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Chapter Text

It all happened so suddenly..

Just as Shadow Milk Cookie flew towards Pure Vanilla Cookie, he broke the soul jam that was once his, breaking the bond that the two once had. A loud and feral growl emitted from Shadow Milk Cookie, his face having a permanent scrowl on it, his sharp teeth grinding together in unimaginable frustration.

The entire spire had been engulfed in a bright golden glow, causing all of the cookies from within to cover their eyes from the harsh light.

The golden light surged outward, radiating from Pure Vanilla Cookie’s very core. It was overwhelming, causing Shadow Milk Cookie to snarl, stumbling mid-air as the energy seared through him, a sensation both foreign and infuriating.

“ No. .  no, no, no! ” he bellowed, his hands flexing as if he could grasp the light and crush it between the pads of the dough. But it was too late. The bond had shattered. The hold he had over Pure Vanilla’s soul jam was gone, and with it, the last remnants of control he had clung to. 

Shadow Milk’s irritated and enraged expression automatically dropped down into one of pure awe when his had finally vision adjusted, the golden light dimming down just so much that he could now take in the form of the cookie in front of him.

Pure Vanilla Cookie stood at the center of the light, his form no longer fragile, no longer trembling beneath the weight of deception and doubt. His robes, once dulled by shadow and despair, now shimmered with an ethereal glow, each fold of fabric now moving like liquid gold.

His flower staff, the very emblem of his power, pulsed with newfound brilliance. The gemstone that used to have blue eyes decorating it now was replaced by a bright sun that swirled in its place.

Shadow Milk Cookie could only stare.

For a moment, his rage had been stripped away, leaving nothing but raw, unfiltered awe. He had became quite fond of the symbol of truth, the one who carries the other half of his soul jam like it’s his. Hell, he even managed to corrupt his soul jam himself. 

But, now, he looked untouchable.

The golden light around him was not the gentle warmth of a flickering candle, nor the delicate shimmer of morning’s first light. No—this was something far more radiant, something that demanded to be seen, to be felt. It was blinding, and overwhelming, and yet Shadow Milk Cookie could not look away.

His fingers twitched, instinct begging him to reach forward, to grasp at the strands of light curling around Pure Vanilla’s form, as if doing so would confirm that this was real—that he was real. But he did not move.

He could not. Pure Vanilla Cookie’s golden eyes met his, and Shadow Milk Cookie felt his breath catch in his throat.

There was no fear there. No hesitation. No remnants of the broken, helpless thing he had tormented in the abyss.

This was something new. Something stronger.

Shadow Milk Cookie swallowed hard, his mouth suddenly dry. This wasn’t supposed to happen. This wasn’t supposed to happen.

“ You. . . ” His voice came out quieter than he intended, almost breathless. The eyes within his hair darted wildly, each one absorbing the golden glow that surrounded Pure Vanilla Cookie. His own body betrayed him—his gaze softened, his claws flexing—caught between instinctive rage and something far more unsettling.

This wasn’t the Pure Vanilla Cookie he had spent so long tormenting, unraveling thread by delicate thread within his web of lies.

This wasn’t the fragile thing he had dragged into the Dark Side of the Moon with him inside of his soul jam, the one who trembled beneath his whispers, who questioned his own truth.

This was something new. Something stronger.

And it set his very being alight with frustration.

“ You. . Traitor! ” he hissed, his voice gaining back some of its usual venom, though it wavered at the edges. He forced himself forward, inching closer despite the way his own shadows recoiled from the oppressive warmth.

“ You liar! You little . .! ” The Beast Cookie couldn’t even speak due to how infuriated he was with Pure Vanilla, being extremely close to pulling at his hair just to calm himself down.

 The words felt wrong the moment they left his lips, but he refused to take them back.

Pure Vanilla Cookie simply watched him, his golden gaze unreadable, unwavering. His presence did not press down on Shadow Milk Cookie with hostility, nor did it carry the weight of vengeance. It was simply there —radiant, undeniable, a truth that could not be twisted. 

Shadow Milk Cookie’s breath quickened, his hair rising even more as if grasping for something, anything to latch onto. He knew he should strike. Should lunge, should do something before this feeling swallowed him whole. The longer he stood there, staring into the light, the harder it became to convince himself to move.

Because in that moment, despite everything—despite the rage, the bitterness. . he could not deny the thought that whispered throughout the very edges of his mind.

' He’s beautiful. ' 

And that realization left him more breathless than the light ever could. Shadow Milk Cookie didn’t even realize that his hair had flattened back out, the eyes now looking less strained from what they had been a minute ago. The tension in his body had loosened, just enough for doubt to slip through the cracks.

For the first time, he wasn’t baring his teeth in anger. Wasn’t laughing in mockery. Wasn’t seething with venomous and deceiving words ready to spill from his lips.

He was just watching.

Pure Vanilla Cookie still stood in the center of the golden light, unshaken, unyielding. It should have made him furious—should have stoked the fire in his chest, should have sent him lunging forward with his claws bared, ready to strike at the Ancient Cookie for even thinking of trying to trick him like this again. And yet . .

He felt small beneath that glow. Shadow Milk let out a growl of some sort, muttering something under his breath when he realized what he was doing, even what he was thinking about, was extremely and utterly dumb. His stance shifted, causing Pure Vanilla to tilt his head slightly, watching him with that same unwavering calm.

The movement was subtle, but Shadow Milk Cookie felt it—felt the way the Ancient’s golden gaze followed him, like he was truly seeing him. Not as an enemy. Not as a shadow of his former self. But as. . something else.

That realization made his jaw tighten.

His fingers twitched, itching to lash out, to reclaim some sense of control. But every time he tried to summon his anger—to remind himself why he was here, why he hated Pure Vanilla Cookie, his mind kept dragging him back to that moment.

The moment his vision adjusted, when the golden light had finally settled, and he had seen Pure Vanilla in his awakened form.

From that exact moment, he had thought — no, realized — how beautiful he was.

Shadow Milk let out a low growl, dragging a clawed hand down his face as if that would somehow scrub the thought from his mind.

Pure Vanilla, who had been standing in front of him for over a couple minutes, raised an eyebrow, his stance still relaxed while he waited for the Beast of Deceit’s next move. 

Not long after, Shadow Milk Cookie grabbed hold of his hair, pulling at the tendrils in irritation as he hovered higher above the ground, his eyes clenched shut as he let out a roar, one that didn’t sound like any noise he had made in front of Pure Vanilla before.

His eyes grew wide when he opened them, glaring down at the Ancient Cookie, grinding his teeth together as he felt his hair rise in his grasp.

“ I WILL DESTROY YOU!! “ 

Pure Vanilla Cookie did not flinch, holding his staff protectively in front of him.

The golden light surrounding him flickered in response to the sheer force of Shadow Milk Cookie’s roar, but it did not wane. It did not cower, did not yield. It remained just as steady as it was when he first changed into this new form.

Shadow Milk Cookie’s breath was ragged, his chest rising and falling with the weight of his fury. His grip on his own hair tightened, sharp claws trembling against the strands that writhed in response to his boiling frustration.

The Beast of Deceit flew forward, his sharp teeth on full display as he bum-rushed the cookie in front of him, only for a gust of white light to hit his form.

Pure Vanilla stood tall, letting out a breath after the fight that had shaken the very foundations of the spire. The golden glow around him slowly softened, no longer a blinding radiance but a gentle warmth that pulsed with the steady rhythm of his breath.

Shadow Milk Cookie lay a short distance away, his body trembled with every breath, his vision blurred at the edges from exhaustion, frustration, and something else he refused to name. His stance, once full of confidence, now wavered.

His entire form felt heavy, as though the very light that had repelled him now pressed down on his shoulders, suffocating yet strangely. . . grounding.

The blue aura that surrounded his form clung to his dough, flickering erratically, twisting and writhing as if they were alive, uncertain whether to solidify or melt into the ground.

His hair, once flowing with grace, now lay tangled and erratic, the eyes within it blinking unevenly—some sluggish, some squeezing shut as if recoiling from the radiance before them.

Thick, inky tendrils curled and frayed at the ends, dripping black goop onto the stone floor beneath him. The puddles pulsed, shifting with his ragged breathing, as though his very essence, his being,  was struggling to hold itself together.

Yet his grip on his staff remained ironclad. His claws dug into it, pressing down so hard that cracks threatened to form along its surface. Even as his strength wavered, even as his mind teetered on the edge of something he couldn't fully comprehend, his grip did not loosen. Because if he let go—

If he let go, then what would be left of him?

His glare burned into Pure Vanilla, but it lacked the same raw hatred it had carried before. His breathing was uneven, chest rising and falling in sharp, ragged bursts. He was struggling—not just physically, but internally, fighting against something that had rooted itself deep inside him.

Something that had started the moment he saw that light.

The warmth in Pure Vanilla’s gaze did not waver. He simply stood there, watching, waiting.

Shadow Milk’s lips curled in frustration, his teeth grinding together so hard it hurt. His claws flexed against the staff, his body twitching as if debating whether to attack or retreat.

But he did neither. His body ached, his dough felt heavy, and the remnants of the attacks still lingered in his chest—not painful, not burning, but… warm. Too warm.

Pure Vanilla took a cautious step forward. His staff, still pulsing with golden energy, hovered at his side. He did not lower his guard, but there was no malice in his stance.

Shadow Milk let out a shuddering breath, his lips parting as if to speak, but no words came out.

Pure Vanilla stopped just a few steps away, his golden eyes steady as they met Shadow Milk’s own. “ It’s over, Shadow Milk Cookie. . ” he said, voice as calm as ever. The snarl that came from the Beast’s throat was low, rumbling from deep within his chest. His grip on his staff tightened until his claws dug into the smooth surface, the cracks along it splintering further.

The sheer patience in Pure Vanilla’s voice made his insides twist—not with rage, not with hatred, but something deeper, something he didn’t dare name.

His entire form trembled, his shadows writhing at his feet, curling around his legs like restless serpents. His hair, still disheveled and erratic, twitched with irritation, the blinking eyes within them narrowing.

Even now, even as his body threatened to collapse beneath the weight of exhaustion, of that light, he couldn’t stand it. Couldn’t stand how Pure Vanilla still looked at him without fear.

Like he was something worth reaching out to.

Shadow Milk’s jaw clenched, his fangs bared as he forced himself to his full height, his form shaking as he stood. Even as his body protested, even as his breath came in uneven bursts, he refused to let himself look small.

His voice came out rough, edged with something unsteady. “ D-Don’t talk to me like that. . ” 

Pure Vanilla’s expression remained unchanged. “ Like what exactly? ” 

“ Like— ” Shadow Milk’s breath hitched, his fingers twitching against his staff, his hair swaying and sharpening, the goop from them now dripping down onto his bodysuit, causing the cookie to tense at the odd texture that felt foreign to him. His glare sharpened, but it wasn’t as steady as before. “ Like I need your pity . ”

Pure Vanilla exhaled softly.  “ It’s not pity. ”

Shadow Milk’s entire body tensed. His mind screamed at him to lunge, to lash out, to do something —but he was still frozen in place. His body wouldn’t move, wouldn’t listen, and it infuriated him. His own instincts, the ones that had kept him fighting for so long, were failing him now.

The golden glow around Pure Vanilla hadn’t faded, but it was softer now, pulsing gently like a heartbeat. It wasn’t blinding anymore. It wasn’t overwhelming. Shadow Milk began to laugh softly before it crescendoed into something that sounded more hysterical than what his laughs normally sounded like.

His laughter echoed through the spire, raw and jagged. His shoulders shook, his fingers twitching against his staff as his body trembled with the force of it. The eyes within his hair blinked erratically, some squeezing shut while others darted around wildly, uncertain, unsettled.

“ This . . HAH.! ” He gasped between his laughter, baring his sharp teeth in a twisted grin. “ This is ridiculous! ” His voice wavered, uneven, cracking in places he hadn’t meant for it to.

He took a staggering step back, but his own body betrayed him—his knees nearly buckling beneath him. His laughter faltered for just a second, but he forced it out again, louder, more unhinged, like if he could just laugh hard enough, he could drown out the warmth still curling inside his chest.

Pure Vanilla stood still, unshaken, watching. That only made it worse.

Shadow Milk’s fingers curled so tightly around his staff that his claws dug into the surface, splintering the wood further. “ You— ” His breath came out in a harsh exhale, his laughter finally dying down into something breathless, something strained. His throat burned.

His entire form ached. “ You think—what? That this little show of yours is enough to— what , exactly? Fix me? Make me fall to my knees and weep? Beg for forgiveness? ”

Pure Vanilla did not answer right away. His golden eyes remained steady, unwavering. “ No, ” he said simply. “ That’s not what I want. ”

Shadow Milk’s stomach twisted. His smirk wavered. His eyes, glowing cyan and cerulean with barely restrained fury, flickered with something else. Something more fragile. More real. The golden light pulsed again, steady, patient.

Shadow Milk felt his form twitch as warmth brushed against him once more, not pushing, not forcing—just existing.

He let out a low, shuddering breath, his hair falling around his face, the remaining eyes within them blinking slowly, their erratic movements stilled. His fingers twitched, then relaxed—only slightly. His smirk had faded entirely now, leaving something else in its wake.

Something lost.

Something exhausted.

His voice, when he finally spoke, was quiet. “ . . .Then, what do you want, Pure Vanilla? ”

Pure Vanilla’s expression softened, just barely, the weight of Shadow Milk’s words settling between them. The way his name left the Beast’s lips had sounded uncertain, quiet, almost hesitant.

It wasn’t spat out with venom, nor was it laced with mockery or deceit. It was unfiltered, the usual playful and cocky tone of his voice completely disappearing.

For a moment, he said nothing. He simply observed Shadow Milk Cookie, the way his body sagged ever so slightly, the fight draining out of him in waves, leaving behind something brittle, something uncertain.

“ I want to understand, ” Pure Vanilla repeated, his voice gentle, unwavering. “ I want to understand you. ”

Shadow Milk Cookie clenched his teeth, his claws digging into his bodysuit, causing the dough underneath the fabric to throb and sting. His chest tightened, the warmth lingering far longer than he wanted it to.

He had spent so long weaving lies, masking himself in theatrics and deception and now, being under Pure Vanilla’s steady gaze, every layer felt like it was peeling away, leaving him bare, and exposed.

His lips parted as if to say something—anything to break the silence, to push away the weight pressing down on him—but no words came. Instead, another sound slipped through.

A shuddering breath.

He hated this. Hated the way his body refused to obey him, how the exhaustion clung to his very being like a sickness he couldn’t shake. He was the Beast of Deceit, the Cookie of Knowledge, now the embodiment of chaos. He wasn’t supposed to be the one faltering, that had never been an option for him.

He had built himself this whole persona, one that he perfected to the last-minute detail, but it all just crumbled in front of the new holder of his soul jam like it didn’t even matter. Yet, here he was.

The sound that left Shadow Milk Cookie’s mouth not long after was somewhere between a laugh and a gasp, ragged and uneven. His shoulders shook, whether from exhaustion or frustration—he couldn’t tell anymore.

His own laugh sounded foreign to him, broken and brittle, nothing like the amused sneers or delighted cackles he usually wielded like weapons. It was hollow, empty, devoid of its usual confidence.

“ Heh. . ” he forced out again, this time louder, as if trying to reclaim some semblance of himself, some sliver of control. His breath was uneven, his cyan and cerulean eyes flickering wildly. “ Do you — do you even hear yourself!? Do you even realize what you’re saying? ”

His hands twitched at his sides, his claws flexing. His entire body felt too heavy, too weak, and the sheer vulnerability of it made his skin crawl.

“ Why would you deliberately want to understand me? ” he spat, though the usual venom wasn’t there. “ There is nothing to understand! ” He clenched his fists, his claws digging into his palms, the sharp edges leaving trails of tension.

His hair flared up again, the eyes within them opening wide, pupils dilating with unspoken emotion. “ What about your good for nothing friends?! Fighting me won’t bring them back. . ! “

Pure Vanilla didn’t recoil, didn’t shrink away like so many others had before. He simply watched, steady and unmoving, his golden eyes reflecting something Shadow Milk couldn’t place. Just as Shadow Milk said this, the sound of footsteps echoed in the distance, interrupting the fragile silence between them.

The heavy sound of steps grew louder, and for a moment, Shadow Milk Cookie's gaze flickered to the side, his tension spiking as he waited for the next attack, the next threat .

“ Pure Vanilla Cookie! “ Shadow Milk Cookie’s expression freezes, his eyes darting to the scene of GingerBrave, Wizard, and Strawberry Cookie coming to Pure Vanilla’s side, relieved to see that their friend is fine and out of the Beast Cookie’s control.

His eyes snapped back to Pure Vanilla, his claws still clenched, the tremors in his hands threatening to overtake him as his gaze flickered between the Ancient Cookie and his friends.

“ My Friends! I’m so glad you’re alright! ” GingerBrave’s voice rang out with relief as he reached Pure Vanilla’s side, his usual cheerfulness tainted by the weight of the situation.

Strawberry Cookie’s gentle smile flickered with the same sense of warmth, while Wizard Cookie stood with a guarded expression, his sharp eyes constantly darting between the two cookies.

Shadow Milk Cookie’s chest tightened at the sight. The connection between Pure Vanilla and his friends was so. . . real. So warm.

