Sorry, I got more focused on my Persona fanfics. I'm going to give this a priority too and get to Infinity War before Avengers 4 (or Captain Marvel) release in theaters. That and my Avengers fic too.
Chapter 2: Searching for a Cure
The Guardians gather in the "Meeting Room". The only room big enough for them to gather and discuss. Peter hear everything that Hako had to say, how it started and what was happening to her. He massages his forehead and looked both surprises and worried about the situation because it was unexpected and even dreadful. Drax wasn't surprised about it, he and Rocket knew that something was happening to her. but weren't expecting it to be that bad. Still, he couldn't help but be a little afraid by the fact that what Hako had was not only hurting her but it might kill her. Peter walked around the table and didn't say a word until several minutes passed.
"Alright... So, how do we deal with this?" He asks Rocket. "Instead of a sickness is more like a virus"
"Yeah, every species has its own diseases," Said Hako. "If only I know how to get rid of it we won't be having this conversation in the first place"
"You can't get rid of it," Said Rocket and everyone present look at him. "Well, not in a conventional way. I've been searching and find out that every Derran that reach a certain age will contract this diseases and eventually die... There are two options... The first option is to wait and see what happens"
"I refuse to do that" Said Hako.
"Or we could take the easy, and maybe expensive, way and let a mad doctor try to inject experimental chemical on you. It's up to you to decide"
"... Huh... Interesting..." Hako was seriously thinking about it and was even considering it as a viable option. Gamora hit her in the back on her head. "Ow! What was that for?"
"We are not doing that!" Gamora yell.
"Why not!? I mean, yeah is dangerous but it might be something" Hako sigh. "I just want this to end and I'll do anything at this point"
"I'm not a 100% sure if it will work at all. Actually, it might not even be the best option" Said Rocket. "If anything it might make it worse"
"But our options are really limited," Said Peter. "Where do you suggest to go, Rocket? If it were for me, I wouldn't even know where to start beside going to a hospital, but considering they don't even know about this is like losing our time"
"Knowhere is the best option for now. Let's at least give it a try, if not we can still look around and ask for help to anyone that's willing to help her" Rocket shrug.
"I'm not so sure about it, but it's what we got for now. What do you all think?" Peter asks.
"I think is worth trying," Said Drax. "Maybe it will cure her and mutate her into something more monstrous, but the cure is worth it. Who knows, maybe that mutation will improve her appearance"
"... Did he just call me ugly?" Hako whisper to Gamora. "I'm not afraid of stabbing him right now if that's the case"
"Stop, he didn't call you ugly"
"But it sounded like it!" Hako yell.
"I didn't call you ugly... I said that a mutation might change your appearance for the better. I see some minor imperfections in your face sometimes" Said Drax. Hako stands up and was about to punch him, but Gamora got in the middle and stop her.
"... That's not helping, Drax" Said Peter. "But yes... We should go and see... If anything happens then we have to live with the consequences" Gamora sigh and nodded.
"Fine, but we leave if there's not a chance of curing her"
"I agree" Peter walk to the cabin and prepare to go to Knowhere. They all sit in the cabin and while they were on their way, Rocket was reading a detailed investigation about the Derrans.
"Hey, Hako, hear this... It says that what you have is called "Blood's Transmutation". Derran's ancient culture consider it a test of their God. It says the blood change from different states inside your body, from liquid to solid to even gas and it might even become a really powerful acid. And each individual go through it"
"So it's not something unique," Said Peter. "Also, their culture must have been a little messed up if they just accept it and don't try to cure it"
"Here says they were pretty religious. In this investigation, it says that the Derrans were taught from a young age about religion and to pray their God and all that crap, it also says that they were a civilization of warriors sworn to protect their land from "Outsider from the sky", that what they refer to the other races. Even after they develop interplanetary travel they were pretty much isolated from the rest of the universe because they didn't want to share their secrets or religion to other species. It also says that "Blood's Transmutation" serves as a "test" to enter adulthood and acquire immortality from their God. Derran's lifespan after that is really long, living as long as a century... And if Hako survives this process she will go into a small period of... Uh"
"What?" Drax asks. "It's something bad, isn't it?"
"I don't know if its bad..." Rocket try to find the right words. "Well... Long story short, she will get horny" He said and they stare at Hako.
"... You say what?" Hako asks with a chuckle. "hahaha, You made that up. It can't be"
"No, it says it right here" Rocket show her the exact same section and Hako's laugh turn into a nervous laugh.
"... Let's not touch that subject again..."
"Why? Is nothing to be shame about" Said Drax.
"I think it is, Drax. Besides, that mental image that I have in my head is not helping at all. Let's not talk about it... Ever again"
"There's nothing shameful about reproduction... My father used to tell the story of how he impregnate my mother..."
