Hey guys! Thanks for the support! I'm glad you like the story so far! I'm so excited to continue! Without further ado, here's the next chapter!
I sat on the soft dirt, and laid back against a tree as I observed everyone arguing relentlessly. Gamora was mostly blaming Peter, but I honestly believed it was Rocket's recklessness that truly put us in danger.
"You know why I did it, Star Munch? Hmm?" Rocket glared at Peter.
"I'm not gonna answer to Star Munch." Peter muttered.
"I did it because I wanted to! What are we even talking about this for? We just had a little man save us by blowing up fifty ships!"
"How little?" Drax asked curiously.
Rocket held his thumb and forefinger close together as he squinted his eyes a bit.
"Well...kinda like this?" Rocket mumbled.
"A little one-inch man saved us?" Gamora gave Rocket a skeptical look.
"Well if he got closer, I'm sure he's be much larger." Rocket said.
"Yeah, that's how eyesight works, you stupid raccoon." Peter grumbled.
"DON'T CALL ME A RACCOON!" Rocket snarled.
"I'm sorry...I took it too far. I meant Trash Panda." Peter then said.
Rocket glances at everyone in confusion as he looked for an answer.
"Is that better?" He muttered.
"I don't know." Drax replied.
Peter glanced at Drax with a small grin on his face as he failed to hold in his laughter.
"It's worse, it's so much worse." Peter snickered.
"THAT'S IT!" Rocket growled.
Rocket began chasing Peter around as the two bickered. I winced from the pain along my ribs and quickly stood up to find that my bandages were leaking with my blood. Immediately, I felt lightheaded and moved forward to go get a change of bandages out of the Milano if they survived the crash. I nearly thought I was hallucinating when a ginormous spacecraft landed before us, and instantly, we all grouped together and ceased our yelling as we prepared for a fight.
"You're going to need my help in this battle. Release me from my bonds." Nebula told Gamora.
"No." Gamora replied curtly.
"You'd think a super villain would learn to lie better by now." Peter joked.
Finally, the spaceship opened it's doors, revealing a rugged older man and a woman with attena on her head looking at us. The man stepped forward, looking at Peter with a pleased look on his face.
I don't like how he's looking at Peter.
"After all these years, I've finally found you." The man spoke up.
"And who the hell are you?" Peter asked.
"I thought my ruggedly handsome good looks would be able to suffice for an answer. I'm your father, Peter." He answered.
Whoa...what?
Later that evening, we all found ourselves by a campfire after the sun set. I found myself shivering despite the cold and failed to find new bandages. I simply hid behind a tree and tore a long strip off of my tank top, hoping it would suffice as a makeshift bandage for now. I whimpered as I put back on Peter's sweatshirt, and heard a gasp from behind me. I quickly turned around to find the young woman with the attena on the top of her forehead that arrived with Ego.
"I am sorry. I did not realize you were back here." She apologized.
"No, it's okay." I breathed out.
"Are you alright?" She asked worriedly.
"No...I'm not." I unzipped Peter's sweatshirt. "I thought I was being smart by hiding this injury from everyone, but I think it really needs stitches and something to clean it or else it's gonna get infected."
"Oh my!" The woman blinked away tears. "Here! Let me help!"
I blinked my eyes in surprise as the woman came over to me, pulling out a canteen of water.
"No, it's okay! I'll be fine! I'll just- -"
"What the hell's going on back here?"
Rocket found the two of us behind the tree and his eyes widened.
"Jeez, Stellar, didn't know you were into women. If I'd known- -" He stammered.
"Oh shut it." I gave him a small glare.
When Rocket saw what had the young woman's attention, his eyes widened.
"What the hell? When did you get hurt?!" Rocket nearly shouted.
"Shut up!" I hissed at him. "I don't want anyone knowing, okay? You know how Peter and Gamora get!"
"Well obviously! You're always getting yourself injured somehow!" Rocket scoffed.
"She said she might need stitches and water to clean it." The young woman spoke up.
"God damn it. Hold on." Rocket sighed.
