Welcome to another long chapter, this time a self conscious Mandarin! Fun for everyone! Please enjoy!

Mandarin rested his head against the pillow as the team were talking to Angela and the other children upstairs. Kuzon just came back after Aurora six dropped him off, completely unaware of what happened. So it was kinda surprising to say the least.

"I just wish I could have been there to help." Was his first words after explaining what happened.

"How they raised them to be so kind in such a short time is incredible, much better than what I could have done." Mandarin thought as he laid on his side..

He wanted to talk to Angela, Roland, and Maurice, he really wanted to but after Chiro and the children left the lab his depression was starting to get the better of him as exhaustion took over. Mandarin had to be forced to go to bed due to being so exhausted and he hated it. He wanted to actually parent his own children but- argh this was so frustrating!

Mandarin groaned as he turned over, feeling so useless. He needed to talk to Angela about this soon, if not it would end badly. However Antauri assured him that Angela's feelings will be addressed but Mandarin still felt he had to help. She is his daughter after all. He then inwardly groaned as he stroked his belly. The twins decided it would be a fun idea to keep their mother up all night. He sighed as he looked down at his stomach and cringed when he saw the scars. The robots had to perform c-section after c-section and it showed. Mandarin traced one of the bigger scars with his finger and tears immediately started to form. How could Otto say he was cute when he looked like this? With all of these ugly scars, white sheet complexion with dark circles under his eyes, and this. He placed one hand on the top of his huge stomach, where one of the twins was kicking. He just felt so heavy and large, even moreso now. It was really starting to bother him, however he couldn't blame the twins for that.

Mandarin sniffled as he wiped his eyes, feelings of self consciousness and self loathing took over. Back then he wouldn't care so much about any of this but after being in the labs, he just felt so hideous and freakish. That and being kicked awake in the middle of the night was so stressful and he can't stop crying all the time and he was just so hungry! He just wasn't himself anymore and he hated it!

Mandarin's body wracked with sobs as he tried to silence them. The door soon opened and Otto hopped into bed.

"Okay so we took care of Angela and Maurice. Maurice is probably gonna talk to you tomorrow and Angela's grounded for three we-" he began to explain when he heard a sob escape from Mandarin's lips.

"Mandy?" He asked as he touched his back.

Otto waited for a response before crawling around the bulky primate to get a better look at him. When he saw the tears streaming down from his face, Otto quickly went up to him and began to wipe his face.

"Don't cry cutie." He said softly, causing another sob to escape Mandarin.

Otto was confused at his response but rested his head against Mandarin's.

"It's okay...whatever's making you sad it's okay." He comforted.

Mandarin shook his head.

"No it's not.."

Otto tilted his head.

"Then what is it? You want me to get the others?" He asked.

"No! No just stay here." Mandarin begged, snuggling up with Otto.

Otto blinked and brushed his hand against his face gently.

"Then what is it?" He asked, really wanting to help.

Mandarin sniffled and sighed.

"It's meaningless." He said softly.

"Not if it's making you cry!" Otto exclaimed before nuzzling him.

Mandarin bit his lip.

"Why are you so hell bent on helping me every time I get like this?"

Otto smiled and kissed him briefly before saying, "Because I love you."

More tears slipped from Mandarin's eyes, he was just too sweet!

"How can you love me when I'm like this? All depressing and disgusting." Mandarin sniffled.

Otto frowned a bit.

"You're not either of those things Mandarin. Why would you even think that?" He asked.

Mandarin didn't respond as Otto kept stroking his face. It then clicked in Otto's mind why he was crying.

"Oh...Mandy you know I don't care what you look like right?" He asked, nuzzling him.

Mandarin sniffled more before trying to speak, trying not to choke on his words. Otto pulled back and rested a hand on the other's cheek.

"You're still my Mandarin, no matter what you look like." He said with a warm smile.

"I understand that but-" Mandarin could barely get past that before continuing to weep.

Otto stroked his head, resting his own head above his, letting him continue.

"I mean t-these scars a-and my sickly pale complexion and m-my stomach size and just everything about pregnancy! I hate being like this! I hate it!" Mandarin choked out.

