DCH 81
Defenders Chronicles: Highlander
By AmandaDoE
Chapter Eighty-One: Duende
"I'm sorry," Richie inquired as LJ and Lothar were seated with him, Amy, Kshin, Tori and Duncan, "It's a what?"
"The dance," Duncan explained as Luisa was dancing, "It's called a soleares. She's telling how her lover left her…...how she can't live without him."
"Interesting," Lothar replied, "Mandrake would have enjoyed this, but he wanted to spend some time with his niece and his father."
"We didn't want to be bored spending a lot of time there," Amy stated, "so Kshin and I decided to join Lothar and LJ here."
"She's so amazing," LJ stated in awe, eyeing Luisa.
Duncan gave LJ a look, "Put your eyes back in your head, Romeo."
He pointed at Anna nearby, "That's Anna, her mother, so behave yourself."
"I will," LJ assured him, "No sweat."
"Good move, LJ," Amy retorted.
"My thoughts exactly," Lothar quipped.
Luisa finished the dance with a flourish. The audience clapped.
"Bravo!" Richie exclaimed.
Anna moved to stand beside her daughter, "You've been a good audience, but to merely watch Flamenco is not to know its spirit. For that, you must dance."
She looked at LJ, "You, young man."
LJ chuckled, "Oh no, no, no, no."
"Come, I'm not asking you to bull fight," Anna insisted.
"Uh, I'd love to but um…..I've….I've got too many left feet," LJ slightly stammered.
"I see," Anna replied, "Then perhaps your friend, Senor MacLeod will try?"
"I'm sure he would," Richie answered before eyeing Duncan, "Come on, Mac. Don't be shy. Come on."
"Finally, a man with courage," Anna stated as Duncan stood up.
"Here you go," Lothar helped Duncan out before giving his son a disapproving look, "I'll help you with your coat."
"Mrs. Hidalgo, I got a proposition," Tori suggested, "could um, could another couple join Mac and your daughter in the dance?"
"I don't see why not," Anna replied.
Tori then eyed her husband, "Come on, Richie."
"Seriously, Tori?!" Richie exclaimed in surprise.
"Come on, it'll be fun," Tori insisted.
"Yeah," Anna added, "Your wife is not asking you to bullfight."
"Fine," Richie groaned before eyeing Tori, "You owe me big time for this."
"I'll help you with the coat," LJ stated before he took Richie's coat.
Tori smirked before they stood up and joined Duncan and Louisa in the dance floor as the audience applauded.
"Do exactly what they are doing," Anna instructed Tori and Richie.
"You got it," Tori nodded.
Luisa moved Duncan's arms above her head, "Put your arms like this."
"Like this?" Richie put his arms above Tori's head as Duncan did the same with Louisa.
"Yeah, exactly," Louisa answered before the guitar began to play.
"Down," Louisa instructed. She placed Duncan's left hand down and around in a circle between them, "Okay."
Richie's hands were in the same position as he stated, "This is gonna be good."
Louisa repeated with the right hand and Tori did the same thing, "Again."
Louisa then took a step back as Duncan continued moving his arm. Tori and Richie continued copying the couple as well.
"Yeah," Louisa stated as Duncan brought both of his hands down together and Richie did the same with Tori, feeling nervous.
"I think you've done this before," Louisa told Duncan before eyeing Richie and Tori, "and you two are doing pretty good for beginners."
"Thanks," Richie and Tori replied in unison.
Duncan danced a flourish to the guitar music. Richie did as well, but not as good as Duncan was doing.
Duncan reflected on Madrid in in 1851 at a Spanish nightclub where he interacted with women named Theresa and Duenna and encountered Octavio Consone.
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"Don't get me wrong. I am impressed," Richie spoke up as they left the nightclub, "It's just that you'd think that over four hundred years, you'd probably acquire some skills."
Duncan chuckled in response, "Well, I think my zapateado was a little rusty."
"I'm real sorry to hear about that," Lothar replied.
