Please don't hate me D8

I swear the good and exciting parts will come after the first arc blows over.

So for now hope you enjoy 8D

Princess Tutu owned by Ikuko Ito.

Start chapter 5.

Wherever Fakir had gone, the plan was in shambles and Autor was holding on to his last rope of sanity, but he endured. It was late, much past midnight, but as tired as he was, Autor was too tense to sleep.

Fakir had failed before, although this was not one of the times he was supposed to. The plan was perfect. "By now they should have gotten Mythos back and the plans in place, to kill the Raven and take back their lives.

What had gone wrong?

"Hey, Fakir..." Ahiru's voice made him alert, and Fakir listened closely. "What is it?" "It's gonna be hard. I... There might be a chance... that we won't survive." She said slowly, rubbing the drowse from her eyes.

"I know, Ahiru. If you want to go..." Fakir said carefully. Ahiru clutched his arm. "I'm not running, Fakir, I just... You need to know that... Tutu loves Mythos so much... Tutu always loved Mythos..." She said, trying to find her words.

"I know, Ahiru. I know that you two have no other intention but to help Mythos. I guess now I... I trust you now, Ahiru. So just tell me what you're trying to say. Tell me what you need." Fakir said, mustering the most gentleness he could give in the situation.

"Tutu loves Mythos so much..." Ahiru began again. "I know." Fakir breathed. "But... But I..." Ahiru continued. She leaned against Fakir and looked up at him with meaningful eyes.

"I don't... I mean, I don't love Mythos like Tutu does. I want to do everything I can to make him happy, but not in the way Tutu does. I want to see him smile, but I don't think I love him..."

She smiled such a sweet smile that Fakir almost forgot himself, but smiled back gently and took her hand. Once they got up, Ahiru sighed. "Up for a long swim?" She said, changing the subject with false cheeriness.

It was too dark. In the water, Fakir felt the darkness suffocating him more than the water itself. But Ahiru could see. Or at least, as far as Fakir could tell, she knew where she was going. His only lead being the hand that he grasped, he felt vulnerable. Like he was as a child.

It was the same when he WAS a child, his parents having him in tow and leading him with a steady but gentle hand. As vulnerable as he was, the hand he grasped was always some form of comfort to him. He was safe that way.

His deep thought had somehow saved him from losing breath and focus as a minute passed under the water, and his lungs were already begging for air.

Then he saw light.

This city. This place. It is the world for us, and you must remember that all the world's a stage! And I am the script writer for this play of life. And you will be too.

But silly comedies and light-hearted joys have become too boring... Just too overdone.

The real art is in the Tragedy! Oh yes, and much of it is coming soon! Soon indeed...

You'd better learn my way, boy. And all the powers will be yours.

Learn it..

It wasn't as lit as Fakir had hoped, but the little light they had was an improvement to the pitch black underwater. "What is this place?" Fakir wondered, trying to make out shapes in the deep shadows around them. It most resembled a cave where they were, with the small light peeking through the tiniest of cracks in the far wall.

"Ew." Ahiru mumbled.

"What?"

"Something sticky. And wet. Gross!!" She squealed, dipping her hand into the water. Fakir got up, nearly slipping on what wet stuff might have gotten on Ahiru in the first place.

When he got to the far wall, he noticed it to be weaker than they'd expected, and he could probably scrape through to the other side.

With a few jabs, he was able to let more light stream into the cave. Once he did, though, he half wished he hadn't.

"Oh my- oh god!!" Ahiru chanted, following a shrill scream that came right after he'd let light in. Around them, lining the walls were piles of bodies, and the floor was slick with their blood and various other things Fakir refused to think about.

Ahiru sat right in the middle of the dark pools, shaking like a leaf and unable to move an inch. The bodies themselves were fresh, a number of them mutilated beyond recognition, and, Fakir's stomach lurched, their eyes pecked out.

Yes, pecked. Gouged out came to mind, but Fakir realized that he knew that this wasn't done by anything but ravens.

He felt sick, and wanted to just get away from there as soon as possible, courage be damned; neither he nor his stomach were scared, but the latter was ready to jump out of his body if ever.

He stepped over carefully so as to not fall near the piles and put a hand on Ahiru's shoulder. If only he'd noticed sooner, then she wouldn't have been shaking like this. The bodies were fresh and no distinctive odor of rot could have warned them, but it should have been glaringly obvious to him, and he shouldn't have dragged Ahiru into it.

