A FANFIC BY BRIAN CLARK A RANMA ROSE PRODUCTION HIGHLANDER ½: A RANMA ½ & HIGHLANDER: THE SERIES CROSSOVER Opening song: Princes of the Universe by Queen See the regular opening credits for HL: The Series, only with Ranma characters (use your imagination). PROLOGUE The clang of metal on metal could be heard a little way down the block. If you were to round the corner and turn into the nearby alley, you would see two men. One wearing a long brown coat with long hair tied back in a ponytail, and the other dressed all in black with a shaved head. They appeared to be fighting one another, each with a sword in his hand. After a little struggling, the bald man was disarmed of his sword. The man with the ponytail spoke in a Scottish accent, "There can be only one!" And with that, the bald man's head was sliced off. Suddenly, lighting bolts started to fall from the sky toward the man with the ponytail. It was the quickening, and the man with the ponytail was Duncan MacLeod of the clan MacLeod, and he was immortal. ON WITH THE STORY! Shortly after the lightning bolts stopped, Duncan went staggering out of the alley. Unknown to him, he was being watched. By two men on a nearby building top. One man had long hair similar to Duncans, only it was not tied in a ponytail, he also wore a brown trenchcoat. The other had a buzzcut and wore a black trenchcoat. They were John MacKrane and Ed Balazon, they were also immortal. "So, now MacLeods killed Anderson." Said MacKrane with a twisted grin on his face. "Yup." Said Balazon in return. "So I think it's about time we took care of him." Said MacKrane, his twisted grin widening. "We're gonna' have to go about this carefully." Said Balazon. "Yeah, yeah, I know." Said MacKrane, his twisted grin replaced with a scowl. They then exited through the roof door. Duncan MacLeod walked into his apartment and bumped into a boy, "Oh, sorry about that Mac." Said the boy as he slapped MacLeod on the shoulder. He started to head for the door, but MacLeod pulled him aside, "Listen Richie." Said MacLeod, "I'll be going out of town for about a week, and I'm trusting you can handle things while I'm gone." "Yeah sure Mac, but we're ya' going?" Asked Richie. "Going to meet my brother back in Scotland." Said MacLeod. MacLeod looked at his watch, "In fact, I better go get those tickets and leave. I'll see ya' Richie." Said MacLeod as he went out the door. "Yeah, see you Mac." Said Richie, a little concerned, "Hope his brother doesn't want to go swimming. He might get chopped up for haggas or something." MacLeod came walking up to the ticket counter, "One to Scotland please." He said. The ticket man gave him the ticket and he threw down some money. He went bolting toward his plane. He was almost there, but unfortunately he didn't see the man in front of him. They collided, both dropping bags, tickets, and all. Duncan got up and helped up the other man, "I'm sorry about that." Said Duncan, handing the man his baggage. He grabbed his ticket and went running for his plane. He showed his ticket and took his seat. Duncan yawned. Realizing how tired he was, he shut his eyes and went to sleep. He woke up to the sound of everyone moving off of the plane. He quickly got up and joined them. After he got out of the airport, he found himself in the middle of an unfimiliar street. He looked around to see signs in Japanese. "Oh shit!" Said MacLeod, "I picked up the wrong ticket!" With that he went dashing back into the airport. 15 MIN. LATER "I'm sorry sir, but our next flight to Scotland doesn't leave until next week." Said the english speaking representative. "What about to America?" Asked MacLeod. "We have no more tickets." Said the rep. "Thank you." Said an angry MacLeod as he walked away. Outside of the airport, a man in a black trenchcoat stood waiting. When he saw MacLeod walk out of the airport, he immediately followed him. About five minutes later MacLeod noticed this and turned into an alley. The man approached the alley with caution, only to see MacLeod standing there waiting. Both knew what each other was. They both drew their swords. "Ed Balazon" Spoke the man in the black trenchcoat. "Duncan MacLeod of the clan MacLeod." Said MacLeod. Balazon thrust his