Morning arrived and everyone within the Vanilla Kingdom was busy. The Dark Cacao troupes were ready to go back home, Hollyberry and Wildberry Cookie were also ready to get back to their kingdom as soon as possible. For Golden Cheese Cookie, she unfortunately has to go back to her kingdom in a hurry, but she wishes every one of her friends all the best and luck.
While GingerBrave, Strawberry Cookie and Wizard Cookie were helping Celestine and Pure Vanilla Cookie with all of the luggages, it would seem they are missing someone important.
Strawberry Cookie: "Hey uh… Where's Mariya Cookie?"
Wizard Cookie: "Now that you mentioned it, I haven't seen her all morning!"
Celestine: "She's probably still sleeping. I'll go—"
Wizard Cookie: "Let me wake her up for you, Celestine Cookie! You have already done enough, so let me handle this."
Celestine: "Alright then. But do be warned when waking her up."
…
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "Celestine Cookie, I don't want to pry, but what do you mean by that?"
Celestine: "It's… Complicated."
Strawberry Cookie: "I.. have a bad feeling about this…"
GingerBrave: "WOOOWAAAAOOHH!!"
—WOOOOOSSSSHHHHH!!!
GingerBrave: "Woah! Thanks, Celestine Cookie."
Celestine: "Try to be careful when lifting those heavy boxes, GingerBrave."
GingerBrave: "Hehe, I will. But thanks again."
Inside the castle, Wizard Cookie came rushing down to the guest room where Celestine and Mariya stayed for the night. As he stopped in his tracks, took a deep breath and opened the door before him. Coming inside the room, he looked around the room and Celestine was right; Mariya was still asleep on the bed.
Wizard Cookie: "Oh for goodness sake… Mariya Cookie? Mariya Cookie?! WAKE UP MARIYA COOKIE!!"
Mariya: *groans*... "Euuuuugggghhhh… *yawns* … Mmhhmmm… What time is it?"
Wizard Cookie: "I—... It's nearly dawn."
Mariya: "5 more minutes then…"
Wizard Cookie: "Wuh.. WHAT'D YA MEAN 5 MORE MINUTES!! THE AIRSHIP WILL DEPART ANY MINUTE NOW IF YOU DON'T WAKE UP!!"
Mairya: "Huh wuh…? A-Airship…?"
Wizard Cookie: "Yes you moron! We'll get left behind if you don't get up!"
Mariya: "....."
Wizard Cookie: "... Why are you looking at me like that?"
Mariya: "Close your damn eyes for a moment."
Wizard Cookie: "Why…?"
Mariya: "Just do it."
Being left speechless, he did what he was told and covered his eyes. For a moment, he could hear her mumbling angrily under her breath, yet she sighed.
Mariya: "Alright. Open up."
Wizard Cookie: "Hmm? — W-WOAH! HEY PUT ME DOWN!!"
Mairya: "NOPE!! — Hope you don't throw up "
Wizard Cookie: "What do you mean by TH—AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"
Without even thinking twice, Mariya soon dashes off at the speed of light, phasing through everyone who was just walking by and for Wizard Cookie… He might get sick because of her abnormal speed. They soon reached the Airship Port and it would seem that Celestine was waiting for them to arrive.
Wizard Cookie: "Eeuuuggghhhh…"
Celestine: "Wizard Cookie? Are you alright?"
Wizard Cookie: "I think I'm gonna be sick."
Celestine: "Mari…"
Mariya: "Don't look at me! I only did it because I thought you guys would leave without us. And besides… I at least didn't do that one trick if you did happen to leave us behind, fufu~"
Celestine: *sigh*... "Can you stand?"
Wizard Cookie: "Y-Yes, thank you."
GingerBrave: "Wizard Cookie! Celestine Cookie! It's time to go!!"
Celestine: "We're coming!"
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "We'll be fine! — Wait… Where's Golden Cheese Cookie?"
Hollyberry Cookie: "She went on ahead to go back to her kingdom. But she wishes you the best of luck in your travels, Pure Vanilla Cookie."
Dark Cacao Cookie: "So do we."
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "Alright. Thank you both."
Hollyberry Cookie: "If you do manage to find what you are looking for there, let us know."
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "I will."
Raisin Villager #3: "Wait! Pure Vanilla Cookie!"
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "Hmm?"
Raisin Villager Cookie: "These are for you!"
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "Raisin buns? Hehe~ Thank you kindly, friend."
Mariya: "OOOIIII!!! VAAAANNIIII!!! LET'S GO ALREADY!!!"
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "Coming! — Goodbye my friends. Best of luck to you."
Dark Cacao Cookie: "Likewise."
