A little something I made in the memory of Stan Lee. Hope you guys will like it. Wherever he is, neither he nor his legacy has been forgotten. Thank you, Stan.
Spider-Man landed on the fire ladder of his apartment, the city below oblivious to his presence. He walked towards his window and opened it, entering through it as he took off his mask and immediately took a deep breath. No matter what material his mask was made of, it was always more comfortable to breathe without it. However, that didn't shook the strange feeling inside of him.
Something was wrong. For the past few days, he had been having this… gut feeling that something bad had happened, or was about to happen. And he wasn't the only one who was feeling it. Other heroes in the superhero community, like Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Daredevil and even entire groups like the Fantastic Four were sensing it as well. It was… strange. It wasn't just dread, but also like if… like if they were suddenly missing something, a part of them. They suddenly didn't felt whole, not like before. Other heroes had attributed it to some kind of mass hysteria, and some had even recommended group therapy, but Peter was sure that wasn't the case. Something else was going on here, and it wasn't just that. Still, the past few days -weeks even- had went by with nothing more than the occasional robbery or super villain on the loose, nothing that really justified this gut feeling, so it wasn't like he had something to work with. Sighing, Peter decided he had given this enough thought for now. Checking the clock on his wall, he saw that it was already almost one in the morning. As if on cue, a yawn escaped from him, signaling his tiredness. 'Man, I should really get some rest' He thought. This gut feeling hadn't been helping him sleep either, but today he was really tired and he didn't doubted that that feeling probably wouldn't be enough to stop him from falling asleep.
Peter briefly considered showering and doing all that, but the exhaustion won and he decided to go to bed like that. He could change and shower in the morning anyways, though if he still lived with Aunt May, she would surely scold him because of it. Then again, that would require her knowing about his secret. Good thing she didn't, then. Soon, he carelessly crashed into the bed, and like he expected, it wasn't long before he fell into a deep slumber.
Peter woke up groggily, before suddenly, his spider senses went into overdrive. That could never mean anything good. In a second, he had jumped to his feet, frantically looking around, only to realize that he wasn't in his apartment anymore. Instead, he was in… space? Looking around, he realized he was standing over an asteroid of no more than a hundred feet long, many more surrounding it. And of course, Earth was nowhere to be seen. Great, so what mess had he ended up in now?
''Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore'' Peter said to himself, more than anything to calm his own growing nerves, and unaware to the presence behind him.
''Ah, hello there. I have been waiting for you'' An old but cheerful voice sounded behind him, and Peter quickly turned around to see a man that looked to be on his nineties, wearing glasses and sitting over a boulder close to him. Peter was well aware that he shouldn't trust anyone he didn't knew in this situation, after all, Aunt May had always told him to 'not go anywhere with strangers', but strangely, he felt… drawn to this man. Who was he? And actually, how had even slipped past his spider-senses.
''You… you… How come my spider senses didn't warned me of you?'' Peter asked, confused.
''Well, I suppose maybe it didn't think of me as a threat'' The man answered him, offering him a toothy and warm smile. It was… strangely fatherly. It reminded Peter of Uncle Ben a little bit.
''And why would that be...? Actually no, a better question is… who are you? And how did I get here? Did you bring me here?'' Peter asked. In that moment, he realized the strange gut feeling from before was, while still there, much smaller. Huh, weird.
''Who I am, my name at least, it doesn't matters right now. It wouldn't ring you any bells anyways. As for your other two questions, well… actually, why don't you sit down beside me and I'll explain everything to you. I can tell you this though, I have no intent to hurt you. As it turns out, it's actually the opposite'' The Man said as it gestured towards another boulder besides his, a smile still on his face. Under other circumstances, Peter probably wouldn't take him upon his offer, but… he felt, no, he was sure he could trust this man. Why, he didn't knew. All that he knew was that he could. So he decided to do as The Man asked him to and surely, even if somewhat warily, walked and sat on the boulder, The Man shifting towards him. Now closer, Peter could almost swear he knew this man from somewhere. But where?
''So… about my questions…?'' Peter trailed off, waiting for The Man to answer, who seemed to have spaced off as he looked at him.
''Oh, right! Sorry, at my age, it's easy to get caught up and space out. Yes, as for your questions, well, it's… complicated. But I suppose it's for the best if we start by the most important part'' The Man said before taking a deep breath, to which Peter raised an eyebrow.
