Bad News, Ana

- - - - -

Ana was feeling a little homesick. As she sat at the base of a large staircase that overlooked a field of flowers, she pulled out her phone. It was low on battery, she noticed, before she tapped on the photo app. There was a slight wind that kept hitting her face, causing her to relax in her spot. This was a rare chance. Peace and quiet was something foreign to her.

Ana definitely missed her friends. Her heart clenched little by little while she swiped through the photos of her with the Avengers. She chuckled softly when a photo of Thor and herself came up. The Asgardian beamed brightly, his head blocking hers because he was excited from taking his first photo. Ana remembered how much times she would repeat the words don't crush my iPhone when she taught him how to use it. She missed that teddy bear to bits.

Asgard was next on her list, that was for sure.

She swiped again and it landed on a picture she took of Steve and Sam. The Falcon stole Cap's shield and he posed with it while Steve laughed beside him. Sam often joked around that Steve would get old eventually and someone will have to take on the mantle of Captain America, then stating he was up for the job.

The next photo was one of the whole group. She managed to persuade Bruce to join in when the doctor was hesitant and they all sat huddled in the main living room in the Avengers Tower. Tony was sporting his tinted sunglasses. Thor had a huge glass of ale. Clint was covered in bandages. Bruce was fiddling with his glasses. Steve simply smiled. Natasha was resting her head against Ana's. Sam and Rhodey stood behind the couch with crossed arms. Vision was higher than both men because he was floating. Wanda was next to Ana with her head against her shoulder. And Ana hugged the two women beside her with a wide grin.

The screen suddenly turned black from the dead battery and Ana could see her reflection. She lifted her hand and wiped the water underneath her eyes, exhaling the air from her cheeks. She pocketed the phone and set her elbows on her knees, edging forward with a tired sigh.

"I miss the old days."

- - -

Ana found herself walking towards Ego's palace, half asleep. It was getting dark on his planet and she wanted to find the others. Maybe they were still inside, she thought to herself as she got to the top of the stairs. She pushed the doors open a touch so she could get a quick look inside. A frown adorned her lips when she could see only Ego standing in the middle of the room. He was facing one of his animated pods, watching it as it contorted to his design.

She didn't analyse the possibility of seeing something she wasn't supposed to when she walked further inside.

Ana crossed her arms, rounding the large pillar. Her shoes didn't make a sound thanks to the rubber soles so Ego was unaware of her presence. Her mouth opened to say something, but it shut completely when she saw it. It seemed to be from Ego's point of view as the white pod revealed stacks upon stacks of skeletons. Just like video surveillance, it showed him Gamora and Nebula as they fought near the cave that was full of his dead offsprings.

Ana's eyes grew wide at the sight. Ego was evil. She didn't no whether to confront him or run and gather the others. But before she could take another step away from him, Ego turned, wearing a huge smile.

"Hello, there."

Ana froze in her spot near the pillar. Ego was silent as he walked closer, the white pod returning to its blank state. His arms were clasped behind his back as he dropped his head with a heavy sigh. "You weren't supposed to see that." He chastised.

Ana swallowed nervously. "I see a lot of things I'm not supposed to." She answered in a small voice. "What was that?"

Ego's eyes twinkled. With what? Ana wasn't so sure. "Well, I guess it won't hurt to tell you since very soon, all my hard work will take affect. Those were my children, a disappointment really. All of them. Not a single one carried the Celestial gene."

"But Peter." Ana whispered, hands forming into fists. Now it all made sense. Ego only confronted his son for his own gain. Should've seen it coming, Ana scoffed internally, his name is Ego after all.

Ego saw the change in her demeanour, and his eyes narrowed challengingly. "What are you going to do, Ana? Fight me? I'm a Celestial, probably the most powerful being you have ever met. Face to face." He stated, though there seemed to be something he was holding back as he looked at her.

Ana stepped back in a hurry, before running in the direction of the doors. She needed to alert the others. But his voice stopped her.

