The Serenade of War
By: DarkElements10 and Crystal Manning
Full Summary: Traveling back in time changed more than Barry realized. Keeping a tight grip on the criminal activity in Central City is something that he takes pride in; but when he's blindsided by a metahuman that can control anyone with just the sound of their voice, Team Flash finds themselves fighting a war they don't believe they can win. [Crossover between Flash Fire/Crossfire, In a Flash, and The Mark of Sage]
Rating: T for language and violence
Warnings: OC heavy, semi-graphic violence, language
Notes: Set after Out of Time. Canon divergent.
Prologue
Barry Allen paced back and forth along the floor of the Cortex, staring hard at the ground as he went.
If he had the ability to see through walls he wouldn't be so anxious. If he had the ability to burn holes into objects it would've been cathartic. Then again, it was just the fate of Central City in his hands once again. He was used to it by now. It wouldn't have been an issue if it was something as simple as a new meta on the loose, causing petty havoc that would've been cleaned up in seconds. He wouldn't have been so nervous.
This time it was different. This time the danger was entirely his fault. All because he had to do so much to save Central City; he had to save everyone, he had to save Joe, he had to save his friends… And, in a big way, he had run as fast as he could solely to protect his father. Standing in front of that wave as Weather Wizard bore it down on the city, Barry thought of his father: how he was going to let him down; how he wouldn't be able to move fast enough to save him; how his father would sit in jail and not know what had hit him before it was too late.
He had no choice but to run, to create a wind barrier to protect everyone. So the energy of the wave would diminish by the time it reached the city.
And it had all gone to hell. He had time traveled and considering his knowledge of what happened when one time traveled—from the Back to the Future series—he messed up. Big time.
He ran his hands through his hair and down his neck in a protective hold. His stomach twisted and the thump thump thump of his heart thudded in his ears. His racing thoughts were a whirlwind in his mind, swelling the waves of guilt that crashed through him; slamming upon his steady shore built of nerves.
Barry stood up straight; his fingers curled into his fists and his jaw set. He couldn't run away anymore, he had to fight back. He created this mess, started this war and now he would take the reins and lead his army to victory.
He wouldn't leave Central City again.
.
..
...
Outside the bay window of the luxurious, grayscale suburban home—though was more like a modest mansion—the backyard pool shimmered in the sunlight, casting fragments of color along nearby surfaces. Inside, the sun cast a warm glow over the mahogany dining table that Cadence Nash and her mother—Maya—sat around, glasses of iced tea and pink lemonade chilling atop coasters.
Leaning to the side, Cadence glanced out the windows on the French doors and watched as her son, Brady, bobbed up and down in the water with a massive water gun in his hands. Amidst the splashes from quick sweep of her father—Kent's—arms, Brady shot back a constant stream of water that glanced off his grandfather's forehead.
Cadence tuned into the question that had been asked of her. "I don't know when we'll be back, Mom," the fire metahuman said matter-of-factly. "I'm doing fine in Central City."
Maya's round face softened at the words with an almost palpable sense of guilt, if not empathy. "Sweetie, it's not like I'm asking you to make an appointment for a root canal—"
"—Of course not," Cadence interrupted. "You made sure I had perfect teeth. To the point that I could only eat sugarless candy for Halloween. Who does that?"
Maya smiled a little. "Yes, well, we don't want it to be another seven years before you decide to come back and see us again. As a matter of fact, I was hoping maybe you'd come back at least once a month or so."
"Do you plan on showing me around like some kind of a circus sideshow? The girl who finally came back to Metropolis?"
Maya didn't take the bait of Cadence's bitter tone but responded to it with patience and understanding. "I understand that you're still hurt and are confused by some of the things we talked about during your last visit, honey, but you can't run away from it. It's reality."
Cadence sighed and nodded. Her mother was right. She was running from things, something she had been doing her best to fix. Well, she was home, wasn't she? And she was actually having a good time for the most part. Getting over that initial animosity that constantly seemed to plague her finally made her relaxed enough to see her mother as a person and not just as someone to be angry at.
