Here is another chapter! Mall edition! Fun times will be had in another long ass chapter, so enjoy.
Arwen and Brittany entered the command center, Arwen holding a bouquet of morning glories. She looked over at Amanda, who got up and walked over to her.
"So how is she?" Brittany asked.
"Still out cold, but she'll probably wake up soon." Amanda answered, shrugging.
Arwen nodded.
"I'll put these beside her." She said as she went into the med bay.
Brittany and Amanda stood there awkwardly.
"So uh...since you got powers too I guess...what are they?" Amanda asked.
Brittany smiled a bit.
"I can make various weapons, I got light powers, I can turn invisible, I can teleport, and I got eye beams." She explained.
Amanda's mouth dropped a bit.
"Maaan that's a lot!" She breathed.
Brittany shrugged.
"Sueronians tend to have a lot of powers, and even then they're kind of fake and just created into the jewel."
Amanda nodded slightly.
"So if we switch jewelry or something does that mean we can switch powers?" Amanda asked, excited.
Brittany put a hand to her chin, her eyebrows burrowing together. That was a very good question
"You know I never thought of that. Maybe we could try that out sometime!"
Amanda smiled.
"Yeah that sounds fun!" She said as she heard some whooshing behind her.
She turned to see the others plus Mandarin and Trent enter the room. She quickly ran over to Trent and hugged him.
"Trent!"
Trent hugged back.
"I'm sorry about what happened back there Amanda. I mean I shouldn't have-"
Amanda shook her head.
"No no it's fine. Don't worry about it." She said before looking up at Mandarin.
"Are...are you doing okay?" She asked, feeling sympathy.
Mandarin nodded slightly.
"A little, but I'll be fine." He said.
Amanda smiled and nodded.
The Alchemist looked down as Nova ran up to him, smiling.
"So how long are you staying here for?" She asked.
The Alchemist patted her head.
"For a few days, then I have to go to Pentagore 3 for research." He said.
"Aww." Otto grumbled.
"I'm sorry but I still have so many things left to do. I wish I could stay longer." The Alchemist sighed.
"Still a few days is nice enough." Nova pointed out and he nodded slightly.
"That is true, and that way next year I get to see another little person roaming here." He said looking at Mandarin.
"Oh there will be no roaming for this child in this robot. There are too many dangerous places she might end up." Mandarin huffed, one hand on his stomach.
"Don't worry we'll baby proof it, you big worrier." Sprx huffed.
"I have every right to be worried!"
"Anyway! I'm going to see how Willow is." Trent said, going into the med bay.
"Yell if she wakes up!" Brittany called to him as everyone settled down and waited.
Willow was still unconscious as Trent walked in. He looked at Gibson, who looked very relieved to see him.
"Trent are you-?"
"I'm fine, how's Willow?" He quickly asked.
Arwen patted her daughter's head.
"Unconscious but fine. That battle really took a lot out of her." She sighed.
Trent sat down next to her and Antauri and stared at Willow.
"I had no idea you guys were Sueronians. I mean I heard of them but I never thought my friends were one of them." He berated before flinching.
"Not that it's a bad thing!"
Arwen smiled but her smile soon dropped.
"That's ok Trent, I was hesitant tell them because of the hunters. Now I wished I would have told them sooner." She sighed.
"Don't blame yourself, you were one looking out for their safety." Antauri said.
Arwen nodded a bit.
"All I want now is for her to wake up, then maybe we can try to move on from this and when we tell her...I don't know." She sighed then looked at Trent.
"Are you sure you're okay? I heard that you...were really upset when you woke up." Arwen said with concern.
Trent nodded a bit.
"Yeah, Mandarin talked to me and I'll be fine. He's fine too, he just...needed to have someone talk to him." He said before Arwen asked anything else.
Antauri peeked outside and saw Mandarin complaining about something.
"That's very good. I'm glad you two are feeling better about what happened." He said before looking at Willow.
"I just hope that she doesn't feel too upset over it." He said.
Gibson nodded and walked over to him.
"She'll be fine Antauri. Now come on, you've been in this room a lot for the past few days. I think it's time we let her rest for a while." He said.
Antauri hesitated, staring at Willow and having a warm feeling burning in his chest before looking at Gibson.
"Alright." He said before everyone left the med bay.
