#assortedau

"Time to go!" Rocket shot off, the other Guardians in tow.

Sigyn followed them - but noticed the panel of their cell. Stopped.

Sigyn Lokiwife of Asgard, it said. That was her name. Lokiwife.

She was married?

"Hey, princess! C'mon!" Quill yelled, ready to come back for her. She turned, snapping out of her trance-like focus on the panel. Caught up with the Guardians and stayed close to them as they ran through the ship.

"Any ideas where the armory might be?"

"How about we just ask them for directions?" Rocket snapped as a group of the bounty hunters sprung from behind a corner. Drax tackled one, Gamora running in to attack another. Rocket and Groot took another. Sigyn jumped, staying back as Peter reluctantly took the last one, socking him in the jaw. The Guardians made quick work of the bounty hunters, taking their blasters. Peter panted after the fight, holding his newly-borrowed blaster close. "About that armory..." Somehow, among the ruckus and chaos, the Guardians found the armory - more of a messy storage room, in truth - and grabbed their belongings. Sigyn stayed to the side, still mulling over the panel's words.

Wife.. Someone's wife... Did her husband miss her?

Did he love her?

Did she love him?

"You okay there, princess?" Peter glanced at her, clicking a small device to his hip. She met his gaze.

"Fine. Just ready to be out of here." She smiled weakly. “Can I help..?”

"Uhh..” He looked down at their weapons, then at Gamora, who gave him a look. Back to her. “Just stay close.”

Sigyn’s shoulder drooped.

“All right, let's haul out." He nodded to the group, grabbing his blaster. They left the armory - and were immediately met with a dozen or more bounty hunters, all guns trained on their position. Groot, seated on Rocket’s shoulder, reached over and pressed the device on Peter’s hip.

Click.

((if you want to follow along with music for the full experience, queue Take A Chance On Me - ABBA right about now ;) ))

Music began blaring from the device.

“If you change your mind, I’m the first in line!”

"You know the drill, Guardians!" Peter triggered a helmet to cover his face.

“Honey, I’m still free. Take a chance on me!”

"Hey, Drax?" Rocket grinned, "Bet'cha I can take out more of ‘em than you can!"

"Is that a challenge?" Drax pulled out dual knives. Sigyn's eyes widened and she moved closer to Quill, staying just behind him.

The Guardians charged.

They ran to the beat of the music, practically plowing through the droves of bounty hunters -  Peter leading the way. Rocket grabbed pebble-sized bits of metal from his belt, tossing them out onto enemies. With a grin, he clicked a remote - triggering colorful pink and orange explosions all around them. Several bounty hunters gagged on the colored gas. He then jumped on Drax’s shoulders, then onto more enemies, weaving among them. Groot, still clinging to his shoulder, released a fierce little battle cry.

They shot past Gamora, who impaled a hunter on her sword. He spat out blood before she tossed him away, meeting her next foe with a lethal slice across the chest. She turned, bashing the blaster of another hunter up just as he fired - hitting a wire that supported beams above, causing the heavy beam to swing down in front of them.

“Stop!” Peter slid to a halt as the beam groaned, colliding with a handful of the bounty hunters...

“Now!” he called, the Guardians hopping past the beam just before it swung back over their path.

They rounded a corner. Down the hall, another crowd of bounty hunters was advancing on them. Past their shoulders, a large, open hangar housed countless ships. In the distance, the Milano.

The door behind the hunters slammed closed.

“How many you got, Drax?” Rocket grinned, already poised to throw another round of grenades.

“Thirteen.” The giant man rolled his shoulder, brandishing his knives.

“Awh, that’s cute. Got fifteen myself-”

“I am Groot!”

“Well, we’ve got fifteen. But who’s counting?” Rocket tossed the grenades, downing a handful of hunters.

“We are!” Drax charged into the fray.

“Aren’t there more pressing matters at hand than games?” Gamora shouted, stabbing one of the hunters in the leg, then the chest.

The group made their way down the hallway, Sigyn staying close behind Peter - and dodging blaster shots from the enemies, silently lamenting her lack of a weapon. Peter shot one enemy in the neck, then grabbing his arm, swung him around and, using him as a sort of shield, shot two others. He dropped the limp body, then triggered his mask to disappear, revealing his face. He caught Gamora’s eye, giving her a cheeky wink. She rolled her eyes, but not without a small smile.

They reached the blast door.

