Cinderella: Trials in Time

By: DJ Rodriguez

(Author's Notes: Hello again everyone! How are you all doing? I hope all of you are doing well. This story here is a new one, a request actually from one of my Fanfiction Author friends here, Marka Ragnos629.

Before I do or say anything else, I want to give praise and thanks to God. Lord, thank you for being with me and helping me to go far with you. I will do my best to walk with you, talk with you & also obeying you. Jesus, thank you for looking after me, my family and my friends who are all over the world. I ask you Father to look after them, and also look after those that call out to you. Please protect, guide and aid those that really need you. Also Lord, please look the families of my friends as well.

I pray also this; that the United States, her people and all those out there go back to the straight and narrow path. To go back to you Lord, to you Jesus Christ!

This is a request from my friend here, a unique and original piece which is… Disney crossing over with a Don Bluth film! Specifically, Cinderella crossing over with the 1988 film The Land Before Time! Believe me, I was surprised as well when he asked this particular request. I love the original movie I saw as a kid, still even have the VHS of it when it first came out!

The prologue was conceived by my friend here, which takes places several months before the actual events in Cinderella. Also, going to take place at the very beginning of The Land Before Time. This is all-new territory for me, so please pray and wish me luck here. I'll do my best, which is all I can offer.

Also this, please check out my friend's stories as they are original and unique all into their own. And on a final note, still looking for anyone to do any kind of video review on YouTube on any of my Monsters and Magic novels and other Disney/Toho specials. So if anyone can PLEASE do this, I would be most grateful.

I do not own Disney, nor any of the characters that belong to the franchise company. I also do not own any of the characters or scenes that belong to Don Bluth. Cinderella was released in 1950, produced by Walt Disney & directed by Clyde Geronimi/Hamilton Luske/Wilfred Jackson. Distributed by RKO Pictures, production company Walt Disney Productions.

The Land Before Time was released in 1988, produced by Don Bluth/Gary Goldman/John Pomeroy & directed by Don Bluth. Distributed by Universal Pictures, production company Amblin Entertainment & Sullivan Bluth Studios Ireland Ltd.

Also, certain French names here have meanings as I have found them at a site I used when writing my Monsters and Magic series. It is 20000-Names, and it is a site where you can find names for either boys or girls & under nationality as well.

Now, on with the request!)


Prologue

It was near midnight for the residents of a small, but prosperous kingdom in France. Very few people were up and about at night, the one active at this particular moment were either single men at one of the taverns drinking it up with their comrades. Or women that were also dressed up for a little bit of excitement in their lives. However, one particular woman was not dressed up as the others & was carrying some bags that were loaded with food & supplies. Her name was Cinderella, a young woman who once was a fair maiden of high-class and status. Some years ago, she was born to Adelard & Élise, a wealthy couple who loved one another very much. In fact, most would say one could not find a more better showing of husband and wife in love & together.

Sadly though, Élise had passed away when Cinderella had been a young girl. She had contracted an ailment that had taken her life, though she fought as best she could & with her husband bringing in the best doctors around to try and cure her. So he vowed to take care of their daughter as best he could, giving her every comfortable luxury & being devoted to her.

Now take heed in this; though she was afforded wealth and splendor, she inherited her mother's grace and humbleness. Cinderella had both beauty, inside as well as outside. She was kind, generous… having a certain quality of spirit that is still rare to find.

Even though Adelard took great care, pride and love in his daughter, he felt that she needed a mother's care. There was only he could do for his daughter, so he looked around for a suitable woman that would be able to give to Cinderella what he could not. It took some time and effort, but he managed to find another lady. Her name was Lady Tremaine, a widow with two daughters about Cinderella's age. The redheaded daughter was Anastasia, while her sister with brown-hair was named Drizella.

The family was brought together, but it did not last long…

A year or so after being married, Adelard had died in a very unfortunate manner. He was riding along to the chateau after a business meeting with his employees at the docks, when a black blur of some sort just raced right in front of his horse! The animal was spooked by the sudden action that he reared up quickly, neighing in surprise with front legs kicking out in reaction! Adelard was thrown off... and his head connected with an up-turned rock. His neck was broken at an odd angle, killing him instantly. He was discovered an hour by a neighbor, and that is when things took a turn for the worse for Cinderella.

When Adelard was laid to rest… that is when Lady Tremaine's true nature was revealed. She was cold to those that were beneath her station, cruel to those that did not meet her standards, and also jealous of Cinderella's beauty & charm. In her view, the young blonde girl had everything that she lacked in her life. So she started to vest immensely in her own flesh and blood, rather than care for her adopted daughter.

The times soon passed, where Cinderella was now no more than a servant in her own household. The family fortune was squandered away by the vain stepsisters and stepmother, all looking to enhance their physical beauty while their inner ones deteriorated gradually. However, even with all the make-up, clothing and class they had… it was nothing compared to Cinderella!

