Chapter 17: O-H-H Child (1/2)

Listening to a rac.o.o.n laugh maniacally as he prepped what he dubbed the ”Hadron Enforcer” was something Naruto could honestly say was one of the strangest things he'd ever witnessed. Quickly strapping the ma.s.sive cannon like weapon onto Drax's torso, said man wearing the top half of a s.p.a.ce suit to allow him to breathe while out in the endless oblivion.

”Oh, this is gonna be good.” Rocket chuckled out, having just put on the finis.h.i.+ng touches. Making sure the weapon was securely strapped to Drax's person, the intelligent rac.o.o.n gave a quick crash course on how to use it, ”When I tell you to, aim for the helm of the s.h.i.+p, and then press these b.u.t.tons.” He instructed, pointing towards the two triggers positioned to the sides of the weapon, ”Once you do, it's gonna blow the s.h.i.+t outta that s.h.i.+p, which means you gotta get back in here as quickly as possible, got it?”

As Drax nodded in understanding, Naruto looked back from the co-pilot's chair saying, ”Are you sure this is a good idea? I could just sneakonto the s.h.i.+p and get them that way. Way cleaner than playing a game of chicken with a group of rogue Ravagers.”

Rocket looked over at Naruto agitatedly as he helped Drax get up to the top of the s.h.i.+p, ”Yes I'm 'sure this is a good idea.' It's my idea.” He said with condescension, ”You drive the s.h.i.+p, I handle this.” Giving Drax a quick push, the rac.o.o.n said, ”Now get a move on! We ain't got all day airhead!”

Drax looked down at the frustrated rac.o.o.n, ”My head is not filled with air, tiny creature.” Continuing up the latter towards the top of the s.h.i.+p he mumbled, ”Imbecile.”

Said 'imbecile' ran his hands down his face in frustration, ”Please get blown away in the explosion, please.” He pleaded, hoping to whatever G.o.d was out there that they would answer his prayer.

Shaking his head, Naruto turned back to continue driving the Milano towards Yondu's s.h.i.+p, the Eclector, ”This better work, last thing I need is to save your a.s.s from this stupid plan.”

”I am Groot.”

Looking to his left, Naruto saw that Groot was seated behind him, his big build barely able to fit into the seat he was sitting in. Smiling over at him, the talking tree gave him an innocent smile. Keeping his eyes in front of him, Naruto asked rather weakly, ”What?”

”I. Am. Groot.” It said back, putting emphasis on each word as though that would help Naruto understand him.

Giving a weak smile Naruto said, ”Yeah, didn't catch any of that.”

”You feel the energy wafting off of that thing, right?” Kurama asked.

”Yeah.” Naruto thought, ”As soon as I got close to him. He's a walking talking tree, of course he's gonna have a bit of Natural Energy coming off of him.”

Kurama nodded, ”Makes me wonder if he'd ever actually be able to use it.”

Naruto gave a mental shrug, ”More than likely all that energy is being used to keep him going, and heal him from any physical injury. Still, could be interesting to see what else he could do with a bit of training.”

”You'd just have to figure out how to understand a d.a.m.n word he says first.” Kurama chuckled out, ”You would think it'd get old after a while, but I gotta admit it kinda grows on ya.”

”Yeah, I know what you mean.” The blonde thought back.

”He said it'll work.” Looking over to the pilot's chair, Naruto saw that Rocket had plopped himself down as he took back the controls, ”He's been a part of every single plan I've come up with, and each one we've come out alive.” Giving Naruto a wicked smirk he finished, ”You just gotta trust me.”

”Was it your plan to steal the High-Ruler's Hydro Gun?” Naruto asked, ”Last I heard only three out of the eight people that pulled off that heist survived. You call that a plan that worked?”

”Hey, we survived, didn't we?” Rocket asked, ”And besides, we got into that near the end. I didn't have much say in what happened. If I had, none of those guys would've died.” Looking over at Naruto he said, ”And how do you know about it anyways? I thought the Kree government did a pretty good job covering that whole debacle up.”

