Author's Note: Yet another Prologue to expand my Trilogy because I can.
More at the bottom. Also plot-wise this part takes 13 years before the canonical events of RWBY.
Also maybe spoilers for my other story so, read with caution.
Updated at: 9/28/15
The Fairy Queen and The Pauper
We will meet again.
Prologue: Glass Slippers
It was like a dream.
The babbling stream and the songs of the local wildlife were perfect. The little girl spending time with her mother was always a magical time for her. There was never a day where the anticipation would ceased, almost every day she would look forward to the serene spot to dabble in fishing. If only to spend time with mother.
"Look Cindy, a trout, can you say tra-wowth?" the kind woman enunciated patiently; the grass stem vibrated between her teeth.
The sputtering words and inflated little cheeks caused the woman to gasp and chuckle.
"Very good!"
The proud smile from the little girl produced an idyllic memory.
Half a hour of the girl playing among the butterflies and birds, followed by her absentmindedly splashing the stream water led the woman-in her maternal wisdom-to start preparing to take the girl back. Knowing full well that she would need to turn in soon.
And just to confirm, the yawn that sounded like a mew, signaled nap time. A warm smile was had from the woman as her daughter stubbornly tried to stay awake with her eyelids fluttering resistance.
'So obvious.'
"Time to go to sleep Cindy." the rustic woman patted her lap. Welcoming smile calling.
"Mommy!"
"Cinder Wake Up!"
It was a dream.
Amber eyes fluttered awake. A dark and dreary home that she had to call her own, like a stubborn and prolong nightmare that wouldn't end. A monotonous life that now felt so scheduled it was like a joke.
Make no mistake; it was a horrid, meek life that she inherited.
"I am not going ask again!" the voice shrilled once more for clarity.
A decade into life the girl was given the world; an Arcadian one that she loved. Now in life's almost heartless whim did she lay on the floor of a darken basement. Only thankfully, a plushy and wide sleeping mat separated her from the dirty floor.
The only thing that made the girl struggle to get up other than the reality she faced. She used the woven pillow to push herself and sit upright.
She looked around the grimy room and was at least thankful that the sheets were relativity clean.
Alone with a fallen entity of calamity. From the pillows and sheets to her depressing brown-cloth coat that she wore; everything was coldly authorized to her. Except for the couple of mice that kept her company.
She shuddered, loathing everything here.
Another dawn, another repetition of the same command.
The poor girl sullenly and slowly made her way up the dilapidated wooden stairs to the first floor with every creaking step.
Cinder Fall didn't ask for much.
She guess she was living. Two meals a day; many would kill for it. A stable roof over her head and walls that adjusted to Summer or Winter.
But the one thing she didn't ask for.
The door wailed as it painfully closed behind her with the dawdling speed of a turtle. The entity would always complain about sudden noises.
Former glory was at best that she could describe her childhood home. A lowly house, brown and dank, bathed with the orange glow of the morning sun that magnified its flaws.
One of the many articles and papers that occupied every nook and cranny simplified an example of her disgust.
'The Disgruntled Gods.' 'The lost clans.' 'The war declared by the unknown power.' 'The Grimm that walk and talk.'
She didn't ask to live with a crazy woman.
Her hands pensively draped across the etched words on the wooden wall in front of her. It was there for as long as she could remember.
'Beware the Queen.'
Cinder sat down among the many available chairs. In a sporadic quirk, she would always take a different seat ever so often as a way to break the lackluster lifestyle. It was stupid and pitiful.
Before the hostile occupation this kitchen was the stuff of nostalgia. She led out a hush sigh; the room now looked so sad. The meal was at least warm, her hungry belly bayed for it to be fed. She obliged and forced a spoonful of gruel; it only did so much for the flavor department but it did fill in. It made her live long enough to be a depended prisoner.
Her life delegated to another.
Her mother; life fleeted like any other.
"Good, you're up."
Cinder turn to see her stepmother; a huntress who cowardly gave up the life.
"Make yourself useful and make your bed before you head off to Farmer Becloud."
Amber eyes glared. 'Like you were ever useful.'
The woman who is named Anastasia Poppy: Once a proud warrior who walk with her head held up high, now dazzling blue eyes dull and her flaring red-orange hair a mess; going in all directions. Dress in a brown long coat she wasn't much for ware.
