Hello my friends! Or not my friends. After getting a lot of requests and just thinking it over, I put one of my other stories on hold just for you all. BE GRATEFUL! To be truthful I have wanted to do this for a while. The first time I did this was with a oneshot and it was pretty hard to write. Why do you ask it was so hard? It's because I have to think of a creative scenario, match the story, and make the characters react as they normally would, while still getting everything for everyone for what they want. Whatever. I just got to keep writing to my heart's content.
Chapter 1: Unexpected Feelings
Deep within a paradoxical world where one can live within death, the ghostly figure Drosselmeyer hopped from foot to foot with glee. "Oh this is great, just great! Everything's going according to plan. My wonderful tragedy shall happen! That foolish girl poisoning the prince's heart with Raven blood will be her ultimate mistake. And she was warned by me even so. Ha! And that knight's reincarnation can't do anything to protect the prince, and we can't forget our little duck who will just keep piecing his heart back together, unaware of the dire consequences." The old man stopped abruptly and sat back down into his rocking chair. He stroked his pointed beard. "Perhaps it would be best to take a little break for a while. Watching my characters at almost every moment of the day is exhausting, and I am an old, dead man who's been working on a book for ages. I could use a rest. The story will go according to plan no matter what happens." Drosselmeyer thought it over more, and eventually decided to take a well deserved nap. He settled in his chair and fell asleep. Near the back of the large, dark expanse filled with gears, a small gear that hadn't before began to turn...
Ahiru walked across the stone pathway of Golden Crown Town's Academy. She yawned and slowly blinked her eyes. Mytho had tried to steal a maiden's heart late in the night. Of all times, it had to be when she was sleeping. Suffice to say, Princess Tutu was rather cranky when she arrived at the scene. What really bothered Ahiru was that Mytho had kept taking glances at her. Not evil stare downs villains usually give heroes. Just quick looks over the girl who his minions had hoisted into the air. She had freed the girl without too much problem. Just as Mytho was about to flee, he stared at her with eyes clouded by a mysterious emotion. Ahiru tapped her index finger on her lip, puzzled. She was quite conscious of the fact that Mytho had the Raven's blood running through him. To her it was probably just an intimidation tactic. Ahiru snorted. Mytho being intimidating? Maybe but not really. Then why did he make her stomach flutter?
Ahiru deep in thought, did not pay close attention to where she was going. Suddenly a person walked into her way.
Oof!" she grunted as she hit the individual. The person was knocked to the ground. "Oh I'm sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going..." Ahiru rubbed her head sorely.
"Watch it next time!" the person snapped.
"Oh, Rue..." Rue frowned at the strawberry blonde. "Here let me help you up." Ahiru extended her hand, eager to assist.
"Stay back! I do not need your help." Rue stood up on her own and moved away from Ahiru's hand. Ahiru's expression dampened.
"You're still as clumsy as ever," Rue chided. "Honestly, it's impossible sometimes to see you as Princess Tutu." Ahiru mouthed Rue's words behind her back, but straightened up when she turned around. "And don't think you've won yet. Even though Mytho failed last night, we will get a heart for my father! It's only a matter of time." With that, Rue walked off.
"Rue... you're hurt. When will your suffering end?" Ahiru murmured sadly.
"Hey Ahiru! Wow you look tired," a voice said from behind.
"Aww, did our special Ahiru stay up all night thinking about the wonderful Fakir? Or was it that heartbreaker Mytho?" another voice piped.
Ahiru's eye twitched. "You're both wrong. I totally was not thinking about Mytho last night. Or Fakir. I'm not creepy like that. I mean I'm not creepy at all unless you think I'm creepy which means I'm creepy to everyone and that means I creep everyone out and I really really don't want that! What am I going to do?!" The duo revealed themselves to be Lilie and Pike, Ahiru's best friends. Pike rolled her eyes while Lilie nodded to Ahiru's rant.
"Not to mention that you'd become a social outcast, forced to abandon your dreams of becoming a ballerina, let alone a prima donna, and would have to live alone for the rest of your life while the only people to comfort you would be Pike and I!"
"Stop overreacting Ahiru. No one finds you creepy. You're weird, awkward, clumsy, and overall uncollected but you're not creepy," Pike remarked.
"Thanks Pike. I think."
"Anyways we better get going. We got to get to the dance studio before Mr. Cat gets angry and tries to marry us."
"Eep! You're right! Let's go!" Ahiru raced off with her friends in tow.
Soon it was time for ballet lessons. The students sat cross-legged before the barre.
"Good morning to you, everyone," Mr. Cat announced himself as he walked through the doorway. "Today we will be studying the art of the pas de deux. If you intend to continue your career in ballet, you must be prepared to learn the basics of this very important technique. As you should know, a pas de deux is a duet between two dancers. It is considered the pièce de résistance and bravura highlight of the show. Pas de deux are all about strength and trust. You must trust your partner to carry you and not let you drop."
"Aren't pas de deux so romantic?" Lilie asked starry-eyed. Pike and Ahiru agreed quietly.
