"Yo, Alice!"

Alice, who was returning to her own ship after classes, turned to face one of her oldest friends. "Marisa, I was wondering where you slipped off too… And Lady Yagokoro? This is a surprise. What is the matter?"

"Yeah sorry, I had an urgent call. Look we need your help with something." Marisa said, rubbing the back of her neck apologetically.

"Is this something to with do the young Asari you have been… helping? I remember you had enlisted Lady Yagokoros help in that matter." Alice said.

"Very astute, Miss Margatroid, you are correct." Eirin said. "For the past two weeks, I have been the one performing the procedure to remove all Eezo from her body, however, there has been a minor… complication. Not life threatening, but problematic."

"What sort of complication?" Alice said.

"Lady Kaguya has requested my presence for an important assignment, and as such I will soon no longer be able to perform the operation myself." Eirin said.

"Ah," said Alice, "that is problematic."

"The timing couldn't be worse either." said Marisa, looking annoyed. "We were just about to start the most difficult part, and now our best doc is being summoned for some secret mission. So now we need someone to replace her."

"Let me guess, you want me to be that someone?" Alice said.

"Got it in one." said Marisa grinning.

Alice thought about it. "I am going to need some details before I agree to anything. First off, what is the nature of the operation? There must be a reason you are seeking out a magician as opposed to a doctor. I have no formal medical training to speak of after all."

"A simple reason. The operation requires more magical fidelity then it does medical knowledge, and I have already arranged for the medical aspect to be taken care of by my former student. The operation is mutually annihilating the individual Eezo particles in nanoscopic magical singularities one at a time."

"Hmm, crude, but I suppose you did not have a lot of options available. Would that not cause excessive tissue damage though? What is the current status of the patient?"

"She is… stable." Eirin said. "But you are correct in the fact that it deals damage to the body. Her skin and musculature has deteriorated somewhat in the affected areas, and we have to be on constant lookout for internal bleeding. But due to the large concentrations of Eezo in her Nervous system, that has suffered the most damage, she has lost a majority of her motor function, and sensory input in her right arm, and both legs. Her left arm is still functional, but only because we felt it prudent to leave her dominant hand unaffected until the last possible moment. Once we start on her torso, we will have to induce a coma and put her on life support."

"Goodness." Alice said, holding her hand to her mouth in concern.

"It's not so bad." Marisa said, "She knew what she was getting into, and once we get rid of all that Eezo, we will be able to fix her up as good as new."

"If she survives." added Eirin.

"Yes that." Marisa said.

"I suppose that answers my question about whether it can be put off." Alice said.

"Yes, Unfortunately this is too far into the proceedings. Stopping for an extended length of time may cause further deterioration in health, and runs risk of her body healing incorrectly. Otherwise I would simply put it on hold until this mission is complete."

"I suppose the next question would be, are there any others who could perform the operation, or just me specifically?" Alice asked.

"Very few I imagine, besides myself." Eirin said. "It requires magical control of an insanely high degree. You and Yukari's Fox are the only ones I can think of at this time."

"And I suppose Ran is out of the question?" Alice said.

Marisa made a face, "Getting her help would mean involving Yukari, And I'd rather not have the kid owing the gap hag any favours, she'll have enough problems as it is." Marisa stepped forward, and put both hands on Alice's shoulders,and looked her dead in the eye. "Seriously though, the kids putting everything she's got on the line for this small chance at becoming a magician, and I'd rather that chance be in the hands of someone I trust."

Alice was taken slightly aback by the sincerity of Marisas voice, and the serious look on her face. She then sighed. "Very well, I see you are serious about this. Teach me how, and I shall perform the operation."

Marisa then brought the shorter Magician in for a hug. "Thanks Alice, I mean it."

"Oh knock it off." Alice huffed, disentangling herself from Marisas arms, although the was no venom in her voice.

"Right, right sorry." Marisa said, grinning.

Once Alice reclaimed her dignity, she continued. "However I request she be placed in the medbay of the Wonderland, I am still teaching in the magic course, and therefore my time is limited, so I would prefer her close, especially if this is going to be taking weeks of my time. Also if I am deployed on an assignment, I will be able to continue the operation in the mission downtime with the resources I have onboard."

"That can be arranged." Eirin said, making a note of it on her wrist-comp.

"In fact, I'll go arrange it." Marisa said, walking off. "Docs gotta show you the proceedings after all. You two just get a sick bed ready for her when I get back."

Eirin and Alice watched her go.

"A prudent move I suppose." Eirin said, "I suppose we had better do what she says."

Alice was already sending a message from her Wrist-Comp. "I have instructed them to prepare one of the med Bays for her arrival. I suppose we should go over the procedure?"

Eirin nodded. "First let us go get Reisen, as she is the one who will be assisting you. She should have arrived by now, then I can talk you both over it. After that, Kaguya has given me a day or two to sort out my affairs, I shall give you both a demonstration, and then observe as you perform it, to make sure she is in good hands before I leave."

"That is acceptable. Shall we go?" Alice said.

"Of course."

Isika: Hey Ajū, you there?

