And now, the Guardians in Knowhere along with some intense stuff. Enjoy!
Keyblade Graveyard:
Master Xehanort, Young Xehanort, Ansem, Xemnas, Xigbar, Luxord, Marluxia, Larxene, and Vanitas were watching the events play out thanks to Maleficent's magic as they stood on the pillars.
"It would seem as though Thanos' plan is working out very well." mused Master Xehanort.
"Even so, those world travelers can still be interferences to it all." said Marluxia.
"Why would you think that?" asked Larxene. "They don't stand a chance against Thanos."
"True." nodded Luxord. "But Thanos has never dealt with Keyblade Wielders before in all his years of murmuring half of the population on planets."
"Doesn't mean they can beat him." smirked Vanitas.
"Even so, ever since they rescued the missing Keybalde Wielders along with Zack Fair, Cloud Strife, and Ansem the Wise, they have been getting stronger." said Ansem.
"Indeed." said Xemnas. "Especially since those 5 new Keyblade Wielders have been getting stronger within this past month since receiving their weapons of light.
"But there's only 8 of them." Larxene pointed out.
"And only four of them are masters." added Vanitas.
"Which is why they must be eliminated." said Young Xehanort. "Along with the Avengers, the Guardians of the Galaxy, and any ally of theirs that stands in all of our ways."
"So what's the plan?" asked Xigbar.
"It is time that we do our part to help Thanos and his allies get the Infinity Stones and eliminate all threats to their plans." said Master Xehanort. "Even if they don't seem big to him, the possibilities are endless. Be ready to attack when necessary."
"Of course." nodded Young Xehanort.
With that said, Master Xehanort watched as his Organization teleported away.
Then, Maleficent, Pete, and Mortimer appeared through bright flashes of green magic on the pillars Luxord, Marluxia, and Larxene were standing on earlier.
"Ah Maleficent." Master Xehanort grinned. "What brings you here?"
"We just through you should know that progress on your number 13 has steadily increased." said Maleficent.
Xehanort's grin grew wider. "Excellent."
"But it's becoming even more difficult than we imagined since then." added Pete.
Xehanort waved it off. "No worries. Soon those Guardians of Light won't know what hit them."
"And I just thought up a good ally to add back into the ranks." said Mortimer smugly. "From the past like your young self and Dark Riku."
Xehanort looked at Mortimer, intrigued. "Continue."
Zen-Whoberi, many years ago:
The planet of Zen-Whoberi was being attacked by Thanos' massacre. Little Gamora and her mother were hiding; the sounds of guns and screaming could be heard outside.
"Shh. We'll be safe. We'll be safe." Gamora's mother told her.
Suddenly, an explosion went off close by and Gamora screeched by reflex, revealing their hiding spot.
The door was suddenly smashed open and both Zehobereians screamed.
Outside, it was utter chaos. Leviathans, Chitauri chariots and ring-ships flew overhead; explosions and energy bolts from numerous sources criss-crossed the panicked population, felling them randomly; smoke arose from countless fires.
Ebony Maw began to address the people. "Zehobereians…"
Gamora was being dragged by one arm through the crowds. "Mother! Where's my mother?!"
"Choose a side, or die." said Maw sinisterly.
"Mother!" Gamora called out as she punched at the arm of the one dragging her who surprisingly drops her arm and left.
"One side is a revelation. The other, an honor known only to a few." said Maw.
Gamora turned and found herself facing Thanos in his full Titan armor.
"What's wrong, little one?" Thanos asked.
"My mother. Where is my mother?" begged Gamora.
Thanos bent down to Gamora. "What's your name?" he asked.
"Gamora." she replied,
Thanos looked impressed. "You're quite the fighter, Gamora." he told her. "Come. Let me help you."
Thanos offered his hand. Gamora wrapped her little fingers around one massive finger, and he led her to a pavilion, where he crouched to her eye level again and produces a small - for him - red-jeweled handle. Pressing the switch, razor-sharp blades popped out both ends.
