Disclaimer: I don't own anything except for Tori Gordon and Jack Banks! Highlander belongs to Davis/Panzer as well as Rysher Entertainment. Defenders of the Earth belongs to Marvel, King Features Entertainment and Hearst Entertainment.
"They are Immortal. From the dawn of time, they came; moving silently through the centuries, living many secret lives, struggling to reach the time of the Gathering, when the few who remain will battle to the last. No one has ever known they exist, except for a group of people known as the Watchers, a secret organization of men and women who observe and record Immortals but never interfere. I'm one of those Watchers. Holy Ground is their only refuge, In the end, there can be only one."
(cue "Princes of the Universe")
Starring
Jack Turpin
Kehli O' Byrne
Adrian Paul
Alexandra Vandernoot
Ellie Cornell
Stan Kirsch
and
Jim Byrnes as Joe Dawson
("Princes of the Universe" ends)
The Watchers
Guest Starring
Peter Hudson
John Barrowman
Special Guest Appearance
Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod
and
Clancy Brown as The Kurgan
At the Seedy Paris night club, Tori, Richie and Lynn sat at a table listening to the heavy metal music playing.
"I think I've had enough, guys," said Richie. "Let's go home."
"I'm with you there," Tori nodded in agreement.
Owen was staring silently at nothing, not paying attention.
"Whatever you say. It's fine for me," acknowledged Richie. "I think I can hang here for a bit."
Tori nodded, "Yeah."
Owen still did not reply.
"Owen? Owen?" Richie inquired before snapping his fingers. "Come in, Owen MacLeod. Earth to MacLeod."
"Are you okay?" Tori asked in concern.
Lynn reached out and touched Owen's hand, bringing him back to his senses.
"Sorry," he said.
"Hey, come on, man," pleaded Richie. "You've hardly talked about it since Darius died. I know it's tearing you up."
"I've seen a lot of people die, Richie."
"Yes, but you haven't been friends with most of them for three hundred years. All you and Mac do is stare at that book. It's-it's like an obsession, Owen."
"Is there a reason you're doing this?" Tori asked.
Owen glanced at his drink.
Duncan was carrying a wounded comrade on his back, while Owen was attempting to nurse some of the wounded of his own. A hooded monk was wandering among the dead and dying, when he sensed a buzz coming from behind him. He turned and saw Duncan. Owen, having turned, got into defense and both reached for their swords.
"I am Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod," said Duncan.
"Owen MacLeod, same clan, different vintage," Owen added.
"I am Darius," greeted the monk, before glancing at the swords. "You won't need those."
(horizontal line)
"Morning, old man," Owen teased.
"So, my old friend, how are we today?" asked Duncan.
"Mmph," replied Darius, shrugging.
"You ready for our game? Or are you afraid I'll finally beat you?"
Darius did not answer. He just looked at his crucifix. Duncan pulled up a chair and sat down next to him.
"What's the matter?" he asked.
"Sometimes being a Catholic priest is easier than other times," answered Darius.
"So is being protector of the world," Owen agreed. "Anything you want to talk about?"
"Would that I could, my child. Would that I could."
Owen looked on as Duncan pulled out an old book from the wall.
Owen pointed out, "It's a book on some kind of mythology."
"What kind of mythology?" asked Lynn.
"It speaks of... battles, gods... and Immortality."
"It's a book of observations on who we are, what we do," Duncan informed as he and Owen looked out a window.
"So, it's like a history book," guessed Richie.
"Whoever wrote it was a historian, yeah. A secretary to a secret order of men who observed us but did nothing to interfere. That's why we didn't know about them."
(horizontal line)
The two rushed inside. Upon entering the chapel, the two froze in shock. The chapel was a mess, with chairs all over the place. Lynn walked forward while Owen walked to the right. It was there that he realized one man doing this was highly unlikely.
"Who could have done this?" Owen whispered to himself as he looked around for clues.
"AAAAAH!" came Lynn's horrified scream.
"Lynn?!"
Owen ran over to her and saw something that made his world shatter. Lynn collapsed to the floor and clung to a decapitated body in a monk robe.
"DARIUS!" she screamed as she started sobbing in heartbreak and horror.
A sudden snap in his brain coupled with Lynn's state in front of him brought Owen back to his senses, and he found his voice.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
"Aaaah!" screamed Joey the skinhead right in Owen's face.
He then laughed rudely and walked away. Owen could feel his temper rising.
"He wasn't supposed to die," he said. "Besides, he left that book for a reason."
"I know," Tori stated, "I know, Owen."
"Okay, so then fine," Richie played along. "What's the reason? Is it- is it our zip code in the back cover, here? I mean, and what's this "27NJS"? I don't understand."
"Like you said, our zip code in the States," replied Owen.
At the table in front of them, Joey grabbed a busboy and pushed him against the table for no reason.
"Please, let me go," the busboy pleaded.
"You greasy bastard," insulted Joey.
"Please, no."
"What?"
"Let me go."
"You heard him, let him go," Owen snapped.
The skinheads did not answer.
"Hey, I'm talking to you, cancerhead!"
That struck a nerve. Joey pushed the boy away, then turned toward Owen.
"Maybe you'd like to take his place."
"Oh…" dared Owen as he stood up, spoiling for a fight.
"Owen, be careful!" Tori advised.
"Nothing to it."
"Uh, look, I'm not really one much to give advice, but my friend here has had a bad week," Richie warned. "You know what I'm saying? Really bad."
"It's going to get worse," retorted Joey.
"Stay out of this one," Owen told his crew.
"Owen, please don't," said Lynn.
But Owen paid no attention as he faced one of the skinheads rising up.
"Carve up this..." was all Lynn could make out from the skinhead's girlfriend.
The boyfriend lunged at Owen with a knife, but Owen dodged his strike and broke his wrist before striking him down to the floor.
"Get up! Get up!" Owen ordered as the other skinheads Richie exchanged looks and the latter shrugged. "Get up! Come on! Come on! Get up!"
Joey then stood up, worrying Lynn even further. Tori and Richie held hands, nervous over the whole thing.
"Come on," demanded Owen.
"I'm going to kill you," swore Joey.
"Only if I die."
"That's what killing you means!"
Owen then blocked a kick and a swing, before punching Joe in the stomach and throwing him into a chair.
"Come on. Come on," Owen encouraged again.
Joey came at him with a glass and broke it. He tried using the glass as a weapon, but Owen dodged and twisted it free. Then he blocked a swing, did another stomach punch, and punched Joey in the face. Then he backhanded him and kicked him in the shin, knocking him into another table.
"Come on! Come on! Fight me!" demanded Owen as he pushed Joey twice and knocking him down again. "Come on, B.C! Come on!"
Owen pulled Joey up again and held him by the throat as he continued to punch him in the face relentlessly. Finally, Lynn ran up and grabbed her boyfriend.
"Owen! Enough, Owen!" she cried as she finally stopped Owen from continuing to beat up Joey. "Owen, please stop."
Owen calmed down, then dropped Joey. He was still shaking in anger though. The beast was still not truly contained.
"Let's go," encouraged Richie.
"Let's get out of here," Tori added.
She and Richie led the couple out of the night club, while the other skinheads checked on Joey.
The leader gazed down on the floor of his prison cell. Initially, he escaped from Owen MacLeod and the authorities, using other Hunters to cover his escape, but the IUA authorities, who were posted on all the main roads, managed to catch him and take him into custody, along with the rest of the surviving Hunters.
He was currently standing trial for his crimes, but a few hours prior, the leader managed to make a phone call to one of his fellow Hunters who were in hiding, planning a prison break. Someone had been able to get the skills and other things needed to break him out of prison. Now, it was only a matter of waiting.
The leader perked up as the alarms suddenly started to go off. He stood up from his seat, expecting the help that he called for. It was a good thing that he was being held in an Earth division of one of the IUA prisons because if it had been off world, it probably would have been difficult, if not impossible, for him to break out.
The doors of his cell vanished, and two men arrived, a white one and a black one. The leader nodded, showing his gratitude for his freedom.
Jack looked up in shock to see two men free the Hunter Leader from his cell, and saw the Hunters make a run for it. He hurried over to try to stop them from escaping. The white one shot Jack in the arm before they started to make a run for it. He hissed in pain, cursing in the process.
"They've escaped!" Jack announced as two agents hurried to his side, "We'll have to inform Miss Gordon about this right away!"
"We'll get to it right away," a female agent replied before asking, "But what about your gunshot?"
Jack glanced at his arm, which was starting to heal, "Don't worry. I'll manage."
Instantly, Jack became worried, "Owen's not going to be happy about this."
I am sorry to say that he was right.