“All right, let’s pry this sucker open.” Rocket walked over to the controls.

Immediately, Drax grabbed the door and with a roar, pried it open. The others stared at him.

“What? He said pry it open.”

Sigyn giggled slightly. “Well... He’s not wrong.”

((music ends here!))

~~~~ They made a beeline for the Milano.

"Okay, guys, let's get out of here ASAP," Peter sat in the cockpit, having just finished releasing the Milano from the various tethers that held it in place. "No telling who might show u- Awh sh-" Another large group of bounty hunters rushed into the hangar. Alarms blared louder as the Milano took off.

"They must have sensors up!" Rocket snarled when the Milano shook from the impact of a blast, "Punch it, Quill!"

Before them, the main doors to the garage were starting to close as another ship was brought in.

"Hold onto something, this is gonna be rough!" Peter slammed the shift forward. Sigyn clung to a seat, yelling along with the others and the Milano lurched, then jumped into a high-speed escape. Other, slightly smaller ships around them rose, chasing them, grappling hook-like guns loaded and ready, already shooting at the Milano.

"C'mon- C'mon! We can make it!"

“Peter, we can’t!” Gamora screamed. The ship rocked as hooks made impact, mercifully sliding off without taking hold.

“We can!”

The opening before them was getting smaller... Smaller...

Ting!

They sped through the door just in the nick of time. Behind them, explosions sounded as the enemy ships crashed into their own mothership's door - and each other.

"Ha!" Peter let out an almost maniacal burst of laughter, the rest of the Guardians cheering loudly. Even Sigyn cheered, whooping once. The Milano, still at a considerable speed, shot out into space.

"Oh, thank goodness.." Sigyn breathed, "That was- that was incredible! Is this normal for you? Escaping captors? Close calls?"

"Well, now that you ask-" Rocket started.

"Don't even, Rocket, don't even." Peter cut him off.

"What? I was just answering the lady's question." He grinned.

"No, you were definitely about to rat me out."

"Was not."

"Yes you were." Once they were out of range of the enemy ship, Peter slowed the Milano, flipping a few switches. "What's the quickest way to Asgard?"

“Ehh, there’s a few ways. You could always let me drive...”

Sigyn glanced at Peter.

Sigyn Lokiwife of Asgard. Asgard, whatever it was, must be home.

She excused herself and stepped back into the main room of the Milano, staring down at the table, arms crossed.

Would the people there hate her, if she didn't remember them, or would they understand?

Did they care for her in the first place?

She closed her eyes, letting her mind wander. Surely, there was some memory she still held, even something faint...

Asgard. What was Asgard?

She furrowed her brow. Gold. Asgard has gold. Sun. Warmth. Smile. Her heart fluttered. Something about Asgard made her feel lighter... Excited?

"Feeling overwhelmed?" Gamora walked in.

Sigyn gasped and turned to her, eyes open. She swallowed, and managed a tiny smile. "A little."

The alien walked closer, stood across from her. "I don’t blame you. Not everyone’s used to such.. Intense fights. We'll return you home safe."

Sigyn nodded, pursing her lips.. "About that, are... Look, I know you think I was given some sort of - something - to make me forget. But I can hardly remember anything about this Asgard place. I.. I’m not so sure I belong there."

"You're the princess. You belong there. And I doubt your husband would take kindly to you being away from him much longer."

"He's protective?"

"Notoriously. There’s several million units being offered for your safe return; no doubt, he had a hand in that."

So he does care about me.. Unless he's just an over-protective, overbearing jerk...

I guess we’ll see.

"You're all returning me for the sake of a reward, then?"

"Yes."

Sigyn nodded. "Well, I'd probably do the same.." Would she? "...I think."

Gamora pursed her lips slightly. "You should start remembering soon.. Even the most powerful amnesiac gases only last a few days, maybe a week at best."

"How long will it take to reach Asgard?"

"Depends on if we have to stop for fuel, or hit another detour... I'll let you know."

"Peter, you're an idiot." Gamora took a seat in the Milano’s cockpit, releasing a loud sigh.

"Yeah, yeah, I know..." Peter turned the ship, and within seconds the were on their way to Xandar. "It's not my fault that guy had literally the ugliest mug in the galaxy."

"He was not carrying a mug," Drax piped up from behind them, furrowing his brow at Peter.

"Face, then! Ugliest face."

"I disagree." Drax settled back into his seat. "You have the ugliest face."

"I am Groot."

Peter glared over his shoulder. "If you don't cut it out, I swear I will turn this spaceship around." Soon, the bunch of misfits reached Xandar. Landed, and took the opportunity to roam the city - partly in search for unclaimed bounties.

"Okay, since we haven't had the best luck under Quill's leadership lately, I’m electing myself as new leader of the group," Rocket smirked, holding a tiny baby Groot on his shoulder.

