DCH 83
Defenders Chronicles: Highlander
By AmandaDoE
Chapter Eighty-Three: Before the Oncoming Storm
Duncan looked on as he was watching a young man playing with the band, seated with Joe and Methos.
"This kid's great," Duncan commented.
"We picked him up in London," Joe explained, "He came to every show, every night."
Methos and Duncan sensed the Buzz and they looked to see a familiar face entering the club.
Methos smiled, "Well, look who's here."
The immortal walked through the club and shook Smythe's hand, "You must be the new owner of the nightclub."
"Yes," Smythe shook the rock star's hand, "My name is Andrew Smythe. I am a good friend of Maurice's. He willed the nightclub to me after he passed away a few months ago."
"I miss Maurice," Duncan said to himself.
"Byron," Joe eyed the rock star.
"The Byron?" Duncan asked.
Byron walked toward the group with two groupie girls following him, "Hey, Doc."
Methos stood to greet him, "Hey."
"It's been a long time," Byron went to shake his hand.
"You've become kind of famous again," Methos stated.
"Yeah, I, uh, just can't seem to shake it," Byron chuckled in response.
"Uh, Duncan MacLeod," Methos introduced his friends to his old friend, "Joe Dawson."
"Any friend of the Doc's…." Byron told Duncan as they exchanged a measured look. Byron then turned his attention to Mike, still playing with the band, "That kid's not bad. Who is he?"
"Ah, that's Mike," Methos answered, "He's from London."
They sat at the table, and applauded as Mike finished the song.
"You were great, Mike," Duncan said as Mike approached them.
"It's a rush!" Mike exclaimed.
"Beautiful, man," Joe chimed in.
"Thanks, Joe," Mike replied.
"Great chops, kid," Byron complimented the young musician.
"I'm sorry. Hold on a minute," Mike told Joe before he went to sit by Byron, "You're who I think you are, aren't you? I've got every CD, Imports, everything. Man, I've been a fan of yours forever."
Joe leaned over to Methos, "You mean to tell me you knew him all this time and you never told me?"
"Yeah," Duncan added in, "Doc."
Switzerland, 1816
Methos was in the driver's seat of the carriage. He yawned loudly as Byron and Claire kissed passionately in the rear seat of the carriage.
Byron looked up and laughed, "It seems the good doctor grows weary of our entertainments."
"As spectator, surely," Methos replied, "As participant, never."
"Doctor Adams, your effrontery shocks me," Claire stated.
"You aren't shocked, are you?" Byron asked, "You would be if you saw him at his labors, cutting up corpses, up to his elbows in rotting flesh and maggotry entrails."
"No! Truly?!" Claire exclaimed.
"There are some questions about life that only the dead can answer," Methos stated.
"Only the dead…..and poets!" Byron exclaimed.
"Well, then I shall have my answers when the Shelleys arrive," Methos replied.
"Or rather, Percy Shelley and that woman, Mary, he calls wife that he seems so interested in seducing," Byron chimed in.
The three laughed as the carriage approached two girls by the side of the road.
"Oh, look! Byron!" one of the girls called out.
"My, what do we have here?" Methos asked.
As Byron stood and reached out to the girls, Claire stopped him, "Byron, sit down."
"This band, which bound thy yellow hair," Byron quoted himself, "Is mine, sweet girl! Thy pledge of love; it claims my warmest, dearest care, like relics left of saints above."
He tossed a gold scarf to the girls as the carriage passed them.
"Oh, I don't know what they think?" Methos stated.
Methos saw the small coach ahead of them, "Whoa!"
He stopped the carriage as he and Byron sensed the Buzz from the coach's driver. Byron tapped his shoulder, "You know him?"
"Hans Kershner," Byron answered, "He thinks I slept with his wife."
He joined Methos on the front seat of the carriage.
"Did you?" Claire asked.
"Of course!" Byron answered.
"Hold on," Methos said with a smile.
Byron slapped the reins to start the carriage forward again, "Haah!"
"Hyah!" Kershner shouted from his carriage, "Hold it there, you scoundrel!"
"Hyah!" Come on!" Byron exclaimed. He turned the carriage down the side lane with Kershner in pursuit.
"You can't get away!" Kershner declared, "You can't escape! Hyah! Hah!"
"Whoo!" Claire cheered.
Byron urged the horses to go faster, "Come on! Go on!"
"Hyah! Hyah! Aah! Giddap!" Kershner exclaimed as they raced past a lake, "Hyah!"
The wheel of Kershner's coach hit a rock. Kershner went flying as the coach tumbled over.
"Next time, send your wife," Methos called out.
