Chapter Text
Candy Apple whimpered as she dragged herself out of bed. Her entire body felt heavy. Like all the sugar had been sapped out of her.
She changed out of her PJs and changed into her dress before slipping on her socks and shoes. She sluggish brushed her hair, putting in minimal effort.
She put on her candy apples and wobbled out of her room, slowly making her way down the stairs. The stairs of the spire didn't have railings? She never noticed.
Candy Apple stumbled down the last few steps but caught herself. The room felt boiling hot. It was usually a comfortable cool, compared to the desert heat she was feeling.
"About time you came downstairs, missy," Shadow Milk huffed. "Black Sapphire was snappy compared to you. Silent and thorough. I gave him his mission and he was out the door in no time. What's your excuse this time?" Great, seemed like Master Shadow Milk was in a less then ideal mood.
"Sorry, master..." Candy Apple murmered.
"You know I hate it when you mumble," Shadow Milk huffed. "And what is going on with your hair and dress?!" he gasped. "Your dress is on backwards and your hair looks like a rat nest made from matted Cream Wolf fur."
Candy Apple wanted to argue. She wanted to whine. Something. But she just had no energy.
"Come here," Shadow Milk ordered.
Candy Apple stepped forward and rubbed her eyes with a yawn. Shadow Milk grabbed her arm and pulled it out of the sleeve.
"Just need to pull your arms out then spin your dress arou- hey!" he exclaimed as Candy Apple smacked his hand away.
"Don't touch me!" Candy Apple whined loudly as she spun her dress around.
"Why you little-!" Shadow Milk growled. He picked up the squirming, screaming Cookie and forced her into a seat. "Sit still so I can untangle this rat nest, you little rat!" Shadow Milk ordered.
Candy Apple kicked and screamed, trying to get out of the chair and stop Shadow Milk from touching her head. Shadow Milk summoned puppet strings and tied Candy Apple to the seat before conjuring a hair brush and detailed hair spray.
"You are such a brat!" Shadow Milk scolded as he brushed Candy Apple's hair.
"STOP! IT HURTS!" Candy Apple complained.
"Well maybe it wouldn't if you quit squirming! Now hold still- woah!" Shadow Milk exclaimed. Candy Apple was squirming so much she knocked her chair backwards.
"What is wrong with you today?!" Shadow Milk snapped. "You may be a child but-! But..." Shadow Milk's eyes softened when he saw tears going down Candy Apple's cheeks and heard her raspy breathing. He lifted up the chair and removed the strings.
Candy Apple sniffles as she began to cry. She felt so tired and any bit of touch made her skin feel like it was on fire. She couldn't sit up straight and everything was spinning. Her throat felt sore and dry while it also felt like there was snot in it.
Shadow Milk placed the back of his hand on Candy Apple's forehead. He then quickly removed it before Candy Apple could smack it away.
"Fuck, you're burning up like a village on fire..." Shadow Milk muttered. No way this was a normal sickness. It popped up out of nowhere and seemed concerning bad. Candy Apple needed to see a doctor. But who could he trust-
Shadow Milk's thought process paused. Fucking hell. He was going to have to take her to Pure Vanilla. He didn't wanna go. He hated that no good thief. But he couldn't stand hearing his daugh- his minion cry. He really had no choice.
"C'mon kiddo. Let's get you to Nilly's kingdom," Shadow Milk sighed. He summoned puppet strings and quickly weaved them into a hammock. Candy Apple laid down in them and Shadow Milk gently rocked her before teleporting them both to Pure Vanilla's castle.