Chapter 79: Guardians of the Key Part 2: Jailbreak!
The group came out of the shower room and walked past the sleeping guard until they were out on the catwalk, making sure no one was listening in on them before they stopped to talk about the orb and hopefully how to escape.
"I didn't need your help back there." Gamora said.
"Listen, I don't care whether you lived or died back there!" Peter said.
"Then why stop them?" Gamora asked.
"Simple, you know where to sell my orb." Peter replied.
"No one is selling that orb." Spyro said, getting in between them. "Once we're out, I'm taking that thing and hiding it somewhere where no one will find it."
"Hey, you are not doing that pal!" Peter asked, shoving him Spyro out of the ay, but ended up getting nailed in the groin, dropping him instantly.
"Do that again and I'll do more than punch your nuts!" Rosy exclaimed.
"Wow, now she has fire." Rocket said. "Who is this horse to you, your pet? You seem protective of her."
"She's not a horse, she's a pony." Spyro replied. "A unicorn to be precise. And she isn't my pet, she's my daughter."
The three of them slowly looked at him, confused looks were on all three of them as they looked between Rosy and Spyro, trying to process what they heard.
"You know, I'm not even going to ask." Peter said, getting up. "You do you."
"Even if we get the orb back, how are we getting out of here?" Gamora asked.
"Our friend Rocket here has escaped twenty-two prisons in his life." Peter said, stoking the raccoons ego.
"Oh yeah, we're getting out of here." Rocket replied. "And we're heading straight to Yondu to retrieve your bounty."
Peter just smiled, knowing he could weasel his way out of it as he looked to Gamora, the smile still on his face.
"How much was your buyer willing to pay?" Peter asked.
Gamora looked very uncomfortable with the question, knowing that if she told them, they'd want in, but had no choice if they were planning on getting out.
"Four billion units." She replied.
"WHAT!?" Rocket asked, completely shocked.
"Holt cow." Peter said.
"Four billion?" Spyro asked. "I would have asked for ten times that amount with what's in it."
"Wait, you know what's in the orb?" Gamora asked.
"Yeah, that's why I'm wanting to get it someplace safe." Spyro replied. "There's a witch known as Maleficent who's after it. If she gets it, we're in big trouble."
"I don't care what kind of trouble you think we're in, that orb is my only chance to get away from Thanos and Ronan." Gamora said. "No matter what, I'm taking the orb and selling it. So, if you free us and let me take the orb, I'll lead all of you to the buyer. Split the profit between the five of us."
Spyro knew where it was going, looking to everyone as he knew where they were going to sell the orb before looking to Rosy, who looked to him and shrugged her shoulders, letting him know it was his call.
"I am Groot." Groot said, appearing behind them.
"Six of us." Rocket said. "That's like you Groot. Asleep for the day, but awake for the money."
"I don't care about the money." Spyro said. "All I want to do is make sure the orb is safe and away from everyone who would use it."
"More for us then." Rocket said. "So, we'll discuss a plan in the morning about how we're going to escape."
Everyone then went their separate ways, Spyro finding his way to his cell right as Rosy did, heading for the uncomfortable bed as he laid his head back and closed his eyes, falling asleep to prepare for tomorrow. On the Kree warship, Ronan was talking with one of his superiors, which is known as prophet, about the progress of the orbs retrieval, having to tell them about her recent capture.
"She has betrayed you Ronan!" The prophet said.
"All we know is that Gamora has been captured." Ronan replied. "She may yet bring it to us."
"No, our sources in the Kyln say she has other plans for the orb." The prophet replied. "Your partnership with Thanos is at risk." Ronan could feel his own heart sink, feeling fear as he said that. "Thanos requests your presence, NOW!"
The image of the prophet then disappeared, leaving Ronan alone with Nebula, who looked just as fearful as Ronan was as he walked away, Thanos's daughter following right behind him.
"If she has betrayed us, we need to act now." Nebula said. "We must set course for the Kyln immediately!"
"There is too much space between us and the Kyln." Ronan said. "The Nova Corp would destroy us before we even got there. We need to plan this carefully."
"Well, what's this?" Maleficent said, making the two of them turn around. "It appears one of your servants has betrayed you."
"What's it to you?" Ronan asked, grabbing his hammer. "Why have you come before me again? Do you have a death wish?"
"Of course not imbecile!" She replied. "I nearly have a proposition for both you and your master. One that will benefit us all."
Ronan looked at the dark fey with murderous intent, but then lowered his hammer, curious about the proposition she had for him and Thanos, so he indicated for her to follow them so they could go and speak with him about the deal she had for both him and his master. Back at the Kyln, everyone was getting up for the day, Spyro and his group were in line to get their breakfast while Rocket was talking to them about what he had planned for their escape.
"Right, if we're going to escape, we need to get into that watch tower." Rocket said, pointing to the tower in the center. "To do that, I'm going to need a few things." They then walked over to the table and sat down, eating their food, but the taste just made him and Rosy gag, pushing the unappealing breakfast away. "The guards all wear security band to get in and out. I'm going to need one."