She made a snide remark before she left for her own devices.
After returning in kind, Cinder choked the rest of her breakfast and left to do the dishes.
She then went back down to the basement to do her 'usefulness'. After the cleaning was done-which was signature with Cinder's approved smile-she left for the door.
'What doesn't make a loud sound here?' After opening the door the blinding morning light forced her to shield her eyes.
The cooling spring weather was pleasant; she could only really complain about the bright sun.
Cinder blinked as she touched the porch with her bare feet.
Scolding herself for being so stupid for forgetting something so essential she went back to the basement. There, at the bottom of the stairs, sticking out of the corner, were her sandals. One of her oldest possessions-if not the only one. It was old and the soles so brittle from wear; she was hoping she would invest for some new ones soon.
Mentally checking off her to-do list again, she made her way down the beaten dirt path where it slopped down to the main road to town.
Horses, bicycles and the occasional motorcycles passed her on the wide and long dirt path. Batting away the voluminous dust clouds kicked up by them she saw the town of Via in the distance.
Tucked away from the outskirts of the Kingdom of Atlas, Via was safe guarded by natural barriers and established old forts and stone boundaries. Although, it wasn't perfect as even interlopers would pass through sometimes.
The morning light reflected of the town rows of buildings which shined like marble.
Like always, the sight of constables in the post wallowing in the pride and little power was the first thing she was met by. They were more than useless; at least the local Atlas brigade cared if not only to protect a strategic position.
For a decent sized town, the crowds were always in full force and loud. She needed to go to the other side of town and traverse the winding road to the farm fields.
Cinder always took the same main road like she would always did. Most, if not, all people kept to themselves.
Among the shouts and array of colorful people she was an invisible observer. It wasn't always like this; now so long ago with mother and father.
Although life does share some interesting things her way to keep stuff fresh.
Crash!
"Ah!"
Being condemn to walk the same path she got the wake up call that others did not adhere to her 'invisibleness'.
Especially by the young and wild.
A small groan rang out that wasn't her own. After rubbing her forehead, and opening her amber eyes she was met with wincing pink-eyes.
In front of Cinder was a small girl dressed in dirty overalls and a yellow shirt.
"Ouch!" she shouted dramatically and rather silly. The girl pushed down her overly large straw-hat over her short chestnut-brown hair.
After a series of quick blinks the small girl smiled bashfully.
"Sa-wee!" she shouted apprehensively.
Both girls stood up, the girl looked up to the taller brunette.
"Watch where you are going." Cinder's eyes narrowed.
After the initial shock the smaller girl was no longer fazed by her intimating stature and just smiled back.
"Sa-wee. Playing hide n seek with mommy." she grinned.
Cinder couldn't fault her. A child, rogue and unbound, just doing was came naturally. Every bolt, every risk and idea to test the parameters of the world. Recklessness and exploration safeguarded by the scrutiny of a mother's unwavering love. She knew it well.
"You're making me late." She wanted to punch her.
Maybe out of envy.
Regardless the little girl's wandering mind took a hold of her attention.
"Gotta run!"
The little girl kicked the ground and fled to the south of the crossroads.
"Predictable." Cinder muttered with annoying tone.
As she started to leave for the fringes she heard an older woman lightly curse under her breath looking for someone named "Theresa."
Again to the arduous fields.
As much as her inner-self beg for something to break the predictable schedule that she was accustomed to, it annoyed her when it irrupted something that was plan by someone else.
"You're late!"
It always meant trouble for her.
Ugly yellow eyes scolded at her from the porch of the farmhouse that has seen better days.
The old man dress in a plaid red-shirt and tan trousers.
Farmer Becloud: a crusty and lean old man, once the local sheriff in his heyday reluctantly retired to the family farm after temporary earning the position 'town drunk' during an attack by a lone Ursa that caused massive property damage.
"Sorry, I-"
The loud thud as the old man hit the skinny wooden foundation of the outside roof which silenced her.
"Just shut up, and head to the hen house before they start smashing the eggs. Then you know the rest." he rubbed away the splinters from his bony knuckles.
