Chapter 3:

Earthbound Detour

The *Milano* descended through Earth's atmosphere, its sleek hull slicing through the clouds. Peter Quill gripped the controls, guiding the ship toward a remote forest. The coordinates led them to a secluded spot—a place where ancient trees whispered secrets and shadows danced. As the ship touched down, its landing gear sinking into the soft earth, Peter exchanged a glance with Drax. "This is it," he said. "Ash Williams's turf." They stepped out onto the forest floor, the air thick with anticipation. The *Milano*'s engines hummed, a low thrum that seemed to echo the pulse of the planet itself. Peter scanned the surroundings, eyes narrowing. "Keep your guard up," he warned. "We don't know what we're walking into." And then they saw it—a cabin nestled among the trees. Its wooden walls bore scars of battle: claw marks, burn streaks, and the unmistakable imprint of a chainsaw blade. Chainsaw-swinging garden gnomes guarded the perimeter, their ceramic eyes fixed on the newcomers. Peter raised an eyebrow. "Ash's cabin," he said. "Looks... cozy." Drax grunted. "Cozy? It reeks of violence." They approached the door, and Peter knocked. The wood creaked open, revealing a figure standing in the dim light. Ash Williams stood there, rugged and battle-worn. His eyes flickered from Peter to Drax, suspicion mingling with curiosity. "Who the hell are you?" Ash's voice was gravelly, edged with weariness. Peter extended a hand. "Peter Quill," he said. "Star-Lord. We need your help." Ash's gaze shifted to Drax. "And who's this?" "Drax," Peter replied. "Warrior. Literal thinker." Ash's lips twitched. "Literal thinker, huh? Well, I've dealt with worse." Peter got straight to the point. "Deadites," he said. "They're swarming a distant planet. We need reinforcements." Ash leaned against the doorframe, eyeing them. "Why should I care?" Peter hesitated. "Because the galaxy's at stake," he said. "And you're the best damn Deadite slayer around." Ash's eyes narrowed. "I'm retired," he muttered. "Tired of fighting. But..." He glanced at the *Milano*, its sleek form gleaming in the dappled sunlight. "You got a spaceship?" "We do," Peter confirmed. "And you can ride in it! You join us, help us kick Deadite ass, and we'll get you a new chainsaw hand." Ash's gaze lingered on his stump of a hand. "Deal," he said. "But it better be a good chainsaw." And so, with Ash Williams aboard, the *Milano* took off once more. The unlikely team—Star-Lord, Drax, and the chainsaw-wielding legend—set course for the plagued planet. Their mission: to face the Deadites head-on, and maybe, just maybe, save the galaxy in the process.

Characters in this Story

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