DCH 46
Defenders Chronicles: Highlander
By AmandaDoE
Chapter Forty-Six: Of Mice and Men
"Angie was really nice during our stay," Tori told Richie as they made their way back to Seacouver, "Of all the friends I seen you make, I really liked her."
"Angie was a childhood friend," Richie pointed out, "and we used to be in a relationship."
Tori closed her eyes, " I know that already."
Richie looked over at her. Of course she did. When he introduced her to his old friend Angie Burke, the other day, he mentioned their previous relationship. Richie thought there was going to be some animosity towards her like there was with Maya or Laura, but to his surprise, that wasn't the case. In fact, Tori and Angie became good friends by the time the trip ended, and Angie approved of her as well.
"I don't think you met my other old girlfriend Nikki either, have you?" Richie asked.
"You mentioned her," Tori answered, "She has a daughter Melinda. Have you heard from them?"
"Yeah," Richie nodded, "They're doing fine from what I heard."
Suddenly, Tori and Richie sensed the Buzz. Richie pulled off to the side of the road, he and Tori took off their helmets and looked around, hearing a noise.
"Hello?" Tori called out.
"Who's there?" Richie added.
They both looked to see a heavy set man stumbling into view, holding a wooden toy train. Tori and Richie looked at each other before they looked back at the mysterious man.
"I'm hungry," the man spoke up. The couple looked the man over, they each pulled out a granola bar and handed it to him. The man accepted it, "Thank you."
Richie nodded.
"No problem," Tori smiled gently.
The man ate the two granola bars before he looked at them, "More?"
"I'm afraid not, sorry," Tori shook her head.
"Sorry," Richie added, shaking his head as well. He then proceeded to ask, "You, uh...you from around here?"
The man looked around and shook his head.
"Are you lost?" Tori asked.
"Where's your home?" Richie added.
"Nobody's home," the man answered.
Richie saw Tori getting a tablet from her bag and placing it on the side of his bike. She had a feeling the new guy was needing a ride. Then he noticed a sidecar appearing onto the motorcycle, this was something she invented awhile back.
Richie smiled and nodded before telling the man, "We're heading that way."
He pointed up the road, "Up the coast."
"Coast starlight passes through twenty two tunnels in Oregon," the man spoke with near enthusiasm.
Tori gave out a small smile. Richie chuckled, "Is that a fact?"
"Fact: Amtrak founded, 1971," the man stated.
"You want to come with us?" Richie offered. The man nodded in response.
Tori took a seat in the side car, "You can sit next to Richie too."
"All right," Richie replied as he got back on his bike, "Well, come on, all aboard."
He placed his helmet back on and Tori followed suit.
"All aboard!" the man exclaimed happily before he got on behind Richie, "Um, my name's Mikey."
"How're you doing, Mikey? I'm Richie," Richie introduced himself before introducing Tori, "and this is my girlfriend Tori."
"Nice to meet you, Mikey," Tori replied. Mikey shook Richie's hand before he shook Tori's hand.
Moments later, they drove off, making their way to Seacouver.
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Tori smiled as she was at the elevator with Mikey and Richie. She glanced over at Mikey, and from the looks of things, he seemed to be harmless. She wondered what Duncan would think when he met him though. Had he ever met someone like Mikey?
Richie, Tori and Mikey arrive at the loft.
"Hi," Duncan greeted the group.
"Hey," Tori and Richie replied in unison.
"So, what do you think?" Duncan asked, showing them a flyer.
They looked at the flyer and saw the house's exterior.
"I don't really know what to say," Tori crossed to arms, "Not to impressive."
"It's a wreck," Richie chimed in. They then noted the expensive wreck, "It's an expensive wreck."
"Yeah, exactly," Duncan replied, "I just bought it."
"Hi," Mikey greeted Duncan.
"Hi," Duncan replied.
"Mac, say hello to Mikey," Richie introduced his new friend.
"We found him on the way back from our trip," Tori added.
"Hi, Mikey. I'm Duncan," the Highlander replied before shaking his hand.
"Duncan, Oklahoma," Mikey spoke up, "on Wichita – Fort Worth line, between Chickasha and Red River Bridge."
"I'm very glad you know that," Duncan replied.