sword straight for MacLeod's chest, but Duncan was prepared. He blocked the thrust and slapped Balazon's sword with his, disarming him. Balazon was surprised, and backed away slightly. MacLeod made a shot clear for Balazon's head, but now it was MacLeod's turn to be surprised. Balazon dove for his sword. Picking it up, he did the same thing that MacLeod did to him, only on MacLeod. Balazon let out a laugh, "I have you now." He said, slowly moving toward MacLeod. In an act of desperation, MacLeod threw a flying kick straight at Balazon, dropping him to the ground. Ranma was on his way to the local drug store to pick up some supplies, when he thought he heard fighting in the alley. He poked his head around the corner to see a man cutting off another man's head with a sword! Ranma stood their shocked, but what he saw next shocked him even more. Lightning bolts were coming out of the sky and flowing into this man's body! "Holy shit!" Yelled Ranma, eyes wide in shock. Soon the lightning stopped , and Ranma snapped out of his trance. He ran over to the man hunched in the alley and put a hand on his shoulder, "Are you alright?" Asked Ranma. "I'll be fine." Replied MacLeod, now standing up. "Good. Now you can tell me what the hell just happened! Why did you cut off that guys head, and why aren't you dead from that lightning!?" Yelled a very disturbed Ranma. MacLeod's eyes widened, "You saw it!?" He asked. Ranma shook his head. "Alright! But understand this, you tell no one what I'm about to say! Got it?" MacLeod asked, trying to keep as quiet as he could. Ranma thought for a moment, "Would anyone believe me anyway?" "Alright, deal." Said Ranma, now a little eager. They sat down in the alley, and MacLeod told him all about immortals. "My god, your serious aren't you?" Asked Ranma, who was now again in a shocked state. "Dead serious." Said MacLeod. "In case your wondering, I'm only here because I lost my plane ticket to Scotland, and got on the wrong plane." "So ah, you got nowhere to go huh?" Asked Ranma. "Not at the moment." Said MacLeod a little depressed. "Well, how about you come to the dojo for a little while, and we can spar or something? You look pretty good." Said Ranma. "Well, I've got nothing better to do." Said MacLeod. "Whats your name anyway?" Asked Ranma. "I'm Duncan MacLeod, and you are?" "Ranma Saotome of the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts" Said Ranma with pride. Duncan gave him a confused look, "I've never heard of that type of martial arts before." He said. In a little while, they arrived at the dojo, each of them on opposite ends of the sparring matt. "I'm not going easy on you MacLeod!" Said Ranma with a smile. "I don't expect you to." Said MacLeod, returning the smile. Ranma made a huge jump, landing in front of MacLeod. Frankly, this surprised the hell out of Duncan, so he was caught off guard. Ranma gave him a kick in the stomach, and flipped him across the room. MacLeod landed just in front of the door leading into the house, which opened and hit him in the face. Akane walked into the dojo in her gi, wondering what the door hit. She looked down to see MacLeod getting up and wiping blood from his nose. "Oh, I'm sorry." Said Akane helping him up, "I really didn't mean it." "It's alright." Said MacLeod, giving her a smile. "I'm Duncan MacLeod." "Akane Tendo." Said Akane, blushing a little. Ranma walked over and slapped MacLeod on the back, "Are we done already MacLeod?" He asked, giving him a triumphant smile. "Excuse me Akane, I have some buisness to attend to." Said MacLeod, smiling at her again. Duncan turned around and kicked Ranma in the stomach, then hit him with a spin kick. Ranma fell down, quickly losing his superior attitude. Ranma flipped up, but was met by Duncan's fist and another spin kick. Ranma once again hit the floor, moaning. "Whats wrong Saotome, are we done?" Asked MacLeod. Akane was quite impressed, "Um, Duncan would you like to join us for dinner?" Asked Akane. "If it wouldn't be to much trouble, I'd love to." Said MacLeod. "Oh, no trouble at all." Said Akane as she walked back inside. "I think she likes you." Said Ranma, picking himself up off the floor. "Shes a nice girl, but I'm a little too old