"Well, if any of you want some lessons," Duncan offered, "I can get Anna to give you some."
"I thought Luisa was the dancer," Amy declared.
"Luisa's good, but Anna was the best," Duncan replied.
"So what happened?" Richie asked.
"Car accident, twenty five years ago," Duncan explained, "Anna and her partner Rafael, were Flamenco royalty. After he died and Luisa was born, Anna moved to Paris to open the club. I didn't know her then, but wow, she could dance. Then about ten years ago, there was a hit and run. She never danced again."
"That definitely sucks," Tori replied.
"Yeah, but I'm gonna pass on those lessons," Richie stated, "you know, my "zapper" is a little rusty."
Tori rolled her eyes at her husband and chuckled, as did Amy and Kshin.
Duncan enunciated, "Zapatedo."
"Oh, yeah," Richie replied, "Whatever."
"No. Leave me alone, Mama," Luisa demanded as her shouting caught the group's attention, "I'm going!"
LJ slowly walked down the steps, causing the others to follow him.
"LJ, what are you doing?!" Lothar demanded as they saw the argument.
"It's three o' clock in the morning," Anna argued.
"So what?" Luisa interjected, "Mom, I'm twenty four years old! Stop treating me like a child!"
"Then stop acting like one! Luisa, you have a great gift, but you mistreat it," Anna told her daughter, "You need rest and practice."
"What I need is a mother who stops living her life through me," Luisa stressed.
"You are my daughter!" Anna exclaimed.
"But I'm not you, Mom, and you can't be me," Luisa replied, "It's not my fault you can't dance anymore. I didn't make you a cripple!"
Anna slapped her in return, causing Amy, Tori, LJ and Richie to react quietly.
Duncan stepped forward to intervene, then he, Tori and Richie all sensed the Buzz as a limo pulled up to the curb.
"Immortal?" Kshin asked.
"Immortal," Duncan answered.
Luisa got into the limo as the group met up with Anna.
"Luisa!" Anna called out as the limo drove away, "LUISA!"
"Anna," Duncan offered, "let me drive you home."
"Oh no, no, no," Anna declined, "It's all right, Duncan."
"Are you sure?" Lothar asked.
"Yeah," Anna answered, "Si. Buenas noches."
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"You know, Mac," Richie stated as he carried small pails of bitumen pain across the barge, "just because this guy is rich and immortal, does not necessarily make him a bad guy."
"No, I know," Duncan replied.
"Yeah," Lothar added, "but we'd feel safer knowing who it was."
"Exactly," Duncan nodded in agreement.
Anna stepped out of a taxi that had pulled up near the barge.
"Anna, what's the matter?" Tori asked.
"Luisa?" Duncan added.
"She never came home last night," Anna answered.
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"Anna, I know everything that you want for her, but….you can't force her to dance," Duncan said before he asked Anna, "Do you know anything about this guy she's seeing?"
"Nothing…..She won't even tell me his name," Anna answered, "She used to tell me everything."
Duncan, Richie and Tori sensed the Buzz. Duncan then saw a flash of Consone outside the barge, "There's something I've got to do outside, Anna. Um, Richie and his family will keep you company."
"Yeah!" Jenny exclaimed happily, "Yeah!"
"I will join you," Lothar told Duncan, "While Amy, Kshin and LJ will also keep Anna company."
"We'll be right back," Duncan told the group before he left the barge.
"So, Mac tells me you taught Luisa how to dance," LJ spoke up.
Anna nodded.
"So this, uh, duende…..this happens all the time?" Richie asked.
"Not every time," Anna explained, "The true duende is rare. It happens when the dancer is beyond tired, so exhausted he can't think. He can't stop either. The spirit of the dance enters you. For a moment, time stops, pain stops…...your body seems to move by itself. It is then that the dance can be truly perfect."
She looked out the porthole, surprised upon seeing someone familiar, "My God, Consone!"
