DCH 79
Defenders Chronicles: Highlander
By AmandaDoE
Chapter Seventy-Nine: Revelation 6:8
"You won't get away with this!" Tori exclaimed as she was riding the same horse Methos was riding in the woods and Kronos was riding a horse as well.
"Oh my dear," Kronos replied, "but I already have. You are about to witness the greatest moment in history."
"Your demise?" Tori retorted.
Kronos chuckled, "I love your sense of humor."
"I've been spending too much time in cities," Methos spoke up.
"Two days on an aeroplane," Kronos told him, "and another two on a horse, with an attractive genius, I hope you're not wasting my time."
"I thought you enjoyed my company," Methos declared.
"Even for you, Methos," Kronos stated, "my patience has its limits."
"Ah, this is the place," Methos looked around the woods, "I'm telling you, Kronos, he's here. Would I lie to you?"
"You have lied to my husband," Tori scoffed.
"Have you ever done anything else?" Kronos asked Methos, "This is what I've dreamt of every thousand years. The four of us reunited."
"Gives a whole new meaning to the phrase dream team," Methos replied.
"Ah, it'll be like the old days. Better!" Kronos exclaimed, "Whatever we want, we have."
"Or else we take," Methos added.
"That's the spirit," Kronos replied. They stopped their horses at the sound of an axe chopping wood, "It's Silas."
Tori perked up with anticipation, not knowing what to expect.
"It's been over a thousand years," Methos stated, "He may not remember us."
"He'll remember," Kronos assured him, "What were were, don't you forget."
"What if he doesn't want to come with you?" Tori asked.
Kronos gave her a glare, "He'll come."
They started forward again. Then they sensed the Buzz. They saw a bulky guy, who then growled, thew his axe at a tree, and then he began to laugh.
"I guess he remembers," Tori muttered.
"Precisely!" Kronos exclaimed.
"Brothers!" Silas greeted Kronos and Methos before he laughed and picked up Methos in a bear hug.
"Oh, good to see you too, Silas," Methos replied.
"We ride?" Silas asked.
"We ride," Methos answered.
Kronos held out his hand. Silas clapped his hand on top of Kronos' and Methos slowly raised his fist underneath while Tori looked on.
"Come," Kronos told his brothers, "We have much to do."
They lowered their hands and walked off together, leading the horses while Tori remained on Methos' horse as she muttered, "The world is definitely doomed."
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Joe sighed as he looked on the computer in the loft, "You really think the other Horsemen are still alive?"
"Well, Methos and Kronos are," Richie stated.
"Under different names, different lives," Duncan added.
"This is pointless," Cassandra stated.
"Cass," Jack glanced at his girlfriend.
"Seriously," Cassandra continued at her rant, "we're just wasting time. We may as well go find Kronos."
"Right!" Richie exclaimed, "Where Kronos is, Methos and Tori are there too!"
"Starting where?" Duncan asked, "If they're alive, that's where he'll be going."
"All right," Joe lifted his hands up, "I've narrowed this search down to white male immortals that we don't have first death information on, and we got a hell of a lot of files."
"Try narrowing it down by first name," Jack suggested, "Look for something similar to what they were using back then."
"Silas and Caspian," Cassandra elaborated.
Joe scoffed, "You're reaching."
"Just do it, okay?" Jack insisted, "It's worth a shot."
Joe looked down at the laptop, "Okay."
He typed into the laptop, and pulled up a file, "Andrew Kaspis."
Cassandra looked at the computer and shook her head.
"Cassius Polonius," Joe pulled out another file. Cassandra smiled and shook her head.
"Evan Casparri," Joe pulled out another file.
"That's him," Cassandra eyed the file, recognizing the familiar face, "That's Caspian."
Joe typed some more, pulling up another small window of information, "He's in Romania, just outside Bucharest. He's in an asylum for the criminally insane."
"Oh man," Richie muttered, before he declared, "We've got our word cut out for us."
"Take care my friends," Joe told his friends.
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Bucharest, Romania
"This is a highly irregular request," the doctor told the Horsemen, "It will take weeks, perhaps months."
"Well, we'd like him now," Methos replied.
"We have procedures, lady and gentlemen," the doctor told the group, "Patience is a virtue. My hands are tied."
"Then perhaps this could help you untie them. Twenty five thousand dollars in US," Kronos tossed an envelope of cash on the table while Methos, Tori and Silas watched, "Now, it seems to me, doctor, that you have a procedural choice to make: forget your impeccable paperwork, hm? I give you Twenty Five thousand dollars in US and you give me Casparri or you keep Casparri and you lose everything."
Silas played a wooden recorder while Methos and Tori watched. The doctor looked inside the envelope and he put the envelope in his jacket pocket. Silas stopped playing the recorder.
"This way, lady and gentlemen," the doctor led Tori and the Horsemen out of the office and the group walked down the shadowy, blue lit corridor.
