DCH 47
Defenders Chronicles: Highlander
By AmandaDoE
Chapter Forty-Seven: Good Intentions
Tori noted this as an eventful week for all three of them as she was in the elevator with Richie.
First, they spotted Mark Roszca, the person who was responsible for Tessa's death, and the reason Richie was immortal. It was discovered that he had since sobered up from being a druggie and had a girlfriend and his girlfriend Alicia was pregnant.
Tori was worried that Richie would kill him because he killed Tessa, and shot him as well as her. She knew it wouldn't change anything. It wouldn't bring Tessa back. Tori assumed Richie realized this and decided not to kill Mark, especially with her there to calm him down. Also given that he had a girlfriend and a baby on the way.
Richie and Tori stepped out of the elevator and saw Duncan with Lucille, the dog.
"Well, look at this," Richie stated, "a boy and his dog."
He looked at Kanis' two Rottweilers nearby, "I guess you took care of Kanis."
"With a little help from Lucille here," Duncan answered, "She's going back to the breeder tomorrow...with interest. Did you find Roszca?"
"Yes, we did," Tori answered, "Where he is now sober and all that, he was in shock to realize what he done."
"It didn't feel like what I thought it would," Richie stated.
"Never does," Duncan agreed with that statement.
"I had him in my hands, Mac," Richie explained, "I just wanted to make it right, but I couldn't kill him. Where's the justice in all this?"
There is no justice," Duncan answered, "Just mercy."
"That's not all," Tori replied, "Mark will have to live with the fact with that he killed Tessa. To me, I think that will be the closest thing to justice that we will get."
-Defenders-Chronicles-Highlander-
A bright half-moon was hanging over the scene. They docked on the shore and hurried over the sand.
The wild-goose chase was finally nearing its end. According to the DoE tracker he held, the destination wasn't very far away. All they had to do was make their way through the woods - a deep, dark forest full of animal screams.
Richie stepped aside. "They say ladies first."
Amanda looked outward, rolling her eyes. She pulled her tachi up and took a bold step forth.
Richie tip-toed with his own sword drawn. Could there be panthers or bears within? He wondered if one of them could sever his head.
He and Amanda were taking a risk - but she had known that when agreeing to come. He hadn't given her all the details yet. He had simply told her that this was for Mac.
That had kept her happy, at least for now.
They trekked through the forest, side by side, and reached the destination with their heads intact.
Richie eyed the tracker. Their target was close. "It should be riiiight...around...here." He lifted his head, then quivered in awe, freezing in place as the sight sank in. They had arrived. No doubt about that. "So... Now I see why they named it the Skull Cave. Yeah. I mean it's a cave, and it looks like a skull, so somebody figured, 'Let's keep this simple.' "
"Why did you think it was referred to as such?" Amanda moved forward, disappearing in the dark.
"I don't know," Richie uttered while standing alone. "Maybe I figured you have to use your brain to navigate it or something." He chuckled. "I mean, that would be kind of witty, right? I- -"
A long howl came from the forest behind him.
Richie skipped ahead. "Mandy. Wait up!"
The cave looked vast, and remarkably dark. Richie wasn't sure where the treasure was kept. Finding it wouldn't be an easy task.
"Okay," he uttered. "The fun part now." He placed a thick stick in Amanda's hand, grasping a similar one of his own. Then he pulled a lighter, making a torch. "Just like they do it in the movies. I'll hold this torch..." He reached the lighter toward her. "You hold that one. Then..."
She tossed the wood down and turned a flashlight on, clearly uninterested in roughing it.
"Oh come now," he said. "Where's your sense of adventure?"
"I've had plenty of adventure in my lifetime, kid." She twirled her sword back, moving forward again. "My only concern is to get the job done."
He knew she was right. They had to be quick. He realized that they needed to complete this task — before she started asking just what the task was.
"So tell me exactly what we're doing out here."
Richie tensed a little. Time had run out. He'd have to provide an explanation now. "Well..." he uttered, clearing his throat. "We're helping Mac out."
"Helping him how?"
He squirmed a tad. How to go about this? "There's an ancient treasure called the Necklace of Oros. I think that it might be hidden in here."
Her cute little face grew curious. "And what does this Necklace of Oros do?"
Richie hesitated. "It grants certain wishes."
Her brow lowered further. "Wishes?" She chuckled, clearly confused. Richie only hoped she would stay that way. "What kind of wish do you think Duncan...would..." She turned to him. Her mouth fell open.
Richie sensed now that she'd figured it out.
"Wait. Is this about Tessa?"
He looked at the dirt, rubbing his head. "Listen...Amanda..."
"Why didn't you tell me you were out to revive her?"
"Because I wasn't sure that you'd help if- -"
A very loud stomp echoed all through the cave.
Richie spun around, his frame growing stiff.
Ice robots. Maybe eight or so. It seemed that Ming wanted the necklace too.
Amanda lunged forth. No time to be shocked. She swung her sword out and took a robot's head, watching as the thing staggered down in sparks. Then she dodged a blast and chopped another one's leg. It knelt right before her. She kicked it away, driving the tip of her blade in its chest.
