When I look at my pain, I look with compassion. When I look into my past, I look with forgiveness. When I look inside myself, I look with patience. When I look at the world, I look for ways to give. When I look at my memories of you, I find you here with me still.

Tony Stark's funeral wasn't really much of a funeral, at least not in the traditional sense, not unlike Natasha's funeral. However, everyone did arrive wearing black. The house had been decorated with multiple arrangements of flowers, but there was no preacher or priest. No order of proceedings. It was just Tony's friends and family gathering together to share stories and say goodbye.

A party with Tony Stark as the center of attention. Just like he would've wanted.

There were memorials for him all over the world, of course – tributes and ceremonies and long parades. But this was for family. They'd already laid body to rest at a cemetery in New York, within the mausoleum that held his parents. In a twisted bout of irony they'd been unable to fully remove Tony's body from his Iron Man suit, he had always said that he and the suit were one.

The Stark home had never been do full of people. They had all come together to support one another in their grief.

A long while after the ceremony Happy announced that Tony has left a message for his family and the original group of the Avengers to hear, in the event of his death. The message was within an Iron Man helmet, he politely asked the others to leave before setting the helmet down on the coffee table. Seconds later the eyes of the helmet lit up and s holographic projection of Tony Stark appeared.

"Hey everyone," the hologram sitting backwards on a chair said evenly before sighing, "I'm going to make this quick, we all know how much I hate the spotlight." That brought scattered laughter from the group.

"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." The hologram said running a hand along his beard.

"If there ever was such a thing." Tony said, scratching his chin "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…" he shook his head "I mean, I wouldn't have been surprised. But come on, you know? The epic forces of darkness and light that have come into play."

The hologram looked off to the distance as if reminiscing, "And, for better or worse, that's the reality Morgan and Arina are gonna have to find a way to grow up in." At that Steve reached down and ran a hand over his daughter's head then rested the same hand on his wife's shoulder, Aphrodite reached up to hold it the other wrapped around Arina's. Arina's other hand held on tight to Morgan's, and Morgan was leaning into Pepper's side her other arm wrapped around hers.

"So I thought I'd probably better record a little greeting… In the case of an untimely death" he gestured outwardly with his hand "…on my part. I mean, not that, death at any time isn't untimely. This time travel thing that we're gonna try and pull off tomorrow, it's– it's got me scratching my head about the survivability of it all. That's the thing." Tony's hand rest against his mouth for a moment, the way it always had when he had been contemplating something before he shrugged and continued "Then again, that's the hero gig. Part of the journey is the end." Tony got up off his chair and walked towards the camera. "What am I even trippin' for? Everything's gonna work out exactly the way it's supposed to." He leaned forward, hands on his knees and smiled, looking straight at Morgan "I love you 3,000."

Pepper took a moment to take a deep breath to compose herself dapping beneath her eyes with a napkin before standing once again. She then led the group outside of the house, holding hands with Morgan as she went. Happy held the front door open as the group exited the house. She nodded kindly to the people gathered outside the house and continued down to the lake.

At the end of the boardwalk Pepper took another moment before she bent at the knees before laying the wreath into the lake. It was a beautiful arrangement and in the center was Tony's first ever arc reactor, 'Proof That Tony Stark Has A Heart'.

Morgan wiped her eyes and leaned against Pepper's side and Pepper rested her head on top of hers. Just behind them Rhodes and Happy wrapped their arm around one another. Behind them the Rogers family stood, Steve held Arina in his arm bouncing her gently every few second, his other arm wrapped around his wife's waist tucking her into his side.

In an almost mirror scene of that fateful day in the battlefield, the Avengers and family and friends stood in a silent homage to their fallen Avenger and friend.


Aphrodite exited the house after a quick bathroom break, passing by Morgan and Arina cuddled up on a bench outside along with Happy, she heard mention of cheeseburgers and smiled to herself continuing carefully down the steps. She approached where Ares stood talking with Okoye and T'Challa, trading war strategies or something or another. She waited for them to finish their discussion before gently pulling the God away.

