Author's Notes: Hello, folks. Here is my attempt at a Highlander story. I guess what you need to know about it is that it ignores every Highlander movie and tv show except for the first movie. This is a direct sequel to it. Most folks who've seen the first one know that it wasn't exactly designed to have a sequel, so I had to take some liberties with this story to explain how there could be another story after the first one. Hopefully, it's not too bad. And I guess this would be a short cast list.
EXT. BREMEN CEMETERY - DAY
We open up on a smallish TOMBSTONE. On it is...
CRYSTAL MARTIN
LOVING DAUGHTER AND WIFE
1974-1999
We pan around the graveyard and find ourselves in a fall atmosphere.
A young man, mid 20s
comes walking up to the tombstone. He's carrying a bouquet of
roses.
He kneels in front of the gravestone and places the flowers in front
of it. A sadness is evident
in his eyes. He bows his head.
MONTY
I think I saved you a lot of pain,
Martin.
The young man's head jerks up at the voice. DANIEL MARTIN stands
up and slowly spins
around to find himself face to face with another man, a tad bit older
than himself.
DANIEL
You caused me a great deal of pain.
MONTY
You would have outlived her, Martin. She
would have died while you were still in
essence a young man. You would have had
to live with that for the rest of your immortal
life.
DANIEL
I still have to live with it for the rest of my
immortal life, though I sense you've come to
cut it short. Like you did that day those
two
months ago and didn't find me home.
MONTY
Your wife put up a fine struggle.
DANIEL
Is this what it is to be immortal? To
kill one
another? What a wasted lifestyle. And
when someone who is not one of us gets
hurt or killed in the whole bloody game, we
just shrug it off.
MONTY
Worries you won't have to live with much
longer.
Monty pulls out a sword and makes a swift strike at Martin's head.
In a flash, Martin has his sword
out of his trench coat and blocks the blow.
They exchange a few more blows, then Monty kicks out, knocking Martin
off his feet. Martin's
sword flies to the side as he lands on his back. Monty brings
his sword down, but Martin
rolls out of the way, barely avoiding a beheading.
On his knees, Martin grabs his sword and swings it, intent on cutting the other off at his feet.
Monty leaps into the air, avoiding the swipe. Martin is now on
his feet. Monty brings his
sword around, intent on decapitating Martin. Martin ducks and
Monty's sword buries itself
in a tombstone. Monty grunts as he tries to pull it out.
It's stuck.
Martin throws a kick to Monty's head, knocking him down.
DANIEL
This is stupid. Killing each other, in search
of what? In search of a prize? The other
guy, the Highlander. He thought he won
the prize, but he was wrong. Don't you
people understand. There is no prize.
It's
a myth. I didn't ask to be immortal.
MONTY
None of us did. But, it is our lot in life.
Kill
or be killed.
DANIEL
So be it.
In a move borne of desperation, Monty tries to get up and leap for his
sword, but he is
tripped up by Martin. Martin brings down his sword for the final
blow.
Monty's head comes off.
Martin stands there, looking at the body, waiting for it to happen.
Then, it does.
Energy FLOWS from the dead body, and makes its way to Martin, who raises
his
arms and allows it to flow into him.
Gravestones explode and lightening strikes as Martin receives the power of Monty.
DANIEL
There can be only one. Whatever.
He shakes his head in disgust and walks off.
EXT. LOCH SHIEL - DAY
A small house rests on the shore of the Loch. The door opens and
out steps CONNOR
MACLEOD, not looking too much older than the last time we saw him.
The only way
we can tell that time has made it's mark on him is his eyes.
Connor walks out to the shoreline and looks out over the water. He closes his eyes.
He senses a presence and opens his eyes as he turns around to see
BRENDA WYATT
his wife of fifteen years. She, on the other hand, has aged.
She puts her arm around
Connor's neck and they embrace.
CONNOR
Good morning.
She doesn't answer. She cuddled up to him, nesting her head in his chest.
BRENDA
Do you wish sometimes you didn't
do it, Connor? Do you sometimes
wish we were never married?
CONNOR
No.
BRENDA
If I knew you were going to die and I would
live forever, I don't know if I could handle it.
CONNOR
(wryly)
I wouldn't trade these years with you for all
the time in the world.
BRENDA
Besides. Time heals all wounds, huh?
Connor laughs.
CONNOR
If that were true, I would have plenty of
time to be healed of just about everything
by now.
Brenda smiles and they hold each other, looking over the water.
CUT TO:
EXT. MOUNTAIN RANGE - DAY
We pan over a mountain range. capped by snow, at an undisclosed place.
We come down on the
mountains, swooping over several peaks, before we come down on one
in particular.
On top of this peak, we find an ASIAN MAN, brandishing a sword.
He executes some moves,
incorporating some martial arts into it. We watch him for a few
minutes, then he suddenly
stops. He spins around, swinging his sword.
It stops short of cutting down another man. This is HIRUSHA LI.
(The following is translated from Chinese)
HIRUSHA
Your skills are unparalleled, Chi.
CHI CHANG bows his head.
CHI
What news do you bring?
HIRUSHA
His imminence wishes to see you.
CHI
At once.
They start walking off.
CUT TO:
EXT. TEMPLE OF LO
Establishing shot of a TEMPLE, built into the side of one of the mountains.
INT. TEMPLE OF LO - MAIN ROOM
Chi Chang is kneeling on the floor, bowing to a figure sitting on a
raised chair. This is
THE MASTER OF THE ORDER OF LO. Chi looks up.
CHI
You wish to see me, imminence?
MASTER
Your training has not been for nothing.
The Immortals are starting to grow in
number again.
CHI
What do you wish me to do?
MASTER
You must hunt down as many of these
Immortals as you can, and kill them.
They are a menace to the way of life.
They are abominations. Others will
be sent out as well, but you are the
best. I expect great results from you.
CHI
I will not fail, master.
CUT TO:
EXT. HILTON BAPTIST CHURCH - EVENING
A couple of cars are parked in the parking lot of the smallish church.
Another car pulls into
the lot.
INT. CHURCH
REVEREND PAUL DAVIDS walks into the SANCTUARY part of the church and
finds a man
kneeling at the alter.
The man looks up, an older, strong looking man. PETER MCGUIRE
speaks with a slight
Irish accent.
PETER
Yes, Reverend?
REVEREND DAVIDS
Brother McGuire, there is a young man here
who wishes to speak with you. But he doesn't
want to come in here.
PETER
Did he say who he was?
REVEREND DAVIDS
He said to tell you that he was someone you
mentored when he was younger.
Peter gets a wry smile on his face.
PETER
(to himself)
Daniel...
EXT. CHURCH - EVENING
Peter comes out of the door, and walks up to where Daniel Martin leans against his car.
PETER
Daniel. It's been a great long while.
DANIEL
Five years. That has to be like a blink
of an eye to you.
PETER
I forget that for an Immortal, you are still
quite young.
DANIEL
If you mean born in this century, yeah
I guess so. Tell me again, Peter, how is it
they
missed you those years ago? Remember
all the talk you told me about. There can
be only one. Was it a crock?
PETER
Maybe. Maybe not. I refused to participate
in the Gathering. Somehow, that brute, the
Kurgan missed me while he was systematically
wiping out all of the other Immortals.
DANIEL
And since the Kurgan went down, there
really hasn't been any activity.
PETER
The Highlander went back home, thinking
he won the Prize. What he did was best
an Immortal that killed more Immortals than
one could count. He got that power.
In my
opinion, the Gathering and the Prize is just
another myth, retold through many, many
generations.
DANIEL
And now the Immortals are starting to become
numerous again.
PETER
Yes. I guess the Kurgan failed to realize
that
there are Immortals that still hadn't found out
about their immortality when he went on his
rampage. Some who were merely children.
DANIEL
Yet, the newer ones are thinking about this
Prize already. They go and kill each other
as if it were a game.
PETER
I was sorry to hear about your wife, Daniel.
I know that must have been hard for you.
DANIEL
The bastard was looking for me. He found
Crystal and decided to kill her, to entice me,
to enrage me even more, so he could have
more of a challenge.
PETER
What has become of this one.
Daniel casts his eyes down.
DANIEL
I took flowers to Crystal's grave, and he was
there. His power is now mine.
PETER
I see.
DANIEL
This is getting out of hand. Innocent people
are getting killed. Is there anyway to stop
this?
PETER
I wish that there were. But the Immortals
will kill each other until there is one left.
Even the ones like you and I, who wish
peace, will probably have to do battle, just
to defend our lives. It may not get bad for
some time.
DANIEL
Basically, if I see an Immortal near me, it
can't possibly be good.
PETER
There is an Immortal near you now. Is that
good?
DANIEL
You're different, Peter. You do not wish
for the so-called Prize.
