The Journey Ahead
Summary: Princess Tutu, Princess of the Swans, has engaged, by their families, to Myuto, the Prince of a far away land. To wed her love, Prince Myuto's knight, Fakir, is asked to go to her kingdom and accompany her on the journey to Myuto's kingdom. Will Tutu fall for the knight of her perhaps beloved? Will the knight leave all duty, all loyalties, to be with his beloved? As love is tested, Princess Kraehe, Princess of the Ravens, schemes to rule the kingdoms and the Prince's heart. How will our heroine possibly defeat this foe?
Last Chapter: After arguments between the two, Tutu and Fakir manage to arrive at a town, cursed by a dead story writer who wrote tragedies and was able to twist reality to his pleasing. As the two get separated from each other in the town, what mysteries will unfold? And as Myuto receives word of the Ravens' attack on Tutu and Fakir, Kraehe sends her minions to attack Tutu!
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Enjoy!
I Do Not Own Princess Tutu!
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Tutu blinked as she stared at the two with her big, blue eyes. "Actually… I'm looking for someone…," she explained, "I sorta accidentally got separated from him… His name's Fakir."
"Oh! Tragedy begins as the poor girl loses her loved one! What pain you must feel!" the blonde girl exclaimed in pure happiness.
"Wh-What?" Princess Tutu asked, confused.
"Ignore her," the pink haired girl mentioned, waving her hand, "I'm Pique. And she's Lillie."
"I'm… ah…," Tutu was about to say Princess Tutu, but wasn't sure if she was supposed to reveal her name or not, since she is a Princess.
"Huh?" Pique asked, who was the one confused now.
"I'm Duck. Nice to meet you, Pique, Lillie," Tutu explained with a curtsy.
Princess Tutu was amazed to meet two people her own age. Her only friends had been those she had to meet, royalty, and Myuto and Fakir. But the two girls in front of her didn't even know she was a Princess. Tutu sighed in relief, glad.
"So, this Fakir guy… is he your boyfriend?" Lillie asked with a grin.
"Wha…?! N-Now way!!! We're not like that at all!!!" Tutu snapped, with face red.
"But you sounded pretty worried when you were calling for him! And you're blushing too!" Pique added.
"Cut it out! He's just a friend!" Tutu protested, annoyed. Her face was still red as Tutu pouted. Fakir was nowhere in sight, and she was lost in a town she had never been to before. Fakir…, Princess Tutu thought, … Where are you?
"Hey, Duck," Lillie then said, changing the subject, "Have you ever heard any rumors of our town? It's so cool!"
"What?" Princess Tutu asked.
"They're just made up lies, Lillie," Pique reminded her, "It's nothing, really. Just some rumors about our town being cursed by some dead guy. I heard he wrote The Prince and The Raven."
Tutu remembered that story. She heard from Fakir one time that it was Myuto's favorite. Tutu had read it before, and was amazed to find her name was in the book. But the character in the story was truly tragic. She was unable to speak of her love, and her role only lasted a page. Princess Tutu turned into a speck of light and vanished. "They're… just rumors…?" Tutu asked.
"Well…," Pique explained, "We don't know for sure. But some people believe our town is cursed. But it can't be; look how peaceful it is!"
Tutu didn't know what to say. The cursed town… The author who cursed it… It all couldn't just been made up lies and rumors. But what if they weren't…?
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Fakir grew irritated as he walked through town. "Great, just great…," he mumbled as he came across a bookstore. He knew he was supposed to search for Tutu, but something told him to go inside. Entering the bookstore, he browsed around the many selves of books.
But one book seemed to catch Fakir's eye. It was a story he remembered so well. The story he had read to Myuto over a thousand times. The Prince and the Raven.
Taking out the book, Fakir gently patted off the dust the book had collected. It seemed as though it hadn't been read for years. Opening the book, the pages instantly fell upon a certain page Fakir practically memorized. The page where Princess Tutu turned into a speck of light and vanished. "That was Myuto's favorite part of the story. He loved hearing about… Princess Tutu…," Fakir mumbled. Myuto didn't seem to mind about the Prince or the Raven, or the fact the book was never finished; Myuto loved hearing about Princess Tutu over and over again. "Princess Tutu… It is just a story," Fakir told himself, but he did find it odd that Tutu was named after the tragic Princess of the book.
Fakir flinched as he turned to see a crow at the window next to him. The crow stared at Fakir with its menacing eyes. With that, Fakir dropped the book and ran out the door. One thing was in his mind right now. "Duck!!!" Fakir called out as he saw crows in the sky, heading for a large building across town.