"I don't think I got to congratulate you, you're daughter is beautiful."

"Thank you. She is something special."

"I don't think I would've been able to give you that."

"I don't doubt it." She agreed instantly and they shared a small laugh. "You'll find someone special Ares."

He shrugged good-naturedly, "I don't know about that. I don't even know what I'm going to do next."

"Perhaps I can help with that."

He turned to her curiously but an amused glint in his eye, "Have the fates spoken to you?"

"Not exactly," she joked back, "You see my brother is unsure of the path as well, he'll be joining the Guardians for the near future, Asgard will be left in the more than capable hands of Brunhilde. I'll continue to run things from my side, but she's going to need a true second. The job's yours if you want it."

Ares smiled and tilted his head in what was very nearly a bow, "Merry meet your majesty."

"Merry meet, Commander."


"If anything happens to him, you'll have me to deal with." Aphrodite warned.

"Yeah don't worry princess." Rocket said smoothly, "We'll take care of him."

"Take care of yourself." She instructed with a smile before shaking Rocket's hand. He nodded before making his was onto the ship.

"I am Groot."

"Same to you tree."

Nebula approached her next and as usual the blue woman was quiet and contemplative, "Good luck with your child."

"Children," she corrected gently with a small smile and the other woman's black eyes widened slightly, "But thank you."

"Thank you," she said sincerely, "For everything."

"You're welcome, I'm gonna miss you." Aphrodite said before pulling her into a hug hugging, surprisingly Nebula's arms came up and returned her embrace for a moment, before separating and Nebula quickly rushed up the ramp.

"I think you've made her cry." Thor said coming up behind her.

"That's not funny." She said turning to face him, she then took a deep breath and since there was nothing more to be said between them she pulled her brother into a tight hug, which he immediately returned picking her up off her feet slightly. "I love you brother."

"I love you too."


"Now, remember– You have to return the stones to the exact moment you got them. Or you're gonna open up a bunch of nasty alternative realities." Bruce instructed seriously, gesturing to the case that contained the six infinity stones, now returned to their previous forms and casings.

"Don't worry, Bruce." Steve responded just as seriously closing the case, "Clip all the branches."

"You know, I tried. When I had the gauntlet, the stones, I really tried to bring her back" the green man admitted softly, looking at Steve. "I miss her, man."

"Me too." Steve agreed, "We all do." He added with a nod shaking Bruce's hand again before making his was to the platform.

"You know, if you want, I can come with you." Sam joked meeting him halfway.

"You're a good man, Sam." Steve smiled at him, clapping his shoulder. "This one's on me, though." Sam nodded and stood aside as he continued on over to where Bucky was watching him, "Don't do anything stupid 'till I get back." he said, and despite himself, Bucky looked away a smile playing on his face.

"How can I? You're taking all the stupid with you." he said back, quietly as he swallowed. Steve stepped forward to give him a hug.

"You're gonna miss us buddy." he said quietly and Steve stepped back, looking at his friend

"It's gonna be ok, Buck." he said, with a nod. Then he turned to his wife who was stood watching, before she stepped forward into his arms.

"Last mission." she repeated for good measure.

"Last mission." He nodded against her head.

"And no detours." She added as they pulled away.

He couldn't speak, couldn't find the words. Instead he kissed her, long, soft. Eventually he pulled away, gave her another smile before he stepped up onto the platform, the Quantum Suit forming around him.

"How long is this gonna take?" Sam asked as Aphrodite moved over to his side, and he placed his arm around her, giving her a squeeze.

"For him? As long as he needs. For us? Five seconds." Bruce said.

As long as he needs…the words echoed in Steve's mind as he bent down with a shaky breath and picked up Mjolnir, unfortunately having to return that as well to put things right.

"Ready, Cap?" Steve nodded again, "Alright. We'll meet you back here, okay?"

