I’m Star-Lord (SW Xover)

C119 Reinforcements

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In Professor Xavier's office, Carol lay asleep in her hospital bed hours after her surgery. Beside her bed, Peter sat meditating in a leather-cushioned chair. Everyone else had gone to get some sleep, but Peter, being the youngest of the group, stayed to watch over Carol. After all, old folks like Charles and Peggy need their rest.

Doctor Strange was still in the mansion, needing to stay close to ensure Carol was alright when she woke up. Yet he refused to wait at her bedside and had gone right to his guest room to get some sleep.

So, Peter was left to watch over Carol. But he didn't mind; he had so many questions for her anyway. Being the first one to see her awake would be perfect. He could get his answers without anyone chiming in and derailing the conversation. 

Of course, that all depended on whether or not she awoke while everyone else was asleep.

As he meditated, Peter couldn't help but think back to the Kree Empire. In the movie, the Kree had attacked Earth shortly after Carol returned. But, they had sent Ronan the Accuser, whom Peter and Windu had already killed years ago…

This made Peter wonder who they would send this time or whether they would send anyone at all. After all, this universe was different, and so was the Kree Empire after their rebellion. The only question was whether or not the Kree had changed for the better or the worse.

Peter frowned in thought, 'If I can get Magneto to help against Hydra, then maybe I can convince him to assist against the Kree as well. But that all depends on how our meeting goes...'

As he contemplated his options, Carol suddenly began to stir from her sleep, breaking Peter from his meditation.

Carol awoke, a groan escaping her lips, her head dull with pain. She opened her eyes, looking around in confusion. An unfamiliar young man sat cross-legged beside her bed, his eyes closed in meditation.

Opening his eyes, Peter smiled. "Good morning, sunshine." Seeing her slightly pained and confused look, he asked, "How are you feeling? Any pain?"

She nodded slowly, reaching to the back of her head and feeling the bandages wrapped around it. Her worry increased as she looked at Peter. "What happened to me? Where am I? Is this a hospital? Who are you?" She paused for a moment as her eyes widened in panic. "W-Who am I?"

Peter raised an eyebrow and introduced himself. "I'm Peter. What's the last thing you remember?"

Carol went silent for a moment before groaning and holding her head as the pain slowly built. What started as a groan and a headache quickly escalated. "Aaahhhg!" Carol screamed, cradling her head and thrashing in the bed, her mind feeling as though it was cracking as a single memory flooded back. 

-Flashback-

Carol's mind was flooded with an excruciatingly vivid memory. The pain in her head seemed to intensify as she was transported back to a dark, foreboding chamber. The room was lit only by the flickering glow of torches along the walls, casting eerie shadows. 

In the center of the chamber stood a figure cloaked in dark robes, his face partially hidden by the hood, yet his malevolent presence was unmistakable.

Darth Sidious, her master…

Carol, clad in a form-fitting black uniform, knelt before the Sith, her head bowed in absolute submission. The chip in her head pulsed, reinforcing her unwavering loyalty. But even through the haze of mind control, a part of her seemed to recognize the horror of her situation…

"Rise," Sidious commanded, his voice a sinister hiss that echoed through the chamber.

Carol obeyed immediately, her movements robotic, driven by the chip's programming. She stood before him, her eyes filled with a twisted combination of fear and devotion.

"Your training continues," Sidious declared, a wicked smile playing on his lips. "Today, we will test your endurance and loyalty."

Without warning, Sidious extended his hand, and a surge of Force lightning shot forth, striking Carol directly. The pain was instant and overwhelming, her body convulsing as the electricity coursed through her veins. 

"Aaahhhg!" Her screams filled the chamber, but Sidious only cackled in amusement.

"Do you feel that, my apprentice?" he taunted, his voice dripping with sadistic pleasure. "The pain is your strength. Embrace it."

Despite the agony, Carol's loyalty remained unwavering. "Y-Yes, master," she managed to gasp out between screams, her voice strained and trembling.

Sidious intensified the lightning, relishing in her suffering. "Good. Your pain will make you powerful, but only if you can endure."

The pain was indescribable, every nerve in her body on fire. Her muscles spasmed uncontrollably, and she fell to her knees, her screams growing louder and more desperate. Tears streamed down her face, mingling with the sweat that poured from her brow.

"Master," she cried out, her voice breaking. "I will endure… I will serve..."

Sidious withdrew the lightning for a moment, allowing her a brief respite. Carol panted heavily, her body trembling violently. She dared not move or speak beyond what was commanded, the chip in her head ensuring her absolute obedience.

"You are weak," Sidious spat, his tone mocking. "But you will become strong through your suffering. Again!"

The lightning returned, even more intense than before. Carol's screams echoed through the chamber, her body convulsing with uncontrollable spasms. The pain was so intense it felt like her very soul was being torn apart. Yet, despite the agony, the chip's influence kept her mind focused on one thought: serve Sidious, obey her master.

