A/n This chapter is bad but I've had writers block forever and I needed to finish it, so here ya go

"...ia...hey!"

I groaned, shifting slightly. My head hurt like hell, most of the pain spread from the back of my skull. A hand drifted up to feel the sore spot but pulled away sharply as I hissed in pain.

"Can you be chill…?"

"Yeah."

I had yet to open my eyes but when a hand slapped my cheek, I cracked them open, glaring at none other than Quill. He grinned at me, but his eyes held a more serious look. Gamora stood nearby with an impassive expression. Rocket was further away, his head tilted towards the floor, looking glum. The same could be said for Groot. The only one missing was Drax.

I moved my eyes back forward, looking sideways caused my temples to ache and I didn't need to deal with that right now. I noted everyone's hearts were beating faster than usual. The surrounding crowd murmured words either in annoyance or fright. And I was on the floor, not able to recall how I ended up there. "What happened?" I asked, dragging myself to my feet.

"Whoa! Slow down you just had a nasty fall!" Quill said one of his hands hovering above my shoulder, as if to steady me if I decided to tumble over again.

I brushed his hand away then repeated, "What happened?"

"You were knocked out when some of us got drunk and started fighting." Gamora supplied, her tone was softer than usual. My eyes lingered on her before drifting to the floor. Her words were helpful, but I couldn't place what supposedly happened in my fuzzy memory.

"You sure you're good?" Quill asked. I shook my head yes. Even though I knew it'd take some time for me to be back to top-notch. Getting hit in the head always messed me up. It jumbles my brain, my senses.

Rocket, who was standing silently a good distance away, hadn't even looked at me since my waking. My brows were furrowed in worry, maybe in that fight Gamora was talking about he got hurt more than he's letting show.

I walked over to him, taking it slow for with each step my head throbbed slightly. Then asked, "You alright?"

Rocket perked up at my arrival, but angled his head away avoiding my gaze. "Yeah...Just fine." I stared down at him with a puzzled look, what was with him?

I found I wouldn't get my chance to push any further when hiss of a door opening grabbed our attention. Across the room, a Krylorian smiling broadly greeted us. "Milady Gamora, I'm here to fetch you for my master."

As we walked towards her the crowd parted for us, their dirty looks burning holes into my back. I was glad once the doors shut behind us; we must've caused quite the disturbance.

The dimly lit hall we were led down was definitely sketchy. Quill and Gamora took lead, followed by Rocket and Groot, me in the back.

When the next door opened, I was completely disgusted by what I saw. Glass cages, millions of them filled the room. Each of them contained organisms out for display. It reminded me of that place. I tried to remain impassive, keeping my expression neutral. We were at the end of the line; sell to buyer, collect and leave. No need for any more incidents.

As we walked the Krylorian began to give us an unnecessary tour. "We house the galaxy's largest collection of fauna, relics, and species of all manner." The room opened up into a wide space. There was a man standing facing away from us, a fur coat draped over his shoulder matched his spiked white hair. "I present to you, Taneleer Tivan. The Collector." He turned and I looked him over. If he became a threat I could take him down.

The Collector ignored the rest of us, making a bee-line to Gamora. "Oh my dear Gamora. How wonderful to meet you in the flesh." I rolled my eyes as he kissed her knuckles.

"Let's bypass the formalities, Tivan. We have what we discussed." She said. He didn't acknowledge that he heard her, but instead stared over her shoulder to where Groot was.

Slowly he spoke, "What is that thing there?"

"I am Groot."

The look in his eyes set me on edge. As he advanced towards Groot I wanted to step between them, but I glanced at Gamora and she sharply shook her head 'no'. So reluctantly, I stayed in my place.

"I never thought I'd meet a Groot." The Collector said, observing Groot from head-to-toe. "Sir...You must allow me to pay you now so that I may own your carcass. At the moment of your death of course."

"Why?" Rocket's voice called out, criticizing the man. "so he could turn you into a frickin' chair?"

Seemingly indifferent at the words, The Collector asked, "That's your pet?" I cleared my throat to hide the chuckle that had appeared.

Rocket reached to pull out his gun. "His what?!"