Shortly, the carriage past through the open gate of the large villa.
"Am I as dangerous as my reputation, Doctor?" Byron asked before he brought the carriage to a halt.
"You're mad, sir. Mad," Methos replied, laughing, "Are you trying to get us killed?"
"You speak of death," Byron replied, "Yet note how quickly your heart beats. You seem more alive than ever, sir!"
The three walked towards the villa together.
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"So to the last, and in the verge of our decay, some phantom lures such as we sought at first, but all too late, so we are doubly cursed," Byron dramatically read a book, "Love, fame, ambition, avarice, tis the same. Each idle and ill and none the worst. For all are meteors with a different name, and death the sable smoke who vanishes in the flame."
He closed the book with a flourish. Claire and the Shelleys applauded.
"It's a drivel!" Byron then threw the book to the floor, "My God, I bore even myself."
"I thought it was wonderful, Lord Byron," Percy stated, "You are too critical of your poetry, and for the evening's entertainment…."
He held up an opium pipe.
"It'll take more than Morpheus' smoke to quiet me today, Shelley," Byron declared.
"I trust you had a pleasant journey this afternoon, sir," Mary addressed Methos.
"Only if one enjoys dancing near the halls of death, Mrs. Shelley," Methos replied.
"I love to dance," Claire stated.
"What have you to quiet a troubled soul, Doctor?" Byron asked Methos, "For mine has been wounded in life's battles."
"You cannot wound a spirit," Methos answered, "How ridiculous, Lord Byron."
"Shall we test your theory, my little nymph?" Byron asked before he grabbed up a pistol from nearby, "Shall I kill you here and now?"
"Lord Byron, no," Claire objected.
"I think you've taken this jest far enough," Methos told his friend.
Byron glanced at Methos, and then turned back to Claire, still pointing the pistol at her, "Shall I watch your spirit rise up before me, and pluck it from the air?"
"I only….." Claire started to say.
Byron stridden at her, grabbed her and kissed her. She pushed him away, sunk onto a bench, dizzy.
"Shelley, the laudanum," Byron said. Percy handed Claire a vial of laudanum before Byron stated, "Next time, preserve your ignorance for one more deserving than I."
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"Is there no relief to this eternal boredom?" Byron asked as he glanced at Methos, who was seated at a chair nearby.
"What exactly did you have in mind?" Methos asked.
"New stories," Byron answered, "I say we call forth the armies of the night, and do them battle, soul to soul, till they, or we cry, "Hold, enough" and give over the field."
"Sounds thrilling," Claire replied.
"Sounds morbid," Methos chimed in.
"Stories of horror….." Percy said, "to bring forth our own ghosts from deep within us. From those dead humors rattling around the midnight of our souls."
"Yes, yes, but who shall be the first to amuse and frighten us tonight?" Byron asked, "The quiet Mrs. Shelley, perhaps?"
"You mock me, sir, yet I have felt death," Mary replied, "I've held it in my arms. I hope never to feel the like again."
"Yes, but feel it you did," Byron interjected, "In tasting grief, in tasting fear, is that not the time we truly live?"
Mary nodded slowly.
"And so, fair muse, what ghosts have you to share tonight?" Byron inquired.
"I'm – I'm afraid my imagination fails me at present," Mary told him.
"Ah, but look dear lady," Byron replied, "Your neighbor greedily gulps the nectar of creativity itself."
He held the vial of laudanum as Claire drunk from it.
Percy took the vial from Byron, "Drink the laudanum, my love. Drink."
Mary took the vial from him.
"To stimulate your imagination, my dear," Percy continued. Mary drank, then she got up, gasping. Methos rose up, twirled her around, then eased her to the floor as she collapsed, coughing.
"What melodrama is this?" Byron asked.
"Your wife has had enough sir," Methos answered.
"Take care of her, good doctor," Percy replied, "Into your hands, I commend her spirit."
Methos scooped Mary up, carried her from the room.
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Methos went over to Mary as she sat up in her bed with a cry after waking up from a dream.
"My baby Clara," Mary cried, "I dreamt she came back to life. She had a beak for a mouth, and I was in the forest. There was a man – a monster, a beast. I couldn't tell what it was. Sometimes…..sometimes I w... I wonder who's the more unhappy….those who die, or those who live."
She succumbed to sleep once more.
Methos stroked her hair, "Perhaps, dear Mary…..death is not truly journey's end, but just another turn in the road. If we believe that, we can live without fear."
"Bravo," Byron applauded as he walked towards the bed, "Bravo."
"Be still!" Methos exclaimed in a whispered hiss.
Byron looked down at Mary, "Still. So still, almost like…..death."
