Chapter Text
The day was bright, the sun having reached its peak in the sky.
No clouds were high enough that day to hide its shining light from beating down onto the restored Vanilla Kingdom.
Many Vanillian Citizens and tourists bustled about the caramel-colored roads, happily embracing the warmth of the day while enjoying the music, the vibrant markets, cafes, and the various events that the Vanilla Kingdom specifically offered.
It was a peaceful day. Something the kingdom had always tried its best at achieving after the war. But peace itself, was unfortunately not a luxury afforded to everyone simply because they stayed there.
So, while the cookies walking the streets continued to enjoy a perfect day, they remained blissfully unaware of the anxious and frustrated group gathered at the top of the vanilla castle’s cone tower.
The cone tower, more famously known as The Council, held three of the five most historic and heroic rulers of Crispia: Hollyberry Cookie, Pure Vanilla Cookie, and Dark Cacao Cookie. Alongside the ancient cookies, were the bravest gang in all Crispia: Gingerbrave, Strawberry Cookie, and lastly, Wizard Cookie.
All six cookies sat together around the large council table, which was haphazardly covered in different scrolls and books in an attempt to discuss and build a plan to traverse into Beast Yeast and ultimately stop Dark Enchantress Cookie from creating another devastating war.
They’d first started small, the short discussion turning into a rather heated back and forth, and then a calm discussion again. And then- well… Just more yelling.
This has been going on since early sunrise..
The group of cookies hovering over the table made a cacophony of arguments anew and had exhausted pleadings amongst one another, filling the council room with their bickering and frustrated groans that were finally startled into silence as Dark Cacao Cookie slammed his fist abruptly onto the table resulting in a thunderous boom that bounced against the walls.
The shock of the sudden boom slowly settled over everyone present. But before anyone could fully process and gauge the rest of the room's reaction, Dark Cacao spoke with a booming voice.
“We have been here for hours, and all we have managed to do, is go in circles!” He roared (to which many have again flinched) before gesturing towards the countless, but meaningless papers. ”These scrolls and books which merely mention Beast-Yeast aren't helping us form a plan to stop Dark Enchantress.” He huffed, voice visibly tired and ragged. And as quickly as his outburst came, it went away, for the Cacao king let out a weary sigh and tiredly sat back down.
The other cookies wouldn't dare speak, as they too felt the exhaustion of being stuck in this room for hours and not making any progress on how to best combat the looming war.
Dark Cacao Cookie takes this beat of silence to assess the situation again, rubbing the wrinkle between his brows, eyes tiredly moving from the scrolls onto the group's undivided attention.
He raises his left hand to hover over every piece of paper laid across the table “These scrolls only hold a fleeting mention of Beast-Yeast, and even the maps from Hollyberry’s library are too outdated and fragile. There is much more land than documentation, and it serves us nothing to continue arguing. We will only further waste our time and resources on this, rather than stopping Dark Enchantress Cookie.” He gruffly explained.
Dark Cacao Cookie turns his head to look at Pure Vanilla Cookie, whose face was wrinkled in concern. The blond stiffens a little under his friend's observation, before steeling their face into one of consideration and thought.
“Pure Vanilla Cookie, you and I have never set foot onto Beast Yeast. And with two of our allies' knowledge of it, our focus had never demanded further study til’ now.” The king explained, eyes flicking to graze over everyone else present before yet again settling on his Vanillian friend.
“Still, to my own knowledge, there was only one of us who ever faced Beast-Yeast head on to solely document and reside there.. until her unfortunate fall.” Dark Cacao Cookie took a pause, silently bracing himself to what he will soon ask of his old friend and ally..
and Pure Vanilla Cookie braced himself too.
Though, quickly catching on to what Dark Cacao Cookie would ask, Hollyberry Cookie stands abruptly from her seat to interject.
“Dark Cacao Cookie! You cannot possibly be suggesting-”
She stopped as Dark Cacao Cookie held up his hand swiftly in a silent plea for her to sit and listen to what he had to say first.
With a bit of hesitance, she sits back down.
Dark Cacao Cookie clears his throat and takes a moment before continuing. “I propose we find the whereabouts of White Lily Cookie. If I recall correctly, she was there by our side to fight head on with Dark Enchantress Cookie. And as we three, along with Golden Cheese Cookie, still live and breathe today, so must she. I believe if we find and reconnect with her, she can help guide us into Beast-Yeast and help put an end to Dark Enchantress Cookie.”
Pure Vanilla Cookie, taking this into consideration, pauses as he tries to find his words.
Afterall, not a day went past where he hadn't thought of abandoning his duties as a king and truthbearer to instead go searching for White Lily Cookie himself...
So, silently, he agrees with Dark Cacao Cookie that finding her is their next best chance in hopefully making progress.
But a part of him dreads..
as mysterious as White Lily Cookie is…
….What else could they unfold?
A second passes before Hollyberry speaks, albeit calmer than her previous interjection.
