Chapter 7
Growing up on a ship full of mercenaries and criminals had many advantages and many disadvantages. For example Groot had been shot at more times than he could count, so he knew how to bare the pain. Knew what wounds he could forgo healing until later and which needed tending to immediately. He had even been blasted by a Kree 90 caliber waret powered rife through the gut. He’d been suspended down a shaft and gotten his arm blown up, he’d even been electrocuted by a Tivan lord the last time they were on Knowhere, but NOTHING had prepared him for this.
Nothing prepared Groot for the burning, ripping pain of bullets through his bark as he tried to make out the suited aliens who shot at him. He let loose another vine and smacked a smaller alien as he tried to shoot at his sides. Groot grimaced, trying to summon his strength but only found exhaustion. He tried to reach forward to get better aim and twisted backward at the pain, the length of his vines nearly expended.
“I am Groot!” He shouted as he spun, whipping a thief across the back with a thorny branch. The adolescent smirked proudly at the damage he caused as the alien fell off the Milano and was forced to be reigned back in to the enemy ship. Another round of fire scattered through his bark, but the hard-protected tissues of wood did not Grow fast enough and Groot groaned with effort, lashing out at another one of the enemy aliens, their faces hidden behind their helmets but they appeared to be humanoid. This one he grabbed around the waist, extending his arm out since his vines could grow no further. The sharp sword hacked away at his grip and Groot tugged, severing the alien’s tether to his ship and flung him as hard as he could out into space. He shook his head, face still throbbing slightly from the bar fight. He hurt all over, so heavy in all his limbs but still that thing inside him, ever present and twisting spoke to him,
“I am Groot,” it said. Urging him to protect. Protect his family, those aboard the ship, their lives. Protect life. And Groot was happy to, at least it gave him some purpose as he fought away. He smiled through the agony of cannon fire and grew several more thorny branches as the Milano swung him out of the way just in time. That pulsing thing within Groot’s chest urged him on, through the spinning terror and bleeding sap sown his arms.
“Groot!” Something called in the distance, cursing. Groot lashed outward once more, swiping at three more thieves and crushing them with his strong grip. He struggled to put more energy into grow his vines out even more as the ship hurled through space, the enemy vessel still, impossibly on their tail. “Groot!” A figure in a spacesuit called out, Groot swiveled out of the way as Rocket shot several rounds over the tree like creature’s head. Why was Rocket here? Groot had it under control, or so he tried to convince himself. He hunched forward, letting out a painful scream at the metal arms that wound around his neck. Without gravity it proved difficult but the flora colossus tried his best to wriggle free. The alien lifted a blade to Groot’s throat and the teen tried to stir that protective urge within him Through narrowing eyes he could see Rocket’s ears pressed tight to his skull through his helmet as he sped forward, bullets ricocheting off his suit. Biting metal sank into his bark as Groot twisted and turned. If he had had a stomach it would’ve dropped, c…creek, he watched in horror as his own vine began to quake.
“I am Groot!” Reaching out to that strange glowing presence within him Groot grew a bushel of thorns out of his back and managed to grin as the alien behind him sank, limply the knife falling from his grip and drifting away.
“Groot!” Rocket growled, coming up behind the dead thief, hiding from fire. “What the flark are you doing?! Get back on the ship!” Groot’s rage churned inside him. Why couldn’t Rocket just let him do this?! He needed to this, it was his purpose. He wanted to protect them all. Trust, family, life, flourishing, protect, guard, love. Love. “Groot!” Rocket’s small claws dug into him, small but sharp and pricking. Groot frowned, reaching out to clobber another theif who advanced on them with a gun before he got in range to fire.
The Milano tipped upward, tugging Groot along the way. On instinct Rocket hung on to him even as Groot tried to shake him off.
“I am Groot!” The adolescent barked, irritated at Rocket for coming out here, for embarrassing him. How was he supposed to protect them all if he couldn’t even throw off a few thieves? He reached out and swiped at the last thug who was trying to drill into the Milano’s side.
“Groot!! Get back inside you fucking…” Rocket’s eyes widened, his jaw dropped, looking downward to where the left side of his suit had been punctured. “Awe shit, Groot get back in there!” He turned, blood splattering over Groot’s arm as the raccoonoid fired with all he got on the enemy ship.
“I am Groooot!” Groot called as he and Rocket were pulled through a jump port. Creeeeek, he turned toward where his vines were split and tried to sense any of the aliens who may have followed them. Where was their ship? He didn’t see it, where was Rocket?
