Chapter Text
As dust settled amongst the ground, the second Dark Flour War had ended leaving the heroes victorious, cookies cheered and laughed in happiness as joy filled the souls of many. Pure Vanilla cookie was also ecstatic to win with the help of Gingerbrave and all of his friends and his own with the Ancient Heroes by his side. Pure Vanilla couldn't seem to shake off the memory before shattering every cookie to crumbs, including Dark Enchantress Cookie, but one stood out. Shadow Milk Cookie. He had a rush of memories like they were whiplash, the moment before Shadow Milk turned corrupted.
He walked over to where his crumbs were and kneeled on the ground, his heart aching at the sight of him, shattered to nothing but jam and crumbs. He remembered the face he made too, one of acknowledgement, a face of acceptance like it was leading up to this at some point, regret, pain, it all was a call back from his past too. The feeling of loneliness, pain, sadness, longing. He sighed and created a jar, scooping all of his remains into it before sealing it off with the lid before joining the rest of the party.
After many months of clean up, it was exactly how it looked before the Dark Flour war, now in peace. He went up to his chamber and settled the remains of Shadow Milk cookie by the window and sighed, resting his chin on his folded arms as he sighed, wondering what have he done differently to prevent this outcome; back at the Spire? What if he just came at it from a different point of view, what if… Shadow Milk didn't push him away?
All of them are a lot of questions with no answer and yet.. he wished he could just have the answers to them right at his fingertips. He was cut off by a knock on the door. Hollyberry was standing there with two glasses of juice. “Ah! There you are Pure Vanilla. You didn't come down so I thought I might bring this to ya.” She pumped her chest out with pride.
Pure Vanilla softly smiled and gladly took the juice, sipping it slowly. “Thank you my friend.” He spoke softly, his eyes never leaving the jar. A blueberry bird landed on the window seal and chirped a little bit before flying away just as quickly as it came. Hollyberry sat down next to him and took a drink out of her cup, eyeing the jar on the window seal.
“Don't you think it's kinda weird to have a jar of Shadow Milk?” She asked Pure Vanilla, swirling her juice in her glass. “Think of it. You destroyed Shadow Milk as we all defeated Dark Enchantress Cookie so why are you still hung up on Shadow Milk still? Why don't you relax and forget about everything for a while?”
She advised but wasn't wanting to push it. Pure Vanilla sighed softly, staring at the jar.
“Do you… do you think Shadow Milk can change?”
Hollyberry almost spat out her drink at that question but luckily was able to keep it in and swallowed.
“W-what!?” She exclaimed, really confused and shocked to hear that. “Shadow Milk Cookie?” She asked Pure Vanilla. “Why would he change? I think out of every cookie, he was a master of deceit after all. Why would he change? Why would any of them change?” She asked Pure Vanilla, taking another drink out of her glass.
A moment of silence was between the two of them but it was more tense than before. Hollyberry sighed as she walked over to Pure Vanilla and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Why don't you come down and celebrate with us? The Crow's In provided some scrumptious raised bread.” She offered with a caring smile. Pure Vanilla smiled as he sat up, grabbing his staff.
“I suppose you're right. Maybe I've just been getting tired from all that fighting.” Pure Vanilla sighed with a small smile, letting Hollyberry lead him out and down to the lobby where the Ancient heroes and Clotted Cream were to celebrate and clink glasses as of means to a toast.
Night after night, Pure Vanilla stayed awake pondering about the final moments of the Dark Flour War, pacing back and forth as he couldn't shake off the look Shadow Milk Cookie made. It was one of sorrow and relief, but why? Why did he keep thinking about it? He looked in the library as he looked through books among books about the Cookie beasts, all of which about Shadow Milk Cookie. He spent days upon days trying to find answers until he was just going to give up.. well he was about to until a thick, royal blue book caught his eye. He saw golden trimming and it was kept away in the far back of the library as he reached over and took it out, brushing off the dust to read the following title.
‘The History of the Fountain of Knowledge.’
Pure Vanilla's breath hitched a little, gently opening it up and reading a few pages, sitting down as he became invested into the book. It was a book that documented the history of Shadow Milk Cookie, his life before the darkness corrupted him. He knew Shadow Milk was lonely, wanting a friend who he can trust but due to isolation and doubt, he basically spiralled down into madness, causing him to do small acts like one white lie before it escalate further and further and further until he cracked, turning into the Shadow Milk Cookie he was.
Pure Vanilla Cookie closed the book and stood up, making his way back to his room in the castle, setting the book next to the jar of Shadow Milk's remains, sighing softly. “I'm sorry Shadow Milk…” He whispered. He knew what he needed to do in the moment, but the guilt still remained, even months after the Dark Flour war, he wished things could've been different between them if Shadow Milk gave in and stopped this madness.
