DCH 60
Defenders Chronicles: Highlander
By AmandaDoE
Chapter Sixty: One Minute to Midnight
Previously…
"You two didn't have to come," Duncan said as Tori and Richie were right behind him after Duncan parked near the entrance.
"We owe Joe," Richie insisted, "He saved our lives, and he's our friend too."
"Richie's right," Tori added.
The three immortals walked to the front gate warily. They saw that the gates were ajar, and Duncan pushed them open with a frown. They found the gate guard lying dead with a wire wrapped around his throat as a motorcyclist drove off before they could do anything.
"What now?" Richie asked.
"We gotta find Joe," Tori answered. Duncan nodded before they hurried to the courtyard.
"Oh my God!" Tori cried out as the three immortals saw bodies sprawled on the grass. They looked to see Joe.
"No, no, no, no, no," Tori cried as her hand clasped to her mouth as tears fell down her face.
"It can't be," Richie tearfully added in, comforting his girlfriend, "Joe. It can't be."
Duncan knelt besides Joe, and felt for a pulse, "Joe? Joe!"
"Oh my God," Duncan spoke with relief.
"What?" Richie asked.
"He's alive," Duncan answered, "Joe's alive."
"Oh, thank God," Tori sighed with relief.
"Thank God," Richie echoed his girlfriend's sentiments.
"Come on, Dawson," Duncan picked up Joe in his arms before he carried him in his arms, "Hang in there. Come on. Hang in there."
Richie and Tori followed them out of the courtyard.
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Methos looked on while Shapiro was pacing on the stage in front of assembled Watchers.
"You know what that bastard's done," Shapiro told the group of watchers, "How Duncan MacLeod murdered a dozen of us in order to save one traitor. We've been hurt, but we're still alive. The Watchers live, and while we do, while there's breath in one of us, everything stops except for one mission. We find MacLeod – and Dawson – and when we do, we eliminate them."
Methos looked on the crowd nervously. He knew that this couldn't end well.
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Duncan walked down the empty streets, while observing the fog around him.
"Good evening," Duncan greeted a man who was passing by him. The man didn't respond to him, "Maybe not."
Duncan continued walking and now the man was following him. Duncan jumped over a wall as more stalkers appeared at the scene. They pulled out guns and shot at the Highlander. Duncan was hit but he kept going and ended up grabbing one of the men and held a gun to his head.
"Back off, or he's dead," Duncan yelled at the other hostages.
"Shoot him!" the man told the others, "Shoot him anyway!"
Duncan pushed the man aside and shot at the watchers facing him and ran away through the tunnel.
"Get after him. Get after him!" he heard the man shout from the distance.
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Galati looked on from the distance as Dumar realized Duncan escaped him.
"Damn it!" Dumar exclaimed before telling some other watchers, "There's three of you. He's alone. Keep after him! Move!"
Dumar pulled out his phone as the other watcher left and placed his call, "It's Dumar. Mr. Shapiro. He got away….I don't care how smart he is, sir. We'll find him, and we'll kill him."
He disconnected the call, giving Galati the opportunity to make his move. He appeared swiftly and garroted his target.
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"This is crazy," Tori stated while holding two bags of bottled water.
"I know," Richie nodded in agreement while holding two bags of food and snacks, "Mac and Joe are on those bastard's hot list, and they have to be in hiding now."
"I informed my mom," Tori said, "and she told us to get some water for him along with some food and keep a low profile otherwise. She's on her way along with a group of agents to deal with the renegade watchers."
"That's good to hear that we'll have back up," Richie grinned, "I just hope it's not too late."
"You and me both, Rich. You and me both."
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"Is there anything to drink in here?" Joe asked as he was laying on a cot.
"No, not a thing," Duncan answered before he opened the doors of a nearby wine rack.
"Oh, I mean besides that wine," Joe groaned, "I'm brushing my teeth with that stuff."
"Yeah, well, when you're holed up in a wine cellar, you take what you can get," Duncan replied before eyeing one of the wine bottles, "How about the '27 Latour. I hear it's a wonderful for brushing teeth."
"I'm certain it's lovely," Joe replied before he levered himself painfully upright on the bed, "Listen, in another week, I'm going to be crawling the walls. All of these spiders are starting to look familiar to me."
Duncan sensed the buzz as Methos entered, followed by Tori and Richie with their bags of groceries.
"It's okay," Methos told the pair, "It's only us. We couldn't get grapes."
"But Tori and I got some stuff that could hold you over for awhile," Richie added as he tossed Joe a bag of crisp and then Tori handed him a bottle of water.
"Thanks, guys," Joe replied. He took a sip of water, "Ah, water much needed."
"How's the patient?" Methos asked.
"Well, hates the food, criticizes the wine" Duncan answered, "I'd say he's back to normal."
"I suppose an improvement was too much to ask for," Methos replied.
"At least he's doing better," Richie chimed in before giving a small chuckle.
"Let's have a look at ya," Methos went to check on Joe.
Joe resigned himself, "Yes, Doctor."
He went to unbutton his shirt.
"You know, considering how shot to pieces you were," Methos stated, "it's amazing you're still alive."
He knelt before he started removing the bandage.
"Ow! Considering who's treating me, I'd say it's a miracle," Joe exclaimed as he was dealing with the pain of being shot, "Watch out. Ah! Where did you say you studied medicine?"
"Heidelberg, 1453," Methos answered.
"Did you major in medicine or dueling?" Tori asked.
"Both," Methos answered before he finished checking the wound, "A couple more days, you'll be able to travel."
He placed a new bandage on Joe, who then sarcastically replied, "Well, you don't have to look quite so happy about it."
Methos stood up and raised his voice to Duncan, "You know that run in you had with the watchers the other night?"
"Yeah," Duncan answered.
Methos turned back to Joe, "Jean Dumar – he was killed the same night. I'm sorry, Joe. I know he was a friend of yours."
"It was the other immortal who did it," Richie spoke up.
"We weren't there," Tori added, "but we know Mac didn't do it."
"Yeah, well, you try telling that to Shapiro cause he's convinced it was MacLeod," Methos replied, "Really, guys, the time's come for you to start a new life somewhere. Bora Bora is very nice this time of year."
