Guardian Angel (Guardians Of The Galaxy Fanfiction)

Thanks and Hope

Ashen wasn't sure how long she was in the Veterinary ward. She had vigorous sessions of physical therapy to help regain the motion in her shoulder and haunch. Every day she got stronger in better. She hoped that she wouldn't be in there that much longer.

Peter even came one day and sat to the chair next to her bed. "How are you feeling," he asked as he looked at her up and down intently.

"Pretty good," she replied with a smile. "I've been doing a lot of physical therapy and it seems to have been helping."

"Good," exclaimed Peter as he hopped to his feet. "Because Nova Prime wants to see us."

Ashen twitched an ear. "I didn't say I could make it that far," she argued with rounding eyes.

"Dr. Orilus has cleared you and I'll be here to help you if you would fall," assured Peter as he threw off the covers.

Ashen sighed as she slumped onto the floor. Pain jolted through her paws but she just blinked her eyes. She took one step and felt her muscles strain but they didn't give out. She smiled in pride at herself and looked to Peter. He didn't seem overjoyed but he hadn't seen her barely be able to walk a few days after the battle.

Peter bounded to the entrance with Ashen taking strained and slow steps behind him. "How far is Nova Core head courters?"

"Not far," replied Peter but it was soon apparent to Ashen that she would have to fly most of the way. Once they exited the veterinary hospital Ashen flapped her wings and took to the sky. It felt good not to be confined to a room where she could only get up with assistance. Now she was out in the real world.

It didn't feel like a battle had just taken place though. Everything seemed so organized and in it's normal place. Xandarians walked around, talking and laughing. Some seemed a bit worried, their eyes flicking up to the sky just in case something may fall. She was sure she would do that but not right now. Now she had to composure herself to meet Nova Prime.

She continued flying through the air until they reached a building. "You'll have to walk from here," Peter told her. "The hallways are too narrow for your wings."

Ashen lowered down fitfully and plastered her wings against her body. She took a few quivering steps forward with Peter at her side. She made her way shakily to an elevator and was painfully aware of a lot of Nova Core watching her hobble around. Quite a difference from the wolf who had helped save the galaxy.

Peter stepped behind Ashen to block her from the piercing gazes of the Nova Core. "Thank you," breathed Ashen appreciatively as the elevator doors closed behind her.

Peter just gave a nod and the elevator rose to the top floor. It opened and she saw her team standing in a cluster. Her ears perked and excitement surged through her. She limped forward, her whole body shaking.

Grenade brightened and bounded forward. He skidded to a halt beside her and purred as he touched his nose to her muzzle. "I didn't think you would be here," he meowed.

Ashen rolled her eyes as Peter passed her and padded to an older women and they began talking. "Well Peter can be sort of persuasive when he wants to be," she joked as she stretched out her head and ran it down his back.

Shen then raised her head and looked to Rocket who held the plant pot with a piece of Groot sticking out of it. She wobbled her way toward him and beamed. She then stretched her neck out and touched her nose to his ear.

"What have you been up to," wondered Ashen as her tail wagged.

Rocket shrugged. "Nothing much. Don't know why they wanted us to come here but I hope it's to leave. These Xandarians can be such idiots!"

Ashen's eyes lit in amusement. "I'm starting to think idiots is your favorite word," she barked in amusement as she butted her head against Rocket's shoulder. He didn't fall, didn't even stagger. He was tempted to push her back but he knew that she couldn't take it so he just rolled his eyes at her.

Nova Prime suddenly motioned for them all to follow her. Gamora, Drax, and Peter took the lead with Rocket and Grenade walking beside Ashen to encourage her on. She struggled for each step and her chest heaved with every painful breath.

"You two can go on ahead," she offered as she caught sight of the door. "I'm just slowing you down."

"We have no where to be," pointed out Grenade as he kept close to her and whiskered his tail against her flank.

Ashen sighed heavily before she brought herself continuously forward. They broke through the door and Ashen gasped as she saw a new Malano. She saw Peter grin from ear to ear.

"We tried to scavenge as much from the old one as possible," explained one of the Nova Cora.

Peter nodded. "Thank you."

The Nova Core nodded. "All of your criminal records have been expunged but I have to discourage you from committing any crimes in the future."

"What is someone angers me and I decided to rip out his spine? Is that a crime," asked Drax in all seriousness.

Ashen and Grenade exchanged a glance. Taking out someone's spine seemed to be a little harsh way of murdering them.

The Nova Core officer who Ashen learned that his name was Rhomann Dey. Rhomann's eyes widened. "Um yeah that's murder and murder is one of the worst crimes."

Drax hummed to himself and nodded before he padded forward. It was then Rocket's turn to step forward. "What if I see something that I like and it belongs to someone else and I decided to take it?"

"That's stealing," replied Rhomann to Rocket.

Rocket shook his head, still clutching Groot's pot. "No I don't think you understand sir. I want it more-" Gamora suddenly stepped forward and urged him forward. "What? I can't have a conversation with this gentlemen?"

Ashen chuckled before she looked to Rhomann. "Thank you for what you did," she barked, knowing that he had a lot more to do with the battle then she probably knew.

Rhomann smiled and lowered down. He took something out of his pocket that seemed to be a sapphire in the shape of a wing with a whole through the top where a firm rope was thread through. "This is from my daughter. I told her about you and she hoped this would make her feel better."

Ashen wagged her tail as she allowed Rhomann to place the necklace over her neck. She looked down as it rested against her chest. She looked at it and her heart lifted. "Tell her thanks," she told him before she turned and looked at Grenade. "Ready?"

"Would you like to race," asked Ashen with amusement showing in her eyes.

Grenade snorted. "Sure! Would you like me to run backwards or close my eyes so you can keep up," he joked.

Ashen shrugged. "How about both?"

Before Grenade could answer Ashen spread her wings and took to the air. Grenade growled as she flew toward the new Malano. "Hey! No fair!" He yowled as he bounded after her, his paws thundering against the pavement.

Ashen turned her head and landed at the entrance to the Malano. Grenade padded up to her panting and they just stood there for a bet. Ashen realized that she was about to start her new life and she took a breath before both her and Grenade padded into their new home.