Chapter Text

Prologue

Shadow milk was giddy, excited even. The Truthless Recluse was very close to being a success. His plan was going over well, and it was more fun than he thought it would be. He was so close to entirely claiming his entire soul jam again, and he would get a new toy in the deal! The beast wouldn't admit it out loud, but that blonde, heterochromatic cookie reminded him of himself when he was still the apostle of knowledge. He even possessed his yellow eye.

The Recluse, on the other hand, was almost completely hopeless. He had no idea where truth ended and deceit began. Had Shadow Milk cookie been spying on him this entire time? Had he been lying, despite being the holder of the soul jam of truth? How much of his own truth was a lie? He couldn't hear the purple blurb brag about the Beast of Deceit or his argument with the red and black smudge over his own ringing thoughts.

The blind cookie's cane hit an edge, a step on a flight of stairs. His thoughts barely took a reprieve as he ascended the stairs, something he had gotten used to in his long life. Only as he approached the end of the steps and onto the top floor did his thoughts begin to slow. He couldn't trust his staff with sight, not when it was covered in deceit.

“Master Shadow Milk Cookie, I've brought you the Truthless Recluse as requested.” The microphone holding cookie announced to the beast of deceit, who grinned widely.

“Hellooo Pure Vanilla cookie!” He sang with that sing-songy tone he often used. “Welcome back to the top of my spire! Ah, you can see my lies spreading across earthbread from here!” The beast gestured to the sky, covered in his blue eyes amidst the inky black.

The ancient cookie remembered those eyes. They had surrounded him in the illusion Shadow Milk had shown him. The one that made him question everything. He didn't need his vision to know what they were. He remained silent, eyes darting quickly back to the beast.

“Not impressed?” The blue cookie asked, false pout tainting his words. “Well, let me switch to a program I know you'll be interested in!”

Three cages sprouted from the side of the tower, holding Gingerbrave, Strawberry cookie, and Wizard cookie. The blonde's eyes widened as his friends hurled insults at Shadow Milk and simultaneously requested Pure Vanilla save them. His friends! Shadow Milk cookie had found them after all. The Beast laughed at their display and the blonde's shocked reaction.

“Ohoho, I've got your attention now, don't I?” He grinned wickedly at his new recruit before floating on his back, as if he were laying in bed.

His attention turned toward the children. “You know, it was kinda stupid to try and hide in a tower made with my own dough. I wonder what you were doing by Vanilly's window.”

He couldn't hear it. He only felt it. Would it work out after all?

Shadow flipped back on his feet, a soft clack on the tile floor. He was skilled enough to mask the pain, he was a professional after all. Even this new body bore the marks he sustained before he was locked away, but for now he could care less. It was obvious that he was entirely confident in himself, enraging one of the cookies in their cages.

“We were helping our friend!” He bravely blabbed. “Pure Vanilla cookie will snap out of it, and he'll defeat you!”

Shadow Milk cookie laughed. Cackled, even. The thought was almost belly-laughing levels of ludicrous to him, but he managed to pull himself together before he got to that point.

“Ahah! Hilarious. Now, little sheep, I have a proposition for you. Option one, I silence them FOREVER!” Vanilla glared at this, but the beast continued. “Option two, my personal recommendation, you give your soul jam to me.”

Give up his power or give up his friends? He had often thought he would give up his jam to save his friends, but it would be at the cost of Earthbread. If he gave it up, either Shadow Milk cookie or Dark Enchantress cookie would bring it to pain and fear. Would he be a good friend if he chose to let them fall?

Shadow watched as Vanilla's face contorted to fear. This was the reaction he expected from the hopeless hero. One more little nudge and the soul jam would once again be entirely his again. However, the brave cookie spoke up yet again.

“You can't force Pure Vanilla cookie to make such a horrible choice!”

Shadow glared in annoyance at the caged cookie. “Shush now child, the adults are talking.”

Gingerbrave’s mouth gained a zipper, closing his lips. This did not stop the annoying cookie from making muffled protests.

“Tick tock, time is running out. What is more important to you, your soul jam or your friends?” He floated over to Vanilla, arms behind his back as he bent down to look at the terrified cookie's face. He loved every moment of it.

The beast could feel the Ancient’s resolve weakening. The soul jam was within his reach. Internally, he was celebrating his near success. “Time is running out, Nilly. It's a simple choice, door number one or door number two. Tick tock.”

Was it a simple choice? As selfish as it was, his friends were important to him. The Truthless Recluse faced Shadow Milk, resolution on his face.

“I choose to relinquish my soul jam.” The blonde cookie took his soul jam off of his collar and held it out to the beast of deceit, who snatched it up greedily.

“Hellllloooooo beautiful! Come to papa!” He sang, watching as the last few drops of truth began to escape the soul jam. “Wonderful! Thank you for playing our game. As a bonus for choosing the correct option, let's see what was behind door number one!” The cages melted away, causing the three cookies to fall.

“No!” Vanilla rushed to the edge, watching his friends fall as their screams became quieter before muting altogether. He didn't want this.

Shadow laughed maniacally. “Oh! Oh crumbs! I can't believe you fell for that! Did you forget that I am the beast of deceit?!” He taunted the distraught cookie.

“They were my friends…” The blonde muttered, tears forming in his eyes.

Of course he would do this. His friends were never safe with him. He wished White Lily cookie were there with them, that she could help save the children at least.

This made the jester stop his laughter, face falling. His fists clenched thinking of the other beasts.

“They were never your friends.” He said coldly. “They would have betrayed you in the end.” His grin returned as he gingerly brought the others head up to face him. “I did you a favor, Nilly. You'll thank me one day. And would you look at that! Not a drop of truth is left!”

“Why?”

“At first, all I wanted was the soul jam. I figured I could trick you into giving it to me. But that's too simple, a cliché. If I want to stick out, I have to be original! I figured you would drown in the Yogurt River of Rebirth, but you surprised me! That got me thinking: since I get to play with you more, what would happen if I kept squeezing and squeezing your soft, submissive soul? Aaaand heeeeere we have it!”

Truthless Recluse glared at the beast. “Return my soul jam.”

This caused Shadow Milk cookie to burst out laughing again. “YOUR soul jam? Are you still not getting it?”

“Yes, my soul jam.”

“This was never yours! This was once the soul jam of knowledge, then became deceit, before it was cut in half and made the soul jam of truth. Now, it will finally be-”

“Two soul jams of deceit.” The Recluse interrupted.

Shadow Milk looked at him, grin widening. Sharing half of his soul jam with his new favorite toy? This was even better, and very enticing to the jester. “Really now? How interesting. What makes you say that?”

“Clearly, we are meant to be together.” the Truthless Recluse continued, a sadistic grin on his face. “We share the same soul jam, after all. Now I finally understand.”

Shadow grinned, a small blush forming on his face. “I think I like that idea. Yeeees~! I shall make you mine entirely!”

The process was quick, but it was eventful. They had focused on each other, reaching for the opposite aura. Flashes of memories and their emotions were given to each other. A kingdom in ruins mixed with overwhelming sadness and terror, seeing the witches eating cookies and feeling utter fear. A cookie in purple and emotions of betrayal, a dear friend becoming a cruel cookie with horror and a great sense of loss. Raising a field into the sky with effort and concentration, creating the other realm with similar emotions.

He understood. This was the only cookie that truly understood him.

“Master Shadow Milk cookie! I couldn't find the cookie's remains anywhere!” Candy Apple cookie whined.

Black Sapphire cookie covering her mouth and pointed upward. The sky shared 4 colors, black and blue alongside white and yellow.

Candy apple pushed his hand away from her face. “How is that possible?! Only master Shadow Milk cookie can do that!”

“That's because there are now two cookies of deceit.” The Truthless Recluse answered.

Shadow cookie floated next to his new recruit. ”Indeed there is! Meet our newest beast of deceit, Pure Vanilla Cookie! Now, not even the witches will be able to stop us!” He cackled triumphantly. “My plan has succeeded even more than I hoped!”

Has it really?

Words in the beast's mind appeared, making him stop his chortles in confusion. The blue eyes in the sky were quickly overtaken by the golden ones, making Shadow panic.

“What's going on?! What happened to my other realm?!” The pieces clicked, this was another betrayal. He glared at Vanilla with contempt. “You TRICKED ME?!” he bellowed angrily.

The blind cookie raised his staff, pointing the sharp end at his chest. If they were truly connected now, he could take them both out with one hit.

“This isn't good.” Black Sapphire muttered.

At once, the blonde brought his self-inflicted weapon down against his chest, where his soul jam sat. Black Sapphire rushed to catch Shadow Milk as he was blasted back by an explosion of light surrounding Pure Vanilla cookie.

No, death wasn't the answer. The beast was deeply hurt, leaving most of his emotional wounds open to fester. An endless cycle of hate and betrayal would solve nothing. Everyone deserved to be treated like a cookie, even a beast cookie.

The healer's robes turned white from their previous black, gaining extra fabric that seemed to hold similar golden eyes to those in the sky, and some white designs within the underside of the cloak. His flower staff gained a key shape with a glowing light in the center at the top where the flower should have been. His hat had gained a crown-like shape on its brim, now fancier than his previous crown with a dark green gem perched on the top of the center most prong. The star on his forehead went from a four pointed star to an eight pointed one. His hair had grown down to his feet, maybe even longer.

Shadow Milk stood up, floating to Pure Vanilla with speed and anger. “You traitor! You LIAR!!” he shouted.

Pure Vanilla remained calm, smiling at Shadow Milk cookie. “Where there is deceit, I will embrace it. Should there be doubt, I will accept it. Come, Shadow Milk cookie. Let us end this cycle, together.”

“End this?! This is just the beginning!” The beast's face contorted with anger. “I will destroy you!!!”

As the blue jester fought the yellow king, the latter was able to deflect almost every attack, dodging others. This infuriated the beast. He was just soooo stubborn, wasn't he? Shadow Milk wore himself down, panting heavily.

He fell to his hands and knees, his toppings melting. “Why aren't you fighting me?!” He exhaustedly demanded.

“Because I don't want to fight you.” Vanilla stated, stunning Shadow as he approached. “You seem exhausted. Are you alright?”

'He doesn't deserve such sympathy.' The staff glared, even without any eyelids.

'Yes, he does. Every cookie does.' Vanilla thought in response.

“Don't pretend to care!” the jester spat. “Not after I killed your friends!”

“Pure Vanilla cookie!” a familiar voice rang out, making Shadow’s face fall. That damned Gingerbrave.

“My friends! Are you alright?” Vanilla was surprised and happy.

“Indeed.” Wizard cookie spoke up. “The spell worked perfectly!”

Spell? What spell? Shadow's plan had failed in every aspect. His arrogance had blinded him to this possibility. Vanilla had him wrapped around his finger the whole time, didn't he?

“Shadow Milk cookie.” Vanilla softly called, making the jester look up at him. “When I first met you, I disliked you. I thought of you as a threat. Now, though. I understand.”

“What could you possibly understand?” Shadow asked in a low voice.

'Yes, what do you understand?' The words repeated in Vanilla's mind.

“I understand that you were hurt, betrayed by a friend.” The angelic looking cookie answered. “You were locked up in that tree for so long. Even as the Truthless Recluse, I could feel your pain.”

Right, they had bonded to share power. Of course he would peek into his mind for such a deep scar. What other scars did he see?

“Don't you lecture me now!”

Vanilla continued. “I only ask you one question. Was it truly fun for you to watch me fall, or was there something else?”

It might have been that he saw Vanilla as lonely as he was, passing though his memories and manipulating them via his dreams.

“Can't I have a little fun? It was entertaining to see how you'd react to the next act. Trying to keep up the mask of bravery as you were being consumed by my deceit was oh so thrilling!”

“I was there to see how happy you were to see my soul jam filled with deceit. You were happy to hear me say that we were meant to be together. I could feel your loneliness, because I have felt it too. A small drop of longing, hiding in the dark.”

He saw that? How long had he known? Was it the whole time? Or was it just resurfaced memories with newfound clarity?

“It certainly wasn't my intention to open that wound, and I am truly sorry about that. I understand how lonely you feel now.”

Sorry? “You're sorry? Don't make me laugh.” The ex-beast glared.

“You were hurt, then and now. I want to make up for the pain I have caused you. Please, come with me. You will not be treated as a prisoner, but as a friend. You won't be lonely any longer.”

'A friend?!'

A friend? Shadow Milk so desperately wanted to believe that, but how did he know Pure Vanilla wasn't lying to him, like he had done just moments before? His last friends had fallen from grace and taken him with them, and one of them made sure they were trapped in that tree for the rest of their Eternal lives. The king even came here to find a spell to put him back, one he had made up to lure him here.

“I could ruin you! I can destroy your reputation, your kingdom, your entire life with just one rumor! You'll be aaall alone with no one to help you!” The floating cookie shouted, enraged.

“Then I will be there to embrace it. As long as I have you with me, I won't be alone.”

He… he wants him? Someone who brainwashed him and tortured him, someone who wished to crumble him, and he still wanted to take him? When was the last time he truly felt wanted? Not since…

“We both know you were here to banish me again. You came looking for a spell that never existed to send me back to my cage!”

“It would be a lie if I said I never wanted that, but I am not lying now when I say I no longer want that for you. It left you alone and in pain for an unfathomable amount of time. I will not let that continue for you. One thing I wasn't lying about was that we belonged together, not then and not now.”

The tower started to crumble, falling apart now that its maker no longer had the energy to sustain it. Even with the near infinite power of the soul jam, it wouldn't help if its master was physically exhausted. Candy Apple cookie and Black Sapphire cookie rushed over.

“Master Shadow Milk cookie!” Candy Apple cried. “The tower is falling apart!”

“We need to get out of here, now.” Black Sapphire cookie used his magic to open a portal. “Master Shadow Milk cookie! Come with us!”