He sat on the bed opposite Methos and leaned over Mary, "Yet look! She stirs. Is she not beautiful?"
He ran his hand down her body.
"That she is," Methos answered before he plucked his hand away, "Now let her rest."
"Ah, but does she want to rest?" Byron asked, "I say we take her, and push the bounds of our passion to heaven itself."
"And I say we leave before we push the bounds of decency," Methos suggested.
"Decency means nothing," Byron insisted, "All that matters is this moment, the three of us here, in this room. Look at her."
He took Methos' hand, and placed it on Mary's chest, "Feel her hunger. What is the point of living if we don't taste what life has to offer us?"
Byron ran his hand over Mary's body again as she moaned in her sleep. Methos gently caressed Mary's neck and the ruffles of her nightgown, then pulled away.
"Enough," Methos firmly told his friend as he got up and walked around the bed to Byron, who leaned over and kissed Mary, "I said, enough!"
He pulled him away from the unconscious woman.
"How dare you!" Byron replied, "This is my home, my life. I will do with it as I choose. Unless, of course, you choose to stop me."
He pulled his sword from his cane, and pointed it at Methos.
"Put it away and let her be," Methos ordered, "I would rather have your poetry than your head."
"Very well," Byron replied before he sheathed his sword, "As a favor to you."
He bowed his head slightly. Methos pointedly replied with a slightly deeper bow. Byron grinned, bowing even more deeply. Methos smiled, one upping him with a final deep bow.
The Present
"Man, that was amazing," Mike stated with excitement as they were leaving the nightclub, "It was like Jimi Hendrix was in my head, and I was just playing along."
"Do you want to open for us tomorrow night?" Joe asked, "Mr. Smythe says it's okay."
"Of course, man," Mike answered, "I'll do – I'll do whatever it takes."
"You already did what it takes," Duncan replied.
"All right," Joe told the musician, "So come by in the morning. We'll run a couple of tunes, and we'll see how it feels."
"Hey, Mike…." Byron asked, "You wanna come jam?"
"You're serious?!" Mike exclaimed with excitement.
"I'm only asking once," Byron stated.
"Yeah, sure!" Mike answered.
"Okay, I'll see you in the morning, all right?" Joe told the young musician.
"I'll be there, man," Mike replied," I can't believe this is happening to me."
"Take it easy, all right?" Joe chimed in, "Don't get crazy."
"Now or never, Mikey!" Byron exclaimed.
"Okay, yeah, uh – I gotta go," Mike told Joe before he left the nightclub.
"He's an arrogant son of a bitch," Duncan told Methos.
"A lot of geniuses are. He's connected," Methos replied, "He's connected. He could make that kid's career with one phone call."
"Yeah, he's in the big time now," Joe declared.
The three men looked on as the limo drove off.
IUA Base – 10:20 am
Janet eyed the screen that was sprawled on a wall, both arms quivering along her chest. The feed relayed a view of a faraway cave. Thirty ice robots were kneeling within. All of them were dormant, but not for long. Each would awaken in around five minutes. Then they'd march out and strike a town nearby, shooting the civilians who had yet to escape.
"We're estimating hundreds of casualties, leader," a male agent said as he eyed a computer. "The townspeople simply didn't flee soon enough."
Janet made a grumble, tightening her fists. From what she'd learned, Ming had set a bit of insurance in place: in the event that he was thwarted somehow, satellites would beam certain signals to Earth – one at a time, gradually.
Each of the beams would reach one of his forts, bases that he'd hidden quite carefully. Then his robots would start targeting people.
Once the Gordon family had learned of this plan, they'd scurried to destroy all the space satellites, and rushed to bombard all the bases too.
This base was shielded by a mountain of rock. An aerial assault wasn't likely to work. An army wouldn't have proper space to attack.
The only solution was to send one person – more specifically, a particular woman.
Janet's niece Sara popped up from a chair. She was on loan from a different team. "Leader!" she said, keeping it formal. "I've just received word from our agent on-site. She'll make her assault in 5...4...3...2..."
Janet eyed the screen. Nothing occurred. The agent that she'd hired hadn't shown up yet. "Where is she?" she asked, turning to Sara.
Sara sat down. She tapped her headpiece. "Agent?" she called. "Are you at the location?"
The robots awakened, rising as one. All of their eyes bore a crimson glow. Each was equipped with a small sidearm – which they would use against the people in town.
Sara faced her aunt. "Sorry..." She squirmed. "She tends to be late."
The male worker scoffed. "Then why do people send her on jobs like this?"
Just as the robots were leaving the cave, a caped girl swung from a cable above, bowling several down like a white line of pins.