She dropped her teacup, breaking it in the process.
"Mrs. Anna?" Jenny spoke up as Anna ran out of the barge.
"What was that all about?" Amy asked.
"I don't know," Richie answered, "Kshin, you, LJ and Amy stay with Jenny. Tori and I will check this out."
"Really?!" Kshin exclaimed, annoyed, "I am curious about the immortal stuff too!"
"And I wanna see Luisa!" LJ added.
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Duncan and Lothar walked across the barge deck and jumped onto the quay.
"She loves me….She loves me not," Consone stated as he was plucking petals from a flower, then he held the flower to his nose, smelling it, "She loves me."
He then tossed the flower aside, "Is that furious look really meant for me?"
"What do you think?" Lothar retorted.
"Yeah," Duncan added, "who else, Consone?"
"A great Spanish name," Consone replied, "You make it sound like you're cursing."
"Where's Luisa Hildago?" Duncan inquired.
"Where she wants to be," Consone answered, "With me, of course."
"You brought her here?" Lothar asked.
"I thought you had hopes of becoming a gentleman someday, MacLeod….." Consone stated, "but here you are, living in a dump on the river. You're still a gitano – a gypsy."
"If you've come for me, let's go," Duncan challenged.
"I remember you as clumsy, MacLeod," Consone declared, "Not stupid."
"He's not stupid," Lothar chided, "Although it takes one to know one, I guess."
"Stay out of it," Duncan told him, "Stay out of it."
"I'm not here to fight you," Consone told the Highlander, "I'm here to offer a simple choice: Stay away from the Hidalgos or die."
"Consone!" Anna exclaimed as she arrived outside the barge, "You!"
Richie and Tori were not too far after her.
"Anna," Duncan eyed the woman.
"The police stopped searching…" Anna started to say.
"Anna," Duncan called out again.
"But I have found you," Anna yelled in rage, lunging for Consone, "Monster! Diablo! You killed him! You killed my Rafael!"
"What?" Duncan replied as he was holding her back.
Luisa stepped out of the limo and ran to her mother, "Stop! Mama, stop! Are you crazy? Stop!"
"He killed Rafael!" Anna told her daughter, "He killed your father! He's your….."
"What the hell's going on here?!" Lothar demanded.
"Are you crazy?" Luisa inquired, "Mama, you're crazy! That was twenty five years ago! Look at him. Look! Think, Mama. How can it be the same man?"
"But he look exactly – oh, I'm sorry," Anna tried to gently touch her daughter's face.
"Don't touch me!" Luisa moved her mother's hand away from her, "Stay out of my life!"
She stormed off back to the limo.
"No," Anna pleaded, "Come back, Luisa. I'm sorry!"
"Anna. Anna," Duncan held the elder Hidalgo back, "Richie, Tori, take her home. Anna, go. Go. Go."
Richie and Tori pulled Anna away.
"Come on," Richie coaxed Anna, "Come on."
"Let's go," Tori added.
"Maybe therapy would help," Consone suggested.
"I'll see you soon," Duncan declared.
"Wrong choice," Consone replied before he entered the limo with Luisa, kissing her forehead.
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"Can I get you some more tea," Richie offered while he and Tori were standing while Anna was seated in a chair, "maybe some coffee?"
"I was so sure it was him," Anna spoke up, "I was certain. I don't understand."
"You know something?" Richie suggested, "Let's forget the coffee. We'll go with something stronger."
He picked up a brandy bottle from a liquor cabinet.
"You know something, Anna," Tori spoke up as Richie poured three shots of brandy, "they say that everyone has a double somewhere."
"But he looked so much like Consone," Anna insisted, "but that's impossible, no? He'd be much older now…...almost sixty."
"Well, then, there," Richie replied, "You see?"
"But I felt it inside, like a knife," Anna stated. Richie and Tori downed a shot each as Anna continued talking, "It was him. The look…..the voice. The same arrogance that told you whatever you were was nothing compared to him, but it couldn't be him!"
