Hello! So we're getting closer to the end actually! Or that's what my google docs say as me and my friend keep editing. So after this fic I'm gonna be as quick as possible to put up the next fic and work on the sequel of this one. The new fic called, "On A Doorstep" will most likely be shorter than this one but Idk. Please enjoy the practicing and Mandarin needs to chill 2: Electric boogaloo.
Brittany paced back and forth in front of Trent. Along with the others, they were in the training room getting ready to watch the two practice thanks to the virtual reality settings. This is so they could practice several songs in different concert settings.
Willow sneaked in and peeked behind Mandarin, who looked back at her in confusion.
"Alright Trent! Don't think that just because you got in means things are gonna be easy for you. The concert auditions are going to be a living hell if you aren't prepared for them." Brittany said.
Trent nodded, determined as hell.
"I got the setlist for their concert and needless to say we have a lot to cover. We're going to tackle one of the more easier songs to learn before we finally move onto River." Brittany explained.
Trent sighed in relief. That's good because River has the hardest choreography to do. Brittany looked over at Gibson, who nodded and pushes a few buttons on the control panel. The room changed into a concert hall with many people both onstage and off stage. Trent and Brittany hopped onto the stage while the others took the seats.
"Okay the first song we're going to cover is Diamond Shout. You'll take Ami's position for the time being."
Trent nodded and ran to one side of the stage. Ami disappeared and Trent stood in her place. Brittany looked over at Gibson.
"Can you slow down the song a bit for him? Just so he can get the dance moves down better."
Gibson nodded and turned a dial ever so slightly. The song began and Trent followed along with the other dancers.
"Trent! Remember to be on point!" Brittany called out.
She received a nod and he attempted to stay in line with the other members.
"Love you so, I need you so, I swear I'll never let you go!" The chorus rang as Willow watched on.
Trent nearly stumbled a few times but he quickly picked himself back up. She thought back to what Antauri was talking about earlier, about how he wouldn't give up years of friendship. The nervous thought was still there but seeing Trent up there, being his usual self, sort of eased her worries.
The song soon finished and Trent collapsed, out of breath. He heard the others cheer for him as he stared at the floor.
He then saw two sneakers in front of him and he looked up at Brittany. She kneeled down to him, looking at him straight in the face. There was a deafening silence before she spoke.
"You're not that bad, but you so have some work that needs to be done." She said.
Trent stared blankly at her, surprised by her comment. He stumbled so many times though!
"Don't worry so much about your stumbling, you've just started." She said, causing Trent to jump a bit.
"A-alright." He said as the two got up.
Brittany smiled before turning to Gibson.
"Gibson! Turn to the song, 'An Excuse, Maybe!'" She said, causing Trent to clam up.
Willow sighed as the others watched in anticipation. This was going to be fun.
After a few more songs, including the difficult 'River', Trent sat down and guzzled down some water. He had to repeat some of the other songs twice just so he could get the moves down, completely on his own accord though.
River however? He wanted to take it up to seven times but Brittany quickly advised against it.
"Just get some rest for now, we'll pick up back again tomorrow to work on that song and Seaside Cherry." Brittany said before leaving.
Trent nodded and grabbed the next water bottle and began to drink it normally.
Sprx patted Trent's shoulder.
"You were pretty good man." He said.
"Yeah you shouldn't have a hard time getting through the concert auditions." Jinmay pointed out.
Trent looked up at her.
"Yeah but Arwen told me when she got back yesterday that I would have to have something different from the others. And no I'm not talking about my gender." He said before anyone could interject.
The others thought about it, trying to soothe Trent's worries, but since they don't know what the other Sueronians would be like. Amanda kneeled down to him.
"Maybe you'll find that something when you perform. Then you and the guys in charge will know." She suggested.
Trent bit his lip and tilted his head.
"Hmmm hopefully." He muttered.
As the others wanted to stay and talk for a bit longer, Mandarin noticed that Willow looked eager to talk to Trent. By the look on her face, she probably wants this conversation to be quiet too. Mandarin looked towards the group and began to push them out.
"Mandarin!" Nova exclaimed.
"Come on, we have plans to commence remember?" Mandarin huffed.
Willow turned to go with them but Mandarin mouthed her to stay. The group then left, leaving Trent and Willow alone.
