The Encore of Batch 89
Chapter 1: 15 Years in Heaven
Lylla didn't know what surprised her more: the loud bang or the white hot piercing pain that had lanced through her back and stopped inside of her heart. She slowly put one of her metal graspers on her chest and let out a whimper as she felt herself fall backwards.
She could make out Sire saying something, which only confirmed what Rocket had said earlier. Sire didn't want them in the New World, he wanted them dead. She hadn't had the time to let the dismay and despair at that revelation sink in, because immediately after this revelation, Rocket had already moved on to his magnificent escape plan. She watched him make the key card that he then used to open the cages, utterly thrilled and amazed by his utter brilliance that she had grown to love so much. Then they finally got to hug each other for the first time.
And now she was dying.
It was getting harder to focus.
Harder to see.
Harder to think.
But then, as she looked up at the ceiling, somehow, she saw it.
"Sky. . ." she whispered.
The clouds.
The sun.
The stars.
The planets.
It was all there.
Just as Rocket had described.
Then, her pierced internally bleeding heart ceased to beat.
15 Years Later
The magnificent temple seemed to rise majestically above the planet's surface. Its ancient façade, adorned with intricate carvings that whispered tales of forgotten epochs, loomed majestically against the surreal backdrop of this ethereal realm.
The doors to this structure slid open, revealing a petite otter form whose presence was no mere happenstance. She had a purpose, a craving for adventure that transcended the confines of her former life.
A pair of headphones were atop her head, with a wire that trailed down to an iPod Touch securely fastened at her hip on a red cloth belt. She grabbed the device from its belt clip and took a long, thoughtful look at it.
". . .Maybe something a bit more . . .retro."
The Ipod Touch immediately turned into a red colored 6th Generation iPod Classic.
". . .and some wireless headphones would be nice."
The wire vanished and the headphones became sleek and more modern.
The temple's threshold was breached by the otter, and with a nonchalant press of a button, the air was instantly flooded with the tantalizing melody of "The Sweet Escape." As Gwen Stefani's voice filled her ears, Lylla's world transformed into a vibrant dance of colors and sound.
Woo hoo, yee hoo
Woo hoo, yee hoo
Woo hoo, yee hoo
Woo hoo, yee hoo
Her lithe figure moved with an innate grace, her nimble paws brushing against the cool, ancient stones beneath her. Each step synchronized effortlessly with the beat, as if the rhythm itself guided her path. As the opening verse played out, Lylla's lips curled into a playful smile, and she began to lip sync to Gwen's voice.
If I could escape
I would but, first of all, let me say
I must apologize for acting stank
And treating you this way
Lylla embarked on her adventure through the temple: a treacherous labyrinth of cunning traps and ancient perils. The first obstacle that stood in her path were the menacing wall spikes. As she entered the temple, the dimly lit corridor seemed unassuming, but a subtle shift in the stones triggered the trap.
'Cause I've been acting like sour milk all on the floor
It's your fault you didn't shut the refrigerator
Maybe that's the reason I've been acting so cold?
With a dancer's grace, Lylla's keen instincts kicked in. Her lithe otter form darted to the side, avoiding the spikes that shot out from the walls with deadly intent. She weaved through the narrow gap with precision, her fur barely grazing the threatening spikes as she continued her melodic journey.
As Lylla ventured deeper into the temple's recesses, she encountered the swinging ceiling blades. These deadly pendulums descended with alarming speed, their razor-sharp edges glinting ominously in the dim light.
If I could escape (Escape)
And recreate a place that's my own world (Own world)
And I could be your favorite girl (Forever)
Perfectly together
And tell me boy now wouldn't that be sweet? (Sweet escape, sweet escape)
With every note of the song pulsating through her headphones, she calculated her movements meticulously. As the blades descended, she leaped gracefully over them, her petite body soaring through the air with an elegance that defied the trap's merciless intent. Her timing was impeccable, each jump a perfect harmony with the swinging blades that grazed the ground where she had just stood.
Woo hoo, yee hoo (I wanna get away, get away)
Woo hoo, yee hoo (To our sweet escape)
Woo hoo, yee hoo (I want to get away)
Woo hoo, yee hoo (Yeah)
The temple, however, had more tricks up its ancient sleeves. Trap doors concealed beneath her feet threatened to plunge her into darkness. The stone beneath her paws gave way, but Lylla's reactions were lightning-quick. She leaped forward, her back legs propelling her with a burst of energy. Her body cleared the falling trap door, and she landed gracefully on the other side, her heart pounding with exhilaration.
