CRK: Anthology of Pastries

                Gusts of wind breached through the vast Silver Tree, the cracks enlarging despite the vines that gripped tightly around the trunk. Particles of red hues made the aide sense the chill that ran down their dough. Their weapon shook with dread, making their dough tremble to their very core. Not only does it weaken White Lily Cookie's sealing spell, it threatened the escape of the Beasts imprisoned within the Silver Tree.

                "Impossible...!" A murmur upon their lips. The work of the infamous Dark Enchantress Cookie was at work, eroding the sealing magic. Yet they have no time. They tightened their grip upon their weapon, allowing their magic to spread and manifest from the ground to envelope the whole surrounding. It was weak compared to White Lily Cookie’s but they had to buy time.

                 “I will not acquiesce this!”

                The sound of metal made them turn, finding Mercurial Knight Cookie. His figure in alert, awaiting their next command. With adrenaline coursing through their jam, they called, “Mercurial Knight Cookie! At haste.” They commanded, “Call to White Lily Cookie’s companions. Quickly!”

                Peals of giggle made their nerve ran cold. The familiar chaos and deceitful voice that haunt them for eons. They froze in their tracks, eyecings wide and the grip on their weapon weakened. The hammering within their chest and the ringing within their ears, added with the cloudy senses that surrounds them, the cookie wished they had never heard that laugh ever again. Not even the faeries’ worried calls to them could break them out of their turmoil.

                Unbeknownst to them, White Lily Cookie’s sealing spell had eroded, and out came the freedom of the Cookie of Deceit.

                “My, my, my~! I knew you’d welcome us with open arms!” A cackle filled with mischief pierced through their ears. Wishing it could go away, shaking their head yet to no avail. That deceitful tone filled with mischief and chaos. They had longed and loathed to hear.

                “[Y/N] Cookie!” Said the gleeful jester—the Beast of Deceit, as his voice continued to torment their mind. Calling, enticing, as if once he had invited them to join the side of the beasts. “Come, Light of Trust. To us, your long-lost friends. To me.”

                Guilt gnawed to them. For eons of their closeness to them, the 5 virtues, even a millennia of their absence never ebbed the time they had spent filled of wonderful memories. The Guardian of the Silver Tree had countless times bid them to forget, but it was impossible. For they are the holder of Light of Trust, the Emissary of Hope. A hidden Virtue baked alongside the 5 now-Beasts.

                Their resolve weakened, making their whole figure drop on their knees. The voice of her closest Cookie basked in their mind. Persuading them, as he always does even during the chaos of annihilation of Cookiekind. A weak Cookie [Y/N] ever was…

                They extended their hand; blurry haze of their eyecings clouded their rationality as they reached for him. The mischievous voice snickered with triumph, for a chance of reunion between him and the Emissary of Hope was nigh. He would make sure to turn them to his side. The side of the Beasts. Corrupt their view and see the truth behind the life of Cookiekind.

                A blade broke the connection between [Y/N] Cookie and the voice. The luminescent sparkle of light reflected upon their [e/c] eyecings, concealing their view to the cracked Silver Tree. Elder Faerie Cookie had arrived, lacking his armor. Along with the rest of the companions, and the newly awakened White Lily Cookie (to which [Y/N] Cookie has not made aware yet). Mercurial Knight Cookie had successfully returned with the rest of the heroes.

                A protective hand cradled the back of their head, embracing their fallen form as he pushed their face to his chest. His lips rest upon their forehead, a hidden promise he made to himself that he vowed. Protect them at much cost, if he cannot persuade them to rule alongside them… then, by the Witches, allow him to comfort [Y/N] Cookie.

                “Elder Faerie Cookie, I—” They tried to speak, but the Guardian only gave them a gentle gaze. He knew it was still a difficult path for [Y/N] Cookie to face the former Fount of Knowledge again. The Emissary of Hope within [Y/N] Cookie was a naïve Virtue, who is also the Light of Trust, which still made them think for the Beast of Deceit has a chance of redemption.

                To believe that the Beasts they called friends to have redeemable quality. Truly, his heart ached for them.