"Tivan." I turned my attention to Gamora, who was changing the subject before the situation could go out of hand. "We have been halfway around the galaxy, retrieving this orb."

"Very well then. Let us see what you have brought."

Movement caught my eye and I looked over to Quill who was reaching in his bag to pull out the orb. And as he did he drops it.

"Oh my new friends." By the way The Collector had been looking at our orb, I'm guessing it was something fancy. "Before creation itself, there were six singularities." The machine holding the orb twisted and suddenly purple circles appeared in the air. Inside them shifted rapidly, resembling the galaxy. "Then the universe exploded into existence, and the remnants of these systems were forged into concentrated ingots." Six stones appeared, all of different color. "Infinity Stones. These stones it seems, can only be brandished by beings of extraordinary strength. Observe," The Collector raised his hand, pointing upwards at one of the circles.

I turned my head to see a giant wielding a staff. It stood behind a mass of screaming people, and appeared to be terrorizing them as it slammed the staff into the earth. The people then disintegrated. My mouth drifted open in surprise and I tuned back in to what The Collector was saying, "–to mow down entire civilizations like wheat in a field." The image panned out to show the planet, purple energy was consuming it just like what had been done to the people.

"There's a little pee coming out of me right now." Quill said his voice small.

"Once, for a moment," The Collector continued. "a group of people was able to share the energy amongst themselves, but even they were quickly destroyed by it." The machine that'd been working on the orb finished, the rock was split in half, revealing the purple stone inside. The Collector shook his arms in front of him, moving them in awe. "Beautiful...beyond compare."

"Blah, blah, blah," Rocket drawled out. "We're all very fascinated, whitey. But we'd like to get paid." My eyes flickered up as the purple lights disappeared, the energy flowing back into the stone.

The Collector asked, "How would you like to get paid?"

"What do you think fancy man? Units!"

"Very well then." He opened a drawer, going to pull something out when his attention was drawn away. "Carina." The Collector called out to the Krylorian, his tone sharp. I didn't bother looking, my headache was starting to come back. Whatever was wrong it was enough to get this pompous guy riled up. "Stand back."

"I will no longer be your slave!"

"No!"

Now my attention was piqued. But as I angled my head sideways I realized it was too late. My eyes caught her movement just as she was wrapping her fingers around the stone. There was a surge of power, objects went flying outwards and the sound of glass shattering was prominent. Something collided with my side and I grunted, collapsing to the floor holding my throbbing ribs. I figured it was safer down here than standing so I made myself small, and waited for it to be over.

There was a high pitched noise, when I risked a glance up I saw it was Carina screaming. She was crumbling away, violet light showing through the cracks. Something told me that I needed to get away, I couldn't be this close to her. Still on my knees, I crawled through the debris heading for the nearest counter. And just as I threw myself behind it, she exploded. Searing heat flowed overhead and the foundation shook. The vibrations entered my head, causing a wave of nausea to overtake me. My hand clamped over my mouth, forcing it to stay closed. This was neither the time nor place to throw up.

Finally it stopped. I turned around, cautiously lifting my head above the counter. It was a disaster, to say the least. Gamora popped up from across the room and marched over to the orb, promptly shutting it.

"How could I think Tivan could contain whatever was within the orb?!" Gamora shouted furiously as they exited the casino. I glanced around, searching the frantic crowd for Rocket and Groot, I wasn't able to find them in the wreckage. The best I could do to keep myself sane was repeat that they had made it out before the explosion.

But my worries were soon put to rest as Rocket walked up and asked hysterically, "What do you still have it for?!"

A smile of relief formed on my face. "Rocket you're–"

"What are we gonna do, leave it in there?" Quill cut me off.

"I can't believe you had that in your purse!"

Quill was visibly offended. "It's not a purse it's a knapsack!"

My mouth drifted close, he wasn't worried about me I suppose. I turned away, suddenly feeling awkward. I was still half-listening to their conversation, and I did agree with Gamora. That thing was too powerful, the Nova was our best shot.

The sound of ships approaching drew my attention to the sky and I felt my stomach drop. Ronan's ships.