"Look. Pretty, isn't it?" asked Thanos. "Perfectly balanced. As all things should be. Too much to one side, or the other…"
He balanced it on one finger, overbalanced it purposefully and caught it. "Here. You try." he said to the little girl.
Thanos handed Gamora the dagger - the handle was two child-palms' widths in length. She tried balancing it on her index finger.
"Now go in peace, and meet your Maker." said Maw.
One half of the crowd was brutally shot down. The survivors screamed in horror. Gamora tried to turn but Thanos prevented her from seeing the massacre.
"Concentrate. There! You've got it." congratulated Thanos.
Present, aboard the Guardians' ship.
Gamora was brooding, activating the spring-action blades on the same dagger.
Quill and Sora were discussing weapons.
"So what are your most powerful Keyblades?" asked Quill.
Sora thought for a minute. "Well, I'd say that my Ultima Weapon might be the strongest." he replied. "But if we're fighting Thanos with only two Infinity Stones, they I might need duel wield."
"Can you triple? Quadruple?" asked Quill.
Sora chuckled. "Only in certain forms. But since getting these new clothes, so far I can only duel wield." he replied.
"Sweet." mused Quill.
Sora summoned Ultima Weapon (KH2) and Quill was amazed.
"Whoa! Dude! That is one badass wicked Keyblade you got!" he comp, amazed.
Sora smiled. "Thanks. It's the most powerful Keyblade I have in my arsenal. I call it Ultima Weapon."
"Catchy name." commented Quill.
Sora held it with both hands, rubbing it. "This Keyblade is made from a bunch of materials, mainly Orichalculm +."
"Hey, I've heard of that. That's one of the rarests and strongest ores in all worlds." said Quill.
Sora nodded. "Yep, believe me, it was no cakewalk finding them but it was worth it because this bad boy helped me win my biggest battles. I prefer to save it against beings like Xemnas, Ansem, Xehanort, or other incredibly powerful beings, like how Donald and Goofy save up their best weapons." he explined.
"Cool." said Quill.
He then walked over to Gamora, pulling out some grenadesfor her to examine. "Gamora. Do you know if these grenades are the "blow off your junk" kind or the gas kind? 'Cause I was thinking I might hang a couple on my belt right here. But I don't want to—"
"I need to ask a favor." interrupted Gamora.
"Yeah, sure." nodded Quill.
"One way or another, the path that we're on leads to Thanos."explained Gamora.
"Which is what the grenades and the possibility of more than one or two Keyblade's from Sora are for." nodded Quill.
Gamora silenced him with a look.
"I'm sorry. What's the favor?" asked Quill.
Gamora sighed. "If things go wrong… If Thanos gets me… I want you to promise me… you'll kill me."
Sora gasped.
Quill was confused. "What?" he asked.
"I know something he doesn't. If he finds out… the entire Universe could be at risk." explained Gamora.
"What do you know?" asked Quill.
"If I tell you, you and Sora would know, too." she replied.
"If it's so important, shouldn't I?" he asked.
"Only if you wanna die." Gamora replied.
"Why does somebody always have to die in this scenario?" muttered Quill.
"Just… trust me. And possibly, kill me." begged Gamora.
"Gamora, we don't trade lives." said Sora.
"He's right." nodded Quill. "I mean, I'd like to. I really would…"
Gamora silenced him by covering his mouth with her hand.
"Swear to me. Swear to me on your mother." she begged him sincerely.
"Ooh, the mother card." Sora said to himself.
Quill nodded. "Okay."
Quill and Gamora then kissed. Sora smiled warmly at the new couple. He was now thinking of him and Kairi, Mickey and Minnie, and Donald and Daisy. He hoped they, Riku, and Goofy were ok.
Then, an odd crunching sound startled them. They all looked to see Drax is standing in the corner.
"Drax?" Sora asked in confusion.
"Dude. How long have you been standing there?" asked Quill.
"An hour." he replied.
"An hour? Are you serious?" Quill asked incredulously.
Gamora sighed. Sora just stared.
"I've mastered the ability of standing so incredibly still... that I become invisible to the eye... watch." said Drax.