Sara grinned a bit. "You're about to find out."
The caped girl landed, taking a breath, brushing back a lock of her long black hair.
Two of the machines started shooting at her.
With very little effort, she leaned to the left – and then to the right. The robots hit a pair of their partners instead.
She pulled twin blasters, then twirled in place, downing many robots with a bevy of shots.
Janet's jaw lowered as she studied the scene.
The girl stopped spinning, then threw her guns down. She tucked both hands deep inside of her cape, crossing her arms as she crouched just a tad. Then she whipped them out, and little spheres flew, each of them shining as they fell to the dirt.
The girl reached upward, and squeezed a small tool. A long grappling rope shot forth from her hands. The point hit the ceiling. She rose from the ground.
Moments later, her spheres exploded, frying all the robots that were still intact.
Janet and the others watched the scene in awe. It was clear now that the town was safe.
As the smoke cleared, the girl remained hanging, using her free hand to speak on a phone. "Walker to base. Mission completed." She noticed the camera, and made a little wink.
Sara cleared her throat. "Thanks a lot, Rachel."
Rachel made a nod, then lowered herself. "I've got to go pick my kid up from school."
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Tori sighed as she looked at Richie.
"Are you okay?" Richie asked.
"I'll be okay," Tori nodded, "It feels so strange that we don't have Jenny in our lives anymore."
"I know," Richie held his wife in a loving embrace, "I know. I miss her too."
Tori couldn't help but to place her anger towards Duncan. It was his fault her daughter was gone. If he had just let Methos kill Keane when he had the chance, then Jenny might have been alive for a little while longer. She knew that Jenny only had a few days to live prior to the tragedy, but Keane only escalated things and she had to take his head to avenge her daughter's death after slicing him during the duel. Tori could remember the argument she had with Duncan before she became distant with him.
"I'm unaware of your grudge, but when you bring me and my family in the mix, you surely have to pay for what you have done," Tori told her defeated opponent, "You are no better than Dunbar, you're not what you claim to be. Now, you're time is up!"
"Do it and I'm next!" Duncan declared as he, Richie, Amanda and Methos all arrived at the scene.
"I told Methos this and I'll tell you now," Duncan eyed Tori, "You kill him, Tori – I swear, you face me."
Tori nodded harshly before she turned and beheaded Keane and then took his quickening.
Duncan's eyes widened while Richie looked down sadly and Amanda and Methos both shook their heads.
After the quickening ended, Tori eyed Duncan and raised her sword, "Well? I accept your challenge. Come on."
Duncan didn't move.
"I knew you were bluffing," Tori replied in disbelief before she left the area with Richie.
Tori knew that Richie was conflicted in keeping distance from MacLeod. She wasn't going to tell Richie who he could and couldn't talk to, but she was going to stay away from Duncan for as much as she could help it. He was hurt by losing Jenny too, but he was coping in his way, mostly by keeping himself distracted, but she was trying to keep herself distracted too.
"Hey, um, I know that you're mad at Mac and everything," Richie told his wife, "but um, Mac wants to take us out somewhere."
"Where," Tori inquired, "and when?"
"It is a show in Paris," Richie answered, "and the show is going to be in a couple of weeks. You don't have to interact with him much, but it would mean a lot to me if you went with me because…..most likely it's going to be something boring."
Tori sighed and gave her husband a small smile, "Fine. Not for MacLeod's sake, but for yours."
"Thank you, Tor," Richie nodded, "I won't pressure you to interact with Mac unless necessary."
"Thanks, Rich," Tori replied.
There was a pause of silence as they held each other's hands.
"I gotta go," Tori spoke up, breaking the silence. "I've been assigned to a mission with April and Sara."
"Sounds great," Richie replied. "Will you be back in time for us to visit Jenny's grave afterwards?"
"Sounds like a plan, hot shot," Tori said before they shared a kiss.
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Sara cocked the weapon, then tightened her armor. 31 seconds 'til the mission began. She'd rather not take someone's life today, but she had a feeling she was going to.
It was a line she was willing to cross. She'd done it before — more than once. That was the life of a Gordon child, should you choose to enter this field of work. There were two options when you learned of it: you could get out and take a normal job — like being a waitress or a secretary — or you could help the effort to defend the world, which meant killing people who threatened peace.
Her mother had explained it in simple terms. It wasn't a joke. It wasn't a game.
She tucked a knife down into an armor sheath, then put a handgun into a side holster. Clutching her rifle, she glanced to the side. "Ready?" she asked.
April walked forth. "Ready," she answered, weapon in hand.