Time lost meaning as the torture continued. Seconds felt like hours, each moment an eternity of pain. Sidious walked around her, his eyes gleaming with dark delight as he watched her suffer. He occasionally paused to speak, his words seeping into her mind like poison.

"You are nothing without me," he hissed. "Your pain is your path to power. Your loyalty is your path to true belonging. Do you understand?"

"Y-Yes, master," Carol choked out, her voice raw and ragged. "I-I understand."

Sidious's laughter was cold and devoid of mercy. "Good. Very good. Now, rise and face me."

Carol struggled to her feet as she was told, only for another barrage of lightning to strike, sending her back down to the floor, shrieking in agony. 

-FlashbackEnd-

"Argh!" Carol's screams echoed through Xavier's office as she writhed in the hospital bed, reliving one of her worst memories. 

Peter sprang from his chair and rushed to her side. He sat on the bed and pulled her into his arms, holding her still and rocking her gently. "It's okay. You're safe now. Shhh… everything going to be alright." he murmured, trying to calm her down.

But as he held her, something strange happened. Peter's eyes glazed over before brightening with the Force, and suddenly he could see what Carol was seeing. His eyes widened in horror as he witnessed Sidious torturing Carol in the name of training, his laughter echoing throughout the chamber. 

"Ugh!" Peter felt the searing pain alongside her, each bolt of lightning a new wave of agony.

Peter stared at Sidious through the pain, frozen as everything started to make sense. The reason for the Kree Empire's rebellion, why Carol's story had changed ever so slightly, why the Kree had been acting so weird, even to the point where his masters were wary of them—it was all because of Sidious.

As the light in his eyes dimmed, returning to normal, Peter snapped out of his shock. He looked down to see Carol asleep in his arms, whimpering softly from the aftereffects of reliving that excruciating memory.

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, as even he felt the lingering pain, Peter used the light side of the Force to try and soothe her. He sent calming and happy emotions to her, hoping to ease her troubled mind. 

Slowly, he watched as her expression softened and her whimpering ceased, falling into a serene sleep. "Zzz…"

Peter gently laid her back down on the bed and sat there for a moment, his mind racing with the realization that Darth Sidious was most likely in control of the Kree Empire. 

He had originally wanted to avoid Sidious altogether, which was why he leaked some information about him all those years ago, hoping the Jedi would take care of him before he could rise to power. But that seemed to have only pushed Sidious towards the Kree Empire instead.

Worst of all, the Kree would most likely come looking for Carol. After all, she was a valuable asset to Sidious, and he wouldn't give her up easily.

Peter let out a frustrated curse, "F*ck…" He saw no other way but to clash with the Kree, even though he really wanted to avoid Sidious and let others handle it. But he couldn't avoid him any longer, especially if he came to Earth searching for his lost apprentice…

It was a terrifying possibility. Sidious coming here personally to retrieve his apprentice would undoubtedly be the worst-case scenario.

Realizing this very real threat, Peter couldn't help but wonder if he was strong enough to face Sidious. No, he didn't need to wonder—he knew he wasn't. He couldn't even beat Yoda in a fight; how was he supposed to fight one of the strongest Dark Lords of all time?

As Peter sat there, his mind a whirlwind, he was abruptly pulled from his thoughts by the sound of the door opening. "?"

Professor Xavier rolled in, still in his pajamas. He had been awoken by the feeling of Carol's agony, telepathically hearing her screams from across the mansion.

Xavier looked at Peter, noting the troubled expression on his face. "What happened?" he asked worriedly. 

Glancing over at the Professor, Peter stood up and walked over. "Good, you're here. I need you to watch over her for me," he said quickly, brushing past Xavier and leaving the room in a hurry.

Confused, Xavier rolled backward into the dark hallway, peeking out at Peter's retreating back. "Where are you going?" he called out.

Peter waved over his shoulder, replying, "To call for reinforcements."

Even more confused than before, Xavier watched as Peter turned the corner, disappearing from sight.

————

Peter left the mansion and stepped out into the dark backyard, the night sky stretching above him. He took a deep breath of the fresh air, feeling it clear his mind as he sat down on the grass. He needed to make a decision, and the serenity of the night helped him focus.

"You know what? F*ck it!" Peter threw all caution to the wind, his mind made up.  

With his decision made, he pulled out his datapad and initiated a video call, waiting anxiously for the other party to answer.

Seconds later, the call connected, and the familiar face of Grandmaster Yoda appeared, his small, green form seated in what appeared to be the council chamber. 

Yoda smiled warmly as he greeted Peter, "Ah, young Quill. Good to see you, it is. You—" Seeing the troubled look on Peter's face, Yoda paused, his expression turning serious. "Hmm, troubled, you seem. Guidance, you seek?

Peter stared at Yoda for a long moment before finally opening his mouth. "I think we may have a problem..."

A/N: 1927 words :) 

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