Drax stood motionless, then very slowly raised his hand towards his mouth.
"You're eating a zarg-nut." said Quill.
"But my movement... was so slow... that it's imperceptible." countered Drax.
"Mmm, no." said Quill as he, Sora, and Gamora shook their heads.
"I'm sure I'm invisible." said Drax.
Just then, Mantis walked up. "Hi, Drax." she greeted.
Drax stood in silence for a moment. Sora tried (and failed) to stop his laughing.
"Damn it." Drax muttered, knowing he was beat.
Knowhere:
The Benatar flew towards a massive skull and flew through one eye-hole into a vast interior cavern.
"This place looks deserted." commented Quill.
"I'm reading movement from the third quadrant." said Drax.
"Someone must be here." said Sora.
"That sounds right." said Mantis.
"Yep. I'm picking that up, too. Let's put it down right here." said Quill.
Sora and the four Guardians disembarked.
"So where would the Collector be?" asked Sora.
"In his collection room most likely." said Gamora.
"Sadly you won't get to see him." came a familiar voice.
Sora's eyes widened as a corridor of darkness opened up, revealing Xigbar.
"Xigbar!" exclaimed Sora.
Quill, Gamora, and Drax readied their weapons as Mantis pumped her fists.
"Who's pirate guy?" asked Drax.
"He's from Organization XIII." said Sora, glaring.
"Have you been a good boy?" Xigbar asked mockingly. "'Cause I don't think you or your friends have been recently. Trying to interfere with Thanos' plans."
"Thanos is insane!" retorted Quill.
"He slaughtered many." Drax said darkly. "Like my wife and daughter!
"He doesn't care about whose lives he ruins." added Gamora.
"Yeah, just like Xehanort!" nodded Sora.
Xigbar chuckled. "You guys just don't seem to get that if you want a perfect world, you gotta make some sacrifices." he retorted.
"Some sacrifices are meaningless!" snarled Mantis
Sora summoned Winner's Proof. "Enough! Get lost Xigbar!" he snarled.
Xigbar smirked as he summoned Space Shooter in one hand and his large arrowgun. "As if. You're just gonna have to make me kiddo." he retorted.
"Luckily, he's not alone." said Drax as he gripped his knives.
Quill put on his mask as he readied his blasters. Gamora readied her knives and Mantis pumped her fists.
"Let's go!" shouted Sora.
(Xigbar Boss Fight from Kingdom Hearts II plays)
Mission: Defeat Xigbar
Party members:
Sora
Star Lord
Gamora
Drax
Mantis
Xigbar smirked as he jumped into the air and fired multiple arrows from his arrow gun. Sora bashed as many of them away with his Keyblade as he could. Quill fired shots from his blasters as they knocked Xigbar down. Drax jumped into the air as Xigbar fell, slashing him a few times. The one-eyed Nobody glared as he kicked Drax in the face and slashed his chest with his Keyblade. As Sora cured Drax, Gamora jumped and flipped into the air and slashed Xigbar across his back. Xigbar retorted by firing a Tornado Tracer spell at her. As Gamora flew away, Sora fired a Triple Firaga spell against the Nobody before casting a Blizzard spell. Xigbar tried to shoot more arrows at Sora, but Mantis grasped his head and began messing with his mind, making him shoot the arrows in random directions. Mantis then socked Xigbar in his eyepatch before leaping away. Quill fired more shots against Xigbar as he tried to bash them away. Gamora then spin-kicked Xigbar in the stomach.