A stark contrast to the cold, bitter isolation that Shadow Milk had clung to for so long. And there they were, standing together, a united front— and he was on the outside of it all .

The trembling in his hands became more pronounced. His claws dug deeper into his palms, but he didn’t care. It was as if the pain was the only thing that kept him grounded in the moment.

Watching them made Shadow Milk feel something foreign. Something that made his chest ache with a deep, gnawing at his heart in a way that made him stiffen, not being able to ignore how it was making him feel. They were so alive, so full of warmth, standing together with a sense of belonging that he could never seem to reach.

Their bond was so undeniable, so natural—and he was nothing but an outsider, watching from the edges, feeling that connection slip further and further from his grasp.

His breath became erratic as the emotions inside him twisted, spiraling out of control. Anger. Desperation.

Loneliness. All those things collided in a way that left him gasping for air, as though the very weight of them threatened to crush him.

The scene made him think back to when he used to be with his friends. He hadn’t been with them besides being inside of the Silver Tree in eons. But, now, it was different. The pain was sharper than ever.

' Why did they have to make it look so easy? '

Chapter Text

Shadow Milk Cookie’s gaze was stuck on Pure Vanilla, the scrowl once present on his face slowly fading away and shifting into a neutral expression. He should’ve fought back once more, hell, even fled already, but he couldn’t move from his spot.

Shadow Milk instead chose to clench his fists, trying to summon his usual anger, but nothing came. Instead, he was filled with confusion. For once, the beast didn’t say anything in retaliation, since there was nothing to retaliate against. 

He had lost this fight, and it had been wrapped in a bow and shoved right into his face.

In his eyes, he had used every trick in the back of his soul jam to break the Ancient that stood in front of him, to shatter his resolve like fragile glass.

And yet, Pure Vanilla still stood there, unwavering, offering not judgment or vengeance, but something far worse to the Beast of Deciet—understanding.

Shadow Milk’s fingers twitched at his sides, his mind screaming at him to scoff, to sneer, to do something —but all he could do was stare.

Pure Vanilla, his attention towards his friends, shifted to the defeated cookie in front of him, their dough clenched into fists as he glared up at him.

The Ancient’s gentle smile softened, his eyes filled with something Shadow Milk could only comprehend as pity. Even that didn’t feel right to him. No, it was much more deeper than that.

It was kindness, unshaken and unrelenting, even after everything he had done to the symbol of truth.

“ You don’t have to keep fighting, ” Pure Vanilla murmured, his voice steady yet warm. “ You don’t have to be alone. ”

Shadow Milk’s irises sharpened. Something inside him, something buried, something weak , twisted at those words and caused his fists to tighten. He should reject this.

He should laugh in Pure Vanilla’s face like he’s done previously. His gaze wandered to the leftover crumbs that the current holder of his soul jam considered friends, seeing how they shivered as he stared at them, causing his expression to turn one of anger.

“ What. .? “ The beast hissed out, dropping his staff on the tiled floor underneath him. He didn’t know who he was pointing his anger at anymore, his fists unclenching, his hair rising back up in defensiveness. His sharp teeth bared at the cookies, causing them to shift so they were now nearly dough-to-dough on Pure Vanilla for protection.

They all clung to the Ancient’s robe, their dough brushing up against the waffle-patterned fabric. Even the brave one held onto him, his eyes trying their hardest to look unintimidated at the beast’s actions.

" You think you can just look at me like that? Hiding behind him like he’s going to protect you? ” His voice was thick with scorn, the sharpness of his words aimed at each of them.

His eyes blazed as he watched them, the sight of their fear—of their betrayal—fueling the fire within him. How dare they? How dare they look at him with pity? As if he needed them, as if he needed anyone .

" You think you’re better than me? " Shadow Milk spat, his teeth gritted. " You think I need you?! " His words were venomous, but the cracks in his facade were undeniable.

Beneath the fury, something else was shifting in the back of his dough, a gnawing loneliness that he couldn't quite shove away.

GingerBrave straightened, trying to show more courage than he felt, but there was an unmistakable hesitation in his gaze. “ We don’t think that at all. It doesn’t have to be like this. ” 

Shadow Milk’s eyes glinted with a cruel amusement as he leaned forward, lips curling into a twisted smile. His voice took on a tone of mockery, sickly sweet with a bitter edge. 

“ Oh? So you think you can fix me, hmm? You think this is all just some misunderstanding ? Just a little chat and everything’s fine again, right? ”

His eyes flickered over the trio behind Pure Vanilla, watching them flinch with every word that spat out of his mouth. His voice dropped to a taunting whisper, dripping with sarcasm.

“ What do you think he’ll do, huh? Wave his magical staff and make it all better? Like I’m some little cookie who needs to be saved ? ”

The beast’s head tilted to the side unnaturally as he stepped back from the group, his gaze never leaving the terrified trio. He could feel their fear radiating off of them, their eyes full of judgment and confusion. 

“ Whattaya going to do to me, huh? Let me guess, you're going to get those godforsaken witches to somehow come back and imprison me like last time? “ Shadow Milk's eyes flared with malice, his lips curling into a twisted grin as he took another step back.

“ Better yet, bring that fool king back to life and trap me up in that rotten hunk of wood, wouldn’t you?! “ His words echoed through the spire, reverberating off the cold stone walls as if they were alive with the venom he spat.

Shadow Milk’s chest heaved with barely contained rage, his breath sharp and ragged, each exhale laced with bitterness. He couldn’t stop the words from spilling out, each one more desperate, more raw than the last.

Before Shadow Milk could get anything else out, Pure Vanilla stepped forward, his calm presence cutting through the tension in the room like a blade. His eyes, soft and understanding, met the beast’s, and for a brief moment, Shadow Milk faltered, his words caught in his throat. 

“ I’m not going to allow you to continue antagonizing my friends just because you’re upset. “  Pure Vanilla said, his voice calm but firm, his expression steady. His words weren't full of anger, nor were they pleading.

There was no scolding, only an invitation to something better. “ You should be pointing your anger at me, not them. They haven’t done anything to cause you such rage. “ 

Shadow Milk's eyes narrowed, his body stiffening at the words. For a moment, his teeth ground together as he fought to suppress the surge of emotions that coursed through him. Point your anger at me , Pure Vanilla had said.

It should have felt like a challenge, like an opening for him to tear into the Ancient, but instead, it twisted something inside of him. The bitterness in his chest grew, but it was followed by something far more dangerous—doubt.

“ You’re the one I’m angry with, ” Shadow Milk hissed through clenched teeth, blaintly lying through his words. His voice was low, shaky with suppressed rage, but there was a certain shakiness to it now. “ You always were. You and your perfect little world. ”

His fists tightened again, but this time there was a hesitation—a subtle flicker of something in his chest, something he couldn’t name. He wanted to lash out. He needed to lash out. It was his only defense, his only way of holding onto what little control he had left.

Pure Vanilla didn’t flinch. Instead, he took another slow, deliberate step forward, his gaze unwavering.

" Then direct it at me, " Pure Vanilla said softly. " I can take it. I’ve spent my whole life trying to understand the pain of others. But you don't have to hurt them. You don't have to hurt anyone anymore. "

Shadow Milk’s chest tightened. The words were like a rope pulling him closer, tightening around him, squeezing the last bit of defiance out of him. He opened his mouth, but nothing came.

He wanted to shout, wanted to retaliate, but it felt hollow. The anger felt hollow, the bitterness stale, like whatever reason he had for being upset disappearing in an instant.

Pure Vanilla continued, his voice steady and warm, " I’m not going to force you into anything, Shadow Milk. I just can’t let you keep doing this, not to them. Not to yourself. "

The Beast’s thoughts were spinning, a whirlwind of confusion and rage, but under it all, a flicker of something unfamiliar was growing—a flicker of something that wanted to stop.

For a fleeting moment, he felt exposed, vulnerable. The rage that had been his shield for so long suddenly felt like a brittle shell, one that could shatter at any moment.

“ Stop. . . ” Shadow Milk growled, a weak protest as he backed away, his mind screaming at him to retreat, to keep his distance from this overwhelming, unexpected pull. As Shadow Milk staggered back, the crack in his resolve growing wider, something inside Pure Vanilla stirred.

He could see the beast on the verge of collapse, mentally, and emotionally. It was clear now that this wasn’t just about vengeance or anger. It wasn’t about domination or control. No. There was something more broken within him. Something far more fragile.

Pure Vanilla paused, sensing the shift, and chose to press further, but not in the way Shadow Milk might have expected. “ I know what it's like to carry the weight of a mistake, Shadow Milk. To think you can never be forgiven for something you did—or something that was done to you. ” 

For a moment, the spire was eerily quiet, save for the distant howling of the wind. Pure Vanilla’s words seemed to linger in the air, heavy and meaningful, as if each syllable carried years of untold grief.

“ I used to be in your predicament a while ago because I couldn’t let go of my own regrets, ” Pure Vanilla continued, his gaze unflinching, now locked on the beast. “ I thought I could fix everything alone. But that kind of thinking. .  it only hurts more in the end. ”

Shadow Milk flinched, his hands shaking as he looked at the Ancient. Those words hit harder than he wanted to admit.

Pure Vanilla’s expression softened, and he took another step forward, closer now. “ You’re not alone in this. You never have to be. But it starts with you. ” The golden glow began to intensify around Pure Vanilla, his aura radiating warmth, feeling more like a promise than just light on the beast’s dough.

A promise that no matter what had happened in the past, the future didn’t have to repeat the same mistakes.

“ Even though i don’t understand your pain to its fullest, i assure you, this path you have chosen to go down won’t do any good. ” Pure Vanilla said, his voice not just steady now but full of empathy, each word carefully chosen.

“ You have to stop hiding behind the rage, because that’s what’s keeping you trapped. ” He took another step closer, his hand still outstretched. “ The past can’t be undone, but you can choose what happens next. Let go of the hatred, the fear. . . You can move forward. ”

Shadow Milk’s chest rose and fell rapidly as his emotions waged war inside him. Every fiber of his being screamed to push Pure Vanilla away, to keep up the wall of anger and disdain. Yet, as his gaze locked with the Ancient’s, something within him trembled—something so fragile, so buried deep inside, began to crack.

“ You don’t know what it’s like to be me, ” Shadow Milk muttered, voice tinged with desperation. “ To be betrayed. To be broken into pieces and cast aside. You don’t understand what I’ve lost. ”

Pure Vanilla’s expression softened even further, his heart clearly heavy with understanding. “ You’re right, Shadow Milk. I don’t understand what all you have lost, ” he said gently. “ However, i’ve seen it before when we shared soul jams. “

This made Shadow Milk's posture turn sharp, the mention of their soul jams caused a flicker of unease in him. He stiffened, his hands trembling slightly as memories he tried so desperately to bury resurfaced.

The connection between their soul jams had been so intimate, so raw, and in many ways, it had felt like a betrayal itself. The very idea of sharing his essence with someone, letting them into the depths of his being, felt like a weakness.

The moment Pure Vanilla mentioned it, it felt like a door that had been locked away was creaking open again, and Shadow Milk wasn’t sure he was ready for that.

“ You saw something? ” Shadow Milk’s voice cracked, a sharp edge to his words. “ What exactly did you see, huh? Are you sure that wasn’t one of your memories resurfacing? ”

Pure Vanilla met his gaze calmly, choosing to ignore the Beast of Deceit’s pathetic attempt to try and shift the topic, undeterred by the sudden flare of hostility.

“ I saw your pain, even able to experience just a mere glimpse of it myself. I saw the loneliness you’ve carried with you. The fear that no one could ever accept you, not truly. And I saw the endless battle you’ve waged inside yourself, trying to find a place where you belong. ”

Shadow Milk’s breath hitched. The rawness of Pure Vanilla’s words made something inside him quiver, like the very foundation of the walls he’d built around himself was beginning to crack.

His lips trembled, and for a split second, he didn’t know how to respond. Everything he had been telling himself, every excuse and reason to keep fighting, seemed to falter under the weight of Pure Vanilla’s understanding.

“ I never wanted pity, ” Shadow Milk growled, his voice low and thick with emotion. “ I never asked for anyone to look at me like that. ”

GingerBrave and his friends, having cautiously approached, stood at the edge of the conversation, watching as the tension in the air grew thicker.

Strawberry Cookie, Wizard Cookie, and even GingerBrave had remained quiet, their gazes alternating between Pure Vanilla and the Beast, sensing that something monumental was unfolding before them.

They could feel the weight of Shadow Milk’s words and the depth of Pure Vanilla’s understanding, but none of them dared interrupt.

Pure Vanilla’s eyes opened, looking at the Beast of Deceit with unwavering compassion. His gaze was steady, unshaken by the fury radiating from the beast before him. “ I’m not offering you pity ,” he said softly, his voice calm but firm. “ I’m offering you understanding. I’m offering you the chance to stop carrying this burden alone. ”

Shadow Milk’s breath hitched at the words, his chest tightening as his fists clenched, almost instinctively. He could feel the walls inside him quaking under the pressure of Pure Vanilla’s kindness, and for a moment, he was terrified of what might happen if he let those walls come down.

“ I don’t need your help, ” he spat, though his voice wavered slightly, betraying the vulnerability he desperately tried to hide. His hair straightened, no longer being curved in its usually C shape like it had been previously.

The hair tendrils seemed to almost merge into something that resembled actual hair. The eyes on the inside ended up . . closing, something that none of the cookies in the Spire of Knowledge have seen, even knew was possible for the beast to do anymore. 

Pure Vanilla’s eyes widened, that one detail on the beast causing him to feel something he didn’t expect himself to feel during his attempt at trying to get Shadow Milk to open up—a strange flicker of hope. He saw the shift, the subtle signs that the walls around Shadow Milk were starting to crack.

It wasn’t much, but it was something. Something real. The beast had softened, even if just for a moment, and that was enough to remind Pure Vanilla why he had never given up on him.

He had seen the Beast Cookie look like this only once in his life, during his youth when he used to attend at Blueberry Yogurt Academy with White Lily. The Ancient couldn’t help but have his mind drift off to when times were simpler, as well as drift off to where he might’ve seen Shadow Milk Cookie look like this.

White Lily and him had just been banned from the library for stealing a book from the professors-only section, causing them to spend their afternoon in the greenhouse located behind the Academy, hiding away from the watchful eyes of the faculty.

The sun filtered through the thick glass windows of the greenhouse, casting soft, colorful light across the vibrant flora that filled the room. The scent of blooming flowers and fresh herbs filled the air, offering a strange sense of calm in the midst of their little rebellion.

Pure Vanilla couldn’t help but laugh, looking at White Lily, who was trying to hide the thick book they’d swiped under a pile of leaves, despite it being far too big for any of them to conceal.

“ I think they’ll be more upset about us taking a book from the professors’ section than about us getting caught, ” White Lily mused, her eyes glinting with mischief.

Pure Vanilla smiled, shaking his head. “ We’ll get in trouble for this, won’t we? ”

He flipped through the pages of the book, his fingers tracing the ancient text with an almost reverent touch.

The book was heavy, thick with knowledge far beyond what was allowed for students like them, and it was exactly the kind of forbidden treasure that beckoned to their curiosity. The idea that such knowledge was locked away in the depths of the Academy only made it all the more enticing.

“ I wouldn’t be too worried, ” Pure Vanilla Cookie said with a sly grin, settling down beside her among the plants. “ A little trouble never hurt anyone. Besides, it’s just a book. How bad can it be? ”

White Lily Cookie gave her a knowing look. “ You say that now, but wait until we have to face the headmaster’s wrath. ”

Pure Vanilla shrugged nonchalantly, but there was a glimmer of excitement behind his eyes. He always had this way of brushing off the consequences, as if trouble was just another part of the adventure. " Who’s going to know? It’s not like we’re the first to pull a stunt like this. "

White Lily smiled, her thoughts wandering back to the book. There was something about its content—something far more profound than the usual forbidden texts they'd sneak in to read. This one, it felt different.

There was a faint, almost imperceptible aura surrounding it, a weight that tugged at the soul. The more he read, the more it seemed to resonate with something deep inside him, as he could almost hear faint whispers through the text.

As if sensing his distraction, White Lily leaned over to peek at the page. " What’s it about? " she asked, her curiosity piqued.

“ Do you remember when the history teacher mentioned something about the Five Beast Cookies? “ White Lily took a moment to give a response back, looking at the cover of the book that was placed on the ground, before her gaze went up to Pure Vanilla, nodding her head.

“ The Five Beasts were the first Cookies to possess the divine power of the Soul Jams, being the first cookies to ever be made and baked by the witches. The five Cookies walked Earthbread as almighty envoys of the Great Creators. Knowledge, Volition, Happiness, Change, and Solidarity. "

White Lily’s eyes widened as the words hung in the air, heavy with the gravity of what Pure Vanilla was reading. 

A picture of the Beasts was present underneath the text, their imposing figures sketched in intricate detail. Each one stood tall, a towering presence of grace and power, exuding an aura of undeniable majesty.

Their eyes gleamed with a purity that was nearly divine, while their forms radiated a brilliance that made them seem larger than life itself. The illustrations, though simple in their artistry, captured the very essence of these legendary beings.

Pure Vanilla pointed to the illustration of the first Beast, a tall, regal figure draped in a cloak of shimmering gold, holding a staff resembling that of a key glow with a soft light.

The two cookies took note of how this Beast Cookie’s outfit had the recurring aspect of closed eyes on the back of his cloak and hair. 