for her don't you think?" Said MacLeod. "Yeah, I can't blame you." Said Ranma, "Your just lucky that she isn't your fiancee." "She's your fiancee huh?" Asked MacLeod, "And you don't love her?" "Who could love a sexless tomboy like her?" Replied Ranma. "I heard that Ranma!" Yelled Akane as she busted down the door with her mallet, "Ranma no baka!" she yelled as she smashed him through the roof. Duncan stood there with a very surprised look on his face. When Akane turned around, he quickly wiped it off his face. "Ranma can be such a jerk sometimes." She said as she went back inside. In a short while, dinner was ready and everyone was at the table. Akane had just introduced everyone to MacLeod and they were eating. "So Duncan, Akane tells me you are an excellent martial artist." Said Soun. "Yes, he even beat up my son" Said Genma (actually his sign said that). "Well, I have had some training, but I wouldn't call myself excellent" Replied MacLeod. "Dad, do you think Duncan could stay with us until he can get on his flight back to Scotland?" Asked Akane. "Well, I don't see why not. After all, he is a martial artist and could get along with us just fine." Said Soun. "I couldn't, I'd be imposing." Said MacLeod. "Nonsense!" Said Akane, "It would only be for a week." "Well, if you insist." Said MacLeod, "I would be honored." When everyone was done, MacLeod walked up to Kasumi, "Your a wonderful cook Kasumi." Said MacLeod, "I've never tasted better Japanese food." "Why thank you Duncan." Said Kasumi with her usual smile. "Here, let me help you clean up." Said MacLeod, grabbing some plates. MacLeod came walking out of the kitchen to see Ranma, "Well Ducan, guess you'll be sleeping with me." Said Ranma. "It's a little early in our relationship for that isn't it?" Said MacLeod sarcastically, "Come on!" Shouted Ranma as he went up the stairs. Duncan followed him, only to see Ranma bump into a bucket of water. Duncan went to help him up, and found a red haired girl where Ranma had fallen. "What the hell are you!?" Asked MacLeod. "Well, I guess it's my turn to explain." Said Ranma with a sigh. She told him the whole story. "Hmmm, interesting." Said MacLeod. Ranma thought her heard a hint of tension in MacLeod's voice though. He got an idea, "I'll be right back." Said Ranma as she ran out of the room. In a few minutes Ranma came back holding two buckets of water. "Ranma, what are you doing?" Asked MacLeod nervously. Ranma dumped a bucket of cold water on MacLeod. Standing where MacLeod was, stood a black furred goat with a black ponytail. "Ah ha! I thought you were cursed!" Said Ranma. The goat "baahhed" at him. Ranma dumped the warm water on him, turning him back in to Duncan. "Just don't spread it around alright?" Asked a pissed off MacLeod. "Yeah, I won't." Replied Ranma. LATER THAT NIGHT John MacKrane stood on the roof of the Tendo house, "So MacLeod, your staying at some dojo huh? Well your not going to be safe here." Said MacKrane. "But how should I kill you?" Then an idea popped into his head. "Well MacLeod, looks like I won't have to come to you after all!" His laughter filled the night air. Inside, Ranma was having a dream. Seeing that Duncan was cursed, it brought back alot of memories from Jusenkyou for him. Especially one that no one knew about except for himself. Shortly after Ranma had gotten done fighting his father, he had gone to see the springs one last time before they left. He was looking at the spring he had landed in, when he heard a voice next to him, "Tragic isn't it?" He turned around to see a man with purple hair, dressed all in blue with ancient symbols on his cloak. "Who are you?" Asked a surprised Ranma. "Just a man looking for a fight." He said, "And my name is Kentou." "Well then, a fight you have." Said Ranma as he lept at Kentou. He remembered the fierce attack that Kentou had unleashed at him. Hundreds of ki-energy surikens taht homed in on their target. After a few of those, Ranma was down and unable to get up. Kentou had made a ki-energy sword, intending to finish him off. Then he remembered a man with a sword who saved his life, who drew Kentou away from him. He could make out the man's face clearly. It was Duncan MacLeod. The next morning