Disclaimer: I don't think there's anyone I could possibly claim as my own in this part...except for the Awakeners.

Author's Note: Hee! You have no idea how happy I am to be able to write as fast as I am again.

Author's Note 2: This is now officially the longest story I've ever written to date. Amazing. I believe I'll reach over the 100 page mark before I'm done.

Author's Note 3: I love it when my Muses run away with a simple idea that I had no intention of expanding on! (rolls eyes) I swear they're trying too hard to make up for the past half-year that they left me high-and-dry. (ie: I wrote almost 2,000 words in one day!)

Music Recommendation When you guys reach the section in the new age shop, you might want to listen to Enigma's song I Love You...I'll Kill You. It really sets the mood!

Twilight Unicorn: The Vampiric Unicorn (who is beyond hyped up about once again being able to write as she used to...if not more so!)

Part 16

Seacouver: Duncan MacLeod's Dojo, 11am, Day 6

In a private dojo, there could be heard a noise like the ringing of a large crystal bell gone wild, as well as the sound of two people working themselves beyond the point of even Immortal or Slayer endurance. After many long minutes of this constant ringing, there came the sharp and piercing rattle of something being dropped. All that could be heard and felt in the sudden silence was labored breathing, and a sense of anger and disappointment. Then a single word was shouted by a female voice to vent these emotions, which became a shriek of frustration on the vowel.

"CRAP!"

Dawn Summers sat down heavily and pounded the ground in impotent fury. Shaking his head in resignation, Methos retrieved the younger Immortal's sword from where it lay on the ground. Walking back, he handed the crystal sword to the now prone Slayer's form. With reluctance, she accepted the weapon.

Resting the sword across her bare stomach, Dawn said petulantly, "I just don't get it, Uncle. Why the Hell can't I use my sword like you can!"

With a heavy sigh, the older Immortal sat down beside the young woman, placed his own sword across his lap, and leaned his arms on the blade tiredly. Methos' voice reflected his weariness as he said, "Well, from what I've come to understand after talking with Whistler before he left, the Higher Powers consider you too young to allow you access to your full potential. He said that you won't be able to until some sort of cataclysmic event happens in your life. That's the reason he wants me to train you. So that you're prepared as much as possible for when that moment comes."

From where he lounged against a wall, Spike snorted derisively, before saying, "That's a load of bull."

Methos shook his head, then commented in half-hearted warning, "I've never known a Messenger to not say what they mean. Tell only a portion of what they know: yes, but not outright lie."

Dawn scowled as she said decisively, "I don't like it. Why don't the Powers That Be just tell us what needs doing so we can get it done?"

"It's called free will, youngling," Methos said dryly. "Long ago – when Good and Evil first began Their war for supremacy in this dimension – They made one law that both sides agreed to never violate: a person (no matter what or who they are) must be allowed to freely choose what side they'll be on. This also means that a Power can't directly order a person to do something…unless that person has freely given permission for the Power they serve to do so. But even then, that person still has free will on how they go about performing that order.

"I was that way while I worked under the First Evil, and I'm still that way under the Powers That Be…much to Their annoyance." He glanced at Dawn, to see her gaze riveted on him, her concentration absolute. "Your parents have taken such a vow, and when the time comes, you will be asked if you will do so as well. It's the only way you'll keep your title as Champion, once you've come of age in Their eyes."

As they sat there, thinking about what had just been discussed, Methos' watch went off. Turning off the alarm and gazing at the time, the ancient Immortal said, "I need to go. I promised Joe that I would meet with him and go over some Watcher business in a few hours."

Standing, Methos stretched, then looked down at where Dawn lay sprawled on the floor beside him. "Why don't you go shower, then out and have some fun? The bar won't be open until late today anyway…if he opens up tonight. Depends on how our meeting goes."

"Sounds like a plan," Spike said as he stood. "We could go watch a movie, then check out some of those New Age stores, and see if we can find anything for the gang back home."

Dawn snorted in amusement. "You mean something that they don't already have? That'd be a miracle!"

Seacouver: Joe's Blues Bar (office), 1pm, Day 6

"Hey, Joe," Methos said as he walked casually into the back room that housed the blues man's office, "anything to report on what I asked you to look into?"

