Rising from the Ashes of Ascension

Chapter 4

Disclaimer: As much as I might wish, I do not own Stargate: SG1, Highlander: the Series, or any recognizable characters from either show. If I did, I wouldn't be working in the public schools system. 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 awhile, but they might end up a bit scuffed.

Warnings: Potty language, violence, and occasional sexual references

Over the next two weeks, the members of SG-1, Daniel included, helped to destroy Anubis' new weapon. It hadn't been easy for anyone, especially when they had to return to the site of the radiation accident that had killed Daniel, thereby paving the way for his ascension.

Over the course of events that took place between his homecoming and the destruction of Anubis' super-weapon, a majority of Daniel's memories of his time with the SGC had returned to him. However his longer-term memory, his memories of his life as an Immortal were slowly trickling back in. It was probably a good thing for some of the memories that were coming back were pretty horrific. Several times he had woken up drenched in sweat or screaming, or both.

However, due to this memory overload he was experiencing, he was able to remember his past wives, from Shar'ae to Orinda to even a woman he thought had been his first wife.

Her name had been Narda. He couldn't remember how they had met, but he knew that she had been a member of a tribe he had joined that had lived around the Black Sea. She had been beautiful, the favorite daughter of the tribe's leader. Her long, thick, dark hair and light-colored eyes had many men asking her father for, but she had wanted the stranger, the one they called Danil. While it was a patrilineal society, her father, Abtin, could not find it in himself to refuse his daughter. Also, he was glad of the marriage between his daughter and the stranger. He was a fierce warrior, blessed with a gift from the sky father.

In the end, though they never had any children, they lived happily together until Narda had passed away from old age (though old age of that time period was very relative compared to today's idea of old age).

Remembering Shar'ae, Narda, and some of the other people that he treasured, gave him hope that all of his memories would be returned to him eventually, that this wasn't permanent.

Finally, after everything had settled down, Adam decided that it was time for Daniel to begin working with a sword. After a word with Siler, it was arranged that the two would meet in the gym at around 2230 each night and somehow the cameras would be disabled but security would be none the wiser to their clandestine activities.

Adam and Siler had in their possession Daniel's swords and knives, which were returned to him. Daniel picked up the Jain, feeling its weight and balance. The grip felt familiar and right in his hand, as if it had been there for countless years as a constant companion. By merely holding it, memories of Master Kai came flooding back into his mind. He remembered hours of planting rice in a flooded paddy, pulling a crude plow in a field, cleaning out animal stalls, and countless hours of practice learning this new style of fighting.

He also remembered Master Kai, a slightly stooped, but still very able despite his advanced years, presenting him with the sword before he departed for the West. Master Kai had also given him something to think about on his journey back to the lands beyond the Middle Kingdom.

"It is easy to hate Danil, but harder to love but which do you think will grant your soul peace," he had said, recognizing something disturbing in the Immortal's eyes. "Also, forgiveness is an aspect of love; it would do you well to remember that." While Danil had never done anything untoward during his time with him and his people, Master Kai could see something lurking that only needed the right push and it would be free to bring about more pain and suffering.

"I will remember that Master," Danil had said gravely, taking the words to heart, but unfortunately they got lost on his way back to the Western world.

With that, Danil began his journey back towards the West where he eventually ended up in a French monastery for some much needed rest. The journey had been long and difficult. He had run into several people that had objected to him, forcing him to fight for his life. By the time he had made it to the monks, his sword had been well-used, his mind stained with horrific memories.

"Daniel," Jack called out, worried that his friend seemed lost. He had been invited to watch Daniel's first workout and was hanging around the edges of the room, careful to stay out of the way of the Immortals, least he end up accidentally shish-ka-bobbed.

"Sorry," Daniel said slowly, dragging himself out of the past. "I remembered when I received this sword."

"That's good. Let's see what else you remember," Adam said, careful to keep his tone light. "I want to start out with knife fighting."

They stood opposite each other on the mats; each of them had training combat knives, the edges worn down to prevent serious injury. While they would have healed, it would have been hard to explain the amount of blood left over and Methos wasn't sure if Daniel was ready for something that close and violent.

At first they started on knife take away techniques, moving slowly then speeding up as they progressed. Once Methos was convinced that Daniel had it down, they moved on to actual combative knife techniques.

They squared off, each of them armed. They went through the motion so trapping, blocking, and simulating vicious cuts on the ribs, spine, heart, groin, and neck.

From Jack's position it looked like a graceful, but deadly dance. Both of the opponents, moving with fluidity precision and at high-speed, knew each other's moves, but leaving room for occasional flashes and surprises. To Jack, their techniques looked to be a combination of Silat, Systema, Capoeira, Muay Thai, and dirty street fighting.

From the inside, it seemed as if time has slowed down. Both combatants, drenched in sweat, were matching each other move for move. What one attempted, the other countered. Neither one of them was willing to give up, to give in.

Daniel, for his part, was lost in the fight. He didn't have to think about what he was going to do. He allowed his instincts to take over, letting each move flow from one move to the next. It felt natural, as if this was something he had done countless times, over and over through the ages until it became second nature.

Finally, Daniel made the mistake of dropping his guard for a split second, giving Methos enough of an opportunity to roll over his arms and run his knife along Daniel's throat. Maybe it was the look in Methos' eyes, or the repressed knowledge that neck wounds were dangerous for Immortals resurfacing, but it scared the crap out of Daniel.

Daniel reacted by bringing his knee up, driving it into the crotch of the other Immortal, followed by a right fist that connected to the underside of Methos' chin and a cross with the left.

Methos, clearly not expecting this, was at first doubled over by the blinding pain his nuts were causing him to feel and then went flying backwards through the air as Daniel's fists met his head and face.

Daniel stood there over Methos' prone form, breathing hard. He looked at the other Immortal and then looked down at his own hands in shock. Slowly he backed up, wrapping his arms around him in a familiar gesture. He stood there for awhile, breathing hard, lost in whatever was going through his mind. Eventually, after several long minutes he came back to reality. With one look at Jack and Siler, who were both looking at him in shock and awe, he turned and ran.

A/N: Well, what do you think? Crap or not? Be a pal and hit the shiny review button and let me know.

Thank you to everyone who has dropped me a review and put me or the story on a list. I really do appreciate it. Thank you to Forestwife for the hints about my Vista issues. I can type again!

Also, thank you Lorilei for continuing to push me to write me – even in the parking lot of Pizza Hut Park – and not letting me slack off despite the road trip. Hope you made it home alive and didn't talk to strangers. Virtual non-chocolate cookies to you!