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"A ballet school?" Tutu asked, suddenly interested. She had always enjoyed ballet. Ever since she learned Myuto loved ballet. Princess Tutu dreamed of dancing with the Prince on their wedding day. Everyday when she was little, Tutu would practice each day to impress Myuto while she would visit him. She even practiced at her own Kingdom, her morning, afternoon, and evening. Her teachers were strict, and the lessons were hard, but Princess Tutu did not give up. Even if she made mistakes, she had to learn from it. Tutu wanted to dance in Myuto's arms. She wanted to feel her body against his as the two danced in a moment where time would never end.
"Yeah. Lillie and I go there. We're taught ballet by Mr. Cat," Pique explained.
Mr. Cat…? Does she mean a real cat? Or is his last name Cat? Princess Tutu wondered. This town was different than any other town she had ever been to. Animals were acting like humans and living with humans. Expecting the teacher to be human would probably be too much.
"Wanna go there? Mr. Cat could teach you ballet if you enroll," Lillie suggested.
Enroll…, Tutu mumbled in thought. But she couldn't enroll in the school; after all, she was only going to stay here to get supplies with Fakir. They could only take a day. But…, Tutu thought, with a short smile, Maybe one peek wouldn't hurt…
"All right! Let's go!" Tutu exclaimed.
Pique glanced at Lillie. "Did you forget to tell her Mr. Cat is strict and will ask any girl to marry him if they fail?" she questioned.
"Opps! Did I forget?" Lillie asked innocently with a laugh, "Oh well!" Pique sighed, who knew this would happen.
Tutu was very interested about their ballet school, since she had never been to one before. She was taught by personal teachers. Tutu wanted to see how a normal school was displayed.
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Fakir raced towards the huge building on the other side of town. It seemed to look like a school, possibly. Running fast, Fakir accidentally bumped into someone. Fakir blinked as it was a boy with purple hair, glasses, and the books that were in his hands fell on the ground. A couple of his papers fell as well. "Sorry," Fakir said shortly, who needed to find Tutu quick. About to leave, he didn't expect the person he bumped into to snap.
"You should watch where you're going!" the boy with glasses complained, "These are rare copies of Drosselmeyer's books! And documents of stories he was going to begin to write!"
Fakir glanced back at the boy. "Drosselmeyer? Who's he?"
The boy with purple hair and glasses looked at Fakir, as if appalled. "You don't know about Drosselmeyer? The storywriter with the power to twist his own stories into reality?!"
Drosselmeyer… So he's the one who cursed the town. I bet none of the townspeople even realize it…, Fakir thought.
"He's a great author! It's a shame he wasn't able to finish writing his famous story: The Prince and The Raven…"
"What…? You're telling me… Drosselmeyer's the author?!"
"Weren't you listening to a word I was saying? You must be some traveler or something. I am Autor, and possibly the only one in this town who knows more about Drosselmeyer than anyone else."
"So… this Drosselmeyer guy… He's the author? Are you sure?" Fakir repeated.
"Yes, yes," Autor replied, "Is that all you were going to ask? Because I'm very busy in research."
Drosselmeyer. The author who cursed this town. Altor. Possibly the only one in this town who knew more about Drosselmeyer than anyone else. Fakir wanted to know more. It didn't occur to him why he was so interested about Drosselmeyer, but he had to know. Something was telling him he had to know.
The Prince and The Raven. That was Myuto's favorite book. Why? Out of all the books in the world… why that book? Why a book with no ending? Was it because of… Princess Tutu? The young girl who cannot reveal her love or she'll turn into a speck of light and disappear? Princess Tutu… Duck! he thought with a gasp. Fakir suddenly remembered Tutu and dashed off, without another word to Autor.
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Pique and Lillie led Tutu to their classroom, which was now in session. Their ballet classmates stared in distraught as Mr. Cat slowly faced them. "Ms. Pique and Ms. Lillie, you two are late! Very late indeed! You know what that means! That means you will have to ma---!" Mr. Cat, who was about to say "marry me," immediately stopped as he noticed Tutu was with them. He coughed and began talking again. "Is this… a new student, girls?" Mr. Cat asked.
"Y-Yes," Pique explained, nervously, "Th-This is Duck. She's… going to enroll in our classes… from now on, Mr. Cat."
"I see…," Mr. Cat said, quietly.