                “…Shadow Milk Cookie, Cookie of Deceit,” Elder Faerie Cookie uttered under his breath, facing the Silver Tree to meet the Cookie in blue. His gaze sharpened as he tightened his hold of his blade. Even in his weakened state, he would protect the holder of the last surviving Virtue, even if it crumbled him.

                “YOU!” Shadow Milk Cookie seethed, his figure revealing from the cracks of the Silver Tree. His hair stood on end, the eyecings within widening in malicious anger at the Guardian that stood between the formidable reunion between him and [Y/N] Cookie. He gripped his staff, an evil smirk adorning his lips as he cackled. “You always ruin everything,” He clicked his tongue, shaking his head, “No matter. I’ll have fun crumbling you!”

                With a click of his finger, darkness embraced the whole Faerie Kingdom. Engulfed with the power of Shadow Milk Cookie’s influence, the sky had filled with staring eyes that almost reflected the moon. The residents, once adorning silver attire, transformed with jester themes. The serene atmosphere now surrounded with manic jolly.

                The fallen cookie shook their head out of their stupor. They then looked over at Elder Faerie Cookie, eyecings widening at the sight of his weakened form. They observed the trembles of his shoulder, the strength wavering with each passing second. “Elder Faerie Cookie, don’t… Save your strength! The Faerie Kingdom needs you—”

                Strings strapped along their body, yanking them away from the Heroes and the Guardian. A startled gasp constricted their throat as the sudden capture brought them away from everyone. Tangled with marionette strings, [Y/N] Cookie strung up above. They squirmed, wriggling against the confines of the white ropes that clung to their body.

                Elder Faerie Cookie tensed at the sight of his aide caught between the strings of Shadow Milk Cookie’s marionette. He tried to spread his wings and reach them but with his Life Powder drained, he only fell to his knees and clutched the stinging side of his dough. Worry painted over everyone’s dough, making Mercurial Knight Cookie and Silverbell Cookie rush to his side.

                A manic grin stretched Shadow Milk Cookie’s lips, finding amusement to the Guardian’s weakened state. He chuckled, floating beside [Y/N] Cookie as he stared down at the Heroes with condescending tone, “Funny, isn’t it, my light?” He snickered under his breath. “The Fool-King has the power to seal me back to the Silver Tree. Yet even the smallest amount of one Cookie’s helplessness stopped him from truly doing it.”

                “Let them go,” Elder Faerie gritted his teeth, glaring at the blue jester as he afloat around the captured Cookie. Anger boiling within him as the Cookie of Deceit would brew lies and mix the truths, deceiving [Y/N] Cookie once more. He wanted to stop Shadow Milk Cookie from talking but with his Life Powder almost empty, he had failed to protect them once more.

                “I’ll tell you a funnier one!” Shadow Milk Cookie taunted, “The Foolish King has a silly revelation! Not only did he believe he can stop the Six Great Cookies—He grew to have a weak spot to one of them!” He turned to the strung up Cookie, one hand brushing beneath their chin to force their gaze to Elder Faerie Cookie, “Isn’t that right, [Y/N] Cookie?”

                The Emissary could only crease their brows together, their chest churning with something. Their nerves shook, realization dawning in their mind. For the amount he had stayed by their side, especially to their melancholic episodes within the past centuries mourning their fallen allies… They let out a breath at finally piecing the thoughts that they were Elder Faerie’s weakness. She was startled when suddenly; Shadow Milk Cookie shoved their form into his shadow portal.

                “But know, my fairest Cookie,” Shadow Milk Cookie leaned in as he followed in the realm of his powers. With no way out, and their hands trapped by the strings of his marionette, their life now lay before the Cookie of Deceit, “You’re really never free of me. I’ll make sure Cookiekind know of your true potential, Sentinel of Delusion~!”

                But that doesn't mean the Ancient hero will not be so protective. The young cookies can be rambunctious and run to you out of excitement to finally meet you. So he is alert and telling the young ones to not overwhelm you so much.

                Just don't traverse too far from him. He can't afford you to get injured without him to aid you. But he trusts Espresso to handle your curiosity of your Kingdom.

