DCH 76
Defenders Chronicles: Highlander
By AmandaDoE
Chapter Seventy-Six: All That Glitters Is Not Golden
Tori sighed as she finished laundry for the day, "That should be the last of it."
She placed the blankets on the bed and made the bed properly.
"Hello, honey," Richie walked over to his wife.
"Hello," Tori replied before she walked over to him and they kissed.
"How's Jenny?" Richie asked.
"She's doing well," Tori answered, "She's playing with her dolls and being good."
"That's good to hear," Richie smiled, "I love that kid."
"Me too," Tori nodded, smiling in content, "Too bad that…..you know."
The couple was startled upon hearing a near frantic knock on the door.
"Were you expecting someone?" Tori asked.
"I don't think so," Richie shook his head.
They heard the knock on the door.
"We better go answer it," Tori suggested.
"Good idea," Richie nodded in agreement. He called out, "We're coming!"
The couple hurried to the front door to see a young brunette woman at their door, and it appeared to be someone Richie knew.
"Anna, is that you?" Richie asked.
"Yeah," Anna nodded, "that would be me."
"Come in," Richie motioned her to the apartment. Anna complied and Tori closed the door behind them.
"So, another childhood friend?" Tori inquired, "How come I never heard of her like I have with Angie, Nikki or Gary?"
"You have my family to thank for that," Anna answered, "they barely ever let me see friends growing up."
"I see," Tori nodded.
"Anna, I'd like for you to meet my lovely wife, Tori," Richie introduced Anna to Tori, "Tori, Anna."
"Nice to meet you," Tori shook Anna's hand.
"Pleasure."
"I haven't seen you in years, Anna," Richie asked, "so, what brings you here to Seacouver?"
"I killed my sister," Anna answered.
This revelation put the couple in shock.
"Did I hear that correctly?" Richie asked.
Anna sighed and she nodded, "Yeah. You know about my sister being the Golden Child of my family, right?"
Richie sighed, "Obviously."
"What did your family do this time to cause you to snap?" Tori asked.
"My sister Dawn was dealing with her deadbeat boyfriend Vaughn," Anna answered, "and she and my parents were forced to let me have her stay at my apartment, and for three months, she was acting like a freeloader. She didn't pick up after herself, she took food from my fridge without asking me first, and made me clean up after her. All this happened in the course of three months, but stupidly, I've been too patient with her, but the last straw came when she released my cat in the streets and a car ran over her and killed her. I was livid when I found out and Dawn told me what she did."
"How could you do this?!" Anna screamed in a rage.
"It's not a big deal," Dawn rolled her eyes, "Your cat was causing me trouble."
"How?" Anna scoffed, "You knew I would keep the cat out of your sight."
"I'd still smell her in your room," Dawn argued, "and it would bother me."
Before Anna knew it, her mother Emma and father Darren arrived at the apartment.
"It's not a big deal that she let that fur ball out in the streets," Emma retorted, "Family looks out for one another and family is more important than a mere cat."
Darren nodded in agreement.
"Screw family!" Anna snapped, "This isn't just about a cat! It's the straw that broke the camel's back, many years of favoritism, dating all the way back to childhood! Screw you all! I'm kicking this bitch out of my house!"
"I'm not leaving," Dawn crossed her arms.
"You have to let her stay until she finds a place of her own," Emma argued.
"If you think she should be living under someone else's roof, you do it yourself," Anna replied, "because I'm not going to take her crap anymore!"
"I always knew you were selfish," Dawn stated with a smirk on her face, "You really want me to live on the street."
"Just let her stay with you longer," Emma insisted.
"I hope you die a most horrible death! All of you!" Anna yelled in the heat of the moment. The next thing she knew, there was a struggle between the two sisters outside the apartment and then Dawn fell down, stomach first a flight of stairs.
"Dawn, my baby!" Emma cried out before she ran to her daughter's side and checked for a pulse.
"Anna, what have you done?!" Darren exclaimed in disbelief.
"I had no idea how hard my push was," Anna rolled her eyes, "She wouldn't get off me."
"You bitch!" Emma screamed in a rage, "Your sister is dead!"
Anna looked on nervously and made a run for it before anyone could do anything.
"You better hope your sister survives!" Emma screamed as Anna ran away.
"So, it was an accident?" Richie asked.