Cinder nodded, but was stop by a shout from him. Telling her that she had a dust pile on her head scarf, not wanting to "dirty up the eggs" he said.
After a series of blunders she collected the eggs from the angry chickens. Dragging the bag of feed that was about her size was no small wonder. They had a twisted way of thanking her for feeding them by clawing and pecking at the little girl.
The bites and scratches pinched with fresh blood drawing from the wounds. She always wondered why her mother, a Huntress, never helped her unlock her Aura. Maybe she was too indulged into the simple lifestyle that she didn't think to do so. Maybe she trusted the town to keep her daughter safe; what good did they do.
Cinder enter the nearby fields. It was mostly lettuce and cabbage that were huge and green. Even with two rows for today, it was going to be a long task which she needed to finish before noon else the sun would scorch her as it would beam over the girl's head.
She was ready to leave the fields now.
It was backbreaking labor for a small girl, her hands dirty and bruise from the picking. Her sandals were even more worse for wear; they could threaten to snap again at any moment's notice.
The girl was relief that the field work was almost done. It would be completely done within the week at this rate.
A smile danced on her face as she look up to the sun. It was early and her step-mother was still out doing what; which meant that she had time for herself if she hurried.
She went to the farm house to see Becloud to receive pay; although surly he did pay a decent amount of Lien.
Not wanting to get caught up in the crowds Cinder cut across the fields of the farm to the nearby forest.
It was her favorite spot in the whole world, the only thing that still brought joy to her world. The meadow near the small river bank in which she would always fondly remember.
She zigzag between the trees which were green and provide dense cover. Her hands would playfully tap rhythmically against the thick trunks; each had their own tune accompanied by its density.
Her childishness would come out as she kicked the grass up in the air as she hummed.
Then she heard a snap.
She looked down to see it was her right sandal this time. Food budget was tight even with the Lien; She couldn't afford to be rough.
While most of the forest floor was easy to navigate, only some slopes and roots to worry about. The ground closer to the banks were irregular and tend to have muddy traps that were hazardous to the untrained eye.
Fortunately, Cinder was well verse on the remote regions.
Like the back of her hand, she knew what to look for. The old, forgotten adobes that once belonged to the foundations of extinct outposts littered across the grounds; the base now overrun by nature.
She looked up, and sure enough one of the outpost-Fort Blanco-which was more extensive and maintenance-peaked over the green canopies. The white fortress shined brilliance by the sun, it was a grand landmark, out of place in the wilderness.
The familiar sound of babbling water brought her attention to what she was looking for.
With smile in hand she gracefully glided along the soft grounds, careful not to add any pressure else the mud would sink her.
For a second time today she was blinded by the stubborn sun. Half-covering her eyes, she saw the source, the calm glistering off the stream that seem to speak as it hit the rocks.
With the overgrowth banks; she decided to keep a distance as she followed the body of water to the destination. Snapping a protruding twig she let it dragged against the water to pass time.
After five minutes she saw the final corner before she would depart left.
Closer to the land the trees were not has numerous, short-blades of grass, and the occasional pocket of dirt laid before her as she kept a vigilant eye for rouge roots.
'uh...'
Navigating eyes adsorbed in the same, worn landscape: Texture, sounds and smells would let her mind wander. It was sad to say even in the blissful woods the same repeating pitfalls of her troubled life would start appearing here too. But life still has its share of surprises.
Someone else was here too.
She heard a honeyed hum among the stale sounds. It sounded so close, who or what could it be?
As she walk further to the path of her beloved, isolated, and personal place, a mixture of emotions and charged thoughts bubbled.
First, curiosity: Who would be out here? and for what reason? would it be the same as her?
Second, anxiety: What if there is more than one? How would she react or they? Can she ask them to leave her spot?
Third, anger: How could she force them to leave. Why were they intruding? This meadow belongs to her and mother; nobody else!
The humming was more simple that anything but it was a nice melody. But still she wanted answers, and she wanted it yesterday.
With each marching step she was within reach, it indeed was resonating from the meadow. The lone oak tree perched over an overrun boulder signaled the mouth of the meadow and a perfect spot to observe.
Brushing away the hanging branches she saw something she didn't expect to see.
A fairy?
