Alright! I don't know how many other chapters there will be left but I do know that the story is on it's way to being done! Slowly that is but I am working on the next fic and I will soon work on the sequel to this one. Please enjoy!
For the next two and a half months, Trent kept practicing for the auditions with Brittany and he was improving very well. Trent fell on his butt after practice was over and sighed heavily.
Brittany smiled and patted his shoulder.
"I think it's safe to say you're ready for the auditions." She said.
Trent looked up, eyes wide.
"Really?!"
Brittany nodded and handed him a water.
"Yep, the only thing we need to really worry about is your identification. I mean they'll recognize you but they'll need proof that you're half sueronian and not a human with powers." She said.
Trent blinked.
"And how are we gonna do that?" He asked.
Brittany placed a hand on her chin.
"Well Sueronians females have jewels that they can use for jewelry, but male Sueronians need stones and I think is silly but the council is a bit sexist. Do you have anything like that?" She asked.
Trent burrowed his brow until his eyes widened. He pulled out a round green stone.
"Something like this?" He asked.
Brittany's eyes widened in surprise.
"Where did that come from?" She asked.
Trent looked down at it.
"Before my parents divorced and my mom married my awful step dad, my dad gave me this before he went exploring the Galaxy. He never said why I needed it but...I kind of get it now." He said.
Brittany smiled at his past, spoken like a true Sueronian.
"Well I think we should place it somewhere, just so it won't get lost." She said.
Trent nodded.
"Okay, and how are we gonna do that?" He asked for the second time.
Brittany thought on it.
"We could use an armored arm band to hold it...but how are we gonna get that?" She said.
The two thought on this for a while before the two thought of one person.
"You want me to do what?" Willow asked as Antauri sipped tea.
"Can't you do a spell thing to make a armored arm band for Trent to hold this in?" Brittany asked, holding up the green stone.
Antauri leaned forward, examining the stone.
"What is that?" He asked.
Brittany turned to him.
"It's a stone male Sueronians use instead of jewels." She explained.
Antauri nodded, no doubt intrigued.
Willow blinked.
"Uh I think I can, hold on." She said getting her magic book out.
She flipped through the pages until her eyes caught on a specific spell.
"Ah! Here we go!" She said before clearing her throat.
The spell she cast was spoken in a mix of Latin and some other language that Trent or Brittany never heard of before. They then noticed a bright light above them and a cylinder was forming inside. The light disappeared and Trent caught what seemed to be a golden yellow metal arm band. It had a round dent that was similar to the stone he had.
Willow sighed and rubbed her brow, that took a lot out of her.
"Well go ahead, put it in." She said smiling.
Trent looked at the stone and then at the armband. The stone his dad gave him, would he approve of him wanting to join Starlights? He didn't really talk about them and when he did it wasn't in bad taste, but still the thought lingered. He slowly placed the stone inside the dent and it clamped tightly. He tried to get it out to test it, and it was stuck on there. A small smile grew on his face.
Willow patted his arm.
"So I take it practice went well?" She asked.
Trent nodded.
"He's ready to go, now all we need to do is wait for the final date and place where the concert will take place." Brittany said as she heard the others come up.
"It's done!" They all exclaimed before collapsing.
The four looked at them worriedly.
"Woah! What happened?" Willow asked as she went over to them.
"We're finally done with the underground base!" Amanda wheezed.
"It took us seven months but we finally got it done!" Chiro cheered, wheezing slightly.
Antauri helped Gibson up.
"I take it Mandarin is happy?" He asked.
"If he wasn't on bed rest right now he'd be looking around everywhere." Nova sighed.
Willow smiled, making a note to go down there later.
"Otto's resting with him for now so let's just...let's just rest!" Chiro wheezed.
Everyone agreed to that notion.
Then an alarm went off and Antauri rushed to the control panel.
"The scanners detected an anomaly in the Savage lands!" He announced, causing the others to rush over.
The scanners showed a large formless army being made, with Skelemandarin and Sage looking over the production.
"The army...the army's almost finished!" Nova exclaimed.
Trent trembled a bit at the sight of his evil self.
Gibson tapped a few buttons.
"By my calculations the army will be finished and launched in three days." He stated.
"That's when the auditions start!" Brittany gasped causing everyone to look at each other.
