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Chapter Text

   Pavlova Cookie took a chance to look at his new reflection in a puddle of purple jelly. Though his mother figure, Eternal Sugar Cookie, had just demanded he start making preparations for a new Garden of Sweet Delights, he stole the chance to admire his new body once she had gone away. 

   His dough seemed… full grown now. It had less squishy give than it had when he was younger just moments ago. His once small frame had gotten taller and broader in a few instances, and he could see the stretch marks where his dough had been morphed too fast. Was it supposed to be painful? Pavlova Cookie’s dough showed signs of rapid growth and maturity, yet he felt no discomfort or fatigue. But there was a gnawing feeling at the back of his mind that seemed to eat up at Pavlova Cookie’s thoughts. It whispered “Sugarfly Cookie, Sugarfly Cookie.” 

   This voice was soon stifled as Pavlova Cookie focused on his new body. His sugar-spun hair had gotten longer. New strength flowed under his dough that, although he was still a pretty lanky cookie, made him feel strong and awake. He altogether felt somehow powerful. 

   As he took in his reflection, that revitalizing strength gradually but quickly diminished, making his dough and head ache as if he had lounged for too long or eaten too many sweets. The influence of the Garden of Sweet Delights had set back in.

   Pavlova Cookie had to stand up to keep himself from getting dizzy and as soon as his focus left himself, that voice whispered into his head again.

   “Sugarfly Cookie. Sugarfly Cookie.”

   He tried to stifle it, but it seemed that becoming a fully baked cookie unlocked emotions and thoughts that he had pushed down a long time ago. Was it really Pavlova Cookie’s growing up that had caused these feelings to rise back up? Or was it that perhaps someone’s grip on him had lessened like it had on his friends he watched escape this sickly sweet realm?

♡ ♡ ♡

 Eternal Sugar Cookie acted as joyous and carefree as ever, but Pavlova Cookie knew she was just trying to cope with her lover, Hollyberry Cookie, escaping her grasp. Eternal Sugar Cookie had devised a new plan to build a sweeter, more extravagant Garden of Sweet Delights to make Hollyberry Cookie come back to her and assigned her son, Pavlova Cookie, as the chief architect. 

   Pavlova Cookie couldn’t help but feel wary of his master’s plans, thoughts running through his head of how Eternal Sugar Cookie planned to punish him once her delusions of getting Hollyberry Cookie back had worn off. Somehow those parts had gone away when he transformed, the weak, jammy points in his dough that came from Eternal Sugar Cookie’s punishments when she thought he had done wrong. Eternal Sugar Cookie would always say the same thing when she punished him, “I’m doing this because I love you,” but he knew it wasn’t true, that anything outside of Eternal Sugar Cookie’s flawless design would be forced into shape. Pavlova Cookie’s hands dug into the firm dough on his arms, which gave him some comfort that he might be able to take the torture, should it come.

  “Oh Pavlova Cookie~,” Eternal Sugar Cookie cooed, making her way over to him on her sugary pink wings. Seeing Eternal Sugar Cookie do any flying besides on her cotton candy clouds made Pavlova Cookie uneasy. How far must her kingdom have fallen if the Goddess of Sloth herself was moving around on her own without the help of her relaxation magic. 

   “Yes, Eternal Sugar Cookie?” Pavlova Cookie replied, hoping Eternal Sugar Cookie would not have anything spiteful to say about his new form. 

   “Oh dearest,” Eternal Sugar Cookie said, a hint of disappointment in her saccharine voice, “I’ve told you time and time again to please call me ‘Mother,’ we are making preparations to build a family after all.”

   All Pavlova Cookie could do was nod silently.

   “And what is this?” Eternal Sugar Cookie questioned, tilting her head slightly as she looked Pavlova Cookie up and down. Pavlova Cookie prepared himself for the worst. “Has my new wish for a greater Garden of Sweet Delights had its effect on you? Have you grown out of my overflowing love for this realm and the cookies in it? Oh this is simply joyous news, Pavlova Cookie. This realm has gifted us with your new form to help rebuild and bring back my sweetest Hollyberry Cookie.”

   Pavlova Cookie sighed, letting out the tension that had built in his chest. Eternal Sugar Cookie though his new body was a blessing? It was good news that Pavlova would not be berated, but did this mean Eternal Sugar Cookie planned to push him to his limits to serve her plans?

  “We mustn't delay,” Eternal Sugar Cookie continued. “We have gardens to cultivate, forests to grow, palaces to erect, all for my Hollyberry Cookie’s return. Say, I have an idea for how to make my Sweetheart come back all on her own… Pavlova Cookie, I want you to design all the Garden of Sweet Delights to look like the Hollyberry Kingdom!”

   Pavlova Cookie felt the instant burden of the task before him. Designing the whole Garden? Modeled after the Hollyberry Kingdom? How did Eternal Sugar Cookie expect Pavlova Cookie to do this all on his own?

   “Mother?” Pavlova Cookie started. “How do you expect me to design the whole Garden after Hollyberry’s kingdom? I can’t leave to explore the architecture and culture. And how can I do it on my own?”

   “Oh dear Pavlova Cookie~,” Eternal Sugar Cookie smiled sweetly. “It seems your dough has matured, but your mind is still my little naive son. You still doubt my powers? We will simply invite a Hollyberrian into the Garden of Sweet Delights so you can discuss and design. And you won’t be doing it all on your own. Once my strength is renewed, I will create enough sugar angels to get the job done. Plus, you have this new dough, so I’m sure you can work diligently in the meantime.” Eternal Sugar Cookie ended on a vaguely threatening note, confirming Pavlova Cookie’s suspicion that his master intended to use him to the fullest extent for her machinations. 

  “Now, I’ll see you off,” Eternal Sugar Cookie said as she readied to fly away. “I’m sure the Sugar Summoning Mirror still has enough Soul Jam in it to invite just one visitor to help get you started. If you need me, I’ll be at the top of my Castle of Delights. Have fun, Pavlova Cookie~!”

   As Eternal Sugar Cookie flew off to her tower, Pavlova Cookie wiped away the tears that had formed in his eyes. There was no hope of being free from Eternal Sugar Cookie’s grasp yet.

Chapter Text

   Sugarfly Cookie panted as she stopped running. Escaping Eternal Sugar Cookie’s garden had seemed impossible when the idea was first brought up to her, but now here she stood, on the green grass of the outside world, reveling in its scents and shapes and colors. 

   “It’s so much more beautiful than I remember,” Sugarfly Cookie said in awe. “It’s so nice to not have sugar beneath your feet and above your head at every moment. I forgot this freshness. This clean scent on the wind. I feel like I can go anywhere.” 

   Hollyberry Cookie laughed a hearty laugh as Sugarfly took in the world. “That’s what it feels like to be your own cookie!” she said, patting Sugarfly Cookie on the shoulder, her pink armor clanking as she raised her hand. “Here you can be yourself again, take on a new challenge, live life to the fullest as you wish. I should know, my kingdom and citizens are the prime example of cookies who take hold of destiny and live for freedom and pleasure!”

  Sugarfly Cookie looked over the crowd of Hollyberrian cookies who began cheering. Eternal Sugar Cookie had transported Hollyberry Cookie’s citizens to her Garden of Sweet Delights to try and trap Hollyberry Cookie, but they had all managed to escape thanks to a very special group of cookies. As Sugarfly Cookie was surrounded by happy faces and cries of joy, she then realized the extent of escaping Eternal Sugar Cookie’s clutches. 

   “Living… as I wish?” she pondered. 

   “But of course!” Hollyberry Cookie went on. “What was it that you lived for before you were with Eternal Sugar Cookie? You’re free to spread your wings now. And speaking of, it seems like you’re eager to be back in the skies again.” 

   Sugarfly Cookie remembered her wings, which she had just spread after who knows how long earlier that day. The glistening syrup coating had cracked, and her beautiful silvery butterfly wings showed underneath. She tried to raise them again, but the solid sugar still had its grip on her, making her wince as the cracked glaze dug into her dough and wings. 

   “We should take you to someone to get that looked at,” Raspberry Cookie said as she approached, noticing the state of Sugarfly Cookie’s wings. “You were from the Fairy Kingdom, correct? We can see if they have someone who can help you.” 

   “The Fairy Kingdom…” Sugarfly Cookie thought about her old home. That shining place she once hated and ran away from now seemed welcoming after all she’d been through. “It’s been so long. I don’t know if I’ll recognize anyone. Or even if they’ll recognize me.”

   Sugarfly Cookie looked at herself, a bright yellow cookie whose appearance was only made possible by Eternal Sugar Cookie’s sticky sugar syrup. Sugarfly Cookie wasn’t even sure what her old self looked like anymore.

   “They will know,” Hollyberry Cookie assured. “A lot has gone down here while you were away. I’m sure the fairies will just be happy you’re back home. There’ll be lots to talk about when you get back.”

   Sugarfly Cookie pondered. Would the Fairies really be willing to invite her back so smoothly? She had left all that time ago with selfish desires. Sugarfly Cookie was sure many would see her as a traitor, especially since she was a guardian of the Silver Tree who had abandoned her stead. 

   “No time for worries,” Hollyberry Cookie said as she noticed Sugarfly Cookie was getting lost in her thoughts. “Come, we’ll stay in my kingdom for a little while to gather strength and supplies for the journey ahead. You’ll be wanting a nice, sugar-free bath and some time to truly relax, I assume?”

   “Oh no. I’ve done enough relaxing for an eternity,” Sugarfly Cookie stated. “But getting this syrup off of my wings would be nice. And I’d like to eat something not made of cotton candy or sugar fruits.”

   “Then you’re in luck the queen of a berry farming kingdom came to your aid!” Hollyberry Cookie laughed again. “We’ll set you up with a nice sparkling water bath and have a berry feast set out! This kingdom lives for celebrations and I think now is as good a time as ever to hold one. Right, everyone!?”

   The Hollyberrians cheered in agreement with their queen, ready to go back home and put this whole Eternal Sugar Cookie ordeal to rest. 

♡ ♡ ♡

 As the cookies made their way to the Hollyberry Kingdom, Sugarfly let out a gasp when she saw the splendor of the kingdom below from their cliff view. 

   The sparkling water canals glistened in the sunlight and berries galore floated on the waves, which were waiting to be picked up by the berry gatherers who were cruising across the waters on their decorated green-and-red gondolas. The scent of fresh water and berries hit Sugarfly Cookie’s nose as she took a deep breath. 

   “That’s my kingdom alright,” Hollyberry Cookie beamed. “I’m glad not every one of my citizens got whisked away into that tasteless garden. Keep it up everyone, we’re almost there.”

  The party continued their way down to the shore, the jaunty music from the town getting louder as they approached the kingdom. 

   Once the cookies had made it to the shore of the glittering lake, the gondola drivers pushed their way over, making room for all the Hollyberry Kingdom citizens and their allies to return home. 

   Sugarfly Cookie felt a rush of excitement and ease as she was driven to the kingdom’s docks. The sweet-but-not-too-sweet air filled her dough and she dipped her hand into the sparkling water. The water fizzed and made a sound like tiny little bells ringing. The water also helped to wash off a little of the syrup that was stuck to Sugarfly Cookie’s hand, which showed the fainter, silvery dough underneath. 

   As Sugarfly Cookie enjoyed the ride, the condola driver bent down and grabbed a fresh blackberry out of the water. 

   “For the madam,” he said, handing the crisp berry to Sugarfly Cookie, who thanked the cookie for the gift before taking a hearty bite from the berry’s ripe flesh.

   The berry’s aroma hit Sugarfly Cookie’s nose first, inviting her to sink her teeth deeper. The tart juice had just the slightest bit of sparkle and fizz, the perfect balance of flavors and textures having been made by being washed in and infused with the sparkling waters surrounding the boat. It was heaven to Sugarfly Cookie to finally eat the food she had been deprived of when she lived in the Garden of Sweet Delights. 

