"Everybody wants a happy ending, right?"

The world was celebrating. The world that was left in shambles after what had happened five years ago went back to being normal. Cities were repopulated, families found each other and shared a tearful reunion with each other, consisting of hugs and tears and kisses

"But it doesn't always roll that way. Maybe this time. I'm hoping if you play this back, it's in celebration."

The festivity lasted an entire day. Parades of celebration marched through the streets, as everyone were simply happy of being able to see their families, friends again. People held the figures of Earth's Mightiest Heroes, people responsible for making all of this happen.

"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."

Clint Barton walked through the hatch of a Quinjet as his children immediately rushed into his embrace. He wasted no time and returned their hug. They released their dad from the hug when their mother, Laura, approached them. Clint gazed into his wife's eyes, as she put his hands on his cheeks, before they shared a deep passionate kiss.

King T'Challa stood with his sister and his mother as they watched the Golden City of Wakanda together. They all smiled, hearing the cheers of victory for their victory while fireworks exploded in the sky, engulfing it in various colours.

Peter Parker walked through the hallways of his school when he spotted his best friend Ned in the distance. They smiled and approached each other before sharing a handshake, and a tight hug.

Scott Lang, Hope van Dyne, and Cassie Lang all watched the fireworks from the porch of their house. Ant-Man wrapped his hand around the Wasp's shoulder, holding her tightly to himself as his daughter leaned against her father.

Steven and Connie pushed themselves into run when they caught the sight of their parents standing in the distance. Greg, and Connie's parents engulfed their children in a tight embrace, neither of them wanting to let go of their children. 

"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."

All three Diamonds were doing a broadcast, informing the gems who didn't join them fight against Thanos about everything that had happened, and humans, gems and aliens who were responsible for bringing everyone back. They especially talked about the sacrifice of a certain human who saved the entire universe from Thanos' wrath.

Yellow Pearl, Pink Pearl, and Blue Pearl all stood next to each other, making sure everything was going to be broadcasted. A huge smile grew on Pink Pearl's face as she wrapped her hand around her fellow pearls. Blue Pearl smiled to this gesture, while Yellow Pearl rolled her eyes, but still smiled.

The Whitebound tribe was celebrating their victory by drinking, eating and singing songs. Everyone stopped what they were doing when Jon raised his liquor filled glass in the air and toasted for everyone who lost their life in the battle against the Mad Titan. Everyone held their glasses in the air and let out in unison "For everyone that lost their life!" .

Outside of Little Homeworld, a crowd of gems and humans gathered around a pile of sticks with a corpse of Shi'ra laying on it. Azurite, Jasper, Orange Pearl and Centi all held lightened up their torches as they walked to the pile, each of them taking different sides as they lit the pile up, before stepping back to the others.

Azurite watched with teary eyes as Shi'ra's corpse was engulfed in flames. Spinel grabbed his hand into hers as Jasper put her hand on his shoulder, the three of them mourning the loss of their roommate. Orange Pearl hung her head low in respect, and closed her eyes while Centi just stared at the burning corpse, paying respects for her friend.

 "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. And, for better or worse, that's the reality Morgan's gonna have to find a way to grow up in."

Everyone came to honor the life of a certain visionary, genius and an American patriot, and someone who lost his life to sacrificed his life to make all of this possible.

Family and friends all stood together in the living-room of the Stark residence, watching the message Tony had recorded. The blue light shot from Iron Man's mask laying on the table, showing everyone a hologram of Tony Stark, leaning against the chair as he spoke to the people he recorded this message for.

His best friend James Rhodes wasn't afraid to show his tears as he sat on the couch next to Peridot. The short green gem lowered her head, feeling how tears were streaming down her cheeks like never before. Happy Hogan sat next to Pepper Stark and Morgan Stark, with teary eyes. Morgan clung into her mother, an expression of loss overcoming her facial features, despise being just a few years old she was aware of what had happened to her dad. Steve Rogers, Thor Odinson, Bruce Banner and Clint Barton all stood in the back, listening to the last message of their fellow Avenger.

Pepper Stark sat next to her daughter. She managed to hold back her tears and maintained her composure as she listened her husband message to his family and friends.

"So I thought I'd probably 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. 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. Then again, that's the hero gig. Part of the journey is the end..."

He stood up from the chair and made his way over to the couch. He gazed into his wife and daughter, the two of them sitting directly in front of him, as if he knew they'd sit on this couch. 

He send them one last smile and spoke his last words.

"I love you 3,000."

The hologram dissapeared, the last thing it showed was Tony giving them an assuring and comforting smile. Pepper gazed into where her husband just stood a few seconds ago and smile, it was that small that it was barely noticable. Her daughet tightened her grip around her mothers shoulder, as Pepper looked down at her, and rubbed her hair comfortingly.

