And here we go! This is essentially my Avengers: Infinity War prediction fanfic. I'm sure I will get some stuff right (because I've seen the trailer) and I'm sure I will get a lot of stuff wrong. But it is going to be a blast to write and I hope you all enjoy reading it. A few things before we get started:

1. I don't own any of the characters, plot points (referenced) from previous movies, or quotes/scenes taken from the Infinity War trailer (which was so freaking epic). All that belongs to Marvel and Disney.

2. This fic WILL BE COMPLETED before Infinity Wars drops in May. Keeping that in mind, right now I'm aiming for weekly updates on Sundays.

3. Updates will slow down in preparation for Black Panther. I don't want to post anything set in Wakanda before that drops. I have that chapter outlined, but want to make sure my predictions of how Black Panther will connect to Infinity War is the same as what actually happens (so this fic isn't obsolete before it really begins). But there are 3-4 chapters that will go up before that. We need to check in with our scattered heroes, after all. So if you are reading the first couple chapters and wondering "where the heck is Black Panther?" he is coming I promise!

4. I consider myself a Marvel fan. I've watched all the MCU films and read the major Avengers comic events in the Marvel universe. That includes the Infinity Gauntlet comic. But by no means am I an expert. So this fic relies primarily on MCU lore, with potentially a bit of prediction thrown in based on events in the Marvel comic universe.

5. I can't help it. I'm going to include a song with each chapter. I love how the MCU really uses existing music (for lack of a better term) to express and represent their characters. You can assume all the Guardians songs come from Peter's Zune. Everything else is chosen to fit the characters and the tone of the chapter.

That's all. Drop a comment if you are able. I always enjoy feedback (constructive though, no flames). Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Song: American Idiot by Greenday

Peter grasped the rifle tightly in his hands and ducked under a burnt-out hovercar. Using the cover to catch his breath, he ejected the empty magazine and snapped a new one in place. The archaic gun was a far cry from his usual twin blasters, but he hadn't had a choice. It was this or his bare hands, and he wasn't an assassin like Gamora or super strong like Drax. So ancient Terran rifle it was. He started when Rocket slid to the ground beside him, a teenage Groot in tow. "Whaddya hiding back here for, Quill? We're getting slaughtered out there!"

"I am Groot". Groot tilted his head in the equivalent of sticking out his tongue before crossing his arms and pouting in the dirt. Great, just what Peter needed right now was teenage sass.

"Excuse me, y'all left me with the worst weapon. I had to reload". He cocked the rifle, making sure the bullet was in the barrel before balancing on the balls of his feet. "If you're done complainin', we can move".

"Waiting on you, Star-Munch" Rocket grumbled. "Where're we going?"

Peter peered over the left side of the hovercar and flinched violently when a bullet whizzed by his face. "Um, not that way".

Rocket sighed dramatically, "Why do I always have to make the plans?"

"Oh now that just unfair, you stupid raccoon..." But Rocket was already scampering away to the right, narrowly dodging a few bullets. Peter braced himself, then followed. He ducked and rolled to the next piece of cover, then lead Rocket and Groot back towards what was currently functioning as their base. Rocket and Groot made it to the barricade, climbing down and waiting on the other side as Peter heroically jumped on top of the pile of rubble and slid down to safety...

Until he landed on his rear on the wrong side of the barricade, Rocket's startled "Quill!" audible from the other side. He felt a bullet hit him in the chest, gasping as the impact hindered his breathing. It was all over now. "Save yourself, Rocket! Take care of Groot!"

He could hear the Guardian scampering away on the other side, dragging an ornery Groot with him. One of Peter's assailants leapt over the rubble with ease and ran to track them down. Peter struggled to get up until a boot landed on his chest, right where the bullet hit. Groaning, he looked up into the face of his killer. "Now that's just downright mean".

A grinning green face looked down at him. "You should not have let yourself get caught then".

"Let myself? Are you kidding? Not only didja pick all the good weapons before I got there, but you tagged me with this paralyzing goop and then stepped all over me. You shouldn't kick a man while he's down". Peter would never admit it, but he knew he was being a bit overdramatic. The paralytic was wearing off already, leaving nothing more than a brightly colored splat on the front of his shirt.

Gamora grinned and removed her boot, kneeling down to his level and helping him sit up. "You were the one who insisted this game was similar to the Terran custom of 'paint balls'. You suggested it".

Peter groaned because technically, that was true. However, "You're team has been cheatin'! I hit you fair and square ten minutes ago and you're still up and running 'round shootin' me!"