"Leave it to me." Gamora said.
"The man over there, the one with the prosthetic leg." Rocket said, pointing out a man walking past them. "I'll need that leg."
"Why do you need his leg?" Spyro asked.
"Well it's doing him no good anyway." Rocket replied.
"I'll get the leg." Peter said.
"And finally, on the wall on the guard tower is a black panel with a blinking yellow light." Rocket said, everyone looking to the panel. "There is a Quarnyx battery in it. Purplish box with green wires. If we're getting into that watch tower, I need that battery."
"And how are we going to get up there and get it?" Rosy asked.
"She's got a point." Peter said. "It's twenty feet in the air and it's in the most heavily guarded area of the prison."
"Well, I suppose either me or Rosy could use the Force to get it." Spyro suggested. "That way, we can snag it without being turned to Swiss cheese."
"However you do it, we need that battery." Rocket said. "Now, this next bit of information is very important, so listen carefully. Once the battery is removed, eveyrthing is going to slam into emergency mode. So we need to move quickly, so it's imperative we get that battery last." As he said it, power throughout the entire room went down, the emergency power coming on as alarms blared, looking to where the battery was at, but found that Groot had already gotten the battery, smiling to himself as he felt proud about it. "Or we can get it first and improvise."
"I'll get the arm band." Gamora said.
"Leg." Peter said.
They then ran off t get the items they needed, leaving Rocket behind with Spyro and Rosy as she looked like he was having a bad day when drones came flying in, surrounding Groot as search lights hit him, the speakers activating as the guard in the room in the tower turned the microphone on.
"Prisoner, drop the device and return to your cell immediately." The guard said.
Groot didn't pay attention as he looked angry, the branches on him were growing rapidly as he got ready for a fight.
"I... AM... GROOT!" Groot shouted.
The drones then opened fire on the massive tree, which he fought back as he knocked a few drones away as the prisoners sought cover, trying to stay alive as Rocket ran to Groot and climbed up the assisted tree, yelling at him for starting something while he didn't have any weapons. As he said it, a few guards came out of nowhere with rifles, so Spyro and Rosy ran to them right as Drax started a fight with them, knocking a few of them down right as Spyro uppercutted one before round house kicking him into a nearby cell where some prisoners were cowering at, Rosy using her magic to pick them up and slamming them to the ground before throwing them into another cell, leaving their weapons behind while Drax mopped the floor with the last remaining few, laughing as he enjoyed the fighting and chaos, ripping a rifle out of a guards hands.
"Freaky little beast!" Drax shouted.
"Rocket, catch!" Spyro said.
Both he and Drax tossed a rifle to Rocket, which he grabbed them both and smiled, cocking both of them before opening fire, destroying the drones as they came in while Spyro called his dragon wings, flying in the air and slicing through the drones with his Keyblade while Rosy used her magic to fight the guards on the ground, using her Keyblade and her Force abilities along side Drax as he seemed to be having fun with the fight.
"ROCKET!" Gamora shouted, tossing the security band to the raccoon.
"Nice." Rocket said. "Meet up at the Watchtower!"
"I'll clear the way!" Spyro said, flying up to the top of the room.
He then used his Force lightning to push the guards back and electrocute them, knocking them unconscious while clearing the way for Gamora, Peter, and Rosy to get to the watchtower while destroying all the remaining drones that were coming in to riddle them with bullets. Rosy Force jumped to the catwalk that lead into the watchtower while Spyro flew down, landing next to his daughter and hugging her, glad she was ok and unharmed right as Peter climbed up, followed by Drax as he came with them. Rocket then fiddled with the device and got it working, opening the door to a very terrified guardsmen as he saw the seven of them looking at him, both Spyro and Rosy with their Keyblades out as they walked in. Groot then grabbed the guard and threw him out, making enough room for them to walk in, but when Gamora turned around, she saw Drax and didn't look very pleased.
"Spare me your foul gaze woman!" Drax said.
"Why is he here?" She demanded.
"I promised him he'd stay by your side until he kills your boss." Peter said. "I always keep my promises if they are made with the muscle bound whack job who'd kill me if I don't. Here you go."
Peter then put the leg on the console, surprising Rocket as he started to laugh.
"Oh, I was just kidding about the leg." Rocket said. "I just needed these two things."
"What!?" Peter exclaimed.
"I thought it would be funny." Rocket replied. "Wasn't it funny? What did he look like hopping around?"
"Are you serious!? I had to transfer him thirty thousand units!" Peter said.
"Dad's right, you are an idiot." Rosy said, making Gamora laugh.
Suddenly, another drone appeared and fired on the room, thankfully the windows, causing everyone but Drax and Rocket to flinch, but thankfully the windows were bullet proof, so they were safe for the time being.
"Please tell me you have an actual plan." Peter said.
"I have a plan." Rocket replied. "I have a plan!"
"Cease with your yammering and release us from this confinement." Drax said.
"Yeah, I have to agree with the walking, talking Thesaurus here." Peter said, earning a nasty glare from Drax.
"Don't you ever call me a thesaurus again." Drax warned.
