Chapter 14: A Familiar Face
Ever since they had defeated the Fallen One, Deoxys and the rest of the Guardians of the Galaxy have been gaining a reputation for what they did throughout the galaxy. Peter or as he wanted to be refer to as Star Lord, explained it was both a good thing and a bad thing. On one side, it meant any galactic threats would be thinking twice since a group like them was out there. However, there was also the possibility they could be targeted by said threats should they pose a problem in the future so it was decided that the team should have code names.
Brandt was now to be referred to as Mantis because of the antennae on her head. Richard to be called Nova for obvious reasons and Phylla to be Quasar due to how bright her attacks were. Everyone else weren't given one and surprisingly no one argued about it. But that wasn't what was on Deoxys's mind right now as he was too focused on following Rocket and Groot through the crowd of people.
"So anyone mind telling me what we're doing here?" Nova asked. "Look, I'm all for team building and stuff but the fact we just stole the Milano from right under Peter's nose doesn't really sit right with me."
Rocket turned his head slightly towards Nova. "We're all on the same team here so technically it wasn't stealing but borrowing is what I would've described it. Just relax mate, I'm only doing this out of the goodness of my heart to get you two acquainted with how we folks out here enjoy and relax."
"I am Groot."
"Of course I'm telling the truth here Groot! Why else would I take 'em here in the first place!?" Rocket exclaimed, causing both Deoxys and Nova to look at each other in confusion.
"Okay I can understand if I'm the one who doesn't know alien culture but why is Deoxys here with us? Shouldn't he know about all of this?" Nova asked.
"Deoxys well, he doesn't even know where he's from." Rocket answered, rubbing the back of his head.
"Oh," Nova gave a sympathetic look at Deoxys. "Sorry, I didn't know." Deoxys shook his head and waved it off, showing that he didn't mind what Richard had said.
"Alright, alright, enough with all this heartwarming crap. We've got a show to catch so let's move on!" Rocket yelled out. Deoxys, Nova, and Groot continued to follow Rocket until they had made it to a domed stadium. Dexoys could see a poster was out in front of the building depicting a small, bipedal bird-like being facing against a bluish grey humanoid with pale yellow lips and three brown ridges on its head. But what really caught Deoxys's attention was the fact that said humanoid had four arms no less!
After they had bought tickets, they all went inside to see the place was packed and in the center of it all was a wrestling ring. Deoxys and the gang found their seats where it was closest to the ring. A mushroom-like alien wearing a tuxedo walked up to the middle of the ring holding a microphone in his hand with a single spotlight shining down on him.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" The announcer said in a deep booming voice. "Tonight's entertainment will be of epic proportions as the title for the heavyweight championship will be decided here! Let's meet our contenders!"
The spotlight moved to the top right corner of the ring where it shone down on the humanoid with the four arms. "In this corner, weighing at two hundred and eighty seven pounds and current heavyweight champion, Maaaaachamp!" The one called Machamp smiled and flexed to show off his muscles causing the entire stadium to cheer thunderously at this display.
"And in this corner of the ring, he's been capturing the hearts of the audience since his debut and has been on a winning streak until this night folks! Weighting at around forty-seven pounds, Haaaawluuuucha!"
At first, it looked as if Hawlucha was wearing a cape in front of him but it turned to be his wings as he dramatically held them out revealing the undersides of them to be green and his body made mostly of red and white feathers. His face was green with a mask-like appearance along with a small red beak for a mouth and orange tassel-like appendages sticking out from the back of his head.
Hawlucha looked around the cheering crowd with a solemn expression yet when he looked at where Rocket was, he grinned and gave a peace sign to which Rocket replied with a peace sign of his own. Deoxys had taken notice of this and motioned his head to Rocket as if he was asking him the question 'Do you know him?'
"Crikey mate, you're down right perceptive aren't you? Got a little bit of a detective in ya?" Rocket chuckled a little before sighing. "Well alright, I suppose I can tell ya a bit. You see it all started when-" He wasn't able to finish his sentence when suddenly all of the lights in the stadium went off by itself. People began to panic in the dark wondering what was going on and when they came back on, Hawlucha was nowhere in sight.
