Chapter Text
[1]
The first thing I feel when I wake is the cruel, icy floor biting into my skin.
I am sprawled on my chest, the side of my face pressed against the smooth, hard surface. The cold bites into my skin, numbing my nerves. Each breath draws in sharp, frigid air that gnaws at my lungs, punishing me for daring to inhale.
I strained my eyes open, but it was a useless effort. It made no difference; everything before my eyes is pitch black.
It is quiet and still. Almost serene, though terrifyingly so. The… Eyes. They are silent. My breathing echoes loudly in the space, and the beating of my heart audible. My ears are ringing. I am completely alone.
Where am I?
I try to move, but my body, a crushing weight on itself. My limbs lie limp and pathetic by my side.
Am I this frail now?
Annoyed, I use my magic to lift myself, as I do whenever my physical body fails.
Nothing.
I try again.
The air around me barely stirs.
Impossible.
My magic is useless. I don't feel it coursing through my dough as it always does.
My mind churns. How is it even possible? My magic has never failed me, even if most of my soul jam is with that wretched Vanilla liar. My magic has always been mine since the day I was created by the Witches.
How did I even end up here? What happened—
The realisation dawns upon me.
The last thing I recall is those pesky cookies daring to challenge me. There was a battle and… what happened after? No clear outcome from thinking, but one possibility stands out.
Could it be that I was bested?
Was I, the almighty Master of Deceit, defeated by some, what, friendship-is-power believing cookies?
How could this be?
I curse and curse them down to their very flour.
If I am here in wherever this is, alone, could it be that…
Am I…
Dead?
…
Am I finally free?
Can I finally no longer be the villain?
Clank.
A loud thud breaks the silence, amplified by the space, causing me to jolt horribly. A sharp, terrifying chill runs through me, planting a seed of fear in me, growing rapidly. I still can’t see a thing.
A blurry, small line of light grows from the horizon, from the floor before me. My eyes squint instinctively as the light continues to grow further up. It stops when my vision was finally focused, at around the height of a door. Then the line of light expands horizontally, spilling more light into the space. The warm light blinds me.
A figure appears in the light, its face hidden in the shadows from the powerful beam.
Despite being unable to see who the unknown figure is, it’s uncannily familiar. It eases the fear in me. It somehow gives me a sense of… comfort. I am strangely glad to see the figure, even though I don’t recognise it.
A cloud of haze has begun its descent on my consciousness.
Is this death?
Has it come to claim me?
It approaches me and kneels before me. It wraps its arms around me. Warmth gently envelops me, cradling me in its embrace. It soothes the cold. The numbness is chased away. It feels like sinking into warm, soft clouds, like the ones Eternal Sugar Cookie enjoys lounging on. It’s safe and warm.
It doesn’t hurt anymore.
How would the other cookies be? The beast probably won't care; they’d rejoice at my demise. The rest of Earthbread would follow in celebration. Finally, one less terror on Earthbread.
What would happen to Candy Apple Cookie and Black Sapphire Cookie? Candy Apple Cookie would cry profusely if she found out that I'm gone. The Spire would no longer be there to protect them anymore. Hopefully, Black Sapphire Cookie would keep his promise.
I am lifted into the air, my legs dangling off the arm of the figure, and both of my hands folded on my abdomen. The figure carries me towards the light.
The end of the show is here.
My soul is to be taken.
Then, the Jester shall leave the stage.
I rest my head on the figure, enjoying one final embrace. My eyes close as we enter the light, welcoming the final rest.