Chapter Text
" ' Alright. We've finished preparing for the expedition. ' " Raspberry Cookie finished her sentence with a small polite bow to the current Queen. After many days of preparation , collection of supplies , and packing - they could finally head set their sites on making it to Beast - Yeast.
" 'I don't think I could have ever found a better Cookie for this task. Thank you for your dedication and effort , Raspberry Cookie. ' " Jungleberry Cookie offered a polite smile and head nod , which was the most symbolization for an ' I am proud of you ' you could pull from her. Raspberry was merely glad she could be of help towards such a large expedition like this , traveling to Beast - Yeast would certainly be no easy task. But under Hollyberry Cookie's ( and her own) leadership , she was sure it would go well.
Raspberry Cookie gave a light smile in return. " ' It is my finest pleasure to uphold the name and honor of The Great House Raspberry , your Majesty. ' " Jungleberry didn't show it much , but she was almost certain that Jungleberry was glad to gain respect from the other Houses , even though it came easily to the Hollyberry Kingdom anyhow. All she could do was give one last full bow , before standing up and fixing any creases in her clothing.
" ' I am honored to have your blessing for this mission. I will not fail you , your Majesty. That I can swear! ' " she'd said with as much confidence as she could muster , which was quite much , so she'd been told. Jungleberry gave her a quick wave , before sending her on the way to join her fellow ' travelers ' .
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" ' Dear Hollyberry Cookie , it's almost unnerving - yet I hope this frantically written letter finds you well. ' "
She'd clutch the letter in her hand , unfurling it to see what the rest said. The start of this letter was already worrying enough, especially considering it was never very often Pure Vanilla sent her anything but bad since..
" ' Luckily , enough of the Light of Freedom remained in order for White Lily Cookie to return back to her True self. ' "
" ' Siiighh,. ' " Yep. Just as she had thought , the good before the bad. Pure Vanilla ( and she hopes she would find no offense in this ) had always been the type to sugar things up. Yet , the letter continued.
" ' It seems that our Soul Jams are connected to the power of these ' Beast Cookies ' . And it seems they plan on reclaiming their lost power back now that they've awoken from the Tree. ' " ..The handwriting for the last part of the letter was definitely a bit more ..off , compared to the usual eloquence Pure Vanilla wrote with. The most she can assume is that she set off to Beast - Yeast after sending the letter. She was most definitely still worried though.
" ' Oh , Pure Vanilla Cookie , my dearest friend.. I've heard nothing of you since I received this shocking letter.. ' " she'd sigh out. Normally , it wouldn't be much of a surprise to not receive letters for a while. But , with the current problem of these ' Beast Cookies' mentioned in the letter.. She'd rather not think of that alternative.
She placed her hand on her head , this all had been a bit much to process. She'd rather muddle her brain with other , less worrying methods. " ' Something certainly must have gone wrong in his adventure. He certainly does know how to make me worried.. ' "
At last , she stood straight up , composing herself. She couldn't be like this , not at the brink of war [ how ironic. ] " ' I , Hollyberry Cookie , Ruler of the Hollyberry Kingdom , cannot simply sit by and wait while my friends and the fate of Earthbread are at risk. I must travel to Beast - Yeast and find out what is happening. ' "
" ' Do you plan on traveling on your own.. Again ? ' " A voice called from behind her , extra emphasis on the 'again' part. And now if she said that didn't shock her for at least just the shortest moment , she'd be a very intense liar.
" ' AHH-! Wildberry Cookie! You..certainly startled me. How long exactly have you been standing there..? ' " she breathed out , still mildly rattled that he simply popped in out of nowhere. Wildberry Cookie , however , merely shook his head and sighed.
" ' A while. Since ' Oh , Pure Vanilla Cookie ' and on. Nevermind. I bring troubling news from the Dark Cacao Kingdom. ' " his demeanor slightly changed from serious to ..from what she could pick up - perhaps nervous ? It didn't show on his face , but she supposed that after all the time they'd spent together , she'd gotten pretty good at reading him.
" ' A mysterious plague has been spreading throughout the land , turning Cookies' dough's pale-white. What's basically flour. ' " Well , that's certainly startling , but nothing she couldn't have anticipated with all that's going on. You have to expect everything wrong to happen , to happen , nowadays.
She'd nod , worry evident in her face. " ' It's just as Pure Vanilla said in his letter.. We have to prepare as well. We can't risk waiting much longer. ' " And of course , another Cookie just had to appear. And of course , said Cookie appeared standing ominously behind her. Lovely.
" ' Of course. That is why I am here. ' " Jungleberry Cookie said affirmatively. She had been taking much pride in her job as of late. Expected - but she could be just a bit less 'lurking' about it.
" ' Jungleberry Cookie! Your steps have always been silent. ' " she sighed. This was the second time she'd been snuck up on. [ Two - can we get going on three ? ] Yet , polite as ever , Jungleberry Cookie merely nodded. If she didn't know any better , Hollyberry would have assumed she enjoyed being able to sneak up on her.
" ' As are yours. You've always been a fan of the art of disappearing without so much as a word. ' " Jungleberry said , quite confidently. Ah , so they were
' ganging up ' on her , as one might call it. Isn't this just a great way to start a journey!.
Hollyberry hummed , nodding with just as much sarcastic energy as one could put into a nod. " ' Mmm.. Now , why do I feel like i'm being scolded by both of you..? ' " And , much to her own chagrin , that was exactly what was happening here.