At the art warehouse, both couples were packing up their belongings to head back for the States. Tessa and Lynn were both reluctant to believe the MacLeods had a lead.
"All you have is a few numbers and couple of initials," Tessa pointed out. "How do you know it's our zip code in the States?"
"Well, what else could it be?" asked Duncan.
"Maybe it's a phone number he didn't finish writing. Or the beginning of an address."
"He would have left more if he could."
"Even if you're right, a zip code doesn't narrow it down very much," Lynn objected. "How are you going to find them?"
"Simple," replied Owen, quietly. "We go there, maybe they'll find us. They find us, we find them."
Tessa handed a worker a vase, "All right, it goes over there. It's for the exhibition in Lyons."
She then turned her attention back to the MacLeods, "Revenge. That's all this is about."
"She has a point," agreed Lynn. "Is that what Darius would have wanted?"
Owen slammed his hand on a crate, making Duncan and the girls jump.
"Darius accepted us for who we are," he responded. "But this isn't just about him. It's about others targeted by those Hunters, or those who will be caught in the crossfire. We can't ignore this. Now either support us or stay out of our way."
Everyone was quiet due to Owen's outburst, until Tessa spoke again, "When are we leaving?"
"Our flight leaves in the morning," Duncan replied, referring to himself and Owen.
"Mine and Lynn's, too. We're either together or we're not."
"When you guys return, get to the shop, stay out of sight and await an update," instructed Owen.
After the plane landed on the airport's runway, Duncan and Owen drive around the streets of Seacouver. In Owen's hand was a piece of paper listing possible 27NJS addresses. The first four lines were crossed off, with the list consisting of, 27 NORTH JERVIS, 27 NEW JAMES, 27 N JASPER and 27 NORTH JUNIPER, which were all crossed out, and 27 NORTH JACKSON, 27 NEW JOHNS, 27 NORTH JENSEN, 27 NORTH JAMAL, 27 NORTH JAMISON, 27 NORTH JACOX and 27 NEW JERICHO that were to be visited.
Duncan continued to drive as Owen looked around. Soon they reached a street sign which said, "NEW JESSUP ST." Duncan parked the car and went with Owen into the nearby building with the chronicle in hand.
(horizontal line)
Finding nothing, the MacLeods found themselves driving again. Upon finding a door sign that read, '27-N. JAY St.' they entered the location.
(horizontal line)
"You should be careful, Lynn," Tori warned as they stood in the shop. "These Hunters are very dangerous."
"I know, but I'm a big girl," reassured Lynn. "I can handle myself."
"I'm sure you can but just be careful."
Both girls gave each other a hug before Lynn carefully walked out of the shop.
I can't tell her, Tori thought sadly, It would destroy her.
Tori was startled upon hearing the phone ring.
Tori picked up the phone, "Hello? Jack, slow down. Oh my god. What?! I'll let the MacLeods, and the others know. Okay."
She hung up, and then, Tessa walked over to the area.
"What's going on?" she asked with Richie following suit.
"The IUA called," answered Tori, "Jack said to keep an eye out when returning to Seacouver. The leader of the hunter has escaped."
"The leader of the Hunters escaped?!" Tessa and Richie exclaimed in unison.
"Does Duncan or Owen know about this?" Tessa asked.
"I doubt it," Tori shook her head, "Jack called me and said the leader of the hunters had just escaped. Chances are, the MacLeods will run into him real soon."
"Should we warn them?" asked Richie.
"Allow me to do the honors."
She dialed a few numbers, "MacLeod? Sorry, I know. I just got a call from the IUA. The leader of the Hunters escaped. I just want you and Owen to be careful when you're doing your work and keep an eye out. Don't tell Owen Horton's the leader and don't tell Lynn. Good luck."
Sometime later, the MacLeods stood on a sidewalk, looking around. They were on edge ever since they were informed that the leader of the hunters had escaped the IUA prison, but they had work to do. Owen turned around first and saw a nearby bookstore entitled, 'Juniper Street Books'.
"Let's try that," he suggested, leading the way.
Owen and Duncan crossed the street and entered the bookstore, hoping to find information on the chronicle.
Inside the bookstore, the two began to look around. Unbeknownst to them, a pair of curious eyes were watching them from above. While looking around, Owen spotted a young woman about Lynn's age with long black hair, possibly a clerk.
"Excuse me ma'am, I was wondering if you could help us. We have this book..." he began before he noticed the girl staring at him. "I'm sorry. Do we know each other?"
"Uh, maybe I can help," said a voice.
An older man walked up, limping with a cane. He seemed to be the librarian.
"It's all right, I'll take care of this. Go ahead," he reassured the clerk.
The girl then walked away slowly.
"We're antique dealers," Duncan explained to the librarian. "My son here and I came across this book, but we can't tell much about it."
The librarian looked at the book, "I'm afraid it's not worth much in this condition."
"Well, we're really just curious," explained Owen, noticing something about the man.
"Beautiful illustrations," the man noted as he looked through some pages. "Probably the work of the monks."
"Yeah, perhaps," replied Duncan. "Ever seen it before?"
"No. I, uh, I might be interested in buying it."
"Really? I thought you said it wasn't worth very much."
"It's for me. I have a weakness for beautiful things."
"Sorry sir," Owen interjected, taking the book back. "It's not for sale."
"I'd give you a fair price."
"Ah, thanks anyway."
"Look, if you change your mind... I'm Joe Dawson."
Owen seemed to recognize that name but kept his poker face.
"Thanks," said Duncan, before leading Owen toward the door.
On their way out, Owen noticed a red dot on his coat. He looked forward and saw Kenneth Gord Publications in front of the bookstore. He then saw a red laser beam shining from the second-story window across the street into the bookstore. Both MacLeods saw it was not seen by the naked eye, but with their sunglasses on, it was quite visible.
"We found them," whispered Owen.
"Have a nice day," Duncan said quietly, glancing behind himself.
The MacLeods exited the bookstore and stood facing the store window. Owen held the chronicle up, so the laser hit the Watcher symbol on the cover, over his shoulder. Turning around, he and Duncan caught a brief glimpse of a tan face at a second-story window across the street. He then listened.
"They see us!" whispered what sounded like a white man. "The boss doesn't pay us enough!"
"He doesn't pay us at all," deadpanned what sounded like a black man.
"Exactly!"
"Gotcha," said Owen to himself.
He and Duncan quickly crossed the street and tried door, only to find it was locked. Unbeknownst to them, Joe had come over to the bookstore window and was watching as the MacLeods ran around to the other side of the building.
"Come on, Ricco!" whispered Jack Saunders to his companion. "Hurry!"
Richard Belson followed him as they made their way out of the building and ran down the staircase to the back alleyway. But the MacLeods had already beaten them to the exit. They stepped around the corner to cut off the fleeing Hunters.
"We'll take two," said Owen quickly.
"What?" Saunders asked, trying to play dumb.
"Aren't you selling something in the case?"
"No."
"Oh, funny," said Duncan sarcastically. "We could have sworn that you were. Our loss, huh?"
"Yeah, no problem."
They tried to walk away, but Owen cut them off.
"Actually, there is," he said, rather dangerously. "See, Daddy here promised the little lady some laser surveillance gear - you know, so that she could keep an eye on the lads."
Belson then punched at him, while Saunders whacked him and Duncan both with the case. The Hunters then took off toward street, but the MacLeods quickly recovered.
"Get your fuckin' asses back here with that, ya bastards!" roared Owen as he and Duncan followed, chasing them through the streets and alleys.
"You can run, but ya can't hide!" Owen yelled as he led Duncan into another alley.
He rounded a corner, only for Saunders to punch him in the face and knock him down. He attempted to smash him under his foot, but Owen blocked the move and Duncan roundhouse kicked Saunders down to protect his son. Owen then backhanded Saunders in the face before Belson came at him. Owen quickly kicked Belson in the face and knocked him down, before preforming a quick kick-up to get back on his feet. Saunders attempted to stand up, but Duncan kicked him in the face and knocked him out. Owen turned and saw Belson had got back to his feet.
"He's mine, Father," he told the older MacLeod.
Owen and Belson circled each other, before Owen blocked two left kicks and punched Belson in the face. The Hunter staggered back, then attempted a righthand punch, only to be blocked and right punched to the ground. Belson stumbled back to his feet and attempted two more left kicks, only to be punched backwards, falling again. Then he attempted a spinning kick, only for it to be dodged, then his leg was caught by Owen. The angry Immortal punched him in the face twice, before tripping him and making him fall again.
"Stay down," Owen ordered. "You're no match for me."
Then he saw Belson starting to get back up, "I won't ask a second time."
Belson stood back up, only for Owen to perform a powerful right kick, knocking him into a dumpster, and out cold.
"Amateurs," mocked Owen.
