Some parts of the tunnel had collapsed, while others hung suspended over empty space. Countless branching paths stretched in every direction. An ordinary person entering this place could be driven mad by the darkness alone, not to mention the strange sounds coming from nowhere.
But Deathstroke was an exception. He was highly skilled at underground combat; entering subterranean structures like ancient tombs or sewers was where he truly thrived.
"I don't like it here. I keep getting chills down my back." Rocket held a gun bigger than himself as he crouched on Groot's shoulder, stroking the wooden head while he spoke. "We're walking through an underground maze, and it feels like something's following us."
"I am Groot."
The tree man took one step that covered the distance of several others. The tunnel was spacious enough for him to stand upright, and his expression showed clear disapproval.
Rocket spat to one side, squinted his little black-bean eyes, and turned to look at the darkness stretching behind them. "Don't you doubt me. If we don't get ambushed later, I'll give you Peter's underwear."
As he spoke, Rocket pulled a piece of cloth from the toolbox he carried with him.
"What? So you were the one who took my missing teddy-bear underwear?" Star-Lord, following beside Deathstroke, stared wide-eyed at Rocket in disbelief. "I treated you like a brother, but you stole my underwear? Are you some kind of pervert?"
Rocket shrugged indifferently, baring the teeth in his pointed snout. "I found it. It was hanging from our plasma vacuum negative-pressure cleaner that day. Wait, that's when I realized the real question. Why were you taking it off by the vacuum cleaner?"
"It's my ship! I'm free to take my clothes off wherever I want!" Star-Lord snatched back his briefs and stuffed them into