u/Riverioli

Din sat alone at the bar, a glass of Piltover wine resting in front of him.

Music played quietly through the festival around him.

He listened without speaking.

His thoughts returned to Cara Dune.

He had never told her.

Not what she meant to him.

Not how he felt when she was around.

She had been his friend. One of his closest friends.

But she had been more than that.

Din had loved her.

He had simply never found the words to tell her.

Now he wondered what could have happened if he had.

If they had been given more time.

If things had been different.

Din looked down at the wine.

The music continued.

Grogu sat beside him in his pram, reaching out and taking Din's hand.

The little creature cooed softly.

Din looked over.

"I know, kid."

Grogu held onto his finger.

"I miss them all too."

Din was quiet for a moment.

Then he carefully lifted the lower portion of his helmet just enough to drink.

He raised the glass and took a slow sip of the Piltover wine.

He lowered the glass and replaced his helmet.

The music continued around him as Din sat quietly with Grogu beside him.

Central Park had been transformed for the festival.

Food and beverage stands lined the paths, each one serving something different. The smell of cooked meat, fresh bread, spices, and sweets carried through the park as people moved between the stalls.

Long tables had been set up beneath decorated shelters where people could sit, eat, and talk.

Further into the park, activity areas were packed with people. Children played games while adults tried their hands at contests, target ranges, and other activities organized throughout the grounds.

A petting zoo had been set up near the edge of the park, with smaller animals being watched by handlers while children carefully approached them.

Nearby, a larger enclosure held larger animals for demonstrations.

A stage stood in the center of the park.

Performers took turns entertaining the crowd while musicians played between shows. Other groups demonstrated different skills and traditions from across the worlds represented in Piltover.

There were educational performances as well.

Scientists explained strange creatures and technologies brought through the Hexgates. Explorers spoke about distant worlds. The Wenja demonstrated their knowledge of animals and survival, drawing crowds whenever they brought out one of their trained beasts.

A few performers demonstrated combat techniques while others showed off weapons, armor, and equipment from their respective worlds.

Children ran between the activity stations while their parents followed behind them.

People from Piltover and Zaun mingled with soldiers, travelers, aliens, robots, and visitors from worlds they had never known existed.

Music came from multiple parts of the park at once.

Laughter carried between the food stands.

Vendors shouted over one another to attract customers.

Animals called from their enclosures.

Children cheered when another performance began.

The Guardians moved through the crowds alongside GDA personnel and their allies, while visitors continued arriving through the entrances.

For the first time in a long time, Central Park wasn't filled with soldiers preparing for another battle. It was filled with people celebrating the defeat of a mad Titan and a time of peace.

Two GDA personnel stood inside Bloodfang's containment chamber, carrying a fresh supply of meat.

The Sabretooth paced toward them, watching every movement.

"Easy, Bloodfang."

One of the personnel lowered the food.

"Here you go."

Bloodfang approached and began eating.

The two personnel stepped back toward the open doorway.

Neither noticed that the containment door had been left unsecured.

Bloodfang finished eating.

He lifted his head.

One of the personnel turned toward the doorway.

"Did you close that?"

The other looked back.

"...I thought you did."

Bloodfang's ears flattened.

Before either could react, the Sabretooth lunged.

One of the personnel was knocked to the floor as Bloodfang's claws struck him. He screamed and tried to protect himself as Bloodfang bit into his protective gear.

"Get him off!"

The second personnel froze for half a second before turning and sprinting through the doorway.

"Lockdown!"

He reached for the controls and tried to close the containment door.

Bloodfang released the first man and charged after him.

The personnel slammed the controls.

The door began closing.

Bloodfang reached it before it could seal.

He forced his way through the opening and chased the fleeing man into the corridor.

The GDA alarms immediately began screaming.

Red emergency lights flashed throughout the facility.

[CONTAINMENT BREACH.]

[CONTAINMENT BREACH.]

Personnel scattered as Bloodfang raced through the hallway.

Cecil stood in the command center, staring at the security monitors.

He watched Bloodfang disappear around a corner.

Cecil sighed.

"Well."

Donald looked toward him.

Cecil leaned back in his chair.

"We found Mando's first job."

He pointed toward the monitor.

"Send him in."

The alarms continued to echo through the GDA headquarters as Din entered the command center.

Cecil turned toward him.

"Mando."