PETER
Don't go out for vengeance, Daniel. That,
for
sure, will not be good. There are others,
like us,
who wish for peace.
DANIEL
Is that so?
PETER
Indeed it is.
DANIEL
It's done me good to see you well, Peter.
PETER
And I you. Take care, Daniel. And remember
my words.
Daniel nods and walks around to the driver's side of his car.
He gets in, starts the car and
drives off. Peter looks after him, watching long after the car
has gone, worriedly.
CUT TO:
EXT. MACLEOD RESIDENCE - DAY
Connor kisses Brenda as he walks towards the shore of Loch Shiel and
a boat. He
gets in the boat and shoves off.
EXT. LOCH SHIEL - DAY
Connor is kicked back in his boat with a fishing rod dangling a line
over the side. The mood
is entirely lazy. Suddenly, Connor's eyes glint as he senses
another presence close.
He slowly gets up to a sitting position and looks around.
CONNOR'S POV
Another boat, quickly approaching his. A young man rows the boat.
It comes up along side
Connor's.
Connor cautiously reaches for the hilt of his ever ready sword.
The young man catches his
eye.
YOUNG MAN
Connor? Connor MacLeod?
CONNOR
Who are you? What do you want?
YOUNG MAN
My name is Robert Logan, and I
need your help.
CONNOR
What are you talking about?
ROBERT
A few years back, I got into a knife fight.
The lad I was fighting got me in a good
blow and left me for dead. Problem is, I
shoulda been dead. I was good as new
next morning.
CONNOR
So?
ROBERT
I got to researching several different cases
such as mine. I met some people and I've
heard some stories. I've traveled around a
bit. The trail led to you, Connor MacLeod,
over five hundred years old. A man who
can't die, just like myself.
CONNOR
I have no idea what you're talking about.
You sound crazy to me. Can't die, huh?
Heh heh heh. Suppose you just had a
medical miracle. They happen, you know.
ROBERT
Several other times, I've been wounded in
ways that should have killed me, most of
it self inflicted. I heal just like that.
I've tried
all kinds of ways to kill myself, researching.
I've survived. The only thing I haven't
tried is cutting off me own head, and I'm sure
you know why.
CONNOR
It's common sense not to cut off your own
head. Now, what makes you think I'm this
Connor person and how did you find me
out here.
ROBERT
I met your wife, on the house on the shore.
She told me, and if you don't mind me saying,
isn't she a bit old for you.
CONNOR
My wife, huh?
He lifts his head and laughs.
CONNOR
Yes, she does indeed appear older than me.
Just
one of the many disadvantages of being an
Immortal.
ROBERT
So you are Connor MacLeod? An Immortal.
CONNOR
And so, it seems, are you. Now, what do you
want with me.
ROBERT
I've heard the stories. Most of the so called
"Immortals" have mentors. And now that I've
without a doubt verified that I am an Immortal,
I would like you to mentor me.
CONNOR
Me? Mentor you? I don't think so.
With that, Connor reels in his fishing line and sets off for shore, without another word.
Robert looks after him, speechless, then heads after him.
CUT TO:
EXT. HIGHLANDS - FOREST
We find Connor MacLeod, now with long hair, a younger look in his eyes.
He eyes a young man,
another Immortal. It is 1563.
Connor draws his sword and attacks the younger man, who quickly gets
his sword up and
blocks the blow. They go at it a few minutes, deftly attacking
and blocking each other.
Finally, Connor feints one way and then brings his sword up to the others
neck before
he can counteract the move.
CONNOR
Looks as though you've lost your head,
Benjamin.
BENJAMIN
How do you do it?
Connor lowers his sword.
CONNOR
You must tap into the life force around you,
feel it in you. The Quickening. Anticipate
your opponent's moves and be there with your
sword before they are. But always remember,
they can do the same thing. What makes you
better than your opponent is your heart.
He taps Benjamin in the chest area were his heart is with the flat part of the sword.
CONNOR
Your determination and your will to survive.
Connor quickly brings the sword up for a strike. Benjamin blocks it and counterattacks.
CONNOR
Good. You are learning.
Benjamin smiles, proud of himself. Connor brings the sword up
to his neck once again,
before he can do anything about it.
CONNOR
And never be too proud of yourself.
Connor smiles.
CONNOR
Now, let's go. I believe Heather has cooked
up
something nice for us.
Sheathing their swords, the two men turn and walk away.
CUT TO:
INT. MACLEOD RESIDENCE
Connor enters the kitchen to find a note on the refrigerator door. He looks at it.
CONNOR,
Went to town to pick up a few things from the store.
Maybe it will give you time to talk privately to the young
man who's no doubt found you by now. Be back later.
XXX OOO
BRENDA
Connor sighs in exasperation and turns around to see Robert standing in the doorway.
CONNOR
Did I not make myself clear enough?
ROBERT
You have to mentor me.
CONNOR
Really? I think I can make my own decisions.
Find someone else.
ROBERT
There is no one else.
CONNOR
Sure there is. I could give you some names.
ROBERT
There is no one else that is as good as you.
Connor doesn't have an immediate retort to that one.
ROBERT
It's a fight for our lives out there, Connor.
You are the best. If I am trained by the best,
my chances of survival are better than anyone's.
All these guys out there now, they are young
and dangerous. One had his head decapitated
just the other week in a graveyard.
CONNOR
If I am the best, as you say, it was because I
was a good learner and I had a good teacher.
It doesn't make me a good teacher.
ROBERT
Then where is the one who taught you?
CONNOR
He's been dead over five hundred years.
ROBERT
Then you are the one.
CONNOR
No, I am not. I'm through with this silly
game.
ROBERT
They'll come after you, too. They'll come
here for your head.
A dangerous glint shimmers in Connor's eyes.
CONNOR
For their sake, I would hope not.
ROBERT
But they will. Whether you like it or not,
you will be back in the game. Maybe not
soon, but eventually, they will come.
CONNOR
I don't see how that would convince me
to train you.
ROBERT
You've been out of it for what, fifteen years
now? It would be like refreshing yourself
on
all the stuff you may have gotten soft on.
CONNOR
You forget, I am Immortal. Fifteen years is
nothing to me.
ROBERT
Well, do it out of the goodness of your heart,
then.
Connor has no response.
ROBERT
Well?
CONNOR
I'll tell you what I'll do out of the goodness of
my heart. I'll let you eat dinner with my
wife
and I and I will let you stay the night here.
You'll have to be on your way tomorrow.
ROBERT
At least that will give me time to convince you.
CONNOR
I doubt very seriously you can convince me.
CUT TO:
EXT. PARK - DUSK
Two lover sit on a park bench, kissing and laughing. The man is
a 30 year old artist type named
BOBBY BROOKS. The girl looks a little younger, cute with blond
hair just touching her shoulders.
This is TRINI RILEY.
In mid kiss they hear a sound and sit straight up. They are surrounded
by 3 members of the
Order of Lo.
BOBBY
Can we help you?
No answer. As one, they each draw out a sword.
Bobby and Trini get up. Bobby starts to step in front of Trini
as if to protect her.
Trini pushes him away.
TRINI
It's me they want. Go, Bobby. Get
out of here.
BOBBY
What are you talking about?
TRINI
If you wish to live to see the sun rise
tomorrow, the LEAVE.
Her voice leaves no room for argument. She reaches under the bench
and pulls out a sword
that was attached to the bottom of the bench.
BOBBY
How'd that get there?!
TRINI
I put it there when you went to the
bathroom to piss. Right before we started
making out. Now go. I'll see you tomorrow.
Bobby takes a look at her serious expression and her sword and hauls tail outta there.
One of the Members of Lo speaks in greeting.
MEMBER
Immortal.
She doesn't answer. She takes a swipe at the member, and he blocks
easily. Another member
attacks her from behind and she swings around to block it just in time.
The third gets into the fray and Trini has her hands full. She's
on the defensive now, blocking
blows from all three ways. They back her into the face of a bathroom
building.
One charges and she FLIPS over him, then upon landing, thrusts her sword
backwards into
the Member's back, through his heart.
The member falls down, dead. Trini is shocked.
TRINI
You are not Immortals?
She is answered with a sword thrust to her neck. She ducks and
kicks out, sweeping the other
Member to his back. She's on him and shoves the tip of her sword
through his chest.
She then pulls it out, spins around and blocks another blow from the
remaining Member.
The Member is like lightening, raining blow upon blow, blocked with
difficulty by Trini.
The Member swings a blow, which she blocks, then spins around, bringing
her sword
around, cutting the Member almost in half.
She looks around, astonished at the three dead bodies. The mortals
who knew who
she was. She tenses as she feels another presence.
CHI CHANG
steps from the shadows, smiling.
