Hey welcome back! Well we keep getting closer to the end and I got to say, when I got past this part I was livid. I haven't finished a fic in such a long time or put it up online. I don't really finish some of the things I've started and now that I have, it's nuts. But I want to keep doing it and finish more fics. Please enjoy!
After the ceremony, the new Starlights were backstage celebrating. Yui and Skyla turned to each other and paused. Skyla then sobbed and hugged Yui tightly, muttering congratulations over and over again. Violet held Marina up bridal style as a photographer took a few photos of them. Brittany was talking to a few members before noticing Trent as a few unelected Sueronians went over to him. One sniffled as Trent pulled her into a hug.
"There's always the seventh generation auditions." He muttered.
Brittany smiled before continuing her conversation. That boy doesn't have a mean bone in his body. Other members started to go over to him and talk to him vividly, also comforting the unelected Sueronians. Of course that was until Emerald nearly tackled him to the ground. Yui watched as Marina clung to Skyla. She then felt someone brush against her arm.
"Hey captain." Iris joked.
Yui rolled her eyes.
"Don't you start calling me that too." She huffed, making Iris snickered.
The two were silent, watching everyone mingle.
"Making the Hyperforce your rivals, jeez." Yui huffed.
Iris snickered.
"I didn't mean anything spiteful by it. I was inspired by them tonight, not only in their performance it in their overall combat. They were amazing, and I want the Gary stu corps to achieve that same brilliance and teamwork." Iris explained, walking up a bit.
Yui nodded a bit.
"I want us to become rivals in the way of us motivating each other and encouraging each other. I never want it to be spiteful because I'm an actual fan of them." Iris continued as Brittany overheard this and looked over.
Iris looked at Brittany and walked over.
"So tell the Hyperforce this when you go home." She held onto Brittany's hands and smiled with determination.
"We won't be easy to beat."
Brittany was taken back by this but smiled.
"I'm sure they'll say the same." She said.
Diamanda, who was barely conscious, was set in the healing tank. She looked pale and her eyes were covered in dark spots.
The team followed Chiro and the others as Gibson began to overlook her vitals.
"She's a bit malnourished and has several injuries, but she'll be fine." He sighed.
Everyone sighed in relief at the news as they watched Diamana float in the liquid. Arwen turned to Chiro.
"Was she in one of the cells?" She asked.
Chiro nodded.
"Yeah, we thought she was unconscious but she was responsive." He said.
Arwen sighed and looked at her. That was good, the poor thing looked so pale. She pulled out her choker and smiled, knowing how happy she'll be once she has this again.
"Let's give her some rest, she's going to need it." Gibson finally said before leaving.
Everyone agreed and left, with Arwen looking at the tank one last time before the door closed.
When they got back into the room, Willow and Tilamat were laughing so hard they might throw up.
"What happened now?" Sprx asked.
She pointed at a pissed off Mandarin, who was glaring at his enlarged stomach.
"Don't talk back to me young lady! I demand you to stop moving!" He huffed before flinching.
"Lazuli you're not making this labor any easier."
Willow held her stomach.
"Oh man I'm gonna miss pregnant Mandarin!" She wheezed.
Sprx snickered.
"Same, it was kinda hilarious at some points." He thought, despite the drama that happened.
Mandarin glared at his stomach before Otto sat next to him. Otto leaned against him as Mandarin rested one hand on him. Even though the pain was growing more and more intolerable, at least Otto was here. He looked to the others.
"So I take it Diamanda is recovering?" He asked.
Gibson nodded as he sat down.
"She's going to need a lot of rest though, and plenty of nourishment when she wakes up." He said.
Mandarin nodded slightly, that sounded reasonable.
"So what happened with Trent and Brittany?" Amanda asked.
From the smiles on their faces, she gasped.
"They both got in?!" Chiro asked.
"Yep! Trent and Brittany are the newest members of Starlights!" Willow happily announced.
Amanda squealed and jumped.
"That's amazing! They must be so happy!" Nova said.
"Have you seen them?! They worked their butts off!" Otto said.
"It's loud..." Mandarin sighed.
"Well when they get back here we should all celebrate." Antauri suggested.
Everyone, minus a disgruntled Mandarin, agreed to it. Willow turned to him, giving him a small smile.