Ajū: Yes

Isika: Are you busy?

Ajū: I can spare a few moments, what's on your mind?

Isika: A bit actually

Isika: Apparently Eirin can't be my doctor anymore, so they are handing me over to someone else to finish the operation

Ajū: Oh dear, did they say who?

Isika: Marisa said it was a friend of hers.

Ajū: probably Alice then, you are in good hands

Isika: that's good to know, I guess

Ajū: Something else on your mind?

. . .

Isika: Marisa said they are probably going to be putting me under after I arrive.

Ajū: Ah, so it is finally that point in the proceedings

Isika: Yeah

Isika: It's also the most dangerous part.

Ajū: I see…

Ajū: Are you scared?

Isika: yeah, kinda.

Ajū: Are you sure you want to go through with this?

Isika: too late for regrets now. I promised Marisa, and I promised myself. I'd be a magician or I'd die trying

Ajū: Oh Isika…

Isika: But when I was lying in bed, it kinda hit me that this could be the very last message I ever send you.

Isika: So I just want to let you know, that you've been a better friend to me than anyone I've ever known, and I'm glad I met you.

Ajū: Thank you. I too value you as a friend. I am truly happy that you were the first alien I met. I don't often make friends, but I treasure the ones I have.

Isika: Can you do me a favour? Its kinda selfish.

Ajū: what is it?

Isika: If I die, can you promise not to forget me?

Ajū: Of course, I promise.

Isika: Thanks, it means a lot to me.

Ajū: I know.

. . .

Isika: Marisa's here, got to go, goodbye Ajū

Ajū: Good luck

Ajū lowered her Wrist-Comp, and stared down at the manuscript she had been writing, no longer feeling up to it.

It was true she doesn't have a lot of friends, 30 years of life every century and a half was not a lot of time to forge strong bonds, especially when you spend most of that time working in her study. Most of her friends were long lived youkai, like Yukari, and even then, they could be counted on her fingers. She had been quite delighted to find out that most of her friends from her last incarnation were still alive, even the human ones. Indeed, even her parents from her last life (now her great grandparents) were still around, which was a very strange feeling for her.

She had been quite happy to know that Asari were incredibly long lived as well, expecting a friendship to span over multiple reincarnations. But now…

...She shook her head, to shake away those thoughts 'No, I will not regret knowing her, not after that promise.'

Still, she offered a silent prayer to the myriad gods, praying for the life of her friend.

Isika just sat lost in her thoughts, staring down at her Bandaged right arm, as Marisa pushed her along on a wheelchair along the wide corridors of Arcturus, on the way to the Wonderland, where the rest of the operation will be taking place.

"Hey kid." Marisa said, she was speaking softer than Isika was used to. I guess even she can read a mood. "Got a minute to talk?"

"What do you want to talk about?" Isika asked. Like many people, she found it hard to dislike Marisa. In the few times she had popped in during the procedure, she tended to be fun to be around, and was good at cheering her up. She was actually kind of looking forward to having her as a teacher, if she made it that is.

"It just occurred to me that we haven't really talked that much is all." Marisa said. "Thought I might take the chance to get to know you, to learn a bit about my future apprentice. After all you are gonna be asleep for quite a while after this, and I'm sure that after that you'd want to get straight into magic right? Might as well ask the questions while we got a quiet moment."

Isika thought about it. She hasn't really told anyone about where she came from except Ajū. But she guesses Marisa has done so much for her that she deserves to know. And if she didn't make it out of this at least it would be one more person to remember her. "Sure, I guess I should probably get a few things off my chest. I guess you want to know why I came here?"

Marisa simply watched, and listened, she was going to let Isika set the pace, something Isika was thankful for.

"My full name is Isika Valao. I lived with my parents on Thessia, until about a year ago. They were… good people I guess. They could be a little distant at times, but they were important and busy people so I guess it was understandable, and I never felt unloved. My… Father I guess, was a respected doctor of some kind, and she was testing a device that supposedly was for detecting a specific genetic defect that was apparently present in one percent of all Asari. It's condition that causes Asari who have it, to be unable to couple with others without damaging their partners mind, with a rare amount of them being able to kill people by frying their brain. Those who have it are referred to as 'Ardat-Yakshi'. Usually the condition is undetectable until adulthood, and can cause incidents such as deaths if not found before attempting a coupling, but the device my father had made was for detecting it earlier, in children, so the ones who have it can be singled out, and isolated to protect the lives of others. But she needed to test it, so she decided to use me as a control…"

"But you came up positive." said Marisa, after a pause.

Isika nodded sadly. "Very positive, I have the most extreme case possible, if I were to couple with someone, they would certainly die."

"I take it your parents didn't take it well." Marisa said as Isika had paused again.

"No. There was shouting, blaming, hushed conversations when they thought I wasn't listening. They didn't know what to do. Apparently Asari law is clear on what someone is to do with one with such a severe case. Either they are to spend the rest of their life in a secluded monastery with other Ardat-Yakshi, or… they must be executed by a Justicar."

Marisa frowned, "That sounds pretty rough treatment for a kid."