"It's happening..." Amanda muttered.
Willow clenched her fists, growing mad. These bastards really are going through with this. Antauri held her hand, causing her to blush.
"Don't worry Willow, we will be ready for them." He said.
Willow smiled and held his hand tightly. He's right, it's time they finished this.
Everyone was alarmingly silent.
"Willow y-you're holding h-his hand!" Amanda squeaked, causing the two to take their hands back.
Sprx snickered.
"You two really love each other don't you?" He asked, causing the two to glare at him darkly.
"Want to run that by me again?" Willow asked as Sprx backed up.
Before anyone said anything else the screen beeped. The gang turned to someone trying to get into contact with them.
"Who's that?" Nova asked.
Chiro turned to Gibson.
"Gibson answer it." He said as Gibson pressed a button.
A voluptuous woman with long blond hair and pink streaks and purple eyes appeared before them.
"This is the Super Robot command room?" She asked.
Everyone was too shocked to speak until Chiro cleared his throat nervously.
"U-um yes?"
The woman looked around a bit before continuing to speak.
"One of the staff members of Starlights said they know Brittany Diamond's mother. She said this planet is about to experience an attack is it not?" She asked.
Antauri nodded.
"Yes in three days." He said.
The woman cursed under her breath and looked off to the side.
"Mrs. Dementia! They said there is going to be an attack in three days!" She yelled.
The team then saw Marie walk up next to her.
"Thank you Atlantia, I'll take it from here." She said sitting down.
Trent's eyes widened at seeing one of the previous Starlights.
"Sorry about that, anyway what sort of attack are we dealing with here?" She asked.
The others looked at each other.
"They're enemies of ours, they're creating an army of formless to attack the city." Chiro explained.
Marie ran fingers through her straight black and purple hair.
"Oh boy, well that's going to be a problem." She said.
"Why's that?" Willow asked.
Marie was silent before she spoke.
"The audition concert will take place on your planet."
Everyone froze at that announcement.
"On..." Gibson breathed.
"...Shuggazoom." Trent finished.
"We chose this planet because it has a lack of Sueronian contact in this universe, a big introduction to it will help the auditionees use their powers fully. But now that a threat of an attack is coming..." Marie bit on her finger nails before her eyes widened.
"Wait...what if..?" She then smiled.
"Wait! I got it!" She said leaning forward.
"How about we help you fight off the Formless too?" She offered.
Everyone was shocked at her offer, trying to think this through.
"We'll have the auditionees protect the audience from the formless and round them all up. We'll also use the Gary Stus to help too." Marie said.
The others looked at each other. Chiro thought it over.
"It would be very helpful." Antauri muttered.
Chiro sighed and looked up at Marie.
"That would be amazing. We'd love the help."
Marie smiled and nodded.
"That sounds great, we will be planning with you for the next three days. Would that be ok?"
"Of course, again thank you."
The screen turned off and the others sighed in relief.
"Well at least we don't have to worry about which one of us has to be bait." Amanda said, reviving a glare from Brittany.
"Excuse you, me and Trent are participating in the auditions!" She reminded her.
Amanda flinched but nodded.
"Oh right!" She said before thinking.
She looked at Willow nervously.
"Umm...actually I was wondering during the fight...if I could use dads' ship." She asked.
Willow's eyes widened.
"Dad's' ship?!" She asked for clarification.
Amanda nodded.
Willow looked off to the side.
"I don't know Amanda...I don't know what mom would say."
"Would say what?"
Everyone turned to Arwen as she entered the room in her work clothes. Willow jumped a bit at her presence as Amanda fiddled with her fingers.
Arwen went up to the two and looked at them.
"U-um I was asking Willow if during the fight I could use dads' ship." Amanda stuttered.
Arwen's eyes widened before looking away.
"I...I don't know Amanda...no one has used Frier's ship for battle ever since he died..." She said softly.
Amanda stepped foreword.
"I know, but we have a reason to use it! Dad would want us to use his ship against Sage and Mandarin 2, so please-!"
Arwen bit her lip and clenched her fists.
"I know! I know he'd want us to use it but..." Her voice trailed off.
Willow clutched her arm and looked at the ground sadly. Amanda fiddled with her fingers again.
Antauri floated over to the three.