Rocket pulled out a couple of items from his bag that he carried, placing everything on a tree stump nearby.
"Alright, uh...Mantis was it?" Rocket glanced at her.
"Yes, that's right!" She smiled happily.
"Alright." Rocket rolled his eyes. "I'm gonna need you to hold her down, if you can."
"I can put her to sleep." Mantis suggested.
"Wait, what?" I blurted out.
I glanced over at Mantis with wide eyes.
Okay, who was this girl exactly?!
"Umm...probably not a good idea. Just in case she's got a concussion." Rocket replied. "Which wouldn't surprise me at this point."
"What's that supposed to mean?" I scoffed.
"Well you get hurt a lot and don't tell anybody, I thought it was obvious already." Rocket smirked.
"Why do you suddenly act like you care?" I mumbled softly.
Rocket stopped and stared at me with an unreadable expression for a brief minute as he fell silent. Rocket sighed before nodding at Mantis, who forced her hands on top of my shoulders as she made me sit next to the items on the tree stump.
"I shall make her compliant." Mantis assured Rocket.
"That'd be great, actually. No back talking or sass for once." Rocket chuckled.
Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the attena from Mantis' head glow faintly as she continued to press her hands on my shoulders.
"Alright, Stellar. I won't lie, this will probably hurt. Just don't move okay?"
As much as I wanted to stop Rocket, I couldn't will myself to speak up or even protest before Rocket unwrapped my makeshift bandage and got together a thread and needle. He sanitized the needle before putting the thread through and glanced up at me with a sincere smile on his face, something that had me surprised because of how he'd been acting lately.
"It's gonna be over before you know it, sweetheart." Rocket told me.
I felt the sharp pain, but couldn't move away as Mantis held me by both of my shoulders. I wanted to be compliant, and it was definitely a foreign feeling when it came to a needle being pierced through my skin. I failed to hold back my whimpers as Rocket continued to stitch me back up.
"Here, allow me to ease your pain." Mantis gave me a sad smile.
In seconds, her attena began to glow again, but this time I suddenly felt no pain at all which surprised me almost immediately.
"What is it you are doing to me?" I asked Mantis.
"I am an empath. I can feel feelings as well as make others feel many emotions whenever I come into physical contact with them." Mantis replied.
"That's...actually really cool." I muttered.
Rocket finally finished after a minute, biting off the end of the thread after tying a tight knot before he observed his handiwork.
"Damn. That's some beating you took, toots." Rocket mumbled.
Rocket picked up the piece of cloth I recently used, and inspected it before tying it securely around me again.
"There. It's clean enough to use, so you're good to go. Just don't do anything stupid, okay?" Rocket gave me a knowing look.
"...thank you." I gave him a small smile.
Rocket looked flustered as I put my hand on his head. I couldn't resist the urge to pet him and rubbed his ears the way I knew he liked before his eyes were fluttering shut.
"Damn, I forgot how much you were good at that." Rocket breathed out.
I let out a small giggle, before I stopped and leaned down to give Rocket a hug.
"Well if you're feeling stressed, I can always rub your ears." I teased lightly.
Rocket finally perked up and pulled away abruptly before giving me a small glare.
"No thanks. I'm good." He grumbled.
After Rocket left and went back to the fire where the others were, I felt Mantis' hand on my shoulder again as I stood up.
"You feel...sad." Mantis mumbled softly.
"Yeah...I do." I admitted.
"You care deeply for him don't you?" She asked.
I didn't reply this time and went over to the fire to get warm after putting Peter's sweatshirt back on without another word.
By morning, Peter was finally convinced to go with Ego to learn more about his heritage. Surprisingly, it was actually Gamora that convinced him, not that she'd admit it. It wasn't hard to figure out, that, and I overheard them the night before when they thought they were alone. I thought it was sweet how supportive Gamora was being to Peter, and it made me wonder if there were any mutual feelings of love between them. My mind drifted off as I was growing more skeptical about this man named Ego. The look on his face was hard to describe, and it was as if he wanted something more from Peter than he was letting on. Either way, I didn't trust this man.
