Nebula and Gamora's eyes turned red with emotion. They would never have a father like Yondu.
Thanos was completely unworthy of the title "father." To him, Gamora and Nebula were nothing more than pawns in his grand scheme to bring destruction to the universe.
The only reason he had bothered to train them was to make them useful tools in his search for the Infinity Stones.
But now, his ambitions had been laid bare before them. Gamora and Nebula would never help Thanos find another stone again.
Even if they did come across one, they would rather hand it over to Alan—for him to safeguard or even use as he saw fit.
Gamora knew Alan was nothing like Thanos. He genuinely wanted to protect the galaxy. Otherwise, why would he have formed the Guardians in the first place?
"Alright, enough of the emotional father-son moment. How about we all grab a drink?" Rocket Raccoon held a cup in one hand and a bottle of liquor in the other.
As touching as the scene had been, it had almost made Rocket tear up.
But then, he noticed the emotions flickering in Gamora and Nebula's eyes. They were clearly affected.
Not wanting them to overthink things, Rocket took it upon himself to break the sentimental mood between Yondu and Quill.
"What's your plan now?" Alan understood Rocket's intention and changed the subject.
If Yondu wanted to stay, he was welcome to.
"I..." Yondu hesitated. He had been thinking about forming a new Ravager crew. His former crew had been completely wiped out.
Without allies, surviving in the galaxy would be next to impossible.
"Emperor, there's a ship hailing us. They're requesting an audience and asking for us to show some respect," Red Queen reported as she stepped out of the cockpit.
"They're Ravagers."
Her gaze slowly shifted toward Yondu—it was the very group he had originally been a part of.
Alan raised an eyebrow. "Looks like they move faster than I do. Maybe some old friends of yours, Yondu?"
Yondu chuckled at Alan's teasing. The destruction of Ego's planet had undoubtedly spread across the galaxy by now.
This was an opportunity to clear his name.
But…
Yondu ultimately felt there was no need. What was done was done. Explaining things after the fact seemed meaningless.
"Yondu, I think you should tell them the truth. And this time, you don't have to worry about Ego retaliating against your old crew," Quill said, locking eyes with Yondu.
He didn't mind accompanying Yondu to help him clear things up.
"Should I accept the request, Emperor?" Red Queen asked Alan once more. If he didn't want to, they wouldn't open the hatch or establish contact.
"Of course. Some things need to be explained. Yondu, taking the blame for something you didn't do isn't exactly an honorable act."
In fact, Alan thought it was incredibly foolish. He had the chance to clear his name—why waste it?
Perhaps encouraged by Alan's words, Yondu suddenly felt enlightened.
"Emperor, knowing that Quill has found a place with you all—I can die in peace," Yondu said with a relieved smile.
Quill had always been his greatest concern. He had done everything in his power to keep him away from Ego, even if it meant kidnapping him and making him hate him.
Now that Ego was dead, Yondu could finally put that worry to rest.
Red Queen piloted the ship, establishing a docking connection with the Ravager vessel.
As the hatch slowly opened, Alan stood at the center, leading the way.
On the opposite side, the Ravagers saluted him with the highest respect in intergalactic tradition.
...