"Well… I guess this is good-bye." It had been 2 weeks since Stella Akuma discovered she was pregnant with Shun Kazami's child. When they told all their friends, they were shocked. Well, except for Dan. He sort of went into a laughing fit and praised Shun for losing his virginity.
Anyway, Stella originally proposed that she get an abortion, but quickly changed her mind. Shun agreed that it'd be the right thing to keep the baby, even if they were only 17. However, a mere 3 days after they made the decision, a new enemy arose. Of COURSE the world couldn't remain peaceful for more than a year. Stella wanted to stay and help fight, but Shun, Leo, and Stella's human parents wouldn't allow it. The other brawlers also agreed it'd be too dangerous for her. They had arranged for her to return to her home planet, Kage Wakusei.
Shun kneeled down and gently ran one hand over Stella's still relatively flat stomach. "Don't give Mommy too much trouble while I'm not there, okay? Daddy PROMISES Mommy will be back before you get to big." Stella felt her eyes water. The wars they experienced got progressively stronger each time. She and Shun both knew lives may be lost. But there was no way Shun would let Stella believe that he'd be killed before he could meet his own child. Still…
"Shun, p-please, let me stay! I-I can fight! I-if it gets too dangerous, I can go to my planet no problem! J-just let me-"
"Stellaluna Akuma, I REFUSE to put you in harm's way. You and the baby need to be as safe as possible," Shun interrupted.
Stella didn't bother to hold back her tears anymore. They cascaded down her cheeks by the bucket load. Shun gently hugged her, kissing her on the head. Stella hugged him back, sobbing into his jacket. She took a step back, then proceeded to hug her other companions one at a time. Runo… Julie… Mira… Baron… Marucho… Dan… Ace… Alice… They might not be alive the next time she sees them. Wiping her eyes on her sleeve, Stella shook the negative thoughts away.
"A-alright now… Keith, you're in charge of keeping Shun out of trouble while I'm gone," Stella stated with a small smile. Keith Clay chuckled, giving a small salute.
"Hey, I wanted to be on Shun duty!" whined Dan.
"You can't even handle DAN duty," countered Stella. Dan pouted.
Stella chuckled. "By the way, Shun… Try to keep your hair ABOVE your shoulders, alright?"
Shun made a fake sigh, crossing his arms. "Gosh woman, you're so picky. But FINE, whatever makes YOU happy." He smiled, playfulness flickering in his eyes. Stella tried not to cry again as she gave Shun a soft kiss.
"Jesus, you find out you're gonna be parents and you're STILL sucking face. You really should've married ME," sighed a voice. Stella turned around, narrowing her eyes.
"Shut up, MARDUK. You only went along with my parents' plans of marrying us because then you'd be a prince."
The gray-and-red haired boy frowned, tilting his head. "Oh, what a pity. You ACTUALLY believed I never loved you." Stella glared daggers at the boy.
Marduk- Stella's escort back to her planet- slithered over to the group. His demeanor reminded Stella of a cat. And she was a dog person.
"Even if we're not in love, I still have your parents' orders to keep you safe." Marduk looked up at Shun- the one person he loathed the most. That hatred only increased, now that he impregnated the one girl he truly loved. "Kazami… Don't worry, Stella's in good hands. We'll make sure no harm comes to her, or her baby." He tried his best to keep spite out of his tone. Since Shun hated Marduk as much as he hated him, his response was just a nod.
"I just thought of something… I feel all screwed up when I turn from one form to another, what if transforming messes up the baby…?" Stella wondered, protectively clutching her stomach.
"We had that all figured out, don't worry," Marduk replied. He brushed her long hair away from the back of her neck, fastening a golden choker-collar-like necklace onto her. Firmly placed in the front was a beautiful, clear gem.
"That crystal rejects the type of energy that causes you to transform into your true self from miles away. So as long as you NEVER take it off while you're on our planet, you can stay human," Marduk explained. There was a trace of disgust in his voice.
"Oh, okay, perfect. Um, thanks." Stella slowly turned around, taking a good look at her comrades. "Good luck, everyone… Stay safe, and stay strong. If you need me before I'm at the, let's see, 7 month mark- so, within 4 months- just contact me, and I'll be here."
"Like a knocked up chick could be much help," muttered Dan. Runo and Mira simultaneously nudged him in the ribs with their elbows very hard.
"We don't wanna endanger anyone else," said Mira with a sad smile.
Runo gently took both Stella's hands. "We'll be fine, Stells. You worry about you. Okay?"
Stella allowed a tear to escape her eye, and she nodded. Hugging everyone except Dan one more time, she took a deep breath and stepped back. She linked her arm with Marduk's, waved a teary good-bye, and walked backwards into the portal to Kage Wakusei.
"Shun… Are you crying?" asked Marucho quietly.
"Maybe a little… I hope Stella is a good mother, because damn it, I might not live to be a good father."