Otto shushed him as Mandarin slowly began to settle down. He thought about what he wanted to say to comfort him. He hated seeing Mandarin like this and Otto wasn't going to stand for what Skeleton King has done to make his love cry and hate himself. If Otto ever sees Skeleton King again, he will make him pay. Suddenly he thought of what to say.

"Yeah pregnancy doesn't sound that fun, especially with what happened to you." Otto began.

Mandarin nodded slightly, wiping his eyes.

"And all of these scars are pretty scary looking, but do you realize how much healthier you've been looking since you got here?"

Mandarin's thick brows furrowed in confusion.

"Huh?"

Otto pulled back from him and smiled.

"I mean really think about it. I haven't seen any of those dark circles under your eyes in a long time because you've been sleeping better. You're a lot less paler than before too, so that's a huge plus." He said.

Otto's tail then brushed over the c-section scars.

"And yeah these scars are there but they show that you've had lots of wonderful babies. Babies that live with us who we all love."

Mandarin's eyes trailed to his stomach. Otto rested his head under Mandarin's.

"Don't worry about your appearance so much Mandarin, you just look more like a mom." Otto said softly.

That did it, if Mandarin wasn't sobbing his eyes out before it was now escalated even more as he clutched Otto to him and sobbed hard.

"Oh no I'm sorry I didn't mean to make it worse!" Otto said as he began to kiss Mandarin's face.

Mandarin shook his head.

"It's not that!" He sobbed.

"I-what you said- I just love you so much!" Mandarin sobbed.

Otto smiled before nuzzling him.

"I love you too."

Mandarin's sobs echoed the room until they started to quiet down. Mandarin sniffled.

"I want to be myself again...I don't want to be this emotional wreck anymore. I want to actually be a mother to the children that I gave birth to."

Otto nodded and smirked.

"I know you do, but there's still parts of you in there you know. You still get easily embarrassed."

Mandarin ducked his head and grumbled.

Otto smooched his cheek before resting against him.

"Even if you may not be fully yourself ever again, we'll still love you. Besides you'll be at least a bit better soon."

"I know. I can't thank you enough." Mandarin sighed.

He flinched as one of the twins kicked hard. Otto noticed his annoyed expression and giggled.

"See? They love you too, they don't want you to cry." He chirped.

Mandarin snickered and rubbed his abdomen, attempting to soothe them.

The two shared a comfortable silence before Mandarin asked, "Did you really mean what you've said before?"

"Which part?" Otto asked.

"The part where you said that I just look more like..." His voice trailed off.

Otto smiled a bit.

"Like a mom? I sure did." He said.

A small smile grew on Mandarin's face as he averted his gaze towards his stomach. Otto tilted his head to look at him before the two kissed again. Mandarin kissed back as he placed his free hand on Otto's cheek. The two let go as Otto snuggled up even more with him.

"So sleepy time?"

"Oh yes no question about that. I think all of this crying has made me even more tired." Mandarin huffed as Otto went to turn the light off.

Otto giggled before turning the light off and hopping back into bed with him.

"You two are dating?! Since when?!" Sprx asked a few days after the lab incident.

"Since about a week or two ago." Otto said as Mandarin grabbed his fourths of breakfast, pancakes with cinnamon and frosting on them.

Sprx caught the two kissing when he came in for breakfast and being shocked was an understatement.

"Well why didn't you say anything?" The red monkey asked as Mandarin happily sighed.

"This is so heavenly." He said before continuing to eat.

Otto shrugged.

"I dunno, I guess it just never came up." He said before putting his dishes away.

Sprx blinked before looking over at Mandarin. Penny then rushed into the room and nearly slipped.

"Ah! Who put grease on the floor!?" She giggled before hopping up next to Mandarin.

"No one Penny, you just need to stop running so fast." Sprx huffed before smirking.

"I love being fast!" Penny huffed before nuzzling Mandarin's arm.

"Morning mommy." She chirped.

"Morning dear."

Penny continued to nuzzle him until Sprx set down a plate of pancakes for her, which she happily dug in.

Maurice soon entered the room, still looking somewhat sleepy.

"Morning mini Antauri." Sprx jokingly said.

"Mmm." Maurice replied, yawning.

Sprx looked out the door, waiting for Kuzon to show up.

"So where's your brother?" He asked, having a good idea of where he was.

Maurice snickered.

"You know him,"

"Still asleep." Both him and Sprx said at the same time.