"M-Mr. Cat… this means we aren't in trouble, right…? We were… uh, just showing Duck around…," Lillie asked, who was just as scared of getting married to Mr. Cat as Pique.
"I suppose you two are off the hook, then," Mr. Cat said, motioning the Pique and Lillie to sit with the rest of the class. Pique and Lillie hesitated as they glanced back at Tutu, but did so. Tutu, however, wasn't told to sit down. She didn't know what to do, so she just stood there.
"Um… am I not off the hook… Mr. Cat…?" Tutu asked, nervously as Mr. Cat just stared at her.
"Certainly, Ms. Duck! You must follow all rules of this school, and even though you're new, you must still face the consequences!" Mr. Cat announced, "Because you are late… you will have to… marry me!!!"
Tutu voice was dry as her eyes grew tiny. Her voice was trembling, and she didn't know what to do. "Wh-What…?"
"I'm sorry, Ms. Duck, but maybe this'll teach you to be early to class on time," Mr. Cat stated.
Tutu froze. What was she supposed to do? Marry Mr. Cat? No way! She couldn't just say she was already engaged. To who, there were going to ask. Should she say Myuto? Reveal she is going to marry a Prince, and she, herself, is a Princess? Oh, this is bad! I wish I hadn't left Fakir when we first got here! Fakir! Tutu thought.
Just as she called for him in thought, Fakir stepped into the classroom. Tutu gasped with a smile. "Fakir!" Tutu exclaimed.
Fakir walked over to her, annoyed. "Where were you? I've been looking for you everywhere! Idiot, don't run off again!" he scolded her as he glanced at Mr. Cat, Pique and Lillie, and the rest of the class, "Huh? What's going on, Duck?"
"Excuse me, sir, but our new student, Ms. Duck, was late for class today, so, as punishment… she will have to marry me!" Mr. Cat again announced.
Fakir voice grew dry as well as he stared from Tutu to Mr. Cat. What the hell…? Fakir thought. He had to do something quick; he wouldn't hear the end of it if he let Princess Tutu marry a talking cat. "What are you talking about?" he asked Mr. Cat, "She's already engaged."
The class and Mr Cat gasped. "This is like one of those soap operas…! I hope something terrible and painful happens!" Lillie whispered as Pique sighed. The two girls and the rest of the class listened in quietly, too afraid to even speak, for Mr. Cat looked like he was about to explode.
"To… To who?!" Mr. Cat questioned.
Princess Tutu didn't know what to say. She wasn't sure whether to say Myuto or not. Fakir was here, so she wasn't even sure if she was supposed to say she was a Princess going to be married to a Prince. "Uh… umm… uh…," she fidgeted, unsure of what to say.
"I'm marrying her."
Tutu gasped. She hadn't expected those words to come from… Fakir! "F-F-Fakir?!" Tutu asked, her face flustered and red, "What are you…?"
Fakir glanced at her. "Shut up, and let me handle this," he whispered, and Tutu nodded.
"Y-You're her fiancée?!" Mr. Cat demanded, who couldn't believe it.
"Yes," Fakir said as he took out his sword, "And I cannot stand here, and watch the love of my life getting married to the likes of you, when she's already promised to me. Sir, if you are really in love with her, you will duel me. Here and now!" Fakir's voice was serious, confidant, and very convincing. He faced his sword to Mr. Cat. The rest of the class awed and were amazed. Mr. Cat grew hesitant as he backed away and began fidgeting on the ground, purring in an irritated tone.
Tutu's face was red as she heard Fakir's words. Wow… Fakir…, she thought, That sounded so sincere…
Pique and Lillie rushed up to Tutu, amazed. "Wow, Duck! This is your fiancée?! He's so handsome; you've got a great catch!" Pique exclaimed.
"You told us Fakir wasn't even your boyfriend!" Lillie added.
"Well… I… uh…," Tutu tried to explained, pointing her two index fingers together repeatedly, "I didn't really want anybody to know… I was, uh… getting married and all…"
"Let's go," Fakir then said. He wanted to leave this town as soon as possible.
"Uh… okay…," Tutu slowly agreed. Before leaving the classroom, Pique and Lillie, her two new friends, wanted to say their goodbyes.
"It was great meeting you, Duck! I hope we can meet you again someday!" Pique said with a smile.
"I hope I can meet the both of you again too," Tutu replied.
"I know!" Lillie suggested, "Why don't you invite us to your wedding? That way, we will meet you again!"
