Chapter One
Peter sat up in bed, yawning, rubbing the translator implant in his neck, which still felt weird. It was worth it though, because aliens weren't so scary if you understood them. Mostly. He yawned again, tired. What time was it? He'd been up late last night. Eros had actually fallen asleep before he did, because he'd been staring at the stars. Climbing out of bed, he went to see where his dad was. He found him asleep on the couch, and decided to surprise him with breakfast. He headed to the kitchen, opening and closing cupboards. There only seemed to be bottles of drinks Peter didn't recognise. Maybe that was why Eros always brought food back from whatever planet they were on? They were someone called 'Xandar' now, apparently. Not wanting to wake his father, Peter decided to go exploring for a bit. As long as he could still see the ship, he'd be ok, right? Opening the hatch, he walked down to Xandar's surface, leaving Eros asleep.
He had only just started looking around, not having moved two steps, when he saw a blue-skinned man in green and white armour heading towards him. He stared. The stranger did likewise, blinking at him, then looking at Eros' ship, then back at Peter.
"Hello," Peter said cautiously. "Who're you?"
The blue man still looked confused, but smiled. "My name is Mahr-Vehl."
"You're blue. Are you one of the..." Peter tried to remember what Eros had said. "One of the Kree?"
"Yes. Are you from Xandar?"
"Nope! I'm from Earth."
"Terra? But why would..." Mahr-Vehl shook his head. "Never mind. I was looking for my friend Eros actually, I'm not sure if you know where-"
"Dad's asleep inside." Peter replied cheerfully.
Mahr-Vehl's jaw dropped. "I... you... you're his son?"
"Yeah. Do you want me to go wake him up?"
"Yes. I'll come with you." Mahr-Vehl glanced down at Peter again, looking stunned. "I think we'll have a lot to discuss."
Peter didn't really get that, but he led Mahr-Vehl inside anyway. Eros was just waking up as they entered the living area. Mahr-Vehl hung back for a minute. Eros focused on Peter first. "Morning, scamp. Did you sleep well?"
"Yep. I-"
"Ahem." Mahr-Vehl stepped forward, raising an eyebrow. Eros grinned.
"Mahr-Vehl! Good to see you. I see you've met Peter?"
"Yes." He folded his arms. "I was glad to finally meet the son you've told me so much about."
Eros' grin faltered. Luckily, the sarcasm went right over Peter's head. His stomach rumbled loudly, and he went red.
Eros turned to him, looking almost relieved. "You haven't had breakfast yet, have you? Come on, we'll go get something. Mahr-Vehl and I can talk later."
"I think I'll come with you." The Kree invited himself.
"That really isn't-"
"I needed to talk to you anyway, Eros. About-" Mahr-Vehl noticed Peter listening intently. "About recent actions carried out by your brother."
Eros' face darkened. "I haven't had contact with him since the fall of Titan, and have no intention of doing so again. I don't care what he's gotten himself into now."
"You need to hear this." Mahr-Vehl's voice was so grim that Eros was startled. He held his friend's gaze before nodding slowly.
"Peter, go and explore for a while. Don't go off with any strangers, and stay in this parking area. I'll come and find you soon."
Peter nodded and scurried off. Eros turned back to Mahr-Vehl. "What has Thanos done now?"
"I take it you recall that the Zehoberei people sheltered some of your survivors when Thanos declared war on Titan?"
"Yes. My father only recently re-established contact with them on the Zehoberei homeworld, am I right?" An icy feeling of dread coiled in Eros' stomach.
"Yes. And it appears Thanos tracked them down."
"Do they need aid? Father will have sent people to them, no doubt. I could go and-"
"There would be no point."
"...What do you mean? He hasn't taken lives of yet more Eternals?" Eros felt sick. What had his brother become?
Mahr-Vehl put a bracing hand on his shoulder. "More than that, I'm afraid. There's nothing left at all."
Eros' heart pounded. "The Zehoberei settlements were assaulted as well? But they were peaceful! Thanos had no need to..."
"Whatever his reasons, he did. And..." Mahr-Vehl took a deep breath. "The entire species is gone. Obliterated."
"The entire race? That's..." Eros couldn't find words for that atrocity. He sat down heavily. "Is anything being done?"
"What can be done? Thanos has the entire Chitauri race under his command now, who knows how many others. No force exists that can combat him."
Eros nodded, hating the fact that his friend was right. So much death...