”Speed Cater told me about it.”

”Speed?” Rocket asked, ”How is that b.a.s.t.a.r.d? Still an a.s.shole?”

”No.” Naruto said, ”He's dead.”

”…oh.” After a few seconds, Rocket gave a weak shrug, ”Well, the guy had it comin' I suppose.” Giving a slight chuckle he continued, ”h.e.l.l, most of us in this group do.”

-x-

”You betray me?!” The sound of Yondu's fist bouncing off of Peter's midsection shot over the sound of his cheering crew, the lot of them looking at the spectacle of their captain beating on their former comrade, the sight bringing satisfied smirks to their faces, ”Steal my money?!” Yondu yelled out as he sent another punch into Quill's side. Yondu was a strange looking man, with blue skin that made his origin possibly that of Kree, and a red metallic mohawk atop his head.

”Stop it!” Gamora yelled out, the woman being held back by four of Yondu's men, each struggling to hold the weakened woman back, ”Leave him alone!” She pleaded.

Yondu ignored her, glaring at the still defiant Peter, ”When I picked up as a kid, these boys wanted eat you!” Roughly grabbing his face to keep Quill's attention on him, he continued, ”They ain't never tasted Terran before. I saved your life!”

”Oh, would you shut up about that?! G.o.d!” Glaring angrily at Yondu he struggled against the crew members keeping him up against the wall, ”Twenty years you've been throwing that in my face! Like it's some great thing not eating me. Normal people don't even think about eating someone else, much less that person having to be grateful for it!” Quill stopped trying to break free from their grasp, instead looking Yondu in the eye, ”You abducted me man. You stole me from my home and my family.”

The Ravager captain pointed his finger into Peter's face angrily, ”You don't give a d.a.m.n about your Terra! You're scared. Cause you're soft. In here!” Slamming his hands on his chest, Yondu then grabbed a hold of Quill's s.h.i.+rt, right above his heart, ”Here, right here!”

”Yondu, listen to me!” Gamora yelled, getting Yondu to stop for just a moment, ”Ronan has something called an Infinity Stone-”

”I know what he's got girl.” Yondu interrupted.

”Then you know we must get it back! He's going to use it to wipe out Xandar!” This seemed to have gotten the attention of Yondu's right hand man, Kraglin Obfenteri, a lanky man with a rather scruffy appearance, said Ravager looking at Gamora intently, ”We have to warn them, or billions of people will perish.” She pleaded.

Yondu looked back over to Peter, an amused smirk on his face as he asked, ”Is that what she's been filling your head with boy? Sentiment?” With that he slapped him in the face, ”Eatin' away at your brains like maggots?!” Backing away from Peter, Yondu began to shake his head, ”That's it.”

With a sharp whistle from Yondu, an arrow flew from the holster at his side towards Quill, the arrowhead touching his jugular gently. Upon further inspection, one could see that the tip and end of the arrow were glowing a bright red, with the head piece on top of Yondu's head glowing the same color.

”No!” Gamora screamed, worry on her face as she tried to fight against the four Ravagers holding her back.

”Sorry boy.” Slowly turning around the room, the captain looked each and every one of his present crew in the eye, ”But a captain's gotta teach his men what happens to those that cross him.”

”Captain's gotta teach stuff!” Kraglin added, helping those that lacked the ability to understand their captain's vocabulary, with several nodding afterwards in understanding while giving the first mate a thankful nod.

As Yondu puckered his lips to give the finis.h.i.+ng whistle, Peter spoke, ”If you kill me now…you are saying goodbye to the biggest score you have ever seen.”

A cruel smirk in place, Yondu turned back to Peter, ”The Stone? I hope you got something better than that. Cause ain't n.o.body stealing from Ronan.”

Quill looked up in thought quickly before saying, ”We gotta a ringer.”

”Is that right?”

Looking to Gamora, Quill said, ”She knows everything there is to know about Ronan. His s.h.i.+ps, his army.”