The blue cookie looked at his minions, then at Vanilla. Something within his dough just knew the king wasn't lying to him. How did he know that? Why did he know that? The jester looked up into the blonde's yellow and blue eyes. Those eyes he used to see in mirrors and paintings. The same warmth when he was still the apostle of knowledge and truth. Vanilla's hand was extended toward Shadow, his smile soft and inviting.

Sure, he couldn't see very well with his eyes open, but he didn't need sight to see the other's hesitancy and concern. He wouldn't force him. He deserved a choice.

'He deserves to be locked up.' The Vanilla Orchid protested.

'He was locked up for a very long time.' Vanilla observed. 'All he did was spite and plan. What he needed was a chance to be a cookie, and I will give that to him.'

“We need to leave soon! Very very soon!” Wizard cookie shouted, panic in his voice as the stones of the tower fell around them.

Making a quick decision, the ex-beast took the hero's hand as he stood to his feet. He could figure out these complex feelings later, right now he needed to get out before he was buried under rubble. As his minions left through the portal, Shadow Milk did his best to keep up with the other cookies. The pain radiating through his legs with each step certainly didn't help. He barely had enough magic to keep them functional. Seeing the jester struggle, Pure Vanilla simply grabbed him as if he were a child and kept him close to his chest. The blue cookie could have easily taken his soul jam back there and then, but he was too flustered and tired to do much of anything at the moment. The angel felt so warm, and the jester felt protected in his arms. As the tower collapsed into a large pile of rubble, the group of cookies barely made it out in time.

“Is everyone alright?” Gingerbrave asked, most of the answers were fairly positive.

The only one who remained silent was Shadow Milk cookie, gripping Pure Vanilla cookie’s robes. He buried his face in them to hide the dark blue blush spreading across it. The jester's mind was a flurry of questions, from the king’s true intentions to hoping his minions were alright.

“I believe we are all quite exhausted from the day's events.” Pure Vanilla announced to the group. “We should spend the night at the inn and find our hot air balloon in the morning.”

The young cookies nodded in agreement, each speaking about their varying levels of tiredness as they walked to the building nearby. Maybe the other cookies wouldn't notice him? With his appearance though, they might recognize the ex-beast. Using the last of his recovering magic supply, Shadow Milk shifted himself into a woman with a plain blue dress. Blueberry Cream cookie. It had been some time since he wore her disguise.

Pure Vanilla could feel the cookie in his arms changing, gaining a skirt and cloak. Of course, if he brought a beast cookie into the tavern, others would panic. Maybe assume the king was put under his spell. He could feel her slump in his hold, braided and loose hair pushing against his chest.

“Wonderful quick thinking.” Vanilla complimented in a whisper, making Blueberry blush even more.

The cookies ordered for 2 rooms. After much debate, it was decided that one room would be for Gingerbrave, Strawberry cookie, and Wizard cookie, while the other room would be for Pure Vanilla cookie and Blueberry Cream cookie. The ancient wanted to give the beast her own space so she could feel safe. Although the maiden didn't mention it, she would have rather slept with Vanilla. Even though her senses were relaxed in the king's presence, part of her was still screaming not to. She didn't want to end up trapped again, but she was so exhausted.

Pure Vanilla set the tired cookie down in one of the beds, carefully tearing her hands off of his clothes. Gently, he tucked Blueberry into bed.

“Why are you being so nice to me?” the ex-beast asked, doing her best to keep her voice above a whisper.

The king smiled in response. “Because I care for you.”

'Sometimes I don't understand you.' The staff expressed its confusion and anger to its creator.

The maiden was too exhausted to argue. Even though these beds were vastly uncomfortable compared to the beds in her tower, she fell asleep quickly. Satisfied, the angel retired to the other bed. He set his staff against the wall next to him as he laid down, staring at the blue cookie until he drifted off himself.

For the first time in a long time, they had happy dreams.

Chapter Text

Chapter 1

Blueberry Cream cookie woke to find herself in bed in a rather small room. Right, her tower had fallen. She had lost everything, and now she was stuck in a crummy bed in a crummy inn room with her worst enemy. The ex-beast looked over to Pure Vanilla cookie’s bed to find him sound asleep. It was hard to tell with his eyes constantly closed, but she was sure he was. Quietly, she stepped out of bed and approached the dozing blonde. She inhaled deeply at the pain of walking in heels, but she endured it. The soul jam was right there in front of her. She could just take it now and run. Gain all of her power back.

Instead, she went back to her uncomfortable bed in a huff. This would have been so easy for her in the past, so why was she hesitating now? The blue cookie glared at the angel sleeping across from her. Did he put her under a spell? Hexed her? Maybe it was the witches doing. Any one of them might explain the feelings in her dough.

Maybe she could get Vanilla to suffer as she was. Sugar had plenty of plants in her kingdom. The maiden could borrow a fruit to either lull the old fool under a spell of infatuation or the bitter fruit of reality.

She melded into the shadows, entering Eternal Sugar Cookie's garden. A yellow cookie wearing those Faerie soldier boots had spotted her. Rushing off to her mistress, clearly. The maiden approached a tree, looking up at its sweet fruits. Which one would be the least suspecting?

“What are you doing here?” Clearly the angelic cookie was not happy with the disguised cookie.

“Me? Why, I'm just here for a fruit, my lady.” She curtsied with one hand, the other stuck holding her blue wicker basket.

“Why are you really here?” The pink cookie questioned.

It seems she would have to do what she did best. Time to put on a show.

“I'm here to warn you about your other half. If you keep suffocating her, she's going to run away.”

The Beast of Sloth's face contorted into a very unappealing look. Blueberry Cream cookie was never good with faces, but even she could tell this enraged her colleague.

“Don't be silly~! I've got Hollyberry cookie nice and compliant. She won't want to leave my side soon enough.”

“For now. I assure you, this is more than just a vague prophecy.”

“And why should I believe you? I still haven't forgotten your transgression against my cookies. You made one of them walk off a cliff and crumble.”

Oh yeah, that. The lady in azure giggled at the memory.

“What? It was quite hilarious to see them walk off that edge with full certainty that you would save them.”

The winged cookie glared. She grabbed a fruit and tossed it to her uninvited guest, who caught it with ease.

“There, you have what you came for. Leave before you hurt one of my cookies.”

“Very well, just remember to keep an eye on that other half of yours. She might escape your grasp sooner than you think.”

The blue cookie shifted into a snake, laughing maniacally as she slithered away. She had it. With this, she could brainwash that old fool back into her side of things. Now to find the perfect time to use it.

Shifting back into her more womanly form, Blueberry watched as Vanilla stirred from slumber, stretching with some stiffness. “Good morning Shadow Milk cookie. How did you sleep?”

“Horribly. The beds are far too rough for any kind of decent sleep.” She scoffed.

“I see. Is your dough sore?” Vanilla walked over, staff in hand.

‘Why should his comfort concern you?’ The Orchid asked

‘Because I care.’ Was the king's response.

“A little, I guess. I don't see why you would-”

Blueberry froze as the blonde touched her. His palm glowed yellow with healing magic, causing the blue cookie to instantly relax. It almost reminded her of Mystic Flour cookie, when the pale cookie would heal the beast of deceit or her minions. The ex-beast felt lighter, knots in her dough unwinding as the warm magic worked its way through her.

“That should help. How do you feel now?” the angel asked, that annoying smile still plastered on his face.

Though the maiden had to admit she felt a lot better. Even the pain in her legs had dulled.

“I guess I feel fine.” She looked toward the door, trying to cool her heating face.

‘Why did you help him? After all he's done to you, to us?’ The questions rushed in Vanilla's mind.

‘Perhaps it's my way of showing compassion.’

Vanilla let out a small chuckle at her reaction. “I'm glad to hear that. Why don't we get Gingerbrave and his friends and head to breakfast. On me, of course.”

After what had happened yesterday, breakfast sounded good right about now.

“That doesn't sound half bad. Even a crummy breakfast sounds better than nothing.”

The two headed over to the other room, Pure Vanilla knocking on the door. The timid Strawberry cookie answered the door.

“Hi Pure Vanilla cookie. Is it time for breakfast?”

The blonde nodded. “Are Wizard cookie and Gingerbrave still asleep?”

“Yes… I'll try to wake them up.” She answered before closing the door.

Blueberry Cream scoffed. “Why can't we eat breakfast without them? If they're going to sleep through it, we might as well get a head start.”

‘Greedy bastard.’ If the staff could kill with looks alone, the beast might have crumbled a long time ago.

Vanilla turned his head to the hungry cookie next to him. “I would like to eat with all of my friends, if that's alright.”

A loud crash sounded from the room, startling both of the adults. The angelic cookie opened his eyes in surprise, causing the blue cookie's heart to skip a beat. When the door opened again, it was Wizard cookie who answered.

“Terribly sorry about the noise, I had some trouble getting Gingerbrave off of me.”

“Sorry, yesterday took a lot more out of me than I thought.” Gingerbrave rubbed the back of his head with a goofy smile on his face. Shadow couldn't help but think of Candy Apple.

“Are any of you injured?” Vanilla asked concerned, his eyes shut once again.

“No, we're all fine this time.” Wizard cookie said exasperatedly.

“Wonderful. Let's get something to eat before we leave.”

The blonde led them down to the bar, finding a table with enough seats for all of them. They almost felt like a family, even if the blue cookie had nearly let the children fall to their crumbling just yesterday. At least they didn't seem to hold a grudge, but what if they did? What if they were waiting for Blueberry Cream cookie to lower her guard, so they could seal her back in the tree? She couldn’t, not now. Not yet. Not ever.

Vanilla rested a hand on the anxious cookie's shoulder, making her flinch. “Are you alright? You seem on edge.”

“I'm fine.” She snapped, silently thankful for the physical interaction grounding her. “I just want to order some damn food and get out of here.”

‘Needs to face the consequences of his actions anyway.’ The staff echoed to seemingly no one. It did not like its owner ignoring it.

“Someone's hungry.” Wizard cookie muttered, earning a glare from the disguised cookie.

“Oh! Can I get pancakes, Pure Vanilla Cookie?” Gingerbrave raised his hand as if in a classroom.

The king nodded. “Of course. Feel free to order anything you want, my friends.”

Anything? Well, if he was insisting on paying…

“I'll have some juicy stamina jellies.” The maiden requested.

“I'll take some hot jelly stew…” Strawberry cookie added.

“I'll just have a hearty rye with some sweet jelly jam.” The wizard asked.

With everyone's orders, the angel stood up. “I'll go order our food. You four behave while I'm gone.”

‘As if a beast will behave in such a way.’ the Vanilla Orchid huffed.

‘She wouldn't make such a scene. Not now, at least.’ Vanilla noted, walking to the bar to order.

Blueberry Cream rolled her eyes as Pure Vanilla left them alone. He sure was trusting of the blueberry cookie. The three fresh cookies looked at the much older cookie in awkward silence, so the maiden stared back with a similar energy. How could she expect them to be perfectly fine when she was trying to crumble them not even 24 hours ago.

Wizard cookie was the one to break the silence, clearing his throat. “So, I saw some books with ‘Blueberry Milk' written on their spines. Would that happen to be your work?”

That was a name the ex-beast hadn't heard in a long time. “Yes, that was my name when I was still the apostle of knowledge.”

“Was that the big painting we saw by the stairs?” Gingerbrave asked.

Ah yes, that painting. “Yes, it was.”

At least she didn't keep up the group painting. She got rid of it the moment she was able to escape that damn tree. Painful memories and all that.

“It's rather interesting that you and Pure Vanilla cookie had the same eyes.” Wizard cookie added.

“Yeah, it's almost ironic.” Fitting, more like. A cookie who acted similarly to her younger years was the one to defeat the beast of deceit. “The only thing he's missing is my pupils.”

“Yes, such a shame.” Vanilla commented as he set down the dishes in front of each cookie. For himself, he had ordered the fluffy omurice. At least he was eating.

“Y-you appeared out of thin air.” Strawberry cookie piped up.

While it was true that Pure Vanilla's footsteps were almost completely silent in such a noisy setting, Blueberry Cream could almost feel his presence. Like a warmth was radiating from him onto her dough. For the life of her, she couldn't place how deep this strange feeling went. She'd have to ask the king what kind of spell he placed on the ex-beast, in private of course. Or did she cast it?

“I apologize if I startled you, Strawberry cookie.” The ancient cookie sat down and began eating.

“No, it's alright. We were just asking Milk Cookie about herself. Himself?”

The maiden shrugged. “Whatever you want to call me. Never particularly cared about identifying pronouns.”

“It sounds like I missed out on an interesting conversation.” Vanilla smiled.

She rolled her eyes. “Nothing you don't already know.”

As the five of them ate, the younger cookies told the angel about their adventures racing to the top of the tower, Shadow Milk cookie added some commentary to explain how and why she had constructed it that way, or why furniture was placed the way it was. She never had anyone to tell this to, at least no one who was as interested as these cookies. Pure Vanilla listened to it all with a smile on his face, but not his usual smile. This one was different somehow. More relaxed, like he was dropping a mask. Was it the food? The conversation? The possible spell?

Wizard cookie was the first to finish his meal, followed by Strawberry cookie and Gingerbrave. Vanilla and Blueberry were the last ones to finish their meals. As he promised, the king paid the bill before they left for the hot air balloon. The jester had dropped his disguise, hovering behind Vanilla. The three young cookies followed behind to make sure he didn't try to leave.

“Here we are, everyone please step into the basket.” Vanilla instructed.

“Um, Pure Vanilla Cookie?” Gingerbrave piped up. “I don't think I can leave just yet. I had this awful nightmare, and I think I need to stay here to help White Lily cookie.”

Of course. Her. Maybe that nightmare was a biiiiit much.

“Then we shall stay too!” Wizard cookie announced. “It's only reasonable. We are stronger together than apart.”

“I-I'll go with you.” Stammered Strawberry. “We can face the s-scary things together.”

Vanilla did not want them to risk their lives after doing so just yesterday, but he knew he could not stop them either. Gingerbrave was a tough cookie, and he was somewhat sure they could get to the Faerie kingdom on their own. “Alright, just please be careful. Text me when you get there, okay?”