"What the bloody hell is going on here!?" Rocket immediately got up from his seat and frantically searched around the stadium for any signs of Hawlucha until he saw him being tied up and carried away by a group of short long-eared figures dressed in black heading towards the exit. Rocket quickly ran off in the direction of Hawlucha's kidnappers while Deoxys, Groot, and Nova followed him from behind.
"Wait up Rocket! Where are you going!?" Nova shouted. Rocket ignored him as he continued to chase the kidnappers down until he had made it outside of the stadium. He looked around, hoping to spot Hawlucha but to no avail while everyone else caught up to him.
"Rocket, what the heck happened in there?" Nova said, concerned for Rocket who then turned around to face them.
"Listen to me, I know this sounds strange but will you help me find Hawlucha? I can't explain everything to you right now but I can tell you he's a friend of mine." Rocket stated.
"I am Groot."
Groot stepped up, nodding in agreement and Deoxys agreed as well by giving Rocket a thumbs-up. Nova became surrounded by blue energy and flew up to the air.
"Of course we'll help you, I mean we are supposed to be a team after all." Nova smiled. "I'll be up in the air and let you guys know when I see him." He then went off, leaving Rocket with Deoxys and Groot.
"Right, the best way we're going to do this is for us three to split up so we can cover more ground. Also be careful with those blokes who took Hawlucha. Whoever they are, they're not to be messed with if they can take down someone like him."
All three of them broke off and went their separate directions, each taking a street to cover. Just as Rocket was beginning to search around, he could see a pair of dark blue long ears sticking out from the crowd that was in front of him. He immediately ran straight towards them and apparently they had noticed him coming their way so they also ran.
Whoever it was, Rocket had to admit they were fast and he was starting to get tired from the chase. But if there was the slightest chance of finding Hawlucha, it would be capturing one of the kidnappers to know where they took him. After what seemed like forever, Rocket had finally managed to corner the one he was chasing after into an alleyway.
The individual was wearing a black shirt with an orange collar and light blue shorts where a small tail was sticking out. He had orange gauntlets and a utility belt with the same color wrapped around his waist. A small silver helmet sat on his head and his feet were robotic in nature. Rocket had his pistol out in front of him and slowly advanced towards them.
"Now that you're trapped here, you mind telling me where the bloody hell you took my friend?" Rocket took off the safety on his weapon, making sure the sound of it was loud and clear. "I ain't gonna ask you again if you don't tell me what I need to know right now."
"And here I thought you remembered me but I guess I was wrong." The person who Rocket was chasing then turned around, revealing he had buck teeth and red goggles. "It's been far too long hasn't it Rocket?"
Rocket's eyes rose up in shock as he recognized who it was. "Blackjack O'Hare!? But you're supposed to be dead!"
Blackjack chuckled. "What can I say? I must have the best luck of the galaxy. Now I love to catch up with you but I'm running a tight schedule here so it be very nice if you come with us quietly without any trouble."
Rocket scoffed and continue to point his pistol at him. "How about I make sure you're dead this time around?"
"Still wanting to make things harder for yourself huh?" Blackjack silently nodded in Rocket's direction who realized there was someone behind him judging from the huge shadow that was now looming over him. Before Rocket could even react, he was immediately knocked out by a punch from behind. His attacker turned out to be a large humanoid figure covered in thick white and dark grey fur. A long fringe of its fur hanged from it's back making it resemble a longcoat.
"Nice punch Bai and you mind if you carried him for me? I just don't have the kind of strength you possess."
"Yes sir." Bai did what Blackjack said and placed Rocket's body over his shoulder. "Does this mean we have everyone?"
"Indeed my friend," Blackjack got out a walkie-talkie from his belt. "Attention, this is Black Leader calling in all Black Bunny Brigade members. We've got the target so pull out and head for the ship. We're going home everyone, we're going back to Halfworld."
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