Tori stepped forward with a blaster in tow. "Let's do it," she uttered.
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Methos and Duncan entered the penthouse to find Byron ranting at his manager and they heard the last line of the ranting, "I know you want to make me happy."
The manager scampered out, past Methos and Duncan.
"Afternoon, boys," Byron greeted his fellow immortals.
"Still lacerating the help, I see," Methos stated.
"It's good being the star," Byron replied.
"You and Mike had quite a session last night," Duncan chimed in.
"Yeah," Byron replied, "Kid's got a good shot."
"That's why we're here," Duncan told him.
Byron offered the cocaine tray to them, "Got to rev the engine or you're just idling. Don't understand how you guys can live without it."
He snorted some coke.
"Just fine thanks," Duncan declined the offer, "So did Mike until last night."
"Oh! That's better," Byron exclaimed, "Immortality gets pretty damn dull after the first couple of centuries, doesn't it? What's the secret, Doc? What do you do when there's nothing left but the dark, cold emptiness that stretched out for centuries behind you…..and when you look in the mirror, all that you see is the abomination that you are?"
Switzerland, 1816
A servant led a Saanen goat past Mary, standing outside the drawing room.
"The sun will set and oppose the enemy," Byron declared from inside the drawing room.
"Shall we?" Methos called out before he descended down the stairs.
"I confess, I'm afraid to go in," Mary told him.
"It's just his way of being entertaining," Methos assured her, "They're only ghost stories."
"Told by master wordsmiths," Mary added in, "Lord Byron's words will live forever. What I have to offer in such company?"
"Your heart. Your dreams. Your nightmares," Methos stated.
"Is that where you found your story?" Mary inquired, "Pray, tell me."
"Not now. Come," Methos told her, "Let us show Byron and Shelley that they do not have the only creative minds of the day."
They entered the room as Byron was getting up to his feet.
"Ah. We'd almost despaired of your company," Byron stated, "Hark, Percy! The good doctor is in love with your Mary. What do you say to that?"
Percy got to his feet, "I say run, and fleet be thy feet! Fly from love, that horned beast that impales all men!"
He pulled Mary down to the cushions and kissed her.
Byron and Methos sensed the Buzz.
"It seems my destiny awaits," Byron told Methos before he spoke loudly to the others, "With your permission, my friends. I take my leave."
Methos followed him out. Mary watched them go as Percy kissed Claire.
Methos and Byron went out into the hallway.
"The jealous husband?" Methos asked.
"Uh-huh," Byron answered. He walked to the front door where Kershner was waiting, looking through the glass and opened the front door, "Hans, my good friend! Come in, man, and warm thy sodden self by my fire."
Kershner backhanded Byron, "That is for my wife, and zis is for me."
He drawn out his sword, "Defend yourself!"
"Alas, my good man, I am but a poet, not a warrior," Byron declared.
"What you are is a cuckolding cripple," Kershner told his opponent.
He went back outside. Byron clenched his jaw in anger.
"You are not ready for this," Methos told his friend, "Give way."
Byron gave him a look before going out.
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"Try me and you shall see a poet's mettle," Byron declared.
"Think man, who you would kill," Methos replied, "Would you be Lord Byron's murderer?"
"He shall be Lord Byron's first conquest," Byron declared.
"Well then, try me, boy," Kershner replied.
With that, Kershner and Byron dueled. Byron gave way as Kershner attacked, then stepped forward and around him, attacking in turn. Kershner dodged, invited him forward, gave ground as Byron attacked. Byron paused to catch his breath before the fight continued.
Kershner stabbed Byron and Byron returned the favor, stabbing his opponent with his cane, then beheaded him with his sword.
Methos saw Mary arriving at the scene, running to Byron as he collapsed. Methos lowered him to the ground before pulling Mary away as the quickening began. Lighting hit Byron's hands, moving them around. Methos saw that Mary was watching in shocked amazement.
Byron's hands lifted, then his body was raised to the ground as the quickening continued. Methos hugged Mary close, trying to protect her from the showering sparks. More lighting struck the body and even larger spray of sparks erupted in the background. As the sparks died down, one last explosion of pyrotechnics erupted before Byron's body slowly lowered toward the ground.
After the quickening ended, Mary knelt beside Byron. He moved slightly and she gasped in shock and stumbled over to join Methos.
"How?" Mary asked, "He lives! Yet I thought….."
"It was a trick of the storm," Methos tried to tell her.
"I am not Claire!" Mary exclaimed, "Do not speak to me like a fool. I've seen him die and live again. While my daughter Clara lies buried in her grave. How can he live while my flesh and blood turns to dust? Explain!"
