The Beast of Deceit had finally escaped from his prison, and all hell broke loose.

For a moment darkness seemed to drench the Faerie Kingdom and grab at it with shadowy hands. Innocent Faerie Cookies collapsed and awoke as corrupted versions of themselves, giggling with malice and immediatly jumping around.

The Cookies gaped at him with terror, finding it nearly unbelievable to have such an ancient force of evil right in front of them and.... well, real.

However, as everyone was focused on the Beast, they didn't notice C/N Cookie stumbling onto her knees. She felt her body go numb, her vision fading more with each pang in her head.

Elder Faerie Cookie noticed first, and looked at her worriedly through misty eyes. "C/N Cookie?" He asked. "What is happening?"

"I-I..." Her breathing got more shallow, not being able to give a proper response. That caused everybody else to look at her as well.

Both White Lily Cookie and Pure Vanilla Cookie had their eyes wide with shock, too frozen to do anything as they watched their best friend. But when she fell to lie on her side, they rushed to her.

"C/N Cookie, can you hear us-?" The Hero of Freedom called out hesitantly.

"Don't- don't lose conciousness again! Please, stay with us!" Pure Vanilla Cookie clutched her hand.

But sadly, she couldn't.

And C/N Cookie was surrounded by darkness. Again. The odd part though, was the laughter of an unfamiliar voice ringing through her ears.

---------------

Not too long after that, she woke up with a start. Heavy breaths fell from her lips in an attempt to calm down her rapidly beating heart. Her first instinct was to look around and try to make out her surroundings.

Which was kinda hard in an all pitch black space.

Truly, C/N Cookie could barely see her own hands in front of her face, the only light source was her F/C soul jam.

"Oh C/N-ie Cookie!~"A sing-song voice tuned suddenly.

Good thing she spent so much time in the Vanillian library when visiting Pure Vanilla Cookie. Ignoring the pang in her chest at the mention, she glares at the newcomer.

"Shadow Milk Cookie..." C/N Cookie murmurs. "The master of knowledge."

Said Beast grinned sinisterly as he appeared behind her. "RING DING DING!" A chuckle fell from his lips as he looked her up and down. "What a pleasure to meet you, Virtue of Justice! Indeed, it is I, the greatest trickster of them all."

The female shook her head. "But... you used your powers for evil... Knowledge turned to deceit! The Witches took your powers and sealed-"

"AND MAY THEY BURN UP IN THE OVEN!" Shadow Milk Cookie shouted, cutting her off.

C/N Cookie was somewhat suprised at his sudden outburst, but her gaze hardened again. "What do you want from me? You corrupted the Faerie Kingdom and caused a panic!"

"Ah, that's just an appetizer. Makes it more fu-un!" He sang. "Besides, do you really think those feeble Cookies can stop me? I don't think you'll be much stronger than I, even when you gave your life powder to that sad little lily."

"Excuse me?"

Shadow Milk Cookie snickered. "No really, why would you make a sacrifice for her? Isn't she a backstabber? Just half a Cookie." He leaned onto her shoulder, but she quickly smacked him away.

"How dare you call her that?! And don't even bring her ino this! How did you know anyway?" C/N Cookie scowled.

The Beast of Deceit tilted his head to the side, giving her a long look as if he was thinking about something. Then he shrugged. "I'm running out of time. Till I get my next chance to talk to you privately, byyee!"

Just like that, he vanished with the shadows. She was alone again.

"C/N Cookie! Wake up, please!"

Pure Vanilla Cookie?

"C/N Cookie, stay with us!"

White Lily Cookie?

Light ignited the dark, blinding her painfully for but a second, yet she opened her eyes slowly.

"C/N Cookie?" It was Pure Vanilla Cookie, who had tears in his eyes while he hovered above her. Once he saw she was concious, he hugged her tightly with a shaky exhale whilst White Lily Cookie held her arm.

The others all watched, before Wizard Cookie turned to glare at the Beast of Deceit. "What have you done to her?!"

C/N Cookie sat up, rubbing her temple and tuning out the conversation in the background. Her vision was still a bit foggy, but then cleared up as she caught sight of her beloved friends.

"Are you alright..?" Pure Vanilla Cookie questioned, his heterochromia eyes roaming over her face for any signs of damaged health.

Her eyes softened, a small tinge of pink spreading across her face at his concern. C/N Cookie sighed, gently wiping her friend's tears and squeezing his hand reassuringly. Though, even she couldn't keep the small uncertain stutter out of her voice. "I-I'm fine. Just a bit dazed is all..."

The male nodded, White Lily Cookie breathed out in relief. After she got up with their help, Shadow Milk Cookie had just ended another one of his monologues.

"Ah! There you are, the star of the day! Everyone, give a warm round of applause to C/N Cookie." Shadow Milk Cookie called, pointing an arm into mentioned Cookie's direction, who backed a step away.

Elder Faerie Cookie scowled as he looked at his old enemy. "I will not show a shred of mercy to you, and I shall use every bit of strenght I have left to drive you back into the tree, you hellspawn!"

"Ooh! You wish to join me on stage? I should give you a most cordial welcome!"

---------------

Everyone was starting to lose their energy and power.

C/N Cookie had to lean onto her spear for support, her body battered with cuts and bruises. Her friends didn't look any better. GingerBrave had a black eye, Strawberry Cookie and Wizard Cookie matching burns on their arms.

White Lily Cookie, not wanting anyone to worry, tried to cover up her shoulder that was oozing with jam, much to the others' dismay, while Pure Vanilla Cookie was trying to tend to their wounds, though the gash on his leg slowed him down.

"Our attacks... are no use.." He muttered.

"Your majesty, are you unharmed?" Mercurial Knight Cookie retracted his steps to stand next to his king, Silverbell Cookie following him with worry. The Faerie King nodded. "I am fine."

Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, C/N Cookie saw Shadow Milk Cookie's face light up, his eyes sparkling with malice. He flicked his staff and a ball of blue fire flew towards the Faeries. Luckily she was quick to run in front of them, raising her spear and block the attack, sending it right back at the former Cookie of Knowledge, who just stared with bewilderment.

Though, the staggered look was wiped right off when the fireball combusted and small flames hissed, burning his cheek. "ARGH-!" That should do little damage to a Cookie as ancient as him, yet it still must've hurt considering it was his own attack.

Elder Faerie Cookie quickly used the power of the Guardian to seal Shadow Milk Cookie away while he was distracted, despite the Beast's protests. Everyone stood, catching their breaths.

...

It should be over... for now.