#day 2: corruption | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

dorksiii · 4 months ago

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Your Power

Shadow Milk Cookie x Reader

The day was young, the sun having just reached its peak.

With nothing to hide its shining light from bathing over the restored Vanilla Kingdom.

Many Vanillian Citizens, as well as star struck tourists bustled its streets. happily embracing the warmth of the sun. All of them enjoyed the music, dances, and peaceful events that only the vanilla kingdom could offer.

Yet, as the citizens continued to enjoy the day, most of them remained blissfully unaware of the less than pleased cookies gathered at the top of the vanilla castle’s cone tower.

And at the top of the cone tower, famously known as The Council, resided three of the five most historic and heroic rulers of Crispia: Hollyberry Cookie, Pure Vanilla Cookie, and Dark Cacao Cookie. Along with the ancients also gathered the bravest gang of all Crispia: Gingerbrave Cookie, Strawberry Cookie, and lastly, Wizard Cookie.

The three, accompanied by the young, but brave cookies, gathered together on the council seats with the table covered in scrolls and books in an attempt to study, discuss and build a plan to traverse into Beast Yeast and stop Dark Enchantress Cookie.

The group of anxious and doubtful cookies hovered over the table conversing tiredly among one another. But they were soon startled into silence as Dark Cacao Cookie slammed his fist abruptly onto the table, resulting in a thunderous boom that echoed the room's walls.

A beat of silence followed, a sense of shock washing over everyone present. But before anyone could settle into their shock and quickly drift their attention from Dark Cacao to gauge the rest of the room's reaction, Dark Cacao spoke.

“We have been here for hours and all we have ever done is go in circles! These useless scrolls and books which crumbly mention Beast-Yeast aren't helping us form a plan.” He roared.

But as quickly as his outburst came, the cacao king let out an exhausted sigh and all but sat back down. He takes a moment of silence to assess the problem, rubbing the bridge of his nose and eyes tiredly. Looking directly onto the group's undivided attention, before making his next move.

He raises his hand to gesture at every useless piece of paper laid across the table “These scrolls and maps that only hold a fleeting mention of Beast-Yeast, if we are so lucky as to even come across such knowledge, serves NOTHING to us and will only further tire our time and energy in completing this mission” He gruffly says.

Dark Cacao soon turns his head to look at Pure Vanilla Cookie, whose face expresses concern.

“Pure Vanilla Cookie, we three have never set foot onto Beast Yeast. Our time then had never demanded it.” He sighs, eyes flicking to graze over everyone present.

“Still, to my knowledge, there was only one of us who ever faced Beast-Yeast, and to my knowledge, resided there until her fall.” Dark Cacao took a pause of silence, silently bracing himself to what he will soon ask of his old Vanilian friend and ally.

Yet, catching onto what Dark Cacao Cookie will ask of Pure Vanilla Cookie, Hollyberry quickly stands from her seat and interrupts.

“Dark Cacao Cookie! You cannot possibly be suggesting-” She shouted, but stopped, as Dark Cacao cookie raised a hand in silent demand for her to sit and listen to what he had to say first.

With a bit of hesitance, she sits down again.

“I propose we find the whereabouts of White Lily Cookie. If I recall correctly, she was there by our side to fight head on with Dark Enchantress Cookie. And as we three, along with Golden Cheese Cookie, still live and breathe today, so must she. She can help guide us to our mission into Beast-Yeast.”

Hollyberry Cookie pauses as she tries to find her words. A moment passes before finally she speaks, albeit calmer than her previous words. "Though that may be true, none of us knows where she is. All three of us have either forgotten, left the throne, or shut ourselves out from the rest of the world for thousands of years!”

Her cries fill the room, and Dark Cacao sighs a moment later, “It seems to be the only option for us right now.”

He looks down and rubs the bridge of his nose again. Hollyberry grits her teeth in thought, glancing down at the books and scrolls again, hoping to find an answer other than the wild goose chase Dark Cacao was offering.

