Chapter Text
Pure Vanilla sat in the Solarium of Unity. He had to think. Think about his final conversation with Shadow Milk. Think about what he should do now. Think about who he could go to. He had to think about what Shadow Milk had said.
“Mark my words: one day, your ‘kindness’ will become your undoing.”
Kindness being his undoing… he needed to consider this, no matter if it was true or false.
He had accepted doubt. Embraced Deceit. Knew it was always going to be there. And he accepted that the Truth can be found through lies as well. He realized that was why he loved fables so much. Stories, real or fictional, held meaning.
But he knew his was not finished. He knew there was more. He couldn’t stand by and watch people being hurt. His Truth, his Deceit, his ending felt… incomplete. He had to make a decision.
And he was to do that today.
One hour later…
“Pure Vanilla!! It was nice to receive your message.” Hollyberry sat down in the Council Hall, lowering her new shield with a thud. The Queen Mother stretched, displaying her sleek gold armor. As if on cue, Dark Cacao entered the room as well.
“Yes, a welcome surprise to be sure. But… it seemed too urgent to be taken lightly.” Dark Cacao sat next to Pure Vanilla. He took off his elegant crown, now a black-and-white myeonlyugman. His sword now resembled the dragons he had tamed, both practical and striking just like the Dragon Lord.
“Well said, Dark Cacao! While it is pleasant to see three of my wonderful treasures again, it also concerns me.” Golden Cheese sat between Hollyberry and Dark Cacao. The Golden Goddess’s new radiant spear and wings, accented with green and red, were almost as brilliant as her fiery, sunlike hair.
“Oh, never mind all that, Goldie!” Hollyberry raised her hand in excitement. “We are all gathered together for once! Is that not enough cause for celebration?”
Then, Pure Vanilla spoke up. “Yes… all of us. Including-”
Golden Cheese cut him off. “Oh. Are you going to say what I think you’re saying? That you invited… her?” The atmosphere became thicker than blocks of cheese. Golden Cheese’s expression shifted from shock to anger to, strangely, guilt, and truth be told, she had no clue on which she felt the strongest.
“Y-yes. He did invite… me.” A figure stood in the doorway, hiding her face in a spare hood. She covered her clothing and face, leaving only her mouth and her staff. It was unmistakable who she was, however. The Guardian of the Silver Tree herself. White Lily Cookie.
“…”
“…”
“…”
“…”
Not a word was said. Golden Cheese looked away. Dark Cacao lifted his sword in caution. Hollyberry simply stared in shock, with a faint smile.
But the most astonishing of all was Pure Vanilla, who welcomed her with open arms. “White Lily! I am grateful you could make it.” Hollyberry and Dark Cacao welcomed her as well, lowering their guard.
But White Lily didn’t respond. She simply stared at Golden Cheese.
“…White Lily, Golden Cheese, I… I apologize,” Pure Vanilla sighed. “I thought we could discuss separately, if you all so wish. I could get White Lily’s input on the side, and then give it to you all so we can decide together. Would that be alright?”
Golden Cheese was the first to speak. “…no. It is alright, she can… join us. But know this: I am doing this for the good of the world. Any and all… attachments… can be discussed later.”
“I… I thank you for this opportunity, Golden Cheese… a-and for what it’s worth… I am truly, truly sorry.”
Golden Cheese looked away, sorrow cast over her eyes. “…a-as I said, any personal issues can be… acknowledged later. Now is the time for discussing what is to be done.”
Dark Cacao grunted in agreement. “Yes, ah, the topic at hand. We may have driven back the Beasts, but they are not fully finished with their schemes yet.”
Hollyberry seemed… upset, almost? She knew the Beasts were capable of doing harm, yet something within her rang out with anxiousness. “Eternal Sugar seems as though she has taken my advice to heart! I believe she can grow if she so desired!” Hollyberry let out a hearty laugh, yet one could see her smile waver.
“Lucky. Burning Spice seems to hold no regard over anything other than himself.” The Golden Sovereign scoffed. “He fell from grace due to being… being BORED, for Witch’s sake! From what I hear, the others were at least understandable, but HIM? I cannot fathom a world where he could ever be better.” Golden Cheese growled, slightly judgmentally. She remembered the shock she saw when she heard Burning Spice’s fall. Sheer boredom? Dissatisfaction with creation and destruction? She couldn’t fathom it.
White Lily remained silent, still mulling over in thought. Her Beast was… affable? Still evil, yes, but almost in the exact opposite way as her, ah, darker side. Whilst Dark Enchantress deliberately hurt, Silent Salt stayed inactive. He would see others get hurt in front of him, and yet not even lift a finger. Was she… like that? She could not tell anymore.
Finally, it was Pure Vanilla’s turn to speak. He had reflected on the Beast of Deceit’s words. And he came to one conclusion.
“My friends, I ask for your assistance and understanding. After my brush with Shadow Milk, I have realized something. He has said kindness shall be my undoing. My time in the Spire of Shadows helped me realize that there is an inkling of truth inside a seed of doubt. To find it, we must accept uncertainty. I am starting to wonder.
What sliver of truth hides behind his lie?”
The other four stood in shock. “Pure Vanilla, you couldn’t possibly-!” Hollyberry stepped back. “This is preposterous! You couldn’t believe that!” Golden Cheese slammed her fists. “What inane ramblings are you speaking of?” Dark Cacao held his sword instinctively. “Pure Vanilla…” White Lily looked down at her feet.
Pure Vanilla simply held a hand up.
“Yes, I know. It is… hard to believe. But I think he is not fully telling a lie. Just as his falsehoods about Elder Faerie, I believe this is simply a perspective shift. After careful consideration, I have decided my plan. I know there is a Beast Cookie who has had a similar dilemma, and I wish to visit her.” Pure Vanilla took a deep breath.
“I am to visit the Ivory Pagoda in hopes of encountering Mystic Flour Cookie.”