“ This one, the Beast of Knowledge, was said to possess unparalleled wisdom, capable of deciphering the deepest mysteries of the universe. I’ve heard the other faculty members call him something like Blueberry Milk Cookie since he’s the one who gifted his knowledge and gave it to this very school! “ White Lily raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise crossing her face as she leaned closer to the page, taking in the details. 

“ Blueberry Milk Cookie?  ” she echoed. “ I didn’t realize that the Beasts had such... personal connections to the people in our world. The history teacher barely mentions anything like that. ”

Pure Vanilla nodded, his expression distant as he continued to study the illustration. “ It’s not something we talk about much, especially in the context of their fall from grace. But yes, Blueberry Milk Cookie—he was one of the original Beasts, and his knowledge and wisdom were unparalleled. He could foresee events, to understand the intricate patterns of the world, and he shared much of that with others. ”

Since Pure Vanilla and White Lily were only made only a couple weeks after the Beast Cookie’s were through into Beast Yeast, the history surrounding the Beasts was still shrouded in mystery.

Their origins, their fall, and the impact they had on the world remained topics barely touched upon, even within the halls of Blueberry Yogurt Academy.

" Blueberry Milk Cookie’s influence was far-reaching, though, " Pure Vanilla continued, his tone quiet and reflective. " He wasn’t just an ordinary cookie with a gift. He was a visionary, someone who believed knowledge had the power to shape the future. "

His eyes softened, a flicker of respect crossing his features as he spoke of the Beast. " He had this idea that knowledge, if shared and wielded properly, could guide the world toward a better future. But, just like the other Beasts, there was a price to pay for such power. "

White Lily looked down at the book again, her fingers brushing over the aged pages. " What happened to him? What made him. . . fall? "

Pure Vanilla sighed, the weight of the history pressing down on him. " It’s said that the more knowledge Blueberry Milk Cookie gained, the more disconnected he became from the world around him. The wisdom he began sharing with other cookies started turning tainted and . . deceitful. "

White Lily's brow furrowed as she absorbed Pure Vanilla’s words. “ Tainted and deceitful? How did that happen? ”

Pure Vanilla’s gaze turned inward, the mental image of how things could’ve went down during the Beast Cookie’s reign clouding his thoughts. “ It was subtle at first. At the beginning, his wisdom was a gift. Cookies flocked to him for guidance, for understanding. He could see patterns, and foresee events. ”

He paused, his fingers lingering over the text as if seeking a moment of clarity. “ And simply out of nowhere, he began to use his knowledge against the ones who looked up to him, using it to control rather than to teach. “

White Lily leaned in, captivated by the tragic tale unfolding before them.

The more Pure Vanilla Cookie went on through the pages of the book, the more information was being stuffed into it about this singular cookie. They hadn’t even started on the other beasts either. “ He used his knowledge against others, didn’t he? ”

“ Yes, ” Pure Vanilla replied quietly. “ He began to twist the truth, withholding information, bending it to suit his desires. His intent wasn’t to help anymore—it was to shape the world around him to his vision. It’s even rumored that Blueberry Milk Cookie was responsible for a large portion of the damage done on Earthbread without even having to lay his hands on them. . “

White Lily’s eyes widened at the revelation, even having to lift up the hair that once covered her eye so she could get a better look at the writing on the pages of the book. “ He did all that without even touching anything? ”

Pure Vanilla sighed deeply, his gaze still fixed on the page in front of him. He picked up the book, making a tiny groan from how the large weight that the book held felt on the pads of his dough, before lifting it up and scooting closer to White Lily so they could both get a better look at the information that was being thrown at them.

“ The power of knowledge is often far more dangerous than anyone realizes. Blueberry Milk Cookie’s influence wasn’t in brute force; it was in his ability to manipulate thoughts, to subtly plant ideas that would grow into destructive actions. He could speak a single word, and it would unravel the fabric of an entire kingdom, or cause a war between groups who had once been allies. His control over the flow of information, over truth itself, gave him unimaginable power.”

White Lily shook her head in disbelief. “ So he didn’t even need to strike a blow. He just... changed how others saw the world? ”

“ Exactly, ” Pure Vanilla said, his voice laced with a deep sadness. “ He made people question everything. Their own beliefs, and their trust in each other. He sowed seeds of doubt and fear. That’s how he brought down entire empires and toppled once-stable societies. ”

As Pure Vanilla and White Lily turned their attention back to the book, they continued to explore the stories of the other Beasts. The weight of Blueberry Milk Cookie’s fall was still fresh in their minds, but there was no time to dwell.

They had to understand the rest of the Beasts, for each of them held a crucial part of the story that was unfolding before them.

The next Beast that was mentioned in the book was the Beast of Change, a towering figure with an aura of untouchable willpower, also being commonly known as the Tide of Change.

Pure Vanilla's heart skipped a beat as he stared at Shadow Milk. The subtle, yet unmistakable transformation unfolding before him sent a chill down his spine. 

" The Beast of Knowledge. "

That’s who Shadow Milk Cookie resembled. Shadow Milk was beginning to resemble the Beast of Knowledge ever so slightly, starting with his appearance.

The way his hair had begun to merge together, the faint tint of blue that now lingered in its strands, and even the faint disappearance of the closed eyes that had once defined the beast's identity. It was all there, more apparent than ever.

For a fleeting moment, it felt as though Shadow Milk had slipped into a past that Pure Vanilla could barely comprehend, a version of himself that had once been so lost in his own power and knowledge that it tore him apart.

Even GingerBrave, Strawberry, and Wizard Cookie couldn’t stop themselves from staring, their eyes wide with disbelief. The change in Shadow Milk was subtle, but it was unmistakable. 

They had seen him angry, seen him manipulate and deceive, but never had they seen him appear so vulnerable, so deeply affected by the situation. It was as if the weight of his past was beginning to reshape him in real-time, and none of them knew whether to be concerned or to hope that maybe—just maybe—this could be a turning point.

GingerBrave was the first to speak, though his voice faltered slightly. " Is this-  Is this really happening? " His eyes flicked from Pure Vanilla to Shadow Milk, unsure whether to approach or to stay back. There was an air of hesitation, a fear that whatever they were witnessing was something irreversible.

Strawberry Cookie's voice was softer, almost a whisper, as she spoke to Wizard Cookie, " Is he going to be okay? " Wizard Cookie, ever the skeptic, studied Shadow Milk with a look of uncertainty. " I don’t know, but something's definitely changing in him. The question is, will it be for the better or worse? "

Pure Vanilla finally spoke again, his tone steady despite the whirlwind of emotions swirling within him. " It's not too late. If we can help him see his own worth, if we can show him that he doesn’t need to be defined by his past. . . there’s still hope. "

For a brief moment, the room was silent, the weight of Pure Vanilla’s words hanging in the air, suspended in the tension between them. Even Shadow Milk remained still, his eyes closed as if he were fighting a battle inside his own mind, one that none of them could see, but all could feel.

Slowly, his hand clenched into a fist, a tremor running through his form as if the very act of trying to grasp hold of himself was tearing him apart.

The color in his hair shifted slightly, that faint blue glow becoming more pronounced, as if the remnants of his former self—the Beast of Knowledge—were beginning to finally come out.

" Don’t. . don’t say that, " Shadow Milk muttered, his voice a mixture of bitterness and despair. " I don’t need to be saved. I’ve made my choice. I’ll never be good enough. Not for you, not for anyone. "

But there was something in his voice that Pure Vanilla could not ignore. The defiance was still there, but so was the exhaustion, the weariness of a soul battered by its own regrets.

Shadow Milk Cookie wasn’t just trying to push them away anymore; it was as though he was pleading for something he didn’t believe he could ever deserve, something that he wasn’t prepared to try and become after everything he’s done to establish himself with this new persona.

Pure Vanilla took another step forward, his robe brushing against his friends as he made his way slowly toward Shadow Milk, " That’s where you’re wrong, Shadow Milk, " he said, his voice calm but unwavering.

" You don’t have to be alone anymore. Like you mentioned before, " The Ancient cut himself off, his eyes closing as his expression changed so that he now had a soft smile present on his face, causing the Beast of Deceit to stare at the cookie in awe and disbelief. 

“ We’re both one in the same. “

The words hung in the air between them, a fragile thread that seemed to tether them together despite all the tension that had built up. Shadow Milk’s breath caught in his throat as he looked at Pure Vanilla, a mixture of surprise and confusion flashing in his eyes.

" We're both one in the same? " Shadow Milk repeated quietly, his voice laced with skepticism.

He couldn’t fathom what Pure Vanilla meant, couldn’t understand how anyone, especially the Ancient, could possibly see any similarity between them. He, the Beast of Deceit, and Pure Vanilla, the very embodiment of wisdom, grace, and compassion—how could they possibly be alike?

Yeah, he would always mention how Pure Vanilla was ‘ his ‘ cookie and how he would eventually go down the same path he went through. But how the Ancient was using the phrase now, it sounded like he was using it in a completely different light from what he had used it in.

Pure Vanilla smiled gently, his eyes warm and understanding as he met Shadow Milk’s gaze. " Yes. You and I, " he continued, taking a step closer, now being at arm's length of the other cookie, " we both carry burdens from our pasts, scars that shape who we are. . "

His voice was quiet, but there was a weight to it, as though every word had been carefully chosen and held a truth that could shift the course of a life.

Shadow Milk opened his mouth as if to argue, but something in Pure Vanilla’s expression stopped him. There was no judgment in his eyes, no pity, only understanding.

The Ancient’s words seemed to settle into his heart, even though Shadow Milk wasn’t ready to accept them fully. His lips trembled slightly, a sharp, jagged breath escaping him.

“ You don't have to be lonely . . I'm right here. " Pure Vanilla’s voice was soft, but it carried with it the weight of everything he had endured, everything he had come to understand. He placed a hand on his own chest, over the heart that had always beat with the desire to protect, to heal. " Please . . Let me be your friend. “

“ Let me be there for you. . “

Shadow Milk Cookie froze at the words, his eyes softening. The words of kindness were foreign, alien even, to him—something he’d long ago learned to block out, to reject. His cyan and cerulean eyes flickered, hesitant, as if unsure whether to trust the offering.

Instead of Shadow Milk lashing out at the Ancient Cookie's request, a different response had came out from his mouth.

“ You. . . ” he began, his voice trembling at the edges. “ You want to be my friend? After everything I’ve done, after everything I’ve been. . .? “ His voice lacked any of its usual playfulness and sharpness. It was raw, vulnerable in a way that Shadow Milk rarely allowed himself to be.

The Beast of Deceit seemed lost in the weight of his own past, his eyes flicking toward the ground, unable to meet Pure Vanilla's gaze for long.

Pure Vanilla’s expression softened further, his hand still resting over his heart. He didn’t need to say more; his presence, his unwavering calm, spoke for him.

The Ancient wasn’t offering pity, nor was he trying to fix what was broken. He was simply extending an offer, a choice.

“ Of course, ” Pure Vanilla Cookie said gently, his voice filled with quiet sincerity. “ I want to be your friend. Not because I think I can fix you, but because I believe in you. In the part of you that still wants something better, something more. No one is beyond redemption, Shadow Milk Cookie. ”

Shadow Milk’s breath caught in his throat, and for a moment, there was nothing but silence between them. The world seemed to hold its breath, waiting for his response.

He wanted to say something, anything to push Pure Vanilla away, to reject this kindness as he always had. But instead, he remained still, the weight of his emotions crushing him in a way that words couldn’t escape.

GingerBrave, Strawberry, Wizard Cookie watched from a distance, each of them holding their own breath, unsure if this moment would be the one that finally broke through to Shadow Milk or if it would be yet another dead end.

But then, finally, Shadow Milk spoke again, his voice barely a whisper, raw and shaky.

“ Why. . ” he murmured, looking down at the floor as if he could will himself to disappear into the shadows. “ Why now. . I don’t deserve kindness. I don’t deserve... friends. ”

Pure Vanilla stepped closer, his voice unwavering. “ You don’t have to earn kindness. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be willing to accept it when it’s offered. I’m not asking you to change overnight. I’m asking you to trust me—just a little. ”

Shadow Milk’s gaze flicked up to meet Pure Vanilla’s, his cyan eyes wide and filled with a mixture of disbelief and something else—something that seemed like a flicker of hope, a spark buried deep within him.

But before Pure Vanilla could let anything else try and come out of his mouth, to help convince the Beast of Deceit to turn a new leaf, the sudden appearance of the portal caused the tension in the air to snap like a taut wire. 

Shadow Milk stiffened, his body jerking slightly as his hair began to revert back to its usual chaotic form. The eyes that decorated the inside of his hair, once being closed and softened in the warmth of Pure Vanilla's words, now snapped open in alarm, as if responding to some unseen danger.

The blue and black portal swirled ominously behind him, rippling like a vortex of shadows.

Pure Vanilla, despite the sudden shift, remained rooted in place, his eyes narrowing in cautious expectation. He could feel the subtle shift in Shadow Milk’s aura, a sense of unease taking over the vulnerability that had lingered only moments before. Something was coming. Something that could either break or further solidify the fragile progress they’d made.

The portal continued to pulse, and from its swirling depths, two cookies stepped, before rushing through. There appeared Candy Apple and Black Sapphire Cookie, both standing at their master’s sides as they tried to figure out what had gone down while they were trying to find him.

Candy Apple Cookie, was the first to show her concern by shouting out his name, all of her attention directed towards the Beast Cookie.

“ Shadow Milk Cookie! “ Candy Apple cried, holding onto the Beast before she was pulled back by Black Sapphire, who placed a firm hand on her shoulder. “ Let him be. Master Shadow Milk Cookie isn’t. . clearly himself right now. ” he said quietly, though his voice held an edge of concern.

His sharp eyes assessed the situation, noting the tension that lingered between Shadow Milk and the others. There was something different about this moment—something fragile.

Candy Apple’s face was a mix of worry and confusion. She struggled to free herself from Black Sapphire’s grip, the candy apples on the top of her head bobbing at ever sharp movement she made, her eyes still focused on Shadow Milk.

“ What’s going on? Why are you acting like this? What have they done to you? ” Her words were directed more toward Shadow Milk, but they carried an undercurrent of fear, as if she was terrified of losing him to whatever turmoil he was caught in.

Shadow Milk stiffened, the familiar anger that usually surged within him flaring briefly before he quickly suppressed it.

His body, though tense, seemed to collapse inward, his eyes avoiding both Candy Apple and Black Saphhire as he looked toward the ground.

“ I don’t need saving, ” he muttered, his voice hoarse, raw with a vulnerability he hadn’t shown to anyone in years. It took a couple of minutes worth of silence in order for the Beast Cookie to get himself together, his gaze no longer looking down at the ground.

Pure Vanilla's heart sank slightly as Shadow Milk’s usual grin returned, the usual persona he had built himself slipping back into place like it always did. It was the same grin that had always hidden his true emotions, the one that convinced everyone around him that he was untouchable.

But Pure Vanilla could see past it—the faint tremor in Shadow Milk’s hand, the tightness in his posture, the way his eyes darted nervously before meeting anyone's gaze.

The grin was a facade, a barrier that he hid behind to protect himself.

Candy Apple and Black Sapphire seemed to sense the shift as well. Candy Apple’s expression faltered, her worry slightly fading at seeing how her master was close to acting like his usual self.

But, this didn’t stop Black Sapphire from showing his concern for his boss. “ Master, it’s best if we leave this place! “ 

Black Sapphire’s voice was sharp, laced with authority and concern. He stepped forward, his eyes locked on Shadow Milk as if ready to pull him away from the growing tension that surrounded them. “ It’s clear that the situation here isn’t helping. We should go—now. ”

But even as his words echoed in the space, Shadow Milk’s hand shot out, his hands trembling as they gripped the air in a way that seemed desperate.

The Beast of Deceit paused, his usual confident demeanor faltering for a split second, before his eyes narrowed at Black Sapphire.

“ No, ” Shadow Milk replied sharply, his voice still hoarse, though the edge of frustration was evident. The sudden sharpness from his boss caused Black Sapphire to take a step back, the hold on his radio staff becoming tighter.

Candy Apple, sensing the underlying conflict in Shadow Milk’s tone, turned her gaze between the two. She couldn’t quite understand what was going on—how her master could seem so far gone, yet so close to breaking free from the prison he had built around himself.

“ But Shadow Milk. . ” she cooed, her voice softer now. “ We need to find a way to get back at those . . horrible cookies that chose to fight you! “ She spat.

Shadow Milk’s posture stiffened at Candy Apple’s words, but his expression didn’t shift from its unreadable mask. His eyes flickered for a moment as if torn between the words of his loyal followers and the pull of something deeper within himself.

Candy Apple’s voice, full of anger and vengeance, was familiar—something Shadow Milk had once echoed himself—but now it felt distant.

“ We don’t need to fight them, Candy Apple, ” Shadow Milk said, his voice quieter but still firm. “ I. . don't feel like fighting anyone right now.. ”

Candy Apple’s eyes widened in confusion, her grip on his arm tightening as if to ground herself. “ But Master! They’ve wronged you! They’ve tried to hurt you! They must pay for their disrespect! ”

Shadow Milk’s gaze darkened, but the sharpness wasn’t ment to be directed to the girl, but ended up being the case in the long run.