"What are you going to do with Casparri?" the doctor asked.
"From what I understand, they plan to rehabilitate him," Tori answered.
The doctor laughed, "You're serious? You can't be serious."
"Why? What did he do?" Methos asked.
"Nobody knows how many people he killed," the doctor answered, "They found parts in his basement, in his garden, in his freezer."
"Yikes!" Tori exclaimed.
"So why don't they execute him?" Silas asked.
"Oh, in a less progressive age," the doctor answered, "a man like him would have been, but today, we are more humane."
He turned down the side corridor, and the group followed him.
"He's here! Dark man is here! Is you!" an inmate shouted.
Tori shuddered at hearing all this, and felt nervous about all of this.
"Pay no attention," the doctor told the group, "He's harmless. He's been saying that for thirty years."
"One day he may be right," Kronos stated.
"And one day Romania will be a superpower," the doctor sarcastically replied.
Silas patted the inmate on the back as he walked by. The doctor led the group down the metal stairs to the lower level.
"I don't know what you want him for, but believe me, this one is better off dead," the doctor insisted.
"Very humane," Methos noted the dark surroundings of the cell.
"Open the door," Kronos told the doctor.
The Doctor unlocked the cell door. Kronos entered the cell, followed by the others. They saw a man who looked scary. This was a man recognized as Caspian, who recognized Kronos as he threw back his head back in a laugh.
"Are you sure you wouldn't like another candidate?" the doctor asked.
"Unchain him," Kronos ordered.
"I think we should call security," the doctor tried to make a run for it, only to be blocked by Silas. Kronos pulled out his sword and broke Caspian's chains. Caspian grabbed the doctor by the throat.
"Get him…." the doctor choked, "Get him off me….."
"Why?" Kronos asked.
The doctor choked to death. Methos moved to a corner of the cell as Tori looked on in horror, scoffing in disbelief at Caspian killing the poor doctor. Methos moved to a corner of the cell and Kronos grinned at Caspian, who finished strangling the doctor, "Stop!"
He picked up a roach that Methos was about to step on, "They are better alive."
Caspian then ate the roach, causing Tori to look away in disgust.
"Bon appetit," Methos stated.
"So, who's the lady?" Caspian asked.
"This is….Tori Gordon," Methos eyed Tori, "She's a genius, and related to a well known family."
"Flash Gordon happens to be my uncle," Tori stated.
"Not sure if he is aware of the Defenders or the Gordons," Methos told her.
"Come, Caspian," Kronos told his brother, "I have bigger game for you outside."
Methos and Tori were the last to leave the cell as the former dropped a matchbook on the floor before they left.
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Bordeaux, France
Tori looked on as the Horsemen were interacting in their new hideout at the abandoned submarine base.
"Methos!" Silas laughed, "Hey Methos!"
He laughed again, "What the hell is this place?"
Tori appeared to be more creeped out by Kronos more than the others. Caspian was definitely creepy to her as well as he reminded her of Kelsea, who had similar cannibal antics. Silas was also creepy in her eyes, but it seemed to her Silas was the least creepy of the three since he seemed more childish than creepy. Methos wasn't creepy, but she was angry with her for setting up her husband and having Kronos to bring her here.
"This is Kronos' idea of Camelot," Methos told Silas.
"So…..where are the stables, hmmm?" Silas inquired, "The horses."
Methos shook his head as he kept reading his book.
"Well, how do we ride?" Silas asked.
"Where have you been for the last two thousand years?" Caspian asked in turn, "Idiot."
Silas leaned back in his chair.
"Living in the woods, and now you think we can just mount up and gallop Broadway?" Caspian continued.
So Caspian is aware of life outside the asylum, Tori thought.
"We can do whatever we please," Silas stated.
"Right," Caspian replied, "Four guys on horseback in wild masks – they'll think we're in a circus."
"They won't think that for long, will they?" Silas inquired.
Caspian looked at the caged rat nearby, "We're having a friend for dinner. Tell me what's best with rodent – red or white?"
Tori looked on in disgust at Caspian.
"Eat him and I eat you," Silas warned.
"What's wrong with these men?" Tori muttered to herself.
"You're crazy," Caspian stated, "You should've been in the madhouse instead of me."
"Keep talking," Silas argued before he grabbed his axe, "but never again!"
Caspian raised his sword in response.
"Put them down! Do it now!" Kronos ordered. Silas and Caspian dropped their weapons before the leader told them, "We never raise a blade against each other, isn't that right, Methos?"
Tori looked on at Kronos in fear, which Methos noticed as he answered, "You said it."
"We are the Four Horsemen," Kronos continued, "No band of men has ever been more cruel or more feared."
He held out his arm, "Remember that."
The other horsemen, including Methos, joined the circle and clasped one another's wrists.