Richie carried the other shot over and walked to Anna, "Anna, you are just going to make yourself crazy."
"He's right," Tori nodded in agreement.
"Maybe I already have," Anna replied.
"Oh, come on," Richie placed the shot on the coffee table, "Don't say that."
"My husband's right," Tori added, "Sometimes something seems impossible, but it's not. It's just – it's just the way it is."
"What way it is?" Anna asked, "How could this be possible?"
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"What did you guys tell her?" Duncan asked.
"What could we tell her, Mac?" Tori answered, "She's afraid she's going crazy."
"Yeah, her mind tells her it can't be him," Richie added, "but in her gut, she knows it. She just knows it."
Duncan opened the sword case, picking up the dagger resting inside and then its companion sword.
"What are you doing with those?" Amy asked.
"Something to do with Consone?" LJ added.
"More than you can imagine," Duncan answered. He explained his story, recalling back in 1851 in Madrid when Consone tried to teach Duncan the sword art, but their friendship was destroyed when they both fell for Theresa del Gloria, a nobleman's daughter. Theresa was in love with Duncan, but Consone received permission to marry her. Consone challenged Duncan to a duel and won, and Theresa forced him to spare Duncan or she would be a convent. Duncan left Spain, but Consone eventually killed Theresa out of jealousy, making it seem like an accident.
Duncan then took his friends to the park and set up a circle on the ground.
"Mac, it looks like a big circle," Richie stated.
"It's a lot of things," Duncan told his student. He began practicing sword moves within the circle, "It's a discipline."
"A state of mind?" Tori chimed in.
"Exactly," Duncan nodded, continuing his practice.
"And you expect him to stand in this thing while you fight?" LJ asked.
"Consone was the master of the circle," Duncan answered, "This was his world. He'll come."
"That should be interesting enough," Kshin replied.
"Why don't you just go after the guy?" Richie suggested, "What do you want to play his game on his turf for?"
"Because it all comes back to this," Duncan replied.
"Um, MacLeod," Tori stated, "I don't really know much about this Consone except for what you told us, and from what we saw today, but um, this isn't poetry, it's a fight to the death."
"She's right," Lothar added, "Why give him the edge if you don't need to?"
"If Consone beat you before," Richie chimed in, "he might beat you again."
Duncan stopped moving and held a position, "I'm better now."
He started moving again.
"Yeah, but…..maybe he is too," Amy chimed in.
"His arrogance appears to be his weakness," Lothar interjected.
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"Yes, they were wonderful, Anna," Duncan said as he looked at some framed photographs on the wall, "Fandango, soleares, and the Baile Grande. I heard no one moved like you. No one."
"I was pretty good, wasn't I?" Anna asked.
"Yeah," Duncan answered.
"Absolutely," Lothar added.
"You were quite marvelous," Mandrake added.
"I thought my Luisa would be better," Anna declared.
"She will be," Duncan assured her.
"My son is quite fond of her," Lothar stated, "If he was with her right now, man, he'd be showering her with love and praise."
"I believe he would," Anna replied, "I wish you guys met her first."
She then told Duncan, "She's all I have left, Duncan. I don't want to lose her, even if she never danced again."
"You won't lose her," Duncan assured her, "Are you certain you don't know where he lives?"
Anna shook her head.
"About where he takes her?" Mandrake asked.
"Nothing," Anna answered.
"How about the dancers in the company?" Lothar asked.
"They tell each other everything, but they're her friends," Anna answered, "I'm the boss. They'll never tell me, and they've seen me before. They know we're friends."
"Hmmm. It does cause a problem, doesn't it?" Duncan asked before he set the glass on the table and stood up, "Then we'll have to find somebody they don't know, won't we?"
He left the apartment with Mandrake and Lothar following.
"It appears I have returned from visiting my niece in time for some interesting family drama and immortal insanity," Mandrake stated.
"Anyway, it's good for you to join us," Duncan replied.