"Yeah," Joe answered grimly, as his gaze stayed glued to the computer screen in front of him, "and I have your answer: it's not Wesley we need to worry about, but those he and Fred are investigating."

Alarmed, the ancient Immortal asked, "What?"

Looking up, Joe beckoned Methos closer while explaining, "Apparently we've got ourselves another renegade group."

Practically leaping to the mortal man's side, Methos knelt behind Joe's desk and stared at the computer screen with the same intensity that the Watcher had. Quickly confiscating the mouse, he scrolled through the open file before him. With each paragraph he read, his expression darkened.

"Those fools," the Immortal growled out in such a dark and deadly tone that Joe prayed that he would never hear anything remotely like it directed at himself. Methos' tone still dark, he added derisively, "But what can I expect when they don't know the truth!"

Turning to gaze at the other's profile, Joe said in confusion, "What are you talking about?"

Slowly turning his head, Methos stared out of golden eyes at the other. Joe shifted back uneasily as Methos explained, saying, "There will never be a Gathering. Them making pre-Immortals Immortal to stop the Gathering from happening is a waste of life and time. The Game's a bloody hoax. What these Awakeners are doing is for nothing. And Dawn may now never reach her full potential, since these idiots have done what they've done! Damn them…. Damn them to everlasting Hell! This could change everything."

Surging to his feet, the Immortal stalked over to the office's door, but before he could open it, Joe called out angrily, stopping him.

"Methos! What the Hell are you going on about! You better explain what you just said to me."

Visibly forcing his own anger away, Methos said in a clipped tone of voice, "I will. Just let me get something to drink before I do so."

Nodding the Watcher consented curtly, "Alright. Get me one as well. I have a feeling I'll need it by the time you're done talking."

Nodding once, abruptly, the Immortal left the office and returned a few minutes later with two glasses and a bottle of unopened brandy. Placing the items on the desk, he grabbed a chair and sat in it backwards, then took the now filled glass that Joe offered him. Resting one arm on the chair back, Methos threw back his head and drained the liquor from his glass. Not even grimacing, he set the glass down on the desk. Silently, Joe refilled it and waited as the Immortal ordered his thoughts.

Methos rested his chin on his folded arms – which were resting on the back of the chair – his eyes lowered in contemplation. After several minutes, the Immortal looked up briefly, then down again, before saying, "Remember what I said about not being able to remember anything before what I assume is my first beheading? Well, I lied. There is one memory that I have, and that was the reason for that beheading. I killed the one who created the Game…which eventually lead up to me joining with the Horsemen a thousand years later."

Joe's breath hissed out slowly in shock at those words, before he said, "How? What?"

Smiling humorlessly, the Immortal then revealed, "The one I killed told me that the Game was this: a cruel situation gone horribly wrong. He and another had argued over who was supposed to teach a new Immortal. They went their separate ways, both vowing that should they ever gather in the same place ever again, only one would remain in the end."

Joe jerked back in shock at those words, causing Methos to look up knowingly. He then continued his explanation, saying, "Many years later, they accidentally met up in a heavily populated city that held numerous Immortals peacefully living together. In a field they fought, and as happens in such fights: only one remained behind. As he stood over the body of his foe, he shouted those ill-fated words: "There can be only one," before the Quickening struck. Many witnessed this battle, and wondered what it might mean. They did not ask the victor, not wanting to seem ignorant. So as any people do: they gossiped, and soon the Game as it is known today was created.

"I don't know how long ago that happened before I ran into this unfortunate man that caused the creation of the Game, but he had taken on a kind of madness by the time I saw him. He was trying to convince whomever he met that the Game should be stopped, and why. I laughed scornfully at his words and challenged him. He pleaded three times with me not to do this before finally giving in. The battle was short, for he had not used a sword since that day.

"Just before I killed him, he spoke to me as he lay beaten on the ground. He said, "By my death, will you understand the truth. I pray the Gods will help you, as They did not me." His words were almost prophetic, for the moment I finished absorbing his Quickening, I knew, and his madness slowly but surely became my own over the centuries. It would literally take me killing tens of thousands as a Horseman before my sanity returned to me."

Joe looked at Methos, horrified, in the silence that followed. He quickly swallowed the contents of his glass, before gruffly asking in slow-growing anger, "Why haven't you told anyone else about this? So many Immortals – good Immortals – have been killed because of the Game!"