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"When did Casparri escape?" Duncan asked.
"Sometime last night," the nurse answered, "We found the doctor this morning."
"Let's go," Cassandra told the group.
"Cass, stop!" Jack chased after his girlfriend.
"Did he have any visitors yesterday?" Richie asked, holding Jenny.
The nurse looked at the patient file, "No. There's nothing on his chart."
"Excuse us, doctor," a man called out.
"Excuse me," the nurse put down the file before she left, "I must give my statement to the police now."
Duncan looked at the file briefly, "Come on."
"They have more mean men imprisoning mommy!" Jenny exclaimed.
"I know," Richie nodded in agreement, "I know."
"Why is that child here with us?" Cassandra inquired.
"I couldn't find a babysitter on short notice," Richie answered, "and Joe was too busy."
"Not like we have a choice," Duncan stated, eyeing Jenny before the group hurried down the corridor.
"Now, why are we wasting time here?" Richie asked, "They already have Silas and Caspian."
Upon arriving at the deserted cell, Duncan found a matchbook, "This is why. Hotel de Seze. Bordeaux. Methos must have left it."
"The question is, what for?" Jack declared.
"You think he's setting us up?" Richie asked.
"Ha! Don't you?" Cassandra exclaimed.
"Maybe," Duncan answered.
"But we're going anyway?" Cassandra asked.
"It's only place we've been invited," Duncan answered.
"We have to save mommy!" Jenny exclaimed.
"We will, Jenny," Jack assured her, "Just hang on."
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Tori looked on, watching the horsemen.
"Silas, my brother," Kronos asked, "why would we ride with sword and axe when today there are weapons of unimaginable power?"
"Weapons ready to plunge the Earth into generations of darkness," Methos added.
"If we choose," Kronos chimed in, "What more could we ask for? What better time for us to come together than in the scientific age? Just think of what men like us can do. Men without conscience, without fear. Think of the destruction. The devastation. The death. A world of anarchy and madness. Now you think of that…...and dream."
He lead them into a lab containing cages of monkeys. Tori looked on nervously.
"The weapons of today are different," Kronos stated, "but it all comes down to the same thing. There are conquerors and there are the conquered."
"You want to conquer the world with monkeys?" Caspian asked.
"Not with them," Kronos answered before he punched a button on a keypad and a door opened, "With this. The glorious virus. AIDS, Ebola, and now mine. It doesn't have a name…...and it doesn't have a cure. Tell me, Caspian, were you in England when the plague struck."
Caspian smiled.
"I was," Kronos stated.
"You have a plan?" Caspian asked.
"I have a few thoughts," Kronos told the group, "I have a few dollars. Enough for a start, and now we have Methos now we'll have a plan."
"What did you have in mind?" Methos asked.
"Once we rode out of the sun, bringing death at the point of a sword," Kronos answered, "There was no man and no immortal who could stand before us. We were death on horseback. They called us the end of the world."
He lifted up a vial out of the container and held it up, "Well, lady and gentlemen….I want to give them what they fear most: the apocalypse."
Tori looked on in worry as the monkeys were screeching in their cages.
"You won't win," Tori told Kronos and the horsemen, "MacLeod will stop you. He and my husband will find us and they'll stop you. They're good, you know."
Kronos slapped her in turn, "Bitch! Like I didn't know that already! Good luck to MacLeod and your beloved husband stopping me!"
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Duncan and Richie walked over to Cassandra, Jack and Jenny.
"No messages, no reservations, nothing," Richie stated.
"Dead end," Jack added.
"He left that clue," Duncan said, "He'll get in touch."
"He's done nothing but lie to you," Cassandra retorted, "That's all he ever does."
"Will we be able to find mommy?" Jenny asked.
"We will," Richie assured his daughter, "I swear we will bring mommy home."
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"A bomb with the virus in a fountain," Kronos went over his plan, "How many do you think will kill? You've gone soft, Methos."
Caspian sarcastically replied, "I'm scared."
He then asked Silas, "Are you scared?"
"It's a prelude," Methos explained, "Have you red Aristoles Poetics? No, of course not. You haven't even even seen Casablanca. What is the first rule of great drama? Start small and build. A fountain to get their attention. Then…...a public pool to kill a hundred, then a stadium to kill ten thousand, then one drop of the virus in the city's water supply…...within a week….."
"And then a country," Kronos added.
"You want to own the world?" Methos told the others, "You offer them a choice: the horsemen rule or they all die."
"The horsemen rule or the world dies," Kronos added, "Has a nice ring to it. I forgot how good you were, Methos. We begin tonight."
Tori looked on in disbelief and horror.
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Cassandra walked over to the balcony where Duncan and Richie were sitting at while Jack was tending to Jenny.
"He's not your friend," Cassandra told the Highlander, "He's no one's friend. He's putting the horsemen back together. You have no idea what that means."