"Mikey, Mac is our best friend," Richie told his friend.
"Best Friend of Charleston," Mikey stated, "Christmas Day, 1830 – South Carolina. One hundred, forty one passengers. First scheduled train in the United States."
He wandered over to a table and picked up an orante mantel Duncan was working on.
"Where did you find him?" Duncan asked.
"About twenty miles south of Greenville," Richie answered.
"He was just wandering in the middle of nowhere," Tori added.
"Like Tori said we were heading on our way back from visiting Angie in Seattle," Richie stated.
Duncan noticed what Mikey was doing, "Uh, Mikey, that's uh – be careful with that, Mikey. That's, that's..."
Mikey accidentally broke broke off the clock face, "Sorry."
He handed the broken piece to Duncan, "Sorry."
"It's okay, Mikey," Tori replied, "Mistakes happen all the time, even to the best of us."
"She's right," Duncan added, "That's okay."
"Mikey, why don't we go outside or something?" Richie suggested, "Take a walk?"
"Walk," Mikey replied, "Walk is good."
He headed towards the elevator.
"He was in the middle of nowhere, Mac," Richie said, "We couldn't leave him."
"Richie's right," Tori added, "When you find somebody who's helpless, you've got to protect him, right?"
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Richie looked on as Duncan was sitting next to Mikey while he was holding hands with Tori.
Mikey was studying his toy train, "Broken."
"Want me to fix it for you?" Duncan asked.
Mikey handed him the train and broken wheel to him.
"Let's see," Duncan stated before he slid the wheel on the axle, "Well."
He looked on the ground for the missing axle cap to hold the wheel in place, and then he asked, "So where did you live before, Mikey?"
"In a house," Mikey answered. He started rocking back and forth, "Argentina has twenty one thousand miles of railroad track."
"Yeah, but where?" Duncan asked.
"In a room," Mikey answered before stating, "Mexico: sixteen thousand miles of track."
"Were there other people in the house?" Duncan asked.
"Nobody's home," Mikey answered before he stated, "Brazil: eighteen thousand miles. Chile: five thousand miles!"
"It seems he doesn't want to talk about it," Tori whispered to Richie.
"I'd let him be," Richie whispered back.
"Good idea."
"It's okay, Mikey," Duncan reassured him, "It's all right. It's okay."
He finished tightening the axle cap, "There you go. All fixed."
"Oh," Mikey replied.
Duncan handed the train to him, "Here."
"Thank you," Mikey took the train before he ambled away.
Richie and Tori walked next to Duncan.
"Look how happy you made him," Richie told Duncan, "So what do you think?"
"Someone had to be taking care of him," Duncan answered as he watched Mikey walking.
"That's obvious," Tori chimed in, "but it seems he doesn't want to talk about it."
"Do you think it was an immortal?" Richie asked.
Duncan shook his head, "We may never know."
"Uh, guys," Tori spoke up, pointing to Mikey as he walked to a parked pickup with empty 5 gallon water bottles stacked in the bed. He opened the tailgate and the bottles fell to the ground. Duncan, Tori and Richie hurried to help Mikey with the situation.
"You idiot," a delivery man yelled at Mikey, "What's the matter with you?!"
"Don't yell at me!" Mikey yelled in response, "I don't like it when people yell at me!"
Tori and Richie held Mikey back as Duncan started picking up the bottles.
"It's okay," Richie calmed his friend down, "It's okay, Mikey."
"We'll take care of it," he then told the delivery guy, "We'll take care of it."
"What's the matter with him?" the delivery guy asked, annoyed.
"He didn't know any better," Tori answered.
"He's fine," Duncan added.
Richie turned towards his girlfriend as she heard her communicator go off.
"Who is it?" Richie asked.
"My mom," Tori answered, "I better get that."
"All right," Richie replied, "We'll take care of this."
They shared a quick kiss before Tori stepped out.
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Tori answered her communicator, and saw her mother, "We already have our immortal in case you are wondering. His name is Mikey, and he's harmless."
"Huh?" Janet quipped, confused, "Tori, your Mikey happens to not be the only immortal in the area."
"That figures," Tori replied, "So, who would this guy be this time?"
"He's a looker, I'll say that," Janet answered before giving Tori the information about the new immortal, "His name is Tyler King. He's a head hunter, and he could give out bad news to you guys and your Mikey friend as well."