Din looked at the monitors.

"What happened?"

"We had a containment breach."

Din's helmet turned toward Cecil.

"What escaped?"

Cecil pointed toward one of the screens.

"A Sabretooth."

Din watched the footage of Bloodfang moving through the corridors.

"How many personnel?"

"One injured. Nothing life-threatening."

"Where is it now?"

"Somewhere in the lower levels."

Din looked at the monitor again.

"What do you want me to do?"

"Find it."

"Alive?"

Cecil nodded.

"Preferably."

Din looked back at him.

Cecil sighed.

"We have people searching the facility already. They're scared, they're armed, and they're liable to make the situation worse."

Din understood.

"You want me to calm it down."

"I want you to bring it back without turning the hallway into a slaughterhouse."

Din looked toward Grogu.

The child was still sitting inside his floating pram.

Cecil noticed.

"You're not taking him with you."

Din looked at him.

"He's safer with me."

Cecil gestured toward the command center.

"Leave him here."

Din was silent.

Cecil leaned against his desk.

"I've got security everywhere. Nothing is getting through this office."

Din looked down at Grogu.

Then back at Cecil.

"Keep him safe."

Cecil nodded.

"That's the idea."

Din opened Grogu's pram and lifted him out.

He carried him over to Cecil's desk and carefully set him down.

Grogu looked up at him.

"Stay here, kid."

Grogu made a concerned noise.

"I'll be back."

Din turned toward the door.

Cecil watched him leave.

"Good luck."

Din's voice came from the hallway.

"I'll need it."

—————

Din moved quickly through the lower levels of the GDA.

The emergency lights flashed across his helmet as he checked the tracking device in his hand.

A small signal moved across the display.

Bloodfang was close.

Din lowered the device and continued down the corridor.

His footsteps echoed against the walls.

Then he stopped.

A low growl came from somewhere ahead.

Din slowly reached for his blaster.

He drew it but didn't aim immediately.

His other hand rose, palm facing forward.

He took one slow step backward.

Then another.

Bloodfang emerged from the darkness.

The massive Sabretooth stopped in the middle of the corridor.

Its eyes remained fixed on Din.

Din's blaster contained a tranquilizer dart.

If Bloodfang attacked, Din would use it.

But he didn't fire.

He lowered his weapon slightly.

"Easy."

Bloodfang growled.

Din slowly backed away.

He kept his palm raised.

"Easy."

Bloodfang took a step forward.

Din stopped.

The Sabretooth's head lowered.

Din watched its movements.

He didn't run.

He didn't raise his voice.

He didn't make any sudden movements.

Bloodfang slowly approached.

Din kept his hand extended.

The Sabretooth sniffed the air.

Din waited.

Bloodfang came closer.

Din slowly lowered the blaster toward his side.

The animal's growl softened.

Din took another careful step backward.

Bloodfang followed.

Din stopped again.

He waited.

The Sabretooth approached until it was only a few feet away.

Din slowly lowered himself to one knee.

Bloodfang stared at him.

Din extended his hand.

The animal sniffed it.

Din didn't move.

"That's it."

Bloodfang's nose touched his glove.

Din remained still.

The Sabretooth moved around him, inspecting him from every angle.

Din slowly turned with it, keeping his body facing the animal without challenging it.

Bloodfang stopped in front of him.

Din carefully reached toward its head.

The Sabretooth tensed.

Din froze.

A few seconds passed.

Bloodfang relaxed.

Din continued.

His hand touched the fur above its eye.

Bloodfang remained still.

Din slowly rubbed the side of its head.

"Good."

Bloodfang lowered its head.

Din looked at the Sabretooth for a moment.

Then he slowly stood.

Bloodfang followed.

Din lowered the blaster completely.

The tranquilizer dart would remain unused.

He looked toward the corridor leading back toward containment.

"Come on."

Bloodfang followed him.

Several GDA personnel followed Din and Bloodfang through the corridor and back toward the holding pens.

Bloodfang walked beside Din without resisting, its massive paws striking the floor with each step.

The personnel opened the containment door.

Din stepped aside.

Bloodfang entered.

The door closed behind it.

Din turned to leave.

He stopped.

Bloodfang stood behind the glass, watching him.

Its ears lowered.

Its head dipped slightly.

Din stared back at the Sabretooth.

He sighed.