"There is no explanation," Methos answered, "He is not governed by the rules of mortal flesh. He is of a different kind."
"How do you know this?" Mary asked, "How can you know it?"
"Because I am like him, immortal," Methos answered, "I beseech you, tell no one of this. We must live in secret."
Mary nodded, understanding, "Or you would be hunted."
"For the perversion of nature that we are," Methos added in.
"Poor, tormented creature," Mary lamented, "The sad hero of a never ending story. Resurrected by lighting to eternal life…..and eternal loneliness."
She reached out a hand to gently caress his cheek. Behind them, Byron got to his feet.
"An interesting bit of entertainment this was, I'll wager," Byron stated, "Come, there's a fire inside, and stories to tell…..if you have one."
"I do," Mary replied, "Mine will be about the anguish of immortality."
"And what will you call your story, Mary Shelley?" Methos asked.
"Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus," Mary answered before she looked over to Byron walking back to the villa, "A man born of fire."
The Present
"Light, feeling, and sense will pass away; and in this condition must I find happiness," Byron read from a book before he looked up at a Frankenstein poster on the wall, "Frankenstein, gentlemen. Mary Shelley's greatest work."
He glanced at Methos and Duncan being silent.
"The point is that we are all Frankenstein's monster, doomed to walk the frozen tundra for eternity," Byron continued, "or the streets of Paris, as the case may be."
He held up a packet of white powder, "But at least this gives us the illusion of life."
"If you think that's what life is all about, then you're already dead," Duncan replied.
Byron scoffed, "So speaks the hero."
"You listen to me," Duncan told the troubled immortal, "This is no illusion, no poetic fantasy. This is real, and it's a warning. Leave the kid alone."
He left the penthouse, with Methos following him moments later and they were walking down the streets.
"Your friend's a mess," Duncan told Methos.
"He's a genius," Methos replied.
"He's pathetic," Duncan stated.
"It's very easy to think that way," Methos replied before asking, "Did you ever starve to death, MacLeod? Byron feels hunger like that every day. Twenty thousand people screaming his name; it's not enough to fill the hole inside him. He always wants more. He always needs more. You should try it sometime."
"Yeah, well, I know what it's like to be empty," Duncan informed him, "It's no excuse."
"She walks in beauty, like the night/ Of cloudless climes and starry skies," Methos quoted.
"And all that's best of dark and bright/ Meet in the aspect of her eyes," Duncan quoted in turn, "Yes, I know the poem."
"How do you think like that, how do you write like that, and not be a little…...larger than life?" Methos stated, "You know, Charlie Parker, van Gogh, Mozart. Messed up guys."
"Yeah," Duncan interjected, "DaVinci. Bach. Normal guys, and still great artists."
"Yeah, and Byron is also a great artist," Methos argued, "He's given the world great poetry."
"But at what price?" Duncan asked.
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"Well?" Duncan asked as he eyed Richie.
"Um, it wasn't easy," Richie answered, "but I was able to convince Tori to join us for the show."
Duncan nodded, "That's good."
"She's mad at you, huh?" Joe asked Duncan.
"She feels it's my fault that Jenny died," Duncan answered, "That Keane took her when she was supposed to have been resting."
"She says if you have let Methos take Keane's head," Richie chimed in, "Maybe we would have had a little bit longer with our daughter. Why didn't you?"
Duncan didn't answer.
Suddenly, Mike arrived, walking up to the three men, "Hey, thanks for nothing, guys."
"Hey, what did I do?!" Richie exclaimed.
"Richie, easy," Duncan told his student before asking Mike, "What's the problem?"
"Did I ask you to mind my business?" Mike retorted, "Stay the hell out of my life. If he wants to play in the little clubs like this for the rest of his life, that's fine. That's fine. Okay. I'm not. All right?"
He then stormed away.
"Hey, Mike!" Duncan chased after him, "Mike! You think Byron gives a damn about you? You think he cares whether you live or die?"
"He's my shot," Mike stressed.
"Yeah, maybe," Joe replied before Mike turned away again, "Hey, Mike, you're still opening for us in a couple of hours, all right?"
Mike hesitated for a moment before he left.
"Is there something I need to know about?" Richie asked his friends.
"No," Joe answered, "Go and rest so you can visit your daughter's grave tomorrow."
Richie nodded before he left.
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Duncan hurried across the street to Joe, "Mike never show up?"
"No. What the hell," Joe answered, "I should have figured. I mean, who would choose my life over Byron's?"
"You would," Duncan told his watcher.
"Yeah," Joe stressed, "but he wouldn't be in this spot if it wasn't for me."