“ What did i just say? Do i have to place you into another card and tear you into pieces to get you to listen? “  He threatened, causing Candy Apple’s grip on his sleeve to fade, the feeling of fear traveling up her dough as she just shook her head.

Black Sapphire, who had remained silent up until now, spoke quietly, his voice tinged with understanding. “ Master, I understand you’re weary of the fighting. But we’ve always been by your side, and I’ll continue to stand by you, no matter the path you choose.  ”

Candy Apple’s face faltered, a mixture of frustration and confusion still evident, but there was a flicker of doubt now in her eyes.

The anger that had once fueled her seemed to wane just slightly, as if she were finally beginning to see that Shadow Milk was shifting—perhaps in ways she hadn’t expected.

“ But. . what now? ” she asked, her voice quieter now, unsure. “ What do we do now if we’re not trying to get back at those. . cookies for hurting you, master? ”

Shadow Milk chuckled, a dry, almost mischievous sound that echoed in the tense air. His eyes glinted with a hint of the old playfulness, the sly grin returning to his face like a mask he could never fully take off.

“ What now? Oh, I don’t know. Maybe I’ll throw a grand party and invite everyone I haven’t ruined yet, ” he said, the words dripping with sarcasm as he turned his attention to Candy Apple. 

“ I’ll make it a ‘peaceful reconciliation’ type of deal. Lots of candy, lots of drama. The perfect way to mend hearts, don’t you think? ” Candy Apple blinked, thrown off by the sudden shift in tone. 

“ Master, this isn’t a joke— ”

“ Oh, but everything is a joke, Candy Apple, ” Shadow Milk interrupted with a quick flick of his hand. “ Except the pain, of course. I’m not that cruel. ” His smile twitched at the corners, as though even he wasn’t sure what to make of his own words.

The playful threat was still there, hidden beneath the veneer of a seemingly harmless quip, but there was something else. Something more vulnerable.

His eyes darted away, just for a moment, as if searching for something in the distance. Then, with a dramatic sigh, he dropped the act and casually fixing his posture, floating back in the air slightly, his voice dropping an octave as he continued. “ Heh, I’ll figure it out. It’s not like I need to make it all right in a day. ”

Black Sapphire raised an eyebrow but kept his distance, sensing the undertones of Shadow Milk’s words. “ Master, if you truly believe you can let go of your vengeance. .  we’re with you. Just remember, you don’t need to carry the weight of everything alone. ”

Candy Apple’s grip on her master’s arm slackened, her eyes narrowing slightly in disbelief as the familiar goofiness mixed with the sharp edge of his usual demeanor resurfaced. “ You’re. . really going to act like this? Like nothing has changed? ”

Shadow Milk grinned wickedly, that same glint of mischief flashing in his eyes. “ Who, me? Change? Pfft. Maybe I’ll pretend for a while, just to see how you all squirm. But hey, who knows? Maybe I’ll surprise myself. ”

The words hung in the air, heavy and uncertain.

Candy Apple opened her mouth to retort, but before she could, Shadow Milk Cookie leaned on her, his elbow resting atop the girl's head as he raised his other hand up, waving his hand before his jesters hat spawned into mid-air.

Candy Apple’s words died in her throat as she watched Shadow Milk’s antics, her confusion only deepening as his playful nature flared once again.

The jesters hat hovered above them, twirling lazily in mid-air, the bright, obnoxious colors flashing against the somber atmosphere like an unsettling contrast to the tension building in the room.

" See? " Shadow Milk said, his voice light and carefree as he propped himself up against Candy Apple. " I’m still the same cookie you’ve always known. Nothing’s changed... at least, not much. "

His grin stretched wide, though it didn't reach his eyes, which flickered with something far more complicated—an unsettling mix of mischief and uncertainty.

“ Anyways! What i was saying before i got rudely interrupted by my wonderfully on-time servants. I, Shadow Milk Cookie, am allowing you, Vanilly, to redeem me! “ 

The words hung in the air, thick and heavy, as if the entire spire had paused in disbelief. Candy Apple blinked, her mouth hanging slightly open, even Black Sapphire’s expression matched Candy Apple’s, both of them completely surprised and confused at what had just come out of their boss’s mouth.

Hell, even GingerBrave and the others were surprised at how the Beast of Deceit changed his mannerisms so fast, even the statement about letting himself get redeemed.

“ WHAT!? “ Both Black Sapphire and Candy Apple shouted out in unison, their voices echoing through the spire as they both stepped back in disbelief. The sheer absurdity of what they had just heard left them stunned, their eyes locked on Shadow Milk Cookie as though trying to comprehend if he was truly the one speaking.

Shadow Milk, unbothered by their shocked reactions, kept the same unsettling grin plastered on his face, though it twitched slightly at the corners.

He adjusted the jester’s hat hovering lazily above them, its bright colors casting strange, flickering shadows over the group. He seemed almost too casual for the gravity of the moment.

" Yeah, yeah, " he shrugged nonchalantly, shifting his weight onto Candy Apple as though her sudden outburst was nothing but a minor inconvenience. " I figured I'd throw you all for a loop. What can I say? I like to keep things interesting. "

Candy Apple’s hands were clenched at her sides, her confusion morphing into frustration. " You like to keep things interesting? You’ve been pushing everyone away, causing chaos, and now you want us to believe you’re going to just-  let yourself be redeemed?! " Her voice wavered between disbelief and a hint of fear of what this sudden shift meant for her and the others.

Shadow Milk’s eyes flicked briefly toward Pure Vanilla, but he quickly masked whatever flicker of uncertainty had crept into them.

" Oh, I never said it was going to be easy, " he replied, his voice dropping into a mockingly serious tone. " But hey, I’ve got to keep you on your toes, don’t I? If I suddenly start being all... sincere and nice, it’d be no fun for anyone. Wouldn’t want to be boring now, would I? "

Black Sapphire’s gaze narrowed, but he didn’t move. " Master Shadow Milk Cookie, this isn't like you. You don’t allow redemption. If this is some kind of trick— "

" Relax, Sapphire, " Shadow Milk interrupted, holding up a hand in mock surrender. " I didn’t say I’m going to like it. But I’m at least trying , alright? " He shot a look at Pure Vanilla, his eyes betraying something more sincere than his words.

" You’ve been persistent, Vanilly. And maybe, just maybe, I’m curious to see if this whole ' redeeming ' thing works. Who knows, maybe I’ll surprise myself. "

The words were more fragile than his usual bravado, as if he was walking a thin line between old habits and something unfamiliar. For a moment, his usual playful mask faltered, revealing something deeper—something that didn’t quite match the chaotic energy he tried so hard to maintain.

Candy Apple opened her mouth to protest, but Pure Vanilla’s voice stopped her. " We all make choices, Shadow Milk, " Pure Vanilla said softly, stepping forward with calm determination.

" This doesn’t have to be a game. If you want to change, we’re here for you. But it’s up to you to decide how far you’re willing to go. "

Shadow Milk’s grin wavered just slightly, the tension thickening in the air as the room waited in silence. Then, with a swift motion, he flicked the jester’s hat away, his eyes narrowing with a mix of mischief and something darker.

" Yeah, well, " he said with a half-smirk, " let’s see how long I can keep up this ‘good cookie’ act. I’m already bored of the idea of being all serious and helpful . " His tone was light, but it wasn’t the usual playful lilt—it was more tinged with something else. Something uncertain.

“ Let’s be best buds, Vanilly. I can feel a friendship beginning to flourish DEEP within my dough. It might even go deeper, time can only tell. “ And just like that, the tension in the room snapped again, leaving everyone unsure of what came next.

The Beast of Deceit was still the same in many ways—but for once, even he wasn’t entirely sure where his own path would lead.

Chapter Text

The sounds of shoes tapping against the dark blue marble stairs echoed throughout the Spire of Knowledge, their footsteps gradually getting louder as they made their way down to the first level of the spire. 

The place that once felt like a prison of his own guilt for Pure Vanilla Cookie had turned into a place of familiarity, looking around at the ornate artwork and delicate decorations that adorned every surface. 

He couldn’t help but admire the way the soft light from the crystal chandeliers danced across the ancient stone walls, casting intricate shadows that seemed to whisper with the passage of time.

Though the Spire was once a place of torment, a reminder of the mistakes and burdens he carried, it now felt different. 

Calmer. As if the ghosts of his past were gradually fading into the background, no longer holding him in place. It wasn’t that they were gone, but the weight had definitely lessened. 

Every corner he passed now seemed to hold a memory, not of pain, but of growth, of acceptance, and of the friends who had helped him along the way.

The others followed behind him in varied silence. GingerBrave was talking about what White Lily Cookie might’ve been doing while they were gone back at the Faerie Kingdom with Strawberry Cookie, while Wizard Cookie’s eyes were scanning every corner for magical relics, his mind constantly working on the possibilities the spire held. 

Shadow Milk hovered alongside Pure Vanilla, his legs already feeling like they were going to crumble off due to the vast amount of turns and flights of stairs they’ve taken. It was supprising to most and if not all of them. 

The Beast of Deceit, normally so smooth and effortless in his movements, now appeared to be almost. . exhausted? For once, his exaggerated swagger was gone, replaced by a slight slump as he dragged his feet, muttering under his breath.

It didn’t make it any better with how he had practically used up a large sum of his power during his fights with Pure Vanilla, causing the Beast of Deceit to be even more fatigued.

“ Ugh. . Why did I make this place so ridiculously big? " he grumbled, his voice dripping with exasperation. " I could’ve just used one or two flights of stairs. But, noo! I had to go all out with this endless maze. ” 

He dramatically lifted a hand toward the towering walls as if the structure itself was the source of his pain. “ Who needs all this fancy design anyway? I should’ve just thrown in a few ladders and called it a day! ”

His complaints echoed around them, causing GingerBrave and his friends to look at the cookie’s hair in confusion.  It wasn’t the usual sharp, devious laughter they were accustomed to. No, it was a bizarre sight. 

For a moment, the Beast of Deceit seemed like nothing more than a tired, grumpy cookie, complaining about the mundane inconvenience of a grand structure he’d created.

His ridiculous antics and twisted humor were still there, but this new version of Shadow Milk Cookie left them in a strange kind of pause.

Hell, the beast had been even more of a loose cannon ever since he had accepted Pure Vanilla Cookie’s request of being redeemed. 

“ Just. . give me a break, ” Shadow Milk muttered, more to himself than anyone else. His grin, usually so wicked and teasing, was noticeably absent, replaced by an almost pouty scroll, his light blue teeth being visible. 

Pure Vanilla noticed the change in Shadow Milk’s demeanor, but he said nothing. He simply continued along the path toward the main floor of the spire, his steps steady and composed. 

The others were still caught in the awkward tension, unsure whether to engage or to let the Beast of Deceit stew in his frustration. Even Black Sapphire and Candy Apple, usually so quick to jump in with snark or an order, remained silent for once.

For Shadow Milk, this quiet, almost subdued version of himself felt foreign. He was used to being the unpredictable storm in the room, the joker who stirred chaos for the sake of amusement. 

Now, with this strange sense of vulnerability creeping into his movements, it was as if the pieces of his usual persona were crumbling away, one by one.

“ I never should’ve agreed to this redemption nonsense, ” Shadow Milk continued, his words almost to himself, though he could feel the eyes of everyone around him. “ Not only does it require me to act all decent, but it’s just so boring. I’m starting to understand why Burning Spice— ” His speech grew into undecipherable grumbles.

His voice, though still dripping with that signature edge of sarcasm, lacked its usual bite. The beast was restless, a prisoner to his own transformation—still unable to fully embrace the concept of change but also clearly conflicted about pushing it away. 

His scowl turned into an aggravated frown when he felt the gaze of three cookies—GingerBrave, Strawberry Cookie, and Wizard Cookie—burning into the back of his head. The weight of their stares made him even more irritable.

His pace had slowed down, causing Pure Vanilla to slow his pace down as well, opening his eyes so he could try and catch a faint glimpse of what could’ve agitated the Beast Cookie. 

As GingerBrave stared at Shadow Milk’s long blue hair, he had begun to notice that the middle of one of the split tendrils that he considered as hair was beginning to have a portal form on its jelly surface, flickering slightly before a large blue eye appeared. 

The eye was identical to one of the eyes that decorated the inside of his hair, but they never knew he could add more onto the rest of it. However, the things this cookie did would always manage to surprise everyone. 

The eye blinked once, twice, as if it were studying the group, before it slowly began to open wider, revealing a deep, glowing abyss that seemed to pulse with a life of its own. The sight was both mesmerizing and unsettling, casting an eerie glow on the walls of the spire.

“ Got a staring problem back there or something? “

Shadow Milk’s voice cut through the air like a blade, dripping with amusement but carrying an unmistakable edge of irritation. 

The eye blinked once more, its eerie glow casting shifting shadows on the floor as it focused directly on GingerBrave, Strawberry Cookie, and Wizard Cookie—who all flinched at the same time.

GingerBrave took an instinctive step back, holding up his hands. “ Uh, no! No problem at all! ”

“ Oh really? ” Shadow Milk drawled, his usual grin creeping back onto his face. “ Because from the way you three were boring holes into the back of my head, I had to assume you wanted a closer look. ”

The eye widened comically, tilting slightly as if it were raising an eyebrow at them. Wizard Cookie adjusted his glasses, looking both intrigued and horrified. “ That. . that wasn’t there before. ”

“ We got a smart one out in the audience, don’t we? ” Shadow Milk was obviously being sarcastic, slightly amused at the brave cookie’s observation, crossing his arms. “ But since you all couldn’t keep your little eyes to yourselves, I figured I’d return the favor. Fair’s fair, right? ” He chuckled darkly, his sharp teeth glinting in the dim light of the spire.

Strawberry Cookie hid behind GingerBrave, peeking out nervously. “ Can. . can you make it go away? ” Before Shadow Milk Cookie could taunt and tease the group of low-level cookies, Pure Vanilla had chosen to finally step in and address the situation with a calm but firm voice. 

His soft footsteps were almost drowned out by the lingering tension in the air as he gently placed a hand on Shadow Milk’s shoulder, pulling his attention away from the teasing.

“ Shadow Milk Cookie, that’s enough, ” Pure Vanilla said, his tone both soothing and commanding, a reminder of the leadership he had regained in recent days.

Shadow Milk’s eyes flickered briefly toward Pure Vanilla, the playful malice fading for just a moment. There was something almost vulnerable in his gaze, as though Pure Vanilla’s presence was both a comfort and a reminder of the changes he was resisting. 

As much as he wanted to rebel, he couldn’t help but let the brief moment of calmness settle within him. With a dramatic sigh, Shadow Milk waved his hand, causing the eye to disappear with a quick flick of his wrist.

“ Geez, fine. But I don’t see why we can’t just teleport out of here already, ” Shadow Milk grumbled, his voice tinged with frustration. “ You all are walking so slowly. I could just zap us straight to the Faerie Kingdom, save us all a ton of time, and maybe I wouldn’t have to keep trudging up and down these ridiculously long stairs. Just think about it! A nice, quick hop, and we’re done with this entire trek. ”

GingerBrave, still a little wary of Shadow Milk’s unpredictable mood swings, glanced nervously at the others while Wizard Cookie muttered something about never trusting anything that could ‘ zap ‘ you out of sight.

But Pure Vanilla, who had been walking quietly beside Shadow Milk, suddenly halted. He turned slightly, locking eyes with the Beast of Deceit. His gaze was calm, steady—almost too steady, but there was a firmness in it that brooked no argument.

“ You’re not teleporting anyone anywhere, ” Pure Vanilla said, his voice even but firm. “ You’ve already used up a large portion of your magic fighting me, Shadow Milk. And I know you’re still trying to hold onto whatever energy you have left. Trying to teleport us all like that could drain you even further, and then what? We’d be stuck in the middle of nowhere with you on the brink of collapse. ”

Shadow Milk's playful grin faltered for a moment. His eyes narrowed, and the usual cocky swagger was missing as his irritation flared. “ Come on, you know the answer to that. . ”

Pure Vanilla shook his head, his calm expression unwavering. “ No, i don’t. You’re not invincible. And I’m not about to let you exhaust yourself any further just because you’re impatient. ”

Shadow Milk opened his mouth to retort, but his words caught in his throat as he realized the truth behind Pure Vanilla’s words. There was no denying it. 

He was already stretched thin, and he had been using his energy recklessly ever since the fight with Pure Vanilla. Even the strange eye on the back of his head, which had been flickering ominously, was another sign that his powers were unstable—stretching the limits of what he could control.

“ Fine, ” Shadow Milk muttered, his usual defiance now softened by a hint of reluctant agreement. His arms crossed tightly over his chest, but his pout was almost comically exaggerated. 

“ You always have to be the responsible one, don’t you? Ruining all my fun. “ He glanced sideways at Pure Vanilla, his sharp grin returning, but there was a hint of something else lurking behind his eyes—something just a little softer than usual.

Pure Vanilla couldn’t help but chuckle softly at Shadow Milk's antics, though the amusement in his eyes was tempered by the concern he felt. “ I’m just trying to keep you from collapsing in front of us. I’m sure your fun would be a lot less fun if you were face-first in the dirt. ”

“ Oh please, ” Shadow Milk scoffed, dramatically rolling his eyes. “ I’d be fine! I’ve always been fine! I can handle a little exhaustion. Just like I can handle you, Vanilly. ”

Pure Vanilla raised an eyebrow, the faintest trace of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “ And yet, here you are, complaining about stairs. . ”

Shadow Milk’s eyes narrowed, but there was a brief flicker of something that looked almost like embarrassment—or maybe it was irritation at being so carefully watched. 

