Rocket and the Imp - Chapter Seven
Rocket and the Imp
[A Guardians of the Galaxy FanFiction]
Chapter Seven - Return
Knowhere was commonly referred to as 'the worst place in the universe.' Yet a hero stood there today.
The Guardian's Mission down without a hitch, despite all of the circumstances. Much of the smooth success was thanks to Rocket being abnormally vigilant and focused this time around. Post-mission, the raccoon had spent the whole weekend with his friends, sharing stories and catching up. He received quite the earful from Star-Lord and Drax after he'd been prodded and pressured into revealing more about his 'new girlfriend.' Alas, after the celebrations were over, Rocket used his share of the reward to purchase a new PDA and requested a drop-off at Knowhere.
So there he was, on the same planet we once was just a week ago. Interesting that a mere seven days ago, he stood on that same street. The bright, flashy neon lights illuminated him as he vacantly wandered, wondering what he wanted out of life. Now, he was idly checking his PDA, in search of the one thing he wanted more than anything else in his life - Sale.
The first thing Rocket had done after he'd bought his new wrist computer was input Sale's PDA ID, and bombard her with messages and calls. He must have sent over a hundred texts at this point, and placed well over a few dozen calls, all unanswered. The poor raccoon was beyond worried now and felt a chilling loneliness drench over him like never before. The weariness and the sorrow mixed with his fear and anger, causing him to grind his teeth and clench his fists as he continued on his way.
He walked down along the streets, and to the alleyway in which they had first met. The raccoon moped around the alleys in which they sneaked around, and finally, made his way over to the restaurant in which they'd first gotten to know one another.
The scenery was the same, a ghostly abandoned part of town with alien vegetation growing in the most unnatural of places. Paying no mind to the scenery around him, Rocket trudged to the unassuming shack, vacantly shoving open the door and stepping inside. He let out a deep sigh, one out of pure emotional exhaustion.
Against his own will, he couldn't help but reminisce about the time they shared here together. The accompanying pain hit him like a dozen ice-daggers being plunged into his heart. A paw found itself onto the main counter for support, as the main feelings began to take a toll on him.
Then a dim blue light caught his eye. There, on the counter, was the button that Sale used to summon her own creation. Not giving any second thoughts, Rocket pressed it, and within seconds a mechanical whir began to echo from opposite the restaurant.
A large, robotic figure stepped out of the shadows, slowly making its way towards Rocket.
Rocket felt weaker than he'd ever felt before - a part of his own consciousness scolding himself for it. His lower lip trembled as he spoke.
"Hey. Andy...was it?"
No response.
"Yeah, I'm...You wouldn't happen to know where Sale's run off to, would you, Andy?"
Andy neutrally stared at him, his glowing blue eyes vibrantly illuminating the raccoon's deceptively happy face.
"I know, I know, I shouldn't be as worried as I am, she's probably fine."
Again, no response.
"She's...probablyfine-I just think it's a bit strange that she hasn't answered me, is all. I'm just..."
His breath caught his throat and he coughed a bit.
"I...just..."
Andy's bright blue eyes were beginning to grow painful to stare at. He started into the idle blue eyes. The silence of the building drove him insane, further fueling his loneliness.
"I just miss her so fucking much, Andy."
And with that, as the tears began to fall, Rocket left the establishment. He took to the rooftops that he'd chased her after her upon. He'd progressed from idly climbing and walking to an all-out sprint- running as fast as he could and exerting himself as much as possible.
His heart threatened to quit on him, so pausing to catch his breath, he stopped and looked over the edge of the building. An odd sense of deva ju washed over him. This is where they argued. He curiously looked back, and down, and there it was.
Sale's mask.
Rocket ran to pick it up, gently holding it in his paws. He brushed his digits over the smooth metal and flipped it over. Slowly, he inched his head forward into the inside of the mask, inhaling deeply. It smelled like her.
A stupid smile instantly spread across his muzzle, faster than a bolt of lightning.
Later that day, he'd traversed to her apartment.
He'd always had a good memory, and could recall following Sale out of her apartment that first time. Using this knowledge, he found his way back into her hideout - an extremely out-of-place, modern apartment. Rocket picked the lock on the door, making a mental note to apologize later.