"Though that may be true, none of us knows where she is. All three of us have either forgotten, left the throne, or shut ourselves mentally out from the rest of the world for years!” She stresses.
Her rather conflicted hesitancy is noted, and infects the room with the same feeling, and Dark Cacao Cookie sighs at the mention of their despondent past. “That is true, but we've exhausted other methods and it seems to be the only viable option for us right now.”
He looks down and tiredly rubs the bridge of his nose as Hollyberry Cookie anxiously bites her lower lip in thought, frequently glancing down at the books and scrolls again in hope to find another answer, anything, other than the wild goose chase Dark Cacao Cookie is proposing.
“There- there must be another way…” She muttered, slumping in her seat in defeat with an exhausted sigh.
She could very well lead the expedition into Beast-Yeast herself as she had travelled it plenty, but her knowledge of it was still much less than her dearest White Lily Cookie. Now, she, as the mother ruler, had many more duties tending to her kingdom given her return. And frankly, she doubts Wildberry Cookie would allow her to venture into that land, given that such an expedition needed planning and preparation (to which they don’t have).
So the group stewed in their frustration, with Pure Vanilla still pondering in his seat. The three old and wise cookies were for once; stumped, a viable idea would probably soon come. Alas, the problem with that was their limited time.
They’d never had to plan something so big with only the three of them. But one was missing, and the other was too busy rebuilding a new kingdom.
So while the ancients muttered and pondered amongst themselves, the three young cookies stood to the side unsure of how they’d step in to cheer them up. They’d been quiet observers up until now, with only the occasional agreements and comments.
Strawberry Cookie was too shy and fearful to say anything, and Wizard Cookie can be too.. honest. So that left the bravest of the bunch to speak first.
"C'mon now!" Gingerbrave encouragingly yelled to the ancients' as they were snapped from their depleted mood to the high spirited child.
Gingerbrave offers a bright smile to the room as he raises his cane in determination "Let’s not think negatively about the future! I’m sure with everyone's help this will go fantastic!” He preached with such naive enthusiasm, something he somehow managed to keep despite all the horrors he’d gone through.
Horrors someone his age shouldn’t even be able to imagine.
Yet the rest of the room couldn’t really hold it against him, seeing as he was the prominent one in the gang to actually have unyielding faith in the three old heroes. Something his companions occasionally had a hard time clinging onto when times got rough.
Pure Vanilla, who had stayed silent for the entirety of this, finally spoke in a newfound faith with a calm and resonant tone.
“Gingerbrave and Dark Cacao both have a point.” Hollyberry clicks her tongue disapprovingly, before Pure Vanilla continues. “But, so does Hollyberry…We… We can’t know for certain. It has been years since we last saw her, and trying to locate her would be like trying to find the finest needle in a haystack, and we do not have the luxury of time on our side.”
Everyone quiets down, sharing their own looks. That…Was reasonable, yes. But counterproductive, as it just pushes them back to their previous bout of quiet muttering and arguing.
Except, this time only the three ancients go back to their aimless bickering and planning in rekindled vigor as unbeknownst to them, the younger cookies shared a knowing look before Wizard Cookie decided to step in.
“If I may…We should check the academy…”
The ancients all visibly pause, their eyes (and Pure Vanilla’s staff’s eye) slowly fall onto the tiny wizard, whom softly shrinks in on himself upon the sudden entirety of the room's attention falling on him.
“The academy?” Dark Cacao’s gruff voice hums, a hand placed absentmindedly under his chin.
“A-ah yes. AHEM! The- the blueberry yogurt academy.”
Wizard Cookie manages to spit out the nervous lump in his throat as he slightly shuffles closer to Gingerbrave and Strawberry Cookie for any sort of support. To which they give.. albeit not in the way he wanted. As they instead encouragingly pat his shoulder while gently ushering him to continue.
Wizard Cookie shoots them a soft glare of betrayal before Pure Vanilla Cookie decides to speak instead.
“Well, we did spend a lot of time at the academy during our younger days, but- that changed when she…” Pure Vanilla Cookie then pauses, biting his lip before letting the next words die out on his tongue.
But everyone in the room was already quite aware of what happened next.
“...I don’t see her ever wanting to spend her time there again.” He concluded, softly folding his trembling hands in his lap.
There’s a bout of uncomfortable silence, before Wizard Cookie is yet again, much to his reluctance, ushered to speak. “W-well you see…Last time me, Gingerbrave, and Strawberry Cookie were there we kinda… Saw a manifestation of her memories?” He squeaks while glancing over his shoulder at his nodding friends as the ancient’s stare in shock. So Wizard Cookie, noticing this, quickly adds on.
“And-! So… So maybe if we find those manifestations. It might show us where the real White Lily Cookie is?”
Pure Vanilla Cookie softly hums in consideration.
It would.. Technically be worth a visit, a direction to hopefully progress this search.
Yet he gently fidgets with his hands, questioning the reason why White Lily Cookie would be at the academy of all places.
