Sorry it took so long to upload such a short chappy...the details are blurry and very straight to the point...hope you'll forgive me...hope you will read the story i wrote on FictionPress...you can find the link in my profile...its called Luka's Tome...gtg!! bb!!

Chapter 15: Conquer and Fall

Mikan's P.O.V.

For probably the hundredth time, I strode through the moonlight filled plains to find the ultimate challenge waiting for my embrace. The Academy's final strike against the AAO. Frankly, the higher ups are old coots.

Did they really think that by crushing the AAO, they could ensure that no other organization would be formed? The AAO, however many times the Academy tried, would never be totally abolished. What with the way they take children forcefully.

I'd like to kick the dude who started this system.

On my finger, a diamond wrought on a silver band glinted dimly in the moonlight. No matter how much I said it was for my own good, an his, everyday I looked at this gem, everyday that I didn't have him by my side, I resisted the urge to leave this hellhole they called 'protecting your friends' and go find him. I didn't even know where Hotaru went to. I was twenty-seven and all alone in the world.

Now, it had been nine long years since I had last seen him. Everyday had hurt terribly, a blow to my heart. I wondered how much I had changed. According to an older Narumi who I saw sometimes, every event, every pain and happiness had left a scar on my face and heart, never to disappear.

Now, I wanted to kick the dude who started this again!

Sighing, I came to a ravine, spanning a thousand miles at least. Remembering orders, I got ready.

One other thing that had changed in my life was the job I got as a cover for my actual duties. But I had begun to love it. I was the mysterious editor-in-chief and founder of the internationally, newest, No.1, fastest growing magazine, Alice Word. My own creation. Not bad for an ex-idiot, huh?

Readying myself, I dove into the dark pit of the ravine…

--,--,--,--,--,--,

"Dunk!"

My head was plunged underwater again for the eighth time, apparently for Reo's amusement. I was held there for what seemed like an eternity. There was a black haze that came for me, offering me rest and peace. As I was about the accept the offer, I was wretched away.

Gasping for air, I felt myself being dunked again as Reo said "Dunk!" again. Nine times. The process was repeated four times more. When I had been dunked 15 times, I was pulled out of the huge tub they sat in me and chained me to the floor with shackles, choking and coughing uncontrollably.

"Had enough, Sakura?" Reo asked.

He squatted so that he was looking at me at eye level. I grimaced and spat in his face. "Go to hell, bastard," I snapped. He wiped his face and he snapped his fingers.

"Take her to Stretcher. Maybe she'll be more…polite later."

They grabbed me and dragged me to a room. Setting me on a wooden table, they reenacted the old style of torture of the medieval times. My wrists and ankles were tied to gears. They began turning a lever that stretched my body. They stretched to my limit, and even then, they didn't stop. "When is the Academy attacking?" Reo questioned.

"When the world ends!" I spat.

He snapped and they pulled the lever, stretching me even more. I screamed. The pain was nothing compared to watching my friends die. "Tell me, Sakura!"

"Yeah," I said with so much venom. "I'll tell you when you got to hell!"

He snapped and they pulled again. I yelled at the top of my lungs. He tried again for the next hour but I didn't budge. They gave up for now, throwing me roughly into a dank cell. My limbs ached and I felt pain and anguish fill me. I lay there, sleep never claiming me. I simply lay there, thinking how foolish the AAO were.

When my Automatic Healing Alice had been given enough power to work, I felt the pain dissipate and my limbs were working again. I breathed at my luck. Then, recomposing myself, I rose and slipped through the door with my Intangible Alice. I was in the corridor and began working my way down to the heart of the AAO.

My aches my have gone but it left my energy depleted. I was tired and slowly failing. When I reached the control room, I was exhausted. "My, my, you got out faster than I expected!" a voice drawled. Behind me, Reo stood, a gun held in his hand. No Alice could stop a bullet…that was the way they were made when the Alices were discovered. "I knew something was up. So…you are the Academy's final attack? I'm disappointed."

"Don't be," I snapped before leaping in front of him. I threw a series of attacks at him. I got him. He dropped to the ground. I smirked and turned to the metal door. I punched in a number I found in his head and entered. I went to the main computer that sat large and leering in the centre.

I tapped the keys in the sequence the Academy scientists had researched. Before I could press the final key, I felt a sharp pain in my chest. I pressed my hand to the left side of my chest. I lifted my hand and saw crimson stain my hand. I turned and saw Reo on the floor, grinning evilly. "Got you, Sakura." Rage possessed me temporarily. I sent a torrent of Hell Fire towards him and he was gone.

My anger was replaced with anguish as my wound began spreading pain all around my nervous system. I half collapsed, my hand grasping on the keyboard. I propped myself up. I reached out and finally tapped the button that would decide the AAO's future. A message flashed across the huge screen. 'Anti-Alice Organization building to self destruct in sixty seconds'. The timer started. I collapsed onto the floor, gasping for breath. Using what was left of my strength, I teleported myself to a suburban location before the building disintegrated everything in it.

--,--,--,--,--,--,

I stumbled around like a drunken sot. The pain was affecting me more and more with every second I went without treatment. I would have to return to the Academy first, then get treatment. In addition to the gun wound that had thankfully not hurt anything vital…well…except for the blood vessel it had hit…

I guess that's kinda bad…

I walked through a half-unknown territory. Half-unknown due to the fact that my world was swirling and blurring but still I pushed on. Apparently, I had teleported halfway around the world from France to Japan. I stumbled out of the alleyway that I teleported to and into the arms of some unknown stranger.

"Miss?" I heard the concerned voice, somewhat faraway, ask. "Are you drunk?"

I knew that voice. I looked up and found myself staring into ruby gems, magnificent as the sun.

Natsume…

"Mi-kan?" he whispered, softly, caressing my face as he held me up. "What happened? Why…OH MY GOD! Why are you shot? A blood vessel burst! What happened?"

"Well, don't I know you from somewhere," was all I managed to say before the world completely darkened and I was thrust into a world of pain.

A/N:okok...did you like it? sorry its short...my next update might be next week or if i can try tomorrow...gtg...lurv you all!! bb!!! Plz review kays?