“Will do!”

“Get home safely!”

Strawberry only waved goodbye as the three children ventured off into the woods, heading in the direction of the nearest kingdom. Shadow looked at the basket with suspicion. He'd seen them plenty of times in Vanilla's memories, but he'd never ridden in one. He looked at the angel, who held out his hand reassuringly.

“It will be alright. I can help you on, if you need me to.”

The blue cookie's heart skipped a beat. “It's fine. I can get on by myself, thank you.”

He planted his feet on the ground, cautiously stepping into the wicker basket. The pain kept him on edge, just in case he needed to run. To escape if things went awry. The blonde stepped in after him, closing the door behind himself. Bringing in the weights and lighting the fire in the burner, the balloon began to return to the Vanilla kingdom. The jester looked down as the ground got further and further away. He'd never been this high before, it made his tower seem insignificant.

The king placed a hand on his shoulder. “This must be your first time, isn't it? How are you feeling?”

His hand was so soft. How had the former beast not noticed that before? What was Vanilla doing to him? Did he know about the effect he was having on Shadow?

“It's fine, I suppose.” It was incredible, but he did not feel comfortable saying it aloud. He felt incredibly old. “How long has it been? Since I've been locked up in that tree, I mean.”

The angel hesitated, pursing his lips and furrowing his brow as he thought. “I believe about 21 centuries.”

2,100 years?! Crumbs, the blue cookie was nearly 4,223 at this point. No wonder he missed out on so many advancements. He was barely even able to keep up before he noticed the blonde's arrival. Unless he could make another tower… wait, the Vanilla Kingdom was just under the clouds. That could be tall enough to view through his other realm, if he could still do that. He didn't really need it to be high up, he just preferred it.

“Is everything alright?”

That soft voice dragged him from his thoughts. Should he take a chance and be honest? Well, he'd already gotten this far. Maybe a little truth would only be fair. Wait, what was he thinking? He was the beast of deceit! He didn't need to be honest about anything.

“Just reeling from that information. I haven't caught up on all these contraptions since I've been gone.” Shadow answered. A partial truth, but just enough to keep his cards close to his chest. The best lies have a nugget of truth, after all.

Vanilla smiled. “A lot of it has been thanks to Golden Cheese cookie. She's even managed to make a new reality powered by her soul jam.”

Just like the jester's former tower, like his other realm.

“How large is it?”

“Just around her kingdom.”

The whole thing? No wonder she needed her soul jam to keep it active. Sure, his other realm was able to reach across earthbread, but it only encompassed the top of his tower, or in the shadows since he used them to enter it when away from his spire. Even without his soul jam, it could have still existed and accessed. Not like he ever tried. The idea made him snort a little.

“An entire kingdom? That's quite the area of reach.”

The king laughed with him. “Indeed it is. She's always been quite ambitious.”

His heart skipped another beat. Vanilla seemed to notice. Crumbs, what was wrong with him?!

‘I'm worried for my new friend.’ Vanilla admitted in his mind.

‘Why?’ his staff asked.

‘He has been acting strange since we left the spire. His cheeks are growing darker, he averted his gaze more often, and the eyes in his hair seemed to have changed the shape of their pupils.’ the king listed to his old friend.

“Are you alright? Your hair seems a bit...”

Shadow slowly looked down to his hair, horrified at the heart pupils within them. He did his best to grab at the mess of blue and black icing, holding it close to his body to mask them. It was too late, he had noticed them. The last cookie Shadow wanted to gain attention from.

“What on earthbread did you do to me?!” the frazzled cookie demanded.

The question confused Vanilla. “What do you mean? I haven't done anything beyond taking my half of the soul jam back.”

“You must have done something! First I share my powers with you, then I leave my crumbling tower of deceit with you rather than my minions, now this?! It all started because I wanted to play with you! It's completely uncharacteristic of me!”

The blonde was perplexed. He had no idea how he angered the blue cookie, or what was happening to him. Until he knew more information, he couldn't say definitively what was wrong with the jester. He could guess, but he didn't have enough evidence to confirm any of his hypotheses. He wanted to hold the other cookie close and tell him it would be alright, but he didn't want to cross any boundaries.

“Perhaps we can discuss this at another time.” He muttered, upset that he could not help the distressed cookie.

The rest of the ride lasted in awkward silence, save for the wind blowing past them. Shadow wanted to disappear from earthbread. Why did his hair’s eyes have to betray him like that? Why did he yell at Vanilla the way he did? Crumbs, he hadn't felt like this since he got banished. He was usually smarter than this, able to lie as easily as taking a breath. He didn't want to have to explain himself in front of him, especially when he could barely explain it to himself right now.

What was happening to him?

Chapter Text

Chapter 2

The kingdom was brighter than the jester was used to. Large wafflebots patrolled the streets and aided in construction. Several cookies waited at the balloon landing site, some already cheering seeing Pure Vanilla cookie. As the king stepped out, Shadow Milk cookie hid behind him while the other cookies basked in his new appearance. They asked so many questions, like what happened at the tower of knowledge and how he got his new outfit. It reminded the beast cookie of his former years as an apostle, all the questions and demands and angry shouting. To his credit, Vanilla took most of them with stride. He said nothing to condemn the jester, even if he was well within reason to do so. Of course, he also wasn't giving the full truth either. It was only to keep his friends from being worried, but deflection is still a lie. After a gentle nudging, Shadow Milk cautiously walked out to face the crowd. Some were unaware of his beastly reputation, but one did recognize him. The one armed cookie glared.

“Pure Vanilla cookie, are you sure you want him here?” Black Raisin cookie asked, not bothering to hide the suspicion in her voice. That was fair, even if she didn't know what he did to the angel personally.

‘I agree with her.’ The Vanilla Orchid protested.

“I can understand your concern, Black Raisin cookie.” The king answered. “If he does anything to risk anyone's life, I will take full responsibility for it and facilitate the necessary action to ensure everyone's safety.”

That seemed to quell the cookies fears for the time being. They were still weary of Shadow, but at least they weren't glaring at him anymore. If he tried anything against them, would he be sent back to the tree? Might as well have fun while he was here. He followed Vanilla as he led him to the Vanilla castle, cookies still swarming and asking questions. The only one there who didn't speak was Black Raisin cookie, supposedly keeping an eye on the former beast. Not like he was going to do anything, not now anyhow.

Vanilla held his arm out to block Shadow, who was lost in his own thoughts. The blue cookie's head snapped up, looking at the fancy building. It was still under construction in some places, but it didn't seem to be with any interior reconstruction.

“Here we are. Welcome to the Vanilla castle, Shadow Milk cookie.”

The jester could swear that the tip of the larger spire cut through the clouds ever so slightly, but now wasn’t the time to find out when so many cookies were already suspicious of him. Just another question to ask the king when they're alone. Alone…together…

“I suppose it'll do.” He rushed inside to hide his heavy blush and the eyes in his hair showing those damn hearts.

The crowd must have been too much for him. After such a long time alone, facing so many cookies must have been overwhelming. “Please excuse me, my friends. There are urgent matters I must attend to.”

Shadow needed to calm down, fast. He took some slow deep breaths, tapping the pressure points down his body. One of the bonuses of being the ex-apostle of knowledge is knowing all the ways to calm yourself. His heart rate was already slowing down to a regular beat, the jam in his veins beginning to disperse from his cheeks.

“Is everything alright?”

It was almost as if Vanilla had appeared out of thin air, like Strawberry cookie suggested. The blue cookie nearly jumped, focusing too much on his calming strategies to pay attention to his location.

“I'm fine.” He turned to the king, light blush still coating his cheeks. “Just overwhelmed I guess.”

Despite his suspicions, Vanilla did not push further. “I'll take you to your room. When you're feeling better, I could show you around town. We can start off small with the garden.”

The garden piqued the ex-beast's interest. He had been rather interested in plants when he was still an apostle, but he didn't like growing them in his tower. The roots made him feel itchy in places he couldn't reach. The jester believed Eternal Sugar cookie had plenty of them in her kingdom, as she often sent them over for him to study. There were times he would go down there himself, but the smell of sugar was more often than not overwhelming to the Hermit. He was the one to find that some were similar enough to cookie DNA structure to be baked into their dough, some could even be born with such a flavor under the correct conditions. To have a whole area filled with different genus and species, especially ones that had evolved since he was locked away? Such a thing was too good to pass up.

“Perrrrhaps I'll visit the garden first. I rarely get the chance to view a laaaaarge amount of specimens so close to my quarters.” Shadow Milk answered, floating alongside Pure Vanilla.

The king nodded understandingly. “Feel free to take any flower you need to study, as long as the rest of them remain intact. They are well cared for by myself and some of my friends.”

At least it was some. Some was better than a crowd. Perhaps it was his shut-in way of living, or maybe it was how cookies had treated him in the past, but Shadow hadn't been that good with more than a small group of cookies for a very long while. Vanilla was by far the better socialite than he was. Ironic, a jester having stage fright.

“Here we are.” The angel opened a door to one of the guest rooms. “This was meant for Dark Cacao cookie, but he prefers to set up camp in the garden when he visits.”

“Sounds like he prefers the garden.” Shadow smirked.

Vanilla chuckled, once again stopping the floating cookies heart for a moment. “He prefers not to indulge in the fancier things of life. It's not too strange since his kingdom is located between the giant icing mountains and the licorice sea.”

“How does he live?” The blue cookie asked as he laid on the bed. It was infinitely more comfortable compared to the one at the inn. “Even Burning Spice had some form of comfort in his temple.” He didn't mean to let that slip. Oh well.

“That is the beast of destruction, yes?” The blonde had been doing his research since meeting Shadow Milk cookie for the first time. Thankfully, the Faerie kingdom's library wasn't expunged of too much history. One just had to have the right clearance to view such information.

“Was, yeah. One of your friends kicked his ass hard.”

“Ah, Golden Cheese Cookie. She's very protective of her treasures.”

“Honestly, I should have learned from him, but I thought I wouldn't end up in his position. You sure showed me, huh?”

“I'm just glad you were able to put your pride aside and come back with me.”

There he goes again. Shadow had once again become a blushing mess. He hid his face in the covers, but his hair's eyes revealed his true feelings regardless. He supposed now was the time to ask about this strange spell he was under, but he didn't know how to begin asking or even just describing his symptoms.

“Are you alright, Shadow Milk cookie?” Pure Vanilla voiced his concern.

The former beast looked up at the king with one eye, the other hidden under his arms and smushed into the covers.

“What on earthbread are you doing to me?” the question came again.

He really assumed the ancient had done something to him? With the way he was acting, it reminded the angel of his school days. Back when he still had feelings for White Lily cookie. Did Shadow… like him? He was very excited to see Vanilla switch to deceit, even if that meant giving up half of his soul jam.

‘I hope not, for your sake.’ The staff wished.

The beast's eyes rose from the bed up to the ancient. Just as confused and worried as last time. Maybe he didn't really do anything to him?

“I'm afraid I don't understand. What's going on?” Vanilla asked, sitting on the bed next to the blue cookie.

The jester gripped his own blue, long hair. He was running through his own symptoms in his head. His heart rate increased whenever Vanilla seemed to do anything, skipping a beat whenever he laughed. Something squirmed inside his dough like a jelly worm just thinking about the king. He felt warm being near him. Was this a new thing? When did it start? The spire?

“I've been feeling strange since you took my soul jam…” He admitted. “I'm not sure what it is, since I've never been without it until now.”

The angel thought for a moment, hand against his own chin in thought. If he told the ex-beast what he believed were the emotions in the other's mind, it could make him angry. Vanilla wanted to let him process his feelings in his own time, even if that meant he might never admit it.

“I suppose that makes some sense. If you've never experienced life without this power, the transition might seem a bit jarring to you. Your emotions might be disjointed, along with some of your abilities.”

‘Feelings? He's clearly lying to you!’ The Vanilla Orchid cried out.

Yes, that was it. He was simply adjusting to his new weakness. He was feeling this way toward the angel because he proved himself stronger than the beast. That had to be the answer. It was definitely that!

“That might be it. Could I have some time to recuperate?”

Vanilla nodded. “Of course. Take as much time as you need.”

With that, the king left him alone. The jester took one of the pillows resting on his bed and screamed into it. Whatever was going on needed to stop. He couldn't handle any of these feelings. He barely even had names for the symptoms he could understand. He would have to ask for the library later. Maybe someone else discovered what these sensations are, and he could understand what was going on.

Vanilla went back to his own room in order to get into a more comfortable outfit. He always preferred the simple clothes over flashy ones. He would also have to do something about his new ridiculous length of hair. He could contact a barber at some point, if he had room in his schedule. The jester would probably want him in an outfit of black, but the king did not own such clothes. The only thing he could deem close were his ceremonial robes.

‘Why are you thinking about what he wants you to wear?’ The Orchid questioned.

Good question. Perhaps his statement of belonging together wasn't as big of a lie as he assumed it to be. Of course, when he confessed it wasn't a lie he truly believed it. His thoughts were all jumbled up right now.

‘You are impossible, Pure Vanilla Cookie.’

Perhaps he was.

Shadow milk decided to open a window to get some fresh air, taking a deep breath of floral tones. He looked down to see the garden, indeed blossoming with many different flowers. He could see some of the residents tending to it; watering, weeding, and trimming to keep the area nice and pretty. There were a few benches and some tables, even a fountain topped with the soul jam Pure Vanilla bore. It certainly looked calming. The smells blended together naturally. Not too overwhelming, unlike Eternal Sugar's garden.

Further away, he could see the balloon he took with the blonde. If things went south and he couldn't fly like he used to, he could use another balloon to escape. He hoped that wouldn't be the case. Vanilla was nice, he had treated the jester with hospitality and care. He was a conversationalist, nothing at all like…

Shadow shut the window, floating out of his guest room and down to Vanilla's quarters. Even without the blonde's memories, it was fairly easy to find. Embedded on the door was a replica of the soul jam he had taken. With quivering hands, he knocked on the door. He could already feel the warmth on his dough as the king silently approached, opening the barrier between them.

