[center][h2]THOR AND STAR-LORD[/h2]
[b]IN[/b]
[h2]GIMME SHELTER[/h2][/center]
[hr]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/KKF6Bja.jpg?2[/img][/center]

The severed head of the ancient Celestial floated in the void of space like a specter through the halls of Hel. The lights of the city that countless lost creatures built inside of the skull flickered like neurons firing in its brain. Even its eyes glowed like there was life inside the being.

In reality there was, of course. Millions of beings lived inside Knowhere. It was the refuge of many, a trading post, and even a scientific outpost. It was a place people could come to disappear or make a new life for themselves. Even Thor had heard of it during his travels. It was famous or infamous depending on your point of view. For the God of Thunder, it was the first data point in a quest to find a weapon that could kill a butcher.

[color=9e0b0f]"Welcome to Knowhere,"[/color] Quill smiled as he pulled the Milano in towards the space port. [color=9e0b0f]"It's a real shit hole, but at least it's a fun one."[/color]

[color=7ea7d8][b]"Aye,"[/b][/color] Thor smiled as they passed into the head of the Celestial. Beneath him a sprawling metropolis spread out before him. But not just below, above and around as well. He had never seen such a breathtakingly inventive construction from the mortals. He could see even from this altitude that there was a mix of different architecture from building to building. Just from here he could see modern Kree towers, squat Thanagarian pagodas, and gleaming Shi'ar spiral buildings. It was a testament to the mortals' ingenuity. [color=7ea7d8][b]"This is somewhere one can move about unseen."[/b][/color]

[color=9e0b0f]"Disappear?"[/color] Quill's eyebrows rose. [color=9e0b0f]"You looking to stay out of sight?"[/color] 

Thor cursed his loose tongue under his breath. He didn't want Peter to find out that he may be hunted. Quill was one that would possibly turn him in if a bounty was placed on the God's head. 

[color=7ea7d8][b]"It is possible,"[/b][/color] Thor conceded. [color=7ea7d8][b]"Whoever killed my people will almost certainly have designs on my death as well. I hope not to cross paths with them until I am prepared."[/b][/color]

Peter shrugged, [color=9e0b0f]"Just put your hood up. You'll be fine."[/color]

He landed the Milano and added, [color=9e0b0f]"And if the price on your head is big enough, I sure hope you have a shit load of treasure."[/color]

A chuckle escaped Thor's lips. He was almost impressed by the honesty from the pirate. At least Quill was forthcoming. Most mortals wouldn't even joke about something like that. Then again, Quill had no idea what Thor truly was. Maybe if he did, he would not think twice about betraying Thor. The gods were not always loved, and Peter was clearly not someone who had devotion. Few mortals truly did any more.

[color=7ea7d8][b]"You will not go empty handed,"[/b][/color] Thor assured him.

The spacefarers left their vessel, and once on the deck of Knowhere's space port the smells of a thousand different cuisines from around the galaxy filled the God of Thunder's nostrils. They passed through the entry point and into a street bazaar that went as far as the eye could see. Stands lined the walkway, manned by all manner of creatures. A pink lizard-like being with six arms peddled some sort of teal porridge to a blue Kree with his arm around an orange Tamaranean he was clearly trying to impress. But as Thor walked by, she looked the God up and down and threw him a wink.

[color=9e0b0f]"Maybe you should put your hood up, big guy,"[/color] Peter cautioned. [color=9e0b0f]"You tend to draw attention. Not that putting the hood up will make you any smaller or anything...but it can't hurt. Plus maybe it'd give some of the other males on the station a chance."[/color]

[color=7ea7d8][b]"Aye,"[/b][/color] Thor chuckled. [color=7ea7d8][b]"Tis hard to top a god in the eyes of mortal women."[/b][/color]

[color=9e0b0f]"Okay, well, no need to brag,"[/color] Quill rolled his eyes. [color=9e0b0f]"Come on, there's a bar I like around the corner. I could use a drink."[/color]

[color=7ea7d8][b]"Tis the best idea thou has had yet,"[/b][/color] Thor clasped Quill on the shoulder heartily, nearly knocking the man clear to the ground.

[center][b]**********[/b][/center]

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/MucwHso.png?1[/img][/center]
[b]Chitauri Warship Annakul
Unknown Space[/b]

The Chitauri warrior chattered away in clicks and hisses to the being sitting in the command chair. He listened to the report intently, the anger rising in his throat all the while.

