Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter.
This one will be a bit longer. I'm going all the way through the rehearsal dinner in this chapter. Hope you like it.
Guest: So, Lena hasn't been told yet, but she will soon. May or may not feature that in a story.
Chapter 3- Preparations and Rehearsals
It's a beautiful day in Central City. The guests from Earth-38 and Earth-99 had arrived not too long ago, as had the Waverider.
At a salon in downtown Central City, Wanda, Caitlin, Kara, Shuri, and Natasha has gathered for a little spa day. Shuri had decided to come as a representative of Wakanda, and as one of Wanda's bridesmaids, but T'Challa had to remain in Wakanda for the time being.
Natasha walks up to Wanda, who is sitting in a rather comfy chair while getting her nails done, and hands her a glass of champagne while saying, "You are glowing, Wanda."
"Aw. Thanks, Nat," Wanda says with a smile. Over time, she's gotten more comfortable calling Natasha by her nickname. Especially since Natasha is her son's godmother.
"Wait. It's pregnant women who glow. Brides blush," Caitlin adds.
"Right. I can do blushing bride. Not quite ready to do the other one again," Wanda says with a giggle.
Natasha sits back down and lets the salon worker get back to work on her nails. This isn't quite her scene, but since it's for Wanda's wedding, she's more than happy to do it.
"Thank you for inviting me, Wanda, and letting me bring my sister as my plus one," Kara says.
"Well, I wasn't going to not invite the one who was my childrens' foster mother in another timeline," Wanda says, drawing some laughs.
"So, you did bring your sister? No man in your life, Kara?" Wanda asks.
"No, not yet," Kara says, a little sadly.
"Well, I'm sure you'll find someone, Kara," Caitlin says.
Right then, there's a strange sound, and the salon worker doing Kara's nails lifts up her file, which is half melted.
"Ah! I'm sorry, I should've warned you. I…take a lot of keratin," Kara says.
"Really strong nails on that one," Natasha adds.
Wanda then turns to Natasha and says teasingly, "So, you and Oliver next you think?"
Natasha rolls her eyes. "We haven't talked about it," she replies. Wanda giggles a bit at her friend.
"Well, cheers, Wanda, to your big day," Caitlin says.
"Cheers!" the other women echo before drinking their champagne.
(Suit shop, downtown Central City)
"You know, I thought this would be easy, given I've married Wanda once already. But, with all that we've been through the last few years, especially with losing her in the Decimation, I love her more than ever, and I'm not sure I can fit all of how I feel about her now into one vow," Barry says.
"You could always speed read it," Oliver suggests from his fitting room.
"No, nobody would understand me," Barry says.
"You could use your vow from your first wedding," Steve suggests from his fitting room.
"But I feel like that doesn't do my love for her justice anymore. I don't know what to do, guys, I need help," Barry says.
Oliver comes out of his fitting room and says, "Barry, when you're up there ("Damn", says Barry as he sees Oliver in his suit), just look into her eyes, remember everything that you've been through with her, and the words will come. And, if they don't, the look on your face will tell her everything that you need to know." He pauses, then says, "You clean up nice, my friend."
"Yeah. Thanks, you too," Barry says.
Then, Steve comes out, dressed in his suit. Barry whistles lowly as he looks at Steve.
"You look nice in a suit, Rogers," Oliver says.
"Same to you, Queen," Steve says with a smile.
Barry then looks at Oliver and says, "You know, I got the girl. You did too, Oliver. You ever think about making it official."
Oliver chuckles, then says, "I don't know. With how little time I've really known Natasha, and everything going on needing the Avengers…I just don't think it's the right time."
"Do you love her?" Barry asks.
"Yes, I love her," Oliver responds.
"Put a ring on her. Natasha may seem stand offish and closed off at times, but I can see how much you mean to her, Oliver," Steve says.
Oliver chuckles a bit. Then, Cisco walks in, trying to fix his tie. Steve chuckles and walks over to help him out.
(Barton house)
"I'm gonna get you!" Lyla says with a laugh as she chases Nora. Nora is squealing and laughing as she tries to get away, but Lyla catches her and starts tickling her, making Nora laugh even more.