You melt me down
I'm at my lowest boiling point
Come help me out
I need to get me out of this joint
Come on, let's bounce
Counting on you to turn me around
Instead of clowning around
Let's look for some common ground
But the temple's challenges were far from over. A barrage of darts, concealed within the temple's walls, came hurtling toward her in a deadly barrage. Lylla's otter senses went into overdrive as she calculated the trajectory of each dart.
'Cause I've been acting like sour milk all on the floor
It's your fault you didn't shut the refrigerator
Maybe that's the reason I've been acting so cold?
With each agile step, she dodged the projectiles, her movements a mesmerizing dance of evasion. Her fur ruffled as darts whizzed past her, mere inches from her sleek form.
If I could escape (Escape)
And recreate a place that's my own world (Own world)
And I could be your favorite girl (Forever)
Perfectly together
And tell me boy now wouldn't that be sweet? (Sweet escape, sweet escape)
The final obstacle was conquered, her every movement a testament to her unwavering resolve and her skillful navigation through a world designed to test her mettle. As the song reached its conclusion, Lylla's journey led her to the treasure chamber, where the temple's featured treasure awaited.
Woo hoo, yee hoo (I wanna get away, get away)
Woo hoo, yee hoo (To our sweet escape)
Woo hoo, yee hoo (I want to get away)
Woo hoo, yee hoo (Yeah)
Woo hoo, yee hoo
Woo hoo, yee hoo
Woo hoo, yee hoo
She gently removed her headphones, the music fading away, revealing the silence of the ancient chamber.
There, bathed in a celestial glow, was the object of her desire—an exquisite jade orb, pulsating with an otherworldly aura.
As she entered the treasure chamber at the heart of the temple, Lylla was met with a surprising sight. Floor was already there, her eyes gleaming with delight as she marveled at the perfect green sphere sitting on its plinth. Lylla's lips curled into a playful grin as she said, "Well, look who got here first! Congratulations, Floor!"
Floor beamed with childlike enthusiasm. "Floor did good! Floor likes shiny things!"
Lylla chuckled and said, "It seems you were right about that back entrance being quicker."
Floor nodded as Lylla approached, and the pair's eyes fell upon the magnificent jade orb, another piece to add to their growing collection of treasures and curiosities. Without hesitation, Lylla and Floor decided to forego any elaborate schemes and simply reached out to grab it. As their paws closed around the precious artifact, the temple quaked around them, the very stones seeming to protest their audacity.
Laughter bubbled from their lips as they turned to make their hasty escape, the temple's defenses sprang to life once more, challenging their every move. Lylla, her heart pounding with adrenaline, led the way, her lithe otter form darting forward with a graceful agility that defied the looming perils.
Floor, her unique robotic legs granting her a spider-like grace, followed closely behind. The six insect-like appendages carried her with an eerie, mechanical fluidity, their articulated joints enabling her to navigate the obstacles with surprising dexterity. Her antennae wiggled with excitement, betraying her childlike enthusiasm even in the face of danger.
Their path was fraught with danger. Swinging blades descended from the ceiling, threatening to slice through the air in a deadly arc. Lylla's nimble feet barely grazed the ground as she leaped over the perilous path, her every move a testament to her unwavering determination.
Floor, with her robotic legs, displayed an uncanny ability to adapt. Her legs skittered and adjusted with precision, allowing her to dart between the descending blades with an eerie grace. The metallic limbs, moving in unison, allowed her to maintain a steady pace, never faltering as she matched Lylla's pace step for step.
The temple shook as they traversed, ancient stones grinding against each other, protesting the intrusion of these audacious adventurers. Lylla and Floor, however, remained undaunted, their laughter and shared determination echoing through the cavernous halls.
The traps they had once faced were now a mere obstacle course, a challenge they were determined to conquer. The booby traps released their deadly payloads, but the two friends moved with such finesse and precision that they seemed to dance through the perilous gauntlet.
As they neared the colossal doors that marked their escape, the temple seemed to resist, as if reluctant to release its doors began to close with a resounding rumble, and a sense of urgency filled the air.
But Lylla and Floor were unyielding. With a final burst of speed, they made a daring sprint, their movements synchronized like a well-choreographed performance, and yet the temple's colossal doors swung shut with a thunderous boom, sealing them inside. . .
But in this realm, where the rules of life and death held no sway, the two friends remained unperturbed.
"Whoops! Too slow this time!" Floor said nonchalantly.
