Reddian nervously sat in the large, stiff chair while avoiding his older brother's accusing stare. He looked down and wrangled his rough, calloused hands. Taking a few deep breathes, his own purple eyes met Ronan's angry ones. Reddian winced when Ronan's war painted face cast a scowl.

"Let me make sure I have this correct." Ronan began as he begun to slowly waltz toward Reddian. "You and Kalen aligned yourself with Nebula, allowed for our people to be terrorized, and to top it all off." He froze and bared his teeth in anger. "Put my wife and child in danger." He quickly stepped in front of the younger man and frowned. "What was going through your mind?"

Reddian opened and closed his mouth a few times. There was no justification for what he had participated in and he put his people at risk. Shame pulsed through his veins and a ruddy color spread along his face. "Kalen was persuasive."

Ronan let out a dramatic sigh. "What could he have possibly said that would convince you-"

"He said that if you got as soft as father we would all die!" Reddian shouted, eyes bright with unshed tears. "Father swore to protect us with the Infinity Stone but instead tossed it aside." He brought his fist up to his eyes. "Mother and Lela and countless others were lost because of it. I didn't want to lose what family I had left."

Taking his eyes off his younger brother, Ronan turned and started out a large window. "I'm sorry, Ronan." At Reddian's small voice, Ronan turned. "There has just been so much change…Even now we are in a Nova Corp room. You wouldn't have set foot in here a short while ago."

"You're right." Ronan agreed. "However, things have changed. Nova Prime has generously offered a new beginning for those who seek it."

"What do you mean?" Reddian asked, confusion laced his voice.

Giving Reddian a small smile, Ronan's strong hands grasped the man's shoulder. "Brother, Nova Prime is giving us a large amount of land to help rebuild." Ronan's intense gaze softened. "There is no need to worry. You won't lose any more family."

"What about Kalen?" Reddian asked in a meek voice.

Ronan's face taunted and he became stiff. "Under normal circumstances I would kill him for his betrayal." Ronan waved off Reddian's shocked expression. "I won't this time." He stood up and looked down at Reddian. "Let us go. I wish to speak with him."

Merry's Childhood Home

"Oh, how the mighty have fallen." Merry said to herself as she looked around the disheveled and ransacked remains of her childhood home. Furniture, paintings, and other décor were thrown about and broken dishes and other china were shattered among the floor.

"It doesn't take long for ravagers to loot abandon homes." Nova Prime commented. "After the Corps collected your parent's bodies and cleaned up the blood, it was only a matter of time."

An involuntary grimace overtook Merry's body at the mention of bodies and blood. Looking down at the floor, she noticed the faint discoloration that marked the spot where her parents met their doom. "Do you know who killed them?"

Surprised by the question, Nova Prime's eyebrows raised. "You don't know?"

Shrugging her shoulders, Merry ideally picked at a section of peeling wallpaper. "I figured it was Ronan…"

"Would that bother you if that were the case?"

Merry's picking ceased and she picked up some crumbled flowers that were covered by pieces of a broken vase. Smoothing the soft petals with her fingertips, Merry stared at the plants. "No." Her eyes met Nova Prime's. "After everything they did…" Anger gripped Merry's small frame and she clenched the flowers in her fist. "They deserved it." A heat pooled in her fist and the flowers began to disintegrate until nothing was left. Opening her palm, Merry gasped and her shocked face looked to Nova Prime.

Nova Prime stood still, not even blinking as she made her way closer to the young woman. "We feared this may happen."

"W-what would happen?" Merry asked. She looked down at her hand and noticed a faint purple hue tinted the pale skin.

"You absorbing some of the stone's power." Nova Prime said simply. "The Reality Stone is known to seek a host." She shrugged. "We hypothesized that other stones would do the same."

Merry ground her teeth together. "And you weren't going to tell me?" Her fist clenched and the purple hue became more vibrant while Nova Prime took a step back. "Even if it was just a theory, you still should have told me!" Small cracks began to tear at Merry's skin, all accompanied with a violent haze.

"Merry!" Nova Prime exclaimed. "Please calm down!"