"Hey!" Peter huffed, "That Sakaarian was just one guy. One dude out of the whole universe. Every one of us has had a - a slight disagreement, over a keg of beer."

"I am Groot."

"Okay, except you. But you don't count."

"I am Groot!"

"All right fine, you count!"

Gamora rolled her eyes, walking over to a large, white wall, containing a screen that was shifting between advertisements. "Hey, come look at this." She put her hand up, stilling the screen.

Peter furrowed his brow, his hands on his hips. "Reward for the safe capture and return of an.. Asgardian? Asgardian princess?"

Rocket whistled. "Gorgeous."

"Yeah, I guess she's pretty-"

"I was talkin' about the money."

Peter's eyes settled on the bounty price, then widened. He grinned. "How do you guys feel about a rescue mission?" ~~~~ Sigyn awoke with a pounding headache. She blinked. Looked down at her bound hands. Great...

It was dark, but in the further reaches of the shadows she could make out the edges of rusty metal walls. In front of her stood an equally-rusted cell door.  Past it, another cell stood, identical if not for the fact it was empty. She stood, steadying herself against the wall. Voices came from down the hall.

"...won't remember anything. I gave her a double dose."

"Dunno, Asgardians are tough..."

"Not this one."

Two men stepped in front of her cell. Each wore patchy, well-worn clothes. One looked tanned and scruffy, the other had blue skin marred with scars.

"Oh look, she's awake," The blue one chuckled.

Sigyn stepped back, eyeing both of them. "Where am I?"

"That's not much'a your business, is it?" The man glared at her.

"Where are you taking me?"

"Knowhere." He smirked.

She blinked. "What... You must be taking me somewhere."

He nodded. "Knowhere. Hang tight, princess." Both men walked off, leaving her alone. She huffed, eyeing the door... Then noticed the clothing she had on. Interwoven leather and cloth, bits of metal, armored bracers on her forearms... Nothing like what those men wore.

What was going on?

She sat back down, defeated. Her headache became overwhelming, throbbing... She placed her head in her hands. ~~~~ Meanwhile, onboard the Milano, Rocket stepped over to a table in the center of the common area. "Now, behold." Rocket set a metal object that looked haphazardly thrown-together on the table. "A genuine Asgardian tracking device. Call it an A-T-D."

"You found a way to track Asgardians?" Peter raised his brows, arms crossed.

"Well yeah, why'd you think I called it an Asgardian tracking device?"

"I am Groot."

"Exactly! The nerve of some people!"

Peter rolled his eyes. Gamora spoke up. "How does it track them?"

"Now that is a good question." Rocket pressed a button on the side of the device. It started beeping slowly. "I won't reveal all my secrets, but it basically traces Asgardian DNA."

"Where did you get Asgardian DNA?"

Rocket grinned. "I have my ways."

"So we'll follow your tracker until we find the princess, grab her, maybe shoot some guys, and take her back to Asgard safe and sound?" Peter shifted his weight.

"That's the plan."

"..I love it. Good work, Rocket."

"Well, I am the resident genius." ~~~~ Soon, the Guardians reached Knowhere to the tune of Drax’s snoring, the tracker’s continuous beeping, and Suspicious Minds playing softly.

The tracking device released another loud, long bloop before returning to its rhythmic beeping - unfortunately, out of sync with the music.

"That toaster of yours better work," Peter huffed.

"I told you, Quill, it's already working. It's brought us this far, hasn't it?"

"We'll see. Asgardians are usually easy to spot anyway," Gamora stood, walking to the front of the cockpit. "They're loud and overbearing. Proud."

"Yeah but they've got a full medieval look, right? Armor and everything?"

"Yes, usually."

"So we're looking for a ren faire princess. Got it."

Rocket and Gamora exchanged a confused look. She shrugged.

The Milano landed, and the Guardians - after waking up Drax - began their search. Peter lead the way.

"All right, we should stick together. Remember what happened last time we came here."

"You ruined our chance at selling the Orb?" Rocket smirked.

"Okay, first of all, that wasn't entirely my fault." Peter huffed, glancing at Gamora. "Where should we start..?"

"I think we should follow the tracker," Gamora glanced around, "And keep an eye out for anything sapphire. Asgardians like wearing distinct colors - from her picture, it looks like sapphire is hers."

"Right."

"Hey, I got something!" Rocket held up the tracker, which had begun beeping faster. "This way!" He scampered off, the team in tow.

They reached the same bar they'd visited before,when waiting to meet the Collector.

"Geez, this thing is going crazy..."

"Rocket." Gamora said.

"I mean it's really losing its mind. Maybe I should've-"

"Rocket!" Gamora pointed to the betting table.

There, on the other side, the princess was being lead to the Collector's back room.

"...Oh."