Tori glanced at the image of Tyler before reading the information, "He's bad news. I will make note about this. One more thing."
"What's that?" Janet asked.
"Do you have any information about an immortal named Mikey?" Tori asked, "This is just out of curiosity."
"Let me see," Janet answered before proceeding to look in the immortal files, "I'm sorry. I don't see any information about Mikey, except that he's a mentally challenged immortal and your friend and his full name is Mikey Bellows."
Tori nodded, "Thank you anyway."
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Duncan, Richie and Tori returned to the dojo with Mikey after the men had another run in. They saw two men in fencing outfits fencing. One fencer got his opponent on his knees, and Mikey came running towards them, "No! No!"
Duncan ran after him, "Mikey, it's all right! Mikey!"
"No, No."
"Hey, they're only playing a game," Tori assured him.
"Yeah, it's okay, Mikey," Richie added.
Mikey grabbed the fencer's face mask, "You okay? Okay?"
"Mikey, it's all right," Duncan assured him before pushing him away from the fencer, "They're playing a game. No one's hurt."
"It's a game," Richie added, handing Mikey his train, "Here's your train. It's okay. You all right? Just a game."
"Yeah," Tori chimed in, "Friendly game."
They led Mikey towards the elevator.
"You okay?" Richie asked.
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"I don't know," Richie said as he was out of Mikey's ear shot with Duncan and Tori, "I don't know what to do with him."
"We're going to have to find somewhere where he's not going to get into trouble," Tori spoke up.
"I know. I know, babe," Richie replied, "I just keep asking myself why we met up that road. You know, why at that exact moment he was there."
"Maybe it happened for a reason," Tori added.
"You think you're supposed to take care of him?" Duncan asked.
"Maybe," Richie answered as he looked over at Mikey sitting on the couch.
Mikey waved, "Hi, Richie. Hi, Tori."
"Hi there," Tori waved back.
"Hi, Mikey," Richie waved back as well before he told Duncan, "I mean, look at him, Mac. Look. He doesn't have a mean bone in his body."
Tori sighed, "Yeah, and the IUA has no information on him other than being mentally challenged and his full name being Mikey Bellows."
"Yeah, but he's not a puppy," Duncan interjected, "He's a man, and he's an immortal. What do you think would've happened if…..we hadn't been there in the park, or when he attacked those guys downstairs?"
"But we were," Richie pointed out.
"We won't always be," Duncan told him, "Are you, are you two, ready to dedicate your lives to him? Twenty four hours a day, forever, because that's what it's going to take."
"I don't know," Tori muttered.
"So, what do you want to do, lock him up?" Richie asked.
"No," Duncan answered, "I want him safe."
"All right," Richie relented, "I'm going to talk to a couple of social workers I know."
"Good idea," Duncan replied.
Richie looked over at Tori, "Can you help Mac look after Mikey?"
"Of course," Tori answered before she and Richie kissed, "Don't worry, babe. He'll be safe with us."
Richie walked over to Mikey, "Hey, Mikey."
"Hey," Mikey replied.
"Listen, uh, I'm going to go out for a while. I've got some things to do," Richie informed his friend before asking, "but can you help Mac and Tori look after the place?"
"I'm a good helper," Mikey answered.
"I know you are," Richie replied, "I'll see you later."
He left the loft.
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Tori sighed looking at Mikey. She felt conflicted about all this. From the look of things, Mikey was harmless, just mentally challenged. She didn't want to take sides in this situation. Duncan was right; Mikey was immortal and they needed to find a place for him, and she wanted to do what was best for Richie, and Mikey was a good friend to Richie, and she liked him too.
"Two Silver trains through Carolina," Mikey stated, pulling Tori from her thoughts.
She turned to see Mikey pointing at the US Map on the coffee table with Duncan next to him.
"Well, that's interesting," Tori replied.
"Where exactly was it that you came from?" Duncan asked Mikey, "Do you know?"
Mikey put down his glass and cookie and stood up, "Silver Meteor and Silver Star."
"Come on, Mikey," Tori stepped in, "Talk to us."
Mikey started walking restlessly, "Split at Selma – uh, share the same route again after Savannah."