"Kronos is behind this," Richie chimed in, "He's the essential ringleader behind this, and he also took my wife."
"I'll deal with Kronos," Duncan spoke up, "then we'll deal with the rest."
"Kill Kronos, you cut out the heart of the horsemen," Cassandra added, "Kill Methos, take the head. They both have to die."
"Even if you get your revenge, the memories won't end," Duncan told the witch immortal, "Killing can't erase what happened. Only living can do that."
"Nothing can do that," Cassandra replied, "Nothing."
Jack hugged her in response while Duncan and Richie returned to the hotel.
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"What do you expect to come out of this?" Tori asked Methos.
"Trust me, Tori," Methos assured her "I have a plan."
"What exactly?" Tori whispered harshly before she asked, "You're planning to destroy the world with the plague?"
"Not exactly," Methos answered.
"What do you mean?"
Methos didn't answer, instead he started to leave.
"Methos, where are you going?!" Tori demanded.
Methos walked in, and saw Silas laughing and playing with Kronos' monkeys. He noticed Methos, "Methos, you look troubled."
"Just thinking," Methos replied.
"Ah, you were always good at that, eh?" Silas chimed in, "Glad after all these years, you still are."
He laughed in response.
"Me too."
"Not like the old days, is it?"
"What do you mean?" Methos asked.
"I don't like this killing from a distance," Silas answered, "I like to feel my axe in my hands. Look in my enemies' eyes before I strike."
"Soon enough," Methos assured him.
"You don't think the virus will work," Silas stated.
"It will work," Methos replied, "Silas, for two thousand years, we have lived would ride again! Like you always said, Methos – we live, we grow stronger and we fight."
Methos gave Silas a searching look, "I'll see you later."
Then, he started to leave.
"Do you think he'll let me have one?" Silas asked as he glanced at the cage.
"What?" Methos asked after turning back towards him.
"Monkey. I like this one," Silas glanced at the cage.
"I'll ask him," Methos told him.
"Thank you, Brother," Silas replied.
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"Had it ever occurred to you that maybe Methos is trying to help us?" Richie asked.
"No," Cassandra answered, drying her hair from her shower.
"So you just want to kill him for yourself," Jack stated, "not for the world. Cass, I've known Methos for as long as MacLeod, Tori and Richie have. He has some ulterior motive, but I don't know what it'd be."
Cassandra scoffed, annoyed.
The telephone rang and Duncan answered it, "Hello? I'll be right there."
"Was that him?" Cassandra asked.
"No," Duncan answered, "Something wrong with my credit card. I'll be right back."
He left the hotel. Moments later, Jack heard beeping on the tablet and eyed Cassandra, "I'll be right back."
He stepped out of the hotel and answered his tablet, "This is Agent Banks."
"Any update on the Horsemen?" Janet asked.
"Not yet," Jack answered, "MacLeod's already went out, probably after a call from Methos."
"Well, when you do get an update, inform us immediately," Janet instructed, "These guys stooped an all time low by kidnapping my daughter."
"You might want to bring in some IUA agents just in case," Jack suggested, "I'm sending you our locations now."
He sent the locations to Janet before she replied, "Good call."
With that, the call ended.
Jack looked on as Richie was leaving the hotel himself.
"Where are you going?" Jack asked.
"I heard Methos on that phone call," Richie answered, "I'm going to meet up with MacLeod. Don't tell Cassandra anything, and watch her and Jenny."
"Right," Jack nodded, "of course."
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Duncan entered the Elysium Church where Methos was waiting for him, "Well, I'm here."
"Yeah, thanks," Methos replied.
"Why'd you lie to me?" Duncan asked.
"About what?" Methos inquired.
"About Cassandra. About who you were."
"I have been many things, MacLeod," Methos argued.
"And who are you now?" Duncan asked.
"Why do you think I didn't tell you?" Methos interjected, "I knew you'd react. What I've done you can't forgive. That's not in your nature. Well, you accept it."
"Accept what?" Duncan retorted, "That a friend I trusted with my life slaughtered innocent people for what, a few head of a cattle? What are you going to tell me, Methos? That's how the world was?"
"No," Methos answered, "The world was how we made it."
"No," Duncan replied, "The world was how you choose to make it. How you chose to slaughter her people and burn her village."
"And I chose to take her prisoner."
"And?"
"There's more."
Methos then explained to Duncan about his connection to Cassandra. He took her as his slave and kept her for his own. They soon grew attached, but Kronos saw her as a threat, and decided to take her, while Methos let him. Cassandra however stabbed Kronos and ran.
Richie arrived at the church as he was talking at the cemetery.
"I could've stopped her, but I didn't," Methos spoke on, "She escaped across the wilderness and she must have died a dozen times from heat and thirst before she found a village that would take her in, and I bet it was worth it just to get away from us."
