REBEL FOR KICKS
xi. COLLECTOR OF THE UNIVERSE
❝SO, THESE INFINITY STONES ARE BAD NEWS DISGUISED AS PRETTY ROCKS?❞

THE WOMAN TO GREET THEM HAD BEEN A KRYLORIAN WOMAN NAMED CARINA ━━ the woman's pink skin and dainty attire was the first thing that caught Isabelle's eyes. Her darting purple eyes and her trembling tone was the second. She seemed off and it caused Isabelle to grow concerned about their upcoming appointment with the so-called Collector. Yet, the group didn't seem to care or notice Carina's suspicious behavior.

She lingered behind, taking slow steps to avoid the possibility of catching up to Gamora. Though, it wouldn't be too much of a concern since Gamora took two steps ahead whenever Isabelle neared. It wasn't as if Isabelle hadn't been rejected before. No, she had dealt with rejection of every kind ━━━ lovers, friendships, family, job interviews, and everything in between. But, this felt different. Gamora's rejection hurt like she had gotten her heart ripped out before it was stomped on with spiked boots. Perhaps, that would be less painful than the overwhelming emotions she felt at the moment.

"What's up, Iz?" Peter's inquisitive tone brought Isabelle out of her melodramatic thoughts, causing her to feel more like a teenage girl than a woman in her thirties. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close to him. "We're about to become filthy rich and you're pouting like someone who just had the worst day ever."

Isabelle pushed his arm off, letting out an annoyed sigh as she kept walking forward. It seemed as if the walk to the Collector's museum was taking ages, but only a few minutes had passed since Carina had come to collect them. "I think I am having the worst day ever," Isabelle confessed, stealing a glance back to make sure that Peter was following. "Though, the massive payday might put a smile on my face."

"I'm surprised Drax didn't want a part of this," Peter said, glancing back at the bar where they had left Drax behind. It had surprised Isabelle as well to see someone such as Drax not want millions of units, but who was she to complain? After all, it meant more money for her and that was something she didn't question. "But, fuck it. I want to know why you're having the worst day ever. Does it have something to do with the kiss you and Gamora shared?"

"Shut the fuck up," Isabelle hissed, sending her twin brother a glare before she looked ahead at Gamora to make sure she hadn't heard a thing. She seemed to be busy in a conversation with Carina to listen to them, thankfully. With a sigh of relief, she turned back to Peter. "How do you know about that?"

"I saw it happen."

"Ew, gross," Isabelle wrinkled her nose in disgust, shaking her head. She felt another wave of embarrassment hit her as she realized that Peter had been there to see Gamora reject her. "Why were you watching us?"

"It wasn't like that, stupid," Peter said, flicking her arm as his eyes narrowed to a glare. "I was coming out to get my Walkman because I wanted to listen to something other than Rocket and Drax arguing and then—"

"Okay, I get it," Isabelle sighed, running a hand through her blonde hair as she walked into the museum. She smiled at Carina, giving her a silent thanks for holding the door open for them. She looked at Peter, noticing his amused expression. "Promise me that you'll never bring this up again."

"Are you kidding? It's the first time that Miss Isabelle Quill has been rejected," Peter laughed, giving her a slap on the back. "I am never letting you live this one down."

"You're a dick, Peter," Isabelle muttered, rolling her eyes at Peter's childish behavior. Though, she was happy he was feeling more like himself. After Contraxia, his mood had plummeted but he seemed to slowly be picking himself back up.

The museum was a place of horrors, causing Isabelle to feel nauseous as she came across the creatures and people put on display in suffocating glass boxes. Some of them scratched against the glass, but some stared numbly ━━ as if they had lost all hope of freedom. It seemed as if the museum went up for miles, causing Isabelle to glance up at the bright displays. She frowned, seeing a dog in a spacesuit as well. What the hell? Though, not everyone felt pity for the dog as Rocket growled at the beast. The dog whimpered, backing off on a small corner. Rocket hummed, frowning.

"Geez, what kind of place is this?" Rocket muttered, feeling the same way as Isabelle. Perhaps, he could relate from the times where he was treated like a test subject and locked in a box for days on end. He shuddered, turning his attention to the floor instead. "Focus on the money. Focus on the money."