CHI
Most impressive. You have defeated
three members of the Order. Can you
defeat four?
He pulls a sword. Trini attacks, but is blocked with ease.
The swords clang as they
go after each other, neither one seeming at an advantage.
Chi suddenly stops and flips to where he lands behind Trini. She
is able to block his
blow before he can take her head.
Chi gets in a heavy blow, knocking Trini off balance for a second, but
that's all he needs.
He leaps into the air and back spin kicks the sword out of Trini's
hand. It flies
and lands on the ground yards away.
As soon as Chi lands he swings his sword, cutting through Trini's neck.
Her head
flies from her body and lands next to her sword.
Chi smiles again and walks off back into the shadows.
CUT TO:
INT. MACLEOD'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Connor and Brenda watch as Robert sleeps on the couch. Brenda
looks over
at Connor curiously.
BRENDA
Why won't you train him?
CONNOR
Because I want nothing more right now
than to live my life in peace with you.
BRENDA
What's the real reason?
CONNOR
I just can't.
He eyes get a far off look in them and we...
CUT TO:
EXT. MACLEOD'S HOUSE - DAY
This is a different house. This is one hundreds of years earlier.
Connor and Benjamin walk up to the house, having just finished their
training session.
Connor puts his hand up to Benjamin and stops him short.
CONNOR
Stay here. Out of sight.
With that, Connor walks quickly to his place.
INT. MACLEOD'S HOUSE
The door opens and Connor walks in. He finds his wife, HEATHER
MACLEOD sitting
down on a chair, fear etched in her features.
CONNOR
What's wrong?
A menacing voice comes from the side.
VOICE
MacLeod!
Connor spins and finds himself looking at a MUSCULAR SEVEN FOOT TALL black African.
CONNOR
Matumba. Why do you honor us with
your visit.
MATUMBA
You know why, MacLeod. There can
be only one.
Matumba circles until his back is to the door that Connor came in.
Connor CHARGES,
knocking the big man through the door and out of the house.
EXT. MACLEOD'S HOUSE - DAY
The giant falls out and lands on his back. Connor dukes him in
the face, but the man doesn't
even flinch. He HURLS Connor off of him like a paper weight.
He runs to Connor and picks him up.
MATUMBA
I've been looking forward to this, MacLeod!
Connor brings his two fists up and SLAMS them on either side of the
African's head. This
has an effect.
Connor is dropped and the big man holds his head. Connor unsheathes
his sword and swings
at the big man's neck. Matumba ducks quickly and brings his sword
out. The battle back and
forth, Connor leading him to the edge of the woods.
At the edge of the woods, Connor yells and goes on the attack.
He drives Matumba back a few
steps, but Matumba manages to hold his own. Connor can't seem
to get the upper hand on
the man.
As if he was holding in most of his power, Matumba suddenly surges forward,
driving Connor
back with fury. He strikes hard and fast and soon Connor's sword
flies from his hand.
MATUMBA
There can be only one, Highlander, and
it won't be you.
He raises his sword for the final strike, but gets shoved from the side
as Benjamin charges
out of nowhere and knocks the big guy sideways.
Connor quickly rolls to where his sword is, and is up in an instant,
a little shaken that his
head was that close to being taken from him.
Benjamin has his sword out as well.
MATUMBA
Two against one? That hardly seems fair
to you.
A SCREAM pierces from MacLeod's house.
CONNOR
Heather!
BENJAMIN
Go to her, Connor, I will hold off this brute.
He swings his sword at the African and Matumba blocks with ease.
Connor looks on, conflicted. Another scream from Heather makes
up his mind. He
races toward his home.
Meanwhile Benjamin and Matumba still go at it.
MATUMBA
You are not yet fully trained, boy. You have
no hope of defeating me.
Benjamin strikes, Matumba parries.
BENJAMIN
I was trained by the best.
Matumba laughs in amusement as he swings his sword at the young man.
Benjamin dodges out of the way.
MATUMBA
The best? I highly doubt that, young
fool.
They continue to fight.
INT. MACLEOD'S HOUSE
Connor bursts in to find another African trying to rape Heather.
CONNOR
NO!
The African looks up and sees Connor.
AFRICAN
No! You couldn't have defeated my
master!
In rage, he pulls out a sword and attacks Connor. Connor easily
blocks this guy. He
may be with Matumba, but he's no Immortal. The fight goes outside.
EXT. MACLEOD'S HOUSE - DAY
Connor and the African fight, and Connor fends him off. He glances
over to where
Benjamin is fighting Matumba. He won't last much longer.
Connor intensifies his fighting.
By the woods, Matumba and Benjamin continue to go at it. Matumba
at this point seems
to be toying with the younger Immortal.
MATUMBA
I only came for the head of the Highlander.
I'll gladly take two.
With that, he kicks out and knocks Benjamin down.
Connor looks over and sees this change of events. He quickly fends
off a few more blows
from the African and takes the fight back to him. A few thrusts
and finally Connor connects.
The man is run through.
Connor pulls out his sword and before the African can hit the dirt,
dead, Connor is trucking
it to the other fight.
Benjamin quickly gets up. His sword lies just yards away.
He runs, grabs it and
turns around. Matumba's sword is already in motion.
It connects.
Connor witnesses Benjamin's head fly off as he is only barely too late to save him.
Matumba raises his hands and the energy from Benjamin makes it's way to him.
Lightening streaks the air, wind blows. The waters start cresting in huge waves.
Connor's teeth clench in rage, and with a yell, he charges the big African
even as
he still has his hands raised to the air, drawing power.
Connor's strike is true and brutal. The African's head leaves
him even before he
has completely taken the young man's power.
An all out STORM BREAKS LOOSE over the Loch as the combined powers of
the
two find their way into Connor, whose eyes burn with a blaze never
seen in him
before.
CUT TO:
INT. MACLEOD'S HOUSE - PRESENT DAY
Connor continues to look at the young sleeping Immortal.
CONNOR
I promised I would never take another
under me.
BRENDA
You also promised you would never love
again, after the death of your first wife.
Connor looks over at Brenda.
BRENDA
I'm tired. I think I'm going to go to bed.
CONNOR
Goodnight, love.
BRENDA
Night, MacLeod.
She heads to another room. Connor continues to look at the young man, thinking.
EXT. MACLEOD'S HOUSE - NIGHT
We pan over the house onto the loch.
CUT TO:
EXT. MACLEOD'S HOUSE - DAY
The sun shines down on a new day.
The door opens and Robert exits.
CONNOR
Kid, you wanna give me a hand?
Robert looks over and sees Connor at his boat. He runs over there.
ROBERT
So, I convinced you?
CONNOR
It wasn't you. But I will do what I can to
help you. I can't promise I will make you
the greatest fighter, or even heighten your
chances for survival.
ROBERT
That's good enough for me.
CONNOR
Where are you from, anyway?
ROBERT
Australia.
CONNOR
Australia. G'daye, mate. Heh heh.
Robert laughs and we...
CUT TO:
EXT. AIRPORT - NIGHT
Planes come and go at a busy INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
INT. AIRPORT
Daniel Martin gets off his plane, carrying a long briefcase and an overnight bag.
EXT. SIDEWALK - NIGHT
Daniel walks down a deserted New York sidewalk, dressed in a trench
coat. The air is smoggy
and cold. Daniel stops for a moment. A second later, a
second pair of footsteps stop.
Too late. Daniel heard. He looks around as if nothing happened and continues on his way.
He ducks in an alley a little ways down the street and as soon as a
shadow passes, he reaches
out and grabs them. He throws the MAN against the wall.
The man grunts angrily.
MAN
You're the one who wanted to meet me,
Martin!
DANIEL
Easy, Will. I'd just like to ask you a few
questions.
WILL
Couldn't we do this over a cup of coffee
at a cafe?
DANIEL
Nah. Let's do it here.
WILL
What do you want?
DANIEL
You're the premier expert on Immortals, right?
WILL
You know that.
DANIEL
I want to know, how many are there out there.
WILL
That's hard to say. There are numerous young
ones like yourself, plus who knows how many
of the older ones.
DANIEL
Do they all continue to play this "game"?
WILL
Most do. I've been looking into decapitations
across the nation and the world, and they are
on the rise. A few of the victims I know for
sure
were Immortals. Now here's something weird,
a few days a go, a woman Immortal was attacked
in a park by three asian warriors. The girl's
boyfriend witnessed the events. The men attacked
the girl, and she killed them, but not by beheading.
She killed them normally. Out of nowhere,
this other
Asian comes and they get into a fight. In
the
end, the Asian cuts the girl's head off.
DANIEL
What are you saying? That's there's more than
just
Immortals involved now?
WILL
That's what it looks like. Why are you curious
in
this anyways? I thought you didn't care much
for this stuff.
