Ego

- - - - -

"You need a new ship, Quill."

Ana watched the Milano fall apart before her eyes with her hands crossed loosely over her chest. They landed roughly on the forest terrain. Nobody was seriously hurt, thankfully. She had collected her bag which was still inside and wore it over her shoulder. Peter was walking around her when he heard her statement and scoffed.

"No I don't. Just needs a few moderations, that's all." He retorted.

After his statement, sparks went wide and a chunk of the exterior splintered to the ground. Peter was nudged out of the way before the debris fell at their feet. No words were exchanged as Ana faced Peter, eyebrow raised. He rolled his eyes and motioned her to follow him.

"Maybe I do need an upgrade." He commented lightly.

"Look at this! Where's the other half of our ship?!" Gamora yelled. Ana did not want to get near the mini Hulk when she got this mad and stayed a safe distance away.

"My ship." Peter mumbled beside her.

"Either one of you could have gotten us through that field." Gamroa glared at Rocket and Peter, "Had you flown with what's between your ears instead of what's between your legs." She pointed at them both before walking around the back of the ship.

Ana sighed, placing her hands behind her head before looking up at the sky. If the Sovereign hadn't attacked like they did, they would be on their way to Xandar and there Ana would have gone home. But now they were on Berhert, and she knew she shouldn't leave when they were all in crisis mode. She made a promise to herself, when the Guardians got back onto their feet, she would depart.

Little did she know that wouldn't be for a long while.

"If what's between my legs had a hand on it, I'd guarantee I could've landed this ship." Peter whispered, facing Drax.

Ana dropped her hands and turned to him. "You are disturbing." She commented.

"Peter, we almost died because of your arrogance." Gamora stated, hands on her hips as she shot him a displeased look.

Peter raised his hands defensively and pointed at Rocket. "More like because he stole Anulax batteries."

Ana could hear Drax sigh beside her. "They're called Harbulary batteries." He uttered.

"No they're not!" Peter cried out.

"You know why I did it, Star-Munch?" Rocket shot back, stepping closer to their captain.

"I'm not gonna answer to Star-Munch." He retorted.

"I did it because I wanted to!" Rocket hissed, "What are we even talking about this for? We just had a little man save us by blowing up fifty ships."

"How little?" Drax asked. Ana felt poking at her ankle and looked down to see Groot raise his arms. She smiled softly and picked him up, settling him on her shoulder.

"How long do you think this will go for before someone loses a head?" Ana asked the creature.

"I am Groot." Groot shrugged.

"Well, like this." Rocket demonstrated with his thumb and index finger.

Ana frowned. "Tiny people pack a punch, huh?"

"A little one inch man saved us?" Gamora wasn't buying it.

"Well if he got closer I'm sure he'll be much larger." Rocket continued.

"That's how eyesight works, you stupid raccoon." Peter hurled back. Both Groot and Ana shook their heads. Ana learned the hard way not to call Rocket a raccoon.

"Don't call me a raccoon!" Rocket growled.

"I'm sorry, I took it too far." Peter began to say softly, "I meant trash panda."

Rocket opened his mouth to respond, but the name seemed to confuse him. He turned to the others. "Is that better?"

"I don't know." Drax shrugged.

"It's worse. It's so much worse." Peter stated laughing.

Ana glanced at Rocket, "It's another name for racco-"

She didn't get to finish since Rocket grabbed his gun and pointed it at Peter, snarling at him. "You sunova-!"

Ana stepped in-between them and blocked Rocket from chomping Peter's hands, lightly shoving him back. "Hey, stop it!"

"I am Groot!" Groot yelled also.

"Someone followed you through the jump point." Nebula pointed at the sky where a white ship descended down on the forest terrain opposite them. Everyone grabbed a weapon and stood together, preparing for another fight.

"Set me free. You'll need my help." Nebula hissed. Ana realised she was standing in the middle of her and Gamora and sighed.