"Hey who knows? Maybe when we're done celebrating, your labor will be shorter than expected." She said.
That was four hours ago, it was now two am. As they continued celebrating, Mandarin was nearly doubled over in pain.
"Come out!" Mandarin groaned as he let out a low whine.
Otto dabbed his forehead.
"Don't worry Mandarin, it'll be over soon."
"That's what you said an hour ago!" Mandarin snapped before wheezing.
Otto flinched a bit before kissing his cheek. The contraction subsided and Mandarin sighed. Willow and Trent nibbled on their pizzas as they watched. It was like watching a cheesy family sitcom or something.
"So how long have you been at this?" Trent asked.
Mandarin turned to him.
"For nearly eight hours!" He growled.
Trent turned away, shoving more pizza into his mouth. Otto rubbed his head.
"Don't worry, you're doing very good." Otto chirped as he kissed Mandarin's face.
"Otto no I'm sweating!" Mandarin whined.
"That's ok!"
Willow snickered as she turned to Trent. Throughout the night both him and Brittany have received many words of congratulations and encouragement. Although Trent was a bit freaked out by the tents that were set up. Mandarin felt his face getting poked by a pizza slice.
"Otto I can't."
Otto huffed.
"Mandarin you need this! For energy!" He urged.
Mandarin sighed.
"Otto I'm in a lot of pain, I don't have time to- please tell me it doesn't have any toppings." Mandarin said, looking at the slice.
Otto shook his head.
"Nope, unless you want me to-"
Mandarin grabbed the pizza slice and began to eat it. Otto snickered at his change of mood. Tilamat then entered the room.
"So Lazuli's grandmother is asking about you. She's asking how you're holding up." He said to Mandarin.
Mandarin frowned.
"Tell her she's so lucky she'll never have to experience labor pains." He huffed.
"Oh I can imagine! When we Tabithans are able to change our genders, they were comparable to labor." Tilamat then sharply inhaled.
"And let me tell you, it hurt like hell."
Mandarin nodded, no doubt understanding.
"But yeah I'll tell her you're progressing well, by what I'm reading it seems you'll be ready in ten hours!"
Mandarin whined and rested back against the bed. Tilamat snickered.
"Don't worry, it'll go by quick." He said, handing him a cup of water.
"It better." Mandarin sighed.
Willow smiled a bit before the door opened again. Antauri entered the room and went over to Willow.
"How is your foot?" He asked, getting onto the bed and holding her hand.
Willow's cheeks flushed.
"It's beginning to feel better, Gibson said I'll be able to walk on it in a few days." She said.
Antauri smiled and turned to Mandarin.
"And how are-?" He began to ask but stopped when Mandarin slowly turned his head towards him.
Antauri blinked.
"Not very well I take it."
Mandarin growled a bit before Otto dabbed his forehead again.
"The contractions are getting worse." Otto briefly explained.
Antauri smiled a bit.
"Well hopefully that means it will be over soo-"
"Actually I said he'll be ready in ten hours." Tilamat pointed out.
Antauri blinked, his eyes widening a bit. Ooh boy that's not fun.
"Oh...well...it'll go by quickly." He assured Mandarin.
Mandarin only let out a low whine. Antauri turned to the others.
"Trent we're about to cut the cake if you wish to join us." He said, with a small smile.
Trent glanced at Mandarin before looking back at Antauri.
"And miss out on this?! Are you kidding?!"
Mandarin growled at him.
"Trent it's gonna be like this for the next ten hours, you might as well go on ahead." Tilamat advised.
"Ten hours!" Mandarin repeated before groaning.
Trent thought about it.
"Well I guess it's okay...let me know if anything funny happens." Trent chirped before walking out.,
Antauri turned to Otto.
"Otto? Are you coming?" He asked.
Otto flinched and looked back at Mandarin.
"I don't wanna leave Mandarin alone though..." He said.
Mandarin sighed loudly.
"Otto I'll be fine, you should enjoy yourself." He said.
Otto touched his face.
"But what if something happens?"
"Tilamat will take care of it, you need to celebrate with everyone else. If it gets extremely awful I'll have you come back." Mandarin said sternly before kissing him.
Otto looked down before looking at him with a small smile.
"Okay, call me if you need anything. I love you." Otto chirped before nuzzling him.
"I love you too."