"No, I refuse!" Mandarin huffed.
Nova rolled her eyes.
"Come on, a baby shower isn't going to kill you." She sighed.
Brittany smiled happily, bouncing a bit.
"They're so much fun! I have a cousin that had one and it was super cute!"
Mandarin frowned at her.
"Goodie for you, but I hate them." Mandarin huffed.
"Come on how are you going to get gifts for the kid for free if you don't have one?" Sprx asked.
Mandarin leaned foreword, an eyebrow raised.
"I've been getting free gifts from the family and I keep getting them! No matter how many times I say they don't have to do that, they still do it. So other than free things why should I have one?" He asked.
"Just for the experience alone. Come on a baby shower is a tradition." Arwen said, sitting down.
Mandarin looked over at her.
"A tradition I am prepared to break! They're so annoying and the games are terrible!" He huffed, while Amanda slightly nodded.
Gibson huffed and looked at the Alchemist.
"Please help us with this." He sighed.
The Alchemist raised his hands.
"Once Mandarin has made up his mind on things such as this, it is very hard to change it." He chuckled.
Mandarin crossed his arms.
"Basically. So I refuse to have one, and don't you dare throw a surprise party on me because if you do-!" Mandarin growled, fists shaking.
Chiro sighed, already planning one in his head.
"Fine you big jerk, we won't have one." He said before side winking to the others.
"D-don't wink at them! I mean it!" Mandarin snapped.
Nova slowly nodded.
"No no we get it." She said, holding back a smile.
Mandarin groaned slightly, he knew he was going to get it later. He just needed a plan to escape from it.
After several minutes, Willow slowly opened her eyes and groaned. She sat up and rubbed her forehead, nursing the growing migraine. What happened? It was all one massive blur. One minute she was tied to an altar, then attacked the team while being Diamanda, then nothing. She looked outside and saw the others sitting around, chatting quietly. However two people stood out to her. One was Brittany, who made Willow extremely confused. She was talking to Gibson vividly about something and he seemed to be enjoying whatever it was she was talking about. The other person was a tall man in a dark blue cloak, with two different colored eyes or heterochromia as it were. He had a rather kind face as he was talking to Mandarin who, as always, looked like a giant grump butt. Who was this guy?
Then her eyes made it to Antauri, who just sat back and enjoyed the calm mood around him. She smiled, he was ok! She wobbled out of the med bay, causing Arwen to look up at her.
"Willow's awake!" She announced as everyone turned to her.
Except for Mandarin and the Alchemist, everyone ran over to her and hugged her.
"Guys! Can't breath!" She wheezed, having everyone let go of her.
"So um...do you remember anything?" Jinmay asked.
Willow shook her head slightly.
"Only a few things here and there but after Antauri tried to talk to me, I don't know what happened after that." She said.
Brittany and Arwen side glanced each other. Looks like they'll have to tell her again.
She sighed and looked around until her eyes laid on Brittany.
"You..." She began as she walked to her.
"Now look, Brittany tried to help you-!" Amanda began but Willow was already right up at her face.
Brittany gulped, unsure what to say.
"I-I-"
"I heard what you said, about how you never wanted to bully me and only wanted to help. That my powers somehow made you hate me. Why?" Willow asked, a serious look on her face.
Brittany side glanced Arwen, but she mouthed, 'Let's wait a bit longer'.
Brittany sighed.
"I guess there's another aspect of your powers that made me act that way. I never wanted to but something made me do it." She explained.
Willow searched her face to see if she was lying. She then closed her eyes and sighed.
"I guess I can believe you...and erm thank you for trying to save me I guess." She grumbled, scratching her chin.
Brittany nodded slightly.
Willow then turned to the others and quickly hugged Trent.
"You're back!" She sniffled.
Trent nodded and hugged her back.
"I'm sorry Willow."
"Don't! You have nothing to be sorry for." Willow huffed.
Trent nodded and the two let go.
"I'm just happy you're back with us, I don't know what'd I do without my best friend." She said, wiping a tear.
Trent nodded, feeling the same way.
She turned to everyone else.
"Thank you so much for everything." She said.
She then felt a huge weight on her head as Mandarin placed an arm on it.
"You're a lot of trouble, you know that?" Mandarin huffed, but smirked.
Willow looked up at him and smirked back.
"Hey, so are you, you jerk." She said, pointing up at him.