His chants made their way into Isabelle's mind as well. Focus on the money. But, she still felt terrible from the injustice she was witnessing. "Carina, why are these people in cages?"

Carina glanced back, sparing a glance at the victims who were locked away. She forced a smile to her face, tilting her head to get a better look at Isabelle. But, the blonde wasn't stupid. She could see through the mask the Krylorian woman wore ━━ the undeniable fear in her eyes was something she could not hide. "Oh, do not worry, Miss Quill. I assure you Mr. Tivan treats all his assets with the utmost respect."

"Sounds like a load of bullshit," Peter muttered underneath his breath, rolling his eyes at Carina's words. Everyone in the room could tell something wasn't right, but no one dared to call it out. "So, where is the Collector? We don't have all day to waste."

Gamora looked back, sending Peter a sharp glare as she silently told him to shut up. For a moment, Isabelle met the woman's eyes and the kiss they shared flashed in her mind. But Gamora's eyes were cold and untelling ━━ the sight sent a deep shock to the blonde's heart.

Carina cleared her throat, gesturing toward a man walking toward them. "I present to you, Taneleer Tivan, the Collector!"

He was not what Isabelle expected. But, then again, he seemed perfect to play the role of a man who cages species and collected rare items. The Collector had white spiky hair that matched the fur on his coat made from some poor animal. He took off his sunglasses to face them. His eyes were deep-set and lined with black kohl, making him look sleep deprived and a little crazy. Though, Isabelle wasn't one to talk since she had taken only five minutes to get ready that morning.

Gamora was the one to approach him first, standing tall with pride and determination in every step as she tilted her head to look him up and down. "My dear Gamora," the man greeted, taking her hand to place a chaste kind on top of it before he patted it lightly. "How wonderful to meet in the flesh."

Gamora pulled her hand out of his grasp, narrowing her eyes. "Let's bypass the formalities, Tivan. We have what we discussed."

But, the Collector did not pay attention to her as he faced Groot. "What is that?"

Groot smiled. "I am Groot."

"I never thought I'd meet a... Groot," Tivan mumbled, moving to take a closer look at Groot as he eyed the tree with curious eyes. "Sir... You must allow me to pay you now, so that I may own your carcass. At the moment of your death, of course!"

"This is so strange," Isabelle mumbled, crossing her arms as she shook her head. She had never seen someone buy someone's body before they died, but if the price was high enough ━━ Isabelle might find herself agreeing to do the same.

"I am Groot."

"Why?" Rocket was the one to ask, glaring at the Collector. He was protective over his friend, standing in front to create a barrier between Groot and the Collector. "So, he could turn you into a freakin' chair?"

Tivan looked down at Rocket, clasping his hands as he raised a brow. "Is that your pet?"

"What?" Rocket spat out, prepared to fight once again as he bared his claws to the man. "Listen, here—"

"Tivan," Gamora gritted out, grabbing the man's arm as she pulled him away from Groot and Rocket. "We have been halfway around the galaxy, retrieving the Orb."

Tivan sighed. "Very well, then. Let us see what you brought."

Peter took that as his que, pulling out the Orb from his pouch. But, the relic slipped from his fingers and collided with the ground hard. Isabelle sucked in her lips, trying not to laugh as everyone glared at him. But, he quickly picked it up and held it out for the Collector. "Here it is."

"Yes..." the man said, wrinkling his nose in slight disgust as he took the Orb from Peter's hands before he looked it over. He moved toward a nearby table, inserting the Orb into a device that held it in place and began to work on it. He clicked a button on the table, causing a few holographic screens to appear around them. "Oh, my new friends," the man started, causing both Isabelle and Rocket to sigh. They wanted to collect the money and leave. "Before creation itself, there were six singularities."

Isabelle felt in awe, watching glimpses of the universe in the holographs as bright lights filled around them as they all watched the display. Slowly, she whispered, "it's beautiful."

"Then, the universe exploded into existence, and the remnants of these systems were forged into concentrated ingots," the man continued to explain, stealing a glance at the progression the machine was making with the Orb. "The Infinity Stones. These stones, it seems, can only be brandished by beings of extraordinary strength."

