I am Thor

"So, where were you last night, Your Highness? Leaving two poor, defenseless girls alone in this lawless place… weren't you worried we'd get abducted?" Nebula teased Thor as they sat in a bar in Knowhere.

Thor laughed, brushing it off. "I just took a quick trip to Sakaar to get my hair done by Stan Lee. Looks great, right?"

Nebula rolled her eyes, choosing not to dignify his narcissism with a response. "Anyway, the people you told me to keep an eye on are over there—a tree, a bald guy with strange patterns… and, unfortunately, no rabbits."

Thor turned just in time to hear the crash of a shattered bottle and the sound of something heavy hitting the ground. Drax had slammed Groot to the floor and was furiously throwing punches, while Groot's branches wrapped around him in a fierce struggle.

"Stop! What are you doing?" Star-Lord shouted, rushing in to break them apart, with Gamora quickly joining to help.

"Try calling me a bug again, I dare you!" Drax snarled, still seething.

Rocket Raccoon, gun raised, shouted back, "Oh yeah? I am arrogant and domineering! So what? Maybe next time you won't insult me!"

He lifted his gun again, but Star-Lord quickly blocked him. "Rocket, stop! No one here thinks of you that way!"

Rocket pointed an accusatory paw at Drax. "He treats me like I'm just some lowlife creature! It's not my fault I am the way I am. I didn't ask to be torn apart and put back together, over and over, to become the monster I am now!" His voice shook with barely concealed pain, a mix of anger and sorrow.

"No, Rocket," Star-Lord said gently. "You're not a monster. None of us think that."

Rocket's voice trembled. "Well, that big idiot called me a bug! Maybe I should show him what it feels like to be shot in the head for a laugh!"

As tensions flared again, Star-Lord leaned close and whispered to Rocket, "Four billion. Remember the four billion. Hold out until tomorrow, and we'll all be filthy rich."

Rocket reluctantly held back, lowering his gun.

Drax, unimpressed by the bounty, muttered, "We've traveled half the galaxy, and we're still no closer to finding Ronan." He stormed off, frustration written all over his face.

Minerva, watching from their corner, turned to Thor. "What's going on with them? I heard them mention Ronan. Could they really be after him?"

Thor sighed. "People don't realize how deep an innocent remark can cut someone. Drax only saw a joke. But for Rocket, it ripped open an old wound."

Minerva nodded thoughtfully. Nearby, Nebula's gaze lingered on Gamora. After a while, she turned to Thor, looking anxious. "That woman… that's my sister, Gamora, isn't it?"

Unlike her movie counterpart, Nebula had grown up less scarred and bitter, with most of her hatred directed at Thanos rather than Gamora. Gamora had always been favored as Thanos' chosen successor, and Nebula had struggled with mixed feelings toward her sister.

Thor placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry. Gamora despises Thanos just as much as you do. He slaughtered her family, too. She's already turned against him."

He gave her a confident smile. "Besides, even if Thanos himself showed up, he'd have to get past me to reach you."

At that moment, the Collector's maid, Karina, approached. "Miss Gamora, my master requests your presence."

"Let's go," Star-Lord murmured to Gamora, nudging her forward.

Gamora glanced back at Thor, a spark of recognition flickering in her eyes. She'd seen him before, years ago, during his rampage at Sanctuary II. Back then, she had even helped him and Nebula escape. But it had been over a decade, and Thor's transformation was significant; the once-overweight recluse was now unrecognizably powerful. She turned away, unable to place him.

Rocket and Groot followed Gamora and Star-Lord inside, leaving Drax behind.

Spotting a comms terminal nearby, Drax seized the chance. Approaching a staff member, he grabbed them by the collar, pushing them toward the device.

"Send a message," he demanded, voice deadly serious.

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