Could it be because of the memories he and White Lily Cookie shared? Like the research they did together to discover the secret of making cookie life?... Or was it something… Else? that ties White Lily Cookie there?
Pure vanilla Cookie, after some more careful consideration, looks to the trio, then to his old friends, before speaking with finality.
“My friends,” he started, standing up slowly. Making sure the room's attention drifted towards him. “Dark Cacao Cookie, Hollyberry Cookie, and Wizard Cookie have given great arguments"
The table shares glances.
“And with how we stand, we need all the help we can get to further stop Dark Enchantress Cookies plans towards cookiekind. And I believe that can start with going with Wizard Cookies' suggestion to explore the Blueberry Yogurt Academy.”
He taps the end of his staff into the floor, his hand is placed atop the many scattered papers littering the table.
“So I've made up my mind.” His eyes open, his vision blurry, but he sends a determined look to the table.
“I will go to the Blueberry Yogurt Academy and find any remaining traces of White Lily Cookie!”
Hollyberry and Dark Cacao nod in agreement, yet albeit pleased a plan has finally been agreed upon, shared discreet, worried glances towards Pure Vanilla. It was warranted knowing the history he and White Lily Cookie share.
Yet, they, along with the gang cheered him on, as Gingerbrave abruptly adds.
“and we're coming with you!”
Pure Vanilla, and his old friends, pause in surprise. The healers jaw slacks and his milky, heterochromia eyes shift to the younger cookies as if what they just said was absurd- which it was…
“W-what??”
“We’re coming with you!” Gingerbrave repeated with more enthusiasm, not quite understanding why his declaration was met with such shock.
Was he and his friends not the ones to have traveled far and wide? Helping the ancients return to their shining glory and re-claim their kingdoms from Dark Enchantress's grasp? And weren’t they the ones who offered to contribute in the first place? Why wouldn’t they come with?
Pure Vanilla closes his eyes, tiredly sighing.
He should’ve expected this, it was… natural for them to go on these types of adventures. But he has noticed just how tired and mature they’ve been getting for their age.
They need rest.
So he gives the children a calm smile trying to kindly discourage the idea.
“I’m sorry, friends, but I do not think that’ll be the best course of action to take.” He explains, raising a hand to stop them from trying to debate on anything before he continues.
“Me and the others have realized we’ve been depending on you three too much. And-… That is not right.” Pure Vanilla Cookie takes a deep breath, avoiding the small beady eyes of the three because he’s sure, if he catches just a glimpse of those betrayed gazes, he’d fold and snap like a delicate vanilla stem.
“I'm doing this on my own. Seeing as I, out of everyone here, has been a student at the academy and therefore knows its layout best.”
He sighs in relief as he gets it out, and for a moment he believes his point has been perfectly understood by everyone. Sure, maybe the kids would argue and sulk, but- he’d stand firm in his choice.
Or so he thought.
As he soon heard Hollyberry Cookie ‘tsk’ her tongue disapprovingly.
“While I agree that we shouldn’t be sending children around doing potentially dangerous work, these three have proven to be quite the passionate bunch!” She heartedly says as she stands on the left side of the three’s cookies.
Pure Vanilla Cookie, yet again, finds himself with his jaw slack.
“A-ah- Hollyberry Cookie, I don’t-” he stutters before Dark Cacao Cookie speaks suddenly behind Pure Vanilla Cookie’s side
“She has a point."
“Dark Cacao Cookie!” Pure Vanilla opens his eyes again in surprise and shock, blindly whipping his head back and forth between the two as if they’ve gone mad.
“Pure Vanilla Cookie,” Hollyberry starts, walking towards him to gently place a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “It will be easier if they come with you.” She commands, rather than argue, Dark Cacao Cookie nods along.
The Cacao king then clears his throat, sending a glance at the younger cookies. “If they follow, they can show you where they saw White Lily Cookie. It'll be even faster than just you going alone.”
Pure Vanilla was still gobsmacked, clearly not expecting his own friends to not side with him on this.
“B-but! We- I.” He stressed quietly, his hand sliding up to his brooch.
Hollyberry Cookie stretches her hand to give his shoulder another comforting squeeze, “do not sweat, friend! I am sure they’ll be fine under your care.” Pure Vanilla's flower staff sends her an inquisitive glance before squinting.
“I- yes, but-” he looks up, momentarily staring at the three blurry blots. That’s all it takes. His eyes closed again and his shoulders sag, a sigh of defeat leaving him. “...Very well…” He deflates in his seat, listening to the enthused celebration of the three as if they just won the most amazing prize ever.
Dark Cacao Cookie gruffly chortles towards their enthusiasm while his dear short friend slumps in defeat, with Hollyberry Cookie reassuringly squeezing his shoulder again, leaning closer and whispering.
“It’ll be fine.” She tells him, and Pure Vanilla Cookie wants to believe her, he really does! But..