~~~~

The two men from before lead Sigyn through a strange, crowded room, past droves of cheering spectators. What was going on? She tried bumping into people to get their attention, tried catching someone’s eye, but the blaster pressed to her back kept her lips sealed.

They reached a back room. Walked through a maze-like trail of glass cages, lead by a pink woman whose smile looked far too forced.

Sigyn looked inside the glass cages, gasping when one of the beings inside moved. What is this place? she thought, swallowing hard when they stopped walking. Sigyn stood between the rugged aliens who lead her, staring forward at the strange man before her. He lowered a contraption that looked much like a mix between binoculars and glasses, setting them and the precious stone he was examining on the table before him.

"May I present, Taneleer Tivan, The Collector." The pink woman nodded to him, then disappeared behind more glass cages.

"As promised," The blue man smirked, "An Asgardian. The princess herself. Safe and sound. Not a scratch on her."

"Oh," the Collector leaned over the table, studying Sigyn much like he had the stone. She tensed. Felt a chill go down her spine. "How you managed a feat such as this, I cannot grasp.." He walked around the table, reaching out to Sigyn. When she didn't move, the men forced her hands toward him. He took one, kissing it, gaze never leaving her face. "It is an honor, fair princess."

Sigyn was frozen in fear. She clenched her jaw, pulling away from him as soon as he'd let her. "I-I.. What do you want with me?"

The Collector only chuckled. "She looks reasonably healthy.." He grabbed her jaw, turning her face back and forth. She gritted her teeth, staring at him.

"About that..” The blue man smirked. “We want two million additional units. Seeing as she's a healthy, young princess, seems fair.."

"Yes.. Yes, that would be fair. Stellina," He called. The pink woman returned. "Transfer the units to these gentlemen."

"Wait- I'm not for sale!" Sigyn struggled against her captors. "I am not a princess! I don't know who you think I am, but-"

"Quiet," the blue man snarled. "We hit her with a big dose of Amnesiac Gas."

The Collector glanced at her with an amused expression. "How long until it wears off?"

The man shrugged.

"Well, never mind, then..." He sent Stellina to open one of the glass cages. "I trust the Asgardians have no idea you are here?"

"Not a clue," The other one snickered, "We made out in the dead of night. Didn't even know it was us takin' her."

The men started moving toward the cage. Sigyn's heart leapt from her chest.

"Wait- Wait, no, no no no, please don't! Please!" She kicked, managing to rip her arm away from one of the men, only to be firmly grabbed by the Collector himself, who kept one hand around her wrist, the other on her throat. "Now, little beauty, don't struggle so. I do not intend to hurt you." He brushed a finger across her cheek - gentle. Too gentle. Tears welled up in her eyes. "You will be a prize addition to my collection." In a swift movement, he pushed her into the cage, and before she could jump out, Stellina closed the door. It locked with a snap.

Sigyn slammed against the glass, tears flowing out steadily. "No! Let me out! Please, I beg you, I'll do ANYTHING!" She hit the glass with her fists.

"Pleasure doing business with you as always, gentlemen." The Collector shooed the two men off, then turned to Stellina. "Do something about that noise. But do not hurt her, or you will take her place."

"Tivan already knows who we are, we can't just burst in." Gamora crossed her arms. "We may have to act like we're selling something ourselves."

"And what, just use one of our own as bait?" Rocket sat up on a barrel, Groot next to him.

"Gamora's right. We outta beat Tivan at his own game.. But how do we get the princess out of the cage?" Peter shifted his weight.