DANIEL
I don't. But the Immortals are getting too
dangerous.
I intend to do something about them.
WILL
You going on a crusade, here? You gonna kill
them all?
DANIEL
It may have to come to that.
WILL
But what about the good ones? The ones who
love peace?
DANIEL
Sooner or later, they will become involved.
They
always do. If the world is to be truly safe,
then
there can be no Immortals. Sorry, Will.
Daniel rips out his sword and in one swift stroke, takes Will's head off.
Will's body crumples to the ground and the Energy starts flowing through
it. It flows out and into
Daniel, who accepts it into his own being. Windows blow out of
the buildings as Daniel takes
on Will's power.
After it is through, Daniel notices a HOMELESS MAN cowering in the corner
of the alley. He
smiles at him.
DANIEL
Don't worry. Nothing will happen to you, or
your kind. Not anymore. I'm going to
make
sure of it.
He walks off and the homeless man watches him go, looking confused.
CUT TO:
EXT. LOCH SHEIL - DAY
We pan down from the sky to find Connor and Robert standing in the middle
of the boat. Both
hold long sticks like swords. Connor strikes at Robert, who parries.
A few more hits and Connor
knocks Robert's stick into the water.
CONNOR
You try to hard.
ROBERT
Isn't that the point?
CONNOR
No.
He puts his stick up to Robert's neck.
CONNOR
The point is here, going through your
neck. You're trying to hard to fight.
You
are not defending. Your offense is great,
but your defense is hardly flawless.
ROBERT
So you're saying I shouldn't worry about
attacking and concentrate on defense?
Connor smiles as he makes a head cutting gesture with his stick.
CONNOR
Hardly. I'm suggesting that you don't
concentrate so hard on your attack that
you are totally neglect your defense.
Get your staff and let's try again.
Robert, already wet, looks annoyed to have to be jumping in the water
yet again. Connor, on
the other hand, seems to be enjoying himself.
MONTAGE
We see scenes of Connor and Robert, fighting on the boat. Connor
gets in a blow that knocks
Robert over board.
They fight on the shore. Connor still has the upper hand.
They fight in the forest, now with real swords. Robert pushes
and pushes and pushes. He
has Connor on the defense, when suddenly Connor gets offensive.
This time, Robert is
able to hold him off and get back on the offense. Connor smiles
in praise.
On the boat, Connor and Robert fight with swords. Robert gets
in a blow, and knocks
Connor's sword into the lake. Smirking, Robert goes in for the
kill, but Connor deftly sidesteps,
puts his foot out, grabs the young Immortal by his shoulder and trips
him out of the boat.
SPLASH
Connor laughs.
ROBERT
(angrily)
Hilarious!
CONNOR
Stay in there. Let yourself sink. It's
time
for a different kind of lesson.
ROBERT
Sink? Won't I drown?
CONNOR
I thought you tried to kill yourself in all kinds
of ways?
ROBERT
Never drowning.
CONNOR
Ever fear growing up and sounding like your
parents. This is worse.
(mocking Ramirez)
You can't drown, you fool, you're immortal.
Connor leaps into the water and sinks.
Under the water, Robert stands on the lake floor, looking confused.
Connor smiles at him and
walks away for a moment. He returns with his sword.
Robert picks his up, which lays by his feet. He tries to fight,
but he's clumsy underwater. Connor
on the other hand is fluid. Robert swings his sword forward,
but it is slowed by the water. Connor
flashes his sword to the side, then brings it back around to block
the blow in plenty of time.
Robert looks at the end of Connor's sword in amazement. There is a fish pinned to the end of it.
Bubbles escape from Connor's mouth as he laughs again. He's clearly enjoying himself.
They go at it again for a few moments, but Robert clearly can't get
the hang of it. Connor at last
calls for a halt, and points up. He then starts swimming back
to the surface. Robert follows.
Connor breaks surface, followed a few moments later by Robert.
ROBERT
How do you fight so fluidly under the water?!
CONNOR
It's not that hard. You have to remember that
it's a different environment, so you have to adapt
to it to be able to fight effectively.
ROBERT
What's the point of fighting underwater?
CONNOR
You never know where you might find
yourself in a fight for life. As an Immortal,
always be prepared to fight in the most
unusual of places. For other Immortals, it
may not be so unusual.
Robert digests this lesson and nods.
ROBERT
How long did it take you to learn to fight
underwater?
CONNOR
I struggled quite a while with it. But one
day
I went under and felt the life of the lake around
me. I felt what they felt and moved how they
moved. Never be afraid of allowing the Quickening
to take you over. Let's do that again.
Connor allows himself to sink once more. Robert follows.
CUT TO:
INT. LIBRARY - DAY
Daniel Martin sits at a table in a secluded part of an ancient library.
His table is full of books old
enough to crumble if handled the wrong way. As he continues
to pour over them, HUGH KING,
the LIBRARIAN walks over.
HUGH
Need any help, Daniel?
Daniel points to a passage in a book.
DANIEL
The Order of Lo. Have you ever heard of
this?
Hugh thinks for a minute, going through the extensive library in his
head, before his eyes light
up in recognition of the name.
HUGH
Sure. The order had been around for thousands
of years. The "Lo" means the "Life force"
in their religion.
They were firm believers that everyone should be
created
equal. And anyone that didn't fit that description
was
killed, swiftly and professionally.
Apparently they
executed quite a lot of women who were reputed to
be witches and legend has it that they waged a long
war with a group of sorcerers they deemed to powerful
to be natural. They were also to have said
to hold the
mythical Immortals as enemies.
DANIEL
The Immortals. That so?
HUGH
That's what I've heard, but the legend is so old,
that
it's hard to separate fact from fiction.
DANIEL
And this Order of Lo, where they asian?
HUGH
They were a group of Chinese, yes.
DANIEL
Can I ask you a serious question, Hugh? I
promise I won't laugh at your answer.
HUGH
Shoot.
DANIEL
Do you believe in the Immortals?
Hugh thinks about it a moment, not sure if he wants to confide in his friend.
HUGH
Yes. In fact, I'm positive they exist.
DANIEL
Really? What makes you say that?
HUGH
Every once in a while, there will be a decapitation
in the news, and I'll follow up on it. A lot
of the
times, there seems to be no motive of killing the
person, so that makes sense to me that it might
have been an Immortal. I've traced some of
the
victims back a long ways, man. You have no
idea how old some of these guys may have been.
But what really convinced me, was something
that happened in New York about fifteen years
ago. A group of decapitations, each involving
some sort of sword. All of the sudden, they
stopped. I looked into it and found out about
a suspect named Russell Nash. After the last
beheading, he disappeared with a woman that
worked with the police. I tried to find out
what
I could about this guy, and boy was it something!
To make a long story short, I found out that it
wasn't his real name. He'd been using numerous
fake names throughout the years. Hundreds
of
years in fact. I traced him up to a man named
Connor MacLeod from the Highlands in Scotland.
I'm thoroughly convinced Russell Nash was an
Immortal.
Daniel mulls this over in his brain.
DANIEL
You could be more right than you know. Tell
me,
does this Order of Lo still exist?
HUGH
Nothing has been heard from them in quite some
time. Perhaps a hundred years. It's
likely that
they disbanded, but I guess it's possible that they
still exist somewhere. What's the sudden interest
in all this, Dan?
Daniel rummages though his stuff in the desk and pulls out a recent news paper.
DANIEL
This.
He hands it to Hugh, who looks over the article.
DANIEL
You'll see what I mean, what with the sword
play, chinese men, and beheadings in that
story. It's like out of an old Saturday matinee
movie.
Hugh reads the article, his interest clearly shown in his eyes.
HUGH
More proof to my theory. I suppose it *is*
possible that these were ordinary civilians
getting mugged, but I seriously doubt it.
This is amazing!
DANIEL
My thoughts exactly.
CUT TO:
INT. MACLEOD'S HOUSE - DAY
The MacLeod's and Robert sit around the dinner table, enjoying a meal.
ROBERT
You know, all the time I hang around you
and all the time training, I almost forget
that this is the year two thousand. It's like
here, time stands still and it's stood still
since the fifteen hundreds.
CONNOR
Just like I like it. Though I would venture
to
guess that Brenda here sometimes misses
the hustle and bustle of New York life.
BRENDA
What, have the wino of the day puke down
my pants, the average citizen communicating
to me with a choice finger and all the threats
of rape I had to endure every time I walked into
a police station. It was paradise.
CONNOR
See? She misses it.
Robert laughs.
BRENDA
So, what is your story, Robert? How did you
come to be here?
ROBERT
Well, I was born an orphan. This was in the
seventies. When I was fifteen, I decided I
was going to make it on my own. So I did.