“There- there must be another way…” She muttered, slumping in her seat with an equally exhausted sigh.

Meanwhile the three young cookies were unsure of how they’d step in. So the bravest of the bunch stepped closer.

Gingerbrave offers a comforting smile to the room, momentarily slicing the ancients' depleted mood, “c’mon! Let’s not think negatively about the future! I’m sure with everyone's help this will go fine!” He spoke with such enthusiasm, something he somehow managed to keep despite all the horrors he’s gone through.

Horrors someone his age shouldn’t even be able to imagine. The rest of the room couldn’t really hold it against him, seeing as he was the one of the only to actually have unyielding faith in the three.

Pure Vanilla, who had stayed silent for the entirety of this outburst, finally speaks with a calm and resonant tone.

“Gingerbrave and Dark Cacao both have a point.” Hollyberry clicks her tongue disapprovingly, before Pure Vanilla continues. “But, so does Hollyberry…We… We can’t know for certain. And trying to find her would be like trying to find the finest needle in a haystack, and we don't have the luxury of time on our side.”

Everyone quiets down, sharing their own looks. That…was reasonable, yes. But counterproductive, as it just pushes them back to their previous bout of quiet muttering and arguing.

Except, this time only the three ancients go back to their aimless bickering and planning. The younger cookies all share a knowing look, before Wizard Cookie decides to step in. Surprising Gingerbrave and Strawberry Cookie who had been in their own head.

All three of them having been thinking exactly the thing Wizard Cookie very loudly proclaims.

“If I may…We should check the academy…”

The ancients all visibly pause, before their eyes, and Pure Vanilla’s staff’s eye, fall onto the tiny wizard. Who shrinks in on himself upon the whole of the room's attention.

“The academy?” Dark Cacao’s gruff voice repeats, a hand placed absentmindedly under his chin.

“A-ah yes. AHEM! The- the blueberry yogurt academy.” Wizard Cookie manages to spit out the nervous lump in his throat, as he slightly shuffles closer to Gingerbrave and Strawberry for any sort of support.

Which they give, albeit not in the way he wanted. As they encouragingly pat his shoulder, gently ushering him to continue.

Luckily the kind vanillian king speaks up instead.

“Well, she did spend a lot of time at the academy during our younger days- but! That changed when she…” Pure Vanilla pauses, biting his lip. Before letting the next words die on his tongue, since everyone in the room was already quite aware of what had happened.

“But I don’t see her ever wanting to spend her time there again.” He concluded, folding his trembling hands in his lap. There’s a bit of uncomfortable silence, before Wizard Cookie is yet again ushered to speak.

“W-well you see…Last time we were there we…Saw a manifestation of her memories?” He glances over his shoulder at his nodding friends, the ancient’s stare in shock. So he quickly adds on.

“And-! So…So maybe if we find that memory. It might know where the real White Lily is?”

Pure Vanilla Cookie softly hums and gently rubs his hand in careful thought. So there is a possibility she might be in the academy after all. But why? Could it be because of the memories he and white lily cookie shared? Like the research lab they have worked together in discovering the meaning of cookie life?... Or is it something else? Something… powerful that ties White Lily Cookie there?

Pure vanilla, after some more careful consideration, looks up to the trio, then to his friends, speaking calmly.

“My friends,” he started, standing up slowly. Making sure the room's attention drifted towards him. “Dark Cacao, Ginger Brave, and Wizard Cookie have given great arguments"

The table shares glances.

“And with how we stand, we need all the help we can get. And I believe that can start with going to the Blueberry Yogurt Academy.”

He taps the end of his staff into the floor, his hand is placed atop the many scattered papers littering the table. The braille was a bit worn down, but readable.

“So I've made up my mind.” His eyes open, his vision blurry, but he sends a determined look to the table.

“I will go to the Blueberry Yogurt Academy and find White Lily Cookie!”

Gingerbrave cheered him on, “and we're coming with you!”