"So Stellar. I hear that you and Peter are close in bond and are siblings."
My eyes widened slightly when I saw that it was Ego that approached me while I was sitting all by my lonesome. I think Ego could sense my nervousness and put a hand on my thigh in an attempt to put me at ease. I felt far from comforted and grew more tense around the humanoid alien as he sat beside me while time passed.
"Yeah. Peter and Yondu found me on an abandoned planet when I was younger. Yondu reluctantly let me come with them as long as Peter would care for me. I didn't have a name, so Peter gave me one." I explained.
"Ah, I see. That was very noble of him." Ego smiled. "It reminds me a lot of how I took in Mantis when she was just a tiny thing. I guess kindness runs in our genes."
"Yeah." I let out a chuckle.
"Maybe I'll come to think of you as a daughter one day."
Um...what?
I grew nervous as Ego suddenly perked up in surprise when staring at me again, and went to hold my face in his hands. My breathing hitched as Ego gazed into my eyes and observed me very closely.
"Well I'll be damned." Ego muttered.
"Y- -Yeah?" I stuttered.
"You're a daughter of Thanos. I can't believe I didn't see it before." He grinned.
"No...he's not my father." I blinked away tears.
Ego gave me an apologetic look before pulling me in for a hug and rubbing my back.
"Oh Stellar. I'm sorry. I haven't been very good with interacting with others after so long. I've been searching for Peter for a very long time and just...well you understand."
I pulled away from Ego as I heard my name being called and went to leave.
"Are you sure you don't want to come with us? I could show you the wonderful sights on Planet Ego personally." Ego winked.
"I'd rather stay to keep an eye on my friends." I replied.
"I understand. It's very nice how you care for that triangle-faced monkey and small twig."
I gave Ego a small glare and folded my arms as I came to a stop.
"Don't call them that. They're people just like you and I. And they're my family." I lowered my voice dangerously.
At this comment, Ego seemed amused and stood up straight as he gave me a small nod as if he was considering my words.
"I apologize. I just...say things on impulse sometimes." Ego raised his hands up in defense.
"So you lack a filter?" I raised an eyebrow in confusion.
It seems to be a trait that men have.
"Uh...I wouldn't go that far, but I guess you could say that." Ego chuckled.
When we made it over to the others, Peter approached the two of us and gave me a look of confusion that was interested in knowing of why I was even alone with Ego in the first place.
"I thought I'd convince your sister to join us, but she seems dead set on staying to watch over the- -" Ego paused after receiving a look from me. "Your two friends." He chose his words carefully.
"Oh." Peter muttered. "You're sure you can handle Rocket? I know you two haven't been getting along lately...maybe you should just come with us."
I shook my head and gave Peter a warm smile.
"No. I need to keep an eye on them. They have a knack for finding trouble." I replied.
"This is almost too true." Peter smirked.
As Gamora, Drax, and Mantis went aboard the spacecraft, I pulled Peter in for a warm embrace that showed my deep affections for my brother. I buried my face into his neck before whispering into his ear without looking suspicious in front of Ego. I didn't trust Ego, and I sure as hell knew that Peter was skeptical about this trip as well.
"I don't trust him, Peter. Keep your guard up, okay?" I barely whispered.
Peter slightly tensed up at this, before he rubbed my back a little in assurance.
"Yeah, I'll be careful." He replied. "Try to keep on Rocket's good side, okay? He's on a short fuse today."
Finally, we pulled apart before Ego had his arms spread out as well and wrapped his arms around me before I could object.
"It was nice meeting you Stellar." Ego told me.
"It was an...experience getting to meet you." I smiled tensely.
I frowned when Ego and Peter left and went into the spaceship, before it took off at an unbelievable speed.
I have a bad feeling about that guy...
I hummed along to the music that was playing as I sat in the Milano with Groot, Nebula, and Rocket. I closed my eyes briefly in hopes to get some sleep and rest easily. Apparently, Rocket had other plans as he teased me relentlessly.