I traveled Australia. Spent a good time in
the
Outback, living with the tribes there. Sometimes
I made my way to the city and one day I got
into a card game with some real mean guys.
They accused me of cheating. Of course I
wasn't, the bloody wankers just wanted my
money. I calmly told them where they
could stick their wee wees and left. A day
or two later, I ran into one of them as I
was walking around that night. We exchanged
some choice words and soon we were fist
fighting. I was getting the upper hand on
the weasel, when he pulls out a knife and shoves
it deep in my chest. He stabbed me several
times over and left me to die. I lay there
in
pain for what seemed like forever. The next
day, I got up and walked away. It was a miracle.
Like I told Connor, I spent a while researching
like
cases and after a year or two, I came across mention
of the Immortals. They were myth, legend,
but they
intrigued me. I tried to confirm their existence
and
this is what has led me to Connor.
BRENDA
Wow, that's some kind of life.
ROBERT
Yeah, I guess.
Connor finally speaks up.
CONNOR
I think it is time for Robert and I to make a trip
back to the States.
BRENDA
What on earth for?
CONNOR
I don't know. I can't explain, I just feel
there
is something there that can help me with
Robert's training. I have a good friend that
lives in Georgia that I need to speak to.
BRENDA
If you feel you must, Connor, you know I
won't get in your way.
CONNOR
Will you be all right staying here?
BRENDA
Yes. You just watch yourself over there.
Who
knows, even after all these years, Russell Nash
may still be a wanted man.
CONNOR
Policemen are the least of my worries.
CUT TO:
INT. MANSION - NIGHT
A PRETTY YOUNG WOMAN of about 21 walks down a hallway when she hears
a noise. She
spins around.
WOMAN
Michael?
No answer. She shrugs it off. Noises in a huge mansion aren't exactly new.
She passes a door and an arm shoots out and grabs her. Before
she can scream, a
hand is pressed over her mouth.
DANIEL
Shhh. Sorry about this, but it'll be
easier on you.
With his other hand, he pulls a chloroform soaked rag from his pocket
and
places it over her nose and mouth. The girl's screams are stifled
by the cloth.
The girl tries to struggle, throwing her hands up to try and pull it off, but Daniel's hold is firm.
DANIEL
Just breathe.
The girl's struggles lighten as her eyes take on a far off look.
A few more breaths and
she's having a hard time keeping them open. A few more moments
and her hands fall
limply by her side and her eyes flutter close. Daniel's now holding
her up instead of
holding her
DANIEL
That's it.
He keeps the cloth over her face as he pulls her back in the darkened
room from which
he popped out.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
A drink sits on a nigh table by a huge KING SIZED BED. We pan
around the room,
finding antiques and other such valuables decorating the huge room.
In the bed itself lays MICHAEL HOPKINS, a well built young man about
Daniel's age,
obviously waiting for somebody, more than likely the young girl we
just met.
The door starts to open.
MICHAEL
Ahhh, Suzie, it's about time. I'm
about out of the mood.
The door opens fully, revealing Daniel, smiling.
DANIEL
Hey, Michael.
Michael is amazed.
MICHAEL
Daniel? Daniel Martin? What are
you doing here? Where's Suzie?
DANIEL
The blonde with the body?
MICHAEL
That's the one.
DANIEL
She decided to catch up on her sleep.
Daniel looks around the room appreciatively.
DANIEL
Keeping kind of a high profile for an Immortal.
MICHAEL
I like to have fun.
DANIEL
Oh, yeah, you where always rebellious. Ever
occurred to you that you make yourself an
easy target for another Immortal?
Michael smiles and reaches under his bed.
MICHAEL
I'm always prepared.
He pulls out a sword with a nicely decorated handle.
DANIEL
You keep that thing shimmering.
MICHAEL
I like to look good.
DANIEL
Care for a little spar?
Michael smiles.
MICHAEL
Let me get dressed.
INT. HOUSE GYM
A huge section of the gym is set off for fencing. Daniel and Michael
stand in the center,
ready to duel.
MICHAEL
So, Daniel, what's the real reason
for your visit? Not just to spar, I
hope.
DANIEL
The Prize.
Michael looks amused.
MICHAEL
You wish to take my head? I hope
you don't think you'll take it easily.
DANIEL
I wouldn't want it any other way.
They start dueling.
MICHAEL
I thought you didn't believe in the
Prize.
Daniel defends a blow.
DANIEL
I don't. But you do, correct?
The trade blows for a few moments before Michael responds.
MICHAEL
Oh, yeah. But that doesn't explain
why you come here wanting to kill
me if you don't believe in the Prize.
He ducks as Daniel's sword flies over his head.
DANIEL
Very perceptive. It's simple...
He brings his sword up, knocking away a blow aimed for his neck.
DANIEL
...with the Immortals going around
trying to kill each other for something
that doesn't even exist, they've became
way to dangerous. Too dangerous to
continue on.
He cuts at Michael's feet, who leaps into the air and executes a flip.
DANIEL
Very nice.
MICHAEL
Thanks. So, you intend on taking on all
the Immortals alone.
Daniel laughs at this.
DANIEL
Hardly. I know of a few who might be willing
to help.
They spar some more, seemingly playing with each other.
MICHAEL
I'm sorry I must end your quest here tonight.
He lunges and Daniel sidesteps easily.
DANIEL
You know your biggest problem?
MICHAEL
What's that?
DANIEL
You've always thought you were great.
With a flashy move, he knocks Michael's sword away.
DANIEL
But you didn't have the advantage of
knowing I was way better.
He slices the sword though Michael's neck.
Across the gym, equipment flies through the air. Weights fly off
their bars and Michael's energy
flows into Daniel's being. He lets the power flow
through him and when it is through, he walks
away.
CUT TO:
INT. AIRPLANE - NIGHT
Connor and Robert share a seat in coach. Robert has the window
seat and he looks out
at the land far below him.
ROBERT
It's amazing to think that if this plane
crashes, we can just get up and walk
away. I used to be afraid to fly in
planes, once upon a time, because I've
seen so many crashes on TV. Now
it doesn't bother me at all.
CONNOR
I wouldn't be too secure in your reasoning
there. You assume that when the plane
crashes, our heads wouldn't be severed in
some way.
Robert turns pale at once.
ROBERT
Thanks for bringing it up. I'm appreciative.
Connor laughs lightly.
ROBERT
So this guy we're going to see, he's an
old friend of yours?
CONNOR
Kind of. We've only crossed paths a
couple of times. After I killed the Kurgan,
he sent me a letter congratulating me.
That's when I first realized I didn't win
the Prize. He's a very religious man,
actually. He works at a church. Very
Christian man, that's why he doesn't
face other Immortals.
ROBERT
Really. What made him convert?
CONNOR
He met Jesus.
ROBERT
I know that. All Christians have met
Jesus...
CONNOR
You don't understand. He *met* Jesus.
Personally.
It hits Robert what Connor is saying.
ROBERT
No kidding?!
CONNOR
No.
ROBERT
Wow.
CONNOR
Yes.
Connor slouches back in his seat and closes his eyes as we...
CUT TO:
INT. CHURCH - DAY
The church is majestic, stain glass windows, high ceilings, the whole
nine yards.
The doors swing open and in steps Connor MacLeod, dressed in 1700's
garb.
He's injured and he makes his way to a pew with great difficulty.
He sits down heavily, as a priest walks up to him.
PRIEST
Are you all right, my brother.
Connor looks up and sees PETER MCGUIRE, wearing the priest clothing
of that
period.
CONNOR
I will be fine. I just need to be in
the house of the Lord, on Holy
Ground.
PETER
You fight the eternal fight.
CONNOR
Excuse me.
PETER
Your wounds would have killed an
ordinary man, and you've come to
Holy Ground. You seek refuge from
another Immortal who wishes to take
your head from your body.
Connor is surprised that the priest knows this.
CONNOR
How...
PETER
Because, Highlander, I am one of you.
Yes, I know who you are. Connor
MacLeod, the Highlander. My name is
Peter Mcguire.
CONNOR
Pleased to meet you Peter Mcguire. Is
this why you are a priest? To avoid
confrontation with other Immortals.
PETER
It is because I serve the one true Immortal,
God Almighty Himself.
CONNOR
I see.
PETER
I choose not to participate in the Game, as
it where. There is no honor in it. There
is
nothing to be gained.
CONNOR
But the Prize.
Peter smiles.
PETER
If that is what you believe, Connor
MacLeod, then so be it. The taking
of life is a sin. Nothing more, nothing
less.
CONNOR
Would it make it better if I said I only
took lives in defense of my own.
PETER
I suppose I could see that as a worthy
reason to take another's life. But not
all Immortals are like you.
CONNOR
This I know.
Peter's eyes burn into Connor's.
PETER
You are an honorable man, Highlander.