“Ah, Shadow Milk cookie. Are you feeling better?” Once again, he was back in the same outfit he had met the blue cookie in. Even his staff was the same. Did he own multiple copies?

The jester nodded softly, trying to act aloof. “Yeah. I waaaaas considering going to the garden without you, buuuut I figured you might offer some insight on the flowers I don't recognize. Some things are bound to have changed and whatnot.”

The angel beamed. “Of course. I'm more than happy to help.”

He was already asking for company. With how aggressive and standoffish he had been acting, it was a nice surprise to see him asking such a request.

‘It's an act! He wants you to lower your guard!’ The Vanilla Orchid cried out.

As the king walked out to the yard, the blue cookie floated by his side. Stepping past the front door, they could smell the fragrances as they approached the flowers. There were so many colors and types of flowers, Shadow might have stayed out to study them if he was able to. His eyes landed on a blue rose. While aware of the flower's existence, he was unaware it came in such a color. The former beast gently touched the petals, as if it would break under a harsher touch, and gazed at the thorns underneath.

“Does this one interest you?” Vanilla crouched beside Shadow, eyes open. Even if all he could see was a blurb of blue, he knew the beauty of such a flower without many details.

“I've never seen a rose in this shade.” He could feel his heart racing as he looked at those heterochromatic eyes. At least the king couldn't see his face grow darker.

“After the Dark Flour War, a lot of testing was done to see how plants could cross-pollinate and make different kinds of plants and colors. I was able to get some seeds and plant them in this garden, among many others.” He was very proud of this fact. It may not have been the original flowers, or his original kingdom, but he still cherished them regardless. Both new and old were precious to him.

The jester got up, floating over to another flower. Some of the cookies there seemed shocked that he could fly, but quickly relaxed when they saw the king strolling behind him. It's as if his presence itself was calming enough for them to drop their guard.

“Weeeeell now, what are these beauties?” He asked, cradling one of the flowers growing down the wall.

“Those are Aubrietas. They make the walls feel less bare. I assume you've never seen these?”

“If I had, it would have been from Eternal Sugar cookie. I've never seen a flower that grows on the walls, ivy at most.”

“If I may ask, did any ever grow on your tower?”

Shadow's dough crawled just thinking about it. “Constantly. It felt like it was attempting to seep into its cracks. It hurt just trying to tear it off.”

“I can only imagine. I'm not as connected with my castle, so I can't understand the entirety of your sensations. Your descriptions are very helpful.”

The jester once again had a light blush on his face. “Weeeell, it's not like yoooou can imagine sensations on a body part yoooou don't have.”

“You are correct. I'm not sure if you use your staff the way I do, but my old friend here acts like my eyes. I began relying on them since my vision started to fade.”

‘No, don't tell him that!’ The staff begged.

Well. That was something Shadow had no idea about. He knew Vanilla could see in his childhood, and that he was blind now. That he had created this staff after being enrolled in the academy the former beast created. Perhaps he didn't know everything about the blonde like he initially thought. The old fool was stupid enough to tell him his weaknesses, even without the berry it seemed.

The blue cookie floated down to the flower staff. He could indeed sense the angel's connection to it, but also a being with a mind of its own. The singular eye in place of its disk florets seemed to glare at him.

‘Get away from us, damned beast.’

“They don't seem to appreciate what you did to them.” The king voiced for his staff.

Right. He had covered the singular eye with his own, forcing Vanilla's open as the Truthless Recluse. He backed up a bit, watching the eye change its glare to a watchful stare.

“That's only fair. I'm surprised you don't share its resentment.” The jester shrugged.

“I'm sure they'll grow to like you. You do share some similar traits.”

‘I will not. We are nothing alike.’

This piqued Shadow Milk's interest. “We do?”

Pure Vanilla nodded. “You both seem to enjoy acting out, but I know you both care more than you realize.”

The floating cookie rolled his eyes, trying to mask his vulnerability and unknowingly proving the blonde right. “Suuuuure. And what does the flower staff think about it?”

“The Vanilla Orchid isn't too pleased with my comparison, but I'm not entirely surprised.”

“How doooo you two talk to each other, anyway?”

“We have a sort of psychic connection. I am able to speak to them, and they are able to speak to me.”

Now this was interesting. Shadow Milk himself had a staff, but it wasn't sentient. He mainly used it as a costume prop nowadays, similar to his hat. Not only was Pure Vanilla's staff an extension of himself, it had its own thoughts and emotions.

“Veeeeery fascinating, Niiilly.” He smiled, the Vanilla Orchid glaring at him again.

‘I'm on to you, beast.’ The Vanilla Orchid glared.

This time was the angel's turn to blush. “You flatter me.”

“Well, as far as I'm aware, you're the first cookie to be able to do such a thing with your staff. No one has had a sentient staff before.”

The staff rolled its eye. ‘False flattery.’

“Though, my knowledge is sliiiiightly outdated. I don't suppose you have a library here, do you?”

Vanilla nodded. “There's one in the town square and one in the castle. I could come with you on a supervised visit.”

Shadow grinned. “I suppoooose I can accept those terms.”

“Wonderful. We can go once you have your fill of the garden for the day.”

“Good, because there's still plenty more plants I want to learn about.”

The jester looked at the pavilion, filled with daisies and white lilies. He knew the king planned to meet White Lily cookie there. That didn't happen, since that faerie brought her back for her to seal them away again. He wondered if his real body was still in that tree. Most likely yes. If any of his “friends” died, would they awaken in that awful void? As he stood there, lost in thought, he had unknowingly stood on the ground. The pain didn't seem to reach his brain. His mind was racing. How would Candy Apple cookie and Black Sapphire cookie fare without him? Are they even okay? What if one of those fairy cookies tried to harm them? What if they did something to put themselves in harm's way? What if they're already crumbled-

The panicked cookie felt a hug from behind, one careful enough to leave his arms free. A head rested on his shoulder and body pressed against his back. Once again, the king was the one to ground him back in reality.

“Do we need to go to the library now?” He asked, voice soft and low in Shadow Milk's ear. The air against it sent prickles through his dough and turned his cheeks dark blue.

“Yeah… I think so.” He responded, trying to calm himself.

Without another word, Pure Vanilla took the jester into the castle. Of course Shadow Milk cookie would have a negative association with those flowers, the cookie made of them was the one to lock him and the other beasts away. Before that, she had inadvertently caused the destruction of his academy. As they walked in the front doors, the king closed them.

“I'm sorry, I had no idea those flowers would affect you so much. I can get them removed if you need me to.”

The blue cookies eyes widened in surprise. “No, you don't have to do that. I know they mean a lot to you.” Words he never thought he'd say. “I won't go in the garden for a while. I was just… thinking too much.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

Pure Vanilla cookie expected the answer to be no. His guest was a very mysterious cookie who kept his cards close to his chest until the very last moment. Still, he wanted to offer shadow a chance to open up if he desired to, and he did. Crumbs, he wanted to scream it into the void at the top of his lungs, but should he? So far the king showed little to no reason to be designated as untrustworthy, but the betrayal that brought them there still rang in the jester's mind.

“I was thinking about the other beasts. I saw two of them fall at the hands of your friends, and it made me think about returning to that damn tree. Our original bodies are still there, and…” He didn't have to finish that thought to get the point across.

Vanilla opened his eyes as he covered his mouth with one hand, the other gripping the Vanilla Orchid. This wasn't Shadow's original body, it was a replica. He could awaken back in that silver tree if anything went awry. “I didn't realize that was the case. I can ask my friends if they can bring the other beasts if they encounter them.”

‘Big mistake, Pure Vanilla Cookie. He can plan your downfall as well as the others.’ The staff protested.

Really? He'd let Shadow Milk cookie see his fellow beast cookies like that? If they really tried, the four- or five of them, if he could ever work with Silent Salt again- could make a plan to overthrow the Ancients that had defeated them. He didn't think anyone would work with the quiet cookie, because he sure as hell wouldn't. Burning spice was another story. He was not sure where they currently stood, especially after all this time. Well, he knew Eternal Sugar cookie wasn't too pleased.

“I'd like that. Thanks.” Shadow wanted to hug Vanilla so much right now, but he restrained himself. He didn't want to show weakness, not yet. Besides, he didn't want to get attached.

“Of course, my friend.” His eyes closed shut again as the jester's heart ached at that name. Is it because of this strange affliction? Past trauma? At least he could possibly see the three cookies he had somewhat good relations with in person.

“Iiiis theeere a chance food is allowed in the library?”

The king thought for a moment. Shadow Milk cookie was the apostle of knowledge a long time ago, he of anyone would know the importance of keeping books clean and unstained. He wouldn't ruin any of his books, right?

“If you keep it away from the books, I suppose I could make an exception.”

“You coooould hand feed me if you're sooooo concerned about it.”

The angel blushed at the mention of feeding another cookie, joke or not. “If you think it would be acceptable to do so…”

‘You moron.’

Chapter Text

Chapter 3

The blue cookie began to float again as the two traveled to the castle library, stopping by the kitchen for the least messy snack, which happened to be macaroons, to bring with them. The place was empty of other cookies, books lining the shelves with a dusty chair in front of them. Giving the dish to the blonde, the jester floated up to a few of the books. He realized they were sorted not only by topic and genre, but alphabetically too. Seems like he and the king shared the same sorting method.

“I haven't been here in so long. I need to dust this place more often.” Vanilla commented, setting the plate of food down on one of the side tables by the chair in the room.

He had already neglected the library long before it was ever taken over by Dark Enchantress cookie. Thankfully every book was seemingly intact. Either she was uncharacteristically kind or she hadn't gotten around to destroying them when he returned. Though he wouldn't be able to read many of them that well, not unless he held them very close to his face. He needed to get on that at some point, maybe even hire someone to read the books aloud for him. The way his staff would be set up, it would be too far away to actually read anything. Unless Vanilla was willing to hold it up to it, he would have to stick to braille.

Shadow looked at the blind king, realizing he couldn't read unless the books were all in braille. A quick look inside one showed otherwise. He at least knew that the other cookie liked to read before he lost his sight. Maybe he could…

The jester floated back down to the king. “Can Iiiii tryyyy something with you?”

The blonde became flustered at the suggestion. Something could entail anything. From something as harmless as reading to him to… he hadn't gotten that far in understanding his own emotions, right?

‘I wouldn't trust him.’ The staff reminded him. Unfortunately for the Vanilla Orchid staff, its owner seemed to ignore its warning, as he usually did at this point.

“Oh! Well, if you think it's a good idea, I trust you.”

Trust. The only cookies that trusted Shadow Milk cookie were his lackeys. He supposed Pure Vanilla cookie was too, for a time. After what he did to the angel, he was almost surprised. Should he begin to trust him too? He pressed their heads together, closing his eyes and concentrating on the blind cookie. The staff looked at them with suspicion and worry for its master.

The beast could feel himself searching for Vanilla. He felt himself getting closer and closer to his essence, his aura. There it was. A shining, bright yellow star, same as before. He reached out to it, offering the blind cookie his sight.

When Shadow pulled away and opened his eyes again, Vanilla gasped. “I can see myself…”

“It wooooorked!” The blue cookie ascended several feet into the air, happy and proud of himself. “Nooooow you can read your books again.” He performed a small loop back down to the blonde.

This was for him? Barely a day into their friendship and Shadow Milk cookie was already helping him. His heart skipped a beat at this form of affection.

‘It's a trap, Pure Vanilla Cookie.’ The Vanilla Orchid insisted.

“That's very kind of you.” The angel smiled genuinely. “Thank you, Shadow Milk cookie.”

At least he couldn't see the beast blushing. “Don't mention it. I just did it because I figured I could.”

“Oh, of course.” Pure Vanilla played along, clearing the dust off his old chair and sitting down.

The Vanilla Orchid was set behind the chair, looking down at its owner folding his hands in his lap. The jester floated back up to the books, looking through the titles for anything that caught his eye. The king waited patiently, watching each book title as the other went through them. Of course the floating cookie found a few books with his old name on them, immediately disregarding them. He wrote them after all, he knew what was in them. Then, a series of books caught Shadow's eye. “Legends of the Ancients,” with each one detailing the stories of Pure Vanilla and his friends. Dark Cacao, Golden Cheese, Hollyberry, Pure Vanilla himself, and White Lily.

“Aaaaand what are these?” He asked, pulling out the first book.

It had been a long time since Vanilla had seen these records. “They are historical records of the days my friends and I earned our- well, half of your soul jams. We can read them if you'd like.”

The floating cookie snapped his fingers, the books hovering around him as he fell down to the cookie sitting on the chair.

“I apologize that there aren't more seats, I'm usually the only one in here. I can order another from Hollyberry cookie if you'd like.”

The blue cookie smirked, laying across the blonde's lap and watching the blush take over his face. “You seem comfortable enough. You don't need to get up for anything, do you?” He was blushing too, but he focused on teasing the other to ignore it. He was only playing with him. He wasn't going to let him win again.

The Orchid staff squinted at them suspiciously. ‘He's planning something, I know it.’

“I suppose not…” Vanilla set the other four books on the side table under a lamp. Crumbs, his face must have been completely covered in blush by now. He hid it with his hand, opening his eyes so he didn't have to see his own flustered face.

With that, Shadow opened the book and began reading. Occasionally being fed by the cookie he used as a seat.

The Dark Cacao kingdom had been brutalized with horrible weather for the past few days. The licorice sea was steadily rising, threatening to wipe out all the denizens with little remorse. Our king, Dark Cacao cookie, had bravely ventured up the Great Icing Mountains to part the clouds, nothing but his sword by his side. He refused any accompaniment, wanting to risk only his own life to protect us.

