"I am Groot, I am Groot…." Branchie said in sleep as she was stretched out on Casey's double-bed in their room in her and Casey's room with her longer vinelike arm vines touching against the bedside table. It was many years into the future and Branchie and Casey were twelve but today was a big deal, their thirteenth birthday which Roxy, Rocket and Rocket Senior had been talking about for weeks only Branchie now had a growth spurt and reminding Rocket of her dad as a teen had embiggened her and Casey's room including the bed so they could both fit and Casey wouldn't get splinters when she slept near Branchie which made them happy as they needed their sleep to grow like all kids.
However right now, it was early morning and Branchie and Casey had been out doing their heroine thing now they were back on Earth but Rocket bounced between Raccoon-Earth and Wondergore but he kept in contact with the family plus Groot messaged Branchie online and talked on the Grootphone only Casey was asleep on Branchie's tummy which made the female-sapling smile only theGrootphone was vibrating. "Branchie, your phone, it's going off…" she heard Casey mumble about to get off her barky tummy so her pal could get her phone seeing Branchie stop her confusing her. Whenever Crystal or Kaley Whatsapped her, she always answered her phone so guessed Branchie had woken up on the wrong side despite it being their birthday.
"I am Groot, I am Groot." she said. "What if it's your dad wishing us happy birthday." Casey said softly.
"I am Groot." Branchie told her seeing a look on her Furry face with her whiskers sticking out which happened when she got anxious like at school when they had to take a test, or do a group project rubbing behind her ear which was relaxing her making her wonder what had bothered her furry pal making Casey shrug her shoulders getting dressed. "I just feel weird, oohhh you shed another twig which will be added to the collection." she saiid taking a deep breath putting it in the pot noticing Branchie's mossy hair was messy from sleep so was helping her brush it as she was gentle about it.
"Branchie, Casey you awake, we made breakfast." they heard Roxy say as they came downstairs and entered the kitchen seeing birthday pancakes as Branchie and Casey shared their birthday which Rocket found sweet along with Rocket Senior and Roxy plus Rocket had taught his and Casey's parents Groot, so they could understand Branchie when she talked which made her frustrated when others couldn't get her or understand what she was saying.
"I am Groot." Branchie told Roxy. "You're welcome sweetie, as it's a big day for the both of you maybe your dad will visit." sh replied making Rocket smile. "Yeah anything can happen-" Casey said feeling weird like her powers bubbling up but different shape-shifting into Groot astounding them making Casey freaked out. "Sshhhh it's okay focus on looking like your normal self." Rocket told her. "W-What happened, is it a jew power." Casey asked looking at her paws making Rocket sigh.
"This is because of the X-Gene in your blood that did this, activating during puberty snd yours is shapeshifting which is awesome." he told her. She was getting good at controlling the powers she had but could freeze them so she could do things like be in class or around her peers, yet she still wore her power-bands just in case but their parents and Branchie were in awe which surprised her making her feel better hugging them being careful as her powers were on again.
"Okay that was quite the surprise this morning. I hope that's the only one." Branchie heard Casey say.
After breakfast, she and Branchie were going to the park and Casey was using the half-pipe while Branchie was doing free throws on the basketball court as they were havihg fun but would be back later knowing there was going to be a party for them making Branchie wonder if Casey was okay with this knowing she was shy seeing Casey nodding. "It's a family party and I'm not shy aroubd family." she said making Branchie grin. She was getting good at basketball being taller thanks to that growth spurt a few months ago and wanted to try out for the basketball team at Xavier's which she and Casey attended. They were going home as it was lunchtine so they were hungry but Casey was skateboarding home after Branchie arriving at the house.
"Wow, they started setting up the party, come on Branchie let's use the bedroom entrance, like when we come bacj from patrol." Casey told her as they snuck into their room through the window but Casey was taking off her hellmetbut going downstairs with Branchie relieving Roxy as she'd almost went to find them. "There you are and didn't know you guys came home and we started setting up for the party." she told them.
"Are they excited, and they're at the park right." Shocket asked seeing Rocket nodding. It was early afternoon and the family was arriving at the house for the party but excited seeing Groot there making Rocket excited knowing Branchie would be happy seeing her dad here hugging his leg making Groot smile at this. "I am Groot." he told him rubbing behind his furry ear as it'd been a while with Rocket leading the Guardians and him ruling Planet X plus he had a surprise for Branchie involving their home planet.
"I missed you too, buddy plus Branchie's gonna be so happy when she sees you're here." Rocket told hij making the Dynasty nodding but saw Branchie and Casey stunned returning home but Branchie was hugging Groot making Casey happy for her pal letting her hang out with her dad only Rocket knew that Groot had a surprise for Branchie that she might be surprised by seeing Casey with her cousins relieving Roxy and Rocket Senior as they sensed she didn't have many friends at school besides Branchie so this was a good start. "Maybe this will help her with her social skills at school." Rocket Senior said to Roxy.
"Guys don't force Casey to be social, she moves to the beat of her own drum. Plus Branchie helps her with that stuff they're like me and Grootwhen we first met." Rocket told them seeing Branchie and Groot talking making Rocket curious about what he was telling Branchie.
"So, did you have fun with your dad, Branchie as you giys were hanging out during our party." Branchie heard Casey asking her. It was later and they were in their room getting ready for bed making Branchie quiet as her dad had told her something involving her future for when she was an adult hoping Casey would get it telling her making Casey surprised that Branchie would be queen of Planet X asking Casey, how she felt about this if she was upset seeing the female-kit shake her furry head.
"It's okay plus the future's not set in stone, like Rockie says." she reassured her making Branchie relieved hugging her which made Casey giggle as their door opened hearing footsteps seeing Rocket there guessing Branchie had told her but she seemed happy about it. "That's good you're happy for her, Raccoon Girl." he said leaving them be.
"Are they okay, Rockie as they've been talking. They're probably getting ready for bed." Roxy asked him.
"Yeah they're fine mom, and yeah, they were getting ready for bed." Rocket told her making her relieved. She andRocket Senior knew about Casey being Raccoon Girl but allowed her to do it as long as she was careful and Casey was cool with it as long ad she was careful and had early patrol on school nights so she wouldn't be tired in school which Rocket agreed with as he cared about her and Branchie but after the party she was too tired to do patrol tonight, guessing they were happy about.