He can’t shake the growing feeling in his gut, that something will go terribly wrong.
------
As soon as the plan was made to visit the abandoned blueberry academy, preparations started. It took a day, from packing to actually getting the hot air balloon ready. The three young adventurers and Pure Vanilla Cookie set out into the air as quickly as possible, but not before saying their goodbyes to the various cookies of the kingdom that came to see them off.
“Don’t worry everyone! We’ll take good care of Pure Vanilla Cookie!” Gingerbrave Cookie yelled to them as the hot air balloon left the harbor while Pure Vanilla Cookie waved, but flushed embarrassedly at the proclamation.
Waving excitedly to the crowd that just got smaller and smaller as the balloon flew further upwards towards the sky, Pure Vanilla Cookie couldn’t help but sigh tiredly towards what soon awaited them on their journey.
But was soon snapped out of it at the excited laughs of his dear friend. “Woaahh! Flying never gets less exciting, even after the hundredth time!” Gingerbrave Cookie gleefully smiled, leaning over the ledge so much so that Pure Vanilla Cookie’s hand instinctively placed itself on the young cookie's back. Just as a precaution.
“Gingerbrave Cookie, don’t lean too far over the edge you might fall!” Wizard Cookie scolded, before continuing to reorganize his bag for the umpteenth time.
“Ah-! Sorry…” The brave child muttered, leaning away from the edge to the relief of everyone. But his dampened mood quickly brightens as he sits beside his friends and starts talking rather than pass the time in silence.
The journey was going smoothly so far, and sure enough, they were greeted by a warm and comfortable night. The three young cookies' moods remained high throughout it all, as they laughed and chatted amongst themselves.
Pure Vanilla Cookie indulged in their chatter, laughing along to a couple of stories and jokes, but there was a remaining edge to them. Simply because the only thing keeping Pure Vanilla Cookie from panicking was their high ground giving them safety from potential ground enemies.
As the night progressed and the kids soon fell asleep under the moon’s calming, ushering embrace, the Vanillian king remained awake–staring across the dark forest below to which seemed almost akin to an endless sea of black.
Much like the dangerous Dark Licorice Sea.
He continued observing with such fixation as if the trees themselves would suddenly reach up towards them with their sharp, rough branches and crush them if he didn’t keep watch.
It didn’t help that his poor vision made him more paranoid, but he never let his own impairment get to him. He got used to it decades ago, had accepted it too. But he cannot stop the brief moments where he wished for the eyes of his young self. How can he help others if he’s unable to see any threats clearly..?
Upon his fixation in keeping watch over the dark forest below, he also took note at just how silent the forest is. At least his lack of sight gave his other senses more strength.
He’d imagine there’d be the occasional nocturnal animals coming out of their hoanother cautious stare down the hallway ahead of himr their young. But nothing was heard.. The quietness felt almost artificial to him, like a repeated vinyl put out specifically to simulate a supposed lively forest. And that pushed him deathly on edge.
Pure Vanilla took a deep breath to calm himself, maybe he was just being paranoid from the possibility he might see his old friend again after years of not seeing each other. Leaning his staff against the edge, he wiped his sweaty palms off on his robes to maybe shake off the nerves.
Pure Vanilla Cookie then turns to momentarily stare at the three sleeping bundles huddled closely with a vanilla cape covering them all. It makes him relax at how peaceful they looked given their plan. They are… safe with him. His shoulders sag from the weighted stress briefly leaving, his gut wrenching momentarily stopping before he flinches when realizing he left the forest unguarded. He hastily scrambles to the edge of the air balloon.
“...”
Nothing…
Just a normal forest meets his eyes. He sighed exasperatedly, wondering if he should be happy or concerned that a real forest could feel so fake and void.
The staff's eye was stuck on the ground below, a relaxed droop in its gaze. Pure Vanilla Cookie took this chance to yawn, rubbing his own mismatched ones as he used the staff to continue looking, soon shifting to get comfortable in a spot where he could still keep watch.
“It’s awfully quiet, isn't it?” Pure Vanilla Cookie softly chuckled in an attempt to lighten the mood and make conversation.
The staff, his oldest companion, only looked at him blankly. Its eye closing briefly in acknowledgement before opening to continue staring at the ground below.
Pure Vanilla Cookie’s smile quickly disappeared as he sagged, resting his chin atop his folded arms which dangled atop the ledge.
Pure Vanilla Cookie then kept watching below, but as tired as his body was from the day his eyes quickly grew heavy, and soon the dark forest below faded into nothing under his now snoozing form.
—
When Pure Vanilla Cookie opens his eyes to the sun blaring back from over the horizon. He pauses, before gasping as he stands up abruptly. Shaking his staff awake, to which it grumpily did, he uses it to get a clear view on the now bright forest.
“Uh- hey Pure Vanilla Cookie?” Wizard Cookie called from behind him, grogginess still in their voice. But Pure Vanilla Cookie wasn’t fully listening, too busy intently watching over the forest for any signs of danger.
