DCH 98
Defenders Chronicles: Highlander
By AmandaDoE
Chapter Ninety-Eight: Ahriman Tries To Bargain
Amanda and Duncan walked over as a man was watching a burial.
"Father Beaufort?" Duncan called out, recognizing the man.
Beaufort stood up. "Duncan?"
"It's good to see you," Duncan replied. "It's been too long."
"Since we lost Darius. I miss those arguments," Beaufort stated before he noticed Amanda. "Who's the lovely lady?"
"This is my friend, Amanda. Amanda, meet Father Beaufort."
"Nice to meet you, Amanda." Beaufort shook her hand.
"Pleasure," Amanda responded.
"I looked for you at the church," Duncan said to his friend. "They told me about your brother."
"I had to bury him here." Beaufort looked at the grave. "They don't allow suicides on hallowed ground."
"I'm sorry," Duncan replied.
"Very sorry," Amanda added.
"We were children here. I broke my arm falling out of that tree," Beaufort explained. "I think Jackie cried more than I did. Our father died in the war, mother a few months later. I turned to the church. Jackie couldn't find peace, not even in death."
"How unfortunate," Amanda muttered.
"I... We just came here to pay respects," Duncan told his friend, "I had a few questions but...it can wait."
"God bless you, Duncan." Beaufort touched Duncan's arm gently. Then he turned. "God bless you, Amanda."
"And you, Robert," Duncan replied.
"Likewise," Amanda added.
"Thank you," Beaufort said before he walked off.
Duncan and Amanda walked back towards the car, past a gardener bagging tree trimmings. The gardener picked up a short bladed scythe, and attacked Duncan.
"Duncan, watch out!" Amanda drawn out her sword.
Duncan defended himself with a spade, "What are you doing?"
The gardener continued to attack Duncan while Amanda helped defend her friend.
"Stop your attack!"
Suddenly, the gardener dropped to the ground. Duncan and Amanda looked looked to see Mandrake, Lothar and Richie in sight.
"Was that supposed to happen?" Richie asked.
Duncan checked the gardener's pulse, "He's dead."
"That's not good," Lothar replied.
"Definitely not what I planned," Mandrake chimed in.
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"You sure you didn't hit him that hard?" Joe asked.
"He didn't hit him at all," Richie answered.
"All I did was try to subdue him," Mandrake added in.
"Ahriman," Joe realized what had happened.
"And he could be anyone at any time," Duncan chimed in.
"Well, Mac, I've got watchers turning down vacation to check on Ahriman," Joe informed the Highlander.
"If there's anything that can kill it, we're gonna find it," Methos added.
"In the meantime, people are dying," Amanda stated.
"We've never seen anything like it," Flash stated.
"Do they still think they're looking for this ancient immortal as Joe and Methos pointed out?" Richie asked.
"Yeah," Joe answered.
"Interesting," Amy quipped, crossing her legs.
"Definitely interesting," Kshin added.
"Well, tell them to be careful," Duncan told his watcher.
"They're professionals," Joe assured him, "They're always careful. Anyway, this is all we've got so far."
"Thanks, Joe," Duncan replied, "This would be hard without you."
"No problem," Joe affirmed, "I'll, uh, I'll call later."
"Amanda, April and Flash are going to take me to see Tori," Richie spoke up.
"All right," Duncan nodded.
"We'll catch you in a little bit," Amanda told her lover, holding Duncan's hands as he had done with Tessa all those years ago. He had hoped that she wouldn't be dead this time.
Richie, Flash, April and Amanda left the barge.
"In answer to the guileful one," Duncan translated a book passage, "the deadly, the evil doer Ahriman, Zarathustra said, Never will I renounce the good mind. Never will I renounce the good mind."
Joe then left the barge. Duncan then turned and looked at Mandrake, Lothar, Atascadero, Amy and Kshin, "What about you guys?"
"We have nowhere to go," Mandrake shook his head. He then looked at his kids, "but maybe Amy and Kshin might want to see Tori as well."
"Really?" Kshin quipped.
Suddenly, Duncan noticed a snake appearing on his keyboard. Atascadero noticed as well and screamed, holding Mandrake. Duncan grabbed the snake and tossed it away. It exploded with a flash of red smoke when it landed and suddenly, Horton appeared where it stood.
"Is that Ahriman?" Kshin asked.
"Must be one of Ahriman's forms," Amy answered.
"Somewhat theatrical, I agree," Horton stated, "A thousand years ago, it would have been enough to have caused a panic in the streets."
"What do you want?" Mandrake asked.
"MacLeod told you to stay out of it," Horton told the magician, "Need me to get Cathleen again?"
"Oh so scary," Mandrake replied with sarcasm.
"Let me try something for your kids, shall we?" Horton asked before he vanished and then Grandpa Hai appeared.
"Grandpa?" Kshin looked up in surprise.
"No," Amy grabbed her brother's arm, "That's not your grandfather."
Suddenly, Cathleen appeared after Grandpa Hai vanished.
"Mom?" Amy gasped.
"Wake up, Amy," Kshin grabbed his sister's arm, "That's not your mother."
"I knew this would create a pandemonium," Cathleen smirked at the group. She chuckled before stating, "In this scientific age, people don't believe in demons and devils anymore and maybe that's my best trick yet."
Cathleen vanished and then Duncan saw Horton on his laptop screen, who then said, "All that technology, so much information. It's almost a sin to want to know so much."
"Well, if it's so useless, why are you here?" Duncan asked before he closed the laptop.
Kronos appeared behind him in his Bronze age outfit, "So this is where you hide, with your books and your scrolls, like a frightened monk. I thought you were a better man than that, MacLeod. I thought you were a warrior like me."