Pure Vanilla pauses, before his jaw slacks and his eyes shift to the younger cookies as if what they just said was absurd- which it was…

“W-what??”

“We’re coming with you!” Gingerbrave repeated with more enthusiasm, not quite understanding why his declaration was met with such surprise.

Was he and his friends not the ones to have traveled far and wide? Helping the ancients in various things?

And they were the ones who offered to go in the first place, why wouldn’t they come with?

Pure Vanilla closes his eyes, sighing tiredly. He should’ve expected this, it was… Natural, for them. He gives the children a gentle smile, trying to discourage them.

“Oh, I’m sorry friends, but I do not think that’ll be the best course of action for you three to take.” He explains, raising a hand to stop them from trying to add on anything as he continues.

“Me and the others have realized we’ve been depending on you three too much. And-… That is not right.” The vanilla king takes a deep breath, avoiding the small beady eyes of the three. Because he’s sure if he catches just a glimpse of those betrayed gazes, he’d fold like a rag.

“I'm doing this on my own. Seeing as I, out of everyone here, knows the academy layout best.” He sighs in relief as he gets it out, and for a moment he believes his point has been perfectly understood by everyone. Sure, maybe the kids would argue, but- he’d stand firm in his choice.

But what he wasn’t expecting was for Hollyberry to click her tongue disapprovingly.

“While I agree that we shouldn’t be sending children around doing work, these three have proven to be quite efficient.” Pure Vanilla yet again finds himself with his jaw slack.

“A-ah- Hollyberry Cookie, I don’t-” from the other end of the table Dark Cacao speaks up.

“She has a point.”

“Dark Cacao Cookie!” Pure Vanilla opens his eyes again, looking back and forth between the two as if they’ve gone mad.

“Pure Vanilla Cookie,” Hollyberry starts, placing a hand on his shoulder. “It will be easier if they come with you.” She argues, with Dark Cacao nodding along.

Dark Cacao clears his throat, sending a glance at the younger cookies. “If they follow, they can show you where they saw… Her. Rather than wasting your time searching.”

Pure Vanilla was still gobsmacked, clearly not expecting his own friends to not side with him.

“B-but! We- I.” He bit his lower lip. “I don’t want them to continue with such dangerous adventures!” He stressed, his hand sliding up his face, messing up his bangs.

Hollyberry gives his shoulder a comforting squeeze, “do not fret, friend! I am sure they’ll be fine under your care.” His staff’s flower sends her an inquisitive glance, before narrowing.

“I- yes, but-” he looks up, staring at the three children. And his shoulders sag, eyes closing as he sighs. He really didn’t want to, but… He’s sure he can care for them… Right?

“...Very well…” He deflates in his seat, listening to the enthused celebration of the three.

Hollyberry squeezes his shoulder again, leaning closer and whispering.

“It’ll be fine.” She tells him, and he wants to believe her. But he can’t shake the growing feeling in his gut, the feeling something will go terribly wrong.

—-

As soon as the plan was set to visit the abandoned blueberry academy preparations started, it took a day from packing to actually getting the hot air balloon ready. Gingerbrave, Strawberry, Wizard and Pure Vanilla Cookie set out into the air as quickly as possible.

But not before saying their goodbyes, various cookies of the kingdom came to see them off.

“Don’t worry everyone! We’ll take good care of Pure Vanilla Cookie!” Gingerbrave yelled as the hot air balloon left the harbor. Waving excitedly to the group of cookies that just got smaller, and smaller the further up the balloon flew.

Pure Vanilla breathed a quiet laugh.

“Woaahh! Flying never gets boring even after the hundredth time!” He smiled, leaning over the ledge as Pure Vanilla’s hand instinctively places itself on the young cookies back. Just as a precaution.

“Gingerbrave, don’t lean too far over the edge, you might fall!” Wizard Cookies scolded, before continuing to reorganize his bag.

“Ah-! Sorry…” The brave child muttered, leaning away from the edge to the relief of everyone. But his dampened mood quickly brightens as he sits beside his friends and starts talking.

