Ranma 1/2, High School DxD, Darkstalkers and the rest are owned by their respective owners. I own nothing.

If only I did.

Chapter 9

Yasaka smiled as Ranma held one of the two daughters she had given birth to. "Truly," she smiled while holding her other daughter, who was sucking on her right breast, "I am forever blessed to have you as my husband."

Ranma smiled at her as he flicked his finger in front of his daughter in his arms, causing her to coo in delight as she tried to grab at it. "Sorry that I haven't been here since they were born."

"It's okay." Yasaka said to him as she looked down at the baby, who had pink hair with reddish-blonde tips, suckling on her. "Mae, here, has been a good girl. Though Kumi is a bit overzealous."

Ranma blinked and looked down at the girl, who looked like a baby version of Kunou and Yasaka, in his arms. "Kumi? Are you being a naughty girl for your mother?" Kumi just cooed and seemingly gave him a smug smile as her red eyes sparkled.

"She knows how to roll around. And the other day she rolled out of the room and down the hallway before someone caught her." Yasaka explained and looked at the other two who were with Ranma. "So why are you two with my husband?"

Asmodeus was sitting on a bookshelf, just grinning at her. "What? I have to be around master almost all the time or I'll be in trouble. Besides, I enjoy looking at big tittied foxy mamas like you."

Yasaka gave her an annoyed look and looked at Miko, who was smiling and waving. "And you?"

"Is it wrong to want to meet you?" Miko asked her. "After all, I've known about the fox princess of Kyoto for most of my life. I never had a chance to come here though." Yasaka raised an eyebrow and Miko smiled while rubbing the back of her head. "I should properly introduce myself. I'm Miko Mido, daughter of King Sekima of the Shikima."

"Ah," Yasaka had a look of understanding on her face, "I had no clue that I was in the company of royalty."

Miko was about to say something when a beeping was heard and a screen appeared on the wall, revealing Cologne, who was stepping back to reveal everyone at the castle, except La Fey, Bulleta and Yohko, the latter two because they weren't there at that moment, another screen popped open to reveal Issei, who looked rather worn out, along with Irina, Akeno, Ophis, Yukiko, Gasper and Rias. Another screen popped open, revealing Azazel.

"Okay, so this must be important..." Ranma trailed off as another screen popped open, revealing Lilith, Arisa, Hayate and her knights. "Well, everyone's here. What's going on?"

"Moon silver pot pies..." Nabiki said before grimacing and looking at Lillie, who nodded and held up a sign.

"I turned off the inhibitor chip and tried to control my Sacred Gear, but obviously failed, so I can't speak correctly." Azazel read off and gave Nabiki an admonishing look. "I doubt that you would call all of us for that."

"We were attacked," Cologne explained to Ranma, "two people. One by the name of Raven and one..." She trailed off and looked at Kuroka.

"The other one was the collected spirits of every single Nekomata that was killed during the genocide after I killed my former master." Kuroka explained. "The Nekoshou that resulted from it wanted to kill me for revenge and almost killed Shirone and hurt my sons."

"Are they okay?" Ranma and Yasaka both asked at the same time and Kuroka nodded, a relieved look on her face.

"Yes. La Fey is currently watching them." Kuroka told them. "Leonardo was a big help in protecting them and saving my life."

Ranma looked at Leonardo. "Thanks for saving them, little brother." The dark skinned boy smiled and blushed.

"As sweet as all of this is..." Azazel spoke up. "This is troubling, but why did you call all of us together?"

"Asia's been taken." Issei spoke up, causing Koneko to gasp in surprise. "I don't know who did it though."

"Queen Mab." Ophis spoke up and both Lilith and Ranma instantly stiffened, their faces going pale. "Yes, that Queen Mab."

"...Ophis," Ranma said, his voice cracking, "please, please, PLEASE tell me that you're joking and that absolute monster did not take Asia."

Ophis closed her eyes and shook her head. "I wish I was joking."

Lilith took a deep breath and trembled. "Why? Why is that monster here? There's no reason for her to be here."