"Yeah, well, send me a postcard," Duncan declared, "I'm not leaving."
"I'm not leaving either," Richie shook his head.
"Neither am I," Tori added.
"Does the term self preservation mean anything to any of you?" Methos asked, "Look, MacLeod, Dawson, you are under a death sentence!"
"Yeah, and I will be until they figure out that I'm not the killer," Duncan answered, "Where's Shapiro?"
"Right at the moment," Methos answered, "Busy trying to kill you."
"Where's Shapiro?" Duncan asked again.
"Is this a good idea, Mac?" Richie chimed in.
"Look, don't make it easy for him, Mac," Joe told the Highlander.
"Look, I'm making it easy for him because that's where the killer will go," Duncan stated before he asked once again, "Now, where is he?"
Methos finally answered, "They're hiding out in a mortuary on the Left Bank."
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"I don't get the point in this," Duncan stated as Richie and Tori were behind him as the three immortals were sneaking across the roof, each carrying a sniper gun.
"Sorry about your luck, Mac," Tori replied, "We were tasked to help you track down the immortal who was doing the killings, and that means following you."
"And they said for both of us to do so," Richie added.
The three immortals looked on as they saw three men splitting up. Duncan saw a man with a gun on the roof of a nearby building. Moments later, the three sensed the Buzz.
"Looks like we found our guy," Tori declared.
Duncan looked through the sniper scope, and recognized the immortal. He lowered the gun, "Jacob?"
"Who?" Richie asked.
Duncan looked on in disbelief, "Jacob?"
Tori and Richie looked on as they saw this Jacob waving towards the group. Then they looked at Duncan as he shook his head in denial, "Not Jacob."
Duncan was reflecting on his interaction with Jacob Galati and his lover Irena in Europe in 1847.
Then Duncan, Tori and Richie hurried their way across the rooftop.
"We got company!" Tori exclaimed.
"MacLeod," the watcher stated, "and two other immortals working with MacLeod. That's a bonus."
The watcher first shot Duncan, and he fell to the ground.
"Mac!" Richie exclaimed.
Then the watcher shot Richie, followed by Tori.
The watcher pulled out a machete and looked down at the three immortals. Duncan and Tori were at verge of death while Richie was already Richie.
"Richie," Tori cried out, "Richie, hang in there."
"Richie," Duncan groaned.
"No more hunting today," Jacob declared as he appeared from behind the watcher before Duncan died from his wounds.
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Duncan revived as he heard a fast paced Spanish guitar piece.
"Ah, play it," Duncan groaned, "Don't beat it to death."
"That's what I was thinking," Richie chimed in as he looked at his teacher.
"Oh, hush," Tori gently pat her boyfriend's arm.
"Ow!" Richie exclaimed.
"It's called passion," Galati told the group, "If you'd been a real Gypsy, you'd know that."
"What I want to know is what you were doing up there?" Duncan asked.
"Hey, come on. Is that any way to talk to the guy who just saved your heads?" Galati chimed in, "Not to mention, your shirts."
He tossed the mended shirts of Duncan, Richie and Tori to each of them.
Tori quickly got her shirt on before the men could notice, "I really didn't feel comfortable even though I did have a bra on."
"Which was why I allowed you to wear a blanket," Galati replied, "I have respect for women."
Richie pulled his shirt on while glaring at Galati disapprovingly over the way he was eyeing his girlfriend.
"They're pretty well trained, I'll give them that," Galati stated, "That one went straight through Duncan's lung. One went through the other guy's heart, and the other one went through the girl's abdomen."
"Well, tell me about it," Duncan pulled his shirt on, "You still haven't told me what you were doing up there, Jacob."
"I'm saving myself, MacLeod," Jacob answered, "I'm saving you. I'm saving all of us."
"Sure you are," Richie muttered.
"Hey, look," Galati continued, "there's a secret society of mortals out there who know we exist."
"Yeah, we know," Richie chimed in, "they are called Watchers."
"They know exactly how to kill us," Galati stated.
"No," Tori shook her head, "A watcher's job is to observe and record immortals, never to interfere."
"Tori's right," Duncan added, "and you've been killing these watchers."
"I'm defending our lives," Galati stressed, "They're monsters, man They want to wipe us off the face of the planet."
"Not all of them," Tori chimed in, "There's just those handful that are called renegades, or hunters."
"You guys think I'm making this up?" Galati asked the three, "You think I'm crazy? Huh?"
"Yeah, maybe," Richie muttered.
"Richie," Duncan firmly called out his student, "They're not after all of us, Jacob, just me."
"Well, I wish to God you were right, MacLeod, but you're not," Galati said, "You see, they've killed before."
"What do you mean?" Tori asked.
Europe, Three Years Ago
Jacob found himself on the run with Irena as they were running away from the burning wagon.
"Why?" Irena cried out, "Why, Jacob? Jacob."
They ran through the forest, and Irena stopped, leaning towards a tree, to catch her breath, "Jacob!"
Jacob hurried to her side, "Irena, come on! You have to keep running! Come on."
"Our house," Irena told her beloved, "Everything we have….."
"I'll build another one," Jacob told her as she took her hand and they continued running, "Look, we haven't got much time. Now come on."
"Who are they?" Irena asked, "Why are they doing this?"
"I don't know who they are. Now come on," Jacob answered, "We have to keep running. We haven't got much time. Come on. Come on."
They continued running until they found themselves surrounded by armed men.
"What did I tell you?" Horton asked as he appeared in front of the group of men, "Burn it, and they will come."
"You did this?" Jacob asked him.
Horton pointed his sword at him, "And I've only just begun."
He told the armed men before stepping away from the immortals, "Gentlemen, now!"
The men opened fire, killing both Jacob and Irena.
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Jacob revived, finding himself tied up to a tree.
"No! Please, don't hurt us," Irena pleaded, "We've done nothing."
The men placed Irena on her knees.
"Mr. Horton," Emile announced, "this one's back!"
"Jacob," Irena called out, "Jacob!"
"Look at him," Horton stated as he walked towards Jacob and walking around the group, "As many times as I've seen this, it never ceases to amaze me….and disgust me."
He held up a sword, "But this could be interesting."
"No," Jacob pleaded, "you can't."
"I'm afraid you're wrong," Horton replied.