"What happened, Mikey?" Duncan asked.
Mikey suddenly started to break down, "Alan hurt! Helen hurt! It was bad."
"What happened, Mikey?" Tori asked.
"Helen was making noise," Mikey answered, "Mikey's fault! Always Mikey's fault."
"It's all right," Duncan assured him before all three of them sensed the Buzz.
"Mikey, you stay here," Tori told her friend, "We'll check this out."
"It's going to be all right," Duncan assured him, "It'll be all right."
Duncan and Tori made their way out of the loft and to the dojo.
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Duncan lift the grate, and blocked the blow that was coming for him, and then parried with his katana.
"Holy moly!" Tori exclaimed, "Our opponent was quick!"
"Well, well, what do we have here?"
"We have Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod," Duncan introduced himself.
"My name is Tori Gordon," Tori introduced herself as she studied the new opponent, "and you must be Tyler King, the immortal my agency has information on."
"Ah," Tyler replied, "Give this lady a cigar."
"I don't smoke," Tori chided.
"Anyway, you give him to me," Tyler told the two immortals, "and you two will live for another day."
"Sorry, not going to happen," Tori replied.
"You could just let him go," Duncan suggested.
"I'm the kind of guy who likes to finish what he starts," Tyler chided, "Do yourselves a favor. I'm not here for either of you."
"Let me deal with him," Duncan told Tori, "Go back and protect Mikey."
Tori nodded before going back to the loft.
"If you're here for me," Duncan declared, "then you are here for me."
"Right," Tyler replied, "Have you talked to him? He's lunch meat. He's barely a blip on the EEG."
"He thinks, he feels," Duncan insisted, "He's got as much right to life as even you do."
"What life?" Tyler retorted, "He's going to get whacked soon enough. Why not by me?"
"Because I said so," Duncan answered.
"Suit yourself," Tyler replied before starting his attack.
"No! No, stop!" Mikey yelled, "Stop! No!"
He got in Duncan's way.
"Mikey, stop!" Tori yelled as she arrived at the area.
"Run, Mikey!" Duncan exclaimed. Mikey was hesitant at first, "Run!"
Mikey ran out of the door, and out of the dojo, screaming in terror.
"Mikey?!" Tori exclaimed.
"You should have given him to me," Tyler stated.
Duncan and Tyler continued to duel until he knocked Tyler down, and looked at Tori, "Let's find Mikey."
They get in the T-Bird to look for Mikey. Duncan drove up and they saw Mikey being loaded into the police car.
"Oh no," Tori muttered.
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"How could they do this to him, Mac?" Richie stated as he held a bag in his hands, walking with Duncan and Tori, "He's not a criminal. They didn't have to throw him in jail."
"Well, that's what cops do when someone assaults them," Tori replied.
"Couldn't they see that he was different?" Richie asked.
"Not sure if that could be used as an excuse this time," Tori crossed her arms.
"Well, if King hadn't shown up," Richie stated, "it never would have happened."
"That's true too," Tori nodded.
"Then something else would have," Duncan replied.
"Mac, who's side are you on anyway?" Richie asked.
"I'm not on anybody's side," Duncan insisted, "This isn't about whether I like Mikey, or whether he's gentle, or – or whether he has a good soul. It's about the reality of his life."
"The guy doesn't have a life," Richie stressed, "Don't you think he deserves one?"
"Of course I do," Duncan answered.
"I do too," Tori nodded.
"Well, then we have to figure out a way how to give it to him," Richie insisted.
"Just like that?" Duncan asked.
"Just like that," Richie answered.
"If only it was that simple," Tori muttered, "at least from the looks of things."
"We're immortals," Duncan told the pair, "We're not gods."
"Which means?" Richie asked.
"It means we can't give him a life he doesn't have," Duncan answered, "no matter how much we want to."
"That's not fair," Richie blurted out.
"That's life sometimes," Tori stated.
"You think it's all random?" Richie asked, "Who's going to be beautiful….who's going to be smart? Who's going to be like Einstein, and who's going to be…..like Mikey?"
"It depends on what century you're asking me about, Richie," Duncan answered, "Right now I think there's some sort of plan going on. I just don't know what it is."
"How old do you think he is?" Richie asked.
"I don't know," Tori shook her head.