She frowned and looked at her side, where a bright purple stain was. "That would not have been a fatal hit, Peter".

"On any normal person it would have been! It's not my fault you're impervious to paralytic paint!"

Drax vaulted back over the wall of rubble with a paralyzed Rocket over one shoulder and dragging a protesting Groot with the other hand. "Is Quill complaining like a child again? He is" the big guy paused, trying to think of the right words, "crying tears to build a river?"

"Ain't nobody cryin' here" Peter mumbled, finally getting some feeling back in his toes, "Just pointin' out the injustices of 'Galaxy Shootout'". Never mind that was kinda the whole point of the game. A Xandarian creation to show the galaxy how it felt to be the ones with the primitive weapons instead of the conquerors. Of course, it really was just a glorified version of paintball.

A huge hand lifted him up by the back of his shirt, setting him on unfeeling feet. "Come, friend Quill. Let us drink to celebrate our victory and your pitiful defeat".

"We only lost because Star-Dork couldn't figure out his gun and Groot is apparently too cool to play" Rocket muttered, shoving himself off Drax as the paralytic wore off. "Where's your third member?"

"Kraglin? He decided that using the Yaka arrow would be the best strategy. He has been trying to get the paralyzing paint to stay on the arrow without burning out for the whole time. We can pick him up on our way out". From Gamora's expression, she was none to impressed with the first-mate.

Peter sighed and massaged the multicolored bruise on his chest. "Let's just...skip to the drinking, shall we?"

Drax slapped Peter on the back, propelling him forward into one of the burnt-out hovercars. "That is an acceptable plan. I noticed a fine drinking establishment on our way to this arena of pathetic combat".

"I know your definition of 'fine' Drax. We should look for somewhere that isn't going to serve us rat poison". Rocket, whose paralytic had yet to completely wear off, was riding on Groot's shoulder. "Last time we took your advice about a bar, we ended up with food poisoning".

Peter shuddered, remembering that night of misery. "Rocket's right. Let's go down to the Ciegrimite district. Those guys can drink".

The Guardians walked over to Gamora's bunker, where Kraglin was cursing creatively at the paint, the Yaka arrow burning it off as soon as it was administered. His rifle, which looked like it was made around the Terran Civil War, was abandoned off to the side. Gamora merely hauled the Xandarian up by the collar of his shirt dragged him towards the door.

On their way out, the group handed their weapons back to the Xandarian teenager working the Galaxy Shootout counter. Poor kid looked at Rocket's retrofitted rail gun and muttered, "What the heck am I supposed to tell my boss about this?" but didn't stop them. Ah, teenagers. Speaking of, "Groot, why don't you head back to the ship, see if there are any jobs we can pick up while we're here?"

"I am Groot". The Flora Colossus crossed his arms and shifted his head.

"Don't give me sass. Ciegrimite bars are no place for a kid. Believe me, I nearly died in one when I was thirteen". Peter crossed his arms, giving Groot an equally ornery glare. The tree looked at him from the corner of his eye and muttered, "I am Groot".

"I do not almost die on a daily basis! You try livin' with Ravagers and avoidin' near death experiences!"

"Peter". Gamora stopped the argument with a wave of her hand. She turned to Groot, "Mantis has been there all day. Why don't you go check on her for me?"

"I am Groot". The teenager was still pouting. Gamora tried again, "Groot, please go back to the ship. I am going to make sure these idiots do not kill themselves and will join you shortly. I will even bring you back some food if you want".

The tree huffed once, then strode off towards the dock. Peter gaped at Gamora as they walked towards the north end of the city, "How'd you do that?"

"You have to act like an adult to be treated like one, Peter".

Well. That was rude, but accurate. Conceding his defeat, Peter led the group down the dark streets of Xandar. The Guardians enjoyed the planet only when it was dark. In the daylight, they were far too recognizable as the Guardians of the Galaxy, something they used only when it suited them. Which wasn't when they were looking for a drink. Once through the door of a Ciegrimite nightclub, the group dispersed. Drax celebrated his victory with Rocket and Kraglin while Peter slouched at the bar with a heavy drink to take the edge off. It'd been almost four years since Yondu's spirit was released to sail among the stars. None of the other guardians seemed to notice if their captain was a bit more subdued than usual, although he would bet Kraglin and Rocket were mourning in their own way. Not everyone got drunk rather than deal with their feelings, after all.

Gamora nudged his shoulder as she sat next to him and ordered a lightly alcoholic drink, all while keeping a wary eye on the rest of their crew. Peter's lip twitched upwards in the ghost of a smile, then flicked open his datapad, searching the job channels for appropriate work.