   As everyone made it to the port, Hollyberry Cookie took the lead and marched through the town streets, making her way to Hollyberry Palace. Sugarfly Cookie was welcomed by the Hollyberian citizens, who were embracing their loved ones and presenting the returning cookies with laurels of berry leaves and decadent treats. 

   “These cookies must truly be happy, even after things seemed so bleak and hopeless,” Sugarfly Cookie observed. 

  “Indeed,” Wildberry Cookie replied. “Their hope gives them the courage to push on and look towards happier days.”

   “So you can have happiness without someone doing the work for you…” Sugarfly Cookie said, her head hung in shame.

   Wildberry Cookie stopped for a second, looking at Sugarfly Cookie at first with bewilderment and them with understanding. “Yes, it’s possible,’ he continued. “These cookies are good examples of how hard work and hope for the future can bring you happiness. This kingdom has faced countless battles and eras of despair, but our will to keep moving forward and to not dwell in the bad times has gotten us out every time.”

   “That is very admirable,” Sugarfly Cookie noted. “I wish I had understood that back when Eternal Sugar Cookie offered to grant my wish.”

   “Have you learned from that experience?” Wildberry questioned.

   “I think so…”

   “Then that’s all you need to go forward.” 

Chapter Text

 Pavlova Cookie sank as he approached the Sugar Summoning Mirror. This relic was a last resort for Eternal Sugar Cookie since when her power was at its fullest, she could summon anyone from anywhere whenever she wanted. 

   The mirror was set into a sugar brick wall and was once surrounded by sugar cube columns, which were now eroded and in ruins from the jam flood. 

   The mirror itself was untarnished, though sticky purple jam clung to the ornate detailing of the frame. Pavlova Cookie guessed that the mirror had only one more chance to summon a cookie in this state. Though the mirror itself looked undamaged, its magical glow was dim and flickered in and out.

   “Find me anyone from the Hollyberry Kingdom,” Pavlova Cookie told the mirror. “And make it an architect or someone who knows the local craft.”

   The mirror’s reflective surface warped so that it was like water and Pavlova Cookie reached in. Upon feeling something, Pavlova Cookie grabbed and pulled his hand out of the mirror, an elderly Hollyberrian in his grasp. 

   “An old man?” Pavlova Cookie said in surprise. “Mirror, how is an old man supposed to help me rebuild a kingdom when he can hardly stand on his own?” 

   The mirror flashed a final defiant glow before the summoning portal closed and the mirror went dim, the magic in it running out.

   “Uhg, you’ll have to do,” Pavlova Cookie groaned, putting the old cookie down, who was now shaking in fear. 

   “W-Who are you!?” the elder Hollyberrian managed to mutter. “Whatduya want from me?” 

   “You’ve been summoned by Eternal Sugar Cookie to help rebuild her Garden of Sweet Delights,” Pavlova Cookie started. Though he usually would have been a chipper and welcoming cookie to newcomers, Pavlova Cookie’s dread had taken a toll on his attitude and he came off as less than friendly to the cookie he had pulled from the summoning mirror. “You’re going to help me design and form a new realm based on the Hollyberry Kingdom… Ah, and I’m Pavlova Cookie.” 

   The elder cookie cowered before Pavlova Cookie, waving his cane made of a twisted grape vine at the unfamiliar cookie in an attempt to get him to go away. 

   “Come on now, old man, I can’t start work until you tell me about the Hollyberry Kingdom.”

   Pavlova Cookie crouched down to get to the elder’s level, putting his head on his hand in annoyed laxness. 

  “Getaway!” the old cookie shouted. “The Hollyberry Kingdom takes nothin’ from no one and I’m not gonna associate with magical tomfoolery or the like!”  

   Pavlova Cookie rolled his eyes, something his previous childish self would never do lest he incite Eternal Sugar Cookie’s anger. Though Pavlova Cookie wished he didn’t have to, he put on his signature welcoming show to win the old cookie over. 

   “Let’s start again,” he said, standing up and holding out his hand to the sputtering old man, who had surprising spirit for how old he looked. “I’m Pavlova Cookie and I welcome you to the Garden of Sweet Delights. My mother, Eternal Sugar Cookie, invites you to live in her home as she wishes for you to design a realm based on your beloved Hollyberry Kingdom.”

   The elderly cookie stopped his frantic shaking and waving and slowly got to his feet, smacking Pavlova Cookie’s hand away with his vine cane. “You young punk nearly scared me out of my dough!” the cookie scolded. “You don’t just go abducting folks with magicy, swirly portals and what not. Us Hollyberrians believe in the art of hospitality and a clean start. Not to mention the absolute mess of a garden you’ve brought me to. What happened here aye? Did one hundred wild butter tigers run wild through this place?”

   “Something like that…” Pavlova Cookie deflected. “And that’s a good start. Tell me more about your kingdom. And may I know your name and what profession you took up in your home?”

   “What is this? A job application?” The elderly cookie cleared his throat before answering. “I am Mulberry Cookie and I am a groundskeeper for Hollyberry Palace. I prune the hedges and topiaries and water the flowers and whatever else. Now what was that about creating a new realm? Who is this being supervised by?”

   Pavlova Cookie was happy to finally be getting somewhere with Mulberry Cookie and graciously answered his questions. 

   “Eternal Sugar Cookie, the Goddess of Passion and Happiness, is looking for helpers to build a garden of beauty and joy. This garden will be a gift to your queen, Hollyberry Cookie, and as such Eternal Sugar Cookie has requested someone with expert knowledge on Hollyberrian design and customs be the one to oversee the design and building process.” 

   Mulberry Cookie took a look around before responding. “No wonder this Miss Sugar Cookie needs a new atmosphere. This realm looks like it got chewed up and spit out. And so much goop everywhere. Where’s your cleaning crew?”

   Pavlova Cookie managed a small smile. It seemed like he wouldn’t need to do the work all on his own, even if his partner was a frustrating old cookie. 

   “Eternal Sugar Cookie will get to that in time, but please, allow me to walk you to your living quarters.”

   “Living quarters?” Mulberry Cookie mused. “Well now, it seems you and Miss Sugar Cookie really do know a bit about Hollyberrian hospitality now, don’tcha?” 

   As Pavlova Cookie and Mulberry Cookie walked through the gardens, Pavlova Cookie got his first real look at the damage the garden had taken in the battle against Hollyberry Cookie and her subjects. The marbled columns were reduced to piles of sugar and the carefully placed flowers and hedges were waterlogged and dying. Even the once bright pink sky was faded and more grey than pink. 

   “I can tell something pretty unfortunate must have happened here,” Pavlova Cookie heard Mulberry Cookie say.

   “Yes,” Pavlova Cookie answered. “A great battle.”

   Though Pavlova Cookie was grateful for Mulberry Cookie’s observations and conversation, something struck him as odd. Why was Mulberry Cookie not enamored with the gardens like the other cookies before him? The sweetness of the Garden could still be felt in Pavlova Cookie’s aching dough, so why did it not seem like Mulberry Cookie was affected? Perhaps Eternal Sugar Cookie’s magic was being saved for other things. 

   Or maybe, Pavlova Cookie thought, This old cookie is just too particular and stuck up to be completely affected by the garden’s allure. 

   “Tell your Miss Sugar Cookie to lighten up,” Mulberry Cookie started again. “The owner’s mood can really bring their living space up or down and it looks like the owner is in serious conflict. Maybe the way to go about this whole building a kingdom thing is to first make the mood feel a bit better, aye?” 

   Pavlova Cookie nodded. “I’ll be sure to tell her that myself. Also it’s Eternal Sugar Cookie who rules here.” 

   “Nothing is eternal, my boy,” Mulberry Cookie added. “I’ve seen a lot of things come and go and you’ll learn that by the time your dough gets soggy and your eyesight gets bad like mine.” 

   Pavlova Cookie sighed, but kept going until the two cookies reached a small house shaped like a jewelry box. The jewelry box roof once had shining pearls and gold detailing, but it was now dirty and faded and covered with purple jam. 

   “Not too shabby,” Mulberry Cookie commented. “I’ve never stayed in a jewelry box before.”

   “I’ll leave you to get settled,” Pavlova Cookie said, flexing his angelic wings and getting ready to leave.

   “Alright then, see ya later. I’ll get this place all neat and clean in the meantime. And you mention what I said to Miss Sugar Cookie. I’m sure the sky will seem brighter and the flowers will bloom if she’s in a good mood.” 

   Pavlova Cookie nodded in assurance and farewell and took to the sky. 

   As Pavlova Cookie flew off with nowhere in mind to go, his thoughts were once again clouded and Pavlova Cookie had to cover his ears to dull the shouting inside his head. It seemed like any time Pavlova Cookie got a moment to himself, the voice would come back louder and louder.

   “Sugarfly Cookie. Sugarfly Cookie. Nothing is Eternal, my boy.”

Chapter Text

   Wildberry Cookie was tasked with accompanying Sugarfly Cookie as she wandered the palace. Though she wanted to help plan the evening feast and celebration, Hollyberry Cookie advised that she take a bath to wash off the rest of the syrup on her dough and wings. Before that, Sugarfly Cookie wanted to explore the Hollyberry Palace halls and rooms, taking in the sights and oohing and ahhing at all the shiny relics and decorations. 

   “Sugarfly Cookie?” Wildberry Cookie began. “I understand your excitement about the palace, but wouldn’t you feel better if you bathed before you did your sightseeing? It would also help to loosen up your dough and give you more energy for the celebration.”

   Sugarfly Cookie stopped gazing at the magnificent tapestry of the Hollyberry royal family and looked at Wildberry Cookie.

   “You may be right…” she said. “But I’ve been away from such splendor for so long… It’s too amazing to take a break from seeing it all.”

   Wildberry Cookie smiled. “Do you want to tell me what it was like in the Garden of Sweet Delights? So I can know how you must be feeling?”

   Sugarfly Cookie looked saddened for a moment, to Wildberry Cookie’s regret, but she soon let out a deep breath and looked into Wildberry Cookie’s eyes.

   “It felt wonderful to be there at first…” Sugarfly Cookie began. “It was freedom from the monotony of regular life and made me feel more at peace than I’d ever been in my life. I wished to have colorful wings instead of grey like I had, and Eternal Sugar Cookie granted my wish. I felt very beautiful for a while and loved playing in the garden and talking with the animals and other cookies… but it only lasted a little while before I missed who I was and regretted ever coming to the garden.”

   Wildberry Cookie searched Sugarfly Cookie’s face, trying to see how she felt, but her tone was clear and her face blank, like she was trying to retell the memories without connecting to them. 

   “I see… That must have been very hard for you once you realized how you truly felt.” Wildberry Cookie bowed his head, acknowledging Sugarfly Cookie. Though he couldn’t understand being unhappy with himself as he was, he sympathized with her feeling of loss and regret.

   “Like you and Hollyberry Cookie said, it’s in the past now,” Sugarfly Cookie chimed, smiling weakly. “I should focus on making myself the me I want to be. I want to take a bath now.”

   Wildberry Cookie nodded and guided Sugarfly Cookie to the royal baths. The steam rose into the air and gave everything a diluted look, but the scents of the soaps and candles made everything feel a kind of relaxing Sugarfly Cookie wanted to experience. 

   “I’ll leave you here,” Wildberry Cookie said as he asked another cookie to help Sugarfly Cookie with her bath. “These cookies will help you and you can meet with the others and I in the banquet hall when you are done. Goodbye.”

   As Sugarfly Cookie was waving goodbye, two other kind cookies introduced themselves and helped Sugarfly Cookie get ready for her bath. They put special salts and juices into the bath to soothe her dough and to loosen up the syrup that clung to Sugarfly Cookie’s whole body. 