Now Maya's face softened even further reminded Cadence of why she wanted to be just like her mother when she was very young. Her beautiful face typically held nothing but mirth and a passion for life, her thick, wavy blonde hair, full mouth, and friendly hazel eyes completed the package. Then Maya let out a quiet sigh, gently bringing up a hand to gently scratch right behind her ear. "We're not asking you to move back, but we want you to know that your room is always open for you whenever you need it. We're always here."
A smile graced Cadence's features. Her mother's faults aside, Cadence could admit that she missed her parents since having left Metropolis for Central City. There was nothing she would've liked more than to have that relationship with them again. But there was always a part of her that was still the girl that longed to be home and in the protective arms of her parents and knew it would never be the same as it was before. Maybe that's the point.
"We'd like to be able to see you and Brady more, and know what you're up to," Maya continued, voice as smooth and warm as Cadence remembered. "Please don't hold every little decision that we've made against us."
"I don't know." Cadence rested her chin in her hand as she mused, a light dancing in her eyes. "I'm still upset I never got that puppy I asked for as a kid."
Maya laughed as the back door of the house opened and nine-year-old Brady Nash padded in through the kitchen leaving a trail of wet footprints behind. Cadence smiled as she noticed her mother's cheek twitching as she tried to hold herself back from immediately cleaning up behind him. A brightly colored Spider-Man towel draped around Brady's shoulders flapped behind him like a cape as he raced over to his mother. "Did you see, Mom? I beat PaPaw in water basketball." He looked up at Cadence, hazel eyes bright. Water droplets trickled down his round cheeks and dripped off his chin. "I beat him good, too!"
"It looks like it," Cadence agreed. She lifted his towel in her hand and tenderly rubbed water off his face and hair. "I hope you didn't tire him out, bud." She glanced up at her father, who had pulled a black-t-shirt on over his shorts and sat down in the seat next to his wife. Kent Nash, in comparison to his wife, had a strong face that amplified his kind eyes, dark hair, and thin mouth. His face, which had been round in past was starting to become gaunt, but his eyes still held life in them.
"Ah, that's what grandchildren are supposed to do," Kent reminded her with a wave of his hand. "Make you tired and spend all your money." He tilted his head over towards Brady before smiling at his daughter. "He definitely got that from you."
"It's not my fault I liked to play sports," Cadence defended herself.
"But it's your fault you had an insatiable appetite," Kent shot back. "I still have to fill up the pantry and refrigerator whenever I know you're coming home."
Right, as if that was the reason her metabolism was so fast. "Thanks, Dad."
"When are you coming back again?"
Cadence raised an eyebrow as she wrapped the towel tighter around Brady and lifted him up onto her lap. "Mom just got through asking me that question. I don't know when we're coming back. I have so much work to do, and then there's Brady's school work, and—"
"—And Barry," Brady broke in.
Cadence made a light huffing sound. "Notice you're the only one that brought him up," she said pointedly to him before changing the subject, glad her parents didn't try to interrogate her over her sort of boyfriend. She would rather them ask questions about Brady's phasing powers…when she told them. "But you can come to Central City sometime, I guess. Unless you have another big PR project to do."
Kent shook his head. "Just a bunch of little ones," he replied. "Nothing major. Though from the emails and phone calls, it sounds like a lot has been going on in Central City."
Cadence opened her mouth to reply but was cut off by her ringing phone. She shifted Brady to her other side and pulled out her phone, briefly glancing at the screen before answering. "Hey, Barry, what's up?" Brady sat up and leaned closer to his mother, trying to hear the conversation through the small electronic device. She smiled and pushed him away.
"Hey," Barry replied, sounding a little out of breath. It immediately set Cadence on edge, the hairs on the back of her neck standing up. She knew he wasn't calling just to talk or see how things were going. Something big was up. "Where are you right now?"