"Ugh, Drax, that's disgusting!" Said Peter.
"I didn't need to hear that, Drax" Said Rocket.
"I am Groot"
"Yeah, I think you scarred him for life" Said Rocket.
"But it was beautiful," Said Drax and Hako turn to him.
"Drax... I will rip out your tongue if you don't shut up for the rest of the travel. I swear to any God you believe in-" Hako coughs uncontrollably. She covers her mouth and cough blood. This blood didn't crystallize, instead, it was corrosive. So much in fact that it almost burns the skin in her palm. She shakes it off and landed on the floor, eating away the metal.
"... Quill, can you go faster?" Rocket ask and Peter nodded.
"I'll try"
"... How were you planning on hiding that?" Gamora asks and Hako shrug.
"Who cares about that now!?"
Knowhere was as busy as usual. The Guardian landed and start looking around in the shady parts of Knowhere... Well, more shady than usual. Rocket was the one paying attention at every corner to see if they find someplace useful. There were a lot of "clinics" where people go to get medicine, drugs and even another arm in case they lost one. Rocket saw a clinic that looked pretty decent and calls everyone. The small clinic had the door open and people inside, standing in a line to wait their turn.
"Hey, this looks good. I mean, look, it's cleaner" He pointed out. Peter shake his head.
"I don't know. It looks good... too good. I mean, look around, this whole place is trash and then there's this clean clinic that stands out... Doesn't seem a little weird to you?"
"Would you rather go inside one of those dirty clinics?" Rocket asks. Hako shrugs and stands at the end of the line.
"I'll go, just wait here" She said. Gamora stands next to her. "What are you doing?"
"I'm going with you. If I'm not there then you'll do something stupid"
"I feel offended"
"Well, while the girls go in I'll go to take a look around" Said Rocket. "Let's go Groot" He look down but Groot was already gone. "Groot?" He then spots him hugging Hako's leg. "That little piece of wood is way too obsessed with her"
"What did you expect? She took care of him while he was in that pot" Peter pointed out. "At least he's not calling her mother"
"I think that he thinks of her as a mother, but he's not saying it out loud"
It took them at least half an hour for the doctor to finally see them. Hako sat down in a hospital gurney, Gamora stood near the door with her arms crossed. The doctor, a really old Kree with a scar on his forehead, gaze at Hako with awe. He looks at her from head to toes and then looks at Gamora.
"It isn't the first time I see a Derran" He said with a calm, almost tired, voice. "I thought I'll never see one again... until I hear what happen in Xandar. You can't tell how excited I was to see that the species was not completely dead. There might be a chance for it to come back from the ashes and resurge" He's way of talking remind Hako of the Collector, but not that fancier.
"... I'm sorry to disappoint, but I don't think I'll do that" Hako shrug.
"... That's such a shame. In this universe there are a lot of species that come and go, some don't get the luxury of a second chance... You should keep that in mind" He said and then grab Hako's arm, examining the wounds. "Hmmm... Yes, this is painful. The Blood Transmutation is an interesting disease, yet deadly. Luckily is not contagious"
"Is there a way to cure it?" Gamora asks.
"It's not that simple. There are a lot of possible ways to stop it, but it all depends on the individual. Each Derran is actually unique on the inside... Didn't you know that?"
"What do you mean by that?" Hako ask.
"I actually knew a Derran. He explains to me that Derrans divided into three types depending on their blood... Solid, acid and elastic. Most Derrans can crystallize their blood, they are the "Warriors". Those who can turn their blood into acid were the "Hunters". Lastly, the ones that could make their blood into an elastic material, those were the "Guardians". The had that weird hierarchy. For the looks of it you could've been a "Warrior", but from what I'm seeing from some of your wounds... you are actually showing signs of being capable of using other types of blood, which is weird. It shouldn't even be possible"
"So you are telling me that my blood shouldn't be able to burn my skin and turn into acid?"
"Yes, it shouldn't be possible"
"... Maybe that's because you are half-Derran" Said Gamora.
"Oh, a half-blood," Said the doctor, surprised. "Derrans forbid them to the point they consider it taboo... I can see the problem now"
"So... Any solution, Doc?" Hako asks, a little concerned.
"Well... There might be a way to help, but I can't make any promises at all"
"Anything is good"
"... You shouldn't be that willing..." The doctor sigh. "Listen... There are two options now. I can give you a serum with nanomachines that will help to maintain your blood in a liquid state, but it will probably mess up with your ability and might do more harm than good"
"And what the second option?" Gamora asks.
"... Have you ever hear about the Sovereign?"
"... You have to fucking kidding me...?"