"Why?!" Jacob asked, "What have we done to you?"
"You live. That's more than enough," Horton answered before he walked towards Irena, "Your kind are a shadow on the face of the earth, a loathsome abomination. How dare you place yourselves above us?"
"No, you're wrong," Jacob insisted, "We don't."
"There can be nothing greater than man," Horton continued, "It is we who are born in God's image. You are a mistake. A freak of nature. You have no right to exist."
"We've never hurt you," Irena pleaded through her tears, "Please. Please. We don't even know you."
"I was forgetting myself. James Horton," Horton introduced himself before telling Jacob, "I think your will be joining you soon."
"No!" Jacob screamed.
The man holding Irena held the woman face down, preparing her for the killing blow.
"No, please," Irena pleaded.
Horton beheaded Irena and Jacob's screaming stopped. He managed to take his wife's quickening, which freed him from the tree he was tied to and causing a fire in the process. He made a run for it once the quickening ended.
"I'll find you, Jacob!" Jacob heard Horton yelling, "I'll have your head!"
The Present
"That was my introduction to the watchers," Galati stated, "It took me a year to track down that symbol…..and the animals that wear it. It wasn't easy. Most of those scum would rather die than talk."
"But one of them talked to you," Duncan replied.
Galati scoffed, "Well, there's always one ready to give up a name or a place for an extra fifteen minutes of life."
"Jacob, you killed all those people," Duncan stressed.
"And you injured one of our friends too!" Richie exclaimed.
"I executed them," Galati replied, "For the murder they committed."
"That's not how we see it," Tori muttered.
"Jacob, listen to me," Duncan told his gypsy friend, "The ones that killed Irena were an aberration. They were outlaws."
Tori stood up, "He's right. Watchers don't kill. They're not murderers."
"No?" Galati replied, "No, well, that one today was doing a pretty damn fine imitation."
"That was because he thought Mac was you," Richie stood up and joined Tori.
"Richie's right," Duncan added, "They think I'm the one that's been doing the killing!"
"Yeah, well, all the better," Galati told the three immortals, "Come and join me. We'll get rid of them two, three, four times as fast."
"I'm afraid that won't be possible," Tori crossed her arms.
"Not a chance," Richie shook his head.
"No, you have to listen to me," Duncan told his friend, "They don't exist to kill. They were created to observe, to be historians."
"Exactly!" Richie and Tori exclaimed in unison.
"Historians?" Galati replied, "They murdered Irena! She was on her knees, begging and they cut her head off! That is the only history I care about."
He then eyed Tori and Richie, "What if they killed one of you, how would you feel? What would you do?"
"I would do what I can do avenge Tori," Richie added in, "I would be pissed if they killed her."
"They would be considered a renegade watcher," Tori answered, "and I would track down that renegade watcher and make sure he was put to justice."
"But not all watchers kill immortals," Duncan insisted.
"How can you defend these murderers?" Galati asked.
"Because one of them is our friend," Richie answered.
"MacLeod – MacLeod, I have a right to justice," Galati told the Highlander.
"What justice?" Tori replied, "What you're doing is vengeance, cold blooded murder."
"Exactly!" Duncan exclaimed, "You can lie to yourself, Jacob, but you can't lie to me."
"And out of order too," Richie chimed in.
"Those two should mind their own business," Galati replied, eyeing Tori and Richie before telling Duncan, "MacLeod, you know what she was to me."
"I know what she was," Duncan told him calmly, "Can you stand there and tell me, tell us, that she would have wanted any of this? You grieve for her. Can you imagine her grief if she knew what you've become?"
"Killing those watchers won't bring Irena back," Tori added in.
Galati scoffed before he replied, "I am what they made me."
"You are unbelievable," Tori rolled her eyes.
"No! Nobody made you a murderer, Jacob," Duncan replied to his corrupted friend, "You did that all by yourself. The men you kill…..Do you think about their wives? Their children? Can you imagine their grief? Irena would have."
"This, um – this man – this watcher….." Galati started to say.
"His name is Joe Dawson," Richie spoke up.
"Yeah, well, do you three trust him?" Galati asked.
"Yes," Richie nodded.
"I trust him," Tori added.
"With my life," Duncan added.
"You know, Irena always said you were a good and honest man, MacLeod," Galati stated, "and I don't know your friends…..Richie and Tori….."
Richie and Tori nodded simultaneously.
"I just thought you were a little naive," Galati continued.
"You'll meet with him?" Duncan asked.
"For Irena," Jacob answered.
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"Forget it," Joe told Duncan, "The guy's a murderer. I won't meet him."
"I knew he would say that, Mac," Richie chimed in.
"Horton killed Irena in front of him," Duncan interjected, "Then he tried to kill Jacob. He thinks you're all to blame."
"So that gives him a license to kill?" Joe asked.
"We don't agree with it one bit," Richie shook his head, gesturing towards himself and Tori.
"Look, Joe, just meet with him," Duncan insisted, "Talk to him. Show him you're not like Horton."
"People are dead, MacLeod!" Joe yelled, "My friends! Because he thinks we're responsible?"
"Well, can you blame him?" Duncan chimed in, "Watchers killed his wife. I imagine what he went through losing the woman he loved."
"Easy, Rich," Tori grabbed her boyfriend by the shoulders.
"Horton killed his wife," Joe yelled, "and this isn't about you or Tori!"
"Horton was a watcher!" Duncan interjected.
"Horton is dead," Joe argued, "and your friend is still killing. So when does this stop, MacLeod? When he's dead, or when we are?"
"Look, all I know is I'm tired of losing friends!" Duncan exclaimed, "We'll find another way!"
"You know, I don't think there is another way," Joe replied.
"Joe. Joe, we have to stop this," Richie spoke up.
"Rich Ryan is right," Methos chimed in, "cause otherwise more people are going to die."
"We?" Joe asked.
"Yeah," Methos held up his wrist, "Hey, I wear one of these too, okay, or did you forget that?"
"I didn't forget," Joe answered, "but we both know what you really are."
"Aw, come on, Dawson," Duncan exclaimed, "Come on!"
Joe stormed out.
"Man," Richie sighed roughly as he sat down on the floor. Tori sat down next to him.