Never let yourself fall into the trap that
other Immortals do. Never let yourself
become bloodthirsty and greedy. Take
life only when in defense of your own or
someone else's. You will be in my prayers.
CONNOR
I thank you for your prayers, Father.
PETER
Now I must go and attend to someone
who needs my help.
CONNOR
You company has been enlightening, Father.
PETER
I bid you farewell, Connor MacLeod. I am sure
our paths will cross again.
Connor smiles.
CONNOR
When you live forever, they usually do.
CUT TO
EXT. STREETWALK - DAY
Leah and Robert are walking, slowly now. Leah has a sober look on her face.
LEAH
You're telling me you guys never die.
ROBERT
Unless we lose our heads.
LEAH
So, that guy you fought. He's dead?
ROBERT
Yes.
LEAH
And what was with the light show?
ROBERT
You draw the other Immortal's essence, his
power into your own body. That was the
first time I've ever experienced it.
LEAH
This is a lot to absorb.
ROBERT
I know it is. I imagine, after this, you'll
be
wanting me to walk you home, never to see
you again.
LEAH
Are you kidding? This is the most exciting
thing that's ever happened to me before. It's
like some kind of fantasy. How long have you
been alive?
ROBERT
Not that long. I've only been Immortal a short
time. Connor's been around over four hundred
years. He's from the highlands of Scotland.
When
he was mortal, it was like Braveheart over there.
Peter McGuire's been around a long time, at least
a little over two thousand years.
LEAH
That would explain his patience. How does
it
happen?
ROBERT
Becoming Immortal? You have to die a violent
death. I was stabbed.
Leah is taking this all in stride.
LEAH
Wow. And if you don't die a violent death?
ROBERT
You die of old age. Most Immortal's probably
wish this.
LEAH
I'd bet. I don't see how anyone could live
forever,
only to outlive all those they love...
ROBERT
Sometimes more than once or twice. I've not
been
"lucky" enough to experience that pain yet.
LEAH
I'm glad for you.
ROBERT
Thanks.
They walk up to a Hotel.
ROBERT
Want to come in? Connor and Peter's probably
here by now.
LEAH
Wouldn't miss it.
INT. HOTEL ROOM - DAY
We find Connor and Peter sitting on chairs around a small table, laughing
as they talk about
what they've been up to.
The door opens and Robert and Leah walk in.
CONNOR
Ah, the waitress. Nice to see you again.
LEAH
Likewise.
PETER
Leah! It's been a while.
Leah smiles at the preacher.
LEAH
You've been well, I trust, Brother Pete.
PETER
Always.
CONNOR
We were hoping to talk with you in private,
Robert.
ROBERT
She knows.
Connor's face turns serious.
CONNOR
You told her. About us?
ROBERT
She got to witness it first hand. We were
attacked.
CONNOR
Did you escape.
ROBERT
More than that. I took his head.
Connor nods his head, impressed.
CONNOR
Your first Quickening.
Robert nods his head in acknowledgment.
CONNOR
Good job. You kept your head in battle.
ROBERT
It was... words can't explain the sensation.
CONNOR
Orgasmic?
Robert blushes as he looks over at the preacher, who laughs.
ROBERT
You could say that.
CONNOR
Well, since that's out of the way, Robert Logan,
Peter McGuire.
Peter gets up and shakes the young man's hand.
ROBERT
I've heard a lot about you.
PETER
And I you. You've grown up rough.
Robert takes a seat, beside Leah.
ROBERT
Yeah, I was a drifter. Didn't really have
a family.
PETER
That's not an ideal way to grow up, but it
may make the rest of your life easier. You'll
find that you'll drift along as time goes by.
Sure you may settle somewhere for fifty, sixty
years, but in an Immortal's life, that's nothing.
You have to accept this.
ROBERT
I have.
PETER
Truly?
ROBERT
Like you said, I've had practice.
PETER
Good, then you probably have some patience.
Robert smiles.
ROBERT
I waited out Connor's desire not to train me.
That gets a laugh from both men.
PETER
I see. Connor is good at training you to deal
with
the physical aspects of being an Immortal.
Whether
you want to or not, you will be forced to fight
for
your life. As you found out earlier today.
That's
Connor's job. He wants me to help you with
the
mental and emotional aspect of it. In exchange,
he's agreed that you two will do something to
help me out.
ROBERT
Okay.
PETER
I've not struggled with anything personally for
a long time. I've always been at peace with
myself.
Well, maybe not ALWAYS, but for the last couple
thousand years I have. So it troubles me when
a
pupil of mine takes it on himself to wipe out our
kind.
ROBERT
I take it he's behind all the recent Immortal deaths.
PETER
I would be willing to guess that he's behind some
of them. You've already been tracked down
once,
he will find you eventually. You must try
and talk
him out of it.
CONNOR
Or stop him if need be.
PETER
By now, he is powerful. More powerful than
when
I saw him a short time ago. Deep down,
he's a
good person, but tragedy and grief have driven him
almost mad, as it has done many times throughout
the
ages.
ROBERT
I guess this will be the first test I will face
as an
Immortal.
CONNOR
Wrong. You've already passed your first test
and only
test earlier today. The time for tests are
over. This is
a fight for survival.
CUT TO:
EXT. ROADHOUSE BAR - NIGHT
Daniel enters the seedy bar that is packed to capacity this night.
People are rowdy and the place
is in chaos. A fight breaks out in the corner and a band on a
small stage is playing country music
and generally being ignored except for the occasional beer bottle tossed
their way.
Nonplused, Daniel walks up to the bartender.
DANIEL
Hey, you know Baxter Paxton?
The tender jerks his thumb in the direction at the end of the bar where
a man sits alone, sipping at
a beer.
DANIEL
Thanks.
The man grunts.
Daniel starts that way when a big BIKER steps in his path. Obviously drunk.
DANIEL
Can I help you?
The Biker sneers, looking for a fight.
BIKER
Don't be a smart ass, pretty boy. You'll
make it worse on yourself.
DANIEL
Really?
BIKER
Watch it, bubba.
Daniel snaps his fist right in the big guy's nose. The man goes
down for the count. Folks around the
bar laugh at the big lug.
DANIEL
No prob.
Daniel continues down the bar and up to the man.
DANIEL
Baxter?
BAXTER
Martin? That you?
DANIEL
You're drunk.
BAXTER
Yes, I am. What of it?
DANIEL
I was wandering if you had any info.
BAXTER
Of the ever living kind, I assume?
DANIEL
I need to know if there's been any Immortal
activity recently.
BAXTER
Even pasted, I can answer that....
He trails off.
DANIEL
(expectantly)
Well?
Baxter comes back to reality.
BAXTER
Headless stiff found in the Alamo of
all places just this afternoon. Watch
the bloody news sometimes, man.
DANIEL
Thanks, Baxter.
Daniel motions to the barkeep.
DANIEL
Another round for this guy. On me.
He slaps some money on the bar. The bartender nods.
Daniel makes his way out of the bar.
EXT. ROADHOUSE BAR - NIGHT
Chi waits, standing by a car as Daniel walks up. A BURLY MAN lays
on the ground beside him, not
moving.
DANIEL
He want your wheels?
CHI
I had to decline his offer. So?
DANIEL
Looks like we're making a trip to
San Antonio, Texas.
CHI
Can you find them once we get there?
DANIEL
Usually it would be easy. But I know
someone who can help and that makes
it even easier.
CHI
Let's go.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL ROOM - MORNING
Robert walks out of the bathroom with the sound of a toilet flushing
behind him. Connor
is there, flipping through the channels.
ROBERT
Let me guess. When you were my age, you
were lucky to hear a tale around the campfire
and us young kids today have it easy, what
with the television and other modern thingiwitches.
CONNOR
Actually, I wish we had one of these back in
the day.
Robert chuckles as he puts on a shirt.
ROBERT
So, what's the plan today?
CONNOR
Peter's going to be doing his usual thing, and
I'm going fishing.
ROBERT
You have a thing for fishing, don't you?
CONNOR
It relaxes me.
ROBERT
You don't need me to come with you, do you?
CONNOR
I was assuming you would be spending time
with Leah today.
ROBERT
You assumed right.
CONNOR
She's taking this Immortal thing rather well,
don't you think?
ROBERT
Yeah. Maybe I'll get around to asking her
about that one day.
Connor laughs.
CONNOR
Don't have too much fun. I know for a fact
that there's one thing that's a bigger rush
than a Quickening...
Robert blushes.
ROBERT
Enough of that. See ya later, Connor.
CONNOR
Heh heh. Later.
CUT TO:
EXT. POND - MORNING
Robert lays down on a small dock as Leah sits up dangling her feet in the water.