Jolting upright in his seat, Methos snapped out defensively, "I tried! Don't think I didn't! But just like the one I killed, no one would listen. That was what drove me mad, just like him. Once I returned to myself, I vowed not to speak of it. It sickens me to see so many Immortals dieing for no good reason, but what can I do?"

"Go public," Joe said. "Being who you are now, you could do what you couldn't then."

The Immortal snorted disbelievingly. "You believe that, even with proof of what happened with that fake Methos fellow…and do you think that's the first time, too? There have been other imposters, and all were killed because of it. No, if I went public, I would have half the Immortal population trailing behind me asking for advise on things they should be able to figure out on their own, and the other half would be after my head! Tell me how I'm supposed to get my message across with that situation? Or how about this: Cassandra's still alive. The moment I come public with that, she'll reveal my past just to vilify me out of spite. No one would believe me then. Joseph, it would take someone far more powerful and less targeted than me to do this. And no: neither MacLeod would be able to do it."

Joe winced as he realized Methos was right on all accounts, as well as his thoughts. Both fell quiet after that for many minutes. With a heartfelt sigh, Joe finally shook his head, saying, "I can see why you would go crazy with this knowledge. I'm having trouble and I just learned it! What amazes me is that you returned to sanity and have kept it despite keeping this rattling around in your skull."

Methos laughed weakly and tiredly rubbed his face, then said, "It's been trying at times. When it starts really getting to me, I usually go into seclusion – living an unobtrusive and unnoticed existence in some hard-to-reach place – until I've gotten the madness out of my system." Snorting, he added tiredly, "I had just gotten out of one of those when I joined the Watchers this last time, too. Needless to say, having Mac run into me not long after that turned me for a loop. It wasn't until Sunnydale and what happened there that I was able to feel grounded again."

"Thank God for that group then, 'cause I'd really hate to see you crazy," Joe said in sudden levity, as he raised his glass in a toast – Methos joining him –. after taking his drink, the Watcher fell silent, then murmured thoughtfully while shaking his head in sudden disbelief, "The cruelest injustice of Immortal kind has just been revealed after millennia's of silence, and no one will ever believe it unless we can find someone powerful enough that all'll believe and not kill."

Snatching the bottle from Joe after he had refilled his glass again, Methos commented, "Yeah, and believe me when I say I've looked." He took a sip of his now full glass. "But since we can't do anything about it now, let's see what we can do about these Awakeners."

"Well," Joe said, "Wesley sent a pretty concise report. I'll just add my own notes to it and send it Top Priority to Headquarters."

"I'd ask you to wait a little while before you do that," Methos requested. "I want to do a little research of my own, and add it to that report as well."

"I figured you would say that," the Watcher commented. "Why don't we do it together, and save some time and effort?"

"Sounds like a plan," the ancient Immortal agreed. "If you will call the lovebirds to tell them not to come in, I'll go change the sign out front."

Joe nodded his agreement as Methos rose to his feet and left the office.

Methos had just switched the Closed sign to the Open to Employees Only sign and locked the door, when there was a perfunctory knock on said door. Frowning, he looked through the window beside the door, and saw a young delivery man with a thin rectangular box. Continuing to frown, he reopened the door and beckoned the young man into the building.

Once inside the bar, Methos asked the other, "Yes?"

Looking at a clipboard, the delivery person said, "Yeah, I've got a package here for a, uh…Mr. Meethose…Methose…M—"

"Methos," said Immortal interrupted tersely, his eyes narrowed dangerously. "It's Latin."

The man in his early twenties looked up, startled, to see Methos glaring, and said, "Right. Uh, so, are you this person?"

"No, but I know of whom you speak, and will give it to that person if you will hand me the paperwork I no doubt need to sign."

Relief was evident on the young man's face as the transaction quickly took place, before leaving. Once again securely locking the front door, Methos headed back to Joe's office, package in hand. Placing the box on the desk, the Immortal said with feigned indifference, "I don't know whether to be irate, curious, fearful, or all the above…probably the latter."

Joe looked up from leafing through his personal phonebook to see the package before him, and asked, "Why's that…and what's this?"

"Just came, special delivery," Methos explained. "Someone had it sent here…under my actual name."