"It's just a metaphor dude." Peter said.
"His people are very literal." Rocket said. "Metaphors are just going to go over his head."
"Nothing goes over my head." Drax said. "My reflexes are too fast."
"Yeah, but not Jedi fast." Spyro said.
"Jedi?" Gamora asked, realizing who he was. "Wait a second, you're the guy to wiped out an entire Chitauri armada back on Terra, aren't you?"
"Wait, that was you!?" Rocket asked, Spyro shrugging his shoulders. "Wow, we got ourselves a celebrity here people. Not everyday someone destroys a whole invasion force on his own."
"I had help." Spyro replied. "My friends helped me fight them back."
A moment later, Spyro looked down and saw there was a squadron of guards down on the ground below and saw that some of them had rocket launchers, firing them one at a time on the tower and causing cracks to appear on the windows, which obviously weren't blast proof as they were cracking at a fast rate per explosion. As soon as all three windows were starting to crack, he got ready to use the Force to catch the rockets and send them back to the guards when Rocket finished whatever he was doing, looking down to see that the guards, prisoners, and the drones were floating around, the artificial gravity having been shut down.
"You turned off the artificial gravity everywhere but here." Gamora said, sounding impressed.
"Smart thinking there Rocket." Spyro said.
Rocket then disconnected the room they were in form the tower and remote piloted the drones to them, using them to guide the room through the main corridor as he used the security band to open the doors one at a time until they were far enough away as the door closed.
"That was a pretty good plan." Peter said.
"See, told you I had a plan." Rocket said.
They kicked their way out of the destroyed glass and ran into the Impound lot, searching for their stuff until they found everything they needed, Spyro fining the container with his stuff and opened it to find his clothing, his bracers, shoulder guards, everything was in their, breathing a sigh of relief.
"There, that's my ship, the Milano." Peter said. "It's the orange and blue one."
"Alright, saves me the trouble of calling mine." Spyro said. "Get your stuff Quill, we're... no." Spyro picked everything up and sifted through everything, finding that his Lightsaber was missing. "No, no, no, no, NO!"
"What's wrong dad?" Rosy asked.
"My lightsaber, they took it!" Spyro answered.
"Forget that, we have the orb." Gamora said. "Let's go."
"No, no, no, no!" Peter said. "He didn't put it back."
"Well, looks like we both are going to pay someone a visit." Spyro said.
"Here's get this to the ship." Peter said to Gamora, handing her his pack.
"What about you two?" Gamora asked.
"Keep the Milano close by." Peter said. "Go."
Both he and Spyro took their gear and ran into the hall next door, getting into the elevator and as they descended, they removed their prison uniforms and put their gear back on, Spyro cracking his neck as he was ready to make whoever took his Lightsaber meet his maker. In the hall they walked in after getting off the elevator, there were some guards who got their nightsticks out and charged, but Peter used his pistols and set them for stun, blasting the ones in front of them while Spyro dealt with the ones coming in from the side, using his fists as he punched and knocked them out cold before continuing on.
"You do realize they're going to leave us behind right?" Spyro asked. "Even if my daughter used the Force on them, they're still going to leave us behind."
"Not without this." Peter replied, pulling out the orb as he smiled smugly.
"You knew they'd abandon us, didn't you?" Spyro asked
"Hey, I wouldn't be a ravager if I trusted everyone I met." Peter replied.
The two of them walked down the hall way all the way to the room where the blue security guard who tased Peter was at, listening to the Walkman as he fiddled with Spyro's lightsaber, trying to get it to work as he enjoyed the music. Peter snuck up and knocked him out cold, taking his property back while Spyro did the same, tossing the weapon up and letting it spin before it clipped itself onto his belt, the two of them heading for the airlock to get out.
"Ok, so, how are you going to get to my ship anyway?" Peter asked. "You don't exactly have a space helmet."
"Don't worry, my magic will protect me." Spyro replied.
A second later, a cyan colored aura surrounded him, surprising Peter as the airlock opened up, Spyro leaping out as he used his wings to propel and guide him through the void while being followed by Quill until they saw his ship not too far, flying to it and into the emergency airlock as it closed behind them and opened up to let them into the ship, Drax and Gamora waiting to help them up as they got in.
"These two show spirit." Drax said excitedly. "They will make strong allies in the battle against Ronan. But I am curious, what were you retrieving?" Peter reached into his coat pocket and pulled out his Walkman, handing it to Drax as he looked up to his new ally in complete disappointment. "You're an imbecile."
"Stupid is as stupid does." Spyro said, pulling his lightsaber out. "At least what I went back for is more practical and useful."
They then followed gamora's instructions to the direction of their buyer, not fully trusting her new partners as if she gave them the coordinates, they'd probably throw her overboard, which was more likely to happen than she thought. Spyro however was examining his Lightsaber to make sure there weren't;t any modifications or parts missing or damaged, which thankfully there wasn't, so he then checked to make sure the Kyber crystal was still there, but when he opened it up while Peter was arguing with Rocket, it was revealed to still be there, breathing a sigh of relief as everyone looked at it.