On the couch, Clint is reading a children's book to Stephen, who is entranced by the pictures. As he finishes reading, Laura walks up and sits down next to him.
"Can you believe this is happening again?" Laura asks.
"I'm glad they're getting to do this. The wedding in Wakanda was a little rushed, and not a lot of their friends got to come. I think this is going to be an even better experience for them. Though I am a little disappointed Wanda didn't ask me to walk her down the aisle this time," Clint says.
"I know. But you already had your turn. I think it's more than fair Pietro gets to do it this time," Laura says with a smile.
Nora then runs up to Clint and cries, "Grandpa! Ride!"
Clint smiles and picks up Nora, setting her on his shoulders. "Hold on!" he cries as he starts giving her a piggyback ride around the house, making Nora laugh with delight.
(Earth-X)
In the warehouse that Dark Arrow and Militant captured from the rebels, a number of men wearing dark combat suits have surrounded the device created by the rebels. As they watch, Dark Arrow walks up onto the platform. Behind him, a flag with the skull symbol on it unfurls. Dark Arrow then thrusts out his arm in a Nazi style salute and says, "Hail victory!"
"Hail HYDRA! Hail HYDRA! Hail HYDRA!" the soldiers chant before lowering their arms.
Dark Arrow walks off the platform, to where Militant, a man in a green suit of armor, a man in a gold and green suit with a bow and arrow, and a man wearing old style armor and holding a hammer.
"Well done, my friend," the other archer says. Dark Arrow inclines his head respectfully.
As he walks up to them, a scientist approaches them too. "The rebels' technology is impressive. It's a good thing you stopped them when you did," he says to the group.
"With it, HYDRA will last forever, and our rule will know no bounds," Militant says.
"None can stand against us," says the hammer-wielding man in a very proud voice.
"Can you make the device work?" Dark Arrow asks the scientist.
"Yes. But…" the scientists, pausing and causing Dark Arrow and the other four to turn to him, "I need time to test it. To ensure they haven't set a trap."
A whooshing sound catches their attention, and a dark clad woman floats down towards them. "You have on day," the woman says.
There's quiet for a few moments, then the man in the suit of armor says, "You heard the lady. Get to it." He, Militant, the archer, and the hammer-wielding man then walk away as one, with Dark Arrow following behind them.
(That night, Earth-1, CC Jitters)
At CC Jitters, Barry and Wanda's rehearsal dinner is well underway. Everyone is talking and having fun, while many people are meeting for the first time.
Barry smiles as he looks around at everybody who was able to come. Everybody from Team Flash. Bucky and Laurel. Jax, the Steins, Mick, Nate, and Loki. Kara and Alex. Oliver, Natasha, Rhodey, and Bruce Wayne. The rest of the Avengers had stayed behind, as had T'Challa due to duties in Wakanda, and Dr. Strange had had to stay behind due to some mystical threat he was dealing with. Tony and Pepper hadn't been able to make it either, nor had Thor, but they had sent gifts along with the Avengers who did come.
At the food buffet, Mick is helping himself to everything in sight. Cisco walks up to him, holding a beer, and says, "I never pegged you for a wedding guy."
"I never pass up on a free buffet. Or an open bar," Mick says, taking Cisco's bear and walking away, leaving Cisco a little miffed that he just had his beer stolen.
As Mick walked away, he walked past Caitlin and stopped, asking, "Hey, didn't I try and kidnap you once?"
"Yes, and I wouldn't try that again," Caitlin says, glaring at Mick before walking away. She takes a glass of champagne and walks up to Steve.
"How are things going in the department, Steve?" Caitlin asks with a smile.
"Great. Me and Sam just completed a case we've been working on for almost a month. Took us a long time and a lot of effort, but we caught the guy," Steve says with a smile.
"That's good. I'm glad you're adjusting so well," Caitlin says as she takes a drink of her champagne/
Steve smiles back. Out of all the people on Team Flash, he seemed to have gotten closest to Caitlin. He felt so at ease and happy when he was around her. The two had become very good friends in the year since Steve arrived in Central City.