The journey was going smoothly so far, and sure enough they were greeted by a warm night, the three cookies' moods remained high, as they laughed and chatted. And the only thing keeping Pure Vanilla from panicking was their high ground giving them safety from potential enemies.

He indulged in their chatter, laughing along to a couple of stories and jokes. But there was a remaining edge to his words, as the kids fell asleep he remained awake. Staring out across the dark forests below. Almost akin to an endless sea of black, with the occasional clearing. He stared as if the trees would reach up and crush them if he didn’t keep watch.

He assumed there’d be animals, but despite his poor vision, he could feel the choking sense of loneliness.

The forests felt emptier the further they got to the academy, it wasn’t quiet. But the noise felt almost artificial to him, like a repeated vinyl put out specifically to simulate a lively forest.

There- nocturnals don’t imitate noise, right?

No, what was he talking about? Of course they do but- they can’t see them- no… The animals are just oddly silent. He took a deep breath, leaning his staff against the edge as he wiped his sweaty palms off on his robes.

He momentarily stares at the three sleeping bundles, he relaxes, they are… Safe with him.

Nothing would hurt them… His shoulders sag, his gut wrenching momentarily stopping, before he flinches as he realizes he left the forest unguarded. He hastily went to the edge of the air balloon, looking back down.

“...”

Nothing…

Just a normal forest meets his eyes. He sighed exasperatedly, wondering if he should be happy. Or concerned that a “real” forest could feel so fake.

The eye was stuck on the ground below, a relaxed droop in its gaze. He sighed, rubbing his eyes as he let the staff continue looking. Getting comfortable in a spot where he could still watch.

“It is quiet, isn't it?” Pure Vanilla tried to laugh, but it was weak, barely above a whisper. The staff, his oldest companion, looked at him blankly. Its eye closing briefly in acknowledgement, before opening to continue staring at the ground below.

His smile disappeared as he sagged, resting his chin atop his folded arms. The already blurry forest becomes nothing but a meaningless blur. His eyes grew heavy, but he kept them peeled.

And when he opens his eyes again the sun is blaring back from over the horizon. He pauses, before gasping as he stands up abruptly. Shaking his staff awake to get a clear look on the now bright forest.

“Uh- hey Pure Vanilla Cookie?” Wizard Cookie, who had woken up minutes ago, called from behind him. But he wasn’t fully listening, too busy intently watching over the forest.

Sighing in relief when he didn't see any threats.

“P-Pure Vanilla Cookie!” Strawberry also yelled from behind him, he gave a tired hum in response. Rubbing his eyes with his palm.

“Yeah?” He yawned, happy to see no haunted trees reaching out for them-

“PURE VANILLA-!” He barely had time to turn for Gingerbraves yelling when the air balloon shakes as it hits… Something.

He turns around hastily, and… They’d hit a large tree.

“Oh.” It’s all he can say before the basket they’re in plunges down. He hastily grabs hold of his companions, ducking down to shield them from the impact.

Which happens quickly as the deflated balloon catches on the tree’s branches. The abrupt stop slams Pure Vanilla down into the basket's bottom.

He bites back a grunt, relaxing his arms as the kids slowly slide off to his sides. Looking frazzled. He sits, checking the kids to see if they are okay. Before trailing a hand down his back. Silently wincing as he feels a sore spot, which is most definitely becoming a bruise.

“Pure Vanilla Cookie! Are you okay?” Gingerbrave asks, reaching a hand out, which is smoothly avoided by the king. Who offers a bright smile.

“Yes! Thank you, I’m just… Dazed.” His grip on his staff shakes, but he keeps himself steady as he stands on shaky knees. The kids all gather around him, asking various questions. All which he avoids in fear of concerning them.

The words, “I’m fine” "I'm okay” “it’s alright.” Become some of the only things his tongue can produce for a good minute before the kids move on to the next problem.

“I hope the gnomes aren’t upset about the balloon.” Gingerbrave comments, looking over the basket's edge. Causing it to sway, Pure Vanilla would’ve fell over if his staff didn't assist him.

