DCH 90
Defenders Chronicles: Highlander
By AmandaDoE
Chapter Ninety: Aftermath: The World Changes Forever
Amanda gasped as she heard Richie's anguished screams. She led Methos and Joe into the old race tracks as she felt her blood turn cold, "Oh no."
"What is it?" Methos asked.
"Oh no," Amanda muttered, "Oh no. It can't be."
She ran to find Duncan MacLeod.
"Amanda, wait up!" Joe exclaimed.
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The Defenders hurried through the other side of the tracks as they heard Richie's screams as well. April gasped as she felt her blood turn cold and felt shaken up.
"Oh no," April muttered.
"What is it?" Flash asked.
"I fear we are too late," Mandrake answered.
The Defenders hurried to the scene to find a horrific scene.
They saw Duncan kneeling over. His katana laid beside him. Whatever he felt was beyond expression, beyond words, unshareable. Then they saw Richie crying as he was holding Tori's body. They could tell Richie was broken himself.
No, no, no, no. Just no. No. Not her. Not Tori.
Suddenly, Flash had a brief recollection of when he found his wife dead on the inquisitor on Mongo. Then he looked up to see Richie crying as he now had his wife's blood covering his face and hands.
"I'm so sorry, Tori," Richie sobbed before he kissed her hand with her wedding ring.
"Not again," Flash stated in shock.
"It can't be," the Phantom added.
April clasped her mouth in horror as tears streamed down her face. Her whole body was shaking. She wanted to cry, but instead she forced herself to take a breath, one after another.
Mandrake took off his hat and mourned while holding Atascadero.
"What have you done?!" Flash exclaimed in anger as he picked up his niece's sword.
Duncan looked down in shock, not saying anything.
"What did you do?!" Flash demanded as he walked closer to the Highlander, "We trusted you!"
"Back off!" Mandrake did his best to hold his friend back.
"Excellent!" Ming exclaimed as he approached the area.
Flash looked at his nemesis in fury, "Ming! You did this! You've gone too far this time!"
Suddenly, another Tori appeared before the group.
"My word," Mandrake muttered, knowing this couldn't have been a good thing.
"Tori?" Flash called out, hopefully.
"Tori" laughed a demonic laughter as her eyes glowed red. There was no denying it now. This Ahriman had tricked MacLeod and Tori Gordon was dead as a result. Flash dropped the sword in shock. It took everything in him not to drop to his knees as he was shaking. Sheila clasped her mouth in horror as a tear fell down her face.
"I didn't mean it, Duncan," Flash told the Highlander, "I didn't mean it. I didn't mean it. I didn't mean it."
The other Defenders looked on in shock. Amy was frozen in place, scared of the demon's prescence, "Is that…...Ahriman?"
"Ahriman's gambit had worked," Ming crossed his arms, smiling in satisfaction, "but not as we've expected. Oh well."
Along with the fake Tori, Horton, Kronos and the fake Richie all appeared as well, mocking the grief Duncan, Richie and the Defenders were sharing.
"Leave them," Ming told the five beings, "This is working perfectly."
He left the area and then Kronos, Horton and the fake versions of Tori and Richie all vanished.
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"My God," Amanda gasped as she, Methos and Joe arrived at the area in shock at the scene. Seeing Richie holding Tori's body, the Defenders looking on in shock and Duncan staring in disbelief, which caused Amanda to ask, "Mac, what did you do?"
Duncan couldn't take it anymore. He lifted his katana, and offered it to whoever would be willing to take his head, "Here."
"What?" Amanda looked at Methos as they both knew what he wanted. Maybe what he needed. She looked down at Richie, who was holding his wife's dead body, crying. She couldn't let him suffer anymore than he was already suffering.
"No," Amanda backed away, "I can't."
"Absolutely not," Methos added, looking away.
"Take it!" Duncan pleaded, now broken.
He dropped his katana to the floor. He waited a moment before he seemed to accept this. Duncan's punishment was living.
LJ, Kshin and Amy looked sad and shocked at all that had happened. Atascadero sadly leaned her head on Mandrake's shoulder. Sheila comforted Flash, who was crying quietly. The Phantom and Lothar looked on in shock and sadness as well.
April looked on, tears down her face. She was sad that she had lost her cousin, someone she considered a sister, her best friend, and her heart broke for Richie, as he had just lost his wife, just after he had lost his daughter. She wished there was something she could have done. She wanted to comfort him and let him know everything would be okay, but she kept it inside.
Duncan slowly rose up, looked once more at Tori and Richie and started speaking in Lakota before starting to leave the area, sobbing, leaving his katana next to Tori's body.
"Where are you going?" Joe asked.
Duncan didn't answer. Instead, he continued chanting in Lakota and sobbing.
"Mac…." Amanda and Joe called out simultaneously.
"Let him go," Methos told his friends.
Amanda looked on sadly as she walked over to Richie and comforted him as he was still crying and holding Tori's body.
Methos walked back over to Joe, and comforted him while he was crying as well.
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Mandrake looked on as he saw the katana laying next to Tori's body glowing red. He knew this wasn't over, and Ahriman would return. The Defenders would have to prepare for when that demon decided to return.
They would also have to bury Tori and support Richie the best they could. He was alone now. He lost his entire family in almost one blow. What was Richie going to do now? What were they going to do now?
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Author's Note:
And that covers the "Archangel" chapters of this series. I still have "Avatar" and "Armageddon" to cover and at this rate, I will have at least 100 chapters for this story all together, and that was my goal that I was hoping to reach.
Meanwhile, I am going to write a one shot story that is set between this chapter and the next chapter that shows what happened during the one year period, mainly the memorial for Tori Gordon. One thing's for sure, things will never be the same again, even after the sequel comes along.
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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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