They exited their home hand in hand, followed by Happy, James, Peridot, Steve, Bruce, Thor and Clint. They stepped into the daylight and walked down the steps. Pepper held a bundle of flowers left hand while the right one was gripping her daughters hand. They walked past everyone who came to pay their respects for her husband, for their friend, for the one saved them all.

She moved to the lake dock and everyone followed her. She kneeled down at the end of the dock and placed the flowers on the surface of the lake. On top of it layed a tiny Arc Reactor. The very first Arc Reactor that was created to save Tony's Stark life all those years ago when he was trapped in a cave. There was a certain set of words wrote on it, and Pepper knew them very well, after all, she was the one who wrote them.

Proof That Tony Stark Has a Heart.

Pepper watched the Arc Reactor swim across the lake, as she held her daughter close to herself. Morgan had her eyes glued to the Arc Reactor. Peridot, James Rhodes and Happy Hogan stood next to each other. Happy wrapped his hand around Rhodes who put his hand on Peridot's shoulder. The short green gem in return to his gesture put her hand on his. All three of them lost their close friends and were watching him leave.

Peter Parker stood behind them with his aunt May Parker by his side. The two of them dressed appropriately to pay their respect for the man who did so much for them, who changed their lives for the better. Steve Rogers and Thor stood side by side, two Avengers lowering their heads in respect as they stared into the lake. Bruce Banner stood behind the first Avenger and the God of Thunder. The arm he used to snap his fingers to bring everyone back was put in a sling. He rubbed his chin with his other hand as he sighed mournfully for the loss of his friend.

Stephen Strange and Benedict Wong stood with each other, their expressions set in the stone as they gazed forward each other into the lake.

Outside of the dock, on the grassy hills in front of the Stark residence, many others stood in silence, watching the flowers and Arc Reactor floating over a lake. Scott Lang stood with his daughter Cassie in front of him and his best friend Luis standing next to him. Hope van Dyne stood on his right with her mother Janet and father Hank. Even Hank Pym came, despise being not a fan of Tony for the last few years.

Behind them stood Steven Universe and the Crystal Gems. Garnet, Pearl, Amethyst, Connie, Lapis and Bismuth all stood next to him, with their heads low and their eyes looking at the lake. Greg stood behind him, rubbing his hand against his sons shoulder while Doug and Priyanka Maheswaran stood behind their daughter.

Azurite, Spinel, Orange Pearl, Jasper and Centi stood along with Peter Quill, Drax the Destroyer, Rocket Raccoon, Groot, Nebula, Mantis and Kraglin Obfonteri. They all wore some form of black clothing very similar to the clothes they wore everyday. Even Drax wore a shirt to honor the Iron Avenger.

T'Challa, Shuri and Okoye stood behind the Guardians of the Galaxy. Their hardened expressions looking at the Arc Reactor on the lake. Next to them stood the three leaders of the Whitebound tribe. The Whitebound brothers hung their heads low, paying their respects for someone who saved all of them in silence.

The Barton family stood behind them, overlooking the lake. Clint stared at the Arc Reactor of his fellow Avenger, and a friend swimming away and his family stood with him. His hands rested on Lila's and Cooper's shoulder while his wife Laura stroked their youngest child, Nathaniel hair who was leaning against his mother.

Yellow Pearl, Blue Pearl and Pink Pearl stood next to each other. Neither of them did or said anything. They stared at the lake, at the flowers, and the Arc Reactor. Next to them stood Wanda Maximoff, Bucky Barnes and Samuel Wilson. Wanda and Bucky had a really troubled past with Tony Stark, but they decided to bury the hatchet and arrived to honor him and his sacrifice.

Harley Keener stood alone behind them. His hands were in his pockets as he stared forward, paying his respects for someone who changed his life for the better. Maria Hill and Thaddeus Ross stood behind the young man, gazing together towards one direction. Carol Danvers stood on the steps of the Stark residence, gripping her hands and gazing into the scene in front of her.

Right behind the Stark residence stood three massive figures. All three Diamonds came to honor the passing of the human who did something even they couldn't. The human who saved the universe.

Nick Fury stood alone on the porch, as he placed his hands on the wooden railing, watching over everything before him, everyone who came here to honor the life and legacy of Tony Stark.

Many gave Morgan and Pepper their condolences for their loss, before saying their goodbyes. Morgan was getting tired and Happy offered to take her on the bench in front of the house so she could rest a bit.

He sat down next to her her, wrapping his hand around her, asking, "How you doing, Squirt?" 

