"Author's" note: Just as promised to whomever out there who even bother to read my profile, here is the Vampire story. It is still under revision. I cannot believe that it has been two years since I started on this story. I'll strive and try my hardest to finish it. :D

Storyline:

A dark secret never to be revealed, hidden away from prying eyes. Kept safe by his mother, Natsume now undertakes the task of protecting his sister and something else he knows and does not know. Things however squirmed out of his control and problems arise as he meets a brunette, who would play a key role in the troubles to come. Not only is his identity and sanity at sake, he might lose his sister. As his own problems escalate, he soon found himself heavily burdened with his promise made towards his deceased mother to protect his sister, an ancient legend of the "Pandora's heart" and the future of many lives.

Disclaimer:I don't own Gakuen Alice. (says with a sigh)

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Prologue – Of Stories and Vampires

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A little boy sat contentedly beside his mother, leaning his weary head against her. Both of them were on the bed, sitting upright in companionship silence. The mother smiled, a light fond smile. She smoothen her child's heredity raven black locks lovingly, untangling the coils amidst the sea of black.

"Are you tired, Natsume?" The mother asked. She was genuinely concerned.

Natsume shook his little head while trying to stifle a yawn. The mother giggled, which made the child feel troubled. So young and yet the wrinkles crumpled his tiny face. She raked her fingers once more through his raven locks. Oh how could anyone not love this child?

"Well then, shall I tell you a bedtime story?"

The child nodded lethargically. The mother gave a gentle smile and a wistful look before beginning the story.

"A meteorite fell on earth coincidently on that fateful day when Prometheus first created man and Athene first breathed life into them. The dinosaurs were conveniently wiped out, leaving the land barren for the future dominants of their world - mankind. But such a coincidence couldn't have just happened, could it? That was what Zeus believed and remained scornful about mankind, disbelieving that it will come to any good. Zeus however kept his peace, merely watching and scornful of those two- leggers who taint the once beautiful earth.

Life for these new species was blissful and serene for a couple of decades. However, peace was fleeting and transient."

The mother glanced back at the child. Natsume was still wide awake despite signs of sleepiness, anticipating for her next lines. The corners of her mouth curved upwards at his enthusiasm. She continued on,

"On the day of festive joy, men were called upon to sacrifice a bull, but none of them knew what to present to the gods. Would it be the bones of the creature for weaponry or perhaps the savory flesh and tough sinew of the bull? How about the heart full of blood symbolizing mercy and sympathy? The men were nonplussed on how to proceed, all they knew from the Shaman was that a bull had to be skewered and presented to the gods to quell the growing presentiment. Flustered, they call upon their creator, Prometheus for help.

Now, Prometheus was a cheeky fellow. He never habour any love for Zeus, partly due to his adamant opposition to the creation of man. This cunning, sly lad happened to see the perfect opportunity to spite Zeus. Doubtless to say, Prometheus would seize the chance to thoroughly embarrass Zeus. After reassuring his beloved creations, Prometheus skinned and butchered the bull himself, dividing them into two potions, one of which contained the bones covered in a thick layer of blubber, while the other had all the lean tender meat.

He presented them both in front of Zeus, demanding that he should have one of the portions as rightful ruler of all. Zeus was slightly pleased about the arrangement. After all, he was lord over the others and was of great authority. He felt an immense sense of ego welling within him.

"Very well, Prometheus, you have been good and faithful" He says. With a flick of a finger, Zeus chose what he thought contained the meat (the larger of the two portions), which were unfortunately the bones and fats.

Oh how Prometheus grinned when he heard the uproar from Mount Olympus, immensely satisfied with his little trick. Little did he expect this would be the start of all problems.

Natsume huddled closer to her, snuggling at her side.

"Zeus was indeed displeased and furious about it. He needed to do something; his pride as supreme leader was at stake. How could he be tricked by such lowly creations? So with a flick of a finger and plenty of childishness, he snatched fire away from the men, forbidding them to cook. Alas, Prometheus heard about it and stole fire from the heavens for his creations. This however, did little to salvage the situation and instead enraged Zeus.

To Zeus, this was the last straw. If Prometheus had his creations, he would have his too. He called upon Hephaestus, the smith of the gods and instructed the fellow to form her from the earth. Athene, goddess of wisdom, breathed life into her, teaching the creation how to weave and clothed her. Aphrodite the goddess of love made her irresistibly beautiful and charming, while the god Hermes taught her to seduce and deceive. Her name was thus Pandora, the "all-gifted". Zeus's plan was to create women and this is the story of Pandora, a bedtime story about the eventual creator of vampires.

Pandora quickly perfected with every gift and arrayed in all her loveliness. She was then sent to Epimetheus (Prometheus's brother) to set the plan in motion. Though forewarned by Prometheus, silly Epimetheus was foolishly charmed by Pandora and received the woman with open arms, pleased to have such a gift."

His crimson eyes were half-lidded with sleep. She could tell he was trying to stay awake.

"Pandora had a box she was forbidden to open under any circumstance, for each of the gods had stored the worst things that she or he could possibly give. As wonderful as the gifts they had endowed Pandora with, the darkness that lies beneath was just as dreadful. However, this was too tempting like a drug addict craving for his drugs, like the honey and the bee, for a lively girl like Pandora who was unfortunately endowed with the first feminine curiosity.

It was unavoidable, the urge to open the box, the desire to peer inside it. It also appears that perseverance wasn't really included in her wide range of qualities as she gave in, impelled by her natural curiosity. The lid was lifted. Though only slightly to reveal only a crack, it was all it took to break hell loose. All evil contained in the box unleashed its fury, lashing out into the air like a whip into the unknown – the first signs of sickness and suffering, hatred and jealousy and greed, and all the other cruel things that would freeze the heart and bring on old age appeared. For so long had these evil has been contained that they were overjoyed by the sweet taste of freedom. Pandora gasped in horror at the sight of it all, she panicked and hastened to close the lid. But it was all too late. The whole contents of the jar had escaped, except for one thing which lay right at the bottom - "Hope" which was given by Aphrodite the goddess of love. For love does no wrong.

Tears flowed freely down the fair cheeks of Pandora as she held Hope up in the air and watched in horror as it dissipated in the forms of bats. These were bats which would determine the evolution of mankind. For those specifically chosen by the bats to live, became vampires. And only the fittest will survive in this dog eat dog society…"

The mother noticed the even breathing of her child. She patted her child's head fondly and laid the sleeping figure into a proper position. After which, she sat silently brooding. Blood red orbs stared forlornly out of the windows of the room and into the distant night. Her lips silently whispering the words:

"Goodnight my child, goodnight."

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Ending note: Hope you enjoyed the bedtime story. R&R please! :D