Chapter Text
Shadow Milk looked down, his stuttered breath hitching as he gazed dazedly at the serrated blade that had impaled him. His hands found their ways up to his wound, fingers shakily enclosing the blade. The sword was pulled back from his stomach with a wet splutter, before jam started flowing from the wound.
In the distance, he could hear the muffled sound of shouting as the battle against Dark Enchantress went on around him. On his dough, he could feel the discomfort of the grime and sweat that was layered on his skin. Most prominently, however, he could feel his guts spilling out of the gaping hole in his abdomen. Suddenly, he found himself no longer able to breathe. Jam filled his lungs as he inhaled, a wet gurgle emitted as he choked on his own jam.
And for the first time in a while, he felt fear.
Or maybe, peace.
It was strange, Shadow Milk knew he deserved this. After everything he’d done, how could he not?
Death wasn’t something Shadow Milk feared. In fact, he might’ve even looked forward to it. A quick way to erase his endless suffering. A solution to all the regrets that would bury him alive. Death meant finally letting go of his miserable life, of all painful uncertainties, as he was slowly lulled into an endless slumber. Sometimes, he would lay in bed, imagining the gruesome ways he could meet his death. Maybe jumping off his spire’s peak, plunged into the water, neck breaking on impact, akin to the dive of a swan. Or maybe, Burning spice would best him in a battle, crush his limbs with his axe before landing a final hit to his throat.
So, when it finally came for his time to end, the beast did not know why he felt fear. As he lay on the floor, gasping for air through punctured lungs, and felt the agonising feeling of jam and intestines pooling out of him, he could only think of all the things he would never be able to do, and the people he’d never make amends with.
Of Candy Apple, who’d devoted her entire life to him, squealing his name, obeying his every order.
Of Black Sapphire, who would be at his side without a moment's hesitation, composed always, radiating his cool charisma.
And maybe, he’d miss Pure Vanilla, with his milky two toned eyes that softened with kindness every time he caught the beast’s eyes.
He would miss his siblings, although they didn’t care for him anymore.
It was strange, he was only realising what he had when he had lost it all. Huh. The Beast of Deceit, so good at his job that he had even fooled himself into pushing away every single person who had cared for him until it was too late. Ironic, isn’t it?
He really was going to die, huh?
He really didn’t want to die.
But alas, as jam continued to flow from his limp body, his mind failed him, and his eyesight blurred. His arms and legs lost all feeling, and the bone chilling cold that nipped at his dough became a comforting warmth. A persistent tugging of unconsciousness became more apparent by the second, before he finally succumbed.
His last thought was a plea, words that never made it out of his mouth.
Please, anything but this. Not now, not when I was so close.
“As always, light has shone through the darkness. Good will always prevail in the face of evil,” Pure Vanilla yelled, Dark Enchantress crying in agony as she slumped into the floor, body becoming nothing but flesh and gore. “My friend, I wish I could have saved you.” He whispered, before turning away in finality.
“Now then, is anyone hurt–?” he froze mid sentence, bile threatening to crawl up his throat as he spotted a lifeless blue lump laying on the floor. He hurriedly ran towards the fallen beast, falling beside him and shaking his shoulders roughly. “Shadow Milk Cookie!” He channeled his healing magic into his wound, however, Shadow Milk’s body was made of Dark Moon magic, his light magic completely ineffective in the face of the superficial body. He felt for the pulse, and breathed a sigh of relief as he felt a sluggish thumping against his hand. Beast cookies were harder to kill off than regular cookies, after all.
He finally examined Shadow Milk’s body, staff shining and focusing onto his abdomen. He could not help the scream that tore from his throat. Half of the beast’s organs had spilled from his body onto the floor, and his skin was pale from blood loss. He stepped back from the body. Breathe, Pure Vanilla. Shadow Milk needs you. He exhaled before his expression hardened. He gathered the intestines and quickly shoved them back into his body, before taking off his cloak and wrapping the body in it.
“Please, any healer, come help him! He’s seriously injured.” Three healers made their way around the barely moving body, all gasping sharply at the injuries before getting to work. Magic was poured into his body, the beast’s expression twisting into one of discomfort. They barely managed to stabilise him before their magic was exhausted, but it was the best they could do. Pure Vanilla rushed to board the airship before he commanded Espresso cookie and Strawberry Crepe to board as well. After everybody had gotten on, he finally started the trip to the Vanilla Kingdom. All that mattered now was making sure Shadow Milk remained in the fragile stability of his condition.
He placed the beast onto the cot before peeling off the body suit he wore. Then, Pure Vanilla slowly wiped down his body, lessening the chance for possible infections. He bandaged his dough with thick white gauze and then dressed him in a thin white hospital gown before pulling the sheets over him.
With the limited resources, all he could do now was wait, and cling onto the small chance that he may wake.