"Oh, boy." She mumbled under her breath.

"I'm not a fool, Nebula." Gamora spoke over Ana, shaking her head at her sister.

Nebula leaned in closer, making Ana lean away from her. The blue assassin had a look of pure anger. "You are a fool if you deprive yourself a hand in combat." She snapped.

Gamora mirrored her sister's actions, "We have a new fighter with us, and she has proven very useful in combat when she listens." Ana threw her a look, but Gamora ignored it and scoffed, "You'll attack me the moment I let you go."

"No I won't." Nebula insisted unconvincingly, casting her eyes downwards.

"You know, you'd think an evil super villain will know how to properly lie." Peter chimed in on the other side of Nebula.

"I bet it's the one inch man." Drax said hopefully.

The white ship landed and hunkered down into the dirt ground, a hissing sound escaping from it as it powered down. The large oval hatch opened and two figures strode out, a man and a woman. The woman had large beady eyes and antennae with sleek black hair and a green tunic. The man was much older with a scruffy beard and he wore a suit with draping material over his shoulder.

He had his eyes solely on Peter. "After all these years, I found you."

Ana ignored the way her insides churned and gripped the hilt of her sword tighter. Peter didn't seem to recognise the man. "Who the hell are you?" He asked defiantly.

"I think my rugged good looks would've made that obvious." The man chuckled, motioning to his face, "My name is Ego and I'm your dad, Peter."

Then every jaw dropped.

- - -

"I hired Yondu to pick you up when your mother passed away. But instead of returning you, Yondu kept you. I have no clue as to why."

It had gotten dark pretty quickly and everyone surrounded a fire, eating some food that was still on the Milano. Peter was next to Ego as the older man spoke of their relation. Meanwhile, Ana sat at one end of a log with Rocket and Groot, swirling around the sludge in her bowl. It wouldn't take a telepath to know she didn't enjoy space food. She mentally kicked herself for eating all the snacks she brought from Earth.

Groot was finishing off the cup of M&M's while Ana decided to transmute her food into something else. After a flash of gold, her mystic abilities turned the sludge to a burger. She grinned then when it actually worked and bit into it, sighing heavily at the familiar taste. Wong had always told her to use her sorcery when it was absolutely necessary, like in combat. She considered this to be vital, and what he doesn't know won't hurt him.

Groot had paused and stared at her, a handful of chocolate buttons escaping from his grip and falling on the ground.

"Well I'll tell you why," Peter began, "'Cause I was a skinny little kid who could squeeze into places adults couldn't. Easier for thieving." He scoffed.

"Well, I've been trying to track you down ever since." Ego seemed to be genuine as he stared at his son with remorseful eyes.

"I thought Yondu was your father." Drax spoke up.

"What? We've been together this whole time and you thought Yondu was my actual blood relative?" Peter asked, surprised at how dense Drax could get.

"You look exactly alike." Drax stated in defence.

"One's blue!" Rocket laughed, making Ana chuckle behind her burger.

"No, he's not my father!" Peter exclaimed, shaking is head, "Yondu is the guy who abducted me. Kicked the crap outta me so I could learn to fight and kept me in terror by threatening to eat me."

"Eat you?" Ego repeated wide eyed.

"Yeah."

"That son of a bitch." Ego narrowed his eyes, getting worked up.

Gamora interrupted his speech, "How did you locate us now?"

"Well even where I reside out past the edge of what's known, we've heard tell about the man they call Star-Lord. Let's say we head out there right now." Ego's eyes finally left his sons as he looked at each of the others. He couldn't really get a good look at Ana since she was hunched over with her back to him, handing Groot a drink. "Your associates are welcome. Even that triangle faced monkey over there." He pointed at Rocket, who huffed. "Promise you, it's unlike any other place you've ever seen. And there, I can explain your very special heritage. Finally get to be the father I've always wanted to be."

Peter stared at his father, before Ego stood. "Excuse me. I gotta take a whiz."