Xigbar snarled as he jumped into the air again and fired multiple Blizzard spells from his Keyblade. Sora and the Guardians did their best to avoid them as Drax threw his knives at Xigbar, which easily missed. Sora then casted an Ignite spell on Xigbar, weakening him, which allowed Quill to fly into the air and shoot more blasts, which knocked Xigbar to the ground. Then, Gamora and Mantis jumped forward and side-kicked him in the chest. Drax then spun around and slashed Xigbar's back several times. Sora then fired an Exo Spark against the Nobody before jumping into the air and casted orbs of light at him. Xigbar snarled as he fired multiple shots from his arrow gun into the air, but his effort was short-lived as Quill grabbed him by his hood, lifted him into the air and flung him to the ground. Just before he could hit it, Drax came and punched him in the face before he slashed his arm. Mantis then grabbed Xigbar's head and began messing with his mind again as he suddenly aimed Space Shooter at the ground and casted a Transcended spell that threw him into the air. Gamora then gave Sora a boost as the teenager flew into the air, aimed his Keyblade at Xigbar and fired a Raging Storm spell, bringing the Nobody to the ground, dropping his arrowgun and Keyblade, ending the battle.
(Xigbar Boss Fight from Kingdom Hearts II ends)
Sora, Quill, Gamora, Drax, and Mantis regrouped as Xigbar weakly stood up. He smirked at the five heroes.
"Ok. You wanna go fight Thanos? Be my guest." he said. "But you have no idea what you're getting yourselves into."
"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Quill as his mask retracted.
Xigbar just chuckled as he teleported away.
Sora dismissed Winner's Proof as he looked back at the Guardians. "Let's go find the Collector." he said.
The Guardians of the Galaxy nodded as they and Sora walked off.
Soon, the five friends snuck into the Collector's collection room, which was in ruins.
"What happened?" asked Sora.
"He's here…" Gamora said in realization.
They could see Thanos threatening Tivan, the Collector while they hid behind rubble.
"I don't have it." said Tivan.
"Everyone in the Galaxy knows you'd sell your own brother if you thought it would add the slightest trinket to your pathetic collection." said Thanos.
Quill stopped, and held up a fist meaning 'halt' in the silent language of soldiers. Only Sora stopped while Drax, Gamora, and Mantis walked quietly past him.
"Next time, hold it higher." Sora whispered to Quill.
"I know you have the Reality Stone, Tivan. Giving it to me will spare you a great deal of suffering." threatened Thanos.
Thanos placed a heavy boot on the middle of the Collector's chest and pressed.
"I told you. I sold it." said Tiva, his voice strained. "Why would I lie?"
"I imagine it's like breathing for you." the Mad Titan replied.
"Like suicide." muttered Tivan.
"So you do understand." realized Thanos. "Not even you would surrender something so precious."
"I didn't know what it was." admitted Tivan.
"Then you're more of a fool than I took you for." huffed Thanos. "Last chance, charlatan. Where's the Stone?"
Drax glared deadly at Thanos. "Today…"
Quill grasped the danger. "Drax. Drax…" he said in a warning tone.
"...He pays for the deaths of my wife and daughter." Drax snarled.
Sora was now worried as memories of seeing Tony, Steve, and Bucky fight (courtesy of Yen Sid's magic) thanks to Tony's outburst from learning that Bucky killed his parents.
"Drax hold on!" Sora pleaded.
"Drax, waaaaait!" shouted Quill.
Drax drew his long dagger from his leg scabbard.
"Not yet, not yet, not yet." said Quill.
Drax gave him a look and headed towards Thanos. Sora and Quill hurried as quietly as possible to catch up.
"Drax, Drax, Drax. He doesn't have the Stone yet." reminded Quill.
"He's right." said Sora. "We get the stone, we can use it against him."
But Drax just shook his head. "No. No. For Ovette. For Camaria." he said in a vengeful tone.
Quill started to struggle with Drax. Sora tried to use a Zero Gravity spell to hold the green-skinned man in place when Mantis put her hand on the back of Drax's head.
"Sleeeep." Mantis said quietly.
Drax was knocked out. But his falling body caused a loud crash.
Everybody ducked.
Thanos looked towards the sound, then picked up the Collector and threw him into a collecting case before walking towards the disturbance.
Quill turned to his teammates. "Okay. Gamora, Mantis, you go right. I'm…"
But before he could finish, Gamora moved towards Thanos.
"The other right!" Quill hissed.
"Gamora!" cried Sora.
