--- Death, Delusion, All A Chimera ---

...Chapter 2 : An Astonishing Awakening...

Gradually, one by one, Alice wielders all over the world awoke from their strange slumber…

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"That was… Unexpected" the man remarked.

"The Alice-stone was too weak." replied the woman.

"You look the same, lets hope it worked." he said, staring critically at the tall, beautiful burgundy haired woman in front of him.

"Neither have you changed. But I'm sure it worked. The wrenching feel was just a side effect… The Alice-stone has been used to its absolute limit." she commented, holding up a fading neon-light-blue Alice stone.

"Everyone who has an Alice would've guessed what has transpired."

"Others would simply dismiss such possible thoughts."

"What would take place next, we can only speculate in vain."

"They would have begun to wake…"

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"What a peculiar sensation…" Mr. Narumi's voice reverberated through the deathly quiet class as he woke up. He ran his hand through his soft light-gold hair.

Noise was returning to the Alice Academy, returning it to its former atmosphere. As the students started waking, they stood up and stretched, wondering what had happened.

Swiftly, cries of alarm echoed throughout the academy as the students stared in horror at one another. They were dumbstruck by what they saw. Everyone had grown older… In their minds, everyone harboured the same thoughts: How many years have passed? Why am I not aware of it? Why don't I have memories of it? Why is my once clear 'childhood' memory so fuzzy? Everyone was bewildered.

Mikan just gaped at all of her classmates, her mouth falling open in shock. Her gaze immediately snapped to Natsume. Wow... He looks… amazing?

Natsume groggily stood up, running a hand through his raven locks to clear his head. He was tall and lean, it was also obvious that he was extremely handsome from the open-mouthed-looks the girls gave him. As his crimson eyes took in the situation before him, a bewildered expression crossed his face, which was instantly replaced with an angry expression. Without a word, he rapidly exited the classroom.

Mikan, just as dumfounded as the rest, followed the orders given by the teachers and quietly made her way to her dorm room. The Alice Academy students had been awarded the day off.

A mighty explosion occurred as Hotaru tried out her new invention on Mikan.

Mikan, too deep in thought to whine and complain, just turned and stared at Hotaru. "What?" she asked, her tone as different as can be from her usually loud and annoying nature.

Hotaru's face remained stoic as ever. "Stop pondering. Your brain can't stand the pressure. It's been immobile for too long." She nonchalantly replied.

"Oh." Mikan said and gave out a deep sigh.

Hotaru walked over to Mikan and silently took her hand, leading her back to her room. It was a rare display of friendship from Hotaru.

"Don't ever make me do this again, Baka." Hotaru said as she closed the door.

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The door to the Dangerous Ability class slammed open as Natsume Hyuuga entered the room, his eyes flaming.

"What happened?" Natsume asked, straight to the point.

"Ahhh… We are so glad you could come so quickly Natsume. You don't know how worried I was for your safely." came Persona's velvety voice.

"Cut the crap. What happened?" Natsume sharply cut through.

"Time has flitted by. We suspect it to be the work of the Anti-Alice." Persona promptly replied, his voice once again serious.

"And what are you going to do about it?" Natsume questioned.

"Not me, you and your friends." Persona answered, staring Natsume straight in the eye.

Natsume's eyes narrowed. The temperature in the room rapidly rose.

"We would be able to utilize your Alices. And based on your 'friendship', I'm sure all of you will be safe." Persona stressed on the word friendship. He was layering his words, he clearly didn't believed that their friendship would help in anyway and he was definitely threatening that something bad would happen if Natsume and his friends rejected the mission.

"Who will be going?"

"The usual, you, Ruka, Hotaru and Mikan." Persona calmly replied.

"They can't help. I'll do this alone." came Natsume's brisk answer.

"No"

"What?" The temperature in the room rose a few notches.

"I said no. They will help and they will make themselves useful." Persona's tone was final.

Natsume's hands curled into fists as he strode out the room. At that moment he was a terrifying sight to behold. His ruby eyes dangerously flashing, the air around him shimmering with the heat emanating from him.

"I'll send the information you shall require. We'll meet up again tonight." Pesona's voice followed Natsume, reverberating through the empty hallway.

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A/N: Hi, i really hoped you enjoyed this. Please feel free to comment be it good or bad, it'll help me improve.