"I'm not buying it." Peter told the group after Ego left.

Ana butted her head out and looked at Peter over Drax's huge chest. "Something's up and I don't know what. But, Peter, if there is any chance you feel something, something that tells you he's being truthful, I think you should take it." She put her thoughts in.

Peter nodded silently, letting her words sink in. "I guess I do feel something. But I'm not sure."

Gamora extended her hand towards Peter, "Let's go take a walk."

It was just Groot, Rocket, Drax, Nebula and Ana. Ego's companion was also sitting with them.

"I am Mantis." She spoke up after a long silent pause. She began lifting her lips and baring her teeth, twitching slightly. Ana and Drax shared a disturbed look.

"What are you doing?" He asked her incredulously.

"Smiling." Mantis answered, "I hear it is the thing you do to make people like you."

"Not if you do it like that." Drax mumbled and continued to eat his blue jelly.

"Oh," She deflated, clearly embarrassed. "I was raised alone on Ego's planet. I do not understand the intricacies of social interaction." Mantis stated, shyly ducking her head.

Ana leaned forward from the other side of Drax and offered a smile. "Hi, Mantis. My name's Ana." She introduced.

Mantis' lips stretched up and she pointed at Rocket who was grooming himself, an excited look in her eye. "Can I pet your puppy? It is adorable."

"Uh..." Ana drawled, unsure.

"Yes!" Drax replied before Ana could argue not to. Mantis leaned towards Rocket and reached out for him to pet his head. Rocket looked over his shoulder when he sensed movement and snapped his jaws at her with a snarl, causing Drax to double over with laughter. Mantis pulled her hand back with a yell and scooted away from Rocket.

"That is called a practical joke!" Drax laughed.

"I liked it very much." Mantis giggled.

Ana shoved her face into her hands, groaning. Drax nudged her with his bulky arms, almost shoving her off the log. "Why aren't you laughing? I just made it up."

Ana offered him a weak chuckle and he seemed satisfied. Nebula, who was stuck next to Ana, shook her head. Ana straightened up and addressed Nebula for the first time.

"So, you're a space pirate?"

Nebula narrowed her eyes. "Where in the galaxies did you hear that from?" She seemed offended.

Ana shrugged. She was trying to play it like she wasn't at all hostile towards the blue assassin, though she had heard stories from Gamora about just how dangerous Nebula could get. And Ana was in unfamiliar territory, she couldn't not be relaxed. "The Guardians. They really don't like you, by the way." She stated. Her eyes surveyed the mechanical parts on her body, wondering if she was born like that.

"Can you tell me about your father?" Ana asked out of the blue.

Nebula was taken aback by the question. A moment of silence passed and her lips curled at the mention of Thanos. "I take it he has problems with you. You shouldn't be afraid, because once I get out of these restraints, I am going to find him and kill him after all he has done to me. No matter the army of soldiers I have to go through to get to him." She stated with determination, gaze drifting off.

Ana lit up. "You mean the woman with the blue hair and the boney one?"

Nebula's eyes widened then. Her mouth dropped open. "How did you know? Have you encountered them before?" She pressed.

Ana nodded, tilting her head slightly. "Actually before I was picked up by your sister I got caught in a small fight with them both. I ran away though after one of them gave me this." She pointed at her scar on the side of her face, caused by Corvus Glaive. It was fading finally after a few weeks. Nebula leaned in closer and analysed the wound. She was trying to figure out if it was caused by Proxima Midnight's lance. After realising it was a mere scratch, she looked at Ana, curiosity all over her face.

"Who the hell are you anyway?"

Ana grinned. "Ana, but I also go by Warrior."

"I have never once heard of you. Even if you evaded two of my siblings and my father and lived to tell the tale." Nebula said. Ana looked at the remnants of her burger before eating it. She turned to Nebula and shrugged, putting on a light smile.

"Well, I'm not much of a boaster."