Otto hopped down and left the room, mouth drooling at the thought of cake. Mandarin watched him leave before he realized that Willow and Antauri started to snuggle each other.
"...Can't you do that somewhere else?"
"Nah." Willow murmured.
Mandarin rolled his eyes before a contraction hit him again. He let out a yell before leaning over, clutching his stomach. Tilamat rushed over to him.
"Holy crap! They're finally getting to you aren't they?" Tilamat asked.
Mandarin growled at him before grimacing again.
"Sorry, just bre-"
Mandarin turned to him and pointed.
"If you ask me to do those damn breathing exercises that Sprx suggested I swear I will-!"
"Not in the rhythm you're thinking about! If you were having a human baby you would, but Tabithians are a bit different." Tilamat snapped.
"Oh so it's more embarrassing?!"
"Just breathe normally you dingus!"
Willow and Antauri could only watch on.
"You still want to cuddle?" Willow asked.
Antauri slightly nodded.
"Do you need anything? Because I got nurses on standby." Tilamat pointed out.
Mandarin panted, placing a hand on his head.
"Just...just a gallon of water. I'm going to need it." He sighed.
Tilamat nodded and peeked his head out.
"Mira! Bring me a gallon of water!"
Willow's eyes widened.
"Really Mandarin? A gallon?" She asked.
Mandarin huffed before grimacing.
"I need the hydration." He briefly said before continuing to writhe in pain.
Willow nodded, understanding. The poor guy, having to go through all this . Hopefully though, the ten hours will go by quickly.
After nearly an hour Mandarin just wanted to die. The party was over and many of the others were going to bed. Otto slept in the chair next to Mandarin's bed. Antauri and Willow still remained, still snuggling. Willow smiled a bit as Antauri slept in her arms. She felt a bit worried about how their relationship was going to work out, them being different species and all. She had so many questions in her mind right now and wasn't sure how the future would hold. However, laying there with him, made her feel very peaceful. Despite what was happening next to them. Willow smiled as she stroked his cheek, she knew they were going to be fine. Love isn't easy after all.
Mandarin sighed as the contraction subsided. He looked at the clock, which read three thirty am.
"Only...nine hours to go!" Mandarin wheezed.
"You know you can get an epidural." Willow pointed out.
Mandarin sighed as he dabbed his head with a washcloth.
"I will when I sleep, but right now I'm barely tired." He breathed.
Willow smiled sadly.
"Thank goodness you don't have to push the kid out."
"Thank Veran!" Mandarin huffed.
"Where would it even come out of?" Willow pondered.
Mandarin's eyes widened at the thought.
"Oh I don't want to imagine!" He gasped, causing Willow to laugh.
The two were silent for a bit.
"So they escaped..." Mandarin muttered.
Willow stared at the ceiling.
"Yep, but we'll get them the next time they show up." She said, smiling a bit.
Mandarin smirked.
"Good, that way when he comes back I will be ready to kick that little fake." He said.
"Oh yeah I bet! Wait, what are you gonna do about Lazuli though?" Willow asked.
Mandarin thought for a moment.
"Maybe I'll talk to your mother about babysitting her."
Willow nodded.
"I'm sure she'd be fine with that."
Tilamat sat down, watching a movie on his laptop. He decided to take a small break for a while until he had to check on Mandarin and the baby again. Mandarin sipped on his water before resting back. The overall silence was pleasing to him, especially right now. He rested a hand on his stomach as he closed his eyes.
He then felt surging pain, almost as if someone was stabbing several small knives into his stomach. He yelled as everyone got up.
"What is it?" Otto asked.
"I don't know, it feels as if something bit me." Mandarin said.
Tilamat frowned before he tapped a few keys on his laptop. His eyes widened.
"Are you freaking kidding me?" He breathed.
Antauri and Otto got up.
"What? What is it?" Mandarin asked, holding his abdomen.
Tilamat froze a bit before quickly getting up. He darted towards the door and peeked his head out.
"Get the anesthesia! She's already biting!" He ordered.
The tone of the situation quickly turned from paranoia to intense fear.
"What do you mean she's biting?!" Willow asked.
Tilamat turned to them.
"That baby's coming and it's gonna come right now. Someone please get Gibson, I'm gonna need him!"
"Yes doctor." One of the nurses quickly said before darting to Gibson's lab.
