DCH 78
Defenders Chronicles: Highlander
By AmandaDoE
Chapter Seventy-Eight: Comes a Horseman
Richie smiled at his beloved wife as he was laying next to her in bed, "Good morning, babe."
"Good morning, Rich," Tori snuggled next to him.
Richie noticed his wife was staring out at the ceiling, "Tori, what's on your mind?"
"I was thinking about that immortal Mac dealt with a couple of weeks ago," Tori spoke up.
"Oh, you mean Ingrid?" Richie inquired.
"Definitely," Tori nodded, "She was something else."
"That's an understatement," Richie glanced at her.
"Ingrid failed to kill Hitler," Tori stated, "but she should have been glad that Hitler eventually died, but nope. I would have been relieved to find out he was dead and let it go if I was in her shoes."
"Me too. Why she goes after people she felt were going to be like Hitler," Richie shook his head, "that's beyond me."
"No kidding," Tori quipped, "The people that she killed didn't care about Wilkinson, such as the guys that were soldiers and that cop. I'm glad Mac took care of her, even if it was hard for him."
Weeks Ago
Duncan exited the venue, sensing the buzz and he called out, "Ingrid, don't do this. Dozens of innocent people are going to die."
"Innocence is relative," Ingrid said as she stepped out of the shadows, "You've lived long enough to know that."
"What about that cop you killed? What was his crime?" Duncan asked, "He was just doing his job. He didn't care about Wilkinson. He didn't care about politics."
"Just like those German officers we killed with that bomb?" Ingrid asked, "They were soldiers. Ah, yes, but the price of killing Hitler, except we didn't."
"No, that was different. That was war," Duncan answered as Ingrid held up the detonator for the bomb, "Put it down."
"I can't," Ingrid replied before Duncan drawn his sword, "Duncan."
"I don't want to do this," Duncan said.
"We're old friends," Ingrid stated.
"This goes beyond friendship," Duncan replied.
"You'll never be able to do it," Ingrid declared, "I know you. You're better than I am."
"Please," Duncan pleaded.
"Imagine a world without tyrants, without dictators," Ingrid stressed.
"I can't let you kill everybody in that room," Duncan insisted.
"You're prepared to sacrifice all that?" Ingrid asked, "For what? A group of arrogant racist bastards who are no better than he is?"
"It doesn't matter what they are," Duncan answered, "Put it down, damn you! You have no right to do this."
"But do you have the right to stop me?" Ingrid asked, "How is that any different from killing them? It's now or never, Duncan."
She raised the detonator, thumb reaching for the button.
"No!" Duncan exclaimed, swinging his sword and taking Ingrid's head in the process. The detonator fell to the ground, and the bomb didn't go off. Moments later, Duncan took Ingrid's Quickening.
The Present
"Too bad she forgot about the game," Tori stated.
"Yeah," Richie nodded in agreement, "Mac took her out."
There was a pause of silence as they cuddled with one another.
"You know something?" Richie spoke up, "We've come a long way since we first became immortal."
"I've been immortal a year longer than you," Tori chimed in, "but there are times when I feel I've got a lot to learn, even with all my experiences."
"As you know," Richie added, "I know for a fact that I have a lot to learn and I don't have the experiences you have."
"So true, and our teachers have taught us a lot."
"Mac and Amanda were our first teachers respectively."
"Of course."
They shared a passionate kiss before they heard a sprint from outside the room.
"Jenny's awake," Tori spoke up.
"Guess it's time to start our day," Richie nodded.
They kissed again before they got up to start their day.
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"I can't believe you did that," Duncan stated as he stepped out of the TV studio.
"Come on, MacLeod," Methos replied as he walked over with his friend, "the guy gave me a ticket. It was a selfless act in the interests of historical accuracy."
"Oh yeah," Duncan retorted, "An oversized ego would have nothing to do with it."
"I think they loved me," Methos insisted.
"They'd love a hammerhead shark if he had a nice smile," Duncan replied.
"They've asked me back next week," Methos informed his friend as he walked past fans, "What do you think?"
"One word."
"Okay."
"Animal, four legs, carries heavy weights."
"Donkey."
"No, no, no, no. Try three letters," Duncan said as he walked past him.
"Three letters. That would be….."
The pair walked over to an alley behind a TV Studio.
"Someone could've recognized you," Duncan insisted.
"No, I don't think so," Methos replied, "Besides, didn't go through the final."
"Yeah, because you lost," Duncan told him, "Tom Jones didn't popularize the twist."
"So I'm a little weak on pop culture," Methos retorted.
"Uh – huh," Duncan replied.
"Well, who the hell is Chubby Checker in the grand scheme of things anyway?" Methos asked before rambling, "I mean, I – I know how tall Nero was. I know Caesar's favorite food. I know Helen of Troy didn't have that great a face, it only launched a hundred ships, not a thousand. I….."
"Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah," Duncan cut him off.
"Fine," Methos replied.
They both sensed the Buzz and they looked around.
"Expecting anyone?" Methos asked, "Richie? Tori?"
"Maybe it's one of your fan club," Duncan stated.
"Okay, there's another way back," Methos replied, "It's a bit longer, but I prefer the view."
"Yeah, send me a post card."
"You're not coming?"
"No, I like to know who's around."
"Listen, I may not know who Chubby Checker is," Methos stated, "but I know when it's time to disappear."
"Yeah."
"Good luck."
Duncan left Methos to look around to find out where the Buzz was coming from. He looked to see a familiar man at a distance. Then he remembered a voice chiming in his head, "Adios, Highlander. Now you see me…...now you don't."
"Koren," Duncan stated before he sensed the Buzz again. He moved forward cautiously, and he ended up crossing swords with Cassandra, "What are you doing here?"
"Trying to kill someone," Cassandra answered, "What does it look like?"
"I'm sorry," Jack arrived at the scene as he apologized, "I tried to stop her."
"Don't worry about it," Duncan replied.
Cassandra tried to sense a buzz, but sensed nothing.
"He's gone, Cass," Jack held his girlfriend's arms.
"He's right," Duncan added, "Come on."
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"I don't want a drink," Cassandra objected as she stood up from the sofa.
"Trust me," Jack walked over to her, "you'll want a drink."
"Then you won't mind if we have one?" Duncan replied, "It's not every day I almost take my friend's head, by mistake, or she takes mine."
"It was an accident," Cassandra insisted as she was pacing the area of the room.
"Oh, glad to hear it," Duncan replied.
"I was this close, Duncan," Cassandra stressed, "This close, and he got away, but not again. Not ever again."
"Why don't you tell me about it?" Duncan asked.
"Yeah, Cass," Jack added, "tell him about it. Tell him what you've told me in the past."
"We're wasting time," Cassandra replied impatiently.
"Then waste it," Duncan insisted, grabbing her arm.
"I can't," Cassandra replied, "He's getting away. I shouldn't even be here!"
"This is exactly where you should be," Duncan insisted.
"Yeah," Jack added, "You're in no shape to fight anyway, sweetheart."
"I'll take the chance," Cassandra replied.
"Then you'll lose," Duncan told her, "Cassandra, I know how dangerous he is."
Cassandra scoffed, "Koren?"
"Yes, Melvin Koren," Duncan replied, "The man you're after. I know him."
"You don't know him at all," Cassandra stressed, "Long before he called himself Koren, he went by another name – Kronos, and he was one of the four Horsemen."
"The what?" Duncan replied, "He can't be."
"I believe she's telling you facts, MacLeod," Jack chimed in.
"If the Horsemen were alive at all," Duncan argued, "they – they existed ages ago, maybe thousands of years. They can't exist anymore."
"I'd give my life to believe that, but it's not true," Cassandra interjected.
"Cass….." Jack started to say.
"One lives. I can still see them," Cassandra explained tearfully, "They were monsters. They rode across the world we knew and brought terror and death. Where they were, life ceased. The were without mercy. They were without fear. They took what they wanted and…...left nothing. Hijad, my people – everything I knew and loved was destroyed. It was the end of the world, the end of my world."
"Oh, Cassandra," Jack held his girlfriend in his arms, "I'm so sorry."
"I never knew," Duncan chimed in, giving sympathy as well.
"I tried to forget what happened," Cassandra told the men, "Years turned into centuries, then more centuries. I thought I'd succeeded and then…...I learned Kronos was alive."
"Melvin Koren," Duncan spoke up.
"Whatever he wants to call himself, he's Kronos," Cassandra insisted, "He'll always be Kronos. All the hate…...all the pain I tried to leave behind, it….it never leaves, does it?"
"Sometimes," Duncan answered.
"For awhile," Jack added before he went to kiss Cassandra.
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"What's going on, Jack?" Richie asked as he and Tori talked with their friend on the laptop.
"Cassandra is on the hunt for Kronos, who was one of the Horsemen," Jack answered.
"Whoa, hold up, Horsemen?!" Richie exclaimed.
"Those guys are part of the bible," Tori added, "Supposed to be just a legend."
"Cass lived with a tribe of nomads thousands of years ago," Jack explained, "A healer named Hijad found her as a baby and raised her like his own. He could sense she had special powers within her. The Horsemen killed Hijad and her people, and activated her immortality."
"That's intense," Richie replied.
"You can say that again," Tori nodded in agreement.
"I don't know what's going to happen," Jack told the couple, "but I want you two to be on guard in case the Horsemen do show up."
"That's a good idea," Tori nodded in agreement, "We can't let them hurt Jenny."
"Oh, how is Jenny?" Jack inquired.
"She's doing great," Richie answered, "She's like most kids her age."