Maurice yawned a bit and got into his chair, waiting for breakfast. He noticed Mandarin before looking back down. The two haven't really had that talk yet, but it wasn't as if Maurice was avoiding him now or anything. It's just the two have been busy with other things and at the fact that Mandarin's depression was still making it hard for him on some days.

Mandarin noticed this, leaned his hand over the table and booped his son's nose. Maurice quickly sat up and looked at Mandarin in confusion.

"Wha-?"

Mandarin snickered as Penny gasped with a smile.

"Mommy booped you!" She exclaimed as Mandarin snickered harder.

"M-why?" Maurice asked.

"I'm sorry." Mandarin sniggered as Otto clutched his heart at the cuteness.

Maurice blinked in just confusion.

"You're weird." He finally said, making Mandarin snicker harder.

Sprx couldn't help but snicker at the sight. It was just too cute.

Roland then dragged himself in, yawning.

"Mornin'." He grumbled as he looked up at the others.

He glared slightly at Otto before sitting down in between them. Sprx frowned a bit.

"Hey what's with the nasty stares kiddo?" He asked.

Roland grabbed his orange juice and began sipping on it.

"Just don't hurt him." He said to Otto.

Otto looked around before his eyes laid on Mandarin. Then it clicked between the two.

"Ohhhh! Rolly you know I would never hurt your mommy right?"

Maurice frowned a bit.

"Yeah Roland he's too nice." He said.

Roland sipped his orange juice and frowned.

"I dunno...something still may happen. I don't want mom to get even more upset because of stupid romance drama..." He muttered.

Mandarin really felt for him as he stroked the top of his head. Roland looked up at him.

"I really do appreciate your concern, but I don't think you have anything to worry about." He said.

Roland was confused, his face crumpled up.

"He's been extremely wonderful with helping me and has been so kind. So him potentially hurting me emotionally just wouldn't make sense." Mandarin pointed out.

"Besides he's the hugest sweetie on the planet!" Penny chirped, causing Otto to rub the back of his head blushing.

"Guys please." He chuckled.

Roland looked down at the table, puffing the one side of his cheek up.

"Hmmm..."

Mandarin motioned towards Otto.

"Roland does this look like the face of a heartbreaker?"

Roland looked over at Otto, who gave him the sweetest face he could muster. Roland flinched back at his adorableness before sighing in defeat.

"No." He admitted.

Sprx patted his head.

"Then you have nothing to worry about, besides this is more of an adult thing anyway so I wouldn't get too worried anyway."

Roland sat back and crossed his arms.

"But I still don't want him to get hurt by something as stupid as romance...I know he's been through too much already." He grumbled.

Mandarin stroked his son's head, no doubt having his heart warmed hearing that.

"How the team raises you this well this quick I'll never know." He sighed.

Roland snickered and pointed up at him.

"You're a good mom you'd raise us just fine too." He said.

"Roland I've already cried last night I don't need to cry any more."

"Eh what about?!" Penny asked, worried.

"It was over a movie, it's dumb." Mandarin sighed.

"That ain't dumb! I cried over this one movie..."

Roland snickered as the two bantered before Otto caught his attention.

"I promise Rolly I won't hurt him. I really love him."

Roland pointed at him and frowned.

"I'm holding you to it!" He huffed.

Otto giggled then clamped his hands together over his head.

"Please don't treat me like an evil stepdad then. You know I'm not gonna be like them." He said, but smiled.

Roland looked off to the side, still frowning.

"I guess I was a little too harsh...sorry." He said, scratching the back of his neck.

Otto sighed in relief, finally. Maurice smirked as Sprx leaned on the table with one arm.

"Man, you really are a mini Mandarin." He breathed.

Roland quickly stood up and glared.

"Am not!" He snapped causing Sprx to laugh.

"Yes you are, see?!" He laughed.

Maurice placed a hand on his cheek and smiled sadly.

"It's kind of scary actually."

Roland glared harder and turned to Mandarin.

"Please tell them how wrong they are!"

Mandarin paused before tilting his head.

"Roland you shouldn't deny i-"

"Not you too!"

The others then got into a laughing fit over this before they realized someone else entered the room. Violet had her head hung low, but looked very tired.

"Mornings..." She growled before sitting at the table.

