So Much Stardust ❘ Rocket Raccoon

[02]

Chapter Two

"I'm a rocket ship on my way
to Mars on a collision course
I am a satellite I'm out of control
I am a sex machine ready to reload like an atom bomb About to oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, explode"
-The Vandals; Don't Stop me now (Queen Cover)

~*~

"Xandar"

Beth had never been to the sprawling metropolis of the planet Xandar. It was a marvel, the crowning jewel of the Nova empire. She smiled, noting the green spaces tucked safely among the large futuristic buildings, common areas, and sidewalks.

Beings of all races and hues traveled about. Some at a leisurely walk and others pushing about, mumbling to themselves in a hurry.

Beth wondered if Earth would ever advance to this level of civilization.

The badger kicked her feet lazily from her perch on the large decorative fountain's edge before surveying her companions.

They were a motley group, two woodland creatures, and a tree who could talk(ish).

What kind of frickin' Disney movie had she walked into?

She laughed to herself.

No, this was not some children's story. She wasn't a princess needing some guy to save her.

Beth looked up into the sky using her metal arm to shade her eyes. Part of her felt bare without her hood and scarf to conceal her head and face.

The raccoon, no he had a name.

Rocket.

Rocket did not hide as she did. She was not sure if it was pride or just his overall attitude.

If he hadn't been such an asshole she'd ask him.

Beth had lots of questions for him.

On their trip to Xandar, he had dodged every single one of her questions. He'd insult her then continue muttering to himself.

Rocket would check and recheck coordinates, take things apart again and again just to make sure they had been assembled correctly the first time.

He had done her one kindness though.

Beth fingered the trigger of her upgraded gun.

"Only did it to ensure I get my money, Sweets." he had told her when he had returned it.

There was that mocking tone on the new nickname. The verbal jab continued to leave a sour taste in Beth's mouth.

She had thought she'd been one of a kind. Beth laughed to herself again, what a close-minded human thought.

Aliens attacked her beloved New York City.

Earth wasn't at the peak of evolution and technology the way humans had believed for the entirety of their existence.

She was a small badger in a vast galaxy.

Beth glanced back over to Rocket, he was surveying passers-by with a transparent tablet commentating on the crowd around them.

"Xandarian's, What a bunch of losers! All of them in a big hurry to get from something stupid to nothing at all. Pathetic" he spat.

Beth shrugged, the same could be said for any city in the universe.

Rocket continued his ramblings.

"Look at this guy!" He groaned. "Can you believe they call us criminals when he's assaulting us with that haircut?"