The rest of the balloon's ropes rips as the basket falls the rest of the way down, causing everyone to fall off balance with a surprised yell.

“Ow-!” Strawberry huffs, before looking over at her friends in worry. “Is everyone sure they’re alright…?” She mutters, Wizard Cookie grunted, before clicking his tongue.

“I think we have worse things to think about…” Wizard commented after the second crash, adjusting his hat and half-melted hair.

The rest of the group looked up at Wizard Cookie in confusion before quickly noting the pack of snarling cakehounds surrounding them, all ready to pounce.

“Everyone stay behi-!” Pure Vanilla shouted, before noticing the trio readily stood in front of him with weapons at the ready.

“Don't worry, Pure Vanilla! We got your back!” Gingerbrave exclaimed. Strawberry and Wizard Cookie both yelled in agreement.

After a few minutes, the fight had been won quickly by Pure Vanilla’s magic, yet it left everyone breathless.

“Is everyone alright!?” Pure Vanilla Cookie shouted as he swiftly recovered from the fight, running to the huddled group of wincing cookies.

“We’re fine! Ngh-” Gingerbrave painfully called out, cupping his right side in pain after a particular cake hound charged at him.

“Y-Yes we’re okay!” Strawberry shouted, wincing at the bruise forming on her head, caused by tripping over the quick-footed one.

“Never been better!” Wizard exclaimed, trying his best to pick out the branches and leaves sticking onto him and his beloved hat. It wasn’t really anyone’s fault, he just got caught in the crossfire.

Pure Vanilla panickedly set down his staff to closely examine their wounds. “This is my fault” He stressed. “I shouldn’t have agreed to let you join, you should be at the kingdom, safe and sound, not here!”

The three cookies, seeing their friend in distress, quickly interrupted him.

“H-Hey! This is not your fault!” Strawberry said. Offering soothing back rubs to the cookie.

“Yeah! It was our choice to be here! To help and explore together!” Ginger brave quickly added in. Smiling reassuringly at Pure Vanilla.

“We are still here! Alive and un-crumbled. We can handle ourselves” Wizard huffed. “If anything, we should be worried about you,” Wizard Cookie muttered but was soon firmly hit by strawberry cookie. He winced in pain and shot her a look “what? It's true!"

Pure Vanilla Cookie relaxed from the affirmations, shoulders momentarily falling and head slumping down. “You three should not be here” He softly muttered. “I know my way around the academy. I have been there before, and know it like the back of my staff.” He looked up to them, opening his eyes to give a pleading look. “Please, we still have time for me to teleport you three back, it is not too late.”

The three worriedly shared a look before firmly responding.

“We’re sorry, Pure Vanilla Cookie!” GingerBrave spoke, unmoving in his tone. “But when we said we are coming with you.. We meant that we ARE coming with you. Like Wizard Cookie said, we can handle ourselves!”

“Yes, I did say that, did you… Not just see us help you fight those cakehounds off?” Wizard questioned with squinting eyes.

Pure Vanilla sighed defeatedly, before nodding. “ Ah yes, I did… Apologies…” The healer took a deep breath. “Alright. We must get going.”

Gingerbrave and Strawberry Cookie sprang up in enthusiasm, while Wizard Cookie stood up more slowly. Taking his time to brush off his robes and scarf, before he pauses as his hand slides over his pocket.

“Eureka!” Wizard Cookie exclaimed as he took out a compass mysteriously from his cloak. “We still have the compass to guide us into the ghost town!” His previously narrowed eyes changed to convey his happiness.

“Then we’ll get going!” Gingerbrave declared, raising his still intact candy cane. The two other children nodded, before they started following Wizard Cookie.

The forest wasn’t as dangerous as Pure Vanilla could’ve expected. Sure, the occasional cake hound jumped out at them for stepping a little too close to their nest or food storage. But Pure Vanilla used his magic to send the things flying off before the kids could even reach for their own weapons.