"Bad night?" Sprx asked.

"No I was in the middle of an experiment before I passed out." She huffed.

"Not this again."

"Yes this again." She grumbled as she laid her head on the table.

The team soon arrived after that. Mandarin looked over at Roland as he was talking to Kuzon. One down, two to go.

Trying to find a time to talk to Maurice was like talking to catch up with a person who is riding a bike. Not easy.

However as Mandarin slowly began to see, he didn't really need himself to initiate it. After his nap after breakfast he found Maurice on his bed, a serious look on his face.

"Hi?" Mandarin said in the form of a question.

"Hi." Maurice said, still looking serious.

The two were silent before Maurice asked, "Do you want to...I'm not sure do something? Like outside the robot?"

Mandarin sat up a bit and thought on it.

"I guess that would be alright...I'm still not one hundred percent comfortable..."

"Oh I know, we'd be going somewhere close to the robot." He said.

"Where exactly?" Mandarin asked, not too sure about this.

Maurice didn't answer at first, he just hopped off the bed. Maurice paused before looking back at him.

"It'll be easier to explain when we get there." He said, looking a little nervous but that could be due to them speaking to eachother.

Mandarin blinked but got up. At least he's talking to him now.

"You brought me to a sign." Mandarin said as he looked up at the sign leading into one of the underground bunkers.

The sign itself was just a broken down pub sign on its side, but it was next to what used to be the Shuggazoom subway.

"It's what's in it that I'm bringing you to." Maurice said as he started to go down the stairs.

When he didn't realize Mandarin was not following him he turned to look back. He looked awfully worried, peering into the unknown. Maurice realized why he was so worried.

"This is where the allies usually stay in. They live with the citizens that haven't left the planet to protect them. They'll protect you too...even though you haven't really met them." He said, muttering the last part.

Mandarin peered into the stairwell, his anxiety growing.

"But the citizens..."

Maurice waved his hand.

"Don't worry about them. They have to get used to you sometime, besides there's so many other things going on down here that I don't think you'll be too concentrated on that." He said.

"I'm not so sure about that." Mandarin thought before the two went down.

They were quickly met with a huge line of large venues, tents, and the railroad now being turned into a cart transport for many people to travel from bunker to bunker.

"Does Skeleton King know this place exist?" Mandarin asked, looking around and taking in all of the different sights and sounds.

"I don't think so and if he did the allies are sure keeping this place locked up. Chiro let them know we were coming." Maurice said.

Mandarin looked from him to the scene before him. The citizens didn't notice him yet but still he couldn't help but grow nervous.

"Now there's this food festival going on in the next bunker always a bit. Don't worry the cart will hold you but that's where I-" Maurice began before realizing Mandarin was backing up a bit.

He stopped when Maurice saw him.

"Oh no don't worry, no one here is going to hurt you. It'll be fine." He assured Mandarin.

Mandarin looked around before sighing.

"O-okay.." He said before following his son, ignoring all the fearful and confused stares that were thrown his way.

They got into the cart, which Mandarin made sure it would actually hold him, and they made their way into the next bunker. Maurice looked up at Mandarin as he into the distance. What the heck was he supposed to say right now? He had to say something.

"So um you and Otto that's...that's nice. I mean it makes sense and all..." Maurice said akwardly.

"Mm."

Maurice kept thinking of things to talk about. He had to keep talking!

"So the team said the nursery for the new babies is coming along great. They want your input though..."

"Whatever colors they like would be nice." Mandarin said simply.

Maurice shook his head and gave a small laugh.

"No seriously they refuse to decorate without your input. They're your babies." He said.

Mandarin sat back a bit, thinking.

"Well I guess we could have a split color scheme going...black and white could work." He suggested.

Maurice's mouth dropped.

"I have never heard of someone wanting to paint their babies room black." He said.

Mandarin snorted.

"Then you haven't met me yet." He said before Maurice laughed a bit.

"Ookay!" He said, eyeing the side.

Mandarin snickered at his son's expression.

"So okay we got paint down what about the other-"

"Maurice humor me for a second, something just came into my mind." Mandarin suddenly interrupted.

Maurice blinked but listened.

"I know the twins won't be identical. I know that, but why is it that parents dress their identical twins in the same clothes?" Mandarin asked.