"I thought you'd be jumping at the chance to get the hell away from me." Rocket joked.
"You'd be surprised." I retorted.
"What? Think I'm weak enough that I can't handle myself in a fight? Don't insult me, toots. If anyone would need saving, it's obviously you." Rocket glared at me.
"It's almost dark out and I wanted to enjoy the sun while it's out. Could you please stop talking for once?" I huffed.
I think I'm starting to regret staying with Rocket...
"My god, just kill me now." Nebula grumbled.
"Don't make me tase you. 'Cause I will." Rocket warned.
"If it meant not listening to you two lovebirds argue every damn minute..." Nebula trailed off with a frown.
My eyes widened slightly from the statement and I began to ponder over what Nebula said.
Me...in love with Rocket? That's...I don't understand...
"Love?" I blinked in confusion.
Rocket tensed up and went back to repairing the ship again.
"I can't tell if you're oblivious or just stupid." Nebula smirked at me.
At this comment, Rocket turned around and faced Nebula with an intense glare on his features that showed how furious he was. Without hesitation, he used his device and sent a volt of electricity from his weapon nearby at Nebula who immediately screamed in pain.
"Don't you dare call her stupid!" Rocket growled.
I almost felt the urge to cry from how angered Rocket seemed and came to defend me immediately. Rocket knew how I hated being called stupid, just like he did. It made me hopeful that we could work out whatever wedge was currently between us and driving us apart.
"You've only proved my point. When I kill her, I'm going to make you watch." Nebula breathed out.
"Stop it." I finally spoke up.
Nebula and Rocket both glanced at me in annoyance from being interrupted.
"We're all just tired and hungry. I found some fruit in the forest earlier that we can eat for dinner. We just need to cool off and take a breather, okay?" I suggested.
Rocket muttered something under his breath and walked out of the ship with some items in hand. This just left me alone with Nebula and Groot who were staring at me intently.
"Why do you put up with that fox?" Nebula grumbled. "How you have any ounce of affection for it is beyond me."
"Stop it. Now." I glared at Nebula.
Nebula fell silent and seemed surprised by my sudden attitude.
If Nebula thought I would let her bully me, then she had another thing coming.
I crouched down next to Nebula as I went to a basket of fruit and began to cut it up with a blade nearby. I handed tiny slices to Baby Groot, who ate them happily with a cute smile on his face.
"It's ripe." I assured them.
I hand fed several pieces to Nebula since her arms were bound, and she reluctantly let me feed her. I ate one of the pieces of fruit myself and saved several for Rocket when he would return. All of us fell silent as we ate, looking up at the currently dark sky that indicated the time.
Rocket returned to the Milano an hour later, looking almost exhausted before he began planting some type of device right next to the exit. It looked like a communication device considering he held a second one that was remarkably similar to it. Rocket turned the volume playing one of Peter's mixtapes to the tape deck louder, which was currently playing the song Southern Nights by Glen Campbell. In seconds the lyrics and melody were flooding and echoing in the forest.
"What's going on?" I yawned.
"Listen, I got a signal not that long ago and it's headed straight for us. It might pass and be nothing altogether, but get ready for a fight." Rocket told me
I perked up as I grew anxious and before Rocket could leave into the woods again, I grabbed his hand to stop him. When Rocket saw the look of worry on my face, his annoyed expression melted away.
"Listen. I don't know what's been going on through that head of yours lately, but..."
I fell silent again, the warm and fluttering feeling in my stomach taking over that rendered me speechless the longer I stared at Rocket.
"But what?" Rocket muttered.
"I just want my best friend back." I murmured softly. "So...be careful okay? I'll be here for backup should you need me."
Rocket's eyes widened as he gazed into my eyes in complete surprise and awe. As seconds turned to minutes, I could feel Rocket squeeze my hand before finally pulling away. I blushed as I craved for more contact with Rocket, and scolded myself for being so clingy and protective all of a sudden.
"You don't gotta worry about me. Just stay out of my way, and we'll be good." Rocket said.
