So this requires explanation. To begin with, this story is going to be multi-chaptered, and more than likely AU. While I am aware of James Gunn's statement that Peter's father is not who he is in the comics, and that the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Guardians of the Galaxy will be straying from that plotline, I'm just…going to ignore that. So consider this AU, I guess?

Also, while I will be drawing a lot from the comics, I will also be writing in MCU verse, so most of the characters will be open to re-interpretation. Keep in mind this is only my humble fanfiction, so it's a far cry from the work of all the amazing writers (and researchers) they have at Marvel!

And lastly, this is technically a continuation of my other Peter/Gamora fics, so while it won't draw too much from those and will include the entire team (and a bunch of other people), I will be including the Peter/Gamora relationship I wrote about there, so you may want to read those first.

Once again, I do not own Guardians of the Galaxy and am writing simply for fun!

Enjoy!

EDIT-So apparently the color of the Infinity Stones and their corresponding names also differ between the comics and MCU. (C'mon, Marvel, that's just confusing). So that would make the Aether the Reality Stone and the orb the Power Stone? At least that's what I've found online- correct me if I'm wrong, my knowledge of the Marvel universe is depressingly weak (I have a feeling this won't be the first edit I have to make). Anyways, thanks to a guest for pointing that out!

"We'll always have that in common, Peter Quill. Our fathers will always be up to something."

-Gamora, from Guardians of the Galaxy: Tomorrow's Avengers (2013)

Prologue

The galaxy, as its many inhabitants knew far too well, did not exist in fairness. Be they good or evil, the weak lived in constant fear of the strong, and those who dared to rise against this order of being were dealt with in turn. It was a constant cycle, a never-ending battle as the galaxy's inhabitants, no matter what the realm, struggled for power and recognition amidst their own simple lives. But no one being held the galaxy in his grasp-the power that would take was incomprehensible, impossible.

As were the Infinity Stones, incomprehensible and impossible.

Yet they existed, each beautiful, intoxicatingly powerful stone, six brilliant colors of implausible strength. They were the most treasured items to exist in the galaxy, the most powerful of weapons, for in them lay the power to dominate entire civilizations, to exterminate thousands with the blink of an eye.

The power to rule the universe itself.

So, as one could imagine, it would prove rather distressing if the possessor of one of these marvels happened to misplace it.

Exceptionally distressing.

Especially when said item had been entrusted to the possessor by a race as powerful as the Asgardians.

So yes, the Collector, as he preferred to be called, was in a considerable amount of distress as he surveyed his storage room, small hologram held lightly in his hands. His collection was all but in shambles, the blast of that marvelous, powerful purple stone having wrecked havoc throughout the building. Most of his living specimens had fled, as was expected, but not as agitating as it could have been-the bulk of his worth lay in the stationary objects, his priceless and powerful treasures, which, while slightly blackened, remained mostly unharmed.

But all this paled in comparison to the absence of the Asgardian container that had resided in his most secured safe. In all truth, it was not even supposed to have been here-it should have been kept safe among his most valuable possessions, hidden in his private collection, far from the criminal-ridden streets of Knowhere. But delay after delay had risen up and he had forestalled, choosing instead to wait for Thanos' daughter to bring him the rumored Space Gem; a grievous mistake on his part. The mad titan's daughter had turned out as soft as all the other self-proclaimed do-gooders rising up in the galaxy.

But while these self-proclaimed do-gooders could prove endlessly aggravating, they also had their uses. One he was in dire need of now.

For whom better to find his stolen Infinity Gem than the very people who had already successfully secured another?

"Jorin," he called. The young boy, a street dweller the Collector had been forced to hire after Carina's demise, trotted up to him warily.

"Um, sir?"

"Give the Nova Corps of Xandar a call," he said, twirling the hologram of the swirling red Aether absently. "Tell them I wish to speak with their 'Guardians of the Galaxy'."

Unbeknownst to the Collector, his request had been heard by more than his newly hired servant. Slinking quietly away from a blown-out entrance, the lone hooded figure turned away, striding quickly down the crowded streets of Knowhere.

Ducking into an abandoned building, the figure glanced around, shutting the door firmly behind. A gloved hand reached to pull at the hem of the figure's hood, revealing the young, feminine face of a dark- skinned humanoid, her curly brown locks cascading down her shoulders. Reaching into her cloak, the woman pulled a silver communicator from her white bodysuit.

With a tiny click the communicator flickered to life, the blue light of the tiny, holographic figure illuminating the building and reflecting off the woman's dark eyes.

"Captain?" The uniformed man in the hologram asked, his tone imposing.

"My king," the woman replied, her voice respectful. "I have done as you commanded. You were correct-the Collector has indeed lost one of his Infinity Gems."

"Well done, Captain. This is a most interesting turn of events," the man said, stroking his bearded chin. "This may work in our favor."

"That is not all, my king," the woman added. "The Collector is sending his own people to find the Gem-he calls them the 'Guardians of the Galaxy'."

"Ah, yes. I believe I have heard of them," the man said, his tone thoughtful. "I heard they were responsible for the defeat of Ronan, as well as the containment of the Power Stone. Interesting circumstances indeed."

The woman waited in silence, watching the man.

"If the Reality Stone has indeed been stolen, it is imperative that we find it as quickly as possible," the man said firmly. "If the Collector believes that these 'Guardians' are his best chance of retrieving it, then it is likely that they are our best hope."

"My king?"

"I want you to follow them," the man said. "Take what men you need but take care to avoid detection. Let them lead you to the Reality Stone, then seize it when the time is right."

"As you command, my king," the woman said, bowing her head.

"And take heed, Captain," the man said gravely, meeting her eyes. "The Reality Stone must be found quickly. If Thanos discovers it…" he shook his head. "The consequences will be too drastic to imagine."

"Yes, my king." The woman said confidently. "I will not fail you."

"I expect nothing less from you, Captain," the man replied. And with that the woman switched off the communicator, the man flickering from existence as the abandoned building was cast back into darkness. Pulling her hood back up, the woman swept out into the streets, disappearing into the crowds of people.