"Stay, Mac, Mac, Mac!" Methos said, "Rich, Tori! Look, I'll talk to him, okay?"
"Yeah, well, you'd better because if Shapiro or Jacob puts a bullet in his head," Duncan stated, "he's not the type to get born again."
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Joe looked on as he was near a funeral home, trying to evade being caught.
He jumped upon feeling a hand landing on his shoulder before he looked to see Methos, "Damn it! Don't do that."
"Look at that, Watchers, afraid they're going to be killed by immortals, holed up in a funeral home," Methos noted, "Is it just me, or is there some cosmic irony in that?"
"I think it's just you," Joe answered, "I'm not laughing. Are you trying to give me a coronary?"
"No, just making a point," Methos told his friend, "If Shapiro's men see you, they're going to kill you, man."
"Yeah," Joe replied, "Maybe."
"Has everyone gone crazy?" Methos asked in surprise, "Did you hear what I said?"
"I have got to convince Shapiro that it's Jacob killing watchers and not MacLeod," Joe insisted.
"I see. Well, to do that, you have to talk to him," Methos replied, "They're not going to let you near the guy."
"No. Not on my own," Joe paused before he glanced towards Methos, "Adam."
"No," Methos looked at Joe, who gave him a look in turn, "Give me one good reason."
"Revenge."
"Gave it up."
"Well, then save my ass."
"We're not that close," Methos argued.
"Well, how about MacLeod?" Joe interjected, "The watchers want to kill him, and they eventually will kill him, unless he learns the truth about who killed his son."
"But then they go after Jacob," Methos added. They noticed as the watchers closed the hearse door, and walked away, "The guard is armed. There's probably half a dozen of them on the roof as well."
"Not to mention the new password that we don't know about," Joe added in.
"I wouldn't worry about the password," Methos stated, "They're going to shoot you on sight anyway."
"You know, I think I've had just about as much irony for one day as I can take," Joe scoffed, "What we have to do is figure out a way to get inside."
"Brilliant. Got any ideas?" Methos asked.
"Ironically enough," Joe answered, "I do."
He managed to convince Methos to convince to go with his plan to pretend to be held hostage so he can see Shapiro.
"Excuse me," Methos called out to the guard while Joe was behind him. The watcher guard walked toward them, "Adam Pierson."
He glanced towards Joe, "Uh, I guess you know who this is."
"You saved us a lot of trouble, Pierson," the watcher asked, "How did you get him?"
"Ah, try the other way 'round," Methos replied. Joe shown him the gun before pointing it back towards Methos' back, "You get Shapiro for me. Now!"
Methos flinched upon Joe's last line as the watcher didn't comply previously and Joe jabbed the gun at his back. The watcher led the two men to the gate, and opened it.
"Would you be careful with that thing?" Methos whispered to Joe, "It might go off."
"Yeah. We're in a good place for it. Ha. I mean, consider the irony," Joe replied. Methos gave him a look before Joe said, "Come on."
They followed the watcher through the gate and faced off against a group of watchers on the other side.
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Duncan, Tori and Richie entered the church as they saw Galati lighting two candles at the altar.
"I assume he's lighting candles for Irena," Tori stated.
"Possibly so," Richie nodded in agreement.
They entered the chapel.
"Do you believe in heaven, MacLeod?" Galati asked, "I do because I've already been in hell."
He turned towards the trio, "So, where is he, this friend of yours – this tame watcher who's supposed to change my mind?"
"He wouldn't come," Richie answered.
"Ha. Oh, this surprises you?" Galati retorted.
"What did you expect?" Tori chimed in, "You killed his friends, and you shot him."
"You expect them not to fear you?" Duncan asked.
"And because of you, Mister Uptight…." Richie began.
"Shapiro," Tori pointed out.
"Shapiro," Richie continued, "Shapiro believed that Mac is the one who is doing all of the killings."
"I want them to fear me," Galati insisted, "To know what Irena felt. I want to see that look in their eyes, and I want to watch them die."
"Jacob, I wish to God that never happened, but you can't blame them all for Irena's death," Duncan insisted.
"They're all guilty, MacLeod. All of them!" Galati exclaimed.
"You're wrong!" Duncan argued, "You're wrong, Jacob! Horton was the one who killed your wife. These people rejected Horton's ways and you're killing innocent people."
"And by the way," Richie added, "MacLeod killed Horton, so that should be your justice right there!"
"Exactly!" Tori exclaimed.
"And now they'll hunt you the way you're taking things," Duncan told his friend.
"Your friend?" Galati stated, "You told me you could trust him."
"I needed his help to stop this," Duncan replied.
"We all do," Richie nodded in agreement while he gestured towards himself and Tori, who then nodded in agreement as well.
"I'll tell you when this stops," Galati declared, "after I've killed them all."
"You can't kill them all, Jacob," Duncan stressed.
"I can try."
"And pull off a stupid stunt?!" Richie exclaimed, "It's not going to end well."
"Yeah," Tori retorted, "Horton targeting random immortals is wrong, but if you do it's fine?!"
Galati scoffed, and rolled his eyes.
"I'm not just talking about me, Richie and Mac," Tori elaborated, "I'm talking about my mom's agency that I work at as well. It won't go down well if they take you on like they did with Horton, and Rita Luce."
Galati just looked at them and said, "Blood for blood. Tell your friend if he gets in my way, he's dead."
With that, he left the church.
"What now?" Richie asked.
"I better report everything to the agency," Tori replied before getting out her tablet. She turned on the tablet and Janet was on the screen, "Any luck with what has been going on?"
"Ish," Richie answered, "Galati is dead set on killing all of the watchers because Horton killed his wife a long time ago."
"We tried to reason with him, but he wouldn't have it," Duncan added.
"We'll make sure to have him on our case in case we have to strike against him," Janet replied before inquiring, "What about Shapiro and the renegade watchers?"
"That is still ongoing as we speak," Tori answered, "From what we know, Methos and Joe are heading to where Shapiro might be located."
"We just hope Joe is still alive in the process," Duncan chimed in.
"I agree with you there, Mr. MacLeod," Janet shook her head, "We are sending agents to your area to help you guys deal with Shapiro and the renegade watchers, along with possibly Galati as well. I'm sorry, Mr. MacLeod, I understand he is your friend, but we can't take any chances."