Yondu looked to Gamora, the woman's face now confident, ”He's vulnerable.”

”Whatcha say Yondu, huh?” A friendly smile on Peter's face, ”Taking down marks side by side, like the old days.”

Slowly, a smile spread across Yondu's face, his crew waiting in antic.i.p.ation for his verdict. His answer finally came in the form of another sharp whistle, the flying arrow flying back into its holster as Gamora flinched, obviously thinking the arrow was about to bury itself into Peter's neck.

With that, Yondu let out a loud boisterous laugh with Peter quickly followed suit. The captain ordered Quill be let go as he pulled him in for a bear hug, ”You always did have a s.c.r.o.t.e, boy! That's why I let you stay on this rig in the first place!”

The celebrations were soon cut off however, as the s.h.i.+p began to shake from a sudden attack outside.

-x-

THOOM!

”Yeah…this is a really bad idea.”

THOOM!

”Will you shut up already?! It's gonna work.”

THOOM!

Naruto ran his hands through his hair as he thought, ”This rac.o.o.n is f.u.c.king crazy.” Perched in front of them was a ma.s.sive s.h.i.+p around the size of your average battles.h.i.+p. The thing was simply parked there, taking the blasts Rocket sent their way, looking as though it was barely doing a thing.

Feeling as though he'd gotten their attention, Rocket hacked into their PA system, allowing his voice to blare throughout the entire Ravager s.h.i.+p, ”Attention idiots. The lunatic on top of this craft is holding a Hadron Enforcer, a weapon of my own design.” Naruto couldn't help but give a slight eye role at Rocket's need to brag, ”If you don't hand over our companions now, he's gonna tear your s.h.i.+p a new one. A very big new one. I'm giving you to the count of five.” Rocket didn't bother wasting a second to begin his count down, ”Five!”

Rocket had barely gotten the word out of his mouth when a man's voice came over the Milano's PA, ”Rocket, it's me! For G.o.d's sakes we figured it out, we're fine!” Silence reigned for several moments as both sides waited for Rocket's reply.

”…Oh hey Quill, what's going on?”

Naruto let out a sigh of relief as he mumbled, ”Such a bad plan…”

-x-

”Who the h.e.l.l's this guy?”

Naruto was standing with his back pressed up against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest, ”I'm here to help.” He said, answering Peter's question as he finally made his way to the cargo hold.

Peter looked at Naruto like he was an idiot as he said, ”Okay…but that doesn't answer my ques-”

”Naruto?”

The two men looked over to see Gamora had entered the room. Smiling, Naruto said, ”Gamora, it's good to see you. You know, now that you're not trying to kill me and all.”

Quill's face was that of bewilderment as he said, ”Wait…what?”

Realizing his confusion, Gamora said, ”Peter, this is Naruto Uzumaki. A few months back we had an…encounter.”

”Yeah,” the blonde said with a chuckle, ”If by 'encounter' you mean you and your sister tried to kill me, there sure, we had an encounter.”

Gomora nodded, the blonde able to see a small amount of shame on her face as she said, ”And Naruto, this is Peter Quill-”

”I know who this guy is.” Naruto interrupted, getting off the wall as he walked closer towards Quill, the two men now face to face, ”He's the guy I've been looking for. The guy that took the orb…an Infinity Stone as it turns out.” His face grew more and more serious as he spoke, ”The man who calls himself…Star-King.”

Peter's face, which up until then had been as deathly serious as Naruto's had been, immediately dropped in defeat, ”…It's Star-Lord.”

”Oh…” Naruto said, giving a sheepish grin as he said, ”My bad.” His eyes now on Gamora he said, ”I'm here to get the Stone, and to kill Ronan while I'm at it.”

”You can't possibly kill Ronan, not now at least.” Gamora said, ”With the Stone, he's powerful enough to wipe out entire planets. That's not something we can just fight, not even you, a man they call a Celestial. We need a plan.”

”I agree.” Star-Lord said, before blinking as something seemingly just hit him, ”Wait…you're the guy they call the Celestial?”

