DCH 100
Defenders Chronicles: Highlander
By AmandaDoE
Chapter One-Hundred: The Last Stand — Part One
"I saw Kronos," Methos explained as he was talking to Joe at the deck of the barge, "He told me he'd bring Alexa back to life if I told you to ditch MacLeod."
"Did you take the offer?" Joe asked.
"Yeah. She's waiting for me at a hotel," Methos sarcastically answered before he spoke in a serious tone, "What do you think? I saw through Ahriman. He didn't fool me."
Richie smiled and nodded, "Good job."
Flash entered the deck.
"Flash, there's bad news," Richie started to say, "It's Janet. She….."
"I know," Flash cut him off, "Ahriman attacked the IUA and killed my sister and several other agents. Jack sent the message."
"Not even the IUA is safe from Ahriman," Mandrake stated.
"We went back through the archives," Duncan explained, "The symbol turned up in the writings of an ancient German mystic. To him, there was a force of hate that could only be defeated by love."
"Fine for Gandhi, but what about us?" Mandrake asked.
"Yeah, what else did he say?" Joe added.
"Nothing," Duncan answered, "Seems he died before he could finish his memoirs."
"Oh, that's great," Richie retorted, "So, what do we do: sit and contemplate our navels while the whole world goes to hell?"
"What happened?" Duncan asked.
"Nothing happened," Richie answered.
"Nothing happened," Joe echoed the answer.
"He came to you, didn't he?" Duncan inquired.
"I've got four watchers dead already," Joe announced, "I'm pulling my people out."
"It's okay, Joe," Duncan assured him, "It's my fight."
"Well, I didn't say I was pulling out," Joe affirmed, "Mac, the answer's out there. You, me, and Amanda."
"And me," Richie nodded.
"Me too," Methos chimed in.
"We've got to find it," Joe insisted.
Duncan smiled and nodded, "Thanks."
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Joe woke up, noticing red fog billowing down the stairs to his room.
"You've done very well, Joseph," Horton stated as he was floating above Joe in the bed, who then sat up with a yell. Horton disappeared, and then reappeared across the room, "I'm glad you've come to your senses about the watchers, so I've come to offer you a small gift."
He stood next to Joe's prosthetic legs near the bed.
"Yeah, well, keep the gift," Joe replied.
"No, I think you'll want this," Horton insisted.
"Really?" Joe asked, "What's the hook?"
"No hook," Horton answered, "Just say no to MacLeod when he asks you to violate your watcher oath and help him."
"When pigs fly," Joe retorted.
"You used to fly, Joseph," Horton eyed the living watcher, "Do you remember? They used to call you the flier."
He ran his fingers along the top of the prosthetic leg, "Do you remember running on the beach? Do you remember thousands screaming your name your name as you scored yet another touchdown? Do you remember what it was like to wrap your legs around a beautiful woman?"
"No," Joe started to feel emotional, "No. No."
"I can help you fly again," Horton said quietly.
"Please don't," Joe cried, "Don't do this."
"I can give you back your wings," Horton continued.
"No," Joe cried out again.
Horton stared intently at the bed for a moment and Joe felt legs for the first time since the war, causing him to break down.
"Joseph, look at them," Horton insisted.
Joe moved his legs from under the covers, and he cried out in frustrated anguish.
"They're yours, Joseph," Horton continued, "Go on. Move them."
Joe moved to sit on the edge of his bed, his bare feet settling on the floor.
"That's right, Joseph," Horton continued, "You can take them for a spin."
Joe stood up as Horton continued, "You can even take them dancing if you want. They're yours. They're real. All you have to do is…..and give me MacLeod."
"I can't," Joe shook his head, crying, "I won't. You son of a bitch!"
He fell to the ground as Horton took back his "gift".
"Oh well," Horton replied as he glanced at Joe's prosthetic legs, "I suppose you'll be needing those, for now."
Horton left Joe with an inner conflict, reeling from this temptation Ahriman tried to offer him.
