No one likes a sad ending. It can be hard to say goodbye to characters that audiences love, especially if those characters have been part of the glue of the MCU for the past ten years. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 acts as a swansong for James Gunn’s time in the MCU, as well as a goodbye to many of the characters audiences adored.

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Many fans are scared for the fate of some of the Guardians of the Galaxy characters, considering Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is an emotional yet humorous journey, hopefully, some fans can find solace in knowing the fate of the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Major spoilers ahead for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3!

Lylla, Teefs & Floor

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The origin story of Rocket Racoon was never going to be a nice one. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 introduces some horror elements due to the High Evolutionary’s twisted and unethical experiments on animals. These experiments see the genetically enhanced creations of Lylla, Teefs, and Floor.

All three of these characters were shot and killed by the High Evolutionary and his soldiers after Rocket attempted to escape his cell and free his friends. Their deaths caused a lifetime of grief for Rocket, as well as an emotional moment for audiences.

The High Evolutionary

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There is perhaps no villain more deserving of the fate they got than the High Evolutionary. This character was twisted, an evil being who thought himself a god that could take and abuse life, turning it into his perception of what needed to be “perfect”.

The High Evolutionary was beaten by all members of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Yet, he was not killed by them. Rocket Racoon left him on board his ship, to explode and perish in the flames of his failures amidst his villain monologue.

Ayesha

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As the Golden High Priestess of the Sovereign, and one of the creations from the High Evolutionary, Ayesha sets out to save her species by finding and killing Rocket Racoon. However, her mission is cut short when she finds herself in the midst of the High Evolutionary’s latest cleanse, an explosive purge of Counter-Earth to eradicate the imperfections he created.

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Ayesha was caught in these explosions that ravished the planet, and she was on board her ship when it exploded. Ayesha died, looking at her son, Adam Warlock, one last time before she is engulfed in the fires of an explosion that would be her tomb.

The Fate Of The Guardians Of The Galaxy

 Guardians of the Galaxy 3 Star-Lord, Nebula, Gamora, Drax and Mantis wearing orange jumpsuits

The main cast of characters, the Guardians of the Galaxy themselves, each have a unique fate by the end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Luckily, for the fans that may be asking who dies in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, they will be cheerful to know that none of the characters die, but many of them do go their separate ways.

It’s a sweet ending for the characters, as each of them moves on to do their own thing. However, that does not mean audiences won’t see these characters again, it just means that they are leaving behind the life they have lived for the past decade.

Rocket Raccoon

James Gunn Rocket Raccoon Guardians of the Galaxy 3

Rocket Racoon spends the majority of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in a medical emergency. The Guardians are on a ticking clock, as Rocket has just under 48 hours before he succumbs to his injuries. The majority of the film is about saving Rocket, leaving audiences on the edge of their seat in this emotional ride.

However, Rocket Racoon recovers from his injuries, and he decides to continue as the new captain of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Rocket takes over as leader, joined by allies old and new, with perhaps more on the way to join this cosmic galaxy-saving team.

Peter Quill

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The legendary Star-Lord never shies away from danger. Even if that means risking his life for a Zune. Peter Quill almost dies in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, stranded in space, with his body freezing and face swelling. Luckily, Adam Warlock saves him, allowing him to share in laughter with friends once more.

Peter Quill leaves behind the Guardians of the Galaxy so that he can return to Earth and make amends with his grandfather, Jason Quill. The Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 post-credits scene sees the two sharing breakfast, with the film ending with “The Legendary Star-Lord will return.”

Drax & Nebula

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Drax and Nebula both have a few close calls in the film, with both characters receiving an intense moment where it looks like one of them will die. However, fans can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that both of these characters are safe, and they have dedicated their lives to Knowhere.

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Drax and Nebula decide to work together to better the society of Knowhere. Nebula sees Drax for who he is, and that he is not a destroyer, but a father. Together, they will do their best to make Knowhere a home, and a prosperous society for outcasts.

Mantis

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Mantis has never been able to gain her independence. She is too used to serving others. Whether that is her father, Ego, or the Guardians. However, at the end of the film, Mantis decides to make a decision for herself, where she leaves the team to go out into the great unknown and discover who she is and what she can do for herself.

Mantis leaves the Guardians and Knowhere along with the three Abilisk friends that she made. These multi-dimensional beings that love to eat batteries will surely be great allies wherever Mantis’ journey takes her.

Groot

Groot smiling in Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday special

It would be somewhat ill-fated for Groot to die again. Luckily, the character can grow back as long as a part of him is intact. Groot may get decapitated at one point, but he simply grows his body back. The post-credits scene for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 shows Groot as perhaps the oldest he has been.

In this post-credits scene, Groot remains a Guardian alongside Rocket, but he’s far bigger than his previous iteration. It’s unknown just how big Groot can grow, but considering he is over double the size of his original self, it’s safe to assume pretty big.

Gamora

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Although the Gamora that Peter Quill loved is dead, Gamora still lives. The characters sadly don’t rediscover their love for one another, and Gamora decides to leave the Guardians and head back to the family she had found with the Ravagers. It’s a bittersweet ending, knowing their romance is over, but both characters are happy.

It’s unknown if audiences will see Gamora again, but at least they know she is with family, and away from the tyranny of her father, Thanos. Gamora is an adored member of the Ravagers, and perhaps will one day be their leader.

Adam Warlock

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The secondary antagonist of the MCU movie may be one of the primary reasons that some characters almost die, but Adam Warlock is a newborn, taken from his cocoon far too early, for a purpose he doesn’t quite understand. Adam Warlock is filled with rage and confusion and just wants to kill Rocket to save his race.

However, when Adam Warlock is saved from the High Evolutionary’s exploding ship, he decides that he needs to forge his destiny, and decides to join as a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy, embarking on a cosmic adventure to be a hero.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is in theaters now.

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