"So, a human won't be able to hold them?" Isabelle asked.

"Most likely not," the man answered. He pointed to a screen. "Observe."

They watched as a massive giant came onto the display, wielding one of the stones as he obliterated a whole village to ash. They could hear the screams and cries from the screen before only static was seen. Isabelle took in a sharp breath, stealing a glance at the Orb. And, Peter had the audacity to drop such a dangerous object.

"These carriers can use the Stone to mow down entire civilizations like wheat in a field," the Collector said, watching the video end.

"Yeah, there's a little pee coming out of me right now," Peter mumbled, shaking his head as he moved closer to Isabelle.

"Once, for a moment," the screen changed to a group of cloaked figures as a purple mist surrounded them, "a group was able to share the energy amongst themselves, but even they were quickly destroyed by it."

"So, these Infinity Stones are bad news disguised as pretty rocks?" Isabelle commented, wondering if such a powerful object was safe in the hands of someone like the Collector. "Or, am I the only one getting that right now?

A click was heard, causing everyone's head to turn toward the Orb that had been fully opened by the machine. It glowed a purple hue, causing everyone to stare in awe. But, no one was more thrilled than the Collector. "Beautiful. Beyond comparison."

"Blah, blah, blah," Rocket spat out, rolling his eyes as he approached the man who watched the Infinity Stone burn bright. "We're all very fascinated, whitey. But, we'd like to get paid."

A chorus of agreement sounded, causing Tivan to hum as he approached his desk to unlock the top drawer. "How would you like to get paid?"

"What do you think, fancy man?" Rocket asked dumbfounded, glaring at the taller man. "Units!"

"Very well, then," Tivan mumbled. But, under his breath, it was a different story. "Such simple-minded creatures."

Isabelle could feel herself getting giddy, knowing she would be a much richer woman within the next few moments. She had almost forgotten about the tension between herself and Gamora. Though, one glance in the woman's direction was enough to cause the blonde to pout. But, the money was a decent distraction.

Yet, the promise of riches never came.

Tivan paused, staring behind them as his expression paled. He held out a hand. "Carina," the man started, causing everyone to glance back to see the pink-skinned alien standing dangerously close to the Orb. "Stand back."

But, she shook her head. Behind her, the other caged woman of the same species pounded on her glass cage. Carina had a dark look on her face, glaring at the much older man as her nose wrinkled in disgust. Isabelle felt pity for the woman, feeling her pain come through her emotions. She reached out for the Orb. "I will no longer be your slave!"

"No!"

It was the last thing Isabelle heard before a blast of energy flooded through the building, but it was nothing compared to the shockwave that came afterwards. She could hear Carina's screams of agony as the stone ripped her apart, but she wasn't able to see anything as she was pushed behind a table. Her vision was filled with the brightest light as she squeezed her eyes shut, afraid she may go blind from the intensity. She could hear the screams of the caged animals and people, feel the rumble in the ground, and the heavy breaths above her from the person who had pushed her out of the way. But, the blast had been too much for the human to handle as the world slowly began to cave in in the museum. Until, there was nothing left.

♡

I think posting this chapter marks the end of my haitus! It's been a while since I have written tbh, but I only updated this book in July! Though, it has been like two months since then? But, it is faster than I usually get updated out if I am being honest! I am getting super close to finishing act one of these book! It only took me two years... yikes. I don't like this chapter much if I am being honest! It feels like a retelling of the movie and I didn't have much else to add! But, I think the next chapter will be fairly interesting because of all the action that will concur!

Still, I hope this chapter was somewhat interesting to read! I liked writing Peter and Isabelle interact and have them get closer! GAMBELLE IS LOWKEY SINKING, BUT THEY WILL BE BACK SOON! I THINK! We'll see, hehe. Anyways, be on the look out for the next chaper because it is coming soon!

Also, I didn't edit this, so there are probably a lot of mistakes and maybe an unfinished sentence here and there! I will edit soon! Not today, but soon!

━━ AMARA
[ CHAPTER POSTED ━ 09.29.2020 ]