Preface: After my character's initial debut in Sailor Moon Defenders, I tried finding out how I can expand the character's growth a bit more. It took a couple of years, but eventually, I ended up coming up with this story.

For context: This story coincides with the Defenders of the Earth series. Inspired by Marzena's story "Defenders of the Earth: This is Their Story", I created these chapters which would be set during certain points of the series, and the Defenders will be making at least one appearance during the story, hence the crossover.

Disclaimer: See Chapter One!

Plot: (Set after "Legacy" and before "Prodigal Son") Tori checks in with Amanda and is informed about the death of her teacher Rebecca, then Tori and Richie realize they have to return to MacLeod upon the fact the issue is something the Defenders can't help them with.

Clouded Issues

"Long time no see, Amanda," Tori greeted her teacher as she was talking to her via her laptop, "like your hairdo as well."

"Why, thank you," Amanda replied, "How are things going between you and Richie?"

"Things are going great," Richie replied as he entered the room, "it's all going great, Amanda. How are you?"

"Been better," Amanda stated, "just coping with the death of my teacher."

"Rebecca?" Tori shot up in surprise. Richie listened intently. She remembered Amanda telling her about her teacher Rebecca Horne while they were training. She told her how she was fond of her teacher, "What happened?"

"She was beheaded by Luther as he was after the Methuselah Stone," Amanda explained, "he nearly took my head, but Duncan MacLeod stopped him and Duncan took his head. Afterwards, I knew Rebecca was avenged."

"We're very sorry for your loss," Tori offered her condolences as Richie nodded in agreement, "We know how much Rebecca meant to you."

"Thanks," Amanda gave a small smile, "At least Rebecca is at peace knowing that her killer has also lost his head."

Suddenly, Rick barged into the room.

"Rick, you really need to knock before entering!" Tori exclaimed.

"Rick?" Amanda noticed the scenario.

"Sorry," Rick apologized before stepping out the room. A knock on the door was heard.

"Come in," Tori responded before Rick entered back into the room.

"Who's the guy?" Amanda asked.

"Amanda, I don't think we've fully introduced you to my family," Tori replied before glancing at Rick, "so, I guess we'll start with my cousin, Rick. Rick, I want you to meet my first teacher, Amanda."

"Hi, Amanda," Rick greeted her, "nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you, Rick," Amanda replied, "great to meet members of Tori's family."

"I agree there," Richie stated, "Wait until you meet the rest of the Defenders."

"Can I?" Amanda asked.

"Sure," Tori nodded.

"But another time," Rick replied, "Dad said for you guys to hurry. There's a situation that needs all of us."

Richie and Tori glance at each other in surprise.

"Immortal issue?" Richie asked.

"Possibly," Rick answered, "but you guys need to hurry."

"We'll do that," Tori replied before he left her and Richie in the room.

"We really should be going," Richie told Amanda, "and I like your hairdo."

Amanda smiled and chuckled, "Thanks. I'm hoping things work out between you lovers."

"Lovers?!" Richie and Tori exclaimed in unison.

"I'm kidding," Amanda replied, "See you guys later."

With that, the call ended.

-Defenders-Chronicles-Highlander-

Richie looked on in shock. Tori and the Defenders looked on in surprise. They saw a man with his throat slashed, laying lifeless on the ground.

"How did this happen?" Lothar asked.

"It looked like someone cut his throat," Mandrake answered, "and it looks like the work of someone who wields a sword."

Richie and Tori glanced at each other. There was no way that either of them killed that man.

"Who could have killed him?" Richie asked.

"We are not sure," Mandrake answered, "but it does look like a sword cut when that man was killed."

"Who was the man's name?" Jedda asked.

The Phantom examined the man for a moment before speaking up, "His name was Howard Johnson. He was acquaintance with my father."

Jedda clasped her hands to her mouth in shock, with a barely escaped gasp coming from her mouth.

"Does Dynak have security footage of the front door?" Tori asked.

"Let's find out," Flash answered before the ten entered the mansion and arrived near the closest screen, "Dynak, can you reveal the security footage from the past twelve hours?"

"Security footage revealed," Dynak replied before revealing nothing at first, until the Defenders saw Howard running in panic. He tried reaching for the door before a mysterious man grabbed him and slashed his throat, tossing him to the ground. As this was happening, Richie noticed the guy was dressed dark to where the others couldn't recognize him, not even in the footage.

"I know there are people here who know Duncan MacLeod," the man spoke loudly, "I know two people in this residence have been trained by Duncan MacLeod. I'll have you running to your teacher, and he will meet his demise."

After that he left the area, allowing the Defenders to pale in shock of this revelation.

"What will we do?" LJ asked.

"I fear this is an Immortal situation," Tori answered.

"Tori's right," Mandrake nodded in agreement, "this is a situation I fear the Defenders might not be able to help out this time around."

"What about the IUA?" Rick asked.

"Well," Tori answered before calling her mother, "Mom? We got a situation."

"Immortal situation?" Janet asked.

"Yeap," Tori explained, "we found an old acquaintance of the Phantom's dead at our doorway. His throat was cut by some dude. He must be Immortal because he is after Duncan MacLeod. Apparently, this guy knows we were trained by MacLeod. What should we do?"

At first, there was silence as she felt uneasy, and Tori wasn't sure what this meant.

"Mom?" Tori called, breaking the pause of silence.

"If it's Hyde, then I suggest you and Richard make your move to Paris as soon as possible," Janet suggested.

"Hyde?" Tori asked, confused.

"Martin Hyde," Janet exclaimed, "he is a headhunter, something worse than what Mako does. He goes after the students of his intended targets, which is his favorite thing to do in order to lure out his targets, the more mature Immortals."

Tori and Richie looked at each other, worried. They weren't sure who exactly this Hyde was targeting. They realized what he had to do.

"This is indeed a situation that the Defenders can't help with," Flash couldn't help but to blurt out.

"That's not necessary, Steven," Janet told her brother, "you Defenders have Ming the Merciless to deal with. Focus on him, and Richard and my daughter will go back to Paris to get MacLeod to aid him out, and the IUA will come back you guys up if needed."

"Thanks, Mom," Tori replied.

"A plane will be waiting for you at the airport," Janet told her daughter, "and you'll be in Paris in no time."

"Thanks, Mom," Tori replied before the call ended. She held Richie's hand in worry. He shared the same concern.

"Is there anything we can do?" Flash asked. That was a stupid question, and he knew that.

"Sorry, Uncle Flash," Tori answered as she managed to answer calmly, "but Mom's right, you and the Defenders need to stick with dealing with Ming and other Defenders related stuff. Let Richie and myself deal with this sicko."

Flash nodded, "Just be careful, Tori. I couldn't bare anything to happen to you."

He paused before looking at Richie, "to either of you."

"Flash?" Richie shot up.

"You heard me," Flash smirked, "I consider you family as well, Richie."

Richie stared in awe. He never imagined in his wildest dreams that the famous Flash Gordon would consider him family.

"Thanks, Flash," Tori stated before slightly tapping Richie's arm, "Come on, hot shot. We should be going."

Author's Note: Here we go! After this chapter, there are two more chapters that cover season 2 and then the Season 3 arc will commence. I will explain a bit more about the Season 3 arc after this current season arc is wrapped up, and trust me, you will be in for a treat!