Super quick update! Hope you enjoy!
Peter wasn't feeling so hot.
He switched his bloodied shirt out for a new one, throwing the old in the dusty corner of his room. As he turned to the door, he was immediately hit with a nauseating dizzy spell.
"Woah." He muttered.
He braced his hand against the wall, trying to regain his balance. Black spots littered his vision, and he found it hard to draw air into his lungs. His hands and knees shook. He was sure he was going to pass out.
But as quickly as the awful feelings came on, they left. And Peter felt better. Almost perfect, actually.
"Uh, what the hell?" He asked the universe. Couldn't he catch a break? This last week sure had taken him through a whirlwind. All he wanted to do was sit on his pilot's seat and fly. Where, he didn't know. And he didn't care. He just wanted to fly and forget.
He ruled out his dizziness to hunger. Yeah. That's it. He was hungry. He couldn't remember the last time he'd eaten.
As he walked into the main room, his friends stood up, forced smiles plastered on their faces. Except for Kraglin. He still looked about ready to bawl any minute.
"There he is. Finally, want somthin' ta eat, Quill?" Rocket said, "Drax made your favorite." The raccoon held up a steaming bowl of purple, meaty soup.
He laughed, "Aw you guys! Thanks! I'm starved." He took the bowl, and shoveled the bubbly stew hungrily into his mouth. He paused when he noticed everyone staring.
"What's up?" He asked, wiping purple off his lips.
"Gamora told us you began to bleed profusely from your neck." Drax said.
"I am Groot!" He clearly sounded upset.
"Oh yeah, cut it shaving. It happens. Fixed it, see?" He tapped the gauze on his neck. "No big deal." He spooned more stew into his mouth.
Rocket and Gamora shared a look.
"Whatever," the halfword creature mumbled, "We got a job to do, we gotta report to Nova Corps."
Peter's heart sank. He really didn't feel like taking on some menial task set forth by the Corps. He'd much rather go to Timor or someplace warm and relax.
"To Xandar then?" He put his bowl down onto the table, moving towards where the ship was set on autopilot.
"Actually, Pete," Kraglin said, voice shaking. "Was wonderin' if you could take me back t' Berhert, if ya could. I figure the rest of tha crew deserves themselves a proper Ravager funeral."
Peter's heart sunk at the thought of Yondu's crew, floating endlessly in space. Although many of them weren't too kind to him while he was growing up, he knew that they were loyal to Yondu, until the very end. They deserved proper funerals. "Course Kraglin," he pat the First Mate's shoulder. Peter smirked when the older man smiled softly back. He'd miss Kraglin. They became somewhat close over the years as Peter grew. He always thought of Kraglin as the bigger brother he never had.
"How 'bout you drop us off at Xandar? I'm sure Nova Corps will give us a new ship." Peter said, soul tugging sadly at the thought of never piloting the Milano again. But he put on a smile. Like he always did. "After that, the Elector is yours, Krag. Or should I say 'Captain Kraglin'?"
Kraglin's face split into a huge grin. "Really?"
"Yeah! Yondu would want you to have her."
"Oh, thanks Pete!" The older man enveloped the Terran into a bone crushing hug, new tears pricking his eyes. Peter barked out a short laugh.
"Of course."
He was glad someone like Kraglin would be taking charge of the Elector. Yondu loved that ship.
Kraglin would make a fine Captain.
They arrived at Xandar without any setbacks, save for Kraglin's tearful goodbye, hugging and sobbing into Peter's shoulder. Peter even found himself shedding a few tears himself. With that, the Elector was gone.
They waited in the main hall for their mission instructions, each standing in respect as they heard the sharp tap of Nova Prime's heels strike the marble floors. Denarian Day followed closely behind her.
"Thank you for coming, Guardians." the woman said, voice echoing strongly through the halls. "It looks like you've added someone new to the team." She smiled warmly at Mantis, whose eyes widened at the acknowledgement. "Nova Prime, welcome to Xandar."
Mantis grinned widely, unfamiliar with such kindness from someone of high authority. "Mantis. My name, that is. I am Mantis." She stuttered, grin still plastered all over her face. "Pleasure to meet you!"