Duncan shook his head, "I understand. It wouldn't be the first time you guys were after one of my friends."
"Only when necessary, Mr. MacLeod," Janet replied, "Only when necessary, and by the way, I informed Davison, who is going to put Shapiro on trial for what he is doing."
"Davison?" Duncan asked.
"He's the bigger higher up than Shapiro is," Janet inquired, "Meaning, Jack Shapiro might be in a world of trouble."
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Joe walked into the room with Methos in tow, still pulling off the hostage act.
Shapiro was seated, facing the two men, "Joe."
He chuckled before saying, "You can drop the hostage act. You won't shoot. Pierson's your friend."
"You know, we were friends too, Jack," Joe replied, "That didn't stop you from ordering my death."
"Even if you kill me, Joe, you're not going to get out of here alive," Shapiro informed him, "You know that?"
"I didn't come here to kill anyone, and I don't want to die," Joe affirmed, "I came here to talk."
"You think that gun is going to change my mind?" Shapiro asked.
Joe held the gun out, and Shapiro took it from him, "Just hear me out, Jack. Give me ten minutes. I don't think that's too much to ask of an old friend."
Shapiro relented, "I'll listen."
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"How could you let him do that, Methos?!" Richie exclaimed.
"It was a simple choice – Jacob Galati or MacLeod," Methos replied, "and since I don't give a damn about Jacob Galati, it wasn't that difficult to make it."
"Yeah, I guess it wasn't!" Duncan exclaimed.
"I'm a pragmatist," Methos told his three friends, "The watchers wanted the real killer and I want to keep you alive. You can't have it both ways."
"Yeah, you're right, you can't have it both ways," Duncan replied, "You're either one of them, or you're one of us, got it?"
He left the cellar, and Richie and Tori followed him.
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Joe walked near the rig where he would find Galati.
"Mr. Dawson," the watcher spoke through a mic, "he just arrived at his trailer."
"Right," Joe went down further. He hated having to do this, but he wanted to prove to Shapiro that Duncan MacLeod didn't do the killings. It was this gypsy immortal responsible.
"He's on his way," the watcher told him through the mic.
Joe walked over as he looked over to wait to find the immortal.
Suddenly, he felt a gun to his back.
"You're good," Joe noted.
"You're dead," Galati told him.
"Look, Jacob, I'm – I'm sorry about Irena," Joe told him as the immortal was patting him down.
"You mention her name one more time, and I'm not going to kill you," Galati threatened, "you're just going to wish I had."
"I'm unarmed, all right?" Joe informed him.
"Who the hell are you?" Galati asked.
"Joe Dawson."
"The one MacLeod told me about," Galati stated, "His friend."
"That's right," Joe told him, "Now, the watchers just took MacLeod, along with his young friends, Richie and Tori, a half an hour ago, and they're going to kill them."
"Tell them they got the wrong man," Galati replied.
"They're not going to believe me," Joe insisted, "You are his only chance."
"Where is he?" Galati asked.
"I'll take you there," Joe answered. Galati hesitated before the watcher spoke up, "I thought he was your friend. Come on."
Galati followed him across the yard. Joe looked on as a young woman walked up from behind them and shot Galati in the back.
"You bastard," Galati groaned as he was dying before he dropped to the ground, dead.
Joe shook his head, "You got that right."
He got one of the funeral home hearses over to where he was and a couple of more watchers got out and loaded Galati's body in the back and then they drove off.
-Defenders-Chronicles-Highlander-
"You double crossed me, Shapiro," Joe told his fellow watcher, "We had a deal. I don't like this."
"You don't have to," Shapiro replied, "I mean, look on the bright side, Joe. You proved your loyalty. You're back in the watchers."
"Jack, I brought him here so you could listen to him," Joe stressed, "Hear his side!"
"We'll hear what we need to," Shapiro told him before his cell phone rang and he answered it, "Yeah."
He told Joe, "Guess who's here."
Joe looked on in surprise as he saw Duncan, Tori and Richie being escorted in the room.
"What the hell are you three doing?" Joe asked, "They know you're not the killer, MacLeod."
"It's not what I'm doing," Duncan answered, "It's what he's become."
Shapiro laughed and asked, "And what exactly have I become?"
"A killer, like Horton," Duncan answered.
"Ho! Listen to this – a lesson in ethics from our good friend Duncan MacLeod," Shapiro stated.
"I know you lost your son," Duncan stressed, "but Jacob lost his wife. None of this will bring either of them back. Call it off while there's still time."
"No," Shapiro replied.
"The way you're going, you will end up losing your wife and daughters," Joe warned Shapiro, "because just like Lynn with her father, they won't have anything to do with you. Is that what you want?"
-Defenders-Chronicles-Highlander-
Tori and Richie looked on, with Duncan and Joe as Galati was being led into the room by several more watchers.
"MacLeod, I'd shake your hand," Galati stated, "but these people have other ideas. I've already met your good friend, Joe Dawson. The guy you trusted with my life."
"You son of a bitch, Dawson," Duncan snapped at his watcher, who shook his head in turn.
"Keep him here," Shapiro told his crew, "Bring me the blade."
"No! Wait!" Duncan exclaimed as he and his friends were being held by the renegade watchers.
"Are you out of your mind?!" Richie exclaimed.
"Stop this!" Tori added.
"Stop," Joe told his friend, "You can't do this."
"You watch me," Shapiro replied.
"There's got to be another way," Joe insisted.
"Well, there isn't," Shapiro informed him, "Now, you can stay or you can go."
"You use that blade, you destroy your oath," Duncan warned him.
"I hate to break it to you, Mac, but I was right," Galati declared.
"Nothing will ever be the same between the watchers and the immortals," Duncan declared.
"Listen to him, Jack," Joe added, "You do this, and you throw away everything we stand for!"
"Blood for blood, MacLeod," Galati stated, "Remember…..blood for blood."
"You see? He understands," Shapiro stated.
"You use that sword," Duncan took the sword from the watcher, "you better use it again on me."
"If he moves, shoot him," Shapiro told his guards.
"Don't do this!" Duncan shouted as the watchers dragged Galati to the other room, "Dawson!"