"We love her more than anything," Tori added.
"And that's a fact," Richie quipped.
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"You're kidding me, right?" Joe asked as he turned and faced Duncan and Cassandra, "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse? Like in the bible?"
"No, like in the Kentucky Derby," Duncan answered sarcastically.
"Oh well great!" Joe replied, "We'll phone my bookie, Mac. Who're we betting on? War, Famine, Pestilence….."
"Death," Cassandra finished the sentence.
"You're serious," Joe replied.
"Dead serious," Duncan and Jack stated in unison.
"Throughout history, there have been mounted raiders, I mean," Joe explained, "local stories – they turn into legends, legends turn into myths. The Four Horsemen…..they're symbols of doom."
"A symbol didn't put my tribe to the sword," Cassandra replied.
"Joe, look," Duncan spoke up, "The Horsemen were immortal. One of them was called Kronos."
"Kronos," Joe noted, "Sounds like something out of the Dark Ages."
"Bronze, actually," Cassandra spoke up, "I know, I was there."
Joe looked at Duncan, who then shrugged and motioned towards Cassandra.
"So what do you want me to do?" Joe asked.
"Find Kronos!" Cassandra exclaimed.
"How?" Joe replied, "I mean, even if this is for real, I've never heard of this guy before."
"Yeah, but you have heard of Melvin Koren," Duncan inquired.
"Yeah."
Duncan then gave him a look, and Joe finally relented, "I'll see what I can find out."
"And Jack is informing Richie and Tori as well in case they catch on to anything," Duncan spoke up.
"That's good to hear," Joe nodded.
"I agree," Cassandra nodded.
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Methos walked towards his car and sensed the Buzz, "MacLeod? Richie? Tori?"
Methos gasped as a knife was thrown at his chest. He fell against the side of the vehicle.
"Greetings, Brother," a familiar man walked towards him.
"Kronos," Methos called out before he made a pained noise.
"I missed you too," Kronos replied before Methos fell to the ground, dead.
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Methos gasped, revived as he found himself in a dark ish room, and Kronos was standing over him.
"It's been a long time," Kronos greeted him before asking, "How are you feeling?"
Methos coughed before speaking, "Like I left my heart in San Francisco."
"Ha!" Kronos replied, "I didn't know you had a heart. Does it hurt?"
"What do you think?!" Methos exclaimed.
"Since you ask, I think you're not used to pain, brother," Kronos asked, laying him back down, "What happened? You got soft?"
"I just passed through my angry adolescence a little quicker than you, Kronos," Methos answered.
"For a long time, I thought you were dead," Kronos said as Methos sat back up again, "I didn't even bother looking for you. Ha! Then I heard rumors, Methos, the world's oldest man. You slipped up there, old friend. You got sloppy."
"Well, we're none of us perfect," Methos replied.
"I shouldn't be surprised you're still alive," Kronos stated, "You were always the one I counted on. You weren't the strongest or the toughest, but you were the survivor. It's what you do best, or did."
"So you've come to kill me," Methos inquired.
Kronos laughed, "It's what I do best, but I do have a choice."
"I'm all for choices."
"Well, either you can lose your head….or you can join me."
"Since you put it that way…...welcome back, brother."
Kronos threw the chains aside, gave Methos a tiny nod and left the room.
-Defenders-Chronicles-Highlander-
Duncan was looking through a book when he sensed the Buzz. He noticed Methos entering the dojo, "Methos."
"I was worried about you, MacLeod," Methos told his friend as the Highlander walked over to him, "Glad you made it."
"Yeah, me too," Duncan replied.
"Uh, something…...unexpected come up," Methos stated.
"You tell me," Jack replied as he entered the dojo himself.
"Listen, Methos," Duncan spoke up, "have you ever heard of an immortal named Kronos?"
"Kronos?" Methos asked.
"Yeah, Kronos," Jack answered.
The three men sensed the Buzz.
"Jack, I was wondering…" Cassandra started to say before noticing Methos in particular, "You?"
"Who's this?" Methos asked Duncan and Jack.
Cassandra drawn out her sword, "Draw your sword."
"Cass!" Jack tried to stop his girlfriend from going any further, "Cass, slow down!"
"MacLeod, who is she?" Methos asked.
"What are you doing, Cassandra?" Duncan demanded.
"Stay out of this," Cassandra told him before eyeing her boyfriend, who tried to make a brave step forward, "both of you stay out of this!"
Methos backed away from Cassandra, "You don't know me."
"Do you think I could ever forget you?" Cassandra asked.
The Bronze Age
Methos rode up, dismounted, and tossed a roll of coarse cloth to the ground, before he unrolled it to reveal a newly revived Cassandra, who had now immortal, "Surprise, you're not dead."
He removed his mask, "Your kind is hard to kill."
He reached a hand out to help her up. She took it, then grabbed for his belt knife, and then he wrestled it away from her, "You'll have to try harder than that."