"Shouldn't you be going with them?" Trent asked, sipping more water.
Willow then thought back to her conversation with Antauri. She shook her head and sat down next to him.
"Nah, besides there's something I wanted to talk to you about." She said.
Trent stopped drinking and set down his bottle.
"Did I do something wrong?" He asked, looking a bit worried.
Willow quickly turned to him.
"Oh no no it's not like that! It's just...I'm a bit worried." She admitted.
Trent scooted closer to getting.
"Worried? Why?" He asked.
Willow held her knees close to her.
"I mean, it's really dumb. I don't expect you to become some huge snob or anything."
"Yeah that really doesn't sound like me." Trent said flatly.
Willow sighed.
"It's just...I'm worried if you get in that we'll drift apart." She admitted, looking ahead.
Trent was quiet before speaking again.
"That ain't gonna be us."
Willow looked at him.
Trent fully turned his body towards her.
"If I do get in, I swear I'll send you messages when I can. I mean I know I'll be super busy but I'll try." He promised, giving her a small smile.
This caused Willow to smile too, her worries slowly going away.
"Also since when did you decide to give up on archeology?" She asked.
Trent shrugged.
"I didn't give up on it, I just think I may have a new purpose now." He said.
Willow smiled. She then frowned and poked his chest.
"Don't let them corrupt you." Willow huffed.
"I'm not that easily influenced Willow." Trent scoffed.
He went to hug her but she quickly pushed him away.
"Don't hug me! You're all sweaty!" Willow squealed.
"Well excuse me! No one gave a towel!" Trent huffed.
Willow laughed and playfully punched his shoulder.
She then knew the two would be just fine.
The two kept planning well into next month with all the other things that kept piling up. The underground base was nearly done, only a few more guest rooms needed to be completed and they gave up on tracking Diamanda. They felt that she's probably well on her way to Sueronia by now and would probably be happier there. As for the plan in general, they decided to have Trent and Brittany distract the formless while the team fought them. The part of how to defeat Sage and Skelemandarin were still being developed, but they knew they still had some time before then.
Also of course, Mandarin's mood swings were getting worse. However instead of avoiding him, the others tried to settle him down whenever he got pissed off or begrudgingly weepy, which was a majority of the time. Even then the team felt they had to bring shields just in case, but thankfully no one got injured due to the whiplash of emotions. It was hell for all involved but they were trudging through it.
Yet all of the stress was getting to one red monkey.
Sprx groaned as the picnic table that was now in two.
"Mandarin! We don't own this table!" Nova told him as Mandarin angrily stormed off.
"Then have Otto fix it!" He snapped, causing Otto to flinch.
"Why don't you fix it since you broke it?!" Sprx angrily thought before running his temples.
"All of this over napkins, napkins!" He breathed.
Otto jumped up and went over to it.
"Don't worry I can fix this up asap!" He chirped before getting to work.
Sprx laid back and sighed, all he wanted was a nice day out for once. Fall/winter on Shuggazoom tended to end quickly in just three months and Spring was quickly on its way. However! Since Mandarin got so pissy over napkins not being big enough for him in general and snapping when someone suggested he used paper towels or regular towels instead, Sprx just wanted March to come as quickly as possible.
"Thanks Otto, thank goodness Arwen and Gibson are bringing the food now instead of before this happened." Chiro sighed, motioning the table.
"Someone should probably get Mandarin back here before he starts sobbing." Nova said, not wanting Mandarin to be surrounded by worried citizens.
"I would but uh..." Otto motioned the table.
Willow got up from her chair.
"I'll go get him." She said before going where Mandarin went.
Nova noticed the grumpy Sprx and went over to him.
"Hey, are you ok?" She asked, rubbing his back.
"It's just- so irritating!" He grumbled.
Nova sighed and patted his back.
"I know, but you gotta remember he can't help it. It'll be over in three months." She said.
Sprx turned to her.
"Three months is too long." He grumbled.
Nova huffed.
"Sprx you need to understand that this is just as hard for him. You're not the one carrying a baby." She explained.
"No but I can imagine." Sprx said before the table was fixed.
They then saw Mandarin being dragged by the hand back, saying no over and over again.
"I want to go home!" He huffed.