   The gentle aroma of lavender and wood lulled Sugarfly Cookie into a sleepy state, and as she dipped into the warm water of the bath, her worries melted away just like the sugar crystals on her wings. 

♡ ♡ ♡

 After Sugarfly Cookie’s bath, her wings were still weak from not being used for so long, but all the syrup had melted away from her body head to toe and she could finally unfurl them after centuries.

   Sugarfly Cookie finally got a look at herself without the sticky yellow syrup covering her real form as she stepped in front of the mirror near the baths.

   “Miss, you’re stunning!” one of the cookies who had helped her bathe gasped.

   The dough that Sugarfly Cookie had once hated was now gorgeous to her. Her true monochrome colors showed themselves and her brilliant butterfly wings were of pure, glittering silver with streaks of light blue. Her once glazed down, yellowed hair showed its true form and her white, wing-shaped bangs and curls fell to their natural place. Sugarfly Cookie teared up at the sight of her reflection.

   “Oh, honey!” the other bath attendant said. “You’re about to make us cry too!”

   After Sugarfly Cookie had been dried and her weak wings properly wrapped, she got back into her white dress and armored boots and readied herself to attend the celebration in the banquet hall.

   Before Sugarfly Cookie even reached the hall, the high energy music flowed out and through the entire palace, filling every corner of every room so that the whole place felt alive. 

   Not wanting to cause a disturbance, Sugarfly Cookie entered the hall from a side entrance and as soon as she opened the door, a barrage of joyful colors and sounds flooded her senses.

   Cookies from all over the kingdom had come to celebrate the victory and return of Queen Hollyberry Cookie and the lost citizens. Dancing ensued, punch bowls were filled to the brim, cakes and treats crowded tables and a full band was playing.

   Sugarfly Cookie suddenly remembered the celebrations the fairies had in her home kingdom and felt a wave of homesickness mixed with joy. 

   “Sugarfly Cookie! There you are!”

   Sugarfly Cookie braced herself as Hollyberry Cookie ran over and gave her friend a big hug. Hollyberry Cookie was decked out in Hollyberrian regalia, wearing a crown of berries and flowers with a red sash draped across her chest, a glass of berry juice in her hand.  

   “You look like a beautiful fairy! Do you feel better now?”

   “I do,” Sugarfly Cookie beamed. “It’s all thanks to you and your friends for helping me feel like myself again.” 

   “Oh, child, come on now! Don’t sell yourself short. You did a fine job breaking free of Eternal Sugar Cookie’s grasp and helping lead us out of the garden. If you wish, we can head for the Fairy Kingdom in the morning. My friend, White Lily Cookie, rules that realm now and I’m sure she’d be happy to reintroduce you to the Fairy Kingdom.”

   Sugarfly Cookie thought for a moment before responding. “I’d like that. But what happened to Elder Faerie Cookie? Is he not king of the fairy cookies anymore?”    

   Hollyberry Cookie had a look of concern flash over her face for a moment. “I think it would be better if you asked White Lily Cookie that,” she said. “I’m not sure of all the events. But, for now, let’s enjoy the celebration. We can talk of somber details afterwards.”

   Sugarfly Cookie looked confused and worried at Hollyberry Cookie’s words, but thought Hollyberry Cookie was right. There’s time for more questions later.    

   With this, Hollyberry Cookie made a pat to Sugarfly Cookie’s shoulder and raised her class of berry juice and yelled over the commotion in the hall. “Everyone! Come meet my new friend and hero, Sugarfly Cookie!”

   With the shout of the queen, Hollyberrians flocked to meet Sugarfly Cookie and to hear Hollyberry Cookie and the others tell of her great feats to defeat Eternal Sugar Cookie. 

   Sugarfly Cookie danced the night away, sang songs with her friends and the band, and had delicious foods and drinks that made her feel alive and happier than she could have thought possible. 

  After the party had ended and everyone went back home, Sugarfly Cookie retired to the chambers Hollyberry Cookie had made up for her. 

   The room was large and spacious and had a large balcony that overlooked the berry gardens behind the palace. 

   “Sugarfly Cookie?”

   Sugarfly Cookie heard a knock at the door and opened it to find Hollyberry Cookie, Raspberry Cookie, and Wildberry Cookie had all come to say good night and to thank her for her help in the battle.

   “I wanted to say goodnight and that these two will accompany us to the Fairy Kingdom tomorrow,” Hollyberry Cookie explained, gesturing to Raspberry Cookie and Wildberry Cookie. “Get some good rest and we can finally get you back home. Good night and sweetest dreams. If you need anything, just call for me or anyone else.” 

   Sugarfly Cookie nodded, said goodnight as well, then was left alone again. As she stood in the renewed silence, she couldn’t help but feel slight remorse. She had made such great friends and they helped her to restore her form and joy, but would the fairies let her back? Sugarfly Cookie felt like her betrayal was too great to be readily forgiven. And what happened to Elder Faerie Cookie? Sugarfly Cookie had known him as a great and immortal leader. Did something so awful happen to her homeland that Elder Faerie Cookie was hurt?

   Even with all these thoughts over the Fairy Kingdom swirling in her mind, Sugarfly Cookie couldn’t help but also think about those cookies she had left behind in the Garden of Sweet Delights. She had friends she cared about even in that prison of a realm. What happened to them?

   Though they stuck heavy in her mind, these thoughts soon dissipated and were quieted as she laid to sleep and drifted off into sweet dreams of warmth and comfort. 

Chapter Text

   A few days had gone by since Pavlova Cookie had brought Mulberry Cookie to the Garden of Sweet Delights and work was going slower than Pavlova Cookie wanted, but Mulberry Cookie’s methods showed promise.

   “I told ya that a garden will flourish if the owner is happy! You haven’t done a very good job cheering up the lady so there’s not much I can do besides clearing out what’s already there!”

  Pavlova Cookie had gotten into these arguments before with Mulberry Cookie and each time Mulberry Cookie insisted that work could only begin after Eternal Sugar Cookie had gotten out of her slump.

   The truth was, Pavlova Cookie hadn’t even been to see Eternal Sugar Cookie since she tasked him with being the head architect days ago. He was afraid she would get even more enraged and blame it on Pavlova Cookie. 

   “I heard you, alright?” Pavlova Cookie had an idea sitting in the back of his mind to fix this, but he didn’t even know where to start, let alone if he even wanted to.

   Shadow Milk Cookie might be able to deceive her into being happier. 

   Pavlova Cookie knew Eternal Sugar Cookie and Shadow Milk Cookie had a history, but each time it was brought up before Eternal Sugar Cookie warned to never speak to that “unsavory cookie.” 

   How had Shadow Milk Cookie come to the garden before? Pavlova Cookie had heard of Shadow Milk Cookie sneaking into the garden on his own, but why would he have reason to now? It might also be a bad idea to bring Eternal Sugar Cookie’s ex lover into the garden when she was still heartbroken over Hollyberry Cookie. 

   “Mulberry Cookie?” Pavlova Cookie began, hoping he didn’t regret his words. “Let’s say you wanted to lure a snake into the garden instead of throwing it out. How would you do it?”

   “A snake huh?” Mulberry Cookie though for a second. “When we wanted to lure out a snake in the Hollyberry Palace garden we’d place a trap. Put a few eggs or something the snake might like into an open space then trap it with a net. But I don’t advise playing with snakes if you don’t know how to properly handle them. Have you got a snake in these gardens?” 

   “I do,” Pavlova Cookie contemplated. “Thanks for the advice.” 

   Pavlova Cookie flew off in a hurry, wanting some time to think about how to execute this plan. Eternal Sugar Cookie would be too busy up in her tower to notice Pavlova Cookie gathering things. Even if she did take notice, Pavlova Cookie could say Mulberry Cookie needed them as inspiration materials for building the new garden. Though all of these were pressing thoughts, the worst was that Pavlova Cookie would need to summon Shadow Milk Cookie, the God of Lies and Deceit, to work for his benefit, which usually meant some kind of devious trade. 

   What does Shadow Milk Cookie like? Pavlova Cookie thought as he flew above the wrecked gardens. Lies? Rumors? Tricks? None of those are physical objects I can put somewhere. 

   As Pavlova Cookie flew over the remains of the sugar sculpture garden, Pavlova Cookie saw Jelly Cup Cookie bouncing around aimlessly as Jelly Cup Cookie does.

   Ah-ha!

   “Hey there, Jelly Cup Cookie!” Pavlova Cookie greeted the cookie. Though he felt bad using another cookie for his plans, he needed to do something about Eternal Sugar Cookie if he wanted to see her plans gone through. 

    “OooOoOoo! Hey there, PavloOooOova Cookie!” Jelly Cup Cookie said in her wavering, ghostly voice. 

   “I’ve got some gossip to spread to the jelly cups if you want to hear it,” Pavlova Cookie lied. “I wouldn’t trust anyone else with this juicy rumor besides you and the jelly cups. I know you know how to keep a secret.”

   Pavlova Cookie got to sewing his rumor, making rumors up about the cookies in the garden that had been crumbled by Eternal Sugar Cookie’s jam flood. 

  “OooOoo, I see!” Jelly Cup Cookie snickered. “That’s a really gooOOood one! I won’t tell a soOooul.” 

   All Pavlova Cookie had to do was wait now. Hopefully Shadow Milk Cookie would see the seeds of lies sewn in Eternal Sugar Cookie’s domain and be enticed to investigate. All Pavlova Cookie had to do now was wait and hope he didn’t just spread rumors about crumbled cookies for nothing. 

   Waiting for a while in the sculpture garden, Pavlova Cookie began to worry his plan wouldn’t work. Spreading rumors to Jelly Cup Cookie? Her soul jam had been drained long ago and her body had been fused with a jelly cup monster, would that be grounds enough for true deceit to spread if the cookie spreading the rumor wasn’t really there?

   Before long, Pavlova Cookie heard the sound of a radio tuning in behind him. Turning around in shock and surprise, he saw a black gem appear, which was floating and glowing with a sinister light. A musical voice came from it.

   “This is Black Sapphire Cookie reporting live from the scene! A young cookie wishes to sow the seeds of discord for the first time! Tell me, how do you feel about telling your first lie?!” 

   Pavlova Cookie looked confused, pained even, at the voice that came from the black gem. 

   “I… I'm looking for Shadow Milk Cookie,” Pavlova Cookie confessed, hoping the reporting voice had something to do with the Beast of Deceit. 

   “Oh how exciting!” the voice rang out. “Your first lie and you already want to meet the Prince of Lies himself! I'll put you through to him.” 

   Pavlova Cookie stood in silence a few moments longer, hearing the crackle of radio static coming from the gem. 

   “I heard a delicious little rumor!”

   This time the voice didn't come from the gem. Pavlova Cookie looked around the gardens, trying to find where this new voice had come from, when he was startled by a blue snake that had slithered onto a branch in a tree near him and began hissing in his ear.

   “Oh don't tease me,” the snake hissed, delighted. “That confused look on your face just makes my day!”

   The snake then leapt onto the ground and its body changed in a glimmering burst a white magic, Shadow Milk Cookie appearing before him. 

   “I appreciate the effort of spreading some juicy lies to find me,” Shadow Milk Cookie began, bowing low before Pavlova Cookie. “But honestly I have so little liars all around this garden that you could have asked anyone about me! Now, Black Sapphire Cookie tells me you just spread your first lie just to see me? Oooh the first is always the best! Now, to what do I owe the pleasure?”

   Gathering his wits, Pavlova Cookie told the Beast about Eternal Sugar Cookie’s fit that destroyed the garden and asked Shadow Milk Cookie to help him encourage Eternal Sugar Cookie to snap out of her heartbreak.

   “Oh puh-lease!” Shadow Milk Cookie groaned. “Helping Eternal Sugar Cookie? Absolutely out of the question!”