"You bet." he nodded, and it wasn't technically a lie. He another look at his best friends and his girl, and then and there made a decision, possibly a dangerous one, maybe even a stupid one, but as the helmet formed around his head he'd already made up his mind.

"Going quantum. Three, two, one– "

And he closed his eyes as he disappeared into the Quantum portal.

Sam felt Aphrodite stiffen beside him and his arm tightened around her as Bruce tapped away at the keyboard again. A cold heavy hand settled on her shoulder.

"And returning in, five, four, three, two, one– "

Aphrodite held her breath, but Steve didn't reappear.

"Where is he?" she managed to choke out, looking at Bruce, stepping forward slightly.

"I don't know. He blew right by his time stamp. He should be here." Bruce said earnestly, soundly as lost as she felt.

"Well, get him back." Sam snapped.

Something had gone wrong. It had to have done, that was the only logical explanation.

"I'm trying" Bruce replied.

"Get him the hell back!" Sam's demands continued as he stepped forward towards the larger green man and Bucky took his place by Aphrodite's side.

"Hey, I said, I'm trying!"

"What did he do?" she questioned shakily and Bucky could only shut helplessly in response.

Finally, finally after what felt like a short eternity the platform started to whir to life again. Sam and Bucky stepped in front of her protectively bracing for whatever might come out.

Steve reappeared on the platform at first glance looking no different from when he had left although she could vaguely sense something was different. Aphrodite immediately pushed through the barrier that Sam and Bucky had made and rushed up the steps just as Steve dropped to a knee.

"Hey, hey," she said squatting by his side cupping his cheek in her hand just as the helmet disappeared, his cheek that was covered in a beard, "Are you okay?" She asked softly hoping they her treacherous heart would stop beating so fast. Steve's eyes dated around quickly before landing on her, then the widened slightly like he was seeing her for the first time.

"Honey?"

"What happened?" She asked helping him to his feet.

"I met your mother." He responded sounding shocked himself, and somehow that both answered her questions and confused her further.

"How long?"

"12 years." Not even close to 70 years he spent in the ice, but then at least he was asleep.

"What?" she helped steady him as they went down the steps.

"Cap?" Sam asked curiously. "Did something go wrong or did something go right?"

Steve sighed, "Last night, I was thinking about that life Tony wanted us to have, and after I put the other stones back, on Asgard your mother recognized me right away, and she told me something. We talked about Arina, the face that with blood of our blood inside her had the potential for her to outlive us by at least a couple hundred, maybe thousand years."

"Steve, no parent should outlive their children."

"I know, that's not what I'm saying." He replied taking her hand, "I don't want you to have to go through what Pepper is."

"But my mother dies later that same day? And Asgard a few years later."

"I know, and I think she knew something was going to happen too, so she asked Heimdall to hide me in her home realm."

"Vanaheim?"

"Yeah."

"So why were you gone for so long?" Sam asked.

"It took a while for her mother's people to fine tune the potion, then we had to make sure there weren't any undesirable side effects."

"So what?" Bruce asked carefully with a hint a curiosity, "They made you immortal?"

"Something like that."

"Must have been a long 12 years."

He heaved a sigh, "You have no idea."

"You're such an idiot." Aphrodite sputtered resting her head in his dinner shoulder taking in and understanding what he'd done. Her beautiful idiot, he'd sacrificed 12 more years of his life without his family, this time willingly so that he could spend eternity with her. Steve Rogers, her soldier, now a Demigod, or at least something very similar.

"I see you brought something back." Sam said nodding to the brown bag resting Steve's legs.

"That reminds me," Steve said releasing his wife and leaning down to unzip the bag. When he stood again a very familiar red, white and blue shield strapped to his arm, shiny and most importantly in one piece. "Just something I picked up on my way back." He turned the shield around, "Try it on." He suggested gently.