"You are going to eat here and you are going to stay!" Willow huffed before the two sat down.
Mandarin grumbled as he sat down,
"I hate this, I really hate this." He sighed.
"Don't worry you got three months left." Jinmay said.
"Three months is too long." He grumbled before Otto snuggled up with him.
Soon enough Arwen and Gibson came with the food and everyone began to relax for a while. Mandarin sipped his water as Otto gobbled everything on his plate.
He was actually starting to feel better, almost forgetting what made him so upset earlier. Some of the citizens came over and vividly talked to the team for a bit before leaving. Mandarin's body language made it clear that he didn't want to talk to anyone and he wants to keep it that way.
It wasn't until halfway through the meal that a group of citizens started to make their way towards them, including a few pregnant mothers. All of their eyes, set on Mandarin. Mandarin quickly looked around, trying to find a place to hide until they were gone. However the only hiding place he could find was behind a tree and it was far too narrow for him. He looked under the table and began to slowly lift it.
"Mandarin?!"
"Just let me hide!" Mandarin quickly said before the group finally made their way to the table.
"Hello M-"
"Damn it!" Mandarin exclaimed before putting his head down on the table, trying to hide himself.
Some of the expecting mothers looked a bit startled.
"Is he ok?" One of them asked.
Willow forced a smile.
"He's just not in a good mood right now." She simply said.
"No kidding." Sprx grumbled.
"Sprx!" Nova snapped and turned to the mothers.
"So uh what's up?" She asked.
One of the mothers smiled a bit and stepped forward.
"We were just about to ask about the baby's schooling but um..."
Mandarin looked up, no doubt annoyed.
"We'll...we'll ask another time."
Mandarin set his head back down, wanting all of them to leave. After a good while all of them left, Mandarin feeling relieved.
"I thought they'd never leave." He sighed as the team continued to eat.
"You could have been nice and talked to them." Gibson muttered under his breath.
Mandarin raised an eyebrow.
"I don't have to talk. I just want to enjoy my lunch, is that so wrong?" He asked.
"Well no-"
"Then leave it be." Mandarin said before grabbing thirds.
The others looked at each other before continuing to eat. After the table incident they don't want to have Mandarin's mood swings rile up again. Sprx's headache from before finally started to go away and he could relax for a bit.
Otto finished eating and snuggled back up with Mandarin, stroking his stomach. Instead of being embarrassed and asking him to stop in front of the others, he pulled Otto closer. Otto blinked and looked up at him.
"You're awfully snuggly today." He commented, smiling.
Mandarin shrugged a bit.
"Is that so wrong?"
"Nope! It's nice."
Otto snuggled up with him even more. Sprx snickered at the sight.
"Get a room." He said jokingly, trying to lighten things up.
However that was a mistake as Mandarin set down his fork and glared at the red monkey.
"Excuse me?" He demanded.
Sprx's smile dropped, not again.
"Look I was just trying to-"
"Be a inconsiderate jerk? Because that's what it sounds like." Mandarin snarled.
Everyone started the clear the table before Mandarin would break it again.
Sprx frowned.
"Now come on, I wasn't trying to be an ass or anything. I was just trying to be playful and-"
Mandarin glared daggers at him.
"Really now? Because what you said was completely uncalled for!" Mandarin snapped.
"It was a joke Mandarin!"
"A disgusting joke!"
Chiro stood up.
"Alright alright! You two need to calm down, we're here to relax and enjoy ourselves. Not argue." He said.
Mandarin and Sprx looked off to the side, the argument seeming to be over. At least for the time being.
When they all came home after a few hours, the tense feelings between Sprx and Mandarin still lingered. Antauri tried to settle Mandarin's sour mood with the stress ball he gave him, but he almost threw it at Sprx's head.
Sprx sat in the command centre, playing a videogame to calm his mood. It was just a joke! He wasn't trying to be mean or gross, he wasn't even implying sex between the two! He sighed as he won another level. Maybe he should apologize, his hormones were getting really bad. He heard several people coming up into the room and speak of the devil, Mandarin begrudgingly sat down.
"I swear the heavier this boulder gets the more it's destroying my spine." He huffed, rubbing his back.
"It's a baby, Mandarin."
"Still feels like one!" Mandarin huffed.
Sprx turned to him and got up.