"And I don't think he knows either," Duncan added.
The three reached the T – Bird.
"I wonder what he dreams. What he thinks about," Richie stated, "Sometimes I look at him, and I see something more though. I really believe a part of him knows what he is."
Tori nodded, "Sometimes mentally challenged immortals can be a lot smarter than you might realize."
"Maybe," Duncan replied, "but that doesn't change anything."
"Let's just get him out of here," Richie told his friends.
"And then what?" Duncan asked.
"I don't know," Richie answered, "I'm working on it, and I mean me, I want to save Tori the trouble."
Tori looked at him, touched, "That's sweet, but we are in this together."
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Richie watched as he, Duncan and Tori walked to Mikey's jail cell. He wanted Mikey to be happy.
"Mikey?" Duncan called out.
Mikey was muttering to himself.
"Mikey, it's me, Duncan," Duncan called out again. He was only muttering to himself before Duncan looked at Richie, "Talk to him, Richie."
"Hey, Mikey," Richie knelt down next to Mikey, "it's Richie, Tori and Mac – your buddies."
He heard him muttering, "1916. 1916. 1916."
Richie reached into the paper sack and pulled out a model train engine, "Got you something special, Mikey."
He shown him the engine, "It's yours."
Mikey looked over at him, "Go on."
Mikey took the engine and read the logo on the side, "California Zephyr."
Richie smiled before he pulled out an old fashioned engineer's cap out of the sack, "I bought you this too."
He put the cap on Mikey's head. Tori smiled at them both.
Mikey smiled, stood up and started singing out, "All aboard California Zephyr! Transcontinental Service – Chicago to San Francisco."
"Come on, Mikey," Richie told his friend, "We can go now."
"You did great, baby," Tori told her boyfriend.
Mikey exited his cell, "Major stops – Kansas City, Denver – Salt Lake City and Sacramento!"
He imitated a train whistle.
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"That's great. Thank you. Okay, bye – bye," Richie spoke on the phone before he hung up and glanced at Duncan and Tori, "There's a school upstate called St. Simon's. They can look after Mikey."
"You sure?" Duncan asked.
"Chances are it's holy ground," Tori answered, "Mikey would probably be safe there."
"Exactly. It's a church run facility built on holy ground," Richie chimed in, "I think he'll be safe until we find something permanent."
Mikey joined the group, "I don't want to go without you, Richie."
Tori gave a small smile, "He really likes you, Rich."
"It's in the country, Mikey," Richie told his friend, "You'll be safe."
"No bad men?" Mikey asked.
Tori shook her head, "No bad men."
"You coming?"
"We'll come visit," Tori answered.
Mikey took his cap off, "I'll stay here."
Then he went to sit in his chair.
"Mikey, have you ever been to a real switching yard?" Duncan asked.
"Never been there before," Mikey answered.
"Well, I think there's one on the way," Duncan replied, "We could stop off there."
Mikey smiled, stood up and quickly walked to the elevator, "You guys coming?"
"Yeah, we're coming," Richie answered.
"We're coming," Tori added as she, Richie and Duncan joined Mikey.
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Tori looked on as the group made it to the Switching Yard, which was full of trains. She was smiling happily as she noticed Mikey was happy, seemed to be enjoying seeing all the trains in the area. It was like seeing a kid enjoying a bunch of new toys.
Mikey was pointing, "Freight cars. Average capacity eighty four tons."
"You know what, Mikey?" Richie told his friend, "On the way to St. Simon's we're going to be going through McMahon Pass."
"McMahon Pass?" Mikey asked.
"Yeah," Richie answered, "That's where the Coast Starlight comes through on its way to Los Angeles."
"Coast Starlight," Mikey stated, "Twenty two tunnels."
"That's the one, big guy," Richie replied.
'Let's go!" Tori exclaimed.
The four immortals sensed the Buzz. Tori noted that Mikey was distressed when he sensed it.
"We have company," Richie noted.
The group looked to see Tyler had stepped into view.
"Bad man!" Mikey exclaimed as he pointed at Tyler.
"You two get him out of here," Duncan instructed, "I'll deal with this."
Tori nodded. Like always when MacLeod took his head, she would report it to the IUA as their wanted immortal enemy was deceased.
