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Roguefort went with the shadows of the Blue Cheese manor, expertly weaving his way across the long hallways, avoiding any eye contact with any Cookies of status and wealth that made their way towards the grand ballroom.

Completely expressionless, he continued his way, slowly dismantling traps and security systems, hushing the Cookies in charge with promises of riches and gold.

Finally, as all the Cookies of power arrived at the ballroom, Roguefort slipped on his mask and blended with the shadows, a flickering flame that was waiting for its time to shine.

Let the show begin.

~~

Almond chatted with the Cookies of power, occasionally slipping in a word or two about his duties as the soon-to-be head detective. While he wasn't an invited guest, he certainly seemed as if he was meant to be here; the last guests slowly entering the ballroom as the grand doors closed.

With a small chuckle, he listened to the lighthearted dialogue of the Cookies surrounding him, some even offering him a drink. He politely declined, explaining that he had to ensure everyone's safety and would need just the bare minimum for food in case something happened.

Finally, as the lights dimmed and the owner of the Blue Cheese manor stood on the stage, Almond stood in a corner, making sure every visible nook and cranny had nothing suspicious hidden in it.

The game was on.

~~

"I'm the son of one of his father's friends," Roguefort explained.

The Cookie at the reception desk of the hospital raised an eyebrow, slightly questioning Roguefort's motives.

"Sir, we cannot let a random person visit the still-recovering heir of the Nuts family...Do you have any proof of your identity?"

"Uhh..."

"Let him go in, I'll be with him."

Roguefort turned to see Cashew Cookie, holding a jug of food and other things.

She was visibly tired; the abrupt near-murder of her son had torn her to pieces once more, just as it had weakened her soul when Pecan had been murdered. Still, she was putting up a strong act, seeming deceivingly calm.

"Cashew Cookie...?"

The eyes are the window to the soul.

Cashew's gaze was surprisingly welcoming, but Roguefort could tell she felt as if her life was in shambles.

After all, a thief-in-training of not just valuables but also hearts would have to know how to capture them.

"Alright then, this way please," the receptionist spoke as they led the two Cookies into Almond's private hospital room.

When the news of Almond rushed to the hospital had been announced, Cashew remembered frantically dropping her missions to accompany her son; the Cookies of the Main City all gossiping and debating whether Almond would survive; the special forces all going to investigate the crime scene.

The investigation progress sped up tremendously as more clues were found; it was eventually deduced that said missing casualty was either taken or had escaped, which meant there was a possibility said casualty was the criminal.

A scrap of cloth confirmed that it was another attack organised by the Cheeses, specifically Mozzarella Cookie.

As more rumours grew, Buttercream Choco stood out to reassure the Cookies of the Main City, that nothing more was going to happen and Earthbread was at peace, while the Cookies were slowly getting frustrated at how tremendously terrible at apprehending the Cheeses the ruling forces were.

The determination to capture the Cheeses, specifically Mozzarella, dubbed the "merciless murderer" by the Cookies of the Main City, only grew stronger day by day, yet none had managed to capture her for good.

"Almond? Are you alright?"

The Cookie was sleeping. It was as if  all the worries and sorrows had left him as he lay peacefully in the hospital bed, only the sound of a beeping monitor next to them.

Almond slowly woke up, hovering between the lines of consciousness. As his vision slowly cleared, he saw the faint outline of a disguised, yet recognizable, Cookie.

"Roguefort...? What...what happened?"

"Are you alright?! Thank goodness, I was so scared-"

"I'm fine, just really tired and a few pains here and there...you look very puffed up, are you hurt too?"

"It's nothing, I've faced worse..."

"Was it your family again?"

Slowly dipping his head, Roguefort eventually gave a slow nod.

"I'm sorry for dragging you into this mess...I nearly killed you-"

"No, no. You didn't kill me, you aren't responsible for your family's decisions. Don't worry, I'll live through this and I'll keep my promise, alright?"

That promise was never kept.

~~

An envelope floated down from seemingly nowhere, landing at the front of the ballroom, where the host and hostess were supposed to stand.

Murmurs spread between the Cookies of wealth, some pointing at the mysterious envelope, others standing back in fear of what was to happen. 