"Wow, what's that?" Rocket asked.
"A Kyber Crystal." Spyro replied, closing the lightsaber up and putting it back on his belt. "It's the main component that gives my weapon its power. Can cut through almost everything."
"So that's why you went back for the laser sword?" Drax asked. "I think I like you better than the imbecile."
"Hey, that Walkman was a gift from my mother before she died." Peter said. "It's probably the only thing I have left to remember her by."
"I applaud you for following your heart Quill." Spyro said, reaching down and petting Rosy, who was peacefully napping. "Just make sure it doesn't cost you your life or the lives of your friends."
"So, what's the deal with you and the pony?" Rocket asked. "Is she really your daughter?"
"I adopted her." He replied. "At least, I will in the future."
"The future?" Gamora asked.
"She's from twenty years in the future." Spyro answered. "She came back in time to prevent something from happening. Apparently, she'll be left on the door step of my home five months after she is born. When that happens, I'll make sure not to abandon her when she needs my help."
The room was silent for a few moments before Peter cleared his throat, walking to the table where the orb was at.
"So, we still in the right direction?" Peter asked.
"Yes, we are." Gamora replied.
"So, what's the deal with this orb anyway?" Peter asked. "What's in it? Is it a weapon?"
"If it's a weapon, we can use it against Ronan." Drax said.
"That's one weapon you can't control pal." Spyro replied, getting up and walking to them. "The sooner this thing is hidden, the better."
"So you do know what this is?" Gamora asked. "What is it?"
"Something that no one should ever possess." Spyro replied.
"We should use it!" Drax exclaimed, picking the orb up.
"Put that down you idiot!" Gamora shouted. "You'll kill us all!"
"Or maybe just you murderess!" Drax shouted.
"HEY!" Spyro shouted, stopping both of them. "Look, I know you have a bone to pick with her, but on one is killing anyone while on this ship!"
"Thank you Spyro." Peter said. "Look, until we get the money, we're stuck together, so let's just calm down and be quiet."
Drax looked down at the orb and then to Peter, tossing it to him as he walked away, hate and anger in his heart as Spyro could sense it as he walked away, sitting on the nearby bench as he sharpened his knife.
"I think all Drax wants is revenge, not money." Spyro said.
"Great." Peter said. "That means more money for the rest of us, partners."
"Rosy and I don't want money either." Spyro said. "Just to make sure it's hidden."
"And I wouldn't be partners with the likes of you." Gamora said. "We have an agreement, after which, we go our separate ways. I'll contact the buyer, tell him we're on our way. And Quill, your ship is filthy."
Gamora then walked away from them, leaving the three of them alone at the table as Peter just chuckled to himself, laughing at what she said.
"Oh, she has no idea." Peter said. "If I had a black light, this pace would look like a Jackson Pollock painting."
Spyro looked down at the table, his hand on the edge of it and quickly removed it from he table, looking for the nearest fountain to wash his hands as he was disgusted by what Peter said and by the fact he probably touched something that might have jizz on it. Back at the Kyln, Ronan and Nebula were on the prison itself, their shoulders having already rounded up all the prisoners while Heartless Strafers and Magnum Loaders were patrolling the catwalk, Maleficent next to Ronan as she over looked all the prisoners and to Ronan, obviously displeased with his tactics, but putting up with it as Nebula was interrogating one of the prison guards.
"The Prince was here." Maleficent said. "I can sense his magic is in the air."
"He will fall like the rest of those who defy me." Ronan said.
"Do not underestimate him Ronan." Maleficent said. "He is very powerful when he is with his friends."
"They all will fall before me." Ronan said confidently.
"Ronan, November Corp is sending a fleet to defend the prison." Nebula said
"Well then, send Necro-craft to every corner of the quadrant." Ronan said. "And cleanse this prison. I don't want them learning our intentions."
"Allow me." Maleficent said.
She raised her arms and immediately a dark cloud surrounded all the prisoners and the guards, all of them screaming in pure agony as they were turned into Heartless of all sorts, disappearing into the void as she smiled to herself, a maniacal laughter going throughout the prison as the Heartless started to kill their prisoners, turning them into Heartless. On the Milano, Quill was examining his weapons, making sure they were working properly just as Spyro and Rosy were doing a bit of sparring, keeping their skills sharp until they heard Rocket shout for them, the three of them walking up the stairs into the cockpit, but what they saw took their breath away. They had entered a nebula where they saw what appeared to be a planet sized head floating in it with buildings and machines going all across it as if it was another world, but made of flesh and skin, happy none of the other girls came with him because he knew more than half would be puking right now.
"Wow." Peter said. "What is it?"
"It's called Knowhere." Gamora replied. "The severed head of an ancient Celestial being. "Be wary, we're heading in. And be warned, there are no regulations here."
Rocket flew the ship towards the massive severed head and through the eye socket, where they got to see a lot of buildings and mining craft extracting everything organic, watching as drones broke bones marrow off and sliced off the flesh as they landed.
"How is this possible?" Spyro asked.