He closed his eyes as he began to dream. Shadow Milk was doing life duties before corruption was doing everything that he could've wanted. He was dramatic, creative, able to teach and debate with others, he seemed so happy and content with his role too, then cookies began to doubt and whisper things behind his back to others. Although Shadow Milk was able to keep a positive attitude, behind the scenes when no one was seeing him, tears were shed, sleepless nights of him crying, sobbing quietly, alone with no one to turn to, no one to believe him before turning into flames and emerging from the flames was Shadow Milk Cookie but now corrupted.
Before Pure Vanilla could stop him, he was jolted awake by someone calling out for him as he shot up in fright, breathing slightly heavy as he glanced around before his soft eyes landed on the Cookie with deep brown hair and glasses, arms folded.
“O-oh Espresso Cookie.” Pure Vanilla stammered. “What brings you here my friend?” He asked, straightening himself up as he wandered around the room.
“Nothing much..” Espresso trailed off. “In fact, I was just coming in to do a wellness check.” He murmured, sounding like it wasn't his original idea to begin with. “Strawberry Crepe Cookie had been bugging me about you and wanted me to at least check on you for their sake.”
Pure Vanilla watched Espresso flick his wrist and made a fresh cup of coffee for him and settled it down in front of him. He smiled softly as he gazed up at Espresso.
“That you.” He murmured softly. “Strawberry Crepe is a bit of a handle but I'm sure they meant well to tell you about me.” Pure Vanilla chuckled, taking a sip out of his cup. His mind wandering off once again.
“Well.. yes, although it's a bit of a annoyance… I wouldn't mind if it means I can talk to you.” Espresso chuckled, sipping his own coffee, sitting down with his leg crossed over the other one. “Tell me.. I don't mean to barge into your business but I can tell something is off with you as well.. so tell me.” Espresso trailed off, choosing his words carefully. “Is there anything on your mind?” Espresso asked with eyes that were sharp but sincere.
Pure Vanilla was stunned to hear that from Espresso out of all cookies but was still able to take his time with this question. “I… I was actually wondering..” Pure Vanilla trailed off, glancing back at the jar and book leaning up against the window behind it. “I was wondering if you know a revival spell to help revive Cookie?” He asked.
Espresso's eyes widened as he spat out his coffee, turning away to cough the coffee stuck in his throat. “W-what!?” He asked the ancient hero, regaining his composure. “Do forgive me Pure Vanilla Cookie but there's no ‘revival’ spells out there, at least there shouldn't be because according to my calculations, there's no spell that can or could revive cookies from crumbs.” Espresso told him flatly.
Pure Vanilla, understanding the words Espresso was saying and sighed. “I understand, sorry to throw that question at you all of a sudden but it was just a mere thing on my mind.” Pure Vanilla chuckled as he smiled softly and warmly.
The coffee mage was drying himself off using a tissue, sighing softly as he turned to Pure Vanilla Cookie, his gaze softening a little before checking his watch and getting up. “It's alright. I just didn't expect you to ask me.” Espresso spoke calmly, making his way to the door. “I'm sorry to cut this short, I must leave, I have wasted too much time chatting with you.” Espresso spoke with importance, petting a sheep that was making its way up the stairs and gave Pure Vanilla a small nod before quietly making his way down the steps, leaving the sheep to finish its way up and happily walking over to Pure Vanilla and bleeded happily.
The next morning, he took a trip to Beast Yeast to visit the Fairie kingdom and to see White Lily Cookie, telling her about revival spells. “A revival spell?” She asked him with a soft voice, walking through the library.
“Yes. I was thinking about the Dark Flour War and..” Pure Vanilla cut himself off, stopping himself while walking down, clutching his staff a little tighter.
White Lily turned around, her face showing one of concern and worry for her friend. “And?” She asked, wanting Pure Vanilla to continue his sentence.
“I was thinking about Shadow Milk Cookie..” Pure Vanilla spoke softly, showing her the royal blue book with golden trimming. “Is it possible to revive a cookie from crumbs? Is it even possible to purify a corrupted cookie?” He asked White Lily.
White Lily thought about it, her red eyes glancing down at the floor, twiddling with her staff as she thought about it. “But… why Shadow Milk Cookie?” She questioned Pure Vanilla, hoping he'd answer her question. Pure Vanilla opened the book and showed her the page about how he was corrupted. Fear, anxiety, loneliness, isolation. The picture showcasing the anxiety in his eyes was obvious and surrendered due to him having no choice but to.
“Is it even possible?” She asked Pure Vanilla Cookie, gently handing it back to him. Before Pure Vanilla had a chance to respond the librarian stepped in.
“There is.” The Librarian smiled gently, leading them the way before handing Pure Vanilla Cookie a very old and ancient book that was covered in a thick layer of dust. Pure Vanilla gently blew it off to reveal a logo and writing that said ‘The Mastery Of Revival.’ Pure Vanilla opened it up and revealed a page that showed that it's possible, however, the catch was that the caster's life powder would be sucked out of them and if it was a cookie with a Soul Jam it would take half of their life powder.