"Where are they?" Cassandra asked in desperation, "Hijad, my people – take me to them!"
"You want to see them?" Methos asked in turn.
"Yes," Cassandra answered.
"There they are," Methos pointed to the adorning nearby tent, filled with skulls.
"You killed them?" Cassandra asked, "All of them?"
"Including you," Methos answered.
Cassandra examined the hole in her tunic, "The wound, it's gone. I should be dead."
"You live because I wish it," Methos told her, "and you stay alive as long as you please me."
He reached out to caress her cheek. She slapped his hand away. He slapped her in turn, knocking her to the ground.
"That did not please me," Methos said. He knelt beside her and stroke his hand up her leg. She flinched but didn't resist.
"I am Methos," Methos declared, "You live to serve me. Never forget that."
Methos then left his prisoner and noticed Silas and Caspian fighting over a cloak.
"It's mine!" Silas exclaimed, "It belongs to me!"
He tried taking the cloak from Caspian.
"It belongs to whoever can take it," Caspian stated.
"I saw it first," Silas argued.
"I fought as well as you," Caspian interjected, "I killed more people."
"Women and children don't count."
Caspian drawn his sword, "I could kill you just as well."
"Lay it down, Caspian!" Methos called out.
"Why should I?" Caspian asked.
Methos placed his sword to Caspian's neck, "Because if you do not, I will kill you. Trust me, if I have to lose one, it will be you."
Kronos approached the group, "Problems?"
"Not anymore," Methos answered as he removed the sword.
"Well, there's one way to make sure," Kronos declared before telling Silas and Caspian, "Lift it."
Silas and Caspian held up the cloak. Kronos sliced it in half with his sword.
"We share everything," Kronos declared.
Methos returned to Cassandra, caught her trying to escape on his horse. He grabbed her and pulled out his belt knife.
"You died once today," Methos told his prisoner, "Did you enjoy that?"
Cassandra shook her head.
"Well, learn this lesson," Methos declared, "I will kill you as many times as it takes to tame you."
The Present
"This is crazy," Methos stated, "It wasn't me, MacLeod. Do something!"
"This is between you and me, Methos," Cassandra declared.
Jack grabbed Cassandra, "Come on, Cass! Let's get out of here! Now! Come on, please!"
"Let go of me!" Cassandra struggled against her boyfriend.
"He'll only let go of you when you calm down, okay?" Duncan replied calmly.
"Okay," Cassandra replied.
Methos had left the dojo by the time she tried to get to him. Cassandra turned to face Duncan and Jack, "He's gone. You had no right to interfere."
"He didn't know who you," Duncan replied.
"He's a liar!" Cassandra exclaimed, "Don't come between us again."
"Cassandra, he's my friend," Duncan stressed.
"Your "friend" rode with Kronos," Cassandra insisted, "killed and raped alongside him! He was one of the Horsemen."
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"So, you said Victoria Gordon is a genius?" Kronos asked as he and Methos walked down the streets.
"She's related to the Gordon Family," Methos answered, "more specifically, the famous Flash Gordon."
"Ah!" Kronos exclaimed with excitement, "It'd be bonus points if we take her as a prisoner."
"You really want to go through with this plan?" Methos asked.
"I insist on it," Kronos answered.
"So, what's the plan then?"
"You go outside with her husband to distract him," Kronos instructed, "Meanwhile, I go into their apartment and snatch her."
"All righty. If you say so," Methos replied, "I'll talk to Rich Ryan. Besides, I've known the couple for around two years now, give or take."
Kronos smirked in satisfaction, "Now you're talking."
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"The Horsemen sound ruthless," Richie stated.
"I agree with you, love," Tori replied, "If they are here, then we might be in big trouble."
"I couldn't agree more."
They kissed while trying to keep each other calm.
"Mommy? Daddy?"
The couple sensed the Buzz and made it to the living room.
"What is it, Jenny?" Richie asked.
"Methos wants to see you, Daddy," Jenny answered.
The door opened, revealing Methos, "Hello, Richie."
"What do you want to talk about?" Richie asked, "We can discuss it here."
"I think it's best that we talk about it outside," Methos insisted, "man to man as it is an adult conversation."
Richie looked around as he appeared reluctant. He sighed as he relented, "All right."
He looked over at Tori, "I'll be back, sweetheart."
"Okay," Tori replied before she shared a kiss with him.
Then, Richie stepped out of the apartment and they were at the rooftop of the apartment.
"So, what is it that you wanted to talk about?" Richie asked.
"Feeling kinda giddy, excited," Methos answered with a smile on his face, "Kind of like a reunion of old friends I haven't seen in years."
"What do you mean…...what kind of friends?" Richie asked.
"Old friends," Methos answered before he asked, "Tell me. What would you do if you hadn't seen friends in years and out of the clear blue they show up and want to have interactions with you?"