Realising this, Almond rushed towards the stage, the Cookies of status standing back to make a path for him.

"This is...?"

A dark cyan wax seal, with a symbol of a top hat and a scribble underneath it.

With no hesitation, Almond opened the envelope, only to find a sentence scribbled in golden ink.

"Hearken to me, dear Cookies. Upon starlight's glow I will make my appearance to embrace the brightest of jewels..."

As if on cue, a Cookie burst into the ballroom, terror plastered onto their face.

"Detective Almond! Everyone's possessions...their belongings...they've been stolen! And...and, all the guards seem to have been drugged!"

Another glance at the envelope, and it became clear, for the handwriting was too familiar not to recognise despite it having been years since it was last seen.

"Close off the area! We can't let the thief escape, not so fast! I'll call backup to help!"

"Got it, Detective!"

"Everyone, follow me, I'll lead you all to safety first!"

The once relaxed atmosphere was now filled with tension as the remaining clear-headed guards scrambled to protect those with status and wealth.

As Almond guided the Cookies to the underground bunker, he inspected the letter.

"Upon starlight's glow..."

The nobles all huddled in the bunker, some in tears out of fear, others trying to stay calm with worried expressions.

"Please, stay calm. I'll inform you all once this has been resolved."

Almond gave a sharp nod to the protectors who stood guard in front of the now closed bunker, before sprinting as fast as he could.

After all, there weren't that many places where you could see the stars.

~~

Roguefort stood on the roof of the Blue Cheese manor, overlooking the overgrown forest that isolated the Blue Cheese manor from the Main City, and the garden of said manor, where roses and dandelions bloomed en masse alongside weeping willows that seemed to be guarding the lush garden.

The manor was once home to a family of nobles, yet the Cookies residing had only isolated themselves from the Main City more and more, only inviting the most prestigious guests over for parties.

Some say that these Cookies who were once prestigious nobles turned to a life of crime and burglary, and the only clear-minded sibling slipped away to live in the manor, isolating themselves from the Main City with only the occasional party or two reminding the City of their existence.

Roguefort had heard all of this through whispered stories between the patrons of the juice bar he'd often visit in disguise; about how this Cookie had been invited last year but didn't go, and how that Cookie, despite being viewed as incredibly prestigious, never got an invitation.

Turning back to the garden, Roguefort noticed a speck of white in the midst of reds and yellows.

Making sure his newfound possessions were safely hidden in his cloak, Roguefort leaped from the rooftop into the garden, making sure to land on the path without a sound.

The flower had a small sign next to it.

"The Queen of the Night. If you were to see this flower bloom, you're in luck - it only blooms for one night, and it wilts the next morning after it blooms."

Roguefort studied the flower. It was only just starting to bloom - the petals were slowly unraveling, the flower nearly appearing luminescent as it contrasted the dark night.

The lamps in the garden were not turned on; Roguefort assumed it was because of the robbery.

Right, he'd stolen a few jewels and bribed a few guards. But this couldn't have affected those controlling the lights, right?

Throwing that thought aside, Roguefort sat on the grass, watching the flower unfurl its petals.

The flower completely absorbed Roguefort's attention as it bloomed even brighter like a swan spreading its wings, ready to take off in the dark night. It bloomed without any regrets or remorse. Passionate, almost, as it shined like a candle in the midst of darkness.

A figure sat down next to Roguefort, yet the thief didn't mind as he admired the glimmering jewel in the garden, one that he knew could never be added to his collection.

Perhaps the memory, the tranquility, was the jewel itself.

~~

Tranquility never lasts forever.

A vengeful Cookie watched in the shadows, a blade sharpened.

"This ends now."

The Cookie charged towards the two Cookies, attempting to deal a fatal blow to the detective.

Her knife was instantly blocked by  dagger. Roguefort, quickly noticing what had happened, had jumped to counter the Cookie's attack.

"Still playing the hero, brother?"

"I am no hero. But I won't let you kill another again."

"After so many years, and you still haven't let go..."

A dance of blades, the sounds of colliding blades echoing through the dark night.