Mandarin rolled his eyes as the Alchemist went over to them.
Willow looked at him in confusion.
"So um..."
He took his hand out.
"I'm the Alchemist. I created the monkey team." He greeted.
Willow's eyes widened in realization as she shook his hand.
"Oh yeah! You used to be the Skeleton King right?" She asked as he nodded.
Willow did hear a lot about the Alchemist and Skeleton King back on Natulis when the news of the war ending came up. So she was rather surprised that she was actually meeting him in person.
"At one point yes, but thanks to them I'm back to who I once was." He said, looking at the team.
Willow smiled a bit, she wished she would have seen it.
Antauri floated over to her.
"Since you are awake and everyone is well, we should celebrate in some way." He said.
Before Mandarin could interject an idea on staying inside and actually relaxing for once, Otto chimed in saying, "We should go out for tonight!"
Everyone agreed, while Mandarin was internally complaining.
"Where though? There aren't a lot of restaurants that'll fit Mandarin." Nova said.
Amanda looked around excitedly, an idea already in her head.
"Mall! Mall! Mall! Mall!" She chanted while some of the others groaned.
"Come on Amanda, we should go somewhere nicer than a mall." Gibson huffed.
"Yes can we please? Like staying inside, that's a good idea to me." Mandarin chirped.
Sprx nodded, relaxing DID sound like a nice idea.
"Nah I think it's a good idea, they just put in a new restaurant in. We should go check it out. Besides there may be some shopping we'll have to get done." Chiro said.
Almost everyone agreed. Mandarin and Sprx looked at each other tiredly before looking back at the others.
"We're not getting out of this are we?" Sprx asked.
Antauri shook his head, causing Mandarin to groan.
"Fine, but I won't like it." He huffed before turning and going back down to his room.
"We'll be leaving in ten minutes!" Nova called after him.
Otto was clearly happy, they were letting him go outside more and more. So that was good at least, and he gets to enjoy whatever restaurant that's at the mall.
Sprx sighed, can't they just stay in and relax for a while?
As soon as the team got there, they were bombarded by fans, happily talking with them about random things and gushing to their heroes. Some of the other citizens looked at Mandarin wearily before continuing on.
Mandarin, Arwen, Trent, Willow, Brittany, and Amanda stood a ways back as they kept talking.
Chiro looked back at them.
"You guys can go wander around for a while! We'll meet at the new RoseBurrow in one hour." He called out to them.
Amanda quickly turned and walked off to the nearest fashion store without a second thought, Arwen following behind just to make sure her daughter didn't spend too much money. Willow stared at the others, kinda jealous of how much love from the masses they get. Then again, they did save the galaxy and she had barely begun such tasks. She smiled at Antauri, who was calmly talking to a group of philosophy scholars.
Willow sighed and looked up at Mandarin, Brittany, and Trent.
"Well I'm gonna look around, Trent you wanna come with?" She asked, clutching to her purse.
Trent nodded slightly but Mandarin sighed.
"I think I'm going to go by myself for a bit." He said.
Willow nodded.
"Okay, we'll meet you at the restaurant!" She said before the two began to walk away.
They turned to Brittany, who looked around, trying to find a store suited to her high tastes.
Willow waved her hand, urging her to follow. Brittany blinked in confusion before following.
"Are you going to make me dress up in goth clothes or something?" She asked.
"No, and don't call them goth clothes!"
"Then...what are they?"
"You two, please."
Mandarin turned and began to walk off too.
"Wait!" Chiro called out, causing Mandarin to turn to him.
He held out a small card.
"In case you want to buy something, you can use my card for now." He said.
Mandarin shook his head.
"N-no I don't want to, it's your money.."
Chiro shook his head and kept holding it out.
"It's fine, my points will be refilled by next week. Besides you might want to buy some stuff for the baby." He said.
Mandarin hesitated, really not like doing this. He took the card and placed it in his storage.
"I...I guess."
Chiro smiled.
"Go on, have a bit of fun. We'll meet up at RoseBurrow." He said.
Mandarin nodded and walked away, really not liking the idea of spending Chiro's money at all.
Trent grabbed the nearest banjo in the music store they were in and began strumming it wildly.
"I want the world to buuuuurn!" He sang, causing Willow to laugh and playfully punch him in the arm.