Duncan looked around and saw the briefcase sitting on the ground nearby, along with the chronicle. He quickly got the briefcase, while Owen recovered the book. Setting down the case in front of the Hunters, Duncan opened it and found two canisters along with a device.
"Ohh! Does this come in pink?" he teased the injured Hunters.
"Who are you?" demanded Owen. "Talk to us! There's more where that came from!"
"You and your father will know soon enough, Owen MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod," said a voice from behind them.
Both MacLeods turned and saw Joe, beaming from ear to ear. They rose slowly.
"So, you do know us," Owen spoke first.
"We know all about you," Joe told him.
"Don't look surprised," Joe proceeded to tell the Highlanders. "I probably know more about you both than you know about yourselves."
"Do you?" Duncan challenged as Owen squinted his eyes.
"I can tell you the time and place you became Immortal," answered Joe. "The name of your first loves, but that's not important. What is important is that you both care about mortals, and you don't kill for pleasure."
"How about for revenge?" cut in Owen. "Chang Shu calls me an avenger."
"For that, I'd have to be your enemy, and I'm not."
"Oh? Is that what you told Darius, my grandfather?"
"Darius. The great general who became a monk? I hope the Immortal who killed him rots in Hell."
"He was killed by a mortal."
"How do you know?" Joe asked.
"Because he was beheaded in his home! St. Joseph's Chapel is on Holy Ground! No Immortal would ever DARE risk breaking that rule! If you knew so fucking much about us, you'd know that!"
Duncan then took a step toward Joe, challenging.
"I think it's time for a few answers."
"In a moment," replied Joe before Saunders and Belson, the former struggling to his feet. "Why are you two watching him? He was with me."
"We tracked them from the airport," Saunders answered. "When they went into the bookstore, we got worried..."
"About what? These are the MacLeods. I'm in no danger."
Saunders started to help Belson up, but Duncan stiff-armed him against the dumpster. Saunders fell to his knees, while Belson stayed on the ground.
"I wouldn't be too sure of that," he told Joe, menacingly.
"But I am. Adopted son of Ian and Mary."
At the antique store, Tessa and Richie with moving stuff back into the shop.
"I hope Lynn'll be ok," said Richie, worriedly.
"She promised to stay amongst the public crowds," Tessa reassured. "I want you to start with the blinds and the windows."
"How come I've got to do this stuff?"
"I guess you're just lucky. Go on."
Tori observed as Richie wiped the dust on the blinds, then peeked through them, and saw a man looking back.
"Whoa!" he cried, dropping the blinds.
He looked through again, but the man was gone.
"What?" asked Tessa.
Richie quickly ran outside, only to find the streets empty. Tessa and Tori came out to join him.
"There was a guy here just one second ago," Richie reported. "Now he's gone."
"That's odd," replied Tori.
The trio went back inside, but Richie was worried the Hunters had indeed found them.
"For as long as your kind's been around, we've been watching," Joe explained as he walked along with the MacLeods.
"No Immortal have ever discovered you?" asked Duncan.
"Ah, why would they notice another face in the crowd?" Joe proceeded to ask. "I mean, even one as extraordinary as mine?"
"And this?"
Duncan pointed to Darius' chronicle in Owen's hand.
"It's one of our chronicles," Joe answered. "That disappeared five hundred years ago. Somehow, Darius got it. It's, uh, it's part of a record we keep of Immortals."
"So, you can hunt us?" snapped Owen.
"No, no," Joe answered, "We observe, we record, but we never interfere."
"And why not?"
"Well, too much of man's history has been lost. And, once you get through all life's crap, the only thing that matters is the truth. We want the truth about Immortals to survive, not a bunch of old wives' tales."
"Great rap, Dawson," Duncan retorted. "You expect us to believe that you've kept quiet about us for all these years?"
"Look, if we had revealed your secret in more superstitious times, you can imagine the witch hunts."
"I don't have to imagine."
"Holy rollers with no lives," cut in Owen.
"And today," Joe added, "You'd probably end up on page three of one of those supermarket rags, next to the two headed monkey, and I'd be in a strait jacket."
"You say you refuse to interfere, but you have," snapped Owen.
"We would have never hurt Darius," Joe insisted. "He was one of our great hopes."
"And why should we believe you?"
"You've been around for four hundred years. You'd feel if I were lying to you. You can always kill me, but between you and me, I hope you don't have to."
"That's good," Richie told the movers as they were putting stuff into the building, "That's good. Just like that. Just like that. Hey, be careful with that. These things don't bounce, you know what I'm saying?"
The movers continued moving things inside the shop and being careful with the stuff along the way.
"Good," Tori added in, "That's good."
"Yeah, thank you," added Richie. "Right through there. Perfect. Thank you very much."
"Where do you want this?" a mover asked about another object.
"What is that?" asked Richie, looking at the object before saying, "Ah, I hate that one. Put that back in the truck."
"Richie!" Tessa and Tori objected in unison as the former was going through a list.
"Oh, I'm just kidding, ladies. Well, we're, uh, just about done unloading."
"We'll set up tomorrow. It's too late to start now." Tessa stated.
"Very good idea. It's exciting, huh? Being home?"
"Yeah," Tessa answered.
"I suppose." added Tori.
"Tess...What's the problem?"
"I don't have a real problem," Tori answered, "I'm assigned to Duncan MacLeod full time, so."
"I wish we were coming back for another reason," admitted Tessa.
"Oh, come on, now," Richie reassured. "It's kind of like you're married to a cop, or even a superhero. I mean, there's quite a bit of stress placed on a relationship like yours. I mean, sure, you could have gone for some normal guy, you know, like a dentist, you know, who comes home at the same time every night, tells you about Mrs. Goodman's bridgework and abscesses, makes you floss three times a day - but only with the unwaxed stuff."
He glanced over at Tori, "I couldn't see you going down that route."
Then, he kissed her on the cheek before facing Tessa, "And something tells me that you were also not cut out for that either."
"Yeah. What was I cut out for?" Tessa asked.
"Yeah," Tori retorted, "let us in on it."
"I don't know. Maybe something more, the Mel Gibson type."
Tessa laughed, "Yeah, right."
"He'll be okay. He always is," reassured Richie, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
Just then, Tessa and Tori noticed a man in a parked car down the street.
"Don't turn around," Tori told Richie.
He tried turning, but Tessa grabbed his chin to stop him. That gave Richie the message that it was a Hunter. Tori knew this too.
Inside Juniper Street Books, Joe turned on his office light as he brought the MacLeods into his office. Going to his desk, he put a disk into his opened computer and typed.
"Kurgan," he identified.
Owen's pupils contracted to a smaller size. The Kurgan was Connor MacLeod's archenemy. Owen even met him on one occasion.
"Now from 1453 to 1535, he was in Moscow. Then, he went to the Scottish Highlands."
The information appeared on the computer screen.
Name: Kurgan
Origin: Northern Russia
Immortality: March 20 1452
Sightings:
1453 to 1535 located Moscow
1536 to 1610 located Scottish Highlands
1611 to 1619 located Milan
1700 to 1755 located Northern Africa
1756-1985 located UNKNOWN
1985 DECEASED [Connor MacLeod]
The sighting section was then replaced with the Kurgan's encounters.
Encounters:
Stosch Basalok 1525
Connor MacLeod 1536
Juan Sánchez Villa-Lobos Ramírez 1601
[almost beheaded]
Iman Fasal 1640
Sunda Kastagir 1750
"Spent most of the 17th Century in Italy," Joe added in.
The computer screen then revealed the Kurgan's known Quickenings.
Quickenings:
Ivan Trosti 1472
Juan Sánchez Villa-Lobos Ramírez 1601
Flavin Parrochi 1663
Stosch Basalok 1985
Osta Vazilek 1985
Yung Dol Kim 1985
Sunda Kastagir 1985
"We had lost him until New York, about eight years ago. Your kinsman, Connor MacLeod – he did us all a big favor when he got rid of him."
"You don't have to tell me twice," replied Owen.
Connor and the Kurgan fell through the roof light into the building below. Both men were winded, but the Kurgan recovered first and attacked Connor again. Gaining the upper hand, he pushed Connor's sword down before kicking it away. Connor got back to his feet to grab the Kurgan's arms before he could swing down, but Vitor's strength was too much. He pushed the Highlander down and kicked him in the face, knocking him back to the floor. He stood before his age-long archenemy, ready to finish their feud.
"So now it ends," he said.
He raised his sword high above him, when Brenda came up and hit him on the back with a piece of pipe. Distracted, the Kurgan turned his attention on her. He simply grinned and knocked the pipe away with his sword. He chuckled with amusement before raising his blade again. Suddenly, a katana blade blocked the Kurgan's sword from hitting Brenda. Vitor turned his head and saw that Connor MacLeod had recovered. Brenda sighed in relief.