"Don't hold yourself responsible for him," Duncan assured his friend.
"Hey, you would," Joe replied.
"I'll see you later," Duncan replied before he headed down the streets.
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Duncan stormed into the penthouse. It was dark and quiet. He looked to find Mike on the floor by the couch, dead. He saw a needle mark on his arm and an empty liquor bottle beside him. Mike was dead of an overdose.
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Duncan followed Byron to an area near the stadium. They fought. Byron used both his sword and its cane sheath until Duncan grabbed the cane away from him, "Well, guess you won't be needing this."
He tossed the cane aside, "Makes us even."
"No," Byron replied before slid a gun from his sleeve, shot Duncan in the foot, "Now we're even."
He tossed the gun aside, "Foiled, bleeding, breathless, furious to the last/ Full in the centre stands in the Bull at bay!"
Byron continued quoting as he was dueling, "Mid wounds, and clinging darts, and lances brast, and foes disabled in the brutal fray"
He cut Duncan on the shoulder and laughed, "And now the Matadores around him play, shake the red cloak, and poise the ready brand."
The fight continued.
"Once more through all he bursts his thundering way - / vain rage!" Byron declared.
Duncan grabbed Byron's sword arm, and put his katana against Byron's neck, "The mantle quits the conynge hand, wraps his fierce eye – tis past – he sinks upon the sand."
He whirled and beheaded Byron. The rock music played in the background as Duncan was lifted off the ground by the quickening energy. He saw flashes of the crowd in the stadium as the energy dropped Duncan as the quickening began. He saw flashes of Byron in his life until the quickening ended and Duncan stood back up.
-Defenders-Chronicles-Highlander-
Methos lifted his head from his folded arms as Joe played the guitar in the background. Methos grabbed a bottle from the bar, walked over to the table and set the bottle on the table, and set the glass on the table, pulling up his sleeves and sat down.
Methos then sensed the Buzz as Duncan entered the club.
"Matter and anti matter," Methos stated, "Byron knew that too. His life had become one long tragedy."
Duncan joined Methos at the table, "We all know how those end."
Methos heard Byron's words in his head, "My task is done. My song has ceased. My theme has died into an echo. It is fit."
-Defenders-Chronicles-Highlander-
Richie stood in front of Jenny's grave. He gave a small smile as his daughter was buried under a willow tree. It was something beautiful and the LeMartins helped them bury Jenny, just as they helped him and Tori with the funeral.
"Richie," Tori arrived at the grave site as she arrived with a bouquet of flowers. She knelt down and placed the flowers on Jenny's grave, "Sorry, I'm late."
"It's all right," Richie assured his wife, "I'm just glad that you were able to make it."
"How can I not want to see my daughter," Tori asked, "even though she's now buried at her beautiful grave."
"Hello, Jenny," Richie spoke to his daughter, "It's Daddy and Mommy. We came here to speak to you. We want you to know that we love you and we miss you."
"Hope you say hi to Aunt Dale and my dad," Tori chimed in, "and Tessa and Fitz as well. I bet you are enjoying their company as we are talking to you now."
"Yeah, she is," Richie held his wife in a hug, "and she is playing happily in heaven. Oh, and Methos says for me to tell you to say hi to Alexa when you see her."
"I love you, baby girl," Tori told her daughter.
"I love you very much, Jenny Ryan," Richie added.
-Defenders-Chronicles-Highlander-
The Netherworld
Rick and Jedda were sitting next to each other. Rick glanced over at his fiance.
"Jedda, what's wrong?" Rick asked, "You seem troubled by something. Is there something wrong with the baby?"
"Oh no," Jedda answered, "Our child is fine."
"Then what is it?" Rick asked.
"I've been having this strange feeling all week," Jedda answered.
"What do you mean?" Rick inquired.
"I have this feeling something's going to happen to one of us in the future, like…..death," Jedda elaborated.
"Death?" Rick asked.
"Well," Jedda placed a hand on her stomach, "thankfully not for our baby, but from what the Defenders and even the Bat Family told us, Ming has been quiet all week. Too quiet. The Defenders have been aiding Batman and the Bat Family when needed."
"Yeah, and?" Rick inquired.
"Rick, this is serious," Jedda stressed, "I have this feeling one of us, whether it's the Defenders or MacLeod and his friends, might die."
"Jedda," Rick comforted her, "It's a bad feeling and Ming is planning something big, I bet, but we shouldn't worry. MacLeod and the Defenders have been in tight spots before. I'm sure they'll fight back this time too."
Jedda sighed, "Oh, Rick. I knew I can always count on you for support."