"Arwen, I know how much your husband meant to you and your daughters. I know that his ship is especially important to you, but realize that Amanda is only doing this to help." He said, Arwen then looking at Amanda.
"She knows how much he meant to you too, that's also why she wants to do this. So..."
Arwen walked over to her and placed her hands on her shoulders.
"You will be safe, right?" She asked.
Amanda smiled.
"Of course mom, you know I will."
Arwen sighed and laid her forehead against hers. Her daughter was like her in so many ways when she was younger, and that was the scariest thing to her.
"Alright, just be careful." She whispered as Amanda hugged her.
Willow and the others smiled. Chiro sighed and clapped his hands.
"Alright team! Let's get to work!"
"Right!"
Mandarin groaned loudly as he laid on his side.
"I want this child out of me." He groaned as he had his hands on his huge stomach.
Otto, exhausted in a bean bag chair, licked his lips.
"Don't worry Mandy, she'll be here in two weeks." He sighed.
"That will take too long!" Mandarin whined.
Otto tried to get up but the weakness in his knees made him nearly fall over.
"Mandy...Mandy..."
He crawled over to the bed and hoisted himself up. Otto snuggled up with Mandarin and nuzzled his neck.
"You know what you need right now?" He panted.
"A c-section?"
Otto smooched him.
"Lots of loving." He said before kissing him.
Mandarin groaned as he kept kissing.
"Otto no."
"Otto yes." Otto said before nuzzling him again.
Mandarin sighed as Otto continued to snuggle him. Mandarin then felt Otto move down to his stomach and began to stroke it.
"Hi Lazuli, Gibson and Tilamat said that you'd be here in two weeks." Otto chirped.
"Otto stop I...I'm too out of it to even complain." Mandarin sighed.
Otto laughed a bit before continuing to stroke his abdomen.
He crawled back up to Mandarin and kissed his cheek.
"I'm genuinely surprised you were able to put up with me and my constant mood swings." Mandarin muttered.
Otto shook his head.
"Nah, it doesn't bother me that much. I mean you get scary when you get mad but I know that's not you talking. Besides you're cute when you cry." Otto chirped.
Mandarin grumbled, making Otto giggle.
"You're cute when you're like this, all sensitive and soft."
"Soft?! That's pregnancy weight Otto!" Mandarin huffed.
Otto patted his cheek.
"Still might be there after Lazuli's born, I mean not that I have a problem with it."
"It goes away after a week Otto. Tabithian pregnancies have the body go back to normal quickly."
Otto pouted.
"Phooey, I was looking forward to pudgy Mandarin." Otto huffed.
Mandarin snickered and hid his face.
"Otto that's really weird!"
"It'd be cute and you know it!"
Before the two could continue their moment, the lights came on and Mandarin groaned loudly, covering his face with the pillow.
"I had the lights off for a reason!" He yelled as Otto sat up.
Willow and Chiro winced at his reaction.
"S-sorry, Otto we'll need you upstairs!" Chiro said.
Mandarin struggled to sit up as Otto blinked.
"Why? What happened?" He asked.
"Mandarin 2 and Sage are building their army, so we're gonna have to be prepared." Willow explained.
Mandarin sighed and placed a hand on his face.
"That little fake doesn't know when to quit does he?" He sighed.
"Gee, wonder where he gets that from?" Chiro asked sarcastically.
Mandarin frowned.
"Chiro I feel like I'm about to burst, sarcasm isn't needed right now." He huffed.
"Right, sorry."
Otto nodded and hopped up.
"So what do I need to do chief?" He asked, a determined smile on his face.
Chiro smiled.
"You and Gibson will charge the weapons up for our backups to use on the Formless. They're gonna need it."
"Backups?" Otto and Mandarin asked.
"We'll explain that later, come on Otto." Chiro said.
Otto nodded and turned to Mandarin.
"I'll be back later, cutie face." He chirped.
Mandarin smiled a bit.
"Alright."
Otto kissed him.
"Love you." He chirped before leaving the room.
Mandarin blinked quickly, realizing that's the first time he said that. He smiled warmly before he heard a loud thump outside.
"I can't believe I said that so quickly!" Otto's voice wheezed.
The others snickered as Chiro began to leave.
"Otto it's been a few months, it's not too quick." Mandarin reminded him.