"Grand pas de deux, the traditional ones, have five parts; an entrée or introduction, an adagio, a variation for each dancer, and a coda or conclusion. It is vital that you include each part if you truly wish to make a proper dance!"
Mr. Cat snapped his paws. The penguin at the piano began to play. "Now then. I need two students to come up and show the class how to dance a pas de deux. Do not worry, I will be guiding you along the way." Mr. Cat scanned the room closely. "Miss Rue, Mister Mytho, as my best pupils in the ballet division, would you please demonstrate to everyone the correct way to perform a pas de deux?" Mytho stood up and walked in front of everyone. He simpered at them with lidded eyes, charming them all. Rue also stood up. Mytho held out his hand for her. She reached for it, then hesitated.
"Come Rue, don't be shy," Mytho said calmly, frowning. She glanced at Ahiru who was watching worriedly, then turned back to Mytho and accepted his hand.
Rue bowed to Mytho. He moved his head slightly, his bow. She stood on her right leg and lifted the other one, raising her left arm in the air. Mytho spun her in a pirouette. The audience watched in awe. Rue lifted her left leg all the way up as Mytho extended his left arm. Mr. Cat called out the moves as they did it. Rue dipped down with only her partner to keep her from falling. Mytho brought her back up and she kept her left leg extended. He pushed her forward onto her left leg and she raised her other one and spread her arms out like a bird's. Mytho kept his left arm out too. He moved back and brought his right arm close to him. Rue pulled herself into an attitude. Mytho offered his hand once more. Rue lowered her arm to take it, then hesitated again. This time Mytho did not wait. He quickly grabbed it and spun the surprised brunette. Caught unaware, Rue stumbled and lost her balance. She cried out as she fell to the ground.
"You were too slow," Mytho jeered with an dark undertone. Rue stared at him, her eyes watering. The sitting students gasped.
"Rue!" Ahiru shouted, alarmed. Rue looked away and ran out of the room. Mytho watched her run out without a change in emotion. He glimpsed at Ahiru gaping. His eyes turned golden and he hung his head shamefully.
"Well that was most unexpected. I think that will be enough of a lesson today. Hopefully Miss Rue is fine and has decided to continue practicing the pas de deux as you all should do too. Mytho and Rue's performance was excellent and should be used as an example for your own dances!" Mr. Cat yowled. His tail swished back and forth. "Perhaps you will one day meet the one you shall marry through a pas de deux!" Silence. Mr. Cat immediately began rolling on the ground. "Dismissed!"
Ahiru walked out of the building to the fountain.
"Ahiru, wait," she heard a rough voice say. Fakir strolled over to her.
"Hey Fakir. What do you think happened with Mytho and Rue? I've never seen her be so unsure around him."
"I bet that it was the Raven's blood. As time goes on and you get Mytho's heart shards back, that terrible substance spreads through his body and his mind. I wish I could something more to help..."
"Oh...Well I stopped him last night from stealing a maiden's heart again so I guess I did some good right?"
Fakir started moving towards the front of the academy. "Keeping the Raven sealed away is the only good. If he is unleashed then we'll all be done for. He is the cause of our pain."
"Yeah you're right...you know what was weird though? Mytho kept looking at me."
"You are his enemy. He had to watch out for you," Fakir scoffed.
"No Fakir! He's not our enemy! And it wasn't like that! He seemed to be watching only for me... as though he were worried that I would disappear. He didn't seem upset when I stopped him. He just stared. His eyes were unreadable..."
"Idiot. You're overcomplicating it. Just stay far from him unless you need to. You can't be worried about his emotions right now. We just have to wait until when he will listen and talk to us."
"But that's exactly what I'm worried about..." Ahiru said under her breath. Eventually the duo reached Fakir's house outside of the academy.
"I'm going to try writing more inside. Just small things that won't too big a difference in the world. If I can at least affect those things, maybe I have a shot of reaching Mytho."
"Okay. I wish you good luck then."
Fakir gave a wavering smile, then went inside.
Ahiru went off on her own. She thought about the day's events so far, specifically a very handsome young man. Mytho had looked at her and felt ashamed at his actions. That meant that the real him was still in there. Hope was not totally lost. Ahiru perked up.
"Alright Mytho!" she said aloud, "I'm going to help you whether Fakir tells me to or not!" At that moment, a white haired boy ran holding hands with a dark haired girl. "Was that him?" Ahiru ran after them. She ended up in a mysterious corner of town. The light had an odd feel to it. The air muffled all sound. The hair on Ahiru stood straight.
"Love only me, Liebe," a male voice echoed across the walls.
"Huh?" Ahiru scanned the area.
"Love only me and hate everyone else. Your heart is young and beautiful. You must give it to me. Won't you do that?"
"Yes, I will."
"Then hurry and dance for me. Give me your heart!" Mytho commanded along with a monstrous voice.
"No!" Ahiru exclaimed. Her pendant glowed brilliantly. She became enveloped in a golden egg and burst out of a bubble as Princess Tutu.
"Stop!" She jumped into the scene. Mytho stood atop a pillar of crow-men, clothed in his crow prince attire, arms transformed into giant grey and black wings. The brunette, Liebe, tiptoed en pointe to him.
