DCH 9
Defenders Chronicles: Highlander
By AmandaDoE
Chapter Nine: Two Families, One Adventure
Tori looked at her phone in surprise. Flash had just informed her that he and the rest of the Defenders of the Earth were on their way to Paris. Even though April was back at the academy, it was still the best news she had heard this week, especially given that Richie was arrested for breaking and entering. Unlike before, he spent a long time in jail, with Duncan had just got him out of jail.
She wanted to sabotage Maya's modeling career upon overhearing her slandering him after the arrest after she was nearly killed by the bastard Richie was trying to take care of, the immortal prick Gabriel Piton who set Richie up and got him arrested in the first place, just for her, and she was insisting he meant nothing to her. Even though Tessa overheard as well, she told Tori to let it go since Duncan was going to take care of Gabriel and get Richie out of jail. Begrudgingly, Tori relented and she helped Duncan track Gabriel down, and take his Quickening.
Tori turned and looked up as Duncan and Richie entered the barge.
"What's up, jailbird?" she quipped at Richie before looking at the tape containing Maya's slandering.
"Not much," Richie replied. "Thanks for helping Mac out."
"Not a problem." Tori placed the tape in her purse. "I'm glad he was able to get you out of jail.
"Good to have you back," Tessa said, walking into the room.
"This is sudden," Tori announced to the group, "but my uncle sent me a message a few minutes ago."
"The famous Flash Gordon?!" Richie exclaimed.
"That's the one," Tori quipped. "Anyways, the Defenders of the Earth are on their way here. Uncle Flash said something about Ming trying to cause some problem here."
"Ming?" Duncan, Tessa and Richie all asked in unison.
"Yeah," Tori answered, "that Ming the Merciless. Flash Gordon's arch nemesis, and the number one enemy to the Defenders of the Earth."
"So, we'll probably come across Ming in the future," Tessa stated.
"Maybe." Tori shrugged. "Chances are you guys will be kept out of harm's way."
"When do you think we'll meet the Defenders?" Richie asked.
Tori heard a buzz on her phone. She eyed the screen for a moment before looking at her friends. "They're landing in Paris right now, actually."
"Where exactly?" Duncan asked.
The four heard a loud whooshing sound from outside the barge.
"Does that answer your question?" Tori quipped. The group hurried outside the barge.
They looked to see a ship at a safe distance from the barge. Tori knew that was the Terry as she was saw pictures April sent her before she returned to the Space Academy. Tori looked on as each of the Defenders of the Earth made their way out of the ship.
"Hey guys," Tori walked over to her uncle, cousin and the rest of the Defenders.
"So, this is where they live in Paris?" Kshin asked.
"He can live wherever he wants," Rick answered. "Duncan MacLeod and his friends are adults after all."
"It's good to see you, Tor," Flash said with a grin.
"Thanks, Uncle Flash," Tori replied, adding a hug. After they'd separated, Tori glanced over at the Defenders before eying Duncan, Tessa and Richie again.
"So, this is the famous Flash Gordon!" Richie exclaimed delightfully.
"It seems you have a fan," Mandrake told Flash.
Flash chuckled.
Tori stepped forth. "Mac, Richie, Tessa, allow me to introduce you to the Defenders of the Earth."
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"It seems you are doing well here," Rick quipped.
Tori nodded. "I've helped MacLeod with different exploits here as well as back when we were in Seacouver."
"So, he's immortal too," LJ asked, "like you?"
"Yeah, but he's been immortal much longer than I have. He's over 400 years old."
"And what about your first teacher Amanda?" Rick asked.
"What about her?" Tori quipped.
"How old is she?" Jedda asked.
"She's over a thousand years old...and heck, she and Duncan have history together."
"Like romantic history?" Kshin asked. "Ewww! That's gross!"
Typical Kshin, Tori thought as she rolled her eyes. "Mac is now with his current girlfriend Tessa."
"She seems to be nice," LJ noted. "Is she immortal too?"
"I'm afraid not." Tori shook her head.
"So an immortal is dating a mortal?" LJ asked.
"LJ, knock it off," Jedda chastised. "Duncan can go out with anyone he chooses. And besides, I'm sure Tessa understand the risks."
"Just asking," LJ shrugged his shoulders.
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"What is this?" Mandrake muttered as he stepped out of his room, sensing something didn't feel right. He noticed Richie was walking in his sleep, and it made him feel nervous.
"Richie?" Mandrake muttered quietly as he was sleepwalking.