"I can rig up a deciphering doohicky with one hand tied behind my back. You just gotta keep the Collector distracted for long enough." Rocket smirked.

"Okay.. Well, while I am admittedly super handsome, I don't think Tivan would want to buy me. Plus I'm the leader, and the leader never acts as bait." Peter glanced at Gamora.

"If you think I'm going to offer myself up to be a pet for Tivan, Peter-"

"I am Groot."

"What?" All eyes turned to the small tree seated next to Rocket.

"I am Groot."

"Wait wait wait - you want to do that?" Rocket blinked.

"I am Groot." The tiny creature nodded, shrugging.

"Hey, Groot's got a point.. I mean Tivan wanted him before, right?" Peter glanced around. "It's a good enough plan. Not a great plan, but.. It'll work. We've got limited time anyway, right? With a reward like that, somebody else is bound to be looking for the princess."

Gamora shrugged in agreement.

"Yeah, all right. It might work. Maybe." Rocket huffed.

"I do not understand why we don't just destroy the Collector's collection like before, but so long as we retrieve the princess, I will be satisfied." Drax nodded firmly.

"Great. So we're all in agreement." Peter nodded. "Guardians, out."

The others stared at him.

"...Uh. Yeah, let's go." ~~~~ “I present Tanaleer Tivan, The Collector.” A pink woman lead the Guardians to the Collector. Peter was flanked by Gamora and Drax, who carried a small sack. There they stood before Tivan as Rocket broke off from the group, skittering around to the backside of the princess’s cage - already starting to hack in.

"The Guardians of the Galaxy." The Collector's tone was harsh. He turned on his heel, facing them.

Peter swallowed. "Hey, Tivan. You did a great job, uh, fixing your place up.. Looks great.." He met eyes with the Asgardian, who stared at him apprehensively. She seemed to have a strange collar on - whenever she moved her mouth to speak, no sound came out. He looked back at Tivan.

"What do you want?"

"We want to give you the best damn offer you've ever got." He snapped his fingers, motioning to the table. Drax stepped up, dropping the sack on the table, then stepped back. "Go on. Open up." Peter nodded at the sack.

The Collector glanced at it, then took a curious step forward. Grabbed the sack and opened it.

There stood a tiny, baby Groot.

"I am Groot."

The Collector raised his brows at the group.

"Yeah, he's too small to be any use to us now," Peter shrugged, hooking his thumbs in his belt loops. "Figured you might like to have him, seeing as you liked him so much and all.."

"Will he reach his previous size?"

"Uhhhh-"

"Yes." Gamora cut him off. "It's a matter of time. Time we can't spare, seeing as keeping a child around is so dangerous.."

"Of course." The Collector sounded unconvinced, but interested. "And what does he do?"

"Do?" Quill faltered. "Well, he can grow vines from his arms. And his back. Basically anywhere."

"He dances." Drax piped up. "Clumsily."

"I am Groot."

"Hey, quiet down, pipsqueak." Peter feigned anger.

"And he eats about twice his weight in food. Daily." Gamora shifted her weight.

"Yeah- Yeah he does. But he'll eat anything. Literally anything. Maybe even one of your other, uh.." Peter glanced back at the princess, then at the Collector. "Collector's items. So keep him by himself."

The Collector took another moment to examine Groot. Picked him up, glancing him over. Then placed him on the table, scratching his chin.

"... Eight million units." He gazed at Peter.

"We'll do fifteen."

"Twelve."

"This is a one of a kind creature here, Tivan," Peter motioned toward Groot, who stood proud, chin up. "Look at him. He's a specimen."

The Collector began pacing. "Twelve million."

"Fourteen and he's yours."

"Thirteen."

"Fourteen," Peter shrugged.

Tivan huffed. Glanced at Groot, then seemingly in pain, glared up at Peter. "Thirteen and a half."

"Tivan..." Peter sighed, glancing over Tivan's shoulder at Rocket, who gave him and thumb's up. "You've got yourself a deal."

Tivan smirked, opening his drawer to grab the money - then KABOOM. Rocket exploded the lock on Sigyn's cage and the door swung open. She screamed silently.

"What-" The Collector turned to face the sudden noise, but Drax grabbed him, tackling him away. "Get off me-!"

Gamora and Peter rushed over to help the Asgardian. She stared at them, scared, but let them cut and break the strange wires that connected her collar to the cage. Soon, she was free.

