The Order of the Stick (all except Belkar) had defeated Xykon, survived the Final Dungeon, protected the world(s) from the Snarl, and ascended goblinkind, in the coolest and most unexpected way possible. Even the gods were impressed with their skills and cunning.

As they handily defeated a group of the new "irredeemably evil" monster race that served as the random encounter between the Final Dungeon and the city that would be throwing them a celebration party that evening, they discussed the events of the GOATed story's ending.

"I never would have expected Durkon to—"

"And the part with—"

"I still cannae believe when—"

"Ouch! Watch it—the little ones bite!"

"You know who would've loved these new unambiguously bad, unfeeling, biting enemies?"

"Belkar."

"Exactly."

"Och, o' course 'e would."

"He loved piles of dead bodies."

As The Order dispatched the rest of the enemies, they fell into a silence, contemplating Belkar.

"By the way, Roy, the reason you didn't tell Belkar right away about the Oracle's prophecy made a lot of sense," Haley said. "Sometimes I forget how wise you can be. The way he found out and the way he died both kinda… worked out in the end, as weird as it is to say. He seemed satisfied."

"I was able to perceive his expression at the end," Vaarsuvius volunteered. "As he closed his eyes, he shed a tear, grinned, and screamed one final one liner before perishing, in my humble opinion, the most epic way imaginable."

"Truly unforgettable," agreed Elan. "Hey, everyone?"

"What's up, Elan?"

"Wow, Roy, you didn't sound reluctant to engage with me just then!"

"I'm in a great mood right now, but don't push it."

"So much character development. Anyway, I was wondering, since basically all the plot points got wrapped up–"

"—I was particularly touched at tha closure V was able ta get with thair spouse—"

"Durkon, the meeting with your mom was so humbling—"

"And Elan, sweetie, I'm so proud of how you handled your dad—"

"Haley, I hope you're proud of how you made your dad a better person, too—"

"SINCE all the plot points got wrapped up in such a SATISFACTORY way," Elan barrelled through, "I was wondering what would happen to us. Do we go our separate ways and return to our homelands? Since we don't have a shared goal any longer?"

Everyone contemplated the human's words.

"Elan… I don't think everything is tied up in a neat little bow like that. There are still ongoing issues in our world, some of which are direct results of our involvement in this story," Haley offered. "Like…"

"The goblin thing can't be totally resolved," mentioned Roy, catching Haley's meaning. "That's not how society works. That will require tons of effort and follow up."

"So, our shared enemy is… racism?" asked Elan, bemused. "Should I enchant my rapier (somehow)?"

"No! I mean, yes, but also, there are a ton of problems for which only we, as a group, can comprehend the scope and history."
"Roy, if I am not mistaken, you are advocating for our continued partnership. For the record, I concur."

"I don't know if I get my own vote, but I agree with Vaarsuvius," said Blackwing.

"O' course we should stick tagether! Tha's what our group is named fer! After all tha we've been through, we cannae give up now!"

"As we used to say in the thieves guild, don't stop the train if the gravy's still flowing."

"Mrrow!" Mr. Scruffy added. Vaarsuvius leaned down to scratch under the cat's chin the way Belkar used to do.

The bard grew misty eyed as his friends beamed at him.

"The good ending," he mumbled softly to himself.

"What did you say, babe?"

Elan wiped away his tears, hugged Haley, and pulled her into a passionate kiss.

"I said, this is the happy ending!"

The End.

In honor of Belkar, all the upcoming casualties, and all the survivors of the climactic conclusion of The Order of the Stick. May this story be absolutely decimated by canon when the comic is complete!

All glory to the original author!
Thanks for reading!

rent-a-bird