Sighing in relief when he truly didn't see any potential threats.
“P-Pure Vanilla Cookie!” Strawberry also yelled from behind him, he gave a tired hum in response. Rubbing his eyes with his palm to fully wake himself.
“Yeah?” He yawned, happy to see no haunted trees were reaching out for them-
“PURE VANILLA-!” He barely had time to turn for Gingerbraves yelling when the air balloon shakes as it hits… Something.
He turns around hastily and…. There’s a large tree.
….
…..
“Oh.” It’s all he can say before the basket plunges down rapidly. He hastily grabs hold of his companions, ducking down to shield them from the approaching impact.
Which happens quickly as the deflated balloon catches onto more tree branches. The abrupt stop then slams Pure Vanilla Cookie down onto the basket's sturdy floor. He bites back a grunt as he waits for a minute for any further danger before relaxing his arms as the kids slowly slide off to his sides. Looking frazzled he sits upright quickly checking on his friends to see if they garnered any scratch or damage onto their dough before then trailing a hand down his back.
Silently wincing as he feels a sore spot which is most definitely becoming a bruise.
“Pure Vanilla Cookie! Are you okay?” Gingerbrave asks, reaching a hand out, which is smoothly waved off by the king–who hides behind a bright smile.
“Yes! Thank you, I’m just… Dazed.” The grip on his staff wavers, but he keeps himself steady as he stands on shaking knees. The kids all gather around him, asking various questions. All which he avoids in fear of concerning them.
“I am okay everybody, don't worry about me” Pure Vanilla Cookie said reassuringly and then asked them if they themselves were okay, to which they responded with assuring nods and confirmations, and the Vanillian Cookie breathed out in relief.
“I hope the gnomes aren’t upset about the balloon.” Gingerbrave then comments, carefully looking over the basket's edge, causing it to dangerously sway. Pure Vanilla Cookie would've fallen over if his staff didn't assist him as Strawberry and Wizard Cookie stumbled at the sudden motion, soon yelling at the heedless cookie. Though that’s not very helpful when the rest of the balloon's ropes rip and the basket falls the final bit of the way down onto the forest floor, causing everyone to hit the basket bottom again with a surprised yell.
“Ow-!” Strawberry huffs, before looking over at her friends in worry. “Is everyone sure they’re alright…?” She mutters, Wizard Cookie grunted, before clicking his tongue.
“I think we have worse things to think about…” Wizard Cookie commented after the second crash, adjusting his hat and half-melted hair.
The rest of the group looked up at Wizard Cookie in confusion before quickly noticing the pack of snarling cakehounds surrounding them, all ready to pounce.
“Everyone stay behi-!” Pure Vanilla shouted, before the trio had readily ran in front of him with weapons at the ready.
“Don't worry, Pure Vanilla! We got your back! Or- well front!!” Gingerbrave exclaimed.
Strawberry and Wizard Cookie both yelling in agreement. Pure Vanilla was hesitant, before shaking it off and quickly joining them.
The fight was then won quickly thanks to the help of Pure Vanilla’s magic, yet it still left everyone breathless from the strenuous use of energy.
“Is everyone alright!?” Pure Vanilla Cookie shouted as he swiftly recovered from the fight, running to the huddled group of wincing cookies.
“We’re fine! Ngh-” Gingerbrave painfully called out, cupping his right side in pain after a particular cake hound charged at him.
“Y-Yes we’re okay!” Strawberry shouted, wincing at the bruise forming on her head, caused by tripping over the quick-footed one.
“Never been better!” Wizard exclaimed, trying his best to pick out the branches and leaves sticking onto him and his beloved hat. It wasn’t really anyone’s fault, he just got caught in the crossfire.
Pure Vanilla panickedly set down his staff to closely examine their wounds. “This is my fault” He stressed. “I shouldn’t have agreed to let you join, you should be at the kingdom, safe and sound, not here!”
The three cookies, seeing their friend in distress, quickly interrupted him.
“H-Hey! This is not your fault!” Strawberry said. Offering soothing back rubs to the cookie.
“Yeah! It was our choice to be here! To help and explore together!” GingerBrave quickly added in. Smiling reassuringly at Pure Vanilla Cookie.
“We are still here! Alive and un-crumbled. We can handle ourselves” Wizard huffed. “If anything, we should be worried about you,” Wizard Cookie muttered but was soon firmly smacked in the shoulder by Strawberry Cookie. He winced in pain and shot her a look “what? It's true!"
Pure Vanilla Cookie relaxed from the affirmations, shoulders momentarily falling and head slumping down.
“You three should not be here” He softly muttered. “I know my way around the academy. I have been there before and know it like the back of my staff.” He looked up to them, opening his eyes to give a pleading look. “Please, we still have time for me to teleport you three back, it is not too late.”
The three worriedly shared a look before firmly responding.