Ranma woke up and noticed that Duncan was gone. Duncan had just walked out of the airport to check when his ticket would come. They were ahead of schedule because they were due in tommorrow. He figured while he was out he should get something to eat. The nearest restaurant he came to was called the Nekohanten. He opened the door, only to be greeted by a flying bucket of water in the face. "Oops! Shampoo sorry!" Said Shampoo. She looked down and saw a goat, "Ooh, Shampoo use goat to cook in Ramen!" At the mention of being cooked, Duncan the goat took off out the door, with Shampoo chasing him. Duncan got ran through the Tendo house door and jumped into the sink, turning on the hot water. Just as he turned back, Ranma entered. "Whats going on?" Asked Ranma. Duncan pointed at Shampoo, "Ranma, you see goat go by?" Asked Shampoo. "No, sorry Shampoo." Replied Ranma. "Is ok." Said Shampoo. She reached into her backpack and pulled out a bottle of Shampoo. She waved it in front of Ranma's face. "This special Shampoo that turn you back into boy." Said Shampoo smiling. "Oh no! Not that again!" Yelled Ranma as he ran out of the room. Shampoo was about to chase after him, but Duncan grabbed her shoulder, "What you want?" Asked an irritated Shampoo. "You said that shampoo could turn Ranma back into a boy right?" Asked MacLeod. "That right." Said Shampoo, still a little annoyed. "Would it work on anyone that is a man, and cursed?" Asked MacLeod. "Yes." Said Shampoo curiosly. "I need that." Said Duncan, "I'll give you whatever you want for it." Shampoo thought for a moment, then got an idea, "Ok, here what you do. You kill black ponytail goat and give to Shampoo. Then you get it." Said Shampoo. "Deal!" Said Duncan. Duncan ran out into the city and into an antique store, "Are there any farms around here?" Asked Duncan. "Yep, on the northern outskirts of the city." Replied the antique dealer. "Thank you." Said Duncan as he ran out the door. Duncan hopped the fence of one of the farms and grabbed a black goat. He was a little reluctant to steal it, so he left some money behind. After he picked up a wig for the goat (to give him a ponytail), he went to see Shampoo at the Nekohanten. As he walked in he saw an old women on a staff, he also felt an immortal. "So, have you come to take my head?" Asked Cologne with a smile. "No, I've come to see Shampoo. This is hers." Said MacLeod, as he pointed at the goat. "Well, shes not hear right now, I'll give it to her." Said Cologne. "Good." Said MacLeod as he handed the goat to Cologne, "tell her to find me when she gets back." At that, MacLeod walked out the door. When he returned to the dojo, Ranma ran out to MacLeod with a piece of paper in his hand. Ranma handed it to him. The note read: Hello MacLeod, my name is John MacKrane. I believe you knew my associate Ed Balazon. This is my revenge for taking his head. I've taken some girl named Akane to the top of the Ucchan Okinamiyaki restaurant. If you want her back, come and get her! -MacKrane "God damn it!" Shouted MacLeod as he threw down the note. "This is all my fault! If I would have left, this wouldn't have happened!" "No Duncan, don't blame yourself. Come on, we've gotta' get Akane back!" Said Ranma. "Not we, me Ranma." Said MacLeod sternly. "Shes my fiancee god damn it!" Yelled Ranma. "Your right." Said MacLeod, "but let me handle MacKrane." Ranma nodded his head in acknowledgment. Then they were off the the Ucchan. "Alright MacKrane, wheres the girl?" Asked MacLeod, very pissed off. MacKrane pointed to the edge of the building where Akane was dangling. MacLeod drew his sword, "Ranma, get Akane." Said MacLeod, still staring at MacKrane. MacKrane made a move to stop Ranma, but MacLeod held up a hand, "It's you and me MacKrane." Said MacLeod, drawing his sword. MacKrane drew his sword as well and they charged toward each other. "Hold on Akane, you'll be free in a second." Said Ranma as he started to untie her ropes. Within a few minutes, Akane was free. "Thank you Ranma." Said Akane staring into his eyes. Ranma stared into hers, and they moved closer. Suddenly a woman jumped over the edge of the building, "Shampoo!" Yelled Ranma in surprised. Shampoo pulled out a bottle from her backpack