"You shouldn't worry," Rick assured her, "There's nothing Ming can do to us that he hadn't already tried."
He kissed her before stating, "Besides, nobody is going to die anytime soon."
Suddenly, Rick had a vision. He saw a nicely dressed man, a man in a Bronze Age outfit and Richie attacking Duncan. Duncan turned, saw Richie and swung his sword and Richie's body fell to the ground. Then red fog surrounded Duncan as he took Richie's quickening and there was a laughter as Ming was laughing along with a sinister, demonic laughter.
Rick gasped as he took a couple of steps back after the vision ended, "Uh oh."
"Rick, what's wrong?" Jedda asked, "Did you have a premonition?"
"Yeah," Rick answered, "Richie's in trouble."
"Richie?" Jedda inquired, "What happened?"
"MacLeod appeared to be hallucinating," Rick explained, "and he took Richie's head in the process. After red fog appeared and Mac took Richie's quickening, I saw Ming."
"What'll we do?" Jedda asked.
"Not much we can do," Rick answered, "but I will tell Dad to warn Tori immediately. Tori is capable of keeping her husband out of danger."
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Mongo
Katarina woke up screaming in terror. She looked around her surroundings and found herself in her room.
"Katarina?" she heard Castra call out, "Kat? Kat! Sis!"
Katarina calmed down before seeing her sister in front of her.
"It's all right," Castra assured her, "It was just a dream."
"No, it wasn't. It wasn't," Katarina shook her head, "MacLeod has gone insane in my dream, on Earth. Father is in my vision, MacLeod is hallucinating and he took Richie Ryan's head."
"What?" Castra stated in surprise.
"Tell Flash Gordon and warn him," Katarina told her older sister, "Please, I can't tell how far into the future my visions are. Get him to warn MacLeod."
Castra nodded before leaving.
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"What are you saying?" Flash asked as he was talking to Castra in the communicator, "MacLeod has gone crazy, he takes Richie's head and Ming is involved, is that correct?"
"That's what Katarina dreamt this time," Castra answered.
"So, she had an Earth vision," the Phantom inquired as he entered the room.
"Yes," Castra nodded, "She said MacLeod went crazy, Father was in the vision and took Richie Ryan's head. We know about Richie and MacLeod as we've met him before."
"Just as I feared," the Phantom stated.
"What do you mean?" Flash asked.
"I have been feeling something in the air," the Phantom answered, "As has my daughter Jedda when I was talking to her. A storm is approaching."
Author's Note: I was reluctant to write the flashback scenes with Methos and Byron, but ultimately, I decided to include for a couple of reasons: firstly, Methos being in the flashbacks and secondly, Mary Shelley as the scenes were quite interesting in my opinion.
Yeah, that was indeed an interesting flashback as it was a fun take on the origin of the story of Frankenstein. I personally enjoyed it.
As far as fan casting for Andrew Smythe, the man who Maurice willed the nightclub to, Peter Davison of Doctor Who fame, mainly because Smythe is British and I could see him as being the same characteristics as the Doctor he played during his time at the series.
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Author's Note:
Janet and the others watched the scene in awe. It was clear now that the town was safe.
As the smoke cleared, the girl remained hanging, using her free hand to speak on a phone. "Walker to base. Mission completed." She noticed the camera, and made a little wink.
Sara cleared her throat. "Thanks a lot, Rachel."
Rachel made a nod, then lowered herself. "I've got to go pick my kid up from school."
This scene was written by James as it is one of the set up scenes leading to the grand finale of this story, showing that the IUA was too preoccupied with little tasks that Ming have set up to keep them from helping Duncan and the Defenders in taking on Ahriman, at least in the "Archangel" part of the finale.
Her mother had explained it in simple terms. It wasn't a joke. It wasn't a game.
She tucked a knife down into an armor sheath, then put a handgun into a side holster. Clutching her rifle, she glanced to the side. "Ready?" she asked.
April walked forth. "Ready," she answered, weapon in hand.
Tori stepped forward with a blaster in tow. "Let's do it," she uttered.
This scene was also written by James as I felt this would be a great interaction between the three Gordon girls: Tori, April and Sara. Tori is my character, April is the character created by Marzena who originally debuted in her story Defenders of the Earth: This is Their Story, and Sara is the character created by James who originally debuted in the Defenders of the Earth story Dynasties.
"Tell Flash Gordon and warn him," Katarina told her older sister, "Please, I can't tell how far into the future my visions are. Get him to warn MacLeod."
Castra nodded before leaving.
This would be another set up leading to the grand finale, which is up next. I had Rick's premonition written in my written draft, but I added Katarina's scene while typing this.
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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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