"Put that back you goof!" She giggled.
"No, I think I'm gonna buy this." He said, looking at the price.
Willow put her hands up and walked off.
"Then waste your money however you please!" She sighed.
Brittany looked over the various CDs, picking some albums up and glancing at the titles.
Willow peeked over at her selections and her eyes widened.
"Woah, I never thought you would pick classical." She muttered.
Brittany frowned.
"What you think I would just pick country music or something?" She asked.
Willow shrugged.
"I just never saw you listening to other genres before, I know you once tried to get that annoying top 40 song to the DJ at prom." She said.
Brittany raised an eyebrow.
"That's because my 'friends' wouldn't shut up about it. I actually have a articulate taste you know." She huffed.
Willow blinked, that wasn't what that word meant but whatever.
"Well that's good you're into so many genres, I'm probably gonna get this." She said, picking up an album with the artists called, 'The Ravens'.
Brittany nodded and picked up the same album. Willow looked confused.
"Wait you're getting that too?"
Brittany shrugged.
"Sure?"
Willow raised her eyebrows and nodded slightly.
"Okay then, didn't expect that."
Brittany sighed loudly.
"Look just because I was a popular girl back then doesn't mean I don't like music like this. Widen your horizons a bit." She huffed.
"I didn't say that!"
"Well that's what you were implying!"
Trent then bursted between them.
"Guess who got himself a banjo!" He chirped, trying to ease the tension.
Willow blinked before sighing.
"Oh my god Trent really?"
"Hey you said I could waste my money however I please! Now I got a banjo." He said with a smirk.
Brittany leaned a bit.
"Why did you buy it?" She asked.
"Why shouldn't I buy it is the proper question!" Trent said, holding the instrument close to him.
"But seriously, music is like my life force."
Willow rolled her eyes but smiled as she walked to the cashier.
Trent turned to Brittany.
"So uh...what's your favorite Ravens song?" He asked.
"I like 'Violet Nightshades'." Brittany replied, smiling.
Willow watched the two as she made her purchase. Brittany was much less bitchy than on Natulis, she wasn't calling her a freak or whatever. She was actually trying to be civil...despite that little tense argument over music interests.
That was a first for her, not unlike back then. She remembered the time where Brittany teased her mercilessly for her uncle showing up at her father daughter dance until she basically congratulated her father's mugger for what he did. That resulted in a fight between the two that got both of them suspended. Shit like that doesn't go away and yet Brittany feels actual guilt and wants to make amends.
Willow bit her lip, she doesn't know if she could do that just yet. She didn't know if she could even forgive her just yet. When her mom, Brittany, and herself all talk about this, there better be a damn good explanation for why Brittany did the things she did.
All of this seemed so confusing to her. However for now she has to be civil to her, for now.
The three left the music store and continued their way to other stores, Brittany keeping up being civil and attempting to get along with Willow.
For the most part as they stopped by an alternative clothing store and she whined.
"You said widen your horizons!"
"I meant for music!"
Trent groaned.
"Guys please."
Mandarin blinked. Okay he was lost now, that much he knew. He looked over the mall's map, unsure of where he was right now.
Level 1...Section B, Green?! Who comes up with these names?!
Who cares! He was close to RoseBurrow and that's all that mattered as he looked around at the various stores with the clean cut structures and greatly themed interior. He would be feeling nostalgic but he was so confused and tired he couldn't muster the feeling as he looked somewhere to rest for a second.
No bench would work because he would just destroy it on impact and sitting on the no doubt clean but still germ covered floor from customers was a no either. Mandarin decided to just lean against the wall under a large screen ad for the time being and look around. From the outside, RoseBurrow had a dark red structure and dimmed lights. He figured dinner might be expensive just from the appearance alone, but he could be wrong.
He then noticed a furniture store not too far from here. He could use a few different items for the unfinished room...including a kitchen table that he was having a hard time finding online. Mandarin then shook his head, no way! He was not going to spend anything on Chiro's card! Nothing!
Then he looked back at the entrance. It wouldn't hurt just to peek...just a bit. As he edged towards the entrance, the awkwardness of how much he stood out was beginning to really get to him. The other citizens staring at him warily and just his overall hugeness was awkward in it of itself.
Perhaps if Otto was here then maybe-no! No, Mandarin was independent! He could go into stores without any one's help. Mandarin entered the store and wearily looked around.
