[34 years later, Sovereign Planet]
[The Sovereign homeworld dominated the star system like a golden jewel, its perfectly geometric cities gleaming against the void. Smaller satellite planets orbited in precise formation, connected by streams of energy that pulsed like cosmic arteries.]
[Most impressive was the massive Dyson ring encircling the main planet—a feat of engineering that harvested stellar energy while serving as an impregnable defense grid.]
[On the planet's surface, the Guardians stood ready on a circular platform studded with six golden energy batteries, their power cores humming with barely contained force.]
[Star-Lord checked his scanner, watching a massive red blip close in on their green signatures. "Showtime, people! This thing could breach the perimeter any second!"]
[Gamora hefted an enormous plasma cannon, her movements fluid and practiced. "Then it's about to have a very bad day."]
[Star-Lord glanced at her weapon with surprise. "Since when do you use guns? Thought you were all about the sword work."]
[Gamora shot him an exasperated look. "We're hired to stop an interdimensional energy parasite from draining these power sources. What exactly would you have me do—challenge it to a duel?"]
[Star-Lord held up his hands defensively. "Hey, I'm just saying—you've got your thing, I've got mine. Now we're both packing heat and it feels weird."]
[Gamora turned to their largest teammate. "Drax, where's your rocket pack?"]
["It causes discomfort when worn."]
[Gamora's brow furrowed. "Discomfort? It's just a harness."]
[Drax's expression grew pained. "My nipples are extremely sensitive."]
[Rocket immediately burst into laughter. "Oh man! Your nipples hurt! That's priceless!"]
[Drax bristled with annoyance. "And what exactly are you contributing to our preparations?"]
[Rocket gestured casually at the speaker system he was assembling. "Setting up some battle music. Nothing gets the blood pumping like a good soundtrack."]
[Drax's eyes narrowed. "Is that truly a priority right now?"]
[Rocket pointed accusingly at Star-Lord. "Blame Quill! He's the one obsessed with these ancient Earth songs!"]
[Star-Lord immediately threw up his hands. "Whoa, don't drag me into this! Drax is right—we should focus on the giant monster!"]
[Rocket blinked slowly, his expression innocent. "Oh absolutely, Quill. Very serious business."]
["No, I mean it! Drax has a point!"]
[Rocket blinked again, even more deliberately. "Completely understood. Maximum seriousness achieved."]
[Drax threw his hands up in frustration. "I can literally see you winking at him!"]
[Rocket cursed under his breath. "Damn it, was that my left eye again?"]
[A chittering sound drew their attention to several small lizard-like creatures scurrying across the platform. One bolted toward the energy batteries, pursued by a tiny wooden figure.]
[Baby Groot charged after the creatures with surprising ferocity, tackling one and sending it tumbling. The others scattered, but one brave lizard turned to face him, mouth open in what might have been a threat display.]
[Groot slapped it away with a dismissive branch.]
[After clearing the platform, Groot turned to Rocket proudly. "I am Groot!" (They were staring at me!)]
[Rocket barely looked up from his sound system. "They weren't even looking at you, kid."]
[Suddenly, Star-Lord's scanner erupted in urgent beeping. A thunderous roar shook the air as something massive breached the atmosphere—the Abilisk, an interdimensional predator with a maw full of razor teeth and writhing tentacles.]
[Rocket sighed as the creature slammed onto their platform with earth-shaking force. "Well, playtime's over."]
Back on Counter-Earth, the High Evolutionary stared at the projection with intense focus. His enhanced vision zoomed in on Rocket's familiar form, and rage flickered behind his calculating eyes.
"Why is Subject 89P13 on Sovereign?" he demanded, turning to his lieutenant. "Where is Ayesha's pursuit fleet?"
War-Pig checked his reports with nervous efficiency. "High Priestess Ayesha reports her forces encountered an unidentified vessel near Knowhere. They suffered eighty-nine percent casualties and can no longer maintain pursuit."
"WHAT?!" The High Evolutionary's roar echoed through the bio-lab, causing several specimens to cower in their containments. He took a deep breath, his cybernetic implants humming with barely controlled fury. "Find Subject 89P13. Use every resource at our disposal."
The obese Theel immediately straightened. "Yes, sir! Right away!"
Meanwhile, aboard her damaged flagship, High Priestess Ayesha studied the star charts with golden eyes that burned with ambition. The Council would demand answers for her failure, and only one thing could save her position now.
She would activate the birthing pods immediately—create the most perfect Sovereign ever conceived. Stronger, more beautiful, more lethal than any previous generation. The ultimate warrior to reclaim their lost honor.
She already had a name picked out: Adam.
[The battle erupted as Drax charged forward with twin blades, his war cry echoing across the platform. Star-Lord and Gamora flanked the creature, weapons blazing.]
[Baby Groot, oblivious to the chaos, picked up two loose audio cables and examined them with scientific curiosity. After several failed attempts, his tiny fingers finally managed to connect them properly.]
[Music burst from the speakers—classic Earth rock that filled the air with driving rhythm and soaring guitars. Groot immediately began swaying to the beat, completely absorbed in the melody.]
[The Abilisk's roar unleashed a blast of multicolored energy that sent shockwaves across the platform. The force knocked Groot off balance, but after a moment's pause, he resumed dancing with even more enthusiasm.]
[Behind him, Rocket dove for cover as another energy blast scorched the air where he'd been standing. He rolled, came up firing, and emptied a full clip into the creature's hide.]
[The battle intensified as the Abilisk's tentacles smashed through energy shields like they were made of glass. Metal debris scattered across the platform as the creature's assault gained momentum.]
[Groot discovered intricate patterns carved into the platform's surface and began hopping from design to design like a cosmic hopscotch game. A massive tentacle slammed down centimeters behind him, missing his wooden form by mere inches.]
[Star-Lord was sent flying by a powerful tail sweep, crashing near Groot's impromptu dance floor. He rolled, took a knee, and fired several shots at the creature's eyes.]
[As he struggled to his feet, Star-Lord caught sight of Groot wiggling his tiny posterior and grinning with pure joy.]
["Groot!" Star-Lord shouted, but before he could finish his warning, another tentacle swept him away.]
[In the chaos of battle, with weapons firing and monsters roaring, baby Groot heard nothing but the music. He continued his cheerful march across the platform, each step perfectly in rhythm.]
[Behind him, Drax was seized by multiple tentacles and slammed repeatedly into the ground. Each time he tried to speak, another impact cut off his words, leaving him with nothing but frustrated grunts before disappearing from view once again.]