Stepping inside, he looked around at the state of the place. It was just as he remembered it. A perfect living arrangement, completely untouched and covered with years of dust. He made his way over to that familiar hallway, and into that same room in which he'd first seen her unmasked. All the lights were off, but his night-vision allowed him to see a shape in the shadows.
His lovesick heart impeded his judgment.
"Sale?" He croaked.
The figure stepped closer, into the light.
It wasn't Sale, but an...otter?
Rocket quickly pulled his Laser Cannon from over his shoulder, aiming it directly at the unknown assailant.
"Who are you?! What are you doing here?! WHERE'S SALE?!" His voice boomed, and with each inquiry, he grew more frantic and desperate.
The otter raised a paw and blinked slowly. Rocket eyed her - she was about his height, sleek and slender, dressed in very intricate and confusing looking armor. Her fur was a light yellow, and eyes were a dark brown. They were somewhat weary- and it appeared she'd just cleaned a large amount of blood off of her lower neck. It was obvious she wasn't someone to be trifled with.
An odd feeling washed over him.
"Have...I met you before?"
She stepped closer to him, and Rocket lifted his gun higher, threateningly.
"In another life, yes. Yes, you have, Rocket." She spoke slowly, somewhat mystically.
"How...do you know my name?"
"I've no doubt your head must be filled with questions, but I am going to need you to listen to my piece first."
Rocket blinked.
"Well...well go ahead."
The otter gently cleared her throat.
"There was a world...a world we once inhabited long ago. How it came to be, how we came to be - that's another, intricate story. I just need you to understand that you...you were a part of something, Rocket. And now, your old associates- Your old friends, they're in danger. Things have grown terribly worse at a f-frightening rate, and I fear Judson may be close to achieving his goal. I..."
She stopped, turning to stare at him.
His face was as confused as confused can be.
"How much do you remember?" She asked.
"I have no idea what you're talking about! Who is Judson?! And what does this have to do with Sale?!"
The otter sighed, stepping closer to the raccoon.
"Judson comes from our old world. He's...he's harnessed the power of the Halfworld book, and...he's using it to...bring us back."
"...why?"
"Well...from what I hear...when he tells you, you go insane. That's....that's what happened to my-...to BlackJack O'Hare."
The otter's voice cracked at the last part. Rocket could sense some sadness in her voice, but was completely overrun with confusion and a powerful sense of deja-vu.
"That...that name....I...I think I do, he was, he had red goggles, right?"
"Yes."
"And he, uh, he....we.....we were partners...."
"Yes, yes you were. Keep going, try to remember."
Rocket squinted, searching deep into his memories, following one lead to another, dusting off the metaphorical cobwebs and focusing on things he never knew were there. He turned to her, a look of realization hitting him.
"I was his best man. At your wedding. Lylla."
The otter smiled a forced grin.
"You were." She croaked.
Rocket dropped his gun and pulled up a chair to sit in. He cradled his head in his hands.
"This is...I don't understand...how long ago was this?"
"Not long ago."
"W-why...how....how'd I forget?"
"It's...it's complicated."
"What-what's this got to do with Sale..."
"BlackJack...he's been...corrupted."
She fought back tears. Rocket stood up, stepping closer to her. He barely knew this otter, well, apparently he used to but, he felt just a bit uncomfortable around her, just as he would any stranger. Nonetheless, he gently placed a paw on her shoulder.
"Corrupted...how? Like..."
Lylla didn't answer, only lightly sniffled.
"What did he do?" Rocket continued.
"He...it's not him!" Lylla interjected. "It's Judson. Judson did it."
Rocket stood back.
"What. Did. He. Do."
She avoided his eyes.
"Lylla!"
"They...they got her. They got Sale."
"Th-...WHAT?! Has...no...has she been-"
The otter let out a shaky exhale.
"Has she been corrupted?!"
"I don't know! Sh-she just...had what they were after."
The raccoon looked around, his breaths growing frantic.
Lylla stepped closer to him, offering out her paw.
"I can take you to her. That's why I came. I need your help, just as you need mine."
Rocket looked up at her, then to her paw, indicating a handshake request.
With no hesitation, he slammed into a hug.
"Let's go get that sunofabitch."