Tatooine, a desert world effectively ruled by the Hutts, a millennia-old criminal empire run by massive slug-like beings who controlled much of the planet's illicit affairs.
Meanwhile, the Tusken Raiders, also called Sand People, claimed to be Tatooine's original inhabitants. They possessed their own distinct culture and beliefs, though many outsiders considered these traditions too barbaric to study or understand.
Beyond the usual criminal enterprises, casinos, and repair shops, Tatooine had another profitable industry: moisture farming. However, those who worked these farms were frequently raided, far more often than official records acknowledged.
When the Mandalorians and Vision arrived on the twin-sunned world and traveled to Mos Espa, they encountered numerous new alien species within the city's sprawling boundaries.
For Vision, the sight was remarkable. His synthetic mind processed and catalogued vast quantities of new information within seconds.
The city lived up to its reputation as a haven for scoundrels. Shady characters lurked everywhere. Some stared at the Mandalorians with resentment, greed, or outright hostility, though most kept their emotions carefully contained.
However, Vision noticed one group wearing uniform jackets or long coats emblazoned with a flame symbol who seemed considerably friendlier toward the Mandalorians.
When Dax greeted a Weequay in a maroon coat, Vision asked curiously, "Are they your friends?"
"Allies," Fenn replied simply.
When the nature of this alliance came up, the Mandalorians all snorted. Tobbi shook his head. "Their leader's an arrogant, half-crazy idiot."
"What do they call themselves?" Vision inquired further.
"They call themselves the Guardians of the Galaxy," Dax said.
Vision repeated the name incredulously. "Guardians of the Galaxy?"
Tobbi couldn't help laughing. "Yeah. Ridiculous, right?"
At that moment, a cantina window shattered explosively, and a body was thrown through it into the street. Loud laughter and chaotic noise erupted from inside.
"Looks like they're already here," Fenn commented calmly, his gaze passing over the unfortunate soul sprawled outside the establishment.
Despite some wariness, Vision trusted his new companions and followed them into the cantina, where a full-blown brawl was underway.
The moment he entered, a body crashed into Vision and collapsed to the floor. He looked down to see a Nikto female groaning in pain. His attention shifted to the fight raging in the cantina's center. Various peculiar participants were involved, including a gray-skinned humanoid covered in red natural tattoos who had someone lifted by the throat.
A massive tree-like creature held a Quarren in its wooden grasp, while what appeared to be a raccoon rushed forward and punched a squid-faced being directly in the face.
"Hold on, Drax," Dax called out over the chaos.
"You know," Fenn nudged Vision gently, "our friends are right in the middle of that."
A green-skinned woman with long dark hair returned to a table carrying drinks, seemingly unbothered by the violence. Beside her sat a Zabrak female sipping her beverage and laughing. Next to them, a rust-colored assassin droid cheered enthusiastically for the combatants.
Among the group, a woman with large eyes, antennae, and green clothing suddenly noticed the newcomers. She squealed with delight and practically launched herself at Fenn.
"Fenn! It's so good to see you!" she exclaimed happily, wrapping him in an enthusiastic embrace. Fenn stumbled backward slightly but quickly recovered, smiling as he returned the Guardian's hug.
When she pulled back, she surprised the Mandalorian with a passionate kiss that clearly caught him completely off guard, leaving him looking temporarily stunned.
The green-skinned woman ducked her head, though her smile remained visible. The Zabrak raised her glass in celebration of the display, while the droid made exaggerated retching sounds. Dax and Tobbi whistled and cheered. Boba hid an amused smile as Fenn stood there looking thoroughly shocked.
Mantis finally released a stunned Fenn, who appeared utterly bewildered by what had just happened.
"Oh, look at him, speechless," Dax laughed. Tobbi cackled at the scene.
"Uh, Mantis," Fenn finally managed, "it's not that I didn't enjoy that, but I'm a little confused here."
The large-eyed woman giggled, a blush forming on her cheeks as she explained innocently, "Suji told me you were 'my man' and that I needed to claim my territory." She pointed to the Zabrak female laughing maniacally behind her.
"And I think you did an excellent job, Mantis," Suji said proudly, raising her glass before downing its contents.