"Mandrake, what's going on?" Lothar asked as he stepped out of the room as well. They noticed as Richie was about to leave the barge.
"I wonder where he could be going?" Lothar asked.
"That's what I want to know too!" Mandrake exclaimed. The two men hurried and followed Richie to find him walking out of the barge and close to the edge of the dock.
"Has he lost his mind?!" Lothar exclaimed.
"This isn't good," Mandrake stated. Lothar hurried to Richie's side before he can fall off the dock and into the water, and grabbed him.
"Let go!" Richie yelled in his sleep, "Let go of me!"
Quickly, Mandrake lifted his hands and aimed towards Richie, "Awaken. You are having a bad dream, Richie. Wake up."
Richie gasped as he woke up in Lothar's grasp. Confused, he panicked as he tried to break free.
"Take it easy," Lothar assured him, "Take it easy. You are going to be okay."
"What's going on?" Richie asked.
"You were sleepwalking, lad," Mandrake answered, "we found you before you can fall into the water."
Richie looked at where he might have landed, and sighed with relief, "Talk about a close call. Thanks."
"What's going on here?" Tori asked as she arrived on the dock with Duncan in tow. Flash, Rick, Jedda, the Phantom, and LJ joined them seconds later.
"We found Richie sleepwalking," Mandrake answered, "I managed to pull him out of it for the time being."
"Time being?" Duncan asked, confused and starting to get mad, "What are you talking about? Does Ming have something to do with this?!"
"I wouldn't rule it out," Flash retorted.
"If he is working with someone we know," Mandrake answered, "then yes."
"Mandrake, what are you even talking about?!" Tori demanded, looking scared for her friend.
"We are talking about Mandrake's ex," Lothar answered, "Cathleen O' Connor."
"Who is this Cathleen, besides her being Mandrake's ex?" Duncan asked.
"She's a powerful sorceress," Mandrake explained, "she has the power to make people sleepwalk. She can also dreamwalk, and even go as far as to brainwash someone."
"You think she's here?" Duncan asked. He glanced over at Flash, who shrugged at him.
"Lothar and I are the only ones who have met her in the past," Mandrake spoke up, "so, there's no way Flash would know."
"The only thing I know about Cathleen is the few times my pops mentioned her," LJ spoke up, "thus, I never met her personally."
Richie touched his temple and groaned, "Man, I feel dizzy. Is this part of the side effects of when this Cathleen affects you?"
"If she doesn't kill you, yeah," Mandrake nodded, "that can be an unpleasant side effect."
"I think we all should get back to bed now that everyone is accounted for," Flash suggested.
"I'm all for it," Rick nodded.
"Tori and I will keep an eye out on Richie to make sure he doesn't sleepwalk again," Duncan spoke up.
"Mac, this isn't necessary," Richie protested.
"I think it's not a bad idea," Mandrake interjected, "after all, it's better to be safe than sorry."
"I'm all for keeping Richie safe," Tori stated.
"Let's get back to bed," Jedda stated.
With that, everyone returned to the barge.
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Tessa walked over to her closet. She had this strange feeling, as if she was looking for the best things in life. She had started feeling strange over the past couple of days, ever since the Defenders came here to deal with their issues with Ming.
She was looking for something to wear, and looked through to try to find something to wear.
"Come on," Tessa muttered, "there has to be something there for me to wear."
Finally, she eyed a black dress with a spahgetti strap, and a perfectly wonderful ensemble to go with it.
You will wear this to tonight's event, Tessa heard the voice in her head, Trust me when I say it is going to be a blast, and I want you to look your best.
Tessa nodded with a small smile on her face. This voice had been plaguing her mind for the past couple of days, and was starting to overtake her mind as her thoughts were changing from her love and loyalty to Duncan MacLeod to something that seemingly terrified her.
She spent the next few hours painting her finger and toe nails, and waiting for them to dry before donning the rest of the ensemble, which includes the black dress, and black heels.
"Tessa," Duncan eyed his girlfriend as he walked into their room, "you're looking great today. What's the occasion?"
"Tonight is going to be a big night, Duncan," Tessa answered with a smile, "I just felt like we just need to be ready for that big event!"
"What's going on tonight?" Duncan asked.
"You'll see," Tessa answered before she turned around, leaving her boyfriend confused.
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"Kshin, I don't wanna hear it!" Mandrake exclaimed, annoyed.
"That brat had it coming though!" Kshin protested, "She was acting like she's a princess, when in reality she acts like Eric Cartman from that cartoon!"
