Short, a bit silly, and sort-of spoiler for episode 48 of Gundam Wing
(I've only read the script at the GWML archive, though). Sunrise owns
Gundam Wing, and Terry Pratchett owns the Discworld series. I'm just
borrowing them for a
little bit.


Death's Duty
By Rhionae

A large figure floated unnoticed through the midst of the battle.  It
paused as it passed the Gundam known as Deathscythe Hell, taking a
moment to wistfully contemplate its sleek lines as it aided Heavyarms by
taking out its opponents.  It followed the twin blades of Deathscythe
Hell's scythe with inhuman intensity as they sliced effortlessly through
the Mobile Dolls.

A bony hand patted the figure's shoulder, eliciting a dull ring from the
metal plates.  The figure turned its head to glance at its tiny
companion, shifting its grip on the shaft in its hands restlessly.  Then
it moved on.

It swung its arms in lazy arcs as it continued to make its way through
the battlefield towards one particular pair of combatants.  Behind it, a
trail of miscellaneous metal fragments drifted aimlessly, a testament to
the ferocity of the fighting between the different groups gathered in
conflict.  Parts of Mobile Dolls and suits alike littered the heavens,
turning it into a scrapyard for salvagers to scavenge.

A sharp rap of knuckles, and the figure focused its attention on the two
Gundams before it, ignoring the waste spread across space.  Tallgeese
and Alt-long danced around each other - a dance of death and
destruction, the figure noted.  Its companion agreed.

They stood silent, distant from the fight occurring before them, yet
inextricably bound to it.  

At last, Tallgeese was pierced though by the weapon in Alt-long's hands.

"SQUEAK!"  The tiny hand of the figure's bony companion pointed
imperatively.  

The figure nodded, and swung its scythe.

The explosion rocked Alt-long back, but the silent figure barely
noticed, instead concentrating on the afterimage of Tallgeese. 
Tallgeese stood still in confusion for several minutes, while Alt-long
took off to continue the fight elsewhere.  Then it turned to face the
figure it had just now noticed.

Deathscythe nodded, once.

Tallgeese raised one hand in salute, before fading into the depths of
space.  Deathscythe bowed its head.

"SQUEAK."  The Death of Rats patted Deathscythe on its metal shoulder in
comfort, proud of its apprentice.

The Death of Gundams raised its head, its duty complete.

For the moment.


********

Rhionae
rhionae@hotmail.com
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Island/3226/