Yet, the constant use of magic was draining him, but his reluctance to not let the kids get hurt fueled him on.

Fortunately, they made it into town before he had the chance to faint. The inhabitants of the town didn’t look familiar to him, but the kids seemed awfully friendly with some of the ghosts. Pure Vanilla hovered tiredly behind the three as they talked with different stall owners.

They were asking about White Lily, and he wanted to step in to talk for them. But that would break his focus, causing the shield he had secretly placed around them to break.

That however didn’t stop them from running around to get to their destination, something Pure Vanilla was absolutely exhausted of. Yet he didn’t say anything, only running after.

By the time they’d gotten to the water’s, Pure Vanilla’s shield had worn off. And he felt awful as the three fought off wisps, sure, he healed any bruise they got. But he felt bad, even despite his exhaustion having him hanging onto his staff like it’s a lifeline.

The ferryman kept cracking bad puns as they walked after, Wizard Cookie was very obviously not amused as the skeleton kept laughing at his own jokes.

Pure Vanilla appreciated the distraction, and he found the jokes ‘rib-tickling’ funny… As the ferryman had commented when he chuckled at a particularly bad pun. Much to the surprise and exasperation of Wizard Cookie.

Upon finally arriving at the academy entrance, the group all shared tired sighs and pants. But Ginger Brave, Strawberry, and Wizard Cookie could forgive it when they were given some yummy ice cream by a kind ghost that had seen their fighting. Pure Vanilla had declined one himself, he couldn’t stomach the idea of eating at the moment.

He rubbed at his eyes again, feeling the heaviness, the eyebags, but he was determined to keep going. The four cookies had finally made it to the gate, finally!

With the three energetic as ever, and Pure Vanilla exhausted, they approach.

His assisting eye was glued on the other side of the gate. Staring at the familiar garden visible through the gates metal fence. It gave him energy… See? He told himself, it worked out well… The kids only have a scratch or two on them-! It’ll be fine…

The gatekeeper was still as indescribable as the young cookies remember, why the ghost even still guarded the gate when they could be walked through was beyond the three. But Pure Vanilla wanted to stay civil, so he tried to talk things out with the keeper. Before Wizard Cookie waved the end of his wand through the ghost. Causing them to get flustered and disappear.

And so they had successfully made it to the academy’s entrance. They set off to continue their journey now passing through the abandoned garden. But as the group passed through said garden for the building's main doors, Pure Vanilla couldn't help himself.

He stopped, staring upon its moss stained windows and vine covered structure, his heart feeling a bit heavy.

After all these years, he still couldn’t believe he once studied under this academy’s guiding hands. Its once glorious walls now cracked, dulled, infested with plants of all sorts.

This is what became of such a beautiful place…

This is the effect.. the evidence of how far a cookie still dear to him was willing to go. And all of it for what? Freedom? Pure Vanilla almost chuckled at that. The irony of it all. Chasing freedom for cookie kind but trapping and enslaving a handful in the process.

Either way, he can’t help but feel responsible for it. He should’ve- no. Could’ve done more.

If he had stepped in..

If he had stopped her…

If he had- he resurfaced from his mind as a hand grabs ahold of his. The staff, once transfixed on the old building, looks down, allowing him to see Gingerbraves trusting smile.

Yes, that's right… they've put their trust in him… and so he'll do his best to prove they did the right thing. So he, along with Gingerbrave, Wizard Cookie and Strawberry Cookie take the first step.

Walking up to the front door, he reached a shaky hand out. The knob was old and rusted, so it took some force to pry it open. But with a sharp tug the door creaked open, and he froze again, the children tried to move. But also stopped as they realized he wasn’t moving.

He looked… Bewildered? Horrified? Both?

They all follow his gaze into the academy, it’s the same as the last time they were here?

“O-oh-? Sorry…” Pure Vanilla mutters, realizing he’d been stalling. He sent the hallway ahead of him another cautious stare. He must've been imagining whatever that was.