“Groot! Get in the fucking ship before you get yourself killed!” Red hot anger rose in the flora colossus as he was tugged violently this way and that. Why couldn’t Rocket just let him do this? Why did he feel the need to come after him? Now he’d been wounded trying to keep Groot from fulfilling his purpose, preventing him from doing the one thing he was sure of himself about. Loving and protecting those he loved.
“I am Groot!” Groot pushed him away as they knocked into each other, “I am Groot!” Rocket’s socked eyes blinked for a moment, lowering his gun.
“Oh you hate me?!” Rocket snarled, firing away at space around them though Groot couldn’t find anymore thieves. The Milano smoked around them, hurling downward. “You hate me?”
“I am Groot! I am Grooot!” Groot roared through his anger and pain. The ship continued to plummet and as they were tossed like rag dolls behind it. Creek…creek….creeee the jolting pain hit Groot’s torso, an incredible force pulling him and then SNAP! He was tossed backward, arms grabbing blindly to get purchase on anything. His long fingers fixed on Rocket’s tether and pulled, the force of the galaxy pulling at him.
“Oh NOW you don’t care what happened before you woke up in your pot? Now you…” Rocket’s voice was lost to a stream of cursing as his own tether snapped and Groot dragged him down in the Milano’s smoky, fiery wake. No! That swirling thing inside of him forced, protect them, protect them!” Despite his efforts to resist Groot reached out and pulled Rocket close to him as they fell. Growing a protective cocoon of branches though and thorny. He was dimly aware of the raccoonoid snuggling in against him, of the smell of burning fur and smoldering metal. Smoke blinded him, the stars were unseen. Groot closed his eyes against the void of spinning. They fell, the force of the Milano keeping them in it’s wake, for now. Sap ran from Groot’s wounds, vitriol, loathing, confusion. Dissatisfaction. Did he fail to protect them? He hated Rocket for coming after him, for not trusting him. It didn’t matter what happened before. Even Peter wouldn’t tell him. They didn’t want him to know, didn’t trust him. The heat of that anger nearly as hot as the Milano’s exhaust, as their incoming dive.
But still he clutched Rocket to him. Keep him safe, keep them safe, hold on. Whatever happens all will regrow, all will regrow. A terrible heat consumed him even as they hurled downward. The rattling of the Milano threatening to tear Groot limb from limb. All will regrow, all will regrow, all will……something crushed him from all sides, a suffocating darkness. Groot tried to open his eyes but it was snuffed out. He slipped away and felt no more.
Rock. Rock, rock, hard, lifeless, wait, here, root down here. Roots extended down between the crags of the rocks and at last felt charred soil. Scarce but better than nothing. Groot’s small roots drew up what little nutrients could be had and sleepily came to. He could only make out shadows, different shades of dark rocks, the sky above a hazy grey. He felt no other life around him but the minimal substance of charred soil under rocks.
“I….am Groot?” There! Something else, Groot stirred sitting himself up, sore bark breaking.
“Groot!” Who was that? Groot turned, trying to blink away the fatigue. Rocket? Damn it, of course Rocket would be here. Rocket never left him alone, Groot thought bitterly. Only scolding himself for thinking so after the thought.
“I am Groot?’ Rocket’s suit was ruined, torn at the belt and gun dashed to pieces. He held his arm to his side, sap still dripping from it.
“I don’t know where the Milano is,” the raccoonoid spat, refusing to meet his gaze.
“Rocket?” Kraglin’s distant voice carried across the stale air. “Twig?” Groot rolled his eyes, but made himself rise and followed the voice until the wreck of the Milano stuck out on the somber horizon.
“Is everyone okay?!” Rocket’s breathless voice shook as they approached.
“You’re alive! Peter called, running and hugging the raccoonoid. Groot bit back a laugh as the two realized they were embracing and let go at once, exchanging awkward glances and finally settled on shaking hands.
Mantis shuffled down the lopsided ramp, a large bruise muddling her face. Drax was close behind her, a large cut graced his thigh followed lastly by Gamora who’s cybernetics sparked, causing her arm to spasm.
“Where are we?” Peter wondered looking out over the desolation and barren rocks.
‘I am Groot…” he spoke the words, but the knowledge of where they were was that of the swirling glowing presence inside him.
“That’s impossible,” Rocket dismissed to Groot’s rage. He shot the wounded raccoonoid a glare.
“Sorry, didn’t catch that,” Peter said, rubbing his ear where he’d been banged.
Rocket cast Groot a look then turned to the rest of them,
“He says we’re on his old home world. Planet X.”