Morgan's answer was short and quick, "Good."

"You good? Okay. You hungry?" Happy asked her another question.

"Mm-hmm." Morgan nodded her head.

"What do you want?" Happy wanted to do know what she wanted to eat.

"Cheeseburgers." Morgan answered.

Happy smiled to that, recalling a certain memory with her father, "You know your dad liked cheeseburgers?" He gazed to the sky, his smile still on his face, "I'm gonna get you all the cheeseburgers you want."

Many people have already left the lake side, except for three of them. Clint Barton, Wanda Maximoff and Azurite still gazed into the waves of the river, thinking about people they loved that lost their lives to put an end to the Mad Titan's reign.

"You know, I wish there was a way that I could let her know." Clint spoke up to them, as he turned towards Azurite and Wanda with grief stricken expression at the memories of what happened on Vormir, "...That we won. We did it."

"She knows." Wanda stated, as she gave Clint a nod. She then turned to look at Azurite. She and Azurite didn't interacted much, but she remembered how she and Shi'ra fought off hordes of Outriders in Wakanda. She gave him a comforting nod, saying, "They all do."

Azurite and Clint  just smiled at her words and all continued to gaze into the lake.

-------

Thor stood on the hill, overlooking recently repopulated kingdom of New Asgard while wearing a pair of shades over his eye, listening to the sounds around him, like the wind blowing in the air or birds flying in the air.

Valkyrie approached him, asking, "So, when can we expect you back?"

Thor turned to her, "Um, about that..."

"Thor. Your people need a king." Valkyrie smiled at him.

"No, they already have one." Thor stated.

"That's funny." Valkyrie chuckled, before turning to look at Thor who instead of laughing had a serious expression on his face. Seconds later, she realized what he meant by that, "You're being serious?"

Thor nodded his head, as he looked at New Asgard, "It's time for me to be who I am rather than who I'm supposed to be. But you, you're a leader. That's who you are."

"You know I'd make a lot of changes around here." Valkyrie stated, turning to look at New Asgard.

"I'm counting on it." Thor said, extendind his hand for a handshake, "Your Majesty."

Valkyrie stared at him for a second, before accepting his handskake, "What will you do?"

"I'm not sure. For the first time in a thousand years, I– I have no path. I do have a ride, though." Thor turned around to look at the Guardians ship, which was sitting on top of the of a cliff while Rocket was standing outside, waiting for him.

The talking raccoon spoke up to the God of Thunder,  gesturing for him to follow, "Move it or lose it, hairbag."

Thor nodded as he turned to Valkyrie, giving her a nod, "I'll be seeing you around."

Valkyrie responded with a nod of her own, "Yeah, I'll see you."

They both moved separate ways and Rocket took Thor inside of the Guardians ship. Peter Quill was looking any clues to where Gamora went after the defeat of Thanos as he stood in front of the map.

He swiped the picture of Gamora away when he heard Thor come inside, "Well, here we are... Tree, good to see you. Well..." He stopped next to Quill. He put his things on the table and removed his shades, patting Quill on his shoulder, "The Asgardians of the Galaxy, back together again. Where to first?..."

Quill looked at Thor touching the map screen without his permission. He gave Thor a stern look, swaping the map to where he left of, "Hey, just so you know, this is my ship still. I'm in charge."

Thor turned to Quill, "I know. I know. Of course, you are. Of course."

Just seconds after saying those words, he touched the map again, which didn't failed notice it, "See, you say of course, but then you touch the map. It makes you think that maybe you didn't realize I was in charge."

"Quail you that's your own..." Thor began.

Quill tried to cut him off, "Quail?"

Thor ignored his question and continued, "...Insecurities in there. Okay? I'm merely trying to be of service and assisting.

"It's Quill." Quill corrected Thor about his name.

"That's what I said." Thor stated.

Drax looked at these two, "You should fight one another for the honor of leadership."

"Sound fair." Nebula stated.

Quill looked around him, "It's not necessary."

"It's not." Thor agreed with him.

"I got some blasters, unless you guys wanna use knives." Rocket offered.

Mantis clapped her hands enthusiastically, "Oh, yes. Please, use knives."

"Yeah, knives." Drax seemed to like this idea too.

Groot smiled, nodding his head, "I am Groot."

Thor and Quill looked at each other, hearing their team encouraging them to fight over the leadership, making them both laugh, but the latter's was clearly more forced.

"Not necessary." Quill stated.

"There shall be no knifing one another." Thor declared, "Everybody knows who's in charge."

"Me." Quill looked at Thor, wanting to be sure, "Right?"

"Yes, you. Of course." Thor gave a short laugh, "Of course. Of course."

