➢𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗟 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗢➢

⟶𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 32: 𝑭𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝑻𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑬𝒏𝒅⟵

"you can rest now."

-𝐎𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝟐𝟖𝐓𝐇, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑-

𝐄 𝐀 𝐑 𝐓 𝐇

"Everybody wants a happy ending. Right?"

"But it doesn't always roll that way."

"Maybe this time. I'm hoping if you play this back, it's in celebration. I hope families are reunited, I hope we...  get it back, and something like a normal version of the planet has been restored... if there ever was such a thing."

"God, what a world. Universe, now. If you told me ten years ago that we weren't alone, let alone, you know, to this extent, I mean, I-I wouldn't have been surprised, but come on."

"The epic forces of dark and light that have come into play. And for better or worse, that's the reality Morgan's gonna have to find a way to grow up in."

"That Dan-o 's already grown up in."

A holographic version of Iron Man sits backward on a chair that is projected by his helmet.

His final words are bestowed upon a select few inside his cabin house. His wife, young daughter, bodyguard, and best friend are seated close by. 

Meanwhile, three of his teammates―one of them unarguably his other surrogate daughter―also listen in on the message, "So, I thought I better record a little greeting, in the case of an untimely death, on my part."

"I mean, not that death at any time isn't untimely."

He has a hand on his chin, "This time travel thing that we're gonna try and pull off tomorrow, it's got me scratching my head about the survivability of it all."

"Then again that's the hero gig. Part of the journey is the end."

He stands to turn off his helmet, final expression him smiling, "What am I even tripping for? Everything's gonna work out exactly the way...  it's supposed to."

Tony eyes his daughter Morgan somewhat miraculously as he one last time, tells her, "I love you 3,000."

I love you 3000.

The hologram goes away, and so does the face of Tony Stark.

Pepper gasps softly.

Outside the cottage, are a lineup of individuals. Avengers, Guardians, Sorcerers, Wakandans, and humans.

They watch as down the steps first are Pepper Potts and Morgan Stark. The brunette-headed little girl holds onto her mother's hand while her mother carries a decorated wreath. She is followed by the members who were inside the household.

When eventually reaching the end of the boardwalk near the lake, the wreath is set to float atop the water as it holds the very first Arc Reactor Tony ever wore. The one that was originally implanted into him. His assistant at the time, Pepper, had the words 'Proof That Tony Stark Has A Heart' ingrained into the piece of metal.

As it slowly drifts away, a crowd watches. A crowd that stands to respect and honor the man who undoubtedly saved the world. The universe. Some are his friends, others at a point in time, enemies, and some are his family. Blood-related or not.

Regardless, he made a sacrifice, and all are grateful for that.

Pepper Potts, Tony Stark's former assistant-turned wife, holds their daughter Morgan close as they both grieve. Happy Hogan and James Rhodes choose to come together in order to honor someone they were very close to. Behind those four are the people that were next closest to Iron Man.

Dani Rockland and Steve Rogers stand next to one another on the platform by the lake, now having only each other left for support.

The eighteen year old's arms are crossed in a shoulder-width stance, black long-sleeved shirt, jeans, and tall boots on as she stoically honors the man... who was indeed a second father to her. An uncle, who took her in when times had gotten the toughest she thought they ever would be. But, her safety was guaranteed and selflessly taken care of... because of Tony.

She will never forget how much he did for her. How much he cared about her.

She will miss him dearly.

May Parker attends the funeral to support her nephew, and she gives him a comforting squeeze as Peter Parker with slightly red eyes mourns the loss of his mentor. He will not forget everything that Tony has done for him. Taken care of him, been like a father figure to him.

And behind him are Bruce Banner and Thor, two of Tony's teammates, his friends, and so much more based on how much they have been through. They are visibly saddened.

Behind them, although not having nearly as much time spent with the man, are Stephen and Caitlyn Strange.

The fifteen-year-old in a white-collared black dress stands by her uncle and Wong as they remain silent, just looking out on the beautiful horizon that surrounds them all.