"Yeah," Anna nodded, "I was so furious, devastated over losing my cat, everything happened so fast."
Richie sighed before looking at Tori as they walked out of Anna's ear shot.
"What do you think?" Richie asked.
"This almost reminds me of the incident with Laura Daniels," Tori answered, "but something must have seriously snapped in Anna to cause her to snap like that. Let's just hope that no immortal bounty hunter comes after her like one did with Laura."
"I am hoping the same too," Richie nodded in agreement.
They walked over to Anna.
"Are you going to turn me in?" Anna asked.
"Not now," Tori answered, "We want to talk to you more, so in the meantime, you can stay here with us. I hope you don't mind the couch."
"Sure," Anna nodded, "I've slept on the couch most of my life anyway."
"Thanks, Tor," Richie gently touched his wife's arm.
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"So, how long have you known Anna?" Tori asked Richie while Anna was taking a shower, "I know her family kept her from seeing you guys often, but yeah."
"Not as long as Angie or Gary," Richie answered, "but we've been friends for some time. Her parents wouldn't let Anna stay with friends because she wanted her to be with her sister. It was awful. Very awful. Her parents would go all out and make everything about Dawn, and they would only give Anna the bare minimum."
"Why is Dawn the golden child anyway?" Tori asked.
"From what Anna told me," Richie explained, "her mother giving birth to Dawn came with complications, and the doctors almost lost them. Anna once said that she wished they did lose them so she wouldn't be so miserable."
"So, what all did Dawn do to make Anna miserable?"
"Their parents would coddle Dawn and spoil her," Richie explained, "Whatever Anna had, Dawn had to have it too and if she refused, the parents took it from her and Dawn usually broke it, and when it came to birthday parties, Anna was forced to let Dawn blow out her candles, and the parents gave Dawn parents on Anna's birthday. If Anna defended herself against Dawn, she'd be punished."
Richie sighed before he continued, "Anna once told the school to call CPS because she was being neglected, and in a way, she was, but there wasn't enough evidence for CPS to do anything. Anna moved out when she was 18 and had her own place. I hadn't seen her since she turned 18, which was not too long before I met MacLeod."
"Sounds like she came from an unhinged family," Tori replied.
"Unhinged doesn't even begin to describe it," Anna said as she walked into the room, drying her hair, "It was bad and my folks told me to suck it up when I complained to them about how I was mistreated. It's gotten to the point to where if Dawn ever needed an organ donor, I wouldn't have given her anything."
"Mommy, Daddy, who is this lady?" Jenny asked as she walked into the room.
"Richie," Anna cooed, "I didn't know you two had a child."
"This is our adopted daughter," Richie scooped his daughter, "but we love her as a biological one. Her name is Jenny. Jenny, I'd like you to meet Anna."
"Hi, Anna," Jenny waved to the guest.
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Richie and Tori were startled, sensing the Buzz.
"I hope it's not an immortal bounty hunter," Richie stated.
"I hope not either," Tori added, "for her sake."
They hurried to the door to see Duncan at the doorway with a young black man and an older black man.
"Are they all immortal?" Tori asked.
"Yeah," Duncan nodded, "they are all immortal. I'd like you and Richie to meet some friends."
He glanced towards the young black man, "This is Derek Worth. He recently became immortal."
He then glanced towards the older black man, "And I believe you guys have met him before, but this is Carl Robinson. You remember him, right?"
"Yeah," Tori nodded before shaking Carl's hand, "Good to see you again."
"Derek," Duncan gestured towards, "I'd like you guys to meet my good friends Richie Ryan and his wife Tori Gordon…..or Tori Ryan, now."
"Nice to meet you guys," Derek shook the couple's hands.
"Nice to meet you," Richie shook Derek's hand.
"It's nice to see you again," Carl shook Richie's hand.
"Pleasure," Tori replied, shaking Carl's hand.
"Mac, there's something I want to talk to you about," Richie spoke up.
"That's a good idea," Derek chimed in, "because we um, we should get to training."
"Joe and I decided on Carl being his teacher," Duncan told the couple, "and Reverend Thomas Bell will be his watcher, just like he is with Carl. I'll let you guys meet him at a later date."
Moments later, Carl and Derek left, leaving Duncan with Tori and Richie.
"So, what is it that you wanted to tell me?" Duncan asked.