Tutu again was unsure. She glanced at Fakir, who looked away. Fakir sighed. "Do what you want," he said, "After all, it is your wedding." Tutu smiled as a thank you.
"All right! Once I return home, I'll send everyone invitations!" the Princess of the Swans exclaimed.
"I can't wait!" Pique said.
"Duck," Lillie told her, "Remember, it is okay for the groom to see the bride on the wedding day, okay?"
"Wha…? But I thought…," Princess Tutu mumbled, confused. Pique, knowing Lillie was up to no good, quickly hauled her away, covering Lillie's mouth.
"Forget what Lillie just said, Duck! Just hurry up to your town and get those invitations here soon! Bye!" Pique reassured her.
Tutu nodded as she left with Fakir. The class soon started to talk about weddings as Mr. Cat was, meanwhile, still fidgeting on the floor, purring with an irritated tone. Pique and Lillie began talking about Tutu's and Fakir's wedding as well, not knowing Tutu was actually going to marry Myuto. As the two talked, Pique glanced outside the window. "Hey… Lillie…," Pique said.
"What is it?" Lillie mentioned.
"There weren't this many crows in the town… What's going on?" Pique wondered. The skies were beginning to darken as crows were seen high in the skies and on the rooftops of the town.
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"Gosh… you're such a pain… I can't leave you alone for a second!" Fakir mumbled, "Why did you have to run off?"
"Sorry…," Tutu apologized.
"Whatever. At least I found you in time… or you would've been marrying that talking cat," Fakir said.
"I know…!" Tutu said, annoyed. But she was glad Fakir came. He was kind of like those knights you see in a fairytale. Knights who rescue damsels in distress. But why…, the Princess wondered, Why did Fakir say he was my fiancé? Why not Myuto? Or someone else? Why did Fakir say that…?
As they were leaving the Ballet School, Fakir remembered why he was in such a hurry to find Tutu. Fakir wanted to find Tutu before the Raven minions did, and get her out of town quickly! Tutu gasped as her eyes grew wide. There were crows everywhere. She was speechless, and didn't know what to say or do. Fakir looked behind her, and flinched as he saw the Raven minions jump above the roof tops as they were after Princess Tutu! "Come on!" the Knight told Tutu as his right hand took hers and he began running, with Tutu following quickly, "Hurry!"
Tutu was rushing, trying to keep up with Fakir. She refused to look back; she didn't want to see who or what was after them, but Tutu couldn't help it. She peeked and gasped as she saw about five Raven minions after them. It's… just like… before! Tutu remembered from before what had happened. The scenes of what had happened frightened her. The guards, though she thought perverted, that were supposed to guard her had been killed by the Raven minions, along with the old driver of the carriage. A few of the horses had been killed as well. That was the first time. The first time Princess Tutu saw something so sinister, so barbaric. Why… why again?! she wondered.
"Hurry up, Duck!" Fakir said to her as the two ran.
"I… I'm trying!" Tutu replied, following Fakir. As she followed him, suddenly something pulled on Tutu's left arm. Fakir felt Tutu's hand slipping away from his own as he turned to find two Raven minions, each holding Tutu, by her arms. The third one was about to stab Tutu with a long, dark crow's feather. Princess Tutu didn't know how to react, but she was truly scared. She couldn't break free from the Raven's grasp, and desperately struggled to free herself. Tutu winced in pain as the Raven minions held unto her tighter. "Fa… Fakir…," Tutu whispered.
Fakir gasped. No… Duck…, he thought.
Tutu sadly watched as the third Raven minion raised the dark crow's feather high. I won't… ever get to see Myuto again…, she thought, I won't ever get married to Myuto… and I'll never get to dance with him… I'll never get to see him ever again…
"No!" Fakir shouted, taking out his sword as he tried to stop this, "Duck!" He raced to her, but was stopped by the fourth and fifth Raven minion, who jumped in front of him, blocking him from getting to Tutu. Fakir gasped as the third Raven minion was about to strike Tutu. "No…! Stop…!" Fakir shouted, "Duck!!!"
Suddenly everything and everyone froze. Time had stopped, but not for Fakir and Tutu. And high in the sky, laughter was heard from beyond the grave.
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As Tutu gets swept away from the writer of tragedies himself, Fakir has to rescue her, while Drosselmeyer questions Fakir about the Knight from the Prince and The Raven. A marionette on strings, Princess Tutu is forced to dance as she meets the one and only Drosselmeyer, in person! Is this truly their first meeting? Will it be their last? Will Fakir make it in time to rescue Tutu? RXR!