Hello! This fic was started before my current one, Little Cinderella, but it kinda slowed down. But now I'm picking it back up again! Mostly because it's relatively shorter than LC, and I discovered that having two stories go on at once is great for the muse. Seriously. And I know this chapter's a little short, but this is literally my first chapter since I've done that stupid one shot for Ouran years ago... .

But this is just a test run for this fic. I'll be judging on whether or not people want to read it by your reviews, just like I did in LC. So depending on the responses, I'll upload other chapters. If no one likes it though, I guess I'll just leave it and forget about it :(

Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice. Oh boy, but if I did, I'd totally make Natsume do a complete strip and parade around in a dress.

Prologue: Ready Yourself

"Don't be hasty."

"Wait for the signal."

"The signal…"

Huddled against the slimy wall of a brick building were four dark figures. One of them put a restraining hand on the shoulder of the smallest one.

"We must wait for the signal."

The hand was shaken off. "It's late."

"Maybe she's having difficulties securing the combo for the key."

"She has 5 minutes. It's plenty of time."

"…" Two figures crept further out to spy on a group of hard faced men. Another man stood next to them in a somber black suit, alert for any signs of disturbances. They ignored him, and kept their eyes on a woman in a short, clingy dress. One of them, Shiki, turned his head around and mouthed "Not yet."

The restraining hand went out again. "Watch out for him. The one in the black suit has teleportation and gravity. If he crushes you before you can steal both of them, then I'll come after you."

Mikan brushed a loose pigtail over her shoulder. "Don't underestimate my nullification alice, mother."

"That's Commander to you."

The two spying on the group suddenly stiffened. The woman they were watching suddenly touched the arm of the man with the suitcase, and let out a loud bawdy laugh.

"Now!"

Mikan walked out, her eyes unfocused and confused. She slipped on a puddle of something she didn't even want to think about, and continued to weave down the alley towards the group. They watched her, surprised.

"Um…hello." She bit her lower lip, and brushed nervously at the little ruffles that hemmed in a cute pink skirt. A little bag in the shape of a bear dangled from the other hand.

The woman was about to walk forward when the man in the dark suit stopped her. "I'll handle it. Just in case." He turned back to Mikan. "And how can I help you, ojou-chan?"

"My mother." Tear welled up and spilled from Bambi eyes. "I can't seem to find her. She said something about waiting for her outside while she picks up a drink. But it's been hours…"

One of the men grunted in disgust. "Who leaves a kid outside of a bar?"

Mikan started to cry in earnest. "She left with a man in a car, and I tried to follow but…"

"It's ok, ojou-chan." The man in the dark suit came forward and picked her up. "We'll take you to someplace safe."

"Do you promise?" She smiled when he nodded. "You're a nice person, Shidou-san."

"What?!"

She held out her hand for the man to see, where in her palm were two small blue stones.

At the same time, an explosion boomed behind them. The man didn't even have time to be surprised seeing his alice stones taken out before a hard chop at the back of his neck felled him. Mikan ran off like a cat, and gripped Shiki's hand. They teleported away without looking back. Within seconds, everyone was back at a plush room that served as headquarters for Zero.

Yuka strode over to the woman in the red dress. "Do you have the briefcase, Kaoru?"

"Yes". She hesitated. "Mikan, wouldn't you like a nice bath? That was a pretty dirty alleyway." She forced a smile. "Be a good girl and I'll have a present for you later. For your birthday."

Yuka stiffened at that, and everyone else averted their eyes. Mikan shook her head. "I'm not that dirty."

"Nonsense." She was being pushed to the door. "Go pamper yourself a little. After all, a girl doesn't turn 8 everyday."

"…I guess not".

She walked out of the room and closed the door behind her, while the other four gathered around the case and took out packets of cocaine, trying hard not to notice the way Yuka's fist clenched. Mikan continued down a hallway, singing softly. Loud enough for herself to hear, and no other. Especially mother.