"Promise that you won't get mad," Richie stated.
"What did you do?" Duncan asked.
Richie and Tori then proceeded to explain about Anna and her situation with her family and why she was on the run.
"Have you lost your mind?!" Duncan demanded, "Don't you know that the police will be looking for her?!"
"That's kind of what I was thinking," Tori quipped.
"Then why don't you turn her in?" Duncan asked.
"You don't know how bad her family treated her," Richie stressed, "and it was only a matter of time before Anna snapped and killed her sister."
"I empathize with her situation," Duncan replied, "I really do, and I understand you want to help your friend, but it won't be long before the police find her location, find your place and are you going to do what you did with Laura Daniels?"
"Hopefully it won't have to come down to that," Richie stated.
"Yeah, hopefully we won't have to deal with immortal bounty hunters," Tori added, "what we have to deal with is the police. Mortal police."
"Exactly!" Duncan exclaimed, "What are you guys going to do when the police come and ask you questions?"
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," Richie answered calmly.
"That's what we agreed on," Tori added, "but logically, I think we should turn her in."
She eyed her husband, who had a disapproving look on his face, "I'm not going to tell you to do just that, but I highly recommend it."
"I agree with Tori there," Duncan nodded in agreement.
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"I really wish you would think about this," Tori stressed.
"Why do you want me to turn myself in?" Anna asked, "I thought you cared about your husband's feelings?"
"It's not about that and you know it," Tori argued, "I know your sister was terrible, and your parents enabled her entitlement, but there's a thin line and sadly, you crossed that line."
Anna paced around the room in disbelief, "I can't believe this. Dawn is going to get her way from beyond the grave. She's going to ruin my life, even from beyond the grave, like she always has."
"If you don't do this," Tori insisted, "it'll make matters worse, not just for you, but for Richie. Think about Richie. If he keeps on hiding you, even from authorities, then he'll most likely be in jail and maybe me too, and we might lose Jenny. Think about that!"
Anna stormed off into the bathroom and slammed the door behind her.
Moments later, Jenny arrived in the room, "Mommy, why did Anna slam the door?"
"She's mad," Tori answered before she knelt down to her daughter, "You know how people do bad things at times?"
"Yes," Jenny nodded.
"Do you know what a mistake is, Jenny?" Tori asked.
Jenny paused for a second before she answered, "When someone does something they shouldn't have done?"
Tori nodded, "Yes. When someone does something they shouldn't have done. Anna did something terrible. I can't tell you what exactly what she did, but she has to turn herself in to the police or more serious consequences might happen."
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Anna heard the conversation Tori was having with her daughter. She took a deep breath as she was calming down and realized that she was right.
Anna had to turn herself in to the authorities. Just because her family was selfish to her that didn't mean she couldn't be selfish to Richie and his family, especially because Richie was her childhood friend, even though she couldn't see him and her other friends because of her abusive, controlling family.
Anna stepped out of the bathroom and walked over to Tori and Jenny, "You were right, Tori."
Tori looked over at her and stood back up, "Yeah?"
"Yeah," Anna nodded, "I decided I'm going to turn myself in to the police. It's the right thing to do."
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Richie was startled upon hearing a knock on the door. He stood up from his seat and answered it to see a police woman at her doorway.
"My name is Officer Daphne Montoya," the officer explained herself, "and I am looking for someone by the name of Anna Watts, who is wanted for the murder of her sister Dawn Watts. Her parents reported it. Have you seen her?"
"Anna Watts?" Richie quipped, "I knew her from my childhood, but I…..I haven't seen her in years. I think it's because her parents keep Anna from ever having a social life."
"Well, if you do see her, report her to us immediately," Montoya told her, "I know you have a criminal record, so harboring a fugitive would expand your record and make things worse, so I suggest you come clean."
"I'll keep that in mind," Richie nodded.
"Good," Montoya nodded before she left the apartment.
A few minutes later, Anna walked into the room with Tori in tow.
"Who was that at the door?" Anna asked.
"It was MacLeod," Richie lied.
"Well, I'm going to go ahead and turn myself in," Anna announced.
"Are you sure?" Richie asked.
"Yeah," Anna nodded, "since the death was an accident, I might not have a harsh prison sentence."
Tori sighed, rolling her eyes.