Richie dodged a laser, then chopped a foe's arm. He followed with a slash that put its head on the ground.
Another machine tossed a shining sphere — the kind that was loaded with deadly explosives. It landed on the dirt next to Richie's side.
Amanda rushed forward, tackling him. They both rolled away before the sphere blew up.
A raucous explosion sounded off in the cave. Richie was stunned. He started to cough. Amanda seemed shaken at the moment as well.
A thick cloud of dirt spread about everywhere.
The robots' red eyes glowed right through the haze. They lifted their weapons while approaching again. All of a sudden, their heads flew off. One by one, they each hit the ground. Then the bodies fell, landing with thuds.
Richie looked up, completely perplexed. How in the world were they saved just now?
The cloud cleared up. Duncan was there, hands on his sword, its tip pointed down.
"Mac!" He smiled, deeply relieved.
Duncan didn't look very friendly right now. He turned to Amanda, scowling a bit, clearly disapproving of this quest of theirs.
"Don't look at her. It was my idea." Richie scrambled up.
Amanda rose too. "I guess that thought never crossed his mind."
Duncan took a breath. He put his sword away. "Why are you here?"
Richie stared in awe. "I think that's my line."
"I followed your flight, then tracked you down. Why were you sneaking away without me?"
"We're after a necklace," he uttered quietly. "The Necklace of Oros..." He turned to Amanda.
She studied the ground.
"Mac..." Richie eyed Duncan again. "I think that the necklace can bring Tessa back."
Duncan held silent, then heaved a soft sigh. He walked to Richie, touching his shoulder. "Perhaps it can, but we won't find out. The Necklace of Oros is the Walkers' jewel. For all that we know, it only grants one wish. We can't take the risk of denying them that."
Richie's gaze fell. Mac had a point.
"Let's go," Mac said. "We'll alert the Walkers to be cautious of Ming." He squeezed Richie's shoulder, turning away. "Amanda..." he uttered.
"Yes?" she said, lifting a hand to her hip for a moment.
"Thanks for watching him." Duncan flashed a grin.
Amanda paused, then smiled herself. They walked from the cave and headed back to the boats.
-Defenders-Chronicles-Highlander-
"Are you high?!" Tori exclaimed, eyeing Richie. He had told her about what happened.
"Not really," Richie shook his head, "We all miss Tessa."
"Yeah," Tori replied, "We all miss Tessa, but that doesn't mean you go into the Skull Cave and…."
"I understand your concern, Tori," Amanda replied as she stepped into the room, "but when I think about it, Richie had good intentions when he asked me to go with him to get that necklace, even though I was a bit blindsided when Richie told me what the Necklace of Oros does…."
"I'm sorry," Richie apologized.
Tori sighed as she looked away. Amanda took note of that, "Tori?"
"I keep thinking about that night sometimes," Tori explained herself, "Heck, I keep thinking about that week. That blonde woman who read Tessa's palm told her she was in danger, and she would be taken by a hunter. Mac managed to rescue her, but Roszca ended up killing her when he mugged us."
She took a deep breath before she continued, "I keep wondering was there something I could have done to prevent this. I wondered if I could have prodded details from that woman myself."
"As in what?" Amanda asked.
"As in," Tori answered, "What exact details of her vision when she read Tessa's palm. Everything that she saw, all the way to the last part of the vision."
"I don't know if Greta would have told you," Richie replied, "but even then, there was nothing you could have done back then."
"Richie's right," Amanda added, "it would freak me out if some psychic told me my significant other was in danger and should leave town."
She looked at both Tori and Richie, "Yeah, Mac told me. He told me."
"What now?" Richie asked.
"What I'm going to do now," Amanda answered as she prepared to leave the apartment, "I'm going to the loft to say hello to Duncan MacLeod."
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Author's Note:
A short chapter, but this is a chapter that would be the bridge for "Leader of the Pack" and "Double Eagle" since Amanda would return in the actual latter episode of Season 4. Oh boy, I cannot wait to write the next couple of chapters here. It is going to be dynamite!
Author's Commentary:
"Mac..." Richie eyed Duncan again. "I think that the necklace can bring Tessa back."
Duncan held silent, then heaved a soft sigh. He walked to Richie, touching his shoulder. "Perhaps it can, but we won't find out. The Necklace of Oros is the Walkers' jewel. For all that we know, it only grants one wish. We can't take the risk of denying them that."
Richie's gaze fell. Mac had a point.
"Let's go," Mac said. "We'll alert the Walkers to be cautious of Ming." He squeezed Richie's shoulder, turning away. "Amanda..." he uttered.
"Yes?" she said, lifting a hand to her hip for a moment.
"Thanks for watching him." Duncan flashed a grin.
Amanda paused, then smiled herself. They walked from the cave and headed back to the boats.
This scene was written by James. As always, I am grateful for his help, and contribution to Earth N and this story so far. I saw this scene as a good tie in to the Necklace of Oros story arc, which like I did in Sailor Moon Defenders, I consider the Necklace of Oros as the last story arc in the DoE timeline, except "The Adoption of Kshin" would be considered the actual series finale to Defenders of the Earth. That was something fellow DoE fan Marzena mentioned awhile back, so there we go.
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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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