"Heh, heh, heh, what kept you?" Connor teased Brenda before continuing the fight.
Brenda ran to a safe distance as the archenemies faced off for a final time. Both remained evenly matched as they deflected, countered, dodged, dipped and weaved each of each other's attacks. Soon, they paused their assaults, twirling their blades and eyeing each other with respect and contempt. And then, in a flash, they went at it again. But when they clashed, Connor swung, and the Kurgan felt steel slicing through the skin on his stomach. Pausing briefly, he lunged again but received two more slits on the stomach.
The two stared at each other once more, but Connor could see for the first time that fear was mingling with madness in the Kurgan's eyes. Raising their swords, they charged at each other, but Connor was faster and with one stroke of Ramírez's katana, sliced through the Kurgan's neck. The Kurgan reached out and grinned as his head fell back and all his energy emerged from the stump of his neck.
The Quickening energy circled above him ready to enter him, when Connor uttered the fateful words, "There can be only one."
"Here, look at this," continued Joe, picking up something from a nearby shelf. "This shot glass... was used by a gunfighter named Okie. He got drunk when he shouldn't have and lost his head."
He then picked up an Indian artifact, "Iron Horse was a medicine man for three generations. He was beheaded by a cavalry officer during the massacre of his tribe."
"I know," Owen replied. "That cavalry officer was James Darling. He himself was beheaded by my own pupil, James Vincent, in 1978."
"Speaking of which, Annette Stanley actually told me that because Vincent was disgusted at Darling's actions, she chronicled Darling as Vincent's true nemesis."
Duncan then saw an axe that he recognized. It belonged to Caleb Cole, an Immortal mountain man who had kidnapped Tessa a year prior. Duncan tracked them down to a sandbar, where he killed Cole with his own weapon.
"You were there?" he asked.
"One of us was nearby," Joe explained. "All these things are from the northwest. We have many more at other locations. But you're why I'm here, MacLeod. I've been tracking you for fifteen years."
"Should I be flattered?"
"We know there can be only one. It could be one of you, it could be your son."
"No!" snapped Owen. "It should've been Darius. We aren't worthy of such power, but he was the best choice to lead the world into a utopian."
"Not his fate."
"Fate didn't kill him. You did. A bunch of you."
He grabbed Joe's arm, exposing his wrist. "One of his killers had the same tattoo. I checked the others, and they had one too."
"No, that's not possible," Joe replied, clearly in denial.
The three men heard the store bell ring, followed by the sound of two women giggling. Joe hurried to the door, but Owen knew who it was and followed slowly.
Lynn was bear hugging the salesclerk with pure joy.
"Ahem," came the clearing of a man's throat, getting the girls' attention.
The girls turned and saw Joe standing with an amused expression.
"You know, you're lucky her father's the boss," he told the clerk.
"Oh, Uncle Joe," Lynn replied.
"Sorry," apologized the salesclerk, clearly embarrassed.
"Dad loves her. Besides, she has a business degree."
"So, what brings the triumphant graduate here, and where's that boyfriend of yours?" Joe asked.
"Heh, heh, heh. Let's not overdo it," his niece laughed. "A B.A in fine arts doesn't exactly secure my future."
"Oh, I think it will," said a sly voice.
The three looked and saw Owen walking up.
"The world's great galleries will be beating down your door," he continued.
Lynn chuckled, "Along with the repo man taking my car."
Owen then turned to Joe, "And to answer your question, Mr. Dawson, the boyfriend's right here."
"Yes, hi babe," said Lynn happily, pulling Owen by his shirt to her and kissing him passionately.
The clerk's eyes widened at the sight, while Joe stood with a gaping mouth. Duncan also showed up, rolling his eyes at the sight. Joe noticed after he regained focus and Owen and Lynn broke the kiss.
"Ah, so I take it you know his father too," Joe spoke up.
"Yes, I do, we just got back from Paris," admitted Lynn, snuggling against her lover.
"And I assume that's Sidney, the bestie," Owen pointed out to the clerk. "You seem cheerful. Feeling better?"
"Yes, I am," Lynn replied before facing Joe. "Oh, Dad called me. He said he's throwing me this belated graduation party, only he forgot to send out the invitations."
"Well, I'll be there," promised Joe.
"He must've saved it from the original plan," joked Owen.
"He did," Lynn confirmed. "Wanna come too? Dad wants to meet you."
"Sure. One of my suits is actually at the shop. I'll just go get it and make my way over."
"Great. It's cocktails at five. And…" she glanced at Sidney before turning to Joe. "Can I borrow my bestie for a few hours?"
"I can't," replied Sidney.
"Of course you can," Joe insisted.
"I think we have some things that we need to talk about."
"Nothing that can't wait."
"But..."
"You heard the man," Lynn told her best friend.
"Go on," encouraged Joe, "Go on, Sid. I can handle the store."
"Come on, let's go," Lynn said again, before eyeing Owen. "She's slow, but I love her anyway."
She blew Owen a kiss as she led Sidney away.
"Come on!" Lynn pulled her best friend out of the store. "Come on!"
Despite the hesitation, she managed to pull Sidney out of the store. But Owen saw Sidney look back at him and immediately got suspicious.
"If you're a good man, you'll let her tell her father about me," he told Joe. "I hope we don't find out you had anything to do with Darius' death."
He turned and led Duncan out, who nodded in agreement. Joe turned around and faced the wall, in deep thought. He did not know what to do.
The Hunter lit another cigarette as he sat in his car, leaving a pile of used cigarettes on the ground. Then, he looked up and saw the moving van backing toward him. Before he could react, the van rear-ended him. Richie jumped out of the van's driver's seat.
"Come on, Tess! Tori!" he called to her. "Let's go!
Tessa drove up the convertible and Richie jumped into the passenger's seat with Tori in the back seat.
"Let's get out of here," he urged before stepped on the gas, allowing them to escape.
The Hunter found he could not get his jammed door open.
"Damn!" he cursed, knowing he had failed.
Somewhere in Seacouver, Tessa parked the car under a bridge.
"Why did you do that?" she complained.
"Better safe than sorry," sassed Richie.
"But you're not sure!" Tori replied, "To be fair, neither do I!"
"If I'm wrong, the insurance will cover it. If I'm right, those just might be the guys who killed Darius."
"So, now what?"
"I don't know, but if they were after us, they're after them," said Tessa.
"Well, then we've got to go warn them."
"How? We don't know where they are."
"Nor Lynn." Tori added.
"Oh, man. This is just great! Just great! I mean, they're there. She's there. They're there. We're here. Nobody's anywhere!"
"You ever think of running for Congress?"
Tessa started the car and drove away quickly.
Outside the Bingo Hall, Tessa hung up a payphone and got back in the convertible.
"What's up?" asked Richie.
"If we're not going anywhere, we might as well stay here," Tessa answered.
"Tessa, that's ridiculous. We've got to do something."
"But what?" asked Tori.
"There is nothing to do but wait and keep trying to get Mac, Owen or Lynn on the phone," insisted Tessa.
"You just want to sit here?" Richie asked.
Tori shrugged her shoulders.
"We can't go back to the store. They may still be there."
"All right, all right. Waiting is just not my thing."
"So I've noticed."
Inside the antique store, Duncan and Owen walked down the loft stares and into one of the main rooms.
"Tess? Richie? Tori?" called Duncan.
But there was no answer. Duncan then noticed Owen looking around like he heard something. Suddenly a feminine figure appeared from behind a large crate and shot a dart at Owen. Acting quickly, he blocked it with Darius' chronicle.
"You!" he snarled, making her jump.
It was Sidney Tucker, Lynn supposed best friend from the bookstore! Just then, the Hunter that had been defeated by Richie appeared, attacking Duncan from behind him. He managed to knock the chronicle out of Owen's hand, but both MacLeods knocked him down easily. Sidney grabbed a baseball bat, but Owen fought against her and repeatedly knocked her down, while Duncan fought the male Hunter. Soon, Owen knocked Sidney down completely and joined his father against the male Hunter, now wielding a large knife. But with the combined efforts of both Highlanders, the Hunter never stood a chance. Soon, with an opportunity presented, Owen combined a bunch of punches and kicks, before breaking the Hunter's right arm and left leg, allowing Duncan to send him crashing through the store window with a powerful roundhouse kick.
"Great. Another window," Duncan deadpanned.
Acting quickly, Owen grabbed the knife from the ground and grabbed Sidney as she tried to run away.
"Where are our friends?" he demanded. "What did you do to Lynn? Did Dawson send you?!"