Taking a deep breath, Merry closed her eyes and willed herself to calm down. She thought of Ronan, their child, the Guardians, Nika, and her Kree brothers and sisters. Looking down at her body, she saw the cracks disappearing and her skin became normal once more.

"Obviously, anger triggers it." Nova Prime concluded. She cast a guilty glance towards Merry. "You're right, we should have discussed it with you. However, you were under so much stress already…" Her voice trailed off; no matter how much she justified the decision, it still may not have been the right choice. Silence blanketed the room.

"You never answered my question." Merry's soft voice broke the stillness. "Who killed my parents?"

Nova Prime shifted on her feet. "I'm not sure I want to tell you."

Merry ignored the small swell of pride at Nova Prime's nervousness around her. She was finally someone to be taken seriously, even if it took dying to achieve it. "Tell me."

"Nika."

Arching her brow, Merry looked back down at the floor. "What reason did Nika have to kill them?" Merry knew Nika had plenty but she wasn't going to discuss that with Nova Prime.

"It is possible that your parents had something to do with Myes' death." Nika's husband.

Folding her arms across her chest, Merry continued with her question. "Did they?"

Nova Prime shook her head. "We are not sure. There is no way to explicitly prove it." She motioned to the floor. "It's not like we can ask them." She clasped her hands together. "I brought you here so that you can get closure." At Merry's odd look, Nova Prime continued. "Also, so you can gather your things and bring them to the house that was built for you and Ronan."

"A house?" Merry's eyes sparkled with excited and huge smile grew on her face.

Chuckling, Nova Prime nodded. "Yes, your very own."

Giving Nova Prime a small smile, Merry began walking toward the large doors. "There is nothing I want or need within these walls."

Arching her brows, Nova Prime turned and followed Merry. "What do you suppose I do with it all?"

Once they were outside the house, Merry turned and placed her hand against the hard stone of the wall. "Destroy it." Light glowed from beneath her palm and suddenly the building came tumbling down, burying all its secrets.

The Dark Aster

Ronan and Reddian made their way through the large crowd of Kree families that were currently it the process of moving their belongings out of the Dark Aster. Many had expressions of excitement while others looked apprehensive and worried. Young Kree children skipped behind their parents, elated for a new adventure.

Ronan sought out Prax and motioned for him to follow. "Have you see Kalen?"

"Last I saw he was on the commanding bridge." Prax answered.

"Let us hope he is still there." Ronan returned, his voice gruff.

Reddian and Prax remained quiet as they came to the bridge of the ship. Seated on Ronan's commanding chair was Kalen, just as tall as his brother but lacking the muscular build. His own eyes were blacked out and he wore a scowl upon his lips. "Ronan." His tone was icy.

"Kalen." Ronan returned just as coldly. "I leave and you decide to take my place."

"Just as well, you abandoned us to suite your own needs."

Frowning, Ronan stepped closer to Kalen. "I never abandoned anyone. I was ensuring the health and safety of both my wife and our father."

Giving a malicious smile, Kalen stood up. "You could have remarried and the old man? He was done for anyway. I'm surprised he lasted this long."

Reddian quirked a brow at Kalen's statement. "You wanted father to die?"

"Reddian, you are too precious." Kalen mocked. He began walking towards the three men. "I didn't just want him to die, I ensured it would happen. It just took longer than expected."

"What do you mean?" Prax demanded.

Rolling his eyes, Kalen continued. "The great thing about our dying race is that we are too quick to hold onto the old ways. I poisoned father with a plant I found on a dying star." He glanced at his brothers. "It's child's play to the medical advancements found on Asgard or Xandar but for the Kree? Certain death."

"Except he didn't die." Ronan pointed out.

"I know." Kalen scuffed. "That old bastard."

Ronan felt a fire rage begin in his gut and travel throughout his body. "I should kill you, I have every right."

He felt hands holding his shoulders back and Prax appeared beside him. "You don't want his blood on your hands."

"I'm not a good man, Prax." Ronan retorted. "What does it matter?"

"You are a good man!" He cried out. "We are all relying on you! Us, Merry, and Xandar."