"She called Asia Alfea and said that she was Asia's mother." Irina spoke up. "She was singing a song that had Asia running towards her. If she's a monster, I can believe it, she beat me, Akeno, Yukiko and Issei so easily." She looked to the side where Akeno was looking upset and then back at the screen. "It was like nature itself was doing what she told it to do."

Ranma suddenly started cursing up a storm that had more than one person staring at him in shock.

"What's wrong?" Issei asked. "I mean, sure, she kicked our asses, but I'm sure that we can..."

"Just get slaughtered if you fought her again." Ophis said in a sad tone. "Queen Mab is a Fae."

"Raven said he was a Fae as well."

"And you're alive?!" Lilith gasped in shock. "You didn't get turned into a puppy or something? Did you get possessed?" Cologne shook her head and Lilith almost fell over, if not for Hayate grabbing her and helping her sit down. "Thank you."

"Can you please explain why you two and Ophis are looking like the end of the world is upon us?" Azazel asked, a serious look on his face as he contemplated their reactions. "I've never known either of you or Ophis to be so terrified before."

"She's Queen Mab, former ruler of the Fae." Ranma explained to them. "The Fae are terrifying creatures and they're very good at making weapons and using magic."

"Is it really that bad?" Asmodeus asked, though she was beginning to figure it out from their reactions.

Ranma sighed and took a deep breath. "Miko, could you take Kumi for a little bit?" He asked as she walked over and took his daughter. "Thanks." He smiled and held up Excalibur Shadow, "hey, Azazel, do you remember when Bishamon used the fused version of this sword to easily cut through the barrier that you, Sirzechs and Michael all had up and nearly killed Grayfia?" Azazel frowned, but nodded. "And Issei, when you were in that Berserk state against Jedah, you took everything that Vali and myself had and neither of us could put you down, but all it took was a single attack from this sword to stop you."

"...I can't really remember it." Issei admitted, "what are you getting at?"

"Wait..." Azazel's eyes had shrunk to pin-pricks. "Grayfia is extremely durable and powerful, even if that attack was strong enough to break through barriers so easily, it should have been weakened..."

"It was." Ranma told him. "If it wasn't, she would have died after getting hit with this weapon."

"But it was a cursed Holy weapon, right?" Irina asked, "the curse obviously gave it..."

"It's not a Holy weapon." Ranma explained to her. "I didn't know it until my magic teacher gave this corrected version to me. But it's a Fae weapon. And that explains everything. Fae magic and weapons feel similar to Holy weapons, but they destroy anything that's unnatural. The reason everyone gets them confused with Holy weapons is because they kill Demons and Devils pretty easily."

"Okay, that explains the barrier then..." Azazel muttered, a look of pure astonishment on his face, "it makes total sense why it hurt her so badly, but..."

"If it's a Fae weapon, then it's just as Master says." Lilith told him. "Those things destroy magic, evil, anything unnatural."

"But that doesn't explain how that weapon stopped me so easily." Issei pointed out, confusion on his face and in his voice. "What? Is it anti-Dragon?" When Ranma nodded, he and a few others gawked in surprise. "Seriously?!"

"Fae magic is an anathema to Dragons." Ophis explained. "Even at my strongest, the Fae are difficult to deal with."

That was more than enough to silence any doubts anyone had about how powerful the Fae really were.

"You called Queen Mab a monster," Cologne spoke up, "I'm sure that there's a reason for it. If what Raven showed me is any indication..."

"Raven's a trickster Fae." A new voice said next to Ranma, who stiffened. "As is this one." A tanned man appeared next to Ranma with a grin on his face. "Relax, all of you, Puck has no intention of doing anything to anyone and instead simply wishes to relay a message. But to understand why Queen Mab would be considered a monster, even by our standards, she is not someone who is nice to non-Fae." Puck shook his head and sighed. "And some of my brethern see humans the same way that humans see butterflies."

"And you're talking about kids who tear the wings off of butterflies when you say that, aren't you?" Lilith asked, though she was obviously tense.

"Undoubtedly!" Puck said as he took a step forward, turned around and bent over so that his head was on the floor while looking at the screen.

"May I ask you something?" Azazel spoke up.

"Ask away," Puck disappeared and reappeared floating in the air, "depending on the question, this one may give you an answer."

"What ARE you?" Azazel asked.