Mandarin barely moved, unsure of what to do. He felt Otto's small hands on his. He slowly looked down at him.
Otto fearfully looked up at him.
"You're gonna be ok, you're gonna be ok!" He assured him.
Mandarin couldn't respond as Gibson nearly tripped in, along with several nurses. Antauri clutched Willow's hand as they brought in the anesthesia. Mandarin grimaced as the pain surged up again.
Tilamat looked at one of the nurses.
"Get Willow's bed out of here, we need to operate in here!"
"What?!"
"You heard me!"
One of the nurses took the bed that Willow was sitting on and began to push it away. Willow turned her body around.
"Mandarin! You're gonna be fine!" She called out.
Mandarin wasn't sure how true that was going to be. Otto kept holding onto his hand until he felt Gibson touch his shoulder.
"Otto you're going to have to leave too." He said.
Otto quickly shook his head.
"No, not happening. I'm staying here." He denied.
"Otto we need to be quick as hell, you have to go out and wait. We won't let anything happen to him- Mira the vein is right there!" Tilamat snapped.
Otto shook, there was no way he was leaving Mandarin. Not like this, not when he needed him. He suddenly felt Mandarin's hand rest on top of his. Otto looked back at him.
"Otto, you're going to have to go." Mandarin shakily said.
Otto's eyes widened and he shook his head again.
"Not happening! I won't leave you!"
"Otto you have to! I don't want you to leave either but I have no idea what's going to happen. It's safest if you go with Willow and Antauri." Mandarin said.
Otto's lower lip trembled. He slowly nodded.
"Just...just be safe." He muttered before jumping up and kissing him.
They held onto the kiss for a while before Otto jumped down. He quickly walked out, holding back tears. Mandarin watched him leave as the mask was put on his snout.
"Alright ladies, and Gibson, let's get to work!" Tilamat said, putting on his gloves.
Chiro and the others rushed up when they heard the yelling. They saw Willow's bed out as Otto stared down at the floor in fear.
"What happened?" Chiro asked.
Antauri looked up at them, worried.
"Lazuli began biting, they have to get her out." He said.
Everyone froze in fear.
"Man, that kid is impatient." Sprx chuckles nervously.
"No kidding." Willow murmured.
Nova noticed Otto and went over to him. She placed a hand on his arm.
"Are you ok?"
Otto looked at her, tears stinging his eyes.
"I'm just so scared. I should be with him but..."
Nova smiled and side hugged him.
"He'll be fine, Gibson and Tilamat are taking care of him." She said.
Otto sniffled and nodded.
Trent rubbed his neck.
"Man, I can't imagine how he feels right now." He muttered.
Willow stared at the tent's door, anxiety filling her.
"All we can do for right now is wait, that's the best thing we can do for them." Antauri said to the others.
Everyone agreed to that, despite the anxiety and dread that was hanging in the air.
For the next few hours all they could hear from the tent were several murmurs and random occurrences of "What is that?!"
And Tilamat saying things like "Ask the Alchemist! He made this body not me!" Or "Mira you've worked on several aliens! This shouldn't be that weird to you!"
Some of the others decided to pass the time by playing video games or just trying to distract themselves. Otto watched the door at times, just hoping that things will go okay.
Willow looked down at the floor as Antauri talked to Chiro. Amanda snored next to her as she curled up on the floor.
"It's so tense, I hate it." She thought.
It was at six fifty in the morning when Tilamat suddenly yelled, "Guys! You might wanna cover your ears!"
"Why?" Chiro asked.
"Trust me just cover them!"
The team looked at each other before covering their ears. They then heard a unbelievably loud piercing screech. They covered their ears harder as many of them winced. After a minute or so the noise slowly died down. Otto slowly smiled as tears of relief flew down his face.
Everyone got up and stared at the door as they heard several noises.
One tent's door suddenly opened up as Gibson stumbled out, exhausted.
"Monkey doodle that was difficult!" He huffed.
Everyone rushed over to him.
"Gibson how-?!"
Gibson held his hands up.
"She's fine, everything went well." He said smiling.
Otto leaned forward.
"And Mandarin?"
Gibson smiled even more.
"They're just patching him back up, he's going to be out for quite a while."
