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Chapter Text

“Pure Vanilla Cookie! Pure Vanilla Cookie!” Black Raisin Cookie was running in the palace halls, in search of the king.

He was sitting in his study, hunched over a bunch of letters, signing contracts and writing responses. He raised his head when he heard the door opening. “Oh, Black Raisin Cookie. What are you doing here?” He asked, his voice calm as usual.

“It's a letter from the Dark Cacao Kingdom. The messenger said it's urgent.” She said, handing over the paper. He took it, breaking the royal sigil and reading the rushed writing of his dear friend.

«Dear Pure Vanilla Cookie, this letter was rushed, but I need your presence in the Dark Cacao Kingdom as soon as possible, I will give you all the details when you arrive.»
With Care, Dark Cacao Cookie.

PS: Bring White Lily Cookie with you.

PPS: Bring enough food rations to last two days and don't forget your staff.

He folded the letter neatly, placing it in his pocket. “Black Raisin Cookie, please inform the queen that we will be departing for the Dark Cacao Kingdom in an hour. It's urgent.”

“Yessir!”

─┉─¡! • !¡─┉─

“Your Radiance… Your Radiance! Wake up!”

“...! Who dares interrupt my!- oh. Smoked Cheese Cookie, it's you.” Golden Cheese Cookie was napping under a canopy in the pyramid gardens, shaded from the hot sun of the desert. “What is it now? Did the Marzipans go berserk again?” She asked, standing up and stretching her arms over her head, still a bit dazed from sleep.

“It's an urgent letter from the Dark Cacao Kingdom” he said, handing over the crumpled paper.

“Oh. That old fossil really needs my help huh.” She said, half chuckling. She opened the letter, squeezing her eyes while trying to read the messy handwriting. “Man Dark Cacao Cookie really needs to learn how to write…”

«Dear Golden Cheese Cookie, this letter was rushed, but I need your presence in the Dark Cacao Kingdom as soon as possible, I will give you all the details when you arrive.»
With Care, Dark Cacao Cookie.

PS: Don't bring any cheesebirds with you, we talked about it.

PPS: Bring enough food rations to last two days and don't forget your spear.

“... I have to go. Tell Mozzarella Cookie to take over my duties while I'm away” she got up and turned around, walking towards the exit of the garden.

“H-hey! You can't just leave like that! What about-” she glared at him. “... Fine. I'll talk to Mozzarella…”

—ஓ๑♡๑ஓ—

Jungleberry Cookie entered the room, a worried expression on her face. “Queen mother, a letter was sent from the Dark Cacao Kingdom, it's addressed to you. The messenger said it's urgent.”

Hollyberry Cookie was sitting on a couch next to a window, sipping some tea. “Oh? That old man, it's been a while since I last heard from him.” She took the letter in her hands, breaking the royal sigil and reading it out loud.

«Dear Hollyberry Cookie, this letter was rushed, but I need your presence in the Dark Cacao Kingdom as soon as possible, I will give you all the details when you arrive.»
With Care, Dark Cacao Cookie.

PS: Make sure Wildberry Cookie doesn't follow you, it's important that you come alone.

PPS: Bring enough food rations to last two days and don't forget your shield.

“Oh well. You heard him Jungleberry Cookie, take care of the kingdom while I'm away ok? I'll be back as soon as possible.” Hollyberry Cookie said, folding the letter and placing it on the table. She got up and started gathering her things, a bag, her shield, her cape and more.

“Are you sure Wildberry Cookie can't come with you? He proved himself to be a great resource in case of danger…” Jungleberry asked, worried.

“I'm going to be fine! Plus, the Dark Cacao Kingdom has one of the safest security in all of earthbread, so I should be safe.”

》* 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ * 。° 。 • ˚《

Chapter Text

Pure Vanilla Cookie was the first to arrive, holding White Lily Cookie arm in arm as they were walking down the airship deck. Caramel Arrow Cookie was waiting for them, leaning against a wall. She bowed at the sight of the royals, and stepped forward, her bow strapped to her back. "Pure Vanilla Cookie, White Lily Cookie, welcome. The king has been waiting for you.”

“You're Caramel Arrow Cookie right? Dark Cacao Cookie talked about you. He told us how you helped him in beast-yeast” Pure Vanilla Cookie said, smiling.

“It's my duty sir, now, if you would please follow me, I will lead you to the conference room.” She bowed one last time and turned around, leading the couple inside the winding halls of the Dark Cacao palace.

The group reached the North wing, where, overlooking the Licorice sea, was a spacious room with a large wooden table covered with a map of Earthbread, and six chairs circling the table. The black and white walls were covered by maps of more close up areas of the continent, marked and circled with red markers and pins in specific places.

Dark Cacao Cookie was standing next to an open window, watching the black expanse that was the Licorice Sea. “Good morning, Pure Vanilla Cookie, White Lily Cookie, It seems like you've received my letter.” He turned around, looking at his friends with a concerned but relieved expression. “Please, take a seat while we wait for the others”

“Dark Cacao Cookie. It's been a while since we last met.” White Lily Cookie said, smiling kindly and taking a seat next to her betrothed.

