(Two years later)

"Do I really have to wear this?" asked Tsukune "I feel like a cosplayer."

"You're supposed to be the new Dark Lord, you should at least look the part." said Koko.

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

"I honestly don't know how you survived your training. I could take you in a fight."

"Are you challenging me?" growled Tsukune.

"There'll be none of that." said Moka "Today Tsukune will make himself known to the world. We can't have him go out there in rags."

"I could still take him."

"Pay no attention to her; she's just a little jelly." said Moka "Besides… you look really handsome Tsukune."

"Don't get any ideas… I don't want to look like death in front of the whole world."

Quetzalcoatl and Oberon had agreed that a big part of coexisting with humans was being open with them, to a certain degree. For this reason Tsukune's ceremony was being broadcasted.

"Just a little… please?"

Lately Moka had been drinking Tsukune's blood a lot more frequently. This usually happened after they had sex, but it had been a few weeks; there had just been so much work to do. Moka also seemed a lot more cheerful than usual.

"Maybe after the ceremony."

"I'll hold you to it, Tsuki-poo."

"Tsuki-poo? In the two years we've been married, she's never called me that. What's going on with her?"

The ceremony was being held in an ancient temple in the Monster World. According to Moka, this place had once been used as a sort of neutral ground for monsters to meet in times of need. Since the fight with Alucard, three statues of the previous Dark Lords had been erected.

"I haven't seen this many high-ranking monsters since my wedding."

As Tsukune walked through the rows of monsters, something caught his eye. With all his training, he hadn't had much time to see his friends. Mizore had said that she had a big surprise for everyone. Tsukune had expected to find her lurking around the corner somewhere waiting to pounce on him, but he was way off.

"Mizore has a baby?!"

Mizore was standing beside a human with short black hair and glasses. Mizore herself was holding a small child. Kurumu was standing close by, also in hand with a human, but this one looked a lot more athletic.

"I guess a lot can happen in two years."

Tsukune finally made it to the altar where Quetzalcoatl and Oberon were waiting for him, along with all the other influential monsters that would serve as witnesses. Moka gave him an assuring wink.

"Tsukune Aono!" bellowed Quetzalcoatl "You have been chosen by the late honorable Tenmei Mikogami to serve as his successor. Our goal is realize the ideal of our predecessors, and create a world where humans and monsters can coexist in peace. Do you share in our vision?"

"I do."

"Do you swear to uphold the order and laws of both monster and man?"

"I do."

"Do you swear to set aside all personal ambition for the sake or your duty?"

"I do."

"The assembly recognizes Issa Shuzen, head of the Shuzen family. It has been your duty to train this young man. Is he ready to shoulder this responsibility?"

"He is."

Tsukune figured that was as close to a compliment as he was going to get from Moka's father.

"Those of you who have borne witness, are there any objections?"

No one raised their voice to protest.

"Lord Oberon?"

For a moment it looked like Oberon was staring into Tsukune's soul. Finally he shook his head.

"Very well, kneel."

Tsukune got down on one knee as Quetzalcoatl drew a macuahuitl.

"On behalf of the monsters of the world, I dub thee Lord Tsukune Aono."

For a long moment everything was silent. Tsukune couldn't help but feel a sense of elation and empowerment as Quetzalcoatl raised his weapon.

"Rise…"

Tsukune rose to his feet and the audience applauded. All eyes were on him, save for Aqua's. She had noticed that Titania was looking intently at Moka with a grin on her face, and she didn't like it.

"What are you…"

Just then Aqua noticed something about Moka that made her heart skip. She rushed over to her sister and put her hands against her chest.

"Aqua, what are you..."

"Shh!"

Aqua strained her ears to hear, what she heard made her want to break down and cry, but she knew what her father would do if she made a scene. She needed to hear it from Moka's mouth, even though she already knew the answer.

"Moka… are you on the nest?"

Moka's face turned pink.

"I haven't told him yet…"

Aqua shot another look at Titania.

"I promise you my sister… I won't ever let anything happen your child."

"Once again we have three Dark Lords." said Oberon "You can be assured we will do our best to ensure the vision shared by those that came before us. Tomorrow our mission begins in earnest."

"But tonight... WE PARTY!" said Quetzalcoatl.

The first thing Tsukune and Moka did during the reception was sneak away from the VIPs so they could talk to their friends.

"And who is this beautiful little thing?" asked Tsukune.

"Her name is Megumi." said Mizore blushing.

Megumi looked just like Mizore, only her hair was a slightly darker hue. She looked up at Tsukune and giggled.

"I think she likes you."

"So how did you two meet?" asked Moka.

"After your wedding… I went up to the mountains. Akira and I bumped into each other, and one thing led to another… You know how pushy my mother can be."

"And what is it you do, Mr. Hirano?"

Akira was understandably nervous to be in Tsukune's presence, considering that he had just been officially appointed a Dark Lord. This was also his first time among monsters besides Mizore and her family.

"First of all… It's an honor to meet you… my lord."

"You can dispense with the formalities Akira, you're among friends."

"Well… I'm a manga writer."

"He was a little down on his luck before we met." said Mizore "Now he's writing a story based on my mother's old dream of being a spy."

"I'd read it." said Moka.

Kurumu introduced Tsukune and Moka to her boyfriend, Chuck Takeuchi. Like Mizore and Akira, they seemed to have bumped into each other shortly after Tsukune and Moka's wedding. Chuck was an amateur martial artist, who wanted nothing more to be in movies or on TV, but so far hadn't had much luck.

"And you thought you could impress some TV producers by playing vigilante?" asked Moka.

"It seemed like a good idea at the time."

"And what would you have done if those street punks happened to be monsters in disguise?" asked Tsukune.

"I guess I would have been ever luckier that this beauty came by to rescue me."

Just then, Tsukune could sense something coming. He instinctively moved in front of his friends and Moka, suddenly…

KA-BOOM!

The entire east wall of the building exploded. As the room filled with smoke, Megumi screamed.

"Who dares?!" bellowed Issa.

As the smoke slowly began to clear, Tsukune and other others could make out the outlines of several figures. Three of them stood in the center radiating with energy.

"The three Dark Lords… you think you know power… you know nothing."

(To be continued)