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                This situation made Espresso Cookie appoint a research for you to easily maneuver your new body. For such a Cookie like yourself, someone who the Ancient Cookie cares for, the scientist had made sure of it that you are well taken care of.

                Despite his busy schedule, Espresso Cookie uncharacteristically dropped his current research to leash you near him. He constantly has to panic whenever his sight isn't on you. He is already disheveled and in distress before he can finally find you among the deep forest that leads to adventure to Crispia.

                But the leash he had on you won't let you travel far. He can't let you go deep in dangers out there. The Kingdom is nothing without their ruler and you had just get here.

                He has to get the best distraction for you. Do you like shiny things? He has some trinkets you can play in his laboratory. Despite not wanting anyone to disorganize his tools, he may allow you to clean up his equipment as long as you don't get far from the premises of the Kingdom.

                But eventually you got away and curiosity got the best of you. What danger lays outside the Kingdom that made Pure Vanilla Cookie and Espresso Cookie forbid you to get far?

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                That's when Red Velvet Cookie find you. He lost chiffon one time and some of his cakehounds when he encountered the frail you.

                Red Velvet Cookie knew the cookies that built a kingdom for the Ruler to arrive. He was expecting someone so powerful and as vile as the residents of [Name] Kingdom that harm his precious hounds. But the way you let the little ones cuddle up to you and hesitate to even have a thought of laying a hand of them. The cookie of darkness is intrigued by your pacifism.

                So he approached you, promising himself to protect you from harm as you adore and spoil the cakehounds that refused to leave you.

                You're part of his family now, despite being on the 'good' side.

                They had witnessed the fall of the former heroes. The corruption that darkened the heart of the now-Beasts. They never foresaw the torment and destruction to be inflicted towards their fellow cookies.

                Their dough soured as the time passed in memory. They never had seen this outcome to protect the peace from the Beasts that was hidden beneath the roots of the Tree. For their once friends had become strangers. Let alone foreseeing the transformations of these fallen heroes from their closest companion to be a... MONSTER.

                At the sound of soft cracks near them, the Cookie perked up. "Elder Faerie Cookie..." they muttered, knowing his identity upon his quiet steps. "Fret not of my being... For I am grieving..."

                "I would assume so, starlight," the Fairy King softly said, his arms placed behind his back as he approached the sorrowful Cookie. "Since eons of protecting this Silver Tree, you still mourn the imprisonment of these Beasts."

                The Cookie winced at the reminder of the true colors of the ones they had longed to reunite. Their crystal eyes melted in shame, gripping their weapon tightly, and thoughts grew with agitation.

                The betrayal. The broken promise. The heartbreak they suffered to see their closed Cookies locked away...

                "Elder Faerie Cookie... They have been my allies." They said, tone keeping their solemn tune. "My companions. My... friends."

                "Friends that turned their backs to all Cookiekind..." The Fairy King said, albeit harsh held the truth. "Come now, starlight. Why haven't you let go of the memories of these Beasts? You are to rule alongside me, to prevent them from harming anyone once more."

                "Is it wrong for me to reminisce the past, dear friend?" They said as they break contact from the tree, staring at the roots that White Lily Cookie bound when the Beast almost broke free.

                "Even with time, the bonds that I have with them were not easy to sever..." They clenched their hands with their lips quivering.

                "But it's time for you to open your eyes, starlight," Elder Faerie Cookie said as he reached over to them and lifted their head to meet his gaze. "They are no longer what you paint them to be. For as long as our dough is crisp, we are to prevent them to cast discord."

                He sighed, "We have a duty to uphold, [Y/N] Cookie. I need you to keep strong. To assist me to rule the Faerie Kingdom. Please, I cannot lose you, too."

                [Y/N] Cookie's gaze softened, their thoughts lingering with the slumbering White Lily Cookie they and Elder Faerie Cookie protected. In an eternal sleep, hanging into the life energy she still has, the Ancient Hero had helped strengthen the Silver Tree when the Beast almost broke free within.