ROBERT
I just thought a bigger deal would be made
out of it, that's all. Seems like an important
milestone in someone's life, you know. The
first Quickening. Maybe I'll celebrate it
every
year, like a birthday or something.
LEAH
Maybe they didn't make such a big deal about it
because they thought they'd give you a bigger
head than you already have.
Robert smiles.
ROBERT
That's below the belt.
LEAH
Bummer, I was aiming for right below the chin.
You know, the fatal blow.
ROBERT
Yeah, well, I'm still stoked about it. Nothing's
gonna damper that. I feel I can take on the
world.
LEAH
I'd make sure I could take on America first,
if I were you. How about a little game?
ROBERT
Game?
LEAH
Truth or truth.
ROBERT
How would you play that?
LEAH
It's like truth or dare, but without the dare. I
ask a question, you answer truthfully. You
ask one, I answer truthfully.
ROBERT
Okay, I guess we can do that. Shoot.
LEAH
Are you really happy, being what you are?
ROBERT
What, an orphan or an Immortal?
Leah gives him a "what do you think" look.
ROBERT
Honestly, I'm very happy with it now. For
so long, I went from here to there to wherever
with no destination. Now, it's like, I have
a
purpose. There's a reason for me being here.
LEAH
What, to go around killing one another?
ROBERT
Not really. Like this guy that Connor and
Peter were talking about. He's killing a lot
of people on a vengeance streak and he's
got to be stopped. If Connor and I stop him,
I'll consider that purposeful. Of course,
that's
how I feel now. Ask me again in a couple
hundred years and I might feel differently.
This illicits a smile from Leah.
LEAH
Okay, I'll accept that. Your turn.
ROBERT
Okay.
He doesn't take long to think.
ROBERT
Why do you hang around me? You know it's
dangerous and you know I'm different from other
people.
LEAH
Because you are unique. Not many people are
lucky to have people like you touch their lives,
and I'm one of those lucky few. Not only that,
you are one of the most gentlemanly people I've
ever met. Most guys just wanna jump my pants,
but you haven't, and I like that about you.
When
it comes down to it, I can't really put my finger
on why and explain it, but there's something about
you that attracts me.
Robert's expression shows that that's not the answer he was expecting.
He sits up and scoots
closer to Leah, letting his feet dangle by hers.
ROBERT
Uh huh. You're turn again.
LEAH
This is the one that's I've been burning
to know since last night.
ROBERT
Yeah? And what's that?
Her eyes pierce his.
LEAH
When are you gonna stop being such a gentleman
and kiss me?
That's all he needs. The fire in him finally breaks the surface and in the next second they are locked and ready to go as they embrace in one of the most passionate kisses you can imagine.
As they continue to lip lock, we...
CUT TO:
INT. CHURCH - DAY
We swoop through the huge double doors and follow down the middle isle.
On each side of the isle
are rows of intrically carved pews. The windows are fine stain
glass and statues of Jesus, Mary,
and Angels are all over the place.
We follow down the aisle until we reach the ALTER. Here we find
Peter McGuire kneeling
in prayer for his friends to be successful.
The camera focuses on Peter's face as he raises his head and his eyes
open. He stands up, taking
in the full frame.
PETER
Hello, Daniel.
The camera pulls back and to include Daniel Martin and Chi Chang in
frame, standing not five feet behind
him.
DANIEL
Peter. I've come to ask you a question.
Peter turns around and meets Daniel's gaze.
PETER
Have you?
DANIEL
We've heard that there are Immortals in town.
PETER
There's always Immortals in town.
DANIEL
Not just you, my friend. You have to understand,
Peter, they are...
PETER
What, a danger? No, Daniel. It saddens
me to say
this, but you are a danger. A danger to everyone
that
comes in contact with you. What did I spend
those
years teaching you, Daniel? Every life is
precious.
Daniel casts his eyes down.
DANIEL
Some...
PETER
(angrily)
EVERY life is precious! Who gave you the RIGHT
to
go around and decide who lives and who dies.
We
are all the children of God! He created us,
gave us
each gifts and it is not up to YOU to decide that
the
gifts are evil or not. It is up to Him.
He points heaven wards for emphasis.
PETER
Please, Daniel. You have to stop this.
You are
not helping a thing. Soon, you'll meet up
with one
who is more powerful than you and you will lose
your head. Many more Immortals will be left.
What then? Your crusade will have been for
naught.
Daniel can't bring himself to answer. He actually seems ashamed in the presence of his teacher.
Chi doesn't have that hindrance.
CHI
He will be of no help. And we can't leave
him alive.
Peter's eyes burn into Daniel's.
PETER
Am I to be next in your hunt for vengeance?
Are you going attack me on Holy Ground?
Daniel backs up, as if to make a move to leave.
DANIEL
Come on, Chi. He won't help us. We'll
have
to do this ourselves.
Chi reaches behind his back and brings his sword out.
CHI
I do not have such restrictions placed upon me.
Immortals on Holy Ground, Immortals on any
ground. I will take them.
He moves to strike at Peter, who rolls out of the way.
DANIEL
Chi!
CHI
ALL Immortals, Daniel. Including yourself
when
this is over. That was the deal, remember?
Daniel, resigned, leaves the building, refusing to watch the fight.
Peter reaches behind the pulpit and brings out a sword. He stands
and lets Chi make a move
before he does anything. Chi slashes down and Peter blocks him.
EXT. CHURCH - DAY
Daniel opens the doors and steps outside. He sits on the steps
and gazes into the distance.
He hears the sounds of battle come from the building behind him.
He closes his eyes shut
as hard as he can. Tears start pouring down his face as he hears
Peter give out a yell.
INT. CHURCH - DAY
Chi, standing in front of a pew, leaps in the air as Peter takes a swipe
at his feet. He jumps backward
onto the pew and, not hesitating, flips over Peter's back. Peter
gives a fierce kick behind him, but his
leg is grabbed by Chi and he is thrown forward, landing on his face.
Without wasting a moment, Chi charges and strikes down at Peter, who
quickly moves out of the
way.
Peter gets up and lets a high kick go at Chi's face. It catches
him full force and knocks him backwards
onto his butt. Peter stabs his sword at Chi's chest, but Chi
brings his sword up, blocks it out of the
way and stabs Peter in the chest.
Peter's face shows pain as Chi removes his sword. Chi leaps to
his feet, spins and brings his
sword cleanly through Peter's neck.
Peter's head falls to the ground next to his feet. His hand drops
the sword and his body crumples
to the ground.
EXT. CHURCH
Daniel, back in control of his emotions, still sits on the steps.
He looks behind as he hears a
door open. Chi exits the church and looks down at Daniel.
CHI
It's done. Let's go.
He walks off towards the car.
Daniel moves slowly to his feet. He sighs and casts his head to the sky.
DANIEL
Sorry, old friend. I hope you're peaceful
up there.
He walks off in the same direction as Chi.
CUT TO:
EXT. LEAH'S HOUSE - AFTERNOON
A small, unassuming little house without much of a front yard.
It sits in a neighborhood
full of such houses.
Leah and Robert walk hand in hand down the sidewalk leading to the house.
LEAH
Well, here we are.
ROBERT
It's nice.
LEAH
You're a horrible liar.
ROBERT
No, I mean it. It's a place to live and
just having that is nice.
LEAH
Okay, I'll take that.
INT. HOUSE - AFTERNOON
The key turns the lock on the door and the door swings open.
LEAH
It's not a lot, but I like it like that.
They walk in and immediately Robert tenses up.
LEAH
What is it?
ROBERT
Stay right here.
Robert draws his sword and steps deeper into the darkened house.
Leah yelps and Robert spins
around to find Chi, holding a sword to Leah's neck
Daniel steps out of the shadows next to him.
DANIEL
Where's your friend?
ROBERT
Who are you?
DANIEL
It's very simple. You take us to your buddy
and I can keep Chi here from killing the girl.
Robert relents.
ROBERT
I don't know exactly, but he said he was going
fishing.
DANIEL
Fishing, huh? I guess we'll start having to
make
the lakes.
INT. CAR - DAY
Daniel's driving the car, while Robert sits in the passenger seat. Chi is in the back with Leah.
DANIEL
It wasn't that hard finding you. We knew
there were Immortals in town. That stunt
you pulled at the Alamo wouldn't go unnoticed.
We tried help, but unfortunately that didn't
work out.
He says the last in a sorrowful voice.
ROBERT
Peter.
DANIEL
You knew him? I'm not suprised.
ROBERT
He wanted my friend and I to try to
talk to you.
DANIEL
It won't work. He tried talking to me himself
earlier today and it didn't work coming from him.
ROBERT
(coldly)
You killed him.
DANIEL
Not me.
He nods back to Chi, who sits expressionless.
ROBERT
The very thing you are trying to fight. You've
become you're enemy.