"Then why are you working for Kronos?" Richie asked, "Why take my wife?"
"Same as always – trying to survive and if you want Cassandra to live, you'll get her as far away from here as you can," Methos told the men, "That goes for Jenny too."
"What about Tori?" Richie demanded.
"Don't worry, Rich," Methos assured her, "I'll take good care of your wife."
Duncan scoffed, "And let Kronos go?!"
"You don't have a choice," Methos replied, "You can't stop him. Neither of you can."
Richie sarcastically replied, "Yeah, four guys on horseback gonna rule the world."
"My thoughts exactly," Duncan added.
"The world doesn't change, not in five hundred years, not in five thousand years," Methos told the two men, "It's only the details that change. Kronos didn't torch those villages for a few coins. He torched them to watch them burn, and now he'll have a nuclear bomb or planeload of Napalm, but the effect will be the same – the world living in fear of the Horsemen."
"You expect us just to let that happen?" Duncan asked, "You should know us better than that."
"I came to warn you," Methos informed them, "The first step towards Kronos' brave new world will happen tonight."
"Where? When?" Richie demanded.
"In a fountain at the place des Quinconces," Methos answered.
"You set a bomb?" Duncan asked.
"Do you know anything about Ebola, MacLeod?" Methos explained further, "Well, there are worse things in the world….if you look, and Kronos looked. He's bred a virus, no cure. It's very exotic. He's got cages of monkeys he's been testing it on. He's got enough to destroy half of Europe. Now, a little bit in the fountain will only kill a few, but it's a start."
"Then that means the water supply is next!" Richie exclaimed.
"Bright boy," Methos replied.
"Let's go," Duncan told his student and friend.
"Oh, no, no," Methos told them, "If I go up against him, I lose."
"Going with the winner?" Duncan asked, "So why are you here, Methos? What game are you playing?"
"It's in the bottom fountain just above the water line," Methos instructed, "White, then black, then red."
"Don't do this," Richie told his friend, "you have a choice."
"And you have….." Methos looked at his watch, "twenty four minutes."
"Great," Richie groaned, "Just great."
Duncan left the church, followed by Richie.
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"Come on, Cass!" Jack exclaimed.
"No!" Cassandra argued, "My opinion stands!"
"Cass, come on!" Jack exclaimed, "I am someone who believes in second changes and I also believe sometimes people can be lost causes."
"And Methos is the latter," Cassandra insisted, "a lost cause."
"No, no, no, no. Methos is the former," Jack argued, "Former! He has appeared to have redeemed himself on occasion prior to this!"
"Then why did he reunite the Horsemen?" Cassandra asked.
"Miss Cassandra," Jenny spoke up, "He might be doing this for his own reason. I'm sure you guys along with Daddy and Uncle Mac will find out."
Jack and Cassandra sensed the Buzz.
"Duncan, what took you so long?" Cassandra demanded.
She opened the door to see Kronos and Caspian. Jenny screamed at the sight of them as Cassandra tried to close the door on them.
"I'm afraid Duncan and Richie are otherwise engaged," Kronos stated, "and in case you're wondering, Silas is watching the other girl at our headquarters."
"Where's mommy?" Jenny asked.
"Why don't I take you to her?" Kronos glanced at the child.
"You're not touching either of them!" Jack stepped forward, trying to protect Cassandra and Jenny.
"I'm afraid you don't have much of an option," Kronos replied before he got out a gun and shot Jack three times before he fell to the ground, dead.
"Jack!" Cassandra exclaimed before she pressed the button, getting the IUA's attention as the alarm was set off for them.
"Am I wrong?" Kronos asked Cassandra, "Don't I owe you something? Too bad you had to take my head to kill me."
"I'll take it now," Cassandra replied. She tried to get her sword, but Caspian blocked her from doing so.
"Take the brat," Kronos told Caspian before he grabbed Cassandra, "I'll take her."
Caspian grabbed Jenny before they took their hostages out of the hotel.
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"Move! Go, move!" Richie shouted, "Get out of here!"
He and Duncan ran towards the fountain to get to the bomb.
"There's a bomb!" Duncan exclaimed in turn. He got into the fountain, and Richie joined him. They spotted the bomb.
"Like Methos said," Richie echoed, remembering the instructions, "white, then black, then red."
Duncan cut the wires as instructed, the hissing began and the fountain turned on.
"Is the bomb disarmed?"
The Highlander and Richie both saw Darren and a group of fellow IUA Agents at the area.
"Yes, Mac disarmed the bomb," Richie answered. He handed the bomb to Darren.
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"Your bomb didn't go off," Kronos told Methos, "Not much of a plan, was it?"
"Well, I'll think of better," Methos replied.
"I'm sure you will," Kronos warned his fellow horsemen, "Otherwise, I'm going to have to improvise."
Methos looked down, but he didn't respond. Kronos waved a chicken bone at him, "By the way, where were you?"
