Merry wrestled against the chain that bound her to the heavy stone fountain that stood outside her parent's home. For hours she pulled against the binds and each time she only exhausted herself; the chain would not break. Collapsing, she ended up on all fours, her silver hair skimming the green grass. Picking her head up, she looked around. Much like her garden on the Aster, it was filled with gorgeous flowers and Merry tried to imagine she was there instead. Sitting straight up, she ran a hand through her hair and wiped at the dried tears. Scooting closer to the large stone base of the foundation, she leaned against it.

Just then, Merry heard a noise. She quickly brought her hands over her stomach. After Nebula's threat, she had to protect her child at all cost. Merry knew she couldn't fight but she would damn sure try if it meant getting back to Ronan. Her body tensed in preparation for a fight but then softened when she saw the cause of the noise.

Clad in a black cloak, Nika quickly made her way to Merry. Falling to her knees in front of her, Nika began to cry. "Oh, Merry…"

Merry's own tears streamed from her eyes and she wrapped her arms around her friend. As Nika held her, she stroked her hair and whispered kind words. Fresh, fat tears escaped as Merry was reminded of the other times she cried in Nika's arms; alone and sad at the situation the universe decided to give her.

Cupping Merry's face, Nika looked at her. "Your parents told me they brought you back here." Her sad blue eyes looked over Merry; her dress was ripped and tattered, most likely due to rough handling, her hair was unkempt and dried tears stained her face. Her usually bright green eyes were drab and shone with tears. Nika's gaze landed on the chain that was wrapped around Merry's ankle. "Did your parents do this?" She asked, touching the metal.

"My mother." Merry answered and placed her hand over her friend's. "I thought I got away this time. I thought they could no longer u-u-use me." Merry's lips trembled as another rush of tears rained down her face. "Only useful as a bargaining chip." She covered her face with her hands as sobs raked her tired body. Nika's arms wrapped around her once more, her warmth enveloping Merry, comforting her. "I need Ronan."

The tone of Merry's voice broke Nika's heart. Running her hand down her back, Nika spoke up, "Merry, you have endured and that is something to be proud of. You will make it through this."

Merry moved far away enough from Nika to face her. "You think so?"

Chuckling, Nika tucked as stray strand of Merry's hair behind her ear. "I saw you. When I was walking towards you," her voice was gentle and proud. "You were ready to fight off whatever was to come your way."

"I will do anything to protect Ronan's child."

"And he would be proud."

Nika's words warmed Merry's heart and increased her confidence. She was going to escape her parents and she will make it back to her home.

"Why did they bring you here?" Nika asked.

Merry paused. She didn't know why Nebula kidnapped her and she definitely didn't know why she was brought back to her parents. "I don't know, Nika. Do you think they're going to trade me to a different man?" She was panicking.

"Calm down, Merry." Nika soothed. "I have not heard them speak of such plans."

"How can you be sure?"

"Think about it." Nika began. "Would your parents risk their status by trying to pawn off their daughter who not only bed a Kree but is expecting a half Kree, half Xandrian child?"

While blunt and surely a slight towards her, Merry saw Nika's logic. The company her parents kept all thought less of non Xandarians and the Kree were the most despised. They wouldn't risk a break in their social stature to wed Merry off, knowing full well she has mated with Ronan.

The sound of approaching footsteps froze both women with fear.

"Go!" Merry whispered frantically to her friend.

Nodding her head, Nika placed a kiss on top of Merry's head and quickly made a run for it. She was completely out of sight by the time Kehya made her appearance, Jael behind her.

"You know if you would have just kept still we wouldn't have had to chain you." Kehya said lightly.

"Why have you done this?" Merry cried.

Staring down at her daughter, Kehya sneered. "Because, Xandar needs to be cleansed. The people and the culture that have populated here are a disease." She turned her nose up at Merry, "Your husband is the leader of a race of savages. Our government has shamed us by allowing them to live. They should have been completely wiped out."

"They killed his mother…" Merry said weakly. "His sister. Innocent families!"

"Such is the burden." Kehya began, "Your mongrel is a radical, a zealot. A terrorist in the making."

"Because he wishes for his people to thrive?" Merry felt anger seeping into her veins, heating her blood. She straightened her back and stared up at her mother. She laid a protective hand over her stomach, "And they will thrive! The heir to the Kree Empire rests in my womb!"

Suddenly, Merry's head snapped back and her cheek felt as if a swarm of bees had stung her. She felt the painful flesh and heat radiated from the marking.

"Kehya!" Jael called out and yanked his wife's arm. "You weren't to touch her!"

Scowling, Kehya looked at her husband. "Are you defending her behavior?"

He shook his head and dropped her arm. "No, but I draw the line at physically harming her."