"What," the Watcher exclaimed in shock as he dropped his phonebook to sit up straighter, then leaned forward to get a better look at the mysterious package. He remarked, after a moment's study, "Kinda looks like one of those expensive clothes boxes that stores use to wrap presents in during Christmas."

Methos hummed his agreement as he pulled a hand-length knife from it's sheath at his back, then used the blade to carefully cut the deceptively weak-looking clear tape around the opening of the box. Placing the knife down, he then slowly lifted the lid and set it aside. Inside the box was a rough, homespun white cloth. Brow furrowed in concentration, the Immortal lifted the material, and watched as it unfolded to reveal a simple dress with long sleeves. As he continued to raise the garment, a sealed envelope fell out of one of the folds, startling the two men. Putting the dress down, Methos picked up the envelope and opened it. Pulling out a piece of expensive cream-colored stationary, he studied it for a moment, then silently read the contents.

Joe watched as Methos' face filled with shock, disbelief, and vexation, then became vague with recalled memory. Leaning precariously forward, the Watcher carefully snatched the paper from the unaware Immortal. Settling back in his seat, he read the stationary…soon understanding the other's reaction.

Death,

Long have you haunted my life. Long have I sought to obliterate you from my memories. For three thousand years I have attempted to have you killed. No more will I work through others to get to you.

I have foreseen the four Champions—you numbered among them. And I say to you this: I will not see the return of the Horsemen in another guise!

I am coming for you, Death.

We shall end this now. There will be no place you can hide in; no person to shield you; nor can you give any excuse that I will listen to that will protect you from me.

In the end, only one of us shall remain! It will not be you, Methos, who will be victorious.

Cassandra

Seacouver: The Silver Unicorn (new age shop), 8pm, Day 6

"Hey, Spike," Dawn said in gleeful amusement from where she knelt in front of a shelf, "how about sending Willow and Tara a Vampire tarot deck?"

Spike snorted in mirth, then glanced down at his bonded as she held up the deck in question. His smirk quickly vanished as he gazed at the box. Snatching the item from Dawn, he studied it, then said, "I don't know about that, Love. This deck actually has some strength to it."

"Really?" the Immortal Slayer said in keen interest. "How can you tell?"

The vampire grimaced, then said in explanation, "Drusilla, Love. The way she is makes it too hard for her to come into these places for long. The energies're too high with her sensitivity. Only if the reason was extreme enough would she dare. That usually meant I 'ad ta go to places like this and sort out the real thing from the fake."

"Huh, well, that does explain it," Dawn commented thoughtfully, while taking back the deck. "Maybe I'll get it for myself. Tara's been trying to get me to buy one since she taught me how to use one last year."

Spike shrugged, then said, "Do what you want, Nibblet. Just know that that deck isn't one I'd recommend for a beginner."

"I hear ya," Dawn answered as she placed the deck in the basket with the other items they were going to purchase. Standing, she picked up the basket, then went over to where incense lined one wall. Shaking his head, the vampire strode over to a display case that housed a collection of rare and exotic books.

An hour later, they were told by the employee manning the store that they needed to make their final decision on what they were going to buy, as the place was closing in fifteen minutes. They were going through their basket, when the bell over the front door jangled. Dawn looked up in idle curiosity, then stiffened in shock. Sensing the sudden change in his mate, Spike looked up as well, and froze.

Drusilla stood in the open doorway, swaying slightly as she slowly looked about the shop with vague eyes. Having finished her perusal of the shop, she focused intensely upon the supernatural couple. Shifting her gaze from both to just Dawn, the vampiress glided forward, and said softly, "We meet at last, my sister."

Spike shifted at these words, and asked somewhat uneasily, "What're ya doin' 'ere, Dru?"

Ignoring her childe, the insane woman reached out and lovingly touched Dawn's cheek while humming the lyrics to Enigma's I Love You…I'll Kill You. Slowly, Drusilla's expression changed to one of rage. Growling – her eyes flashing yellow –, she savagely raked her nails down the Immortal's cheek, then hissed out, "I've come to take back what you've stolen from me, Sister!"

Dawn's hand flew to her injured cheek as she gasped in pain and shock. At the same time, Spike lunged forward and pushed Dru out of the shop, gripping her arms tightly. Before he could do anything, Dawn called out urgently from within the store, "Spike! Don't make a scene. This isn't Sunnydale!"