"I'll see you, Richie," Anna hugged her friend.
"Good luck," Richie replied, hugging his friend.
"See you, Tori," Anna hugged Tori, "and thank you for talking me into it."
"No problem," Tori replied, hugging her.
Moments later, Anna left the apartment.
"Will she be okay?" Richie asked.
"In time, I hope," Tori answered, "if it was an accident like she claimed, she might get a lighter sentence, but it was most likely she'll get a life sentence, no matter what."
"I know," Richie nodded.
The couple heard a knock on the door again. Tori answered the door and it was Montoya.
"Good work getting her turned in, you two," Montoya told the couple.
"Thanks, Officer," Tori replied.
"We found her outside your apartment complex," Montoya stated, "and we managed to take her into custody."
"Well, since the murder was an accident like Anna claimed," Richie said, "maybe she…"
"Um, I'm afraid she lied to you about that," Montoya called him off.
"What do you mean by that?" Richie asked.
"She told us she killed her sister after years of abuse and the last straw was when she caused her cat's death after letting the cat out of the apartment she was living in," Tori added, "and she said it was a struggle leading to Anna pushing Dawn down the stairs."
"Yes, Anna claimed abuse," Montoya affirmed, "and yes, her cat died that same day, but how Dawn died was another story. Here, let me tell you what really happened."
"How could you do this?!" Anna screamed in a rage.
"It's not a big deal," Dawn rolled her eyes, "Your cat was causing me trouble."
"How?" Anna scoffed, "You knew I would keep the cat out of your sight."
"I'd still smell her in your room," Dawn argued, "and it would bother me."
Before Anna knew it, her mother Emma and father Darren arrived at the apartment.
"It's not a big deal that she let that fur ball out in the streets," Emma retorted, "Family looks out for one another and family is more important than a mere cat."
Darren nodded in agreement.
"Screw family!" Anna snapped, "This isn't just about a cat! It's the straw that broke the camel's back, many years of favoritism, dating all the way back to childhood! Screw you all! I'm kicking this bitch out of my house!"
"I'm not leaving," Dawn crossed her arms.
"You have to let her stay until she finds a place of her own," Emma argued.
"If you think she should be living under someone else's roof, you do it yourself," Anna replied, "because I'm not going to take her crap anymore!"
"I always knew you were selfish," Dawn stated with a smirk on her face, "You really want me to live on the street."
"Just let her stay with you longer," Emma insisted.
"No! Never again!" Anna shouted before she got out a gun, "You've abused me for the last time!"
She pointed the gun at Dawn.
"Come on, Anna," Darren pleaded, "please, be reasonable."
Anna didn't listen. Instead, she fired three shots and Dawn fell down the flight of stairs.
"Dawn, my baby!" Emma cried out before she ran to her daughter's side to try to shake her awake, but it was too late. Dawn was dead.
"Anna, what have you done?!" Darren exclaimed in disbelief.
"You bitch!" Emma screamed in a rage, "Your sister is dead!"
Anna looked on nervously and made a run for it before anyone could do anything.
Richie looked on in disbelief.
"I'm sorry you had to find out this way," Montoya apologized.
"Thank you for your time, Officer," Tori told the policewoman. Montoya nodded before she left the apartment.
Richie paced the room in disbelief for what lasted a few minutes.
"Richie, are you okay?" Tori asked in worry.
"I-I can't believe this!" Richie exclaimed, "I can't believe she lied to me!"
"I'm sorry, Rich," Tori held her husband in a comforting embrace, "It was kind of something I saw coming. I knew it wasn't an accident, but I didn't think it was to this extent, but I held my tongue for your sake."
Richie accepted the embrace, "Thanks, Tor. It's good that I have you by my side. You and Jenny."
Tori smiled, "Jenny's asleep now."
They walked over to the couch and cuddled with one another.
"I love you, Richie," Tori told her husband.
"I love you too, sweetheart," Richie replied.
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Author's Note:
Hope everyone enjoyed this little filler chapter. "The Messenger" is next, but I am planning to do a Defenders of the Earth twist/tweak with the chapter as opposed to strictly on the episode as it is. As for Officer Daphne Montoya, she is the distant cousin to Renee Montoya of Batman fame. Just so you guys know, but that's the only Batman reference in this chapter as Batman is a part of DoE Earth N as well.
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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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