"But Nebula told us if she was hurt, that monster would be more eager to make the trade!"

"Trade?" Merry spoke up, flinching slightly because the movement jostled her sore cheek.

Kehya gave a small wicked, smug smile. "Yes. We are going to make a trade that is actually worth it. You for the Infinity Stone."

"Why do you need it?"

"To give to Thanos, so we can bring Xandar back to its former glory." Jael said.

"But all those people…" Merry's voice was thin.

"Will die." Kehya said simply. "And what Thanos doesn't know is once we gain back the Xandar of the Golden Age, Nova Prime is as good as dead, too. Then those Kree mongrels. Starting with Theus who should have given us the Stone in the first place."

Tears blurred Merry's vision. Her parents were going to murder Ronan and his people and Xandar was to fall to ruins. Then afterwards Thanos would have the Infinity Stone and who knows what Hel he would wrought onto the universe.

"Don't do this, please." Merry begged.

Something that looked like empathy flashed quickly over Jael's face but he soon shook it off. They have come too far to back down now.

"We used to be the pinnacle of Xandarian society." Kehya began. "We were envied and lived a comfortable life. Then Nova Prime came and welcomed all those who needed refuge." Her lip twisted in anger. "Now the streets are overrun with aliens who don't belong here."

Merry saw her mother's eyes drop to her belly and she tightened the hand that protected it.

Kehya frowned and huffed and turned towards her husband, "Send word to the Kree where he is to meet us."

Jael nodded and watched as his wife walked past. Taking one last sad glance at his daughter, Jael turned and followed.

Hours Later…

"Where are they?" Ronan demanded angrily.

"They said to meet here and to wait." Peter reminded him. "Ronan, they want the Stone. They are going to come."

Ronan scowled at looked around the flat area. The coordinates Jael sent had landed them in a vast flat land. There were barely any trees and only a few patches of grass decorated the dirt. They had been waiting in this wasteland for far too long and Ronan's patience was wearing thin. With every second that ticked by he feared more and more for Merry and the baby.

Gamora was crouched down next to Rocket who was vigorously working on a huge weapon. As they waited the Guardians honed their plan and Rocket went to work on building a gun powerful enough to shatter Ronan's Universal Weapon in order to free the Stone. "Is it ready?"

"Almost." Rocket grunted as he finished the final touches. "Should be powerful enough to destroy Ronan's weapon so we can get the Stone out. Which, by the way…sorry, I guess?"

"I am Groot." Groot stated.

"Fine, fine!" Rocket exasperated. "I truly am sorry I am ruining your weapon." Turning to look up at Groot, "There!"

Groot gave him an approving nod.

Drax made his way to Ronan and placed his hand on his shoulder. "I feel your pain. I, too, have worried if I would see my wife and child again. Unfortunately, that was not to be the case." Drax's voice was low and somber. "However, this tale will end differently. We will get Merry back to safety."

Ronan felt for the man and understood his pain. He had known the pain of loss – losing his mother and his sister, as well as most of his people. He wasn't about to lose Merry, too. Silence fell over all the Guardians and Ronan as they waited anxiously.

"I am Groot!" Groot pointed to an approaching hover vehicle.

Ronan's body became tense as it came closer to the group. His grip on his weapon tightened, he could feel the energy from the Stone. Ronan's gaze then fell on Rocket. "Rocket you need to out of sight so they do not see you."

The raccoon nodded, "Alright. When do you want to blast this thing off?"

"After we give them the false orb and they are fully out of sight."

Taking his orders Rocket started off towards the Dark Aster, which Ronan had seated on the flat plains. The remaining Guardians and Ronan stood still waiting and watching as their guests made their way toward them. The vehicle finally made its destination, which was yards away from where they stood. The door opened and a shrewd looking woman stepped out. She was clad in fine silk and jewels and her own silver hair was coiffed delicately. Not far behind her a tall man appeared, dressed in the same fine silk and encrusted with his own gaudy jewels. He tugged on a pale arm and Merry stumbled out of the vessel. His grip was tight and bruising, dragging her behind him as he followed his wife.

Ronan's mood impossibly grew blacker as he saw the maltreatment of Merry. Then he noticed the handprint that was bright pink against her pale cheek. Furious, he took a hard step forward but Peter gripped his arm and shook his head.

"Ronan, stay calm." Peter quietly commanded.

Kehya waltzed up to Ronan and Peter and stood her ground. "You have something we desire."

"Yes." Ronan answered. "But first we demand that you hand Merry over."

"And trust you to hand us the Stone?" Jael asked aghast. "We think not."

Ronan looked over Merry. Her hair was moussed, her clothes were dirty and tattered; however, other than the mark on her face and bruises on her arm she seemed unharmed. Her green eyes met his and they were full of sadness and fear.