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"Legs," Joe spoke up as he was talking with his friends at the bar, "He offered me my...my legs." He scoffed. "Can you believe that?"
"Wow," April quipped before she took a sip of her cola.
"I can believe anything about him," Duncan answered.
"As if I would sell my soul for a simple damned pair of legs," Joe spoke through his tears.
"Some people would have," Richie spoke up.
"What the hell?" Joe cried out, "If I didn't want it so bad, it wouldn't be a temptation, would it?"
"We're sorry," Duncan replied.
"Very sorry," Richie chimed in.
Joe sniffled. "Okay."
He clapped his hands together before speaking up, "Let's see what we have, huh? We've got, uh, we've got a mystic symbol. We've got some ancient cave paintings. Some old German saying all we need is love."
"The answers got to be in there somewhere," Richie stated.
"This is the last shipment I got from my people before I pulled them out of the field," Joe got out a small metal bowl.
Duncan picked up the small metal bowl. "Where'd this come from?"
"What? The candy dish? Some old monastery in the Himalayas," Joe answered, "If anyone wants to join MacLeod in the vision quest, only one person is allowed to. I dunno why. Instructions."
Richie stepped forward. "I'll do it."
"Richie," Duncan eyed his student in surprise.
"Are you sure about that?" Amanda asked.
"I have high faith in MacLeod," Richie answered. "He might need the support."
"But what about you?" Amy asked.
"I'll be okay," Richie insisted. "Trust me on this. I have to face demons of my own, making peace with Tori's death. Maybe this vision quest will help me do so."
"You know, for someone married into the Gordon Family," April quipped, "you sure are stubborn like a biological Gordon."
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Chapters
Tori Gordon, a teenage operative for the Intergalactic Union Agency, transfers to a branch in Washington State, where she becomes involved in a battle between supernatural forces.
While reflecting on personal matters, Tori witnesses a stunning occurrence.
Richie introduces Tori to his friends, Duncan and Tessa, who detail the secret affairs of immortals.
As Tori begins learning more about her true nature, a teacher offers assistance.
Tori informs the Defenders that she plans to help Duncan and his companions.
Tori and Richie continue bonding as the IUA works with Duncan.
Tori is given a new task by her mother Janet.
Duncan and the group encounter Tori's teacher, Amanda. Tori learns that Duncan and Amanda have history.
9: Two Families, One Adventure
The Defenders arrive in Paris, where they unite with Tori's team.
Tori tends to an ailing Richie.
The group gains allies while investigating a new matter.
The search for Horton begins.
An old friend of Tori's reveals a darker side. Janet becomes involved in the current operation.
Duncan is told to be wary of a dark prophesy.
The team is menaced by Annie Devlin, an old associate of Duncan's.
Duncan begins refining Tori's skills.
Richie and Tori continue bonding.
A new woman comes into Richie's life.
Janet takes steps to make Richie an IUA operative.
Tori and her allies confront a number of enemies in the city.
The teams head out for a day of fun.
Rick's capture leads to a compromising situation as LJ and the others attempt a rescue.
Lucy, a dangerous immortal, targets Richie. Tori intervenes.
The IUA investigates when one of the Phantom's acquaintances is victimized by an immortal.
Richie and Tori return to Paris to assist with the mission, which is complicated by police involvement.
Duncan meets a woman who bears a strong resemblance to Tessa.
27: Can't Help Falling In Love
Kern, a vindictive old associate, returns to challenge Duncan.
Duncan attempts to work with the unstable David Keogh.
Charlie prepares to depart.
The group meet a girl named Michelle, who has just discovered her immortal nature.
Tori and Richie attempt to care for a younger boy named Kenny.
Everyone prepares for a holiday.
A mysterious statue creates chaos.
Joe and the team find others in need of their help.
Jedda and Tori have an intimate conversation.
Kalas haunts Richie and the others.
Duncan prepares for battle with Kalas and finds a surprise.
Kalas searches for Methos.
Tori worries as Richie begins taking chances.
Anne arrives.