She coughed, struggling to leave the cage. "Thank you, whoever you- AH!"

Gamora grabbed her, hoisting her over her shoulders. "Let's go!"

"Drax!" Quill called. Drax came running, and Rocket scooped up baby Groot before the group, ran, rather sloppily, from the premises.

Rocket pulled a small device from his pocket.

"Wha- Rocket, is that a bomb? Did you rig a BOMB?!" Peter glared.

"What? I've gotta have some fun!" He pressed the button. Behind them, a louder, larger explosion sounded. He cackled.

"Why is the rabbit talking?!" Sigyn shrieked.

"I am not a rabbit!"

~~~~ Sigyn sat in a seat on a strange ship, gazing apprehensively down at the tiny tree-like creature before her.

He glared at her, arms crossed, apparently convinced he was the most ferocious thing in the galaxy.

She was convinced.

"You been keeping an eye on our guest, Groot?" Quill walked in, leaning against the door frame coolly.

"I am Groot."

"Interesting."

"I am Groot..." He glanced at Peter. "I am Groot!" He turned, glaring at Sigyn, who shifted back slightly. She glanced at Quill, then at Groot, then back again.

"What is he saying?"

"That's none of your business." Peter walked closer.

Sigyn swallowed, looking Peter up and down. Dirty boots, jeans, a t-shirt, and a red leather jacket... She examined his face. Blushed gently. "Who are you?"

"Call me Star-Lord." He smiled.

She blinked. "Star-Lord?"

"Yeah. Star-Lord. And my crew, who you met when we saved your butt, are the Guardians of the Galaxy." He pointed at Groot. "That little guy is Groot."

"I'd put that one together myself, actually..." Sigyn shifted in her seat. "Thank you. For saving me."

Peter shrugged, sashaying into the room, and kept a casual tone. "Eh. Nothing personal, really..."

"No, thank you. I.. I was afraid I'd never leave that horrible place.."

He glanced over his shoulder. "You wouldn't have if it weren't for us, princess."

"Why does everyone think I'm a princess?"

"Uh, because you are."

"But I'm not-"

"You are." Gamora walked in. Sigyn visibly tensed, eyeing the blade on Gamora's hip.

"I'm not."

"The kidnappers that grabbed you must've given you something to cloud your memories. You are a princess, you just don't know it."

"That's ridiculous."

"All right, then." Gamora crossed her arms. "Who are you?"

"What?"

"Who are you? What's your name?"

"I-.." Sigyn stopped short. Name. She had a name. She just couldn't place it. "I... I-I don't remember my name.."

"Where are you from?"

Sigyn gulped. "I don't know."

"How old are you?"

"I don't know!" Tears welled up in her eyes. "I-I don't know. I must be.. Must be whatever you are, right?" She looked at Star-Lord.

Peter shrugged. "Not exactly.”

She glared at him. "What do you mean?"

"Well-" He was cut off by a blaring alarm. The whole ship shook. "What was that?!"

"Uh, Quill!" Rocket popped his head in. "Might wanna come see this!" The Guardians hurried to the cockpit. Groot hopped up onto the back of a chair. An enemy ship was baring down on them, brandishing its many energy blasters. The audio on the Milano stuttered, then a static-y message came through: "Guardians of the Galaxy. Ashok of Sakaar sends his regards."

Peter's eyes widened. "Oh, son of a-"

The enemy ship fired.

"Shields up- come on!" Peter swerved to miss another barrage. "Rocket, I need those shields working!"

"I'm on it!" Rocket skittered off, Groot following close behind.

Sigyn gasped as another blast hit, grabbing onto a chair for support. "Wha- Why are we being attacked?"

"I got into a bar fight, okay?!" Peter fired back at the enemy ship. "I'd rather not talk about it!"

"But if you're Guardians of the Galaxy, people shouldn’t attack you-"

"Don't want to talk about it!"

The Milano swerved again, barely dodging another hit.

"Gamora, could you put our guest somewhere else?!"

"With pleasure." Gamora grabbed Sigyn, leading her to the back of the ship, and sat her down. "Stay here."

Sigyn swallowed, bowing her head slightly - obeying. Gamora went back to the cockpit. The Milano was hit. "Peter, we've got to take out their guns..!"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm on it!"

"Ha!" Rocket yelled, running back into the cockpit, "Shields are up! Give 'em hell!"