Mahr-Vehl shook himself. "Your father didn't only send me to bring the news. He wishes you to return to Titan. Much has been rebuilt now, and you would be safer there."
Eros hesitated. "He and I did not part on the best of terms."
"I am aware of that. A'lars only wishes to make amends. You are the only son he has left. And while we are on the subject of sons, why did you never tell anyone about yours?"
Eros shrugged. "He lived on Terra with his mother until not long ago. She has passed away, so I had him brought to me."
"But raising a child? With your lifestyle?"
"I can manage." Eros began to feel defensive.
Mahr-Vehl knew better than to try and argue with him. "Fine. But are you planning to introduce him to your father? A'lars deserves to hear this from you, and I don't want to have to lie for you."
Eros sighed. "I suppose I could bring him to Titan, briefly. Let him see where I grew up."
"Good. It will be safer for the time being, as well. Especially now Thanos is moving aggressively against you Eternals again."
Eros nodded, ceding that point. "Alright. We'll leave tonight. I'd better go and find Peter. Will you be travelling with us?"
"I may as well." Mahr-Vehl smirked slightly. "You, a father. I never thought I'd see the day."
"Imagine what my father will say!"
Now both laughing, they left the ship in search of Peter.
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Peter wandered around the half-empty parking bay, looking for something to do while his dad and Mahr-Vehl talked. He had thought of trying to listen, but didn't want to get in trouble. There were several empty cargo ships dotted here and there, but no people.
A clanging noise echoed from what looked like a heap of discarded parts. Tilting his head to one side, he went to have a look.
"Stupid frickin' humies, throwin' away good stuff..." An annoyed voice muttered. There was more clanging, and a large part of something came whizzing towards Peter, smacking him in the head.
"OW!" Peter rubbed his head. "What did you do that for?" He yelled at the pile of parts, since he couldn't see who had thrown it.
"Huh?" The heap began to shift as someone climbed out of it, staring at Peter, whose jaw had dropped. "What're ya staring at, kid?"
"You're..."
"What? Strong? Intelligent? Annoyed at bein' disturbed?" The newcomer folded his arms.
"You're a raccoon."
He/it bared his teeth at Peter, fur standing on end. "Was that an insult, humie?"
Peter blinked. "No... how come you can talk?"
"Cos I was made special. What's a raccoon?"
"You are. I never met one of you who could talk before. Where's your owner?"
"Listen up kid, I ain't got no masters no more, ok? So quit askin' stupid questions!"
"S-sorry." Peter held his hands up. "I thought you were someone's pet is all."
"Pet?!"
"Peter?" Eros' voice called, making both boy and raccoon jump.
"Over here, Dad!" Peter called. "Just making a new friend!"
The raccoon blinked at him as footsteps approached. "Friend?"
"Yeah. Don't you like making new friends?"
"Dunno. Never had any before." The raccoon looked thoughtful. "But I guess it's nice to have one, even if he is a dumb humie. Name's Rocket."
"I'm Peter." He smiled. "I think I'll have to go soon, but maybe I'll see you again soon?"
"Yeah, maybe." Rocket scampered out of sight as Eros and Mahr-Vehl came into view. Eros put an arm around Peter's shoulders.
"You ok?"
"Yeah. I was just talking to a raccoon."
Eros and Mahr-Vehl hid their smiles, both thinking Peter was making it up- what child didn't pretend to make friends with animals?
"That's great. How do you feel about another trip?"
"Great! Where are we going?"
"We're going back to my homeworld, to stay there for a while. Sound good?"
"Yeah. Didn't you say your father lives there? That makes him my grandfather, right? Will I get to meet him?"
"Yes, you will." Eros' smile was a bit forced now. And he will probably want to kill me for fathering an illegitimate child, but that's life.
Mahr-Vehl read his friend's expression, and squeezed his shoulder. "It won't be that bad." He mouthed as they boarded Eros' ship and prepared to take off.
I hope not. Eros thought to himself. But either way, I doubt Peter and I will stay there long. The ship was soon headed out into space again, heading for Titan, and a long-overdue father/son reunion.
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Gamora's muscles ached with exertion as she bested her Chitauri opponent yet again. She'd been fighting for longer than usual today, and trying even harder than she normally did to win, because Thanos was watching. She allowed herself a small grin of triumph when the Chitauri drone fell and didn't get up again. She was breathing heavily, covered in sweat and bruises, but she'd won, which meant- hopefully- that she would get to eat tonight.