Quill just gave a quick nod in response, still not exactly sure if Thor was serious or not. He turned to his crew, saying, "I think we should head there now if we don't want to be late."

"Where are we going?" Thor asked.

Quill's response was, "Little Homeworld. There's something we need to attend."

----

Steve, Bruce, Peridot, Garnet, Sam and Bucky were all standing in front of the ruins of the Avengers headquarters, preparing themselves for the last part of their mission which was returning the Infinity Stones back to their rightful points in time. Bruce and Peridot worked together to build new time machine, and once it was ready, it was time to return the stones to prevent everything the Ancient One told them would happen if they didn't returned them.

Garnet and Steve stood together, wearing Time Travel GPSes on their wrists, waiting for Bruce to hand the briefaces over to them. They divided their work in two halfs. Steve would be sent to return the Time Stone, the Mind Stone and the Space Stone,while Garnet would return the Reality Stone, the Power Stone and the Soul Stone

Bruce shut the briefcaces, saying to them, "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.

"Don't worry, Bruce. We'll return them without any problems." Garnet assured him with a nod of her head, with Steve nodding his head in agreement.

She and Steve picked up their half of work, before Bruce whispered something to Steve, "You know, I tried. When I had the gauntlet, the stones, I really tried to bring her back... I really miss her."

Steve gave him a comforting nod in response, "I know."

"Garnet." Peridot stopped Garnet for a second, "You better return. I'm going to have bad time explaining to everyone why you haven't returned."

The fusion just gave her a smile, which Peridot returned, giving her one too.

Sam Wilson walked with Steve Rogers towards the platform, offering, "You know, if you want, I can come with you."

"You're a good man, Sam." Steve responded, turning to Garnet for a second, "This one's on me and Garnet, though."

Sam just gave him a smile and nod of his head in response as Steve approached his best friend, telling him, "Don't do anything stupid 'till I get back."

Bucky smiled, recalling himself telling his best friends those words before. He also remembered the answer Steve gave him, "How can I? You're taking all the stupid with you."

The two hundred year old men moved wrapped their hands around each other, embracing themselves in a tight hug.

When they released each other, Bucky said to Steve, "Gonna miss you, Buddy"

"It's gonna be okay, Buck." Steve gave his best friend an assuring nod before making his way onto the platform along with Garnet. They pressed their Time Travel GPSes and the Quantum Suit overcame their bodies.

"How long is this gonna take?" Sam asked Bruce and Peridot, looking up at Steve and Garnet.

"For them? As long as they need. For us? Five seconds." Bruce replied.

"You won't even notice that they are gone." Peridot added.

Garnet picked up Mjolnir with her free hand, having to return in to Asgard as well, as Bruce called over to her and the first Avenger, "Ready, guys?" They both nodded their heads in agreement, "Alright. We'll meet you back here, okay?"

"You bet." Steve answered with Garned nodding her head.

"Going quantum. Three, two, one..." Bruce pressed the button and Steve and Garnet disappeared into the Quantum Tunnel.

 "And returning in, five, four, three, two, one..." Peridot pressed the button and almost everyone's suprise, only Garnet appeared on the platform, her suit instantly disappearing from her body. Steve Rogers was nowhere to be seen.

"Where is he?" Sam asked.

"I don't know. He blew right by his time stamp. He should be here." Bruce stated, as he looked at Garnet, "Garnet. Where is he?"

Garnet remained silent, just adjusted her new visiors, being aware of what Steve was planning because he told her before their mission. Bruce and Peridot turned away from her and the platform and started pressing and pushing the buttons, trying to bring the first Avenger back.

"Well, get him back." Sam stated.

"I'm trying." Bruce answered, trying to find a way how to bring Steve back to their times.

"Get him the hell back!" Sam repeated himself, this time, more loudly.

"What do you think we're doing?" Peridot asked him as Garnet got herself off the platform and began approaching the green gem and Bruce.

Their argument was cut off by Bucky, "Sam."

Sam, Bruce and Peridot stopped what they were doing and looked in the direction Bucky was looking at. Everyone sawn an eldery man sitting on the log, gazing to the lake in front of him. Wilson and Barnes began approaching him while Banner, Peridot and Garnet watched everything from where they stood.

Bucky stopped and had a smile forming on his face when he spoke up to Sam, "Go ahead."

Sam send Bucky a quick look before walking towards the old man. He instantly recognized him as the now elderly Steve Rogers.

"Cap?" He asked him.

Steve turned to look at him, "Hey, Sam." 

Falcon could feel smile forming on his face, "So did something go wrong, or did something go right?"