"In Metropolis." Cadence drew in an uncertain breath, afraid to ask the dreaded question. "What's wrong?"
"You need to get back to Central City and STAR Labs as soon as possible. There's….there's something big happening. I need your help."
"I'm on m way now," Cadence said. She hung up the phone and put it back into her pocket before turning to Brady. "Go get your stuff, bud, we have to get back to Central City." Brady nodded and slid off of his mother's lap before padding out of the room. The fire metahuman turned back to her mother and father. "Sorry, but there's an emergency, I have to get back."
"Is everything okay?" Maya asked.
Cadence twisted her mouth to the side. That really depended on what her mother's definition of 'okay' was, didn't it? She hadn't told her parents what she was a part of in Central City; that she raced off to fight other metahumans like her along with the Flash. There were just some things they didn't have to worry about, and using her powers to fight crime was one of them.
"I'll tell you all about it the next time I call," she promised.
.
..
...
The door to the container sitting in the middle of the rock fell open with a loud clang. It startled a few of the penguins that were walking around nearby but then they went back to what they were doing. They ignored the handlers and volunteers that moved about the exhibit space, trying to coax the penguins inside out to their new home.
"Come on, Reject, this is your new home. Don't you want to look around?" Sage Moreaux asked, tucking her honey-blonde hair behind her ear. "The other penguins won't bite." She placed her hands on her knees for balance and peered into the darkened box. "Come on little guy. We have fi-ish!" Her lips turned into a pout as she stood straight up. "I think we made him too comfortable, Mrs. A," she commented.
Her supervisor, Mrs. Armstrong, removed her cap from her head and brushed the line of sweat off her forehead with the back of her arm. "Yes, that can happen," she said and placed the hat on her head once again. "We have to find something to coax him out."
"You mean we can't just go in and get him? That may be easier," Sage suggested.
"It could also upset him. The last thing we want is to integrate him when he's not at peace. Get some more fish and if that doesn't work we can bring out the krill. While you're at it, feed the others. Maybe seeing the others eat will bring him out."
"Aye, aye captain!" Sage saluted Mrs. Armstrong and went to fetch the fish that had been set aside. She pulled large rubber gloves on over her latex ones and then carried the bucket over to the penguins. They waddled over to her and began hopping up and down in anticipation for food. She grabbed handfuls of fish and scattered them around, giggling when the penguins all descended on them. "See, Reject? We have food out here for you. Come and get some."
She lifted a fish and wiggled it around in Reject's line of sight but he still stayed put in the crate. Sage's shoulders dropped and she gave the fish in her hand to the one penguin that was hopping up and down by her leg. She smiled and gently caressed the bird's head as it worked its beak on the fish in its mouth, the tail flopping with each chew. Once they were all fed she then approached Reject and tossed it towards him. It hit the bottom of the container with a wet smack. Reject stared at it for a second and then tucked himself back into his corner.
"Hmm," Mrs. Armstrong hummed, rubbing her chin. She sighed and then held out her hand and flexed her fingers. "Hand me the krill. That may work." She removed gloves from her back pocket and pulled them on before accepting the bucket of krill from her volunteer coworker. "He's far more homesick than I would have pegged him for."
"I would be upset too if I was suddenly moved from Central to Starling without warning." Sage leaned over to peer around Mrs. Armstrong's back as she offered krill to Reject. (That wasn't intended to be his name; it was a leftover fact from being abandoned by his mother. It stuck and he responded to it after a while so they left it). This he ate but even after getting his fill he didn't leave the box, choosing to stare back at them. "How old is he again? Is he a teenager?"
Mrs. Armstrong snorted. "No. I know teenagers, Reject isn't one. Let's finish feeding the others and see if he comes out on his own."
The two women proceeded to feed the penguins until the bucket was empty and the Starling penguins abandoned them to go back to the small holes in their habitat or jump straight into the water. A few dove beneath the surface, gliding through the water while the others splashed around on the top. And still Reject sat in his crate, as comfortable as could be.