“ It’s just. . so boring, ” he grumbled, looking away and kicking a pebble down the stairs in frustration. “ If I had the energy, I’d drag us all straight there in a matter of seconds. But noooo, you’ve got to play the hero again. ”

“ I’m not playing anything, Shadow Milk, ” Pure Vanilla replied, his voice gentle but still firm. “ I’m just looking out for you. For all of us. ”

The Beast of Deceit scoffed, trying to wave off the sentiment, but there was no denying the slight softness in his expression. He hated it. Hated feeling vulnerable, hated being cared for, even if it was just a little. 

But damn it, he couldn’t quite stop the way Pure Vanilla’s calm words seemed to settle deep in his chest, where he didn’t want them.

“ You’re impossible, ” Shadow Milk muttered, his hand gripping his staff harder in frustration. “ Why do you always do this? You just have to be the one with all the answers, huh? ”

“ Like i’ve mentioned previously, I’m not trying to be the answer to everything, ” Pure Vanilla said, his voice warmer now, though still carrying that steady authority. He turned to face Shadow Milk fully, his gaze softening just a bit. “ I just care about you. I want you to be okay. Even if you can’t admit it. ”

Shadow Milk’s eyes widened for just a split second, and for once, his usual sharp wit faltered. “ Oh, come on, ” he sneered, his voice more defensive than he intended. “ I’m fine, alright? Don’t go getting all sappy on me now. I’ve got enough feelings from the last few fights to last a lifetime. ”

This comment made Black Sapphire and Candy Apple Cookie exchange quick glances, their expressions contrasting sharply. While Black Sapphire’s lips twitched upward, clearly amused by the whole scene, Candy Apple was visibly bristling, her face twisted in a mixture of jealousy and discomfort.

“ What does he mean by that?! ” Candy Apple whined, her voice high-pitched with irritation. “ Why does he get all the attention? It’s always Vanilla this and Vanilla that! Does he not see how hard I work for him? Why is it always him that gets to— ”

Before Candy Apple could finish her tirade, Black Sapphire quickly placed a hand over her mouth, his cold eyes locking onto her. The warning was clear: speak out of turn again, and there’d be consequences.

“ I suggest you keep quiet before you manage to get yourself into any more trouble. ” Black Sapphire hissed in a low, controlled tone, his grip firm on Candy Apple’s mouth. She could already feel the tension in the air shift, knowing that Shadow Milk was not someone to anger. 

The last thing either of them needed was to give their master a reason to take out his frustrations on them.

Candy Apple struggled briefly but quickly realized she wasn’t going to win this fight. She pouted, her eyes flashing with annoyance, but she stayed silent. Black Sapphire shot her a pointed glare before releasing his hold, making sure his presence didn’t draw any more attention.

Shadow Milk, who had been looking away in his typical way of avoiding the attention that Pure Vanilla’s calm words seemed to draw, now turned his head to notice the two servants’ silent exchange. His sharp eyes flicked briefly to Candy Apple, his lips curling into that familiar, sadistic grin.

“ Is there something you'd like to add, Candy Apple Cookie? ” Shadow Milk’s voice was smooth, almost playful, but there was an edge of warning underneath. 

Candy Apple quickly glanced at Black Sapphire, her face flushed with embarrassment. “ N-no, Master! ” she stammered, avoiding eye contact with the Beast of Deceit. “ Nothing at all. ”

“ Good. ” Shadow Milk returned his gaze to Pure Vanilla, his tone sharp again, as if he hadn’t just been momentarily rattled. “ Now, where were we? ”

Black Sapphire simply raised an eyebrow, amused by the sudden shift in mood, but said nothing. The tension was thick, but now it was a dangerous game. 

Even if the others weren’t paying attention, he knew they had to keep things from spiraling out of control—especially with their master so clearly agitated.

Pure Vanilla, sensing the slight disturbance, glanced toward Shadow Milk, his eyes unreadable. He didn’t let the brief interruption deter him, though the tension between the cookies was thick enough to cut through.

“ If you're quite finished, ” Pure Vanilla said softly, his gaze flicking between Candy Apple and Shadow Milk, “ we should continue. The Spire’s a long walk, and we have a lot ahead of us. ”

Shadow Milk didn’t answer immediately, but his lips twitched at the corners in a sardonic smirk, clearly ready to pick up where they’d left off—but for now, he held back, his focus still very much on Pure Vanilla.

The room grew quiet again, but that strange undercurrent of unspoken words lingered in the air.

Black Sapphire, meanwhile, couldn’t help but wonder just how long this game between Pure Vanilla and her master would continue and how long she’d have to keep Candy Apple in check.

Candy Apple couldn't help but glare at Pure Vanilla Cookie, causing GingerBrave and his friends to look at her. With them not having a good history with the false faerie down to her act of disrespect to one of their friends, they weren’t as happy.

Pure Vanilla raised an eyebrow, noticing Candy Apple’s glare. He didn’t need to ask to know that it was directed at him, but he chose to ignore it for the moment. Instead, he turned his attention back to Shadow Milk, who was clearly enjoying the chaos.

The grin on Shadow Milk’s face remained, but there was something more hidden beneath the usual teasing—something that hinted at a deeper, more complicated emotion.

The way Shadow Milk's tone shifted from sarcastic to playful made it almost impossible to tell if he was truly annoyed or just playing along. But Pure Vanilla knew better. He could see through the façade.

Candy Apple, still fuming in silence, couldn’t stop glaring at Pure Vanilla. Her jealousy was palpable, but she quickly hid it when she noticed GingerBrave and the others looking in her direction. 

She wasn’t about to let them see how much this bothered her—especially not in front of him. She turned her head, pointing her attention to Pure Vanilla’s group of friends, her arms crossed.

“ Ugh, really? Why does it always have to be you two? ” Candy Apple Cookie whined, her voice whiny and dripping with frustration as she glared at Pure Vanilla and Shadow Milk. 

“ It’s always you and him together. .why does he always get all the attention? I’m the one who’s supposed to be by your side, Master! ” She threw her arms out dramatically, pouting and looking up at Shadow Milk as if expecting some kind of validation.

Black Sapphire’s grip on his radio staff tightened, his sly expression changed into one of annoyance, understanding that he couldn’t stop Candy Apple from saying something that would get them both in trouble.

She shuffled closer to him, her bright red eyes practically sparkling with admiration and affection. “ You know you’re the only one who really matters, right? I mean, who else could possibly handle you like I do? I’m your best servant, your most loyal follower. Just look at me, Shadow Milk! ” She fluttered her eyelashes at him, a love-dopey grin plastered on her face, clearly lost in her own admiration.

Shadow Milk Cookie, visibly irritated, clenched his teeth, his usual smirk twisting into a grimace. " Eh—this again? " His patience was clearly running thin, but he couldn’t help the tiny bit of amusement in his eyes as he glanced at her. The over-the-top dramatics weren’t exactly unexpected from her, and part of him found it. . almost endearing.

Candy Apple, undeterred, continued, “ You know I’m always here for you, Master. I could never leave your side, not for a second. ” She batted her lashes again, practically sparkling with affection as she gazed adoringly up at him, completely oblivious to the others around her.

Shadow Milk’s eye twitched in annoyance. He was so done with this, and if there was one thing he knew could shut her up, it was a little bit of his usual antics. He raised his hand dramatically, giving Candy Apple the attention she craved for all the wrong reasons.

" Yeah. . Let’s just— “ Shadow Milk sighed, clapping his hands sharply. The sound echoed in the room, and in an instant, Candy Apple froze, her form glowing briefly before she was sucked back into her card with a pop. The card floated in mid-air, its edges glowing faintly with magic.

The entire room fell into an awkward silence before a figure stepped forward, a calm yet somewhat theatrical sigh escaping their lips. Black Sapphire Cookie, standing at the perfect angle to catch the card, held out his hand, effortlessly snatching it midair.

He gazed at the card in his hand, clearly exasperated. “ Master, must you always make such a show of things? ” he sighed dramatically, the weight of his sigh feeling almost like a grand performance. He glanced up at Shadow Milk with a raised brow, waiting for him to respond, though her tone wasn’t angry—it was just the sort of resigned, almost amused annoyance that came from working under him for so long.

Shadow Milk merely shrugged, unfazed by the drama. “ What can I say? It’s the price you pay for having me around. Not my fault if she doesn’t know when to zip it. ” He ran a hand through his hair, turning his gaze to Pure Vanilla briefly, then back to Black Sapphire. “ She’ll be fine in there for a while, by the way. You know, cause my powers are all iffy. “ 

The purple-toned cookie knew that wasn’t fully the case. He just didn’t want to deal with Candy Apple’s constant mission to try and please him, especially with what he had on his plate at the current moment.

Black Sapphire shook his head slightly, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “ Of course, Master, ” he muttered dryly. His voice softened as he added, “ Just. . try not to break her next time. I’m the one who’s got to deal with her after all. ”

“ I’ll try, ” Shadow Milk said, his voice turning teasing as he looked at Pure Vanilla. “ But no promises, alright? ” He then sent a mischievous smirk Pure Vanilla’s way, still playfully defiant, though a bit of the tension from their earlier exchange seemed to have eased. Candy Apple’s whiny voice still echoed faintly from the card, but it was muffled and distant now.

At least for the moment, the atmosphere had shifted back into their usual dynamic—one that teetered between chaos and strange affection.

Within the span of a couple of minutes, the group finally made it to the main floor of the spire. The eerie glow of the structure cast long, distorted shadows on the walls, and for once, there was a moment of relative quiet.

Shadow Milk had managed to keep up with his usual bravado for most of the journey, but the second his boots touched solid ground, he wobbled. His usual smug posture faltered, and without much of a warning, his body gave in.

With a dramatic groan, he muttered, “ Go. . figure, ” before his knees buckled, and he crumpled forward.

Black Sapphire, who had already been keeping an eye on him, reacted instantly. He moved swiftly, catching him just before he hit the floor. “  Master, you really do overdo it, ” he said, his voice somewhere between exasperation and amusement as she held him upright.

As Shadow Milk sagged against him, his weight heavier than expected due to sheer exhaustion, he clicked his tongue. “ You can be. .ridiculous sometimes, Master.  ” Despite the complaint, there was a softness to his words, as if he was used to this. Black Sapphire supported him with ease, though it was clear even he wasn’t thrilled about carrying him for long.

And then, because things always had to be inconvenient, Candy Apple’s card twitched. A faint glowing pulse rippled across its surface before, with a loud pop, the red-suited cookie burst out of it, landing on her feet with a flourish.

The second she saw Shadow Milk unconscious, her eyes widened, and she let out the most dramatic gasp. 

“ MASTER! ”  she shrieked, throwing herself toward him as if he’d just been struck down in the middle of battle. “ This can’t be happening! My beloved, my powerful, my undefeatable Master—oh, how cruel fate is to take you from me like this! ”

She was already mid-swoon, ready to drape herself over him, when Black Sapphire smoothly stepped to the side, letting Candy Apple crash onto the ground with an unceremonious thud.

She groaned, rubbing her head. “ Owww! That was so uncalled for! ”

Black Sapphire only let out a dramatic sigh, adjusting the cuffs of his sleeves before glancing at Pure Vanilla. “ Would you mind carrying him? I think it's best if i keep. . you know occupied before she manages to get herself into anymore trouble " He asked, shifting Shadow Milk slightly so that he was easier to carry.

Pure Vanilla, who had already stepped forward the moment Shadow Milk had collapsed, nodded without hesitation. “ I’ve got him. ”

Black Sapphire let go, and in one smooth motion, Pure Vanilla caught the unconscious beast in his arms. Shadow Milk’s head lolled slightly, his hair spilling over Pure Vanilla’s shoulder, his expression eerily peaceful despite everything.

“ Seriously? ” Wizard Cookie mumbled, adjusting his scarf as he watched the scene unfold. “ We’re just letting this happen? ”

GingerBrave, looking equally stunned, just sighed. “ At this point? Yeah. We are. ”

Black Sapphire exhaled sharply through his nose, tilting his head back in exasperation. “ Candy Apple, ” he started, his voice slow and deliberate, “ For the record, I would love to let you handle this, truly. But do you remember the last time Master was even slightly off-balance?  ”

Candy Apple’s pout deepened, her eyes darting away. “ . . That was one time. ”

“ One time too many, ” Black Sapphire muttered, rubbing his temple. “ I’m not catching him again because you got too excited and tripped over your own feet. ”

Pure Vanilla, meanwhile, adjusted his grip on Shadow Milk, making sure the exhausted beast wasn’t jostled too much. Shadow Milk, still slumped in his arms, let out a faint groan, his usual sharp wit dulled by exhaustion.

“ Y’know, ” he muttered weakly, looking up at Pure Vanilla Cookie with a dopey smile, “ I should be making some kind of snarky comment right now. . . but I’m just gonna. . ” His sentence trailed off as his head lolled slightly against Pure Vanilla’s shoulder.

Pure Vanilla sighed, his golden glow getting brighter around him, “ That’s a first. ”

Candy Apple, still fuming, stomped over and pointed a dramatic finger at Pure Vanilla. “ Fine! But only for now! ” she huffed. “ I will personally make sure Master Shadow Milk Cookie is properly pampered when he wakes up! ”

“ Sure you will, ” Black Sapphire said dryly, already flicking the queen card that Shadow Milk has used on Candy Apple Cookie back into his grasp just in case he needed to shove her inside it again.

Chapter Text

“ And this should be it. . "

“ Thank, Vanilla! My legs felt like they were going to crumble off. . " 

The voices faded in and out of Shadow Milk’s awareness, distant yet familiar. He wasn’t sure how long he had been out, but the lingering weight of exhaustion made it clear he hadn’t been down for just a few seconds.

The last thing he remembered was forcing Candy Apple back into her card and overusing his power.

Again.

With a low groan, he stirred slightly, his body unwilling to cooperate with him just yet. There was warmth around and beneath him, steady and grounding.

The Beast of Deceit groaned, shifting a bit in the hold whatever cookie had him in. It didn’t take him long to realize what was happening. He wasn’t on the floor: He was being carried.

He blinked slowly, the pieces of his awareness clicking into place. The warmth surrounding him was familiar, making it know to him that it was Pure Vanilla who was carrying him.

He wasn’t sure why, but it felt strangely comforting. And for once, he didn’t resist. Without thinking, he pressed his face into Pure Vanilla’s robe, snuggling closer to his chest, seeking comfort without even realizing it.

Pure Vanilla paused for a moment, a slight shift in his posture as he felt the unexpected weight of Shadow Milk’s actions.

For a split second, he wondered if he should say something, but the Beast of Deceit didn’t pull away and instead just seemed content in his arms.

The silence between them stretched a little longer, a quiet but significant moment hanging in the air.

Before anything else could happen, multiple pairs of footsteps came from behind the group. A soft rustle of armor caught his attention first, followed by the distinct clink of metal.

He wasn’t sure whether it was the intrusion of unfamiliar company or the sudden closeness of Shadow Milk still nestled against him that caused the shift in his demeanor.

Regardless, Pure Vanilla Cookie instinctively tightened his grip, his gaze shifting just enough to ensure the safety of his group, especially as he noticed the figures coming toward them.

Silverbell Cookie stepped forward first, his silver hair gleaming faintly in the dim light of the Faerie Kingdom. His usually wide eyes were narrowed, the usual serenity of his expression replaced with an unreadable tension as he took in the sight of the Beast of Deceit cradled in Pure Vanilla’s arms. 

He didn’t seem to acknowledge Shadow Milk’s presence just yet, his focus entirely on Pure Vanilla.

“ Pure Vanilla Cookie, ” Silverbell’s voice rang out, calm yet sharp. He kept his distance, though the subtle way he studied the Beast of Deceit was enough to make it clear how much his suspicions weighed on her. “ It’s good to see you back, but. .  what is he doing here? ”

Mercurial Knight Cookie, always one to follow Silverbell’s lead, stepped in right behind him, his imposing figure cutting a stark contrast to the softer, more delicate Faerie Cookies.

His armor gleamed with a cold, silvery hue. Still, his piercing eyes locked onto Shadow Milk with undisguised disdain.

“ After everything he’s done. After what he took from us? ” Mercurial Knight Cookie’s voice carried a subtle but unmistakable anger, his eyes never leaving the prone figure of Shadow Milk Cookie. “ How can you let him so close? ”

Two random Knight Cookies followed in their wake, each looking equally wary. One had his hand on the hilt of his sword, his posture tense as he looked between the group and the Beast of Deceit.

The other glanced around nervously, seemingly unsure of how to act around such a powerful presence.

Despite the quiet judgment in the air, the tension of the moment remained heavy. However, before Mercurial Knight could make any more cutting remarks, a low, drawn-out sigh escaped from the so-called unconscious Cookie.

" Awww, I was enjoying the warmth too. . " Shadow Milk Cookie's voice dripped with amusement as he shifted in Pure Vanilla’s arms, a lazy smirk tugging at his lips. He didn't even bother opening his eyes at first, just tilting his head slightly as if savoring the moment.

" But you all just had to go and start shouting. Sooo inconsiderate. .  " He finally cracked one eye open, its cyan glow flickering like a candle in the dark, locking onto Mercurial Knight with mock sympathy.