Pure Vanilla was stunned that this was the answer he needed but also was wondering if it was worth doing such a big job like reviving someone from the dead. White Lily Cookie looked at Pure Vanilla with a worried look. After a few moments of silence, she spoke up. “Are you sure you want to do this?” She asked, seeing Pure Vanilla close the book.
Pure Vanilla was thinking about it. Would it all be worth it in the end? Would it be possible if he had the chance to even revive a cookie from crumbs to even begin with?
~~~~
“WHAT!?”
The Ancient Heroes called out, even Clotted Cream Cookie and Financier Cookie were stunned to hear that.
“You want to do… what now?” Financier Cookie asked Pure Vanilla.
Golden Cheese Cookie slammed her hands on the table. “Have you lost your mind!? The Beasts are crumbs now!! Are you actually wanting to revive a BEAST from CRUMBS!?” She asked with her tone serious and frustrated.
“SILENCE!!” Dark Cacao called for the group to hush, walking over to Pure Vanilla Cookie. “I think we should hear his reason before we all make a decision.” He stood sternly and serious, leaving the room for Pure Vanilla to speak.
Pure Vanilla sighed with gratitude. “Thank you.” He thanked Dark Cacao before walking up to the table and placing a book down and opened it. “My friends. I know it sounds silly but please hear me out.” He pleaded, to show his side to the argument. “Shadow Milk Cookie deserves another chance at being purified. I don't how and in what way… but from what I know, he didn't deserve to be lonely, to be corrupted and only found happiness in deceit.” He went on.
“What are you getting at?” Golden Cheese grumbled, folding her arms angrily.
“My point is.” Pure Vanilla began. “Is that although Shadow Milk cookie was corrupted, I think we can make it work if we can give him the freedom to rekindle that spark of what made him so great to begin with.”
The room fell silent… deathly silent, so quiet a cricket can be heard within the room until Hollyberry spoke up. “Okay, you have seriously lost your mind.”
Pure Vanilla sighed, knowing it was silly of him to even think of the possibility of ‘purifying’ a corrupted beast. It was impossible anyways since they chose to be corrupted but even then, some of the Beasts weren't going to be purified to begin with. Burning Spice cookie being one of them. However, something about Shadow Milk was just eating away at him he cannot shake off, as if he didn't want to choose darkness, it came off as a last resort to him, besides, some others were corrupted way more quicker and Shadow Milk, although the last of them, was just a slow burn downhill.
White Lily Cookie put a hand on Pure Vanilla's shoulder as she spoke up. “I think it's a silly thing too… in fact… it is impossible… but I think Pure Vanilla has a point.” She spoke softly, catching the three's attention. “Although it may seem impossible, if it means we can try it then I don't see an issue.”
Pure Vanilla smiled with his heart full of gratitude. “I'll give you all a deal.” Pure Vanilla offered. “If this works, then maybe it can be a good thing… if we can find out ways to purify the rest of the beast cookies if this works.” Pure Vanilla offered on the table. “And if it doesn't work? Then… we can turn Shadow Milk Cookie into crumbs again and I promise to never revive a Beast Cookie ever again.”
The room fell silent once again, glancing at each other with unknowing looks of concern but also worried of what the outcome may happen if Shadow Milk was brought back from crumbs. Hollyberry Cookie sighed, her face may seem uncertain but she had a bit of faith into what Pure Vanilla may be doing.
“I guess… it wouldn't hurt to… try… it hasn't been done before so… so maybe you can give it a go.”
Golden Cheese sneered at Hollyberry, almost wanting to vomit from the words she was spewing. “You're seriously taking his word for it?” She hissed, definitely not agreeing before Dark Cacao hummed in thought.
“Although it may be a slippery slope, I do put my faith in your hands. If anyone can purify the corrupted. It's you.”
Pure Vanilla smile beamed more brightly as he turned to Clotted Cream Cookie who was patiently listening to what the Heroes were saying. “Although interesting.” He began to speak. “I think we should take drastic measures to make sure this plan of yours goes as smoothly as possible.”
Pure Vanilla nodded, glad he was looking out for him in case any of this goes wrong in any capacity. “Thank you. I will forever appreciate the council and your efforts.”
Golden Cheese Cookie had a frown on her face, still not willing to trust Pure Vanilla Cookie as her eye twitched a little, she turned around but groaned instead, turning back with a dramatic huff. “Fine!! I'm willing to be proven wrong.”
Pure Vanilla cookie was happy to hear that Golden Cheese Cookie, although sceptical, was willing to be proven wrong. “I'm willing to prove you wrong, Golden Cheese.” Pure Vanilla paused before turning back towards everyone. “Thank you.. all of you.. I won't let you down.”