Nebula slightly raised her hand, scanning Gamora and her teammates beside her with a sneer: "How ridiculous, these are the 'allies' you found after escaping Father? A thief, a mechanical lunatic, a tree that says 'I am Groot', and a simple-minded revenge fanatic? You've really fallen this far, sister."
Gamora's expression was stern, but her eyes held a hint of forbearance: "My choice is at least free, not just surviving under Thanos's shadow."
Nebula snorted coldly, her gaze icy: "Free? How long do you think these people can protect you? In this Universe, no one can escape Father's control. Now, hand yourself over, and I can at least let you die with dignity."
"Shut up, blue freak!" Rocket suddenly spoke up, pointing a massive weapon at Nebula, "Who do you think you are? Here, we are the famous Guardians of the Galaxy, if you haven't heard of us, go look it up quickly!"
Nebula looked at Rocket with a sneer: "Oh? Famous? And what are you? The kind of scum Thanos doesn't even bother to remember the name of on his list?"
"Hey!" Rocket immediately jumped up, his weapon almost aimed at her face, "Say that again, just try it, see if I don't blow you away with one shot!"
"Go on, try it." Nebula provocatively lifted her chin, then turned to her soldiers and ordered icily, "Kill them, and bring my sister back."
The soldiers instantly raised their weapons, and the Guardians of the Galaxy party also immediately entered combat mode, the atmosphere so tense it felt like conflict would erupt any second.
Just then, a deep voice echoed in the courtyard: "Enough."
Ego slowly walked from the direction of the palace, his figure enveloped in sunlight, like a tall statue. His expression was calm and majestic, but his eyes held a hint of irresistible power. He stood in the center of the courtyard, raised a hand, and signaled everyone to stop.
"On my territory, arguments are not welcome, and unnecessary bloodshed is even less welcome." Ego's tone was low and firm, his gaze slowly sweeping over Nebula and her soldiers, "Please put away your weapons."
Nebula frowned slightly: "Who are you?"
"I am the Master of this place, and Peter's Father." Ego turned around, his gaze falling on Quill, his tone a bit gentler, "Child, are you alright?"
Quill was still processing everything, and only spoke after a moment of stunned silence: "Father? You mean... you are my Father?"
"Yes, Peter." Ego nodded, his tone carrying a reassuring power, "I came to find you, to tell you the truth, and to protect you."
Gamora was startled, and subconsciously tightened her grip on her weapon: "Protect him? Who exactly are you?"
"I am his family." Ego replied with a smile, then turned his gaze to Gamora and Nebula, "And you two—why is there always so much hatred between sisters? You clearly have each other, why destroy this connection with hostility?"
Nebula snorted coldly: "Coming from your mouth, those words are too hypocritical. What do you know anyway?"
"I know the pain of losing family." Ego's gaze was deep, his voice low, "I have seen the destruction of countless Planets, witnessed the passing of countless lives. But what I truly regret, is losing the people who were by my side."
Gamora said coldly: "Do you think a few emotional words can change all this? She came here to bring me back to Thanos, nothing could be clearer than that."
"The most important thing between family is understanding and tolerance, not hatred." Ego said slowly, his voice containing an undeniable power, "Perhaps what you need is not conflict, but a true conversation."
Rocket rolled his eyes on the side, muttering to himself: "Listen to this guy talk, like he's never made a mistake in his life. If 'family' was so useful, I wouldn't have to drag these wastes around everywhere."
Dominic still stood in a corner of the courtyard, his gaze subtly sweeping over Ego. He slightly narrowed his eyes, his penetrating vision passing through Ego's body, discovering that this seemingly powerful physical form was just a carefully crafted shell.
His gaze continued to extend into the depths of the palace, finally locking onto a massive energy source. A faint smile played on his lips as he murmured to himself: "So that's it, 'Father' dear, this is your true face. Quite 'beautiful'."
Nebula stood aside, and although she couldn't fully see through this person, the chilling aura was enough to suppress her fighting spirit. She waved her hand coldly, signaling her soldiers to temporarily retreat, then slightly raised her chin: "This is only temporary. I will take the person I'm supposed to take."
