So Much Stardust ❘ Rocket Raccoon

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Chapter Thirty-Six

"The time is right, to begin
Let's get goin' once again
For once in your life just let go
I'm getting sick of everything
Tired of what the next day brings
What I need is for you to follow my lead"
Suburban legends; Bright, Spring Morning

"Upstate New York; Avengers Facility"

The sun was high in the sky over the Avengers facility. It was a clear day. Quill's tones played over the radio in the Benatar. Rocket had pieced the ship back together.

Beth sat in the grass nearby taking in the warm Earth day.

Her body was slowly beginning to fill back out.

The planet still spun on.

Even after the havoc Thanos had brought it was like nothing had changed.

But everything had changed.

The badger eyed Rocket and Nebula as the pair exited the newly finished craft.

Nebula had taken it upon herself to help with shipbuilding.

An uneasy truce had formed between them.

Maybe Beth was less cautious than Rocket or maybe because of the ordeal they had survived together but the badger trusted the blue alien woman.

"Are we ready to get outta here?" Beth asked.

Rocket looked at Beth and gave her a half smile, "If you're askin' if the ship's ready then yes but-"

The raccoon paused and side-eyed Nebula.

"-We have some information those hero types inside might wanna know."

~*~

"It's been thirty-two days since Thanos came to Earth,"James Rhodes began the brief.

Those who were left of the Avengers gathered in the large conference room. Faces of the lost were projected on the screens in front of them.

Beth sat with Rocket off to the side.

Her clothing hung loose on her frame.

Dr. Katz had warned against going to the briefing but Beth hadn't listened.

Natasha spoke next, "World governments are in pieces. The parts that are still working are trying to take a census and it looks like he did-"

The Black Widow paused before continuing her explanation.

"-He did exactly what he said he was gonna do, Thanos wiped out fifty percent of all living creatures."

Another silence followed. It was heavy with the loss everyone had endured.

The faces of the other Guardians of the Galaxy did not flash on the screens.

Beth had to mentally check herself.

They weren't of Earth.

"Where is he now? Where?" Tony broke the silence.

Steve Rogers was unable to make eye contact with Tony, "We don't know, he just opened a portal and walked through."

Tony huffed.

He held a hand to his forehead before gesturing to Thor.

"What's wrong with him?" Tony asked flatly.

Thor sat alone.

The god had been silent sitting in quiet contemplation.