"I'll get you out of there."

Bloodfang continued watching him as Din walked away.

—————

Din returned to Cecil's office.

Grogu was still sitting safely on the desk.

The moment Din entered, Grogu looked toward him.

Din picked him up and settled him into his arms.

Cecil looked at Din.

"So?"

Din looked toward him.

"Bloodfang stays with me."

Cecil raised an eyebrow.

"You've been in there for what, ten minutes?"

Cecil folded his arms.

"Takkar owns the animal."

"Takkar is too busy protecting Oros."

Din adjusted Grogu in his arms.

"And he doesn't want to risk Bloodfang's life by bringing him into another battle."

Cecil glanced toward the security monitors.

"That's why he's been kept in those holding pens."

Din nodded.

"Cold cells. Concrete floors. No territory."

"He deserves better."

Cecil studied him.

"You want to take responsibility for a prehistoric predator that just attacked two of my personnel."

"Yes."

Cecil paused.

"What certainty can you give me that this won't happen again?"

Din looked directly at him.

"It's a tamed beast."

Cecil frowned.

"It will follow orders."

Din continued.

"Your people just don't know how to handle it."

Cecil looked skeptical.

Din glanced down at Grogu.

"My ancestors rode the great Mythosaur."

Cecil raised an eyebrow.

"A Mythosaur?"

"A powerful aquatic reptilian beast."

Din looked toward the holding pens on one of the monitors.

"If they could ride one, I can handle a big feline."

Cecil remained silent for a few seconds.

He finally reached into a drawer and pulled out a set of keys.

He placed them on the desk.

"All right."

Din took them.

"But if Bloodfang kills an innocent person, he comes right back here."

Din nodded and turned toward the door.

He stopped briefly.

"Thank you."

Cecil watched him leave.

Din carried Grogu out of the office, the keys to Bloodfang's enclosure secured at his belt.

Din Djarin walked into the Guardians' headquarters and found Quill alone, working at a table covered with tools and scattered pieces of equipment.

Quill looked up.

"Mando."

Din's helmet tilted toward him, then toward the armor Quill was wearing.

He studied the titanium plates for a moment.

"I see you've gone back to copying my armor."

Quill glanced down at himself.

"It's a perfect design. Perfect for fast movement and protection."

He gestured toward Din's weapons.

"And your rifle is amazing for long-range killing and close-range tazing."

Din ignored the comment.

"What are you making?"

Quill's expression changed.

"I heard you joined the Guardians."

He reached beneath the table and pulled out two compact pieces of equipment.

"I wanted to make you a gift."

Quill placed them on the table.

The devices were compact thruster assemblies designed to attach magnetically to the sides and bottoms of standard boots.

"Ta-da."

He handed them to Din.

"Try them on."

Din looked at the devices, then back at Quill.

"I don't know if you've noticed, but..."

He turned slightly, deliberately displaying the jetpack mounted on his back.

Quill nodded.

"Yes."

He pointed toward the boot augmentations.

"But with these, you can go faster and travel longer distances."

Din looked down at them.

"Try them on."

After a moment, Din attached the augmentations to his boots.

The magnetic locks clicked into place.

He shifted his weight and tested the mechanisms.

Din examined the devices.

"They're expertly designed."

Quill smiled.

"My mentor was a genius, after all."

Din walked toward the door.

Quill looked up from his work.

"Where are you going?"

Din stopped.

"To try them on."

He continued toward the exit.

Din stood outside the entrance to the GDA headquarters with Grogu's pram beside him.

His helmet tilted upward as he read the large sign mounted above the entrance.

[GALACTIC DEFENSE AGENCY]

Din stared at the words for a moment.

Then he looked down at Grogu.

"Let's go get a job, kid."

The pram followed as Din walked through the entrance.

The interior was larger than he expected. Soldiers, scientists, medical personnel, and technicians moved through the corridors while monitors displayed information about the ongoing reconstruction of Piltover and the surrounding areas.

Din's attention shifted toward the glass chambers lining one section of the facility.

Inside them were several individuals and creatures he recognized from the battle against Thanos.

Zhurakai stood within one of the reinforced containment areas, the massive creature being monitored by several technicians.

Further down the corridor, Omega-09 was undergoing a... bath it seemed.

Din slowed when he saw Goober, Quill's pet.