Now he helped her up, but her knees were shaking more than the rest of her, and he held her close enough to lean halfway to his chest, and he held her as he led her, fearing her legs would give out any second.

They dropped one or two times, but Fakir held her steady until they reached the wall. The fear in her eyes was evident in the light, and she kept looking back at the shadowed corpses, her eyes wide and almost unblinking.

Fakir did something his protective instinct instilled, and he hugged her tight to his chest as he kicked away the rest of the wall.

They stumbled to the other side, just a stone hallway with, to Fakir's mild surprise, black light lamps lining the walls, the only regular lights at each end of the corridor. Fortunately, there was nothing else there but them and the hall, and Fakir found it safe to loosen his grip on Ahiru.

She didn't let go of him though, and it occurred to Fakir that, by now, if Ahiru had been traumatized in some way, shouldn't Tutu have taken over by then? He could hardly even tell which one it was, with her face hanging low like that.

But considering how tight and desperate her grip was, holding on to him, he hazarded a guess that this was still Ahiru, though a very frightened one at that.

They were reaching the end of a hallway, and at the door was a raven. When it seemed to see them, it flew down. Fakir took defensive position, but it didn't attack; it fell. With a small ringing as it hit the ground.

Looking down, they saw a small black key, one that matched the closed door in front of them. This was it.

When Ahiru's grip loosened, Fakir didn't expect her to fall. He'd barely caught her at this time, and she looked up at him with meaningful eyes.

"Fakir... I gotta tell you something..." She said weakly. "Ahiru. Come on, what is it?" The girl smiled. "Tutu loves Mythos so much. Let her do what she needs to do, okay?" Fakir nodded. "And Fakir... Tutu loves Mythos. But I..." She began.

Her speech faltered, but she managed the three words that Fakir was too shocked to reply to. "I love you. Okay, Fakir? But Tutu loves Mythos. Okay?"

It was the last thing she said before falling unconscious. Her necklace seemed to change. Something shot out, blanketing her with a strange gold light, making Fakir back away.

The nanomachinery had taken effect, and her clothing, her entire being seemed changed. She was enhanced, like a weapon, like the cyborg beings made for such purposes. But even at this stage, this ethereal being was still Tutu, and inside her was Ahiru.

Fakir stood up, looking at her solemn face, and nodded affirmatively, to which she responded with her own serious, but not hostile, nod.

He was amazed to see no more hostility in Tutu's eyes. They weren't exactly on the best terms before, and yet... "You know... I don't even know what happened anymore. I've stopped being aware of Ahiru's movements, and as soon as that happens, my nanomachinery activates." Tutu said, grimacing as she looked down at her pendant.

"Fakir... I need you to take care of Ahiru when I can't... I... She trusts you, Fakir. She doesn't trust anyone more, and I don't know why. And I can no longer watch out for her, and I'm scared for her, Fakir. You must take care of her. I... I have no intention of fighting you."

Tutu's words were sincere, if somewhat proud-sounding, yet truly humble indeed. Fakir raised his sword and presented it in front of Tutu. "You don't have to even ask me. I will protect her along with Mythos. I will not allow any harm to come to them. You have my word." He said.

"I don't care for your word as a knight, Fakir, but as Ahiru's... Ahiru's friend. I'm sorry; I don't know what to call you now." Tutu said, for once smiling at him genuinely. Much like Ahiru's smile. "I am... someone who cares, then." Fakir said. Tutu nodded.

The princess picked the key up from the floor and put it into the hole. "This is it."

"I'm glad. I didn't think you'd find us so soon, Princess Tutu. So nice of you to come." Kraehe's saccharine voice pierced the silent darkness, and the lights lit up a dome of sorts, at the edge of which they stood.

In the center radiating outward, was a small island, in the middle of a lake, stopping right by where they stood. "This is..." Fakir began. "You may think it a hologram, but it's much more advanced than that. If you touch the water, you get wet, even if it's not really there. And if you bleed, the ground will eat it right up, even if it's... not really there." Kraehe said, a malicious smile forming on her lips.

Tutu looked past Kraehe and saw Mythos lying motionlessly, a bed of roses so like Kraehe, to treat him with such love and grace. But Tutu saw no love, if Kraehe was convinced she owned Mythos' life.