With an undeniable and similar amount of consideration, Scott Lang, Hope Van Dyne, Janet Van Dyne, and Hank Pym, although including past circumstances and an esteemed history with the Starks, politely stand to recognize the great sacrifice. 

The Guardians of the Galaxy as well come to pay their respects, their uniqueness of not being directly from Earth only heightens the gratification and celebration of Tony Stark.

Iron Man receives recognition from Wakanda as well. T'Challa, General Okoye, and Princess Shuri are there to represent.

The King is accompanied by the presence of his daughter, the other Princess in their land. Ania Udaku with low-bun hair and a tight black dress consciously folds her hands together as with emotion present on her face, she mourns someone whom she never has met.

Clint Barton and his family lament further back, the man overjoyed to have his wife and kids safe and sound, and then standing together are Wanda Maximoff, Sam Wilson, and Bucky Barnes.

Sam clasps a hand onto Bucky's shoulder as a way of comfort to the man who had his differences with Iron Man. Most importantly... never got to apologize.

The rest of the attendees at Tony Stark's funeral are Harley Keener, Maria Hill, Secretary Ross, Carol Danvers, and Nick Fury, who hovers over the balcony at the cabin as the rest of the event commences.

It eventually ends.

Clint and Wanda share a moment by the side of one another. Both reflect on the losses of their loved ones. They remind themselves that both Natasha Romanoff and The Vision are aware of their win. That the universe has been saved. At last.

Not for the last time, but right now there is light after so much darkness.

That darkness previously breached its way into the heart of the wholesome Danielle Mairead Rockland, who has endured the effects of living through these last five years―growing up, finding love, and most importantly finding herself. Making up for a time when she certainly had lost who she really was, forgotten.

What she has not forgotten is what Caitlyn Elizabeth Strange and Ania Ingelosi Udaku have witnessed just before saying goodbye to existence. Before their bodies turned to ash and returned looking the same age, five years later.

Five years went by without them in it. They must learn how to go on after an event like this. After Ania's loss. After Caitlyn's change.

Three girls look out on the pretty view that Dani had seen once before. Once when reuniting with Uncle Tony after five long years.

Man, that phrase seemed like it would never go away. Five years. It was real. It was poignant. In some lives more than others.

Some...  forces.

To be reckoned with.

The formerly considered 'youngest' force, who now accepts the role of being the oldest, is the first to relay her thoughts, and they are a sincere apology.

"I did and said things, five years ago," There's the phrase again, but Dani clarifies, "that I should have never said or done."

She looks to Ania and Caitlyn with an expression that holds atonement, as does her voice, "I'm sorry for how I acted back then."

"To both of you."

The sixteen-year-old looks to the eighteen-year-old with consistent understanding, and with a more emotion-filled look, she enlists forgiveness. 

Caitlyn is unnaturally silent during the conversation, but her lack of biting words signifies approval. An approval of Dani Rockland.

The Blue Phoenix, and among them the strongest, is also incredibly cautious in saying next, "And... Ania, I'm so sorry for your loss."

The White Cat swallows with a bit of difficulty as she gazes out at the scenery in front of them, and the Wakandan teenager is honest. 

Honest about her relationship with Izitena.

"She... wasn't actually... my Mom, but..."

Her brown eyes become ever so glassy yet she finds a way to control it, insisting in a quivering tone, "It... felt like that all the same. You know?"

Dani can relate to Ania in this way, this... state of mind that DNA did not equal family, and that one could find bonds with almost anyone―and for Dani, that was Natasha.

"Yeah," she understands Ania's pain, no doubt still battling some of it on her own, and says softly while looking to the side, "I know."

Dani does.

Ania as her journey goes on will have to figure out for herself, how to move on. To become the White Tiger, whichever that form takes.

As for Caitlyn, her expression continues to stay neutral, only faltering at some points when she gets lost in thought. When she begins to ponder... her current circumstances.

There is something abruptly different about her, and she doesn't know what it is. What's causing it. Well...