Sidney remained silent with apparent fear, her face having blood on it.
"Damn you! It doesn't have to be like this!" Owen yelled.
"Owen don't," insisted Duncan. "She's not worth it."
Reluctantly, Owen agreed, much to Sidney's surprise.
"Give me the book," he said, which Sidney allowed him to take. "Get out."
Sidney quickly hurried out of the store, while Owen removed the dart from the book. He then turned to Duncan.
"Dad, you need to find Tori, Tessa and Richie, they're more vulnerable to those Hunters than we are," he said.
"Don't forget," Duncan pointed out, "Tori is Immortal and Richie is pre-Immortal. Tori is capable of defending Tessa and Richie. Even if they killed Richie, he would become Immortal."
"The Hunters would be more likely to take his head or Tori's for that matter."
"What about you?"
"I don't know where the graduation party is, so I need to follow Dawson. Maybe there, I'll find out if Lynn's ok."
"I don't think Dawson's with them."
"I don't either, but I'll keep my guard up."
Quickly, the father and son hugged each other.
"Good luck, Son," said Duncan.
"You too, Dad," Owen responded.
Duncan quickly walked out the door, while Owen went to find his suit.
Now in a fine black suit, Owen sat in his Lincoln Continental Mark III, watching the bookstore entrance. Joe came out and got into his own car. Owen drummed his fingers on the gearshift as he watched Joe turn on his car.
"You better not be with them," whispered Owen to himself, gripping Darius' necklace that was in the place of a tie.
As Joe drove away, Owen quietly followed after him.
Owen quietly slipped into a curbside parking space next to a high-rise condo building and parked in the spot. He saw Joe walking toward the building before entering the lobby. Owen waited briefly, putting his hair into a ponytail, then he exited his Lincoln and entered after him.
"James Horton, here I come," he said to himself as he walked into the elevator.
Sidney stood at a small dock, looking out into the distance. She had got her companion to the hospital, but now she was alone and in deep thought. They were the good guys and the Immortals were bad. They would take over the world if the Prize was won. But what if an Immortal spared her life? One did, Owen MacLeod, her best friend's boyfriend. He could have killed her, he had the opportunity, but instead he told her to stop and let her go. He may have been persuaded by Duncan MacLeod, but he still did.
"And didn't he demand what I did with Lynn and his friends?" she asked herself aloud.
She did not do anything to Lynn or even know Owen's friends, but Owen thought she did. He was that concerned for his friends, as well as Lynn. He really did love and care for them.
"Maybe I should tell Lynn what's going on," said Sidney to herself.
Owen got off the elevator and watched quietly as Joe entered the condo where Lynn's party was being held.
"Just get with the fucking times," Owen told himself.
Taking a deep breath, he walked toward the entrance. Entering the condo, Owen looked around for Lynn, then he noticed something.
(horizontal line)
"So, you spoke to two of them," said Horton as he stood with Joe on the balcony. "That's never happened before."
"Well, I had to," Joe replied. "They thought I was trying to kill them."
"And what did you tell them?"
"That they were wrong."
"When the MacLeods left you, the younger one killed one of our men."
"That's impossible. He couldn't have misunderstood."
"He didn't misunderstand, Joe. He didn't care."
"We've been watching both MacLeods for centuries. Duncan MacLeod only killed in self-defense and as a last resort. Owen MacLeod did the same but also to avenge. You know why they call him an avenger."
"People change."
Back inside, Owen looked at the family photos Lynn had; one of them was of her with Joe, wearing her wearing her cap and gown. Owen remembered it was the day of her graduation, and he smiled. But the smile faded when he noticed the Hunter Leader was standing next to her on her right in the photo.
"What the hell?" he whispered to himself.
Another photo was of a younger Lynn in a softball uniform with the leader next to her in a coach's jacket and cap.
"No, it can't be," whispered Owen again.
"You made it!" said a happy voice, catching the Highlander's attention.
He turned and saw Lynn. She was dressed in a beautiful black dress with many flowers. Her hair had been braided up stunningly in a neat bun.
"Oh, Lynn, it's just you," said Owen, a little relieved and nervous. "Um, I'm ready to meet your father."
"I think he's out on the balcony with Uncle Joe."
Then, she slipped her arms around his neck.
"I think it's time we make an entrance they won't forget. Let's dance."
"But it's...uh..."
"Oh, come on. Come on!"
As Owen heard some music play, he gave in and began to dance his way into the party.
"Do we know where they are?" asked Joe.
"Not at the moment," Horton replied.
"We've got to find them."
"Not right now, Lynn's boyfriend is coming by to join."
"Well, you might want to-"
"Sorry, I need to go back inside. He'll be here soon."
Then the two heard music playing and the sounds of chatting stopping. Curiosity got the better of them and they slowly walked back inside.
Owen and Lynn danced to the music as the other guests whispered their approval amongst themselves. At that moment, Owen began to feel at ease. At the same time, Joe and Horton arrived inside and saw the dance conclude. The guests clapped and cheered for the couple, as they bowed with happiness. The guests then resumed what they were doing as Lynn noticed her uncle and father.
"Daddy," Lynn spoke to her father happily, "Look who's here."
She tapped Owen's shoulder letting him know her father was there. Owen turned to Horton and froze. Horton himself did the same. Owen MacLeod had recognized James Horton as the Hunter Leader.
"I thought you guys might know each other," Lynn spoke up, having noticed Owen and Horton staring at one another.
"I'm afraid not, my dear," Owen half-lied, trying to play cool before holding out his hand. "Owen MacLeod, it's so good to finally meet you."
Suddenly, Horton remembered their fight back in Paris.
Owen scoffed and pulled out his firearm. He fatally shot both Hunters, then another, and another. He then aimed for Horton, but his gun only clicked. He was out of bullets. Seeing an opening, Horton shot Owen with a taser. The youngest Highlander took and fought the pain. Finally having enough of the shock, he reached into his coat and pulled out his katana. Within an instant, he struck the taser wire, cutting himself free. Horton released the taser in a startled move and began to breathe quickly.
"Is that how you killed Darius?!" Owen demanded as he used his katana to hoist himself up. "Is that how you killed my grandfather?!"
"I'm unarmed," Horton pleaded, trying to back away.
"You use automatic weapons on me, but you expect me to fight honorably?!" accused Owen as he backed the Hunter Leader toward a corner, holding his katana in defense. "Why should I?!"
"When you kill me, others will come to continue what we have begun!" assured Horton.
"I wasn't not your enemy, but now you made me one. This isn't about mortals. We have our purpose here! Don't you understand?!"
"We've always understood. We will never be dominated!"
In a fit of desperation, Horton tried to punch at Owen, but the Highlander blocked his strikes and nicked his thigh before knocking him back with a kick.
"I don't give a fuck about domination!" snapped Owen.
"Liar!" Horton exclaimed. "We know about the Gathering!"
"Do you sense evil in me?!" growled Owen, pointing his blade. "Talk to me! Tell me what you know!"
"It's about power!" spluttered Horton, trying to hide his fear. "There is nothing greater than the power of man! Nothing!"
"You're no man! You killed a man on Holy Ground! After I kill you, you're gonna spend an eternity IN HELL!"
The word 'Hell' echoed in Horton's head. Suddenly, a voice caused him to regain his focus.
"Owen MacLeod. Pleased to meet you," Owen said again, offering his hand.
"James Horton," he replied, reluctantly shaking Owen's hand. "Lynn has told me so much about you."
"I'm sure she did," said Owen sarcastically.
"I believed you wouldn't make it because of your 'occupations'."
"Well, we got back early from our vacation in Paris."
"Why early?"
"We were visiting my grandfather, but he died unexpectedly," answered Owen impatiently as he thought about Darius' death and Lynn cradling his body.
Owen ran over to Lynn and saw something that made his world shatter. Lynn collapsed to the floor and clung to a decapitated body in a monk robe.
"DARIUS!" she screamed as she started sobbing in heartbreak and horror.
A sudden snap in his brain coupled with Lynn's state in front of him brought Owen back to his senses, and he found his voice.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
"Oh, that's too bad," Horton replied, rather rudely. "These things can happen."
"Yeah, to anyone," retorted Owen.
Lynn and Joe awkwardly looked back and forth, feeling uneasy by the exchange.
"Okay," Lynn spoke up, "This is very uncool guys."
"I don't understand," replied Owen.
"It's obvious you know each other," Lynn stated.
"You're wrong," said Joe, clearly in denial.
"I'm sorry, honey," Owen calmly apologized, placing his right hand on Lynn's shoulder. "Still upset."
Suddenly, Horton hit Owen's arm, forcing it off Lynn's shoulder.
"Don't touch her!" he snapped.
"Daddy!" Lynn exclaimed in angry shock.