"We'll wait by the car," Richie replied, "Come on, Mikey."
Richie led Mikey away from the area, and Tori followed them.
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"Don't worry about it, Mikey," Richie told his friend as the three continued running.
"He's right," Tori added, "It'll be fine."
"You guys okay?" Richie asked.
Tori nodded, "I'm fine."
Mikey nodded as well.
"All right. Good," Richie replied, "Cause Mac is going to take care of everything."
The three made it to the T – Bird.
"Let's just get into the car," Richie instructed, "Mikey get on the other side."
"Um, Richie," Tori called out, "We have a problem."
The couple noticed a police car pulling up next to the T – Bird.
"What's this about?!" Richie exclaimed.
"I don't know," Tori answered as two cops walked towards them.
"Down on the ground! Now!" ordered the first cop.
"We better do what they say, Rich," Tori suggested.
Richie and Tori complied.
"Mikey, get down," Richie told his friend before asking the cop, "What's this about?"
"Your friend here is wanted for murdering some folks outside of Greenville," the second cop answered.
Mikey was walking towards the squad car, "The French TGV train travels at one hundred seventy miles per hour."
"Hold it!" the first cop shouted, "Stay where you are. I said stop!"
"Mikey, please!" Tori pleaded, "Listen to them!"
"Please, don't shoot," Richie stood up to try to get through to Mikey, "I can handle him. Mikey, get down."
"Richie!" Tori exclaimed.
"Stay down or you're a dead man!" the second cop aimed his gun at him.
Richie got back on his knees.
"You better do what they say, like I said," Tori told her boyfriend, "I won't be able to bail you out if you get shot to death."
"I get the idea," Richie stated.
"Mikey, listen to your friends," the first cop instructed their suspect, "On the ground now."
"Come on, Mikey!" Tori called out.
Mikey was standing beside the squad car, staring at the flashing lights, "The Japanese Bullet train reaches a top speed of two hundred twenty miles per hour…."
"I'm not going to say it again," the first cop said, "Spread em."
He pushed Mikey onto the hood of the car.
"Oh no," Tori muttered.
"Come on, fellas, we can work this out," Richie pleaded.
"Dave, call it in," the first cop told his partner before Mikey reared up, and knocked the first cop down.
"Mikey!" Tori shouted.
"Mikey, stop it!" Richie added.
The second cop rushed at Mikey, and he slammed the cop into the squad car, crashing him headfirst through the driver side window.
"Mikey, no!" Richie shouted as this was happening.
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Duncan found Tyler circling quietly in the middle of the shadowy building. They faced off with each other.
"Nice venue," Tyler noted as he was looking around, "Private, out of the way."
He pulled out his sword, "Want to go round and round?"
"Don't you have anything better do do?" Duncan asked.
"I told you I never leave anything unfinished," Tyler answered.
Duncan and Tyler began their duel.
Duncan swung towards Tyler on a giant pulley hook, jumped off the hook, and they continued their fight.
Then Duncan beheaded Tyler, and took his Quickening.
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Tori looked on in a panic as she, Richie and Mikey were running. She had no idea what the heck just happened. Why was this happening? She didn't even have the words for what just happened, since Mikey killed a cop. What was going to happen now?
Richie led Mikey and Tori to a stack of barrels nearby and the three hid behind them.
"I'm hungry, Richie," Mikey spoke up.
"I know. I know," Richie replied, "As soon as Mac shows up, we're on their way. It's okay."
They sensed the Buzz.
"Richie! Tori!" Duncan called out from nearby.
They looked to see Duncan arriving with Richie's jacket.
"Mac," Richie stated, "boy, am I glad to see you."
"Hi," Mikey greeted him.
"Come on," Richie told his teacher, "Let's get Mikey to St. Simon's before there's any more trouble. Come on."
"You forgot your coat," Duncan told him, "Mikey can't go to St. Simon's."
"I was afraid of this," Tori replied.
"It wasn't his fault, Mac," Richie insisted, "He was scared. You'd understand if you'd have been there."
"I was," Duncan replied, "One of the cops is dead. Mikey broke his neck. Now they'll never stop looking for him."
He handed Richie his jacket and walked towards Mikey. Richie watched and Tori held her boyfriend's hand as Mikey looked around and backed up nervously, "Old Dominion makes nine stops – Washington to Newport News."