I frowned at this and watched Rocket as he left again, not knowing what the horrid feeling in the pit of my stomach was.
I grew curious when I heard Rocket's voice humming through the communication device and quickly grabbed my guns from my thigh holsters.
"Groot. Stay with Nebula and hide." I told him.
I quickly moved out of the Milano and caught on to Rocket's plan, figuring that the devices he had set up earlier were for this very purpose: to protect us. I managed to climb up on a tree, making sure to have a high vantage point as I looked down and saw many men with flashlights and guns of all kind. I moved on a tree branch until I was hovering over someone who happened to be alone and hopped down to tackle him.
"AH SHIT!"
I rendered him useless, pinning his body down and placing one of my blasters under his chin in a threatening manner to warn him not to move. He looked up at me with wide eyes, before he gave me a look of confusion.
"Shit. Stellar, is that you?"
When getting a closer look, I realized it was Yondu's first mate Kraglin.
"Wait...Kraglin? So that means the Ravagers are here. What do you want with us?" I questioned him.
Kraglin was one of the few among Yondu's crew that was actually kind to me, though he would flat out deny such a thing. He was one of the few friends I had in this galaxy, so hurting him was pointless to me.
"We're collectin' a bounty on ya. Some golden lady with a snobby attitude hired us. What did you guys do to piss her off?" Kraglin chuckled.
Wait, the High Priestess? What?
"Rocket thought it would be teaching the High Priestess a lesson by taking some batteries from the Soveriegn." I grumbled. "He almost got us killed."
"Ah. Gotcha." Kraglin hummed. "Now Stellar, if you'd be so kind to get off of me..."
I blushed before complying, helping Kraglin up from the ground. Kraglin dusted off his clothes before he aimed a gun of his own at me.
"Really, Kraglin?" I raised an eyebrow.
"I GOT ONE OF THEM!" Kraglin shouted at the top of his lungs.
My eyes widened as I saw lights flashing in the distance, indicating that the other Ravagers heard their comrade.
"What the hell, Kraglin?!" I hissed at him.
"Stellar, I'm doing my job and I really don't wanna hurt ya. Just cooperate and you'll be fine." Kraglin frowned.
"Like hell I'll cooperate." I glared at him. "It was nice seeing you, but I've gotta run."
I quickly switched both of my blasters to stun, sending a jolt of energy that knocked out Kraglin but didn't kill him. Without hesitation, I ran in the other direction and barely managed to avoid the Ravagers that were just coming several feet away. Thankfully, the darkness worked in my favor as I quickly hid in the bushes nearby.
If I get to Rocket, we might have a fighting chance. I just need to find him first.
I watched as four Ravagers move over to Kraglin and revive him. Kraglin looked absolutely pissed off, but I wasn't about to go apologize to him for trying to turn me in. I crawled on the ground slowly as the Ravagers got in defensive stances and were searching for me. Finally, I jumped into action and started shooting at all of the Ravagers around me. Each of them went down, but only one was conscious and he made to grab me while quickly darting back on his feet. I ran in the opposite direction and shot more blasts behind me as I evaded him. Two of my blasts hit him square in the chest, knocking him back several feet which gave me the opportunity to run. My eyes darted in every direction, hoping to find Rocket as quickly as possible but finding nothing. When I saw a dozen men unconscious on the ground, I followed the path it led to as I knew that Rocket was behind this because of the gadgets that were next to their bodies. I nearly gasped when I finally came to a stop, seeing Rocket with his back turned to someone, raising his hands in surrender as he stepped off of an unconscious Ravager. I quickly sprung into action and fired more blasts at the Ravager while his attention was on obtaining Rocket. The Ravager screamed after being hit with a blast but let out a large yelp as soon as I landed a hard kick to his ribs and sent him back a few feet.
"Stellar! What the hell are you doing here?! You're supposed to be watching over Groot and Nebula!" Rocket yelled.
"You're fucking welcome!" I snapped.
Rocket immediately snapped his mouth shut from the look on my face.