But that was a bad move. Owen saw red and connected his left elbow into Horton's jaw.
"Bastard!" he roared in pure rage.
Then Owen attempted to advance, but Lynn grabbed his shoulders.
"Hey, stop it! Whoa!" she cried, switching one hand to Owen's cheek. "It's ok. He's just overprotective."
Owen's fist was still raised as Lynn continued to try to sooth him, "Breathe. Breathe."
Looking into her eyes, Owen relented, but his scowl remained on his face. Some of the guests were staring.
"Daddy, you know better than that," Lynn scolded her father. "He just lost his grandfather and is in grief. You should show him some sympathy."
Horton said nothing, he just stood indignant.
"What the hell was that all about?" Lynn asked Owen.
"Why don't you ask your father?" Owen suggested as Joe stared at Horton suspiciously.
Lynn looked at her father briefly before replying, "He won't tell me."
"Neither will I. See you back at the apartment," Owen replied before glancing at the guests. "What are you people looking at? You've never seen a grieving person act out before?! Well, I'm sorry!"
Everyone glanced suspiciously at both men, while Owen stormed out. Horton attempted to put an arm around Lynn, but she stepped back away from him, scowling. Joe was more suspicious than ever. Horton on the other hand, was now embarrassed and angry. He could not believe his own daughter was siding with an Immortal, let alone dating one.
That evening, nothing changed. Horton was standing on the balcony glancing at a picture of himself with a brunette woman.
"Why Mara?" he asked.
'MARA SCHONER' was on the office door.
Inside the office, Mara was placing Grayson's sword on the wall. She stepped back to look at it.
"Well done, MacLeod," she said to herself. "The world owes you a debt of gratitude."
As she looked at the sword, the door to her office slightly opened. Through the crack, a piercing blue eye glanced at her. Ten seconds later, the door quietly closed, and a man's voice came from its direction.
"Mara, you coming? We're late."
"Coming, Jimmy. Hold on," Mara called back.
She grabbed her purse and walked to the door. As she turned the knob, a strange tattoo was seen on her right wrist. She opened the door and exited the office.
"Is this a shortcut?" Mara asked as they walked down an alleyway.
Then, a gunshot ringed through her ears. Instantly, she felt herself fall to the ground, forwards. Clutching her wound, she rolled herself around to see who was behind her.
"No, it's a dead end," replied Horton, holding a Glock 22 firearm in his hand.
"James, why?" Mara gasped, her voice losing strength, along with her body losing blood.
"You showed respect to Duncan MacLeod, an Immortal."
"He did us a favor by killing Grayson."
"By showing respect to MacLeod, you, like my own father, failed to see Immortals for what they truly are. They're perversions of nature. Abominations in the eyes of God."
"You have no right to enforce God's will! Not only would your father be so ashamed of you, but you're also breaking the third commandment, no taking the Lord's name in vain!"
Having enough of Mara's words, Horton lifted up his gun and fired.
Horton glared at Mara's image before tossing the picture over the side of the balcony. Then there was a knock on the door. When there was no answer, the door opened and Sidney entered the condo.
"Mr. Horton?" she called out.
"I'm on the balcony," Horton replied. "Come on out."
Sidney complied and made her way over.
"How was the party?"
"Fine," Horton answered. "Lynn's went back to her apartment. She was anxious when you didn't come."
"Owen MacLeod put one of our guys in the hospital," stated Sidney. "Then I lost him."
"Oh, don't worry about it, Sidney," Horton replied.
"He's Lynn's boyfriend too."
"I know. He was here, tonight," Horton remembered. "And he has Lynn wrapped around his thumb."
The leader of the Hunters walked to the balcony door entrance, making Sidney worry.
"He's come to destroy us, and he won't stop unless we stop him."
"What if we're wrong?" Sidney asked.
"What do you mean wrong?" asked Horton, becoming suspicious.
"Maybe they're not all bad."
"It doesn't matter if they're good or evil, Sidney," Horton insisted. "They're here to dominate us. They will fight for the right to rule us, and one day, that's what they will do."
"That's not what Joe thinks," Sidney interjected. "Lynn's even said MacLeod is a great guy."
"But Joe...is a hopeless romantic and Lynn is blinded by a fairy tale," Horton dismissed. "MacLeod has killed people."
"Well maybe he had to!" an irritated Sidney argued. "He could have killed me! He didn't! I think... He said it didn't have to be like this."
"This is the way it is!" replied Horton becoming angry.
"For you! Not for me. I'm done with it! Now!"
Horton then walked back to the balcony door entrance.
"What would you like me to do?" he asked.
"Nothing," replied Sidney. "I'll handle it with Joe."
"Maybe you're right. It's good to question," Horton stated. "It's an active sign of intelligence. That's why Lynn is so fond of you."
Then Sidney turned her back on Horton, who noticed. With that, he lunged for her, his hands directed at her.
"AAAHHH!" screamed Sidney as she felt a pair of hands push her over the side of the balcony.
She fell countless stories down until she landed in a parking garage, the fall effectively ending her life as a result. After he was sure Sidney was dead, Horton walked back into his condo, his face free of remorse.
Outside the Bingo Hall, Tessa hung up the payphone after trying unsuccessfully to reach Duncan, Owen or Lynn again. She got back into the convertible as a result. Richie was sprawled across the backseat, snoring loudly. Then Tessa shut the car door, starling him awake.
"Oh! What, what, what?" he jumped.
"Tessa?" Tori perked up.
"There's still no answer," moaned Tessa.
"Oh. I think I dozed off for a minute. What time is it?"
"Morning. I've been calling all night. Mac hasn't come home."
"That figures," stated Tori.
Richie sat up and stretched, "Ohh... Oh... oh! This has been the crummiest night of my entire life. Except maybe the prom, with Mary Ellen Nowicki. She got wasted on lemon gin, puked all over the ladies' can."
"I'm going back to the store," Tessa vowed before Richie climbed back into the passenger seat.
"Tess, the store - they're watching it."
"And Duncan will be looking for us. If he calls, we have to let him know what happened. And besides, I'm tired of being afraid of these guys. I'm not running anymore."
"Ooh, you sound like my old coach trying to get us fired up before the big game."
"Did it work?"
"Sometimes. Mostly, we just got our asses kicked."
"You guys do what you need to do," Tori told her friends before leaving the car.
"Where are you going?" Tessa asked.
"Horton's been located. I'm going over to the location to help out in case the IUA is needed. Lynn HAS to know the truth now."
"Good luck," Richie replied before Tori took off.
Tessa started the car, and it made its way away from the Bingo Hall.
Inside Juniper Street Books, Joe entered and looked around. It was good to be alone in a peaceful place. He walked to his back office. As he approached his desk someone grabbed his shoulder. He turned and saw it was Duncan, who had been waiting the entire time. Joe even noticed the long coat, meaning Duncan had his sword.
"Where's Tessa?!" Duncan demanded.
"So, now you're going to kill me too?" Joe asked.
"Where is she?"
"I really don't know, MacLeod," Joe answered and took a deep breath upon Duncan realizing he was telling the truth, "You know, I believed in you. Your son killed one of us."
"He didn't kill anyone," Duncan protested.
"You're lying."
"Cut the crap!" Duncan snapped, turning around. "This is happening right under your nose and my son's losing his mind! You're not stupid - maybe you're just blind."
"Why don't you tell me what I'm supposed to see?" Joe asked.
"How about a softball coach who's running a death squad on the side," suggested Duncan.
"You're talking about James," Joe stated, implying Horton.
"No, I'm talking about Ginga Din," Duncan sarcastically replied before stating, "Don't you get it? Horton killed Darius."
"Darius died in France," protested Joe, clearly in denial. "James was in Germany on business."
"Check his passport," Duncan replied, stepping back. "He was in Paris trying to take my head and my son's, together with the other killers he recruited from your 'Watchers'."
"If you believe that, why trust me?" questioned Joe. "I might be with them."
Duncan's reply was simple.
"Well, you would have tried to kill me and Owen in the alley yesterday. I think Ricco and his friend were watching you, not us. Besides, like you said, I've had a little more experience judging men than you have."
"How do you know Ricco's name?" Joe asked.
"Owen said he heard it, ask him."
Joe was silent for a moment before asking, "So, what are you going to do?"
"That depends on what I hear from Owen," answered Duncan. "I'm surprised Lynn's doing well right now. She saw Darius' body first after all."
Joe was so shocked by that sentence, he did not know what to say.
That evening, Owen reached the entrance to his penthouse. He was back in his street clothes, with his still ponytailed hair, and had been searching for the others all night. He opened the door, and that was when he saw Lynn. She was sitting on the living room couch, crying. She did not even seem to notice Owen's arrival.