"It doesn't matter how she acts towards you," Mandrake argued, "there is no excuse for you to join the other kids in the bullying! You know better!"
"Michelle was doing the bullying first," Kshin interjected, "she steals from me and my friends, and takes our snacks. That's we call her Miss Piggy and I finally fought her after I had enough of her bullying!"
Kshin then proceeded to blurt out, "It's not my fault she's fat like Eric Cartman and that she doesn't need extra snacks, let alone any."
"That's quite offensive to make fun of someone for being fat, you know?" Richie couldn't help but to blurt out from a distance.
"Richie," Duncan sternly told his ward, "mind your own business."
Mandrake thanked the Highlander before the two men left the area.
"That is quite enough with that! You know the rules with that too," Mandrake shook his head, "no fighting unless to save the world."
Kshin grimaced, "Michelle also bullied her older brother. Her parents even allow it."
"How do you know about that?" Mandrake asked.
"Michelle's cousin Sandy told me," Kshin answered, "she told me Michelle's parents make her brother Jacob blow out the candles to his birthday cake since she was three, and treat Jacob like a black sheep."
"We'll deal with this when we get back home, including talking to the school principal about Michelle's actions," Mandrake told his young ward, "When we do get home, expect to hear the words "grounded for a month" to be heard a lot."
Kshin sighed roughly as he plopped in his seat. He didn't like this, but Mandrake knew Kshin had to be punished for violating the Defenders Code.
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"What do you mean Tessa is not here?!" Duncan exclaimed after Mandrake was the one to break the news to him.
"She just left," Mandrake answered, "and she didn't even tell any of us where she was going."
Duncan was now confused.
"Come to think about it," the Phantom spoke up, "Tessa has been acting weird for the past couple of days."
"Keeping to herself," Flash stated, "mainly, from us Defenders."
"She has been acting weird, when you come to think about it," Duncan nodded, "including keeping something from me about something that's happening tonight."
"What do you think could be happening?" Lothar asked.
"She never said," Duncan shook his head.
"Mac!" Tori shouted in a panic as she hurried to the room with Rick, Jedda and LJ in tow, "We have a bigger problem!"
"What could possibly be going on now?!" Flash demanded.
"Richie's gone," Rick answered, "we looked everywhere in the barge, and he's not here."
"Don't tell me Richie has gone missing too?!" Duncan exclaimed.
"I found this note at the doorway to Richie's room," Kshin stated as he arrived in the room before handing it to Mandrake.
"What does it say?" Jedda asked.
"Ming says to meet up at the Eiffel Tower," Mandrake read the note, "bring the Highlander too, as we have his friends."
"So Ming has Tessa and Richie?!" Duncan asked in a panic as he got out his sword, ready for action.
"In a nutshell," Flash nodded.
"Cathleen probably has them too," Mandrake chimed in.
"Does she know about you MacLeod?" Tori asked.
"I'm not sure," Duncan shook his head, "but I don't know her."
"If she does know you then," Lothar stated, "she sure knows how to get to you."
"What do we do?" Tori asked.
"Kshin is a bit on punishment," Mandrake told the group, "so, he will definitely be staying at the barge while Tori helps us find Richie and Tessa."
"Ming and Cathleen as well," Flash added.
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Richie found a slender woman with dark hair waiting for him, embedded in some bright lights. He couldn't tell if he was awake, or if he was dreaming.
"That is right, young man," the woman told him, "come to me. I will guide you to what you are destined to become."
"Destined to become?" Richie glanced up, confused, "what do you mean?"
"You will find out," the woman answered, "just stand by and wait for instructions."
"Yes, Mistress," Richie nodded.
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Tessa smiled as Cathleen was caressing Richie's face. Ming walked over to the group.
"So, the plan is in motion?" Ming asked.
"But of course," Cathleen answered with a grin, "the woman is under my control, dressed for action, and the boy is under my sleepwalking power. He's unaware of what's really going on."
"I hear this Highlander is present in Paris," Ming stated, "which is why I have you to use his loved ones as pawns in our latest plans."
"Glad I could be of service," Cathleen replied.
"You want us?!" Flash arrived at the scene with Duncan and the rest of the Defenders in tow, "well, you finally got us!"
"And before you ask," Rick stated, "Tori managed to find our location."
"Like you needed to tell them," Jedda scoffed.
"What are you planning to do with Tessa and Richie?!" Duncan demanded.
"They are both under my control," Cathleen answered, "I gave your girlfriend here some dark thoughts, which brought her here under my control, as for the boy, he's under my sleepwalking power, and he will fight you in the near future."