"Maybe we can just let him live in the box. That can be the exhibit's new attraction. Zut alors!" Sage cried out, throwing her arms into the air. Her arms dropped to her side and huffed…only for her head to incline much like a dog listening to something as she stared at the box. Reject had gotten to his feet and slowly inched his way towards the opening of the crate.
"Do that again," Mrs. Armstrong said, hitting her arm. "I think it responded to you speaking French."
Shrugging her shoulders, Sage crouched and extended her arms towards the bird. "Viens ici. Viens à Sage." Her eyebrows jumped in astonishment as Reject waddled out of the crate and right to her outstretched hands. He flapped his wings rapidly and Sage laughed while petting his head. "Well, waddya know. This penguin's bilingual! You're such a smart boy, yes you are!" She set Reject down and watched him run for the water. "Mommy's going to miss you. She'll come back and visit as soon as possible, okay?" She had brought her gloved hand up to her nose as she sniffed only to recoil at the strong fish scent that clung to the material.
Mrs. Armstrong laughed and scratched at her forehead. "I've seen some weird stuff working at the zoo but that just has to take the cake."
"Compared to the weird shit going around Central City, this is the weirdest thing you've dealt with?" Sage asked, an eyebrow quirking. Mrs. Armstrong shook her head and turned away as Sage chuckled. Her laugh was cut short as she felt her phone buzzing in her back pocket. Briefly making a face at the idea of the fish scent on her gloves sticking to her phone, she dug her hand into her pocket and pulled it out. Barry's picture filled the screen as his number flashed on it. After a few swipes of her thumb she managed to answer the call and held her phone up to her ear.
"Hey Bare! Guess what? Reject can—" Sage greeted him, a smile splitting her face.
"Sage, whatever story you want to tell me has to wait," Barry interrupted her, speaking quickly. Her eyebrows furrowed. "You need to leave Starling right now."
"What? Why? I was going to meet up with Laurel and Thea and—"
"It's important! Central City needs your help. I need your help."
There were few times she heard that level of seriousness in Barry's voice; like the other times, it made a shiver roll down her spine. She licked her lips and said, "Alright, I'll get there as soon as possible."
She hung up her phone and then stared at the blank screen, wondering just what it was that was troubling Central City that made it so that neither The Flash nor the CCPD could handle it on their own. Whatever it was, it had to be bad.
.
..
...
Averey Moore clenched her teeth as she lowered her camera from her eye. "Little angels my foot," she muttered under her breath as she stood from her crouched position.
People have always said never to work with kids and she was quickly learning just how right they were. The Anderson kids were going to cause the invention of female pattern baldness with how badly she wanted to rip the hair out of her head. One couldn't stop picking their nose, one didn't want to sit still, and the other didn't want to smile.
She wiped at the grass blades stuck to her jeans, frowning at the small green streaks. How their parents could be in so much denial about just how rowdy their kids was beyond her. "I think I've got it," she announced lowering her sunglasses from where they were pressed into her forehead over her eyes. She lifted a hand and rubbed at the nose pad indents in her forehead.
"Yay!" A cheer rose from the kids as they jumped off the small stone ledge before scattering like birds. They threw themselves down onto the grass and started laughing and shrieking as they chased after each other.
"Yayyyy," Averey quietly repeated with waning enthusiasm as she removed the camera strap from around her neck. "I'm going to need a drink after that one." She peered down at the screen on the back of her camera, scrolling through the pictures. Fingers in noses, looking in multiple directions, bunny ears, and frowns of dissatisfaction blinked past. "A bloody big one."
"I hope the kids weren't too much trouble," Mr. Anderson said as he stepped towards Averey, head bent as he scribbled in his check book. "They're an active bunch. Half now and half after receiving the final edited photos, right?" Averey nodded and Mr. Anderson ripped the check out of his book.