and handed it to Ranma, "You give to Duncan." She said with a grim look on her face. Then she jumped back off the building. Ranma stuck it in his pocket. Then another figure jumped on to the building. From the purple hair, he thought it was Shampoo again. After looking at the figures face though, he knew who it was. "You!" Exclaimed Ranma. MacKrane and MacLeod's swords clashed, "This is it MacLeod!" Yelled an enraged MacKrane. Duncan was to busy concentrating on the fight to pay attention to what MacKrane was saying. MacKrane swung his sword to MacLeod's chest and MacLeod blocked. MacKrane pushed up, pinning MacLeod's sword down. He kicked MacLeod's sword to the edge of the building, "Now you die." Said MacKrane. "Surprised to see me?" Asked the purple haired figure. "Come to finish me off Kentou?" Asked Ranma. "Yes. I have killed all of my opponents in battle, except for you. I will not be dishonored by the likes of you." Said Kentou, suprisingly calmly. "Well, we'll see!" Shouted Ranma as he dove toward Kentou in a jumpkick. MacKrane sliced for MacLeod's head, but MacLeod kicked the sword out of his hands and off the building. A look of panic crossed MacKrane's face as Duncan kicked him in the chest and flipped him. "Thanks Ranma." Whispered MacLeod. MacLeod rushed to get his sword. He picked it up and walked over to a sprawled out MacKrane. Without a word, he sliced off MacKrane's head. Ranma saw lightning bolts start to go into MacLeod, but didn't care. He wasn't in a position to do much of anything. He had just been hit by one of Kentou's flurry of shurikens. He looked up to see Kentou standing over him, "Now, I will finish you." He said with confidence. He formed a ki-energy sword, just as he had last time. A big smile crossed his face, "No, I won't finish you like this." He said as he diminished his ki-sword, "I'm gonna' steal your soul!" "How the hell could you do that!?" Asked Ranma in disbelief. "I'll tell you." Said Kentou, "The man that saved you back in Jusenkyou knocked me into a very special spring. It is a spring that had a spell put on it to disappear after the first person fell into it. The spring of the drowned sorcerer. If you fall in, you get the power to steal souls from Jusenkyou cursed people." Ranma's eyes widened in fear. Kentou's hand started to glow, then he picked up Ranma by the shirt. Suddenly, a sword went through Kentou's chest. His hand stopped glowing and he dropped Ranma. He managed to pull the sword out of him before he fell to the ground. Kentou turned around to see Duncan, "You! But I killed you!" Yelled Kentou. Now it was his turn to be in disbelief, "No you didn't." Said MacLeod, "You just knocked me into a goat spring." Kentou's eyes narrowed and he smiled. He slowly rose to his feet and let out a barrage of shurikens straight at MacLeod. MacLeod dodged alot of them, but took three of them in the chest. However, Kentou's shurikens did home in on their target, so the rest went into his back. Duncan fell to the ground dead. Kentou turned to Ranma who was still on the ground, "Your friend can't save you now." He said. Kentou heard a sound coming from behind him. He turned to see MacLeod rising to his feet. "Aaaah, so my theory was correct you are immortal." Said Kentou. Duncan just glared at him. Kentou smiled and his hand started to glow, "Your soul is mine!" He whispered. Ranma was not about to let this happen. He rose to his feet and looked around to find something to help Duncan. He noticed the lump in his pocket and pulled out the bottle of shampoo. "Hey Duncan!" He yelled, then tossed the bottle to him. Duncan caught it and read the label that said "Nanichuan shampoo". He thought for a moment and remembered what it was. He quickly read the directions which simply read "Dump on head". "Please work." MacLeod whispered, then dumped it on his head. It seemed to dissolve instantly. He sighed and looked at Kentou, "Come on and try!" He yelled as he jumped toward Kentou. Kentou formed a ki-sword and slashed him to the ground. His hand shot out a beam that went into MacLeod's chest, but it disappeared quickly. Kentou's eyes widened, "what!?" He yelled. Ranma tossed MacLeod his sword. MacLeod jumped up and caught it. He