DCH 101
Defenders Chronicles: Highlander
By AmandaDoE
Chapter One-Hundred One: The Last Stand — Part Two
Richie looked on as he knelt on the roof of the barge with Duncan as he was preparing for the vision quest.
"Are you really sure you want to do this?" Duncan asked.
"I told you last year, Mac," Richie insisted, "with this threat of Ahriman present, I'll be right here with you."
Duncan nodded, "Brace yourself."
Richie then replied, "Of course."
Duncan used the singing bowl as meditation aid for him and Richie and he closed his eyes, assuming his teacher did the same.
The next thing Richie knew, he was in a large room, what appeared to be an old abbey.
"Where are we?" Richie asked.
"Ethereal space," Duncan answered before he raised his voice, "Show yourself!"
Ahriman appeared in a red glow as a little person sitting on a swing.
Richie groaned, "You've gotta be kidding me."
"Been waiting a long time for you to come and play," Ahriman greeted Duncan before eyeing him and Richie, "Both of you to be exact."
"Oh good," Richie sarcastically replied, "Let's get on with this, shall we?"
"That we shall, kid," Ahriman replied.
"I'm not a….." Richie tried to lunge for the demon, but Duncan stopped him. Ahriman threw a red ball at both men. Duncan caught a human skull. He dropped it, and it shattered on the stone floor before vanishing.
"It's okay," Ahriman replied, "I'll soon be playing with both of your skulls."
"Wanna bet?" Richie replied.
"Easy, Rich," Duncan held his student back.
They noticed Ahriman had vanished.
"I've got all kinds of toys," Ahriman stated before the two men saw Ahriman kneeling by a doll sized casket at Duncan's right side and held up a doll dressed in a white gown, "Tessa."
Richie suddenly had a flashback of the night Tessa died.
Suddenly, the guy held the three at gunpoint, demanding, "Now! Give me your keys. I want your rings, wallet, necklace! Come on!"
"Okay! Okay!" Tessa exclaimed in fear.
The three complied by giving the mugger what they could give him, including the car keys.
"Come on! Hurry up!" the mugger demanded.
"All right!" Richie exclaimed. Tori was too scared out of her mind to try to fight back. She thought maybe she could have, but it wouldn't do any good. He might hurt her, or worse, hurt Tessa or Richie. She remained calm for the sakes of Tessa and Richie.
"That's all you got?" the mugger demanded, "You got more. Where's her purse?"
"I don't have a purse," Tessa answered, "I swear...only the rings."
"You lying bitch!" the man shouted before shooting Tessa point blank in the torso. She screamed as she fell backwards to the ground.
"No!" Tori cried out in horror.
He also recalled when he first became immortal learning that Tessa was dead.
"Tessa too...is she..." Richie asked, sounding hopeful.
Tori glanced over at Duncan, who was looking at the love that was laying in his arms, like a crushed dove. He slowly shook his head.
"Mac?" Tori urged this time.
"No," Duncan finally answered.
"Oh no," Tori sobbed before she fell into Richie's arms. Richie comforted her, tears rimming his eyes as well.
Ahriman then appeared on Richie's right side, smoking a pipe, "Hugh Fitzcairn."
Richie then had a flashback of witnessing Kalas take Fitzcairn's head.
"Fitzcairn!" they heard Duncan shout in the video, and Kalas raised his sword, "No!"
Kalas immediately beheaded Fitz.
"No!" Tori screamed in horror, "No!"
Richie looked on in disbelief as Kalas took Fitz's quickening.
"I can't believe it," Richie muttered.
Ahriman then appeared in front of both men, holding an army doll, "Charlie."
Richie then had the flashback of Charlie's death.
"Richie! Tori!" he heard Jack shout from an alleyway, "I need help over here!"
They both hurried to the area to see Charlie fatally wounded while Jack was crouched next to him.
"Charlie!" Richie and Tori exclaimed in shock as they rushed to Charlie's side.
"Help is on the way," Jack informed them.