   “But I need you to deceive her…” Pavlova Cookie explained. “I need you to make her angry enough at you that she’ll be inspired to get happy and take charge of the Garden of Sweet Delights again. Like… forcing her to be so mad the only thing left is for her to prove her love for Hollyberry Cookie and she’ll have to one up you.”

   “Hmm… you make an interesting case, Pavlova Cookie. And a very deceitful one, might I add,” Shadow Milk Cookie said, tapping the bell on his magic staff. “How about… you do it yourself!”

   “But I can’t!” Pavlova Cookie begged. “I’m too afraid of her and I know you’re powerful enough and she’s angry enough with you that she’ll at least hear you.”

   “Huh… When I think about it, tricking the ol’ ex-wife does sound like a fun pastime actually.” Shadow Milk Cookie made a few faces while in thought. “Fine, kid. You gotta deal!”

   “Deal? What am I dealing with?” Pavlova Cookie prepared himself for the worst part. 

   Shadow Milk Cookie studied Pavlova Cookie intensely, looking all around him before pointing a finger towards his forehead. “I got it!” he laughed. “Give me your first crush!”

   “First crush? I don’t have a crush.” Pavlova Cookie looked confused. Did Shadow Milk Cookie mean he’d take his first crush when he got one? He didn’t have a crush so what was there to lose?

“Fine.”

   Pavlova Cookie agreed and Shadow Milk Cookie tapped Pavlova Cookie’s forehead. A twinge of pain struck Pavlova Cookie, like a static shock, and a tiny pink heart came from his forehead. 

   “This is mine now. Seeya, kid!” With that, Shadow Milk Cookie disappeared into thin air, leaving behind a pile of playing cards where he stood. 

♡ ♡ ♡

   Eternal Sugar Cookie had spent days in her tower, lamenting and grieving that her other half, Hollyberry Cookie, had escaped from her loving embrace. 

   “Was I not good enough?” she sobbed, holding a vision of Hollyberry Cookie in her hands. “Was I too much for you? Oh, Hollyberry Cookie!”

   As Eternal Sugar Cookie wept, a sudden wave of resentment washed over her. “There’s a snake in the garden.” 

   “Helloooo Eternal Sugar Cookie~!”

   Eternal Sugar Cookie quickly gripped the vision she was holding, the image fizzling into sparkles. She then turned to see Shadow Milk Cookie in his feminine form. 

    “What are you doing here!?” she roared at Shadow Milk Cookie. “I am in the middle of something important! I have no time for your games!”

   “Woah now, hold your sugar horses!” Shadow Milk Cookie said, raising his hands up. “Games? Aww but you love a good game with all your cookies… can’t make time for me? And I saw that sneaky little vision. Oooh is someone in looove?”

   “Shadow Milk Cookie! You will not delve into my personal life!” Eternal Sugar Cookie was getting tense, the shadows of her face turning darker as her temper raised. 

   “Whaaat? You know you can’t hide anything from the master of hide-n-seek!” Shadow Milk Cookie teased.   

   “But geez, I’m sure any cookie you’d want to bring to this mess of a garden would flee right away!”

    “You take that back.” Eternal Sugar Cookie’s halo began to glow brighter, signaling impending doom.

   “You know I’m right,” Shadow Milk Cookie prodded. “It’s amazing I’m even here right now. You know I love some chaos but this is just sad.” 

   To exemplify his point, Shadow Milk Cookie walked over to the balcony of the tower and gestured his magic staff over the landscape. 

   “Broken statues, overgrown gardening, dry streams, ruined houses.” With each listed inadequate object Eternal Sugar Cookie seethed. “If I were you I’d try and clean my room before inviting guests over.” 

   As Eternal Sugar Cookie looked out over her realm, her heart sank a little. Shadow Milk Cookie was right. Her garden was in ruins, and it was all her doing. No wonder Hollyberry Cookie wanted to run away as soon as she got there. Eternal Sugar Cookie’s anger abated and turned to reflection.

   “You’re… right,” Eternal Sugar Cookie admitted. 

   “Yes I– I’m what!” Shadow Milk Cookie couldn’t believe his ears. The Eternal Sugar Cookie admitting he’s right? It was too good to be true. Pavlova Cookie might be a deceptive planner to rival Shadow Milk Cookie. This was a glorious achievement for the God of Falsehoods, but for the Goddess of Sloth, a rude awakening.

   “Of course she left. This kingdom is in ruins and the one before it an unfamiliar land. I could never win over Hollyberry Cookie with that.” Eternal Sugar Cookie pondered what she could do. “I left my poor Pavlova Cookie to figure out the work all by himself. How selfish of me. If my favorite subject isn’t even happy, how am I to create a world where numerous cookies can be? I’ll need to put in a little bit of work if I am to rule a kingdom of relaxation and ease again.”

   Eternal Sugar Cookie turned to Shadow Milk Cookie, tilting her head and smiling for the first time in days. 

   “Oh, Shadow Milk Cookie. You’ve been a great help to me. You’ve reminded me of what I’m here for. I have no need of you any more now. Be off. Farewell.”

   Shadow Milk Cookie had been standing in silence for some time, reveling in the feeling of his ex praising him. Before he could leave and turn into a pile of cards, a flicker of a knowing look crossed Eternal Sugar Cookie’s face. 

   “One last thing, Shadow Milk Cookie,” she said, holding out her hand to him. “I know you have something that belongs to my son. You’ll be a dear and give it back, won’t you~?” 

   Shadow Milk Cookie suddenly realized he had kept Pavlova Cookie’s crush on him when he visited Eternal Milk Cookie’s tower. He knew she could feel all traces of passion in her own realm, and the slightest trace would certainly never come from him.

   “Ah right, just delivering this to you, of course.” Shadow Milk Cookie sheepishly took the little heart out from inside his magic staff, handing it to Eternal Sugar Cookie. With that, Shadow Milk Cookie took a deep bow and turned into a pile of cards as he vanished.

   “I’ll keep this,” Eternal Sugar Cookie said, holding Pavlova Cookie’s crush in her hands.

   “For later."

Chapter Text

It had taken several days for Sugarfly Cookie and the others to make it to the Fairy Kingdom, but they had finally arrived at the silvery forest Sugarfly Cookie once knew.

   It was like instinct, Sugarfly Cookie could feel the magic pulling her closer to the kingdom’s hiding place. She led Hollyberry Cookie and the others through the ancient trees, running on swift feet that kept everyone trying to keep up the pace with her lest they be left behind. 

   As she ran, Sugarfly Cookie saw the damage the forest had taken from a battle with the Beast Cookies long ago. 

     I wasn’t here to protect the Silver Tree from this…

    Though the sight of the damaged forest made her sad, she could see where new growth had begun to pop up. Tree seedlings had sprouted around and flowers were still in bloom. This forest was thriving even without her.

   I should have more faith in the other cookies, she thought, glad that even in her absence the fairies held their own and kept their forest safe.

   “Sugarfly Cookie! Wait up!”

   Sugarfly Cookie slowed her pace when she heard Raspberry Cookie call her. “Some of us can’t run as fast as you.”

   “Ah, sorry,” Sugarfly Cookie said. “I’ll go slower. It’s just that I haven’t been back in so long and I can feel the kingdom’s presence pulling me closer. We’re nearly there, I can hear and smell it.”

   “Smell it?” Raspberry Cookie questioned. “The fairy kingdom has a scent? And I don’t hear anything. Is that a fairy ability?”

   “Yes,” Sugarfly Cookie responded. “To me the trail to the kingdom smells like fresh soil and lilies. The further I go, the stronger the scent becomes. I also can hear a twinkling in the trees and plants. It’s like… following invisible clues.”

   “Hah! I wonder if White Lily Cookie was able to pick up on that when she found the Fairy Kingdom,” Hollyberry Cookie mused. 

   “If she found the Fairy Kingdom on her own,” Sugarfly Cookie continued, “She might have some fairy dough mixed into her somewhere. Can any of you smell or hear what I’m talking about?”

   The other cookies shook their heads and followed Sugarfly Cookie again, this time at a non-fairy pace. 

   Sugarfly Cookie led the party deeper into the forest, until the ancient silver trees became so dense that their branches covered any view of the sky. Even though it was still midday, by then the only source of light was the glowing specs of pollen floating around and the glowing flowers that dotted the forest floor. As Sugarfly Fairy approached a large circle of little mushrooms, she stopped.

   “This is the entrance to the Fairy Kingdom,” she said, pointing towards the center of the mushroom circle. 

   “A fairy circle!” Hollyberry Cookie observed. “I’ve heard tales of fairy circles but I haven’t seen one myself.”

   Sugarfly Cookie smiled then continued. “If we stand in the center, I should be able to summon us to the Fairy Kingdom. Everyone, get inside the circle of mushrooms and hold hands please.”

   Everyone did as Sugarfly Cookie told, standing close in the ring of mushrooms and linking together. 

   “Let’s see if I still can do this,” Sugarfly Cookie said, grabbing a hold of Wildberry Cookie’s hand.

   Sugarfly Cookie began the spell to transport them to the Fairy Kingdom, unfurling her silver wings which shimmered in the dull light of the glowing pollen. Her wings became a mirror, reflecting each glowing speck until her wings radiated the same light green energy the pollen did. Sugarfly Cookie winced as she fluttered her wings, not having used them in so long making the effort difficult. 

   After some moments, Sugarfly Cookie’s wings were fully engulfed in a bright green light. She gripped Wildberry Cookie’s hand tighter and in a flicker they were gone.

   Sugarfly Cookie heard the gasps of awe from the others before she opened her eyes. They had made it.

   Sugarfly Cookie blinked a few times before her eyes adjusted to the bright light that filtered through the giant trees overhead. She took her first look at the Fairy Kingdom in what could have been centuries.

   It was nearly all as she remembered: the flowing stream through the center, the fairy houses high in the branches of the trees, the subtle tune of a harp being played on the wind, the lampposts adorned with silver details of lilies that had a green fire glow within them. The only thing she could tell was off was the Silver Tree.

   Her Silver Tree had a noticeable crack through the center, which looked like it had been covered up in silver welding. It made Sugarfly Cookie’s heart sink. What had happened while she was gone?

   Other fairy cookies had stopped to look at the unfamiliar cookies. Monochrome beings, just like Sugarfly Cookie, stood in wonder as the Hollyberrians and an unknown fairy stood in the center of the kingdom. 

   “Who enters the Fairy Kingdom?”

   Sugarfly Cookie didn’t recognize the soft, bell-like voice that called out.

   “White Lily Cookie! It’s been eons!” Hollyberry Cookie said, rushing to greet her old friend.

   “It’s been forever,” Hollyberry Cookie continued after hugging White Lily Cookie. “How has it been in the Fairy Kingdom?”

   Sugarfly Cookie got to see White Lily Cookie as she approached. The Fairy Kingdom’s new leader had long white hair that was adorned with a white lily crown and she wore a white and lavender dress. In her hands she held a staff made of twisted branches with a white lilly bell on the end. Glowing white butterflies also fluttered around her ethereal form.

  “I’ve come with my friends to reunite a cookie with her homeland,” Hollyberry Cookie explained, gesturing towards the other Hollyberrians and Sugarfly Cookie. “This is Sugarfly Cookie. She’s a fairy cookie who was trapped in Eternal Sugar Cookie’s realm. We had a tough battle recently, but we managed to escape and Sugarfly Cookie wanted to return to the Fairy Kingdom she came from.”

   Sugarfly Cookie made a small bow as White Lily Cookie approached. 

   “No need for all that,” White Lily Cookie smiled. “Sugarfly Cookie? Elder Faerie Cookie told me lots about all his beloved fairies and never forgot to mention you. I’ve heard much about the lost guardian of the Silver Tree. Welcome back home.”

