Under Ego's guidance, Star-Lord began to familiarize himself with the power within him. Perhaps because this power originated from Ego, the closer Star-Lord became to mastering it, the more he felt drawn to Ego. Their bond seemed to deepen, especially after Ego initiated a father-son bonding moment by playing a game of catch. Star-Lord started to believe that Ego genuinely wanted to be a good father.
However, while Star-Lord thought this way, Gamora was far from convinced. She couldn't shake the feeling that Ego wasn't the loving father he pretended to be. Gamora noticed how poorly Ego treated Mantis, reminiscent of how Thanos treated Nebula. Although Ego might genuinely care for Star-Lord, just as Thanos had his moments of care, true relationships take time to grow. Ego's immediate and overwhelming enthusiasm upon meeting Star-Lord seemed unnatural.
Furthermore, Gamora found Ego's story about falling in love with Star-Lord's mother hard to believe. Her instincts urged her to investigate Ego's planet rather than rely on Ego's words.
Gamora suggested giving Star-Lord and Ego some space to talk, but Ego quickly assigned Mantis to follow her, making it clear that he didn't trust her. With Mantis acting as a spy, Gamora doubted she could uncover any critical secrets.
"You're not fully human, so does that mean your mother was an insect?" Drax suddenly asked Mantis, cutting through Gamora's thoughts. "How did he even... reproduce with your mother? If he really has the impressive package he claims…"
Drax had been itching to ask this question earlier but was pulled away by Groot before he could finish. Now, with Star-Lord and Ego elsewhere, Drax felt free to interrogate Mantis.
"I'm not sure," Mantis answered softly. "When I was a larva, Ego found me. He said he was my father. Since I was an orphan on my home planet, I stayed with him and grew up under his care…"
Mantis didn't find Drax's question intrusive. Her limited social interactions meant she couldn't tell his behavior was unusual. She shared her simple backstory without hesitation.
"Like a pet? He raised you on this strange, stupid planet?" Drax nodded knowingly, believing he had unraveled Mantis's essence through his superior intellect.
"Perhaps," Mantis replied, her expression unchanged.
"Let's go." Seeing that Drax and Mantis were absorbed in conversation, Gamora silently gestured to Rocket and Nebula to follow her. They quickly understood and trailed behind her.
"People usually pick cute, pretty pets," Drax continued. "Why would Ego choose someone as ugly as you? Are you sure you're his daughter? The way he treats you doesn't seem fatherly. I wouldn't treat my daughter like that…"
Gamora's mouth twitched at Drax's words. Thankfully, Mantis was just as oblivious as he was, allowing their strange dialogue to continue uninterrupted. Somehow, their similar levels of naivety allowed them to connect.
"Why are you being so secretive? What's going on?" Nebula asked Gamora suspiciously once they were far from Mantis.
"I think Ego's behavior is off. The way he looks at Star-Lord… it's not like a father admiring his child," Gamora murmured, shaking her head.
"More like he's admiring a prized creation," Rocket interjected.
Rocket's comment hit home. He recognized that gaze—it was the same look someone once gave him before he escaped their control. That was why he didn't object when Gamora suggested leaving earlier. He, too, found Ego and the planet unsettling.
"Exactly," Gamora agreed, casting a deep look at Rocket before turning to Nebula. "That's why we can't just trust Ego's words. We need to find the truth ourselves."
"Fine. How do we do this? Split up and search in three directions?" Nebula suggested, glancing at Groot and Rocket, who rarely separated.
"Good idea. Let's stay away from the palace," Rocket said. "And don't forget to activate the ship's tracking device. If Ego really is the planet itself, he might notice what we're up to. Let's hope his bonding with Star-Lord keeps him distracted."
"Understood!" Nebula and Gamora exchanged a glance before heading in opposite directions. Rocket and Groot took a third path. It wasn't that Rocket needed Groot's protection, but Groot wasn't capable of complex tasks alone.
"So there really isn't any other life on this planet?" Drax continued to question Mantis elsewhere.
"No…" Mantis hesitated before answering. "It's just us. This planet is Ego. A dog wouldn't invite fleas to live on its back. I'm a useful flea, though!"
"Us? I feel like you're hiding something," Drax said, narrowing his eyes. Mantis's hesitation stood out compared to her usual openness.
"Alright, I'll tell you quietly. You should leave this place soon," Mantis whispered urgently. "As for your friend, just hope he doesn't awaken… Well, if he doesn't, he'll die. But if he does, he'll live but lose his freedom."
"Awaken? Leave? Why?" Drax looked confused.
"This place is dangerous," Mantis said anxiously. "Many of Ego's children have died. I've lost count of how many. Only one awakened child survived, but even they are trapped somewhere…"
"If Ego's children keep dying, why are you still alive?" Drax asked.
"That's why I doubt I'm his real child. Or maybe awakening only happens with males? Or maybe he keeps me because I help him sleep?" Mantis speculated before growing more frantic. "That's not the point! The point is, you need to leave before it's too late. You're the kindest person I've met, and it would be a shame if you died."
"I need to warn the others! Huh? Where are they?" Drax stood up and realized Gamora and the others were gone. He activated his wrist communicator. "I'll head to the ship first and contact them from there!"
With a flash of light, Drax and Mantis were transported to the ship.
"Why did you bring me here too?" Mantis asked nervously.
"You revealed secrets. If Ego finds out, he might kill you. You saved me, so I'll save you. Let me contact the others and get Star-Lord back. Then we'll all leave together," Drax said calmly, explaining the situation to Gamora and the others.
"I think I found what you were talking about—Ego's children's remains," Gamora's voice trembled as she reported from her location. Chilled to the bone, she added, "They're everywhere."
Gamora wasn't a stranger to death or killing, but seeing the bones of Ego's children—his own flesh and blood—filled her with dread. She couldn't help but imagine Star-Lord meeting the same fate, something she refused to allow.
As Gamora's words fell, a beam of light teleported her back to the ship.
"Wait! If the planet is Ego himself, hasn't he already noticed our actions?" Gamora suddenly realized, turning to Mantis in panic.
"He shouldn't have," Mantis replied hesitantly. "A dog ignores fleas unless they act up…"
"Bring Quill back now!" Gamora yelled to Rocket.
A beam of light shot toward Ego's palace, but before it reached Star-Lord, Gamora and the others were flung out of the planet's boundaries.
"What just happened?" Star-Lord asked, glancing at his glowing wrist.
"It's your power fluctuating. Don't worry about it. Focus on mastering your abilities," Ego said, hiding a sinister glint in his eyes.
Meanwhile, in space, Gamora and the others spotted another ship attacking Ego's planet.
"Who are they?" Rocket asked, observing the scene.
A transmission came through, and Yondu's voice rang out. "Quill? Quill, are you there?!" Seeing Star-Lord's absence, Yondu's face darkened. "What happened to Quill?! What did Ego do?!"
Ego's face appeared on the planet's surface, addressing both ships. "Don't worry, Yondu. Peter's fine. He's not like the others. He'll help me fulfill my destiny."
"Fire!" Yondu roared, unleashing all his ship's firepower against Ego's barrier, which remained intact.
Gamora's voice joined in, filled with rage. "Let Quill go!"
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