- - -

The sun came up and Peter decided he should listen to his gut feeling and take Ego up on his offer to visit his planet and find out if he really is his father. Gamora and Drax tagged along. The former was rummaging through her bags while Peter spoke with Drax. Ana sat on the ramp of the ship, next to Gamora's bag as the green woman took her sweet time in collecting her things.

Ana expected she was going to stay back with the others. Suddenly, Gamora took her hand, the one that kept an ice pack on the bruise on her head. Ana looked up at her, confused.

"I want you to come with us. Here, take your bag." Gamora handed Ana her backpack and pulled her to her feet.

Ana had the bag pressed against her chest as she stared at Gamora uneasily. "What's the matter?"

Gamora looked over her shoulder at Peter, making sure he was preoccupied, before replying in a whisper. "I do not trust Ego. And if I'm right, and he turns out to be just another bad guy, we might need your help if anything is to go wrong." She told her, zipping her own bag and grabbing it from the floor.

Ana's lips pursed. "Alright. But what about the others? What if the Sovereign find out where we are?"

Gamora tugged Ana along, leading her out of the Milano. "There is no way for them to know we're here. And it'll only be for a couple of days." She responded.

Ana swung her backpack on her back, gripping the straps. She glanced over her shoulder at Groot as he waved his hand in their direction. She twiddled her fingers and sighed, turning around. Peter, Drax, Gamora and Ana walked away from the Milano, towards Ego's ship.

Ana stared at Ego as he waited patiently for them to board his ship. Once he turned to speak with Mantis, Ana leaned closer to Gamora, and whispered, "What if he actually is Peter's dad and evil? What then?"

Gamora simply slid her finger across her throat.

"Hey, could I ask you a personal question?"

Ana sat on the white curved bench opposite Drax and next to Peter. She had her back against the wall, facing Mantis and Peter as the latter started up a conversation. Mantis looked in-between the three of them, lips in an o-shape as she let out a soft oh.

"Oh, no one has ever asked me a personal question before." She said.

"Your antennae, what are they for?" Peter asked.

"Their purpose?" Mantis added.

"Yes. We have a bet." Drax stated bluntly, arm propped up on one knee as he turned to face Mantis.

"Dude." Ana retorted.

Peter ducked his head with an embarrassed chuckle, glancing up at Drax. "You're not supposed to say that." He said. Gamora joined them and looked on, smiling slightly.

"I say that if you're about to go through a doorway that's too low, your antennae will feel this and keep you from being decapitated." Drax shared his opinion. Mantis pondered the statement.

Ana sat up and crossed her arms. "I think they're for receiving broadcast signals. Y'know, like if someone needs help and they send out a transmission." She gave her a grin.

"Right, and if it's anything other than you specifically not being decapitated by a doorway or receiving transmissions, I win." Peter added.

"They are not for feeling doorways. Or signal transmissions. I think they have something to do with my empathic abilities." Mantis denied their answers with a exasperated tone. Drax groaned while Ana shrugged. Peter laughed in victory.

"What are those?" Gamora questioned.

"If I touch someone, I can feel their feelings." Mantis stated.

"You read minds?" Peter asked.

"Telepaths know thoughts. Empaths feel feelings. Emotions. May I?" Mantis motioned to touch his hand.

"Alright." Peter agreed.

Mantis' antennae glowed briefly when she closed her eyes and breathed in. "You feel love." She declared, opening her eyes with a warm smile.

"Yeah, I guess I feel a general unselfish love for just about everyon-" Peter was cut off.

"No, romantic, sexual love." Mantis elaborated.

Ana slyly looked to Gamora, a smile making its way onto her face.

"No. No I don't!" Peter shook his head.

"For her!" Mantis pointed to Gamora and Peter snatched his hand away from her, denying it immediately. Gamora glanced at Peter, puzzled.

"No! That is not-" Peter was cut off by Drax's full blown laughter.