''I… am your creator'' The Man said, much to Peter's surprise. What was this man talking about?
''My… what?'' Peter asked, making sure he had heard alright.
''Your creator'' The Man repeated simply and casually, almost like if all of this was normal for him. Now, Peter was the one to space out.
''Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. What do you mean you're my creator? Does that mean you're like... God?'' Peter asked, a trace of doubt present in his voice. At his words, The Man let out a chuckle as he waved off at him.
''God? Me? No, of course not. I'm no God. But, it did was the one who allowed this meeting'' The Man said, almost causing Peter to fall back of his boulder. So God was real? And it allowed this man who claimed to be his creator to meet him. Well, if he wasn't God, then who was he? Actually, no way, this was too nuts, even for him. This guy couldn't be telling the truth.
''And how do I know you're telling the truth?'' Peter said as he got up from his boulder, a frown now present in his face. The Man's face morphed into surprise for a moment, before it returned back to a smile.
''Well, because you could say we're… connected, in a way. Look inside you, and ask yourself if I'm telling the truth. You'll get your answer there'' The Man said, and Peter did as he told him to. He searched inside himself, and asked himself if this man was telling the truth. And somehow, he knew he was. He simply did.
''So… what does your gut says?'' The Man asked, a knowing smile on his face. Peter looked at him with a face that denoted confusion.
''How… I know you're telling the truth, but… I don't know how I know it. I… I don't understand…'' Peter trailed off as he looked at The Man, hoping to get some answers.
''Like I said, we're connected, because I'm your creator. It's complicated, but, if you sit down, I'll explain to the best of my abilities'' The Man said, once more gesturing to the boulder, and Peter mindlessly sat down again.
''Before you start, though, is there… anything I could call you? Calling you The Man or something like that sounds weird'' Peter asked.
''Oh, of course, I guess you have a point'' The Man said as he pondered on what Peter should call him. ''Hmm, Creator's too presumptuous, and like you said, The Man doesn't really sounds good, at least not on its own, so you can call me… Stan'' The Man -Stan- said, and somehow, the name sounded familiar to Peter.
''Stan, huh? You said your name wouldn't ring any bells, but Stan… it sounds familiar'' Peter said, and Stan seemed to be surprised for a second at hearing this, before he returned to sporting a smile, which seemed to be a bit bigger at his words.
''Really? Well, I guess I shouldn't be surprised'' Stan said, to which Peter let out a smile. This Stan really felt like family to him.
''Now, as for your questions. Well, like I said, I'm your Creator. Umm, basically, I come from a world where you exist in a much different way. You and many others make people happy, but in a different way. Let's just leave it at that'' Stan said, before he let out a sigh as he looked to the floor, his face darkening. Instantly, the strange feeling inside of Peter grew again.
''Stan? Are you okay?'' Peter asked, reaching out for Stan who jumped slightly at his words, being drawn back to reality… or whatever this place was.
''What? Oh, yes, of course. Back to the explanation. Well, Peter, as you can see, I… I am really old and, like it happens to everyone eventually, my time… has come. It's time for me to rest'' Stan said, more seriously now, as the feeling inside of Peter grew, now feeling more like dread. Now he knew what the bad thing that he felt that was going to happen was.
''Stan, I… I don't know what to say… I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do?'' Peter asked, to which Stan offered him a small smile.
''Peter, I appreciate the offer but… there's nothing you can do, this happens to all of us eventually. Now, it's my turn, and I've made my peace with it. I lived my life, and I'm happy with the one I had, just like I'm proud of my creations'' Stan said, smiling proudly at Peter, who felt a wave of happiness and gratefulness overcome him.
''I… thank you'' Peter said with a nod which Stan returned.
''Wait, so… this feeling that I've had during this past few days, of dread and, like if I wasn't whole, it was because of this?'' Peter asked, to which Stan nodded.
''It was. But don't worry, after you return to your world, you won't be feeling it anymore. You see, before I was sent to the Afterlife, whatever it is, I only asked for one thing. And that was, to say goodbye to my creations. You and many others. Thankfully, I was allowed this chance. And you're the first one I visit, or rather, the first one who is brought here. To say goodbye'' Stan explained, as Peter took it all in. It was a lot to take in, but he understood. It was crazy as well, but he knew it was the truth. And if this was really a goodbye, then he wanted to make the most out of it.