While she now wore clothing of a maid/servant girl, her spirit, heart and mind had blossomed into truly something beautiful. Charming to those she met, caring towards those that needed her, and with a gentleness that was tempered with strength and discipline that made her a shining star in the community. No matter how hard Lady Tremaine and the others tried to bring her down, Cinderella would rise up with grace and dignity. Her only companions in her home were the animals, but they were much better friends than Anastasia or Drizella.


Now back to the present, Cinderella was walking back to the chateau with the bags in her arms. She was weighed down physically, but not mentally. She looked up to the sky, the stars filling the heavens with their twinkling brilliance. She smiled and whispered, "Thank you God for looking after me. And thank you for Lord that my mama and papa are also watching for me.". She firmly believed that her parents were watching over her like the guardian angels that they were. She hoped that things would get better for her, hoping that her dream for a better life would soon arrive to take her away from her stepmother and stepsisters.

When she reached the gate and passed through to enter… she felt that something was wrong. She looked around and whispered, "That's odd… it's quiet. Too quiet…". There was no crickets chirping, no steady breathing of the horses, and also no sound coming from the home. The young lady shivered, feeling a coldness come in that actually surpassed Lady Tremaine. Cinderella slowly went to the door, and saw that it was cracked open. It swung open a tiny bit, but it was an ominous way that made her spine crawl. Normally, one would think to run away when something pervasive was in the air. But not Cinderella! Along with having a gentle and loving heart and spirit, she was also brave. It came from putting up with all of the abuse she had taken from her step-family. She slowly pushed open the door, a soft but eerie creaking sound escaping from the action.

Cinderella's eyes were wide now with fear, scanning the inside of her home but it was all covered with darkness with only limited moonlight coming through the window. A heavy killer intent was in the room, almost suffocating. She put the bags down on the ground slowly, feeling that any sudden moves would be unwise. The young woman at first didn't hear anything, but after taking a couple of steps into the room. She went towards a stand that had a lamp on it and turned it on… to witness a sight that would be forever etched in her mind until the end of her days!

The light showed that she was in the living room, and scattered all over the floor was a massive amount of blood! By the couch was her sister Anastasia, face-down with a good amount of blood underneath her body. She looked over and saw that near the door to the Dining Room was the downed body of Drizella, face-down as well with her own life essence spilled out underneath her. It looked like she had attempted to escape whatever happened, but she had failed. And finally… the last body was of Lady Tremaine, underneath the moonlight near the window but she was face-up… with a knife embedded where her heart was at!

Cinderella let out a soft, audible gasp of horror as she witnessed something truly gruesome. Tears pooled into her eyes as she saw her family slain. Despite how her step-siblings and parent treated her, she would never wish any kind of harm to them. Especially something like this! The poor shocked woman rushed towards her red-headed sister, looking at the body to see what had happened. Cinderella saw that her back had huge slash marks on it, which ran in chaotic directions indicating that the killer did not go for a quick kill. Rather, the person slashed at her sister wildly like an animal. She wanted to turn her over, but feared that the front was more worse than the back. She rushed over to her other sister, seeing the same marks and damage done to her as well. Cinderella surmised that Drizella must have tried to flee the scene when the killer came, but didn't get far.

Now for her stepmother. Cinderella went to the deceased Lady Tremaine, kneeling down to see the look of horror on the woman's face. Her eyes were wide open in fear and shock, her mouth open in a silent scream. The young girl sobbed as she looked at her, not wanting at all for anything like this to happen to her family. She whispered to herself, "Oh dear God in Heaven… what happened?! Why?! Who would do such a thing?!".

She looked to the knife that laid in Lady Tremaine's heart still, and despite all of the murder that was around her, she saw something odd. Anastasia's and Drizella's blood was red as crimson, but… from Lady Tremaine, black blood seemed to flow out where the knife was embedded at. She did not touch the knife, but looked down at the dark liquid that was now pooling around her stepmother with some of it contacting with her clothing. She asked herself, "What in the-? Why is her blood black?".


Before anything else could happen, the doors burst open and coming in were several royal guards! Cinderella looked up quick in surprise at seeing the armed guards, confused when they had their bayonets aimed right at her! She was surrounded by all sides, looking frantically in confusion and fear as the soldiers pointed their blades at her! Striving in was a man that looked to be in his early 40's, hair black & slicked black with a coat of hair gel that gave it a greasy look. He had light tan skin, a figure that showed he was a bit on the paunchy side but still having mostly muscle in some areas. His eyes were a cold dark black color, as they bored into the eyes of Cinderella. His facial features were clean shaven, and also an aristocratic feature that showed he was of high-class stock of sort.

He exclaimed, "Do not move, young lady! On order of me, Sous-Lieutenant Nihel Otes, you are under arrest for the murder of Lady Tremaine and her daughters!".