"'Atta boy, Rocket!" Quill grinned, turning onto the enemy craft and firing at will. The enemy blasts barely grazed the Milano, and after a mere few minutes of fighting, the other ship retreated.

The Guardians cheered. Peter turned to beam at them, "And that, people, is how you beat-"

The others were all staring out the cockpit window. Peter turned, following their gaze. An enormous, hodgepodge ship had arrived. The tinier ship seeming to join with it, meld with it, and begin repairing.

"I do not think we beat them," Drax pointed out, as multiple tiny ships emerged from the larger one, surrounding the Milano.

"You think?" Rocket sneered.

The Milano shook as the enemy ships grabbed it, towing them in to a hangar on the larger ship.

"Well, Guardians, any ideas on how to get out of this one?" Quill swallowed. ~~~~ The Guardians, and Sigyn, stripped of their weapons and belongings, were thrown in a cell. Around them, other cell-like rooms contained various species of aliens. The control panel on the outside of their cell displayed a flickering message: PETER QUILL, "STAR-LORD" GAMORA, DAUGHTER OF THANOS DRAX THE DESTROYER “ROCKET RACCOON” “GROOT” SIGYN LOKIWIFE OF ASGARD RETRIEVAL FOR ASHOK OF SAKAAR Sigyn sat in the far corner of the cell. "How did a bar fight escalate to this? Is that normal in space?"

"I don't know, princess, you tell me." Peter huffed. "This sucks.."

"I feel no sucking sensation." Drax furrowed his brow.

"I-.. Never mind."

"Quit sulking." Rocket walked over to the cell bars. "This whole place runs on electricity. Bet these bars do too. There's an easy way out of here." He touched the bar- "Yow!" -and received a shock. He growled. Drax laughed.

"Oh, shuttup!" Rocket bristled at Drax.

Sigyn stood, staring at the ceiling. "...Is that a vent?"

Gamora followed her gaze. "It's minuscule."

"So is your tree friend.."

They exchanged a look. ~~~~ "Okay. Now you gotta go up in there, and walk that way-" Rocket crouched in front of Groot, pointing to the outside of the cell, "And then drop down on the outside. Right?"

"I am Groot."

"Good. Then you're gonna reach up to the control panel and press the big blue button. That'll set us free."

"I am Groot."

"Excellent. Now say it back to me."

"I am Groot.."

"Uh-huh."

"I am Groot.."

"Yeah."

"I am Groot."

"No- No! Not the orange button, there might not even be an orange button! Blue! Blue button!"

Sigyn glanced over. Bit her lip, stepping over to the pair, and sat down.

"Hey. Uhm. Groot?"

The tiny creature looked at her. She held out her arm, pointing to the blue fabric. "This color. Blue. Blue button."

Groot reached out and touched the fabric. "I am Groot."

"...What'd he say?" She glanced at Rocket.

"He said it's soft."

"Does he at least understand what color the button will be?"

"Groot, what color is the button?"

Groot pointed to Sigyn's arm.

"Well, what do you know.." Rocket picked up Groot. "All right, buddy, let's see if this works."

Drax lifted Groot up into the vent, which they'd finally managed to pry open just enough. "Be free, tiny, stupid Groot." Pattering footsteps sounded above their heads, making their way toward the hallway outside the cell. Stopped.

"C'mon.. C'mon..." Rocket stood, watching, waiting.

Seconds later, Groot dropped down from the ceiling, landing with a clang. He shook his head, standing.

"Ha! Yeah, baby! Okay, now press the blue button. Blue button!"

Groot walked over to the wall. Stared up at the panel. Blue button. Orange button. He reached up.

The cell doors doubled.

"No!" Rocket pounded the door, "Blue button!"

A moment later, the door opened.

"Yes!" Rocket was the first out of the cell. He scooped up Groot, placing him on his shoulder. "All right, let's move."

"We'll stick together. Find our stuff, then the Milano, and bust out of here." Peter stepped ahead of the group.

"What about the others?" Sigyn glanced at the other captives. They were beginning to wake up from dazed naps, ask for help, gaze out at her and the Guardians with desperation in their eyes...

"We don't know these people."

"But.." Sigyn faltered.

"They could be murderers. Robbers. Kidnappers - like the guys that took you."

She swallowed. "...They could also be a very nice distraction." She looked at Quill. They stood a moment, locked in a silent battle of stubborn wills.