''So… how long do we have?'' Peter asked, to which Stan shook his head.
''I have no idea, really'' Stan said simply.
''Okay then… In that case, whatever time we have left, I want you to know this'' Peter said, as he got up and took a deep breath. ''I can't say I fully understand this, but… Thank you. For granting me life, for giving me all of this adventures, the good, the bad, everything. I can't say I haven't had bad moments, moments where I have wished my life was different, but right now, I am grateful for the life I've had. For the life you gave me. So thank you, Stan'' Peter said as Stan got up and looked at him with gratefulness, tears starting to come out. Immediately, and faster than what Peter would expect of a man his age, he hugged him, and while Peter was surprised at first, it wasn't long before he hugged back.
''Thank you, Peter. For being amongst my greatest creations. I am so, so happy that I came up with you. With all of you. And I am glad I got this chance to say goodbye, and to tell you how much you mean to me. I love you, all of you, and I will never forget you'' Stan said, truthfulness and gratefulness in his voice. Now, Peter cried as well, as he hugged harder, but not too much as to not hurt him. They stayed like that for God knows how long, until a strange sound was heard to their left, and they broke apart to see a door of light in front of them.
''I guess that means my goodbye to you is over'' Stan said as he wiped his tears, Peter doing the same. He wished he could have more time with his creator, but he knew others also had to say goodbye as well. But he still had something left to say.
''Stan, I… I want you to know, that I will never forget you'' Peter said, putting his hands on Stan's shoulders. At this, the old man's face looked at the ground, looking sadder now, before it looked back to Peter.
''About that, Peter, you… Once you leave, you won't remember any of this. This conversation, it will leave your mind'' Stan told him, much to Peter's surprise and frustration.
''What, why? I don't… I don't understand, why?'' Peter asked, as Stan sighed.
''It's too dangerous. No matter how little I told you about your existence, it's still too dangerous for you to know. Truth is, this was more for me than it was for you. But don't worry, one day, we will meet again, even if I hope that day is far away'' Stan said optimistically, as Peter came to terms with this.
''But… but I don't want to forget this. I don't want to forget you'' Peter said desperately, to which Stan sighed again and took a hold of his face with both of his hands.
''Peter, look at me. You may forget this conversation, this meeting, but you will never forget me, not truly, because I will always be in your heart, just like you will always be on mine'' Stan said, putting a finger over it to make his point. Finally, Peter sighed as he came to terms with it, a small and sad smile creeping onto his face as he nodded to Stan.
''Not just mine. Many others too. Somehow, I'm sure of that'' Peter said, as Stan nodded and smiled gratefully at him.
''Goodbye, Peter. And take care'' Stan said, patting his face.
''I will, I promise. Goodbye, Stan'' Peter said as he slowly let go of Stan and turned his back towards him, walking towards the door/portal. However, right before he entered it, Stan called out for him.
''Hey, Peter?'' Stan called, making him turn to him.
''Yeah, Stan?'' Peter asked, as the older man smiled and took a breath.
''Excelsior!'' Stan said energetically as he waved, earning a big smile from Peter. Had it been anyone else, he probably wouldn't have known what that meant, but coming from Stan, he knew exactly what it was.
''Excelsior!'' Peter said, waving as well, as he gave one last look to Stan, his father in a certain way… his creator. Finally, he turned back towards the door and with a breath, passed through it, leaving behind Stan Lee, who now felt a bit more complete.
Peter woke up groggily the next morning, the alarm waking him from his slumber. Slowly, he got back on his feet and true to his word the night before, went to shower and change. As he took some clothes and walked towards the bathroom, he noticed the strange feeling from the past few days was gone now, and on its place was a feeling of… completion, was it? Maybe. That was weird, though it was nice. Maybe that did was nothing after all. However, as he reached the bathroom and got out of his spider suit, he noticed something in it, a small inscription over the part his shoulder would be. It read: Excelsior!
And Peter wasn't sure what the wave of happiness and gratefulness that overcame him meant, but he did knew what that word was, even if he never heard it before. As he read it, a though passed through his mind, and even if he didn't knew exactly what it meant, he smiled at it, because his heart told him it was right.
Thank you, Stan.