"Mikey, what happened to the people that were taking care of you?" Duncan asked.
"Nine! Makes nine stops," Mikey stated, "Washington, Newport News. Two stops in – in – in…."
"Mikey," Duncan insisted on an answer.
Mikey finally relented and spoke up, "Bad man came and Alan said quiet."
"Did bad man hurt Alan, Mikey?" Duncan asked. Mikey nodded.
Richie watched with a heartbroken expression as Tori held his hand and comforted him the best she could.
"Helen was making a lot of noise," Mikey continued.
"What happened to her, Mikey?" Duncan asked.
"I did what Alan said," Mikey answered, "I always listen to Alan. I didn't do anything bad. I made Helen quiet. I said – I said, "Get up, Helen." Get up, Helen."
"Of Mice and Men," Tori muttered.
"It's okay, Mikey," Duncan comforted him, "It's okay."
Duncan walked over to Richie and Tori before he told Richie, "You can't hide him, and he can't be in a cell forever. He's immortal. What are we supposed to do with him?"
"Mac, I'll do something," Richie pleaded, "I'll get a place far away. Mac, please!"
"I wish we could get him a place, Richie," Tori touched his shoulders and comforted him, "I really do. You have to really consider this."
"Alan and Helen tried, and they paid the price," Duncan replied.
"Damn…..damn…..damn…," Richie cursed before coming to the realization, "There is no place for him."
"I'll do it," Duncan walked towards Mikey. Richie took some deep breaths before realizing what he had to do.
"No Mac," Richie followed his teacher before hurrying in front of him, "Wait, Mac. I'll do it. He's my responsibility."
Tori walked over to the group as Richie walked towards Mikey and spoke in a falsely cheerful tone, "Come on, Mikey. Come with me. I want to show you something."
"W-Where are we going?" Mikey asked.
"Yeah, come on Mikey," Richie answered, "Let's go look at the tunnel."
They heard a train whistle.
"Oh, a train, Richie?" Mikey asked.
"Yeah, Mikey. A train," Richie answered.
The two men walked down the tunnel of the train.
"Yeah, yeah. A train."
"Um, it must be the Coast Starlight."
"Coast Starlight?" Mikey replied, "I've never seen Coast Starlight!"
They walked into the train tunnel.
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.
-Defenders-Chronicles-Highlander-
Tori looked on as Richie was laying on the bed. She let him sleep since they returned home. Duncan allowed them to spend time alone together given everything that had happened today.
Her heart broke for her boyfriend because of what he had to go through. He had lost a friend. It was a terrible situation but they all knew they had no choice.
"Tori?"
Tori heard her name and she turned to see Richie sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Hey there," Tori walked over to him.
"Hey."
"How are you holding?" Tori asked.
"I don't know," Richie answered, "I…..I just wish there was something we could have done about Mikey."
"Well, I wish there was something we could've done too," Tori replied, "but you had no choice."
"It's just…..I don't have any regrets," Richie stated, "but it still hurts. It hurts that there was no way to keep him from causing trouble."
He sighed and shook his head.
"Richie, it'll be okay," Tori assured him.
"Hold me," Richie looked at his girlfriend, "Please hold me."
Tori sat down on the bed next to him and held Richie in her arms. He embraced her, and held on to each other.
"We'll get through this, okay?" Tori assured him.
"Okay," Richie nodded.
-Defenders-Chronicles-Highlander-
Richie and Tori joined Duncan on the deck of the Victorian House he was working on.
"So this is the place," Richie spoke up.
Duncan held a power drill and was working on the deck, "Yeah."
"It looked better in the picture," Tori chimed in.
"Yeah, I guess it did," Duncan replied.
Richie stepped forward, "Well, I thought maybe you could use a hand."
"Sure," Duncan accepted the help before asking, "You okay?"
"Yeah," Richie answered.
"You want to talk about?"
"What's there to say?"
"Of Mice and Men," Tori stated, "That's what the situation felt like."
A train whistle was heard in the distance.
Duncan and Richie went to work as Tori stated, "Sometimes we can help those in need. Sometimes we can't. No matter what happens, we have each other, and that's the important part."
---------
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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