   Sugarfly Cookie blushed. Elder Faerie Cookie hadn’t forgotten her? He hadn’t been angry? 

   “I’m sure we have much to talk about,” White Lily Cookie began again. “Hollyberry Cookie, shall we find a place to discuss? I’m sure we also have many things to update each other on.”

   White Lily Cookie invited the others over and they walked towards her home, the other fairies who had gathered around them going back to their business. As White Lily Cookie led them on, Sugarfly Cookie took in the sights of her old home. 

   At the edge of the clearing, underneath a large tree, White Lily Cookie’s house was nestled into the roots, a  glass terrarium with white lilies and lavender inside stood on top.

   Upon entering the house, White Lily Cookie offered tea and honey bread. 

   “So, Hollyberry Cookie,” White Lily Cookie started, “You’ve brought a long lost fairy cookie back home and tell of a great battle. Where should we begin?”

   “I’ll start at the beginning… if Sugarfly Cookie is okay with hearing the events retold.” Hollyberry Cookie looked at Sugarfly Cookie, trying to make sure the cookie was comfortable hearing about the Garden of Sweet Delights before she began retelling events Sugarfly Cookie had experienced firsthand. 

   Sugarfly Cookie nodded and Hollyberry Cookie began. 

   “It all started when I had received a letter from Pure Vanilla Cookie about your return. He mentioned the Beast cookies and their connection to our soul jams, so I went off in search of some clues to see how we might defeat these cookies. I went back to Beast Yeast with a few of my subjects and court, and there we met a strange cookie. His name was Pavlova Cookie, and he at first questioned our love lives of all things. As we talked, he sent a pink mist over us, and then we appeared in the Garden of Sweet Delights. This was a strange realm, one that lured you in and made everything seem so sweet and relaxing you’d never want to leave. It was then that we met Eternal Sugar Cookie, the ruler of the realm. It seemed… she had taken a liking to me. This is when we met Sugarfly Cookie, who showed us around the gardens at Pavlova Cookie’s request.”

   Sugarfly Cookie nodded, remembering how she had first met the Hollyberrians. The memory seemed somehow distant even though it had to have happened only a few weeks  ago. The event seemed clouded, like that pink mist had been cast over Sugarfly Cookie’s eyes to make her forget all the details of anything that happened while she was in the Garden of Sweet Delights.  

   Hollyberry Cookie went on. “Eternal Sugar Cookie treated us to many relaxing activities. Buttering us up I suppose now. My soul jam spoke to me while I was there, warning me not to fall for anyone’s tricks. At the time I didn’t know what it meant… To skip forward, after a while of being in the garden, Eternal Sugar Cookie revealed herself as the previous owner of my soul jam, turned into the Beast of Sloth. We met others and learned that Eternal Sugar Cookie made the Garden of Sweet Delights long ago to lure in cookies with promises that were too good to be true. Sugarfly Cookie herself was one of these cookies that had been lured in by Eternal Sugar Cookie’s false promises.”   

   Hollyberry Cookie stopped after her last comment, fearing she might have upset Sugarfly Cookie. She looked back at Sugarfly Cookie again, whose face had gone steely and full of regret, but she hadn't asked to stop yet. Hollyberry Cookie continued.

   “Eternal Sugar Cookie showed her true colors to me, begging me to stay and live with her, but I knew my duty to my kingdom and cookies was too great, and I rejected her. This greatly angered Eternal Sugar Cookie, and in a last resort she summoned many of my kingdom’s subjects to her realm. Though I was greatly weakened by my own self consciousness– worried I wouldn’t be able to help anyone– I gained courage by seeing my friends and family around me and confronted Eternal Sugar Cookie. After our confrontation, The Garden of Sweet Delights began crumbling around us as Eternal Sugar Cookie grew enraged with my final rejection. Sugarfly Cookie then did a very brave thing. After realizing she wasn’t truly happy in the Garden of Sweet Delights, she spread her wings and helped us to defeat Eternal Sugar Cookie.” 

   White Lily Cookie had sat down across from the Hollyberrians by this point and looked in awe and shock, a hand covering her mouth.

   “That’s so much to take in. Eternal Sugar Cookie had been trapping other cookies for so long? But you defeated her and escaped… So another Beast cookie has been defeated?” White Lily Cookie took in the situation.

   “It seems so,” Raspberry Cookie answered. “Her garden was reduced to ruins because she flooded it with a river of jam. And without Hollyberry Cookie’s soul jam within her reach anymore, her powers appeared severely weakened.”

   “Even if she is still alive,” Hollyberry Cookie added, “She’s not going to be showing her face around here anytime soon.” 

    I hope that’s true, Sugarfly Cookie thought, a coldness washing over her as she remembered all that had transpired.

Chapter Text

“Oh my sweet Pavlova Cookie~.”

   Eternal Sugar Cookie flew about the gardens, a new vigor in her mind and dough. Though she loathed Shadow Milk Cookie, she believed he was right to tell her that she needed to work harder to make an even greater paradise for her other half to want to stay.

   Even as she flew, the sky turned a happy shade of pink and the plants of the garden slowly grew more upright and healthy. Her emotions were making a visible change in the realm, just as they had always done.

   Eternal Sugar Cookie found her son talking to the Hollyberrian gardener, Mulberry Cookie, and approached then, swooping by on her large pink wings. She heard them at first observing the change in the atmosphere and they soon stopped once they saw that  Eternal Sugar Cookie had arrived.

   “Working so hard I see~” she cooed, putting on her sweetest voice to introduce herself to Pavlova Cookie’s helper. 

   Pavlova Cookie noticed an instant change in Mulberry Cookie’s demeanor. When Eternal Sugar Cookie walked closer, he seemed happier, more relaxed, and dropped his snarky attitude. It was like he was a young cookie in love. 

   Her magic must be getting stronger, Pavlova Cookie observed. 

   “Hello there, miss!” Mulberry Cookie greeted, taking a bow with surprising ease and seemingly no strain on his elderly dough. “I am Mulberry Cookie from the Hollyberry Kingdom. Your son here, Pavlova Cookie, has told me much about you and I am honored and delighted to aid you in helping you rebuild the Garden of Sweet Delights.”

   Pavlova Cookie shot a visible look of confusion. Mulberry Cookie acted so kind and dignified around Eternal Sugar Cookie. Was this how he acted around Hollyberrian royalty? Or was this just the effects of being in the proximity of Eternal Sugar Cookie’s magic?

   “Yes, yes,” Eternal Sugar Cookie said. “I’m so glad you could join us, Mulberry Cookie. I’m sure Pavlova Cookie had told you, but this realm is to be a gift to your very queen, Hollyberry Cookie. But don’t worry, your efforts will be rewarded graciously. I promise to save you your very own piece of the garden as thanks.”

   Mulberry Cookie basically swooned. Swaying back and forth and blushing furiously. “It’s no problem at all ma’am. Just getting to work for such a beautiful cookie as yourself is reward enough for me,” Mulberry Cookie said.

   Though Pavlova Cookie was once a pursuer of any kind of love, this display made him queasy, but he knew not to interfere or Eternal Sugar Cookie might berate him for not letting the cookies fawn over Eternal Sugar Cookie. That was how her realm worked, after all, as Pavlova Cookie had been made known numerous times when he failed to properly make cookies fall in love with Eternal Sugar Cookie and her garden. 

   As Pavlova Cookie was contemplating his past mistakes, Eternal Sugar Cookie suddenly directed the attention towards him.

   “My little Pavlova Cookie,” Eternal Sugar Cookie addressed, “I think you might have forgotten this somewhere.”

   Eternal Sugar Cookie then brought out the heart Pavlova Cookie had seen Shadow Milk Cookie take from him.

    Crumbs! Pavlova cookie though, suddenly going pale with worry. She knows. 

    “Fret not, my dear,” Eternal Sugar Cookie soothed. “Though I might have been disappointed before, I have to thank you for bringing Shadow Milk Cookie to me. Had you not sent him, I wouldn’t have been able to see a new vision of just how wonderful the Garden of Sweet Delights could be. I’ll give this back to you as thanks for  your contribution to my new joy.”

   Eternal Sugar Cookie held out her hand to Pavlova Cookie, who took the little heart and held it in his hand, staring as the heart floated inches above his palm and sparkled. 

   “It’s just a little trinket now,” Eternal Sugar Cookie went on. “There’s unfortunately no hope of receiving your crush back, so just keep it in view and use it to remind yourself of how much joy you could bring other cookies by giving them their own crushes like you did before. ”

   Pavlova Cookie looked at Eternal Sugar Cookie then at the ‘trinket’ in his palm. He had never thought about it... This was the physical representation of what it looked like when Pavlova Cookie shot someone with his Arrow of Passion? While his spirits should have been raised by hearing Eternal Sugar Cookie suggest he could get his job back in the future, he couldn’t help but have a pensive mood as he wasn’t able to feel what he gave out to others anymore. 

   “I’ll start making preparations for more cookies to join us!” Eternal Sugar Cookie said with joy as she clasped her hands together. “The Garden of Sweet Delights has no use without its citizens~.” 

   After saying her goodbyes, Eternal Sugar Cookie flew off, leaving Mulberry Cookie with hearts in his eyes and Pavlova Cookie with his unknown crush in hand. 

♡ ♡ ♡

Later that evening, Pavlova Cookie sat in the branches of a sugar fruit tree, still holding his crush in hand and wondering who it could have been for.

    It’s no use to wonder anyways, Pavlova Cookie sighed in thought. Eternal Sugar Cookie said I can’t hope to get it back, so why am I fussing over it?

    Pavlova Cookie couldn’t help but feel some kind of remorse. His job was to inspire love and crushes in others, so him not being able to have his own felt somehow unfair. Was he really not able to get this crush back? Pavlova Cookie hadn’t even realized he harbored these kinds of feelings and gave them over so readily. Should he have taken more into consideration when Shadow Milk Cookie proposed the deal? Pavlova Cookie racked his brain for who he might have had a crush on, but no one came to mind. Speaking of no one coming to mind, the voice in his head had stopped recently, but he couldn’t remember whose name it once repeated. 

    “Pavlova Cookie!” 

   Pavlova Cookie quickly hid the little heart, embarrassed that he had been thinking about it for so long, and turned to see Mulberry Cookie looking up at him from below the tree branch.

   “What are ya doin’ up there?” Mulberry Cookie questioned. “I’ve gotta get plans goin’ for Miss Sugar Cookie now that she’s acknowledged us!”

   “I’ve been Eternal Sugar Cookie’s right hand since my creation,” Pavlova Cookie remarked. “I’ve probably been doing work for her longer than you’ve been alive. I’m in no rush. Besides I have… my own things to do.”

   Mulberry Cookie was not pleased by this answer. 

   “You listen to your elders, you punk! Miss Sugar Cookie said we need to make plans for her garden and Hollyberry Cookie and I’m not gonna let you lounge around!”

    How ironic for being in the Garden of Sweet Delights, Pavlova Cookie thought, rolling his eyes.

   Eternal Sugar Cookie’s magic must have been getting stronger by the moment. Pavlova Cookie could feel the sickly sweet aroma rising in the air as he leapt from his perch, flapping his wings to balance himself as he landed near Mulberry Cookie. The ache in his dough had gotten stronger as well, throwing off his balance slightly. Pavlova Cookie wondered why he could feel the influence of the garden working on him, but his mind was still relatively clear. Perhaps his new form allowed him to bypass the sugary influence, but then again, he had always had a little bit of a mind of his own in the garden when others could not. 

   Mulberry Cookie had also been increasingly desperate to get work done for Eternal Sugar Cookie since this evening, another side effect of Eternal Sugar Cookie’s magic being revived. Pavlova Cookie guessed that it wouldn’t be long before more cookies would come to the garden. There might already be some cookies feeding Eternal Sugar Cookie’s magic. 