Nodding curtly in understanding, Spike snarled to the vampiress, "Touch her again, Dru, and you'll regret it!"

Drusilla bowed her head, then looked up at Spike through her eyelashes. Her eyes were knowing as she smiled coyly. In a lilting voice, she murmured, "I'll not touch her again, but my other sister will!" She threw back her head and laughed, then spun free of the other's hold. Her hair flowing like a dark curtain around her, Dru turned around to face Spike once more. The vampiress' expression was fiercely intense as she hissed out, "You'll be mine again! I've been promised," before swiftly running down a nearby alleyway.

Spike remained standing still in indecision on what he was going to do next, until Dawn dashed up to him, grabbed his arm, and pulled him back towards the store.

Urgently, the young Slayer said, "Come on, Spike. Let's buy our stuff and then head on over to Joe's. We'll need to tell them what's happened. We can figure out what to do after that!"

Author's Note 4: Well, the mysterious woman is revealed at last. Congratulations to all who figured it out beforehand. And to a certain someone who kept insisting she should be numbered among the good guys: sorry, but not happenin'!

Next Part: Sunnydale. What's going to happen between Willow, Tara, and Oz? How is the gang gonna keep Anya's baby and the new Slayer safe when they arrive? And what's this: do I hear the sound of reinforcements on the way...but to which side will they go to?

Author's Responses to Reviewers
To Harry2: I didn't say this in the last part (and feel horrid about forgetting to do so), so here: Thank you for your help on figuring out what I was doing wrong when I was stuck on this story. Now, onto this last part's review: lol! I'll keep that in mind should they act up. Yes, I noticed, and I am grateful for the reviews on ACFA1-3. It's nice getting replies on old stories like that sometimes. As for the Reserves: you'll know that when we head back to the LA contingent. Dru, Dru, Dru...where'd she run off to?...ah yes, there she is (as you saw above). My, you've no idea how close she is, nor how involved she will become! hehehe!

To El Chacal: I'm glad you thought the wait was worth it. You don't know how long I agonized over not being able to write. It just would not come! As for the trilogy: I'm so pleased that you approve! I was planning on making this a triad near the end of the first story, so I had a general idea of what I wanted even then. I was merely waiting to see how this story formed before making a formal announcement. As for your suggestions: thanks for the tip on trilogy writing, I'll keep that in mind. Merrick: umm, not sure how to respond to that...especially with what I have planned for later in this story (as well as the next). On how I end HD: (smiles knowingly, eyes sinisterly gleeful) hee! Not even close on what you're suggesting, dear. Collin: (TU thawps El Chacal upside the head, suddenly scowling) NO! Number one rule in my world: Whatever is dead in the timeframe I'm using stays dead (or deader). I hated the little creep, and have no intention of ever using him... Plus, he's not even close the right age for the Awakeners to target him. Concerning Oz/Willow/Tara: you'll just have to wait and see, but "no" on Cain. And (draws in a deep breath, then yells) THIS IS A BUFFY/ANGEL/HIGHLANDER CROSSOVER AND THAT'S IT! (TU pants for a moment, then calms down) Right. (looks back on El Chacal's reviews) I think that's all of it.

To Buffy-CrazyaboutAngel: Welcome, and is this update fast enough for you? About the sword and Angel's paralysis: you'll just have to wait and see!

To Zantac the Barbarian: ZANTAC! (TU lunges forward and bear-hugs Zantac enthusiastically, while grinning like an idiot) good to hear from you again, my friend! On the argument: hee! thanks! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. That thing was giving me fits (didn't help that that was where I had stopped when my Muses left me)!

To worf: Wow, I haven't heard from you since the first part of the story! So glad to know you're still around. Maybe (to your first question). As for the baby situation: you'll just have to wait and see (that's one storyline I'm not revealing until the absolute last minute). And don't die on me! How are you going to read this story all the way through to the end if you're dead?

To All Who Reviewed My A Challenge Fic Answered Series and Guardians of the Night 1 Recently (and are reading this I thank you, one and all! It felt really good have new reviews on an old story (or two) and the new one (ACFA3). I have the 4th chapter of that one written and in my possession at the moment (until WRH and me can get together again to write more). I'll go through it, and then post it for you all soon.

Until the next part, everyone!
TU