Author's Note:

Hey guys,

Before this fanfic gets started I want to say that this story will start as my own story that will kind of serve as a prequel sort of thing to the films then the story will eventually lead into the plot of the two Guardians of the Galaxy films and the plots that I will have created will run alongside the film plots so there will be new bits that I will slot into the film stories and things that will change slightly. So, don't panic; you will see all the Guardians in this story but Rocket, Groot and Yondu (as well as my two OCs) will be slightly more prominent in the story. I didn't want to be boring and just slot my OCs in with the story of the films I wanted some artistic licence with the story so I hope you enjoy it! Please give me feedback as it will be really helpful for me and I would appreciate it so much!

"What is this?" A male Xandarian asked curiously, picking up the foreign item hesitantly.

"If you pick it up you're buying it." Cora spoke as she leant forward across her stand, placing her palms of her hands flat on the counter.

"But I have no clue as to what it is." The baffled Xandarian frowned. "I assume it's an object from Terra considering you're Terran."

"That would be correct." She nodded and folded her arms. "What you're holding is what Terran's call a 'yo-yo'."

"A yo-yo?"

"Yup."

"What does it do? Is it some sort of explosive device?"

"No!" Cora said with a chuckle. "It's far from it. Do you have children, Sir?"

"I have a boy." He nodded with a faint smile.

"Then your boy will love it – it's a popular toy back at Earth."

"How much?"

"50 units."

"What?!" The Xandarian spluttered. "That's ridiculous! I'll give you 30."

"You will give me 40 or I will make it double for touching it without my permission." Cora insisted, holding his gaze.

He sighed in defeat and proceeded to transfer 40 units over to Cora. She smiled to herself then wished him a good day. When he proceeded to walk away, she rolled her eyes and shook her head. She strolled around her shop, checking to see if she could straighten out any objects that had moved slightly from their set position. The shop had quietened down a bit, but Cora wasn't worried; she had already achieved her profit goal for the day after the previous customer had bought a record player off her for 1000 units. She then proceeded to tidy her food and drink section, rearranging the bottles of fizzy beverages and snack packets until she heard the shop door slide open. Knowing it would most likely be customers, she turned to greet them but was taken aback when she laid eyes on them.

A raccoon had just casually strolled into the shop, along with a tall creature that Cora had forgotten the name of. She knew it was definitely a creature from the galaxy and not from Earth, although it did resemble a tree. The two were nothing she had seen before during her time in the galaxy but she had more of it to explore.

"Hello." Cora said warily, unsure of what response she would get back.

"What is this place, a junk sale?" The raccoon spoke, turning his nose at the various objects in the shop.

She paused for a moment, taken aback by his ability to talk and understand her; as well as his comment about her shop.

"Can I help you?" She frowned but kept her tone polite.

"We're looking for somebody." The raccoon stated as he eyed a shelf of Barbie dolls with disgust and slight intrigue.

Her eyes widened in disbelief as she burst out laughing at the two, causing the woodland creature to narrow his beady eyes at her and for the wooden figure to scratch his head in confusion.

"You cannot be serious."

"What's the problem?" The raccoon folded his arms.

"You're bounty hunters?"

"How can you tell?"

"I've had my fair share come in here requesting information and they all seem to begin with something along the lines of "I'm here for somebody' or "I'm looking for someone." Cora explained, turning to face the small, furry animal. "I just didn't expect a raccoon or a... Flora Colossus – yeah that's the one – to be bounty hunters."

"Don't call me a raccoon." He snarled and stepped closer towards her.

"Gosh, relax a little!" She spoke, raising her hands defensively. "I'm afraid that's what you are my furry little friend."

"We ain't friends, girlie." The raccoon spat.

Cora rolled her eyes at him and strode to the counter to organise her display items. "Tell me your name then."

"The name's Rocket."

"Your pal over there is rather quiet." She stated as she nodded over to the tall, wooden figure that pressing the buttons on a TV remote.

"I am Groot."

"It's nice that you're taking an interest in my stuff, Groot."

"We told you our names, care to return the favour?" Rocket asked as he paced around the room.

"Cora."

"Cora what?"

"Just Cora." She stated flatly.

"How long you been in business for?" Rocket questioned as his tree-like partner began examining more objects in the shop with great interest.

"Almost a year."

"That makes sense, considering I ain't never seen this little dump before." He grumbled.

"Hey! If you've come in here just to talk crap about my business then you can get out." Cora warned.

"Fine, I'll just cut to the chase." He said, growing agitated.

"Tell me about this person you're looking for." She queried, leaning lazily over the counter.

"He's a Terran, like yourself. We picked up info that tells us he's living here on Xandar."

"Uh huh. A name would be helpful."

"Does Jasper Starling ring a bell?"

"Nope." Cora shot back, almost too quickly.

"You sure about that?" Rocket pressed.

"Doesn't ring a bell." She replied, putting her chin in her hand and shaking her head.

"He's got a big reward on him but I can't find any fricking info on him. Groot and I will hit jackpot if we get this one." Rocket grumbled to himself.

"Well… sorry I can't help you boys." She sighed.

Rocket narrowed his eyes at Cora, knowing something was off about her. He knew she knew something, he just had to go about it in a different manner. He then turned to Groot, who had picked up the TV remote again examining it with great detail and gestured for him to follow.

"Come on Groot, let's get out of here."

"I am Groot." He protested.

"It's just a fricking piece of Terran garbage, leave it." Rocket instructed.

"I am Groot?"

"No, I am not buying it for you! Quit your whining and come with me."

"I am Groot."

Rocket rubbed his head and sighed in annoyance. He stared at Groot, who stared at him innocently as he clutched the TV remote to his wooden chest. After a brief moment of silence, Rocket turned back to Cora.

"How much will you take for it?"

"15 units."

"I guess it could be worse." Rocket muttered as he transferred over the units.

"Pleasure doing business with you two." Cora said with a cheeky smile.

Rocket snorted at her comment as strode out of the shop whilst Groot followed slowly with the TV remote in his hand, adding a slow wave at Cora before walking after his furry companion.