She shook her head, No, it couldn't be. A wand? blue wings on her back? no crown, but a pink bow on the back of her head.
It was a youth, a girl not much older than her. She was just standing in the middle of the meadow flickering some kind of glass wand, feet poise while she gracefully moved her slender arms. The girl look like an epitome of higher class compared to the boondocks; so to speak.
Viewing the girl Cinder began to feel insecure about the fashion differences. The fairy girl was dress in a light-blue Victorian-style blouse, a long dark-blue skirt with suspenders and knee-high lace brown boots which was shown to be covered in dry mud. Cinder did a pitiful self-examination, khaki Capri-pants, pink tunic and torn coat for her troubles.
The tree trunk was flaking away under her small fingers, amber eyes wanted to examine closer, so she started to scale the perch; still hiding behind the tree.
Rays from the sun set a surreal sight, she just a girl-or fairy, young mind was still skeptical on that matter-a normal youth frolicking in the woods without care or worry. Jubilant green eyes without responsibility, shoulder length black-hair with bangs that curled near her chin and freckles that just screamed youth and innocence.
Quality that Cinder has grown away from.
And here she was; a girl clearly from a higher status enjoying the Arcadian corner that once belong to her, that should belong to her and no else. After all, it's all she had.
The rising resentment quickly diminished with the return of child-like wonder as she saw an awe-inspiring act.
Magic? Magic! She clearly saw the girl pulling out a vial filled with some kind of magic powder. Cinder's amber eyes peered closer as she saw the strange girl empty the vial of magic on the glass star-wand.
She flicked it once, twice then with the snap of her left hand, heat then fire ignited.
Amber eyes widen with a gasp, the fire covered the cloud of magic powder and transform it into a glass statue. After a few seconds the form of the statute was complete. It was of a woman, no, another fairy: Butterfly wings outstretched, clad in a gown with small smile holding her arms forward, hands flat to received something. Or to offer something.
The fairy girl colored in blue then opened a pouch that she had tied to her side. Her pale hands then cup a fistful of something before pouring it on the statues hands as tribute.
Then the chorus of birds began to grow out of nowhere. Small birds of a variety of colors began congregating. Eating the bounty of food, they began to land everywhere. The girl stuck her finger in the air which was slowly occupied by a trio of birds who came in one by one. The girl tilted her head and smiled brightly. Brighter than any smile she ever seen.
Cinder envied her. But, she also felt well, at eased, and maybe…
Her foot slipped.
She suddenly saw the world rush over her, the canopy obscured sky was all she was seeing. Sliding against the short muddy slope she then was jerked against a partially hidden boulder. Feeling pain on her right cheek she quickly stroked it only to react to a stinging graze mark.
Forgetting about the pain for a second Cinder hastily turn her head to see the girl. Unaware, evidently still engage in her own world to notice the stranger or rightful owner watching her.
As if all the trouble started to pile on the loud dong from the eternal clock tower of the town signaled that day was nearing its end. Frighten, she was caught unaware in how much time she lost thanks to that imp. She could only think of the scolding her stepmother would do, the little girl scrambled in a panic as she marched up the small slope. But among the panic she heard a snap.
Cinder looked crestfallen.
The sandal broke into many pieces, practically disintegrating. She was amazed that it lasted that long in the first place before the realization of cold reality hit her. Ignoring each uneven step as the ground dirtied the sole of her foot she hurried as the bell signaled again.
Unaware of the jubilant green-eyes following her as she left.
Cinder hurried past the crowds.
Running on foot on a dirt road was not something she was expecting today. Especially with only one shoe and one sore foot, and a weird memory to behold. She cursed the day as she knew the hardships would only get worse. Any minute now her awful stepmother would come back to town from her unknown agenda with a scowl and strike.
The little girl turn right into the unkempt tall grass surrounded path that lead home.
Why was she even trying? It was almost positive and true that her stepmother would there be waiting with a warning or worse. Halfway home she was tired, and with her labor breathing, nothing else, but a slow walk would do her any good.
She just stood there, thinking and letting her foot mend for a while.
"I'll think I'll press my bad luck," Cinder sighed. "Today couldn't get any worse even if a lion attacked me." she said dryly.