“We’re sorry, Pure Vanilla Cookie!” GingerBrave spoke, unmoving in his tone “But when we said we are coming with you.. We meant that we ARE coming with you. Like Wizard Cookie said, we can handle ourselves!”
“Yes, I did say that, did you… Not just see us help you fight those cakehounds off?” Wizard Cookie questioned with squinting eyes.
Pure Vanilla sighed defeatedly, before nodding. “Ah yes, I did… I apologize…” The healer took a deep breath. “Alright..then we must get going.”
Gingerbrave and Strawberry Cookie sprang up in enthusiasm, while Wizard Cookie stood up more slowly. Taking his time to brush off his robes and scarf he then pauses as his hand slides over his pocket.
“Eureka!” Wizard Cookie exclaimed as he took out a compass mysteriously from his cloak. “We still have the compass to guide us at least into ghost town!” His previously narrowed eyes changed to convey his happiness.
“Then we’ll get going!” Gingerbrave declared, raising his still intact candy cane excitedly. The two other young spirited Cookies nodded before following Wizard Cookie.
The forest wasn’t as dangerous as Pure Vanilla Cookie could’ve expected. Sure, the occasional cake hound jumped out at them for stepping a little too close to their nest or food storage, but Pure Vanilla Cookie used his magic to send them scurrying off before the kids could even reach for their own weapons.
Yet, with the constant use of magic it was slowly but surely taking its toll on him, but his unwavering resolve to keep the young cookies safe fueled him to keep going.
Fortunately, they soon made it into town, and Pure Vanilla Cookie took the chance to rest onto a nearby bench to briefly recover.
Taking into his surroundings, he notices that the structure and inhabitants of the town still remain the same. It reminded him of the times when he and White Lily Cookie would walk into the town to get the infamous, yummy ice cream cone after a long day of school.
He smiled at that, chuckling at the times they would laugh and sit under a tree to finish their treat before continuing on their own studies at the secret garden.
Oh, how times have changed..
Yet, he soon snapped out of his nostalgia as he quickly noticed the three young cookies growing increasingly distant from his view. So Pure Vanilla Cookie, with the help of his staff, quickly got up from the comfortable bench to catch up to them as they talked with several different stall owners for any help.
They were asking about passage to cross their waters and he wanted to step in to talk for them, but he chose to instead leave that task to them as he clearly saw the close friendship they had with the town and didn’t want to potentially overstep.
And sooner than expected they found a fellow skeleton happy to help them cross it. With a job well done, the three cookies jumped with cheer, to which Pure Vanilla Cookie simply smiled as his old cookie joints didn't allow him such luxury.
By the time they’d gotten to the water the ferry-skeleton simply asked, in exchange for the passage, to provide him protection from the dangerous, monster-ridden environment.
And as the four agreed, Pure Vanilla quickly grew to feel awful as the three mostly fought off said monsters. Sure, he healed any bruises they got, but he still felt bad even despite his exhaustion having him hanging onto his staff like it’s a lifeline.
But throughout the watery journey, the ferryman also kept cracking bad puns, Wizard Cookie was very obviously not amused as the skeleton kept laughing at his own jokes.
However, Pure Vanilla, Strawberry, and GingerBrave Cookie appreciated the distraction, and Pure Vanilla Cookie had personally found the jokes ‘rib-tickling’ funny, as the ferryman had commented when he chuckled at a particularly bad pun. Much to the surprise and exasperation of Wizard Cookie.
Upon finally arriving at the academy entrance, the group all shared tired sighs and pants. But Ginger Brave, Strawberry, and Wizard Cookie could forget it when they were then given some yummy ice cream by a kind ghost that had witnessed their tiresome fighting. Pure Vanilla had been offered some as well, and he yummed at the tastiness of the icy treat.
Still tasting the same as ever, Pure Vanilla briefly
The group, now replenished, continued onwards after thanking the kind ghost and ferry-skeleton, now approaching the academy’s vine-covered gates. After an arduous journey the four cookies had made it to the academy, finally!
But at Pure Vanilla Cookie’s unobservant awareness, his assisting flower eye companion was glued on watching the other side of the gate. Eerily staring at the familiar garden visible through the gates creaky metal fence.
Approaching gates, the gatekeeper (a little ghost mind you) was still as indescribable as the young cookies remember from their previous journey, still so set in guarding the old gates even when the gang could easily walk through was beyond their understanding, but Pure Vanilla Cookie wanted to stay civil, so he tried to talk things out with the keeper, up until Wizard Cookie decided to instead wave the end of his wand through the ghost, causing the gatekeeper to get flustered and disappear.
And so the four had successfully made it to the academy’s entrance, setting off to continue their journey to the inside of the academy, now passing through the abandoned garden. But as the group passed through said garden for the building's main doors, Pure Vanilla couldn't help himself.
He stopped, staring upon its moss stained windows and vine covered structure, his heart suddenly feeling a bit too heavy.
After all these years, he still couldn’t believe he once studied under this academy’s guiding hands. Its once glorious walls now cracked, dulled, infested with plants of all sorts.