He says the next words with venom, hoping for a response.
ROBERT
You hypocrite.
Daniel doesn't answer, just stares straight at the road. He continues
talking about how he found
them as if he didn't stop, trying to put Peter's death away from his
mind.
DANIEL
Anyways, we started asking around. We found
the little cafe missy here works in and her co-workers
told me of the strangers she's befriended.
Of course
it was possible you weren't Immortals, but we were
taking every chance to find you. We hid out
in the
house and if you weren't Immortals, we would leave
and you would never have known we were there.
But
I knew the second the door opened you were an Immortal,
I could feel it. You could feel it too when
you walked
in. The sword was the giveaway for Chi here.
ROBERT
Are you finished being Johnny Explain-it-all?
Daniel flashes him a mean look.
ROBERT
I don't care how you found us, but you're putting
this girl in danger and I don't see how that lives
up to what you're all about. Aren't you on
this
little crusade because you're wife was killed in
the
Game? What about Bruce Lee over there?
DANIEL
We won't hurt the girl. When we've dealt with
you
and your friend, she'll be let go, untouched.
Chi nods his agreement.
ROBERT
And if you won't kill her, what makes you think
I'll be good?
DANIEL
Because if you don't, Chi has no compunctions
about killing an innocent to get to the "real evil"
as he calls it.
Robert casts a glance back at the warrior and catches his eyes. He believes it.
ROBERT
I see.
CUT TO:
EXT. LAKESIDE - DAY
The sun is slowly descending and night is almost upon us, but it's still
a bit away. The quartet
look out over the lake and see no boats of any kind or any activity
at all.
DANIEL
We've been all around this lake and more
like it and we've found nothing.
ROBERT
Maybe he didn't go to a lake. Maybe he's
down a river or something.
DANIEL
We're getting Impatient.
He tosses Robert his sword. Robert deftly catches it.
ROBERT
That's it, huh? We just go at it now?
DANIEL
Don't worry, we'll make it a challenge
for you.
Chi steps up and draws his sword. They both face Robert down.
ROBERT
Two on one? Isn't this against the rules?
DANIEL
No one here gives two shits about the
rules.
He strikes and Robert blocks. Both try to overpower him, but Robert
fends them off. He kicks up
and strikes Daniel in the face, knocking him down, then ducks a blow
by Chi. He brings his sword
up, trying to skewer Chi through his stomach. Chi spins out of
the way.
As Robert duels with Chi, he has a hard time keeping up.
Block, strike, block, block, block,
strike.
Daniel runs up once again and Robert spins around swinging his sword
to take Daniel's head.
Daniel blocks and Robert's kicked from behind by Chi.
Chi motions Daniel to step back.
CHI
Give me the satisfaction of taking this
one on my own.
Daniel steps back and walks over to Leah.
Chi and Robert glare at each other. Robert yells in rage and charges
Chi. He swings at his neck.
Chi LEAPS into the air over the sword and kicks Robert in the head.
Robert cries out in pain and falls to the ground, dropping his sword.
Chi steps up to him and
swings down. Robert dodges and jumps to his feet. Chi is
blocking his way to his sword.
Chi swings to Robert's midsection. Robert DIVES headfirst over
the sword, lands and rolls,
coming up with his sword. He swings behind him, but Chi blocks
the blow. Chi lets out
another kick, once again knocking Robert's sword away.
Chi puts his own sword down and starts pummeling Robert with karate
punches, some of which
Robert block, most of which he doesn't.
Robert's feeling punch drunk by now, so Chi leaps into the air, kick's
Robert in the side of the face again,
lands with that foot and brings his other one around in a back spin
kick that knocks Robert senseless
to the ground.
He kicks Robert in the side when he's down and Robert groans in pain.
Chi smiles as he kicks
him again and again. Robert lays there, moaning.
Finally, Chi is finished kicking the crap out of him, and he goes to
pick up his sword. He walks
up to the beaten Robert and raises the sword.
Leah screams and tries to charge, but Daniel holds her.
BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!!!
A gunshot is heard.
CLOSE ON CHI'S FACE
His eyes get a far off look in them and blood comes out of his mouth.
He falls down to the ground, very much dead.
We pan around to reveal CONNOR MACLEOD, standing by a tree holding a
shotgun. He smiles
at the group.
CONNOR
Hey.
He makes his way over to where Daniel and Leah are standing.
Daniel is shocked.
DANIEL
Who the hell are you?
CONNOR
I am Connor Macleod of the Clan MacLeod,
and Peter McGuire was a friend of mine, as is
that young man over there.
DANIEL
Shit, you're the Highlander.
CONNOR
That's me.
DANIEL
How did you know Chi wasn't Immortal?
He indicates Connor's gun.
CONNOR
I've been around 400 years and I've encountered
the Order of Lo before. I would recognize
one of
their swords anywhere.
DANIEL
And I suppose you're here to talk me out of
my quest?
CONNOR
No, I'm here to stop you.
Connor draws his sword.
CONNOR
And I know only one way to do that,
murderer.
Daniel pulls out his sword and they start dueling. Leah runs off to Robert's side.
Connor easily has the experience over Daniel, but Daniel's fighting
with a passion we haven't
seen from him. In rage, he charges the Highlander and Connor
fights him off with some effort.
Connor slashes out and puts a bloody mark on Daniel's arm. He
cries out in pain, but it doesn't
slow him down, only infuriates him. He fights more
strongly and drives Connor back. Connor
is finally breaking a sweat.
Taking the kid seriously, Connor starts going for the fight ending strikes,
but each time, Daniel's
sword is there to block him.
Connor sets his jaw and lets out a flurry of strikes that the eye can
barely follow. He ends it with
a ferocious jab to Daniel's stomach, who barely sidesteps it.
Connor stumbles forward a bit and
Daniel goes for the killing blow. Connor falls to the ground
and it goes over his head.
He kicks out at Daniel's feet, knocking him over. Connor is up
again and leaps at the downed
Daniel. Connor's sword strikes dirt as Daniel rolls out of the
way. Daniel gets to his
feet and starts fighting even harder. Connor blocks
numerous blows to his own neck and
barely has time to make a strike of his own.
Daniel, tiring a bit, lets up on the offense. The mistake has
disastrous results as Connor takes
the initiative and knocks Daniel's sword well away from him.
Daniel tenses up, ready to take
the killing blow, but Connor lowers his sword and looks at Daniel.
CONNOR
I'm sorry it had to come to this,
but there was no other way.
Connor stands there still and Daniel spins around just in time to see
Robert coming up behind him,
swinging for his neck.
Daniel's head flies away to land next to his sword.
Connor looks up at Robert.
CONNOR
Never forget, Robert. There *can* be
more than one.
In the next minute, Robert is swallowed by the Quickening. He
raises his arms to receive the power
and Connor watches on, without expression.
Waves start cresting on the shore and lightening splits the sky.
Leah's hair starts blowing in the
wind, as does Connor's.
Connor looks over at Leah and smiles as the wind dies down. As
the Quickening ends, Leah
runs up to Robert and clutches him in an embrace.
CUT TO:
INT. CAFE - NIGHT
Connor sits at a table with Leah and Robert. All they have is coffee.
CONNOR
I have to book a flight back to
Scotland in the morning. You're
training is over, Robert, but you're
still welcome to be a guest at our
place.
Leah grasps Robert's hand.
LEAH
You're welcome to stay at my place,
also.
Robert doesn't even have to think about it.
ROBERT
Tell Brenda I said bye. I'll stop by to
visit someday.
CONNOR
I will, and I'll hold you to your promise.
I
just want to leave you with one last thing.
This fight may be over, but the struggle never
is. Most likely, you'll be fighting here and
there
for the rest of your life. Whether we like
it or
not, it is a fight for survival out there for us
Immortals. Always remember that, Robert.
ROBERT
I will, Connor.
He pauses.
ROBERT
Thanks, Connor. For everything.
CONNOR
Thank you, Robert.
Connor rises and bids the couple adieu.
CONNOR
I trust I will see you two again.
ROBERT
Count on it. See ya later.
CONNOR
Farewell, friend. Good-bye, Leah.
LEAH
Bye, Connor.
Connor takes exit of the cafe, leaving the two by themselves. Leah looks at her watch.
LEAH
It's getting late and I'm not tired. Do
we have time to go do something?
ROBERT
I don't know about you, but I've got time
to spare.
We start pulling back as the two start conversing. We pull back
out of the cafe and down the
street. We pull back down the sidewalk and find Connor walking
to his hotel. We keep pulling
back until the city is nothing but lights and we continue to pull back
until we're in the atmosphere
and continue on into space until we have a moon's eye view of the Earth.
"PRINCES OF THE UNIVERSE" By Queen starts playing as the credits start rolling.
THE END