The Velociraptor moved around his enclosure, occasionally stopping to stare at the people passing outside.

Din had seen enough dangerous creatures during his travels to know better than to underestimate one.

Then he noticed Scorpy.

The Styracosaurus was being treated in another reinforced chamber.

Din continued down the hallway, Grogu quietly watching everything from his pram.

Eventually, Din reached Cecil's office.

He knocked.

"Come in," Cecil called.

Din opened the door.

Cecil was standing behind his desk, speaking with Donald. The two stopped when Din entered.

Cecil looked toward him.

"Mando."

Din nodded.

"I recognize you from the battle."

Cecil looked him over.

"Didn't expect you to come back after what happened with Thanos."

"I survived."

"Apparently."

Cecil gestured toward the chair.

"What can I do for you?"

"I'm looking for work."

Cecil raised an eyebrow.

"Work?"

"Bounties. Security. Tracking. Whatever you have."

Cecil thought for a moment.

"I might have something."

Din waited.

"You could work with the Guardians."

Din's helmet tilted slightly.

"They're still operating?"

"Very much so."

Cecil leaned against the desk.

"It pays well. You have experience fighting, tracking, protecting people, and dealing with things that most soldiers wouldn't know how to handle."

He looked toward Grogu.

"And apparently you're used to traveling with unusual companions."

Din glanced at Grogu.

"That Quill guy works in that division too, no?"

"Yes."

Din paused.

"Hopefully, if we work together, he doesn't copy my style more."

Donald looked away, trying not to react.

Cecil sighed.

"Hopefully not."

Din took the paperwork Cecil offered him and sat down.

Grogu's pram floated closer.

Din lifted the small child from it and settled him onto his lap before beginning to fill out the forms.

Grogu looked around the office, occasionally reaching toward the papers.

Din moved them out of reach.

"Don't."

Grogu made a small noise.

Cecil watched the exchange.

"You're really going to take a defenseless child everywhere with you?"

Din continued filling out the paperwork.

"He is a child."

He glanced down at Grogu.

"But far from defenseless."

Grogu looked up at him.

Cecil folded his arms.

"Still seems like a strange way to operate."

Din returned his attention to the paperwork.

"The old protect the young."

He paused, his hand resting against the page.

"And the young protect the old."

Din looked up at Cecil.

"This is the Way."

The Razor Crest remained parked on a landing platform in Piltover, its engines silent.

Inside, Din sat beside the open weapon locker.

One by one, he removed his weapons and checked them.

He polished the metal, inspected the mechanisms, and returned each piece to its place.

Then his hand stopped.

Din reached into the locker and pulled out the Darksaber.

He held the weapon across his lap for a moment before activating it.

The black blade ignited with its familiar hum.

His thoughts returned to Mandalore.

The battle.

The flames.

The fighting that had consumed the planet.

He remembered Bo-Katan.

She had fought beside him until Moff Gideon confronted her.

Gideon had killed her.

Then he took the Darksaber.

Din remembered finding Bo-Katan after the battle.

He remembered the anger that followed.

He remembered hunting Gideon down.

When Din finally confronted him, there was no negotiation.

He killed Gideon.

And when the battle was over, Din recovered the Darksaber from him.

He stared at the black blade.

He never wanted it.

But Bo-Katan was gone.

Mandalore still needed someone willing to carry it.

Din deactivated the weapon and continued thinking.

Greef Karga.

A friend who had started as a bounty hunter's employer and eventually became someone Din could trust.

Cara Dune.

A soldier who had fought beside him and Grogu through some of the worst situations they had faced.

And IG-11.

The droid who had once been an enemy before becoming an ally.

Din lowered his head.

So many people.

So many battles.

So much of his life had been spent fighting beside people who were now far away.

Grogu made a small sound from his pram.

Din looked over.

The little Jedi stared back at him.

Din placed the Darksaber back inside the locker and closed it.

He stood and walked toward the cockpit.

Through the windows, Piltover stretched across the horizon.

For now, this was where they were.

And for now, Din had Grogu.

And Grogu had Din.

This was the way.

Din stood outside the club with Grogu's pram beside him.

The streets of Zaun were crowded, but the entrance ahead was easy to identify. Music and voices spilled through the doors as people gathered inside.

Din looked down at the pram.

"Stay here, kid."

He closed the pram's canopy, making sure Grogu was secure before turning toward the entrance.