"Hundreds of years ago, the Tivan sent workers in to harvest the organic matter in the skull." Gamora replied. "Bone, brain tissue, spinal fluid, all rare resources. Highly valued and sold on the black market across the galaxy. It's very dangerous and illegal work, but it's suitable for outlaws."
"Well, I come from a world filled with outlaws." Peter said. "Billy the Kid, John Stamos, Bonny and Clyde..."
"Sounds like a place I'd like to visit." Drax said.
"Hey, you should." Peter replied.
A moment later, a group of kids came over and asked if they had any units they could spare for them, though he didn't have any, he conjured up some crystals using his magic of all varieties, giving them to the kids so they could sell them and at least have some food, getting a look from the entire group.
"What?" Spyro asked.
"You can make gemstones out of thin air?" Rocket asked. "Dude, where have you been all my life?"
"Down boy, down." Spyro said. "Anyway, where are we to meet this buyer?"
"We are to wait for his representative." Gamora said, leading them to a local bar and casino.
"This is no respectable establishment." Drax said. "What do you expect us to do while we wait?"
He got his answer as there was a game that involved what Spyro guessed to be space rats running away from a massive space lizard, catching and devouring them while they went and got themselves wasted on drinks, everyone having a good time while Spyro just brought his own container filled with the Apple Families Apple Cider, pouring a glass for himself and Rosy as they waited for the representative to arrive.
"So, what's the plan?" Rosy asked. "We can't let them keep the orb and we can't allow them to sell it to whoever the buyer is."
"I don't know." Spyro said, looking to Drax, Rocket, and Groot before looking to Gamora and Peter. "But one thing is for sure, whoever the buyer is, I'll make sure to swipe the Power Stone before he closes it whenever he opens it to see it."
"You sure you can handle it?" Rosy asked. "From what you told me about the Power Stone, no one is able to hold onto it."
"No one who is weak that is." Spyro replied, taking a drink of the cider. "It's nothing but pure, raw, unpredictable energy. It makes you very, very strong, but it will rip you apart if you aren't strong enough to wield its power. Best thing to do is put it in another container and find a safe place to hide it at."
"Well, let's hope for the best." Rosy said, drinking the cider.
A minute later, they heard a commotion at the table, looking over to see that Drax, Rocket, and Groot were fighting one another, obviously drunk as a skunk as Drax wailed on Groot, who tried to through him off by entangling him in branches, but Drax just ripped them off and was about to continued to fight, but Rocket charged his cannon up and was about to shoot, but Spyro and Rosy stopped him, getting in between him and Drax right as Peter and Gamora arrived, restraining Drax.
"Wow, wow, what is going on here!?" Peter asked.
"This vermin speaks of affairs he knows nothing about!" Drax shouted.
"That is true!" Rocket replied.
"He has no respect!" Drax added.
"That is also true!" Rocket shouted, pointing his cannon at Drax. "Keep calling me vermin tough guy! You just want to laugh at me like everyone else!"
"Woah, woah, calm down, both of you!" Spyro shouted. "You're both drunk, ok? No one is laughing at you Rocket."
"He thinks I'm some stupid thing, he does." Rocket said. "Well I didn't ask to get made! I didn't ask to get torn apart and put back together, over and over again until I'm... some little monster."
"Rocket, you aren't a monster." Spyro said, kneeling down and putting his hand on the cannon. "I can feel your pain. I know you are hurting, but killing someone doesn't make things better. It just makes it worse. One of my friends, Fluttershy, she is the kindest, sweetest soul I have ever met and she would never think ill of anyone. She doesn't resort to hate or violence to solve her issues, she just talks it out, listening to all their pain and being there to give out a hug to any animal or anyone who needed it." He then managed to take the cannon out of the drunk Raccoons hand, putting it on the ground as he put his hand on his shoulder. "No one knows the life of the other person. We all have a painful story in our lives that the other knows nothing about. We can't just let our anger get the best of us, but instead listen to them, hear them out, get a better understanding of everything that has ever happened to them before we go attacking them. Just let it go man. Just let it go."
Rocket looked to him as tears were welling up in his eyes, walking over and hugging him as he let all the pent up frustrations and anger out in tears, happy to have someone who actually cared about him instead of insulting him. Drax however didn't care as he just left, leaving he six of them alone in the bar to do whatever he needed to do before the door to the establishment opened up again, this time it was a woman with pink skin and brown hair, wearing a white dress at the door, walking in with a smile, though it seemed to be forced.
"Lady Gamora." The woman said. "I am here to fetch you for my master. Please, follow me."
She then turned and walked away, Spyro and his companions following close behind as Rosy walked up next to Spyro as they entered a place that was filled with containers that had a lot of different things, most of which seemed to be animals, people, and plants, giving him the creeps.
"Ok, this place is super creepy." Rocket said.
"We hold the galaxy's largest collection of fauna, relics, and species of all manner." The woman said. They followed the woman for a while longer until they reached the center of the room, stopping and turning to face her guests as she smiled. "Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Taneleer Tivan, the Collector."
The man she was referring to turned around to face them, wearing black leather with some jewels on his person and a white feathered boa and cape, approaching them as he went straight to Gamora.
