DCH 5
Defenders Chronicles: Highlander
By AmandaDoE
Chapter Five: Prelude To A Storm
Tori eyed her tachi while following Amanda to the training area. As they arrived, she looked out at a lovely field, something like what she would see at the back of the woods.
For privacy, they had taken a little drive to a small town outside of Central City, which seemed for the best. Immortals were not supposed to be discovered by mortals, after all.
"Nice place for training, don't you think?" Amanda asked.
"I agree," she uttered.
"Let's begin, shall we? I'm going to teach you the way of the sword."
Tori took a breath. "I'm ready."
Amanda nodded. "Start with putting the weapon in your right hand, just behind the guard."
Tori did as instructed.
"Good," Amanda continued. "Now feel the rhythm in your blade. Plant your feet, and put your left hand on the other. It will increase your power and control."
Tori followed the instructions, knowing that she had to listen carefully. Amanda had been around for over a thousand years, and knew exactly what she was doing.
"Your strength is in your blade," Amanda pointed out, "not your arms."
Over the next two hours, Tori engaged in a thorough sparring session with her teacher. She proved quite adept at using a sword. Amanda seemed impressed by how naturally she was handling it, from attacking as instructed, to blocking Amanda's blows, to dodging various swings, and gaining the upper hand.
"You're quite talented," Amanda declared.
"Thanks." Tori grinned, removing the sword from her teacher's neck.
"I'm stunned by how quickly you've taken to the sword." Amanda smiled.
"I surprised myself there," Tori replied. "I knew I was good with mechanics and technology, but this is a whole new level."
"Cool," Amanda quipped. "You're a tech genius. I don't get smart students like you often."
There was a pause of silence as Tori glared at her tachi.
"So, you know Duncan MacLeod?" Amanda asked.
"I've encountered him here and there," Tori answered. "I saw him take what you guys call a Quickening. I had no idea what that was at the time. Then I saw him at the antique store with Richie and his girlfriend Tessa."
"Interesting." Amanda grimaced at the girlfriend part.
Tori could tell she had feelings for this man, even though she had just met her. Not exactly surprising. The guy was an intriguing character. She knew he was immortal, and he was Richie's foster father. Tori wanted to know a bit more about Duncan and perhaps help him out in the days to come, at least until that time of the Gathering arrived, when she would possibly have to take his head, God forbid.
"So, will there be other immortals like Davis?" Tori asked.
"There will be," Amanda said. "Your family's struggles are similar to our own. There are immortals who are good, and there are immortals who are evil. If an evil immortal wins the prize, the world as you know it will fall into eternal darkness which mankind will never recover."
Tori shuddered at the thought of that. Thank God Ming the Merciless wasn't immortal, otherwise she assumed he'd be going after the prize as well, but of course, there were other evil people out there who were immortal.
"And this prize the last immortal remaining receives would be all the knowledge and power of all the immortals who ever lived, correct?" Tori asked.
"That's right," Amanda said.
"Where do immortals come from?"
"No one knows." There was another lengthy silence. Finally, Amanda shifted a bit. "This was a good session. I think you should head back for the time being."
Tori nodded and began to walk away with her sword.
"Tori?" Amanda called.
Tori faced her.
"Watch your head."
Tori nodded again before she left the area.
-Defenders-Chronicles-Highlander-
Tori met up with April and the rest of the Defenders behind the mansion. She had been informed that they would take part of an outdoor picnic outside the mansion since the evening was good.
Sara and Abigail had returned home shortly after the encounter with the immortal Davis and agreed to keep in touch with the Defenders when they could.
"How did the training go?" April asked as the girls got their food and joined the others at the picnic table.
"I learned a lot more than I did before," Tori answered. "And I'm blown away with everything. How about you guys?"
"Ming thinks we are dead," April answered, "and we managed to find a base for Defenders Headquarters."
"I consider it a second home," Jedda added. "It reminds me of the Skull Cave."
Tori could tell Jedda was a bit homesick given that she was raised in the Bandar Village in Africa.
LJ looked curious. "How did you become immortal in the first place?"
"It was that immortal guy who shot me," Tori answered. "The same guy who nearly took my head. I wasn't prepared last time, but Amanda trained me to be prepared to take on guys like that creep."
"Any chance we'd be encountering other immortals like that creep?" Rick asked.
"I'm not sure." Tori shook her head. "The best chance of that happening is if Ming decided to come across another immortal or something like that, namely an enemy of Duncan MacLeod."
"Who?" Kshin asked.
"He is a well known immortal," Tori answered, "and an old lover of Amanda's from what she told me. He is also Richie's foster father."
"Richie?" Mandrake glanced at her this time.
"Who's Richie?" Rick asked teasingly. "Your boyfriend?"
"He's not my boyfriend!" Tori exclaimed, annoyed. "He's a good friend of mine though."
"He's a friend of yours." LJ grinned. "And he's a boy, so he's gotta be your boyfriend."
"Take it easy, you guys," Lothar told the two boys.
"So..." Flash paused. "Are we going to hear from you again after you return home?"
"We'll see," Tori answered. "When I'm not working in the Intergalactic Union Agency headquarters, I will be working alongside Duncan MacLeod, dealing with these immortals." She shot LJ a look when he was pronouncing Duncan's last name incorrectly. "It's MacLeod."
"I gotcha."
The Phantom stroked his chin. "Something tells me we might cross paths with this Duncan MacLeod. I heard about him in my village, but I've never met him in person."
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Notes: Story by AmandaDoE. Co-written by James.
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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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