He heard Otto wheeze and snickered.
Willow looked at Chiro as he left.
"I'll be up in a few." She said.
Chiro nodded and left, taking Otto with him. Willow sat next to the bed, clearly something on her mind.
Mandarin frowned a bit.
"Aren't you going with them?" He asked.
Willow looked back at him.
"In a bit, right now I need to just think." She sighed.
Mandarin nodded slightly before laying down a bit.
"This is really happening, this all might be over." She breathed.
"I still never got to really fight him." Mandarin grumbled.
Willow turned to him.
"I know, maybe when and if we spare him you'll get to hit him a few times." Willow chirped.
Mandarin sighed, still disappointed.
"You'll never know, they still might get away again."
Willow straightened her back.
"That won't happen! I won't let Sage or that fake ass escape again that easily!" She said, hitting the bed with her fist.
Mandarin leaned back a bit, trying to get in a more comfortable position.
"I'm saying this as a way for you to be prepared in case that happens." He pointed out to her.
Willow sighed and dipped her head.
"I know, but I just want this to be over. For once I just want to not worry about him anymore." She sighed.
Mandarin scooted over.
"You will sooner or later. Someday he won't be a threat to you and Sage will return to Trent, where he belongs." He said.
Willow looked at him and smiled a bit.
"Yeah, hopefully. This still could be it, our last fight with him."
Mandarin nodded slightly. Willow then felt concerned as a thought entered her head.
"Wait, are you going to be okay? I mean what if something happens to you while we fight him? What if you go into labor during all of this?" She asked, worried.
Mandarin raised an eyebrow.
"Tilamat has sentries all around the city and there are a lot of defenses set up just in case, I doubt anyone is going to get in here. Also as much as I want to go into labor right now-"
"No you don't."
"The child won't be born until the 15th, as insufferable as that sounds."
"Mandarin trust me. Labor. Much more insufferable. My mom can vouch for that." Willow said.
Mandarin sighed, ignoring her.
"Even if that does happen, Tilamat can handle it. I'll just call him and he'll be right here, so I'm not that worried." He explained.
Willow bit her lip.
"Will you be okay? Being by yourself?"
"Please, I'll be fine. Solitude and I are old friends."
Willow smiled sadly, he doesn't have to be alone anymore but she knew he'll be okay. She tilted her head a bit.
"Sounds a lot like me when I was younger, I always threw myself into self pity though."
"That was before you met everyone and came here though, so you kind of didn't know. That and you had no self awareness of your own sueishness." Mandarin said.
Willow snickered.
"Is that what you're calling it?"
Mandarin shrugged before pausing.
"You know, I hate to say it but I've gotten used to your nonsense."
"Huh?"
Mandarin looked up at the ceiling.
"The first few weeks I was forced to be here, I found your Sueronian traits annoying and suspicious. I was so confused about why everyone liked you so much and why you had all of these confusing powers and a really tragic backstory-"
"Mandy that ain't even half of my tragic backstory." Willow admitted.
Mandarin looked at her confused. Willow raised a hand.
"I'll tell you about the other stuff too someday, sorry. Keep going."
Mandarin blinked. Ooh boy, more backstory.
"Anyway even though I still get confused and annoyed, I at least know why. Sueronians are meant to be perfect wish fulfillment beings, made with tragic backstories, many powers and friends, and a big love interest." He continued, causing Willow to blush.
"Y-Yyeah." She grumbled.
Mandarin lifted himself up a bit.
"So really it makes sense to me now. I mean I'm not sold on it, but I've gotten used to it in a way." He said.
Willow felt surprised by what he said, but at the same time pleased.
"I could say the same about you but, you know." She said.
"Oh trust me I would understand that." Mandarin scoffed.
Willow snickered.
"Yeah...but you know what? I'm glad things turned out the way they did, I could almost thank your dumb clone." She said.
"Same. Please do make him suffer for me." Mandarin sighed.
Willow stood up, smirking.
"Oh I will! Trust me after calling Lazuli a 'bastard child' I will make him pay!" She huffed.
"Please do! He deserves it so much!"
Willow snickered, feeling twice as confident as before.
She never felt so ready as she did now to fight against Skelemandarin and Sage for the last time.
Willow and Mandarin's relationship gives me life. Anywho thanks for reading!