Richie pursed his lips for a moment, "Not sure what to say about that. I see Angie every now and then. Gary is dead, Anna is in jail, albeit I visit her every now and then. The only friend I considered to be in that category would be Nikki because I haven't seen her in about four years."
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Tori looked up as she sensed the Buzz. She looked over to her daughter. "Jenny, go to the closet and hide."
"What's wrong, Mommy?" Jenny asked.
"I sensed trouble," Tori answered.
"Bad people?"
"Bad people."
Jenny hurried to the closet in the bedroom.
Tori looked up and saw a tall, dark man with a scar on his face barge into the apartment. Tori drawn out her sword, "Stay away from me!"
"Come on, now, sweetheart," the man smirked at her, "I don't intend on killing you."
"Then what do you want?" Tori demanded.
The man then grabbed Tori's arms and made her drop her sword, "You, my intelligent prisoner."
"Who are you?" Tori demanded as she struggled against his grasp.
"My name…..is Kronos," the man answered before he got out a syringe and pricked it on her arm. Moments later, Tori went limp in his arms and blacked out.
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"I don't know, Mac," Joe spoke up as Duncan paced the bar, "Methos…..Kronos…...the Four Horsemen?"
"Why not?" Duncan asked.
"This is…...this is our Methos she's talking about, right?" Joe interjected.
"Yeah," Duncan answered.
"I mean, he's the immortal that never looks for a fight," Joe stated.
"Has he been there?" Duncan asked.
"I ain't seen him," Joe answered.
"Fine." Duncan started to turn away.
"Mac, this is thousands of years ago we're talking about, right?" Joe stated as Duncan turned back towards him, "I mean, someone lives with thoughts of revenge that long, it becomes an obsession. Maybe she's delusional."
"No, no, no," Duncan insisted, "Not Cassandra."
"Mac, maybe she's a liar," Joe theorized before he asked, "What do you really know about this woman?"
"What do I know about Methos?"
"Can you imagine him murdering women and children for pleasure?"
"No."
"No," Joe stated, "I mean, sometimes all you have to go with is your gut. If I were you, I'd listen to it."
"It's just not enough," Duncan stated in turn.
"Hey, as you know, the watchers don't know everything," Joe stated, "Hell, you know as much as Methos' history as I do. If it's proof, you're looking for….buddy, I'm fresh out."
"Then I'm gonna have to find my own," Duncan replied before he left the bar.
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Tori looked around as she was tied to a chair in a dim lit room. She took some deep breaths to try to keep calm.
"What do you expect to come out of this?" Tori demanded, "Why am I here anyway?"
"Giving your husband pressure, of course," Kronos smirked at her as he leaned down and touched her leg and stroke her leg, "I know you two are friends with Duncan MacLeod."
"You won't win!" Tori backed from her captor as much as she could, "My husband will find you and so will MacLeod!"
"I'd like to see them try," Kronos glanced around the room, "They'll lose their heads for sure."
"What do you plan on doing with me?" Tori asked.
"You'll find out in due time," Kronos answered, smirking at her as if he planned to do something.
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Richie rushed to the apartment to find that someone had broken into it.
"Tori?!" Richie called out, "Jenny?!"
He noticed Tori's sword on the floor, causing him to pale in fear and panic, "Oh no. No, no, no, no. Tori! Jenny!"
"Daddy!"
Richie looked to see Jenny running towards him and she hugged him in fear.
"Jenny, where's your mother?" Richie asked, hugging his daughter.
"A mean man took her," Jenny answered.
"Do you know what this mean man looked like?" Richie asked as he looked down at his daughter.
"I saw him when he was taking mommy out of the apartment," Jenny explained, "short dark hair, leather jacket, and he said his name was Kronos."
Richie cursed under breath before stating, "Son of a bitch. I've been set up!"
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Methos approached the abandoned plant.
"So you're back," Kronos spoke up, looking as if he had finished enjoying himself with something.
"What did you think I'd do?" Methos asked, "Run and hide? Go somewhere you couldn't find me?"
"No, you're too smart for that," Kronos answered, "You know that I'd track you down, no matter how long it took and then I'd kill you."
"Well, it's nice to feel wanted," Methos sarcastically replied.
"Not want. Need!" Kronos stressed, "A dozen times, I tried to take up the old ways, but I failed. The others I rode with were trash, scum. I had no one to plan my raids, no one who understood the true use of terror. You are one of a kind, Methos….as we all were. There was never a band like us, never in all history."
"How's Tori doing?" Methos asked.
"Our guest of honor is all right," Kronos assured him, "She's settling in just fine."
"You took a risk letting me out of your sight earlier today," Methos loved towards Kronos' turned back, holding his sword out of sight.
"A lot of time has passed since we rode together," Kronos replied, "I had to be sure of you."
He stopped the sword as Methos swung, and held a knife at Methos' neck, "And now I am."