   At this time, Pavlova Cookie was unsure why he even needed to be a part of Eternal Sugar Cookie’s vision for the new Garden of Delights. She was the one with the magic to form buildings and gardens and she wanted a Hollyberrian to help with the design. Pavlova Cookie had no useful expertise outside of making cookies fall in love with the garden and analyzing other’s love lives. 

    Maybe the others were right to leave.

    Pavlova Cookie felt like it was a great offense to even think about it, but Pavlova Cookie had felt like something was off about him since Eternal Sugar Cookie decided to create a new kingdom, like there was more he was meant to do. Even before this, his only job was really to lure people into the Garden of Sweet Delights and to morph their passions. Not to mention that Pavlova Cookie was no longer a child…

   “Mulberry Cookie?” Pavlova Cookie asked timidly. “Have you ever felt… like you should be doing more?”

   “Sounds like you’ve got something on your mind,” Mulberry Cookie observed.

   Pavlova Cookie sighed. He was wary of speaking about his troubles, fearing Eternal Sugar Cookie might be listening somewhere, but he had to ask. Eternal Sugar Cookie couldn’t punish him for talking about how he felt, right? It wasn’t like he was going to act on anything. 

   “I feel like I don’t have a part in the creation of the new garden,” Pavlova Cookie began. “I think I was created after Eternal Sugar Cookie made the first Garden of Sweet Delights and don’t have any powers or abilities that would help create the next one. Eternal Sugar Cookie put me in charge of building her new kingdom, but I think she might have been… out of her usual mood when she appointed me. Now that she’s feeling better, she mentioned I could get my old role back, but I still feel like I don’t have a place in all this anymore.”

   Mulberry Cookie nodded in understanding. “So ya don’t feel like you can be useful, huh?” he said. “I can sympathize. What was your job back before all this? Did that role make you happier?”

   “I was much happier with my old job,” Pavlova Cookie confessed. “Eternal Sugar Cookie had me inviting cookies into the garden. I would see what kind of love they had or wanted, and try to make them feel that kind of love here. I could read their passionate emotions, in a way, and see their experiences. I could use those discoveries to give them a place here where all those needs could be fulfilled.”

   “That's a pretty interestin’ gig,” Mulberry Cookie said, impressed. “Why aren't you doing that job now? Or maybe… Ah, nevermind. I mean, it doesn't seem like ya have many cookies here to do that with as of late anyway, so maybe that's the reason. But why didn'tcha do that magic on me when you plucked me out of the Hollyberry Kingdom? Might've made my introduction a little easier.” 

   “In short, I didn't feel like it,” Pavlova Cookie admitted, Mulberry Cookie giving him a disappointed look. “It's not that I left lazy, oddly enough, it was just that I used to get so excited over new cookies and their passions and ever since the first garden was destroyed, I haven't felt inspired to be the jovial cookie I was. To tell the truth, the dough you see me with now is only a few days old. I could be considered a child until recently.”

   Mulberry Cookie listened to Pavlova Cookie’s explanations, understanding more as the young cookie went. 

   “Oh I see,” Mulberry Cookie said, putting a finger to his chin. “So that's why you've been a stick in the mud. Maybe growin’ up so quickly made your ambitions all wild and they went kaput. I'll let ya read my passions or whatnot if that'll help ya feel better. I gave ya advice to cheer up Miss Sugar Cookie, so it's right I try to cheer you up too.”

   Pavlova Cookie was touched by the elderly cookie's gesture, hoping that Mulberry Cookie was right and maybe he just needed to get back to doing what he loved to make everything right again.

   Pavlova Cookie tried to feel for any passions in Mulberry Cookie, some trace of love he'd experienced or wished for. It was like an extra sense that combined all the other senses. When Pavlova Cookie looked deeper, he found Mulberry Cookie’s love for his kingdom and his wish to see all his friends and family happy. He saw sadness too, a grief for Mulberry Cookie past wife, but a blossom of true love enveloped the sadness and Pavlova Cookie saw that Mulberry Cookie used his experiences of loss and love throughout his life to end in a final wish: to live out the rest of his life surrounded by friends and family. 

   A twinge of emotion fell over Pavlova Cookie as he discovered this, sparking that slumbering obsession with love and affection he had before. It felt good to Pavlova Cookie, warming his heart and making him truly happy. 

   “You look like you feel much better,” Mulberry Cookie noted after a few moments, seeing how Pavlova Cookie’s spirits seemed to rise, even though nothing had appeared to have happened from Mulberry Cookie’s perspective. 

   “I do,” Pavlova Cookie replied. “Thank you.” 

   “My pleasure!” Mulberry Cookie said, the creases in the dough of his face knitting together as he smiled.

   “Now let me ask you something that’s been buggin’ me,” Mulberry Cookie went on, a more serious tone lacing his voice now. “Why did the previous citizens here leave? It seems like you had a mighty fine garden with a fine goddess and her son ruling it. What was so bad about the first place ya needed to make another one?”

   Pavlova Cookie was caught off guard. He hadn’t gathered all the answers himself and had just started to think about why they might have run away. He originally thought they were being selfish, especially Sugarfly Cookie, who he couldn’t understand why she would want to go back to the world where she had felt inadequate and plain, though he had always wished to see her fly once more.

   “I didn't know before,” Pavlova Cookie admitted. “But maybe they felt how I feel now.”

   Pavlova Cookie stopped for a moment, thinking hard. 

   “Mulberry Cookie? What makes you want to stay here?” Pavlova Cookie asked. 

   Mulberry Cookie was quick to answer. 

   “Well it's just so nice here! And I don’t think I could ever leave and let Miss Sugar Cookie down now. My kingdom was beautiful, but it can't compare to the glimpse I've gotten of this Garden of Sweet Delights. I know it's messy now, but I can't wait to see what it'll be once Hollyberry Cookie and the rest get here. And there's just this relaxing feel about the place. My dough hasn't felt this young in ages!” 

   Mulberry Cookie’s answer just about proved to Pavlova Cookie that Eternal Sugar Cookie was growing stronger. It also proved that Pavlova Cookie didn’t really need to manipulate anyone’s feelings anymore, Eternal Sugar Cookie could influence her subjects herself. More evidence he was likely out of a job. 

   By now the sweet pink sky had turned a vibrant shade of orange, signaling that night was coming fast. Pavlova Cookie and Mulberry Cookie said their goodbyes and Pavlova Cookie flew off to his own home for the evening. 

   Pavlova Cookie’s conversation with Mulberry Cookie had brought up more questions than he expected. Though a new spark of hope for love and passion had stirred within him again, he couldn't help but wonder now about the other cookies and if the Garden of Sweet Delights could really harbor everyone's true happiness if the first, supposedly infallible, garden fell apart. 

   While he was lost in thought, the mystical heart in Pavlova Cookie’s pocket beat steadily, somehow more intensely now. 

Chapter Text

Sugarfly Cookie couldn’t sleep that night.

Hollyberry Cookie recounting their encounters in the Garden of Sweet Delights had caused an uneasy feeling to weigh in her heart and mind that kept her from falling asleep. She had been avoiding the topic for this long, hoping to forget the memories and guilt as long as she could so that she could enjoy her first few days back in Earthbread. It had been pretty easy to avoid the topic the past few days anyway, since Hollyberry Cookie was insistent that Sugarfly Cookie enjoy as much as she could in the Hollyberry Kingdom, keeping her on her feet as they explored the kingdom and later the forests and lands on their way to the Fairy Kingdom.

   Sugarfly Cookie observed the Fairy Kingdom as looked out from the small porch of her old home, which she had retired to after meeting with White Lily Cookie. She was amazed her old house was still there and, though it needed some dusting, was glad to be back where she lived before the Garden of Sweet Delights. 

   The Fairy Kingdom was as beautiful as she remembered it, and the night made everything feel more cozy and comfortable as the glowing pollen lit up the forest floor and the green flicker from the lampposts illuminated the silver structures that were abundant here. The soft sound of the flowing stream also added to the peaceful atmosphere. 

    The Garden of Sweet Delights could never compare to the beauty of the Fairy Kingdom, Sugarfly Cookie thought. I wonder why I'd ever want to leave now that I'm back. 

   White Lily Cookie had been out for an evening stroll when she noticed Sugarfly Cookie out on her porch and walked over.

   “It's a lovely night tonight, isn't it?” White Lily Cookie asked as she approached Sugarfly Cookie’s house, her glowing butterflies following wherever she walked . 

   “It is. I wish I had never left,” Sugarfly Cookie responded.

   Sugarfly Cookie invited White Lily Cookie to sit with her and White Lily Cookie gladly accepted.

   “We didn't get to talk much about the Fairy Kingdom earlier,” White Lily Cookie spoke up. “We got so caught up talking about current events that I'm sure you're even more curious about what happened here.” 

   Sugarfly Cookie turned to White Lily Cookie, directing her attention to the Fairy Kingdom ruler. 

   “You're probably most interested in what happened to Elder Faerie Cookie,” White Lily Cookie began. “We had an encounter with another Beast cookie here some time ago. That’s why Hollyberry Cookie’s story startled me so much. You know well that the Silver Tree keeps the Beast cookies at bay, but a Beast named Shadow Milk Cookie had grown too strong and broke free. Elder Faerie Cookie sacrificed himself to save the Silver Tree and the Fairy Kingdom, and that's why I'm now the Fairy Kingdom’s leader.”

   Sugarfly Cookie felt sorrow rise up in her again as she heard of the fate of her old friend and ruler. She was not surprised to hear that Elder Faerie Cookie had given himself for the safety and lives of his fairies and the rest of Earthbread, as he was a devout and selfless leader, but as the guardian of the Silver Tree, maybe if Sugarfly Cookie had been there none of this would have happened. 

   “I should never have left,” Sugarfly Cookie stated, her eyes growing misty with tears threatening to spill at any moment. “It was my sworn duty to protect the Silver Tree and by default Earthbread from the Beasts. I was selfish and abandoned my home and my friends. Now everyone I knew is gone.”

   White Lily Cookie quickly placed her hands on Sugarfly Cookie’s shoulders in a warm embrace, trying to comfort Sugarfly Cookie as she crumpled from the grief and sorrow.

   “Sugarfly Cookie,” White Lily Cookie addressed the crying fairy, “Elder Faerie Cookie never blamed you at all. In his last moments he only wished to keep Earthbread safe and had no regrets or grudges doing so. I know you’re sad and disappointed in yourself. Trust me, I think I empathize with you more than anyone here.”

   Sugarfly Cookie looked up at White Lily Cookie through her bangs, tears now flowing in big drops that wouldn’t stop coming. 

   “I killed them,” Sugarfly Cookie sobbed. “I wanted a better life for myself and it caused everyone I loved to die.”

   “I did the very same thing once,” White Lily Cookie confessed. “I too pursued something I thought would give me solace once, and it led to the death of entire kingdoms. I unleashed an evil that can still be found in the shadows of Earthbread. Worst of all, one of my best friends died in a war I had caused, and my...”

   White Lily Cookie had to stop to gather herself again. She was getting too wrapped up in her own past and didn’t want to burden Sugarfly Cookie with too many of her own sorrows.

   Sugarfly Cookie turned to face the ground after White Lily Cookie suddenly stopped speaking, putting her head into her hands and crying, thinking that what White Lily Cookie had done she had as well.

   “That wasn’t to make your situation seem worse,” White Lily Cookie continued, trying to ease Sugarfly Cookie’s fears. “Your actions did not have consequences to the scale mine did, but I’m saying that I understand completely and you deserve to grieve after everything you’ve been through.”

   Sugarfly Cookie threw herself into White Lily Cookie’s lap, wetting the fairy queen’s dress as she wept. White Lily Cookie then placed her hand on Sugarfly Cookie’s head, smoothing her hair and whispering softly. 