"Well, after I put the stones back, I thought..." Steve began explaining, forming a small smile on his lips, "Maybe I'll try some of that life Tony was telling me to get."

"How'd that work out for you?" Sam asked him.

The first Avenger gave a soft nod of his head, "It was beautiful."

"I'm happy for you." Sam couldn't stop smilling, "Truly."

"Thank you." Steve thanked him in response.

"Only thing bumming me out is the fact I have to live in a world without Captain America." Sam stated.

"Oh, That reminds me." Steve reached down to his right side and pulled out what happened to be his shield, and placed it in front of Wilson, "Try it on."

Sam turned back to Bucky. He shouldn't be the one to wield this shield. Steve's best friend should be the one. Barnes gave him a nod of his head in response. The Winter Soldier was still not popular among the people across the globe. Bucky knew he still had to fix his reputation and he knew that Steve was making the right choice by giving the shield to Sam.

Wilson slowly picked up the shield, feeling the handle on his arm as he looked down at Steve.

"How does it feel?" Rogers asked him.

"Like it's someone else's." Sam answered.

"It isn't." Steve stated.

Sam was holding back his tears, when he said, "Thank you. I'll do my best."

They extended their hands towards each other and shook them, with Steve saying, "That's why it's yours."

Wilson smirked when a wedding ring around Steve's finger, "You wanna tell me about her?"

"No." Steve turned away from him, smilling, "No. I don't think I will."

Garnet smiled after seeing everything happen from where she stood as Peridot asked her, "You knew about his plans, didn't you."

"I did." The fusion responded with a nod of her head.

"We should head back to Little Homeworld." Peridot stated, looking up at Garnet, "It is starting soon."

When Bruce turned to them with a questioning look on him face, the fusion explained, "We're having a small event in Little Homeworld where we're going to honor everyone that lost their life."

"It is starting in three hours and we should head out know if we don't want to be late." Peridot added.

Bruce nodded his head in understanding, "What are you going to do now?"

"Those five years were really tough ones for everyone. I'll rest for a bit and catch up with the others." Garnet answered.

"As for me, one the things I'll do is starting to work on Iron Gem Mark 2." Peridot said, glancing down at her Arc Reactor, "I know that there are some major upgrades..."

She was cut off when she heard something behind Bruce and Garnet All three of them turned around orange sparkles which formed into a portal.

Stephen Strange stepped out, with the portal behind him showing the sanctum, "Peridot. There is something we need to talk about."

"What it it?" Peridot asked him.

"In private." Strange told her, "It'll take only a few minutes."

Peridot looked up at Garnet, with the fusion assuring her, "Go. I'll wait."

The short green gem gave the fusion a nod of her head as she walked over to Strange and walked through the portal. Seconds after stepping through the portal into sanctum, she asked, "What is it that you wanted to talk about?"

"I took you here because there's something I want to ask you." Strange explained.

Peridot raised her brow, "What is it then?" 

Doctor Strange's answer to her question was, "Peridot, would you be interested in studying Multiverse?" 

----

Today was an important day for Little Homeworld. This was the day when the residents of Beach City and Little Homeworld were going to honor the lives of everyone that didn't made it from the battle against Thanos alive. Everyone from Little Homeworld and Beach City were present, even those who weren't living in neither of those places came to pay their respects for the brave souls who came together to stop the greatest threat and paid the greatest price for it.

Everyone listened carefully to Steven's speech about the reasons why all of them came. He stood right in front of what was called "Memorial Wall" with the paintings of gems, humans and one Kratai that sacrificed their lives for the greater good. The Guardians of the Galaxy along with their newest member Thor Odinson stood next to Azurite, Spinel, Jasper, Orange Pearl and Centi.

The three Whitebound brothers were present in the crowd of gems, humans and alien as well. Jon had a chance to visit this place a few times during the five years of the Mad Titan's Era, and had a chance to meet a most of the gems who didn't survived the battle against Thanos. He felt like he needed to pay his respects, and his brothers came along with him, to at least show the appreciaton to everyone who lost their lives.

After Steven said his final words, Azurite sighed as he stepped forward towards the paintings,  looking for a certain painting,  passing by gems and humans who were offering their respects for their fallen friends.

Orange Spodumene and Bixbite walked over to the painting of Crazy Lace Agate, offering their respects for their fallen friend. 

Blue Lace Agate and Ocean Jasper did the same in front of Zebra's Jasper painting, with Mr. Smiley offering his respects as well.

Angel Aura Quartz lowered her head as she approached the painting of Lace Amethyst. The gem on the painting never had a chance to return to her home in Little Homeworld.

Bismuth had her hand placed on the painting of Biggs Jasper, a gem that saved her life from Thanos, which costed her own. 

