"This is completely insane!" exclaimed Koko.

"Yeah, that wasn't funny the first six times." said Aqua.

"Two of the Dark Lords and our father are leading a march against Oberon, King of the Fairies! Why are we just sitting here doing nothing?!"

"We're protecting our sister and our niece."

"Come on, it's not like Titania is going to magically remove the baby from her before its even ready to be born. We should be out there fighting!"

"WILL YOU SHUT UP!" yelled Moka stomping out of the room.

"It's the pregnancy talking." said Kalua.

Moka's sisters gave her a few minutes, and then they found her crying in her room.

"Would someone explain to me why her husband is marching off to start a war over a child that isn't even his?" asked Aqua.

"I've spent enough time with him to know, he'd do the same thing for anyone's child, even yours." replied Koko.

"What is everyone so worried about? Oberon may be arguably the most powerful magic user in the world, but Tsukune is immortal… right?"

"So was Alucard…" said Aqua "But the Dark Lords found a way."

Tsukune held Puck like a dog on a leash as they made their way to their destination. Behind them was a small army of monsters. Quetzalcoatl hadn't come to Japan alone; he had brought an entire battalion of his finest soldiers with him. Combined with all the vampires of the Shuzen family and the snow women, the group was a force to be reckoned with.

"Where are we going?" asked Kurumu.

After teleporting via magic to a specific part of the monster world, the party had been marching through an expansive forest for the better part of an hour.

"You didn't expect Oberon to make it easy, did you?" asked Yukari.

"Are you sure that trickster isn't just leading us on a wild goose chase?"

"I think he knows better than to try Tsukune's patience." said Ruby "The whole world saw what he did to Zeus. Plus he's wearing his helmet; you know that means he's serious."

Kurumu had to admit that there was something eerie in the air as they made their way through the forest. All the plants and animals, even the ground beneath their feet were full of energy. Once or twice she looked over her shoulder because she had sworn she heard someone singing. Then all at once the group stopped.

"The castle!" exclaimed Quetzalcoatl holding his arms out.

Tsukune, Issa, and a few other monsters were unmoved, but a lot of people just looked about in confusion. There was nothing in front of them but an empty clearing.

"Where?" asked Tsurara.

"Here, can you not feel the powerful magic?"

"Wait here, I'll deal with this."

Tsukune led Puck down the hill and into the clearing.

"So… if Oberon is here, how long before he realizes that Tsukune isn't alone?" asked Kurumu.

"Make no mistake, he already knows." said Issa.

Once Tsukune was in the clearing, he tightly grasped the lock on Puck's chain.

"Tell your master I'm waiting."

CRUNCH!

Puck dashed off without a second thought, and seemed to disappear into thin air. Some of the others thought he had teleported away, but Tsukune knew better. For a few long moments there was nothing but silence. It was so quiet; you could hear insects climbing up a tree.

"If I didn't know any better Lord Oberon, I'd say you were afraid."

Without warning, the deceptive magical veil disappeared, revealing an elaborate golden castle which climbed high into the night sky. Kurumu and several others looked on with their mouths hanging open.

"What did I tell you?" asked Quetzalcoatl.

Tsukune stood before a massive and elaborately decorated gate. He couldn't imagine how much brute force and magic power it would take to force it open, fortunately the gate flew open before him. Oberon stepped out looking like he owned the world. If the presence of the other Dark Lords and their allies had any effect on him, he wasn't showing it.

"Lord Tsukune Aono… To what do I owe the unexpected pleasure?"

Tsukune made no reply. He just stood there staring Oberon down, like a lion ready to pounce.

"Oh boy, what did he do this time?" Oberon asked half-jokingly.

"Lord Oberon, I can appreciate that you're a very busy man; and to be honest I'd very much like to get home to my wife. Why don't we cut right to the chase?"

"By all means."

"A few hours ago a baby yuki-onna was stolen from her crib, Megumi Shiyrayuki. The kidnapper got in and out undetected by using very powerful magic."

"And why does this concern us?"

"The child's mother is a dear friend of mine, and the kidnapper was your wife."

"I'm afraid you must be mistaken."

"I didn't get to be the third Dark Lord because I'm an idiot." growled Tsukune "All magic leaves traces, and the aura I felt at the crib is a match for Titania's."

"He's playing dumb, everyone get ready." whispered Quetzalcoatl.

"I know the child is here. One way or another I'm leaving with it, I suggest you bring it to me while I'm still asking nicely."

Tsukune and Oberon spent the better part of the next five minutes staring each other down.

"What's going on?" asked Yukari.

"They're trying to predict how the fight will play out." said Quetzalcoatl "I'm certain Oberon would rather not find an iron dagger in the back if he can avoid it."

"Tsukune doesn't have an iron dagger." said Kurumu.

"He can easily conjure a dagger with his abilities, and then he just performs a simple transmutation." said Ruby.

"He can do that?"

"What do you think he's been doing for the past few years? Sitting on his hands?"

Tsukune was the first to smile.

"Puck!"

Puck appeared beside Oberon.

"Yes master?"

"Go to the nursery and look for a baby snow girl. If Titania tries to stop you, remind her who the King is around here."

Puck reappeared a minute later with a baby in hand and gave it to Tsukune.

"Is this the child?" asked Oberon.

The baby had been crying, but smiled once it made eye contact with him. Tsukune took a moment to confirm that the baby's aura matched Megumi's. When he was satisfied, he nodded.

"Then I must apologize for my wife's disrespectful behavior. It won't happen again."

"See that it doesn't. My family and friends are off limits, don't forget it…"

Quetzalcoatl agreed to escort Mizore and her family home, while Tsukune and Issa returned to the estate.

"He just gave back the baby without a fight?" asked Aqua.

"We've learned something very valuable today." said Issa "For all his magic, Oberon fears us… more specifically you, Tsukune."

"I guess giving the King of the Greek gods a nut check will do that." said Koko.

"Now girls, I believe the parents to be would like some time alone."

Tsukune had been married to Moka for two years, so he knew when she had been crying. He imagined it hadn't just been the mood swings.

"You were worried about me."

"Conflicts with Oberon don't have a history of going well."

"Honey, you know what I've been through. And I don't they made me the new Dark Lord because of my dashing good looks."

Moka giggled.

"I wasn't the only one who was worried about you…"

"What do you mean?"

Moka stroked her inflated stomach.

"I could feel our child thrashing about inside of me."

"Not even born yet, and it's already that perceptive?"

"I'm sure she loves you as much as I do."

"What are you and your sisters going to do if it's a boy?"

"What are you going to do if it's a girl?"

"I did nearly start a war over a child that wasn't even mine. What does that tell you?"

"It tells me that you're going to be one hell of a father… Now shut up, I'm thirsty."

"Wait, what?"

(To be concluded)