"My dear, lady Gamora." The collector said. "How wonderful to meet you in the flesh."
"Let's move past the formalities Tivan." Gamora said. "We have what we discussed."
Tivan looked past Gamora and looked towards Groot and Rosy, his eyes fixated on Groot and at Rosy as he was left speechless.
"What... is that thing... there?" Tivan asked.
"I am Groot." Groot replied.
"I never thought I'd even meet a Groot." Tivan said, then looked to Rosy. "Or get to see a Unicorn." Spyro instinctively put his hand on her head, pulling her behind him to keep her safe from the Collector as he felt like he was a threat. "You must allow me to pay you now so I may own your carcass. At the moment of your death of course. And you, my friend, your pet is must stunning, and extremely rare. How I would love to have one in my collection."
"She's not for sale." Spyro said.
"Oh, I wouldn't ask for a price." Tivan replied. "I want perfection in everything I collect, so your pet is safe as she's blind."
"I might be blind, but I'm still capable of knocking the crap out of you." Rosy replied, shocking him.
"And she talks." Tivan said. "I might reconsider after this. A few tweaks and-"
"Not... for... sale!" Spyro said, calling his Keyblade.
Tivan looked down at the magical weapons and raised his hands, backing away as he recognized the magical weapon, looking up to Spyro.
"I know what that is." Tivan said, walking away. "A weapon that unlocks and locks any lock. The weapon of the Keyblade warriors, very ancient, very powerful. Holds a lot of magic in it, very dangerous if used by the wrong person."
"Tivan, we've been halfway across the galaxy getting this thing." Gamora said. "We would very much like to get paid and go."
"Very well." Tivan replied. "Let's see what you brought."
Gamora looked to Peter, nodding her head, so Quill took out the orb, though butterfingers dropped it, so he quickly picked it up and handed it over to the Collector, who seemed to just smile at them as he looked pleased with what they brought them. He then walked over to a nearby table and put it in a device, two metal arms taking it as it started to unlock it.
"Oh my new friends, before creation itself, there were six singularities." Tivan said, activating the machine as multiple purple circles appeared."Then the universe exploded into existence and the remnants of these singularities were forged into concentrated ingots"
"The Infinity Stones." Spyro said.
"So you know of them?" The Collector asked, the young prince nodding his head. "These stones can only be brandished by beings with extraordinary strength." He then indicated to them to turn around, seeing a window with a Celestial with the Power Stone, raising it up and slamming his staff down, destroying an entire civilization. "These carriers can use the stones to mow down entire civilizations like wheat in a field. Your friend was right to fear their power as they are pure cosmic power." He then looked to Spyro, seeing that he was staring at the stone as it was almost out of its container, his eyes turning pure purple as stars appeared in them. "There was a group who could, but a moment, share the energy amongst themselves, but even they were quickly destroyed by it. There was knowledge once long ago about one who could use the stones without being harmed by their power, but information on who was lost long ago. But should they wield the power of the stones, they wield the power of the gods."
The container was then open, revealing a purple gem stone that was radiating a lot of power, whispering to Spyro as it called to him, reaching out to take it, but Rosy reached her hoof up and stopped him, snapping him out of his trance as he held his daughter's hoof, moving his hand to her head as he scratched her behind the ear.
"Beautiful." The collector said, looking like he was in love. "Beyond compare."
"Blah, blah, blah, we're all very fascinated by it, but we'd like to get paid now!" Rocket said, the holograms disappearing.
"How would you like to get paid?" Tivan asked.
"What do you think fancy man... units!" Rocket replied.
"Very well then." Tivan said. He reached down his desk and pulled a draw out, reaching in to grab the money, but then looked up and saw his representative was eyeing the stone, walking towards it as she was taken by it's power. "Karina, stand back."
"Yeah miss, don't go near it." Spyro said. "It's too dangerous."
"I will no longer be your slave!" Karina shouted.
"NO!" The collector shouted.
Karina then grabbed the stone and immediately the stone became out of control, releasing multiple energy balls and explosive power as everyone sought cover, Spyro grabbing Rosy and using himself to shield her from the out of control energy, Karina screaming in pain as the energy coursed through her, ripping her apart as she held onto the stone until she exploded, releasing all the energy her body was unable to contain, destroying everything in the room while Spyro, Rosy, Gamora, and Peter were safe and sound behind some cover while Rocket and Groot had managed to run out of the building before the explosion. Gamora then rushed over and closed the orb, taking it as they all left the building, hoping to get it far away from everyone as possible.
"How could I have thought Tivan could contain whatever was contained in this orb?" Gamora asked.
"What do you still have it for!?" Rocket asked, looking horrified.
"What were we going to do, leave it in there!?" Peter asked.
"I can't believe you had that in your purse!" Rocket shouted.
"It's not a purse, it's a knapsack!" Peter retorted.
"ENOUGH!" Spyro shouted. "What matters now is getting this thing someplace safe!"
"I agree with Spyro." Gamora said. "We have to bring this to the Nova Corp. There is a chance they can contain it."