When he arrived at the top, he saw the Legendary Stormbringer cookie battling the two dragons of white and black. She had been fighting them for days, her companions wiped out from the long brawl. Dark Cacao cookie had decided to help, without any hesitation. His only thought was to protect his kingdom, and defeat the dragons to keep us safe.

It was then that the soul jam of Resolve fell from the skies, granting his majesty Dark Cacao cookie the power to not only defeat the black and white dragons, but to banish them within his sword. When offered one request by the Legendary cookie, he asked that she part the clouds and spare the kingdom from the licorice sea. With the sun back in the sky, king Dark Cacao cookie returned to the kingdom as a hero.

“I gotta admit, this guy was preeeeeetty tough.” it almost reminded Shadow Milk of Burning Spice, back when he was the apostle of change and history.

“He still is. With everything he's lost, he's still persevering.” Pure Vanilla admitted.

Everything he's lost? “What did he lose?”

Don't tell him anything.

The king hesitated. This was Cacao’s story to tell, not his. However, he wanted to be completely honest with Shadow Milk cookie.

This had to be juicy.

“He had lost his spouse 20 years ago, and his son was banished 5 years ago.”

Shadow could feel himself getting angry. He was abandoned a very long time ago by almost everyone in his life, and here was Cacao doing the exact same thing to his own kid.

“Why was he banished?” The usually peppy cookie’s voice was low.

“He got a hold of a cursed sword. In an effort to be like his father, Dark Choco cookie had found the Dark Strawberry sword.”

The Dark Strawberry sword? Wasn't that one of Silent Salt’s… it made sense now.

“And he was convinced into attacking his dad…” the jester finished for him.

“It sounds like you know it well.”

“Well I didn't make it-”

“I'm not saying you did. I only want to know what you know about it. If it can help my friend, please.” Vanilla’s eyes were open, pleading with him.

‘Seriously? He's not going to say anything just because you're batting your eyelashes at him.’ The Vanilla Orchid rolled its eye.

Shadow had a hard time saying no to those eyes. He took a deep breath to compose himself.

“It's one of Silent Salt’s experiments. It was meant to make the user bend to his will. I don't know if he still has any connection to it, but I guess I understand why Dark Cacao cookie had to do what he did.”

‘Huh. So he did.’ The Orchid staff was surprised.

“Do you know if there is any way to break the curse?”

“I think you need to keep the holder from it for a few days. It'll be a bit difficult due to the whole stabby stab slashy slash thing.”

“Do you know how many?”

The blue cookie thought for a moment. “Like, 3-5? Somewhere in that range.”

The blonde hugged him close. This was great news. “I can tell Dark Cacao cookie when I see him next. Thank you for this information, Shadow Milk cookie.”

Said cookie was pushed against his chest, listening to the other's heartbeat. Their hearts were already synced, beating in tandem. Shadow was being rewarded, and he enjoyed every second of it. He needed to keep his cool, focus on calming himself before he said anything.

“Mhm.” Was all he managed to get out.

“Oh, I'm terribly sorry. That wasn't too much for you, was it?” Pure Vanilla cookie pulled away, embarrassed that he let his emotions get ahead of him and make his guest uncomfortable.

‘I think he likes it.’ The Orchid staff noted.

“N-no. Not at all.” His voice was quieter than he tried to make it. Shadow placed the book to the side and grabbed another one from the stack. “Let's just read another one, yeah?”

Vanilla was worried, but didn't say anything. He didn't want to make things even more awkward, and the cookie in his lap was giving them both an out. Once again, he peered through the jester's eyes as he opened the next book.

Golden Cheese cookie had always been a greedy cookie. She wanted a place to keep all of her treasures, one where no other cookie could go. She had managed to buy several camels, carriages, and several tons of bricks and trekked out into the desert.

It took Golden Cheese cookie many days and nights to finally make it to a place where she felt was far enough into the desert, when she came across a sphinx cookie.

“This is my land, foolish cookie.” The creature began. “To escape with all of your crumbs intact, you must answer three of my riddles. You will get one minute to answer each one. Fail, and you will become my next meal.”

Golden Cheese cookie thought for a moment before answering. “For every riddle I answer right, you will give me a treasure.”

The sphinx laughed. “Very well. For my first riddle, you will receive my land. For my second riddle, you will receive my treasures. For my third riddle, you will not only keep your life, but you will also gain my power.”

Golden Cheese cookie accepted the terms, confident in her abilities. The sphinx began its first riddle:

“Made of ten, but two are we. Five apart and we are weak. Five together havoc wreak. What am I?”

Golden Cheese cookie barely even needed to think. “A fist.” Was her answer.

“Correct. You now possess my land. This thing all things devour. Birds, beasts, trees, and flowers. It gnaws iron, bites steel. It grinds hard stones to meal, slays kings, ruins towns, and beats high mountains down.”

This took some thinking before she answered, “time.”

“Correct. You now possess my treasure. Some try to hide, some try to cheat, but time will show we will always meet. Try as you might to guess my name.”

“Death.” was her immediate answer.

She was granted a pair of wings, ones that belonged to the sphinx. “You now possess my power. You are the first cookie to answer all three of my riddles correctly. I congratulate you.”

The sphinx showed its treasures to Golden cheese cookie, who now owned them. Within the pile lay the soul jam of abundance.

With newfound energy, Golden Cheese Cookie built her kingdom faster than ever, finishing it within three days. Once it was finished, she worked on successfully transporting her treasures and her people.

“Well, it seems the greedy cheese is not as stupid as I initially thought.”

Vanilla chuckled. If Cheese heard Shadow talking bad about her, she would be ghastly offended. “I remember her telling us that all she could think about was getting more treasures and how she couldn't crumble there. She would be greedy until the very end.”

The book was put atop Dark Cacao’s, and Hollyberry’s was selected. Without much fanfare, the blue cookie began to read.

Hollyberry cookie had traveled into the Primeval forest on a mission; to set up her kingdom with every United berry house and to fight any creature that stood in her way. With a handful of loyal soldiers, myself included, she set off into the treacherous wilderness. Jellied Mandragora, jellied moles, jellied monster flowers, nothing stood a chance against Hollyberry cookie and her crew.

We had spent several days fighting through the woods, and several nights resting and recuperating. We were close to the perfect settlement placement, when we came across the reddish-green dragon. It claimed that the forest belonged to itself, and that we were trespassing in its territory. The battle was long and fierce, the only cookie left standing was Hollyberry cookie herself.

She had refused to give up, even as her allies had fallen to the reddish-green dragon. When it seemed all hope was lost, the soul jam of passion had broken through the treetops and granted Hollyberry cookie the strength she needed. Their fight lasted for several hours, neither of them giving in to the other.

Finally, the battle was at an impasse. It was clear the two were equal in strength, and both each had a look of satisfaction on their faces. It was there that they struck a deal; Hollyberry cookie would be allowed to build her kingdom in its territory in exchange for a battle with her once a year. With the contract in place, the Hollyberry kingdom had been established near the south east coast of Crispia.

Shadow Milk cookie was deeply invested in this story, mindlessly eating each macaroon Pure Vanilla cookie put in his mouth. The angel found it adorable how engrossed he was in the tale.

“Well,” The blue cookie relented, closing the book. “She certainly didn't disappoint. Now, let's see how accurate they got your story.”

Hollyberry’s book was cast aside for Pure Vanilla's, when the door creaked open. In its entrance stood a tiny blonde cookie in princely garb, blue eyes peeking in at the two adults.

“Pure Vanilla cookie?” The boy asked. “It's getting late. I don't want to have dinner alone.”

The king was shocked. How could he have let time fly by without even checking on the young cookie? “Oh crumbs. I apologize, Custard cookie. I must have lost track of the time. I'll be right over.”

Satisfied with this answer, the young cookie left swiftly, leaving the door ajar. The jester reluctantly forced himself off of the cookie, disappointed that he had to put the other two books on hold. He watched as the angel rose from his seat, grabbing his Vanilla Orchid staff and the now empty plate. Did Shadow really eat all of that? Guess he must have been hungry. Did Vanilla have any?

“You have dinner with the kid?” He asked curiously.

“Of course. I have dinner with my nephew and put him to bed every night.” The other answered, walking out the door.

Shadow floated behind him. “Do I get to join you?” He asked jokingly.

“If Custard cookie is fine with it, I don't see why not.”

Stopping by the kitchen to return the plate, the two cookies made their way to a door marked with 3 I's. The jester crossed his arms idly as the king knocked on the door. His thoughts wandered back to Candy Apple cookie and Black Sapphire cookie. He had truly taken them for granted. He remembered bringing them to his tower, each carried in his arms at separate times. He had given them each a small piece of his soul jam, so they could live as long as he did. Now, he wasn't sure if they were even still alive.

The door opened, the same small cookie looking up through it. He seemed excited, despite the beast's presence.

“Uncle Vanilla! You made it!” The child hugged the angel, causing Shadow to roll his eyes. His dough felt like curdled milk just watching them.

“Of course, Custard cookie. Is it alright if we have another join tonight's dinner?”

Custard cookie III looked up at Shadow Milk cookie, eyes full of curiosity and awe. “Of course! A good king always prepares extra food for unexpected guests!”

Well, this was certainly a surprise. Usually, cookies wanted something from him, or were terrified of him. Either this little cookie is unaware of his might, or he's a lot braver than he looked. How amusing.

The two adults and one child made their way to the dining room. Not as long as Shadow assumed it would be, though it was still quite massive compared to the home of any mortal. A cookie in servant attire served some candy pasta, one for each cookie. Pure Vanilla sat down, setting his staff behind his chair.

“Would you like a seat too, my loyal subject?”

Ah, a sweet little lie. This was something Shadow was used to. Children often see the world under the guise of delusion. Who was he to break it for the miniature king?

“No thank you, your highness. I come with my own.” He sat at the table, as if he were an experienced mime. Well, he was, but he didn't exactly take a vow of silence like the rest of them.

“Wonderful! Please enjoy this feast I prepared for you.” The child set the plate of noodles in front of the blue cookie.

“All on your own?” The jester raised an eyebrow.

“Of course not! I had some of my loyal subjects to assist me in the royal kitchen.”

Well, at least there was someone. After Candy Apple nearly burned the spire trying to cook for him, Sapphire had banned her from the kitchen without surveillance. Looking at Vanilla, his heterochromatic eyes sparkled with affection and his usual smile.

It seemed Shadow was good with kids, or at least Custard. Despite the near crumbling of Gingerbrave and his friends, he appeared to be a wonderful babysitter. Perhaps it was his past as the apostle of knowledge, or his current “entertaining” career. Maybe it was both.

“I didn't know you were so good with children.” The blonde noted, taking a bite of the food on his plate.

Shadow shrugged, eating a bite in turn. If Candy Apple taught him anything, it was that kids are generally alike when they're young.

“Uncle Vanilla, why didn't you come to eat dinner with me last night?” Custard asked, swinging his feet as he too took a bite of his creation.

The angel frowned apologetically. “I'm terribly sorry, my trip took a tad longer than expected.”

More like his escape from the ex-beast's crumbling tower, but neither of them were going to admit it. A lie by omission is still a lie, no matter how the “hero of truth” framed it.

“How would you like me to make it up to you?”

Of course he would offer that. It was oh so predictable of someone like him. The little prince thought for a moment, gulping down his bite of food.

“Can you have breakfast with me tomorrow?”

Such a simple request. The jester had expected the kid to ask for something bigger, like a new toy or a day off school. Vanilla smiled in response, because of course he did.

“Of course, I would be happy to eat breakfast with you.”

That prickling, spoiled Milk feeling returned. He may have been the apostle of knowledge, but the jester was never good at understanding emotions in the moment, besides happiness, sadness, or anger. Especially the sensations that came with them. Nothing a late night trip to the royal library wouldn't fix. Someone had to have done more research on the subject since he was locked away.

Custard cookie III turned to Shadow Milk cookie. “So, my loyal subject, tell me about yourself. What's your name? Where did you live before coming here?”

The beast of deceit smiled. Would he tell the truth, or would he tell more lies? It took him little time to mull it over.

“Iiii am Shadow Milk cookie, and I lived within the spiiiire of knowledge.”

The young cookie smiled in delight. “Knowledge? Oh, what did you have in there? Did you write all the books in it yourself? How tall was it?”

It had been a long while since he played the role of a scholar. Quite a boring role, but not for the young cookie with bright, gleaming eyes. He wouldn't mind digging up the persona to entertain the tiny king.

“Indeed. It was fiiiiilled with knowledge from across the lands. Most of which was my work, but every once in a while some cookie would get to the discovery before I did. It was as taaaall as the tallest tree, but sliiiiightly shorter than a mountain.”

“How long did you spend writing all those books?”

“A few years.” Centuries, really. “It was easy with a spell of levitation, much less cramping.”

“And you left it to come here? Why?”

Because Vanilla made him. “Sadly, it crumbled, along with all the knowledge stored within it. Of course, there are copies floating around, but it will never be the same.”

The boy gasped. “It did? That sounds awful! Did everyone make it out okay?”

“It did. Everyone made it out safely, give or take a few scratches.”

“What made you decide to come here?”

Vanilla. “I heard a few rrrrumors about the Vanilla kingdom's reappearance and I haaaad to come see it for myself. It sounds like I'm not the only one.”

“Some of the Crème Republic cookies are returning to the kingdom! Uncle Vanilla and I will be true kings once more!”

More cookies? Would that mean a whole castle filled with staff? He couldn't show his uncertainty now, he needed to keep his mask on.

“That sounds very exciting. Being a king must be a lot of responsibility.”

“Of course, but I've been learning from Uncle Vanilla. He's a very wise king.”

“Yes, so I've heard. He has grrrraciously allowed me a home here as his rrrrroyal advisor.”

The angel nearly spit out his food, looking confused. Advisor? Since when? Before he could speak up, Custard did for him.

“Really? You look more like a royal jester.”

This time the blonde held in his laughter. Shadow Milk raised an eyebrow.

“Well, I am quite the entertainer. Aaaall the stories I could tell you about beasts and warriors, kings and uncharted lands.”