Maurice was taken back by this but thought on it. What a random but surprisingly interesting topic to bring up, but whatever. Better than not talking at all.

"I heard it's easier for the parent but I think it's for the all for the cuteness or something." Maurice replied.

"It's not cute it's stupid! You would get so confused as to who's who! It's not worth it!" Mandarin ranted, causing Maurice to laugh.

"I-I guess. If you just dress them similar but have them in different colors maybe but the same exact thing? Where's their identities?"

"I know it's not what you want it's what your children want. I'm so happy I never have to worry about that, you don't need to wear clothes."

"Yeah you aren't one of those parents. Besides you can tell which twin is which with me and Kuzon pretty clearly." Maurice chirped before the cart came to a complete stop.

As they got out they realized they had other passengers with them as a mother and her two twin children came out of the cart. She looked at the two in disgust before walking off in a huff.

The husband mouthed a, "I'm sorry" before traveling behind her. The twins were also dressed the same. Maurice and Mandarin looked at each other before Mandarin began laughing.

"I didn't even realize they were behind us." Maurice said, feeling so guilty.

"Me either." Mandarin snickered.

Maurice put his hand on his face.

"I feel so bad." He wheezed.

"Don't be, we didn't know." Mandarin said, calming down.

The two then went into the festival, which was full of food and all sorts of goodies. Of course that meant that Mandarin's cravings and pregnancy appetite were at an all time high, not that Maurice was surprised. Maurice sat down at a picnic table, his feet already sore. Mandarin stuffed a pickle into his soft pretzel before sitting down, not on the seats.

"So I take it you're happy?" Maurice asked.

"Yes. Very." Mandarin said before eating.

Maurice sat back and stretched. That was good, now about that talk...

"Oh there you are."

Mandarin jumped and looked up at a anthropomorphic cat with a long white and pink dress.

Maurice smiled and got up to see her.

"Hello Nikita, I didn't know you were around here. I thought you guys would be in the next bunker over." He said.

Nikita motioned over a cat shaped stand.

"My people were selling some food so I stopped by." She explained before looking at Mandarin and her smile dropped.

"Oh I take it that is your..."

Maurice nodded.

"Yep that's him."

Mandarin tilted his head. How much has the team exactly told the allies about him?

Nikita smiled again, only this time with a bit of concern.

"Erm it's nice to finally meet you." She said.

"Same." Mandarin briefly said before biting into his pickle pretzel.

Nikita looked down at Maurice.

"He's not a social person." Maurice briefly said.

Nikita nodded and frowned.

"After what he's been through, that's more than understandable. I still cannot believe Skeleton King would do something so...vile and despicable!" She hissed.

"It's Skeleton King. But yeah..." Maurice sighed.

Mandarin finished his pretzel and sipped some mango juice. So they did tell them about his situation. Nikita placed something down in front of Mandarin. A small cup of some sort of liquid. Mandarin peered into it.

"Erm what is this?" He asked., suspiciously

"It's Laversh. It's a herbal drink that helps expectant mothers." Nikita explained.

Mandarin looked at her weirdly before picking up the cup with his telepathy and sipping it. His eyes widened before downing the whole cup down. He sighed and looked at the two with wide eyes

"Can I have ten more of these?" He asked, making Maurice laugh.

"You're not supposed to have too much but I can get you another cup." Nikita giggled before walking over to the cat like stand.

Maurice snickered and sat down, digging into his fries.

"You know I think there's a movie the team's gonna put on when we get back tonight. In case that interests you." Maurice suggested.

"Hmm I'll think on it." Mandarin said soflty.

After finishing their food and Mandarin being denied a fourth cup of Laversh, the two along with Nikita were making their way towards one of the fountains that the subway had.

Mandarin looked at Maurice as he was talking vividly with the cat woman about something Antauri was teaching him. Mandarin smiled a bit, happy that his son's spirits were lifted from a while ago.

"When the war is over do you think they'll ever open this place back up?" Maurice asked.

"I'm not sure if they will. You may want to ask the Hyperforce about that." Nikita said.

"Probably not but at least they should make this into something. It'd be a huge mistake for them to leave this place in ruins." Maurice said with a sad sigh.

Mandarin couldn't help but agree. This place looked so nice, much more nicer now than when he was leader of the team.