"Um Mandarin-"
Mandarin groaned.
"I just ate, why do I have cravings now?" He whined.
Willow snickered.
"You want me to go out again?" She asked.
A lightbulb went off in Sprx's head.
"No wait! I'll get it!" He quickly said.
The others looked at him quizzically.
"You sure Sprx?" Nova asked.
Sprx nodded and turned to Mandarin.
"So what do you need?" He asked.
Mandarin blinked.
"Actually what I want is cheddar chips and strawberries." He said.
Sprx nodded and ran to his tube.
"Don't forget the vanilla yogurt!" Mandarin called out.
Sprx nodded, rushing out the door.
Sprx carried in two bags of what Mandarin wanted.
They were still sitting in the same places when he left, minus Chiro playing video games now.
He set down the bags next to Mandarin.
"I got your stuff." Sprx chirped proudly.
Mandarin looked down and his face crumpled a bit. Sprx's smile dropped.
"What?"
"Oh...um sorry Sprx but I'm no longer hungry for those." Mandarin said flatly, leaving Sprx frozen.
Mandarin looked at Antauri while Sprx stood there.
"Have you taken my water bottle by any chance? I've been looking for that the past few days." He huffed.
Antauri shook his head.
"No Mandarin I haven't. I don't need your water bottle."
Mandarin turned to Trent, eyes like daggers. Trent held up his hands.
"Don't look at me!"
"Then who took it?! I need it because the child demands it twenty four seven!" Mandarin snapped.
"You don't need to yell, I'm sure it's in the base somewhere." Nova sighed.
"Excuse me for being concerned about my possessions!"
Crack.
"I get that Mandarin, but you need to calm down." She said.
"I'll calm down when I have my water bottle in my hand!"
Crack.
"Stress isn't good for Lazuli, so please calm down." Gibson advised.
Mandarin huffed and sat back, still steaming.
He looked at Sprx and scoffed.
"I bet you took it just to mess with me." He growled.
That was it, Sprx had enough of the accusations and the mood swings. He was about to let Mandarin have it when Otto looked up.
"Actually I think I saw something that looks like your water bottle under the bed when I surprised you the other day." He chirped.
Mandarin's face then softened.
"Seriously?" He asked and Otto nodded.
He placed his face in his hands after a minute in silence.
"This pregnancy is destroying my brain." He groaned.
Otto giggled and patted his knee.
"Don't worry about it, three months left to go." He chirped.
Mandarin sighed before thinking.
"Erm Sprx about earlier-" He began turning to Sprx, when everyone noticed his expression.
Steam was coming out of his ears and his face was all scrunched up in an angry frown.
"Um Sprx? You ok?" Chiro asked.
Sprx licked his dry lips and nodded.
"Wonderful." He spoke.
Mandarin raised an eyebrow.
"Are you sure? Because if you look like you're about to erupt." He said.
Sprx slowly turned his head towards him.
"You know what? You're right! You wanna know why?!" He began, tired of the events that happened today.
Nova, immediately knowing why he's so mad, quickly got up.
"Sprx don't!"
"Don't what!? Don't express how sick I am of the constant mood swings of Mr. Flip flopper over there?!" He motioned towards Mandarin.
Mandarin crossed his arms and frowned.
"Don't compare me to ugly footwear Sprx-77." He huffed.
Sprx whipped around, murder in his eyes.
"Are you actually being serious right now?!"
The others flinched at his tone. Mandarin glared at him.
"Now the tears and forgetfulness I can handle, but I am just sick of the constant anger over nothing and accusations of crap we didn't do!" Sprx ranted.
"Sprx, don't say or do anything you're going to regret later." Antauri strictly advised.
"Yeah Sprx, listen to him." Mandarin growled, anger bubbling in his chest.
Sprx clenched his fists as Mandarin continued.
"Now I get that this day hasn't been favorable to you Sprx, but it was just as insufferable as it was for me." He huffed.
Sprx crossed his arms.
"Oh really now?"
"Yes Sprx, remember having these mood swings is just as terrible for me too. So don't think you're the only one in the world suffering because my cravings decided to switch and you already bought what I wanted." Mandarin huffed.
"Again I ask, are you being serious right now?! Try being on the receiving end of your temper tantrums!"