Meanwhile, up on the balcony overlooking the rest of the restaurant, Kara is looking down at everybody. She is feeling a little lonely, seeing all the couples down below, and wishing she had someone to love.
"Hey." Kara looks up and turns around to see Pietro walking up to her.
"Hey, Pietro," she says with a smile.
Pietro smiles, leaning up against the railing. He looks down at where Barry and Wanda are standing together, with their arms around each other, then says, "I've been trying to keep Nora and Stephen contained for the last 20 minutes. Just passed them off to Clint."
Kara laughs. "Yeah. Those two little ones sure are feisty. Not entirely decided on which side of the family they get it from," she says.
Pietro laughs a bit, then says, "I can't believe my sister is getting married."
"Well, technically, she's already married," Kara says with a smile.
"I know. But this time I get to be there, and I'm the one walking her down the aisle. It feels really weird," Pietro says.
"But at least it's to an amazing guy," Kara says.
"yeah. I know Barry will treat her right," Pietro says. He then looks at Kara and asks, "Do you have a man in your life, Kara?"
Kara sighs. "No. I've never had much look in that arena. The last time I had a boyfriend, I thought he died, but later found out he had been sent through time, and then he got married," she says.
Pietro is quiet for a moment, then says, "Wow. That's…I got nothing to say for that. But, I think you'll find somebody eventually."
Kara smiles a bit at the confidence in his voice. "Thanks, Pietro," she says.
A minute later, Joe taps a glass and calls for everyone's attention. He looks around at everybody and says, "Well, the old man has a few words to say. What can I say about Barry and Wanda that everyone in this room doesn't already know? How they're special, and kind, and brave. But, we all know that, so, I'm gonna talk to you all about somebody you might not know. Me. For the longest time, I have been just happy to be Dad to Barry. Then, Wanda came along, and her and Barry showed me what true love is really like. And watching everything that they have been through, and seeing a love like theirs, it makes you want it too." He then reaches out for Cecile, who smiles and takes his hand.
"So, Barry, Wanda, thank you for showing me what true love is, and for showing me that love is the most important thing we can have," he says. He then raises his glass and says, "To Barry and Wanda!"
"To Barry and Wanda!" everyone says.
"Mommy! Daddy!" Nora cries as she and Stephen hurry over, having gotten away from Clint. Everyone laughs a bit as Barry and Wanda scoop up their children with big smiles on their faces.
So, that's the end of this one.
So, to address the other new characters in this. The man in the armor and the man with the bow are the Earth-X doppelgangers of Tony and Clint, obviously, but in this, they bear the likeness and names of two other members of the HYDRA Four from the comics, Tactical Force and Bowman. The fourth member of the HYDRA Four in the comics is Hammer, a HYDRA version of Thor. However, in this, I decided to actually have it be Thor. I will refer to him as Thor-X from now on to differentiate him from Thor of Earth-99. I have a reason why Thor is working with HYDRA, and I'll disclose it later. But, in this story, Militant, Tactical Force, Bowman, and Thor-X basically together rule HYDRA. Again, you'll get the reason behind that later.
Also, in this, HYDRA doesn't use their energy guns from Captain America: The First Avenger. For one simple reason. The Tesseract doesn't exist on Earth-X.
I had a really hard time deciding who to have as Wanda's third bridesmaid. Eventually, I decided on Shuri, since she was one her bridesmaids in her first wedding, and they've stayed friends since then. Let me know if you might like to see a romance between her and Cisco, or whether I should introduce Kamila and pair her with Cisco, as I actually like Kamila from the show.
Also, there will be a double wedding at the end of this. Let me know if you would like it to be Bucky and Laurel getting married with Barry and Wanda, or Oliver and Natasha. Also, whichever couple you guys don't chose, their wedding will probably be the beginning of the final story of Phase 2.
And, in case you didn't notice, I hinted at a possible pairing for Pietro. Let me know if you think I should go forward with it.
Well, that's it for now. Next chapter will be up tomorrow. Until then, leave a review, and stay tuned!