Cinderena: A Fairy Tale of the Stars

Prologue- A Last Wish

by Umi

December 2001

Disclaimer: Rena, Westa, and all Star Ocean: The Second Story characters belong to Enix, not me! I'm not making any money out of this!

Cinderella belongs to Disney, not me, as I am adapting Disney's version of the classic fairy tale! Once again, I'm not making any money from this!

Note: This is an Alternate Universe fanfic. I have inserted the characters of Star Ocean 2 into a fairy tale, and have altered the plot, relationships, and characters to fit the fairy tale! There will be some spoilers about the game, mostly concerning who the characters are!
 

Wide midnight blue orbs sparkled with tears.

A young girl peered at the still, silent form on the oak bed. "What... what's wrong, Mother?"

A woman with soft, violet hair lay on the bed, her face flushed with the hot red of a fever. "Rena..."

The young girl questioned her mother further, her voice shaking, "Mother... Why are you lying down? Why can't you sit up?"

A harsh cough. A sigh escaped Westa's lips. "My dear Rena... I am sorry, but I am sick. I can't be with you for much longer..."

"Wh... what?" Tears flowing endlessly down her small face, Rena yelled, "No! I don't want you to go Mother! I don't want to be alone! Please don't go!!"

"I'm sorry, Rena. But, some things just are meant to be."

"No..."

"Rena... Listen to me, honey. I want you to listen..." Sighing softly, Westa continued, "Please don't make the mistake I did. The mistake that hurt your real father's memory... that made me hate myself at times... that may end up hurting you in the days to come..."

"Mother... What are you talking about?"

Westa took her little daughter's hand in her own. "Never marry someone who you don't love, Rena. Never..."

The little girl nodded. "All right, Mother."

Westa reached out and picked up a glittering object from the bed stand. "Come here, Rena." When Rena came closer, Westa placed a shining golden crescent moon hair clip in the young girl's short dark blue locks. "I want you to have this... I bought it for you one day, because I know how much you love to gaze at the stars in the night sky, imagining wonderful dreams and wishes. I was going to give it to you for your 7th Birthday, but I guess... I won't make it in time."

"It's beautiful..."

Westa gently brushed back a stray bang from her child's face.

"Thank you, Mother. But... why do you have to leave? Why can't you stay here..."

Westa placed a finger on Rena's lips, silencing her. The young woman smiled softly, her gentle eyes sparkling as she gathered Rena into a warm hug. "I love you, Rena." With those last words, Westa shut her eyes and began her eternal sleep.

"Mother! Mother!!" A light began to glow from Rena's heart. Closing her eyes, Rena clutched her mother's hand tighter. After a few moments of concentrating, nothing happened. "Why? Why can't I heal her?!"

Eyes of the night flooded with tears.

"Why can't I save her?!"

Suddenly, the hand she was holding grew cold.

"Mother..." Rena collapsed on the bed, sobbing.

"Noooooooooo!!"

~To be continued...~

Author's Note: Hi there! I hope you enjoyed my fic! I'm also planning to write the following fairy tales as well:

* "Beauty and the Beast: A Fairy Tale Fantasy" starring Squall and Rinoa from FF8

* "Aladdin: A Fairy Tale Fantasy" starring Zidane and Garnet from FF9

* "The Little Mermaid: A Fairy Tale Fantasy" starring Tidus and Yuna from FF10