"Are you serious!?" Rocket said. "We're wanted by the Nova Corp! Give it to Ronan!"
"So he can destroy the galaxy!?" Peter pointed out.
"What are you, a saint now!?" Rocket asked. "What has the galaxy ever done for you!? Why would you want to save it!?"
"Because I'm one of the idiots who lives in it!" Peter said. "Gamora, Spyro has been looking for that thing to hide it, maybe give it to him. Maybe he can hide it."
"Why would I put my faith is a person who I only just met?" Gamora asked.
"Because she knew everything about this thing!" Peter pointed out. "He's probably more capable of handling and hiding it than the Nova Corp. And it's a much better idea than giving it to Ronan."
Gamora looked between Peter and Spyro, weighing her options before looking down at the orb again, sneering at it before walking over and handing it to Spyro, who took it with great pleasure.
"Don't make me regret my decision to trust you." Gamora said.
A moment later, they all heard what sounded like ships and looked towards to where they were, only to see Ronans ships coming to the and Drax in the middle of the field, laughing with glee.
"At last!" He shouted. "I shall meet my foe! And I shall destroy him!"
"You called Ronan!?" Peter asked.
"It doesn't matter, we got to get out of here!" Spyro shouted. They then ran to their left to get away, but all of a sudden, voids opened up and several Strafers appeared from the void along with some Shadows and Soldiers. "Heartless!"
"Get the orb to safety!" Gamora said.
Spyro nodded his head and pulled the cover back on his bracers, putting in the coordinates for their current location and calling his ship as everyone ran to different ships to escape, however, he looked over to Drax and saw he was outmatched, fighting Ronan, but was being tossed around like he was a rag doll. Spyro was about to run in and help, but Rosy beat him to it and ran forwards, fighting along side Drax as she used her Keyblade to fight him, but it did very little to injure him, knocking her back into a nearby stand as Nebula and her troops flew after them. Spyro then ran up and engaged with Ronan as well, calling his Keyblade and slicing through the Strafers and Shadows that got in his way right as Rosy got back up, joining him as they got to Ronan, who recognized the weapons and smiled.
"So, you're the ones Maleficent warned me about." Ronan said. "I was expecting better."
"Don't underestimate us Ronan." Spyro replied. "We're stronger than you think."
Spyro and Rosy charged and swung their blades to hit him, however, he blocked their swings and dodged their attacks, fighting the three of them all at once before punching Spyro far away and chock slamming Drax to the ground, tossing him into a vat of yellow liquid, before grabbing Rosy, slamming her to the ground and putting his foot on her neck, ready to snap it when Nebula contacted him.
"Ronan, we're in pursuit of the pods." Nebula said. "Gamora tried to get away, but we destroyed her pod. But she doesn't have the orb, none of the pods are giving off the energy reading."
"Then where is it?" Ronan asked.
Spyro got up and saw that his daughter was in danger, so he charged forward and slashed him across the chest, which did very little damage from Ronan, who grabbed him by the throat and tossed him away and to the ground, which he then applied pressure to Rosy's neck, choking her.
"Leave her alone!" Spyro shouted getting up and drawing his Lightsaber.
"My servant told me none of your companions have the orb." Ronan said. "So I'll ask you only once, and if you answer truthfully, I'll spare your friend here." He then applied even more pressure to her, ready to snap her neck as she gasped for air, making Spyro fear for her. "Tell me, where is the orb!? TELL ME!"
"Alright, alright." Spyro said, putting his Saber away and dismissing his Keyblade, pulling out the orb and getting the warmongers attention. "Just let her go, spare her life."
Ronan immediately got off her neck, the pink mare gasping for air and coughing as Ronan approached him, reaching his hand out and taking the orb, turning it in his hand as he smiled, finally having what he needed.
"I shall uphold the bargain." Ronan said. "The creatures life shall be spared."
Spyro immediately ran to her and got onto the ground, the pink mare coughing her lungs out as Spyro took her in his arms, hugging her while she was coughing and the green chaos energy flowed through her, healing her of her wounds as Ronan walked past him, heading to his shuttle.
"You made the right decision Keyblade bearer." Ronan said. "I'll make sure all of Xandar knows of your deed that rot forth their destruction."
"Yeah, good luck using it pal." Spyro said. "I doubt you'll be able to control the power of an Infinity Stone."
Ronan suddenly stopped, turning around to loom at him in surprise and in shock after hearing what it was that he was currently holding in his hand, looking down at it and then back to Spyro as he was still holding Rosy.
"This orb... holds an Infinity Stone?" Ronan asked, pure joy in his eyes. "Which one?"
"The Power Stone." Spyro replied. "That's why Thanos wants it and why Maleficent wants it. They're both after its power. Thanos may honor your deal, but Maleficent will betray you the first chance she gets. She betrayed her former allies, leaving them to die, what's to say she won't do the same to you?"
The warlord looked at Spyro and then back down at the orb, smiling to himself as he knew what he needed to do, looking back to him as his ship came to pick him up.