"As you wish," Ego's tone was calm, as if he didn't take her threat to heart at all, and he turned to lead everyone into the palace, "But since you're here, why not come in and sit down, taste my hospitality. All who come are guests, I won't treat anyone unfairly."
The interior of the palace was resplendent and magnificent, every detail exuding luxury and nobility. The large long table was filled with a variety of delicacies: lava cakes giving off a golden-red glow and a sweet, rich aroma; plates of crystal-clear blue fruits seemed to still be gently trembling; and an entire giant fish fillet, emitting an oceanic scent, its skin covered with tiny sparkling points like starlight.
"Wow," Quill exaggeratedly widened his eyes, and immediately reached out to grab a piece of lava cake, "I like this kind of hospitality!"
Drax unceremoniously tore off a large piece of fish with both hands and stuffed it directly into his mouth, chewing and saying indistinctly: "This meat is really chewy, like it's alive."
Groot stood by the table, carefully picked up a blue fruit, smelled it, and then took a bite with satisfaction: "I am Groot."
Although Gamora's expression was indifferent, she couldn't help but pick up a delicate piece of fish and take a bite. Her eyebrow twitched slightly, clearly amazed by the taste, but she still maintained restraint.
Only Rocket sat on a chair, arms crossed, his brow furrowed. He looked around vigilantly, and whispered to Dominic: "Hey, don't you think these things are a bit... too good? Like the kind of 'good' that turns you into experimental material after you eat it."
Dominic still sat on the side, holding a glass of transparent liquid, but not drinking it. He calmly glanced at the food on the table and replied in a low voice: "They are not food, but a form of energy. For ordinary people, they might be harmless, or they might cause some unexpected side effects."
Upon hearing this, Rocket immediately shot up, cursing in a low voice: "Damn side effects! These guys are actually eating so happily!"
"Let them be," Dominic chuckled lightly, putting down the cup in his hand, "But if you're smart, you'll prepare in advance."
Rocket's eyes darted around, and he quickly pulled out a small device to secretly scan the food on the table. The data feedback made him gasp: "As expected, there's something wrong, these things will gradually infiltrate the body and change the metabolic balance. We need to get some antidote, just in case."
"You have a backup plan?" Dominic asked, slightly curious.
Rocket showed a cunning smile, and pulled out a few bottles of strangely colored potions: "I'm used to it. Every time I eat other people's stuff, I bring emergency antidotes. It's just that this time the quantity might not be enough." He squinted at the delicacies on the table, smacked his lips, "Or maybe I'll take a few more back to study and see if I can extract any interesting ingredients."
Ego walked to the table, raised a glass of golden liquid, and smiled at everyone: "Come, let's toast to our reunion."
Quill immediately followed by raising his glass: "Cheers to the reunion!"
Gamora glared at Quill, but still reluctantly raised her glass. Drax, on the other hand, gulped down an entire glass, as if competing in a drinking contest.
Rocket rolled his eyes and pushed the glass in front of him far away: "Sorry, I don't drink unknown liquids."
Ego's gaze turned to Dominic, and he smiled slightly: "What about you? Why just watch and not participate?"
Dominic gently swirled the cup in his hand, his tone indifferent: "Observing is much more interesting than participating. Especially in an environment I don't fully trust yet."
Ego's smile deepened a few shades, and he raised his glass to Dominic: "Prudence is a virtue. But sometimes, trust is also a bridge to the truth."
Ego stood up, gently placed the glass back on the table, and said gently: "Excuse me, everyone. I need to discuss some private matters with Quill. Please continue to enjoy yourselves."
After speaking, he turned to Mantis, and nodded slightly: "Take care of them."
Mantis was as obedient as ever, nodding in response: "Okay, Lord Ego." Then she smiled at the people by the table, seemingly trying to ease the awkwardness in the air with her enthusiasm.
Quill frowned, looking at Ego who was walking towards the door. He hesitated for a second, and finally followed him. Rocket muttered softly: "Hope he doesn't sell himself out."
Gamora's gaze followed Quill's departing back, and she said in a low voice: "If he has the guts."
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