As the airship lifted itself up in the sky, many of the villagers waved their goodbyes to them and soon… The group soon departed to Beast-Yeast. Whatever may lie ahead for them, they will surely overcome it. However… In the shadows at the Laboratorium, one of the members of were spying on them through their shadowy orb, specifically towards both Mariya and Celestine.
But soon shifted to the Silver Tree where the other 5 members were already on the move to break the beast's from their confinement. Upon their success in freeing them, one of them was left behind, back at the Silver Tree. 4 of the beast cookie's souls were safely transported back to the Laboratorium, yet 1 of the followers stayed behind along with the last remaining beast cookie soul.
Indifferent Follower: "We have successfully 'rescued' the souls. However…"
Feisty Follow: "My dear sister wanted to stay behind with the last soul back at that tree. I don't know what they're up to—"
Loathe Follower: "Though it seems that she has acquired a new name and is happy to 'work' under that soul's wing… For now."
Nightbringer: "Let her do whatever she wants… As long as she comes back with that soul fully intact then there is no need to worry."
Dark Enchantress Cookie: "I'm quite impressed that you lots have made it back without any problems. But… it would seem that you are missing 1 — or rather — the last 2."
Nightbringer: "They'll be here soon enough, so no need to fret, your Grace."
Dark Enchantress Cookie: "Hmph. I sure hope that one of your 'kin' didn't try and betray you out of the blue."
Nightbringer: "Rest assured, your grace…"
…
"They will never betray our Lord…"
…
Mariya: "Eyes on the skies ahead, GingerBrave… Good!"
GingerBrave: "Hehehe~ This seems fun!"
Mariya: "It is… For now anyway."
Wizard Cookie: "I never knew you know how to fly an airship."
Mariya: "I don't."
Wizard Cookie: "WHAAAAT?!??!"
…
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "They seem to be having fun."
Celestine: "Ehehe~ Indeed."
Strawberry Cookie: "Celestine Cookie… Do you think we'll be able to get to Beast-Yeast safely?"
Celestine: "We will, Strawberry Cookie."
Strawberry Cookie: "But what if… We'll never make it there though? Wh-What if—"
Celestine: "... Strawberry Cookie."
Strawberry Cookie: "Hmm?"
Celestine: "Could you come over here?"
Strawberry Cookie: "O-Okay."
The night rose grim, but the stars soon faded in the picture of the blank sky. Many twinkled while some shined brightly for them to be visible to many cookies throughout the land. When Strawberry Cookie sat down next to Celestine, she seemed confused at first but then…
Celestine: "You don't have to think about the destination ahead of us right now, Strawberry Cookie."
Strawberry Cookie: "Humm?"
Celestine: "The journey ahead of us is long and arduous, but we will make it. As of now… You really don't have to think about it now."
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "She's right, Strawberry Cookie. Dwelling on doubts will get us nowhere, so it's best that we don't overthink it."
Mariya: "Worse case scenario that we'll end up crashing down somewhere — possibly right at the sea."
Celestine: "Mari..!!"
Mariya: "I'm joking, joking! — Hey I know! Why not a story, aye?"
Wizard Cookie: "GingerBrave… Eyes on the skies, remember?"
GingerBrave: "R-Right!"
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "A story?"
Mariya: "Yep! Well… Surely you already shared your story to them, no?"
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "I-I suppose I have."
Strawberry Cookie: "What's your story, Mariya Cookie?"
Mariya: "Good question… You sure you wanna hear it?"
Strawberry Cookie: "... Is it scary?"
Mariya: "More than scary it's GRU—ACK!!"
Celestine: "You never learn, Mari…"
Mariya: "Hitting me on the head is so uncool of you, ya know?"
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "Hahaha~ But say… Celestine Cookie, what's your story?"
Celestine: "My story?"
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "Surely you had adventures like this one, yes?"
Celestine: "... Hehe~ I guess you can say that. But maybe I'll tell you my story another time."
Strawberry Cookie: "Aww…"
Mariya: "Hey now! Don't be sad."
Celestine: "Ehehe~ one little story won't hurt."
Strawberry Cookie: "Really…?"
Celestine: "Only if you promise to sleep."
Strawberry Cookie: "Do you promise to finish it later in the morning?"
Celestine: "I will."
As Strawberry Cookie laid her head down to rest beside Celestine, Celestine soon patted her little hooded head and told her a bittersweet story.
…
The skies were rather dim and gloomy, the little girl felt the sand against her cheek while the waves kept occupying her hearing as it crashed into each other with each beat.
When she woke up, her eyes looked at the lifeless sea in front of her. Nothing comes to mind aside from where she came from, but it never occurred to her.
She couldn't speak nor see, only her hearing led her the way… at least towards somewhere — anywhere — she can find something or someone to find comfort.
