blues Bar, Day 3

"That everything then?" Dawn asked tiredly as she leaned against Spike who was sound asleep beside her in the booth the three of them were sitting at.

"It should be," Methos said as he rubbed his eyes, then glanced at his watch, wincing. "And it's well past the time you allotted me."

Dawn shook her head slowly, saying, "Doesn't matter now. What you've told me was stuff I really needed to know. Now, to just put it all into practice..."

Standing, the ancient Immortal said, "Which you will...after we get some rest."

"Won't argue with you on that," Dawn agreed as she shook her companion. "Wake up, Spike. Time to go to bed."

Not even commenting on the absurdity of that statement, Methos pulled Dawn's sword out from where he had been hiding it. He then placed it on the table in the booth where they had been sitting for the past six hours. Dawn nodded her thanks as Spike blinked at the sword before him groggily.

"I'll drive you both to Duncan's," Methos supplied as Dawn prodded Spike out of the booth so she could get out.

As the three immortal beings began shuffling their way towards the entrance of the bar, Joe came out of his office. He hair tousled, clothes wrinkled, and leaning against his cane a little more than was necessary, he asked, "You guys leaving?"

Methos muffled a yawn as he said, "Yes. Want us to lock up, too?"

"I'd appreciate it. Thanks," Joe said as he moved back into his office.

Dawn opened the door, jumped back in shock – bumping into Spike as she did so –, and gasped. In the doorway stood a man in his mid-twenties, a head shorter than Dawn, green eyes, and short spiky hair colored black with red, orange, green and blue tips. The man blinked, lowered his raised arm, adjusted the strap to the guitar case slung behind him, and frowned, looking beyond Dawn to Spike, recognizing him.

"Spike," the man said, his voice placid, but tired.

The chipped vampire gazed at the man for a moment in confusion, then his eyebrows shot up as he recognized who was before him. He said in startlement, "Bloody 'Ell! What're you doin' 'ere? Last we heard, you were in Australia...an' that was four or five years ago."

The man's mouth quirked for a split-second, before saying, "Traveling. And I could ask you the same thing, Spike. Why are you here?"

"I'm 'ere because of Dawn. Wherever she goes, I go. 'Owed you end up here?"

"Heard that there was a bar that would let whoever was interested play on stage and pay them. I just got back in the states and need some cash and a place to call home for awhile."

Spike nodded in understanding, just as Dawn finally got her voice back, exclaiming in delight as she suddenly hugged the man – startling him –, "Oz!"

Next Part: What's been happening in LA, and what about the Taraka Order?

To All Who Helped In Describing Amanda: Thank you! What I was given was very helpful. I meant to bring her in, in this part, but it didn't quite work out. She'll be coming in later, not sure when though. But thank you anyway!

To El Chacal: I know about Merrick. I just don't see a way to bring him into this... Damn, I just figured out how. Never mind what I just said!

To Superfan: You sensed right. And, no, I'm not bringing in that brat! I have too many Muses as it is! I'm not lying when I say I have over thirty of them (and that just with this story)! GAH! Also, if Remo has something planned...I have no idea what it is. He hasn't told me anything.

To voidhawc: Thank you, and welcome to my little world!

To Anyone Else Who Reviewed: Thank you! I really do appreciate it when you guys tell me how you like it. And ideas are always welcome...just don't give me any more characters to add, PLEASE! I'm swamped as it is!

To Any Who Want Personal Update Notices: Give me an email at twilightunicorn4 yahoo. com, with the subject heading -- Emailed Updates. I'll gladly add you to my growing list.