Mew: Here we are at the (shudder!) 13th chapter of the Alice Crystal Chronicles!

CrystalKitten: Readers, don't worry about Mew said, he's just a bit superstitious. Knowing 13… Sigh… Anyway, hi there! I took quite a long break, studying's taking up my time. But I got a lucky break today, and I'm updating!

Mew: Yay! We don't own Gakuen Alice!

PREVIOUSLY…

The door of the room opened and there stood… a blonde girl who was very alive and well in any way. Her blue eyes shot on the direction of where Emustan was and she smiled.

"Nakim?"

CHAPTER 13: Uratoh's Past

"No, that can't be Nakim; you hurt and kidnapped her, Uratoh!"

Emustan shouted in a there's-no-way-it-can-be-true voice.

Uratoh said, "Really, Emustan. I'm not the sort of person to do such a horrible thing. I didn't kidnap her. I simply healed her."

"Healed?"

"Honestly, you don't know?"

"Know what?"

Now it was the blonde girl who said, "Stop quarreling, you two. This is supposed to be a reunion. Emustan, Uratoh's not lying. I am Nakim, and Uratoh cured me."

"Now wait a minute, you don't have any sickness that I know of."

Uratoh smirked, "That's because you don't know about it."

Nakim sighed, "Emustan, do you still remember the time you tried to control the Alice Crystal?"

"Yeah."

"I used it during that time, didn't I? But you were the one in control of the Alice Crystal. I used it without you turning it over to me. Meaning, you were the current controller of the Alice Crystal during that time. And I used it…"

"Oh no… That means…"

This time it was Uratoh who answered. "Yes, Natsume. She was slowly losing her powers. However, losing her powers was not affecting her physical appearance. You just didn't notice because she was trying to hide it from you."

"But, why did you hide it from me?"

Nakim blushed. "I… didn't want you to worry about me."

Now it was Emustan who turned red while Uratoh giggled form the sidelines. And Akur smiled at the giggling Uratoh.

Emustan stuttered, "Uh… Well… I'm… sorry… for not… trying to help you…"

Uratoh chuckled. "You're bad at this, Emustan."

Nakim said, "Anyway, after that day, I started feeling weaker. I knew I was losing my powers. If I told you, you'll only go about thrashing everything, blaming yourself. But then, one night, Uratoh turned up. She made it seem like she was attacking me, knowing her family background. But she actually did it to help me. You see, I was slowly losing my powers, right? She attacked me, thus making me weak, but a part of my powers were still here. She quickly took me here to the Amethyst Castle and with the help of Akur there. They removed the aftereffect of using the Alice Crystal without being the owner on me. So, that's why I'm here."

Uratoh added, "And to make this quite a bit of an adventure and a short training for you, I made it seem like I kidnapped Nakim."

Emustan was silent. Something was bothering him. "…Wait, what is this family background you keep on saying?"

This time it was Akur who answered, "Uratoh's father… is the leader of the Shadow Pawns."

"WHAT???" Emustan shouted.

Uratoh frowned. "Sad but true. My dad, is the leader of the Shadow Pawns. And I loathe the fact! More than I loathe the Shadow Pawns themselves! But… it would be better if you knew the whole story of my past."

Flashback…

A young Uratoh runs through a grassy field with a little Akur running beside her. They were happy.

However, a stern-looking man with a dozen lackeys in black hoods blocks their way.

Uratoh cried out, "Oh no! It's my father! Run, Akur!"

"But… Uratoh!"

"Just run! GO!"

Akur quickly ran away. However, the Shadow Pawns caught up with him and held him tight.

Uratoh was also being restrained by Shadow Pawns. She was crying. "Akur!" She turned to her father. "Father, don't hurt him!"

The stern-looking man spoke. "Will you now train under me to be my successor?"

More tears flowed from her eyes. She didn't want to follow her father's footsteps. She hated her father for doing evil work. She loathed what he was doing. He was wasting his magic powers. But he was going to hurt Akur if she refused and she couldn't bear to see him hurt.

"F-fine. Just don't hurt him."

"Well, I can't guarantee that. If he will work for me too, I can spare his life."

"N-no..."

Akur shouted, "No, Uratoh. It's all right."

"But..."

"I told you, it's fine! I don't want you to suffer alone!"

"It's decided then."

End of Flashback...

Emustan was shocked. "I never knew about that."

Uratoh smirked. "Nah, never mind. You were too busy with Nakim anyway."

Emustan blushed. "Th-that's n-not t-true..."

"You're not a good liar, Emustan", Akur commented smugly.

"Now, enough of that. Emustan, I owe Uratoh a favor. We do, actually," Nakim said.

"Well, fine. What do you want anyway?"

Uratoh replied, "I... want your help in defeating my father and the Shadow Pawns for good."

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Mew: FINALLY! 13th chapter has ended!

CrystalKitten: Yeah! I was so busy but I finally finished it. So, watch out for the next chapter!

Mew: Next chapter is entitled "The Plan".