"It's too late," Charlie replied.
"Charlie?" the group heard Duncan call out, "Charlie? Charlie, hang on."
"Forget it, MacLeod," Charlie replied weakly as Duncan approached the group.
"I'll get some help," Duncan told his friend, "Hang on, man."
"We both know it's too late," Charlie replied, "Don't you suppose you guys could spare some, could you?"
"This can't be happening," Richie muttered.
"Come on, hang in there, Charlie," Tori pleaded, "Talk to me, hey, Charlie."
"It's all right," Charlie stated, "I screwed up...the immortal stuff...it's not...it's not bull crap...I just underestimated it. I'm sorry...for not listening."
"It's all right, Charlie," Duncan assured him.
"I believe in you guys," Charlie told his friends, "Keep fighting...and take care of that son of a bitch, and be safe."
"We will," Richie nodded, tears filling his eyes.
"You know it," Duncan added.
Charlie died in Duncan's arms. Duncan clenched his forehead to his hand, and was mourning his fallen friend. Tori and Richie looked to see Jack bowing his head before it hit them both before Tori burst into tears and started crying. Richie held Tori and tearfully comforted her, not saying anything.
Ahriman then appeared right next to Richie, holding a toy train, "I got something for you, Richie Ryan. Mikey."
Richie started trembling as he flash backed to having to take Mikey's head and quickening.
Richie stopped, knowing what he had to do. He watched as Mikey continued on a bit, then he stopped and turned to look back at Richie.
Richie got out his sword and faced Mikey, who was starting to have fear. He hated that he had to do this, "I'm sorry, Mikey."
Mikey turned and ran down the tunnel and Richie followed him. Mikey stopped and turned back, holding his hands to stop Richie.
"I didn't mean to hurt anybody, Richie," Mikey said.
"I know," Richie replied, his voice nearly breaking.
As a train entered the tunnel, Mikey knelt besides the tracks.
"Mikey," Richie wiped his face as tears were running down his face.
"Don't worry, Richie!" Mikey assured him, "I'm okay. I'm okay. Look, not – not even scared."
He laid down with his head on the rail, smiling bravely, "Mikey go see King of Trains."
Richie could only watch as the train thundered past him. He watched as the train decapitated Mikey. After the train cleared, Richie felt Mikey's quickening and screamed as he took his quickening.
After the quickening ended, Richie dropped to his knees, crying.
Ahriman then reappeared at Duncan's right side, holding a suit of armor model astride a horse's metal armor, "Darius."
Richie couldn't help but to recall the day Darius was beheaded by Horton, as did MacLeod.
"Darius!" Duncan screamed as he hurried to his friend's body, "Darius!"
Tori sighed before leaning forward and whispered in Richie's ear, "It's Darius. He was killed."
Richie looked at Duncan, who nodded, confirming the statement. Richie looked around sadly before quietly saying, "I'm sorry. Look, is there something I can do? Let me...let me do something. Let me help you."
"Your intentions are most honorable, young man," Fitz assured him, "This is best left to Duncan and myself."
Richie and Tori watch as Fitz and Duncan leave the barge.
"All right, okay. It's, uh, it's your situation," Richie replied before telling the women, "I never thought one of the good guys would lose."
"That's how it goes sometimes," Tori replied sadly. Tessa only remained quiet.
Richie tried to keep his composure as Ahriman continued to taunt him and Duncan.
"And if you two remain silent, I'll have that other priest you're so fond of," Ahriman told the men, "Till then….."
He disappeared and then reappeared next to the doll's casket again, "I'll play with this."
Ahriman got out a red rubber ball out of the casket, "I think I'll call it Tori."
He tossed the ball across the room, reappeared to catch the ball, which turned blue, "Tori."
He tossed the ball away, and it turned green in another direction, "Tori."
The demon laughed as he reappeared elsewhere holding the blue ball, "Tori."
He reappeared elsewhere again and this time held the green ball, "Tori."
