Hi all! This is my new fanfic! Please enjoy it and don't forget to review!

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters.

Prologue

"In a time, long ago, the world was created by the gods because they were lonely and did not like living alone in this vast universe. Light would be matched by darkness, life with death and the four elements with each other. In 7 days, the world was made and there was complete balance which was kept by the shinigami.

Even with such balance, the Gods created a sword that would serve as a tool to eliminate evil should it enter their created world. But this sword was locked up and kept deep within heaven, never to be taken out unless all hope fails.

There was much prosper in the world and the humans inhabiting it gave thanks to the gods for all occasions. The gods too were pleased that their loneliness was gone and that they had a new goal in life, making humans happy.

However, as time passed, men forgot about gods. They forgot to give thanks when there was a bountiful harvest. They forgot to appease the gods when entering sacred lands. They forgot that their lives were the greatest gift from god and started to wage war against their kind. These made the four elements very unhappy for they were the servants of the gods as well.

Unknowing to men and the elements, evil was entering their hearts and destroying the balance the Gods tried so hard to maintain.

"Why is it that the humans are allowed to disregard our creators while we are bound for eternity to serve them?" The elements asked the Gods.

The Gods replied, "Continue to serve them as you always would, for you rebelling against mankind would be similar to rebelling against us, your creators. Not all have forgotten us and as long as there is even one person who worships us, you must continue to serve men."

In truth, it pained the Gods to see their beloved creation turn against each other and forget about them. They saw how the darkness of evil began to plague the hearts of their creation but they remained inactive, seeing how hope still remained in mankind.

After a long while, the elements came together once again to discuss their unhappiness. They were overworked and could not understand how the Gods could still wait for the humans to remember them. Their anger was a result of evil overshadowing their true purpose in life. Coming to a consensus, the elements started unleashing their destructive powers in rebellion.

The earth hardened and there was difficulty in crop growth. The water swallowed up the boats as the fishermen's tried to fish. The air became cold and cutting, destroying everything in its path and fire refused to be tamed by man any longer.

A Shinigami witnessed the destruction which went on and pleaded with the elements to calm down. He tried explaining that their actions only pushed men further away from Gods as he has heard their prays.

"Why is it that God punishes us? What have we done to deserve such destruction and tragedy?" The people cried.

This only angered the elements even more, causing the darkness in their hearts to intensify.

"Worthless humans! They dare to question God without reflecting on their own actions. They don't deserve to be loved, let us wipe them all out."

Mayhem continued and many perished under the wrath of the elements. Life cried tears of sadness while death tried to withhold the entry of souls. The Gods themselves wanted nothing to do with the humans for they no longer heard any prayers which requested for their aid.

Evil was elated as it even entered the hearts of Gods, causing them to abandon the ones which they love so much.

One day, a young girl stood in the midst of this destruction and said a prayer. The shinigami who tried to pacify the elements was happening to fly past and stopped to take her prayer up to God.

"Dear God, I know that you are upset because we humans have forgotten about you and the gifts that you have given to us. But even so, it is unfair to punish those who are innocent. What use is this life if you take it away so easily? As the destruction continues, so does the malice of those who use this opportunity to pillage and plunder. All I ask now is for peace and stability. I have lost my entire village and I have nothing to offer you, but if my life which is the greatest gift you have given to mankind proves to be of worth, take it. In return for peace and stability, take my life and retract your anger."

Upon hearing those words, the Shinigami went relayed the message to the gods. The Gods realised that they had fallen into the trap of evil and chased it out of their hearts. The words of the young girl had made them remember why they created mankind in the first place and why they had given them the greatest gift, the gift of life.

The Gods looked at the young Shinigami and said, "We are unable to meddle in the affairs of men for it is an unspoken rule, but we will help those who seek peace in whatever way we can."

They took the sword that was created to slay all evil and gave it to the shinigami. Flying back down to earth, he stopped the young girl from killing herself and gave her the sword.

"I have heard your prayers and relayed them to the Gods. They are happy that you rely on them, but to restore balance in this world and eliminate this evil plaguing the hearts of your fellow men, you must be the strength for mankind. You are to collect six stones and with each stone collected, you master not only the four elements, but over life and death. Once you have done so, all evil will be gone and peace will return."

With every stone the young girl collected, the stronger the sword became and the easier it was to vanquish evil. To help her, the gods bestowed gifts, or Alices. However, being required to be fair and impartial; the gods made these Alices into stones and dropped them from heaven. Sometimes they would be absorbed by those who wanted peace, sometimes the Alices would be found by those advocating evil. An Alice was not created for the sole purpose of good or evil, but determined through the user.

In the end, good prevailed and the stones wielded into the sword were released. The Gods allowed mankind to keep the sword in case evil began to spread once again but to prevent anyone from using it; they placed it in a stone which was guarded by the girl's bloodline.

They also allowed those with Alices to continue utilising them and this gift was passed down through many generations. However, the law of balance still remained. As long as they did not overuse their Alices, their Alices would remain in their bodies.

This period of confusion and destruction was labelled as the 'Kuro Era'.

The four elements were apologetic for their actions and renewed their vows to serve mankind, never allowing evil to shadow their hearts. As such, they gave four specially chosen humans their powers and these served as their Alice.

The four humans agreed that the girl should create a royal line which they would serve as she brought them out of the dark ages. An alliance was formed and the five main kingdoms were created to ensure that another dark period was avoided. Together, they created a new world where all could live peacefully."

Mikan opened her eyes and took a deep breath as she finished reciting the story to the village children. She saw how the eyes of the many children were wide with awe and fascination.

"Again Mikan-sensei! Again!" The young child shouted from the back of the small room.

"Each time I see you, I recite this story, isn't it boring to you all?" Mikan questioned the child.

He merely looked awkwardly back at Mikan but the others were beginning to beg her to repeat the story.

"No way sensei! It's the best story ever! It gives us hope and teaches us many things! One more time sensei! I promise this will be the last!"

Smiling to the young child, the bells began toiling, indicating that the sun was setting. Looking at the door, she saw her bodyguard shaking his head.

"I'm sorry, I have to go now." Mikan sadly told them.

"Awwwww…" The children starting whining. One by one they each gave Mikan a hug and made her promise to tell them the story when she could see them again. They all left the room, running back to their parents and she herself walked out.

Turning back to see the run down small house one more time, she turned her heels and walked towards the palace.

"It's heartening to see them smile, don't you agree, Yukihira-hime?" Ruka looked down at the princess.

Mikan merely nodded. "It's all I can do for them."

"But that is more than enough. We best be getting back, it'll be time for dinner." Ruka whistled and two horses came trotting along the cobbled road.

"No one misses me though." Mikan thought to herself as she mounted her horse and rode back to the palace. "No one cares about the girl with no Alice in this world whereby having an Alice determines everything."

If you have enjoyed the chapter, please review and the next update would be faster! I'm a writer who's spurred on by reviews so please drop one! Please do also check out my other works: Enigma Sonata (NXM) and What's in a name (KXS). Thanks!