"My parents thought so too. They were talking about hiding me away, keeping me out of sight so no one would ever know, so they would never take me away."

Marisa simply nodded to continue.

"The thing is… I didn't want to just disappear. To me, that sounded the same as dying, or the monastery. I didn't want to just vanish without ever accomplishing anything. I always dreamed of being someone big, someone important and powerful. An Asari that the entire galaxy knew, Like a councillor, or a Spectre. I was never sure in what way I wanted to be special, but I always thought I was meant for big things."

"Not tucked away in some little hideaway for the rest of your life." Marisa concluded.

Isika nodded. "I ran away. I ran away and stowed away on a ship bound to the Citadel, I felt if there was anywhere I could become somebody, it would be there."

"And I guess that didn't happen." Marisa said.

Isika shook her head. "After a year of living in ducts and doing odd jobs for credits, I was considering just giving up, going home to hide in whatever hole my parents had made for me... Then the Alliance came."

Marisa smiled a bit at that.

"At first I was kind of scared, like everyone I guess. They had such big ships, and I heard all the horror stories from the returning soldiers, and Ambassador Flandre was pretty scary. But then I thought about it. If they are such monstrous, frightening people like everyone said, then maybe they, won't mind… me."

"So you came here looking for acceptance?" Marisa said.

Isika nodded.

"Do you still think we are monstrous and frightening?" Marisa asked.

Isika fervently shook her head. "No! you have all been really nice to me, you have all done more for me than anyone other than my parents. I could never-"

"Hey hey, calm down, no need to go overboard." Marisa said. "We know better than anyone that we can be more than a little monstrous. But monstrous does not equal heartless, something to remember. Now go on, is there anything more to your story?"

Isika nodded slowly. "Yes, but not much, After hearing about Reitaisai, I collected up as many credits as I could, and bought a ticket for the first day. At first I had decided to just come over and try my luck on an Alliance world, although once I got there I realised that would be nearly impossible. Being an Asari on a world with no Asari would draw a lot of attention, so I just resigned myself to wandering around the festival, where I met Ajū."

"But one thing that really interested me was the magic. There was so much of it all over the festival, and it was so bright and colourful, and it could do so many amazing things. And when I saw a magic duel right up close. I started wondering if that could be me, if I could be that amazing. I had finally worked out what kind of special I wanted to be, I wanted to be a Magician. So when they told me they were testing out Aliens for magical aptitude, I rushed over as quick as I could, and well… here I am."

"Yeah, here you are…" Marisa said, getting lost in thought.

"Marisa, can I ask you something?" Isika said after a moment.

"Hmm? Oh sure, shoot." Marisa said, returning from her train of thought.

"Why did you decide to help me?"

Marisa smiled a soft smile. "I guess I wanted to give you the same chance I was given."

"Oh yeah, I pegged you for a runaway from the moment I first saw you." Marisa said, chuckling at Isikas surprised expression. "You had that look in your eye, I thought that maybe you were a kindred spirit, I guess I was right, we really have a lot in common."

"We do?" Isika said.

"You bet, when I was your age… or at least equivalent, I was a runaway too. My dad didn't want me learning magic, so I ran off to learn it on my own. It was reckless, stupid, and it put my life in considerable danger. You know, like what you did, and are still doing."

Isika couldn't help but pout. "This was your idea you know."

Marisa laughed. "I know, I'm a bad influence aren't I? But anyway, I was a young girl, with only the most basic of magical training and living alone with a forest full of monsters, it was basically suicide. But I survived, against all odds I survived. And then someone came along and gave me the chance I'm giving you."

Marisa poked Isika softly on the forehead. "So chin up, this is gonna work, you hear? Because it worked for me. It's only fair, right?"

For some reason, these words did a lot to lift Isikas spirits. She giggled. "I don't think that's how it works."

"Maybe not." said Marisa. "But have a little faith. I may be crazy, but I know what I'm doing."

"Alright, now is everyone ready?" Eirin asked.

There was a general nodding of all assembled, being Marisa, the woman called Alice, and a purple haired girl with giant pointy fluffy ears.

"Good, now after I put her under, I will start working on her left hand, as I do so, I want you Reisen to monitor it for damage, especially internal hemorrhaging. Signal me to stop, and then fix it up as quick as possible, as this is what you will be doing with Alice, understood?"

"Yes Eirin-sama." Reisen said, nodding respectfully.

"And as for you Alice, we have already run through the procedure, but I want you to watch carefully, after I have finished two of her fingers, you will start on the the other two, and the thumb if we have time."

Very well." said Alice.

Eirin then turned to Isika. "Now I'm going to start sedating you. Since we will soon be putting you on life support, you will remain asleep for the rest of the procedure, should it be successful, the next time you wake up, you will be fully healed, and completely free of Element zero, do you understand?"

"Yes, Miss Eirin." Isika said, who knew all this already.

"Very good." said Eirin, and then she went pick to up the respirator mask from Isika's bedside.

"Well, see ya when you wake up kid." Marisa said, her usual smile on her face.

"Yeah, see you." said Isika, smiling back, before the mask was put over her face, and she slowly slipped into unconsciousness.