Richie felt himself shaking in anger as he recalled Duncan taking Tori's head and him crying over Tori's dead body, with his face and hands covered in blood as the voices were overlapping, saying Tori's name.
"Mac, make him stop!" Richie exclaimed.
"Stop," Duncan told Ahriman.
"You stop me!" Ahriman held the yellow ball and continued to jump about with different colored balls, and the voices overlapping, "Come on. Stop me. Stop me, like you stopped Tori. Tori's dead. Tori's dead! Tori's dead! You knew you were killing Tori. I think you liked it."
"Shut up," Richie muttered as Duncan's katana appeared in his hand while his own sword appeared in his hand.
"Ohhhh," Ahriman taunted the two men as he dropped the purple ball, spreaded his arms wide, and the voices overlapped again, mainly taunting Duncan, repeating one sentence, "Tori killer."
"Shut up!" Richie finally snapped as he lunged towards Ahriman, "Shut up!"
The next thing Richie knew, he saw he was now holding Duncan by the neck at his sword as his teacher was on his knees, "Mac?"
"Richie," Duncan eyed his student.
"He killed the woman you loved, Richie," Horton spoke up as he stood next to him, "I have an offer for you. Inner peace for MacLeod's head."
"What?" Richie gasped lightly.
"Don't you want to avenge your wife's death?" Horton asked. "You can, by taking MacLeod's head."
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Hadea gasped in shock, sensing something dangerous, "Oh no!"
"What is it?" the Phantom asked.
"MacLeod and Richie are in a bind," Hadea answered, "I need to act before it's too late."
She sat down nearby and meditated to where Duncan and Richie were.
She found them in the labyrinth. Richie was about to take Duncan's head as he was on his knees and Ahriman was standing next to him.
"Think about it, Richie," Ahriman offered, "Once you take MacLeod's head, not only will Tori be avenged, you'll be able to find inner peace."
"It's okay," Duncan assured his student. Richie paused as he hesitated, "Do it."
"Mac," Richie whimpered.
"Remember, I will always believe in you," Duncan added.
"Richie, don't do this!" Hadea shouted, "You don't wanna do this, and you know it."
Richie eyed her as Hadea continued, "MacLeod is your friend, your teacher. You can't do this. Think about it. Tori wouldn't want this. Think about your wife. She wouldn't want you to lose yourself like this!"
Richie stepped back, glancing at the sword, then at Hadea and then at Duncan before he looked back up.
"NOOOOOOOOOOO!" Richie screamed a conflicted, anguished scream.
Hadea sighed with relief as Richie dropped his sword to the ground, which vanished in turn.
"HOW DARE YOU?!" Ahriman bellowed at Hadea, "You're not supposed to be here!"
"Well I'm here," Hadea replied, "so deal with it."
She then looked at Duncan, "Fight back against Ahriman. He is the one responsible for Tori's death!"
"She's right, Mac," Richie nodded, "Go for it."
"Richie, are you okay?" Duncan asked.
"I will be," Richie answered, "I can't kill you, Mac. I can't! You may have killed Tori and took her head, but I didn't listen to her warning and Tori was killed because of it."
"It's not your fault, Richie," Duncan assured his friend, "It was never your fault."
Suddenly, Kronos appeared, facing Duncan, "Why not try me?"
Duncan and Kronos dueled. Duncan then knocked Kronos down, stabbing his katana at his chest. Kronos disappeared, the katana drove point first into the ground instead.
"Duncan, this way!" Ahriman called out.
"Come take my head," Kronos challenged.
Other voices overlapped around Duncan and Richie, voices calling their names including Tori, Charlie, Fitzcairn and Tessa.
"Come to me," Kronos called out from out of their view, "I'm here."
Before Richie knew it, he and Duncan found themselves at the bottom of a well, the voices echoing around them. Duncan noticed some mental wear and tear in Richie.
"Richie, are you okay?" Duncan asked, concerned.
"Mac….." Richie started to answer.