At that moment, Drax the Destroyer noticed the exchange. He stepped away from his fight and shouted, "Now you must destroy any woman who tries to take what is yours!"
The talking raccoon added lazily, "That would be entertaining to watch."
The green-skinned woman sighed. "Can you please stop fighting? Our friends are here."
"No, no, finish what you started," Tobbi encouraged. "We don't want to interrupt."
"Bah, these clowns were barely worth the effort," the raccoon said, sauntering over to the table where everyone gathered.
"So where are Peter and Kraglin?" Dax asked. "They said they had something special for us."
"Who knows what they're up to. Being all mysterious," Suji replied with a slight frown.
"Peter mentioned it would benefit both the Ravagers and the Protectors," Mantis offered. "Did Peter tell you anything, Gamora?"
Gamora shook her head. "Trust Peter, Rocket. Not everything requires your commentary."
Rocket waved Gamora off dismissively until his nose suddenly caught an unusual scent. He turned toward Vision, who'd remained silent throughout the exchange.
"Who's this guy?" Rocket asked with obvious curiosity.
"He doesn't look like your typical meatbag," the droid, HK, observed.
Fenn finally recovered from Mantis's display. "Relax, HK. This is our new friend."
"Friend?" Suji asked skeptically. "What kind of friend?"
"Well, if you're wondering, he's supposedly some kind of hero," Tobbi explained, casually resting an elbow on Vision's shoulder. "Didn't you notice the dramatic cape?"
Suspicious looks circled the table, which was understandable given the circumstances.
The Avenger stepped forward politely. "I'm Vision. Pleased to meet you."
"Vision?" several Guardians repeated simultaneously.
The muscular gray-skinned alien spoke first. "I am Drax. My companions are Gamora, Suji, Rocket, Groot, HK-47, and Mantis, who has claimed her future mate."
Fenn immediately turned to his Mandalorian companions desperately. "A little help here? It's not that I don't like her, but..."
Dax and Tobbi laughed. "Think Spar would approve?"
"Maybe we should introduce her to everyone along with all these colorful characters."
"You're not helping!" Fenn protested anxiously.
"I don't know, Fenn," Boba said with an obvious smile. "She's already decided you're her guardian."
"Oh, come on," Fenn grumbled. "I haven't even taken her on a proper date yet."
"You mean you don't want to?" Mantis's voice dropped, her antennae drooping slightly.
The green-armored Mandalorian grew noticeably nervous, especially when he registered the reactions from Mantis's companions. He genuinely couldn't tell if they were joking lightheartedly or legitimately offended. Especially Drax, who was now cracking his knuckles ominously.
"No, no, no, of course not!" Fenn explained quickly. "I really like you, Mantis. I just don't want to do anything that might hurt you. I care about you too much for that."
His explanation brightened Mantis's mood immediately. She cheered and kissed Fenn again, leaving him caught in another wave of bewildered happiness.
"Oh my god, can you two stop swapping spit constantly?" Rocket muttered, looking away.
"Statement: Organics display highly unusual courtship behaviors, particularly regarding their most primitive reproductive instincts," HK-47 commented clinically.
"Can Mantis even have Fenn's children?" Suji asked with genuine curiosity.
Everyone fell silent, utterly stumped by the question.
During this heated discussion, one person remained notably quiet. Gamora's gaze stayed fixed on the distinctive figure before her, particularly drawn to something specific.
Though she wanted to participate in the conversation, her attention was pulled elsewhere. Specifically, to the object embedded in his forehead. Something strangely, impossibly familiar.
"Pleased to meet all of you," Vision said, breaking the brief silence and drawing everyone's attention.
"If you're friends with these guys, sit down," Rocket said casually, pouring himself a drink. "You can chat with us while we wait for Quill and Kraglin."
Gamora looked directly at Vision. "Where are you from?"
Vision replied with a hint of confusion in his tone. "I'm from a planet called Earth."
"Earth?" Suji repeated, bewildered. "You mean like dirt?"
Seeing the misunderstanding, Gamora politely interrupted. "Could you repeat that? I may have misheard."
"I am indeed from Earth," Vision confirmed. "Is there a problem?" He tilted his head slightly, genuinely puzzled.
The other Guardians turned their full attention to the group now, clearly intensely interested in this Avenger claiming to be from Earth.