"I knew your father!"

Ana halted.

What?

Her hands became fists, and she clenched her jaw with a tick, knuckles digging into the side of her thighs. She knew she shouldn't let his words get to her. Especially when all he had been doing since they met was lie.

But dammit, he just hit the sore spot.

Ego watched intently as she lifted one foot and pivoted on the other, facing him. She tightened her jaw and crossed her arms over her chest. Her words dripped with hostility,

"What did you just say?"

Ego opened his arms and lifted his shoulders. He was trying to come off as casual. "The year was 1980. I was in Missouri at the time with Meredith, and one night we went to a bar. Your father was there, serving drinks. He went by the name Marcus Michaels. American, but he did have a bit of an odd accent. The way he blended in was so uncanny. He told people he was on a vacation for the summer. His life's story was so well practised. But I could see right through him. He wasn't human." He explained, hiding the satisfaction he had as she was pulled into the story.

Ana blinked her glassy eyes. "You're lying." She bit out. Her chest felt like it was being crushed and she let out a shaky breath, trying to keep her head level.

"As a matter of fact, I'm not. Because I'm a Celestial, I can sort of sense others with immense power. And you're father was red hot on the power meter." Ego stepped forward, looking at her right in the eye. "And guess what? You're off the charts."

Ana snapped, losing her cool, and she threw her gloved fist, smashing it into Ego's cheekbone. There was a loud crack when bone shattered and Ego was sent to the floor with immense force. He was laughing, reorienting his face so it appeared normal again. She had almost taken his head clean off his shoulders while also breaking her left hand.

Ego saw the hit coming from a mile away and made sure what she punched was tough. He did underestimate her though, not expecting to be thrown to the floor. Ana cradled her broken hand to her chest with a cry, biting her lip to keep from yelling at the unexpected pain. She took one quick glance at Ego before storming off, barreling through the doors and stepping outside.

She had to warn the others. Above all, Peter.

She didn't want to acknowledge his previous words. At least not yet. Ana removed the black glove from her left hand and cringed at the blood. The skin on her knuckles broke and she could see the broken bones. Knowing of a spell to protect the wound, Ana casted it as she hurried down the steps. A golden makeshift glove covered her hand and began healing the damage. Slowly. It would take a long time until she could start punching with both fists again.

Meanwhile, she retrieved the radio on her belt and tried to get a hold of the group. "Hello? Can anyone hear me? Hello?" But to no avail. She pressed the radio to her forehead while she let out a groan, fuming from the current situation she was in.

"Shit, shit, shit!"

A hand was placed on her shoulder and it made the hairs on the back of her neck stand. She turned, planning to attack the individual when she was met with Mantis' sorrowful eyes.

"Sleep..."

Mantis gazed uneasily at Ana as she slumped to the floor, falling asleep soundlessly. Ego created a platform that raised her from the ground. The burden of knowing Ego's true goals was growing too heavy for Mantis to bear. She needed to tell someone. Anyone. Drax popped into her mind and she looked up at Ego threw her lashes, making sure he was out of sight before she began guiding the platform Ana was on to the sleeping quarters.

"I am so sorry." Mantis whispered as she looked down at Ana. She could see Ana's broken hand and frowned.

"I will try to make everything better."

- - -

"We need to get Peter now and get off this damn planet!"

Gamora had just learned of Ego's plan, the Expansion. He wanted to make everything that lived in the universe, him. Turn every single planet into one of his. He was so disappointed by the life outside his own and thought to make it better. But his idea would ensure billions upon billions of lives lost. The Guardians had to stop Ego and save Peter from his evil father.

Mantis shook her head. "Ego would have won him to his side by now."

"Wake her up!" Gamora snapped, jabbing her index finger in Mantis' face. Ana was still unconscious and it made Gamora antsy.

Mantis backed away from the furious woman and placed a gentle hand over Ana's forehead. She closed her eyes as her antennae glowed. There was a twitch before Ana darted up, gasping. She climbed off the makeshift bed and cried out when the spell on her broken hand disappeared from the lack of concentration to it. Gamora grabbed her shoulders anyway and forced her to look up.