Naruto sighed, ”Yeah, I really wish they'd stop calling me that. But by the time I heard about it, it had already spread too quickly. I'm trying to change it to 'Maelstrom,' that's what everyone called me back on Earth, or Terra as you like to call it.”

”Woe, woe, woe.” Peter said, waving his hands around to stop the conversation, ”Did you just say you're from Terra?”

Naruto raised an eyebrow before remembering, ”Oh that's right, you're from Earth, aren't you?”

”And you are too? Oh man, you have no idea how awesome this is! I haven't talked to another Terran since I got abducted! I have so many questions! Did they ever make a sequel to Back to the Future, or make another Star Wars movie? How many songs can a ca.s.sette tape hold now? Is Michael Jackson still a thing? Have people realized that WWF is fake yet, or is that still going on? Are John Hughes movies still awesome? Did they ever cancel Star Trek the Next Generation? Did America ever win the Cold War? Is Reagan still President? Has AID's been cured? What about MTV, is that still on? Does Jane Fonda still work out? Do people still wear parachute pants-”

”Dude…I don't know what most of those things are.” Naruto deadpanned.

Peter blinked at Naruto's interruption, ”But…I thought you said you were from Terra?”

”No.” Naruto said, ”I never said that. I was there for a little over four years though.”

”Why were you there?” Gamora asked.

”It's a long story.” The blonde answered, ”Pretty much I got sent there during an apocalyptic fight with a pseudo-G.o.d, spent four years trying to figure out a way home, managed to get back home thanks to an Infinity Stone, everyone was dead including the pseudo-G.o.d, and now I'm here exploring the universe looking for the other Infinity Stone.” Shrugging he stuffed his hands in his pockets, ”And now here we are.”

”All of your people…are dead?”

Looking over to the other side of the room, the blonde warrior could see that Drax, Rocket, and Groot had just entered, more than likely hearing his quick description. Naruto didn't bother speaking, simply giving a slow nod in response. All five of them seemed to be looking at Naruto in a new light, whether it was respect Naruto couldn't say, but at least it wasn't utter annoyance or confusion from Rocket and Quill.

Still, Peter still felt the need to ask, ”So how exactly are you going to defeat Ronan? I haven't even seen you fight. And I'm not gonna believe what they say on the news, for all I know it's all some weird trick.”

Drax made his way to Naruto's left, resting a hand on the blonde's shoulder, ”I shall vouch for this man. He may look puny. And weak. Maybe even a little delicate. But I also see the makings of a warrior.”

”Gee…thanks.” Naruto grumbled.

The s.p.a.ce bandit looked at Drax in indignation, ”Well that's all well and good Drax, but-”

”I can vouch for him as well.” Gamora said, looking Quill in the eyes with an unwavering stare, ”He's strong. Trust me.”

Sighing in agitation, Peter pinched the bridge of his nose for a few moments before saying, ”So, how exactly do you plan on defeating Ronan.”

Naruto shrugged, sitting down on one of the various crates thrown around the room, with Drax following suit as he sat down next to him, ”Oh I have a plan. I just want to see your plan. You have it all figured out, don't you?” He asked, his face scrunched up in his signature fox like smile.

”Right…” Quill said, scratching his scalp as Rocket and Groot to a seat to his right, the six of them forming a makes.h.i.+ft circle in the cargo hold, ”Well as of this moment…we've decided we're gonna take the Stone from Ronan before he lands on Xandar.”

The room was quiet for several seconds. No one bothering to say a word as they looked Quill with varying expressions, with Rocket looking at Peter disbelievingly, Gamora with complete stoicism, Naruto in amus.e.m.e.nt, Drax in boredom, and Groot not paying attention at all, more occupied with the leaf that had begun to grow on his wrist.

Finally, the d.a.m.n broke, ”You call that 'figured it out?!' We're gonna rob the guy who just beat us senseless?” Rocket demanded, obviously not pleased with Quill's plan thus far.