Sam's easy smile dropped and he looked over at Bucky, who responded with a single nod and a smile of his own. Then he locked eyes with Aphrodite and she nodded as well. With slightly shaky hands Sam took the shield and slipped his arm through the strap. Almost immediately Sam stood a little straighter looking down at the symbol on his arm.

"How does it feel?" Steve watched his friend, as he moved his arm up and down, feeling the weight of the vibranium.

"Like it's someone else's."

"It isn't." Steve insisted. Sam looked down again, taking a deep breath.

"Thank you." he said, softly "I'll do my best."

"That's why it's yours." Steve said, smiling as he stepped forward and shook Sam's hand, possibly the most significant handshake he had ever given. That turned into a hug.

Then he hugged Bucky, "I told you, you were gonna miss us."

"You got no idea."

"You knew?" Aphrodite asked in shock.

"I knew he was planning something stupid, I just didn't know what."

She smiled though, shaking her head, then thought of Arina back at the house with Wanda.

"Let's go home boys."


LadyGely92: Lol thank you so much hun. Don't lose your job on account of me though.

Wonderwomanbatmanfan: Lol, queen of out of no where updates. Lol, like I said I understand why they did it but I still don't like it. Thank you, everyone had been so understanding.

BrittStar1199: Reunited and it feels so good! Lol, those names are really nice.

Ivana Bocanegra: Lmao, who wouldn't have a crush on Aphrodite she's a babe!

Love. Fiction. 2019: Thank you!

Daninuyasha: Thank you, omg you have no idea how hard I've tried to make Aphrodite feel real.

Babyi.G: Cute.

BlueBloodsSVUOrder: It's alright, now this book is officially closed.

Well folks we did it. Whew it's been a ride hasn't it. But we've officially come to the end on The Phoenix Will Rise. Yes this is the official final chapter, I decided to leave the ending open like this due to the ambiguity of the MCU, plus you never know. I might be struck with the sudden urge to continue Steve and Aphrodite's story.

Speaking of which, y'all WandaVision had me so hyped, I was on the fence about Aphrodite or Steve being featured in any of the MCU Disney+ shows but after seeing those first two episodes I knew that Aphrodite had make at least one appearance, but it probably won't be until after the finale so I can see if what I'm thinking of will fit where the show is going. And that will most definitely be in another book along with a couple other one-shot like mini-stories.

BTW I also have a poll up on my profile and would like you guys to vote on why my next story upload will be. I'm gonna post all of them eventually but you know how much I love hearing from y'all. Also make sure to check out my X-Men OC story. If you loved Steve and Aphrodite you're gonna love Alex and Ivy.

Continue staying safe everyone.

And now as an extra, extra special treat. Here's a Post Credit Scene that will have no further impact on the future story but was too adorable not to pass up.


Arina Rogers was playing in her wide expanse of her family's backyard, she usually wasn't allowed out there unless someone was watching her, but her mommy and daddy were with the babies, Uncle Sam and Aunt Wanda were away doing important stuff and her Uncle Bucky had fallen asleep on the couch, she was going to set up on the floor of the couch in front of him and play with her toys while she watched cartoons, but her little black cat creeping out through the gap in the backdoor made her sit up, with one more look at her uncle she followed him outside.

Of course she thought the cat wanted to play on the swing set, but the black cat was crouched low to the ground and seemed like it was following something. Arina stared longingly at the swings and wondered if she'd be able to push herself on them, and by the time she turned back around Loki was gone.

"Loki?" she called out loud, and normally the cat would immediately come rushing back to her side, "Loki?" she tried again, "Kitty?" she looked back at the house and wondered if she should wake her uncle, when she heard the familiar meow of her cat, "Loki!" she beamed jogging into the small thicket of trees that lined the property.

A few paces in and she found her cat, along with a most peculiar sight, the cat was staring curiously at a green and black snake that was reared up and looked like it was examining the cat in turn, "Loki?" Arina called once again and to her confusion both animals turned to look at her.