Din adjusted the weapons on his belt and checked the Darksaber at his side.

He had been told the people inside weren't much of a threat.

Yet.

That was enough.

Din walked toward the entrance.

Two men standing outside looked him over as he approached.

Neither moved.

Din pushed through the doors.

The music became louder as he stepped inside.

Dozens of people filled the club, gathered around tables and scattered across the main floor.

Din slowly scanned the room.

He was looking for one person.

The man responsible for bringing them together.

Din's hand rested near his holster as he moved deeper into the crowd.

He stopped.

His helmet turned toward a group gathered around a table near the back.

There.

Din started walking toward them.

Din approached the table and stopped in front of the man.

"You're the one running this?"

The man looked up at him.

"Who's asking?"

Din reached to his belt and drew the Darksaber. The black blade hummed to life as he placed a small puck on the table.

A hologram of the man's face appeared above it.

Din looked between the hologram and the man.

"I can bring you in warm, or I can bring you in cold."

The man's expression hardened.

"Get him."

Several guards rushed Din.

The first swung at him.

Din stepped aside and brought the Darksaber across his weapon, knocking it away before striking him down.

Another charged from behind.

Din turned, fired a single shot from his blaster, then immediately raised the Darksaber to block another attack.

The blade cut through the guard's weapon.

Din kicked him aside and turned toward the remaining men.

They hesitated.

Din didn't.

Within seconds, the guards were on the floor.

The man backed away.

Din stepped forward and pressed the Darksaber against his neck.

"Silco is gone."

The man swallowed.

"Whoever still worships him as much as you do is coming with me."

Din grabbed him by the collar and hauled him away from the table.

The man struggled as Din dragged him through the club and toward the exit.

The music continued behind them.

Outside, Grogu's pram remained exactly where Din had left it.

Din released the man long enough to secure him before looking down at Grogu.

"Good job keeping watch, kid."

Grogu chirped happily.

Din looked toward his captive.

"Let's cash in to Jane."

u/the_wretch-0

Vi sat alone in her apartment, holding the letter Jinx had left behind.

She unfolded it slowly and read.

Dear Vi,

I will be leaving for an undisclosed amount of time.

But I will be back.

I need you to stop letting the past decide how you see everything in front of you.

I know that's easier said than done. You've lost people. You've been hurt. You've had plenty of reasons to be suspicious of people who remind you of what happened to mom and dad.

But don't let that make you push away the people who are actually trying to help you.

Rozy is a good one. Don't forget that. Not every robot is out to hurt you. Some of them can be your friends. Some of them might even save your life.

You've got a lot of people around you now, Vi. Don't spend all your time looking over your shoulder for the next thing that's going to go wrong.

And take care of Zaun for me, sis.

I know you're probably going to complain about that one, but somebody has to keep those idiots from killing each other.

Keep an eye on everyone. Help where you can. Don't try to carry everything yourself.

And please, for once, let yourself be happy.

I don't know how long I'll be gone, but I'll be back.

Love you, sis.

Love,

Jinx/Powder

Vi lowered the letter.

She stared at the last line for a while.

Her fingers tightened around the paper before she carefully folded it again.

"Yeah, Pow— Jinx."

She wiped at her eye.

"I'll try."

u/The_wretch-0

Din Djarin secured the Razor Crest before lowering the ramp.

He looked down at Grogu, who sat inside his floating pram, watching the unfamiliar streets of Zaun.

"Stay close."

Grogu chirped in response.

Din stepped into the Undercity, keeping one hand near his holster as he made his way through the crowded streets.

The architecture was unfamiliar, the people even more so. He passed several stalls and businesses before stopping in front of a weathered sign.

The Last Drop.

Din glanced at it before entering.

The inside was different from the cantinas of Nevarro and Tatooine, but the purpose was familiar enough.

A bar.

And where there's a bar, there's work in his experience.

Din approached the counter.

Chuck looked up from what he was doing.

"Uh... hey."

Din nodded.

"I'm looking for work."

Chuck blinked.

"What kind of work?"

"Bounties. Security. Tracking. Anything that pays."

Chuck gave an awkward shrug.

"Uh... not much?"

Din remained silent.

Chuck shifted nervously.

"You'd probably have to ask Jane about that."

"Jane?"

"Yeah. She knows more about that sort of thing."