"Do you know how worried I was about you?!" I asked. "Why do you have to exclude me from fighting?! We're stronger when we fight together!"
"Oh don't you start this- -"
Our conversation was cut short as a loud piercing whistle echoed in the woods, before an arrow stopped mere inches from my face. My breath caught in my throat when I saw Yondu and his crew walking towards us, and in seconds, Rocket and I were completely surrounded with guns aimed at us. The two of us slowly raised our hands in surrender after dropping our weapons.
"Ah crap." Rocket muttered.
"Well well well. Having a lovers quarrel here?" Yondu smirked.
Why does everyone keep mentioning love?!
"I think you have a fuckin' weird idea of love, pal." Rocket grumbled. "So how's it goin', you blue idiot?"
"It's not so bad. We got ourselves a pretty 'lil good gig 'ere." Yondu replied. "Got a golden gal that has a pretty high opinion of 'erself offerin' us a large sum to deliver you and your pals to 'er."
Yondu circled around us slowly as his men grinned and felt victorious. I could see how broken Rocket looked as he glanced down at the ground. I nearly sighed out of pure frustration when I gently moved the floating arrow from my face a few inches from the side as I approached Yondu. I was prepared to do what was necessary for my family, even if it meant turning myself over. Knowing Yondu, it would be pretty easy to bait him if I caught his interest.
"I tell ya, it was pretty easy to find ya'll. I put a tracer on yer ship when we thought the world was endin'." Yondu pursed his lips.
"Let them go." I finally spoke up.
At this Yondu gave me a curious look before his lips curled into a smirk again.
"Ye suddenly grew a backbone I see. The hell should I listen to you for, girl?" Yondu chuckled.
"Because I can make it worth your while." I stated seriously.
Rocket gave me a look of disbelief, wondering what the hell I could possibly offer or what I was even planning.
"What the hell are you doing?" Rocket hissed lowly at me.
I ignored Rocket and took a few more steps forward, now noticing the looks of curiousity on everyone's faces as they glanced at each other.
"I believe I would be considered something of value." I began.
"Oh yeah? Is that right?" Yondu folded his arms.
"The Nova Core just recently confirmed it. The reason I was able to hold the infinity stone for as long as I could. When I was in prison, they took my fingerprints, took a sample of my DNA and did some research before we escaped- -"
As Rocket realized what I was going to say, his eyes widened as he turned his head to look at me in shock.
"Just cut to the chase, girl! I don't got time for yer games!" Yondu snapped.
"I was getting to that if you wouldn't interrupt." I gave him a glare. "Anyway, they found out who my biological father was. His name is Thanos. I'm sure you've heard of him."
At this, some of the Ravagers gasped and started murmuring amongst each other. I would have been amused at the look of surprise on Yondu's face, but I managed to keep a straight face.
"If you leave my friends...I'll come with you willingly with no fight whatsoever. I'm sure an actual blood relative of Thanos is worth much more than some...some rat and twig. I'm sure you'll make much more money." I spat out.
I felt repulsive of myself as I called Rocket and Groot by those horrible names, and I hoped Rocket would forgive me eventually and know that I didn't mean it.
"How do we know you're not lying?!" A Ravager yelled.
Yondu raised his hand to silence his crew member as he still kept eye contact with me.
"She don' lie. She never could keep a straight poker face." Yondu let out a chuckle.
As the Ravagers began arguing and discussing on their plans, I glanced over at Rocket and nearly felt my heart break.
"Stellar, what the fuck do you think you're doing?" Rocket muttered lowly.
I could sense Rocket's fear and uncertainty based off of his expression as I blinked away tears and tried to remain stoic.
"I'm saving your asses. Just for once...don't argue with me." I murmured softly for him to hear.
Oooh! Cliffhanger! I know, I hate those too. Lol Anyway! I had so much fun writing this chapter and I hope you all enjoyed reading it! Let me know what you think of this chapter, but keep it civil please! I accept constructive criticism only. I love you guys! WE ARE GROOT!