Princess Tutu : A New Chapter

"Theres no place for me there..."

A blinding light flashed in my eyes. Where am i? I thought. Moving my feet in a familiar pattern, I tried to swim away from the light as fast as my duck legs would allow me, but no matter how fast I moved the light seemed inescapable. What is this? Why can't I leave? My heartbeat seemed extremely loud, as if a drum beating in my chest. I shut my eyes and yet no matter what I did the light still seemed visible. It was overwhelming for my duck body, and my feet stopped moving. I had no strength left. My body ceased floating and began sinking in the clear water of the lake. Help, I whispered quietly even though if anyone heard it, it would sound like a weak quack to them. I was fully underwater now, sinking. Then I woke up. I was back in my nest, the morning dew dripping of off the grass and onto my head. I shook the water of my feathers and got up. For days now I have been having that same dream with no idea what it meant. It has been a two weeks now since Rue and Mytho returned to the story and yet it seems as if it was much longer. I hopped out of the lake. It was barely dawn, but I knew Fakir would be up now. Practicing ballet even though he decided against returning to the academy. It was about a week ago when I motioned the academy to him. He walked away leaving me with the mysterious reply of "There isn't a place for me there any more," and I wondered if it had anything to do with Mytho being gone. He was diligent, practicing every day, never faltering despite the nights he stayed up trying to write. It made me almost wish that I could dance as well, but even as a girl I never was much of a ballet dancer. I stood there, mesmerized by his graceful dancing and trying to copy those movements as best as I could, when I tripped. Ducks weren't meant to dance ballet after all. I fell flat on my face, an involuntary quack escaping me. "Who's there?" Fakir looked around, his eyes finally settling on me. "Oh, it's just you Ahiru," Quack, I replied not really having anything to say. "Come on in," He motioned the open door to me and I waddled in. "Have you been watching me there everyday?" he asked. I said nothing but stared into his eyes. "Of course you have," he placed a slice of bread on a plate and set it down beside me. I began slowly nibbling on the bread, trying to make the most of this time before Autor would return and say "Fakir needs no distractions, come back later," or "Aren't ducks supposed to be at the pond? Go on, Fakir needs his space," and I being just a duck wouldn't be able to argue with him. I finished the last of the bread, glancing up. The floor was scattered with crumpled papers, I focused on his face, being shocked with what I saw. He seemed as if he hardly got any sleep recently and he seemed to reflect frustration and desperation. I got up and grabbing the end of his pants, I tugged at them. He woke up as if from a sleep and stumbled, nearly tripping over me. "Ahiru, what are you....?" he said as I tugged him to his bed. Quack Quack Quack, I said pointing to the bed and to him with my meager wing. {you need to sleep} A half smile formed on his face. "Concerned for me?" He lay upon the bed, I hopped on pulling the sheets over him with my bill. He yawned as I got off. In a few minutes he wa asleep. I waddled around the room trying to read some of his discarded sheets. I tried uncrumpling one only to find it blank except for ink stains and scribbles. I moved on to another and another and another. Each one just like the previous. That explains his despairing look on his face, I thought. He'll get better after some sleep, i hoped. Not wanting to get back to sleep for the fear of the nightmare again, i decided to visit the ballet academy. Waiting a little longer, I flapped my wings quietly and made my way out of the half way opened window. The town seemed too ordinary as if nothing ever happened. As if there was no prince without a heart here, as if an evil Raven almost didn't try to take over, as if there was never a duck who became Princess Tutu. Landing in the green shrubbery i got up on the windowsill. It seemed strange with no Mytho or Rue or even Fakir in the midth of people dancing ballet. My eyes focused on someone familiar, Pique and Lilie. They didn't remember me, but that was okay since now i was just a duck. They practiced with their pointe shoes, getting better and better each day. I stayed watching until everyone left, my eyes still glued to the empty ballet room even after that. Then i decided to leave. I flew fast, an unknown sadness hanging heavy over my heart, and landed in the river. Ever since we defeated the Raven everything returned to normal. Mr. Cat was just an ordinary cat now and so was Ms. Goatette and Anteaterinna, so it's only natural for me to just be a duck. However I felt as if I didn't belong as a duck. I wanted to be out there with the people, helping and encouraging Fakir in his writing, but I outlived my usefulness, it seems. I shut my eyes not wanting to think like that. I saved Mytho, I put a smile back on his face. That is what is important. I swam out to the middle of the lake, my eyes still closed.  I could only hear the chips of the birds flying, trees swishing in the wind. Such peaceful sounds, almost made me wish that I could I forget my sadness and become a light just like the real Princess Tutu did. I shook my head, no. Fakir promised that he'd stay by my side no matter who I was, if he can accept me being a duck, so can I. Despite that, even I felt unsure. I felt drowsier. The rocking waters and the calming sounds lead me into a light sleep. I dreamed. I was dancing the pas de deux with Fakir when i suddenly turned into a duck, he then danced away from me, ignoring my existence, leaving me in the dark. He danced his single dance and got farther away from me, i tried to catch up with him, but my duck feet wouldn't carry me. Then he disappeared from my sight altogether and i was covered in darkness. I waited in the silence, the only sound being my heartbeat which i tried to drone out. Then that flash of light appeared, again, blinding me. Not again! I thought, swimming harder than ever trying to escape. It followed me as if glued to my shadow. I felt my feet getting weaker, come on keep going! I can't, i can't keep going, i was about to give up when i heard his voice call out to me. "Ahiru! Ahiru!" Fakir? Fakir! The light dimmed alittle, and Fakir's voice got louder, i continued swimming, faster and faster. Sudden as it came, the light disappeared and i found myself running towards the sound of Fakir's voice. "Ahiru" I saw him run up to me. He knelt before me, letting me walk unto his hands as he embraced me. "I'm sorry Ahiru," he said wiping away one of my tears that i didn't know was there. Quack, i murmured, nuzzling him. "I promised i would stay at your side no matter what, didn't i?" he whispered, "I intend to keep that promise so don't worry." He waited a bit. "I have been distant a bit, haven't i? It's just well... i was trying my hardest to find a way to turn you back into a girl... "

*Thank you for reading this. Please if you find this story in any way at falt please leave a comment. For example if there characters seem different from the anime or if it isnt acurate on some accounts with the previous anime episodes (please dont comment that i dont capitalize all of my i's, my sister when reading over it already told me :p). I willl be looking forward to improving this story. Thank you again*