"Why, Kraehe? Why do you insist on this?" Tutu demanded. "If you love Mythos so much, then let him choose his own life. His own... love." She said, her voice waning. "That, actually, is what I intend to do, Tutu." Kraehe said, her voice venom-filled.

"What do you mean?"

"I suppose you know what Mythos is, right? Fakir, you know." Kraehe said, looking past Tutu to Fakir who stood by her.

Tutu didn't show confusion, but by now, Fakir realized that she indeed didn't know what Mythos was. She hadn't been told then.

"What does she mean, Fakir?" Tutu asked quietly. "I thought you knew." Fakir said gravely. "I knew that Mythos wasn't human, but no one had ever told me what he was, or anything about him." Tutu said, her expression blank.

"Is that so? Well, then let me tell you, Princess." Kraehe said, her voice echoing off the cave walls.

"Our dear beloved Prince is a cyborg, an advanced android. He was once human, but they experimented with him, giving him strength and power, and near immortality." Kraehe began.

Fakir cut her off, continuing from there. "I'm not going to let you twist the truth around." He said. And then he continued what Kraehe started.

"He fought for people, to protect people. He was a hero in the day, right up until the Raven came. Then he took a plan into effect, knowing that the Raven was plotting to use him. He may have had his will, but as an android, that could be altered easily.

So he, as we call it now, shattered his heart. His brain stored each part that corresponded to his emotions, and he divided those parts into programs, asking people he trusted to spread the programs far and wide, so that the Raven could not find them.

Even if he lost his will in the process, the Raven could not control him, because his mainframe could not be accessed without all his emotions in place. And so the Raven has yet to grasp power."

Tutu didn't seem to have much of a reaction to this. She just took it in, gracefully as always, but with more understanding.

"Don't expect this to change anything. I still love him, you know." She said carefully. "I see. Then prove it." Kraehe said. Tutu nodded.

Angeli i demoni kruzhili nado mnoj
Rassekali ternii i mlechnye puti

Angels and demons were circling above me
Swishing through the hardships and Milky Ways

The ravens were circling. More like vultures than anything, rounding upon them as though their fate and death had long since been sealed. Fakir moved first. His sword led him more than he led it, and he ran, the water solid under his feet. That was when the ravens came down, shifting into soldier forms, ready to fight the swordsman before them.

Ne znaet schast'ya tol'ko tot
Kto ego zova ponyat ne smog

Only the one doesn't know happiness
who couldn't understand its call.

"Mythos!! Wake up!" Fakir called out suddenly. "Don't ignore me, you fool! There are people depending on you, and you allow this witch to enslave you? You're better than that!" He continued, speech soon cut off by the attackers.

Mana du vortis, Mana du vortis
Aeria gloris, Aeria gloris
Mana du vortis, Mana du vortis
Aeria gloris, aeria gloris

Watch in awe Watch in awe
A heavenly wind A heavenly wind
Watch in awe Watch in awe
A heavenly wind A heavenly wind

More of them came. Fakir near staggered under the weight. He fended them off, continuing his one-against-fifty battle, holding up well until...

"Fakir! Watch out!!" Tutu screamed. For a moment, it almost sounded like Ahiru more than Tutu. Maybe it was both. Fakir didn't have time to think on it, as they started flocking-no, swarming around him, their wretched talons ripping his skin.

As if he wasn't troubled enough, the floor... water, gave way beneath him, and he fell through, unable to take a breath as the ravens came down with him and pulled him down.

"No, Fakir!!"

I am calling, calling now
Spirits rise and falling
Soboi ostatsa dol'she
Calling, calling, in the depth of longing
Soboi ostat'sya dol'she

I am calling, calling now
Spirits rise and falling
To stay with you longer
Calling, calling in the depth of longing
To stay with you longer..

.

It wasn't over yet. The water broke surface, splashing upward, a sick shade of red, as Fakir came up higher than the water reached, with the ravens following but not quite touching him.

He slashed at them, but to no avail. They pushed him down again, brought him down with a horrible splash, with some macabre finality as blood floated gracefully to the surface, and silence following.

Mana du vortis, Mana du vortis
Aeria gloris, Aeria gloris
Mana du vortis, Mana du vortis
Aeria gloris, aeria gloris

Watch in awe Watch in awe
A heavenly wind A heavenly wind
Watch in awe Watch in awe
A heavenly wind A heavenly wind

Useless. She was completely useless. Fakir had fought, and in the end, she could do nothing but watch him fall. Tutu. Ahiru. It didn't matter; neither could do a thing. And the ravens... Kraehe... They held the real power. What did she(they) have?