”Oh, you wanna talk about senseless?” Peter demanded back, ”How about trying to save us, by blowing us up?” He asked, his voice greased with sarcasm.

”I told him it was a bad idea.” Naruto said matter of factly, ”I had a way better plan, but nooooo. We had to go along with Rocket, cause all of his plans are just so perfect.”

”Shut up blondie!” Rocket retaliated, pointing an accusing finger at him, ”If your plan was so good, why didn't you speak up sooner? Huh?!”

Naruto looked at Rocket both stunned and bewildered, ”I totally said something!” Looking to Groot and Drax he said, ”Didn't I guys?”

Groot looked over at Naruto and said, ”I am Groot.”

Seeing he wasn't going to win the argument with Groot, he looked over to Drax. Upon seeing Naruto and Rocket looking his way, Drax mumbled, ”What were we talking about? I wasn't paying attention.”

”This conversation is pointless!” Gamora yelled, putting everyone's attention on her, ”What's important now is that we get the Ravager's army to help us save Xandar.”

As Naruto and Peter nodded in agreement, Rocket asked, ”So we can just give the Stone to Yondu, who's just gonna sell it to somebody even worse?”

”We'll figure that part out later.” Peter interjected.

”We have to stop Ronan.” Gamora insisted, desperation clearly in her voice.

”How?!” Rocket insisted back.

”I have a plan.” Quill answered.

”You've got a plan?”

”Yes.”

”First of all,” Rocket said, lazily pointing towards Peter as he said, ”You're copying me from when I said I have a plan.”

”He wasn't even there when you said that.” Naruto said, a look of exasperation on his face, ”Let's at least hear how bad the plan is before we pick it apart.”

”Yes, thank you!” Quill said, gesturing to Naruto. Looking back to Rocket he added, ”And it's not that unique of a thing to say, everyone says it.”

”Secondly,” Rocket continued, ”I don't even believe that you have a plan.”

Now getting thoroughly annoyed by the rac.o.o.n's attempt to demean him, Peter began to rebuff him only to pause half way through, ”I have…part, of a plan.”

”What percentage of a plan do you have?” Drax inquired.

It was Gamora's turn to get annoyed, jabbing her finger in Drax's face as she said, ”You don't get to ask questions after the nonsense you pulled on Knowhere.”

”I just saved Quill.” The Destroyer insisted.

”We've already established that you destroying the s.h.i.+p that I'm on isn't saving me.” Quill said, his patience wearing thin.

”When did we establish that?”

”Like three seconds ago!”

Drax scoffed, ”Oh, I wasn't paying attention to that either.” This caused Naruto to shove his face in his hands and Gomora to sigh in exasperation at the man's antics.

”She's right, you don't get an opinion.” Rocket said, for once agreeing with the green skinned a.s.sa.s.sin. Looking back to Quill he asked, ”What percentage?”

”I don't know.” Quill said, thinking quickly as he answered, ”Twelve percent.”

”Twelve percent?!” The rac.o.o.n yelled, amus.e.m.e.nt on his face as threw his head back, ”Hah hah hah!

Quill glared at the mocking Rocket, ”That's a fake laugh.” He said in the middle of the rac.o.o.n's display.

”It's real!” Rocket bellowed.

”Totally fake.”

”That's the most real, authentic, hysterical laugh of my entire life, because that is not a plan.” Rocket said, getting a nod from Groot and Gamora.

”It's barely a concept.” Gamora said with a shake of the head.

Peter turned his frustration on woman, ”You're taking their side?”

Naruto looked over at Quill, ”You gotta admit that that's pretty barebones, even by my standards.” Leaning back, he said, ”I haven't done that kinda s.h.i.+t since I was fifteen.”