Lylla and Floor shared a knowing glance, and their laughter resonated within the temple's confines. In an instant, the jade orb vanished from their grasp, and the colossal doors reopened, granting them passage. The Afterlife's whimsical nature had once again played its part in their adventure.
A short walk from the entrance to the temple, their ship awaited. The spaceship's exterior was a vision of streamlined sophistication. Its elongated fuselage was polished to a mirror-like finish, reflecting the surreal landscapes of the Afterlife as if merging with the very cosmos itself. The vessel's silver surface was adorned with subtle, luminescent accents that traced intricate patterns, resembling constellations against the night sky.
The front of the ship featured a conical nose cone, housing state-of-the-art navigation systems that guided them through the enigmatic realms they explored. Along the sides, sleek wings extended gracefully, designed not for atmospheric flight but as stabilizers for interdimensional travel. These wings had an intricate lattice structure that gave them an almost ethereal appearance.
A single, elongated thruster adorned the rear of the spaceship, its blue flames shimmering with a mesmerizing, otherworldly quality. It served as the vessel's propulsion system, propelling them through the boundless dimensions of the Afterlife with unparalleled precision.
Stepping into the ship's interior was like entering a realm of endless possibilities. The main chamber was spacious, with curved, white walls that seemed to flow organically. Soft, pastel-colored lights bathed the room, casting a soothing ambiance that contrasted with the spaceship's exterior.
A central control console dominated the chamber, adorned with holographic interfaces that allowed for effortless navigation through the truly forever sky. It was here that Lylla, Floor, and Teefs coordinated their adventures, plotting their course through the realms of the Afterlife.
Comfortable seating arrangements surrounded the central console, their designs inspired by a fusion of futuristic aesthetics and classic comfort. Cushioned chairs and lounges invited relaxation, their surfaces adorned with plush, velvety textures that felt heavenly to the touch.
The walls of the spaceship were adorned with intricate artwork, some of which seemed to shift and change in response to the occupants' thoughts and emotions. The art told tales of their past adventures, each stroke and line a memory etched in time. There were also many shelves to display the various treasures and trophies they had gathered during the last 15 years of exploration. Had they succeeded, the jade orb would have gotten its own spot as well.
A galley stood adjacent to the main chamber. Gleaming stainless steel surfaces housed a range of appliances, and the air was often filled with the enticing aromas of culinary experiments. It was here that the trio shared meals and exchanged stories of their Afterlife escapades.
Lylla and Floor found Teefs there, surrounded by a medley of ingredients and pots and pans. His walrus form might have been an odd sight in a kitchen, but he had discovered a newfound passion for cooking in this realm of endless possibilities.
Teefs grinned as he stirred a pot, his deep British accent adding a touch of charm to his words. "I am guessing ya didn't get the treasure this time, mates. Ah well. I got to try a few new recipes while you were out."
The trio settled around the table, their souls content as they recounted their latest escapade and enjoyed Teefs' culinary creations. Floor's antennae wiggled in excitement as she spoke about their adventures, her childlike joy infectious.
In the midst of their conversation, Floor brought up an intriguing idea. "Friends, what if we visit Yondu, the original Groot, and Gamora? They here in the Afterlife too. Maybe they get jade orb faster!"
Their thoughts turned to potential reunions and shared quests. Before they could delve further into their plans, a sudden call blared from the spaceship's holographic phone.
As the holographic image flickered to life, a presence of incomprehensible power and wisdom materialized. The friends stared in awe at The Creator God of the Multiverse, The One Above All. The hands that guided the hands. The ultimately all-powerful being whose only weapon is love.
The One Above All was humanoid, bathed in a golden glow. Dressed in a buttoned shirt with an open collar, a pair of spectacles on his face, a smooth mustache and short beard of white which matched the slightly spiky hair that stood up tall on his head. He gazed upon them with a benevolent smile that conveyed he was happy to see them.
This was not the first time the trio had met The One Above All. Naturally they met him immediately after they each died, and they met him a second time when he tasked them to convince Rocket to return to life as the raccoon stood on the very threshold of the Afterlife.
"As expected, you have all found the Afterlife to be everything you've ever wanted. Everything you were denied in life. The idealized existence that your innocent souls deserve."
Much like the previous two times, Floor and Teefs were too awestruck by The One Above All's presence to speak. Lylla was the only one who was able to find her voice, and all she managed to do was nod humbly and say, "Yes. We are so very grateful for all you have given us."
"Indeed. I also know that you are intrigued by my decision to speak with you at this time. For the answer, let us discuss."