41: The Exorcism of Richie Ryan
Richie requires assistance in getting back to normal.
The Defenders step in to assist with Kalas, and to help prevent the truth about Duncan's kind from leaking.
Duncan prepares to confront Kalas.
Duncan embarks on a private journey to Scotland. Jedda and Tori spar before an audience.
45: Walking On Shattered Glass
Duncan tries to intervene as Charlie clashes with Cord.
The current situation reminds Tori of a well-known scenario.
Amanda and Richie follow Duncan on a journey in secret, and end up defending themselves from a horde of ice robots.
The friends see Kenny again. Duncan suspects that a certain immortal is pursuing the child.
Seacouver is targeted by an ambitious supernatural woman named Sierra.
Duncan, Tori, and Richie investigate a matter from Duncan's past alongside the police.
The group is challenged by a charismatic new antagonist, Kamir.
The spellcaster Kristin Gilles arrives and pursues Richie. Mandrake offers assistance in thwarting her.
Duncan and his friends attempt to aid a pianist.
Anne and Jack participate in the latest endeavor.
Duncan falls under a dark influence temporarily.
Methos and the others reflect.
The exploits of Flash and his famed allies from Mongo are chronicled. Meanwhile, Zorelda reemerges.
The team members engage in sparring and storytelling during downtime.
The groups attempt to rescue Joe, who has been lured into a trap.
As tensions rise and truths are revealed, the team bands together in their effort to help Joe.
Richie makes a monumental decision.
As Tori and Richie prepare for the big day, opposing forces on Mongo makes plans of their own.
Katarina and Castra attempt to unite with the Defenders before Zorelda makes her move.
Zorelda arrives on Earth.
65: Setting Up The Rescue Mission
The groups outline their rescue effort.
Zorelda begins enacting her plan for Richie.
67: Mongo Showdown — Part One
Methos and Duncan engage in action on Mongo.
68: Mongo Showdown — Part Two
As the battle continues, Tori confronts Zorelda.
The group deals with the repercussions of their adventure and return to Earth.
Duncan's ally, Cassandra, relays a vision.
Tori and Richie encounter a cult. Duncan pursues Clay.
The Ryans foster a mysterious child who bears a resemblance to Tori.
Amanda and Maurice return as a new enigma arises.
Amanda engages in more questionable activity.
The group tries helping a woman who might be stalked by an old acquaintance of Duncan's.
76: All That Glitters Is Not Golden
Richie seeks to assist a childhood friend who's dealing with legal issues.
The Ryans encounter an apparent impostor, who also approaches Hadea.
An adversary known as Kronos targets Tori, seeking to exploit her intellect.
Richie and Duncan move to counter Kronos.
80: The Ransom of Richard Redstone
The Ryans depart for an undercover mission overseas.
The group make new acquaintances while pursuing a lead tied to a mysterious dancing event.
The enigmatic Keane arrives, wreaking havoc on several people's lives.
Duncan deals with a mischievous adversary named Byron. Jedda and Rick prepare for parenthood. Both Katarina and Jedda sense danger ahead.
Ming and Octon turn to a new ally.
Duncan is haunted.
The shape-shifter initiates a confrontation.
Ming shifts his focus to an isolated girl.
The Defenders unite with Tori's friends in an effort to stop Ahriman.
A climactic battle occurs as the Defenders clash with Ming, while Tori and Richie attempt to aid their friends.
90: Aftermath: The World Changes Forever
Everyone is affected by the recent events, which will have lasting repercussions.
Richie copes. Duncan travels overseas.
Joe, Amanda, and Duncan continue to hunt the enemy.
April locates Richie and provides an update on the current situation.
Richie is confronted by the opponent again.
Joe leads the investigation as everyone bands together.
The final clash begins.
Duncan makes a crucial discovery.
The key element to the plan is obtained.
The team proceeds with their endeavor.
100: The Last Stand — Part One
The group discovers that only one person can assist Duncan.
101: The Last Stand — Part Two
The battle reaches a conclusion.
Series finale.
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