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Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America - July 12, 1997 - 8:32 p.m.
The Cleveland Railroad Yard

Methos walked steadily toward the figure in the pale light. The figure twirled his sword twice in his hand, the blade of the Japanese daisho reflecting the dim light like a supernova. Methos looked at the owner's face. It was hard to see due to the poor lighting, but he recognized that cold yet pompous face. The trademark Tollinger smirk was there.

"Hello, Winky, long time no stab. How've you been, buddy? I hope better than you look."

Methos squinted his eyes. "I've managed. And I'm not your buddy."

"Aw, is widdle Winky all pouty wouty cause I beat his widdle pantsie wantsies off him?"

"I'd call you a cowardly weasel, except that would be insulting your father." Methos pretty much spit out his retort. He was almost surprised at the degree of anger still inside him.

"Oh, ouch! Well, your mother wears army boots. Come on, you lost all that party spirit you had? If I remember correctly, you had the booze, the women, and the money. What happened? You wuss out on me, Winky?"

"There's a time in your life when you evaluate the path you've traveled. I did so, and I don't like where I am."

"So you're a choir boy now, Winky? Boy, I hope I don't get that cranky when I'm over 4,000."

"You won't have to worry about that. But before your head leaves your body, I want some answers."

"'Digital processing.' 'Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray.' 'February 1, 1851.' Oh, you mean answers about your friend. What was his name? Barry?"

"Percy. His name was Percy."

"Yes, I know. Percy Shelley. Boy, Winky, you are such a stiff."

Methos raised his blade to Tollinger's neck. "Answers. Now."

In a swift move, Tollinger pushed away Methos sword away from his neck and to the ground with his own sword. Methos could not move it. He took the moment to give Tollinger another look. He was over 6 feet tall, donning a black trenchcoat that came down to his ankles. Methos noticed that the left collar of Tollinger's trenchcoat was missing a piece, and it looked like a cut underneath the collar had been repaired. Tollinger, although right handed, had pinned Methos sword with his left hand. Like any good swordsman, he could handle a sword with both hands. And probably a beer, too.

"If you don't watch where you put that sword, it's not going to be the only thing lying on the ground."

Tollinger lifted the sword up and Methos pulled his away. "So, are you going to tell me about Percy?"

"Well, after that little stunt, I shouldn't tell you anything. However, I like to recall past glory."

Methos bit his lower lip. It was all he could do to not take a swipe at him right now. "Go on."

Tollinger flicked the cigarette that was in his hand at Methos face. It bounced off his forehead above his right eyebrow and went off into the wind. "Impatient, aren't we, Winky? Well, here goes. You ready? Grab some popcorn, this is going to be fun!"

A Ship off the coast of Italy - July 8, 1822

The captain of the ship sat in his quarters and wrote in a journal. "...managed to let everyone believe I was a professional captain. What a bunch of daft Brits! However, being on this ship has left me...well...bored. I think I'll kill of Percy and go find new prey to hunt. I could use a bath, too."

The man stood up and closed the tiny book in which he was writing. The cover had a stylized "T" on the cover, and below it was the roman numeral "20" (XX), all in gold letters. He carefully put it inside is coat pocket and blew out the lantern light. He opened his door and walked to the deck. He looked around until he spotted Percy and Methos. He began walking over to them. Percy began to say something.

"Tollinger, I was just wondering where-- " Percy began, but stopped as he saw Tollinger pull out his sword.

"What are you doing?!?"

Methos began to turn as Tollinger thrust his sword through Methos.

"AH!" Methos cried out. Tollinger pulled his sword out and walked around Methos as he dropped to his knees.

"Hello, Percy, you dashing young man, you. Goodbye, Winky, you ugly old mule, you."

"Methos was right about you!"

"Ah, the innocence of youth. So trusting. So loving. And so foolish."

Percy pulled out his sword. "Tonight you die."

"Correction, my friend: Tonight you die."

Tollinger lunged at Percy. Percy blocked Tollinger's sword, pulled back and swung his sword around to Tollinger's side. Tollinger lifted his sword and blocked the blow. Tollinger kicked out with his left leg and caught Percy in the stomach.

"You're a poet, right? Well, I've got a line for you. Mayhap it will make death easier to accept. All we are are broken blossoms, floating through the winds of time."

A violent wave hit the side of the boat and Methos was flung overboard.

"Whoops!" Tollinger said. "There goes your friend! Ha ha ha ha! Bye, Winky!"

Percy jumped up and took a wild swing at Tollinger. Tollinger ducked to the right and tripped Percy by extending his blade into Percy's shin.

"Clumsy, clumsy." Tollinger kneeled by Percy, as the rain pattered all around them and the wind howled. "Something tells me Winky was as bad a teacher as your wife is at staying true."

"You bastard! I'm gonna kill you!"

"I think not."

Percy swung at Tollinger's chest and Tollinger easily avoided the swing by jumping back. Tollinger brought his sword down at Percy and Percy blocked. Percy grabbed some nautical rope and flung it at Tollinger. He then stood up and swung at Tollinger's neck. Tollinger blocked with his sword in one hand while he threw the rope aside with the other. The clangs of the swords carried no more than fifteen feet, and no one saw the fight.

