STAR-STRUCK |star lord| [3]

CHAPTER 06

THE FIVE FOLLOWED THE WOMAN TO THE COLLECTOR'S OFFICE.

As they entered, they looked around at all the items/people inside the glass containers, "Okay, this isn't creepy at all." Rocket commented as they walked in,

They were just... on display. Belittled into nothing but something to gawk at.

"We house the galaxy's largest collection of fauna, relics, and species of all manner." The... assistant explained as they stood in the presence of a man, The Collector, "I present to you, Taneleer Tivan, the Collector."

He turned around to reveal himself to the group. Taulana eyed the man wearing fur and ridiculous glasses. Gamora and the Collector walked towards each other, "Oh, my dear Gamora. How wonderful to meet in the flesh."

He kissed her hand, "Let's bypass the formalities, Tivan. We have what we discussed." Gamora stated as the Collector took notice of Groot,

"What is that thing there?" He asked and Lana narrowed her eyes at him,

"I am Groot." Groot answered and the Collector walked over to him,

"I never thought I'd meet a Groot. Sir, you must allow me to pay you now so that I may own your carcass."

Lana stepped between them, "Not a chance." She growled at the Collector,

"At the moment of his death, of course."

"Why, so he could turn you into a frickin' chair?" Rocket asked from next to Lana,

The Collector turned to look at Taulana, "That's your pet?"

"Her what?!" Rocket went to grab his weapon but Lana stopped him,

The Collector ran a finger down Lana's cheek, "You are extremely beautiful. I must have all three of you for my collection. I can make a great deal on the three of you."

Peter grabbed Taulana's arm and pulled her away, "Listen, buddy-"

Gamora stepped in, "Tivan, we have been halfway around the galaxy, retrieving this orb."

"Very well, then. Let us see what you brought." Gamora glanced at Peter and he grabbed the orb from his bag, but accidentally dropped it. He quickly picked it up to show the Collector,

The Collector took the orb and placed it in a device, "Oh, my new friends. Before creation itself, there were six singularities." The device unlocked and opened the orb.

Finally, they were gonna get answers on what the orb truly was.

Purple circles appeared all around them, "Then the universe exploded into existence, and the remnants of these systems were forged into concentrated ingots." Galaxies appeared within the circles along with different colored gems, "Infinity Stones. These stones, it seems, can only be brandished by beings of extraordinary strength. Observe." They all turned towards one circle, and they saw giant beings that use the Infinity Stones as weapons, "These carriers can use the stone to mow down entire civilizations like wheat in a field."

"There's a little pee coming out of me right now." Peter commented and Lana rolled her eyes,

"Once, for a moment, a group was able to share the energy amongst themselves, but even they were quickly destroyed by it." The image showed many robed people destroyed by purple energy, then the orb is opened to reveal an Infinity Stone. The Collector shook his head, "Beautiful. Beyond compare."

"Blah, blah, blah." Rocket interrupted, "We're all very fascinated, Whitey. But we'd like to get paid."

"How would you like to get paid?" The Collector asked as the purple circles disappeared from the air,

"What do you think, fancy man? Units!" Rocket yelled

"Very well, then." The Collector went to get the money and the group followed, "Carina. Stand back."

"I will no longer be your slave!" They all watched as Carina grabbed the stone and screamed, her veins turning purple and crawling along her skin.

Sparks flew and Peter grabbed Taulana before hiding behind a table. She buried her face in Peter's chest and he wrapped his arms around her. She wasn't able to see where Groot or Rocket went before the entire room exploded in purple fire.

Once the explosion died down, Taulana and Peter looked around at the damage, "What the fuck?!"