As he proceeded to walk along the sidewalk, he passed a four other paintings of the gems that joined them to stop the Mad Titan and paid the greatest price for it. These four gems started living in Little Homeworld after Thanos' snapped his fingers, trying to find a new place for them to live on after they had to watch their friends and loved ones dissolve into ash on their old homes.

Azurite sighed as he passed  those paintings, paying his silent respects for each one of them, one of them being one of his students...

But the paintings of the gems weren't the only ones present on the memorial wall. The paintings of two humans who lost their life for the greater good were also present. Natasha Romanoff and Tony Stark. The paintings of two Avengers were placed next to each other. 

It was when he finally made his way over to the painting of Shi'ra. He placed his hand on the painting and lowered his head, as a few humans and gems, like Steven, Greg, Garnet, Rose and Shorty along with their friends who were brought back when Banner snapped his fingers, they were only a few of the gems and humans alike to come over and offer him their condolences for the loss of someone he loved like his own family, his sister, to which he always replied with a sad smile and a nod of his head. 

He lowered his head as he placed his right hand on the painting, thinking about how many times she was there for him, no matter how much of a emotional wreck he could be.

Their meeting in the bar on Tarok...

Them becoming friends by going on the jobs together and growing to care for each other as a family, a brother and sister...

Her doing her best to keep him alive after what happened on Konoritos...

Him saving her life on the day when she lost her hand...

Both of them finding home in Little Homeworld...

Them having to deal with the effects of Thanos' snap...

Them going back in time to bring half of the universe back...

And finally, them along with many others going against the Mad Titan for the last time, to show him how much they're sick of his existance, something which costed her own life.

A lone tear fell down his cheek as a memory of a certain converation they had a long time ago went through his head.

"If you really want to end with yourself, then go ahead! But do it right in front of me, because if you'll do it to yourself, then I'll do it to myself!"

"Why do you care about it so much?"

"Because you're like a brother to me Azurite! A brother that I always wanted! And I don't want you to die!"

Azurite sighed at this memory, memory of the first time when Shi'ra called him her brother.

His eyes shot open when he felt someone grab his right hand, he glanced down and saw Spinel. The pink gem offered her beloved one a smile. He then felt someone giving him a pat on his shoulder, he instantly knew who it was, Jasper. The orange gem was quickly joined by another orange gem. Orange Pearl offered Azurite a nod of her head, as she stood by Jasper's side. Centi was quick to join them, the green gem now standing by Spinel's side. All five of them payed their respects for their friend.

They were quickly approached by a few more people. Peter Quill and the Guardians of the Galaxy along with their newest addition, Thor Odinson. They all just stared at the painting in silence, neither of them saying anything. The Whitebound brothers came over as well. They weren't that close friends with Shi'ra, but they felt like they had to come here to honor her life and her death.

It was when Azurite took something out from his pocket. It was a picture that was taken during the new year party by Bixbite and Orange Spodumene. He, Shi'ra, Jasper, Centi, Spinel and Orange Pearl were all clinking their glasses filled with water with a small addition of a drop of a certain alcohol while having a huge smiles on their faces, enjoying each other company, unaware of what was going to happen just a few months later, and that it was going to be the only time when all six of them would celebrate the new year together.

He smiled down at it as he placed the picture on the wall, right next to Shi'ra's painting. There was something inscripted on it. Words of goodbye of her friends.

"We'll miss you."

It wasn't anything special, but those words felt right for them to write as a goodbye for their fallen friend on this picture.

"Do we know if she any family out there?" Thor spoke up.

"We can find them and tell them what happened to her." Quill offered.

"She had one." Azurite paused for a moment, recalling the talk he had with Shi'ra in Avenger headquarters before Bruce snapped about how much she appreciated everything she had now, "Us. We were the family she always wanted."

Steven, Connie, Garnet, Pearl and Amethyst looked at the scene before him, the gems, humans and alien alike were paying respects for their fallen friends. The hybrid couldn't help but feel a little bittersweet about everything. They defeated Thanos, and made sure he wouldn't rebuild the universe in his own image, but so many people lost their lives to make sure it wouldn't happen. Lapis told him that how many possible outcomes of their clash with the Mad Titan, Doctor Strange saw, and he knew that they won in only one out of the milions.

Everything that happened had to happen to stop the Mad Titan, but still he wished that the deaths of Tony, Natasha, Shi'ra, Biggs Jasper, Crazy Lace, Zebra Jasper, Lace Amethyst, and many others could be avoided in some way.

