#feral gamora is the grinch i decree it

[lazlolullaby]

GOTG Holiday Special rewrite/subplot additions

(alt title: Damn, Yondu got a funeral and two follow ups and he was an a-hole of a dad, but Gamora was a core member, a love interest, and a mom and gets nothing??? Lemme fix that.)

Take this with a grain of salt, as with all fanworks, this is for me and i’m just sharing it with you. It’s also a messy rambling outline so. if you have more questions or ideas, message me or make your own post.

Stakar and Aleta Orgord, the Ravager Leaders, send a single helmeted person to hunt The Guardians down and give them a box. It should be easy, they just bought a new base.

It cuts to the Guardians on Knowhere, looking at at a message from the planet Zen-Whoberi. In-between Infinity War and Endgame, Rocket and Nebula were able to bury the Guardian!Gamora on Zen-Whoberi. Now that people were returned from the Blip, there were some arguments and Gamora’s remains now need to be moved. Peter is distraught, but he goes with Rocket and Groot to pick up the body.

Mantis, Drax and Nebula stay behind. Mantis, seeing how Peter is sad, checks a calendar. It’s almost Christmastime! She remembers in the time between Vol 2 to now that he does celebrate it. He usually does something small; a gift exchange, splurging on a good sit down meal. This year Mantis wants to go BIG.

Kraglin tries to talk her out of it, but Drax and Nebula back her up. Drax because now they have a Permanent Base in the form of Knowhere he’d like to make good memories. And Nebula also had been invited to the Stark’s Extended Family Christmas parties and wants a little more of that cheer.

In the background the helmeted person leaves the Box on Knowhere, it looks ominous but it’s soon lost and swept up in the Christmas planning. Nebula looks at it thoughtfully.

So now we have two running plots, one a somber grieving of Gamora and discussion of what she would have wanted. And one Christmastime with Aliens Mania. Decorating, discussing traditions, going to a gay bar and stealing Kevin Bacon.

Add in some details that Rocket remembering Lylla and his first family, that Groot also considered Guardian!Gamora his mother. Peter did go to the Stark funeral, but...emphasis on the implication that he’s been running for so long that he’s never slowed down to process that grief. Picking up her remains forces him to start thinking and that foreshadows in Vol 3 where he knows he can’t “fix” Feral!Gamora and he’s a bit of a mess.

It’s just a toss up if they steal Kevin Bacon before the others get back and Cosmo is the one to object to human trafficking. But Kevin calms down and celebrates with them.

Peter, Rocket and Groot come back to a highly decorated Knowhere with food and cheer and it’s just the thing to remind them of what they have now. Mantis tells him they are siblings and Peter is thrilled.

Groot opens the Ravager box for everyone - it’s fabric and leather with a new logo for the Guardians for them to make their own outfits. As a congratulations, a peace offering from the Ravagers.

Nebula gives Rocket the prosthetic arm. “How in the heck didja manage to get this?”

There’s a flashback with Bucky and Nebula. “I want the arm for my friend for Christmas. I don’t wish to harm you...much.” “Hey If I just give it it’s gonna look suspicious. So. Let’s make the fight look good.”

Nebula replies: “The Spirit of Christmas possessed me and gave me the strength not to kill him.”

After Kevin returns home, after the major gift giving and it winds down, they hold a second funeral for Gamora.

Her remains are burned like Yondu’s were and released outside of Knowhere to the song “Rubberband man”. The Ravager ships show up and throw some fireworks. Referencing her nearly dying in space with Peter in Vol 1 and the song she was singing in IW. In a way, she’s there with them at their new home, with her family.

Cut to credits.

end credits scene where Feral!Gamora was the helmeted person and was watching the funeral from afar. “This is a waste of time and resources. I’ve never even seen such foolish warriors. How did they even manage to save the galaxy?”

Nebula jumps in on the communication. “Twice. Even more if you look close enough.”

“I suppose I will have to take your word for it. It’s...good to talk to you again, sister. You were the one I hated least.” Gamora tips up her chin.

Nebula grunts and tips up her chin. “I understand if you don’t want to stay.”

“I suppose...it’s difficult. You’ve always been compared to me, and now - I feel as if I go back, I’ll be compared to myself.”

“Whoever you turn out to be. You will always be my sister.”

Gamora smiles and turns away.