Pinching his nose once again, Quill had to turn away for a moment to collect himself. Letting out a big breath, he turned to face them all, ”Guys…come on. Yondu's gonna be here in two seconds to hear this big plan of ours. I need your help.” Looking at each and every one of them, Peter lazily pointed his finger around the circle as he said, ”I look around at us, and you know what I see? Losers.” Seeing that he'd lost Rocket and Drax, Quill corrected himself, ”I-I mean…folks who have lost stuff. And we have, man we have. All of us.” Looking at Naruto and Gamora he said, ”Our homes.” To Drax he said, ”Our families.” And to Rocket, ”Normal lives.” Putting his hands in his pockets he continued, ”Usually, life takes more than it gives. But not today. Today, it's given us something. It's given us a chance.”

”To do what?” Drax asked as he looked up at Quill.

”To give a s.h.i.+t.” Peter answered, looking Drax in the eye as he did. Looking to the rest of them he continued, ”To not run away, for once. I for one am notgoing to stand by and watch as Ronan wipes out billions of innocent lives.”

”Look…Quill.” Rocket said, his voice low as he spoke, ”Stopping Ronan, it's impossible. You're asking us to die.”

”Yeah…” Peter mumbled, ”Yeah, I guess I am.” Peter broke away from the circle, the other five thinking over his heavy words.

”Maybe not.” The five fugitives turned their attention to their newest member the man standing up as he continued, ”I know I haven't been a part of your motley crew for long, but I can tell that each of you are good people, good people who are just trying to find some kind of purpose in this vast universe. Whether it's fighting, stealing, whatever, you guys have done some pretty stupid, pretty f.u.c.ked up s.h.i.+t before now.” A small smile graced his face as he said, ”Whether the universe brought you here or not, I don't know. What I do know, is that we're here, and we're the only people that can stop a threat like this and survive. And with me on your side, well there's just no way we can lose.” Looking to Quill he said, ”Whether these guys decide to join or not, I would be honored to join your fight, Star-Lord.”

The remaining four remained silent, all of them thinking over what Peter and Naruto had said. Finally, Gamora looked up from her feet, ”I have lived most my life surrounded by my enemies.” Getting up, she took a deep breath, ”I would be grateful, to die among my friends.”

Drax was the next one to get up from his seat, his baritone voice speaking with a surprising softness, ”You both are honorable men…I will fight beside you.” Giving a sad smile he continued, ”And should the end come, I will see my wife and daughter again.”

Groot followed soon after, the four others standing up forced to crane their necks to look the tree man in the eye, ”I am Groot.”

The remaining five looked at the last one sitting, said rac.o.o.n looking around the room in bewilderment. Closing his eyes, he gave a hefty sigh, ”Oh what the h.e.l.l, I don't have that long of a life span anyway.” Slowly getting up to stand upon the crate he'd been sitting on, he quickly straightened his vest as he said, ”Now I'm standing, you happy? We're all standing up now. Bunch of jacka.s.ses standing in a circle.”

-x-

Looking down at the red leather Ravager jacket in his hands, Naruto couldn't help but wince a little bit, ”Do I seriously have to wear this. Leather isn't really my thing.”

Quill looked up from strapping on his boots along with taking off his retro head phones, the man now wearing full Ravager garb, ”We've gotta wear this if we want to be distinguished as the good guys by the Nova Corps. We're all wearing it, even Rocket and Drax.”

”Not Groot.”

”That's 'cause we don't have anything that'll fit Groot.”

Naruto gave an overly dramatic sigh, ”Fine.” Slipping the jacket on, Naruto gave a few testing stretches. ”A bit restricting…but not as bad as I'd thought it'd be. I'm surprised your jacket actually fit me.” He admitted, zipping the jacket up to his lower chest.

Walking out of the boarding room, the two men descended down the hallway, the remainder of their group soon joined them, Gamora's uniform rather form fitting, Drax only wearing a pair of Ravager pants with his knives strapped to his boots, and Rocket wearing a Ravager version of his previous vest. Entering the Eclector's flight deck, the six of them were greeted by over three dozen of Yondu's men, along with the man himself sitting in the captain's helm.

Turning towards them, Yondu said, ”Took you long enough boy, do you need a few more minutes to powder your nose, or can we get on with little 'plan' of yours?”