" ' Don't worry , your Majesty. You are not. [ Yeah , right. ] But.. After hearing of the Dark Cacao Kingdom and its troubles , we have been strengthening the Hollyberry Kingdom's defenses. ' " Jungleberry was now also very worried. Just greatttt. Join the party , yeah? All Hollyberry could do is nod along , no words could suit the true worry she felt. Well , they did. She just doesn't believe she could say them without getting a sharp talk from Wildberry.
Jungleberry Cookie continued , it just seemed that the problems were getting worse as she went. " ' To make matters worse for us all..The Beasts are known to wield immense powers and abilities that could wipe Crispia off Earthbread without a single trace.. ' " she said it with this look on her face. A look that said ' I have very little confidence in most Cookies right now. We are most likely not surviving. '
" ' However , despite all this troubling news , i'm certain you still plan to travel to Beast - Yeast. I'm aware you must complete this mission for Us. And I'm very aware you intend to do it alone. But.. what say instead .. You take some of our finest warriors with you for company? Ah , and Wildberry as well , of course. ' " Wildberry Cookie turned towards Jungleberry and let out a disapproving 'hufff. . ' at the insinuation that he was , infact , not one of their finest warriors. Which - he truly was.
Hollyberry thought it over for a moment , it was true. Even if she was an amazing and well renowned warrior .. It wouldn't hurt all that much to bring a few others with her. " ' Hmn . . You do raise a fair point. We must tread more carefully during these times of turmoil. Considering all that's going on at the moment. ' " . . She couldn't help but think back to her friends , Pure Vanilla's letter.. Oh , she hoped she was doing well. And the war.. . nevermind that.
" ' Ah ! Well said! Well then , Raspberry Cookie will await you at the set rendezvous point. Wildberry , I trust you will keep the Queen Mother safe , yes? ' " Jungleberry finished. Gah... Always such a worrier! Hollyberry well understood they were in a time of war , but they could stand to loosen up a bit.
Wildberry nodded to Jungleberry Cookie , serious as ever. " ' Anything for the Hollyberry Kingdom , of course. ' "
" ' Dawwh , you two baby me far too much! ' " Hollyberry snickered , it was quite funny seeing how much they cared for her. Just as much as it was endearing. " ' Now , now! Don't you forget I am the most experienced adventurer of Beast - Yeast! ' " All Jungleberry did in response was sigh , her eyes falling a bit.
She shook her head , avoiding eye contact. " ' Hollyberry Cookie , you - . .' " She seemed oddly nervous , so much so it was almost out of character. Hollyberry raised her eyebrows in confusion.. What exactly could be the problem..?
" ' It is nothing. I bid you a smooth and safe journey , Your Majesty. ' " Jungleberry waved Hollyberry Cookie a soft goodbye , then beginning to stroll away. Mhm. Yes.. Very much nothing. Not much Hollyberry could do about it now anyways.. She really was right about them being a bit too serious sometimes , Witches! Well.. She trusted Jungleberry. If it was nothing , it was nothing! She had more important things to worry about anyways.
Hollyberry chuckled , " ' I'll be back before ya know it! ' "
...
The sounds of the expedition supplies making a loud - " ' RUSTLE - ! ' " .. normally would have startled most. Unfortunately , no one was around to hear it.
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" ' My dearest Queen , you've returned at last! Ah... I hope my Mother is doing well on her way to Beast - Yeast . .' " Royalberry Cookie rushed over to Jungleberry , quickly and tightly ( as a true Hollyberrian does ) embracing her happily. Jungleberry returned the hug , before letting go and speaking.
" ' Mm.. Yes , her Majesty Hollyberry Cookie has already set off to Beast - Yeast while being accompanied by Wildberry as well as a few others. ' " Jungleberry nodded slightly. Royalberry could only sigh , off she went again . .
" ' You always seem to know just where to find her , while I seem to be simply stumbling one step behind everytime .. quite helplessly. ' " Royalberry said almost regretfully. He did truly miss the days he spent with his Mother. . Even if that rarely had ever happened when she'd give him the time to look away from that... bottle. " ' Oh , But ! You'll be quite happy to know that I finished preparing shelters for all our denizens while you were away! ' " He piped up. Better to focus on the nicer things.
And then he caught the look on Jungleberry's face. Oh .. , " ' ..What is it , my love? You look..troubled. Has something..happened? ' " He asked worriedly. Things going wrong now certainly wouldn't help anything.
" ' It's nothing , darling. I was merely.. thinking about the past. ' " She shook her head , as if snapping out of a trance. Her eyes filled with something he couldn't quite distinguish , be it worry or regret. And then Jungleberry Cookie continued , " ' She seemed like her usual self , yet.. something was amiss. Just like what she dealt with after.. The Dark Flour War. ' " .
Royalberry stopped at that. His eyes widened. He.. He remembered the times in the aftermath of the war. Royalberry Cookie always wished he didn't. His chest felt heavier. " ' . . . Do not worry , dearest. She is safe with Wildberry Cookie and Raspberry Cookie. I am sure of it. ' " He truly was the one worrying though.
Jungleberry approached him , gently running her fingers through his soft hair while she nodded in agreement. " ' Yes , of course , dear. We must do our part for this kingdom while the Queen Mother is away. . So that our kingdom is protected from the clutches of those wretched Beasts... ' "
.. .