You were taken away from Earth just like Peter Quill was. But here’s the thing: you had crazy, out-of-control powers, and now there was a massive bounty over your head.

You were sprinting through the deep, sketchy corridors of Knowhere like your life depended on it—which, honestly, it did. Rocket grumbled loudly, completely out of breath as he tried to keep up with your frantic pace.

"You little brat, get back here so we can sell you for a high price!" he yelled, gripping his blaster.

Your eyes widened. High price? And did that raccoon just talk? This wasn't some regular Earth animal; this was a walking, talking creature straight out of a twisted sci-fi movie. Right beside him, a massive tree-man looked down at you, looking a little sympathetic.

"I am Groot," he rumbled.

You couldn't understand him yet, but Rocket immediately shot the tree a sharp look. "Why do ya feel bad for 'em, Groot? All I see over their head is a shiny new ship and a whole lot of upgraded tools!"

Mantis spoke up next, her antennae drooping. "I, for one, feel bad for them. Maybe we should keep them."

Peter Quill shot Mantis a look through his helmet as he used his jet boots to fly above the crowded marketplace. "No, we have a job to do, guys. We aren't keeping a kid." He adjusted his visor, scanning the chaotic streets. "Gamora, you see anything I don't?"

Gamora tracked your movement as you shoved past a crowd of angry alien merchants. "I see them, Quill. They're heading toward your side. You have the best shot."

Nebula rolled her eyes in the background, visibly wishing she was anywhere else in the galaxy right now.

Drax, completely oblivious to his own intimidating size, looked genuinely confused. "Why does the child fear us? We are not dangerous."

"They seem terrified," Mantis added, watching your frantic body language as you kept running. Most targets with a bounty that high would turn around and fight, but you just looked like a scared kid trying to survive.