     “You and I are both hundreds of years old by now,” White Lily Cookie noted. “We’ve seen our homes change in what feels like an instant. I know it hurts. To feel like the fate of the world came down to your one decision is a heavy, horrible thing, but the good news is that your kingdom is still here and your people are thriving. The world didn’t end and it’s not your fault the Beast Cookies returned. Even if you were still protecting the Silver Tree, you couldn’t do anything on your own to prevent ancient gods from escaping. What’s more, you were trapped in a place where time flowed differently. You can’t stop time and you can’t stop cookies from aging. Very few cookies actually died in the Beast attack thanks to Elder Faerie Cookie, but they couldn’t run from time, so don’t blame yourself for that.”

   After a what felt like hours, Sugarfly Cookie’s tears had stopped flowing and she lay sniffling in White Lily Cookie’s embrace. 

   Seeing that Sugarfly Cookie had become tired, White Lily Cookie offered her a drop of dew from her lily staff to rehydrate her, putting the water up to Sugarfly Cookie’s lips.

   Grateful, Sugarfly Cookie received the dewdrop and felt slightly rejuvenated. Though her eyes felt puffy and watery, Sugarfly Cookie’s head stopped pounding and all felt quiet again. 

   “You’re home now, Sugarfly Cookie,” White Lily Cookie whispered. “If you wish to stay, the Fairy Kingdom will welcome you back and you can live your life again.”

   Sugarfly Cookie wiped the last of the tears from her cheeks and looked up at White Lily Cookie, nodding. 

   “Sugarfly Cookie,” White Lily Cookie went on. “Please don’t continue blaming yourself and dwelling on what happened long ago. There is no denying that you did a grave thing…”

   Sugarfly Cookie looked pained hearing someone say it outright. 

   “But it was not unforgivable and you give yourself too much of the blame. You forget that Eternal Sugar Cookie is also a Beast and you were lured in when you were at your worst. If you knew exactly what the Garden of Sweet Delights was and who Eternal Sugar Cookie was, would you still have chosen to leave?”

   Sugarfly Cookie thought about it some, then shook her head.

   “No,” Sugarfly Cookie said, sure of her answer. “I was promised that I would be truly and eternally happy with no consequences then, and that wasn’t the truth.”

   “You should remember that fact,” White Lily Cookie responded. “The Beast Eternal Sugar Cookie is a manipulator and thrives off of sweet lies. Going off of what Hollyberry Cookie mentioned, it seems that once you learned that, you jumped at the opportunity to make things right. That proves to me you’re not a bad cookie, Sugarful Cookie.”

   White Lily Cookie waited, hoping Sugarfly Cookie would take her words to heart before continuing. 

   “Even when you were gone...” White Lily Cookie added, “Even after you were gone and after the Beasts attacked and after Elder Faerie Cookie sacrificed himself, the Fairy Cookie Kingdom continued to push on and to grow. This kingdom has been through a lot, yet it still lives on.” 

   Sugarfly Cookie had stopped looking at White Lily Cookie now, her gaze scanning the Fairy Kingdom before she realized something.

   White Lily Cookie was right. Sugarfly Cookie was blaming herself for the downfall of her homeland when here it was, still in all of its silver splendor and mystical beauty, if only slightly different from when she lived here. 

   “It’s still so beautiful here,” Sugarfly croaked, her voice hoarse from crying. 

   White Lily Cookie’s gaze softened and she smiled. She could see that Sugarfly Cookie understood what she had said. 

   “It is,” White Lily Cookie agreed.

   Sugarfly Cookie rose from White Lily Cookie’s lap, still looking out over the kingdom. She fluttered her silver butterfly wings, remembering that she had gone through so much to get them back and to return to her home. 

   After a few moments in silence, Sugarfly Cookie let out a deep sigh and watched as the pollen fluffs floated by, their dim glow making them look like fireflies on this clear night. 

   “I want to be happy…” Sugarfly Cookie said, breaking the stillness. “I don't want to hurt anyone this time.”

Chapter Text

The next day, Pavlova Cookie awoke to a splitting headache.

   The sky was a shade of bubblegum pink, the color it had always been before the Garden of Sweet Delights had been destroyed.

    Eternal Sugar Cookie has been putting in some work, Pavlova Cookie thought, rubbing his temples as he tried to dull the splitting pain, rising from his bed made of cotton candy, which was now too small for him. 

   Since Eternal Sugar Cookie had gotten new inspiration to continue rebuilding the garden, Pavlova Cookie noticed that his headaches had gotten worse.

   It had never been this bad before. When Pavlova Cookie was younger, there was only a fuzzy feeling in his head, not one that made him dizzy or want to faint so that the pain would cease. Pavlova Cookie felt like his dough was being eaten at, like he was deteriorating by the second though his whole body looked fine. 

    I hate this, Pavlova Cookie thought, immediately feeling guilty for having any thoughts against Eternal Sugar Cookie or her efforts. 

   That was another thing: Pavlova Cookie’s feeling had become more… extreme, fleshed-out even. Perhaps it wasn’t just that Pavlova Cookie didn’t get excited over love and joy anymore, maybe it was because he had become aware of new feelings he hadn’t known and that distracted him. Pavlova Cookie had known happiness and frustration and disappointment before, but those emotions felt basic now in comparison.

   As Pavlova Cookie got out of the tiny bed, he had to steady himself to keep from falling from the pain of his headache. It was slowly getting better, but a constant low ringing filled his ears. Pavlova Cookie was worried this would be how he felt for the rest of his life in the new Garden of Sweet Delights. 

   Once Pavlova Cookie gained his balance, he looked at the pink heart on the candy shelf beside his bed. He hesitantly stretched a hand towards his crush, wondering if it even did him any good to still care about this thing, before he relented and tucked the heart into the folds of his tunic near his chest. Though Eternal Sugar Cookie said it was useless, it still gave him some comfort.

   After going outside, Pavlova Cookie let out a gasp in shock.

    Eternal Sugar Cookie has been doing too much work.

   It was as if he had been transported to another realm in his sleep. Buildings made of pink sugar bricks were erected in one night, each with a berry-red tiled roofs, all connected by wafer streets with decorative berry bushes lining every way and avenue. 

   Pavlova Cookie hesitantly began walking over to Mulberry Cookie’s place, wondering if he could even find his way with all the new additions. 

   Fluffing his wings, Pavlova Cookie took to the sky, searching for the Hollyberrian as he flew over the new, empty town. 

   As he searched, Pavlova Cookie took in the new sights and tried to memorize the landmarks and monuments Eternal Sugar Cookie had laid out. 

   The berry buildings were arranged in a semicircle around a large empty center, which Pavlova Cookie guessed would become a marketplace based on the stalls that were scattered around it. 

   Past the marketplace and town, acres of berry gardens grew, the bushes and trees making up the rest of the circle the town was a part of. 

   The gardens had beautiful sugar statues here and there, with courtyards dotted throughout that had beautiful pavilions and banquet tables already set with sugary sweets and desserts. 

   Not much further into the gardens, Pavlova Cookie saw a section with a small berry house and a few empty garden boxes. A cookie with purple hair was tending to these gardening boxes and Pavlova Cookie swooped down as he recognized Mulberry Cookie.

   “Well good mornin’, Pavlova Cookie!” Mulberry Cookie smiled as the angelic cookie landed near him. He was wearing new gardening clothes now that had gold stitching and purple berries embroidered on the cuffs of his shirt.

   “Mulberry Cookie,” Pavlova Cookie said, pointedly and without any greetings. “How did this much get done so fast? What are all these buildings and gardens?”

   Internally, Pavlova Cookie knew this was supposed to be a replica of the Hollyberry Kingdom, but he needed to know why it was done so fast and how. 

   Mulberry Cookie looked confused but answered Pavlova Cookie. 

   “After you left last night, Eternal Sugar Cookie visited me again and said she needed to have the garden done as soon as possible. I described the Hollyberry Kingdom to her. I told her about our buildings, our gardens, our markets and juice taverns, and then she and I stayed up until we had gotten the designs for the architecture and gardening all figured out. After I told her all she needed, she flew off and started making all this. And look!”

   Mulberry Cookie gestured towards the garden home. “Eternal Sugar Cookie custom built me my own home in the berry gardens so I could have something like my old house! She made me these new clothes, too. Oh how I love that sweet Goddess of Joy.”

   Pavlova Cookie flinched. 

  “Mulberry Cookie,” he said, worried. “You said Eternal Sugar Cookie this time. What happened to Miss Sugar Cookie?”

   “Oh hush, you,” Mulberry Cookie replied, waving a hand at Pavlova Cookie to shut him down. “I was mistaken before. Eternal Sugar Cookie is truly the kindest, realest cookie and ruler I have ever met and I know her love for her cookies and kingdom will be forever. She gave me all these beautiful things and let me be a part of the process of building the new Hollyberry Kingdom. I owe her everything.” 

   Pavlova Cookie looked aghast as he tried to take in everything. Eternal Sugar Cookie had changed things so quickly that he ended up not having a part in it at all. Aside from making Shadow Milk Cookie pester Eternal Sugar Cookie into working, Pavlova Cookie worried he had no real place in all of this anymore since Eternal Sugar Cookie seemed to be doing fine making her subjects fawn over her without Pavlova Cookie’s love magic. 

   “What’s the long face for?” Mulberry Cookie asked, seeing Pavlova Cookie’s dismay. 

   “I need to go,” Pavlova Cookie said, quickly flying off to find Eternal Sugar Cookie.

    It’s all happening so fast. It had to have been only yesterday… or was it the day before? Ahg! I can’t think or fly straight with all this sweetness in their air! 

    Pavlova Cookie had a rough fly, rougher than when he first went to find Mulberry Cookie, his head clouded with thoughts and worries.

    I need purpose again! I need it all to go back to normal!

    Pavlova Cookie found Eternal Sugar Cookie in the place she had usually been these days: lazing about in her sugar-spun tower.

   “Pavlova Cookie!” Eternal Sugar Cookie practically sang as Pavlova Cookie flew onto her balcony. “I was waiting for you to arrive. The Garden of Sweet Delights is almost entirely finished and it’s all thanks to you~”

   Pavlova Cookie thought the surprises couldn’t get any worse, but here he was, mistaken again. 

   Eternal Sugar Cookie’s look had been upgraded to the max. Her plain pink dress she usually wore was replaced by a flowing floral gown decorated in pink sugar sparkles and her hair was flowing by an ethereal, invisible wind. Her wings were now large butterfly wings, and a crystal circlet sat on her temples. 

   “Eternal Sugar Cookie…” Pavlova Cookie tried to speak, but his head was still spinning. “How did you create so much so fast? I thought you wanted me to help you with this. I haven’t been able to use my role at all–”

   “Oh hush, my darling son,” Eternal Sugar Cookie interrupted. “I was much too inspired to wait until morning last night. That delightful Hollyberrian you invited here helped me with the finishing touches for the garden and now I can bring my Other Half here sooner than I anticipated!”

   Eternal Sugar Cookie must have seen Pavlova Cookie’s disappointment because she addressed him next. 

   “Do not be glum, Pavlova Cookie,” she said, smiling. “As I mentioned before, now we can begin filling the garden with more subjects and you can oversee them again. Besides, I knew you were a little apprehensive over building the garden anyway, so I figured I’d give you a little break and forgive your bought of idleness.” 

    Idleness?

    Pavlova Cookie felt a pang of guilt from Eternal Sugar Cookie’s words. He had done his best despite the circumstances he was put in. It was true that Pavlova Cookie didn’t exactly like the work he was assigned, but he still did what he had to do to get the garden renovations started. 

