Work Text:
Setting: Central City
Location: Hall Of Justice
Throughout the building there was a string of activity as everyone present were enjoying the current festivities. Conversing and laughing together while savoring the delicious aromas emanating from the silver grill nearby.
Said grill was surrounded by some of the older males present who were utilizing it to grill an enormous assortment of meats and vegetables.
The meats consisted of beef steaks, both regular sausages and wieners, chicken, sliced ham, pork chops, and hamburger patties.
The table itself was filled with baked beans, rice, corn on the cob, a very large platter of french fries, steaming hot rolls, burger buns, hot dog buns, sweet potatoes, potato salad, coleslaw, raw salads mixed with watermelon and other fruits plus delicious dressing, and condiments such as barbecue sauce, ketchup, mayonnaise, and mustard.
The drinks consisted of cold water, iced tea, lemonade, natural fruit punch, sodas, light beer, and root beer.
Those present at this latest gathering were composed of the following individuals, couples, and groups:
Archie and Betty,
Jughead and Tabitha,
Veronica and Reggie,
Cheryl, Toni and her now 1 year old son Anthony, Heather, and Britta,
Their shared friends Fangs and Kevin, the former Anthony’s biological father, and Kevin’s boyfriend,
The Fantastic 4 who’d also been present at the previous Christmas gathering,
The Powell family and with Jim and the Thing having fun over being each other’s doppelgänger like they usually did,
Team Angel and the Scooby Gang,
Johnny Lawrence and his now stepson Miguel, wife Carmen and their daughter, her mother, Daniel Larusoo and his family, Johnny and Daniel’s students plus the romantic partners of some of the students such as Yasmine, Demitri’s girlfriend, Moon, Hawk’s girlfriend, and couples Miguel and Samantha plus Robby and Tory, and 4 of their shared friends which included Chozen, Kumiko, Mike Barnes and Julie Pearce. Julie also attending one of their gatherings for the first time,
The Justice League whose versions of Diana and Clark resembled Fourth Wall celebrities Gal Gadot and Henry Cavill,
The Earth-167 Justice League with their versions of Clark and his wife Lois with their 2 daughters plus their world’s Oliver and his wife Chloe and their son Jonathan Queen,
The Earth Prime Justice League and their loved ones, teammates, and teammates families. All of them including those present at the Christmas gathering alongside their spouses and romantic partners,
Nicky Shen and her combined family and loved ones including her teammates, friends, and allies,
Coulson and May, Fitzsimmons and their daughter plus their adult grandson Deke, Skye/Daisy, Ward, Mack and Elena, Bobbi and Hunter,
The 3 Spider-Men and their respective girlfriends,
The Defenders,
Nancy Drew and her boyfriend Ace plus their friends and teammates from the Drew Crew, along with a new attendee consisting of Bess’s new girlfriend Addy,
The former Mutant Underground members,
The Avengers and their families, loved ones, and closest friends,
Earth-2’s young JSA and their loved ones and allies,
The Guardians of the Galaxy,
Sam and his girlfriends Carly and Mikaela, Sam’s parents in which was their first holiday gathering with their son and his aforementioned friends, the N.E.S.T team, and the Autobots,
The prominent residents of Storybrooke,
The Gotham Knights,
And finally the Mutant X team.
Once the meats and vegetables were fully prepared everyone present served their plates after which they brought them to the table. In addition but they also selected their drinks while the children and teenaged adults chose from the sodas, tea, root beer, punch, and lemonade. The teens 16-18 were allowed a fourth of a bottle of light beer. Which some of them such as Miguel, Sam, Hawk, Andy, and a few others took advantage of.
Before sitting themselves down to eat, they all decided to mark the occasion by first standing at attention while Kara proudly sang one of the most prominent U.S. national anthems. The chosen piece being “The Star-Spangled Banner”. As follows:
“Oh say can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What do proudly we held, at the twilight’s last gleaming.
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in the air
Gave proof through the night, that our flag was still there.
Oh say does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave,
Of the land, of the freeee, and the home, of the brave.”
All of the participants stood and listened with rapt attention. Hands resting upon their hearts and serene smiles upon their faces as the lyrics resonated through them. Each individual unequivocally proud to be an American. Regardless of which America they originated from in regards to their respective home Earths.
Even Chozen and Kumiko, while not Americans themselves, stood proudly and with their own hands on their hearts due to their respect for the United States Of America and what it represented. Same as with the Autobots. Bumblebee providing the music for the anthem.
Once Kara had finished followed by the music ending, her audience gave both her and Bumblebee a round of applause to which she smiled warmly and bowed. Bumblebee also bowing his head in humble acknowledgment.
The entire group then selected their seats and then began eagerly consuming their food. Helping themselves to all of the available side dishes. The young children even partook of the raw salads and fruits. Knowing how important it is to eat your veggies.
They also used the bread to prepare themselves burgers, sandwiches, and hot dogs and heartily consumed those as well.
As they ate they discussed the history of the 4th and what it’d meant for the U.S. Particularly addressing the young children and conversing with them about the war for independence and the early Americans fighting for their freedom from then British tyranny. A history which was the same on all of their Earths of origin. Including America’s founding fathers gathering together to draw up the U.S. constitution. July 4th marking that anniversary of that constitution’s signing.
The children, including Cassie Lang and Jonathan Queen amongst others assuring them that they remembered most, if not all, of that history. Having been instructed in it at their schools and their parents sharing the story with them beforehand.
Eventually the feast was concluded and dessert followed. The treats being raspberry, key lime, blueberry, and apple pies, a no bake cheesecake flag cake, and large cartons of vanilla, strawberry, blueberry, amaretto, pistachio, and chocolate gelato ice cream.
Everyone enjoyed their desserts as always. Also consuming a bit of everything present.
After dessert the adults, teenaged adults, and children sat down in front of the tv monitor to watch another Peanuts program. This one entitled “This Is America Charlie Brown” and involved Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang exploring American History. And across its different time periods.
The viewers found it to be an interactive and fun way to explore the history of the U.S. And especially for younger children. Those among the audience being highly entertained.
Once that animated series concluded, everyone sat around and discussed it including what they learned. Conversations continuing until shortly after the sun receded. Followed by them gathering together outside to observe the dazzling fireworks which lighted up the night sky.
Afterwards they all bid one another farewell and once more wished each other a Happy 4th. Promising to see each other for the next holiday gathering. Followed by the Earth Prime residents returning to their respective homes while the non Earth Prime residents and their families, loved ones, and friends returned to their own worlds.
The End