"Lynn, what's wrong?" he asked. "What happened?"
Lynn paused her crying and looked up, before replying, "Sidney's dead."
"What?"
Owen hurried over and sat next to her on the couch.
"They found her in a parking garage," Lynn explained. "Her death was ruled suicide from a fall."
Owen tried to comfort her with a hug, but Lynn began to cry again.
"We had a fight yesterday when we left the store. I wanted her to take me to lunch, and she put me in a cab and sent me home. She said she had something important to do, and I shouted at her that I was important. Oh, Owen…"
She cried onto Owen's shoulder, feeling she was responsible.
"This isn't your fault," reassured Owen, before becoming serious. "It was no accident or suicide. She was murdered."
Lynn stopped crying instantly and looked up with shock and confusion.
"How do you know?" she asked.
"I encountered her at the shop," replied Owen. "She was completely fine. She and one of those Hunters ambushed me and Dad. She was with them. I thought she harmed you, but that was false when I saw you at the party. Still, I let her go. Maybe she changed her mind about Immortals. That leader probably didn't like it. This is happening right under your nose."
"What do you mean?"
"Your dad and uncle are a part of an organization that observes Immortals and a certain softball coach is running a death squad on the side."
"You're talking about Daddy," deduced Lynn, implying Horton.
"No, I'm talking about Gunga Din," Owen sarcastically replied before saying, "Don't you get it? Your father killed Sidney, AND Darius."
"No, Daddy loves Sidney. Besides, Darius was killed in Paris. Daddy was in Germany on business."
"Did you check his passport?"
Lynn had no answer to that.
"So, taking it as a 'no,'" Owen continued.
"He was in Paris trying to take my head, Dad's and Fitz's. Together with the other killers he recruited from the 'Watchers'. They even stalked Richie, Tori and Tessa. It's a miracle they didn't find out or even know you were there."
"If that's true, what about Uncle Joe?" asked Lynn.
"If he was one of them, he would have tried to kill me and Dad in the alley yesterday. But he didn't. I think those two men we encountered, Ricco and his friend, were watching him, not us."
"So what are you going to do?"
Owen picked up a nearby telephone in response.
That night at his condo, Horton sat on his own couch in a bad mood. It had been hours since Sidney's death had been discovered and ruled as an accident, but Lynn never showed up. He could only assume that she was with Owen. That Immortal was turning her against him, and he had to save her. Suddenly, the nearby telephone rang. Hoping it was Lynn, Horton quickly answered it.
"Hello," he greeted.
"Where are my friends?" came Owen's voice.
"So, it's you," Horton replied, going out onto the balcony. "And what makes you think I know?"
"Because all this stinks of you."
"Look, um... why don't we meet and discuss this?"
"Where?"
"At Darrow Wharf. It's on 3rd and-"
"I know where it is. Also, by thy way, in all my four hundred years of life, Lynn has the best piece of ass I've ever had."
Then he hung up. Horton dropped the phone onto the balcony floor. He could not believe it. Not only was Lynn dating an Immortal, but she gave him her virginity? That was unacceptable. He had to get her away from him once and for all.
Owen put the phone back as Lynn looked at him in shock for his comment.
"It's true," he said. "But I don't think he's going to like that either way. Now come on, let's go."
He took her hand and led her away.
At a warehouse at Darrow Wharf, Horton was waiting for Owen to arrive. He had set a trap, ready to take his head.
"They're not coming, you bastard," said a familiar voice.
Horton turned and saw Joe standing there, an angry look on his face.
"Their friends are safe. You ordered their deaths."
"Friends of my enemies are my enemies," Horton replied coldly.
"Well, I happen to be one of the MacLeods' friends," said a female voice as Tori emerged from the darkness. "You really have the nerve to kill an innocent Immortal and break out of jail."
"And you are?"
"I'm Tori Gordon. And I am also a new Immortal, even though I work for the IUA, but truthfully, I work for Duncan MacLeod nowadays."
Joe glanced at the newcomer before noticing and grabbing a fire axe from the nearby table.
"What the hell is this?!" he demanded before throwing the axe back. "You were gonna use this to kill them?! Are you crazy?!"
"It's not state of the art, I agree, but it's effective," Horton answered, before going to admire it.
Tori stepped back, and eyed Horton. She found the man to be a creep, regardless if he was related to Lynn and Duncan's Watcher or not.
"What you are doing is totally wrong," said Joe. "It betrays thousands of years of tradition! Your father's life's work...And mine!"
"I have thought of that."
"And you felt nothing?"
"So, you don't agree with Horton?" Tori asked Joe.
"I don't," answered Joe. "As a Watcher, it's our job to observe and record, not to interfere."
"You must be Duncan MacLeod's Watcher," Tori replied.
Joe nodded in response, "Joe Dawson."
"Right."
"I felt like a doctor watching a cancer grow," Horton spoke up.
Joe was baffled by the response, "But they aren't all evil, James!"
"I leave nothing to chance," Horton replied with annoyance as he grabbed and prepared to swing the axe at Tori. "And I'll start with the girl, since she is Immortal."
In the shadows, Saunders and Belson were walking around, looking around for the intruding Immortals. Belson held a machete in his hand, but then a hand grabbed him by the mouth. Saunders stood with a sniper rifle in his hand, before Duncan grabbed him by the neck and pulled him away.
Horton heard both Hunters crying out before he was able to make a move against Tori.
"They're here," Horton stated before getting a firearm from the table and calling out, "Jack! Ricco!"
A soft snap was heard, and Horton pointed his gun in the direction. Joe and Tori both looked the same way Horton was looking and felt cold chills immediately crawling up their spines. They had never seen such anger, such RAGE, such HATRED. Owen emerged from the shadows, moving Belson's lifeless body like a puppet, before letting go, and allowing it to fall to the floor. His hair was still in a ponytail and Darius' necklace was visible around his neck.
"Oh dear, he broke," mocked Owen, with what seemed like an unstable smirk. "Little Jackie's busy with my dad."
He looked at Tori, "And what the hell are you doing here?"
"Helping you, of course," Tori answered. "So, sue me."
"MacLeod… he doesn't know what he's doing," Joe insisted.
"Wrong," retorted Owen.
"Shut up!" Horton shouted before looking at Owen and Tori. "My brother-in-law is very well liked in our organization."
He grabbed Joe and put the gun to his head, "When the other Watchers find out you murdered him...unless you'd like to make a deal...your life for his?"
"No," replied Owen.
"What?!" Horton exclaimed.
"Risking the life of your own family for your sick cause?" Tori stated. "You are just sick!"
"Besides, he's helping me," added Owen. "So, you'll kill him anyway."
"Like you killed Sidney," Joe spoke up.
"What?" Tori quipped.
"In times of war, innocents get harmed. I believe the generals call that collateral damage," an unmoved Horton stated.
"Is that what Sidney was?" Lynn demanded as she entered the room. "Collateral damage? Daddy?"
"Oops!" said Owen, covering his mouth before lowering his hand. "Now she knows."
"What are you doing here?" Horton asked his daughter, shocked and angry. "Get out."
"What?" Lynn asked, betrayal radiating from her voice.
"No, stay," Tori objected. "Stay and see your father for what he truly is."
"Go home! Now!" Horton ordered, before turning. "Go home!"
Owen quickly used this distraction to rush at Horton and grab his gun arm. Horton wasted a bullet as he tried to gain control of his weapon. The two grappled for the gun as Owen sadistically forced Horton to turn the gun on himself.
"Don't! No!" Lynn cried. "Let him go! Daddy! Please, don't! No!"
Owen and Horton struggled with the gun, but Owen easily overpowered Horton and pressed the muzzle of the gun against the side of his victim's neck. Owen grinned sadistically at the sight of Horton's pathetic struggles.
"Let him go!" pleaded Lynn, as Owen continued to torment Horton. "Daddy! Let him go! Stop it! Stop! No! God, please...No...Oh God, please stop…"
She did not want any more of her loved ones to be dying, regardless of the reasons, but even Tori could see that Owen's fingers had begun to tighten on the trigger.
"Please stop. Stop!"
"Owen, please don't do this!" Tori finally spoke. "Think of Lynn! Don't hurt her father in front of her!"
Owen glanced at both girls with a blank expression.
"Don't," Joe begged.
Owen yanked the gun away, turned on the safety and threw it aside. He then grabbed Horton by the tie.
"Another time," he said. "I'm sparing you out of respect for the woman I love. But let this be a warning: a single step out of line will result in your permanent end."
Owen released Horton and turned around, beginning to walk away.
"This'll slow you down a bit," Horton said ungratefully, before grabbing another gun and the axe from the table.
"Owen!" Tori exclaimed in shock.
