Pure Vanilla was stunned. He didn't quite know what to say. Shadow Milk? After him? He could sort of understand his soul jam; a powerful artifact such as it would no doubt be on this power-hungry beast's mind.

But him? Simple, old Pure Vanilla? He didn't think he was anything special. It was the soul jam's powers that helped him protect his friends and his people.

"Pure Vanilla?" Gingerbrave tugged at Pure Vanilla's robe, worry in his brow.

"This is...worrying," Pure Vanilla slowly said, "but I don't see why he would even want me to begin with."

"Best be cautious, still." Silverbell said.

Pure Vanilla took a moment to consider this, as Wizard pulled him along again.

"We have to see if the soul jam shard is still there," he said, "while you were out, the light went out and Silverbell couldn't find it."

"Maybe if you're there," Gingerbrave said, "you'll be able to find it!"

Pure Vanilla gave a grateful smile and nodded. "I believe the same, Gingerbrave. Let us go with haste."

And so, they quickly trotted to an opening. It was clear just with a glance that this area was much more alive than the other burnt and chaos-filled than the other, more devastated parts. Pure Vanilla knew that this must be the work of White Lily's power, knowing how her soul jam worked well.

Pure Vanilla stepped forward and looked around at the plant life. He smiled, unable to hide his joy at the healthiness of the nature around him. He always did have a weak spot for greenery.

He felt a calming and warm sensation wash over him as he walked to the center of the clearing. The center looked as if it was the origin of all the plants, flowers and vines sprouting from this specific spot and growing all about, climbing up the surrounding trees.

He knelt down and gently held up a lily, smelling the strong scent that he was always fond of.

From the lily, a soft glow arose and Pure Vanilla picked up the shard of White Lily's soul jam.

***

"Pure Vanilla..." a soft voice trickled past his face. He opened his eyes to find himself laying on a bed of sweet smelling flowers. Sitting up, he found his friends laying nearby, also waking up.

"A vision..." Silverbell murmured. "...of White Lily's past..."

The vision in question was that of White Lily meeting and healing Silverbell.

"The soul jam," Wizard said, "must have showed us that!"

Pure Vanilla looked down at his hand, which still held the shard tightly. A new determination filled him.

"My friends," he said boldly, "let's keep going! We must find White Lily and return her soul jam!"

Silverbell nodded and smiled with confidence.

"Yeah! This way, follow me, we're so close to the kingdom, just a little farther!"

***

The night came faster than expected, blanketing the forest in the dim glowing of the moon. Per Silverbell's advice, they hunkered down for the night. They found a large tree with a dip they could all lay in comfortably, and could protect their unconscious bodies.

"It's so cold..." Strawberry murmured, shivering. Wizard and Gingerbrave agreed, huddling together for warmth. Noticing this, Pure Vanilla took off his cape and draped it over the three children, smiling softly.

"Now, you three get to bed," He said, "there's much to do tomorrow."

The children nodded and closed their eyes, swiftly getting enveloped in sweet sleep that lured them into its embrace.

"Uhm, Pure Vanilla?" Silverbell quietly asked, scooting closer to the ancient cookie.

"Yes?"

"I have a...question, if you will."

"Hm? Please, do ask."

"What was White Lily Like? I-I mean, before she came...here."

Pure Vanilla had to pause and consider this question. He had always observed White Lily when she was busy observing the cookie world, her beautiful hair, her distinct smell, her curious eyes.

"She was curious," he finally said, "always looking around at the world and wanting to learn something new. Searching for something I didn't quite understand."

"I-I meant," Silverbell's face reddened, "what was she like with you?"

"Hm? Ah..."

He could almost feel her soft hands still on his cheeks, asking him questions about his kingdom and specifically the cracker used to build up the houses. Oh, or when she would watch his reflection in water and tell him how pretty he was that day. When she would tease him, tickling his nose with the flowers he'd gift her.

"She was my best friend." He concluded, a small smile etched on his face.

Silverbell but his lip but nodded, smiling.

"You must of loved her a lot."

"Oh, I did."

"She did too. It sometimes seemed like you were the only cookie on her mind."

"Hm? Oh, I can't believe that. How could she think of me when she was in such a beautiful place like this?"

Silverbell shrugged. "When you're somewhere long enough, the whimsy wears off. Speaking of that, what's the Pure Vanilla kingdom like?"

"I think it's a beautiful place, where everyone works together to make it as such."

"What about the plants? What kind of flowers? White Lily told me you had lots of lilies, but what else?"

Pure Vanilla told Silverbell about all the flowers, of course about the lilies but also the jellyragora, vanilla beans, and the yogurt flowers that gave the perfect smell to the kingdom. He told him about the chocolate bark trees that gave shade to the young students as well as the elder cookies. He even mentioned the grapes that were grown to make raisins for raisin bread.

Silverbell listened with wide eyes, amazed. He couldn't stop himself from asking about the culture, cookies, and even the structures, and gaping at how different, but amazing, it sounded.