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"Is this a good idea?" Tori asked as they were outside the apartment room.
"That's where Mac said where they would be," Richie answered.
Tori nodded, "Well, let's do this."
Richie then knocked on the door.
"I'll get it!" a woman's voice called out. The door opened, revealing a dark haired woman wearing a towel.
"Oh, heh! I hope we haven't come at a bad time," Richie stated, noticing the girl's towel.
"Who are you?" the dark haired woman asked.
"Richard Redstone," Richie introduced himself before shaking her hand, "Nice to meet you."
"And I am his wife, Victoria Redstone," Tori added, shaking the girl's hand as well.
"Richard who?" the other girl with red hair asked as she came up behind them, "Victoria who?"
"We, uh, we saw you down at the Club," Richie told the young women, "We got your address from one of the musicians there. What's his name?"
"What was his name?" Tori asked.
"Ramone?" the red head asked.
"Ramone. Ramone," Richie nodded, "That's it. Anyway, he said you might be interested."
"In what?" the red head asked.
"In a job," Richie answered.
"You see," Tori added, "we need three flamingos dancers in our hotel. It's uh, free room and board, good pay, and, um…..private dressing rooms. What do you say?"
"Maybe," the red head answered.
"Well. Good, good," Richie replied, "but there were three of you before. Where's the other girl? Is she here?"
"Luisa's not here," the red head answered, "There are just two of us right now."
"Hmmm, that could be a problem," Richie replied before asking, "Is there a way I can get in touch with her?"
The two girls looked at each other before the red head answered, "We don't know where she is. Sorry."
"Oh. All right. Well, thanks anyway. Too bad," Richie replied before he and Tori started to leave, "Come on, Tor."
"Wait," the red head called out before they turned back, "She made us promise not to tell anyone, so…."
"Well, ladies," Richie insisted, "she'll never know it was you who told us."
"He's right," Tori added, "You gotta trust us."
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Duncan arrived outside Consone's house with Lothar and Mandrake in tow.
"So, this is the place," Lothar stated.
"Richie can be very convincing at times," Duncan replied, "Glad he and Tori were able to talk Luisa's friends into getting information."
"I agree with your sentiments there," Mandrake replied.
The three men walked towards the house and stopped when they saw the housekeeper leaving the house.
"Uh, excuse us," Duncan called out, "We're looking for Senor Consone."
"I am afraid no one is here," the housekeeper answered.
"Do you know where we can find him?" Lothar asked.
"Are you friends of his?" the housekeeper then asked in turn.
"Consone and I go back a long way," Duncan answered.
"But you're too late," the housekeeper informed the three men, "Senor Consone and Luisa got married this afternoon. Senor Consone gave me a week off. Newlyweds – you know how it is."
"Oh no," Lothar muttered, "LJ is going to be heartbroken."
"He'll get over it," Mandrake replied.
"Well, I brought him a gift too," Duncan told the housekeeper.
"Oh. Would you like to give it to me?" the housekeeper asked, "I'll make sure he receives it."
"No, thank you, senora," Duncan answered, "I…...would like to give it to him personally."
"As you wish," the housekeeper replied before she left.
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Anna made her way through the darkened club, leaning heavily on her cane.
"That does look awkward," Consone stated, sitting at a table. Anna turned the lights on and saw him, "Tell me, does it hurt? Does it bother you every day? How did it happen?"
"It was an accident," Anna answered.
"That's right, Anna. An accident," Consone stated, "September 1986 on the Rue de Madelaine. You were wearing a red coat. You looked lovely. Maybe it was the birds that made you turn, or maybe you heard the car. You were too late."
"No!" Anna gasped in disbelief.
"Tell me, do you still move with passion?" Consone asked, "The same fire? How is your dancing, Anna?"
Anna screamed and swung her cane at him. He grabbed her arm and she fell to her knees.
"Such behavior," Consone stated before asking, "Is that any way to greet your new son in law?"