"Yes, Ronan." Kalen cooed. "Or should I say, Ronan the Accuser, Officer of the Nova Corps. Traitor." He seethed.

With a roar, Ronan came for Kalen and grabbed his neck and slammed him down on the hard stone floor. "You wish to speak of traitors?! You tried to kill our father, you fed information to Nebula and Thanos!" Ronan lifted Kalen's upper body a foot off the floor then slammed him back down, causing Kalen's head to snap back and crack against the stone.

"Ronan!" Prax cried out, then moved to drag Ronan away from Kalen. "It's not worth it." Prax reasoned as he led Ronan away from Kalen.

Kalen coughed and wiped blood from his face and scrambled to his feet. He made a mad dash toward Ronan and Kalen. He made a loud cry but was soon caught by Reddian who then slammed him back down to the ground and the force snapped Kalen's neck, killing him instantly.

"Reddian." Ronan said, surprised.

"He was coming after you." Reddian said. He looked at his brother's limp body on the ground. Reddian became quiet and suddenly felt the pangs of guilt.

Ronan saw the distress on his younger brother's face and made his way to him. "Reddian, you saved me. I will be forever grateful." Clasping his brother's shoulder. "Let us go."

Nodding his agreement, Reddian followed Ronan out of the commanding bridge with Prax behind them. Once again, they passed their fellow Kree and swirl of activity made them forget the darkness they just left behind.

The New Accuser Home

The stench of sterile air hit Merry's nose as soon as she stepped inside the home that was built for her and Ronan. She wrinkled her nose.

"That new home smell is quite off putting, isn't it?" Nova Prime mused as she reached out to touch the bare white wall. "Once you get settled, it will be more welcoming."

"I hope so." Merry said casually.

Feeling Merry's detachment, Nova Prime let out a small sigh. "I am truly sorry that I did not disclose to you what we knew about the stone." She watched Merry give her a sideways glance. "To be fair, we don't know much about it."

"Why not?" Merry asked. "Xandar is one of the most advanced planets in the universe."

"And?" Nova Prime Countered. "You are correct that we have the ability to discover what powers lie within that stone." She paused. "However, some things should not be tampered with. Hence why I obtained and exiled the stone once the original deal with your parents and Theus fell through."

"You knew about that?" Merry was surprised and a little embarrassed that Nova Prime new such an intimate detail about her life. However, she recalled Prax telling her that the stone was cast off somewhere.

"Yes." Nova Prime stated. "My intention was that no one would find it but then your husband hired Peter Quill and his crew."

Placing her hands on her hips, Merry gave Nova Prime a scrutinizing look. "If you knew that the stone was powerful, why didn't you keep it here with you? Why would you place it somewhere that anyone could find?"

"Am I not allowed to make mistakes?" Nova Prime snapped defensively. Collecting herself, she gave Merry a pleading look. "I apologize."

"No," Merry began. "You are right. We are allowed mistakes." She moved closer to Nova Prime. "I would be a hypocrite if I held this against you."

A frown formed between Nova Prime's eyebrows. "How so?"

Lifting her shoulders, Merry placed a hand over her stomach. "I desperately in love with a man who has had his share of mistakes and faults and yet I don't hold them against him. It would unfair to hold others to a different standard."

"You are a wise, fair young woman." Nova Prime smiled at Merry. Her eyes moved about the room before landing on the large clock that stood tall near the other end of the foyer. "I am sorry but I must take my leave." She reached out her hand and opened her palm which contained two keys. "Here are the keys to your new home. Enjoy." Once Merry took the keys, Nova Prime nodded and turned and walked out of the house.

Finding the stairs, Merry ascending to the second level of the house. Making her way down the hallway she found the large master bedroom; it had an attached bathing room and a huge walk in closet, much like the one on the Dark Aster. Delighted, Merry made her way further down the hallway and found four smaller bedrooms. She decided the one closest to the master bedroom would be perfect for the nursery.

The sound of the door opening and the sound of people entering the house had Merry in a panic before a familiar voice rang out.

"Merry? You here?" Peter's voice yelled out.

