Tsukune and the others wasted no time making their way to the mountains, where all the other snow women were waiting for them. Mizore was still having trouble speaking, so Akira did the talking while Tsukune inspected the nursery.
"When was the last time you saw her?" asked Ruby.
"We had just put her to bed… Usually we have a baby monitor on to keep an eye on her, but Mrs. Shiyrayuki volunteered to watch her for the night… We were… celebrating…"
"We're all adults here." said Ruby.
"Now is not the time!" said Yukari.
"My granddaughter is so full of energy." said Tsurara "She often wakes up in the middle of the night… When I didn't hear any crying, I came in to check on her…"
"And when you did, Megumi was gone?"
"We turned this entire village upside down, and we would have known if there was an intruder."
"There was an intruder…" said Tsukune "And they got in and out undetected by using powerful magic."
During his years of training, Tsukune had learned that all forms of magic left traces. It was similar to how all kinds of monsters had distinct auras. He could feel the residue emanating from the crib, and this was a very distinct magic. The entire room heard his fists clench.
"Titania…"
"Are you sure?" asked Yukari.
For a long moment all that could be heard was the sound of Mizore crying.
"Mizore… Mizore, they wouldn't hurt her. She's alive."
"I want her here… in my arms…"
"Ruby, get a hold of Quetzalcoatl and our allies." said Tsukune "We have plans to make."
As per Tsukune's request, all of their allies had gathered at the Shuzen estate.
"ARE YOU FREAKING INSANE?!" exclaimed Aqua.
"Titania has taken one of my friends' children; I intend to get her back."
"Clearly your title as Dark Lord has gone to your head. Oberon will crush you with a thought, and then declare war on our entire family in retaliation! I won't let you turn my sister into a widow over a snow flake!"
"That's my daughter you're talking about!" growled Mizore creating a small blizzard.
For a few moments, it looked like a fight was going to break out between the vampires and the snow women.
"Enough!" bellowed Issa.
The room immediately fell silent.
"Lord Quetzalcoatl, do you really think Oberon would risk a civil war in a time like this? He knows how delicate our situation is."
"He's a weird one that Oberon. He sees the world differently than anyone I've ever met. I'd say the odds are fifty-fifty."
"But we have two Dark Lords to their one, that's got to count for something… right?" asked Kurumu.
"If I may be so bold Lord Quetzalcoatl, why did you come forth?" asked Ruby.
"My dear, I've been ruling Latin America for a long time… And during that time, I've had too many innocent women lose their children… And until now, no one else in a position of power has ever had the balls to do something about it. I say it's time we bring Mr. Pointy-Ears down a peg."
"But are we sure this has to get violent?" asked Moka.
"If we march up to Oberon's castle and demand that his wife relinquish one of her ill-gotten children, I think we should prepare for a war with the fair folk and be pleasantly surprised if it doesn't happen. Lord Tsukune, are you sure you still want to go through with this?"
A million thoughts were going through Tsukune's head, but ultimately all he needed to make his decision was the look in Mizore's eyes.
"I'm going to get Megumi back, if I have to storm Oberon's castle all by myself."
"Titania has done our kind a great injustice." said Tsurara "You won't be alone."
"You have my macuahuitl." said Quetzalcoatl.
"I'm not about to let you leave my daughter to raise a child on her own…" said Issa "So I'm coming with you. Aqua, you and your sisters will stay and protect Moka. I saw how Titania was looking at her. If the worst should happen, I imagine she'll come for her next."
"Father, no one even knows how to get to Oberon's castle!"
"I'm afraid she's right." said Ruby "The castle is guarded by powerful magic. Even with precise coordinates, I don't think anyone has ever found or entered the place without the Fairy King's consent."
"Then we'll just have to get his attention." said Tsukune.
"And how do you propose to do that?"
"Moka, I do believe Oberon made you a promise."
It took them a few minutes to prepare.
"Are you sure they'll fall for this? What if they suspect something?"
"Fairies are full of themselves. No one has ever made a move this bold against Oberon and his kind; they'll never see this coming."
When everything was ready, Tsukune and Moka were left alone.
"Call him…"
"Puck!"
A moment later, Oberon's servant Puck appeared in a blinding flash of light.
"Did someone call my name? Ah, Lady Moka. I see you've put on a little weight, but I guess that's to be expected. If I may be so bold, I must say you've lost none of your sexiness. So what was it you wanted, have you finally decided on what you want to wish for?"
"Well now that you mention it, there is one thing you could do for me…"
Before Puck could move, Tsukune took out the iron chain he had been provided, and tightly bound him with it.
"AHHH! IT BURNS!"
Fairies were beings of pure magic and were damn near immortal. They did however have one Achilles heel, iron. Their magic had no effect against this metal, and wounds inflicted with it could be fatal.
"Let me explain how this is going to work." said Tsukune "You're going to take me back to Oberon's castle so I may have an audience with him. If you don't, being bound in iron chains will be the least painful activity of your evening. Is that clear?"
(To be continued)