"MacLeod!" Joe shouted out.
But it was too late. Horton shot Owen in the back twice.
"Owen!" screamed Lynn, grabbing Horton's arm.
"Lynn!" Horton exclaimed at his daughter, trying to pull his arm free and wasting two bullets in the struggle.
Lynn continued to pull Horton's arm, preventing him from shooting her boyfriend. Tori tried to help, but Horton kept swinging the axe at her. Owen decided he had had enough and pulled out his katana. Lynn struggled to hold her father back before he can do further damage to her boyfriend. But suddenly, Horton pulled his arm free and swung at her. The butt of the firearm struck Lynn in the right of her face, knocking her down. Joe stood in horror at the action. Tori was also horrified but disgusted that a father would do that to his own child.
For Owen, that was the last straw, and he charged. Horton raised his gun again, but Owen grabbed the arm wielding it and twisted it. Then, with pure rage in his eyes, he stabbed Horton in the side with his katana. Lynn had recovered and ran over just in time to see the sword go into her father's side. Owen pushed the blade deeper into Horton's side, knowing that the slow loss of blood would be torturous for him.
"Die," growled Owen, before he tore his blade free.
Horton dropped to his knees, before falling backwards onto the floor. Lynn knelt over her father's body, blood coming from the right corner of her mouth.
"Why?" she sobbed.
"That wasn't necessary," Tori agreed, clearly annoyed.
"For Darius," was Owen's blunt reply, while struggling to stand.
Lynn began to cry. It was all too terrible. Joe could only look heartbroken and horrified at the sight before him. Owen sighed in relief and satisfaction before succumbing to his gunshot wounds.
"Question," Tori looked at Joe.
"Yes?" Joe glanced at her.
"Are you my Watcher too?"
"No," Joe shook his head as he answered, "But I have someone else assigned to be your Watcher after you became Immortal."
Tori nodded as Joe helped guide Lynn away with Horton's body. She remained by Owen's side.
Later, the Highlander revived, gasping for air and looked around to find himself still in the warehouse. Duncan and Tori were both kneeling over him.
"Are you okay?" Tori asked.
"I didn't lose my head," answered Owen, grabbing his sword. "That's the important part."
Tori gave a small smile, and gave Owen a hug, which he accepted.
"Where's Lynn?"
"She and Dawson took Horton's body away," answered Duncan. "Come on, let's go."
He and Tori helped Owen up, which he accepted, and the trio made their way out of the wharf.
Later, the MacLeods returned to Juniper Street Books and snuck into Joe's office. Looking around, they saw it had been cleaned out. But the computer was still there. Tori stood at the door as Duncan sat at the desk and typed on the computer for results.
C: dir KURGAN
NO FILE FOUND
He then tried another search.
C: dir DUNCAN MACLEOD
NO FILE FOUND
Satisfied, he turned the computer off and got up.
"Goodnight, Dad," said Owen as he went for the exit.
"Goodnight, Son," Duncan responded as Owen walked away.
"What was on the computer?" Tori asked.
"Nothing," answered Duncan, "The files were all cleared."
"Really now?"
"Really."
With that, Owen left the pair to return to the penthouse.
Owen returned to the penthouse. Upon arriving, he saw Lynn was waiting for him. Owen quickly changed his clothes, before coming over to her.
"Does it hurt?" he asked, taking out a tissue and gently dabbing her wound.
"Not anymore," answered Lynn. "It'll be ok."
"I was worried about you when I woke up. I couldn't get ahold of you after the fight. What happened?"
"After we took Dad away, I went to his condo and looked around the place. That's where I found out you were right; he did know about the Immortals. Not only that, but I found a list of his victims and his quest to hunt them, as well as a security camera where I found him killing Sidney. He pushed her off the balcony."
"I'm really sorry that happened," Owen comforted her with a hug. "She didn't deserve to die. But she can rest well now."
Lynn returned the hug, accepting his condolences, "He was so obsessed with killing you and every Immortal. It was so scary. I hated it."
"How are you holding up?"
"The best I can one day at a time. But I need to go away."
Owen felt his heart stop beating.
"Go away?" he asked.
"I spoke with Uncle Joe, and he agreed to allow me to move in with him."
"Are you breaking up with me?"
Lynn sighed sadly, "Sorry, Owen. Too many people I love have been harmed or killed. I need to put my life back together and I can't be with you right now."
Deep down, Owen understood how she felt.
"Alright," he said simply. "I hope your uncle can help you through all this."
He went over to his closet and got out his leather jacket. He then grabbed his sword along with his firearm. He went for the door, but Lynn followed him.
"Where're you going?" she asked, clearly concerned as she walked with him to the garage.
"I won a big victory against those Hunters," explained Owen. "But there's still more of them out there in the world continuing their war against me and my kind. My children are out there as well, and I need to warn them."
"I thought Immortals can't have children."
"We can't, but our pupils can sometimes be like our own children."
Lynn could not argue against that.
"I lost my grandfather to those monsters," Owen continued. "I can't lose them too."
Walking through the garage, the two approached a motorcycle that was chained in a rather 'unique' area of the place. Owen placed his sword on the side of the bike and climbed onboard. He zipped up his jacket, shielding Darius' necklace.
"I don't know where those Hunters are," he admitted. "But if I cause enough trouble for them, they WILL come for me. They find me, I find them."
He started the bike and put on his helmet, "Wish me luck."
Then, he charged through the garage and out the exit. Lynn watched as he rode away, worry and tears in her eyes. She still loved this man and wondered if she would truly see him again.
The next day, Duncan and Tori reunited with Tessa and Richie.
"Secret societies," Richie stated as he and Tori walked up behind Duncan and Tessa, who were holding hands. "Mortals trying to kill us...I mean, you're never going to know where it's coming from."
"So true," agreed Tori. "This life we live is full of surprises."
"Yeah, Tori, Rich, thanks for the happy thought," Duncan replied sarcastically.
"They'll be back, won't they?" asked Tessa.
"Maybe... but not today."
With that, he shared a kiss with Tessa.
Just then, Richie spoke up, "Hey look!"
Duncan and Tessa stopped what they were doing and looked the direction Richie was looking. Tori did as well. And there was Lynn, hurrying over to them. Tori quickly hurried over to give her a hug.
"Lynn," Duncan said, placing a hand on her shoulder, "You, ok?"
"Yeah, I'll be ok," answered Lynn. "Owen was right, Dad did know about Immortals, and he killed Darius and Sidney."
"I'm sorry," Tessa apologized as she hugged Lynn as well, who returned it.
"Where's Owen?" asked Richie.
"He left town last night," Lynn answered.
"Without saying goodbye?" asked Tori. "Why?"
"I don't know why he didn't tell you, but he's locating the rest of the Hunters, intending to stop them."
"I can understand that, but what about you?"
"I'm moving in with Uncle Joe."
"You and Owen broke up?" asked Richie with concern.
"No, I just can't be with him right now. Too many people I love have been hurt and I need to put my life back together."
Duncan nodded in understanding. Lynn had been through too much, but he was also concerned for his son, who did not let him know he was leaving. Even Tori had to agree.
"Well, if you ever need help, don't be a stranger," advised Tessa.
"I won't," Lynn promised, giving her another hug.
With that, she hugged Tori, Duncan and Richie as well, and continued on down her path. Duncan and Tessa walked the opposite direction.
"Something tells me this is just the beginning," stated Richie.
"And that's a total fact," Tori smirked as they followed the older couple.
As they continued walking down the street, a man and woman turned and watched them walk away. Unbeknownst to them, Owen was hiding nearby, with a tall man standing next to him. They could see a blue Watcher tattoo on the man's wrist. Owen looked at his companion, who nodded his approval. Owen gripped the necklace around his neck.
"For Darius," he said to himself.
(Cue Princes of the Universe)
Co-Starring
Neve Campbell as Sidney Tucker
Carrie Fisher as Mara Schoner
Werner Stocker as Darius
Featuring
Roxanne Hart as Brenda Wyatt
Douglas Arthurs as Joey
Brad Loree as Jack Saunders
Ernie Jackson as Richard Belson
Ajay Karah as Busboy
(Princes of the Universe ends)
Author's Note: Where do I begin? This was one of my favorite chapters so far. This is just the beginning of Owen MacLeod's quest in taking out all of the Hunters, but this is not the last we will see of James Horton.
This chapter is dedicated to the loving memory of Carrie Fisher, who Roland Cain had fancasted for the role of Mara Schoner and I believe she was an excellent choice for the role. I also remember her as the iconic Princess Leia in the Star Wars franchise. She passed away on 27 December 2016, just two days after Christmas. So sad.
RIP Carrie Fisher. May the force be with you.