Walking inside, his footsteps echo on the concrete floor. The children send him some pitying glances, and he bites his lower lip.

Silently cursing himself for worrying them, but he doesn’t say anything. Fearing it’ll only make it worse, or simply backfire with them asking him more questions. And he was awfully tired.

But, fate seems to be cruel today, as the moment they turn the first corner, a hoard of… Clouds? Catch sight of them, and despite their adorable appearances. They seem less than happy about their arrival as they charge in to attack.

“Oh- not those again!” Gingerbrave deflates, before readily grabbing his candy cane.

“Okay! On my mark we- huh?” A bright light momentarily blinds everyone, and when they open them again they’re in some strange hallway filled with paintings that almost feel alive.

“W-what?!” It’s a collective choir of surprise, as the three young cookies look around dazed. Wizard Cookie is the first to say something.

“Curses… We must’ve stepped on an enchanted tile or something!” He huffed, eyebrows furrowing.

“I-I don’t remember that being there last time we were here?” Strawberry Cookie questions aloud, tugging the strings of her hoodie.

“There aren’t.” Pure Vanilla stoically responds, his back to the three as his hand trembles. His dough looks much paler than before, and his breathing is labored.

“Uhm- Pure Vanilla Cookie? A-are you okay?” Gingerbrave asks, stepping a bit closer to get a better look. Before grimacing, as the younger cookie reaches out a hand. “You don't look so good…”

“You’re so pale…” Strawberry comments, eyes drooping in worry as she also moves closer. Last comes Wizard Cookie, who places a hesitant hand on the ancient’s trembling wrist.

“Why?” The intelligent cookie gritted, and Pure Vanilla’s eyes flicker to him briefly in confusion, before closing again, he responded with a hum as his head started to hurt.

“Hm?”

“Was this teleportation thing… Your doing?” Wizard continues to prod, eyes narrowing suspiciously. There wasn’t a response, Pure Vanilla looked so lost. Eyes unfocused and half closed, beads of sweat forming on his face.

“Pure Vanilla cookie?” Strawberry silently calls out, hesitantly tugging on his robe to try and snap him out of it.

“I-”

“You’ve been acting strange for a while now.” Wizard accuses, taking a step forward. This causes a ripple effect as Pure Vanilla stumbles a bit to step back as he straightens his posture.

“I- I have?” Pure Vanilla’s eyes snap open, a hand squeezing his staff until it sends him a pained glare in return. He doesn’t know quite why it shocks him so, maybe because he was called out for it? Or because he himself wasn’t realizing that he was doing it?

“Yes.” Wizard barks, eyes narrowing.

There’s an uncomfortable laugh from the side as Gingerbrave cautiously steps in.

“Wizard Cookie! You’re being a little pushy-”

“You were thinking it too!” Wizard interrupts, not once breaking his gaze from the older cookie.

“Tell me,” he clicks his tongue, and Pure Vanilla nods. “Do you trust us?” Everyone pauses, before all eyes turn to Pure Vanilla. Who’s busy trying not to let his mind seize function.

“I- yes, of course-” “no, you don’t.” It’s a sharp cut, not very precise but it stops Pure Vanilla in his tracks.

Snap.

“What?” Pure Vanilla almost chokes on his breathing, pausing as he looks at the other two cookies. But they’re avoiding his eye contact, both seemingly deep in thought.

“I-... Wizard Cookie’s right…” Gingerbrave mutters, rubbing at his arm.

Pure Vanilla gulps, turning to Strawberry Cookie. Who was looking anywhere but his direction.

Snap.

Pure Vanilla didn't know what to say, didn't know how to deal head on with his opinion towards the cookie’s feelings.

“I…Apologize..” He mutters, but Wizard Cookie wouldn’t take that answer.

“Are you really? Or is that another shallow truth?”

Snap.

“What-! No! I wouldn’t-” He pauses, noting something… Peculiar about their eyes.

“Wouldn’t…What? Lie?”

Snap.