"Jack!" Joe exclaimed.
"That's it!" Tori exclaimed as she drawn her sword and lunged towards Galati in the other room, "I've just about had enough of gypsy boy! I will challenge him to a duel."
"Tori, where are you going?!" Richie demanded.
"You, challenge me?" Galati scoffed.
"What's the matter?" Tori asked, "Afraid to take on a girl?"
"I never said that."
-Defenders-Chronicles-Highlander-
Richie looked on as he, Duncan and Joe saw the IUA agents enter the room taking down the renegade watchers that were in the room.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Shapiro demanded.
"Jack Shapiro, you are in a world of trouble," Janet informed the renegade watcher, "Creating an incident that would cause a war between watchers and immortals, the audacity."
"What's it to you, lady?" Shapiro retorted.
"We are a part of the Intergalactic Union Agency, and you are going to be on trial," Janet informed him.
"Who's putting him on trial?" Joe asked.
"The bigger higher ups of the watchers," Janet answered.
"Uh oh," Joe muttered, "Patrick Davison is a no nonsense watcher, who doesn't believe in killing immortals unless it is part of the game of the immortal, so Jack is going to be in for it."
"Where's my daughter?" Janet asked.
"Tori happens to be dealing with Galati as we speak," Richie answered.
-Defenders-Chronicles-Highlander-
"I'm not going to tell you again. Pick it up!" Tori exclaimed.
"I cannot believe this," Galati stated, "You know how this will go."
"Yeah, I do," Tori nodded, holding firm to her sword, "You're too afraid to protect yourself from an immortal. Man, what did Irena ever see in you?"
"What did you just say?!" Galati demanded.
"You heard me," Tori replied, "I said, What did Irena ever see in you?!"
"You bitch!" Galati exclaimed before the duel began. They dueled through the room until Tori broke Galati's blade.
"No!" Duncan shouted as he, Joe and Janet barged into the room in time for Tori to take Galati's head. She then took Galati's quickening. She collapsed to the floor after the quickening ended, which included a thing of roses being set on fire.
Tori stood up, "There can be only one."
"This is not over," Shapiro declared as he was near the room.
"I'm afraid it will be, Mr. Shapiro," Janet informed the renegade watcher, "Mr. Davison is angry at you for all you have done."
"Oh, merde," Shapiro muttered.
"How did you guys manage to get here anyway?" Joe asked.
"Our other agents took out the other renegade watchers who were outside," Janet answered, "They are not dead, but they will all be taken into custody, including Mr. Shapiro, but first, we have a trial to deal with."
-Defenders-Chronicles-Highlander-
Joe and Shapiro were standing in the room the former was in when he was previously on trial. Davison stood in the shadows as the judge this time. Among those watching were Shirley, Janet, Tori, Richie, and Duncan along with several IUA agents.
"I must inform you now, Mr. Shapiro," Davison informed him, "I am very angry at you."
"Pat," Shapiro acknowledged his higher up.
"That's right, Mr. Shapiro," Davison replied, "I've been watching IUA agent Jack Banks since the 1960s, and I am one who doesn't believe in killing immortals unless the said immortal is doing it as part of the game, and you, Mr. Shapiro, was trying to do the same thing Horton had done. Jack Shapiro and Joseph Dawson, you both are here for a sentencing hearing."
Joe glanced around the room.
"Sentencing for what?" Shapiro asked.
"I will determine whether or not you will be allowed to continue as members of the watchers," Davison inquired, "and given you'll be in IUA custody, Jack, it's not looking good for you."
"You've gotta be kidding me," Shapiro replied, "You've just gotten a promotion and now you're going to judge us?"
"All of my Senior Watchers are dead," Davison explained, "As a matter of fact, they've been dropping like flies lately. Let's see here."
He took a look at some of the files he was reading, "The last two heads of the European division are dead: one by Kalas, and the other by a fellow watcher who was trying to get his hands on the Methuselah Stone. The rest were slaughtered by Jacob Galati, so yeah, what it boils down to is, you're going to be judged by me because all of the watchers left in the Western Hemisphere aside from the two of you – I have the most seniority here."
"I did what I could to keep the organization intact!" Shapiro exclaimed.
"Intact?!" Davison interjected, "Would you like me to draw up the list of dead watchers, Mr. Shapiro?"
"Galati killed them!"
"And the "why" of it is where my decision lies," Davison declared.
"What do you mean?" Joe asked.
"I have my verdict," Davison answered.
Joe scoffed, "So, that's it? No trial? No chance to defend ourselves?"
"The watchers have no obligation to a trial, Mr. Dawson," Davison replied, "The previous tribunal agreed to do so with you, but I am not bound by that, and it's not only because they were renegades, as you are aware of. The guidelines under we work are by no means specific on the subject, and I have chosen to forgo it. Now, if you've finished interrupting, I will render my judgment but before that, I will allow the question to be answered as to what started this entire mess. Victoria Gordon, you have the floor."
Tori stepped forward, "Thank you, Mr. Davison. The answer to your question would be: James Horton. I've only been immortal for four years, and my boyfriend Richie Ryan has been immortal for three, anyway, we don't know everything about the history of immortals, even though I am a genius, but one thing is for sure, for thousands of years, you guys have been aware of our existence, but it had never been an issue from what I understood, until Horton came along. Horton believed all immortals were an abomination in the eyes of God. I understand he's probably not the first watcher to believe that, but Horton was the first person that brought the Hunters to my attention."
"Horton began recruiting people with a mind to making them hunters instead of watchers, using his position in the watchers," Duncan added in, "Rather than go after historians and surveillance experts, he went after fanatics and zealots, as well as mercenary types better suited to the physical tasks he would assign them."
"He even made a killer disguise herself as MacLeod's deceased fiance Tessa to try to bring him to his death," Richie chimed in, "but it ended up leading to Horton's death."
"We know all this already!" Shapiro exclaimed, "What the hell does this have to do with anything?"
"We're getting to that, Mister Prick Face!" Richie exclaimed, "You should be patient!"
"Yeah, seriously," Tori added, "Your ignorant attitude is getting you nowhere!"
"Easy, guys!" Duncan exclaimed.