The stone floor shook slightly as Thanos walked towards her. She stood straight, but kept her eyes averted like she'd been taught. She wasn't allowed to look at her father until he spoke to her, she knew that.
His hand cupped her chin, making her look up. "You have done well today, Daughter."
She smiled at the praise, then quickly smoothed her face out. Showing emotion was weakness. "Thank you, Father." Her voice was steady, perfectly even.
"You are learning quickly. I think I will reward you." He put a hand on her shoulder. "Come with me."
Obediently, she let him lead her out of the room, feeling the gazes of her younger siblings' burning into her back. Most of them were still fighting, and Gamora couldn't help but feel smug at being the best.
Thanos led her into his throne room, letting her stand beside him. At a gesture from him, two Chitauri guards dragged a bound Skrull prisoner into the room. Gamora watched dispassionately as the beaten creature was thrown to the ground at Thanos' feet.
Thanos moved to stand behind Gamora. his hands on her shoulders. "You see this creature, Gamora?"
"Yes, Father."
"It used its shapeshifting abilities to pose as one of my Chitauri, attempting to steal information about my forces. It actually believed it would not be discovered."
Gamora stared at the Skrull in disbelief. Thanos found out everything. Didn't the Skrull know that?
"It did, however, provide some information about the movements of my enemies. So its reward will be a quick death." Thanos retrieved a dagger from one of the Chitauri and handed it to Gamora. She took it, heart suddenly pounding. He pushed her towards the Skrull.
"You are advancing quickly as a warrior, Daughter. I se great potential in you. But all warriors must be able to deal with threats to their homes. This Skrull is a liability to our safety. Kill it. That is your reward for winning at sparring, the right to dispose of this creature yourself."
Gamora gulped, glancing back at her father before taking a step towards the Skrull, her small hand shaking slightly. Thanos nodded. "Go on."
The Skrull's eyes were wide with fear and disbelief. It tried to move away, cringing, but the Chitauri held it fast.
Gamora stepped closer, raising the blade. Her father's words echoed in her ears: "Warriors must be able to deal with threats. This Skrull is a liability." Taking a deep breath, she put the dagger to its throat. Its breathing was rapid. She stared into its yellow eyes, before clenching her fist and pressing down, moving the knife in a fast line.
Greenish blood arced over her, and she recoiled, dropping the knife. The Skrull made awful gurgling, choking noises as it collapsed face-first on the ground. Gamora stepped back to avoid the pooling blood, feeling sick and shaky. The Chitauri were chittering with glee as the Skrull stopped moving, stopped breathing.
Feeling lost, she turned back to Thanos. She'd just killed someone. She'd just killed someone. Her eyes were wide.
Thanos swept her up into his arms. Her tiny form barely reached his waist. He caressed her hair soothingly, the way her real parents- She stopped the thought in its tracks, knowing that thinking that wasn't fair to her new father. She looked up at him nervously.
"Did I do well?"
He smiled warmly. "My little Gamora. You did it excellently. You will be an amazing warrior for my cause when you get older." He encouraged her to lay her small head on his shoulder. She obliged, enjoying the parental comfort. "And you have earned yourself the right to choose a weapon of your very own now. I have a feeling you will do well with a blade, don't you?"
She nodded enthusiastically. Her very own sword! Maybe she could even ask for a double bladed one!
Thanos set her down. "Return to your training now, little one. Continue doing well, and you may get to eat at my table tonight."
She raced off, excited. A chance to eat with him rather than in the cold sleeping room where all the others ate? And he even ate hot food! She had to keep winning now...
Thanos grinned triumphantly as the six-year old Zehoberei child ran off. She is coming along well. I knew bringing her here would be wise. He could have killed her along with the rest of her pathetic race, of course, but he was glad he hadn't. He had gained a useful weapon in her. His mood darkened slightly as he remembered what he had learned from the now dead Skrull. His fool of a brother, Eros, had been on Xandar until recently. How had he gotten so far into that quadrant of space without Thanos' spies knowing of it?
"It matters not." He muttered to himself. Eros and that Kree imbecile Mahr-Vehl had retreated to Titan, and as long as they stayed there on that ruin, he had no reason to act. As for the rumours of Eros having a son? Nonsense. His brother would never willingly take responsiblity for a child. And if it did turn out to be true... an 'accident' could be arranged easily enough. The thought made him smile as he walked back to his chambers. Any of his servants who saw his expression made themselves scarce. The Mad Titan in that mood was best avoided...
To be continued...
AN: Like it? Hate it? Too confusing? Let me know in reviews!