Then she heard the grass rustling to her left. She turn her head, gawking with mouth ajar.
'Oh, come on!'
Amber eyes widen in fearful anticipation as the grass violently shook with a hidden being approaching, running towards her. She gritted her teeth and started to sweat profusely. Hoping it was just a dog; a nice one.
Then the fast and cloak menace jumped out of the grass.
"Rawr!"
Cinder stood there dumbfounded.
With an open smile and one fang, the pink-eye girl stood frozen in pouncing pose. Her little hands wiggling in an attempt to claw. The very little girl dressed in overalls and a yellow shirt tried her best to be intimidating.
"um, what?"
"De dye square you?" she shouted waiting for a critical reply.
Or not as she tugged her straw-hat and giggled.
The older girl sighed. "I think you should go home, um," she squinted her eyes to see a name patch sewn in yellow on her overalls. "Theresa? It's late, go to your house if you have one."
"How didya no my name?!" she pause before looking down. "Oh yeah!" she smiled again.
Cinder shook her head, she began to turn around to leave.
"Hey! de nice fairy girl told me too square you so she~ can leaf you a present!" Theresa shouted.
It caught her attention, before she could turn around and ask the little girl she was already running away to the main road.
'Fairy girl?' Could it have been the same girl I saw? Cinder pondered. Or just a nonsensical coincidence from a child.
Regardless she was nearing home. Even Though the day was waning and the orange and purple sky ruling, the house looked empty and dark. More so than usual.
But a small object caught her attention.
Ignoring the pain of the pebble embedded foot she ran to it. She didn't know why she ran, but she felt compelled. It was on her doorstep and it shined. It took a minute to sink in and deduce on what was she looking at.
'Couldn't be.'
"Glass slippers?"
Finely crafted, almost unnaturally of quality. It glisten even in the dark, it look perfect, so out of place here.
In disbelief, she walked away from the quaint footwear to go check inside the house. Standing on her tiptoes she peered inside the windows, it was still the same: dark, dreary and dead. No magic, no new beginning.
Her hope died with a frown. Still the same; naturally.
Cinder then slowly made her way back to the doormat with the lustrous shoes spoiling it.
Reiterating again: Perfect shoes in her hour of need, flawless and pure, here in front of her home.
Out here in the forgotten corner of Remnant.
Perfect and pure; so unlike her, its not becoming of her.
Just there to mock her.
She glared as she picked up a lone rock. Just to mock her, she parroted. With anger she tried repeatedly to smash the abhorrent and beautiful glass slippers. In her rage she tried again and again, but all in vain as the glass slippers stayed undestroyed.
Dropping the rock after a good couple of minutes Cinder fell on her back, gasping heavily.
After her retaliation, she sat up to see it again. Still perfect and lustrous as ever.
Then a hard minute went by as she contemplated.
Getting up she examined it closer. It was even better up close.
Giving in to the temptation she decided to slip her cold and bruise foot into the insole. Her amber eyes widen, it felt so comfortable. It was all it took to slip off her old sandal off in a mad frenzy. Shaking it off wasn't fast enough as she slip the other foot into the corresponding slipper.
Just standing in place felt like heaven. So tough yet so soft and plush.
She then wondered how it would fare walking.
And so she did.
It felt more like gliding really. Looking back Cinder was yards away from the house and she didn't even notice. A open and bright smile dawned, she ran back and then to and fro.
She didn't even feel the ground, it was like flying as the wind hit her tired face, it felt like world was within reach. Back and forth, again and again. Never tired, always going. She smiled all the way.
Cinder Fall has never been happier.
And neither was the jubilant green-eye girl watching her from afar.
Author's final Note: Basically this was made to flesh out a background event that has yet to appear in my other story 'The Heroes and The Queen.' So future spoilers here for that story.
By the way, the girl is not actually Penny but the template she would be modeled after, so yeah, this girl is human.
Also include my own head-canon about the origins of the Grimm that will appear in this story too.
I also made this story to bring Cinder back to her villain roots seeing as she is mostly seen as a joke from fan-fics I read. A bonus origin story for not only Cinder but to Penny as well. I'm still working on the story's plot so I'll try to update as soon I'm done figuring out the kinks.
Read and tell me what you think about the story idea.