"With all that being said, the harm that the previous tribunal attended to Joe Dawson's friendship with Duncan MacLeod can more accurately be laid at Horton's feet," Davison spoke up, "After all, the numerous recent watcher deaths were all at the hands of whose wife was murdered by Horton. We don't know how many immortals Horton beheaded, but we know that he failed to kill three: Galati was one of them. MacLeod, and his friend Hugh Fitzcairn were the others, and it is what happened next in each case that leads me to my decision regarding Joe Dawson."
Joe sighed nervously. He looked at Tori, Richie and Duncan, who each gave him an acknowledging nod.
"Both Galati and MacLeod, upon escaping from Horton, tried to track down the strange people with tattoos on their wrists," Davison continued, "Galati eventually did so after three years and tried to decimate us. MacLeod did the same, except he found us sooner after the death of his friend Darius at the hands of Horton."
Tori sighed nervously and Richie hugged her with support.
"The trial would lead him to Joe's bookstore," Davison continued, "Joe's reaction was to trust him with his secret. Yes, he betrayed his oath – but he also made him, and eventually Ryan and Gordon, realize that not all watchers were like Horton."
"That doesn't change the fact that Dawson betrayed his oath!" Shapiro interjected.
"Is it different from what you did?!" Richie asked. Janet gently grabbed his shoulder, "Take it easy."
"He's right, you schmuck," Tori added, "The secret was already out!"
"Just from Horton, and he killed immortals he revealed himself to!" Shapiro argued.
"Watchers are not supposed to kill immortals!" Tori stressed, "Me, Mac, Richie, Fitz and even Galati knew, and we still lived, and what about his other followers who kept his work going? One of them tried to do away with MacLeod by kidnapping Tessa, but failed and that hunter was the one who met his end. With this guy, he killed his hostages after doing away with his immortal hostages, and there was no telling what could have happened to Tess and even Richie if Mac hadn't prevailed, and from what Mac told us, Darius knew about the hunters before it all happened."
Tori took a deep breath before she spoke again, "There was also Rita Luce, who also interfered as Joe and Shapiro did. She had her golden boy Michael Christian to try to kill every immortal, and I was his next target after he killed May – Ling Shen, and by doing that, he kidnapped my boyfriend, Richie, to use him as bait for me, but I gained the upper hand against Christian and took his head. As for Luce, she was killed when she refused to accept being arrested by my mom and the IUA."
"The aftermath of that incident triggered a trauma that lasted a long time," Richie added, "and it even lasted as far as when another immortal made our worst nightmares come to life, even though I have been trying to move on past the ordeal."
"Interesting," Davison noted.
"And then there was Carl Robinson, an immortal another hunter was after," Duncan added, "I had no choice but to tell him about you guys, and because of that, Carl is alive and well, and probably playing baseball as we speak."
"What Joe did was to protect us," Davison stated, "Yes, he betrayed his oath, but he kept immortals from declaring war on us. MacLeod would prove to be a useful ally when Kalas learned of us and got his hands on that CD. Think about it, if Joe hadn't brought MacLeod into the situation with Salzer and the CD, this entire proceeding would not be able to happen. Therefore, it is my decision that Joseph Dawson will be reinstated as a watcher and as chief of the Western United States division on a probationary basis, subject to reevaluation in six months time."
Joe was speechless in response. Tori sighed with relief before she looked at Richie and Duncan, who were also relieved as well. Janet looked on in relief as well, relief that things have worked out.
"As for the Intergalactic Union Agency," Davison declared, "You guys will be remaining as allies for the watchers as they have also proven to be helpful allies with not only keeping immortals safe, but keeping the secret of the watchers safe as well."
"Thank you, Mr. Davison," Janet replied.
"As for Jack Shapiro," Davison faced Shapiro, "while I recognize his grief over the loss of his son, and I have empathy for him in that case, it does not excuse his subsequent actions, and actions have consequences. By declaring war on two immortals, by pulling watchers from their assignments to what amounted to military duty – tasks for which the vast majority of them were woefully unfit – by sentencing Duncan MacLeod and fellow watcher Joseph Dawson for the crimes they didn't commit, and the attempted murders of Jacob Galati, Tori Gordon and Richie Ryan, he has jeopardized everything the watchers stand for. Therefore, you Jack Shapiro, have been found guilty of treason."
Tori noticed as Shirley was starting to become tearful as her mother was doing her best to comfort her.
"That's outrageous, Patrick!" Shapiro exclaimed in anger, "He breaks his oath, and he's let back in with a pat on the back. I do everything I can to keep the watchers alive, and you throw me out!"
"Give me a break," Tori groaned before she told the disgraced watcher, "If Joe breaks his oath it's wrong, but if you do it, it's fine?"
"Tori's right!" Richie added, "You didn't care about the watchers or kill Galati for your son! You only wanted to kill that immortal for yourself, but too bad for your delusional self, my girlfriend beat you to it!"
"You are just like Horton, Shapiro," Tori chimed in, "You judged us, wanting to kill us, and it's not even almost okay! Just as Galati did with his wife, you put your son in the crosshair when you assigned him to MacLeod."
Shirley started to cry in horror, and Janet comforted her. Joe patted Shirley's shoulder as well.
"Your watcher rank is hereby stripped from you and your sentence is death by firing squad to be carried out immediately," Davison told Shapiro, "and may God have mercy on your soul!"
"Please, Patrick, wait!" Joe called out, "Isn't Jack going to be in IUA custody?"
Janet nodded, "As far as I know, he was supposed to be in our custody, but if they say for him to be executed, there's not much we can do."
"Patrick, hear me out," Joe told Davison, who held his hand up, "You were there when he ordered those watchers to attack me and MacLeod, along with Richie and Tori, but he wasn't in his right state of mind. He's what we all are – victims of Horton's delusions, just like his daughter was until she learned the truth."
Two Years Ago
"What is the meaning of this?" Horton demanded as Lynn approached the hospital room with Joe not too far behind them, standing at the doorway.
"Daddy, is this true?" Lynn asked her father. She shown him different files with all the different immortals and holding a tablet in her hands.
"What are you talking about?" Horton interjected.
"These are immortals that you have killed," Lynn shown him the files, "and these people….."
"They are an abomination, Lynn," Horton told his daughter, "They are freaks of nature. Don't you see?"