"You – you didn't. No, no," Anna stated in denial, "It's not you. It can't be you. This is not possible."
"Luisa was such a lovely bride," Consone declared, "Pity she'll die so young."
"Oh no!" Anna pleaded, "Not Luisa! No, no! She's innocent!"
"She is the spawn of the two who betrayed him," Consone told her, "Remember? I told you Rafael is only the first cut."
"Kill me, not Luisa!" Anna pleaded, "Kill me instead!"
"You, Anna?" Consone dropped Anna's cane on the floor, "I killed you that day in the street."
He stood up and put on his coat and left Anna sobbing on the club floor.
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Duncan noticed Luisa stepping out of her car, walking towards the house and pulled the keyring and saw him along with Lothar and Mandrake, "Duncan. Lothar and Mandrake."
"Where's Consone?" Duncan asked.
"Did my mother send you?" Luisa interjected, "Look, I love her, but she can't keep doing this."
"It's not about your mother," Lothar insisted.
"He's right," Mandrake added, "Now, where is Consone?"
"He had an errand to run," Luisa answered, "He'll be home soon."
"Look, we're going to get your things and we're going to take you away from here," Duncan told the young lady, "You don't know what he is."
"I know enough," Luisa replied.
"What if I told you he'd been married before?" Duncan asked.
"So what?"
"The person that he married meant a great deal to me," Duncan told her.
"I think you should leave now," Luisa insisted.
"He killed her," Duncan told her.
"You're as crazy as my mother," Luisa replied.
"Luisa, your mother isn't crazy," Duncan argued before he sensed the Buzz as the limo neared the house, and he shoved Luisa through the front door, "Get inside."
Consone stepped out of the limo upon the limo parking near the house, "Highlander, I always seem to find you sniffing around my women."
"Theresa was never yours," Duncan replied.
"Don't flatter yourself," Consone told him, "She never thought of you again."
"No, no, no, Consone," Duncan replied, "What you mean is she never spoke of me again. She thought of me. She thought of me every night. Every time you touched her. Every time you looked at her. That's why you killed her."
"Such a cowardly move of you, I must say," Mandrake chimed in.
"Young women," Consone stated, "they wither and fade so quickly."
"Glad Richie isn't here," Mandrake whispered to Lothar.
"You're right," Lothar whispered back, "he would have wailed on him for that comment."
"Theresa was no different," Consone continued, "Yes, I killed her."
He held up his left hand, showing off his wedding band, "Have you met the new Senora Consone? She is quite a beautiful flower, is she not?"
"She is," Mandrake answered, "Such a darn shame that you do not cherish such beauty."
"You know, Consone," Duncan stated, "I'd forget about her. I sent her home to her mother."
Consone chuckled, "Impossible! Luisa is mine!"
Duncan laughed in response, "You think any woman would stay with you once they knew knew what you were?"
"Yeah. Besides from what I heard," Mandrake chimed in, "how do you expect us to believe you love Luisa?"
"Much less like her," Lothar added.
"She can run all she likes," Consone answered, "If it takes another twenty years, I'll find her. If she has a husband, I'll kill the husband; if she has a daughter, I will seduce the daughter."
"What if she has a son?" Lothar asked.
"I will brainwash the son," Consone answered.
"You son of a bitch!" Luisa ran out of the house, "You – no!"
Mandrake held back Luisa, "No, no, no. Easy."
"That was a mistake," Consone stated.
"No!" Luisa shouted.
"It's too bad," Consone declared, "For all of you."
"Luisa, go with Mandrake and Lothar," Duncan instructed, "they'll get you out of here."
"You….." Luisa started to say.
"Come on!" Mandrake told her before Mandrake, Lothar and Luisa ran off, leaving Duncan with Consone.
"I'll find you!" Consone called out before telling Duncan, "And I will have her, and your noble sacrifice will be for nothing."
"Who said anything about sacrifice?" Duncan asked.
