~And you know you better watch your step~

~Or you're gonna get hurt yourself~

~Someone's gonna tell you lies~

~Cut you down to size~

Tom Petty, 1979

The Guardians celebrated Peter's return through the night, waiting outside the wreck of the Manifest Destiny.

"So you're saying because he got killed by a woman, the prophecy was technically true?"

"Why are we still talking about this?" Nebula rolled her eyes."

Rocket shrugged. "I gotta admit, I was bored at first but now I'm invested."

"It's no Dirty Dancing, but it helps pass the time," Peter said. "Maybe we can swing by Earth one more time and grab my computer."

"We're not going anywhere without Adam," Gamora said, her eyes trained on the ruined ship ahead.

"There," Drax pointed. "He is coming,"

"Adam!" Mantis shouted.

The golden being drifted into the hangar of the Quadrant as the Guardians rushed to greet him.

"It is over. The Sovereign will not trouble the Guardians of the Galaxy again."

"What did you do about the High Priestess?" Nebula asked.

"I made sure she was dealt with… properly."


"Ah - ah, there she is!"

Ayesha woke up in a filthy circular hallway. The man speaking to her was slumped against the wall in a tattered yellow and red robe. He had an unkempt goatee and greying hair.

"I was beginning to wonder if you'd ever wake up. Kinda would have made for a boring fight, hey?"

"A fight?" Ayesha ran her hands over her head. Her hair had been cut to finger length while she was unconscious.

"Oh yeah, the games! It's a kinda fun, kinda saucy 'eat the rich' sort of thing the locals cooked up."

He chuckled. "Except you know, I'm pretty rich. And looking at you - wow! Shiny! - you're probably pretty valuable yourself."

Ayesha looked at the strange man in horror.

"I'm kind of like the star in this little masquerade, so I only get trotted out for the midcards. Only broke 7 bones this week. You look like you can handle yourself. I'm sure you'll be fine. Because, you know. The alternative. Welcome to Sakaar!"


Later in the evening, Peter stepped out for some air. He saw Adam floating in the hangar, looking out into the stars.

"It's been a wild ride, eh, Adam?"

"Enough adventure in one week for any normal soul's lifetime. But we are far from normal, aren't we, Peter?"

"No we are not," he smiled. "So what's next for the ultimate lifeform? Want to stick around with us a little longer?"

"I was actually thinking I should take my leave now. Do you think the others would mind too terribly if I left without saying goodbye?"

"I think they'd understand," Starlord said, "But where will you go?"

"Your teammates spent a great deal of time and energy hiding these Infinity Stones away, so that nothing like the Infinity War ever happens again."

Adam pointed at his forehead. "This one remains. There is much I wish to learn about it and, to be frank, about myself as well."

"I should thank you, you know?" Peter said. "I was in a real rut back on Earth. If you hadn't come to us for help, I may never have left."

"Don't sell yourself short," Adam shook his head.

"I am in your debt. And if the Guardians ever require my help, I am at your service."

"We'd be glad to have you. I'm sure you could cut through any force in the universe at this point."

"Do not tempt fate, Starlord," Adam said as he took off. "She can be cruel, and exacting."

Gamora and Nebula emerged from the bridge as he took off.

"We'll see him again," Gamora said.

"When shit gets really serious, he'll be a good friend to have," Peter said. "Until then, where's our next mission?"

"Xandarian Space is still a mess from Thanos' assault," Nebula said. "We could probably find some work there. Otherwise, I hear Chandilar is nice this time of year."

Gamora pulled Peter into a hug. "We could always go back to Earth. Have a real vacation this time."

"I wouldn't hate that," Peter said. "But maybe we should earn our keep first. Let's put it to a vote upstairs."

And as the Guardians reconvened for their next adventure, Adam Warlock soared off towards his.

(((THE END)))


The masked woman wandered through the alleys beneath Madripoor. The trail of mayhem left behind by the Guardians had been cleaned up, and all was well once again.

"That look really doesn't do you any favors," she said out loud. From the shadows came the figure she seemed to be addressing - the ruddy-faced barfly that had sent the Guardians to Madripoor a day earlier came striding down the steps.

"I so rarely get out these days," the man shrugged. "It just seemed fun to keep him around a little longer. How did your little masquerade go off?"

"Exactly as I foresaw. We did the universe a great service tonight."

"You know I love to indulge you," the man said, his eyes momentarily flashing yellow as his tone became more familiar, more intimate.

"But I have to admit even I am lost. He's not very impressive, even by human standards."

"Mr. Quill's talents lie beyond the orbit of this world," she said. "It might not seem like it now, but there will come a time when both of our species - and everyone beyond - will be very thankful that Starlord has returned to the stars. You know by now that what I see is no mere shade. The pieces are already in motion."

"It wouldn't be the first time you amazed me," the gambler said, draping a hand over her shoulder as he passed. As he stepped into the next shadow, his silhouetted form seemed to change shape.

"And it won't be the last… Minister," the masked woman whispered playfully as she followed them out of sight.

The Guardians of the Galaxy Will Return