"What about Robert?" Lynn asked.
"What about him?" Horton interjected.
"I hate to break it to you," Joe chimed in, "but she knows about what happened to her fiance now."
Lynn proceeded to show the video clip of the security camera footage of Horton talking to Robert. The hunter was amazed to see how the video covered each area while he and Robert were talking in the video. They were seen in high quality in the video, clear as day. There wasn't audio but it was clear what was going on: Robert was wanting nothing to do with Horton's mission, and as a result, Horton pushed him off the balcony of the condo.
"That was why I heard screaming that night," Lynn stated, "It was like a horror movie, except this is real life and the fact that you killed Robert…..makes it even more scarier…...and disgusting."
"We had a fight yesterday," Lynn sobbed as she was sitting on the couch next to her father, "I wanted him to take me to lunch, and he put me in a cab and sent me home. He said he had something important to do, and I shouted at him that I was important. Oh, Dad…."
She cried on Horton's shoulder.
"I'm sure it was nothing to do with that," Horton assured his daughter, "He must have lost his balance. Maybe he had been drinking. I'm so sorry, honey. I am so sorry."
The phone rang and Horton answered it, "Hello? So, it's you."
He then eyed Lynn, "Excuse me, honey."
"You killed Robert," Lynn confronted her father, "All because he didn't want anything to do with your cause anymore?"
"How do you even know about what I am doing?!" Horton exclaimed.
"I found these files after you had been stabbed," Lynn explained, "along with the video footage my uncle here managed to get a hold of."
"The girl's good at prodding for information," Joe stated.
Lynn looked around the room in disgust. She couldn't believe this man, who was her father, was responsible for not only killing her fiance, but all those people. She didn't know these immortals he had killed, but she felt these killings were wrong.
"You should realize that not all immortals are evil," Lynn insisted, "Uncle Joe here even acknowledged that."
"Lies!" Horton insisted, "It is all lies! The immortals are a freak of nature! Mistakes! They are all to be eliminated!"
Lynn took a couple of steps back and took some deep breaths. She realized there was no getting through to her father. He was stuck in his way of eliminating all immortals, "So that's it, isn't it?"
Lynn eyed Joe before eyeing Horton, "I'm sorry. I can't support this."
"You're turning your back on me?!" Horton exclaimed in disbelief.
"I don't feel comfortable with this," Lynn insisted, "From what I am seeing, and from what all I've learned, if that's the way you are going to be, I have no choice."
"What are you implying?" Horton asked.
"I have no choice," Lynn answered, "I am disowning you."
She looked at Joe before she looked at her father, "I still consider my uncle family, but you, I don't consider you my father anymore."
The Present
"My niece cut contact with her father before his death since that time," Joe stated before he went back on the topic, "I ask of you. Show mercy to Shapiro. Spare his life, but leave him with nothing."
Davison nodded, considering this. He then sighed and spoke up, "All right. Jack Shapiro, consider yourself lucky to be alive. Your sentence now will be that you will be in Intergalactic Union Agency custody for as long as they seem fit, and you are also expelled from the Watchers."
"I also want a divorce!" Shirley exclaimed, "I cannot believe that you have done all of this! I will also make sure that you will never see our daughters again!"
Tori pursed her lips, satisfied with the outcome that Shapiro was suffering a fate worst than death.
-Defenders-Chronicles-Highlander-
Methos ran towards the group, "Mac! M – I'm sorry."
"You're sorry?" Duncan interjected, glancing at Methos.
"Oh sure," Richie scoffed.
"Mac…..Mac," Joe spoke up, "I was just supposed to get him there so they could talk to him. Jack set me up. They weren't supposed to kill him. You've got to believe me!"
"It doesn't matter what I believe," Duncan replied.
"But you chose to believe their lie," Tori crossed her arms.
"It does to me," Joe stressed.
"Either way – either way he's dead," Duncan stated.
"You mean Jacob?!" Richie exclaimed, "Seriously, he was killing watchers! Tori did what she had to do! If Tori hadn't kill Galati, he'd kill all of the watchers, and he'd find someone else to kill, someone else to blame for Irena's death, and Irena is finally at peace, as well as Shapiro's son!"
"That's not what she wanted," Duncan stressed, "The dead don't want revenge. They want nothing. They feel nothing."
Duncan then stormed off from the area.
"Mac? Mac!" Richie called out as Tori buried her head with her hands and sighed roughly.
"I did it to save you," Joe called out as well as Duncan was walking away, "Where are you going?!"
Tori looked away, not saying anything to anyone.
"The hell with this!" Richie exclaimed before glancing at his girlfriend, "Come on, Tori. Let's go."
They proceeded to leave.
"Where are you two going?" Joe asked.
"We need to think things through," Tori answered before they left Methos and Joe by themselves.
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Duncan walked down the quay towards the barge.
Joe appeared before the Highlander, "Hey, Mac. War's over."
Duncan walked slowly towards him.
"Jack's out and I'm back in as you know," Joe continued, "and I think we're going to be able to put the Watchers together again."
"I'm happy for you," Duncan replied.
"Have you, uh... Have you seen Methos?" Joe asked, "I went by his place. He's gone, and nobody has any idea where he is."
"Are you surprised at that?" Duncan interjected, "Is there something you wanted?"
"I don't know," Joe answered, "I thought maybe I could, uh, buy you a drink."
"No thanks," Duncan replied before he walked away towards his barge. He heard Joe call out, "Maybe later."
Author's Notes:
I want to give credit to Roland Cain for the dialogue of Shapiro's trial, which was also featured in his fan fiction "Highlander: The Avenger", with some alterations, some of the dialogue during the chapter and for helping me out through the most recent chapters. Much appreciated! Hopefully, Roland, you will enjoy this chapter, and I hope everyone else enjoys this chapters as well!
This is my planned last appearance of Joe Dawson for this season, until the final season/Season 5 arc when he will return.
Even though this is the 60th chapter, this is not the Season 4 arc finale, unlike the actual Highlander series canon. There's one more arc to deal with and that is the witch Zorelda, who is also the original queen of the planet Mongo. You're going to see the Defenders of the Earth again, along with April Gordon and the Mongo allies. I am looking forward to writing this down!
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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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