Surprise! (Except for KuriMaster13) Epilogue! I know how cruel it was to leave it hanging like that on the last chapter. Fear not! I was going to do an epilogue the whole time!
KuriMaster13, yes, I suppose I am quite merciless. But you knew there was some angst from the moment you read the first sentence.
Onwards!
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Epilogue
Three Years Later
(Danny POV)
I was almost finished. I wasn't sure exactly how much time had passed since I began the project since I hadn't done much else but work. I stared out over the huge field from the air under the unusually bright moon. It was still saddening, but it made me happy at the same time.
"Time to move on I suppose," I murmured to myself, my voice cracking a little bit from disuse.
I returned to my temporary living quarters and picked up a dusty object.
0o0o0o
(Spidey POV)
I looked at the paper in my hand, running my hand through my hair in stress. Ever since that day when Dan had really attacked, S.H.I.E.L.D. had been a mess. Most of the staff had sunk as well as the glue that held the whole operation together: Nick Fury. The Avengers had decided to take over temporarily while a new leader was searched for, but no one could really match Nick Fury. Three years had gone by, and they had finally decided that a new leader needed to be chosen fast. It wasn't easy, but the Avengers had managed to get almost a complete staff again. As for the leader, they discussed it thoroughly and had chosen the person they thought best fit for the job: me. I had just received the letter from Tony Stark informing me of such. I did not want by any means to become leader of S.H.I.E.L.D., but I already knew that I didn't really have much of a choice in the matter.
My phone's text alert went off. I sighed, mentally kicking whoever had picked such a bad time to text me. I wasn't in the best of moods. I'll admit, I yelped a bit in surprise when I saw the contact name that appeared on the screen. Danny of all people had texted me.
"I don't know exactly how much time has passed since I left, but I've done what I need to do. If at all possible, I would like you to come to Illinois. Tonight."
I stared at the text for a moment before texting back.
"So you've been in Illinois all this time? Why didn't you tell me you were going to be leaving for three years? You said 'I'll be back in a bit.' I hardly count "a bit" as three years. As unimaginably angry I am with you, and as incredibly short as the notice is, I'll come to Illinois. Where should I meet you?"
I waited a minute. Danny's reply came.
"Three years? I really have been gone a long time. I know you're angry with me, but you'll get your explanation when we meet. Just meet me at the 'Welcome to Illinois' sign closest to New York. See you then."
I suited up and jumped on my Spidey Cycle.
Hours later, I arrived at the appointed meeting place to see Danny in ghost form already there. He didn't say anything as he beckoned for me to follow. I did so without question. Well, without question externally.
About half an hour later, he stopped and said, "Look over that cliff." His voice sounded like he hadn't used it in quite a while.
I slowly walked to the small cliff and peered over the edge. I could no nothing but stare in awe at the sight before my eyes.
It was a huge field- way bigger than I would have guessed would even be empty in Illinois- covered in graves. Some of them had names, others didn't. Some were devoted to whole states or countries.
"This," began Danny behind me, "is the cemetery for my world."
"All this time you were creating a proper cemetery for an entire planet?" I asked, knowing it was an obvious question but being too shocked to care.
"Yes. I still deeply care about it, even though it's gone. It's time to move on and live a life in this world," said Danny, gazing at the graveyard with cloudy eyes.
"I think that's a good thing," I said. "There's a time for grieving and there's a time for moving on from that. You know, they say that one shouldn't grieve alone."
He flashed me a small smile. "I suppose you're right."
We turned around and started for New York.
"Time to go where the next bit o excitement will happen," murmured Hood from high in the sky. "Who's next? Hm...someone named Vlad. Odd. That name sounds familiar." She flew off with a small burst of white energy.
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And that fully concludes The Phantom of New York! Like I said in the last chapter, I seriously can't thank all my readers enough. You guys are awesome.
I may write a one shot about Vlad later. Just in case you're interested.