Snippet 98

Disengaged Salem – From Duckling to Swan

Genre: Humor/WAFF

Pairs: Former Bitch and Bastard (Ozpin/Salem)

Parody: RWBY

AU-Type: Canon-esque AU

Tags: A timeline where Salem's a Chaotic Neutral, She's disengaged with the plot, Immortality leads to Hedonism, Watts accidentally saved the world, Tyrian and Hazel are not a part of Salem's circle, Cinder Fall has got a different origin story, Pre-Canon, Cinder's got a scumbag mom, I will make you feel bad for Cinder, Salem might be a slacker but she still got maternal instincts

In many universes, Cinder Fall was a manipulate force of nature. One disliked across the worlds. This Cinder was not of them…at least had not grown up into that yet. She was an awkward and lonely teen living the fairy tale nightmare. A cruel stepmother and a stepsister who made her life a living hell. Naru Fall prided herself on her good looks and grace, and the pimple-faced and slightly tubby Cinder was a blemish. Being that the Fall was a wealthy family, Naru was able to get away with punching Cinder across the room. Her "sister", Akane, was just as cruel using insults to tear Cinder's self-esteem to make herself feel superior and was not above using her fighting skills to leave Cinder in pain. It all drove Cinder to a breaking point.

-DS-

Salem wanted to come to come to Ashe Village for their pastries hearing that it was to die for. She did not expect to save a girl from suicide by Grimm. She had not wanted to, but a pang to comfort the child had taken over. The sobbing child had bemoaned that she was an ugly duckling and Salem tried to comfort her.

"I'm sure your mother finds you just fine." Salem said trying to comfort her.

"My mother's dead." Cinder said sniffling. "And all Naru does is make fun of my weight and beating me up. She married my father after my mother passed away, and she's a horrid person along with her daughter who was just as mean. She only married my father for his money and after he passed, they made me their servant. I ran away and I was about to throw myself to the Grimm until you stopped me. But it doesn't matter…nobody wants an ugly duckling."

Cinder looked completely defeated and Salem was in thought. Salem had used magic to regain her human form, and a thought came to mind. Maybe she could help her, and Salem lain a hand on her head.

"You know what they say about ugly ducklings." Salem said as Cinder glowed black before a flash of light. "They can turn into beautiful swans."

Salem produced a hand mirror which Cinder took up. Tears had spilled, but they were of joy. Her skin was no longer riddled with acne and the weight problem was no more. Cinder did not care how, and she only hugged Salem thanking her.

"You know. I can't leave you here or bring you back to that waste of human garbage. You need a new mother, and I think I'll do just that." Salem said as Cinder beamed. "But first, let's pay those bitches a visit."

Cinder and Salem would watch from a distance as Salem had Grimm ravaged and destroy the Fall family mansion. Cinder had long gotten her things of value and was glad to see her old prison crumble. When that last structure fell, she made a promise to herself to never be the person her stepmother was. Salem now had a new daughter to care for. For one, she was happy to have someone to pass on skills. On the other head, Cinder grew to have a habit of being health conscious and insisting on healthy food. Salem had groaned as even as a child she never fully liked vegetables. But Salem put up with it a bit understanding of Cinder's fear of getting back to the tubby child she was. What "horrified" Salem was Cinder's insistence that she exercised with her, but she did it. Why? A growing love for her adopted daughter and willingness to keep her happy. She had promised to play a few games later. And there was another reason…that Salem did not want to admit. Maybe her ass…was a little fat from all the cake.

(A/N: It felt nice to do something different with Cinder. For those wondering how old Cinder would be, I'd say 12 or 13. Obviously, this Cinder would be different from canon Cinder. She'd still be the wannabe seductress, but it would come from a place to keep a mask of confidence. She'd be a bit more serious to match with Salem's wackiness. Think Cinder of as a bit of a morality pet for Salem. But what about Emerald and Mercury? Well, Salem would get to Emerald and Mercury similarly to how Cinder di d in canon. Although, she did not adopt them like Cinder. Mercury grows Salem's weed, and Emerald's a bit of an assistant. Next up, the 99th Snippet!)