Cinderella was so stunned by the declaration, her breathing rapid and her heart rate increasing. It took her a moment, but she was quick to rise to her feet. Unfortunately, two soldiers strode forward quickly and apprehended her roughly by the shoulders. She exclaimed, "What?! But I didn't kill them! I wouldn't hurt my family!".

The Junior-ranked officer retorted, "Silence! We were informed by someone an hour ago that a murder was about to take place in this home, and lo & behold… it has happened! You are here, and so that makes you the guilty party! Men, take her outside and put her in the coach!".

The soldiers nodded and marched out with Cinderella in tow, the girl struggling weakly to try and break loose. The remaining soldiers started to pick up the bodies, going to secure them in a separate carriage they brought with them that was mostly used to transport materials & such. Nihel walked to Lady Tremaine, slowly leaning down and plucking the knife out of her body. Once it was removed, his men came to remove the corpse. The officer looked at the black-stained blade, examining it in the moonlight which shone down on the grisly scene.

High above the fireplace mantle, five of Cinderella's animal friends had their heads poked out that had witnessed the whole event. They were mice, all dressed in human clothing that the young lady had made herself. The one who wore a red cap, orange jacket with a red vest was the leader of the group. His name was Jaq, and with him were his fellow mice. Two other males and two females, the one that had a purple had and dress on was Deline who was Jaq's girlfriend. The mice had heard the screaming and yelling earlier, but it spooked them so much that they hid within the house. And when the sounds died down, the mice had decided to slowly emerge to check out what occurred. They had poked their heads out to see Cinderella enter the home, and going to her fallen family.

Jaq whispered, "No, no! Cinderelly not kill family! Cinderelly not murder!". The mice nodded fiercely, for they knew that she could not have done such a horrible crime. They had seen her leave the home to get groceries, and it was Deline that showed the others through a peephole through the home the arrival of their human friend.

One of the male mice, a young kid by their standards, pointed to the lieutenant and said, "Hey! Look, look!".

The furry animals returned their gaze to the officer… and saw the sickest smile on the face of the male human, and also his eyes seemingly glowing a fire that frightened the lot. Animals were connected more with nature than humans, and the vibe they felt from this being was supernatural… in a very negative way that made them want to flee right then and there.

Nihel Otes chuckled sinisterly before taking out a cloth and wrapping the blood-stained knife tightly in it before putting it in his coat. He spoke, but in a voice that was not used earlier. It was deeper, stronger… with a hint of malice and craziness that would make one question his sanity. He spoke, "Hehehehe… everything is proceeding according to plan. Once this pure one is eliminated, the realm will soon fall into chaos and strife! Hehehehe… hahahahaha!". The officer schooled his features once more, but the sinister smirk was still on his face briefly before it vanished.

The mice saw the military officer walk out from the house, leaving only the blood stains in the house and air that had the scent of evil everywhere. Jaq held Deline close, both shivering in fright on what they just witnessed. The female mouse looked to her significant other and asked, "J-Jaq… wh-wh-what do we do?".

The mouse swallowed down his fear and shaking, though it took a couple of times to do. He answered, "We… we go and follow them! Cinderelly might need our help! And… also to see what that crazy human is!". The mice were reluctant, but they agreed to their leader's proposal. The animals knew this one fact without a shadow of a doubt. That Nihel Otes was something other than human… something much more worse. Jaq told the little one to head back to the others, to tell them the situation and where they were going. The child saluted before scampering off to inform the rest of the clan that lived in the high tower that Cinderella lived in.

Once he was gone, Jaq led his lady love and the others outside where they would have to work quick in order to hitch a ride on the coach that contained their friend.

While this was going on… someone else was watching the whole affair from above, in Heaven itself! The stars were twinkling brightly and rapidly, as if they were having a conversation. One thing was for certain. A powerful supernatural force was at work, far beyond even magic itself!

And Cinderella was in the middle of it all.


(Author's Notes: And… cut! That is it for the prologue! I realize it is a bit short, but I would like the input first of Marka Ragnos629 before I continue on. So, I do hope you like it!

Before anything else, I want to give praise and thanks to God once more. Thank you Lord for being with me, and thank you Jesus Christ for giving me the courage to do this story! It's outside my expertise and comfort zone, but I am willing and able to rise to the challenge! So again God, thank you for being with me.

Cinderella is framed for murder, and it seems that something is really up that is causing a supernatural force to come to play here! What will happen to Cinderella? You will just have to wait and see! I really hope that you all like how this goes.

Now for the questions! Ahem…

Would you help Cinderella with the groceries?

What would your advice be to Cinderella after sensing the ominous air near the chateau?

How would you examine the bodies of the fallen step-sisters and Lady Tremaine? Also, how would you comfort Cinderella after her break-down in seeing her family like that?

And finally… what would you have done when the soldiers and Sous-Lieutenant Nihel Otes arrived to arrest Cinderella?

R&R, no flames, enjoy and leave LONG reviews!)