Their surroundings changed in a blink of an eye. No longer in their ship, the trio found themselves standing in a warm, cozy room with chairs, a big desk with computers and multiple monitors, and a wall lined with book cases. The room was so cozy that it even got Floor and Teefs to relax in the One Above All's presence.
"Where this?" Floor asked with wide eyes curiosity.
The One Above All sat in a swivel chair at the computer desk and said, "Welcome to my house. The House of Ideas. The center. The core. The birthplace of all that was...all that is...and all that yet may be..."
"But. . . why have you brought us here?" Lylla asked softly, "We haven't done all that much. We were always just a part of Rocket's story. . ."
"That may be, but do not forget, I have seen the Multiverse. I have witnessed Variants of yourselves do great things and accomplish great tasks. Do you truly believe that all of your adventures and accomplishments in the Afterlife were simply handed to you out of pity or obligation? No. Everything you have done here, every challenge complete, contest won, puzzle solved; all of it was your own skills and abilities. The potential you had in life made manifest in the Afterlife. Had you never died, you would have surely risen to greatness alongside Rocket."
The three were amazed by these words. Teefs shook his head and said in a hushed tone, "Well. . . greatness. . .and all we wanted to do was just see the sky."
The One Above All leaned back thoughtfully in his chair, and he said, "Now. . . I did not bring you here just to tell you that. For you see, the true nature of the Multiverse is a mystery even to me. And that mystery intrigues me. But to solve that mystery, I must both observe the Multiverse and protect its balance, for an unbalanced Multiverse is something even I cannot fix. I normally do not interfere directly, but I will do so when necessary. And with a threat to the Multiverse approaching, the time for such an action has come. Therefore, I offer to you three, resurrection."
The room was silent, as the three stared at him in disbelief.
"You. . .make us. . .alive again?" Floor said slowly.
"To stop the threat to the Multiverse, I will."
"But how could we . . .?" Lylla gasped out, mind reeling from what she was hearing.
"As I have said, you are far greater than you realize. Also, my help is always subtle. You will simply be joining the Avengers and the Guardians in their battle against the Dynasty of darkness that is encouraging upon the Multiverse. Your actions will create the ripples that will grow into the massive waves that will lead to a destiny filled with light."
The second the word "Guardians'' was uttered, Lylla's eyes lit up with joy and hope. ". . .We'll get to see Rocket again," she said, the joy evident in her voice.
"You will. But this gift has its conditions, which are necessary so that you may find your own destinies. First, while you will surely seek out Rocket Raccoon immediately, eager for a reunion, that reunion will elude you. For one year you shall search, but you will not find him, and he will not find you. Only after that year is done will it become possible for you to cross paths with him, and it will be when you least expect it."
Teefs nodded and said, "Well, that will fly by, right? A year is not all that long, isn't it?"
". . .Yes. If we have to wait a year, that's fair enough," Lylla said, accepting the terms.
"One more thing. Your memories of your time here shall be locked away. Much like how I put the souls killed by Thanos in stasis and out of the Afterlife until they could be restored to life, your memories must also be sequestered away. The living should not be burdened with the answers of what lies after death. These memories will be returned when you return."
Floor had a thought, and she voiced it, "Friends also forget no see Rocket for year?"
"Yes."
"Oh," Floor replied.
"Hmmmm," Lylla said thoughtfully, "I suppose that's for the best as well. Yes, we will be spending a year looking for something we can't find, but who knows what will be able to find and do along the way!"
Teefs smiled broadly and said, "Oi, ain't that the truth. Like what they say: it be the journey, not the destination that counts."
"Then it seems you all are willing to return to life. To a world where there is pain, evil, and suffering."
"We understand," Lylla said, "There are many people like Sire down there, and life in general can be really hard. But we'd all do anything to be with Rocket again. And if we can help him save the Multiverse, how could we not go back?"
"Floor not afraid! Floor can fight bad guys!"
"I am thinking we'll get along fine in the living world. I just decided that I'm not gonna ever give up!" Teefs declared.
"Good. Now it is time for this affair to conclude, and your new story to begin . . ."
The One Above All turned his swivel chair around and looked at one of the many screens at the desk. He grabbed the mouse and said, " History's greatest inventions were crafted using its simplest tools. Like pencils."
He pulled up images of Lylla, Teefs, and Floor on the monitor.
"But when simple tools come together to create more complex ones, miraculous things can happen. . ."
He manipulated the images and selected them all.
"For instance, the beauty of computers is this:"
He moved the mouse cursor where it needed to go.
"They have undo buttons."
He clicked the mouse.