Nova Prime smiled, eyes scanning over the other Guardians. "I'm sorry to call on you after all that has happened as of late," Her gaze lingered on Peter. He shifted uncomfortably "But we need your help. Outside sources have alerted us of unease in the Capella system, on the planet Moord." She turned to Denarian Day, who came forward.
"We've learned that the Expansion Ego tried to initiate has affected not only Xandar, but hundreds of planets. And those are only the ones we know about. There could be hundreds, if not thousands more planets affected."
Peter stared hard at the floor, gritting his teeth.
"Cities have been demolished, thousands have died, and many are without food and shelter." The Xandarian man continued.
Gamora took Peter's hand, which began to tremble with anger.
"We need your help. Starting with Moord." Dey tapped on the hologram control panel, a green planet strikingly similar to Earth appearing. "As you know, the Badoon government maintains strict gender segregation. Male and Female Badoons live in completely separate societies." He sighed. "Unfortunately, due to their inability to get along, each society thinks the other responsible for the destruction brought on by the Expansion. That's where you come in." He turned to the Guardians.
"The Badoon people are annihilating each other." Nova Prime intoned. "We need you to help them see the truth, and put a stop to any deniers. Before their war spreads to other planets, as it has in the past."
"And how exactly do you think they'll react when they find out it was actually my fault?" Peter said angrily.
"It wasn't your fault Peter," Gamora began, exasperation in her voice.
"She's correct," Nova Prime said, "and they will have no need to know of your connection to Ego or the Expansion."
He fisted his hands, unhappy with the answer. How could he lie to an entire people, and tell them that Ego did it all, when in reality he was the human battery that enabled the destruction of thousands?
"So when do we head out?" Rocket asked, impatient. As per usual.
"Immediately," Dey said, "But you all need to remember to uphold the law, respect the Brotherhood. Also, the Queen doesn't like it when…" The Xandarian continued, but Peter didn't listen. The back of his head began to tingle and sting. He reached his hand back, running his hand through his hair near the source. His fingers came back red.
He quickly stuffed his hand in the pockets of his leather jacket, darting his eyes around the room to make sure no one had seen.
"Quill, are you even listen- whoa, you okay?" Dey questioned.
"What?" Peter raised his eyebrows and bit his lower lip.
"You look kinda pale." Dey said.
"Come again?"
"You look—"
"What now?"
"I said—"
"Who brought the French Fries?"
"Peter!" Gamora spat, slapping his arm. He looked at her, exaggerated hurt on his face.
"You are pretty white. Pasty. A bit gross looking too."
"Shut up Rocket."
"I am Groot!" The baby tree shouted.
"Pshh, no I'm not. Just these damn bright lights. Everyone looks pale. Even Gamora looks less greenish than she usually does." He retorted, trying to keep his voice level.
"No, our friends are correct in their observations. You are whiter than the snows of Contraxia during their Winter Solstice." Drax said, matter of factly.
"Really though guys." He was getting tired of this. "I'm fine! Right as rain."
"I have never witnessed any form of condensation preferring a direction—"
"Metaphor ya idiot." Rocket growled.
"….okay…. Well if we're ready then, lets get you geared up and ready to go?" Dey looked to Nova Prime, who gave him a curt nod.
They filed out of the room, Dey filling them in on any other information they might've needed to know.
As Peter passed by Nova Prime, she put a hand in front of his chest, stopping him. "When you return, I wish to run some medical tests. Precautionary. Just to make sure you've had no adverse affects following everything that has transpired. You are the only of your kind after all." Her eyes pierced into his, and her voice became quiet. "No one blames you for what happened. It was completely beyond your control."
"That's the problem." Peter said, stepping away from her to follow after his friends.
He felt the blood on his head trickle down. He didn't stop it.
That stuff about the Badoon people is actually a part of the Marvel universe, I just changed up the facts a little bit! I love how deep the Marvel universe is, it's so interesting. Anyways, I know I told you a lot would be going down in this chapter, but I decided to flesh out the details a little bit more, but you can be sure that things escalate a TON in the next chapter! So keep your eyes open! Let me know what you thought!