Gamora leapt on Thanos from a stack of boxes, swinging her sword at him. He snapped the sword-blade in half, and Gamora stabbed him in the throat with the stub, his lower jaw sagging and himself letting out a hoarse groan, then he was stabbed in the chest with the red-jeweled dagger.
"Why?" he groaned as he fell down. "Why you? Daughter…"
He held his hand out to her, blood pooling out from his neck wound, before collapsing completely.
Gamora broke down, sobbing.
"That was quick." Quill exclaimed, surprised.
But Sora wasn't convinced. "Something's not right." he muttered.
Then, they heard the Collector shout, "Magnificent! Magnificent! Magnificent!"
And then…
"Is it sadness I sense in you, daughter? In my heart, I knew you still cared. But one ever knows for sure. Reality is often disappointing." came a voice.
Chills went down everyone's spines.
Suddenly the scene around them disappeared - everything in the room was destroyed and/or on fire, the Collector waving bye-bye as he and his case vanished.
"What the hell?!" exclaimed Sora. "What's going on?"
Gamora gasped. "It was all an illusion." she muttered.
"That is, it was. Now… reality can be whatever I want."
And then, Thanos got up, quite alive and undamaged. He had the red Reality Stone seated in the Infinity Gauntlet.
"Thanos." Sora muttered with a glare.
"So you are Sora, Master of the Keyblade." said Thanos, looking at the Keyblade Master. "Xehanort told me about you. I would've thought you wouldn't mess with someone like me. You are a bold one."
"Bolder than you will ever be." snarled Quill.
Gamora glared at Thanos. "You knew I'd come."
"I counted on it." said the Mad Titan. "There's something we need to discuss, little one."
"Yeah, such as how we're gonna knock you to Oblivion!" said Sora as he summoned both Kingdom Key and Ultima Weapon.
Thanos just shook his head. "You can't beat me. I have half of the Infinity Stones." he told the teenager.
"Doesn't mean we can't try!" shouted Drax as he brandished his knives.
"Aah. The famous Drax the Destroyer." mused Thanos.
"So you've heard of me." said Drax.
"I have." the Mad Titan nodded.
"Good. Because I'm going to carve mine and my family's name on your face! You sent Ronan to decimate my planet. You killed my wife! You killed my daughter!" shouted Drax.
"I'm dreadfully sorry for the loss of your wife and daughter." apologized Thanos, though Sora and the Guardians could tell he didn't truly mean it. "But their sacrifice was necessary for bringing balance to the universe."
"You took away everything I loved! You stole my life!" yelled Drax angrily.
"Necessary!?" Sora asked, disgusted. "That's BS! You killed billions of innocent people! Because of you, Drax and Gamora have lost their families. You have no right to take people's lives like that Thanos!"
"And the way you treated Nebula was just as horrific." snarled Mantis.
"Which is why were gonna knock you into Hell!" snalred Quill as he put back in his mask as he drew his blasters.
Mantis put on a brave face as she readied herself.
Gamora was hesitant, but then brought out two spare knives.
Thanos shook his head as he too got into a fighting position.
(Vanitas Final Boss Fight from Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep [Ventus' Story] plays)
Mission: Defeat Thanos
Party Members:
Sora
Star Lord
Gamora
Drax
Mantis
Sora quickly casted a Blizzard spell against Thanos. Thanos was only knocked back a bit before Quill flew into the air and shot multiple fires at him. Thanos was bit in the chest before he used the Power Stones to send a beam up at Quill. Star Lord as hit, but while Thanks was distracted, Gamora and Drax quickly slashed his arms as fast as they could. Thanos managed to knock them away, but Sora casted Thunder Tracer against him, managing to knock Thanos away a bit. Thanos snarled as he used the Reality Stone to make a pillar rise from the ground, knocking Sora into the air. But Mantis then grabbed Thanos' head and made him bring Sora to the ground and the pillar knock into him. Drax than stabbed Thanos in the back. Thanos grabbed Drax and flung him to the ground just as he was blasted in the face by Quill. Sora then casted a Dark Firaga spell against the purple alien before leaping into the air and slashed him both times with his Keyblades.