"Ana! We have to help Peter! Ego is a-"

"Is a lying son of a bitch and I get first dibs to chop his freakin' head off!" Ana seethed out, cutting Gamora off. The green woman brushed the hair in front of Ana's eyes away, sighing.

Drax hummed. "I like this side of Ana." He commented.

Nebula crammed her way in front of Ana. "You say you've fought two soldiers of the Black Order. Ego is a much stronger being than both of them combined."

"Yeah, well so am I." Ana retorted. "'Specially when I'm pissed."

Nebula grumbled. "Then we just go." She looked to her sister who immediately disagreed.

"No! He's our friend." Gamora stated.

"All any of you do is yell at each other. You are not friends." Nebula argued.

Drax stepped up. "You're right. We're family." He sent a smile towards Ana and Gamora. "We leave no one behind."

He sent a sideways glance to Nebula. "Except maybe you."

Nebula scoffed. Ana took a long piece of cloth from the material on the beds and ripped it to shreds without a care. She used it to wrap around her broken hand to have some sort of support. Her concentration wouldn't allow the spell to take affect so she had to use other methods.

Ana's radio started beeping and she handed it to Gamora when the latter opened her hand for it. She sighed in relief. "Finally. Rocket?"

"Keep that transmitter nearby so I can find you. We're in an old piece of construction equipment Yondu once used to slice open the bank of A'askavaria." Rocket said over the radio.

"Ego's unhinged." Gamora reported.

"I know. Get ready." He told them.

Ana strode forward, passing the others and headed straight for the doors. She kicked them off their hinges, a new fire within her. She was angry and she really wanted to hit something. All she could see was a big red x on Ego's face. She rolled her neck and huffed, while the others followed after her. Her sword appeared in her hand and she rested the blade against her shoulder, walking towards the palace that was across the field from where she was. Ego's Expansion included her home. Earth. Whatever he had planned was bound to hurt her planet and she did not want that to happen. She couldn't let it happen. Thousands of planets were at stake here. It was her job as an Avenger and a Guardian-in-training, to save the universe. And her friend, Star-Lord.

Her mission: Make sure Ego's plan doesn't take affect.

"Let's kick some Celestial ass."

- - -

Drax kicked down the doors to the palace and at the same time, Yondu and Rocket crashed in through one of the windows in their spaceship. They landed right on Ego. Peter who was held up by a light tentacle, dropped free of it, falling onto the ground in pain. The door to the spaceship opened and Groot stood, waving his hand at the others.

"Out of the way, dumber, smaller, Groot!" Drax yelled, rushing to get inside. Groot started kicking and punching Drax's shoulder as the Destroyer tried to get inside. Gamora went straight for Peter as Ana, Nebula and Manits got in after Drax. Ana picked Groot up and placed him on her shoulder. "It's good to see you're okay, Groot."

He smiled in response.

"What are you doing? You could've killed us all!" Drax exclaimed, looking at Rocket who turned around in the pilot seat.

"Uh, 'Thank you, Rocket?'" He retorted.

"We had it under control." Drax argued.

"We did not." Mantis spoke up from behind them. "That is only an extension of his true self. He will be back soon." She told them, eyes flashing with worry.

Ana helped Gamora and Peter into the ship, offering the latter an apologetic look. "Sorry you're dad's evil." She mumbled.

"You and me both." He grumbled. He spotted Nebula. "What's Smurfette doing here?"

"Whatever I need to do to get a damn ride home." Nebula responded dryly.

"She tried to murder me!" Rocket yelled.

"I saved you, you stupid fox!"

"He's not a fox." Gamora said.

"I am Groot." Groot added from Ana's shoulder.

"I'm not a raboon, either." Rocket denied.

Ana mouthed a yes, you are.

"I am Groot." Groot pronounced again.

"Raccoon, whatever." Rocket dismissed.

