1. In Memory of Stan Lee:
Hi everyone. This is where I'll be uploading all my one-shots set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I will be writing one-shots connected to the film series and most if not all of the shows connected to them. Please take the time to read and tell me what you think. If you have any feedback I could use, I would definitely appreciate that. Though no rude comments please. :)
Also, if you are not caught up with certain parts of the franchise, some of these could potentially have spoilers, so be aware of that.
Disclaimer: I don't own any part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
—
The elderly man stood at the side of the street, observing as people attempted to clear the rubble from the fight that occurred hours earlier. He was glad none of the students he'd been driving at the time had been harmed by the arrival of the alien ship, and that he'd gotten almost all of them to their destination. He wasn't worried about the one student that vanished from his bus, as he knew the young webslinger was in safe hands.
As he continued down the street, he looked inside a diner and noticed that all the patrons were watching the TV attentively. He walked in to see what was happening, and heard the news correspondent reporting that satellites had discovered more alien ships hovering in the atmosphere above the hidden country of Wakanda. As they watched this, he could hear some patrons discussing what could be happening there, and wondering if the missing Tony Stark was on one of those ships.
The old man quietly wished good luck to the heroes he knew were gathered there, as well as all the other heroes scattered across the world and the galaxy, hoping they'd all make it through this next fight. He'd become quite fond of each of them, during his travels throughout the cosmos to observe them and report back to the ancient Watchers.
He'd taken on a wide range of disguises during these travels, in order to watch without being too heavily noticed by the people around him. From a World War II general to a FedEx postman. From a bartender to a museum security guard. From a mental ward patient to a beauty pageant judge. From a partying World War II veteran to NYPD Captain Irving Forbush. From a Sakaaran servant to a Xandarian civilian. From a casino gambler to a school bus driver to a limo driver. And so many more.
As he walked back out of the diner and down the street, he thought about the many, many people he had watched growing into amazing heroes over the years. The rich SI CEO who had built himself into the Earth's best defender. The enhanced Captain, thrown out of his time and forced to adjust to a new age with new dangers. The scientist, forced to learn to share his body with an enraged beast. The arrogant Prince of Asgard, now a great and wise leader. The forgotten prince, who had stepped out of the shadows and back to the side of light by his brother's side. The selfish doctor turned self-sacrificing Master of the Mystic Arts. The young orphaned boy, who had eagerly accepted the responsibility of being a friendly neighbourhood superhero. The blind vigilante who fought for justice in the courtroom and on the streets. The group of teens that found the courage to stand against their corrupted parents. The Devine Pairing, two troubled teens gifted with the power to protect New Orleans. The band of misfits and criminals that now protected the galaxy from monstrous threats. The broken and lonely soldier, dedicating himself to punish criminals. The immortal Iron Fist, sworn to protect New York City. The thief that had become the smallest hero. The traumatised private investigator turned reluctant hero. Phil Coulson and his band of S.H.I.E.L.D agents, working to protect the Earth from the threats that got past the Avengers. The bulletproof man, who had taken the responsibility of protecting Harlem. The Air Force pilot who obtained powers on a cosmic scale. The good man and king who ended Wakanda's isolationism and allowed it to join the rest of the world. Many of the Inhumans who had chosen to use their powers to protect Humans and Inhumans alike. And countless others, all doing their part to protect others.
Not to mention the many heroes from other Earths he had been sent to observe. Including but not limited to the Fantastic Four, the many different X-Men and their allies, and the many different Spider-people. All trying to protect their own worlds.
'So many great men and women, from a wide range of backgrounds, all stepping up to do their part. Proof that anyone can be a hero,' the old man thought proudly.
A scream ripped through the air, followed by more seconds later.
The man stopped abruptly, looking around to see what had happened. Before he could find the source of the screaming, he heard a horrified gasp from behind him. Turning, he saw several pedestrians standing by the side of the street, four of whom appeared to be … turning into dust?
Before he could process what was happening, crashing sounds came from all around him, and he turned to see that numerous cars had started smashing into one another, many of which seemed to be devoid of drivers. Another sound drew his attention upwards, where he saw that a helicopter had just crashed into the side of a nearby building.
Suddenly it clicked.
Thanos.
The infamous Mad Titan, feared throughout the galaxy, who had conquered many planets in an attempt to reduce their populations. Who desired the Infinity Stones. Whose children he now realised were the ones to duel Iron Man, Spider-Man, Doctor Strange and Wong, and who later led the attack on Wakanda.
The traveller realised to his horror that Thanos had clearly achieved his goal. That the heroes had failed to keep the Stones from him. That half of all life throughout this universe was currently disintegrating.
Including himself, he realised, feeling the tips of his fingers starting to flake away.
Throughout his last few seconds, he felt a great deal of sorrow for the heroes that had fallen during this fight, and for the trillions of lives that were ruthlessly destroyed by the Titan's campaign and resulting decimation. He also felt sympathy for all those who would now have to mourn far too many losses. But he did not despair. He did not lose hope. For he knew each of these people. He had been observing them all for so long. And he knew that while they may have fallen for now, this wasn't the end. The survivors would regroup, and they would bounce back from this. They would rise again. It was their nature. They would not give up. And one way or another, they would win. They would defeat the Titan, and they would reverse this massacre. They may not be able to save everyone, but they would save everyone that they possibly could.
The heroes would save their world again. The storyteller had complete faith in them.
'They'd be okay,' he thought proudly.
With that thought, and one last smile, the Watchers' Informant faded away.
—
This is my tribute to the late comic book legend and superhero Stan Lee, who sadly passed away last month, as most of you would know by now.
Also, I am aware that he only appears as the Watcher Informant in the MCU films, and that his TV show roles were separate characters, and the other Marvel franchises are not connected, but for this one-shot I'm imagining that all his appearances are as the Watcher Informant, who's also been sent by the Watchers to observe parallel dimensions as well.
Stan Lee, thank you so much for everything you've done over the decades. You have contributed a massive amount to the Marvel Comics franchise, as well as the many films, shows and games inspired by the comics. You have touched the hearts of millions, possibly billions of people around the world, and you've brought to them joy, entertainment, hope, inspiration, escape, confidence, comfort, adventure, strength, and friendship. Your kindness, wit, humility, love, and grace has resulted in you leaving even more of an indelible mark on the lives of so many people. You proved that one person can make a difference. I may not have read much of the comics, but the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the X-Men film series are among my favourite franchises, so thank you for making them possible. I also enjoyed your many cameos in the Marvel films. You may no longer be physically with us, but your legacy will live on in your many creations, and the countless people whom you have inspired and will continue to inspire in generations to come.
RIP Stanley Martin Lieber (December 28, 1922 - November 12, 2018). You will never be forgotten.
Excelsior!