Thanos groomed as he used the Space Stone to send one of Knowhere's moons towards Sora. Sora quickly used a barrier spell to block the attack as Gamora slashed her adoptive father across his chest. Drax then tried to hold Thanos in a headlock as Mantis punched him in the eyes. She and Gamora then tried to ouch Thanos to the ground, but the Mad Titan struck them with a beam from the Space Stone. As he flung Drax away, Sora casted a Raging Storm spell which actually managed to cause more damage. Thanos snarled as he stomped on the ground, making everyone bounce in the air and land roughly. But Thanks was suddenly blasted in the kneecaps by Quill as he flew down and punched Thanos in the face. Thanos then used the Power Stone to send a beam that struck Quill, sending him spiraling out of control into debris. Gamora headlocked Thanos as Mantis manipulated him mind into striking himself with the Power Stone. Drax the charged forwards and jammed his knives intoThanos's knees.
"Finish him Sora!" Drax shouted.
Sora nodded as he held Kingdom Key and Ultima Weapon in the air and shouted "ULTIMA!"
And just like the last time he fought Ansem, Xemnas, and Young Xehanort, Sora casted a Double Ultima spell as dozens of energy orbs blasted into Thanos multiple times, finally bringing him to the ground.
(Vanitas Final Boss Fight from Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep [Ventus' Story] ends)
Gamora helped Quill up and he retracted his mask as everyone regrouped.
"Good work everyone!" panted Sora as he casted cures on everyone.
"He is one tough one!" panted Mantis.
Then, they all saw Thanos get up.
"Oh come on!" groaned Quill.
"He's not one to go down easy." Gamora muttered.
Suddenly, Thanos used the Reality Stone to make the debris push Gamora into his grasp.
"Gamora!" Sora and Quill cried in horror.
Drax glared at Thanos.
"Thanos!" he yelled as he ran forward.
Thanos activated the Reality Stone again.
Suddenly, Drax turned into multiple cubes, Mantis turned into paper strips of herself, and Sora turned into shattered glass.
Quill moved in, his blaster pointed right at Thanos. "Let her go, Grimace!" he threatened.
"Peter…" groaned Gamora.
"I told you to go right." Quill muttered.
"Now? Really?" Gamora asked incredulously.
"You let her go!" shouted Quill.
"Ah, the boyfriend." mused Thanos.
"I like to think of myself more as a Titan-killing long-term booty call." huffed Quill. "Let her go."
"Peter…" begged Gamora.
"Or I'm gonna blow that nut sack of a chin right off your face!" threatened Quill.
"Not him." said Gamora, pleadingly.
Quill hesitated when he heard Gamora say that.
"You promised! You promised." shouted Gamora.
"Oh, daughter. You expect too much from him." Thanos said in disappointment. He turned to face Quill. "She's asked, hasn't she? Do it."
There was a very tense and unpleasant pause. Thanos rolled his head and shoves Gamora towards Quill's gun, egging him on.
"DO IT!" he shouted.
Quill began to tear up. "I told you to go right." he said sadly.
"I love you, more than anything." Gamora admitted sadly.
"I love you, too." said Quill.
Quill screwed up his eyes and pulls the trigger… but a stream of bubbles comes out, much to his and Gamora's shock as a horrified realization hit them.
Thanos has played them.
Thanos looked at Quill and said in a genuinely sincere tone, "I like you."
Thanos teleported Gamora and himself away as a stunned Quill picked up Gamora's sword, and his friends painfully re-assemble themselves, the Reality Stone's effects now subsiding in its absence.
"What happened?" asked Sora. "Quill, where's Gamora?"
Quill said nothing as he held the sword, tears falling from his face.
Mantis gasped in horror as she placed her hands over her mouth. Drax slumped his head, knowing that one of his friends who was like family to him was in danger.
"No…" Sora gasped as he looked down in defeat.
The four friends said nothing as they walked back to the ship as Knowhere burned away.
To be continued…
Next chapter, the Avengers are reunited at the compound. See you all soon!