I snapped my head to face the others, "What's going on?!"

Gamora was at loss for words. Quill although stepped forward, asking in an accusing tone, "You called Ronan?" I turned my head around to see Drax, standing with arms out wide gripping his weapons, prepared to fight.

"Quill!" A faint voice shouted. We all turned our heads to see a blue alien glaring in our direction. "Don't you move boy!" But Gamora took off, and Quill quickly followed. My legs didn't move to go after them. Instead, my eyes were back on the ship which had landed. Ronan would soon come out and I knew that in the state Drax was in he could get himself killed. I was roughed up as well—from the earlier hit on the head to my bruised ribs I doubt I could be much help, but I would be approaching this situation with a clear mind unlike Drax who only was blind with rage.

"Maia! Come on!" Rocket yelled, gesturing to where everyone had gone.

I spared him a glance. "I'm staying here, go!"

He shook his head at my words and threw an arm in the ship's direction. "Are you blind?! You're gonna get yourself killed!"

"Fine!" I snapped. Rocket groaned, muttered some curses, then left. I looked over my shoulder at his retreating figure. I was still angry at him for ignoring me, but we could talk later, even if I had to force the answers out of him.

The ramp lowered and the outline of Ronan could be seen. My nerves were getting the best of me. I had to take a deep breath in for I'd forgotten to breathe.

"Ronan the Accuser!" Drax shouted.

"You are the one who transmitted the message?" Ronan asked, irate.

"You killed my wife. You killed my daughter!"

Three ships suddenly sailed overhead catching everyone's attention. One woman said, "It is Gamora. She is escaping with the orb." And with that, she and Ronan began to leave. I felt relieved seeing his back to us, but Drax was quite the opposite.

Not able to let his family's murder escape, Drax ran forward swinging one his blades at Ronan's head. Ronan easily dodged it, dropping down then standing back up to face his opponent. All the while he was conversing with one of his coworkers. He ordered her to retrieve the orb.

I found myself with a new goal; stop the ship before it could take off. I made wide berth around the fighting pair, increasing my pace as I neared the ship then pushed off the ground. My fingertips gripped something, I was able to hold on even as the engines lifted it higher. But before I could hoist myself up onto the top, a hand wrapped itself around my ankle giving it a strong tug.

I lost my grip, too focused my on ankle that felt like it'd been dislocated. My body crashed to the ground face first. Soundlessly my mouth opened as the air was forced from my lungs. My ribs were on fire, I had the thought that maybe they were broken and for some reason it was the funniest thing yet.

A foot dug into my shoulder, rolling me over. "And who are you?" Ronan stood above me. He showed no remorse, the emptiness in his eyes disgusted me.

"Who are you?" I retorted mockingly. His foot kicked into my side and I groaned.

"Answer me when I ask a question." His tone had developed an edge.

I coughed, clearing my throat. "My name...is none of your business." Ronan's stare burned holes into my head for minutes that appeared to last hours. I began to panic, seeing him standing over me unmoving, wondering if I was going to die.

Finally, a ship arrived. "Ronan it is done." The woman's voice from earlier spoke. She was the one who was supposed to get the orb. If she succeeded...what happened to Gamora? Or Quill and everyone else?

Ronan started to walk past me, but I wasn't done with him. My hand wrapped around his leg, almost tripping him. "What did you do?" I growled.

"Know your place." He said then used his other leg to kick me. His sole collided with my chin, sending my head flying back. But my grip did not loosen.

I needed to get on my feet. I needed to fight.

My legs didn't respond to what my mind was telling them to do. As I tried to drag my limbs underneath me they shook from the effort. I was able to stand up to Ronan's hips when he grabbed a fistful of my hair jerking me to his eye level. A muffled scream filled the air; there was a pulsing pain that came from my roots pulling at the scalp. The suffocating agony that was from all my injuries added together made me think the idea of fighting back again was so stupid. Weakly, I tried to pry open Ronan's fingers that were tangled in my hair but to no avail.

"Allow me to repeat myself." Ronan moved his hold so that his fingers wrapped tight around my skull. In one swift move, he slammed my head into the ground. "Know your place."