Outside the ship, multiple light tentacles shot up from the ground with a loud screech, and moved towards it. Ana looked out the small window, "Ego's back up, guys."

"How do we kill a Celestial?" Drax asked.

"There's a centre to him." Peter answered, limping forward. "His brain, his soul, whatever it is. Some sort of protective shell." He said, before climbing up to the cockpit.

Mantis took over. "It's in the caverns below the surface."

Ana shrugged, picking up an aero-rig. "Then let's g-"

Suddenly, the tentacles wrapped themselves around the ship, shaking it, trying to crush it. Everyone struggled to brace themselves as the ship tilted upwards, sending everything in it back. The thrusters fired forward and the pilots flew out of the palace, escaping from Ego's hold. Peter flew the ship so they advanced closer to Ego's core underground.

"So, we're saving the galaxy again?" Rocket questioned.

Ana pumped her fist. "Awesome!" She could add saving the galaxy to her list.

"We're really gonna be able to jack up our prices if we're two-time galaxy savers." Rocket laughed.

Mantis started giggling beside Ana as she watched Rocket work with the controls. "The crabby puppy is so cute. He makes me want to die!" She gushed.

Ana glanced at her sideways. "Are you feeling alright there, Mantis?"

She giggled again. "No!"

The ship rattled again as they approached the core. They collided against the ragged walls which tore the side door completely off. Everyone looked outside at the maze like nerve system. In the middle of it all was a thickly coated sphere. Ego's core.

"That ore is thick, Rocket." Gamora told him, doubt in her voice. She didn't think they would be able to cut through it.

"I got it covered." He replied. He positioned the ship's lasers and hit the ore with all they had. The laser beams drilled into it slowly, melting the rock.

"We must hurry. It will not take long for Ego to find us." Mantis stated.

Ana squinted when she could see moving dots up ahead. She walked closer to the doorway, placing her hand against the threshold above her head. The dots came closer and closer, and they turned out to be Sovereign ships. Her eyes widened, panic setting in.

"The Sovereign found us!"

Yondu saw the fleet closing in and swerved the ship away, causing it to tilt again. Since Ana was near the door, she fell from the sudden jerk, along with Drax, Gamora and Mantis. They landed safely on a large rock, but their ship scattered off in the distance, leaving them behind.

Ana couldn't get a rough estimate of how many Sovereign crafts rained down upon them, that's how many there were. She glanced at Gamora, putting on her aero-rig. "I'll help take care of the Sovereign."

"Be careful!" Gamora yelled after her as she watched Ana fly up, swinging her sword around and cutting through the pods.

Ana was terrified. If they didn't get to Ego's core in time, Earth would cease to exist. The Expansion would take everything away. Everyone she cared about would die. She would lose her family and her home. She shook her head, she couldn't think like that. She focused on destroying the ships that halted their task in drilling through Ego's core. She sheathed her sword, and instead fired mystic mandalas at them. Just before they blew up, the Sovereign glared at Ana as she glided past them.

A group of them fired their weapons at her, creating a circle around the woman. She put up shields, hiding behind them. Peter came to her aid and shot at the ship with his quad-blasters, causing a chain reaction. One by one they crashed out of the air.

"Ana, come on!" Quill called, guiding her away from the line of fire. She followed him and stuck to his side.

"Thank you, Quill." Ana beamed.

"No problem." He charmed. "Rocket made a detonator and if Groot can tell the difference between the death button and the saviour button, Ego's core will blow up soon."

"The life of the entire universe depends on the baby plant?" Ana questioned in disbelief.

"Fingers crossed." Peter told her, chuckling nervously.

A couple of energy beams hit the two of them when they rounded a line of rock. They managed to crash inside their ship just as the whole fleet surrounded them.

"Guardians..." Ayesha spoke through her speaker system. "Perhaps it will provide you solace that your deaths are not without purpose. They will serve as a warning to all of those tempted with betraying us. Don't screw with the Sovereign."