Chuck pointed toward the stairs.

"Vi's usually around too, but she's topside right now. Planning some party because everyone finally took down Thanos."

Din looked toward the stairs.

"Where is Jane?"

"Just up there. Stairs to the right."

Din nodded.

Chuck glanced down at Grogu.

He stared for a few seconds.

"...What is that thing?"

Din looked down at Grogu.

"I keep it around for luck."

Chuck gave him an uncertain smile.

"You're gonna need it."

Din turned toward the stairs.

Grogu's pram followed behind him as Din climbed toward the upper floor.

At the top, he stopped outside an office door.

Din knocked once.

He waited.

Then reached for the handle.

u/Godzilla_r0ar

u/18fries

u/the_wretch-0

Jinx moved quietly through the apartment, pulling open drawers and cabinets as she gathered what she needed.

A few changes of clothes.

Her weapons.

A handful of supplies.

Anything she thought she might need on the road.

She stopped for a moment and looked around the apartment.

The place was still theirs.

Catra's things were still scattered around. The dolls still sat where Gamora had helped arrange them. Their lives were still here.

And the party was coming.

Jinx looked toward the door.

She didn't think she wanted to stay for it.

Everyone was celebrating. Thanos was dead. Piltover was rebuilding. For once, everyone had something to be happy about.

Jinx just wanted to go.

Somewhere far away.

Far, far away.

She set her bag down and sat at the edge of the bed.

Her thoughts turned to Catra.

Jinx reached for a piece of paper and a pen.

She began writing.

When she finished, she folded the letter and wrapped it carefully before placing it on the bed where Catra would find it.

Jinx picked up her bag.

She looked at the letter one last time.

Then she began writing and wrapping more letters.

Then she walked out.

—————

The airship port was busy.

Passengers moved between platforms while cargo crews loaded supplies onto waiting airships.

Jinx kept her head down as she walked toward the nearest departure platform.

She checked her ticket.

Bilgewater.

She stepped aboard.

The ramp closed behind her.

A few moments later, the engines began to hum.

The airship lifted from the platform and slowly pulled away from Piltover.

Jinx stood near one of the windows.

She looked back.

Piltover stretched beneath her.

Parts of the city were still damaged from the invasion, but reconstruction had already begun. Workers moved through the streets. Buildings were being repaired. New structures rose beside the ruins.

Jinx watched the city grow smaller.

She smiled.

For once, she wasn't leaving because someone was chasing her.

She was leaving because she wanted to find somewhere else.

The airship turned toward the horizon.

Jinx looked forward.

Bilgewater was waiting.

Quill walked through the GDA hallways, hands in his pockets, when he noticed a familiar golden-brown dog walking toward him with several puppies following close behind.

Quill stopped.

"Cosmo!"

Cosmo's ears immediately perked up.

"Pyotr Quill!"

Cosmo sprinted toward him and jumped, knocking Quill onto his back as he covered his face in enthusiastic licks.

"Whoa! Hey! Cosmo!"

Cosmo wagged his tail.

"Cosmo happy friend is alive!"

Quill laughed as he tried to sit up.

"Good to see you too, buddy."

Cosmo's ears perked up again.

"Cosmo hear friend kill mad Titan?"

Quill nodded.

"Yeah. Thanos is dead."

Cosmo immediately licked Quill's face again.

"Cosmo proud!"

Quill wiped his face and smiled.

"Couldn't have done it without help. But now Nebula, Rocket, you, your puppies, and I can finally rest peacefully knowing our Thanos is dead."

Cosmo nodded.

"Da, agreed, Mister Pyotr Quill."

He looked back at his puppies before turning toward Quill.

"Now we celebrate."

Quill smiled.

"Speaking of that, wanna help plan the party?"

Cosmo's tail began wagging rapidly.

He barked excitedly.

"Absolutely!"

u/the_wretch-0

u/18fries

u/godzilla_r0ar

u/Flameborn111

A rift opened above Piltover, its edges flickering with unfamiliar energy as something suddenly fell through.

Cosmo landed on all four paws, shaking himself off before looking around.

Four smaller figures tumbled through after him.

His puppies.

Cosmo immediately turned toward them, counting them one by one before nudging the nearest puppy closer with his snout.

Once he was certain they were all safe, he looked toward the city.

His pale eyes slowly changed, the strange white glow fading until they became ordinary dog eyes.

