DCH 86
Defenders Chronicles: Highlander
By AmandaDoE
Chapter Eighty-Six: More Clues Emerge
"So, let me gather everything straight: Duncan MacLeod is hallucinating, seeing Horton, a Hunter who is dead, right?" Jack asked as he was on Tori's computer screen.
"Right," Tori nodded.
"And one of the Mongo siblings as well as your cousin had a matching premonition about MacLeod going crazy and taking Richie's head, right?" Jack asked.
"Yes, and Ming was involved in both visions as well," Tori answered, "Sorry to be bothering you while you are still in the Himalayas."
"It's all right," Jack replied before he told her, "I don't know how I can help you, except for the decorations you described as being from an old race track."
"You're immortal too," Tori affirmed, "and your ex mentioned a prophecy about MacLeod earlier."
There was a pause of silence in the room.
"Any files regarding demons, red fog, and hallucinations of dead people, email them to me," Tori instructed, "I might be able to help MacLeod and Richie if Rick, Katarina and I are right, and Ming is somehow involved."
"Well, today's your lucky day," Jack declared, "I've been browsing supernatural files for the past hour. Let me see what I can find."
Tori looked around her room as Jack browsed his computer.
"A ha!" Jack exclaimed before telling her, "I got a really good one regarding the information you told me. I'm emailing the file to you right now."
Tori heard a ping on her laptop. She opened the email.
"Hope you find what you're looking for," Jack told his friend.
"Thanks," Tori nodded before ending the call. She opened the file the entire time.
Name: Ahriman
Rumored to be a Zoroastrian Demon
Appears in Red Fog
Victims often hallucinate over dead people
The demon is connected to an alleged chosen one
Not much else is known at this time
"Maybe Mac isn't going crazy," Tori stated.
"Really now?"
Startled, Tori stood up and saw her father. This couldn't be possible. Her father died when she was very young. Her mom caused his death.
"My Tori. My beautiful Tori," Ian eyed his daughter, "You've grown up to be a beautiful young lady. I'm proud of you."
"You're not my dad," Tori eyed the impostor, "My dad is dead."
"Now Tori," Ian crossed his arms as he asked, "Is that any way to talk to your father?"
"Nice try," Tori got out her tachi, "You must be Ahriman."
"Wow, the genius is capable of figuring it out," Ian stated, "Let me try something else."
He vanished.
"Remember me?"
Tori turned around and she saw Kenny. She knew this was another trick because she had taken Kenny's head last year.
"The bigger they are," Kenny declared, "the harder they fall."
He raised his sword, preparing to take Duncan's head.
"Do it, and you're up next," Amanda declared as she walked towards them with Richie right behind her. She threw the broken handcuffs at Kenny's feet, "It's kid stuff."
"You wouldn't," Kenny retorted.
"Maybe not," Amanda replied, "but she might."
She looked on as Tori had Kenny by the neck with her own sword.
"The game is over for you," Tori stated.
"But I'm just a boy," Kenny argued.
"Like hell."
Tori took a deep breath before she looked at Amanda, "I'm sorry, Amanda."
Amanda gave her an understanding nod before she turned away for a moment as Tori took Kenny's head. Amanda turned back as Tori was taking Kenny's quickening.
"Somebody had to," Tori said as the essence of the quickening was happening. She felt the full force of the quickening. It was so powerful that flames were blazing behind her as Tori was screaming, feeling the power of the quickening.
"It won't work!" Tori exclaimed, "I took Kenny's head last year!"
"Or maybe I'm not easy to kill," "Kenny" smirked at her. Suddenly, Kenny turned into a form of something evil, a demon similarly matching the statue Landry discovered and on the email. Tori suspected something demonic as Kenny's true form, but never said anything, mainly for Amanda's sake.
"Back off!" Tori exclaimed.
"You are not to interfere with my plans for MacLeod," "Kenny" told her.
"And if I do?"
"Kenny" smirked at her, "It might not end well for you."
He laughed as the apartment was suddenly on fire. Tori turned as she heard a knock on the door.
"Tori?!" it was Richie, "Tori, open the door! Tori, what's going on?!"
Tori tried to open the door, but to no avail as the fire was spreading.
"One of you will not survive this outcome," "Kenny" declared.
"Is that Kenny?" Richie asked from outside the burning apartment.
Tori managed to use her sword to break the sword down as the fire had nearly reached her, and she ran onto her husband.
"Tori, what happened?!" Richie exclaimed in worry.
"It was awful," Tori panted in a panic, "That….Mac might not be going crazy after all."
"What happened?" Richie asked in a calmer tone.
The couple hurried out of the building as Tori explained the gist of what was going on.
"The same thing Mac was seeing," Richie stated as the couple made it outside the building.
"That's not all," Tori said, "April said Rick had a premonition and so did Katarina. It involved Ming and the fact that Mac had gone crazy and took your head."
