Chapter 9: The Next Step

'Today has been the strangest and somehow the most exciting day of my life.' It was the first thought Phyla had that came to mind. 'Everything's so confusing to me and I wish none of this had ever happened but it did.' Phyla looked up to the android.

"I want to know more about who I am and where I come from but I don't know where to start."

"The best course of action I can tell you is to follow what feels right to you and it is like I said, the choice is yours and yours alone." The android answered and the planet began to shake again this time much stronger than before.

"You must leave now Phyla, go on without me."

She shook her head frantically. "No, I am not losing you or anyone again!" The Quantum Bands began to glow and her body became surrounded with golden energy. Phyla began to float up in the air and a line with the same color as the energy surrounding her appeared over her right eye. Energy constructs began to form resembling hands grabbing everyone in reach.

"What's going on here!?" Rocket struggle to get out of the hand's grip but it was futile.

Peter looked around to find the source and saw it was Phyla. "Looks like someone is literally giving us a hand here."

"This day just keeps getting better and better." said Rocket as everyone was carried over to the docks where one Kree ship was waiting. The hands then let down everyone to the ground and the energy surrounding Phyla vanished. Her eyes closed and she was about to fall to the ground when ISAAC caught her in the nick of time.

"Is she going to be alright?" Peter asked the android.

"She has merely fainted after using the Quantum Bands for the first time. Phyla will learn to cope with the enormous power over time." ISAAC answered as he lifted her up bridal style.

"You make it sound like she can handle it with those things on her wrists. Just what she is exactly?"

"That information is classified but I can tell you this, she is special in more ways than you think." ISAAC began to walk inside the ship, not even looking back at Peter who was still standing in the same spot while Rocket came up next to him.

"Something happened Quill?" Rocket asked.

"It's nothing Rocket."

"Well alright." Rocket went on ahead, following ISAAC but he turned around when he noticed Peter wasn't coming. "You in or out mate?"

Peter grinned as the mask covering his face went away. "Yeah I'm coming."

"Oh by the way, you should duck your head right about now." Peter gave a confused look at the bounty hunter until he heard a sound coming from behind him fast.

"Whoa!" Peter managed to duck his head down right before the Magneton who were helping them earlier quickly zoomed by. Rocket whistled before laughing at the man.

"Blimey, those little buggers sure move quick now do they, eh Quill?"

"Let's get out here before I'm in mortal danger again." Peter hurriedly went inside as the ramp began to close up. As he made his way through, Peter saw Kree citizens were huddled around each other. It was heartbreaking to the man to see all of these people who had lost practically everything in one day. Peter felt anger rising in his chest and his hands curled up into fists.

One way or another, he was going to make sure the Fallen One pay.


The heavy atmosphere that was emanating from everyone made Deoxys uneasy to say the least. Everyone was quiet including Rocket who was sitting with Groot back in the lounge area playing cards with each other. Kallark earlier had told Peter he was heading to the cargo bay so he could talk with his superiors and that he could no longer help them since he violated the treaty between the Shi'ar and Kree Empire. Peter was surprisingly calm during this and did not show any concern about losing a valuable ally especially one such as Gladiator.

Brandt sat by Peter looking worried as the man was at the ship's controls not caring if she kept looking at him. Deoxys heard the door sliding open and saw Kallark entering.

"What they did say?" Brandt asked with her chair turned around.

"They know what I have done due to Ronan informing them and they have said the same thing as well. I must leave you all once we reach Knowhere."

"What's so bloody important about Knowhere that you think it could possibly help us?" Rocket looked up from his seat.

"It is as I said before to Ms. Brandt, A friend of mine can help you." Kallark answered and Rocket wasn't satisfied with it.

"Are they as tough as you as in the strength department?"

"Not exactly in brute force but he does possess telepathic powers that are not to be underestimated."

"Good then I'm guessing he's quite the sight if he's that powerful."

Kallark was confused by this. "I... suppose so though I'm not sure what you meant by that."

"You know if he's intimidating in appearance?"