Tessa glanced around as she was trying to break free from the control. Duncan quickly walked over to his lover, "Tessa, can you hear me? It's me, Duncan. You got to pull out of it."
Cathleen got out a mysterious jewel, which caused Tessa to swat her hands against Duncan.
"Tessa?!" Duncan exclaimed.
Mandrake suddenly noticed the gem and noticed the cause of Tessa's control, "That jewel! That is what is controlling Tessa!"
"Allow me to break the spell!" Flash exclaimed before he got out his handgun and fired at the gem, shattering it instantly.
"How dare you?!" Cathleen exclaimed in anger.
Moments later, Tessa dropped to her knees. Duncan helped his lover back on her feet.
"Mac," Tessa looked at her boyfriend, confused, "what's going on?"
She looked at the outfit she was wearing, "What on Earth am I doing in this outfit?!"
"So is she back to normal?" LJ asked.
"Pretty much so," Duncan nodded.
"What do you mean?" Tessa asked, confused.
"I'll explain later," Duncan answered, "you should head back to the barge. We'll get Richie back safely."
Tessa didn't need to be told twice before LJ escorted her back to the barge. Rick and Jedda remained on stand-by as they would be escorting Richie back to the barge once he was out of Cathleen's control.
"Good work guys!" Tori told the team through the speakers, "We got Tessa safe and sound, and now to save Richie."
"At least you still have the boy under your control," Ming told Cathleen.
"Of course," Cathleen nodded before handing Richie a small sword, "now, dear boy, go and take out the Highlander."
"Yes, Mistress," Richie nodded before taking the sword and making his move against Duncan.
"Richie," Duncan tried getting through to his ward, "you don't want to do this. You're still sleeping! Cathleen is controlling you!"
Richie still used the sword to attack him. Luckily, he wasn't as skilled as Duncan was. Duncan managed to block the attacks as well as dodging any blow Richie was making.
"Richie Ryan," Mandrake shouted as he prepared a psychic move on Richie as he was fighting Duncan, "you cannot fight Duncan! He is your friend! Ming the Merciless and Cathleen are your enemies!"
Richie froze in place, unable to make another move.
"Listen to me, Richie!" Mandrake shouted, working to wake Richie from the sleepwalking spell.
"Nnngh!" Richie groaned, trying to break free from the control, "Mac! Nnngh!"
He dropped the sword before Duncan hurried to him and held him in a bear hug, "Listen to me, Richie. You're going to be all right, tough guy."
Richie groaned one more time before dropping to his knees. Moments later, Richie looked at Duncan, confused, "Mac, what's going on?"
"All is well, tough guy," Duncan assured him, "all is well."
"Welcome back, Richie," Tori told her friend via the speakers, "Rick, Jedda, feel free to escort Richie back to the barge at this time."
Rick and Jedda nodded before they took Richie from Duncan's hold and took him back to the barge where Kshin, Tori, LJ and Tessa were.
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Tori sighed as the Defenders prepared to return to Central City. Ming had admitted defeat, and returned to Ice Station Earth after Duncan attacked him, much to the surprise of the Defenders. Cathleen had also fled before anyone, even Mandrake could reach him.
"Will we see you again?" Tessa asked.
"Possibly, my dear," Mandrake answered as he kissed her hand, causing the Frenchwoman to blush, "if there's a chance a situation like this happens again."
"Knowing how Ming can be," Tori stated, "chances are he might return, especially now that he knows about Duncan MacLeod."
Duncan took a deep breath. He nearly pummeled Ming for aiding that harlot in using both the woman he loved and the young man he considered a son in a plot to destroy him. He wondered how Cathleen even got to know her when he never met her prior to this event. Maybe he would never know.
"Do you wonder why Cathleen knew Mac?" Richie asked.
"I'm not sure, lad," Mandrake answered, "and I knew Cathleen for a long time. My guess is she knows about immortals in general, and somehow..."
"She knew about MacLeod being here," Lothar added, "hence, having Ming set up this plan for both Duncan MacLeod, and the Defenders."
"Will we ever see Cathleen again?" Rick asked.
"I'm not sure," Mandrake answered as he shook his head, "chances are it'll be a random encounter, and she will act from out of nowhere."
As the Defenders said their goodbyes to Tori, Duncan, Tessa, and Richie, Tori glanced at the two groups. The Defenders of the Earth, as well as, Duncan, Tessa and Richie, Tori considered them family. Two different types of family, and she had never been more happy with the two families she had.
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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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