"A Fae." Puck answered as though it was the most obvious thing in the universe. "But this one supposes that you wanted to know that Fae have existed since the primordial soup of creation at the dawn of time itself. That nature and creation are hand-in-hand with us."

"What the heck are you talking about?!" Issei yelled. "And why are you even here?"

"Urgh," Puck had an annoyed look on his face. "Really, that's the thing," he turned to look at Ranma with that same annoyed expression. "Truth be told, you were the one who invited this one to come down upon yourself. If not for your actions, none of us would be here."

"Wait, what did my husband do?" Yasaka asked and Puck leaned back while folding his hands behind his head.

"Well, if you must know," Puck began, "it was bad enough that you sent that bloodsucker with an abomination of our most prized sword to our realm. But for him to correctly point out that we could not stand it and then to trick us into using that cursed abomination to create a new sword just for you. Even with all of that, this one and others could have over-looked your arrogance."

Ranma sweat-dropped. "...So what drove you over the edge?"

"The fact that you're using our likeness for a show to entertain children!" Puck yelled in frustration while moving around like a toddler throwing a tantrum.

"Uh..." Everyone said at the same time as they looked at Puck in disbelief.

"...Are you upset about Miss Lindy's character in Mahou Shoujo Levia-Tan?" Azazel asked, disbelief in his voice.

"Of course!" Puck yelled and turned to look at Azazel while pointing at Ranma. "He never asked for our permission! I swear that there's some sort of law that humans have that covers this! I'll see all of you in court!"

"That's it?" Issei gawked in surprise and ignored how Ranma was shaking his head and waving his hands. "That's legitimately one of the dumbest reasons to be upset I've ever heard."

Puck felt his eye twitching as he heard that. "Dumb reason, huh? What would a lizard like you know about dumb reasons? Besides the fact that you're a dumb lizard."

"Hey!" Issei yelled at Puck. "I'm not a dumb lizard and..."

"Issei! Shut up!" Ranma yelled.

Puck had a tight smile on his face. "This one agrees with that one. Annoying lizards should shut up. Be a good doggie and lay down." He casually extended his right index finger, which was glowing and waved it through the air.

The next thing anyone knew, Issei was glowing and turned into an actual dog. "ARF! RUFF!"

"WHAT?!" More than one person screamed out in shock.

"Relax," Puck said with a smile on his face, "the spell wears off after only a few minutes, this one just doesn't like Dragons."

"Yeah, I get it." Ranma said while giving Puck a look of annoyance. "So you came here to get revenge against me? Why involve the others?"

"Puck is glad you asked!" Puck smiled and held up his left index finger. "At first, Puck and Raven were simply going to have some fun with you, mostly pranks and minor things, nothing dangerous, I assure you. However, after we got to the Earth, certain things came to our attention that needed to be addressed." He then spread his arms and grinned. "One of the few Fae that still lives in this world, a Cat Sith, had graced us with the spirits of many cat people who were slaughtered because of that one," he pointed at Kuroka, "and her actions. Raven and Puck simply helped to craft a body so that all the souls could be together. But it got this one thinking how to make our lesson stick, but even then, something else caught this one's attention."

"What?" Asmodeus asked, curious as to why such a powerful being was telling them this.

"Well, it seems that there are some white wings that are unhappy with that one," he pointed at Ranma, "for being interested in the Angel of Destruction."

"Angel of Destruction?" Ranma asked in confusion.

"...Do you mean Gabriel?" Both Azazel and Asmodeus asked at the same time, instantly recognizing Gabriel's old title.

Puck simply smiled and shrugged. "Puck believes that she goes by the Angel of Chastity these days, but what does this one know?"

Ranma narrowed his eyes at Puck. "...So some of the few remaining Angels in Heaven, upset at me due to how close I am to Gabriel, decided to work with you?"

"And black wings and the bat wings, yes." Puck grinned widely. "Betrayers they might be, but they delivered the powerful Angel right to Puck and urk!" He gasped as Ranma suddenly grabbed him by his neck and pulled him close. "This one is not amused."

"Cut the crap, what's going on?"

Puck chuckled at Ranma's glare. "A game. The prize is the Angel you are concerned about. This one finds it amusing urk!" His eyes widened as Ranma tightened his grip.