Cosmo tilted his head.

He had never seen a city quite like this.

Hextech structures stretched across the skyline, airships moved between towers, and the massive Hexgates stood among the buildings.

His puppies gathered around his legs, looking down at the city with him.

Cosmo stepped toward the edge and looked over Piltover.

His ears lifted.

His tail began to wag.

"Absolutely extraordinary."

1. 2023 GotG 3 Star Lord (w. Helmet)

2. 2019 A: Endgame Rocket Raccoon

3. 2021 GotG: Game Default Drax

4. 2021 GotG: Game Default Groot

5. 2021 GotG: Game Golden Gamora

6. 2016 GotG 2 Nebula (Ravager)

7. 2023 GotG 3 Mantis (Casual outfit)

8. 2021 GotG: Game Cosmo

Gamora stood in front of the fireplace, carefully arranging a small collection of dolls along the mantel.

She placed the first one down, adjusted its position, then moved on to the next. Once they were lined up, she stepped back and studied them.

One was slightly crooked.

Gamora reached over and fixed it.

"There."

She folded her arms, satisfied with the arrangement.

The door opened behind her.

Drax walked into the room carrying several sheets of paper.

"I have returned."

Gamora turned.

"With what?"

Drax held up the papers.

"Plans for the celebration."

Gamora's expression changed immediately.

"Drax, we already talked about this."

"I have improved my ideas."

She stared at him.

"That doesn't make me feel better."

Drax walked over and placed the papers on the table.

"The celebration should take place in Piltover's Central Park."

Gamora nodded slowly.

"That makes sense."

"It provides sufficient space."

"Good."

"There are multiple entrances."

Gamora's eyes narrowed.

"Why does that matter?"

"In case of an enemy attack."

"Drax."

He continued as if she hadn't interrupted.

"There is also enough room for several combat areas."

"We are not turning the party into a battlefield."

Drax looked confused.

"I was thinking of friendly competitions."

Gamora sighed.

"What kind?"

"A wrestling tournament."

"No."

"A knife-throwing contest."

"No."

"A strength competition."

"Drax."

"A test of endurance."

She stared at him.

Drax paused.

"...Perhaps I should let you handle the peaceful activities."

Gamora smiled.

"That would be a good start."

Drax nodded and looked toward the dolls on the fireplace.

"Are those your dolls?"

Gamora glanced back at them.

"Yes."

Drax studied the line of dolls.

"They are arranged with impressive precision."

Gamora smiled slightly.

"Thank you."

Drax nodded.

"I believe they would make suitable prizes for the winners of the combat tournament."

Gamora's smile disappeared.

"Absolutely not."

Gamora left the living room and made her way down the hallway, stopping outside Nebula's room.

She knocked once before opening the door.

"Nebula?"

Nebula sat at a desk with a notepad in front of her, writing down a list of activities.

Gamora stepped inside.

"What are you doing?"

Nebula didn't look up.

"Planning."

She continued writing.

"Drax has good ideas. We will only use a few of them."

Gamora walked closer and glanced at the notepad.

Some of the activities were marked with notes about Kylosian culture, including traditional games, food, and celebrations.

Gamora looked over the list.

"Is that a good idea?"

Nebula shrugged.

"It gives people something to do."

Gamora stood there for a moment.

"Are you still mad at me?"

Nebula finally looked up.

"Are you still suspicious of me?"

Gamora hesitated.

"Not really."

She looked down at the notepad.

"You're different from my Nebula."

Nebula returned her attention to the page.

"I don't care."

Gamora frowned slightly.

"Well..."

She took a breath.

"If you're up for it, you could go around and ask people to help plan."

Nebula grumbled.

"I can do that."

Gamora gave a small smile.

"I'll join you."

Nebula looked up.

"Why?"

"There's this one girl named Vi I wanted to talk to."

Nebula's expression immediately changed. A small smile appeared across her face before she quickly suppressed it.

"Okay."

Her voice returned to its usual dry tone.

Gamora watched her for a moment.

"I'm sorry, okay?"

Nebula said nothing.

"I... I won't kill you. I won't hurt you."

Nebula raised an eyebrow.

"Doubtful."

Gamora's expression tightened.

"Fine. Do what you want. I tried."

She turned and walked toward the door.

Nebula watched her leave.