Custard's eyes sparkled with interest. “Could you tell me one tonight as a bedtime story?”

“I would be honored, your majesty.”

As the three ate and chatted, the blue cookie realized that he felt comfortable. For the first time in a long, long time, he actually felt safe and happy. He enjoyed this simple meal. When was the last time he felt relaxed like this? Since Burning Spice? He did enjoy their destruction and chaos, but their time together often felt dangerous since they became beasts, especially with their last interaction. Pure Vanilla had the chance to hurt him, to leave him behind and let him crumble, but he didn't. He brought the ex-beast with him. He had defended him to a crowd of his own subjects and offered to take responsibility for any harm he would cause. That at least meant something. He wouldn't hurt Shadow, right?

With dinner finished, the child dragged the adults to his room. It was as big as the guest room the jester was staying in. His bed was similar, but covered in plushies. Dragons, cookies, horses, anything relating to royalty or fairytale was all there. The walls were decorated with posters and trinkets relating to kingdoms.

Shadow Milk cookie knew the perfect story to tell. He whisked some plushies from the bed into the air to immerse the sleepy child, creating illusions as backgrounds and set pieces.

“A looooong time ago, there was a prince who wanted to know everything. Why it rained, how different cultures behaved, all the different ways to build things. He had traveled aaaaall across earthbread to gather as much knowledge as he could, but there was one question he could neeeever get a definite answer on: why were cookies made?”

Vanilla's expression seemed wary. Good, Shadow could build up suspense. He got more plush cookies to play out the scene.

“Eeeevery cookie he asked gave different answers. Some said it was to occupy and cultivate earthbread. Others claimed it was to find purpose. Few even claimed there was no purpose. Unsatisfied, the prince decided to trrrrravel to the witches to get a direct and solid answer from the cookie's creators.”

The blonde shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He knew, and the storyteller knew he was aware of the truth.

“It took seeeeveral days and nights for the prince to reach the powerful witches. He had barely slept or ate, rrrrefusing to waste much time to answer his question as quickly as possible. Finally, he had made it. He requested an audience with them to ask his question: why did they make cookie kind?”

Finally, the climax. He had enjoyed watching Pure Vanilla squirm, and now that suspense was going to be released.

“The witches answered the prince, the reason they created cookies was to see them grow. To watch them advance and expand across the lands they made for them.”

He could see the king visually relax. The grip on his staff eased.

“Finally, the prince had the answer he was looking for. He traveled back to earthbread to spread this knowledge to the other cookies across the lands, but the first step he had to take was to get a good night's rest.”

The plushies were returned to their original positions on the bed, next to the fast asleep Custard cookie. Quietly, the two adults left the room and went into the hall.

“For a moment, I thought you were going to tell him the truth.” Pure vanilla admitted.

“It's like you've never met me. Beast of deceit, remember?” Shadow Milk boasted.

“Can you be honest with me for a moment?”

“Fine fine, what is it?”

“Who was the prince from the story?”

The blue cookie hesitated. “I think you know the answer.”

“I would like some confirmation from you.”

“... fine. It was me. Happy?”

“What actually happened after you found out the truth?”

“What do you think? I tried to tell the cookies, but they insisted I was making it up. So, I figured I would make their self fulfilling prophecy come true.”

“I'm sorry. I didn't know that was the reason you changed.”

“One of many. Clearly ‘sage of truth’ meant nothing to those cookies.”

“Sage of truth? We might be the only cookies with a similar soul jam title.”

Well, his soul jam was knowledge, but they were practically the same thing. All truth was knowledge, but not all knowledge was true.

“Right. Well, I'm beat. We'll continue this lovely conversation tomorrow.”

“Oh, okay. Goodnight, Shadow Milk cookie.”

The floating cookie zipped up to his guest room and fell onto the bed, exhausted and anxious. Why he was anxious, he couldn't fathom. Was it worry for his underlings? Was it stress from his current position? He lay there for several minutes before giving up on sleep for the time being and floated back to the library.

He flew between bookshelves, looking for a book that would explain what on earthbread was happening to him. Fragile dough syndrome? No, he already had that long before he was locked up. Pale plague? Definitely not. Moldy crust? No, the only markings he had was the claw mark on his face, the ones on his neck from burning spice, and probably the one on his abdomen and back. If the last one especially were to mold, it would have happened ages ago. Love sickness? No, it couldn't be. Some of the symptoms matched up; the squirming feeling in his dough, the sudden hot flashes, heart racing. Others though, he didn't experience; weak knees, crust biting, racing mind (well, he had that, but he was more concerned about his lackeys than anything relating to “love sickness”).

The floating cookie skimmed through the book for anything else. Sogginess? No. Pregnancy? Hell no. Undercooked dough? No. Overcooked dough? No. Everything he looked through didn't explain anything. He slammed the book closed in frustration, putting it back on the shelf and looking for another.

A big book of cookie emotions? That might offer some insight. He carefully took it off the shelf and skimmed through it. Anxiety? Huh, the description sounded like his overthinking about his worry for Candy Apple cookie and Black Sapphire cookie. Confusion? He was certainly feeling that now, but some of the feelings he had didn't entirely match it. Entrancement? It sounded similar to some of his symptoms right now. Maybe that was it? Better look through the rest before coming up with a conclusion. Despite all of these answers, it was difficult to pick an emotion out of the lineup. After a few minutes of speed reading, he closed the book. Confusion, entrancement, and interest were the only emotions the blue cookie would admit to feeling. Satisfied enough with those answers, he slid the book back into place and went back to his guest room, snuggling under the covers and trying to sleep.

Chapter Text

Chapter 4

It was dark. Oppressively so. Everywhere he turned, Shadow Milk cookie only saw darkness. He felt like he was underwater, without the sogginess and with the ability to breathe. He panicked, trying to move, find ground, breach the surface, anything. Nothing worked. He screamed, loudly, but no sound came out. He struggled, thrashed, squirmed, wriggled, writhed. He barely even moved. He continued the motions fruitlessly, just doing what he could to try and escape.

He woke up with a thud and pain running down his spine. He had fallen out of bed, taking the sheets with him. Relief washed over him. It was okay, he wasn't stuck in that tree anymore. It was just a nightmare. As the blue cookie calmed down, he floated over the bed and untangled his body from the bed covers. Looking outside the window, the moon held the form of a waxing gibbous. Probably had only been asleep for a few hours, if any.

Like a child running to their parent's room, Shadow floated down to Pure Vanilla's room, carefully opening it. The king's bed was ridiculously big for just one cookie, and he was curled up in the center. Getting closer, it was clear the blonde was in a deep sleep. Did he always sleep like this? If he did, maybe Shadow Milk could just…

No! What was he thinking?! Now was not the time for that! He decided to go out on the town as a dark blue bird, flying above the mostly quiet streets. As he traveled further, the number of crows began to tick upward subtly. Until he saw her.

Black Raisin cookie.

He landed on a nearby rooftop, watching her walk by. She stopped, looking back up at him. Crumbs, did she recognize him? She gestured with her hand, continuing to walk forward. This cookie was interesting. So stoic even when facing the beast of deceit. He decided to follow, trailing the bird trainer to a nearby opening; a fenced in area for the cream sheep. Did she really believe that a fence could protect everyone else?

“Shadow Milk cookie.” She said with a low voice. “What are you doing out of the Vanilla castle?”

Shadow flew down, facing her back. “Aw, come on, can't I take a tour around the town?”

“If you cause any trouble, I won't hesitate to put a stop to it.”

The bird laughed. “What makes you think that you can stop me?”

“I don't, but I can delay you.”

“Oooooh, Iiiii seeeee! Vanilly told you to patrol the area for me!”

“No, he did not. I chose to do this in case you decided to do something.”

Of course he didn't. The naive king would be one to leave his kingdom unguarded. “I suppose he will thank you then, if you truly wanted his affection.”

The cookie didn't respond. Witches, was he good at guessing. It might have helped that he could peek into whatever mind he chose and dig around for any kind of knowledge he wanted.

“It doesn't matter. Whether we are friends or not, I will protect my village from any threat.”

Peculiar. It's a stupid kind of selflessness, but it felt familiar. Something he used to do.

“Very well. I suppose I'll let you off the hook.”

There goes his chance for a bit of chaos. He didn't think he could actually feel sorry for another cookie. He flew back to the Vanilla castle, crawling back into the bed. If he even knew what he was feeling before, he certainly didn't now. He shut his eyes tight, curling up in a small ball as he tried to fall back asleep.

Chapter Text

Chapter 5

A knock sounded at the beast's door. “Good morning Shadow Milk cookie.” It was Pure Vanilla cookie. Of course. “May I come in?”

Sunlight beamed through the window, casting its light upon the blue cookie. Despite the late night adventure, he had a somewhat decent sleep. He floated over to the door and swung it open with a finger. The usually yellow cookie was now wearing a somewhat casual outfit. Ripped jeans, black dress shoes, and a black turtleneck under a striped blouse. He looked good in it.

“Oh, did I wake you? I'm sorry.” Vanilla apologized.

‘Don't apologize to him.’

“Just tell me why you did.” Shadow yawned, stretching almost exaggeratedly.

“I was going to have breakfast with Custard cookie, and I wanted to ask if you would like to join us.”

Actually inviting him to a meal? It would be rude to pass such an event. Perhaps this could be the moment. “Sure, just give me 5 minutes.”

Pure Vanilla nodded, satisfied with that answer. As he walked away, he silently breathed a sigh of relief. Shadow Milk actually stayed. This was good, he could already be changing! Not just his clothes, though the king's mind couldn't help but imagine the jester in such a position.

‘Disgusting.’

Shadow cracked his knuckles, crossed his legs and raised a hand in the air, snapping his fingers. A light blue shirt and some jeans, with a long dark blue scarf. His shoes were similar to Vanilla's, his hair tied in a ponytail. He looked in the mirror, admiring his angles. There was still that faint mark on his neck. He pulled up his scarf to cover it. Satisfied, he floated down to the dining room, opening the doors. He found the two Vanillians getting ready to eat.

The younger one stood up from his seat, running over. “You're here!” Shadow Milk proceeded to get a tight hug from Custard cookie. “My subjects made pancakes for the three of us! Yours has blueberries and chocolate chips!”

That sounded pretty good. He floated inside, just behind the child to the table. Right next to the king.

“Uncle Vanilla! Shadow Milk cookie came to visit for breakfast!”

The staff stared at Shadow, causing Vanilla to hide the blush on his face with his hand. “You look nice.” Was all he could get out.

“What, you thought I'd wear that jester outfit all day every day? I've got my own private wardrobe at my disposal. I'm not going to perform the same act, it'll get stale.” Custard cookie got a chair for Shadow Milk cookie to sit on. He still hovered, it was what he preferred.

“You can't take a straight compliment, can you?” Pure vanilla smirked, resting his head in one of his hands while eating his breakfast with the other.

The blue cookie huffed. “Fine. Thank you.” He rolled his eyes, causing the blonde to chuckle. That honeyed laugh made his heart flutter, as much as he tried to deny it.

His plate was delivered to him by the young king, blue and dark brown staining the fluffy batter.

“Would you like some butter or maple syrup, my loyal subject?” He asked the jester.

“Syrup, if you'd please.”

A container of the sticky amber liquid was handed to him. He flicked his finger and whisked the bottle over his pancakes, watching it pour slowly before growing satisfied with the suffocation of his flapjacks. He returned it to the child, who retreated to where the syrup came from.

“Did you sleep well last night?” The angel asked while Custard ate.

Time for the beast of deceit to do what he did best. “Yeah, I slept fine.”

Custard raised his staff excitedly, waving it around. “I dreamed that I slayed a dragon and rode the fearsome seas to a kingdom for myself!”

Vanilla smiled, patting the child's head with care. “That sounds like a very entertaining dream.”

“What about you, Uncle Vanilla?”

The blonde opened his eyes and gave that strange smile, already making the blue cookie's heart beat quickly.

“I was in my garden with my cream sheep. What about you, Shadow Milk cookie?”

“I don't remember.” He lied, shoving the food into his mouth. Those servants knew how to make a good flapjack.

“That's a shame. I suppose it can't be helped.”

Shadow felt guilty. For lying? No, he never felt guilty lying. Was it for disappointing Vanilla? Why?? He never- well, okay, he did care, but he never felt guilty for disappointing anyone. Not before. At most he was upset with himself and came up with a new act. Guilt was something he wasn't used to. Not since he became what he was currently.

“I need to go out and run some errands today.” The king continued. “Would either of you like to join me?”

Yes. “No.” The ex-beast's mouth and mind contradicted each other.

“Are you going to the market today?” Custard cookie questioned.

Market? A place filled with cookies? On one hand, it would be a chance to perform his tricks, but on the other, the crowd…

“Not today. I need to head to the bakery for an ingredient request, then down to the wafflebot hangar for a parts request, and then I'll return to my office to write letters to my friends. After that, we can continue reading those books you seem to be interested in, Shadow Milk cookie.”

Well, that seems more manageable than the market. The bakery only held a set amount of cookies, and the blue cookie was sure there weren't as many in the hangar.

“It seems I've changed my mind. I'm very interested in seeing a few of these locations you've described.” He grinned, twirling the claw like bangs over his eye.

“I wanna go to the bakery!” Custard cookie III chimed in. “They have a new flavor I must sample as their king!”

Vanilla chuckled. “Very well. We shall be off then.”

“You're going out with that hair?” Shadow floated behind the angel and held some long, blonde icing in his hands as gently as the rose the day before. “It's terribly unkempt. Certainly doesn't do this outfit any favors. We aren't leaving until we get this under control.”

The blonde chuckled. “And what style would you suggest?”

Once again, the child piped up. “Oh, maybe a long braid! Or a bun with some strands by his face!”

The kid didn't have any bad ideas. Something casual would do best with this outfit. As he started braiding, the blue cookie requested a hair tie from Custard cookie.