There weren't too many people inside, thank goodness. However he still had to avoid banging into things and knocking stuff over. He sighed as he made note of several items that would be nice to have, including a vast variety of kitchen tables.
Mandarin noticed one that had a restaurant booth like structure and thought about it...until he saw the price and 'noped' his way away from it. The citizens nearby mostly glanced at him every now and then and quickly looked away to avoid eye contact and the employees were unsure of how to approach him. At least they were leaving him alone for the time being.
There was another one with a white and brown decor with it and a long table. He looked at the price and sighed. At least this one was in his price range, maybe he could talk to Antauri about this one. He began to leave after noting a few more items of furniture when he came across the large wall ornaments section.
Oh yeah, he still hasn't made a proper purchase on one did he? Mandarin looked around before going through it. There were a few that were decent, like ones with various quotes and even lanterns, and some that are just abstract and strange. Like an ornament with a woman and a man with a bat for a face. Seriously?
Mandarin gently looked through each one until a big one caught his eye. It was a huge ornament of a golden cobra, mouth open in a threatening expression. That was amazing! He quickly looked at the price and a smile grew across his face at just how cheap it was for him! And he didn't even have to order it and wait several days! He can just take it home now! Oh how his child will love such an kick ass ornament! It was like his whole world lit up just because of this amazing ornament! He completely forgot about not buying anything on Chiro's card at this point, besides it was rather cheap!
"Perfect!" He chirped as he picked it up.
He looked around, hoping for a self checkout but his joy was soon crushed by the realization that he would have to face the checkout lady. Oh the awkwardness this would bring to him.
Mandarin gulped as he edged his way towards the checkout counter before setting the ornament down.
The check out lady nervously looked up at him and gulped.
"U-uh s-so did you find everything ok?" She asked as she scanned the ornament.
Mandarin looked around awkwardly, not moving his head.
"Erm yes." He muttered, taking out the card Chiro gave him.
The checkout lady took the card and swiped it.
"Erm d-do you need help with-?"
Mandarin shook his head and opened his storage, which was big enough for the cobra ornament.
"No it's fine." He said as he placed the ornament inside.
The lady couldn't help but not contain her shock.
"I-uh have a nice day." She stuttered.
Mandarin nodded and without thinking said, "You too."
He mentally cursed himself for saying such weird things as he left. The check out lady leaned forward watching him leave.
"That was...awfully polite of him." One citizen piped up as he walked to the checkout counter.
The lady nodded, feeling slightly less awkward than before. Maybe he wasn't such a total jerk as everyone pegged him to be.
Mandarin left and checked the time, he had around fifteen minutes left before everyone showed up. Perhaps he should wait by the restaurant. He walked towards it when he passed a particular store that made him stop and back up a bit.
Cribs, playpens, and other baby related items galore. Mandarin froze as his face grimaced. The baby store looked so tempting to him,and being pregnant surely wasn't helping. He almost turned towards it but he shook his head and walked a few steps before looking back. A few beads of sweat appeared on his forehead as he kept staring, the temptation growing.
"No, I am not going in there. I already have spent more money on Chiro's card and I would feel terrible if I spent anymore" he thought, his will in turmoil.
"No...nope...I don't need it...I don't need it...no...no...no..."
Mandarin openly sobbed at the table, having quite a few bags from the baby store on the floor.
"Mandarin, it's fine." Antauri said, trying to cheer him up.
"I'm sorry! I couldn't help it! It was like some sort of evil force controlling me to go in and buy their products!" Mandarin whined as he laid his head down on the table, tears streaming down his face.
Chiro laughed.
"Mandarin I said you could buy some stuff with it." He snickered.
"I didn't want to impose! I had no self control!"
"You weren't and it's fine! I still got a bit left for dinner tonight!"
Willow rolled her eyes but leaned over and patted Mandarin's arm.
Nova peeked into the bags and frowned.
"Mandarin why are you so bent on buying your daughter weird stuff?" She asked as she picked up a toy camera.
Mandarin raised an eyebrow at her.
"So having a toy camera is weird now?" He asked, his mood quickly changing.
"For a newborn maybe!"
"In case you forgot, Tabithian newborns aren't exactly normal." Mandarin huffed.
"Eh true."