"You need to chant to use any of your spells." Ranma reminded the Fae. "I know that crushing your throat won't stop you, but I'm getting annoyed with you."

Puck simply closed his eyes and nodded as Ranma let go. "You were so much easier to deal with when you were a child. Though seeing you scream because Coyote decided to make you see your worst fears while chained to a rock was amusing."

"Until I went insane." Ranma reminded him.

"Fair enough. Okay, so the game is," Puck held up a finger, "you must face the three groups that seek to end your life. The winner, whether it's you or the others, decides what happens to the prize."

"...And?" Ranma began, "what's the catch?"

"You must come alone." Puck smiled at him. "No mentors, no allies, no family, no servants and no familiars may come with you."

"...That's it?" Ranma asked and Puck just smiled at him. "...What?"

"This one simply wonders what you're going to do is all."

"Of course I'll go." Ranma said with an annoyed expression.

"Excellent!" Puck clapped his hands. "Now, as for the matter of Queen Mab," he turned to look at what Issei had been turned into, "and your blonde girlfriend. Whatever name you know her as, it's not her real name. She's actually the daughter of Queen Mab, known as Alfea."

"...Asia has another name?" Yukiko asked softly. "How did we not know?"

"On top of that," Azazel narrowed his eyes, "she was born with a Sacred Gear, she's human."

Puck smiled at him, "Queen Mab combined the essence of a powerful human into herself and Alfea was born. Puck is unsure as to when it happened..."

"It must have been sixteen years ago." Rias said and Puck laughed. "What's so funny?"

"Queen Mab, shortly after bringing Alfea into this world, was forced to return to the Fae realm. Something happened that caused her to leave Alfea behind and she only recently remembered her daughter."

"Yeah, that sums up your former ruler, doesn't it?" Ranma muttered. "So she came here looking for her daughter..."

"Ah, you misunderstand something." Puck had an amused look on his face. "Lord Oberon and Lady Titania are here as well."

"...The current King and Queen?" Ranma asked, his skin whiter than a ghost as Puck nodded. "...Why?"

Puck chuckled at the question. "Lord Oberon's sister, you think he would not have an interest in that?"

"Question." Puck turned to see Rossweisse, who was standing behind Issei with her hand raised. "If Asia is a Fae, how come her magic doesn't feel different from other humans who were reincarnated into Devils."

"Most humans can swim, but they need to be taught how to." Lilith answered. "Just because Asia's part Fae doesn't mean that she can use her powers."

"Bingo!" Puck said while winking. "The pregnant lady gets it!"

"Wait a second..." Lilith muttered as her eyes widened. "The reason Crom Cruach gave Asia some of his power... That was your doing, wasn't it?"

"Ah, the black and gold lizard?" Puck asked and he shook his head. "Not mine, but Queen Mab. She wanted to ensure that Alfea's Fae powers would start to manifest a few days before she came back with Lord Oberon and Lady Titania."

"Time moves differently in your realm." Ranma said. "A few days... That would be a few months for us... Dammit, it all works out, huh?"

"Indeed." Puck nodded. "As for where you can find Alfea, there's a building in a large city, Puck believes the city's name is Tokyo. But there's a school..."

"There are LOTS of schools in Tokyo." Azazel pointed out. "It would take us days to search for a single one."

"Well," Puck smiled at him, "this one is in the territory of the God of Storms and has a jungle in the basement."

"NERIMA!" Nabiki yelled out and she panted. "Okay, I think I'm somewhat back to burgers and kittens!" She frowned and sighed. "It's Furinkan pancakes and cream!"

"I get it." Azazel said with a smile on his face. His smile disappeared as he thought about what was going to happen. "You do realize, Fae, that we are going to attempt to save Asia Argento and Gabriel both, right?" Puck nodded and grinned. "...So why tell us all of this?"

"Who knows why this one does what he does?" Puck asked rhetorically. "As for the captured Angel, Puck will take you to her when you're ready." He tossed a flute to Ranma. "Just blow into that when you're ready to go, Puck will collect you then."

Ranma just glowered as Puck disappeared.

End Chapter 9