DCH 95
Defenders Chronicles: Highlander
By AmandaDoE
Chapter Ninety-Five: The Blinding Truth
"This is the place?" Sheila asked.
"It's where Sophie supposedly lives," Methos answered.
"We'll have our answers soon enough," the Phantom stated.
Methos, the Phantom and Sheila approached the gate for #130. Methos pressed the buzzer and the group looked over the gate.
"Hello," Methos greeted the young man at the gate.
"What do you want?" the young man asked.
"We're looking for Sophie Baines," Sheila answered.
"What for?"
"We need to talk to her," the Phantom answered.
The young man opened the gate a crack to continue the conversation, "About what?"
"It's personal," Methos answered.
"She's out," the young man told the group.
"Then when will she be home?" Sheila asked.
"Beats the hell out of me," the young man answered before he tried to close the gate. Methos stopped him.
"Listen, kid," the Phantom insisted, "This is important."
"Do you know where we can find her?" Methos asked.
"Look, I've never seen you three before and I don't know what the hell you are," the young man told them, "so why don't you go away before somebody gets hurt?"
"Tell her Adam Pierson came by," Methos told the young man.
The young man slammed the gate closed. Methos, the Phantom and Sheila turned away.
"That kid was kind of rude," Sheila stated.
"No kidding," Methos replied.
They looked to see Sophie standing by a car with Horton in the driver's seat. Horton looked over at the three, smiling. Sophie turned as the car sped away as Methos, the Phantom and Sheila started towards her.
"Mr. Pierson, Phantom, what are you doing here?" Sophie asked, "Who's the woman?"
"My name is Sheila, hun," Sheila introduced herself, shaking her hand, "You must be Sophie Baines."
"Yeah," Sophie nodded.
"The man you were talking to, who was he?" Duncan asked.
"Nobody," Sophie answered, "He was just asking directions, why?"
"Try again," the Phantom replied.
"What? What do you mean?" Sophie asked, confused.
"Your field at the university is Near East studies," Methos spoke up, "You knew about Ahriman."
"Yeah," Sophie affirmed.
"That's why he's here," the Phantom declared, "That was Ahriman."
"Ahriman? Right," Sophie replied.
"Yes, Ahriman," Methos told her.
"Oh, I get it," Sophie quipped, "This is a joke, right? Anna sent you."
"It is not a joke," the Phantom stressed.
"No, no, you see," Sophie told the three, "Ahriman isn't real. He's a myth. He's…...a metaphor."
"Listen to us, Sophie," Methos insisted, "You know as well as we do that he's not some mythological character. He's real."
He then grabbed Sophie's arm just as she was about to walk away, "And you know it, Sophie. Listen, this demon caused the death of a good friend of mine."
"Ours as well," the Phantom added.
"The end of the millennium is here," Methos told Sophie, "and he's here."
"Look out!" Sheila randomly exclaimed. The young man started towards the group with a wrench in his hand. Methos turned and blocked his attack.
"Andrew! Andrew, stop it!" Sophie shouted at the young man.
"That is enough!" the Phantom exclaimed as he separated Andrew from Methos, then he brought his hand to strike, but Sophie stopped him, "Please, don't hurt him! He's my brother. He was just trying to protect me."
"Why was Ahriman here?" the Phantom asked.
"He's – I don't know," Sophie answered, "I don't know anything. Just leave us alone."
The Phantom backed off, walking away.
"Andrew, wait!" Sophie called out as Andrew was starting back towards Sophie's house.
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"Why do you always have to be the man around the house?" Sophie asked.
"I am the man of the house," Andrew insisted.
"You're my little brother," Sophie stressed, "You're not my protector."
"I'm sorry," Andrew apologized.
Sophie sighed, "Come here."
She hugged her brother, "I love you, Andrew."
"I love you too," Andrew replied, hugging his sister.
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Duncan was driving the car as he and Amanda had arrived in Canada, on their way to the location where Richie is. "Love is a Battlefield" by Pat Benatar was playing on the radio.
"Are you okay?" Amanda asked.
"Just thinking about Richie," Duncan answered, "I'm hoping he's okay. I'm hoping that he'll hang in there until we get here."
"You and me both," Amanda replied.
Suddenly, the car turned around and revved the engine. Duncan had lost control of the stirring wheel as the car was swerving around a bit before coming to a complete stop.
"What the hell was that about?!" Amanda exclaimed.
"I don't know," Duncan answered.
"Allow me to answer that," Horton answered over the car radio, "We interrupt this program for a little bit of news, and you are listening to H – E – Double L, the voice of the millennium. Now, here's an oldie but goody for my old friend, Duncan MacLeod."
Loud, discordant guitar music blasted from the speakers. Duncan and Amanda covered their ears. Then, Amanda tried to simply turn off the radio, "Good riddance. The radio's overrated anyways."
Suddenly, the radio was back on with the same loud, discordant guitar music before stopping as Horton chimed in, "Amanda, that wasn't very nice. Oh, and if you're planning to save Richie, you're wasting your time. You are too late."
