The Mothers of Summer and Winter are beings of indescribable power. Their very presence can alter the environment around them and little is beyond their knowledge. So it was quite surprising when I found them having tea outside of my cabin on the island of Demonreach.

The two mothers sat at a bright white circular table covered with a light brown tablecloth. Upon the table was an ivory teapot and the two of them seemed very at peace while they drank, careful not to spill tea on their brown and green dresses.

Without missing a beat , Mother Summer gestured to me to join them and created a chair out of thin air in front of me. I decide it best to take her invitation and quickly sat down at the table with them.

"And how are you this morning, Mr. Dresden?" Mother Summer asked. Her voice carried a feeling of calm and warmth to it. Not like a motherly voice, not even like the voice of someone's grandmother. There was no comparison for it, it just felt good to hear and be near it.

"I am well."

"You are well rested then, knight?" asked Mother Winter. Her voice was a stark contrast to Summer's. While it still sounded motherly, it had hints of hatred and a cold hard tone to it, like a parent who expects far more out of their child than is possible. And it chilled me to the core.

"Yes"

"Good. I was worried that Halloween had taken too much out of you for you to be useful again." Mother Winter chided with a slight smirk.

I shivered upon remembering this. It had been almost six months since the events of the last Halloween where both Lily and Maeve were killed with the result of Sarissa and Molly to become the new Summer and Winter ladies. A lot had happened on that day and I was still piecing together how do deal with some of the backlash from it.

Mother Summer quickly interjected. "Now, now, it was a lot to go through. Let us give him the benefit of the doubt. Have you ever traveled, Mr. Dresden?"

It was an easy question to answer, which worried me. "Yes. Around the United States and some of Europe. May I ask a question?"

"Of course, dear."

"How did the two of you get here?

The two Mother's merely glanced at each other before Winter returned to sipping her tea calmly. Mother Summer put down the teacup she had been holding and placed her hands on the table. "It was not really difficult child. We merely asked the island to allow us to speak to you on matters of importance."

This caught my attention very quickly. The Mothers of Summer and Winter were near omnipotent beings with a highly powerful class of Intellectus. If there was something of importance that needed to be dealt with it would make more sense for them to ask the Queens of Winter and Summer to deal with it, at least initially.

That was when the possibility hit me? "The Adversary?"

Mother Summer just shook her head. "The outer gate is calm for the time being, so we do not believe so."

"Believe?"

"Have you ever been to Japan?"

"…no I have not, why?"

"There is a creature residing in Japan that threatens to disrupt the balance there. It is not of either court and we know very little about it."

Scary, I mean really scary. If there was a creature not of either court that could disrupt the balance of power badly enough for the Mothers to actually worry, nothing good could come of it. And I could only think of one thing that could cause such an imbalance for them to worry. "An outsider then?

"It is possible, but we do know for sure. The creature is causing massive damage to both courts in Japan, and to the human populace."

I knew where this was most likely going. "Would I be correct in assuming that you wish for me to destroy the creature?" I said as I turned my attention to Mother Winter, who had just put down her tea cup.

Mother Winter turned her head in my direction and nodded. "Partially. I, Mother Winter, command you the Knight of Winter, to travel to Japan. You will discover the creature, its identity, and plans, and you will do away with it, if at all possible."

Now, while being the Winter Knight gives a massive increase to my power, there are two things that you should know about it. The first thing is that while Mab may be the Queen of Winter and the one who gave me the mantle, I can still be commanded by either the Mother or the Lady of Winter as well. I cannot under any circumstances ignore an order from any three of them. The second thing was, that while I could not disobey any order I was given, I was able to interpret them any way I chose, allowing me to complete missions in my own way. It also meant I was completely able to argue the point.

"As dangerous as it could be to the Court of Winter, is there not a member of the Sidhe that would be better suited to deal with the creature. I know nothing of Japan. Heck, I don't even know three words of Japanese."

Mother Winter just glared at me, before standing up and then turning away from me. "I have given you orders child, I suggest you follow them!" And like that she was just gone. No shimmering lights, no gate to the Never Never. Nothing, just gone.

Mother Summer laughed slightly as she poured herself another cup of tea. "I would not worry too much dear, she does like you."

"So you' have told me. Do neither of you know anything about the creature?"

Mother Summer tilted her head. "Do you not believe us?"

"You're the mothers of Summer and Winter."

Good point, you learn fast, and you will need to in Japan."

"Why."

"Japan is a very different place than the United States, dear. Even your White Council has trouble dealing with our courts and that of the many Wyldfae.

The White Council was the largest collection of wizards on the planet. Simply put, if the wardens in Japan had regular trouble with the fae, it did say something about Japan. Of course there was still one problem as well. "Very well, do you know if she intends for me to get there on my own?"

Mother Summer laughed again. "Of course not. I shall be giving you my blessing for your time there and shall provide you with a way there."

With a flick of her hand, two nearby trees began twisting into the form of a brambled arch. As it did I could see what looked like an oriental style garden through the arch. Mother Summer had just created a gate from the mortal realm, through the Never Never, and into another section of the mortal realm in a matter of seconds.

"This leads to? "

"Japan. Specifically a garden across from the apartment building where you will be staying and meeting with someone that Mother Winter asked to help you." Hearing this I began walking toward the portal. "Though before you go, you may want to change clothes." Mother Summer added before I got to the portal.

Looking down I realized that I had left my cabin when I had felt their presence; in the middle of getting dressed.

In a matter of minutes, I was fully clothed, had my duster and hat on, and stood before the portal with Mother Summer standing beside it. Through the portal, all I could see was foliage of a garden, no people, no lights of any kind, just the dark color of trees and the gentle trickle of water. "Is there anything I should know before I go?"

"Yes. Mother Winter has asked a supremely powerful member of the Winter Court to assist you. She will be in the top apartment suite across from the garden and will be able to fill you in on what you need to know while in Japan. She will also act as a sort of ally for you."

"…..that was awfully direct an answer for you."

"You asked and I answered."

"True, I suppose. Anything else?"

"Yes, while in Japan I suggest you be careful. Not all is as it seems and there are a significant number of Wyldfae that live among the mortals," Mother Summer stated. And with that, she left in the same way Mother Winter had. Just gone.

Regardless of what I thought about this mission, it seems Mother Winter was giving me little choice. She even had Mother Summer in on it and even had her give me her blessing, which was sure to be useful. Nothing against it, I suppose.

And I entered the portal to Japan.

Author's corner

Tou: ah that was fun wouldn't you agree?

Mother Summer: indeed it was, I had been hoping to have a decent talk with mister Dresden sometime.

Tou: (shivers)

Mother Summer: oh my, are you alright dear?

Tou: i-I'm fine, and happy for being graced by your presence

Mother Summer: now now, there no need to be afraid, tell me, shall Mother Winter and i be appearing again?

Tou: it is unlikely. Sorry

Mother Summer: oh don't be sorry I was just wondering. Did you not have another crossover with this puella thing begin planned dear?

Tou: yes, Sayaka offshore. It will be done, just not right now because this came to the forefront is all.

Mother Summer: well that's nice of you, well that's all the time I have. Good day everyone (leaves)

TouL: … Right then, on another note I am new to writing in first person so please tell me what you think of my writing and the story if it behooves you. Good day.