Willow snickered as Trent then showed off his new banjo, getting confused stares from everyone. She sipped her soda and sighed. Things were finally peaceful again, for the most part. However she felt weird ever since she woke up. She felt Diamanda's emotions and they were confused. What happened that made her take back control? It wasn't a declaration of love or anything, that she would have heard. But what?
Mandarin glanced over at her as he was pulling out the ornament he bought earlier.
"Mandarin you are not gonna put that up in the nursery!" Gibson gasped.
"Oh yes I am. My child, her room, she will love it." He smirked.
Otto smiled a bit, it does look cool! But maybe a bit scary for a baby, then again it was going to be Mandarin's kid. She might end up loving it.
The Alchemist laughed as Antauri sighed.
"Don't you think that will be too frightening for an infant?" He asked,
Mandarin rolled his eyes as he placed the ornament back in his storage.
"Please, like she'll even know what's frightening and what isn't. Who knows she may like it." Mandarin said as he sipped his water.
"Yeah because a giant cobra isn't scary at all. Unlike that duck ornament you threw away." Chiro sighed.
"I am not putting anything too kiddish in her room! I won't let her succumb to such idiocy." Mandarin huffed.
Arwen sighed.
"It is his nursery, might as well let it go." She said.
Everyone agreed and continued to enjoy themselves. Otto curled up next to Mandarin and vividly talked to him about what else to put in the nursery, as well as other rooms. Chiro sipped his drink before feeling another presence near them.
"Um excuse me?"
Chiro and the others turned to see a small group of people gathered near them.
"Oh boy more people." Willow thought, before sipping her soda again.
One of them looked around before looking at Willow.
"U-um is it ok if I have your autograph?" She asked.
Willow blinked.
"What?"
The girl smiled and stepped foreword.
"Is that ok? Because I know you really haven't been on a lot of missions with the team but I still think you're pretty cool."
Willow blinked again, unsure of what to say. She thinks she's cool?
"Uh sure." She said as the girl handed her a small notebook.
Back home on Natulis, no one would have ever treated her this kindly. Her father was a part of the planets' heroes but no one seemed to care. Now on Shuggazoom she was treated so kindly.
She felt less alone, especially with the Hyperforce and Antauri.
Mandarin looked on, kinda happy for her in a way. She was getting some good attention from the citizens, that's great.
A small child then snuck away while the group talked to the team and sat down near Mandarin. He didn't even noticed the kid until he looked up at him and asked, "Why does your armor look like a swim suit?"
Mandarin jumped at the voice a bit and looked down.
"I...what?"
The kid looked his armor closely.
"I mean it kinda looks like one. Like a bikini or somethin'." He said and Sprx was doubled over laughing.
Mandarin held the bridge of his nose and pointed at the Alchemist.
"You would have to ask him about that." He huffed.
The Alchemist held back some snickers.
"The Skeleton King had Sakko create the armor...he ordered him to make it powerful." He chuckled.
"Really? Sakko of all people?! He wears a crop top and a skirt and Skeleton King trusted him in creating this?" Mandarin asked, motioning to his armor.
The Alchemist laughed a bit but nodded.
"Sakko was very passionate about his tastes Mandarin."
"He made bikini armor!" Mandarin exclaimed, causing the others to laugh as well.
The child snickered too at his reaction. Mandarin turned to him.
"So to answer your question, it's because of a tiny evil monkey with poor fashion tastes." He said.
The kid giggled but nodded. Chiro smiled, at least some citizens were starting to warm up to him.
Later that night after most people went to bed, Trent was walking back down to his room when Willow rushed up next to him.
"Trent wait!"
He turned to her.
"Yeah? What's up?" He asked.
Willow walked up to him.
"You doing okay?" She asked.
Trent wasn't sure how to answer, he did feel a bit better. Yet there were still some parts of him that were still feeling incredible guilt. He knew he wasn't alone as he saw Otto hopping onto Mandarin and asking him the same question.
"I will be, don't worry." He said as Otto snuggled with him.
Trent smiled sadly before hugging Willow.
"I will be." He said softly.
Willow closed her eyes and hugged him tight, feeling so terrible for them. There was still a lot of healing to do.
Naww my tiny electric son. How he is so precious to me. And the baby shower thing...that's gonna be a fun chapter. Thanks for reading!