Intelligence, Destiny, and Perseverance

By: KitKat411

Author's Notes: So. Wow, it feels so strange not to be typing "Hungering for Perfection" into my computer. In fact, I did begin to type that title in, before laughingly realizing that that story-that chapter in the melodrama that is my life-is over. "Completed" actually, if you want to use the FanFiction term for it.

So here I go again, typing out another story, throwing out another bit of my soul to the wolves-that is, ya'll lovely readers out there. Wow, this really is nerve-wracking. "Hungering for Perfection" was a lot simpler to publish, in a way. Yes, it was triggering for me to publish an "emo rant" (haha) about my eating disorder, but it was easier, I guess. Now, I have to follow up "Hungering" with this story, which I hope will be as "well-written" as "Hungering." Apparently, J.K. Rowling also had this problem with publishing Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. (Don't fret about all the Potter references; I'm not much of a fan in real life.)

But there are still similarities to "Hungering for Perfection" here. "IDP-my new nickname for this story since "Intelligence, Destiny, and Perseverance" takes more time to type than I want- will still have obnoxiously long Author's Notes. I like to write Author's Notes, people. They are my little rants from hell, to be honest. If you don't want to read them, however, just skip to the part that isn't bolded.

However, the second similarity is the characters. Yes, this story is about Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney-which I don't own, in case you didn't know-but it stars my buddy with the whip, Franziska von Karma. I don't know why she fascinates me…but here I am, writing about her again. Edgeworth is in here also, but he's not as much of an ass/good guy. (Depending on how far you are in "Hungering for Perfection," which I am shamelessly promoting.)

And if this first-very short-chapter doesn't make sense to you, look up "symbolism" in your high school English book.

So here you go…the debut of "Intelligence, Destiny, and Perseverance." Good luck in reading it, and wish me luck in writing it!

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Once upon a time, a beautiful princess was trapped in a tower. The tower was grand and magnificent, and it was known for its beauty throughout the kingdom. Everyone, from the lowliest servant to the lords and ladies, remarked about how elegant the tower was, and how whoever lived in it was surely very lucky and special.

The princess, however, did not know that these people were speaking of her tower. Even if she did know, however, she would not have cared. For the princess was locked in the tower, and she was forever forbidden to leave. Instead, all the princess could do was study. She was expected to read, and to memorize, and to forever be perfect. She never had a chance to leave her tower, to be a normal young princess, or to be free.

The tower was guarded by a large and menacing dragon. The dragon held the key to the tower within its fiery scales, but never used it to let the princess go. Instead, the dragon would often check up on the young princess to make sure she was always perfect. The dragon, if he caught the princess not studying, would yell at her, and flames-red and stinging-would burn the princess. The dragon would endlessly quiz the princess about her studies, and if the princess ever slipped up, the dragon would chase the princess and beat her savagely.

The princess soon learned many things in her tower, but soon realized that there were three "rules" to be followed above all else.

The tower would always be locked. She would never escape it, or the dragon that held her within it.

Perfection was expected at all times. Anything less than perfection was considered failure.

And the third thing that the princess quickly learned?

Miracles never happen.

And fairytales don't exist.