Pure Vanilla’s breathing caught in his throat, and his eyes closed in shame. He… He wasn’t a liar… He was the holder of the light of truth… Lying… No, he couldn’t… All this avoidance isn't… Lying-!

It’s a… Protection! And… It’s not like there is no truth in his words… That.. makes it okay, right?

…

What.

What. What was he thinking?! No, that’s… That is lying isn't it?

But… He… Hasn’t lied before has he? He… How many times has he done this?

And if he has… Is this souljam truly his?

Maybe he should give it back to-

He looked up at the cookies surrounding him, and he noticed something… A blue mist? No. He looked between the cookies, staring straight at something- no, someone else. Another…Cookie..?

Those eyes...That…Hair!

Pure Vanilla gasped in realization, heart leaping out his chest to his brain. Causing him to yell out with as much might as someone with his energy level could.

“White Lily Cookie!!”.

The trio, upon hearing Pure Vanilla’s shout, snapped out of their moment of anger, to instead look behind them.

The three gasped as they also saw the familiar cookie.

“It's White Lily Cookie!” The children shouted, a shared surprise washing away almost all of their previous negativity… Almost.

They briefly looked back at Pure Vanilla Cookie, “we’ll continue this after,” Wizard muttered with a furrowed brow, his friends agreeing, albeit with more reserved and unreadable faces.

The healer nodded absentmindedly, eyes still glued to the ghost of his old friend. And he only snapped out his entrancement when the three started running after the cookie ghost. Causing it to move out of his sight.

The ancient quickly pushed himself from his spot. Starting to follow them, but he was tired, and hadn’t yet recovered from his previous use of magic. So in this weakened state he stumbles and trips on his robes.

Hastily trying to stomp on solid ground to regain his balance. Yet, instead of doing so, he missteps on a loose, crumbling tile as it slips like butter beneath him.

And falls.

Now, the events that unfolded were indeed unfortunate, but he fleetingly notices his staff’s eye looking at him with such wicked glee. However he doesn’t quite catch its expression in time before he loses his grip around it, as he falls into a hole that had been hidden by some overgrown shrubs growing from cracks in the wall. And suddenly darkness greets him like an ice cold bath.

He shouts, or he assumes he does, the shock more so makes him gasp. And he presumes some form of a yell might’ve come out as he felt his lungs squeeze painfully. Either way, his sudden disappearance goes unnoticed by the three running cookies.

At some point he assumes the hole is endless, until he roughly slams onto a cold stone floor. He gasps, sharp pain immediately surging across his whole body. Trying to pull himself back up he can only see darkness, and as he tries to reach for his staff, even more darkness.

“Mrgh-!” His left side burnt with pain, having absorbed most of the impact. His eyes stung, with tears of pain or exhaustion, he wasn’t quite sure.

But as his hand continues to roam over the cold floor, he notices- a blur…

Although a mere light at first. He notes how it grows closer, a cookie? Their body is almost a beacon of light. Is it really another cookie? But who? It couldn’t be White Lily, this cookie’s gaze was too… Intrigued?

Why- who is- his body and mind shuts down before he can come to any conclusion. It had finally registered the impact.

That, mixed with his exhaustion, makes it a short battle.

A battle which he shamefully loses.

But before his mind had completely gone unconscious, he heard something, his souljam’s sharp voice.

"Wake up soon, holder of the light of truth, she needs you.."

Thud!

After 2 months brainstorming, planning, writing, and ultimately uploading the first chapter is FINALLY here! Honorable mention to the people who encouraged me to take the leap in making my first fanfic, and SUPER honorable mention and love to @bemyemxx for offering to spend their time with me to make it possible. Matter of fact, this fanfic wouldnt even be uploaded today if it wasn't for them, so as much as this book is mine, it is also theirs for contributing their ideas and writing skills to make this chapter reach it's potential! So a big bear hug and thank you pookie! Here is to writing another chapter and more with you! ❤️ Enjoy everybody and let us know what you all think!