A/N: As we all know, it's been a rather upsetting week given the loss of one of the most incredible people on our planet on early Monday morning - Stan Lee. Whilst I didn't read the comics, I've seen snippets from some of his and they truly are incredible. He's helped so many people by providing a wonderful, fantastical escape into the Marvel universe, not only in comics but in movies too. He truly is a legend and he will be greatly missed. R.I.P Stan 'The Man' Lee and Excelsior 🙏🙏🙏

This one shot doesn't involve the reader but it's more of a tribute to him and I don't know if Stan believed in Heaven or not, but wherever he is now, I hope he is safe, happy and at peace. In fact I even hope that he possibly met his many characters in his version of Heaven. 😊

This is for you Stan 🙏🙏🙏

________________________________

Dark clouds filled the sky as hundreds of people - fans, friends and families alike - all dressed in black surrounded the grave of the one and the only Stan Lee. As even the weather depicted, it was a dark day for many. As the sermon continued, many threw a flower on his coffin. Some of his family gave a short speech, reliving short, sweet anecdotes but nothing could seem to lift the heavy blanket of melancholy that had fallen on everyone that day. Some garnered a small smile, knowing that Stan wouldn't have wanted to see everyone so down but others simply couldn't bring themselves to feel a joy - the world had lost a true legend.

Even those who couldn't make it to the funeral made sure they had a tiny moment of silence to wish Stan well, wherever he had gone to next. They prayed he was at peace. Some even reflected on his time in the world by rewatching his cameos and interviews and simply appreciating the humble man that he was. The world wasn't the same without Stan Lee and it was almost as though time itself was full of sorrow as it appeared to slow too.

However, not everywhere had stopped. Another place, call it Heaven or a pocket dimension, call it what you will, but that place hadn't stopped. Full of the characters that had been created, even mere thoughts and brief concepts, were still bustling about. They were, in fact, getting ready for the arrival of their own creator. It was exciting and they all looked forward to meeting him. They wouldn't have even known that it was going to happen if it weren't for Doctor Strange whom had informed them all of the future new arrival. They had all gathered in the Central Park of their New York, simply anticipating his arrival.

The Fantastic Four and Daredevil watched and waited as Spiderman, Ironman, the Hulk, Black Panther, Thor and Doctor Strange stood at the very front of the crowd of characters all waiting patiently.

"Surely he should be here now." Mumbled Peter anxiously as he waited, "I mean, Mister Strange, you did say he was going to come."

"Doctor - " Came the fed up correction of his own title, "And he will but those who are with him currently, need time to say goodbye."

"Imagine that, our own creator being late for his own welcoming." Muttered Tony sarcastically which earned him a few looks off of the others, "Come on, Strange, you knew he was coming but you didn't know that he was going to be late?"

"He's not late, we're early." Came Stephen's next response.

Thor appeared to be pondering a question to which he then asked aloud, "Sorcerer, do you even know how he will get here?"

"I'll know it when it happens."

"But what is 'it'?" Tony pressed.

Stephen merely gave a sharp exhale now as he threw a look to Tony.

"Look, what is that?" T'Challa had finally spoke up at the sight of box that had appeared a little further up in the sky above the park.

Without a word, Stephen flew up into the air to investigate the odd rectangular box but the closer he got, he noticed enough features on the box to recognise it as a coffin. Then, he used his skilled sorcery, using a spell to lower down the coffin onto the ground below before returning to the others. Spiderman noticed a small golden plaque on the top of the teak coffin that simply read 'excelsior'.

Without anyone's doing, the coffin opened to reveal the smartly dressed Stan Lee, whom simply sat up, looking at each of the faces for a moment.

Stan chuckled lightly at the sight of all these characters, "I'm either dead or dreaming." He grinned.

Each of the character's stayed silent. Peter pulled off his Spiderman mask and looked at Stan in disbelief, "Is it really him?" He quietly asked Tony whom didn't reply.

Stephen merely gave the man a sympathetic look, "What everyone wants to hear in response to a statement like that is some form of sarcastic response but we're unable to give one." He gave him a deeply apologetic look, "You're not dreaming."

Stan went silent as once again he glanced at each of the faces in turn before giving them a little smile again, "At least I had a good run, eh? And I could have ended up in worse places after all." He gave them all a bright look.

"It's an honour to meet you, sir." Tony had snapped out of the trance of disbelief that he was in.

"The pleasures all mine - look at you all." Stan beamed to the whole crowd as well, "Are you all really real?" He had to ask.

T'Challa nodded ask he offered Stan Stan a hand to get out, "We are all real here, Creator."

"Oh, please, don't call me 'Creator' - just call me Stan, T'Challa." He chuckled in his own amount of disbelief.

"Stan?" A woman's voice called from the crowd, which quickly let her through, "Stan!" A woman with stunning white hair rushed past the characters.

"Joan?" There were tears in his eyes as he recognised his wife amongst his creations.

She engulfed him with a tight embrace and sweet kiss on the cheek, "Oh, I'm so sorry, my love, I'm so sorry I left you early." She apologised profusely for the situation that she simply couldn't have controlled.

"Don't be sorry, I'm just glad you're here with me now. I missed you so much." He replied with tears of joy at seeing his late wife again.

Whilst Stan Lee may have died, they always say that after one adventure has ended, another begins and a new adventure certainly did start. He was now living in a world of his life's work and with his beloved wife, all together for an eternity hereafter.

________________________________

A/N: As I said in the title, this was just a small tribute to a true Legend of this world. I'm sorry if any of you took offence to this short piece, I hope you didn't, this is just my way of a thank you.
Always remember that after one chapter ends, a new one begins so enjoy every second of it ^-^

- Mickey_Fable :)

_______________________________

...