They heard the voices again.
"MacLeod!" Horton called out.
"Don't forget!" Ahriman exclaimed.
"A little help?! Hey! MacLeod? Richie?" the voices overlapped again.
This time they now heard Charlie, Tori and Fitzcairn, among others.
"Richie," Richie heard Tori's voice, "I love you, Richie. I will always love you. I will always be with you."
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Hadea opened her eyes, filled with relief. She knew this wasn't her battle, but she had a hunch that this battle was for not just Duncan, but for Richie as well.
"Hadea?" the Phantom called out.
She turned to see her lover, "It's all right now. I only hope Richie Ryan finds peace and acceptance of his wife's death."
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"Mac? Mac? Richie?"
"Guys!"
Duncan and Richie woke up from their vision quest to see Joe and Amanda.
"What happened here?" Joe asked.
"That's what I want to know," Amanda added.
"There was this thing," Duncan answered, "I was fighting it with Richie. Ahriman nearly got to him, to us both."
"It fed on our anger, mostly mine," Richie added.
"I could have lost my head and Richie could have been lost forever," Duncan chimed in, "The more we felt anger, the more we were lost. Luckily, Hadea stepped in before Richie could take my head."
"Horton's a real smooth talker," Richie stated, his voice trembling, "He was very convincing that I could find peace and avenge Tori."
"I know how you feel there," Joe chimed in.
Then Duncan noticed Richie trembling, as did the others, "Richie?"
"Are you okay?" Amanda added.
"I'll be okay," Richie tried answering as tears fell down his face, "I'll be okay. I'll be…...okay. I'll be….I…"
He broke down, sobbing, burying his head with his hands. Duncan went to comfort him first, tears emerging from his eyes as well, "I'm sorry, Richie. I'm so sorry."
He comforted Richie as he sobbed hard. Amanda and Joe joined him in a group hug.
"It's all right," Amanda soothed her friend, "Shhh. Shhh. Shhhh. You're okay now."
"It's gonna be okay," Joe added in.
"Whatever this thing is," Duncan stated, "it doesn't have a physical form."
He had a sudden thought and ran off.
"Mac?" Amanda called out, "Hey, where are you going?!"
"Mac?!" Joe also called out.
"All you need is love," Richie realized something, "and forgiveness."
He hurried out of the barge as well.
"Richie, where are you going now?!" Joe called out.
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"Stop! Robert, don't!" Duncan shouted as he entered the chapel. He found Beaufort trying to end things with the illusion of Jackie sent by Ahriman.
"Bobby, I'm afraid," "Jackie" told his brother, "Make him go away."
"Leave, Duncan," Beaufort told his friend.
"You can't do this," Duncan insisted.
"Get out. I said get out," Beaufort snapped at his friend, "I have to do this."
"Why, because he says so?" Duncan asked, "This is not your brother. Jackie's dead. Whatever he needs, you can't give him."
He sighed before he continued, "But this – this thing wants your soul."
"Don't listen to him, Bobby," "Jackie" told his brother, "He wants to keep us apart."
"Don't you see, Duncan?" Beaufort declared, "I've lost my faith."
"Look at me," Duncan urged his friend.
Beaufort shook his head, holding the razor to his wrist.
"Robert, look at me."
Beaufort looked up.
"It doesn't matter if you've lost faith in Him, because he hasn't lost his faith in you."
"Mac's right," Richie chimed in as he entered the chapel. "You can't do this. It'll only make your situation worse."
Duncan glanced at Richie with slight confusion and surprise before he looked toward Beaufort. "Give me the knife. Give it to me."
Beaufort hesitated.
"Give it to me," Duncan insisted.
He took the razor from Beaufort. "Jackie" then faded away.
Young Jackie appeared at the side of the chapel, and kicked the ball to Beaufort. "Here, Bobby."
"Go for the goal," Young Bobby called out. He picked up the ball, walking with his brother and they faded out of existence.
Beaufort began crying and Duncan comforted him.
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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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