"Uh, Steven?" A familiar voice called over to him. He turned to the gem it belonged to and saw Pink Pearl, Yellow Pearl and Blue Pearl approaching him, Garnet, Connie, Pearl and Amethyst.

He titled his head, asking her, "What is it?" 

"We warped ourselves to Little Homeworld to pay our respects and when we were coming here we came across a human who told us to that his boss is waiting for you in your house." Blue Pearl explained.

Steven, Connie, Pearl, Garnet and Amethyst shared quick looks with each other, with the white gem asking her fellow pearls, "Did he told you anything else?"

"No. All he  just told me that his boss is waiting for all of you in your house and that his boss doesn't like to wait." Pink Pearl answered, "Then he just left."

Steven shared a quick with Garnet, Pearl, Amethyst and Connie before replying, "Thank you for telling us. We'll see what he wants."

Pink Pearl, Yellow Pearl and Blue Pearl just offered them quick nods of their heads in response as they moved forward towards the memorial wall. Steven, Garnet, Pearl, Amethyst and Connie all looked at each other before they making their way towards the war pad in the center of Little Homeworld and warped themselves right into the temple. 

They took a few steps forward and saw a black skinned man with a eye patch on right eye sitting on the couch.

This was person was no other than Nick Fury.

Fury stood up from the couch, "I assume that you already know who I am." 

"We do." Steven answered with a nod of his head, "You are Nick Fury, director of S.H.I.E.L.D. We saw you at Tony's funeral." 

"That's right." Fury said, moving closer to Steven and the rest, intending to have a long talk with all of them, "I believe we may have some talking to do." 

------

Azurite leaned against the wall of one the houses, watching over how gems and humans were paying respects for their fallen friends in silence.

"Hey, Az." Azurite turned to the source of the voice and saw Jon Whitebound walking over to him.

"Jon." Azurite offered him a nod of his head as Jon leaned against the wall next to him.

"I'd like say my condolences for Shi'ra, again. I know how much she meant for you." Jon said, offering Azurite a bow of his head.  Azurite just gave him a nod of his head in response. The Whitebound then asked him, "What are you going to do now?"

"I think it's quite obvious that I'll be staying here." Azurite answered, "I just want to rest. The last five years were tough for everyone, and I guess that we all deserve a break."

Jon nodded his head with a smile on his face, "Sounds good to me."

Now it was Azurite's turn to ask Jon about his plans for the future, "So, Jon. What are you and your brothers going to do now?" 

"I think you already know the answer, pal." Jon answered.

Azurite nodded his head, before asking, "Where did you left your ship? I saw you arrive through the warp pad."

"It is waiting for us at Hessonite's and Demantoid's colony." Jon answered, earning a confused look from Azurite, "We're not wanted by them anymore after we saved Demantoid during the battle."

"Are you going to keep it, or are you going to make them hunt you again?" Azurite wanted to know.

"The latter. These five years opened our eyes about many things, and we all agreed that we wouldn't be able to return to our old life." Jon answered, "Me and my brothers are thinking about turning our tribe in a group of mercenaries that actually fight with people like us before Thanos' snap."

The male gem smiled at him and offered one him another nod of his head as Robb and Rickon approached them, with the latter saying, "Jon. I think it's time to go."

Jon send his brothers a nod as he extended his hand towards Azurite, "Until next time, pal."

Azurite looked at Jon's hand before shaking it, "See you soon."

Jon smiled at Azurite as they released their hands from the handshake. Robb and Rickon send Azurite a quick smiles as well as they followed their brother to the nearest warp pad which would take them straight to Hessonite's and Demantoid's colony.

After seeing them leave, Azurite glanced around and saw Quill standing alone not that far from him.

He approached the leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy, offering him a quick, "Hey, Quill."

Quill turned towards him, offering him, "Hey, Az." in response.

"So, you and your crew are back on the road?" Azurite asked him.

"We sure are." Quill answered.

"You know if you will ever needs help, just give me a call, and I'll get there as fast as I can." Azurite informed him, gesturing towards his device.

Quill gave him a quick smile, "I know that, pal."

Azurite returned the smile as the two friends moved towards each other. They wrapped their hands around each other, embracing themselves in a tight hug. 

When they released each other from the hug, Azurite glanced over at Thor, "At least you won't have to worry about the rest admiring Thor's body."

"What?" Quill asked, suprised that Azurite knew about that, "How do you know that?"

"Rocket told us." Azurite answered, "During one of the times when he and Nebula were staying in Little Homeworld."

Quill sighed and shook his head while Azurite chuckled to that. The two of friends just talked with each other for the next few minutes about some regular things, simply enjoying talking with each other.