Dani decides to be optimistic, her next statement just as noble and good-natured as her father, "Well, now that we've met. We... know of each other's existence, maybe we can agree to always be there for one another?"

The girls take a moment to inhale what the eighteen-year-old is proposing. Now that they have indeed all met, supposedly are... friends, their connection and involvement in each other's lives will never actually leave. Even when they go back to their own solo journeys.

Ania exhales before turning to face a short-haired Dani, lips lifting for the first time this whole time... into a sweet smile, nodding, "I like that."

Dani grins back, "Me too."

Both females glance at Caitlyn.

Who is conflicted, internally, but stifles a nod as she transfers some of her weight to be leaning on her left hip―furthest away from the other forces, but without refusal she agrees, "Yeah."

Everything was okay now. Everyone was safe. And now was the official time... for the forces to return home. To get back to their daily lives, to their homes... through people and places.

Now, their individual adventures still have a long ways to go, and some will be seen sooner than others, however, this will not be the last time the forces of this universe unite. This will not be their only crossover, whether on a scale large or small.

Deservedly, though, they do indeed return to where they belong.

In Wakanda, T'Challa has an arm around his mother, Ramonda, and little sister, Shuri, as they happily look out at the many celebrations occurring in their home country.

 The Queen is delighted to have her children home and safe.

Talons and other air crafts fly and all the tribes hold gatherings of gratitude down below the tower of the Golden Palace.

A level lower than the one that the three Udakus gaze thankfully upon is the somber gaze of the fourth, and youngest member of the royal family. The Golden Tribe.

Tarik Umoya from the River Tribe watches from the other side of the terrace, his childhood best friend display an irrepressible amount of despair, confusion, and grief.

Ania's chocolate brown irises glimmer in the reflected lights above and below them, but also, they are filled with so much uncertainty, fear, and anger at what will be next. What could be next? She doesn't know.

One thing was sure, they'd never be alone again.

Back in New York City, on Bleecker Street, a Doctor and his niece make their way back to their home, which has been abandoned for over five years.

The New York Sanctum is cold, and disheveled, and so are Caitlyn and Stephen. They have a lot of work to do. Caitlyn... has a lot of figuring out to do. Will she be able to?

One thing was for sure, they'd fight until the end.

And finally, almost always finally, eighteen-year-old Dani Rockland who still remains in New York City―though for not that much longer, stands outside her father's apartment in Brooklyn, holding an envelope.

One she had been waiting for.

𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬

𝟓𝟔𝟗 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞

𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐖𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐍 𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐘

The young woman glances up in shock. 

❀❀❀

https://youtu.be/c5v0KwT1lkM

『 We're never going to be alone again
We're never gonna let it know
We're enemies, lovers, not friends
And we fight 'til the end 』
―𝘑𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘚𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪, 𝘍𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘛𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘯𝘥

━━━✰━━━

Love from Alessandra

Well ... there's that. Hope you liked it. 

We've got around three chapters left, that will all center around our girl, Dani. Mostly her relationship with Steve, as Endgame the movie is not over yet, particularly because there is just one more scene. I'm sure I don't need to expand further about that.

Anyway, I really tried to tribute this chapter to Tony Stark. He was probably one of the characters I liked the most and his arc wrapped up really nicely here. There will be future references to him, of course, but as far as him appearing again in my stories, I'm afraid you'll have to go back and read older stories to see him again in the forces universe. RIP Tony Stark ❤️ you have my heart. 

So, as I said before, in the last three chapters the only force that will appear will be Dani, so if you don't like that don't worry because once this book ends I will be announcing the third stage of the forces universe. Hopefully by the end of next week. Yeah ... we're nearly there.

My logic is to try and wrap up this book before next week ends so that when I go back to school I can just focus on finals and then during winter break start planning & maybe pushing out new stuff. Depends. A lot is coming.

So, yeah,  I'm home for the next week and so thankful be and I hope everyone is well. Peace.

P.S. Some advice for the next 2 chapters, bring tissues ;(  

xoxo, Alessandra ❤️ (dreamkept)