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"The next train to the City of Wizards is in one week, from the Badlands Depot, then across Happy Healthy Hamlet, then Main City is its last stop before it arrives at the City of Wizards. It arrives at the Main City stop at 2pm and arrives at the City of Wizards at 3pm...that's a long ride!"

"Exactly one week after?"

"Yep! I'll book tickets for you two if you're comfortable?"

"Sure!"

The older Cookie pressed the button on her cellphone, the beeping noise indicating her payment was successful.

"There we go! The tickets will be delivered shortly...you sure you don't need me to come with you two?"

"Nah, BBP told me she needs us two in specific. Plus, we have the magic powder that she gave us! We'll be fine."

~♤~

"Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near."

The masked and tanned Cookies sat in a study, a map of Cookieland planted on the table. Pens and chess pieces were scattered across the wooden surface; two Kings and two Queens were placed directly on the map, alongside a few black and white pawns.

"A wise soldier you are indeed." the tanned Cookie nodded their head.

"I am simply a tool of chaos. Our forces will all be in disguise, for storming the City of Wizards without magical protection will never work."

"And you will be on the afternoon train?"

"Precisely. You may come too, if you wish."

"I'll leave that up to you."

"Very well then. According to my sources..."

The masked Cookie moved the White Queen to the City of Wizards, keeping the black Queen in the Main City.

"The two Cookies we target," the weapon continued, "will take the train to the City of Wizards. Since you will be staying here, I will launch the attack once they get off the train."

"So our forces will be waiting at the train station?"

"Precisely. You, here, will have a tablet for you to give out instructions to your troops and control the security cameras so no one will have to take responsibility after all this is done."

"Understood."

"When all goes as planned..."

"It will be checkmate for those two."

~♤~

"I wish them luck on their endeavors."

"Truly, this is my last chance."

"Revenge, once and for all."

"The truth will finally be untold."

~~

"Remember to stay safe! Be very cautious."

The two Cookies were at the back door of the Nuts' mansion once more. Cashew had dressed them up in completely different disguises, hidden protective gear in their suits. Although Roguefort didn't really like the outfit, it did give him a sense of reassurance that he was going to be fine after all that has happened, as he did have multiple concealed weapons. He did promise himself never to kill, so he was also slightly unsure what he would do if something actually happened. 

Almond, on the other hand, had his mini crossbow and tranquilizer darts again, as well as a few other necessities. He also carried all the letters from Blueberry Pie.

Finally, both Cookies had their half of the magic powder, hidden safely in a pocket of both their coats.

"We will, mom!" Almond replied.

"Cashew Cookie?"

Roguefort tugged on Cashew's shirt.

"What is it?"

"Before I leave, I just wanted to say, thank you for taking care of me these few weeks. I know I'm the son of your enemy family and all, and you're definitely not obliged to do this."

A warm smile appeared on Cashew's face, as she understood that Almond had found a great friend after all.

"No problem, Roguefort. In the end, we are all just Cookies, are we not? The best we can do is to help one another before we all eventually Crumble."

 "It's getting late, we should go..."

"Alright then, you two head out. You don't want to miss the train.."

Cashew ushered them both out the door, pointing in the direction of the train station.

"You already know the way, I suppose. Be careful out there and I'll see you tomorrow!"

"Thanks, mom!"

The two Cookies started their trek towards the train station, winding through hidden paths and dark alleyways.

"Safe travels..."


~~

"Mozza did what? Team up with them? How...?"

"I knew there was something special inside her. I allowed it, of course; anything to get them apart."

"Cheddar, have you gone insane? You let her do something so risky? Anything goes wrong and we are easily found. There's also the factor that she isn't fully healed! Why did you allow it?"

"Do you not understand? She wants chaos, and she will do anything to get it."

"That is your view. You projected this view on her, leaving her no chance to object."

"Pretending to be the protagonist, I see. What are you going to do now? Pretend you haven't stolen items worth millions and become a farmer in the far lands?"

"I am merely concerned for her safety, Cheddar! She will Crumble out there if anything goes wrong."

"So?"

A desperate glare.

A realization.

A heart gone cold.

She stood from her chair and left the room, heading to her daughter miles away.

For in his eyes she saw no emotion, no care, no love.

~~

"Mozzaerlla?"