"Don't you understand?" Methos asked, "I'm not like that anymore. I've changed."
"No. Pretended to," Kronos stated, "Maybe you even convinced yourself you had, but inside, you're still there, Methos. You're like me."
"Not anymore," Methos argued.
"No? Tell me you haven't missed it."
"The killing?"
"The freedom! The power! Riding out the sun, knowing that you're the most terrifying thing that they've ever seen," Kronos stated, "Knowing that their weapons and their gods are useless against you, that you're the last thing they'll ever see. That's what you were meant to be, Methos. Don't fight it. Feel it. I'm going to do you a favor. You know Cassandra's here."
"We didn't exactly exchange gifts," Methos replied.
"Then you know that she'll kill you if she gets the chance," Kronos stated, "You never could bring yourself to take her head, could you? So I'm going to do it for you."
"And in return?" Methos inquired.
"You kill Duncan MacLeod and Richie Ryan," Kronos answered.
"But they're my friends," Methos argued, "They're nothing to you. Why?"
"Why? At least kill Duncan MacLeod, he's your friend," Kronos stated, "If you kill Richie Ryan, your other friend, that would be a bonus. Not only that, you owe me!"
Kronos pulled out his knife and cut his palm and then gave the knife to Methos, "Now, swear you will kill MacLeod."
Methos sliced his palm and they clasped hands, "I swear."
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"Mac!" Richie ran to his teacher in a near panic.
"Richie, wha – what's going on?" Duncan asked, startled.
"Tori's been taken," Richie answered.
"Methos," Duncan looked up, realizing what happened, "The Horsemen."
"So the Horsemen are real," Richie exclaimed, "and Methos set me up!"
"I'm about to talk to Methos right now," Duncan informed his student, "Care to join me?"
"And give him a piece of my mind?" Richie answered, "Sure!"
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Methos exited the building. Carrying a box, carried it to his vehicle, then sensed the Buzz.
"Going somewhere?" Duncan asked as he and Richie approached him.
"Neither of you should be here," Methos insisted before he threw more baggage into the back of the Jimmy.
"My wife's been taken, you son of a bitch!" Richie exclaimed, rushing closer to Methos, "I know you set me up! What gives?!"
"Richie, calm down," Duncan gave his student a gentle touch before he asked Methos, "What are you running from – the question or the answer?"
"There's no answer," Methos answered, "Let it be."
"Not if another man's wife is taken," Duncan retorted before asking, "Is what Cassandra said true?"
Methos scoffed, "I'm out of here."
"No, you're not," Duncan as he and Richie walked closer to Methos.
"You're not out of here," Richie added, "Where's my wife?!"
"Is what she said true?" Duncan asked, calmly, albeit he pinned Methos to the Jimmy.
"It's…...the times were different," Methos answered, "I was different. The whole bloody world was different. Okay?"
"Did you kill all those people?" Duncan asked.
"Yes. Is that what you want to hear?" Methos finally answered, "Killing was all I knew. Is that what you want to know?"
"It's enough," Duncan replied.
Suddenly, Methos grabbed Duncan and slammed him against the side of the Jimmy, "No, it's not enough. I killed, but I didn't just kill fifty. I didn't kill a hundred. I killed a thousand. I killed ten thousand, and I was good at it, and it wasn't for vengeance. It wasn't for greed. It was because I liked it. Cassandra was nothing. Her village was nothing. Do you know who I was? I was death."
"So you were a part of the Horsemen," Richie stated.
Duncan grabbed Methos, he turned them around and slammed Methos against the Jimmy. Methos laughed, "Death. Death on a horse. When mothers warned their children that the monster would get them, that monster was me. I was the nightmare that kept them awake at night. Is that what you want to hear? The answer is…...yes, oh, yes."
"We're through," Duncan told Methos before he walked off. Methos sucked in a breath, and looked down. He took his jacket off.
"No. No!" Richie exclaimed in anger, "He has my wife! They have my wife!"
Duncan grabbed his student and dragged him from the scene as Richie continued yelling, "Mac, let me go! Methos, you son of a bitch! You won't get away with this! Give me back my wife!"
Duncan managed to drag Richie back to the T – bird.
"Mac, we've gotta find Tori!" Richie exclaimed.
"We will," Duncan assured him calmly, "but now is not the time."
Methos looked on as they drove off. He threw his jacket into the Jimmy. He got into the car and bowed his head against the steering wheel.
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"Sorry to bother you while you're visiting relatives," Richie told Greta as they were sitting at a nearby cafe.
"It's no problem," Greta replied, "I'm glad you made it in one piece after the last time I saw you. How's your engagement?"
"We're married now," Richie answered.
"Congratulations," Greta replied with a smile.
"Thanks," Richie nodded before he sighed, "My wife's been taken by some creep named Kronos."