"This is an orb." Peter spoke up. Out of his knapsack he pulled out a silver sphere. Holding it up so that Kehya and Jael could see it, "It houses the Infinity Stone you seek. The orb stabilizes its power and ensures whoever is holding it is not destroyed."

Kehya and Jael looked at the orb with wonder. Jael spoke up, "We give our daughter to the Terran and you, Kree, give us the orb."

Ronan opened his mouth to question why Peter was to take Merry but Peter raised his hand to silence the outburst. "I accept the terms." Turning to Ronan, he handed him the orb and walked over to Kehya and Jael. Turning back to look at the Kree, "Ronan?"

Huffing, Ronan made his way to the couple and extended his arm out, the orb seated in his large palm. Kehya reached out and her hand hovered over the orb. As Jael thrust Merry roughly into Peter's arms. Just as Peter and Merry made contact, Kehya grabbed the orb. As she held the sphere close she cast her icy gaze at the three that stood in front of her. "You better enjoy this moment because your world will soon come crashing down."

Angry, Ronan moved closer to Kehya who slowly backed away. "I have every right to kill you." Kehya's mouth dropped in horror at the statement but Ronan carried on. "Get out of my sight while I let you live."

Kehya and Jael quickly ran towards their vehicle with the orb in hand. Ronan watched them but then soon turned to Merry. She was crying and jumped into his arms. He gathered her up close and wrapped his arm tightly around her. "Shhh, Merry…" They stayed like that for several moments.

"Ronan behind you!" Gamora suddenly yelled out.

Just as he was turning, he came face to face with Nebula. In each hand she held a gun, one pointing at Peter while the other was pointed to Ronan. "Did you really think we would fall for the false orb?"

Casting a side glance to Peter, Ronan looked back to Nebula. "You will never have the orb!"

"I don't need the orb, I just need the Infinity Stone." She spat back. "It isn't in the orb so where is it?" She looked at Merry, who held onto Ronan with a tight grip, "You better tell me, Ronan, or I'll kill your wife and cut the child from her womb as a parting gift."

A flood of anger rose up in Ronan so fast that he saw red. In his hand, the Infinity Stone that was housed in the Universal Weapon began feeding on his anger. A strong, purple light began to radiate.

"Gotcha." Nebula said pleased. Aiming her gun at the weapon, she pulled the trigger.

It all happened so fast. Nebula fired and suddenly shards of metal rained down upon them. Floating in the air, surrounded by a halo of light, was the Infinity Stone. Nebula made a leap but something in Merry pushed her to do the same. Both women were reaching for the stone but only one could catch it.

Merry reached out, she had to prove she was useful, that she was worth something, that she was strong. Her small hand caught the Stone and in an instant her world went black. A heat like no other overtook her body, filling every cell and ripping her apart. She screamed out in pain.

"Merry!" Ronan roared and moved to take the stone from her.

"No!" Peter yelled at the same time and quickly grabbed onto Merry's shoulder. The same heat, same power, was now shared between the two of them. A cloud of purple gas and lighting began to surround them and pushed Ronan away. As the Stone's power began peeling the skin from their bodies, Peter pried Merry's fingers apart and freed the Stone. It hung in the air, spurring on the storm.

Groot broke through the wall of destructive energy. In his hands was the original orb, opening it, he gently sealed the Infinity Stone back in its protective confine. As soon as the orb was screwed shut, the purple cloud diminished. It cleared away, revealing both Peter and Merry who lay on the ground.

"Peter!" Gamora yelled, running toward her friend. Falling to her knees, she shook his body. After a few vigorous movements Peter came to. Blinking, his eyes looked up into Gamora's worried face. She breathed a sigh of relief and helped him sit up, once he was settled he looked over to Ronan who clenched Merry to his chest.

Drax slowly made his way to Ronan and Merry.

"She isn't responding." Ronan proclaimed forlorn.

"We will take her to the Nova Corp healing center." Drax promised. "You need to stop Nebula, Kehya, and Jael from retuning to Thanos."

Ronan looked at Merry. Her eyes were closed and her body was limp. She was breathing but her pulse was very, very faint. Cuts and bruises marred her body. He swung her body up into his arms and handed her over to Drax, who cradled her close. "Please make sure she lives."

Drax heard the sadness in Ronan's voice and nodded his promise. Ronan made his way back to the Dark Aster just as Rocket stepped out from the ship.

"Hey what happened….oh." Rocket stopped when he saw Merry in Drax's arms. She looked near death. Quill didn't look much better but at least he was conscious. A shadow cast over the little creature as Ronan moved passed and into the Dark Aster.

Moving towards the rest of the Guardians, Rocket came to stand before Peter and Gamora. "What do we do now?"

Gamora looked at him. "Keep Merry alive."