"I was just….." Methos started to answer.
"Warning your friends," Kronos cut him off, "You didn't really think I wouldn't know you'd tell MacLeod and Little Richie, did you?"
"It's not like you think it is," Methos insisted.
"Ah, it's exactly like I think it is," Kronos stated, "My dearest brother, that's what makes you my perfect right arm – we think alike. We always have."
Methos laughed, "I doubt that, Kronos. No one thinks quite like you."
Kronos chuckled, "Spoken like a true scholar."
He held up a remote control, "Look at this. All I have to do….is punch a few numbers…...and a small vial explodes in the reservoir above Bordeaux, and then….well, you know what happens next, do you?"
There was a pause before Kronos continued, "Come with me. I have something else to show you."
He led Methos to the cage Tori, Jenny and Cassandra were in as the three girls were in separate chairs, "I gave Tori a couple of roommates, with Cassandra being the one asking about you. You knew exactly what you were doing when you sent MacLeod and his little buddy to the fountain, didn't you? So I did what you expected. I went and got Cassandra and the little girl that was with her and they weren't there to protect them. There was that one guy, but he didn't stand much of a chance, but that's besides the point. That was the plan, wasn't it?"
Methos nodded.
"You see," Kronos replied, "I know you better than you know yourself."
"Which is why the plan was perfect," Methos stated.
"Your plans always are. I wonder how they think of you now though."
"Think I care?"
"You should care," Kronos insisted, "You lured them away. When they come back, they'll find Cassandra and the child missing. I mean, if that was me, I'd want you dead. Imagine what the boy is feeling, first his wife is taken, and now his daughter. A double whammy."
"Well, then," Methos replied, "we should prepare for MacLeod and Richie to come here."
"Already thought of that," Kronos told him.
"Did you send Caspian or Silas?"
"Both."
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Duncan and Richie walked around the corner of a building, down the sidewalk, and started to cross the street. They sensed the Buzz.
"Welcome home, boys," Silas greeted the duo.
They sensed a second buzz, and Caspian appeared from the other side.
"Two of you," Silas stated, "two of us."
"I wonder how things will turn out," Caspian added.
They followed Richie and Duncan to the bridge.
"Just like old times," Caspian declared.
Silas dueled with Duncan while Caspian dueled with Richie. As the duel got too overwhelming for them, Duncan and Richie both escaped by jumping off the bridge and into the river, vanishing from sight.
"Damn you," Silas called out.
"Don't worry," Caspian assured him, "We'll find them."
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"Don't be afraid, Jenny," Tori comforted her daughter, "Your father and Uncle MacLeod will come and find us."
Cassandra noted how calm she was trying to comfort that child despite the fact that she'd be their prisoner for longer than the child was. She wondered what Tori went through before they were brought here.
"You should eat," Methos suggested as he handed three different trays to Jenny, Tori and Cassandra.
Jenny tried to grab something from her tray but Tori grabbed her arms and shook her hand. Tori then scooted that tray, followed by her own tray. Cassandra kicked her tray.
"This is familiar," Methos stated.
"I'm not hungry," Tori shook her head.
"What about Jenny?" Methos asked.
"Not really," Jenny answered.
"And I'm not your sorry little slave anymore," Cassandra told Methos, "I know what I am now. What you are. You may have fooled MacLeod, and maybe even them and Tori's husband, but you never fooled me."
"I wasn't trying to fool anyone," Methos insisted.
"If MacLeod knew who you really are," Cassandra stated, "he'd taken your head long ago."
"He had his chance, Cassandra," Tori told her, comforting Jenny.
"Exactly, and he didn't," Methos eyed the witch immortal, "It wasn't all bad when we were together."
"Miss Cassandra, did you two have history?" Jenny asked.
Cassandra laughed incredulously, "I never loved Methos."
"You thought you did," Methos replied, "You thought I would protect you. You forgot what I was."
"I forgot nothing!" Cassandra exclaimed as she lunged towards him, "I'll take your head with my bare hands! You, then Kronos!"
"I have seen what happens to people who go up against him," Methos calmly replied, "If we want to survive…..we will keep him happy."
"I didn't do it then, and I won't now," Cassandra refused blatantly, "I'd rather die."
"Well then, you die," Methos replied before she eyed Tori and Jenny, "What about you two?"
Tori refused to answer while holding Jenny. They remained silent.
"What a shame," Methos muttered before he told the girls, "Oh, and you can forget about MacLeod or Richie. They're dead."
"No," Tori gasped, feeling tears emerge from her eyes, hugging her daughter tightly.
"Daddy," Jenny gasped, beginning to cry.
Cassandra went to comfort them while she looked at Methos, seething. How dare they put Richie's family in the cross hairs of this whole thing?! He wouldn't get away with this! None of them would!
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Duncan and Richie approached a man closing a pet shop.