“Do you even know how to manage your hair? Or are you too used to your servants doing this for you?”

“Well, my hair hasn't been this long before.” Vanilla admitted. “I didn't have much time to brush it before I went to meet with Custard cookie for breakfast.”

“No wonder it's such a mess. Lucky you, I am an expert in handling hair like this.” Shadow Milk cookie materialized a brush to get out some unruly knots. “Don't say I never did anything for you.”

The king smiled. “Perhaps I should have you do my hair every morning. At least until I can get it cut.”

Shadow blushed as he continued to silently brush and braid the other's hair. Custard quickly returned with a hair tie, the floating cookie wrapping it around his wrist as he styled the mass of icing in front of him. Satisfied, he took the band from his hand with his teeth and tied it at the end of the pattern. Gently draping it over Vanilla's shoulder, he moved to the king's front.

“Yes, this will do. Take a look for yourself.”

He offered the blind cookie his vision. Custard admired the braid as Vanilla viewed himself from his stylists point of view.

“You did a wonderful job. Maybe I won't cut all of it off.” The angel complimented as he felt the braid with his hand.

“I shall grow out my hair too! I wish to partake in your services, loyal subject!” The child exclaimed excitedly.

Shadow's skills never fail to impress. He helped the other to his feet.

“As an important figure in society, you must uphold yourself with grace and elegance, no matter your appearance.”

“I'm not that important-”

“You hold immense power in your hands, and you're not that important?”

Vanilla laughed. “I suppose you're right.”

“Of course he's right! You're a king, Uncle Vanilla! You need to show your loyal subjects that they can put their faith in you!”

Shadow liked this kid. He wasn't really a king, but clearly he's been studying. Maybe it helped a little that he was backing him up.

“Alright, I know when I'm outnumbered.” The angel laughed. “I yield.”

Those 2 words tugged at the floating cookie's heart strings. Why? He couldn't fathom why. All he could do was what he did best: lie and mask.

“Then let's get moving. The faster we can get this done the faster I can finish those books.”

The three cookies traveled to the bakery, which was surprisingly rustic for its location. Granted, it was Pure Vanilla's kingdom, he would probably make everything rustic if he could. Heading inside, there were already a few cookies taking part in their meals and chatting to each other. Some waved to the angel, who waved back and smiled. Others stared at them warily.

Custard cookie III ran up to the counter. “Hello my loyal subject!”

The baker smirked. “Hello your majesty. To what do I owe the pleasure of your presence in my shop today?”

“It has come to my attention that you have a new menu item, and I was hoping to sample some of it. I believe it's the Jellyberry croissant?”

“You would be correct, your majesty. I have one saved for you, I'll go warm it up.” The cookie vanished into the kitchen as Vanilla brought out a coin purse.

It was methodical, the way he pulled out each individual coin and felt the ridges and surfaces of them before setting the amount needed on the counter. 540 jelly coins, just the amount needed for the arriving food. The baker handed the bag to Custard cookie as he simultaneously took the coins to put them in the register.

“Hello Pure Vanilla cookie. Can you come with me to the back?”

“Of course, Rice Cake cookie. Can Custard cookie and Shadow Milk cookie join me?”

A wary glance from the cookie behind the counter. Shadow glanced back, standing on the floor in an attempt to not seem intimidating. Usually he wouldn't bother, since it was a bit painful for him to use his legs, but he could clearly tell word of his powers spread around from someone. Three guesses as to who.

“As long as he doesn't cause any trouble.” The reluctant words came out, almost making the ex-beast itch at the chance he was letting slip by.

Patience. He just has to wait for the right moment.

“I'll make sure of it, my friend.” The ancient didn't actually know if he could stop Shadow Milk cookie from doing anything. As long as he didn't cause intentional harm to anyone, it should be fine. Right?

The baker cookie, satisfied with the king's words, led them past the kitchen with half a dozen cookies preparing baked goods. Must have a lot of orders. The office was simple, a desk with some chairs, knick knacks, a framed photo of what Shadow Milk cookie assumed was his loved one, and some sort of device. He was truly flabbergasted as to what its purpose was. Pure Vanilla cookie sat down in one of the chairs, and Custard cookie III sat on the other. Shadow sat in between them, much to the outsider's confusion.

Rice Cake cookie sat opposite to them and pulled up a page on the monitor, turning it to Vanilla. “We're running a bit low on these berries, and the jellies as well. I would also like to stock up on chocolate before it dips down into the red.”

The king nodded thoughtfully. “It seems like the milk is getting there too, I could order it along with the other ingredients you've requested.”

The dark haired cookie turned the monitor back to him. “You're not wrong. Thank you, Pure Vanilla cookie.”

The angel nodded, pulling out a small device and fiddled with it. The beast could hear a faint voice emanating from it. Shadow could barely make out any of it, but he could see the object's owner typing a message to Gingerbrave about the items previously discussed. Any misspellings were quickly changed to the closest thing the device could register. Fascinating.

With that, the three of them were out the door before Custard cookie finished the croissant. Shadow's meetings when he was a sage were at least 15 minutes. They were in and out within 5. Off to the wafflebot hangar, which was surprisingly far from the castle. If it took as much time as the baker's request, it should be easy.

The entrance into the hangar was huge. Do the wafflebots walk themselves in when they need repairs? Already they were more advanced than any of his marionettes. He wanted to study them all. A few cookies were there, running diagnostics and polishing their exteriors. One of them; a small, pink haired cookie in a similar looking cloak with a yellow fade, was looking through a hatch on the wafflebot. They were floating, very similar to Shadow Milk cookie. There were many colored wires and moving gears within the artificial creatures. He wondered how they didn't get stuck inside each other and break the whole thing.

“Strawberry Crepe cookie!” Vanilla called, catching the mechanic's attention.

They flew down in front of the small group, landing on the floor.

“Hello Pure Vanilla cookie!” Strawberry Crepe greeted. “I'm glad you could make it.”

“You're in charge here?” The blue cookie asked, confused.

“Indeed I am. I've been around these guys the longest. We're practically like family!” they pat the leg of the wafflebot they were working on. “I know them inside and out, literally!”

“And I wouldn't trust anyone else to lead the repair team.” The angel smiled. “You said you were running low on spare parts?”

The pink haired cookie nodded, sprouting a pair of wafflebot arms from under their cloak to grab a blueprint. They hovered over to the group, facing Vanilla.

“We're running out of part I-49, and we could use a top up on G-14.” They pointed to the respective parts on the page.

“I see. I'll order them from the Golden Cheese kingdom.” The king responded, taking out the same small device.

Shadow Milk cookie studied the blueprint very closely. It looked very similar to a few prototypes he had in mind for his marionettes. He pulled out his own blueprint, comparing the two.

“Whatcha got there?” Strawberry Crepe asked, tilting their head in curiosity.

The ex-beast showed them. “My marionette designs. I was comparing the two for similarities.”

The cloaked cookie looked at them closely. “Blueberry Milk cookie? I think I've seen those in the warehouse. That one was referenced in the wafflebots hovering aspect!”

He was right! These were based on his designs. He floated up to one of the bot's legs, examining it.

“I'm pleasantly surprised someone managed to pull this off. I couldn't figure out the means to make it work before I retired.”

Strawberry Crepe cookie gasped. “You're Blueberry Milk cookie? A lot of your prototype blueprints are references for the wafflebots current design!”

“Well now, I think I'll have to take some time looking through one of these. I would like to know how each one of my designs found their answer in these beauties.”

“I'd be happy to show you, Blueberry Milk cookie! Would you mind having your insides observed, Herald?”

The wafflebot let out a low hum, to the delight of the pink haired child.

“Thank you Herald! We'll be gentle, promise!”

Pure Vanilla smiled up at the floating cookies’ mutual excitement. His guest was finally making a friend. “We can stay as long as you'd like, Shadow Milk cookie. There is no rush.”

With that, the two blondes sat on a nearby bench. The older offered the younger his small device, who took it and began tapping the screen. Right now, Shadow was in no hurry to leave.

“How'd you get the hovering to work?”

“Magnets. We have a positive and a negative charge in each one, in such a way that they are both attracting and repelling each other. Of course, with some help from a levitation spell to help with the weight.”

“And the eyes?”

“LED Screens with recording equipment.”

“LED?”

“Light Emitting Diodes. Mainly to show facial expressions.”

“Do they have emotions?”

“Emotions, personalities, they even have favorite hobbies and cookies!”

“How was this achieved?”

“There's a personality chip on each motherboard. Each one is different, just like with cookies. Possibly even better, in fact!”

“Better than cookies? Quite the feat. How do the wires and gears stay apart?”

“A repel spell. Similar to the magnets, but temporary. I'm glad I have more spellcasters in my arsenal.”

“I hypothesized it would work, I just didn't think it would be this way.”

“Yeah, while it doesn't work well on the limbs and body, it works wonders for the smaller things!”

“Does it ever get hot with all the kinetic energy?”

“That's what the cooling processors are for! There's a big fan in the center to push the hot air out of these waffle cones! It's very useful when fighting against intruders!”

“How so?”

“It can be used to power lasers, and on rare occasions, shoot the waffle cones as missiles!”

“Sounds like a big cost in materials.”

“That's why it's only rarely. On the occasion one of them has to, we clean up the debris and recycle it for part of the next waffle cones!”

“Can they tell when something inside them is malfunctioning or broken?”

“Of course! Like how cookies have sore dough or broken bones, they feel the pain like a cookie would. Even in their legs!”

“Are the ears functional?”

“Why wouldn't they be? The strawberries and cones help pick up vibrations and send them to the processing unit.”

“And how are you able to float like I do?”

“A similar spell to the ones holding their bodies in the air. I cast it at will when I need to, like reaching the hard parts for other cookies to get to. I've made hoverpads with a similar ability to the levitating spell for myself, but it doesn't always get them where they need to be.”

“Quite the intelligent cookie you are.”

“Thank you, Blueberry Milk cookie. That means a lot coming from you.”

This one almost reminded Shadow Milk cookie from his time as a sage. Teaching lectures in his tower to willing cookies, always proud of the ones that excelled in them. Those that were curious for more. Perhaps they were bringing out the curiosity in him.

“May I ask what those are for?” He gestured to the headphones.

“They help me tune out the unimportant noises and focus on my task. Only those within a 20 foot radius can break through the silence.”

“Ingenious. Even I was unaware these could exist.”

“I've had them since I got out of cryostasis.”

So they're both lunged forward into a time they don't recognize. That's something Shadow Milk cookie could relate with.

“I feel you there. It's difficult being in a world that's moved on without you.”

Strawberry Crepe lit up. “Exactly! I don't know what happened while I was out, but when I woke up everyone was gone.”

“Same with me. I had to build everything back up, only for it to get torn down again.”

“Everything? Yeesh, sounds like a lot of work.”

“Oh, it was. And now it's aaaaaall torn down again, so I'm here.”

“Pure Vanilla cookie is far too kind. I joined Dark Enchantress cookie to make my machinery, and he still took me back. No thought that I would betray him.”

“You too? He really is an old fool.”

“Yeah. Don't tell him this, but I'm glad he is. He's much nicer than she is. He let me come back to repair the wafflebots, even when I was still working for her.”

Old fool indeed. So this was common for the king.

“He has a habit of this doesn't he?”

“I think so. You came from Dark Enchantress cookie too?”

“She's the reason I'm here now. I haven't bothered speaking with her since I got this form.”

“Very wise decision. She is crazy.”

“I'm actually glad to have found someone like you in this place. Everyone else just glares at me here.” Everyone except Vanilla and Custard, and now Strawberry Crepe cookie. “I do hope to talk with you again soon.”

“Me too, Blueberry Milk cookie! I hope I can learn more from you in the future!”

The blue cookie floated back down to the blondes, happy he could befriend someone outside those two. “Alright, I've finished my conversation. We can be on our way.”

Vanilla stood up. “I'm glad you could make a friend here, Shadow Milk cookie. I hope you can find more in Crispia.” He bent down to custard cookie III, who looked up and gave the angel the device.

From the looks of what was on the screen, it was a fruit styled game. They were contained in a box, with none of the fruits that matched touching. The “next” fruit on the top of the screen was a Strawberry.

As they exited the wafflebot hangar, Shadow Milk cookie turned to Pure Vanilla cookie. “What is that game Custard was playing?”

“It's the fruit dropper!” The child piped up excitedly. “Whenever I go out with uncle Vanilla on a really long errand, he lets me play it on his phone.”

“This is a phone?”

“Indeed it is.” The king added. “Courtesy of Golden Cheese cookie. She even implemented an audio reader so I could use it somewhat properly.”

“Crumbs, I feel old.” Shadow muttered.

“I'm happy to catch you up on all the time you missed. Cookiekind has advanced drastically since you've been away.”

“If you can use that to send messages, why are you sending letters?”

“It's much easier for me to write a letter than type a text. I still haven't gotten a handle on the swiping keyboard, much less the voice to text module.”

“Swiping keyboard? Voice to text?”

“You're supposed to drag your finger across the keyboard to the letters in the word you want to type, and it brings up the closest match. I always seem to get it wrong. As for the voice to text, it speaks for itself I would think. I'm not that good at saying things in a clear enough tone for the phone.”

The blue cookie carefully grabbed the phone. “How about you dictate, and I try writing on this thing. Don't worry, I'll let you see it before I send it. I know you're not as stupid as you seem.”

A small sigh escaped the blind cookie. Was it relief or agitation?

“Thank you, Shadow Milk cookie. I would like to start with White Lily cookie, since she is the farthest. Do you think you can handle that?”

Vanilla truly disliked having to ask Shadow to do this for him. He knew full well the jester disliked White Lily since she trapped him back inside the silver tree. His worry was written all over his face.

Of course. The beast of deceit had to contact the faerie cookies. Of all the cookies he could have befriended. Well, if they saw Candy Apple cookie and Black Sapphire cookie, maybe he could find out what happened, and at least the phone seemed easy enough to use. Shadow Milk cookie had faced more difficult tasks than texting on a phone.