"A school you yourself founded for your cookies, as one of your most important projects..." Silverbell murmured in awe. "You're so kind!"

"You needn't say that," Pure Vanilla sheepishly said, smile weary and eyes dark, "it's just novel."

"I was born a Silver Knight, so defense came before everything. Everything else, I learnt from White Lily."

"Oh?"

"I don't mean to sound pessimistic, but I never did like how...war focused the guardian is. He's doing it to protect the faerie cookies, I know that, but I wish I could have been able to go to school like a normal faerie kid."

Silverbell turned away, embarrassed.

"I shouldn't have said that, I-I probably sound ungrateful—I'm not, by the way! I'm so grateful I can serve and protect the Faerie Kingdom-"

Pure Vanilla simply smiled, shaking his head and unable to contain a small chuckle.

"Come."

Silverbell tilted his head in confusion as Pure Vanilla pulled himself up and held out his hand to the cookie.

"Come," he repeated, "would you like a lesson on the stars?"

***

"Time to wake up!" Gingerbrave sang, prancing around with his cane held high.

"Hrg..." Wizard grumbled, "it can't be already morning!"

Gingerbrave pulled Pure Vanilla's cape off his two groggy friends and turned to Pure Vanilla.

"Here ya go, Pure Vanilla!" He said proudly, holding out the cape with both hands.

"Thank you, Gingerbrave." Pure Vanilla giggled as he slid his cape back on. Gingerbrave beamed with even more pride, then rushing outside to be met with the welcoming morning warmth.

Silverbell was already outside, stretching his limbs and gazing up above.

"Whatcha looking at?" Gingerbrave asked, skipping over to the faerie.

"They sky," Silverbell answered, "did you know the sun is a star?"

"Yeah! Pure Vanilla taught me all about that."

"Pure Vanilla sure knows a lot."

"Yeah, well, he is the bearer of truth! Or something like that..."

Silverbell cast his gaze to the three cookies emerging from the tree, taking in the sunlight that came from high above them.

"Bearer of truth, huh..." Silverbell smiled. "Is everyone ready?"

"Yes!" Strawberry replied, clutching her hands to show it.

"Lead the way, Silverbell!" Wizard said, excitedly hopping around.

Silverbell beamed and took the lead. "We should get there today, if we don't run into trouble!"

"Sweet!" Gingerbrave said.

With the silver faerie in the lead, the group of five was once again on their way.

***

Finally. After all the traveling, all the times they almost got caught, they were finally at the edge of the Faerie Kingdom.

Elder Faerie glanced at the still unconscious White Lily. He bit cheek, unable to think of anything besides of how much he let her down.

He was the one who let her go to the witches feast. He was the one who let her become like this, unable to move or communicate or do anything.

And when they needed her most, his actions led to the downfall of his kingdom because she couldn't help even if she wanted to.

"...your majesty?" Mercurial Knight said.

"My apologies." Elder Faerie shook his head. "It's nothing."

His words ring true. If he wanted a chance to send the beast back where he came from, he would have to stop self pitying and start thinking of a plan.

"We need a source of life energy," Elder Faerie had concluded, "to bring back White Lily."

"But who could be strong enough?" Mercurial Knight asked.

"Me. I will sacrifice myself.

"But..."

"Speak up."

"We need you, your highness. Without you, who will lead us? Who will be the guardian?"

"White Lily will. With my life energy, I will send my powers to her."

Mercurial Knight didn't speak, even though he knew very well that White Lily wouldn't take kindly to being turned guardian without her consent.

"Very wise, but what can White Lily do if Pure Van-"

Elder Faerie stopped and turned to face the silver knight.

"Pure Vanilla cannot be here. Shadow Milk is lying to us." The guardian bluntly stated, his wings stiffening. "As much as I'd like a cookie as strong as himself here to fight with us, there is simply no way a cookie with no wings, no fins, or any other way to travel swiftly can be here."

Mercurial Knight quietly nodded, clutching his spear. Elder Faerie sighed and turned back around.

"Thank you for supporting me in this decision. White Lily may not be excited about this, but it's the most plausible choice for our success."

"Yes, guardian."

Elder Faerie began walking again. Just get to the gate, and they could finally awaken White Lily to save them.

The gate was right there. He could feel it. He could see it.

"And where are we going?!"

In the blink of an eye, Shadow Milk was right in front of Elder Faerie, a wide and toothy grin spreading from ear to ear.

"You!-" Elder Faerie gasped as he held up his spear.

"Now, now!" Shadow Milk held up his hands, mocking the guardian. "Let's not get violent yet, the first act has just barely begun!"

"The first-" Elder Faerie scowled, rage boiling up. "This isn't a game, you beast!"

"Yap, yap, all you do is say words!" A sinister fog began to form as he said this. Elder Faerie and Mercurial Knight readied themselves for the worst.

"Let the show begin!"

And just like that, the fog was gone as well as Shadow Milk. Rubble and fire was before them where the gate should have been, blocking their path.