Tollinger shot out his sword and knicked Percy between the 3rd and 4th ribs. "Eeaah!"

"You really are whiny." Tollinger swung his sword and made a deep horizontal cut in Percy's chest. Percy staggered back. "Aqwk." Percy coughed up blood, and it ran out the corner of his mouth as he talked. "You...are...going...to pay."

"Perhaps someday. But not tonight. As you probably already heard, there can be only one. Goodbye, Percy."

With that, Tollinger's sword went through Percy's neck in a strong, swift swing. Tollinger put his sword down and braced himself for the inevitable Quickening he would receive for beheading another Immortal.

On the other side of the ship, Mary Shelley looked over across the deck and saw bright lights flashing.

"Oh, dear. I think lightning has struck our boat."

Mary ran over to investigate. She saw Tollinger on his knees, panting. She began to go to see if he was all right. Then she saw her husband. And she saw his head rolling over the side of the ship.

"Oh my GOD! PERCY!"

Tollinger grabbed his sword and thrust it out just inches short of Mary's nose. "Quiet." Tollinger slowly rose. Mary was breathing quickly, as Tollinger said, "Your husband had an unfortunate accident."

Mary had a look of shock on her face. "Wha--? What do you mean? Your sword is...covered in blood...oh my God...you killed him! Wh-why?"

"Why did I kill your husband? Your husband had to ensure the future of the world. I am sorry. Now, I have some time to ki-...spend, so let's step into my quarters, my dear. Scream and you share your husband's fate."

Cleveland Railroad Yard - 8:48 p.m.

Tollinger smiled. "Let me tell you, Methos, it was a lot of fun. We could've gone on all night long, but alas, I had to get some swimming done."

Methos had a look of disgust on his face. "You're a sick, despicable pervert."

"What? We played chess for a few hours. She kept crying on the board, so I think that's the reason I lost four consecutive games. Besides, you shouldn't talk. Word has it Mary taught you and Lord Byron Sex Ed & Human Relations."

Methos raised his sword and took a fighting stance. "Tonight you die."

"Correction, my friend: Tonight you die."

Tollinger's and Methos' swords met in the air with a loud, resounding clang. Methos twisted his wrist and shot his sword forward. He cut Tollinger from the stomach to the breastbone.

"Ow, you little prick!"

"Ha. You're not the only one who is crafty with a sword."

"You're just lucky you didn't damage my coat. Otherwise, you'd die a slow death."

"Like the person who damaged your collar?"

"He's chewing dirt right now."

Tollinger reached into his inside pocket and retrieved a dagger. He flung it at Methos and it caught him between the left shoulder and heart. "I'm not talking about doughnuts, Winky," Tollinger said in a half sarcastic/half puzzled tone.

Methos removed the dagger and tossed it aside. He could already feel the stiffness setting in. "Are you so bad that you can't even fight clean?"

"Oh, come on Methos. I know you never fight clean."

Methos crouched and blocked as Tollinger came in with a mighty blow. Methos decided to go with the force. As he fell on his back, he raised his feet into Tollinger's stomach, who was off balance from the unexpected move by Methos. Tollinger was lifted above Methos and flung into some garbage.

Methos stood up. "Hey, just where you belong."

Tollinger staggered and tried to stand. "What, are you trying to develop a sense of humor now?"

Methos swung and hit Tollinger's sword as he raised it to deflect the blow. Methos took the block in stride, brought his sword back, and then swiped at Tollinger's left leg. Tollinger cried out as Methos' blade made a deep incision in the upper part of the leg.

"Sister Mary! You're gonna pay for that!"

"It looks like someone's about to lose their head, eh, Tollin...." Methos sensed another Immortal. Before he could do anything he felt a cold sharp object run diagonally across his back. He fell to the ground.

"Winky, I'd like you to meet Steven."

Methos turned his head and saw the face of the attacker. "Immortals aren't supposed to inter--" He was cut off by a foot smashing his face.

"All I saw was you talking to him. I didn't see any fighting."

Tollinger straightened up. "Well, Methos, looks like I come out on top again."

"Hey, Tollinger, where's my cigarette?" Steven asked.

"I got sick of holding the smelly, disgusting thing."

"Hey, that was my last one!"

"Oh, shut up."

Tollinger walked over to Methos and kicked him in the gut. "That was for my chest." He kicked him again. "That was for my leg." He kicked him again. "And that...heh heh...that was for good luck."

Tollinger bent over and fingered his leg gash gingerly and winced a little. The leg wound was much worse than the chest wound, which was a good thing. Steven came over and inadvertently kicked up dust into Tollinger's face.

"Hey, Tollinger, when are you gonna pay me?"

Tollinger narrowed his eyes. "You want payment? I'll give you payment."

Before Steven could react, Tollinger had swung his sword out and sliced through Steven's neck. Tollinger caught Steven's falling body and pushed it towards Methos.

"Here, Winky. It's quite a pick-me-up."

Tollinger hobbled away from the scene, leaving Methos to receive the Quickening.

"We'll meet again. I think next time, however, I'll come to you."

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