"Find anything good?"

Shaking his head, he continued to scroll through the job listings. Too far. Too small payday. One that was actually too illegal. Nothing fitting for the Guardians of the Galaxy. He sighed and pushed his chair back in an effort to look relaxed. "Nothin' here. I hate to do this, but we might have to start looking on Ravager lists. I know Stakar gave us permission, but it still feels..."

"Wrong?" Gamora questioned, taking a small sip from her drink. Her gaze pierced Peter's carefully drawn facade.

"Not necessarily wrong. Just...Ravagers don't give anythin' away for free. The moment we show a sign of accepting Stakar's offer to be the 100th Ravager clan in anything other than name, we'll owe him somethin'. Ravagers have a call to arms, no matter what it is or what we are doing, we have to go. I don't like being tied down".

"Then don't take any of the jobs". Gamora was far too logical to understand Peter's dilemma. It felt like a betrayal of Yondu's memory not to be a Ravager, but it felt like a betrayal of himself to join back up. None of this would be a problem if there were just some krutarking work available for a highly qualified band of a-holes. Rocking his chair abruptly back to four legs, he put his head in his hands, "I think we're doing our job too well, Gamora. Pretty soon, we're gonna put ourselves out of work".

The assassin's snort of amusement was anything but delicate, but somehow cute nonetheless. She made to retort, only to be interrupted by a bright chirp. Peter groaned and dug around in his coat pocket until he felt the thin metal comlink. "Quill".

"Mr. Quill. This is Denarian Dey".

"Rhomann! How are things at the Nova Corps?"

"Just fine, Mr. Quill. I have a job for your crew if you are interested?"

Peter smirked, even though the Xandarian couldn't see him. "I don't know. We are pretty busy, you know, two time galaxy savers and all. Tell me more and we'll see".

"I think you'll be interested in this one. We have reports of an Outrider attack on a civilian vessel. The incident occurred on the edge of Via Lactea. We want you to go in ahead of Xandarian relief efforts and ensure the area is safe for our crews".

Peter's eyebrows raised clear up to his forehead, but he kept his voice steady and uninterested. No need to show Dey all his cards. "Pay?"

"15,000 units now, 15,000 after your sweep".

"Come on, Dey. That will barely pay fuel costs. 30,000 units now to cover our expenses, 40,000 units after the sweep".

"Quill". Excellent, the denarian was exasperated. And dropped the 'Mr.', which was always a good sign. "Don't be ridiculous".

"I beg your pardon. That rate is takin' our Xandarian discount into effect. Others would pay us much more for this job. We are two time galaxy savers, after all. Our expertise comes at a price and you know it. Stop screwin' around and just say yes, Dey".

The man sighed into the comlink, as if talking to Peter was exhausting. Which was crazy, Peter was delightful. "Fine. I'll send you the coordinates. Keep in touch, Quill. That's a stipulation of the job".

"Yes sir!" Peter mockingly exclaimed, checking their accounts to ensure the first payment had gone through. "I'll hail you when we arrive".

The Nova Corpsman just sighed and signed off without so much as a goodbye. Rude. Peter turned to Gamora. "Well, problem solved. We have a job. An interesting one at that".

"Interesting?" The assassin raised one eyebrow. "Do tell".

"I'll give the specifics on the Quadrant, but it's a sweep mission for Nova. Nothin' too different there".

"Except?"

"Except it's in Via Lactea. And the civilian ship was hijacked by Outriders".

That got her attention, as he knew it would. "Outriders? In Asgardian space?"

"Yup. Makes me think your adopted daddy is knockin' on a very particular door".

Gamora glared at him for the remark about her father, which yeah, wasn't the nicest thing he could have said, but then looked thoughtful. "Infinity Stones".

"Yup"

"And Via Lactea? You think Asgard has an infinity stone?"

Peter shrugged, "I don't know. But there have been whisperings about Asgardian Ragnarok beginning. Ravagers have been avoidin' the area hoping to stay out of that mess, but sooner or later one of the clans will go scavenging. And Thanos knows that. If he's leadin' his Outriders there, that probably means the whispers are true".

"Leaving whatever infinity stone they were protecting unguarded". Her hands clenched and unclenched. "Sounds like a job for the Guardians of the Galaxy, no?"

Peter let his signature smirk creep through his poker face. "Sounds like. Oh and Gamora? Might want to drop a line to your crazy sister. Let her know what's happenin'. Somethin' tells me we're gonna need all hands on deck for this one".