[color=ed1c24][b]"You're sure?"[/b][/color] he asked with a calm betraying the fury rising in his heart. [color=ed1c24][b]"Absolutely positive?"[/b][/color]

After a few more clicks from the Chitauri, the image of the Asgardian prince appeared on the screen. The image was taken moments ago on Knowehere according to the data. 

The being in the command chair slammed its massive fist down in a fit of rage, [color=ed1c24][b]"The Odinson still lives! And if he survives so do others of his kind. Dispatch a legion to Knowhere. Kill the bastard. And put a price on the head of any Asgardian in the universe so high that every two bit bounty hunter will track them down. I want them dead!"[/b][/color]

The commander slumped back into its chair and seethed.

[center]**********[/center]

[color=7ea7d8][b]"Barkeep!"[/b][/color] Thor yelled boisterously. [color=7ea7d8][b]"Another round of Thanagarian mead! By the Old Gods, tis delicious!"[/b][/color]

The bar went up in a rousing cheer along with the God of Thunder. Quill couldn't tell how many rounds his new passenger had put back so far, but it was enough to kill a normal person. Whoever this Thor was, he was the very opposite of normal.

The band on the dirty stage at the back of the bar began to play some sort of ungodly tune from A'askavaria. Quill elbowed Thor, [color=9e0b0f]"I love this place! It reminds me of the bar from Star Wars. You ever seen Star Wars?"[/color]

Thor slapped him on the shoulder, almost sending Peter's face crashing through the table they occupied, [color=7ea7d8][b]"I have seen many wars in the stars, Peter Quill!"[/b][/color]

[color=9e0b0f]"No, man, it's a movie...never mind,"[/color] Peter shook his head.

[color=7ea7d8][b]"I once fought a great space serpent that was devouring mortals across an arm of the milky way!"[/b][/color] Thor began recounting the tale. [color=7ea7d8][b]"The beast was bigger than a moon and stronger than a black hole's pull! Its skin was so think even the mightiest strike with Mjolnir produced nary a scratch! In order to bring the beast down I had to choke it with a vine take from Yggdrasil itself! When I finally brought the foul creature down, the locals of the planet where it fell and I feasted on its flesh! The planet did not want for food for centuries after!"[/b][/color]

Quill had absolutely no idea what half of that meant, but he laughed along with his traveling partner. If nothing else, he was a good time.

[color=7ea7d8][b]"Now I must find an observatory on this space station that I might discern where the nearest cache of my people is,"[/b][/color] he laughed and placed a few odd coins Quill had never seen before on the table. [color=7ea7d8][b]"I will meet thou here after the task has been complete!"[/b][/color]

[color=9e0b0f]"Yea, sure,"[/color] Quill cursed under his breath, realizing that he'd have to pay for all these drinks. [color=9e0b0f]"Have fun."[/color]

Peter sat back and twirled his own drink in his hand. At least until it was knocked out of his hand by someone approaching from the side. He whirled around to sock whoever did it in the face, only to be met by the smirking face of Yondu Udonta. The yellow, snaggle-toothed grin stood out starkly against the older man's blue skin and red, cybernetic fin on his head. Quill shook his head and lowered his fist. Yondu was an ass, but he was still his boss.

[color=0076a3]"So your new blond friend is a hoot!"[/color] Yondu laughed. [color=0076a3]"You gonna sell him to a pleasure yacht or something? Cuz last I heard you were gettin' me your share with a quick salvage job."[/color]

[color=9e0b0f]"Yea, Yondu, I know,"[/color] Peter shook his head. [color=9e0b0f]"There was a complication."[/color]

[color=0076a3]"How come there's [i]always[/i] a complication with you, boy?"[/color] the Ravager leader asked and took a sip of his drink.

Grumbling, Peter responded, [color=9e0b0f]"I mean sure, sometimes. A lot of the time. But this guy says he's loaded, and all we gotta do is find it. He promises there's enough for me [i]and[/i] you. Don't throw away good money, Yondu."[/color]

The blue alien waved a finger in Peter's face, [color=0076a3]"There better be enough. Cuz if there ain't, you're done, boy. This is your last chance."[/color]