" Holding grudges like that will give you wrinkles, y’know, " he teased, voice laced with a twisted sort of glee.

" Oh, wait— do cookies even get wrinkles? Someone should definitely test that theory. " His blue-toothed grin widened, daring any of the faerie cookies to snap at him.

Mercurial Knight Cookie’s grip on his weapon tightened, a barely restrained fury simmering beneath his armor. Silverbell Cookie, standing firm beside him, crossed his arms, his icy blue eyes locked onto the Beast of Deceit.

" You have no right to joke about what you've done, " Silverbell said coldly, his voice a stark contrast to Shadow Milk’s taunting tone. " Elder Faerie Cookie is gone because of you. You took control of all the cookies within this kingdom like it was some. . joke. And now, you have the audacity to waltz back here as if nothing happened? "

" Waltzing? " Shadow Milk mused, feigning deep thought. " I wouldn’t say I waltzed. More like.. . escaped, actually. " He patted Pure Vanilla’s shoulder with an exaggerated display of gratitude. " Courtesy of this kind soul. What a guy, huh? "

" Do not mock him. "

" Oh, lighten up! " Shadow Milk drawled, finally opening both eyes fully, their eerie glow reflecting in the knight’s armor. " I could be making things so much worse for you. But look at me—so well-behaved! Just resting in the arms of our dear little Light of Truth. It’s almost poetic, really. . "

Silverbell’s lips pressed into a thin line, his patience visibly wearing thin. Mercurial Knight took a step forward, his posture screaming barely contained aggression.

" Enough of this— "

" Enough indeed, " a smooth yet sharper voice interjected.

Black Sapphire Cookie strode into the conversation, his piercing, gemstone-like eyes scanning the knights with something between distaste and amusement.

" I would have thought the great knights of the Faerie Kingdom had more pressing matters than harassing an exhausted Cookie, " he said coolly, adjusting the cuff of his onyx black suit. " Or does honor only apply when it’s convenient for you? "

" You— " Silverbell’s eyes darkened in recognition, as did Mercurial Knight’s.

" Apple Faerie and Acai Faerie Cookie. . " one of the Knight Cookies whispered, shocked at the altered appearances of two of the cookies they were once connected with—Black Sapphire and Candy Apple—were nothing short of startling.

The two cookies had Pure Vanilla practically squished up as they stood next to him, causing Shadow Milk Cookie in the Ancient’s hold to snicker, his expression tainted with sadistic pleasure from this ordeal that he’s caused.

One of the random Knight Cookies, his eyes wide with shock, whispered to his companion, “ I can’t believe they’ve really. . joined him. ”

Black Sapphire’s smirk deepened as he heard the murmurs. “ Well, what did you expect? ” He flicked a nonchalant hand, brushing off the shock as if it was nothing more than a passing breeze. 

“ Did you really think we would remain in your kingdom of delusion? You all are quite pathetic if you think we’d just stay behind for your comfort. ” His voice held a mocking edge, as though he found the very idea laughable.

Candy Apple, standing beside him with her arms crossed, let out a dramatic sigh. “ Ugh, why are they so serious all the time? It’s honestly exhausting. ” She rolled her eyes, her voice dripping with exaggerated sweetness as she added,

“ You’d think a few dramatic speeches would be enough to get people on your side. But no! It’s all ‘ how could you join him? ’ and ‘ don’t you remember what he’s done to Cookiekind? ‘’ Blah, blah, blah. ”

She turned to Black Sapphire, pouting. “ Why does everyone have to be so grumpy? They’re no fun. ”

Shadow Milk Cookie, still relaxed in Pure Vanilla’s hold, his lips curled up in sadistic amusement as he basked in the chaos he had inadvertently caused. “ Oh, they just love making a scene, don’t they? ” he said, his tone a blend of mockery and satisfaction.

“ Makes things so much more interesting for me. ” He chuckled, half in jest, though the malicious undertones that laced behind his voice hinted at the true enjoyment he got from seeing the knights' anger.

As Candy Apple continued to whine about the knights’ accusations, Black Sapphire’s taunts grew sharper, more biting. “ What’s the matter? Feeling a bit too honorable for your own good? Don’t you see? You’re all still clinging to an old, broken story. It’s pathetic. ” His voice dropped low as he slowly stepped closer to Silverbell. 

“ You never really understood the bigger picture, did you, Silverbell? All that pomp, all that pretense. .  it’s all so tragically unnecessary when you’ve already lost. But don’t worry, you’ll catch up eventually. ”

Silverbell’s face flushed, his hand gripping his silverware-crafted bow so tightly his knuckles turned white. “ You insolent — ”

Before the situation could escalate further, GingerBrave, his expression tight with frustration, stepped between them, holding up a hand to stop them all from continuing. “ Enough! ” His voice rang out sharply, cutting through the mounting tension. “ This has gone on long enough! ”

Strawberry Cookie, always the one to avoid conflict but unable to stay silent, looked at the Knight Cookies and then at the group, nervously clutching her lollipop. “ W-We need to focus on getting to White Lily. All of this isn’t helping . ”

Wizard Cookie, rolling his eyes in exasperation, sighed. “ Honestly, the amount of petty arguing in this group is insane. ” He crossed his arms, his irritation palpable. “ We haven’t been in this place for an hour, and you’ve already managed to get into a full-blown argument. Can we please just move past this and focus on what actually matters? ”

The cookie’s sudden comment caused Black Sapphire and Candy Apple Cookie to look back at the wizard, both of their expressions less than pleased to say the least, causing Wizard Cookie’s grip on his candy staff to shake.

Before anyone of them could cause the situation to escalate any further, Pure Vanilla, who had been watching the situation carefully, finally spoke up, his voice calm but firm. 

“ We need to focus on what’s ahead. Arguing won’t change the past, ” he said, his yellow and blue eyes meeting each of their gazes with a quiet intensity. The weight of his words settled in the air, the tension beginning to dissipate just a little.

Black Sapphire’s smirk didn’t falter, but there was a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. He looked at Pure Vanilla for a long beat before letting out a soft, almost theatrical sigh. " Just when it was about to get good and dramatic. "

He tilted his head slightly, still holding the same distant amusement, though his voice softened. “ I do suppose we should get going, shouldn’t we? ” Black Sapphire’s voice was smooth, but there was an undercurrent of mockery in it.

With that, both Candy Apple and Black Sapphire backed away from Pure Vanilla’s side, causing Shadow Milk to shift in the cookie’s grip. Pure Vanilla took a steady breath, his eyes scanning the group before settling on the knights. He then spoke again, his tone firm and calm despite the lingering tension.

" Now that we’ve. . . gotten this out of the way, we must move forward, " he said, his voice carrying the quiet authority he was known for. His yellow and blue eyes softened as they rested on the knights.

" Please, take us to where White Lily Cookie is. Time is of the essence. " There was a subtle but undeniable urgency in his words.

The knights exchanged glances, clearly still uneasy about the presence of Shadow Milk in the group, but their loyalty to Pure Vanilla remained steadfast. Mercurial Knight was the first to speak, his voice steady but clearly laced with a hint of skepticism.

“ Very well, ” he said, giving a small nod. “ But don’t think this means we trust him, " he added, motioning toward Shadow Milk with a pointed look. " We'll take you to White Lily, even with the situation remains being tense. ”

Silverbell, who had been holding his silence throughout the exchange, let out a quiet sigh of resignation. " It is best to get this over with, " he muttered under his breath, his gaze briefly flicking towards the prone form of Shadow Milk. " I’ll guide you. "

Shadow Milk, still draped in Pure Vanilla’s arms, shifted slightly, almost as if he were too lazy to do anything but bask in the attention. His half-lidded eyes focused on the knights for a moment, a faint chuckle escaping his lips.

" Oh, don’t worry about me. I’m not going anywhere. " His voice was light, dripping with playful sarcasm. " I’ll just hang out here. . relaxing. "

Just like that, the group was being led by Silverbell and Mercurial Knight Cookie toward wherever White Lily Cookie was at within the Silver Kingdom, the tension in the air being extremely thick.

However, nobody in the group, other than Pure Vanilla, took note of how the Beast of Deceit wasn’t the one primarily doing the taunting.

It was his assistants rather than himself this time. He just laid in Pure Vanilla’s grasp that entire time, something that could be considered as progress for the Beast Cookie.

In the center of the garden, amongst the flowers and gently swaying trees, stood White Lily Cookie. Her tall, elegant form was a stark contrast to the wildness of the blooms around her.

Her long, flowing hair cascaded down her back, white as snow, and her eyes were filled with a quiet wisdom that seemed to pierce through the chaos of the world. 

She was bent slightly over a set of plants, her fingers lightly grazing the petals as she muttered something under her breath, lost in her thoughts.

The Ancient Cookie hummed a soft, melodic tune, barely audible against the sounds of nature, as if finding solace in the quiet of the garden.

Her hands danced over the plants, tending to them with delicate care, but there was a stillness in her movements—an air of expectation that had settled over her. 

She had sensed them coming long before their arrival, but still, the moment they emerged from the shadows of the trees, she stood up straight, turning toward them.

When White Lily Cookie first saw Pure Vanilla, a quiet joy flickered in her expression. Her lips parted in a smile, though it was tinged with the same bittersweet emotion that had always lingered between them.

“ I knew you would return, Pure Vanilla Cookie, ” she said softly, her voice warm but filled with an unspoken weight, as if the years between them had stretched far longer than she would have liked. 

She took a few steps toward him, her long, flowing gown sweeping the ground, and her gaze softened as it rested on him. " It is good to see you again, " she added, her tone gentle, yet she made no move to approach him further.

But then, as her eyes traveled to the rest of the group, her gaze fell upon the figure in Pure Vanilla's arms—the one she hadn't expected to see.

Shadow Milk Cookie.

Her smile faltered, and her eyes widened in disbelief. For a moment, she froze, her hands stilling in midair, the flowers around her seemingly frozen as well.

She hadn’t anticipated this, hadn’t expected the Beast of Deceit to be among them. Certainly not like this—like it was nothing. No dramatic reveal and no grand confrontation. 

Just. . . there, casually draped in Pure Vanilla’s arms, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Though, he didn’t look exactly pleased to see her. She guessed the feeling was neutral.

Pure Vanilla seemed to notice White Lily’s sudden shift in demeanor, her shock palpable, and he gave a small, understanding nod.

He was aware of the tension that lingered in the air, but there was nothing that could be done to change the fact that Shadow Milk was now part of their uneasy alliance.

His gaze softened slightly, meeting White Lily’s wide eyes with quiet reassurance.

" I understand your surprise, " Pure Vanilla said gently, his voice steady yet laced with an underlying sorrow. " This situation is. . not what any of us imagined. However, there are things happening that we must face together, whether we like it or not. "

Shadow Milk, still lying in Pure Vanilla’s arms with his usual disinterested demeanor, slowly lifted his head. He cast a quick glance at White Lily, then leaned back against Pure Vanilla’s chest, as if to further emphasize the casualness of the moment.

His eyes were half-lidded, gleaming with that ever-present smugness, though there was a subtle shift in his expression—something faintly acknowledging White Lily’s shock.

" Ugh, " Shadow Milk Cookie groaned dramatically, letting out a long, drawn-out sigh as he pushed himself up in Pure Vanilla’s arms, looking less than thrilled.

" If I’d known I’d have to be in front of this. .  pest , I would've stayed back in that rotten tree. " He sneered, his voice dripping with mockery as he glanced at White Lily, clearly unimpressed by her presence.

White Lily’s expression immediately tightened at his words. Her eyes, once soft with greeting for Pure Vanilla, now hardened with controlled fury.

She stood tall, the elegant grace she carried with her only emphasizing the intensity of her stance. Her hands, which had been gently brushing against the flowers, now clenched at her sides as she regarded Shadow Milk with a sharp, piercing gaze.

" I see time has not changed your habits, " she said, her tone calm but carrying an edge. " Still resorting to insults like a child, refusing to address matters properly. "

Shadow Milk Cookie's smirk grew wider. " And I see time hasn’t changed yours either, " he retorted, his voice dripping with venom. " Still pretending to be all-knowing when we both know how that turned out for you. "

White Lily's grip on her staff tightened, the wooden shaft creaking under the pressure.

" This is not about me, " she said, her voice unwavering. " You stand before us now, not as a mere trickster, but as a harbinger of destruction. You do not belong here, not after everything you— "

" What I did? " Shadow Milk cut in, amusement flickering in his cyan eyes. He leaned forward slightly, an almost theatrical stance. " Oh no, no, no. You don’t get to pin that incident on me like I'm the only bad one in this. Not when you—oh, I don’t know—decided to tear apart the entirety of Earthbread as Dark Enchantress Cookie? "

White Lily's expression tightened, but she kept her composure, forcing her emotions to remain steady beneath the surface.

" You may twist my past against me, but I have made my peace with the choices I made, " she said, her voice quieter now, though still firm. " I faced the consequences of my actions. Can you say the same, Shadow Milk Cookie? "

He scoffed, his grin sharp and challenging. " Oh, spare me the self-righteous speech, " he said, waving a dismissive hand in the air. " You don’t get to pretend you’re above me just because you got to return all pure and shiny while I— "

" Enough! "

White Lily’s sharp, commanding tone made everyone flinch—Pure Vanilla, GingerBrave, Strawberry, and Wizard Cookie all exchanged uneasy glances. The atmosphere shifted, the tension in the air growing thick as the group collectively held their breath.

White Lily’s patience, which had been measured and steady, was finally beginning to crack. Her voice, once calm, now carried a barely contained frustration as she took a single step forward.

" You keep reusing the same insult like it's going to affect me after everything i've done to try and make myself feel better. " she said, her tone now cutting, each word precise. " You fail to see that I am standing before you because I believe in redemption. Even though what I've done has caused damage that can't be forgiven, at least I'm trying to get past it. "

For the briefest moment, Shadow Milk Cookie's expression faltered. It was a small flicker of hesitation, but White Lily saw it—a subtle shift beneath his veneer of arrogance.

A moment passed, then another. But then, Shadow Milk scoffed again, rolling his shoulders as if shrugging off the weight of her words.

" Redemption? " he echoed, mocking. " Really? Oh, that’s rich coming from you. "

She exhaled sharply, her patience waning. " I am not here to argue with you, Shadow Milk Cookie. "

" Oh, but I am, " he taunted, his grin widening as he leaned forward slightly. " Tell me, how does it feel to walk around in a body that isn’t really yours? How does it feel to know that deep down, no matter what you do, no matter how hard you try—you will always be Dark Enchantress Cookie? "

White Lily’s breath hitched, but she did not falter. The pain was there—beneath the surface—but she would not let him see it. " You are wrong, " she said quietly, her voice sharp but laced with sorrow. " I have chosen to move beyond my past. But you... " She took a step closer, her voice softening, " You are trapped in yours. "

A cold silence enveloped them. Shadow Milk’s grin remained, but his hands clenched at his sides, his eyes narrowing.

" Trapped in mine, huh? " Shadow Milk repeated, the mockery in his voice barely concealing a flicker of something deeper, something painful. He took a step closer, leaning in so his face was just inches from White Lily’s. His voice dropped to a low, dangerous tone. " You think you know me? You think you understand what it’s like to be bound to a past you can’t escape? "

For a moment, his gaze seemed to drift, as if something long-buried in his mind was trying to claw its way to the surface. But the moment passed in an instant, and his usual sadistic grin returned, twisting like a weapon.

" You don’t know anything about me, Guardian. You don’t know what it’s like to enjoy being trapped, to feed on the chaos, the deception. I’ve embraced who I am, who I’ve become. Why should I try to escape when the power I hold is so much more... fun? "

White Lily met his gaze, her own eyes unwavering. " Fun? " she repeated softly. " You call this fun? You call spreading pain, deceit, and fear fun? "

Shadow Milk’s eyes flashed, his grin sharpening like a blade. " What’s the difference, Guardian? " he retorted, his voice rising with mockery. " Pain, deceit, fear—these things bind the world together. They’re the fabric of everything you pretend to protect. People need them. I need them. "

He leaned back, throwing his hands out as if to encompass everything around them. " So what if it’s messy? So what if I’ve caused destruction? At least I’m honest about it. I don’t pretend to be something I’m not. That’s the difference between us, isn’t it? You hide behind your title, trying to convince yourself and everyone around you that you can fix things. But deep down, you know the truth. You can’t fix what’s broken—not anymore. "

White Lily’s breath was steady, though the weight of his words threatened to land a blow. She could feel her chest tighten, the memory of her past as Dark Enchantress Cookie creeping in like a shadow. But she held her ground. 

" And yet," she said, her voice growing quieter, " here you are, clinging to your own bitterness and hate, thinking it gives you strength. But all it’s doing is making you more hollow, more lost."

For a long moment, they stood in silence, the tension between them thick enough to be felt in the very air.

Shadow Milk’s expression shifted just slightly, his eyes darting away for a brief second, something flickering across his face. But before it could become anything, the moment was gone, replaced once again by the venomous sneer he wore so well. 

" I don't want to lecture you on what you've done, Shadow Milk, " White Lily continued, her voice firm and steady, though the edge of sorrow was still there. " But don't mistake my willingness to stand here for weakness. You may think you know what it’s like to be trapped, but you're wrong. You don't understand what it's like to fight for something, to believe in something, even when every part of you feels lost. "

However, before he could say anything that would try and come back at her, his mind blanked, skipping and repeating over what he had just said.