"I'm nothing like you," Duncan replied.
"Oh, that's right," Kronos replied, "You don't carry a blade any longer, do you?"
"Somewhere in here's a way to destroy you," Duncan declared before he held up a book.
"Better men than you have tried," Kronos declared, "Stop now….and live. You'll never know who's coming for you next."
Kronos then disappeared, leaving the six looking at each other.
"Is everyone okay?" Lothar asked.
"I'm fine," Amy nodded.
"That was freaky," Kshin chimed in, "Hard to believe that Ming summoned that thing because it's worse than he is."
"That's an understatement," Mandrake quipped.
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Amanda, Flash, April and Richie are visiting Tori's grave. Richie stepped forward as the others watched. He placed a rose on the gravestone.
"Hey, Tori," Richie gave out a small smile, "It's me. I miss you. I miss you so much."
He kissed his hand before gently touched the gravestone before he continued, "It's been a year and it's been so hard. God, it hurts."
"I bet it does."
The group looked to see Tori smiling.
"Tori?" Richie looked up in surprise.
"No, Tori's dead, remember?" April spoke up.
"How clever of you, April," Tori smirked before she vanished. Then Dale appeared, "How about now? A two for one special."
"It didn't work then," April declared, "and it won't work now."
"You're wasting your time," Flash added.
"You're right, you know," Dale crossed her arms before she eyed Amanda and Richie, "My agenda needs to be for MacLeod's friends."
"Fine," Amanda stepped forward, "Leave Ahriman to me."
Dale vanished.
"Where did she go?" Amanda asked.
"Hello, Amanda."
Everyone looked to see Rebecca, taking Amanda by surprise, "Rebecca? Oh man."
She took a deep breath before she declared, "I know you're Ahriman."
"Very astute," Rebecca replied, "I have something I must ask, Amanda. How much do you want to keep your head?"
Amanda held her sword, circling her, "What are you talking about?"
"You have your sword, and he doesn't," Rebecca elaborated, "but he could use that sword against you and take your head in the process. I know how much you want to live."
Flash and April tried to step forward.
"Do not interfere, Defenders!" Rebecca called out, "My quarrel is for MacLeod's friends!"
"Duncan wouldn't do that," Amanda firmly told the demon, "He wouldn't kill me."
"Is that right?" Rebecca replied. "Well, he took Tori's head and she was MacLeod's friend."
"It was an accident!" Amanda argued, "MacLeod didn't intend to kill Tori, he was aiming for you!"
"Really? Oh dear Amanda," Rebecca stated, "You can be naive sometimes. Duncan MacLeod took Tori's head and he'll take yours too. I can save you. Just leave MacLeod and you can live your happy life at the circus."
"No," Amanda rejected the offer before she yelled, "NO!"
"I'm not done with you yet, Richie," Rebecca declared before she vanished. Amanda dropped to her knees, and Richie walked over to her, "Are you okay?"
Richie and Flash helped her up.
"The nerve of that demon," Amanda stated.
"You think he might reach Joe or Methos?" April asked, "What about Mandrake, Lothar and Ata?"
"If that demon could reach us," Richie answered, "it's very likely."
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Joe enter Le Blues Bar, carrying a small package in his hand, humming to himself.
"Mmmm, I got to find….hey," Joe noticed a man at the bar, "Can I help you?"
The man turned to face him, revealing to be Horton, "I believe the question, Joseph, is: Can I help you?"
"James," Joe noticed his brother in law.
"Here. Take this. You look as though you need it," Horton set a glass of whiskey on the bar between them. Joe shoved the package in his coat pocket, then Horton asked, "How's my family? I gather Lynn's moved back to Chicago."
"You're not real," Joe recognized who, or what he was seeing.
"You were the best man at my wedding," Horton stated, "I'm your sister's husband."
"I buried you," Joe stated.
"Joseph, Joseph," Horton stated, "How little you understand."
"What is it that you want?" Joe asked.
"To help. The watchers have always been our brothers and sisters, our family," Horton answered, "When you lost your legs in Vietnam, they saved you. They gave you another chance, and how do you repay them? You use them. You lie to them. You make them the tool of an immortal."
"You're an illusion," Joe shook his head.
"No, Joseph," Horton argued, "I'm your conscience. Save yourself. Let MacLeod fight his own battles."
"Go to hell!" Joe exclaimed.
"I have," Horton insisted, "Watchers don't interfere, and if they do, they die."
Duncan suddenly entered the bar with Mandrake, Atascadero and Lothar all in tow, "Hey, Joe."
"You like hell," Mandrake noted the watcher's appearance.
"Yeah," Joe replied, "Funny you should mention it."
"What?" Duncan asked.
"Nothing, nothing, nothing," Joe brushed him off.
"You said, um, your people found something I should see," Duncan spoke up.
"Actually, it just hasn't arrived yet," Joe replied.
"Are you okay?" Duncan asked, noticing his friend's state.
"Ah, yeah," Joe answered, "Why shouldn't I be?"
"Because of what we're facing," Duncan stated.
"No, I'm – I'm fine," Joe insisted, "I'm fine."
"All right then," Duncan replied, "Call us when you get something."
The group started to leave.
"Mac, I forgot!" Joe pulled the package back out from his coat pocket, "I-I do have something here. One of my guys... Well, he found this in a museum in Bolivia. It's some kind of talisman. The native Shamans used it in their vision quests."
He unwrapped the talisman and showed it to the group. It was engraved with the Y shape surrounded by three dots, "It's the same symbol we found before."
"Thanks, Joe," Duncan replied before he took the talisman and left with Mandrake, Lothar and Atascadero.
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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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