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The fact that the battle with Dark Enchantress was just an illusion was kind of frustrating, but her followers were still here and we got to try out the Pearl Legion so I guess it's fine. I walked around as the healers tended to the wounded cookies. I was injured, though not that much.I can fight off the pain until the more injured are finished being taken care of. Admittedly I didn't look that flattering, my outfit was a bit ripped up and one of my ribbons were destroyed but it was fine, we just came out of a battle, I am allowed to look a little bit less than flattering. I looked at the battlefield. The dust was still around and I saw a cookie still fighting. It was Gingerbrave. The young kid probably has some troubles... As I slowly started walking towards him I noticed the pile of enemy corpses and as he finished the last one up, he smiled. Wow, this kid was good! I understand why he was chosen.
"Oh hi Clotted Cream Cookie, what a battle isn't it?" Gingerbrave said.
"Yeah" I replied as I started approaching him and noticing how injured he was. This kid was still fighting! He started to lean on his cane while talking about how "friendship conquers everything" and "this was an amazing fight" and "how amazing everybody did"
But I didn't really think about it. I saw the cane slip and I quickly caught him with one of my ribbons, then he sighed.
"Everyone is doing so well and just look at me! I wish I was stronger.." he muttered.
A little bit of blood came out of his mouth. "No no!” I chided, “Everybody has their own strength, and you did pretty well!" I comforted him while smiling.
"No, it wasn't my best." he mumbled. This kid was genuinely strong... too strong! I started walking towards the healers.
"Hey Clotted Cream! Where are you going?" he asked, a bit surprised.
"To the healers you seem injured" I replied.
"Nahh, I've seen worse! You probably need it more than me." He said.
And he was still smiling...
"No no, I am quite fine. I think you should go first, it doesn't hurt for me.” “Ok.” He replied, and he continued smiling. I dropped him off next to Pure Vanilla and he took off his shirt so that he could examine their injuries, he did it without thinking. Everything he did was so calculated, multiple times as well, and I saw even the scars had scars. I only saw his back but I have seen paladins with less scars, and not newly graduated ones either, the ones who are seasoned veterans. As I was ushered off to another healer they looked at me extremely shocked. I only had a few cuts and one of my ribbons we're gone but I guess they have also never seen me injured before so that’s fair. They also fixed my ribbons and after that I was good to finally go back and close the council. I decided to carry Gingerbrave to the airship, and he was just happy. This kid, who was covered in scars and bandages, who just continues to smile while I let him sleep on my lap. I remembered why he left the ancients, they have turned this kid into a seasoned warrior who doesn't even flinch at pain. It was a good decision to leave them behind…