And when she found—
…
Strawberry Cookie's eyes soon became frail, fluttering and trying to keep themselves open but soon enough… They closed themselves shut, leaving Strawberry Cookie fast asleep. Both Celestine and Pure Vanilla Cookie felt sleepy already, as for Mariya… She went and got a blanket for them to keep themselves warm for the night. Soon after… All three of them fell asleep for the night.
Mariya then told GingerBrave and Wizard Cookie that she'll be taking the wheel for the time being for dawn hits. As the 2 of them went on ahead and hit the hay, Mariya was left alone with the wheel as the airship sailed throughout the night sky towards Beast-Yeast. Yet something was clouding her mind…
Mariya: (That story she told to that little gumball… It wasn't really her story, was it? It was definitely mine. But why? Is your past really that deep to not tell anyone about? Or is it still being written with no proper ending yet?)
…
… Whatever it may be…
I know you have your reasons,
and so do I.
…
Mariya: *sigh*... (No use in thinking about it right now… More importantly, I have a bad feeling that someone's expecting our arrival in Beast-Yeast. Better keep our guard up at all costs. Although… I only have 4 vital drugs left to keep me from overclocking. Hopefully I don't go rampant when it all runs out.) "ACHOOO!! — Eugh.. Stupid allergies!!"
GingerBrave: "MMm.. Nooo… Don't eat meeee~"
Wizard Cookie: "Humm… St-Staaaayyy.. Back… Fieeeendddsss…"
Mariya: *sigh*... "Good grief, you 2."
With a snap of Mariya's finger, her weapon — Hyperion — soon took the wheel. Mariya then crouches down to calm both GingerBrave and Wizard Cookie down from their sleep, the both of them shed a tear while sleeping. Mariya can only look at them with a soft smile and a relieving look and yet… she cannot help but feel a loom of dread within the air.
At the Land of Beast Yeast…
In the Kingdom of Faeries…
The night was rather still, many of the Fairie Cookies were on watch duty while some snoozed their worries away. In the midst of the Kingdom, at White Lily Cookie's glassed coffin… One of the followers of the night stood in front of the coffin with hints of sorrow… And relief. Yet they were only reminiscing about the olden days back home.
Joy'ish Follower: "Seeing you lay so lifelessly makes me all tingly inside~ And yet… What I yearn the most is your corpse be replaced by her holiness…"
Shadow Milk Cookie: "Ooohhh Marinette Cookie~!! — AH! You're here. Did you say something to that lifeless corpse just now?"
Marinette: "... Nothing important to give. And she's not of my importance to give any."
Shadow Milk Cookie: "Ehee~ Well said, my deviant assistant! Now then… The preparations are nearly finished, and it's nearly time to 'welcome' our esteemed guest to the new and improved Faerie Kingdom!!"
Marinette: "Absolutely splendid, my oh-so-wonderful Master!" (Absolute cunt.)
Shadow Milk Cookie: "By the way… I've been meaning to ask about your plan after mine."
Marinette: "Yes, master?"
Shadow Milk Cookie: "You said that those 2 'fiends' will be venturing with those cookies, yes? How can you be sure that they will be with Pure Vanilla Cookie?"
Marinette: "My dear master~ no need to fret… I am very sure…"
…
That they will come along…
No matter the cost…
So rest assured, my dear master~
Those 2 lots… Will come
Whether they dare to or not~
…
Marinette: "My, my~ It's nearly dawn, my liege! Best we skedaddle before more faerie 'cookies' show up."
Shadow Milk Cookie: "... Yes."
…
"Pure Vanilla Cookie…
Pure Vanilla Cookie…!!"
Hmm? The light of freedom?
"Pure Vanilla Cookie…
You must find White Lily Cookie…
Pure Vanilla Cookie…"
…
GingerBrave: "Pure Vanilla Cookie?"
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "Hmm? — O-Oh, sorry… Did I—"
Mariya: "It's nearly noon, Vani. Come on, get up and eat."
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "Ehehe. Truly sorry if I overslept."
Mariya: "There you go again with the word 'sorry'. Look, I get that you're apologetic, even for the littlest of things, but you really shouldn't be sorry for nearly everything, ya know?"
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "S… Right…"
Mariya: "Good, now here — Rice balls. Celestine made these, she made more, but best we save some for the trip."
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "Ah, thank you."
Strawberry Cookie: "Here, you can sit beside us."
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "Much appreciated, Strawberry Cookie."
Mariya: "HEY NOW!! DON'T EAT ALL OF IT!!"
GingerBrave: "But it's so, so good!!"
Celestine: "Ehehehe~ if you want.. I can probably make more."
GingerBrave, Wizard Cookie & Mariya: "REALLY!?!?!??! — Ah…"
Hahahahahaha!!