“Sure, no problem.” He tapped on the “WL” icon. “Ready when you are.”

Vanilla nodded, relieved. “White Lily cookie, I hope this message finds you well. I want to inquire about any beast cookies you may have encountered. Shadow Milk cookie has informed me that their true bodies are still within the tree. So as long as the soul jam is claimed and the beasts satiated, they should be relatively harmless to the 5 of us. I was hoping you could bring whatever beast cookie you have come across and the 10 of us could meet up and discuss this situation, if the others have spared their counterparts and brought them back to their kingdoms. Warmest Regards, Pure Vanilla Cookie.”

Typing all of that message out, the floating cookie slipped in: “Shadow Milk also requests any information on any cookies found with black wings.”

As they made it to the garden, the adults sat on a nearby bench (well, Vanilla sat. Shadow hovered). Granting the blind cookie his sight, he reread the message he had typed out.

The addition at the end did not escape Vanilla's attention. He knew what it was like to worry for others. “You miss them, don't you, Shadow Milk cookie?”

The floating cookie rubbed the side of the phone with one of his fingers. “I'm just making sure of their location. The brats don't know how to survive without me.”

The king gently held his hand. “We can ask White Lily cookie to bring them here too, if she has found them.”

‘You're just asking for trouble.’ The Vanilla Orchid stared at its master.

Shadow Milk cookie squeezed lightly, forcing tears back. “Thank you.”

With that, the message was off. Pure Vanilla cookie comforted the jester. Surprisingly, there was no resistance from the other. The two stayed together for a few moments, allowing Shadow to recuperate.

“Let's message Golden Cheese cookie next, if you're ready.” Pure vanilla tentatively requested.

The blue cookie went to the “GC” contact. He swallowed nervously just thinking about Burning Spice. The last place they left off wasn't very… friendly.

“Golden Cheese cookie, I hope this message finds you in good health. I heard that you had defeated a beast cookie, and I would like you both here if you have spared him. I would prefer if we could all speak about this together in the Vanilla kingdom, should you feel like attending this time. I look forward to seeing you and Burning Spice cookie. Warm regards, Pure Vanilla Cookie.”

“Absolutely no favoritism at all.” Shadow Milk smirked, pushing down his true feelings on the matter.

“I've known White Lily cookie longer than many of my friends. I suppose that's my excuse.”

The jester laughed. “Even after that war of yours?”

The king gripped his staff. “Dark Enchantress cookie is not White Lily cookie. They may share the same dough, but they are not the same cookie.”

“Keep telling yourself that.”

“I suppose we'll just have to agree to disagree.”

“Who's next on your list then?”

“Dark Cacao cookie, if you please.”

Shadow Milk cookie obliged, tapping the “DC” icon.

“Dark Cacao cookie, I hope you and your subjects are well. I have become aware of an encounter you had with one Mystic Flour cookie. I was hoping you could bring her to the Vanilla kingdom so the 10 of us could discuss our new conundrum. Please get back to me swiftly. Pure Vanilla cookie.”

“Straight to the point this time.”

“He's a very no nonsense kind of cookie sometimes. He can relax when he is around friends, I've seen it happen.”

“Before or after you went blind?”

Vanilla chuckled. “I would say sometime after. I didn't meet him until after I finished my formal education.”

“I would like to see that for myself, if what you say is true.”

“Maybe someday, if he trusts you.”

“What about that sword his kid got his hands on? You said you wanted to tell him that.”

“I'm not sure how I would fit it in this message. I'll bring it up when he gets here.”

“Suit yourself. Last one.” Shadow tapped the “H” contact. He assumed it was for Hollyberry, and he had assumed correctly. Naturally.

“Hollyberry, I hope you and your kingdom are well. I wanted input from you and any beast cookie you might have encountered. I wish for the 10 of us to gather in the Vanilla kingdom and discuss the future between us. Feel free to bring any food or drink you would like, especially your famous Hollyberry juice. I look forward to seeing you here. Warm regards, Pure Vanilla cookie.”

As the last message was sent, a notification from Dark Cacao popped up. The voice narrated it.

“Dark Cacao sent a message. I will be there with Mystic Flour cookie. Dark Cacao cookie.”

Very short, very simple. “You weren't kidding. At least Mysty is alive, I guess.”

“Golden Cheese sent a message. Hello Pure Vanilla cookie, it's good to hear from you. I am happy to bring my newest treasure to your kingdom to show him off. I assume you are asking because you have found one of your own. I would love to see them. Wishing you well, Golden Cheese cookie.”

Treasure? “Does she really see cookies as objects?”

“Everything in her kingdom is one of her possessions, and she treats them with compassion and respect.” Vanilla explained.

“Does that include her friends? Are all your kingdoms hers by technicality?”

The king laughed. “No, we are not residents of the Golden Cheese kingdom. She had respected our wishes to make our own kingdoms for what it's worth.”

“Hollyberry sent a message. Pure Vanilla cookie, wonderful to hear from you! I was rather worried after your letter. I'll be bringing as many barrels of juice that I can carry! I'll bring Eternal Sugar cookie too, I'm sure she'd love to see her friends again! I'll be looking forward to seeing you all. Hollyberry cookie.”

“Those three are quick.” Shadow Milk muttered.

“Very punctual, yes. It might take White Lily cookie a bit longer to respond, but she will by the end of the day I'm sure.” Pure Vanilla stood up. “Now that you've helped me with that, we can finish those books you want to read.”

Shoving the phone back into the angel's pocket, the floating cookie sped into the castle through his guest window. He stopped by the kitchen, finding a container of strawberries and bringing them along. It was lunch time, after all. Perhaps he could get the ghastly thin cookie to eat for a change. He wouldn't want his favorite toy to crumble.

Chapter Text

Chapter 6

It took several minutes for the ancient cookie to get to the library. “I'm terribly sorry I kept you waiting. I can't run like I used to.” He admitted, almost out of breath racing from the garden to the back of the 1st floor of his own castle. Sure, he was able to carry the beast cookie out of his own crumbling tower, but that was more adrenaline than anything.

“Do I have to teach you to fly just to get you here faster?” Shadow Milk cookie half joked, raising an eyebrow as the (somehow) younger cookie sat down.

“I would appreciate it. The first time felt more like a side effect to my ascension than an actual knowledge of how to do so.”

Right. That happened a while ago. The jester still had his soul jam, but still only half of it. Still enough to connect to Pure Vanilla. How did he know that? Why did he know that? He found himself asking those two questions more and more recently. He would have to save those questions for the other beasts, if they too had come under such feelings. Sugar certainly did.

Shadow milk was doing it again. He had that concentrated look on his face, eyes closed as he lost himself in his own mind. The king smiled softly, finding the sight rather… adorable for a beast.

“Are you alright? You seem to be lost in thought again.”

Crap. Vanilla was attentive.

“You aren't reading them, are you?” Another half joke, but to disguise his panic for aloofness.

“I don't need to. You seem to switch to autopilot every time I see you thinking hard. It also helps that the eyes on your hair close each time you do it.”

A wave of relief. “You know my hair better than I do?” Shadow smirked, hovering centimeters from the other.

“I'm learning. I find your hair very interesting.”

The blue cookie felt his face flush, immediately plopping himself back in the king's lap and hiding his face with Pure Vanilla's book. Vanilla, meanwhile, turned his attention to the food of choice Shadow had picked up.

“Strawberries today? They're quite messy.”

“They're for you. You didn't eat lunch yesterday.”

The blonde's breath hitched. “Oh, you noticed. It's just an old habit of mine.”

“Oh yeah, Healer cookie?”

Silence again. Shadow Milk looked up past the book. The Ancient's mixed eyes were open again, brow furrowed. Not in anger. Of sadness.

‘Of course he knows.’ The Vanilla Orchid glared. ‘It's just like him to use something like that against you.’

The ex-beast could feel his heart ache. He sat up.

“What's going on here? Ashamed of that little lie of yours?”

The other wiped the forming tears away. It wasn't about the lie, it was more about what he'd done in order to need it created. “I'm sorry about that. I suppose I was lost in thought myself.”

The jester placed a hand to the king's chest. His heart was beating at a fast pace. The former looked up at Vanilla, whose eyes were wide open now, not half lidded. The latter had a blush form across his face.

Did he feel the same? Were their souls still partially bonded? The soul jams. They both became cookies of deceit when they briefly linked together. Whatever was left of the beast's power was connected to the angel, keeping some of the link in place. It explained why Shadow knew things he shouldn't have. Why he could feel when the other was nearby.

“Just eat the damn strawberries. I'll have lunch when I'm done reading.” He flopped back onto the lap beneath him, focusing on the book.

The famine had ravaged our land for almost a week. Nothing would grow. We sacrificed the cream sheep to survive. They started to dwindle too. The shepherd, Vanilla cookie, urged us to move forward. That this land was now barren, we must find another. He brought the sick and elderly with him.

We spent weeks traveling with what little food we had amongst a whole village of cookies. Despite their fate of death, the sheep followed behind their shepherd. The cookie refused to eat most meals to save enough for the others. Despite his weakness, he persisted in leading us through the 12 trials of the sugar-free road across Crispia. We had to bury many of our sick along the way, and Vanilla had always led prayers to the witches to ensure safe travels back to the oven to be reborn.

At some point near the end, he split from the group to take a rest. He left us in order to climb the highest cliff in the area. When he returned, he had the soul jam of truth affixed to his chest. He claimed to have found enlightenment, that every being on earthbread had a right to exist. From the largest dragon to the smallest jelly worm. Only then did he have claim to the soul jam, and the power to lead us to the promised land.

Through many cake hounds and jelly worms, we had finally found a place to call home. A land rich with greenery and plant life. As we filed into the area, the shepherd began to cast a powerful spell; one he was not physically prepared for. He could have crumbled himself trying to complete it.

The overflow of power must have been the push he needed to raise the ground around us up into the sky. Some of us watched as cream wolves and cake hounds grew smaller and smaller. The sheep grew noisy, crowding around Vanilla cookie for comfort and protection. The sheer length of land he brought up was near the area of our old land, if not slightly larger.

Once we were brought up near the clouds, he had passed out. The cream sheep caught him, protecting Vanilla cookie from the harsh ground. We had set up camp and rested him in one of the medical tents. When he awoke a day later, his sister Vanilla Cream cookie refused to let him leave the tent until he had eaten. We had started up the crops, which were springing up quickly thanks to the nutrition in the soil.

With Pure Vanilla cookie’s help, we were able to construct the kingdom within a year. Priest cookie had crowned the shepherd into a king, with White Lily cookie to witness the ceremony. We had all agreed that for the sacrifices he made for us, as well as the approval of the witches with the soul jam, he would be the best fit for our leader. He had used the teachings he learned at the Blueberry academy to better our kingdom and innovate devices like the wafflebots.

His sister? Clearly his refusal to eat had been ingrained in him for a very long time. Even with part of his soul jam, Vanilla still overexerted himself. His sister was clearly the parent of the two. Suppose that's why she had her own child, and then a grandchild. Shame she wouldn't be here to see him grow. At least her brother would watch over her descendant, the king was intelligent enough to fashion several advancements through Shadow's prototypes after all.

“What was she like? Your sister, I mean.”

“Quite strict.” He chuckled softly, remembering how cream would scold him for staying in the fields too late. “But she was kind. She cared for my people after my mother became ill.”

“Who was older between you and your sister?”

“My sister, no doubt. She preferred to stay somewhere familiar and help those closest to her, like a mother would. She was fierce and protective, but she could also berate you if you did something stupid.”

“Certainly a mother alright. I bet she gave you hell for starving yourself.”

“She always did. I can still remember her forcing me into the dining room, ranting about how neglectful I was to myself. ‘Just because you have a soul jam doesn't make you invulnerable.’ She'd often tell me.”

“She's not entirely wrong. It gives lots of magic and freshness to keep us crispy, but it doesn't replace bare necessities.”

“It's like you've talked to her before.”

Shadow milk cookie laughed. “It's common sense, silly Vanilly.”

That nickname made Pure Vanilla cookie blush. It was that, or the phrase he's most likely heard a thousand times before.

‘He's toying with you.’ The staff reminded him.

“At least you were smart enough to go to my school.”

“You founded the Blueberry academy? That explains all the books with your old name on them.”

“You're just now connecting the dots??”

“Well, your history was kind of erased for the longest time.”

“Even my fountain?”

“Well, there was a fountain. It just didn't have anything on it.”

“Figures. I become selfish for a few hundred years and I'm erased from the recollections. Those who do not remember history are doomed to repeat it.”

“Very well said. I believe it has with White Lily cookie.”

“Reeeeeally now?”

“She found out what the witches made us for, and she fell into their special dough to make Dark Enchantress cookie.”

“Thank you for proving my point.” Shadow pat Vanilla on the head, switching to the final book. White Lily's book. Though, something was bothering him.

Vanilla was surprisingly cold. For a cookie entrusted with the power of the soul jam, his core temperature was low. Shadow had always been at a somewhat high temperature since he was baked, which made his robes as the fount of knowledge insanely warm. He much preferred lighter outfits because of it. Vanilla though…

The ex-beast managed to calm himself down enough to finally speak. “You're freezing…” He croaked.

The ancient sighed. The cookie on his lap could feel the gentle puff of air against his scalp. “Yes, I guess I'm used to being under the sun for long periods of time.”

“You want to go back out to the garden, don't you?”

“Mmh. I'm fine right here. I rarely get time to relax like this.”

“We were doing this yesterday.”

“Yes, we had just returned yesterday.”

Shadow Milk laughed softly. “Alright, I concede.”

This was nice. Despite the cold temperature of the other cookie, the former sage felt warm. The expression of his pent up emotions had passed, leaving him feeling tired. As much as he tried to fight it, the king's touch was so soft and comforting. He eventually lost the battle, falling asleep in the other's arms, leaving the book to the side. Maybe when he woke back up.