"Ah, monsieur," Duncan asked the man, "If I wanted to import a hundred monkeys, who would I talk to?"
"This is a pet shop, monsieur, not a circus," the man answered.
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"You let them escape?!" Kronos demanded.
"We scoured the river," Silas told his boss, "We searched for hours."
"We'll go back out again," Caspian added.
"No, no," Kronos replied, "Come with me."
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"If MacLeod or Richie get close, kill them," Kronos told Silas and Caspian.
"They're alive?" Tori asked, hopefully.
"Daddy's alive?" Jenny added.
"Not for long!" Kronos exclaimed.
"You failed," Cassandra told Methos.
"Come with me, my dear friend," Kronos told Methos, "You and I are going to poison a city."
Silas started sharpening his axe and Caspian remained on guard.
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Duncan and Richie arrived as they saw Methos and Kronos.
"Oh, you're not going to survive this," Richie declared, "I'll bet the Three Horsemen of the Apocalypse doesn't exactly have the same ring, does it?"
"You're not going to be around long enough to find out," Kronos told the duo.
Duncan drawn out his sword, "Oh, we'll see about that."
Richie drawn out his sword, "Indeed."
"Think of your wife and your child, Richie," Kronos spoke up, "and think about Cassandra, MacLeod. Lay down your swords, and they live. Fight and win – or lose, they die. Come on, your lives for theirs? What do you say?"
Richie appeared hesitant, and Duncan looked at him as if to tell him not to back down.
"Your call, Mac," Richie spoke up.
"I think Cassandra would rather be dead," Duncan told Kronos.
"Your call!" Kronos exclaimed.
"You set us up!" Duncan told Methos.
"Tell Silas and Caspian to finish them, and let them know it was MacLeod's decision," Kronos told Methos.
"Methos, don't do this!" Richie called out.
"Like MacLeod said," Methos replied, "I go with the winner!"
He hurried away, and Richie followed after him, leaving Duncan to duel with Kronos.
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"MacLeod's here?" Silas asked as Methos arrived at the scene.
"Yes," Methos answered.
"I'm going to enjoy this," Caspian pulled Tori out of the cage and she screamed as the cannibal immortal was pulling her hair.
"Mommy!" Jenny cried out.
"Leave her alone!" Cassandra shouted.
Silas then grabbed Cassandra and pulled her out of the cage as well. As Caspian prepared to take Tori's head.
"Get the hell away from her!"
Everyone looked to see that Richie had also arrived at the area.
"Daddy!" Jenny exclaimed happily.
Richie hurried over to his wife and blocked Caspian from taking her head. He pushed him to the ground before reuniting with his wife and daughter.
"Are you guys okay?" Richie hugged his family, "Did they hurt you?"
"They're mean, Daddy," Jenny answered.
"I was scared," Tori added as she hugged her husband.
"Tori?!" Janet arrived at the scene with Jack, Darren and a group of other IUA agents, "Baby, thank God!"
She hugged her daughter.
Silas prepared to take Cassandra's head only for Methos to stop him by blocking his axe with his sword.
"You're challenging me…...for her head?" Silas asked, "Take it. She's yours, brother."
"I am not your brother," Methos declared.
"How can you do this?" Silas demanded, "How can you go against what you are?"
"You don't know anything about me," Methos replied before he started his duel with Silas.
Suddenly, Caspian got up and held up his sword, ready to fight.
"Let me handle this bastard," Jack stepped forward.
"Stand down, Agent Banks," Janet ordered, "Let Agent Ryan handle this son of a bitch!"
"Exactly what I had in mind," Richie drawn out his sword, "Get the girls to safety!"
"I bet you're gonna taste good," Caspian eyed Richie.
"Too bad for you," Richie declared, "you're gonna go hungry, cannibal."
Caspian struck Richie with his knife, and in turn, Richie struck Caspian as he began his duel with his opponent.
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Duncan began his duel with Kronos as the monkeys in the cage were screeching.
"Not bad…..but not good enough," Kronos stated loudly over the sound of the monkeys screeching.
"There's more," Duncan replied.
"I'm sure there is," Kronos stated, "knowing that you've just killed your woman, and your young friend's woman. Maybe you'll meet them again in the afterlife."
The fight continued.
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Methos evaded Silas' axe as they moved down a hallway.
"Traitor!" Silas shouted.
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Richie was spinning his blade, "Two can play at that game."
Caspian gave him the finger as he nursed his wound.
"Oh no," Richie sarcastically replied, "my feelings are hurt with that middle finger."
The fight continued.
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All six immortals ended up fighting at the same area.
Kronos saw Methos fighting Silas, "Methos."
All six immortals stopped fighting for a moment and looked at each other.
"Yeah, told you three horsemen doesn't have the same ring," Richie retorted.
"Come on!" Silas told Methos before the six immortals began fighting again.