   “Oh, Pavlova Cookie,” Eternal Sugar Cookie cooed, floating her way towards the distraught cookie before putting her arms around him in a firm hug. “Fret not about how all of this was started. Instead, look to the future of my Garden of Sweet Delights and to how many friends we will have living here soon. With my magic and spirits replenished, the Garden of Sweet Delights has been connected to the land of Beast Yeast again, so we will have new citizens for you to greet soon.” 

   Pavlova Cookie thought, still stuck in Eternal Sugar Cookie’s embrace, though it was hard since her magical presence was making his mind fuzzy. He wanted this, right? To have his old job back. To have everything go back to normal. To make new friends again and to be his old self…

    No. No, I don’t want this anymore. I don’t really want it to be the way it was. I just want to be happy again! 

    “Is something the matter, my dear?” Eternal Sugar Cookie asked, holding Pavlova Cookie closer. “I can feel your heart beating so fast.”

    My heart?

   Pavlova Cookie suddenly remembered that he had put his crush heart near his chest that morning. The little thing beat so hard against his chest he couldn’t even make out his own heartbeat, which was probably also racing. Pavlova Cookie put a hand to his chest, trying to calm the thumping before Eternal Sugar Cookie realized something wasn’t right. 

   “I’m just… surprised,” Pavlova Cookie said, swallowing hard. “I didn’t realize how quickly your magic could work. I’ve been so eager to get back to my job that…”

   Pavlova Cookie’s words stopped coming. It felt like something was stuck in his throat. He didn’t want to lie again.

   “So you are excited!” Eternal Sugar Cookie beamed. “I will make sure cookies get here as fast as I can make them, just for you!”

   Pavlova Cookie could only stand and fake his biggest smile until his cheeks hurt.

    This can’t be happening. Not yet!

Chapter Text

   “Hollyberry Cookie!”

   On the third day that Hollyberry Cookie and the other Hollyberrians had stayed in the Fairy Kingdom, tensions rose again in the pristine Fairy Kingdom.

   As Sugarfly Cookie and Hollyberry Cookie were enjoying their slow morning, being serenaded by the whistling tunes of a fairy bard on the wind, Raspberry Cookie dashed to see her queen, yelling Hollyberry Cookie’s name as she ran.

   “What is all the fuss about, child?” Hollyberry Cookie asked, slightly disappointed at how the calming atmosphere had suddenly been interrupted. 

   Raspberry Cookie had to catch her breath before giving the news. She looked quite in shock. 

   “There’s trouble in Beast Yeast! Again!”

   Hollyberry Cookie gasped, but quickly readjusted her composure and asked Raspberry Cookie to elaborate.

   “I was out on a scouting mission with the fairy knights,” Raspberry Cookie began. “It was just a routine morning check of the Fairy Kingdom border, when we got word from another knight, Silverbell Cookie, that cookies are going missing in Beast Yeast again!”

   The quiet shatter of porcelain and a splash sounded from behind the Hollyberrians. Hollyberry Cookie and Raspberry Cookie looked back at Sugarfly Cookie, who was previously holding a cup of tea, which was now in shards on the grass, the tea soaking into the ground. Sugarfly Cookie’s face was pale as a ghost’s, her breathing suddenly fast.

   “Please do not worry, dear!” Hollyberry Cookie fretted, putting her hand on Sugarfly Cookie’s shoulder before leaning down to collect the broken porcelain.

   “For all we know it could be cookies in over their head. Beast Yeast poses quite the challenge for scrappy young adventurers wanting to prove their worth. It’s not unusual for a cookie or two to go missing from time to time. I’ve been lost in Beast Yeast many times myself.”

   Hollyberry Cookie tried to ease Sugarfly Cookie’s fears, but she knew Sugarfly Cookie could see through her rushed words of reassurance. 

   Raspberry Cookie approached Sugarfly Cookie and Hollyberry Cookie warily.

    “I did not mean to cause alarm…” Raspberry Cookie apologized. “We should bring this up to White Lily Cookie. Even if it is a miniscule problem, she’ll be hearing from her knights and I know you’ll want to investigate.” 

   Raspberry Cookie’s last remark was pointed at Hollyberry Cookie, knowing her queen would be apt to check things out.

   “That might be a good idea,” Hollyberry Cookie nodded towards Raspberry Cookie, then looking back at Sugarfly Cookie. “Sugarfly Cookie, you don’t have to go anywhere if you don’t want to. You can stay here and keep enjoying the morning.”

   Sugarfly Cookie took a deep breath and picked up the remaining pieces of broken porcelain from the grass. 

   “It’ll be alright, Hollyberry Cookie,” Sugarfly Cookie said. “We should find out what is going on. If it comes down to it, I do have more intimate knowledge of Beast Yeast than some of you, so I may be able to help.”

   The cookies rushed over to White Lily Cookie’s home. When they arrived, they found that some of the fairy soldiers, Silverbell Cookie and Mercurial Knight Cookie, were already there discussing with their fairy queen. 

   “Hollyberry Cookie, I’m glad you’re here,” White Lily Cookie said, sounding worried. “My knights have found something that unfortunately means bad news…”

   The Hollyberrians and Sugarfly Cookie took a seat, waiting to hear what had been discovered during the morning scouting mission in more detail.

   Silverbell Cookie, one of White Lily Cookie’s fairy archers, spoke first. 

   “As I’m sure you all know,” Silverbell Cookie began. “The Fairy Kingdom’s borders stretch far across normal geography. Our kingdom reaches into other realms so that the fairies can keep an eye on all the regions at all times, so when we were checking the border that crosses into Beast Yeast this morning, we found some adventurers that were calling for help. They said that their friend had gone missing, and also that they had only gone missing after a sweet scent started plaguing the forest. If what I hear about the kidnappings by Eternal Sugar Cookie are correct…”

   Silverbell Cookie stopped, not wanting to speak of the Beast since he knew the visitors in the Fairy Kingdom had just come back from an ordeal with one. 

   “Thank you, Silverbell Cookie,” White Lily Cookie said. “Have you heard any reports of cookies going missing outside of this?”

   “No,” Silverbell Cookie remarked. “We’ve only heard of this one.”

   White Lily Cookie thanked her knights and dismissed them, being left alone with the Hollyberrians and Sugarfly Cookie.

   “I hate that this had to happen when you are here,” White Lily Cookie said, looking at all the cookies left in her presence. “I know this may be too much to ask, but I want to ask for your help in investigating this disappearance. Even if it has nothing to do with Eternal Sugar Cookie, you did just come back from Beast Yeast, so I know you know the region better than I or my knights do. Hollyberry Cookie, I can’t ask your people to help, but will you?”

   Hollyberry Cookie gave a hearty laugh. 

“I know I just returned from a bout with Eternal Sugar Cookie and Beast Yeast,” Hollyberry Cookie said. “But you’d better not think I’ve gone soft from one sour expedition! Of course I will help, White Lily Cookie. Eternal Sugar Cookie’s doings or not, I can’t say no to helping cookies in need!”

   “I will go with you as well,” Raspberry Cookie added. “I was a part of the patrol that found out about the missing cookie to begin with.”

   “I will also join,” Wildberry Cookie chimed in. 

   White Lily Cookie let out a sigh, grateful that her friends were so eager to help, but her stern expression soon returned. 

   “Based on Silverbell Cookie’s findings,” White Lily Cookie spoke again. “If we go and discover that this missing cookie has been taken by Eternal Sugar Cookie, I do not expect any of you to stay with the mission. I will employ the fairy soldiers to take care of it.”

   “Nonsense!” Hollyberry Cookie said as she put her hands on her hips and stood tall. “Enough fuss, White Lily Cookie. I’ll take down any villain who threatens the peace and safety of cookiekind, Beast of old or beast of the forest!” 

   Last to speak was Sugarfly Cookie. As the Hollyberrians were all devoting themselves to the rescue mission, Sugarfly Cookie, of course, had some reservations.

   Noticing Sugarfly Cookie’s hesitation to give her support, Hollyberry Cookie spoke to the frightened fairy.

   “I know you chose to come listen and see what was going on,” Hollyberry Cookie said calmly, putting a hand on Sugarfly Cookie’s shoulder. “But it doesn’t have to concern you if you don’t want to. Like I said before, you can stay here and continue to enjoy the beautiful day. It’s as simple as walking away so it doesn’t have to be your problem. We’ll tell you how it goes when we get back, because we will get back.”

   Sugarfly Cookie sat in silence for a few moments, thinking deeply about what she wanted to do.

   “I’ll go with you,” Sugarfly Cookie finally said. “I won’t let it scare me again. I want to learn how to take my life back and help others again.” 

   “That’s the spirit!” Hollyberry Cookie beamed. “Let’s get ready to go rescue some cookies!”

♡ ♡ ♡

   As White Lily Cookie and Hollyberry Cookie led the small group of fairy soldiers, Hollyberrians, and Sugarfly Cookie to the border that crosses into Beast Yeast, Sugarfly Cookie was trying to get her courage up before they crossed the threshold of the Fairy Kingdom. 

   I hope Eternal Sugar Cookie hasn’t sprung back so soon, Sugarfly Cookie thought. She must be so powerful if she can be back at her old tactics so soon. I had hoped we defeated her for good. 

   Wildberry Cookie saw Sugarfly Cookie deep in thought and started to walk next to her, slowing to match her pace.

   “Are you worried about heading back into Beast Yeast?” Wildberry Cookie asked.

   Sugarfly Cookie nodded, her antennae bouncing as she did. 

   “Just remember,” Wildeberry Cookie went on. “We’ve all beaten what Beast Yeast threw at us once, we can do it again. You can do it again.”

   Sugarfly Cookie looked up at Wildberry Cookie, seeing serious motivation in his eyes. She nodded again, more certain this time, and gathered her strength to step foot into those treacherous woods. 

   As the cookies walked on, they soon found the camp that the adventuring cookies had set up.

   “We were on a hike just before he disappeared,” one of the adventurers said, recounting what had happened before their friend vanished. “Cola Cookie had stopped to record some of the local foliage he had seen in his journal, so we went on ahead. We waited for him to come back, but pretty soon it had gotten dark and he was nowhere to be seen!”

   The cookies listened as the adventurers explained what had happened. 

   “You mentioned to Silverbell Cookie that there was a sweet scent in the forest just before you discovered Cola Cookie was missing, right?” White Lily Cookie asked the panicking adventurer. 

   “That’s right,” the second adventurer confirmed. “When we were hiking, a light pink mist fell over the path and that’s when we started smelling a strange sweetness. We thought the scent maybe had to do with one of the flowers Cola Cookie had gone to find, but the mist didn’t sit right with us, so we went back down the trail to wait for Cola Cookie.”

   “That sweet scent and mist sounds pretty recognizable…” Raspberry Cookie observed, looking at Hollyberry Cookie for confirmation.

   “It sure does,” Hollyberry Cookie replied. 

   “Excuse me,” Hollyberry Cookie said, addressing the adventurers now. “But do you mind showing us where you were when you saw the mist and your friend went missing?”

   “Of course,” one of the adventuring cookies said. “We can take you there now, it’s just a little ways up the path through the forest that goes to the mountain.”

   With the adventurers taking the lead, the other cookies followed close behind, making sure to stay close so they wouldn’t get separated.

   Not much later, the cookies all stopped at a rather inconspicuous spot on the trail.

   “This is where Cola Cookie went missing,” the first adventurer mentioned. “Just a little farther until we get to where the mist was.”

   “Let’s check out this area, first,” White Lily Cookie suggested. “We may be able to find some clues in the area your friend was lost in.”

   The cookies spread out now, searching the area for anything that might be suspicious, but staying close enough together that they could hear each other through the trees.

   Sugarfly Cookie helped search as well, rustling through the brush and plants of the forest floor. It wasn’t long before a sweet scent wafted into her nose and she heard the faint flutter of wings not far off.