"So, that's what this is was all about?" Richie asked as firefighters arrived at the scene and were putting out the fire.
Tori nodded, "This Ahriman demon disguised itself as my dad and Kenny. Ahriman is setting up a trap for MacLeod."
"Listen, Tor," Richie hugged his wife, while giving her assurance, "it'll be okay. Mac isn't going to kill me, not like that. I promise."
"No, I promise you," Tori affirmed her husband.
The couple looked on as the firemen were putting out the fire in the apartment.
"I love you, Tori," Richie told his wife.
"I love you too, Richie," Tori replied.
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Duncan looked on as a young woman opened the door of her apartment.
"Allison Landry?" Duncan addressed the young lady, "I've come to talk to you about your grandfather regarding what he told me."
Allison reluctantly relented, "Come in."
He entered the apartment, and they took a seat to have a conversation about Dr. Landry.
"I'm sorry for your loss," Duncan gave her his condolences, "but if you can help me, maybe we can find out what really happened."
"You're telling me someone killed my grandfather?" Allison asked, "The police thought it was a stroke."
"I know what they said, but I was there," Duncan answered, "He was murdered. I'm sorry. Did he ever mention a man named James Horton?"
She shook her head.
"Did he ever show you this symbol?" Duncan asked before he shown her the Watchers symbol drawn in a small notebook.
"No," Allison answered as Duncan stood up behind the chair, "Before he died, did he say anything?"
"What kind of thing?" Duncan interjected.
"What did he say?" Allison asked.
"He said the end of the world was here, and he said "he" was coming," Duncan explained. Allison reacted and the Highlander continued, "What was he talking about?"
"You wouldn't believe it," Allison answered as she stood up and walked to a nearby desk, "No one would."
"You'd be surprised at what I'd believe," Duncan replied.
"My grandfather was an archaeologist," Allison explained, "No one in the world knew more about all those weird ancient religions."
Duncan realized something, "Jason Landry – he wrote The Mythology of Heroes."
"Ten years ago, he really believed everything that was in the book," Allison explained, "All that stuff about good and evil fighting over the fate of the world, where nobody could see it. I know it sounds crazy."
"No, no, it doesn't," Duncan assured her, "Go on."
"He traveled to Egypt, India and Iraq, searching ancient texts for some hint of how to defeat this great evil he thought was coming," Allison told the Highlander, "A champion."
"You must stop him, you alone," Duncan repeated Jason's words.
"He said that to you?" Allison asked.
"Yes," Duncan answered.
"Come with me," Allison instructed.
She led him through the apartment into a study. A TV is on inside, majorly on the news.
"I keep it on for the noise," Allison told the Highlander before she turned the TV off, "I think the news is more depressing."
She picked up a leather bound notebook, "This was my grandfather's journal."
Duncan flipped through the pages, "Minoan….."
He turned the page, "Chaldean….."
Duncan looked inset of a journal page with cuneiform, eyeing a drawing of a statue, "This is Persian."
"He believed the Zoroastrian myths of ancient Persia held the truth about a cycle of evil that comes to the Earth every thousand years," Allison explained.
Duncan stared at the page, where amongst more drawings and the words that stood out from a page: The next warrior/MAC LEOD.
"Where would your grandfather have found my name then?" Duncan asked.
Allison looked over his shoulder, "He found you."
"No, no," Duncan asked, "Do you have any idea why my name's in your grandfather's journal?"
Instead of answering, Allison popped a VHS tape into the VCR, "This was taken in Iraq six months ago. Right out of The X-Files."
She turned the TV back on.
"This is my last hole in the ground, Landry," Foster's voice chimed in, "You're out of money, and tonight, I'm out of here."
Foster entered the tomb and the video shown a close up on the statue's face, "What the hell is that thing?"
"It's him, Foster," Landry's voice declared, "The thousand years are up."
As Duncan and Allison watched the video, Duncan frowned.
"The demon is coming and the dead will rise," Landry's voice declared.
"You've got a vivid imagination, old man," Foster replied with skepticism, "Come on. Get what you want. Let's get the hell out of here."
"You're not the first one to doubt me, Foster," Landry told his assistant, "but it's real."
Duncan and Allison watched as the spear glowed white, and Foster gasped before the video ended.
"You believe this?" Duncan asked.
"He did," Allison answered, "My grandfather was obsessed – but he wasn't crazy."
Duncan was still skeptical about the whole thing, "And he thought I was the one that could defeat this thing."
"He was afraid it would kill him before he found you," Allison informed him.
Duncan looked down at the journal before closing it.
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"It seems MacLeod is learning more about me," Ahriman told Ming as the demon was now taking Dale's form.
"That woman could prove to be a threat," Ming replied.
"You are right, you know," "Dale" declared. "We must act, and we must take her out."
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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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