Fakir... is dead... It slapped her in the face, it hurt her heart so much more than she'd anticipated. Ahiru was hurting so much. Even Tutu was. They shed tears for him, but...

How could she even do this? Do... nothing? Tutu stood up. She had to do what she came here for, or Fakir would have died for nothing.

Stand alone . . . Where was life when it had a meaning . . .
Stand alone . . . Nothing's real anymore and . . .

She was alone now, but as weak as she was, she still had something to do. She stepped forward, soon breaking into a fresh run, making only ripples in the water.

"If he won't listen to words... then... Let me speak to him without them." And she danced. Her movements were beautiful, feeling, longing.

Beskoneshnyj beg . . .
Poka zhiva, ya mogu starat'sya na letu ne upast'
Ne razuchit'sya mechtat' . . . lyubit' . . .
. . . Beskoneshnyj beg . . .

Never ending run
While I'm alive, I can try to fall in flight
Not to forget how to dream... to love
Never ending run

"Trying that then? Showing your love for him through dance? How desperate. But then, I suppose I understand. I accept your challenge as well." Kraehe said, jumping from her place.

And they danced.

The dances were filled with their very essence, their emotion pouring. Their aggressive 'true love' told more than words ever could. They were evenly matched. Until...

"Take five? I want to show you something." Kraehe said suddenly, not looking the least bit bothered. Tutu stopped, not to rest, just to observe Kraehe in case.

And out of the water it came. A hologram? An android? She couldn't tell. It glowed red, a perfect copy of Mythos.

"Don't you see it, Princess Tutu? This is no trick; these are Mythos' emotions condensed in a solid hologram. It is the only real Mythos right now. You say you want him? Why don't you try to win him over?"

"Just tell him you love him. It's very simple." Kraehe challenged. Tutu paled.

If you tell him, you will disappear forever.

"But of course... you can't, can you?" Kraehe said derisively. "Do you really love him, Princess Tutu? Then why won't you say it?"

As if it wasn't a hard enough blow, the red-Mythos suddenly spoke. "Don't you... love me...?" It said in a strained but saddened voice.

Tutu's eyes widened. Of course she did, but she couldn't say it... It pained her so much to keep it like that but she couldn't... She would lose him forever if she did.

How could she tell him? How could she?

Let's dance.

Tutu stood up, her mind barely registering her body's movements.

We can tell him through dance...

Ahiru was guiding her as she had the little duck all these years. This twist nearly brought Tutu to tears.

He'll know it, I'm sure...

Tutu knew she was right. Oh Ahiru...

There was a waking point for him, but by now he couldn't even tell if he was alive or dead. He knew he wasn't entirely gone, but he wasn't entirely here either.

Would you like to know?

Yes, please... He responded, not even knowing what exactly he wanted to know.

Then I shall tell you.

The little girl ran to the pond. Against the will of her dear 'father' she left the fortress. Something was calling her to that place. And then she saw the little duck on the pond.

She wanted to save the little duckling. It was abandoned, dying. She was only a little girl. Death was a concept alien to her. She thought the duck was 'broken'. Her 'father' could always fix broken things. So she went to him for it.

And then... and then...

The duck...

She danced. All that time, she knew she could tell him that way. Her fear only destroyed her hopes, but now that her fear was demolished, it no longer mattered.

She danced a pas de deaux. Had there ever been any reason that she shouldn't? Her own doubts kept her from her goal.

Even alone, she danced a dance for a united two. A pas de deux, a two-person dance. She wasn't REALLY alone. He was there in her heart. Mythos was a kind, gentle person. He deserved to know happiness, like anyone else.

She loved him. Her protective, pure love could not be denied. She wanted to bring a smile to his face.

"No. It can't be!" Kraehe's voice barely penetrated her line of thought. All she saw was his face. Was he... smiling?

Everything was a blur.

End Chapter 5.

That was a bit hurried. Sorry, I had to get the story running properly.

The song was by Origa, 'Inner Universe'. Not mine kay? 8D If there's a mistake in the lyrics, don't hesitate to tell me :3

So It seems a bit hurried but I'll pace myself as soon as I can get the stuff in place. I'll try my best to get the next chapter up soon 8) Thanks to my reviewers who have been inspiring and supporting me in Princess Tutu.