This.. is what became of such a beautiful place…
This is the effect.. the evidence of how far a cookie still dear to him was willing to go. And all of it for what? Freedom? Pure Vanilla almost chuckled at that. The irony of it all. Chasing freedom for cookie kind but trapping and enslaving a handful in the process.
Either way, he can’t help but feel responsible for it. He should’ve- no. Could’ve done more.
If he had stepped in..
If he had stopped her…
If he had-
He was suddemly resurfaced from his mind as a hand gently grabs ahold of his. The staff, once transfixed on the old building, looks down, allowing Pure Vanilla Cookie to see Gingerbraves trusting smile.
Yes, that's right… they've put their trust in him… and so he'll do his best to prove they did the right thing.
So he, along with Gingerbrave, Wizard Cookie and Strawberry Cookie take the first step.
Walking up to the front door, he slowly reached a shaky hand out. The knob was old and rusted, so it took some force to pry it open–but with a sharp tug the door creaked open, and Pure Vanilla Cookie immediately froze again. The children tried to move forward but also stopped as they realized he wasn’t moving.
He looked bewildered? Horrified? …Both?
They all follow his gaze inside the academy, it’s the same as the last time they ventured here?
Strawberry Cookie gently grabbed ahold of Pure Vanilla Cookie’s robes and tugged it, snapping the frozen cookie from his trance.
“O-oh-? Sorry…” Pure Vanilla mutters, realizing he’d been stalling. He sent the hallway ahead of him another cautious stare. He thought, for a split second, seeing a familiar shade of green…
Finally walking inside, their footsteps echo on the concrete floor.
The children send him some pitying glances worried for his mental stability, to which Pure Vanilla Cookie bites his lower lip silently cursing himself for worrying them. Yet he doesn’t say anything, fearing it’ll only make it worse or simply backfire with them asking him more questions.
Questions even he, as the Harbringer of Truth, doesn't have answers to..
But fate seems to be extra cruel today as the moment they turn the first corner, a hoard of… Clouds? Catch sight of them–and despite their adorable appearances they seem less than happy about their arrival as they charge in to attack.
“Oh- not those again!” Gingerbrave deflates, before readily grabbing his candy cane and shouting “Okay! On my mark we- huh?”
A bright light suddenly, but momentarily, blinds the young cookies and when they open them again they’re in some strange hallway filled with paintings.
Paintings that feel eerily alive..
“W-what?!” It’s a collective choir of surprise, as the three young cookies look around dazed.
Wizard Cookie being the first to say something.
“Curses… We must’ve stepped on an enchanted tile or something!” He huffed, eyebrows furrowing.
“I-I don’t remember that being there last time we were here?” Strawberry Cookie questions aloud, tugging the strings of her hoodie.
“There aren’t.” Pure Vanilla stoically responds, his back to the three as his hand trembles. His dough looks much paler than before, and his breathing is labored.
“Uhm- Pure Vanilla Cookie? A-are you okay?” Gingerbrave asks, stepping a bit closer to get a better look. Before grimacing as he reaches out a hand. “You don't look so good…”
“You’re so pale…” Strawberry comments, eyes drooping in worry as she also moves closer.
Last comes Wizard Cookie, who instead of offering comfort, stood in front of Pure Vanilla Cookie, garnering his attention.
“Why?” The intelligent cookie gritted, and Pure Vanilla’s eyes expressed confusion before closing again as he slowly rubbed his head from the sudden headache. He soon responded with a soft, but acknowledging hum.
“Was this teleportation thing… Your doing?” Wizard continues to prod, eyes narrowing suspiciously. There wasn’t a response as Pure Vanilla ashamedly looked to the side. Eyes unfocused and half closed, beads of sweat forming on his face.
“Pure Vanilla Cookie?” Strawberry Cookie silently calls out, hesitantly tugging on his robe to try and get an answer out of him.
“I-”
“You’ve been acting eerily distant for a while now.” Wizard Cookie accuses.
“Ever since we went on this journey you have always given the first strike against the enemies” He mutters.
“And even though that is great of you to do, it happens so often it almost seems like you don't trust us..” Wizard Cookie takes a small step forward, the grip on his candy staff tightening. This causes a ripple effect as Pure Vanilla stumbles a bit.
“I-” Pure Vanilla Cookies stammers, a hand inadvertently squeezing his staff, which sends the stammering cookie a pained glare in return.
Yet Pure Vanilla Cookie doesn't take the time to notice as he nervously looks at Wizard Cookie, his composed posture faltering.
“Yes.” Wizard barks, eyes narrowing.
There’s an uncomfortable laugh from the side as Gingerbrave then cautiously steps in.
“Wizard Cookie! You’re being a little pushy-”
“You were thinking it too!” Wizard Cookie interrupts as he snaps at GingerBrave, who flinches at the response.
“Tell me,” he clicks his tongue looking back at the Vanillian Cookie.
