Guardian Angel (Guardians Of The Galaxy Fanfiction)

Starbound

Ashen blinked open her eyes and gasped in shock when she realized that Grenade wasn't beside her. She bolted to her paws and immediately regretted it. She sat down heavily, her chest heaving. She looked around and saw a shadowy forest on one side of her and bright forest on the other with the sound of a waterfall in there.

She was laying in a vast green meadow. She wasn't sure where she was or why Grenade wasn't beside her.

She heard something moving a few paces in front of her and she turned her head to see a large dark gray male wolf with striking blue eyes. Ashen couldn't believe who stood in front of her. However she just thought that it was just another dark gray wolf. There were plenty of them running around in this forest so why should she believe it was her brother.

The wolf looked at her intently before it raised it's head and let out a howl. Ashen's ears pricked and her fur stood on end. The wolf then began prancing forward, his long legs striking the ground in even intervals. He then stopped a tail-length away and Ashen thought she saw the familiar look in his eyes.

"Somber," asked Ashen hopefully as her tail gave one short wag.

The wolf dipped his head and took one more step forward. "Ashen."

Ashen's heart nearly skipped a bet. She yipped and forced herself to her paws, not caring about in her injured leg. Somber bounded forward and they touched noses, rumbling in affection.

Ashen then wrapped her neck around Somber's neck and rested her head between his shoulder blades. He did the same to her and she shoved her muzzle into his thick fur, taking in his scent. "I've missed you so much," she breathed as a sob wheeled in her throat.

"I've missed you too," Somber murmured back as he licked Ashen's shoulder blade around the cybernetic implant.

"I thought I'd never see you again," whimpered Ashen as a tear streamed down her face.

Somber took a step back and Ashen did the same. Somber looked at her and leaned forward, licking the tear away. Ashen felt affection surge through her at being this close to her brother again.

"You're well," she barked as she saw his lean muscles and thick fur that now hid most of his cybernetic implants and wires still in his back. His breath was no longer shallow and raspy and he didn't have a strange, sickly scent attacked to him anymore. His eyes were bright and not milky and mucus no longer streamed from his eyes, nose, and mouth. The most important part to Ashen was that the smell of death wasn't emitting from him.

He gave a stern nod and puffed out his chest in pride. "Never been better," he barked proudly as his tail rose.

"I'm glad," rumbled Ashen as she licked her brother's cheek. "What is this place?" She looked around but didn't recognize anything. It was still two forests with a meadow in front of them but she didn't see anyone she knew or didn't know.

Somber looked toward the bright forest. "Starbound," he answered. "The heaven of all animals. It is a wonderful place with abundant food and never any illness or pain. "

"And that side," added Ashen as she pointed toward the darker forest and her paw twitched. Just the scent of that came from that side was almost unbearable to her. She shrunk a bit as a harsh wind sounded from that forest and she longed to dart behind Somber but that would be pup-like and she wasn't a pup.

Somber's eyes narrowed at the forest. "That is Starfire. That is where the vile and evil ones go. There is no light and the food there is as disgusting as they are. There is never any peace or prosperity there." He shook his head. "Trust me. You don't want to be there."

Ashen shivered and looked at where she stood. "And here?"

"This is the border," replied Somber as he lowered his head into his shoulder. "This is where everyone is placed when they first die and they have to chose which side they want."

"What if an evil tiger is placed in the middle and he choses Starbound," inquired Ashen with a twitch of her ears. "He shouldn't be allowed in, should he?"

Somber shook his head. "No. Our alpha sees everyone and if they are allowed in they are but if they are pure evil then they aren't allowed. The alpha sees your heart, not just you actions. However if you are a good wolf and if just curious about the other side then you're trapped. Only the alpha can go to both."

"That sounds a bit harsh," Ashen piped up as she spied her brother.

Somber shrugged. "Well every pup is taught about Starbound and Starfire. If they want to be a Starfire wolf than so be it. However pups always go to Starbound."

Ashen nodded before her eyes widened. "Why am I here? Did I die?!"

Somber looked at her as if she was a different wolf and her fur prickled in discomfort. "You're not dead," Somber assured after a heartbeat as his ear twitched. "You're just taking and extended nap in a way."

Ashen nodded. "But that doesn't answer why I'm here."

Somber shuffled his paws a bit. "No. I suppose it doesn't."

Her ear gave a flick. "So why am I here?" Somber looked away and Ashen leaned forward and nudged under his ear with her nose. "Tell me Somber."

"I just missed you so much," murmured Somber as his shoulders slumped a bit. "I just wanted to say how proud of you I am."

Ashen's heart fluttered. "Thank you Somber. That means a lot to me."

Somber beamed before he inched forward and stretched out a paw. He grasped Ashen's paw and she felt him squeeze it tightly. "I understand you're getting friendly with Rocket."

So that was this was about! Ashen tore her paw away from her brother's tight grasp. He looked up in surprise and her eyes narrowed. "Never," she argued as she shook her head madly. "We're just friends! Nothing more!"

Ashen's ears plastered against her head. Somber just smiled at her and touched his nose to her ear. "I love you Ashen and I want you to be happy. If that is with Rocket then I'll understand."

Ashen shrugged. She hadn't ever thought of Rocket at anything but a friend. Or perhaps she had thought of that but she wouldn't admit. Especially not to her brother.

"I know but maybe I just haven't found the one yet," murmured Ashen as she looked at her brother. "However as soon as I do then I'll make sure to discuss it with you first."

Somber smiled and wagged his tail. "Rocket is a very good one if you would chose him."

Ashen rumbled in amusement before Somber blinked his eyes. "The real world is calling you back," he murmured and Ashen sighed. She wanted to stay with Somber forever but she knew that wouldn't happen.

"Alright," she grumbled as she and Somber touched noses. "I love you Somber and I'm so glad I saw you."

Somber rumbled back and his tail wagged. "Me too. I hope to see you soon but until then." He turned his head and picked up a rock with his teeth. It was smooth from a river and it was in the shape of a heart. Ashen's eyes glowed as she saw it and Somber smiled. "I picked this for you in the river. I want you to always carry it."

Ashen spread one of her wings and tucked it into one of her pockets on her pants. "Thank you Somber."

Ashen looked down and saw her paws seem to disappear. She was a bit nervous but Somber took a step back and dipped his head. "I'll see you again," he called as he turned his head upward and howled.

Ashen did the same before she hung her head and closed her eyes. She blacked out once more.