Otto dropped to the floor, letting out one huge sigh. One of the nurses, who had light orange skin and blue eyes, slowly walk out. She looked towards the team.
"I...I've never seen a body like his before..." She breathed.
Sprx snickered.
"Neither have we."
Amanda smiled excitedly.
"Can we see her?" She asked.
Gibson wasn't sure how to answer that but the nurse stepped foreword.
"She's getting cleaned up, clothed, and documented, but once I hear back from one of the other nurses you can go in." She said with a smile.
She then looked over at Willow.
"Would you like a wheel chair ma'am?" She asked.
Willow nodded.
"Sounds great!"
The team walked down the hall to one of the tents. They then saw a wall with a long window as they saw many machines and what seemed to be a incubator. They peered in as Tilamat was writing something down with one hand and holding something else with another. He looked to what he was holding and said something, causing him to laugh a bit. Otto pressed his face against the glass, growing more and more impatient. Tilamat noticed them and waved a hand, urging them to come in.
Everyone, most of them quicker than they should, entered the room. Tilamat smiled and turned towards them.
"She snapped at me earlier, but she's a healthy sweet little thing."
He fully turned to reveal Lazuli as she clung to his chest. Her skin was a slightly dark blue with she had full darker blue lips and red eyes. She also had a small fang poke out from one side of her mouth. Her hair resembled shapes of large braids as she tilted her head curiously. Otto covered his mouth as everyone 'aww'd at her.
"She's so pretty!" Otto breathed.
"And very chatty, every time I talked to her she squeaked back." Tilamat chirped as Lazuli looked up at him.
"C-can we-?" Amanda began to ask.
"Hold her? Of course, you just need to sit down." Tilamat chirped.
Otto sat in the chair next to the incubator, Lazuli's eyes set on him. Tilamat leaned down to Otto. The small infant waved her arms a bit as he leaned.
"She's pretty big so just hold her like a one year old. Also she might nip you but she's only being friendly." Tilamat advised.
Otto nodded and as soon as Lazuli was set in his arms, she sniffed him. She then proceeded to nuzzle him and squeak loudly. A huge smile grew across Otto's face.
"Awwwww! She likes you!" Jinmay said.
"Well of course! It's Otto!" Sprx laughed.
Otto kept smiling as Lazuli nuzzled him, still squeaking.
"Hi sweetie." He said softly, causing Lazuli to look up at him.
Otto then looked up at Tilamat.
"Did she see Mandarin?" He asked.
"Only for a split second before we had to clean and clothe her. She tried to wriggle out of the nurse's arms."
Otto snickered as Lazuli nuzzled him again.
Nova cleared her throat.
"Um share?" She huffed, holding out her arms.
Otto blinked, snapping back into reality.
"Oh! Right!"
When she was handed to Nova, Lazuli also sniffed her. Nova narrowed her eyes.
"Hey can you open your mouth a bit?"
Lazuli tilted her head, confused, before Nova pulled up one of her lips which revealed very sharp teeth instead of just gums. Her eyes widened as Lazuli closed her mouth and frowned a bit.
"She does have sharp teeth." She said.
Tilamat snickered.
"Don't worry, by six months they should smooth out...though you might want to keep any precious valuables away and make sure she doesn't rip anything up."
Lazuli frowned a bit more before softly head butting Nova's chin. As she was passed around, she got to know many of her new family members. Sprx was next to hold her as she was plopped into her arms.
"Hey! You're the one that's been kicking your mom awake aren't cha?" Sprx asked.
Lazuli just stared at him.
"Sprx you know she couldn't control that." Gibson sighed.
"I know, I was just teasing her..." Sprx continued talking while Lazuli's eyes were set on Sprx's hand.
She grabbed his thumb and stared at it before putting her mouth on it and biting it.
"Ow!" Sprx exclaimed before frowning at her.
"Excuse me what are you doing?" He asked, while Lazuli just stared at him.
"Wait does it feel like she's biting it off or is it more softer?" Tilamat asked.
"I don't know! I guess softer- wait she's still biting though!" Sprx huffed.
Tilamat smiled.
"Oh that just means she likes you." He said.
Sprx frowned at Lazuli again, who let go and head butted him gently. As if to say, 'sorry'. She was then passed to Amanda.
"You're such a cutie pie aren't you?" Amanda cooed.
