"Uh... you... wanna... run that by me again? Transform, you said? What is this, some kind of magical girl anime?"

"Please! We cannot let the raven demons get away with something like this! They're after the whole world, but currently, their eyes are on your own heart! At least battle for that, if it will motivate you!" Edel reached forward and grabbed Duck's hands with a desperate look in her eyes.

"You can't expect me to just yell out "WHITE SWAAAAAAAN! PURE HEART HENSHIIIIIIIN!" like, out in public.. that's so weird."
"*Facepalm* Did you hear anything I just said? There's a WAR going on that involves the life being sucked out of all of the innocent people around you, and you were born with the power to defend them, but you're worried about transforming in... well, you should be since it's a secret, but really, now!"

"Ms. Edel, was it? I understand what you're trying to say, but don't you think this is some kind of mistake? I'm just a regular student..."

"Look at the ring on your finger! It will only respond to you and the pure heart that pumps blood through your veins. You are one of the 3 women in this world that have such a precious thing. Please, try and transform now, before that raven wipes out the whole school!"

"You might already be a bit too late."

Edel and Duck turn toward the voice, eyes widening at the curvy figure at the end of the dark tunnel.

Rue places her hand on her hip and leans against the cemented wall, blood red eyes glowing brightly. A smirk plays on her red lips as she watched the cowardly teenager dart behind the Swan heart protector.

"Eeek!" Duck flinches when Rue's eyes fall on her and tried to move behind Edel to hide her face.

"Oh, no reason to hide, little swan. Taking your pure heart might kill you, but it won't be too painful. Just imagine the life being sucked out of you. You suffer more in school, anyways."

"Why does she have to be so creepy...?" Duck mutters to no one in particular.

Edel almost smiles.

"Edel, you're guarding is no longer needed, you know you can't win against a Raven princess."

"You sound so positive. And yet you're fully aware that you're no match for a pure hearted Swan."

"But she hasn't transformed yet, so I guess I have a much better advantage at the moment. Step aside, so I don't have to waste my time killing you. You can live if you just give up trying to-"

"Oh, shut up, Rue, you already know that's not going to happen."

"On the outside, you may have lived your life as a regular girl, but you are completely unaware of your true background."

Duck blinks down at the jewel on her finger and watches it flash as the strange voice rings throughout her mind. Was it speaking to her? It was absurd, that couldn't be true.

"My true background?" she wonders.

"Your life of justice bringing shall begin now. On your journey, you will discover all of the shocking and painful secrets that surround you, hidden away in places you would never imagine. Prepare yourself..."

Duck stared at the jewel blankly, mind swarming with questions she wanted immediate answers to. Something nagged at the back of her thoughts, like a memory that refused to reveal itself and be of help. But while she was thinking, Rue had spread her large black wings and raced forward, knocking a surprised Edel out of the way and reaching toward Duck.

"...Princess Tutu."

Duck's scream is swallowed by the light that engulfs her body, and Rue passes through her now transparent form, confused.

"Damn!" Rue yells as she is blinded by the wonderful light that spreads through the cave. When it vanishes, she is lying on the ground, meters away from Duck, who has morphed into a princess in armor.