"I had a feeling something was up," Greta nodded, "I did see images."
"What did you see?" Richie asked, "Can you read my palm?"
"Yeah," Greta answered before he looked at Richie's palm, "Whoa. I know you guys are immortal, and stuff. While your story may not be as interesting as MacLeod, Amanda or your wife, this should still be interesting."
She proceeded to read Richie's palm before getting a series of images flashing:
Richie getting shot by Roszca.
Swords clashing, Richie taking Mako's Quickening.
Richie reviving, becoming immortal for the first time.
Richie and Tori's first kiss.
Richie meeting Duncan and Tessa for the first time.
Richie taking Mikey's quickening.
Duncan holding Richie at blade point.
Richie being surrounded by a crowd, his nightmares coming to life.
Richie being attacked by Duncan.
Richie marrying Tori.
Richie taking Culbraith's quickening.
Richie and Tori with Jenny, and then Richie saving Tori from Kenny.
Then Greta saw more flashes:
Richie fighting a crazy, cannibal looking man.
The Four Horsemen walking.
An ocean
Tori in a caged room with Cassandra.
Richie preparing for a fight.
Red mist surrounding Duncan.
Richie's face covered in blood, crying.
A blonde woman wearing a leather jacket, but her face was blurred out, and finally, the vision ended with an image of a triangle that appeared during a triple quickening.
"Whoa, I take it back!" Greta exclaimed, "You're just as interesting as the other immortals, even though you're younger and not….."
"Yeah, yeah, I get the idea," Richie replied, "What did you see?"
"It was familiar to what I experienced three years ago when I read your friend's palm, before her death, except it had a bit of spice of MacLeod's vision to an extent."
"Are you saying I die like Tessa?" Richie asked.
"No," Greta shook her head, "I can tell you everyone has their own destiny is if there's one thing I've learned over the past years, and it's always darkest before the dawn."
"Do you know where Tori's being held?" Richie asked.
"From what I've read," Greta explained, "these Horsemen you mention move around and will be keeping her in some caged room along with another woman."
"Cassandra," Richie muttered before he asked her, "Anything else?"
"No," Greta shook her head, "Sorry."
"It's all right," Richie replied, "Thanks."
"Glad I could help in any way."
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"Joe, you can't defend it," Duncan stated.
"I'm not defending it," Joe replied, "I'm trying to understand it."
"What's to understand?" Duncan asked, "When he rode into a village, there was life. When he rode out, there weren't."
"You weren't there," Joe told the Highlander, "Different times, MacLeod. Different rules. Different morals. You can't compare it."
"I won't compare it," Duncan replied, "and I can't excuse it."
"Yeah. How many men have you killed?" Joe asked, "How much blood have you shed in anger? Or Tori? Or Richie?"
"Look, we know what we've done," Duncan insisted, "and we live with it, but I'm telling you, this is different."
Duncan sensed the Buzz and moments later, Richie arrived.
"Did you find anything from your source?" Duncan asked.
"Sort of," Richie answered, "She told me the Horsemen would move and they have Tori with them. Those murdering bastards."
"And they burned and raped across two continents," Duncan faced Joe, stressing, "They butchered innocent women and children, Joe. You live with that. You see that."
"I have. Vietnam," Joe interjected, "When we took out a village, we couldn't tell the farmers from the soldiers. You think somehow the bullets miss all the children?"
"This is different," Duncan insisted.
"How?" Joe asked.
"Because he loved it," Duncan answered, "Because he had pleasure in killing."
"And imagine what he'll do to Tori," Richie added in anger.
"Tori, calm down," Duncan held his student's arm.
Joe's cell phone rang and he answered it, "Yeah. Yeah, I got it."
He hung up, "Kronos."
"Where is he?" Richie asked.
"The abandoned power station down at the old south docks," Joe answered.
"I thought you said you didn't have a watcher on Kronos," Duncan declared.
"We don't," Joe replied, "We have one on Cassandra. She led us to him."
"Cassandra better be careful," Richie advised.
"Why's that?" Jack asked as he arrived at the area.
"Because Greta saw your girlfriend in her vision," Richie answered, "If she's not careful, she could end up like Tori: captured."
"Or worse," Duncan added.
Jack looked up, realizing something, "Merde!"
"What?" Joe asked.
"I let her out of my sight and she takes off!" Jack exclaimed.
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Kronos smiled in satisfaction as he finished having his way with Tori. She looked down as tears fell down her face. "I have to tell you something. Not only are you smart, but you are quite beautiful as well."
Suddenly, they sensed the Buzz.
"You wait here, pretty," Kronos eyed his prisoner before he hurried to another area, leaving Tori whimpering to herself.
"I hope you've brought me his sword!" Kronos called out.
"I've brought mine. It's all I need."
He looked to see Cassandra approach him.
"You look different somehow," Kronos noted, "Maybe because you're on your feet for a change, instead of your back."