When it was time for Quill and his crew to leave, Azurite, Jasper, Spinel, Centi and Orange Pearl all exited Little Homeworld with them, where their ship was waiting for them. The two groups shared quick goodbyes, consisting of hugs, laughs and the assurence from Azurite, Spinel, Jasper, Orange Pearl, and Centi that if Quill and his crew ever need their help, then they free to call them and they'll come and help them.

The Guardians of the Galaxy walked up hatch of their ship, sending the group of gems quick looks, even Mantis gave them a quick wave, before it closed down. Azurite, Spinel, Jasper, Centi and Orange Pearl all stepped back a little and watched how the ship boarded and left the Earth.

With them gone, there was one more thing Azurite had to do. There was something he was planning to give to a certain green gem.

He turned to Centi, calling over to her, "Hey, Centi."

Centi turned to look at her friend, "Yes, Azurite?"

"There's something I think you should have."  Azurite answered, as he extended his hand. Seconds later, his gem began shining.

"What is this?" Centi titled her head as Shi'ra's plasma caster she got from Stark appeared in his hand.

"It's the plasma caster Shi'ra got from Stark when we were preparing for the time heist. I know how jealous you were of her having one for a while now." Azurite explained, pushing the plasma caster towards the green gem.

Centi waited for a moment to reply, "Azurite. I can't take it. It's..."

Azurite shook his head and cut her off, "You can. You two were good friends before we started hanging out with each other after that baseball game. I remember her joking about your obsession with chaps, and you wanting to have plasma caster similiar to hers. I'm keeping her spear and old plasma caster for myself."

The former corrupted gem hesitated for a moment, but ended up taking the plasma caster from Azurite, "Thank you."

Azurite just send her a small smile in response, "Do you think It's time for to test your new weapon?"

"I guess." Centi nodded her head, "But do you know a spot where we can test it?" 

Spinel raised her index finger, "I think I know a good place. Azurite and Jasper should know what I mean."

She was right. Azurite and Jasper knew what place she meant by that. The same place in the forest where Shi'ra and Azurite took Spinel, Jasper, Steven and Amethyst to show what her plasma caster could do.

"You guys go." Azurite said to them, turning in the direction of his house, "I'll just pay a quick visit to my room and join you in a second."

Before any of them could ask him what he was going to do, he already started walking in the direction of his house. Spinel watched him leave, before glancing over at them, saying, "Jassie. Can you take them there? I'll catch up with you guys."

Jasper gave her a quick nod in response. The two of them parted ways. Jasper, Orange Pearl and Centi headed out of Little Homeworld into the forest, while Spinel followed Azurite to their house, with him unaware of the fact that she was following him.

He walked into his house and walked up the stairs, heading straight to his room. He opened the doors to his room and walked over to the cupboard. His gem shined again and Shi'ra's spear and old plasma caster appeared in his hands. He eyed them for a second before putting them on the cupboard next to Aleena's machete and Karolyn's headscarf, but it wasn't the only thing he put there.

Another thing appeared in his hand and this time it was his myst forming glove which was given to him by Quill and Gamora all those years ago. The only time he used it in the last few years was during the battle with Thanos. He sighed, as he put it on the cupboard as well, feeling like he wasn't going to use it anymore.

He moved his gaze a bit to the left and saw an urn filled with Shi'ra's ashes. It wasn't going to stay there for long because Bismuth offered to built him a special thing where he would keep Shi'ra's ashes, for which he was grateful.

It was when he heard someone walk into his room. From the sound of this gems boots, he instantly knew who it was. He turned around to this gem and saw Spinel standing in front of him.

"Everything is going to be okay now, Azzie." She spoke up to him, "And if anything happens, we'll get through it. I promise.

Azurite had to think for a moment before replying. He was finally accepted by gems for being what he is, something he always since his early days on Homeworld. He finally had a place to call home, here in Little Homeworld. He had gems, humans and aliens he considers his family. Thanos was gone for good, and was not coming back and they saved as many people as they could from his wrath.

The future actually looked promising...

He will keep going.

This is what Shi'ra would have want him to do.

"Yes." He finally spoke up to his beloved one, giving her a smile and nod of his head in response, "I know we will."

Spinel smiled back at him as she extended her hand towards him, "I love you."

Azurite grabbed her hand into his and leaned in, giving her a quick kiss, before replying, his smile not leaving his face, "I love you too."

-----

Well, here we go, this story has officially been completed. When I started writing it back in November, I'd never say that it would end up having 200000 words, and 45 chapters...

Thank you for anyone who read, commented, voted, and put this book in their library! I hope you enjoyed reading it just as much as I enjoyed writing it!

I hope to see you in my future projects!

blaszczu2500 signing off!