"I do not have temper tantrums!"
"Then what the hell happened to that table today?! What do you call that?!"
Mandarin opened his mouth to speak but he paused.
Gibson tried to get Sprx away, but he pushed him away.
"We avoid your mood swings, you get upset. We try to help your mood swings, you still get upset. I am sick of you acting like an demanding asshole all the time!" Sprx yelled.
Mandarin flinched and snarled.
"Oh I'm acting up? What about your behavior because you're acting childish and selfish right now!"
"Oh I'm being selfish now?! I'm selfish?!"
Otto flinched.
"This isn't looking so good." He muttered.
Amanda inhaled sharply through her teeth.
"It's not like we didn't see this coming, I mean you saw them at the picnic earlier." She pointed out.
Jinmay nodded.
"Guys we still should-" she began but the two were arguing even more furiously.
"Explain the tables jerk! Explain all of the tables you've broken!" Sprx snapped.
"Otto always fixes them!"
"And he shouldn't have to! You should control your damn temper!"
"You try carrying a Tabithian infant for nearly a year and you try to control your hormones!" Mandarin yelled.
"I wouldn't dream of it! I wouldn't even go so far as to just do it for someone's dead-" but Sprx stopped himself and just let out a loud yell, placing his head on the bubble chair across from Mandarin.
Mandarin clearly knew what he meant and looked down, a mix of emotions clear on his face. The whole room fell into silence.
Just then one of the tubes made a noise and Tilamat happily strolled into the room.
"Guess who's patient just finally had her baby and now he can come over whenever?!" He announced happily before noticing the tense situation.
Sprx leaned against the bubble chair, arms crossed while Mandarin stared at the floor. Tilamat looked around.
"I...came at a bad time didn't I?" He asked.
The whole argument between the two was explained, after Sprx stormed out a minute after he arrived.
Tilamat was hunched over, his hands on his cheeks.
"Jeez I knew the mood swings would get worse but...I never thought they'd end up like this." He said, looking over at Mandarin.
Mandarin was off to the side, not really looking at anyone.
Chiro looked at Tilamat worried.
"What should we do now? I mean we tried to help him whenever he gets like this but if it causes Sprx to snap like he did..."
Tilamat crossed his arms.
"I think it's more of an issue between Sprx and Mandarin than it is with his mood swings." He stated.
Mandarin looked over at him.
"What do you mean?" Willow asked.
Trent looked at Antauri.
"Did Mandarin and Sprx ever had that good of a friendship before?" He asked.
Antauri closed his eyes and shook his head.
"No...I don't think they have. They were fine before he turned against us...after that it was never the same." He sighed.
Mandarin looked down, that was true.
"When he came back to us their relationship improved somewhat, but they still continue to fight at times." Antauri said.
Tilamat nodded.
"Well I think for the sake of the baby, either those two learn to get along better or avoid each other until the pregnancy is over." He suggested.
Mandarin looked up again as the others went, "What?"
Tilamat sighed and sat back against the chair. He looked over to Mandarin.
"It's clearly stressing you two out, and the less stress the better."
Mandarin couldn't help but silently agree. Chiro thought for a moment.'
"So what do we do now?" Willow asked.
"We need to get Sprx back up here and fix things between them, then we'll figure it out from there." Antauri said.
Everyone agreed as Nova went to search for him. However when she came back she looked worried.
"Sprx isn't in the robot!" She said.
Everyone turned to her.
"What do you mean he isn't in the robot?" Amanda asked.
"I checked his room, the kitchen, the underground base, I even checked my room but I can't find him!" Nova exclaimed, clearly worried.
Antauri stood up.
"We need to find him immediately. Mandarin stays here." He said and everyone nodded.
"I am not-!"
Everyone quickly left the robot, minus Mandarin and Tilamat. Mandarin sighed irritatedly.
"You're going to find him too aren't you?" Tilamat asked.
Mandarin turned and went to the large transport tube, Tilamat following him. After the argument the two had, Mandarin had to have them fix it.
"That is without question."
I've read only small amounts of fics where the pregnant person and another person get into this really heated argument because of mood swings and that can be great conflict! But eh my philosophy is write what you want to see, what others aren't doing that you can try. That sort of thing. Anywho thanks for reading!