“Do you trust us?”
Everyone pauses, before all eyes turn to Pure Vanilla, who’s busy trying not to let his mind seize function.
“I- yes, of course-”
“liar.”
It’s a sharp cut, not very precise but it stops Pure Vanilla in his tracks..
Snap.
“What?” Pure Vanilla almost chokes on his breathing, pausing as he looks at the other two cookies. But they’re avoiding his eye contact, both seemingly deep in thought.
“I-... Wizard Cookie’s rght…” Gingerbrave mutters, rubbing his right arm as a small sense of comfort.
Pure Vanilla gulps, turning to Strawberry Cookie who was looking anywhere but his direction.
A sharp pain suddenly stabs him on the side of his head.
Snap.
Pure Vanilla internally winces.
He didn't know what to say.
He didn't know what to do.
“I…Apologize..” He quietly mutters, but Wizard Cookie wouldn’t take that answer.
“Are you really? Or is that another shallow truth?”
Snap.
“What-! No! I wouldn’t-” He pauses, noting something… Peculiar about their eyes.
Are… are their eyes blue?
“Wouldn’t…What? Lie?”
SNAP.
Pure Vanilla’s breathing caught in his throat, and his eyes opened at the absurdity.
He… He wasn’t a liar… He was the holder of the light of truth… Lying… No, he couldn’t… All this avoidance isn't… Lying-!
It’s a… Protection! And it’s not like there is no truth in his words… That.. should make it okay, right?
.....
What.
What was he thinking?! No, that’s… That IS lying, isn't it?
But… He… Hasn’t lied before has he? He… How many times has he done this?
And if he has… Is this souljam truly… his?
…Maybe he should give it back to-
A bright, but seemingly small white in the distant dark hallway suddenly caught his eye. He looked between the cookies, staring straight at something- no, someone else.
Another…Cookie..?
Those eyes...That.. Hair!
Pure Vanilla gasped in realization, heart leaping out his chest to his brain, the pain immediately disappearing.
He yelled out with as much might as someone with his energy level could.
“White Lily Cookie!!”
The trio, upon hearing Pure Vanilla’s shout, snapped out of their moment of anger, to instead look behind them.
The three gasped as they also saw a glimpse of the familiar cookie.
“It's White Lily Cookie!” The children shouted, a shared surprise washing away almost all of their previous negativity.
Almost.
Wizard Cookie then briefly looked back to Pure Vanilla Cookie.
“We'll continue this after,” he muttered with a furrowed brow.
The healer nodded absentmindedly, eyes still glued to the ghost of his old friend to which he snapped out of when the three started running after her.
Pure Vanilla Cookie quickly pushed himself to also follow, but his body was still tired and hadn’t yet recovered from his previous use of teleportation magic. So in this weakened state he stumbles and trips on his robes, urgently gripping the poor staff for a sense of stability.
Hastily trying to stomp on solid ground to regain his balance, he instead missteps on a loose crumbling tile as it slips like butter beneath him.
And instead of crashing onto solid ground, he falls.
Now, the events that unfolded were indeed unfortunate, but in his shock, he fleetingly remembers his staff’s eye looking at him with such wicked glee.
However, he doesn’t quite catch it for sure before he loses his grip around said staff and quickly falls deeper into the dark abyss.
And suddenly darkness envelops him with its chilly, unwelcoming breath like an ice cold bath.
He shouts, or he assumes he does, the shock more so makes him gasp and he presumes some form of a yell might’ve come out as he felt his lungs squeeze painfully.
Either way, his sudden disappearance goes unnoticed by the three chasing cookies.
But at some point he assumes the hole is endless, until he roughly slams onto the cold stone floor. He gasps, sharp pain immediately surging across his whole body.
He lays there for a couple of minutes, or was it hours? He couldn’t quite be so sure of time as he felt his cookie body crumble just a bit from the unforgiving impact.
He groans from the pain, a sharp and stabbing sensation enveloping him rendering him completely immobile.
Neither the less, he tries to pull himself back up, but he can only see darkness, even when he desperately tries to grasp for his staff.
“Mrgh-!” His left side immediately burned with pain from the movement having absorbed most of the impact.
His eyes stung with tears of pain or exhaustion, he wasn’t quite sure anymore.
But as his hand continues to determinedly roam over the cold floor, he notices- a blur…
Although a mere light at first. He notes it growing closer, slowly taking the shape of… a cookie?
Their body is almost a beacon of light, blinding the wounded ancient cookie.
Is it really another cookie? But who? It couldn’t be White Lily as he catches this cookie’s gaze too… Intrigued?
Why-... who is-..?
But unfortunately, before he could come to a conclusion, his body and mind shut down. It had finally registered the impact. That, mixed with his exhaustion, makes it a short battle for him.
But before his mind had completely gone unconscious, he heard something..
a sharp voice..
"Wake up soon, holder of the light of truth, she needs you.."
.
.
Thud!