“ . . lecture you. “

Shadow Milk’s eyes narrowed further, the creeping sense of unease growing stronger. His mind raced, trying to push past the disorienting repetition.

The air around him thickened, buzzing with something he couldn't quite grasp, but it was as though the very fabric of the world had shifted in a way that unsettled him.

" Lecture me? " he muttered again, his voice quieter this time, almost to himself. His lips twitched into a twisted grin, but it didn't reach his eyes.

The confidence he usually wore like a second skin was slipping, replaced by an unsettling realization.

This was no coincidence.

He knew exactly why this one word kept echoing in his mind, looping endlessly. His body stiffened in Pure Vanilla’s grasp, causing him, as well as the others, to look at him in concern and confusion.

Shadow Milk Cookie’s once smug expression turned into a neutral one before turning down into a snarl.

A snarl that caused his hair to rise up in aggravation, his irises, always sharp, made themselves thinner than pinpricks.

He didn’t do ‘ lectures. '

He doesn’t do anything that’s even remotely associated with that godforsaken school.

That cursed academy that he should’ve never put his knowledge into and practically become the damn face of.

He wasn’t the Fount of Knowledge.

White Lily, noticing the shift in his demeanor, tilted her head slightly, her gaze never wavering from him.

She’d seen the way his expression had tightened, felt the way the air had changed as Shadow Milk began to visibly simmer under the surface. Her lips curved into a subtle, knowing smile.

" You know, " she began, her tone light but with an edge of something almost mocking, " I thought you might have learned something by now. But then again, I suppose some lessons are too hard for even you to grasp. "

Her words landed with a sharpness that cut through the tension, and in an instant, Shadow Milk's eyes snapped to her, his expression contorting into a glare of pure, seething irritation.

" You— " Shadow Milk hissed, his voice strained as if trying to hold back the venom that was bubbling under the surface. “ You think you can just. . talk down to me like you’ve got the answers? You don't know anything about me. I don't need your pity, your lectures—especially not from you. ”

Pure Vanilla, still holding him, felt the subtle shift in Shadow Milk’s demeanor and tightened his grip instinctively. The weight of the moment was starting to hit him too—this wasn’t just an argument anymore. There was something deeper, something old and unresolved, clashing in the air between the two of them.

" I don't pity you, " White Lily said softly, but her words rang with truth. " I see you, Shadow Milk. And I know that what you're hiding from yourself is eating you alive. "

The pause between them stretched, thick and suffocating, and for a moment, it looked like Shadow Milk might actually snap. His hands, clenched into fists, trembled slightly, but then, as if he were forcibly pushing something down, he chuckled—though it was hollow, more of a forced sound than anything genuine.

White Lily noticed the subtle flicker of hesitation in his eyes before it was masked again by that cold, venomous grin. She could feel the pressure building in the air, as though they were standing at the edge of something dangerous.

" You see me? " Shadow Milk sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. " You think you know me? You don't even know who I was—who I used to be. " His eyes flared with barely contained fury, but beneath it, something else simmered, something darker, something more fragile.

For a brief moment, White Lily's expression softened as she studied him, feeling something like sorrow settle deep in her chest. " You don’t have to hide behind that mask forever, " she said gently. " I know what it’s like to be someone you're not—to become someone you never intended to be. But you don’t have to stay that way. "

Shadow Milk's laughter cut through the air, loud and mocking. " And what would you know about it, hmm? You're the great redeemed one, aren’t you? You think you’re better than me? " His eyes glinted, full of mockery. " Just because you’ve decided to change your pretty little image doesn’t mean it’s the truth. "

The words struck her harder than expected, but White Lily did not flinch. She knew what he was doing—he was deflecting, pushing away the one thing that might reach him. He was lashing out because he feared confronting the truth.

" I don’t think I’m better than you, " she said, her voice softening. " I know that struggle, that fight to hold on to a part of yourself you almost lost forever. But you— " She hesitated, looking at him carefully, " You were once someone different. Someone better. Before all of this. "

The words seemed to hang in the air between them, palpable in their weight. Shadow Milk froze, his expression flickering for just a second. It was so brief, a mere second, but it was enough for White Lily to see the shift. That flicker of something genuine, something far older, deeper. . someone who had once believed in something better.

" You used to be the Beast of Knowledge, " she said, her voice deliberate, each word carrying the sting of truth.

" The one who was praised for your insight, your wisdom. The one who had the potential to guide others, to teach them. You were the one who could have made a difference. " She let the words hang in the air for a moment, giving him no chance to dismiss them.

She watched the flicker of recognition in his eyes, saw the subtle shift in his posture as the name " Blueberry Milk Cookie, " stirred something inside him. His jaw tightened, and his fists clenched, but White Lily Cookie didn’t let up.

At the mention of his past, Shadow Milk’s body went rigid. The words were like a sharp crack in his fragile façade. His eyes narrowed, and for the first time, there was a flicker of true anger beneath that usual smug exterior.

" Don’t, " he spat, his voice low, a growl rumbling in his chest. 

White Lily’s eyes didn’t waver from him, though she could feel his anger rising. She knew she was treading dangerous ground, but there was something in her that refused to back down now.

" Why are you so afraid of the person you were?" she asked, her voice quieter but still firm. " Is it really so hard to face what you once were? The kindness, the care you showed others? The faith you had in yourself? "

She watched the flicker of recognition in his eyes, saw the subtle shift in his posture as the name " Blueberry Milk Cookie, " stirred something inside him. His jaw tightened, and his fists clenched, but White Lily Cookie didn’t let up.

One sentence in particular set the Beast Cookie off, causing the eyes within his hair to widen in an almost horrific manner, causing their black goop to spill onto Pure Vanilla Cookie’s clothes.

“ Tell me. What happened to Blueberry Milk Cookie ? The one who could have been a guiding light? What happened to the one who stood proud, the one who had so much promise?  " White Lily’s words pierced the silence, each syllable like a dagger.

Shadow Milk’s entire body stiffened, a visible shudder running through him.

The name Blueberry Milk reverberated in his mind, shattering the carefully constructed mask he’d built around himself. His eyes widened, and his breath hitched, almost imperceptibly, but it was enough for White Lily to see it.

The black goop seeping from his hair began to drip more rapidly, as if the mention of his old name had caused some sort of internal rupture. Shadow Milk gritted his teeth, trying to steady himself, but the overwhelming rush of memories and emotions, things he'd buried deep, were now bubbling to the surface.

" Shut up, " he hissed through his clenched blue teeth, his voice dangerously low and sharp. His fists clenched so tight that his nails dug into his palms. He refused to let her see the cracks forming in his carefully constructed world.

But White Lily didn’t back down. Her gaze softened, just slightly, but it was enough to show her understanding, though it only made him feel more vulnerable. She could sense the emotions churning within him. The guilt, the regret, the haunting whispers of a past he could no longer escape.

" Tell me, Shadow Milk, " she pressed, her tone softer but still commanding, 

“ Was it worth it? “

Shadow Milk’s hands balled into fists again, the anger returning to his eyes, though it wasn’t just directed at her anymore. 

" Shut. up, " he growled, but it was hollow, a reflexive response rather than something born from true conviction.

Before White Lily could respond, a strange tension rippled through the air, a crackle that set her senses on edge.

Something wasn’t right.

A thick, heavy atmosphere enveloped them, the ground beneath their feet vibrating with a faint, ominous hum. Shadow Milk, still glaring at her, suddenly stiffened as if something had caught him off guard.

And then, in a flash, before White Lily could brace herself, Shadow Milk broke free from Pure Vanilla's grasp, leaving him zero time to try and tighten his arms around him and prevent this situation entirely.

With a sudden burst of dark blue energy, he surged toward her, his body moving so fast it almost seemed as though he teleported. He shoved against her with such force that the impact knocked the breath from her chest.

His face was twisted in rage, his eyes wild, and for a brief, terrifying moment, it felt as though he would tear her apart.

He was going to crumb her in the most brutal way possible.

Rip her limb from limb and show her crumbled and dusted remains to the entirety of this kingdom as he pleased.

Yeah, just that would do wonders.

Chapter Text

VERY VERY SHORT BUT NEW CHAPTER AND UPDATE SCHEDULE COMING LATER TODAY!

Chapter Text

White Lily barely had time to react before the first blow came—quick, messy, and seething with bitter fury.

Shadow Milk’s strings lashed out, tipped with crackling dark magic, but she met it head-on with her staff. The impact rang out like a gong struck too hard, sending sparks of pure light scattering across the marble floor.

Only moments before, Pure Vanilla Cookie had been holding Shadow Milk in a firm, gentle grip—his arms around the Beast of Deceit’s waist, trying to calm the storm in his eyes.

Though when Shadow Milk Cookie’s form stiffened, his eyes wild with rage, he tore himself free and lunged at White Lily with an almost animalistic ferocity.

“ I’m sick of having to hear your blabbering! ” he snarled, voice crackling between that familiar goofy drawl and snapping anger. 

His blue strings recoiled as he leaned in closer to White Lily Cookie, summoning circus props from the air: a gleaming set of paper puppets, holding hands with each other as they twirled around endlessly in a circle beneath the guardian’s feet. 

White Lily sidestepped, her feet moving with grace as her staff swept down, scattering the puppets like shredded confetti.

“ You don’t intimidate me with your crudely-made crafts, ” she said coolly, meeting his eyes. “ You’ve lost more than just your strength, Shadow Milk. You’ve lost your sense of self. ”

That struck something—maybe a nerve, or maybe just another crack in a mask already splintering. He didn’t reply. 

Instead, he tilted his head with an eerily slow grin, pupils stretching into fine lines as his strings retracted and reshaped into a massive spinning hoop, glowing with cursed runes and flickering stars. He hurled it at her without a word.

She blocked it with the flat of her staff, her knees buckling slightly from the force, but not giving. White Lily was stronger than he was now.

He knew it. She knew it, and that only seemed to fuel the fire in his chest.

From the side of the garden, Pure Vanilla stood still, breath caught in his throat.

He reached out instinctively, beginning to step forward—but was suddenly blocked by two figures slipping out of the fractured shadows: Candy Apple and Black Sapphire Cookie.

That struck something—maybe a nerve, or maybe just another crack in a mask already splintering.

He didn’t reply. 

Instead, he tilted his head with an eerily slow grin, pupils stretching into fine lines as his strings retracted and reshaped into a massive spinning hoop, glowing with cursed runes and flickering stars. He hurled it at her without a word.

White Lily blocked it with the flat of her staff, her knees buckling slightly from the force, but not giving.

Her grip tightened, the ancient energy of her souljam pulsing with each strike, pushing against Shadow Milk’s chaotic magic. She was stronger than him now. 

He knew it, and so did she. And all that did was seem to fuel the fire in his chest.

Pure Vanilla stood frozen at the side, breath caught in his throat. His hands trembled, the familiar urge to step in rising.

But just as he moved forward, two figures materialized from the shadows, sliding into his path like dark predators circling a wounded prey: Candy Apple and Black Sapphire.

“ Nope. Not yet, Vanilla, ” Black Sapphire drawled, his voice smooth and dark, tinged with amusement. He twirled the staff he was holding—an ornate radio staff with a large purple sapphire at the top—around his fingers. 

The low hum of static buzzed in the air as his eyes flicked toward the tense scene. “ Let’s see how this plays out a bit more, hmm? We wouldn’t want to ruin all this drama, right? ”

Behind him, Candy Apple stood with her usual unrestrained excitement, twirling her candy cane axe with a gleam in her eyes.

“ Oooh, I love a good show! Look at them go, huh? This is a great performance! ” She giggled, her voice light but filled with a strange, almost possessive glee. “ Don’t let them stop, Master. You’re doing amazing! ”

Shadow Milk shot her a look, and for a fleeting moment, his anger seemed to settle, his posture straightening.

He shot her a wry, almost playful smile. But it quickly morphed back into something far darker as his eyes flicked toward White Lily, who stood unfazed, staff raised in defense.

Silverbell and Medieval Knight Cookie, who had been standing at the edge of the room this whole time, finally moved forward.

Their expressions were resolute, their stance firm. Despite the obvious tension in the air, there was no mistaking their shared history, especially when it came to Shadow Milk’s actions.

“ You’re not getting away with this, ” Silverbell said, his voice cool but clipped. His eyes flashed as he held his ground. “ Not this time, Black Sapphire Cookie. Let us through. ”

Black Sapphire let out a low chuckle, his fingers still lazily twirling the staff as he blocked Silverbell and Medieval Knight’s path with a slight shift of his body.

“ Oh, no, no, no. You see, this is exactly the kind of chaos we need, don’t you think? ” His voice was smooth, almost coaxing, as if he were trying to lull them into an understanding. 

The hum of static crackled from his staff, his purple sapphire glowing faintly in the dim light of the garden. “ Let the little show play out. You’re not going to get to your highness anytime soon. ”

Medieval Knight Cookie stepped forward, his armored boots clicking with every step.

“ You’re insane if you think we’ll let you just stand here while Shadow Milk Cookie tears into White Lily. ” His voice was sharp, the frustration evident as he glared at Black Sapphire.

Candy Apple, her candy axe still gleaming in her hands, bounced on her heels, a grin plastered across her face.

“ Oh, let them fight! It’s so much fun to watch! Look at how much Shadow Milk’s enjoying himself! ” Her eyes flickered to the side, and she looked at Pure Vanilla. Her grin widened, but it wasn’t kind—it was sharp, almost too knowing.

“ You’d like to intervene, wouldn’t you, Vanilla? But I bet you know it’s not your place. Not this time. ”

Pure Vanilla’s brow furrowed, the tension tightening in his chest. He knew what Candy Apple was insinuating, and though his instinct was to intervene, to step in between them—especially for White Lily’s sake—he couldn’t. 

The battle had to run its course, and White Lily was strong enough to handle Shadow Milk. But still, a part of him couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

The way Candy Apple looked at him, like she had a bone to pick, was close to unsettling. He had enough on his plate without her digging into him.

Silverbell and Medieval Knight Cookie were ready to charge forward, but Black Sapphire held them off effortlessly, his smile widening. He was enjoying this far too much.

“ Don’t worry, ” Black Sapphire Cookie continued with mock sympathy, looking at Silverbell. “ I’m sure you’ll get your turn in the spotlight. . . eventually. But not yet. ” The static hummed again, louder this time. “ Now, why don’t you just sit back and watch the fireworks? ”

A soft scoff cut through the air, causing the group to look back to see Strawberry Cookie, holding her lollipop staff in a grasp tighter than her usual one.

“ Fireworks? This isn’t some circus act, ” Strawberry Cookie snapped, stepping up beside Silverbell with an uncharacteristic sharpness. Her usual quiet demeanor gave way to steel—eyed narrowed, hands clenched. “ That’s our friend in there. ”

“ Yeah! ” GingerBrave added, his fists clenched at his sides, body tense. “ You think we’re just gonna sit here while they fight like this?! That’s not how this works! ”

Black Sapphire’s gaze flicked lazily toward the trio now gathering near Pure Vanilla. “ Ah. The peanut gallery arrives. ” He tilted his head, grinning like he’d been waiting for this moment. “ I was wondering when you three would pipe up. ”

Candy Apple leaned forward with a curious tilt of her head, staring at GingerBrave like he was some curious new candy flavor.

“ You’re brave, little one—but sooo predictable. ” Her tone dipped suddenly, the cheerfulness flattening. “ Always trying to rush in and be the hero. Maybe you should learn your place before someone gets burned. ”

Wizard Cookie stepped up next, his expression unreadable but his staff already crackling with gathered energy. “ We know what you’re doing, both of you. Using this moment for your amusement. Blocking help from reaching her. It’s just deliberate and cruel. ”

Black Sapphire only chuckled, a sound like a radio shifting channels. “ Yet. . deliciously effective. You all keep talking, but you haven’t stepped forward yet. Why? Afraid your little intervention might mess with the tension? ” His eyes flicked meaningfully toward Pure Vanilla.

Candy Apple joined in, skipping over to Black Sapphire’s side, eyes bright with a manic, energetic gleam.

“ Yeah! They don’t know how to have fun, huh? All serious and— ” She paused, her eyes catching sight of the almost delicate moment forming between Shadow Milk and White Lily. 

Her voice dropped to a teasing purr. “ Aw, look at that, they’re bonding now. How sweet. ”

Shadow Milk, momentarily distracted by Candy Apple’s sudden words, turned his head slightly, making eye contact with her.

His pupils contracted as he gave a small, almost sheepish grin. “ Yeah. . . Sweet, ” he muttered under his breath, his anger momentarily dissipating in the face of her adoration. However, that didn’t last long.

In a split second, White Lily capitalized on the brief distraction, her staff crackling with radiant energy as she struck, lightning fast and dead-center, right across Shadow Milk’s chest.

He barely had time to react. The force sent him stumbling backward, his hands flailing as he tumbled onto the floor with a heavy thud.

For a moment, the only sound that was audible was the sound of birds wings flapping rapidly as they flew away from the scene.

Candy Apple blinked, her wide eyes fixated on the scene before her. “ Oh.! ”

“ Didn’t see that one coming, ” Black Sapphire muttered, then broke into a sly grin. “ You’ve got to admit, that was pretty sweet. ”

The jester shook his head, as if to clear away the momentary daze. His face twisted into something far darker again. “ You— ” He growled, his voice low and thick with frustration. “ You’re all such a bunch of distractions. ” His voice cracked, a furious energy flaring in his magic.

