Ok, before we start-I had written this out and at about 303 words I went back to Day 1...
I fricking wrote the same thing AGAIN...

UGHHHHH.
Please end my suffering!!!

Barbara was upset at how her stepmother and sisters reacted, but she was determined.

When they went to the market to look for Kori and Zatanna dresses for the ball, Barbara secretly takes and pays for materials for her own dress.

"Oh Cinderella!" Kori sing-songs as Zatanna snickers. Barbara lets out a small sigh and turns to her stepsister.

"Yes Kori?" She asks in a sickly sweet voice.

"How does this dress look on me?" Kori asks making a pouty lip at the mirror. It was some short of gold material, with accents of orange. It fit well with Kori's tan skin tone and bright, orange fire hair.

"It... it looks lovely on you." Barbara says with a small smile answering honestly.

Kori squeals and begs her mother to buy it for her as Zatanna picks out a dark green and black dress of her own. Barbara looks down at the materials she had placed in with her sewing kit. Yes, the blue will do nicely.

"What are you smiling at?" Sarah asks coldly and Barbara looks up.

"N-nothing mother!"

"Hmph. Your own reflection perhaps? I don't see what there is to be happy about. It is rather... unsymmetrical." Sarah comments with her nose up, face holding a disgusted expression as she looks from Barbara to the puddle beside her. Barbara doesn't say anything and Kori and Zatanna are finally done shopping.

"Right. Come along, Cinderella!" Sarah commands.

***********
"Alright, here's another woman from the kingdom of-"

"No!"

"No?" King Bruce, the king of Gotham, questions in surprise as his son, Prince Richard, abruptly stands from  his chair.

They were currently sitting in the throne room, two chairs and a small table set up so Bruce can discuss the list of possible royal women that Richard would have to court.

"No! No more. I am sick and tired hearing about all the women who are coming to the ball, and who can be courted and who can't be courted- I'M SICK OF IT!" Richard shouts. Bruce sighs.

"Well you have to speak with them at least once, my son. While it was generous of you to invite the common folk, you will eventually have to marry a woman of noble birth." Richard secretly rolls his eyes and scoffs.

His father doesn't mind the common, but he didn't like the idea of them being invited to balls, but Richard had no problem with it. And, as future king, he could have his say on this-and not be denied. Giving up, the prince sat down and slumped into his chair.

"Read on then, father." He murmurs, intending to focus his mind somewhere else for the time being.

***********
Barbara smiles at the simple, yet elegant blue dress she had sewed together with the bought materials. It has been exactly two weeks since the invitation and dress shopping. But this evening, the ball will commence-and everyone will be attending.

Near the time she knows her stepmother and sisters are about to leave, Barbara puts on her dress, heels, and a pearl necklace to finish off the look. She smiles in the mirror and heads down to get their approval in the foyer.

***********
It didn't go well...

Her sisters cackle and Sarah smirks.

"Well... it's certainly suitable-for a tea party." Sarah explains making Zatanna and Kori laugh even more.

Sarah lets out a chuckle as Barbara looks down at the dress and back up at Sarah with sadness and despair.

"Why Kori, doesn't that blue right there look stunning?!" Zatanna asks as she rips a piece of the dress from Barbara's leg, making a slit.

"Please don't-"

"Why yes it does!" Kori replies, ripping a piece to reveal Barbara's stomach.

"Stop-AHH!" They continue to rip at her dress as Barbara begs, sobs and goes down on her knees to try and get them to stop.

They laugh at their handwork as Sarah smirks at Barbara; her lips quivering as her eyes fill up with tears.

"Well Barbara," Sarah begins with a dramatic sigh, "you'll always be... Cinderella!"

Kori and Zatanna cackle and leave out the front door with their mother; taunting Barbara until she couldn't take it anymore and runs out into the dilapidated garden sobbing.

As she lays on the stone bench, a woman appears out of thin air that Barbara couldn't see.

"There, there my dear." The woman says, attempting to soothe Barbara as she moves closer.

Realizing someone is there, Barbara screams as the woman attempts to calm her down. As Barbara stands there she realizes something about this woman isn't normal.

"Who are you?" Barbara asks blinking in confusion.

The woman chuckled softly, "I am your fairy godmother, Circe! Everyone has one! You want to go to the ball, yes?" Barbara nods and Circe smiles.

"Well bibity, bobbity, boop!" Circe sings and suddenly a pumpkin becomes a carriage, complete with coachmen, and horses. Barbara gasps in awe.

"It's not done just yet!" Circe winks and then with a flick of her wand, she gives Barbara an altered look of her first dress. It's just a bit more poofy and sparklier than before. Looking at her feet, Barbara finds glass slippers.

"Oh these are gorgeous!" Barbara exclaims and Circe chuckles, before her tone turns serious.

"Now you must know something-magic comes at a price. Return before midnight or everything will be gone! Other than that, have a good time dear!" Circe says with a dramatic wave. Barbara thanks her and steps into the carriage, ready for the evening to come.

Author's Note

I wanted to do Zatanna as the fairy godmother, but then realized I made her one of Barbara's step sisters... so I went with Circe instead even though she isn't a hero lol

BatgirlGeek❤️