"Up stairs!" She called back.

Within seconds, the Guardians made their way into the small bedroom where Merry stood. She watched and giggled as Drax and Groot tried to maneuver through the door frame.

"I am Groot." Groot said annoyed.

"Why the hell would she need the doors to be that tall?" Rocket cried out. "You can stop being a baby and duck."

"I am Groot." His voice was grumpy.

"This is very nice." Gamora spoke up as she walked over to the large bay window. "You can see so much!"

Peter smiled at Gamora's excitement. He turned to Merry. "We have a gift for you."

Gasping, Merry smiled. "You didn't have to!"

"We hope you like it." Gamora said.

"I'm sure I will love it."

Rocket shrugged off the bag that he carried and opened the flap. His hands grabbed a cylinder of thick, rolled up fabric. He walked over to Merry and lifted the gift to her. "We made it, Merry. So it may not be perfect."

Giving the raccoon a grin, she took the gift. Unraveling the fabric, she held up the small blanket. Or quilt rather, as it was decorated by various squares that showcased a different scene. "It's beautiful." She looked at the group. "If you don't mind me asking, what does each square mean?"

"Each piece depicts our home planets." Drax explained. "The sixth tile is blank because we wanted you to finish it."

"We thought Ronan Jr. would appreciate it." Peter piped up. "This way, he can travel the galaxy and never leave the comfort of his bed."

"Or she." Gamora said with a laugh.

Blinking away tears, Merry hugged the quilt to her chest. "Thank you all! I love it."

"Why don't we break in this house by finishing that quilt?" Rocket suggested. "And if Merry feels up to it, she can also break in the kitchen and cook us some grub." He added sheepishly.

Laughing, Merry nodded. "Sounds like a plan."

Hours later, Ronan and Reddian stood outside the house. "This it?" Reddian asked, taking in the large structure.

"Yes." Ronan answered. After they left the Dark Aster, they spoke with Nova Prime would filled them in one what to be done about Thanos. She said that the information has been passed to Asgard and will eventually be handed down to the Midgardian protectors, The Avengers. While there, Nova Prime also informed Ronan that Merry was at their new home and had the okay to move in. They also discussed Theus and that he would be able to leave the hospital very shortly.

Walking up to the door, Ronan grabbed the handle and opened the door. He was immediately welcomed by the sound of laughter and the smell of delicious food.

"Hey Papa Smurf!" Peter laughed from his place on the large couch.

"Peter." Gamora scolded, then looking up at Ronan. "Merry is in the kitchen." Her eyes widened when she saw Reddian and a small blush colored her face. "Hello, Reddian."

"Hello, Gamora." Reddian blushed in return.

Gamora waved her hand over the small buffet of food that cluttered the small table, "Would you like something to eat?"

Ronan pushed his brother toward the Guardians. "Eat. It's been a long day." He watched Reddian grab a plate and gather up some food. On his way to the kitchen, he nodded to Groot, Drax, and Rocket. He made it to his destination and saw that Merry's back was to him.

"Merry." He said softly, not wanting to startle her.

Turning around quickly, Merry's eyes met his. "Ronan!" She wiped her hands on a dish towel and hurried over to him. Wrapping her arms around his middle, she crushed her body to his. In return, his large arms swallowed her up and held her close. Leaning down, his lips captured her and kissed her deeply.

"Mmm." Merry moaned as his lips left hers.

"You seem a bit busy." Ronan mused. "Where did you get the food?"

Giving him a grin, she bounced with excitement. "It was already here! A house warming gift from Nova Prime." She smiled proudly. "I made it."

"You don't say!" He joked.

Laughing, Merry cupped his face in her hands. "How was your day?"

Ronan's bright demeanor suddenly darkened and his body stiffened against Merry's. Before Ronan could answer, Merry stood up on her tip toes and crashed her lips against his. Breaking the kiss, she spoke softly. "Let us not talk about it." Grabbing his hand, she started toward the sitting room. "Let us eat and spend time with our friends. Tomorrow we will face our future."

Smiling at his wife, Ronan followed her; tonight he would celebrate.