REBEL FOR KICKS
i. TANGLED IN THE GREAT ESCAPE
❝MY NAME IS ISABELLE QUILL.❞

"THIS PLACE IS FUCKING HELL!" Doris, a fellow prisoner, shouted at the top of her lungs as she violently shook the metal bars that restricted her to a tiny cell. Her screaming was nothing new to the rest of the prisoners who just rolled over in their cots, trying to block out her screeches. "God, I don't belong here! Please, oh, God, please. Someone let me out! I just want to go home!"

Nobody - not even the guards - paid any attention to Doris' daily screams. Most of the prisoners assumed that the Krylorian woman had lost her mind due to being confined to the same small area for almost a decade. However, most did not take pity on the woman either. In her prime years, she had slaughtered a plethora of innocent men, women, and children across the galaxy. Doris had been known as the Red Widow throughout the galaxy due to her bright red skin and the fact she murdered people for entertainment. She was finally captured and locked away when she killed someone important to Ronan the Accuser. Ronan wanted the Red Widow to suffer, keeping her on the edge of death for years, but never truly allowing her to die.

If it was up to Isabelle, she would have put the woman out of her misery a long time ago. It wasn't really for Doris, but for the other prisoners who lost sleep due to her screaming. Isabelle had been locked away in Ronan's prisons on his Dark Aster for roughly a month which surprised her since most new recruits were executed within a week or so. Isabelle figured that she should count her blessings. She was still breathing and alive enough, but the blonde was considering death if she had to keep listening to Doris' constant screaming.

"God, someone put a bullet in that woman's brain," the familiar voice of Nebula sounded as she made her way into the area where most of the prison cells were. Isabelle sat up in her cot - fixing her clothing and hair to make herself look presentable - as she listened closely to Nebula's footsteps echoing through the long hallway. All of the prisoners - even Doris - shut up as they watched Nebula in fear. "Ronan wants someone executed in the upcoming hour! He's in the mood for a public execution. Any volunteers?"

"Take Doris!" a prisoner further down the hall shouted and a whole chorus of cheers erupted from the rest of the prisoners. Doris' wails began to start again and Isabelle fought the urge to roll her eyes.

Nebula didn't say a word as she walked down the long hall, glancing inside the cells to get glances of the prisoners, wanting to pick the perfect one. Finally, she passed across Isabelle's cell. Their eyes met and Isabelle narrowed her eyes, staring closely at the modified Luphomoid. "Who are you?" Nebula asked.

Isabelle glanced away from Nebula's intense gaze, letting out a small sigh. All the other prisoners were starting to relax, realizing that Isabelle would most likely be chosen to be executed.

"I asked you a question!" Nebula shouted, slamming her fist onto the metal bar. Her temper being tested when Isabelle did not respond. She was a quick fuse compared to her adopted sister, Gamora. It was a fact that everyone knew.

Isabelle's gaze returned to the assassin in front of her. Her pupiless eyes made Isabelle slightly uncomfortable, but she stared straight at the woman regardless. "My name is Isabelle Quill, darlin'," She answered as she gave Nebula a small smirk. If she was going to die, she wanted to make some sort of impression on her fellow prisoners. She felt as if she had somewhat bonded with some of them over the past month or so - despite the fact, that Isabelle had never spoken to any of them.

Nebula narrowed her eyes, unamused by Isabelle's choice to call her a pet name. "What is the reason of your imprisonment?"

"Well," Isabelle started as she stood from her cot before making her way towards Nebula. The metal bars separated them and Isabelle glanced up to look at the much taller woman. "I tried to murder your adoptive sister, Gamora, to collect a bounty that was worth at least fifty-thousand units."

Nebula's lips twitched upward, but she did not smile. It was almost as if Isabelle could read Nebula's whole life story by gazing into her soulless eyes and angry expression. Not so long ago, it used to be her. The same empty eyes and angry expressions were what had gotten Isabelle through her life. Nebula watched her for a few moments before she reached forward and began to unlock the door.

Isabelle debated if she should try to overpower Nebula or not, but in the end, decided against it. Nebula was much stronger than Isabelle due to the many modifications that she had gone through. The biggest procedure that Isabelle had to get done was when she got a small star tattoo behind her right ear. It was nothing compared to the years of torture Nebula and Gamora had to go through.

"Where are you taking me?" Isabelle asked as Nebula grabbed her upper arm. She pulled the blonde out the cell and began to drag her down the hall. The prisoners cheered and hooted, grateful that they got to live another day. Isabelle glanced back and noticed Doris sticking her head out of her cell, watching with a saddened expression as she waved goodbye.

"Would you prefer to be hung or electrocuted?" Nebula asked as she continued to drag Isabelle through the large ship, taking her toward Ronan's throne room. Isabelle gulped slightly, racking her brain for ideas to escape her impending doom.

"Both options sound painful," Isabelle mumbled as she tried not to trip over her own two feet. Nebula was a fast walker and she had a iron grip onto Isabelle's arm. "Perhaps, you could take me back to my cell and choose someone else for the execution?"

"I have already chosen you," Nebula muttered as she opened the doors to Ronan's headquarters. She didn't say anything when she noticed Gamora and Ronan discussing important matters. Isabelle glanced around the room and noticed the dismembered corpse of a Xandarian prisoner. Her eyes widened slightly before she quickly composed herself. She needed a plan to escape.

"The orb is no longer in our possession," Ronan said as he watched Gamora with an expression that was mix of disappointment and anger. Isabelle stayed quiet as she watched the exchange between Ronan and Gamora. "Korath tells me of a man that calls himself Star-Lord--"

At the mention of the stupid nickname 'Star-Lord,' Isabelle's eyes lit up. She couldn't help the grin that spread across her face. She needed an opportunity to escape and one was presented to her.

