[ WP/MP ] Write a story reimagining a character from another piece of fiction as down-and-out/washed up/past their prime .

He could see the opening now, the round circle of light illuminating the end of the tunnel. He crawled out, letting the pain in his old bones settle and slowly came to his feet. He could see his old friend waiting in the distance. To think they had once been enemies seemed so distant now, their differences had long since been settled. He winced, noticing his hat had fell to the ground. He ran a hand through his thinning hair and went to one knee, grabbing the hat and dusting it off. He cracked a small smile and placed it back on his head. 
 
 
 `` How long has it been?'' he called out to his friend. 
 
 
 `` Too long... were you seen?'' 
 
 
 `` Not a chance'' he smiled. `` The route you gave me was well hidden, although a little dark.'' 
 
 
 `` It's the only one left unaccounted for these days.'' the friend said back. `` I'm surprised those old bones of yours held up.'' 
 
 
 `` Not much left in them these days old friend. I guess I can thank you for that.'' 
 
 
 He took a seat next to his friend. The open field of the courtyard seemed much smaller now, but it's beauty could n't be denied. He looked around for a moment, taking the scenery in. 
 
 
 `` Are you ready?'' the friend asked impatiently. 
 
 
 He took a deep breath and one last glance around at the colorful canvas the courtyard painted. 
 
 
 `` Lets go.'' 
 
 
 The gravestone looked more worn since the last time they had visited, the ground unkept. Weeds and mushrooms had begun to sprout up around it, and the words on the face could no longer be read. 
 
 
 But he knew it was hers. 
 
 
 `` It's still hard to believe after all these years she's gone. You never were the same after it happened were you?'' 
 
 
 `` You either.'' 
 
 
 `` Nope.'' 
 
 
 `` We sure had some good times. Seemed like one of us was always trying to one up the other'' 
 
 
 He stood there with his friend sharing a long laugh until tears filled their old blinding eyes. Memories of lifetimes before filled his mind all at once. 
 
 
 `` Are you you sure you want to go through with this?'' 
 
 
 He slowly bent down and took off his hat, and left it next to the gravestone. His thin hair blew gently in the wind. For a moment, it felt like she was in his arms for one last time. 
 
 
 `` I'm ready.'' 
 
 
 Inside, the smell of flames and soot filled the vacant rooms. He followed his friend down winding corridors, using his hands as eyes as they inched along the long path. Finally he found himself stopped at the big red door. His friend pushed it open slowly, holding it open for him. He walked into the room and jokingly took off his invisible hat, in gratitude for for his generosity. His friend smiled widely. 
 
 
 The room was dim, with only two torches on opposite sides of the room that remained burning. He did n't need light in this room, he knew it well. They both did. 
 
 
 The bridge was rickety, as he led his friend further and further along. The far torch drew closer, but just before reaching the platform he stopped. 
 
 
 `` Would you like to do the honors?'' he said with a grin. 
 
 
 `` After all these years... are you kidding? I would n't dream of it.'' his friend let out a loud laugh that sounded more like a groan of pain. 
 
 
 `` I always meant to ask you something.'' 
 
 
 `` Now might be a good time to do that.'' 
 
 
 `` Why did you always keep an axe at the end of the bridge?'' 
 
 
 It was a question that had burned inside of him, ever since that time they had met so many years ago in this very room.'' 
 
 
 `` Honestly?... I always wanted to be caught, to be beaten. It was n't just her. It was the game too. The game always kept me going. The game made me feel alive.'' 
 
 
 `` The game made me feel alive too. I have n't felt the same since.'' 
 
 
 `` Goodbye old friend.'' 
 
 
 `` Goodbye.'' 
 
 
 He picked up the axe, making sure his footing was still on the bridge. He took one last glance at his old friend who gave him a nod. He nodded back and with all the energy he had left in his life, he swung, cutting the rope cleanly on both sides. 
 
 
 For a moment he felt weightless and scared, but alive. After all this time, he finally felt alive again. This was it, the game was finally over. 
 
 
 They fell together.