GingerBrave, his fists still clenched in frustration, couldn't help but yell, " Maybe we wouldn't be such distractions if you didn’t keep pushing everyone’s buttons, huh?! "

His words, louder than he intended, sliced through the tension like a knife, and they landed straight in the wrong ears. Strawberry and Wizard Cookie both just stood still, letting out a soft sigh in unison at his action. The second the words left his mouth, Candy Apple's eyes narrowed, her grin vanishing in an instant. She hopped forward, her magic quickly conjuring up her candy apple staff, gripping it tightly, her expression darkening with an exaggerated pout.

“ Excuse me? ” Her voice was sugary sweet, but underneath it was a hint of venom that was all too familiar. “ Did you just call me a distraction, you little brat? ”

GingerBrave froze, realizing too late the mistake he'd made. He opened his mouth to apologize, but Candy Apple Cookie wasn’t waiting for any of that. She stalked toward him, her heels clicking sharply on the ground.

“ You wanna talk about distractions, huh?! Let’s see how well you handle me when I’m really distracted. ” Her eyes were practically glowing with bratty glee, a mischievous energy bubbling up from beneath the surface. She swung her candy staff dangerously close to GingerBrave’s face in a show of mock aggression.

“ Oh, for witches' sake. .   ” Black Sapphire drawled, his voice laced with exasperation. “ Candy Apple, not now. ”

He raised a hand to calm her down, but his eyes never left the scene, fully aware of what was happening in the middle of the garden.

Candy Apple wasn’t finished yet. She turned her attention back to Black Sapphire, throwing her arms out in an exaggerated huff. “ Oh, I was just having a little fun , ” she whined. “ What’s the big deal? He started it! ”

Before Black Sapphire could retort, however, something caught their attention.

A strange, shimmering distortion rippled in the air, barely noticeable at first. It was like the space around Shadow Milk warped for a brief second, a flicker of chaotic magic twisting and bending the air itself.

“ Great, ” Black Sapphire Cookie muttered, his eyes narrowing. “ Now what? ”

The distortion solidified, and with a sharp crack, a heavy, dark grimoire manifested out of the swirling vortex, dropping into the middle of the battlefield between Shadow Milk and White Lily.

The book slammed onto the ground with a thud, its pages fluttering briefly before the magic around it settled. For a moment, everything went still, the sound of the distant birds fading into silence.

Shadow Milk Cookie’s eyes were stuck on the sight of the portal slowly fading away, eventually closing itself with a faint shimmer of distorted magic. His hands, still crackling with the remnants of his circus-themed magic, were frozen in midair. 

The grimoire sat ominously between him and White Lily, its dark pages fluttering with an unnatural energy. A chill ran down his spine, and for a moment, he couldn’t move—couldn’t speak.

The sudden appearance of the book left him dumbstruck, the weight of the situation crashing down on him. His chest tightened, a sudden wave of anxiety creeping up where confidence had once stood. This wasn’t supposed to happen.

Not here. Not now.

“ W-what the—?! ” he stammered, his usual cocky tone failing him for the first time in ages. He stumbled back, his eyes wide with panic as the realization sank in.

The book.

It was the grimoire . The one he’d been given by the witches when he was still Blueberry Milk Cookie. That ancient tome, full of forbidden knowledge.

He hadn’t meant to summon it here, not in the middle of this mess.

Not in front of White Lily, not in front of anyone, for that matter! Not when everything was already so tangled.

He blinked at the book, then back at White Lily, still standing there, her staff crackling with radiant energy. Shadow Milk’s mind raced, trying to piece together what had just happened. 

He was sure he hadn’t meant to summon it. His portal—his mistake —had opened at the wrong moment, dragging the cursed grimoire with it.

“ No, no. .  ” he muttered under his breath, his usual smirk nowhere to be found. His voice was thin, strained with a rare undertone of unease. “ This. . This wasn’t supposed to— ” He cut himself off, exhaling sharply, the humor draining from him. “ You’ve got to be kidding me. ”

For a moment, his usual sadistic, goofy self vanished entirely, replaced by a rare, raw vulnerability. His two—toned eyes flicked nervously from the grimoire to White Lily, his throat tight. The magic around the book was wrong , like it was calling out to him. 

Black Sapphire and Candy Apple watched from behind the barrier, confusion flickering across their faces as they observed the scene unfold before them. 

Candy Apple’s usual infatuation with Shadow Milk was nowhere to be found, replaced by a subtle shift of concern in her expression.

She bit her lip, eyes darting from Shadow Milk’s panicked reaction to the ominous grimoire. It was clear even to her that something was off. 

The playful energy she usually had when around him was gone, replaced by something unspoken, something more fragile.

Black Sapphire Cookie, on the other hand, seemed more alert, his expression sharpening as his narrowed gaze followed the chaos. He could sense something beneath the surface that Candy Apple Cookie couldn’t. 

His hand gripped his radio staff, the purple sapphire glinting with a certain intensity, his mind already working to piece together the puzzle. 

This wasn’t just a mistake—there was a deeper connection here, something more than just Shadow Milk’s usual theatrical antics. He could feel the weight of it, the tension that gripped the air like a storm waiting to break.

Shadow Milk Cookie slowly stepped forward, his steps almost hesitant, with an uncharacteristic uncertainty in the way he moved.

His fingers twitched as he reached down for the book, his hand trembling slightly as he touched its dark, weathered cover. 

The blue strings that had once filled the air now disappeared, vanishing into thin air, and with them went the illusionary props, the distractions that had once been his source of confidence.

His grip on the book was tight as he lifted it, the pages fluttering with an eerie hum. His eyes never left it, the usually playful, mischievous spark in his gaze dimmed as the weight of the moment pressed down on him. 

For a long moment, he just stood there, staring at the grimoire as if it were something more than just a simple object. 

His breath was shallow, his chest rising and falling with a mix of frustration and something far deeper—something he couldn’t quite place. The book, the past, it was all tangled together, an inescapable knot he couldn’t loosen.

He didn’t want to look up—didn’t want to meet anyone's gaze, especially not White Lily Cookie's. Something in him broke the moment’s tension. His head lifted, his dark eyes locking with Pure Vanilla’s across the battlefield.

The instant their gazes met, everything else seemed to fade away. The magic, the chaos, the tension—none of it mattered anymore.

There was a moment of silence that stretched far longer than it should have. His heart hammered in his chest, and for a brief, fleeting second, Shadow Milk felt vulnerable in a way he hadn’t in ages. The connection was undeniable.

There was history there, more than just shared glances or fleeting interactions. No, this was something much deeper, something raw and unspoken.

He almost wished it could all just stop, that the world would freeze in this moment of stillness, where only their gazes existed. However, reality, as it alway, had other plans.

The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife, and Shadow Milk’s expression flickered, his jaw tightening as he fought to regain control. His grip on the grimoire tightened, his eyes never leaving Pure Vanilla Cookie.

Candy Apple’s confusion deepened as she noticed the shift in the Beast of Deceit. 

He was no longer the same chaotic figure she had known, and her gaze flickered nervously between him and the others.

Black Sapphire, however, seemed to understand. His eyes darkened as he watched the silent exchange, his mind connecting the dots in a way Candy Apple couldn’t.

In that split second, Shadow Milk’s confidence shattered, the false bravado he had been wearing slipping away, leaving something far more vulnerable, far more human, in its place.

And in the silence that followed, the weight of what had just transpired hung in the air like a broken promise.

Then, just as quickly, the connection was broken. Shadow Milk blinked, and the spell that had held the moment together shattered.

The reality of the battlefield returned in full force, and he exhaled sharply, turning away to face the grimoire again. His expression, once fragile, hardened once more as he attempted to mask the emotions that had surged through him.

But as he looked back at the book, something in his chest clenched. There was no going back now.

Blueberry Milk Cookie stood on the edge of a polished, obsidian platform, the lingering warmth of the oven still clinging to his fresh-baked form.

His body was barely settled, steam faintly rising from his fingertips, and yet—he could feel it. Power. Magic. Expectation.

The chamber was massive, like the inside of a cathedral carved from bone and crystal. Cold light from massive hanging lanterns swirled down, illuminating the silhouettes of towering figures at the edge of the room.

The witches—no, his witches—watched from the shadows. Cloaked in robes stitched with runes and dusted with flour, they whispered things he couldn’t understand, but felt in his very soul.

And there, resting on a stone pedestal in front of him, was the book .

Thick. Heavy. Bound in something that shimmered like lacquered ink and glowed faintly with symbols that shifted the longer you stared. A grimoire. It wasn’t just any grimoire. 

It was his.

“ This is yours now, ” a voice murmured from the dark, echoing from nowhere and everywhere all at once. Feminine, yet ancient.

“ You are not like the others. You were made with something more. ” The air around the pedestal shimmered, as if the book itself was exhaling. “ You will be needing this. ”

His fingers trembled as he stepped forward, gaze flicking briefly to the others in the chamber.

At the base of the altar stood four other cookies—beautiful, strange, and terribly still. They didn’t speak, didn’t move, but their presence radiated an eerie calm.

Scorching Spice stood like a statue carved of flame, watching with a molten intensity. Wishful Flour’s eyes were shut, as if seeing inward. Silent Salt Faerie stood with arms folded, a faint mist trailing her form. And Shimmering Sugar practically shimmered, glittering in the low light like spun glass.

Scorching Spice. Wishful Flour. Silent Salt Faerie. Shimmering Sugar. That’s what the witches called them—their perfected creations.

Role models for the rest. And now. . he was to join them?

“ Why me? ” Blueberry Milk Cookie whispered, his voice cracking—half awe, half fear.

“ Awe, ” the witch’s voice continued, her tone tinged with the weight of millennia. “ Such a strange emotion, isn’t it? ”

Blueberry Milk Cookie’s heart hammered in his chest as the air around him hummed with power, the book in his hands like a living, breathing entity. He couldn’t tear his eyes from the witches, their presence looming like towering spires of ancient knowledge.

“ Why me? ” he asked again, his voice trembling with an emotion he couldn’t place—fear? Wonder? Something far worse than he had ever known.

The witches, for their part, didn’t answer immediately. They stood cloaked in shadows, their faces obscured, their eyes aglow with the magic they had long since mastered. It was a magic that was old, older than the world itself, older than Earthbread.

“ This world, ” the same witch’s voice echoed once more, “ was created with a single, pure intention: balance. It was crafted by God Himself, but it was we—the Witches of Earthbread—who were chosen to govern it. ”

A heavy silence fell over the chamber, and Blueberry Milk’s hands shook harder, the grimoire pulsing with an unnatural rhythm against his chest.

“ Earthbread was birthed from the divine light of creation, ” the voice continued, “ and we were born to maintain it, to ensure its harmony. We were given power—true power—so we could guide the world and its creatures. Yet, even with such power, we could not do it alone. We needed something more. ”

The witches moved in unison, as though they were one entity, each step in perfect harmony with the other.

“ You, ” the witch said, as her voice twisted like the wind itself, “ were crafted from the very essence of our creation. You are the culmination of all that we sought to build. But you, Blueberry Milk, are something more than just a product of our power. You are the leader of what we call the ‘ Beast Cookies, ’ the perfect beings we designed to be an example to the world. Pure. Flawless. Something the other cookies could look up to. ”

Blueberry Milk’s throat tightened. He felt the weight of their words sink in deeper. Pure? Flawless? Was that really why he was here? He was supposed to lead?

“ Scorching Spice,” the witch continued, turning her gaze to the towering figure standing like a flame, “ was crafted for strength and endurance. His heart is fire, meant to blaze and burn through the darkness. He will teach others the meaning of power. ”

Blueberry Milk turned his eyes to the others.

“ Wishful Flour, ” the witch whispered, her voice like a soft breeze, “ was made to see through the veils of time, to guide others with wisdom beyond their years. Her purpose is to enlighten. ”

She pointed next to Silent Salt Faerie, her voice gaining an almost mournful tone. “ Silent Salt is a protector. A being of silence, she walks unseen, a shadow guarding those who cannot protect themselves. ”

“ And then there is Shimmering Sugar, ” the witch finished, her tone sweeter now, almost affectionate. “ The light in the dark. A soul of pure joy. She will show the others how to find happiness in their existence. ”

Blueberry Milk watched them, each of the other Beast Cookies standing like silent sentinels, beautiful and perfect in their own way. They were his friends—perfect creations who were meant to lead, to be adored, and admired by the others.

However, the question still gnawed at him.

“ Why pick me out of the others? ” he repeated, his voice a hushed whisper.

The witch who had spoken earlier stepped forward, her presence suddenly overwhelming. She placed a delicate hand on the surface of the pedestal where the grimoire lay, her fingers gliding across its smooth surface as if she were caressing an old friend. Her voice dropped to a low, almost conspiratorial whisper.

“ You, Blueberry Milk Cookie, are different. You have the potential for greatness beyond the others. You were born with the power to influence, to shape the world. ” She gave a smile that was both inviting and cold.

“ We chose you because you have the heart of a leader. The grimoire is your tool, your guide. It will help you unlock the true nature of your power. ”

A chill ran down Blueberry Milk's spine as he realized the weight of her words. This wasn’t just about ruling Earthbread.

This was about shaping the fate of an entire world. His hands tightened around the book, but even as he gripped it, something dark stirred inside him—a shadow that had always been there, waiting for the right moment.

The witch’s gaze softened, but there was a flicker of something darker in her eyes.

“ You were chosen to lead them. To be their guiding light. But do not mistake this power for kindness, Blueberry Milk Cookie. You are not here to coddle the weak. You are here to lead them into the future. ”

Blueberry Milk Cookie stood in the midst of their gazes, trembling hands clutching the grimoire against his chest, his heart a wild mix of awe, fear, and confusion.

The weight of their words settled on his shoulders, heavy and suffocating. He could feel the power coursing through him—no, not just him, all of them but what did it all mean?

“ I—I’m sorry, but i don’t think I can do this. . ” Blueberry Milk mumbled out, this time to the room, to the witches, to himself.

The question echoed in the vast, bone-chilling cathedral-like chamber, and for a moment, it felt like the world itself was holding its breath.

Shimmering Sugar Cookie, as radiant and untouchable as ever, let her soft giggle fill the air like tinkling chimes.

Her glow illuminated the dark corners of the room with every graceful movement, her voice sweet as honey as she gracefully flew over to the Beast of Knowledge.

“ You doubt, sweet Blueberry Milk? ” she teased, her tone light and airy. “ There’s no need. You are more than capable of this. If we can shine brightly, you can lead brightly. You carry the light of creation within you—don’t you feel it? ”

She smiled at him, her eyes sparkling with mischief and hope. “ You are made of star-dust and joy. No one is better suited to bring balance to Earthbread than you. The others may be your foundation, but you are the beacon. ”

Her words, like soft rays of light, washed over him, but doubt still lingered. Blueberry Milk hesitated, glancing at the other Beast Cookies who stood in their places, watching with silent intensity.

Scorching Spice Cookie, his molten form unmoving like a living flame, gave a slow nod. His voice, low and filled with a quiet strength, rumbled through the chamber.

“ Do not doubt yourself, Blueberry Milk, ” he said, his tone firm yet oddly comforting. “

We were crafted for strength, yes, but strength doesn’t always come in the form of fire. Sometimes, it’s in the stillness of knowing what needs to be done. ” 

He gave a slight nod toward the grimoire, his molten gaze never leaving Blueberry Milk’s face. “ The path you’ve been set upon is not one of your choosing, but it is one you were made for. You are a leader, even if you do not yet see it. We were all given a purpose, and now it is your turn to fulfill it. ”

Blueberry Milk hesitated, glancing at Scorching Spice, who had already resumed his silent watch. Wishful Flour, who had stood silent with eyes closed, opened them now. The gentle breeze around her form whispered with wisdom.

“ You are the one who can bridge what is known with what is to come, ” she said, her tone like a whisper of the future. “ I see it within you—the wisdom that lies dormant. You have been chosen because you have the gift to lead us forward, not just through power, but through vision.

You are the one who will help us shape the world’s future. ” Her eyes opened slowly, a soft gleam of recognition flashing in their depths as she met his gaze. 

The words of Wishful Flour sank deep within him, but still, doubt clouded his mind. How could he lead when he didn’t even know if he could control the power within himself?

Silent Salt Faerie stood still, their presence an eerie calm in the room. Their misty form seemed to ebb and flow, as if they were both part of the room and apart from it entirely.

They did not speak, but their steady gaze was all Blueberry Milk needed—an understanding, an unspoken trust.

The silence of the moment weighed heavy, and Blueberry Milk felt it—their support, their faith in him. It wasn’t a complete reassurance, but it was enough to quell some of the storm inside him.

“ I. .. I’ll try, ” he whispered, his hands tightening around the grimoire. The weight of their expectations, the power of the book, all pressed against him.

For the first time since his creation, he didn’t feel entirely alone.

And in that moment, he knew that maybe, just maybe, he was ready to try.

Chapter Text

my fault yall. the old man crk yaoi got boring to write BUT THE BOOK ISNT DISCONTINUED. JUST ON A HIATUS UNTIL I GET BACK INTO IT FULL FORCE LIKE BEFORE. IM INTO FORSAKEN NOW IF YALL HAVENT SEEN MY NEW PROFILE

SO YEAH