Cassandra chuckled. "Centuries pass, nations come and go. You remain the same."
"I try," Kronos replied, "Did you come here for me? I'm afraid Methos is busy. He's out killing MacLeod and maybe little Richie. Let's see if you've learned anything in the last three thousand years."
"You're weak, Kronos," Cassandra spoke with her voice echoing, "Tired. All you want to do is close your eyes. You have to close your eyes."
"Why? So, you can kiss me?" Kronos asked.
"Your sword grows heavy," Cassandra continued as her voiced continued to echo.
"Make love to me before I kill you," Kronos stated, not affected with the witch immortal, "and cut out the feeble tricks. They won't work on me."
"Well, maybe this will!" Cassandra exclaimed before she charged at him and they began to fight.
"Methos never liked the idea of killing you….." Kronos stated, "but I do."
Cassandra climbed down to a lower level, and sensed the Buzz. Kronos ran into an empty room in the power plant, sensing the Buzz. Methos knocked Cassandra out.
"You witch!" Kronos yelled, "You're dead! Come out now, and I'll make it quick. If you don't, you're going to be begging me to kill you."
"Then let's make it quick cause I can't wait," Duncan replied as he made it to the area.
Kronos laughed, "I guess it's true. You wait long enough…everything comes back."
"Come and get it," Duncan stated.
Duncan and Kronos fought.
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Methos carried Cassandra out of the power plant and made it to a bridge.
"You should have killed me when you had the chance," Cassandra told him.
Methos threw Cassandra into the river.
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"Where's Tori?" Duncan demanded.
"She's safe," Kronos smirked, "for now."
"Mac! Mac!" Tori called out from her prison room.
Duncan made his way past the access ladder and moved cautiously into the adjoining area. Kronos attacked him.
Methos thew Molotov cocktails, poured gasoline around and set the area on fire, ultimately separating Duncan and Kronos, then pushed the fire alarm.
"I can wait," Kronos stated.
-Defenders-Chronicles-Highlander-
Richie looked up sensing the Buzz as did Jack and Cassandra.
"Richie," Duncan approached the loft.
"Did you find Tori?" Richie asked.
"Sorry," Duncan shook his head, "I heard a faint sound of her voice. Kronos wouldn't tell me where she was."
"Mac, we have to find her!" Richie exclaimed.
"We will," Jack assured him, "I informed Leader and she's bringing out some agents to help."
"I didn't think you were still alive, Cass," Jack said.
"I'm here," Cassandra replied before asking Duncan, "Did you find Kronos?"
"Yes," Duncan answered.
"He's dead?" Cassandra inquired.
"No, and he still has my wife," Richie answered.
"Then I failed," Cassandra replied.
"No, you didn't fail," Jack assured her, "You're still alive."
"He's right, Cass," Duncan added.
"So are they," Cassandra interjected, "It'll never be over until they're both dead."
"Then we'll find them," Duncan replied before he hugged Cassandra.
"Wherever they are," Richie stated, "Tori is imprisoned with them as well."
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"Why did you stop the fight?" Kronos asked Methos as Tori was seated near them with her front hands tied, "You saved MacLeod."
"It could have gone either way," Methos replied, "I couldn't take that chance."
"Were you afraid of losing me or him?" Kronos asked, "Have I been wrong about you?"
"Maybe things aren't what they seem to be, have you ever thought about that?" Tori chimed in.
Kronos slapped her in return, "You'll speak only when spoken to!"
He then turned to Methos, "Maybe I should kill you now and make absolutely sure."
"If you do that," Methos told him, "you'll never have the Four Horsemen."
"Are the other two still alive?" Tori asked.
"Yes," Methos answered, "Silas and Caspian are still alive."
Tori gulped.
"You're lying," Kronos replied.
"I can take you to them," Methos insisted.
"Then you live," Kronos replied before he declared, "The Four Horsemen ride again."
Tori looked on in horror as she muttered, "Richie, Mac, please find me soon. I know you can stop these guys. Hurry."
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Author's Note:
I tried to keep the scenes where Kronos had his hands on Tori clean-ish to where I didn't have to change the rating of this story to M. Hopefully, this will work out well.
Like I said previously, this story is a set up, not only for Richie, but Methos and Joe as well, which explains the flashback in the chapter. Let's rock and roll and get ready for the second half of the Horsemen episodes.
Author's Commentary:
Do you have the right to stop me?" Ingrid asked, "How is that any different from killing them? It's now or never, Duncan."
She raised the detonator, thumb reaching for the button.
"No!" Duncan exclaimed, swinging his sword and taking Ingrid's head in the process. The detonator fell to the ground, and the bomb didn't go off. Moments later, Duncan took Ingrid's Quickening.
This flashback scene is from "The Valkyrie." This shows what happened to Ingrid. I felt Duncan was the best choice to take her head, all things considered.
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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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