Then she closed the notepad, stood, and followed Gamora out of the room.

Nebula then left the headquarters and went out to find people to help plan.

u/Godzilla_r0ar

u/18fries

u/The_wretch-0

Quill sat alone in his quarters, the noise of the GDA base distant beyond the walls.

He held an old Polaroid between his fingers.

The picture showed him, Ko-Rel, and Nikki together at an amusement park on Knowhere. Nikki was younger, standing between them with a smile while Quill and Ko-Rel stood on either side of her.

Quill stared at the photograph for a long moment before smiling.

"You can both rest easy now."

He lowered the picture slightly.

"Thanos and Ronan are dead."

A knock came from the door.

Quill looked up.

"Come in."

The door opened.

Rocket stepped inside.

He looked at Quill for a moment before giving a small smile.

"We really did it."

Quill nodded.

"Yeah."

A pause.

"We did."

Rocket smiled and let out a single laugh.

"Crazy journey, huh?"

Quill looked back at the photograph.

"Yup. It sure was."

He looked toward Rocket.

"And still is."

Rocket walked over and wrapped his arms around Quill.

"Thank you, man."

His voice became quieter.

"Thank you for killing that monster."

Quill put an arm around Rocket and hugged him back.

"Anytime, buddy."

They stayed there for a moment, neither saying anything else.

Then, Rocket and Quill made their way into the living room, where Gamora, Drax, Groot, Helena, and Nebula were already gathered.

Quill dropped onto the couch, and Junior immediately climbed onto his lap, settling down as Quill rested an arm around him.

Quill looked around at everyone.

"We have a lot to figure out."

He glanced at Rocket, then back at the others.

"How should we plan the celebration party?"

Rocket leaned back in his chair.

"First thing we need is food."

Groot raised his hand.

"I am Groot."

Rocket nodded.

"Groot says he'll handle the snacks."

Quill smiled.

"Good."

Groot nodded proudly.

Gamora folded her arms and thought for a moment.

"I'll plan the drinks and activities."

Drax immediately turned toward her.

"I will assist with the activities."

Gamora looked at him.

"Fine, but we're keeping this simple."

Drax nodded.

"I understand."

He paused.

"I have many ideas."

Rocket narrowed his eyes.

"That's never a good sentence coming from Drax."

Drax began listing them.

"We could have a sparring tournament."

Gamora stared at him.

"No."

"A knife-throwing competition?"

"No."

"A contest to determine who can defeat the most opponents in a controlled arena?"

"Drax."

He stopped.

"...I will continue thinking."

Rocket shook his head.

"Maybe we should keep the weapons out of the party."

Drax looked genuinely confused.

"Why?"

"Because it's a celebration."

Drax considered this.

"Celebrations can contain weapons."

He leaned back.

"For example, on Kylos, we celebrate one of our holidays by throwing knives and weaponry into the air and see who can catch the most."

Gamora sighed.

"I'll handle the normal activities. You can help me with the parts that don't involve someone getting stabbed."

Drax nodded.

"This is acceptable."

Helena leaned forward.

"I can handle the music and decorations."

Quill nodded.

"Perfect."

Nebula crossed her arms.

She was silent for a moment.

"I'll.. I'll make sure the preparations stay organized."

Rocket looked at her.

"You're volunteering to organize?"

Nebula gave him a flat look.

"Someone has to."

Rocket raised his hands.

"Didn't say anything."

Quill looked around the room again.

"Okay. Food, drinks, activities, music, decorations, organization."

He glanced down at Junior, who was still sitting comfortably on his lap.

"And apparently we've got moral support."

Junior chirped.

Quill nodded.

"Exactly."

Rocket grinned.

"So what are you doing?"

Quill leaned back into the couch.

"I'll go around the base and ask the others if they want to help plan."

Gamora nodded.

"Good idea."

Quill carefully lifted Junior off his lap and set him beside him.

"Don't start planning without me."

Rocket smirked.

"No promises."

Quill stood and straightened his jacket.

"I'll be back."

He walked toward the doorway before stopping and looking back at the group.

"And please don't let Drax plan the entire party."

Drax frowned.

"I believe my ideas are excellent."

Quill smiled.

"That's what I'm worried about."

He stepped out of the room and disappeared down the hallway, leaving the others to continue working out the details.

Probably saw or heard something u/18fries said.