"My thanks to you my friend." Ronan said. "For this, I shall spare your world, known as Equestria. I, Ronan the Accuser, shall never set foot on your planets soil, nor will my ship darken its skies. I have spoken."
He then turned and walked to his ship, getting on it and taking off, leaving him alone in the middle of the street which his daughter, still coughing as she was being healed. After a minute, Groot came by and went straight for the vat of yellow liquid, extending his branches and retrieving an unconscious Drax as he used his branch to help expel the liquid out of his lungs, letting him breath as Spyro finished healing Rosy.
"Dad..." She said. "Why'd you give it to him? Why tell him what it is?"
"It's a calculated risk." Spyro replied. "One I'm sure will pay off."
"You what!?" Rocket shouted, having heard what they said. "Well that's just fantastic! Quill goes and get's himself captured, a genocidal maniac now has the most powerful object in the universe, and now I hear you have given the stone to him willingly! You're an idiot. You're all idiots! And, and, if Drax hadn't called Ronan in the first place and take on a freaking army on your own, none of this would have happened!"
"You're right." Drax said, looking remorseful for what he did. "I was a fool. All the anger, the rage, it's just to cover my loss."
Groot put his hand on Drax's shoulder, comforting him as Spyro and Rosy walked over, kneeling down to him while Rosy just lay down next to him, Drax instinctively petting her as a way to feel comfort while Rocket just looked annoyed.
"Oh, boo, hoo, hoo, my wife and child are dead!" Rocket said, everyone gasping at his insincerity. "I don't care if that was mean or not, everybody's got people they care about who died. It's no excuse to get others killed, just to have vengeance! Come on Groot, Ronan has the stone. Our only chance is to get to the other side of the universe as fast as possible. And maybe, just maybe, we can live to have full lives. And I suggest you do the same pal, spend whatever time you have left with your daughter and future wife."
"I am Groot!" Groot said.
"Save them, how?" Rocket asked.
"I am Groot." Groot replied.
"I know they're the only friends we ever had." Rocket replied. "But there is an army of ravager surrounding them and there is only two of us."
"Three." Drax said, getting up.
"Four." Rosy said, standing up as well.
"Five." Spyro said, getting up as well.
Rocket looked to them, completely speechless at what they were saying as he yelled out his frustrations before kicking grass, letting out his frustrations on the defenseless plant life.
"You're makin... me... beat... up... GRASS!" Rocket said, kicking the plant out of the ground as he let his anger out, taking in a deep breath before turning to them. "So, how are we going to save our friends anyway?"
"Simple, we attack." Spyro replied.
He looked up as did everyone else and saw the Dragon's Crest was above them, hovering down towards them as the loading bay doors opened up and standing there was Spike, who was holding a few cupcakes and a one liter bottle of soda, looking to his friends and to the people with shocked expressions in front of them.
"Did someone call for a ride?" Spike asked, taking a bit out of the cupcake.
Back at Ronan's warship, Ronan had made contact with Thanos while Maleficent stood next to Nebula, the holographic projection of Thanos looking at him as he was prepared to make his report.
"I have the orb, as promised." Ronan said.
"It seems you're not a complete loss after all." Thanos said. "Bring it to me."
"Yes, that was our agreement, wasn't it?" Ronan said, walking to his servant, Korath and taking the orb. "Bring you the orb, and you shall destroy Xandar for me. However, I learned from the Prince of Light and Darkness, Spyro as Maleficent called him, that this orb contains an Infinity stone."
"He told you that!?" Maleficent asked, horrified to hear this. "Don't be a fool you fool! He's trying to trick you into taking it, hoping it will destroy you."
"You take me for a fool witch!?" Ronan shouted. "He warned me about you, told me how you betrayed your allies. But now that I have the stone, what use do I have for either of you?"
"Boy!" Thanos shouted, watching Ronan rip the orb in half. "I would reconsider what you're doing!"
"Master, don't!" Korath said. "You cannot do this. Thanos is the most powerful being in the universe, you can't do this!"
"I am the most powerful being in the universe!" Ronan shouted.
He then took the Infinity Stone from the orb and felt it's power course through him, feeling it tear him apart, but pulled through as he felt no fear of death, reaching towards Korath for his weapon, which he handed it to his master before the dying Kree fanatic slammed the side of the hammer into the stone, merging it with his hammer as he felt all the power from the stone stabilize inside of him, a dark smile appearing on his face.
"You fool!" Maleficent said, a dark corridor opening underneath her. "You will regret this!"
"Flee you witch!" Ronan shouted,d Maleficent disappearing into the darkness. "And you! You called me boy, but I will unfurl one thousand years of Kree justice on Xandar and burn it to its core! And once I'm done, I'll come for you, Thanos." The image of Thanos disappeared from the wall, turning to face Nebula as she stared at him in admiration. "And you, will you oppose me as I destroy your father?"
"You saw what he has turned me into." Nebula replied. "You destroy him, and you have my everlasting loyalty."
"Then come, Xandar awaits judgement." Ronan said.
He then walked further into the ship, followed closely by Nebula and Korath as they prepared to set course for Xandar and destroy it and all the worlds in the Nova Corp Empire.