For auld lang syne by thepkrmgc
Standard fanfiction disclaimer: All intellectual property belongs to Terry Pratchet.
In the infinite possibility space of the multiverse there is a place that believes in the power of stories.
In this place swims the turtle, not just any turtle to be turned into soup, for upon this turtle rests the Discworld.
The turtle moves. And though the great beast is beyond such petty concerns as air the flow of words upon which give it life has slowed of recent years. Great Atuin knows that it is dying. It does not mourn, for any creature of tales knows that all stories, if continued long enough end in death.
Dozens of plays have danced across it's world stage, countless players have played infinite parts, though the time for curtain calls has come. One by one they come and take their bows.
COME RINCEWIND, THE TIME FOR RUNNING HAS LONG PAST. The reluctant hero emerges from his hiding place amid the stars wizzard hat tucked under his arm his trusty halfbrick-inna-sock at the ready. He gives a nervous nod as he passes into legend.
COME SIR SAMUEL VIMES, NOW YOUR WATCH HAS ENDED. The old copper steps forth from the darkness: where he guards men from the evils that lurk within their own souls. He stiffly salutes as he fades away.
COME MOIST VON LIPWIG, THE LONG CON HAS RUN ITS COURSE. The maverick dances to the center of the stage, full of sound and fury. He winks and is heard no more.
COME DEATH, THE SAND-LESS HOURGLASS HAS RUN ITS COURSE. The penultimate personification rides to the stage atop Binky, the horses hooves marking the time of the final countdown. DEATH turns his head, his boney grimace looking, for once, like a smile.
Now they belong to the ages, long will their stories be told. While the readers may die, the characters will never grow old.
Author commentary: I just read the most recent discworld novel (Raising Steam) , and I suspect it might be the last. I've spent months engrossed in the pages (you might say I was a resident of anhk-morpork) and I wrote this to say goodbye to the characters. For auld lang syne you might say.