The door creaks.

She walks in, seeing a room full of threads and maps, locations marked on the crisp white sheets with red markers.

"What is it?"

A deep sigh.

"You teamed up with them."

"I did. They do not know it is me, for I have been in disguise."

"This will be a very important mission for you, then. To finally retrieve your brother from the hands of fake justice."

"I suppose you have high expectations?"

No answer.

An embrace not returned.

"Stay safe, Mozza. Your walls are high, but I know how you feel deep inside."

She made no effort to return the hug.

A warm smile, she stepped back, looking at her eyes.

In her eyes she saw no emotion, no care.

But she did see a hint of love.

And that was all she needed.

"Don't get hurt."

A thud of a door closed shut once more.

The glimmer was no more; she put on her masquerade mask, armed with all she needed.

And she was gone with the wind.

~~

"So, care for a game of chess?"

"Sure!"

The two Cookies were comfortably seated on the bus, Almond fishing a travel-sized chess board and pieces out of his backpack.

They say time focuses when you concentrate - it was certainly true for the two Cookies as all their attention was drawn to the black and white pieces on the board in mere minutes.

Almond and Roguefort had both grown a liking to the board game while they lived together - they were basically trapped together in the same house, with no way to go outside unless it was for trips like these, as any glimpse of Almond or Roguefort undisguised would send reporters dashing their way, and the Kings and Queens on the board helped them pass their time.

The sixty minutes flew by like the wind outside the train.

"Final stop, the City of Wizards. Thank you for travelling with us!"

Snapping out of their concentrated trances, both Cookies looked away from the 64 squares. 

"The City of Wizards! Come on, let's go!"

Stuffing the chess set into his bag, Almond grabbed Roguefort, leading him off the train.

The Cookies getting off the train seemed to be in a rush, as if they were running late to a timed buffet.

After a lot of pushing through, the two Cookies stepped into the City of Wizards. 

The City gave off a calm yet powerful aura - magic was in the air.

Amid the blur of Cookies rushing, a dangerous set of eyes glared at their prey.

Before Roguefort was able to take in the scenery, a Cookie charged towards the two Cookies that had just gotten off the train.

Instantly, a magical barrier formed between the incoming Cookie and the two frightened Cookies.

"Who's that?"

Almond held his crossbow, ready to shoot any intruders, with a sudden surge of confidence.

"So, you came prepared..."

A pair of ice-cold eyes stared from behind a masquerade mask.

Roguefort recognized the glare immediately; Almond was too focused at his surroundings, afraid that there were other Cookies approaching closer ready to attack.

A fortune cookie slid across the floor, Roguefort picking it up and breaking it open immediately, its remnants falling to the floor.

"Look to your left! I'll bring you to the Archives."

Roguefort tore his gaze away from the masked Cookie, and a familiar silhouette from behind a pillar signaled for the two Cookies to run towards them.

"What's that?"

"Follow me, Almond, we need to go!"

Realizing that the forcefield was deteriorating, Almond shot a dart at the masked Cookie, not caring to see if it hit as Roguefort grabbed Almond and the two ran towards the pillar.

The masked Cookie easily caught the dart, throwing the dart towards the running Cookies.

It pierced the barrier, slightly weakening it, but it was not enough to break the magic.

Mozza knew it was useless to chase them; no matter the amount of physical forces she had, she knew it would not be enough to completely destroy the magic.

A simple tap on the metal device on her chest.

"Forces, you'll have to do some bribing, leave your places and go recruit Cookies. Specifically, wizards and those with magic..."

~♤~

[Originally published Dec 24, 2020]

I got this done before Christmas! Oookay, this is epic!

(Realizes it's Xmas Eve)

Anyways..

The magic powder works, but at what cost? Who is the tanned Cookie working with Mozza? What is the real truth behind the Nuts and Cheeses' rivalry? Will Almond and Roguefort return safely?

All will be revealed in Chapter 25!

I really hope you enjoyed this chapter and I'm sorry for the inconsistent schedule D:

I will aim to release ch25 before 2021 though!

See you soon!

Next chapter:

"Obviously...she will have more than that..."

~♤~

"The fool really fell for my trap. They will have nothing left if this fails, and nothing more if this succeeds..."

~♤~

"Let us uncover the missing truth."





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