Bucky stood on the roof of the fort, watching as the city around him burned. A single tear welled in his eye, but he would not let it fall. He would not show weakness. He needed to be strong, for his people. He had built this city brick by brick, a sanctuary for satire and parody. The fine Library of Swift up in flames, all its works of wit lost, taken by the ever-crackling flames of the barbarian horde. The bathouses, where once the finest of princess bosom's were there to be seen and fondled, now lay in ruins, a pathetic smattering of tents sent up there for the horde to stay in. The existence of those tents were a mockery, for the horde neither built nor slept. Every moment they fought, an unstoppable mass charging forward to take from him what he loved.
"Sir Bucky! We have gathered what survivors remain! We are ready to flee the city! Lady Mizal is already preparing to regroup her forces for another stand! We need not die here!" Steve shouted from the ramparts below him.
"No, faithful friend. I will not leave. This is my dream. This is my city. I swore I would die in its defense. I will not break my vow."
"But Bucky, there are survivors! We have pulled what few scholars remain from the wreckage! Even Malk's probably somewhere! We can rebuild!" Steve said desperately, although he knew the stubborn old fool would never budge.
"I'm tired, Steve. I am tired of rebuilding. If this city falls without a fight, so will a thousand others. Better to live a learned man than wander the wreckage of civilization like an ignorant fool!"
"Then I shall stay with you!" Steve volunteered.
"No. You must take the others and flee. Your place is with them."
"But...!"
"I shall say no more!" Bucky shouted.
Steve nodded.
"Goodbye, old friend."
"Goodbye, Steve."
Steve quickly left, heading to the last passage towards free lands to assemble the survivors. Bucky watched them, leave, before turning his eyes back to the approaching horde. He watched them approach for what seemed like eternity, wordlessly.
"You realize what has to happen," a voice said.
Bucky turned, and saw the Almighty God Mod Kiel Farren standing there.
"I know," Bucky said, allowing the teardrop to fall.
"Yet you stay anyway?" Kiel asked.
Bucky nodded, staring out into the city.
"So be it," Kiel said, as he unleashed his full power.
In the distance, Steve watched as the white light vaporized the city.
"Farewell, old friend. Farewell."