Duncan then yanked the radio out of the dash and threw it out the window, stopping the "music" and Horton, at least for the time being.
"We need to hurry to the hotel," Duncan said before they drove back to the window.
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"Well?" Methos asked as he, the Phantom and Sheila glanced at Joe.
"I've got two dozen watchers on this thing," Joe explained, "Field guys and every archaeologist we can spare."
"What'd you tell them?" Sheila asked.
"That I have a lead on an immortal older than Methos here," Joe answered, "I hate lying to them."
"Well, you think they can handle the truth?" Methos asked.
"Well, sure," Joe answered, "right after they lock me up."
"They find anything out yet?" the Phantom asked.
"No. You know, some scholars think that the ancient Hebrews didn't even believe in a devil until they were exiled in Babylon," Joe stated, "and when they got there, guess who the Babylonian boogeyman was."
"Ahriman," the Phantom answered.
"That's what Kronos called itself," Methos added.
"Yeah. Good answer," Joe replied, "See, to some cultures he's set, to some he's Mara."
"To some he's Mephistopheles," Methos added, "Different names, and faces, same MO, same place."
"And there's always a champion of good," Joe chimed in.
"An avatar," the Phantom spoke up, "A human with god like qualities sent to face evil."
"Like immortals," Joe chimed in, "Damn, man."
"Did you find out anything at the university?" Methos asked.
"No help there," Joe answered, "All of Dr. Baines' research was destroyed in a fire, and they had a helluva time finding her."
"Did they find her?" Methos asked.
"Yes, they found Sophie Baines in the river," Joe answered, "She's dead."
Methos, Sheila and the Phantom all looked at each other in surprise.
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April was thinking about Tori during the jog. Tori was like a sister to her. She missed her so much, and she wasn't sure if she could look at Duncan MacLeod the same way again. She knew that Ming was in prison, responsible for Tori's death, but still.
After finishing the jog, April arrived at the parking lot, and was startled to see Duncan and Amanda arrive at the parking lot.
"Hello," April greeted the pair.
"Is Richie home?" Duncan asked.
"You got our location, huh?" April chimed in, crossing her arms.
"Yeah, we did," Amanda answered.
"That figured," April rolled her eyes, "It was only a matter of time."
"Where's Richie's hotel room?" Duncan asked.
"Come on," April relented, "I'll bring you to him."
She could tell that Duncan was apprehensive over seeing Richie again. Quite right too.
The three arrived at the doorway of the hotel room to find LJ waiting for them.
"LJ, what's going on?" April asked.
"Um, bad news," LJ answered, "Richie attacked me when I went to check on him."
"What?!" Amanda exclaimed in surprise.
"What's going on?" Duncan asked.
"You'll need to see for yourself," LJ opened the door, motioning the others to come in.
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Duncan glanced in the hotel room as he saw Richie on his knees, staring into space, "Richie? It's Mac."
No answer.
"Richie?" Duncan called out.
Again, no answer. He gently brought Richie in front of them as he remained completely still.
"Should we move him?" Amanda asked.
Duncan gently helped Richie to a sitting position and gasped upon seeing a sight before him. Richie didn't move, react, or even flinch. His eyes were open and not even moving.
"Richie?" Duncan called out. He moved Richie's arms to his sides and he didn't even flinch.
"That's a yes," April quipped.
"Richie?" Duncan called out again.
No answer. He waved his hands in front of Richie's face. No answer or response.
"Is he okay?" LJ asked.
"I don't know," Duncan shook his head, "Oh no."
"What do you mean?" April asked.
"It looks like Richie has become catatonic," Duncan answered.
"What'll we do?" Amanda asked.
"I'll let Dad and Mandrake know of our situation," April answered, "They should be here ASAP."
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"If you couldn't find the next of kin, how did you identify the body?" Methos asked.
"Her cards, monsieur," the morgue employee answered, "She carried a wallet."
"Then you could be mistaken," the Phantom replied.
The morgue employee pulled the gurney from the locker, "It's possible. Death is never easy thing to accept. I'll leave you lot alone."
She left the area.
Methos flipped the sheet that was covering the corpse's face.
"What are you doing here?" Sophie asked as she entered the room.
"We're trying to find some answers," Methos answered.
"You're hiding something," Sophie stated, "What are you hiding?"
"Who are you, Sophie?" the Phantom asked.
"I have to see who's in there," Sophie insisted, "I have to."
Methos nodded as he raised his hands and stepped away from the gurney. The Phantom and Sheila stepped back as well. Sophie slowly approached, pulled the sheet away from the corpse's face, and she saw herself lying there.
"Oh my God," Sophie cried seeing herself on the gurney, "Oh my God. I'm dead. I'm dead."
She ran from the room, crying. Methos replaced the sheet and pushed the gurney back into the locker before he, Sheila and the Phantom hurried outside the morgue. He looked to see Sophie talking to a familiar man before they got in the car.
"Horton?" Sheila noticed the man.
"Ahriman!" Methos exclaimed.
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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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