"You still don't understand, do you?" Kronos asked before he yelled, "I AM THE END OF TIME!"
"You're history," Duncan declared.
Duncan and Kronos resumed fighting. Eventually, Duncan took Kronos' head. Richie took Caspian's head and Methos took Silas' head.
The triple quickening occurred as Duncan, Richie and Methos took the quickenings of their respective opponents and a triangle was formed during the quickening.
Afterwards, the quickening ended. Tori hurried to Richie's side, "Richie, oh baby. You guys did it."
She hugged her husband.
"I killed Silas!" Methos cried out in anguish, "I LIKED SILAS!"
Cassandra ran out and picked up Silas' axe, "And now I'm supposed to forgive you?!"
Tori grabbed Richie's sword, "Do it and you're up next! Think I'd hesitate to take the head of an immortal witch who is a girlfriend of one of my friends, try me!"
"Ex girlfriend," Jack arrived, holding Jenny with Janet and two other IUA agents in tow, "I can't do it with her anymore, so I don't care if you do it or not."
"Cassandra, you need to stand down!" Janet ordered.
"You want him to live?!" Cassandra asked in disbelief.
"Yes," Tori answered, "He's proven that he is able to be redeemed."
Cassandra raised the axe.
"Cassandra, we want him to live!" Duncan yelled.
Methos sobbed. Cassandra dropped the axe and left, causing the other agents to lower their guns. Darren tried going after her.
"Let her go," Janet told him.
Tori and Richie hurried to Methos and comforted him as he continued to cry far down the submarine bay.
"It's okay, Methos," Tori assured Methos, "It's okay."
Janet walked over to where they were.
"You really pulled an insane stunt today," Janet told Methos, "but you did save humanity from your fellow horsemen. Consider yourself on thin ice, Mister Pierson."
Methos nodded, understanding how angry Tori's mother was.
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Tori woke up, gasping from a nightmare.
"Baby, what is it?"
Tori found herself trembling as Richie noticed and showed some concern, "Tor, it's okay. It was just a dream."
"I – I know but it felt so real," Tori trembled in fear, "I saw Kronos and those other creeps. They were terrifying, especially Kronos. He…..he…."
"He what?" Richie asked. There was a pause of silence as Tori looked down.
"Tori, what did he do?" Richie asked.
He saw her expressions and tears, which said it all. They were the same expressions and tears he had after his ordeals with first Kelsea, and then Felicia.
"Oh God," Richie felt tears fall down his face, "Tori, I'm so sorry. I failed you. I'm so sorry. I wish we could have been there sooner. I swear, I would have nailed that bastard!"
"He was ruthless, Richie," Tori told her husband, "I can understand why Cassandra hated him, but Methos…...I guess guilt by association would be the reason she hated her…..that and the history they had."
"It's going to be all right, baby," Richie comforted his wife, "Kronos won't hurt you anymore. He's gone. So are those other bastards. Did they hurt Jenny in any way?"
"Not really," Tori shook her head, "they just scared her. They didn't touch her like they did me, if that's what you're wondering."
"Thank God," Richie muttered while he sighed with relief. He hugged his wife before he asked, "Do you or the rest of the IUA agents know what happened to Jack or Cassandra?"
"Not sure," Tori shook her head, "Jack ended things with Cassandra because she refused to accept redemption when it came to Methos. That's what he said before he left for the Himalayas. He went there for awhile to think things through."
"And Cassandra?" Richie asked.
"No one knows where she is," Tori answered, "None of the IUA agents know, and I don't think her watcher knows either. What'll we do about Methos?"
"He did help save humanity," Richie answered, "therefore, your mom said he was on thin ice."
"Yeah," Tori nodded in agreement, "The centuries have changed Methos and he had, in the end, helped you guys save humanity."
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Duncan and Methos reunited at the Elysium Church cemetery the next morning.
"But you had to know Kronos would come for you one day," Duncan told his friend.
"I tried not to think about it," Methos replied.
"You could have killed him," Duncan asked, "Why didn't you?"
"I wanted to, but we were brothers…...in arms, in blood, in everything except birth, and if I judged him worthy to die, then I judged myself the same way, and I wanted to live. I still do. Are Richie, Jenny and Tori all right?"
"They're fine," Duncan answered, "They're recovering from the ordeal, but in time, they'll heal."
He looked around before he spoke up, "Kronos was right. You set the whole thing up, didn't you?"
"What do you mean?" Methos asked.
"You knew he'd come after Cassandra and you let him because you knew I'd come after her, and you knew Richie would come after Tori and Jenny," Duncan elaborated, "You couldn't kill him, but you hoped I could."
"Maybe," Methos replied.
"Maybe," Duncan told his friend, "Methos….what about Cassandra?"
"One of a thousand regrets, MacLeod," Methos answered, "One of a thousand regrets."
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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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