They got to the fountain as Mandarin sat down again, his back beginning to hurt from the twins.

Maurice looked over at a few of the other food stands before looking up at Mandarin.

"Do you need anything by any chance?" He asked.

"Not at the moment no, but thank you."

Maurice nodded and moved closer to Mandarin. He really wanted to talk to him but since Nikita was here that was going to be a bit difficult. He didn't want to be rude also but what else could he do?

"I'll be right back actually. I could use some pineapple juice." Mandarin said before getting up and going off somewhere. Maurice nodded.

"How am I supposed to talk to him in a place like this? With Nikita still around?" He thought.

Maurice thought on it as he suddenly saw something out of the corner of her eye. It was black and white...oh no. His eyes widened. Formless?!

"Wh-wha- what are they-?" Maurice tried to say.

Nikita turned to the small monkey with a assuring smile.

"Oh no, those are just men in costumes. They entertain people to forget about the fear that sticks with those monsters." She explained.

Maurice gulped as he saw two men in Formless costumes hand out balloons.

"So do not be afraid, they're harmless."

"It's not me I'm worried about." Maurice said before hearing a cup fall behind them.

They turned to see Mandarin staring right at the fake Formless, fear and confusion clouding his face. He backed up a step, the cup at his feet.

Maurice quickly got up and darted towards him.

"M-man-mom they're not real!" He said.

Nikita rushed next to him and nodded.

"Yes they're only entertainers. If Formless really were here the alarms would be going off." She explained.

Mandarin looked down at her, still worried.

"Are...are you sure?" He asked.

Nikita nodded.

"Yes it's fine. No one is here to take you back to the labs." Maurice assured him.

Mandarin blinked, staring at the fake Formless before sighing.

"See? It's fine." Maurice said with a small smile.

Mandarin placed a hand on his head, now frowning.

"There's nothing for you to worry about, now why don't we go back over to the fountain and-"

"What is wrong with me?" Mandarin growled slightly.

Nikita backed up a bit at his tone.

"I have fought these things for years and even worked alongside them. Now I'm terrified of them? How am I supposed to fight if I keep getting scared like this?!" Mandarin snapped, clenching his free hand.

Maurice and Nikita looked at each other.

"Mom you've been through a traumatic experience. These things take time to recover from." Maurice explained.

Nikita nodded.

"Maurice is right. You need to let the recovery process take its course." She said.

Mandarin clenched his fist even harder.

"But I don't want to cower before my enemies. I want to fight again, I want to get angry again! I need to get angry again! I want to bash Skeleton king's skull in but now I can't! Is it so wrong to want to fight again?"

Maurice felt like he was kicked in the stomach hearing that. Maurice placed a hand on his, reeling back a bit seeing how small it was in comparison.

"Of course not. It's natural to want to fight back against those who hurt you. I can completely understand that , but you're still recovering. Those kind of things take time and lots of care."

Maurice said then saw his mother's discouraged expression.

"Not to say that you won't be able to ever fight again. I'm sure that after you have the twins you'll probably be able to go back into battle, but only when you feel you are ready to." He assured.

Mandarin thought on it before sighing.

"I guess…it's still frustrating."

"I know." Maurice said softly.

Nikita smiled a bit.

"Besides, it wouldn't be a good idea to fight while you're still expecting." She said.

Mandarin looked down at his stomach and snickered.

"Well not any vigorous fighting anyway." He snickered.

"No!" Maurice yelped, causing Nikita to laugh.

"Maurice I was only jesting." Mandarin chirped.

"Still!" Maurice wheezed.

Nikita giggled before her ears perked up, hearing someone call her. She turned to see some of the other Kathorians waving at her.

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry but my people are calling me." She said.

"That's ok, we were going to walk around a bit more before going back." Maurice said.

Nikita nodded and stepped back a bit.

"Well erm it was nice meeting you." She said to Mandarin.

Mandarin nodded slightly.

"Same." He said.

Nikita then said her goodbyes to Maurice before going to the others. Maurice and Mandarin stood there for a moment.

"So...erm.. is there any where else you wish to go to?" Mandarin asked.

Maurice's back straightened. Now was his chance!

Oooh boi, how do you think it'll turn out? Find out next chapter and thanks for reading.