"Full refund if you're completely dissatisfied. I got plenty of shots, Mr. Anderson, no worries." Averey gave him a smile of thanks as she took the check, sliding it into her pocket. "Once the kids relaxed, and not posed, it was smooth saiing." She packed up her belongings and slung her bag over her shoulder, giving the Anderson family a wave before heading out of Keystone Park. "As smooth as you can get in a hurricane."
Lifting her hands up to her hair, the sun casting a glow on the solid black 8 etched onto the inside of her left wrist, she twisted her caramel brown hair into a ponytail. Averey twisted her mouth to the side, sliding her fingers over the raised skin before pulling her shirtsleeve down over her wrist. She'd make double the amount of money in one night with "the gang" then she did on photo shoots. But, she had to keep up appearances one way or another. If sticking around the city, waiting for the next gang job meant having a lull in income and blog posts for "Averey's Adventures" then so be it.
Her cell phone vibrated against her backside and she reached into her back pocket for her cell phone. Barry Allen's name appeared on her screen and she slid her thumb over the face plate, answering the call. "Hey, Barry," she said as soon as she heard the small ping indicating her call was picked up, "I know you're not much of a drinker, but is there any possibility you could take a detour into Keystone for some? I need it after the day I had."
"We're going to have to hold off on a trip to the bar, Ave," Barry said, concern coming through over the phone. "Besides, I can guarantee that you'll have an even bigger reason for it after this." His voice then suddenly lowered in volume. "I'll even ask Caitlin to make a stronger drink to make sure I can get drunk."
Averey blinked, pulling her phone away from her ear. She gave the screen an odd look before replacing it. "This must be huge," she commented, "I mean, you actually want to get drunk." Her eyebrows pulled towards each other. "What's going on, Barry?'
"I need you in Central City as fast as you can get here," Barry replied. "I know you went out to Keystone for work…"
Averey had to stop herself from snorting. Yeah, if you could call it work. If that was the case, then the Royal Flush Gang was a freaking office. "Say no more." Averey looked around the park, making sure no one was in ear shot. "With the Cisco-Cycle I can get there pretty quickly," she replied, slowing her walking pace until she was standing still. "Which by the way, I'm going to rename as soon as I think of a better one."
"Well, you have plenty of time to think on the way over," Barry replied. "I'll see you when you get here."
With a final "see you," Averey hung up on her call. Her thumb hovered over her phone before she tapped through her phone book. Scrolling down to K, she highlighted the name KING and started a new call. The low ring of the call connecting rumbled in her ear once, twice, three times before she heard a click.
"Yeah?"
"Hey, Gavin. It's me," Averey greeted the voice on the other end. She tapped her shoe one the ground. "I need to split to Central City for a little bit."
"What for?" She heard the sudden change from nonchalant to annoyance. Or was it suspicion.
"Emergency," Averey replied. "I'll be back as soon as I can." There was a long, stretching silence on the other end of the phone.
"Just stay on call. I might need you on a project while you're out there."
"Sure," Averey replied with a nod of her head. "Sure." She ended the phone call and continued making her way through the park. For years she's heard complaints about working a 9-5 job, but keeping her life in the Royal Flush Gang and working side by side with the Flash was a 24/7 commitment.
A/N: Here it is, the crossover we've been talking about for months now! Welcome to The Serenade of War! It was originally titled "Flashpoint" but as the show moved further into the second season, we decided not to keep the title since "Flashpoint" is its own important arc in the Flash comics. Thus, The Serenade of War has come to be.
As noted above, it's set right after the event of Out of Time but it's not canon divergent so this story doesn't follow the show canon. Being that this is a cowrite between myself and both parts of DarkElements10, the updates will have some time between them to ensure we're on the same page with what will happen next as well as for editing and revision purposes.
Newcomers to this story, you don't necessarily need to read Flash Fire, Crossfire, In a Flash, or The Mark of Sage to understand this story but if you want to feel free! We'd appreciate the support. If you have any questions please feel free to ask! We hope you enjoy this story and thanks to you all for giving it and us a chance!
-DE10 and C.M.