The cat obediently returned to its tiny master, then the snake slowly slithered over, Arina felt no fear, only curiosity as the snake slithered closer rearing up once again to look at her closely slowly tilting it's head from side to side before dropping down again, making a circle around her once before it slithered away, "Wait!" the little girl called about to follow the snake with the intentions to see if her parents would let her have another pet, but before she could take a step a green light lit up from behind the tree where the snake had disappeared, it reminded her of her mommy's light.

Then a tall man dressed in green stepped out from behind the tree, he stood in front of her with his hands clasped behind his back as he stared her down. Arina looked back up at him without a hint of fear or apprehension as she tilted her head trying to get a read on his unfamiliar emotions, "Hello, little one." The tall man spoke after a long moment of the two of them studying each other.

"Hi," she finally said shyly, as Loki the cat crept out from behind her legs and rubbed his body along the stranger's boots, "That's Loki," she introduced as she saw the stranger's lips twitch, "I'm Arina Rogers. What's your name?"

"My name," the tall man said lowering himself to a knee to be at eye level with her, "Is Loki, little one."

Her eye's widened, "Really?" he nodded and she bit her lip, "Are you my mommy's other brother?"

"I am."

"Are you my uncle?"

"If you'd have me." Arina smiled and nodded before rushing forward and throwing her arms around his neck, leaning up on her tippy toes to hug him tightly, Loki was stunned for a moment at her easy acceptance of him, but remembered that his sister was much the same, then he hugged the little girl back.

"Mommy will be so happy." She beamed as she pulled away and took his hand to lead him back to the house.

Loki sighed and gently pulled her back, "I'm afraid that cannot happen little one."

"Why not?" Arina pouted.

"Because I'm not supposed here little one."

"But you are here."

"I know, and it's a rather long story, perhaps one day I'll tell you and your mother together." At that the little girl nodded, "Where is your mother?"

"Daddy and her are with the babies."

"Babies?"

"Mhm, I have a little brother and a little sister."

"Interesting." Loki said with an intrigued look on his face.

"Ari!" they both suddenly heard a voice call from the direction of the house, not frantic yet but bordering on it, "Ari!"

"That's my Uncle Bucky." The little girl explained to the uncle standing in front of her, who raised a brow in amusement, "I'm not supposed to be this far away from the house without someone watching me."

"Then you'd better get back before you get into trouble little one."

"Okay," she nodded with a sigh, "Will I see you again?"

"Perhaps," he responded vaguely before opening his arms and she wasted no time in rushing into them hugging him again. When she released him he stood to his full height once again and patted her head. "Run along now little one."

"Bye Uncle Loki." She tossed over her shoulder all but skipping from the treeline.

Loki watched her go with a small smile on his face before turning his eyes to the cat still by his feet, "Watch over her well." He instructed and the cat all but nodded at him before leaving as well.

"You alright doll?" Uncle Bucky questioned looking her over after he'd swept her up in his arms, "You know you're not supposed to be out here alone." He chided.

"I'm fine Uncle Bucky," she responded easily, "Loki got out."

"Well why didn't you wake me up?"

"I don't know." She answered shyly almost ducking her head.

Bucky sighed looking her over again then out in the backyard. He could have sworn he saw something out along the treeline but it could have been his mind playing tricks on him in his nearly panicked state when he thought he'd lost baby Rogers, "Next time wake me up okay?" he repeated after a long moment and a she nodded seriously.

"Okay."

"And let's not tell your parents about this huh?" he added as he took them back inside the house, making sure the cat was following along, before closing the backdoor behind them.

"Okay," Arina giggled resting her head on his shoulder. "I'm really good at keeping secrets."


Once again everyone thank you so much for all of your amazing support on this story. I know that it's been a bumpy ride and this story isn't perfect by any means, but I had a blast writing it and forming this community with all of you. And the fact that with these last few chapters you all have been so supportive and understanding about my mental health really just warms my heart.

Once again thank you all, stay safe and be blessed.