"I thought the ambush would finally end it all. Turns out you lot are quite the opponents."

It was an even match; Almond and Roguefort were a duo facing against one, but Mozzarella knew many of her brother's fighting tactics from the time they trained together.

As an attack was parried, and the other dodged, the waltz of battle continued, an unsettling tune of metal clashing and weeds crushed against the Cookies' weight.

A smoke bomb flies towards the two. In a panic, they jump separate ways.

"Unity will not help you now."

The vengeful Cookie strikes her target at the sudden opening, the dagger finding itself in the target's chest, the helpless rushing to his side.

~~

Almond felt as if he was being dragged into the sea.

The world was slowly turning hazy, and an excruciating pain in his chest only amplified the fatigue from the fight, but he had to stay awake. He had to keep his eyes open and reach the surface.

He felt himself being scooped up in someone's arms.

"Come on, not now, don't...don't..."

The figure donning a top hat was holding him, a whirlpool of emotions in his eyes.

Almond fought back against his predicament, but the light only grew dimmer and dimmer as he fell further into the unforgiving depths.

"We'll get you to the medics, come on-"

The surface was only getting farther and farther, and his strength was only flowing away.

Almond tried to find something to hold on, a string, a pillar he could climb up, even a bubble for him to breathe, but only water surrounded him.

There were no options left. His strength was drained.

"Promise me...you'll take care of everyone."

Almond could only hear a vague reply, as he let himself descend into the depths.

His father's low chuckle echoed in his mind.

~~

It felt like an eternity before Roguefort could bear to let go, after the plenilune promise he had made.

From the pocket of Almond fell a badge, the same one from all the years ago, the metal hitting the ground with a soft thud, the words "Never Give Up" shining under the full moon's glow.

Holding back his tears, he picked up the badge, and put it safely in a compartment of his jacket, knowing that he would treasure it, as he would a priceless jewel.

"You..."

Roguefort turned to face his sister, the truth slowly etching itself in his mind.

Rage, disgust, shock, a whirlpool of emotions were swirling in his brain. And the realisation - he had let Mozzarella do it again.

"At least you won't be distracted anymore, brother."

Roguefort was frozen in place, facing the murderer, wanting to charge at her, to scream at how she had ruined everything, question her on why she could easily murder innocents without a hint of remorse.

But he had no strength left to face everything that was happening.

A wave of resentment, even at one that shared the same dough.

"You will never be my sister."

"Hm?"

Mozzarella only looked up from the pocket knife she held.

"I will never be a part of this. I will never be associated with you all."

"Face it, Roguefort! The world is unrelenting to Cookies like us, who come from a family fallen from grace! Your feats will be on television, on newspapers soon enough. Especially this one - killing the son of the Nuts, such a feat!"

"Even so! Even if I have to dance along as one without morals, I won't be a heartless murderer!"

This time, it was Mozzarella who could not find the words to reply.

"The dagger lodged in his heart is not mine, but yours, and yet you still have the audacity to laugh coldly at a death like this."

Regaining her composure, Mozzarella only replied with a snicker.

"Even if we share the same dough, you have never been - and you never will be - my sister, Mozzarella."

As these final words sunk in, Mozzarella did not utter a word, only walking away from the garden, into the woods leading to the Main City.

~~

The sun shone brightly, its rays reflecting on the dagger in the ground.

The Queen of the Night was no longer luminescent, its tainted petals slowly falling to the ground.

Both were gone, what remained of the battle in the night only a dagger, and a music box that played the tune of a long-forgotten wonderland.

~~

After 3 grueling months of fighting against writer's block...

The finale is here.

Thank you all for being with me on this one-year (more than that, actually. About one and a half?) journey. 

Chapter 30 will be tying up all the loose ends, explaining more on the story and how it possibly leads to everything canon in the Cookie Run universe.

Please, tell me your thoughts on this chapter! It is very long and packed, I know-

And I will see you all...in the final chapter. :')

Next chapter:

"You can win against the waters, I believe in you..."

~♤~

The glass of the broken picture frame shattered to the point of no return.

~♤~

"Parfaedia welcomes you. Now, would you mind telling me what you remember?"





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