Willow smiled as Lazuli frowned at the baby talk. How could someone like Mandarin create something as cute as this? Lazuli stuck out her tongue slightly, still frowning.
"Oh you little butt!" Amanda huffed, but smiled.
Willow snickered. Amanda booped her nose slightly before turning to Willow.
"Your turn." She said, making Willow stiffen.
"Oh boy, I'm not good with holding babies." She gulped.
Amanda playfully smacked her arm.
"Come on now of course you are, you babysat for the Hirota twins and you were great!" She said.
Willow blushed slightly, embarrassed, before realizing that Amanda was giving Lazuli to her.
"At least give me a second!" Willow huffed before holding Lazuli.
Lazuli stared up at her for a second before resting her head against her chest, getting comfortable. The room became silent.
"Wow she's really comfortable with you." Jinmay said softly.
"Maybe when she starts crying we should give her to Willow." Sprx said.
Willow ignored him and smiled. She stroked her head, causing Lazuli to murmur.
"Oh yeah, you're Mandarin's kid alright." She thought.
A thought then popped into Gibson's mind.
"Oh! Could she walk on all fours yet?" Gibson asked.
"Gibson she's a newborn!"
Tilamat shrugged.
"Back in the old days, newborn Tabithians had to learn to walk on all fours for survival. So she probably could, it'd just have to be taught to her." He said.
Gibson nodded. Willow held Lazuli up a bit.
"How bout it kiddo? Think you can try?" She asked, receiving the small child to wave her limbs around a bit.
"Mip!" She squeaked.
Tilamat then took her and set her on the floor.
"She's already learned to pull herself up so all she needs to do is move." He sighed as Lazuli pulled herself up.
Lazuli looked around a bit before Tilamat and Sprx knelt to her level.
"Okay so just propel yourself forward using your hands and legs." Sprx chirped.
Lazuli stared at him.
"I think you have to show her Sprx, hang on." Tilamat said before pulling out his phone.
He turned the phone to her with a video small cat walking around.
"That's how you walk Lazuli, like that." He chirped.
Lazuli stared at the phone before trying to grab it. Tilamat sighed.
"No just do what the kitty does."
Lazuli tilted her head a bit, chirping.
"I think she doesn't understand." Antauri said.
"I've been a doctor for three years I know how this goes!"
Otto slowly went away from his seat and knelt down to her.
"Lazuli, just watch me." He chirped as we got on all fours and began to trudge away from her.
Lazuli's eyes widened as she leaned foreword. Otto was on the other side of the room and waved at her.
"Come on Lazuli! You got this!"
Lazuli blinked before looking down at her hands. She moved a bit before moving her hand...and scampering towards him. She nearly jumped on him as she nuzzled his side, claps filling the room.
Otto smiled and picked her up.
"That a girl! You're so smart!" He chirped as Lazuli squeaked at him.
Tilamat got back up and sighed, a bit peeved that his method didn't work this time. Lazuli tried to grab for Otto's face before stopping. She then started to whine.
"Awww what's wrong?"
"I think she's getting hungry, which is a great time for you all to go to bed." Tilamat said, causing the others to groan.
"Hey you've been up for hours! You all need your sleep." He huffed as Otto gave Lazuli to him.
Antauri nodded.
"He's right, besides we must help repair the city."
Sprx groaned a bit, wanting to relax after last night.
"Don't worry Sprx, you get to take down streamers and clean the park!" Nova chirped, patting his shoulder.
"Fun..."
Everyone began to leave the room, minus Willow and Otto.
Willow stretched her arms.
"Well I gotta go to bed too. See you later twerp." She said as Lazuli was being fed Glorx sludge.
Lazuli only stared at her and then to Otto.
"Bye Otto." Tilamat said.
"I don't want to...leave." He muttered, his head bobbing.
Willow wheeled over to him and patted his head.
"She's probably tired too, you'll see her later." She said, picking him up.
Otto pouted but waved to her.
"Night sweetie."
Lazuli raised an arm to him but focused back on her food.
Otto smiled sleepily as Willow wheeled out of the room. He couldn't wait until Mandarin woke up, just so he could see the two bond.
Now wait, before you say babies can't crawl when they pop out...yeah they can't. But these are alien babies that I made up so at least I got that. Anywho thanks for reading!