Naruto, Gamora, and Peter stepped forward, with Rocket staying close behind and Drax and Groot sticking to the back of the crowd. Walking in front of the two men, Gamora was the first to speak, addressing Yondu and his present crew, ”The Stone reacts to anything organic, the bigger the target the bigger the power surge.”

Quill stepped forward, ”All Ronan needs to do is touch the stone to the planet's surface and zap, all plants animals, Nova Corps-”

”Everything will die.” Gamora concluded.

”That means Ronan does not make the surface.” Quill said looking at Yondu eye to eye.

Naruto stepped forward, ”And that's where I come in. The best course of action is to make sure Ronan is kept away from any kind of planet that can sustain life, otherwise he can obliterate it with the Stone. The only way to do that is to take him to a place where we can fight he safely, without worrying about endangering innocent life.”

”And how exactly do you plan to do that boy? Ask him nicely?” Yondu mocked.

”No.” Naruto said, raising up his hand to show the Hirais.h.i.+n Seal, ”I'm going to do it with this. This seal allows me to place a marker anywhere I choose: person, place, or thing, and teleport to it in an instant. I've places hundreds of these throughout the universe thanks to my Shadow Clones, which means I have the pick of the litter as to where our battleground will be.”

”Which is?” Kraglin asked.

Pulling up a planet on one of the screens in front of them, Quill answered, ”Hiberlac. The place has zero intelligent life forms, it's the perfect place to secure the Stone and kill Ronan.”

”Well this is all fine and dandy.” Yondu said, ”But just how do you plan on getting on board Ronan's Wars.h.i.+p?”

”The same way we'll get to Hiberlac.” Naruto answered, ”I had an encounter with some of Ronan's men on Morag, one of whom I spared to send a message to his master, that message being a Hirais.h.i.+n Seal. Providing he didn't destroy the note, four of us will teleport to the Dark Aster. From there we will separate, with Drax, Groot, and myself going to grab Ronan, while Gamora will go and shut down the s.h.i.+p and safely land it in the ocean below.” Looking around the room, Naruto said, ”While we're doing this Quill and Rocket will be a.s.sisting you in making sure the Sakaaran Necrocrafts are kept at bay. I will call the Nova Corps and tell them everything that's going on, including the fact that you all are helping in saving Xandar.”

”Just so we're clear,” Yondu spoke, his face deathly serious as he said, ”How exactly are we getting paid for our services? Saving a planet ain't cheap ya know.”

Quill hesitated for a moment, looking to Naruto who gave him a slow nod, ”Your payment…is the orb.”

A crooked grin spread across the man's face, obviously liking the sound of that. After a moment, he asked, ”And if Ronan destroyed this seal of yours, if he got it?” Yondu asked.

Naruto nodded over to Quill, ”Then we use his plan for getting on there.”

”…Great.”

-x-

Location: The Dark Aster

-x-

The Dark Aster's captain's chamber was devoid of all life. The dark room was surrounded in an earie quiet, the only sound being the distant thoom of the rear thrusters. That quiet was soon disrupted by the sound of four people appearing out of nowhere, one of whom looking around wildly with his daggers drawn as he prepared for battle. Said fight never came as he and the rest of his entourage realized they were alone in the room.

Looking to Gamora, Naruto asked, ”Is this place always so dark and gloomy.”

The a.s.sa.s.sin gave a light-hearted shrug, ”For the most part.”

About to use a fire jutsu to light up the place, he was beaten to the punch by Groot. Lifting up his arm, pieces of his wrist and forearm began to slit and open up, allowing hundreds if not thousands of luminous spores to drift up above them, illuminating the chamber in a beautiful golden glow.

”When did you learn to do that?” Drax asked in wonder.

Naruto shrugged, ”I doubt we'd understand, even if he knew. His translator isn't here, remember?”

Almost on cue, the Dark Aster shook from taking a heavy hit, the sound of multiple dog fights outside alerting the group that the fight for Xandar had begun.