“True. I'm glad to know you're doing fine, I was informed of what happened in beast-yeast. You proved yourself to be really capable out there.” Dark Cacao Cookie said, getting closer.

Hollyberry Cookie barged in the room a few minutes later “Blow the horn! Hollyberry Cookie has arrived!” She shouted, half laughing, shield in hand and backpack on her shoulders. “Dark Cacao Cookie! My dear old friend, it's been a while since we last saw each other huh?” She approached him, dropping her backpack on the ground and hugging the cookie tightly, “Have you been eating? Is the kingdom stressing you out? Here, I brought some juice if you want!”

“H-hollyberry Cookie please… you're choking me…” Dark Cacao Cookie tried to say, air leaving his lungs as Hollyberry Cookie hugged him tighter.

“Oops! Sorry friend. I forgot you don't like hugs.” She put him down, patting him on the shoulder. “So, what's the matter? Why so urgent?”

“A few things happened in the kingdom recently, and we might have a trail to find Dark Enchantress Cookie.” he replied, sitting down at the head of the table. “Let's wait for Golden Cheese Cookie before discussing it.”

White Lily Cookie fisted the green fabric of her dress under the table, looking down. The warm hand of Pure Vanilla Cookie wrapping around hers, a silent support. “It's ok… we can still fix everything.” He whispered, only for her to hear. She sighed, feeling just a bit better.

“So, White Lily Cookie. It's been a while. How's life going?” Hollyberry Cookie sat at the side of the table right in front of the couple.

“Good, thank you for asking.”

“And also, I heard the beautiful news! Tell me, when will the wedding be?” She asked, resting her chin on her hand.

“As soon as this is all over. You're all invited to come.” Pure Vanilla Cookie smiled, holding White Lily Cookie’s hand under the table.

A few minutes went by, the sea was storming outside as the group waited for their remaining friend, lightening the wait with some idle chatting.

“... She's later than usual.” Dark Cacao Cookie admitted. “Do you think something happ-”

The door opened as the Golden haired Cookie entered the conference room, Radiant and confident as usual. “What a splendid day is it not, dear friends? And Dark Cacao Cookie, before you can say it, no, I'm not late. A god is never late. And also there was no time stated on the invitation, so I can't possibly be late.”
She walked over to sit in the chair next to Dark Cacao Cookie, but she was stopped by him. "Wait, this seat is taken."

At that moment someone else entered the room, and without saying a word sat down at the other end of the table. A hurt expression crossed Dark Cacao Cookie's face for a moment as his son sat down opposite of him, before turning serious again. “... Dark Choco Cookie, I'm glad you decided to join us.”

“I didn't have much of a choice.” He replied, serious. “Let's get this meeting started, we don't have much time.”

Golden Cheese Cookie ultimately sat down next to where Dark Cacao Cookie was standing.

“... Well then, as I was saying, I gathered you all here today with such urgency because we might have found a way to defeat Dark Enchantress Cookie once and for all. Dark Choco Cookie, do you want to start?” The king said, finally sitting down.

“... “ Dark Choco Cookie took a deep breath, and then started talking. “I'm going to make this quick, because we don't have much time.” He pointed at some specific places on the map. “There are a total of eight secret passages that reach the place where Dark Enchantress Cookie resides, one is the east of the Vanilla Kingdom, one in the gardens of the Hollyberry Kingdom…” he pointed each place on the map with a pin “One in the abandoned Licorice village here in the Dark Cacao Kingdom, one in the West Streets of the Golden Cheese Kingdom, and one in the gardens of the Faerie Kingdom. There is also one in the dragons lair, one in the salt flats, and one in the forest before the garden of delights. There was one in the Spicelands, but it got destroyed during the fight with the beast.”

Golden Cheese Cookie snickered proudly.

“... So that's how the Cookies of Darkness traveled unnoticed in between kingdoms… But why are you giving us this information now?” Pure Vanilla Cookie asked.

“The actual question is why are you telling us this? Aren't you on their side, Dark Choco Cookie?” Hollyberry Cookie crossed her arms on her chest, suspicious.

“... I was. But not on my own accord. I was… hypnotized, so to say. Lured in by my thirst for power. But I've managed to escape the web of darkness that is that place, even if it forever tainted my heart.”
He looked down at his hands, trying to calm the shaking. “And now I'm here to help.” He finished.

“...And how can we be sure you aren't deceiving us? Your master really likes to do that after all.” Golden Cheese Cookie asked, her gaze fixating on him. He tried his best to fight the instinct to lower his head, before continuing. “... I will be your spy in their ranks, give you as much information as possible and help you reach the castle to gather more.”

“... I want to trust you, Dark Choco Cookie.” White Lily Cookie said, breaking her silence. “You look like you're speaking the truth. Tell us, what is your plan?”

Dark Choco Cookie smiled, just a little bit. “I will make myself worthy of that trust. I have to report to Dark Enchantress Cookie now, she thinks I'm being a spy for her, when actually it's quite the opposite. When I'm done I will come back and guide you to the castle.”

Dark Cacao Cookie looked at his friends. “Any objections to this plan?” He asked.
Golden Cheese Cookie and Hollyberry Cookie still looked suspicious, but didn't say anything.

“Then we're ready to go.”