                They had lost their precious friends, and now they're also losing the one close to them once more. Elder Faerie Cookie spoke the truth. The Kingdom needed them, they cannot lose their current people.

                "You're right..." They muttered, looking towards the banquet. Most faeries singing praises, "I must focus on events of today."

                Even with the hollow feeling in their chest, they couldn't help but ponder. A pit in their stomach gnawed with dread, making them glance towards the Silver Tree.

                They dismissed it, looking towards Elder Faerie Cookie as they offered a small smile, they held his hands and squeezed them in reassurance. "I'll be here with you. You will not lose me."

                'I cannot bring them down.' They thought as they glanced around with a smile and wave as they watched the festive faeries continue to sing praises.

                However, no one noticed the crack into the seal and a peal of giggle escaping from the Silver Tree...

               [Name] Kingdom. Such a name was given by the deity from above.

               Glancing through the horizon, he was piqued as he caught sight of a blurry image of a figure. His staff squinted ever so slightly, trying to capture the image perfectly of the being in the sky. He took notice of a small smile was drawn on the being's face.

               Pure Vanilla was never the one to acknowledge strange things happening in his world. However, he had heard a voice once, such a melodic tune possessing such longing and sorrow. He listened to the woes and pitied the poor soul who kept praying for their longing to end. When he found the source of it, he realized that the voice belonged to a deity controlling this kingdom. He tried to communicate with them but never received a response.

               No one had ever noticed them, except for him and a few magic-user cookies. At the various times they appear, the voice still remained sorrowful and longing. Pure Vanilla never understood why. The kingdom was flourishing with riches, cookies, and even adventures, yet the deity was never satisfied.

                Is it due to the missing cookies still inside the Gacha Oven; Sea Fairy and Holly Berry? Or is it about the battles that had been lost? The answer was not clear as Pure Vanilla keep observing the divine being towering over him.

               Today was one of those days. A small smile was emitted through the blurry visage of the deity, yet their eyes never failed to express desolation. Their [e/c] dull orbs full of emptiness. He wished they could hear his worry, to help them emit a genuine smile.

               A long, dejected sigh was heard, making Pure Vanilla perk up at the sound of the similar tune of the voice he heard. The divine being had changed their mood, more expressing to the gloomy side. He sat up attentively, waiting if they would speak.

               "This world is full of happiness and adventure." Their statement echoed through Pure Vanilla's head, confusion was plastered over his features as he kept listening. "Could I ever experience this?"

               Pure Vanilla gripped his staff tightly in his grasp. His brows furrowed in pity, a small frown made itself to his lips as he pondered the life his deity endured. 'Have the divine being of this world experienced such happiness?' he thought. His chest was clenched and stinging.

               "It's not like I wished they exist in my world. I just want to exist in this world alongside them."

               That statement made him halt from his thoughts. The sincerity held within the voice never faltered. He glanced up, noticing the genuine smile and glassy [e/c] eyes staring at the prospering kingdom. They then emitted a saddened laugh, wiping the corner of their eyes.

               "Who am I kidding? I don't have the power to transmigrate inside this game." They sighed slowly logging off and disappearing into the abyss. "If only someone had that power."

               Pure Vanilla was satisfied, hearing the deity's wish. Listening to their sorrow, trying to ease their worries were never reaching them, but listening to the recent woes awaken something inside him.

               With determination, he stood up from his seat. Staff in hand, he trekked over the Fountain of Abundance to the Sugar Gnome Laboratory. He finally knew the reason behind the sorrow of the deity; wanting to co-exist with the cookies they pampered and cared for. Learning that they didn't have any ability to travel to this world, he'd do everything he could to fulfill the wish of his deity. He might need to acquire assistance from every mage.

Wish Fulfilled Prologue : “Fascinating Curiosity” Chapter 1 : “Perfect Calculations” Chapter 2 : “Come Home to Us” END Chapter : “Ruler, [Y/N] Cookie” Epilogue Chapter : “Forgotten Memories”

Fan Stories Beast-Yeast Prompt : “Lamenting Companion”  Drabble Prompt : “Weak Little Thing”

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