"--took the orb and plans to sell it," Ronan informed as his eyes flickered over to Nebula and Isabelle before looking back at Gamora. "I need that orb if I am to gain Thanos' help to destroy Xandar."

"He could be anywhere in the galaxy," Nebula pointed out as she began to walk toward Ronan and her sister, continuing to drag Isabelle with her. Gamora glanced down at Isabelle and her eyes narrowed. It seemed as if she had had remembered that Isabelle had tried to kill her.

"Not anywhere," Isabelle spoke up as she pulled herself free from Nebula's grasp. Gamora and Nebula went to attack, but Isabelle put her hands up. "Wait, before you kill me, hear what I have to say--"

"We do not care," Nebula spat out, ready to impale Isabelle with her dagger, but Ronan's harsh voice stopped her.

"Do you know something, girl?" Ronan asked and Isabelle smirked slightly as she took a few steps toward the Kree man.

"I know exactly where Star-Lord is headed," Isabelle started as her eyes darted from Ronan to Nebula to Gamora. Her eyes lingered on Gamora's expressionless face before she glanced back at Ronan. "They always deal with one man when it comes to deals like this."

"They?" Gamora asked, wanting Isabelle to elaborate. It was clear that Gamora didn't trust the blonde-headed Terran which didn't bother Isabelle since she didn't trust Gamora either.

"Star-Lord and the Ravagers - mostly just Yondu Udonta's division- sell their items to a man in--" Isabelle stopped herself from continuing as she eyed Ronan. She wasn't about to reveal everything without getting something in return. "I can take you to him and the orb on one condition, you let me go."

Nebula scoffed. "Do you believe we are that foolish to believe you? I will go find this Star-Lord and bring the orb."

"You'll be searching for a long time before you find him," Isabelle pointed out, giving Nebula a small smile. "I can help you skip all the searching and take you straight to him."

"How do you know so much? You've been imprisoned," Gamora pointed out, still suspicious of Isabelle. "How could you possibly know?"

Isabelle sighed as she glanced at Gamora. Their eyes met as they stared at each other with stern gazes. "My name is Isabelle Quill and Star-Lord, mostly know as Peter Quill, is my brother. He's my twin actually and--"

"Where is he headed?" Gamora asked as she took a step toward Isabelle, trying to intimidate her. "Only then, we would consider your deal."

Isabelle glanced up at Gamora, feeling the heat that came off of the green-skinned woman. Gamora stood close to Isabelle, trying to tower over her, but Gamora was only about an inch taller. Still, Isabelle told the truth. "Xandar."

"I promised Thanos I would retrieve the orb for him. Only then will he destroy Xandar for me," Ronan began to speak, causing Isabelle to quiet down. Ronan's eyes darted to Nebula. "Nebula, go to Xandar and get me the orb."

"It will be my honor--"

"It will be your doom," Gamora interrupted as she sent Nebula a glare. "If this happen again, you'll be facing our father without his prize."

"I'm a daughter of Thanos, just like you," Nebula reminded, clearly Gamora had hit a nerve. Isabelle stood awkwardly between the two siblings. Even Ronan seemed slightly irritated by the two sisters.

"But, I know Xander," Gamora gritted out, wanting Nebula to quit arguing with her.

"Ronan has already decreed that I--"

"Do not speak for me!" Ronan shouted, causing everyone to quiet down. His voice echoed through the room and Isabelle kept her gaze directly on the floor. Ronan's gaze moved over to Gamora. "You will not fail."

Gamora watched him closely. "Have I ever?"

Isabelle could see the jealousy burning deep within Nebula and it saddened Isabelle slightly. It was only years ago that Isabelle felt the same way as Nebula. She had always been considered second best to her brother and that's why she had left them all in the dust.

"Take the Terran with you. If this Star-Lord is her brother, then she would be useful in locating him," Ronan muttered and Isabelle could see Gamora's face harden.

Gamora turned out and grabbed Isabelle's arm, dragging her away from an angry Nebula and Ronan. When they were out in the empty hallway, Gamora slammed Isabelle into the wall before putting a dagger to her neck. "You try anything and I will kill you, understand?"

Isabelle smirked as she stared up at the woman. The blade was cold against her neck, but she knew that Gamora would not kill her yet. She was useful and Gamora needed her in locating Peter. She nodded slowly, pushing the blade away from her neck. "I understand, Gamora. Now, let's go find my baby brother."

♡

CHAPTER ONE DOWN, A LOT MORE TO GO!
I really enjoyed writing this chapter! It's honestly such a breath of fresh air to write from a completely different perspective in the movies! This chapter mostly focused on Isabelle, Nebula, Gamora, and Ronan! The next chapter will most likely be Isabelle and Gamora based! I think we'll see Peter in chapter three or the next chapter, depending on how the story flows! Also, I was setting up for a future BROTP between Nebula and Isabelle.

This is a reminder that the relationship between Gamora and Isabelle will be a very slow burn! They won't get together until much much later! So, don't expect them to be making out by chapter 5 or something! And, I will be adding a lot of stuff in to prolong the story! So, expect certain parts of the movie to be expanded from one day to a few days or so! I really want to build the characters and their relationships! I don't want it to go by too fast! For example, the part when they are in the prison is pretty short so I might extend it by a day or two so I am able to fit more scenes into this story! I will be doing the same when we get to GOTG2 because I think that takes place over a span of a day or two!

Also, I planned out Doris' character way too much! I doubt she will ever make a reappearance but I literally planned out her whole life in my head. She's the infamous Red Widow, but she killed one of Ronan's closest buddies, so she got thrown in jail! Honestly, I was just imagining her as Kathy Bates but with pink skin.

I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter!
More will be out soon!

— AMARA
PUBLISH DATE — 03.10.2018