immediately slashed Kentou with it, then again. MacLeod madly slashed at Kentou, hitting him every time.He the flip kicked Kentou, sending him flying backward. He landed right in front of Ranma, "Well, now it's my turn." Said Ranma, kicking Kentou off the ground and near the side of the building. Kentou rose to his feet and made strange motions with his hands. A gateway appeared in front of him and he ran through it. Ranma ran toward it, but it shut before he could get through. Ranma walked over to Akane (who had stood there unoticed the whole fight), "You okay?" He asked. "I could ask you the same thing." Said Akane smiling. Suddenly they fell into each others arms. They stood like that for awhile. Ranma pulled his way out of Akane's embrace, and grabbed her shoulders, "Akane, I've wanted to say this for a long time. I love you." Said Ranma. "Oh Ranma, I love you too." Replied Akane. They were about to kiss, when they heard a voice, "So, you two finally decided to show your love." They both looked to see MacLeod smiling. Ranma walked up to him and slapped him on the shoulder, "Duncan, I owe you a lot. You saved my life twice, and you got me and Akane together, sort of." Said Ranma, "What do you want in return?" He asked. "Well, you saved my life too, and just your friendship is enough repayment." Said MacLeod. "Well, that you have." Said Ranma. "Listen, I've got a plane to catch." Said MacLeod, "I'll be seeing you Ranma, Akane. Tell your family thank you for having me." "Nice to have met you Duncan." Said Akane smiling. "I'll see you both later." Said MacLeod, waling down the Ucchan roof stairs. "Yeah, later." Said Ranma. "You like him, don't you Ranma?" Asked Akane. "Yeah, he's a great guy." Said Ranma, "I hope we meet again." TWO HOURS LATER Duncan's brother Connor MacLeod had heard about Duncan's little mix up with the tickets. He had just gotten off the plane to go and see him in Japan. He noticed on top of a nearby building, a boy was being chased by a girl with a mallet in her hand yelling, "Ranma no baka!" "I didn't mean to make fun of your cooking Akane, really!" Yelled the boy. Connor looked down at the address of the place Duncan was staying at, "This may be an interesting trip after all." EPILOGUE Shampoo sat in an alley with her face in her hands. She looked up to see Ranma being chased by Akane, "Ranma, Shampoo got to leave you. Shampoo find other man now. Shampoo always have place in her heart for you though." She said to herself, in a depressed voice. A gateway suddenly opened, and a purple haired man stepped out, "Come my love, we shall return to China now." He said, as he extended his hand to Shampoo. Shampoo took it and stepped back through the gateway. As it closed, a figure stood in the alley. He sat down and sighed. He was soon joined by another much shorter figure on a staff, "Don't worry Mousse, I'm not going to let Shampoo just leave with him." Said the figure on the staff. "Listen Cologne, I love Shampoo! I won't let her run off with some sorcerer!" Cried Mousse. Cologne scowled, but she realized something. He never called her Cologne before. Always "old ghoul" or something else like that. So that meant he was serious in his intentions. She would not let Shampoo marry either one of them. ENDING SONG: KNOCKIN' ON HEAVENS DOOR BY GUNS N' ROSES POST-PRODUCTION NOTES Well, that turned out to be alot better than I thought it would. I hope you think so too. Thank yous go out to Rumiko Takahashi (do I need to say why?), Derek Brunt for talking to me and helping to form the idea, my brother Stephen for giving me alot of ideas, and everyone else who preread this. Oh, also Guns N' Roses for their music. John MacKrane, Ed Balazon, and Kentou (He will appear in future stories), are created by me. All other characters are trademarks of their respective owners. Here is my Axl Rose quote for this fic, "And when your fears subside, and shadows still remain. I know that you can love me, when theres no one left to blame. So nevermind the darkness, we still can find a way. 'Cause nothin' lasts forever, even cold november rain." P.S.-If you haven't read my other fic, Decisions From the Heart, tell me! send C&C to:rclark@mail.heritage.com, or post it up!