"Tutu!" Mytho exclaimed, "You're here again."
"Please Miss Liebe, come dance with me," Tutu asked gently.
"Don't listen to her my love. Come into my arms."
"Miss Liebe, what is it that you wish for? Why have you come to a stranger for love?"
"I wish to be free from my parents. I must always be perfect. They say my skills as a ballerina are never good enough. I can never do anything correct. They won't let me go anywhere if I'm not practicing. I should be able to do what I want!" Crow-men sprouted around her. She hung limp in their grasp.
"Yes. Escape from your parents! Rescue yourself with my love!"
"Will disobeying your parents really make you free?" Tutu did an arabesque and stretched her arms to Liebe. "When did dancing become a burden for you both? You mustn't be afraid to do what you love at whatever skill you may be. Talk to your parents about what you want. Agree together and you can be happy again."
"I can be happy...?"
"Yes. Your parents care about you. They only want to see you shine!"
"Mama... Papa..." Tears streaked down Liebe's face.
"No! Love me!" Mytho gasped.
"I... I want to be the ballerina I was meant to be!" The crow-men disappeared into the ground, and Liebe fell safely into Princess Tutu's arms.
"Urgh!" the Prince of Crows grunted. His eyes flashed from pale pink to golden and back. They finally settled on pink. The Raven wings vanished as he hopped from his humanoid perch. He came closer. Princess Tutu, with Liebe in her arms, was unable to take off like normal. Mytho finally stood before her. He knelt and stroked Tutu's face with the back of his hand. "You're such a curious thing," he said with a smile.
"What?"
"I only want to give a pure heart to the Raven. Once I do that, I'll be able to traverse wherever I want. I'm merely repaying him for helping to awaken me. You need not interfere. I promise I'll come back to you for the answers you never gave me."
"But Mytho, this isn't the true you! The true Mytho is kind and loving. You protect everyone and never ask for anything in return. You can't let the Raven's blood control you. And what answers are you talking about?"
"Mytho narrowed his eyes, but still he did not lose his smile. "What do you think of me?"
Tutu's mouth hung open. She closed it and looked down. Suddenly her head snapped up, mustering the most compassionate expression possible. "Mytho... I only desire for you to be happy...to regain your heart...to see you smile...that's why I can't stand aside and do nothing! Sacrificing innocent hearts is not the right choice! This is what I feel from the bottom of my heart!"
Mytho shot up and took a step back. His eyes sprang to golden. "So beautiful..." he whispered. "Tutu..." He clenched his teeth. Another battle between the pink and the golden waged. Mytho at long last disappeared in a gust of black feathers.
Liebe began to stir. Tutu changed back into Ahiru. Liebe woke up in her arms.
"Oh, uh, hey there miss. I kind of just found you here so I was waiting to see when you'd wake up. Yeah..." Ahiru laughed nervously. Her face grew more serious. "Are you okay?"
"I...I'm okay, better than okay. I need to go find my parents and tell them I love them! I have to do what my heart wishes!" She left Ahiru's arms in a single bound. "Thank you for watching over me but I really have to leave now! Good-bye!" She ran to the end of the alleyway.
"You're welcome Liebe!" Wait, she was not supposed to know her name! Ahiru froze her face in an awkward grin and scurried away before Liebe could figure it out.
When she was sure she was out of sight, she breathed a sigh of relief. Liebe was saved and ready to make amends with her parents. Everything was alright. She should have been satisfied with a job well done except, Mytho kept sticking out in her mind. He was doing this to repay the Raven? His life-long enemy? Was he insane? And he was also coming back for answers. If he confronted her, she knew she would be unable to resist telling him how she felt about him. She would vanish in a speck of light. Mytho... he made everything so much more difficult! Ahiru sighed aloud. In order to protect him, she would have to get closer to him, start taking more risks. If Princess Tutu was the only one able to help, then so be it, she would. Maybe Ahiru could also try. She would not let the Raven win, no matter what. With that, Ahiru set forward with Mytho in her head and determination in her heart. Hidden in the shadows of the towering buildings, a single crow with blood-red eyes watched her.
It's finally done! Ha ha ha *weeps in a corner.* Ahem, sorry about that. I know that the romantic relationship between Tutu and Mytho wasn't at full greatness. I don't have a clear storyline idea except for some potential fluffish moments that they chapters could revolve around. Don't get me wrong, there will still be a story, not just endless fluff drabbles. I don't work like that. I'm just saying, I'm going to cater to myself and my audience. Also, I'm still not used to writing the characters of Fakir, Pike, Lilie, Ahiru, and an evil-yet-still-his-lovable-original-self Mytho. I'll work on it I promise. Okay enough whining. I used Wikipedia for information about the pas de deux and other random websites. For the dance between Rue and Mytho, I used their dance from episode 21, "The Spinners." I don't know enough about ballet to make my own pas de deux. Liebe means love in German. I needed to find a German name that sounded like a girl's one because Princess Tutu is based off a German town and the girls tend to have German names and I needed one that identified with the theme and you know the rest. I hope you all will stick with me as I try to make this story into something we all can enjoy. Sayonara!