Consone chuckled, "Bravo, extranjero."
He motioned his for Duncan to precede him.
"After you," Duncan replied.
Duncan arrived at the mysterious circle near Consone's house. He and Consone approached the circle, carrying their swords and daggers. They moved to opposite corners of the marked square, salute each other and began their duel. Dusk was falling, and so was the rain. They continued to fight until it became fully dark and raining hard. The fight continued in the pouring rain.
"Still think you could make a swordsman out of me, Consone?" Duncan asked as he posed.
"You were born a pig farmer," Consone answered, "You'll always be a pig farmer."
They continued their duel. Then, Consone stabbed Duncan, "And now you die a pig farmer."
Consone moved to pull his sword back. Duncan grabbed the basket and pulled the sword forward, impaling himself fully. His sword thus trapped, Consone tried to hit Duncan with his dagger, but Duncan grabbed the dagger from him, and used both daggers to behead Consone. As his opponent fell, the swords fell from Duncan's body.
Duncan fell to his knees as the quickening began. Fireworks and flames lit up the area until the Quickening ended.
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Mandrake, Anna, Luisa and Lothar all sat quietly together at the apartment. The men explained everything Hidalgos and let them know they would look after them until Duncan returned.
The group was startled upon hearing a knock on the door. Lothar got up and opened the door, revealing to be Duncan.
"Duncan, what happened?" Luisa asked.
"You don't have to worry about Consone anymore," Duncan answered.
"Did the earth open up and swallow him?" Anna asked, "Did a mountain crumble on top of him and bury him?"
"Not exactly," Duncan answered.
"Then she's not safe," Anna replied.
"Oh, Mama, what should I do?" Luisa asked, holding to her mother, "I can't believe I married him."
"It wasn't your fault, my dear," Mandrake assured the young Hildago, "He knew exactly what he was doing."
"You're a widow," Duncan announced to Luisa.
Both women looked at him in shock.
"But how?" Luisa asked.
"We won't ask anymore," Anna replied before she took Duncan's hand and kissed it.
"Oh, Mama," Luisa whispered before she went to hug her mother. Duncan, Mandrake and Lothar watched them for a moment before they left the apartment.
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"So, you beat the master at his own game, huh?" Richie asked as he, Jenny, Tori and Duncan were seated together at the barge. Mandrake, Lothar, Amy, LJ and Kshin decided to return to Gotham upon the mission being completed and they bid their farewells before the five left Paris.
"Consone thought the fight was all about control," Duncan answered.
"Really now?" Tori quipped.
"Yes," Duncan nodded before continuing, "About mastering every step and every move, but…..you know, there's a place in the dance when you just forget about dancing. When you do things beyond what your body has learned, that is beyond what your conscious mind is capable of."
"Duende," Richie stated.
"Yeah," Duncan replied.
"I'm learning, Mac," Richie replied.
"Duende," Duncan chimed in.
"So, Uncle Mac," Jenny spoke up, "Tell us the story about how you, Aunt Amanda and Uncle Fitz friend of yours stole the Stone of Scone."
"Oh yeah!" Richie added, "Tell us."
"How did you even know?" Duncan asked.
"The IUA had a file on that incident," Tori answered with a slight chuckle, "Duende."
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Author's Commentary:
Louisa then took a step back as Duncan continued moving his arm. Tori and Richie continued copying the couple as well.
"Yeah," Louisa stated as Duncan brought both of his hands down together and Richie did the same with Tori, feeling nervous.
"I think you've done this before," Louisa told Duncan before eyeing Richie and Tori, "and you two are doing pretty good for beginners."
"Thanks," Richie and Tori replied in unison.
Duncan danced a flourish to the guitar music. Richie did as well, but not as good as Duncan was doing.
Writing this scene, I was imagining this scenario in my head: What if Richie was made to dance in public? Definitely AU to canon, but I made this a double dance featuring Duncan and Louisa as well as Richie and Tori.
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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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