"Ah well, you'll get the chance to find out yourself since we've just arrived at our destination." Deoxys looked out to the window and what he saw was unbelievable. It was a massive humanoid head made of metal and Deoxys could sense the power emanating from it that easily dwarfed the Fallen One.

"Welcome to Knowhere my friends."


When they had landed down at a spot in the shipping docks, Deoxys was the first one out of the Milano. The inside of Knowhere was just as incredible as the outside with numerous buildings built all over the area. Alien species of all shapes and sizes were walking around and interacting with each other.

"Enjoying the view up there!?" A voice from below shouted. Deoxys looked down to see Rocket alongside Groot who waved at him. "Come on! We have to keep up with the others to our "new headquarters" or the like."

Deoxys went back down to the ground and followed the duo. They had met up with everyone else at the entrance of a glass tower-like structure with a landing pad near the top. The front door slid open and what Deoxys saw next was very baffling to him. It was a strange creature wearing what appears to be a spacesuit with the words 'CCCP' in red and a helmet behind its head. It was covered in light brown fur and had a long snout with its black nose at the end.

"What is this supposed to be, some sort of guard animal?" Rocket exclaimed.

"Cosmo is not just guard animal, Cosmo is head of security of Knowhere!" Deoxys quickly looked around to find the source of the male voice. "Down here." Deoxys did what the voice told him and the creature was looking back at him. "Greetings comrades, Cosmo is happy to see good friends of Gladiator."

"I never thought I see a dog again let alone a talking one." Peter commented.

"Cosmo speak through telepathy in case you want reason. Oh you human!?" Cosmo walked up to the man. "Been long time since Cosmo smelled scent of human but you also different at same time." Gladiator cleared his throat making Cosmo come back to his senses. "Right, almost forgot that Cosmo's home is now your home too. Please come in, I give you tour of new residence."

While everyone followed Cosmo inside, Peter and Kallark stayed behind. "I wish the best of luck to you my friend. I wish I could've done more than pulling a few punches." Both men held out their hands to each other and shook it.

"We'll manage and thanks for the help back at the colony."

"No need to thank me Peter and also will you return to your previous identity? There may yet be a need for Star Lord once again." Kallark asked.

"Hmm, I'll think about it but not now." Peter answered.

"Farewell and again, good luck." Kallark then flew away leaving Peter behind still standing in the same spot. He took off his helmet and gazed upon it. Could this be his chance to be a hero again or was he going to fail like before? The thought of it raced through his mind until he felt his body being shaken around.

"Hey, are you alright?" Brandt was standing behind Peter with a concerned look on her face. Peter placed his helmet back on his head.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Great even so what's up?" Peter replied.

"I know when you're lying." She crossed her arms.

"I'm not in the mood to talk about this Brandt."

"Really?" She raised an eyebrow. "I've always known you to be a chatterbox but this all new, all different Peter Quill isn't the Peter I know. Look, I just wanted to make sure you were doing okay. You haven't made a sound since Elysius."

Peter sighed in defeat, she always was a clever one. "Fine, this whole thing just reminds me of my first encounter with the Fallen One that's all." Peter's hands went to his hips and looked down to the ground.

"I was young and careless back then. Never thought that my actions had any effect on anyone while I was out playing the hero. I just wish I could've done more but history has a way of repeating itself it seems."

Brandt took Peter's left hand and held it. "As far I know, you helped saved everyone and that is worth more than a floating rock in space." She pulled Peter with her and started to walk towards the entrance. "Come on, wouldn't want to miss the tour now would we?" The smile on Brandt's face made Peter smile as well.

"No, I guess not."


Somewhere in the outskirts of space

"How very foolish of them to tried to attack me at my full strength." The Fallen One was standing in front of the wreckage of numerous Kree warships.

"But it's still not enough for me to go against Galactus. I must continue to increase my power until then but where?" Closing his eyes, he concentrated using his cosmic awareness on finding planets with sufficient energy for him to absorb and when he did, a smile grew on his face. The Fallen One then flew faster than the speed of light towards his destination, Xandar.


Sorry for the delay but I'm back.

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