Blood, all there was, was blood. It left my body like a river, making a puddle on the floor, a dark red color. My body ached, feeling weak, I could barely breathe with each breath heaving with struggle. The pain has gotten to me, but not enough to make me fall and give up my last breath. This feeling I've felt countless times before, always on the brink of death during long hours of war, pain, and suffering. But this time is different, I am fighting with nothing but a clown, not an army. Then why did this feel no different? Why is this so painful to endure? The lies it tells, trying to make your guard drop the second it gets a chance. It only carries greed for power and... deceit, trapping you in its lies. I wouldn't be in this situation if I weren't so foolish. If I hadn't dropped my guard down the second I gave in, I wouldn't be on the edge of dying. No matter the consequences, I must keep getting up. I must fight with death, so I shall win. But how could I when the warmth I used to feel by my side was gone, when all I could feel was the torment of coldness... darkness. Nothing but seeping pain. I stood up, using my sword to support me to stand properly without tumbling. The taste of blood in my mouth grew bolder quickly once I gained consciousness again, everything I did made me feel uneasy. The darkness surrounding me encased me to the point where I felt heavy. Eyes watched me from around every corner, watching my every move. It was watching me. I grasp onto my sword tightly, pointing it out in front of me, I couldn't trust the silence, I never could. "Come out! Show yourself... coward." I sneer. There was no response... only a cackle. "I said show yourself!" I yell louder. My body became tense, I could sense it. It was close. "Oh, silly cookie! I'm right here!" A voice calls out from directly behind me. I turn, only to be greeted by none other than Shadow Milk Cookie. His smile grows wider, his head tilting an uncomfortable amount. "My my my... I see you're still standing... still yet to crumble." Shadow Milk Cookie chuckles at his own words as if anything was funny at the moment. "You. What did you do to Pure Vanilla Cookie!?" Another cackle. "Pure Vanilla Cookie...? That guy? REALLY? Hahaha! As if I would tell you!" Shadow Milk Cookie lowers his tone, leaning closer. "Answer me you fool." I snarl. There was a moment of silence before he leaned back, putting a hand on his chin. "You know... I might as well show you since you're so desperate!" He spurts out, his smile growing wider. I hold onto my sword tighter, waiting for something to happen, maybe an attack. Suddenly, something drops from the high roofs of the void, hanging by strings... and right before my eyes... hangs Pure Vanilla Cookie. "WHAT DID YOU DO!?" I yell, feeling my dough burn with rage. The clown begins to laugh more and more, messing with Pure Vanilla Cookie by the strings. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. What a shame. He couldn't handle much more, so I had to let him go. How weak he was, trembling at my feet! It was quite the show, too bad I didn't make you watch." My eyes widened at the sight of Pure Vanilla Cookie right in front of me, he was struggling to keep himself alive, his body was almost lifeless. "Did I strike a nerve? Did I finally break you and your supposedly tough shell? " His words only fueled my rage, which rose to higher levels.

I charge at Shadow Milk Cookie, wanting to strike him down in an instant. Using my sword I'm able to give him a harsh cut through his arm, but it wasn't enough to make him fall. The clown looks at me as if I've done the worst thing possible, and his smile quickly disappears, turning into a frown. Immediately, I feel the pull of something grasp me, pulling me up to the air with a tight grip, making my sword drop to the ground. "Agh!" I choke on my own words, strings wrapped around my body in a tight pull. "YOU DARE CHARGE AT ME?" He scowls, grabbing onto his arm. I huffed at him, my eyebrows furrowed. "You think that would stop me? I can do the same thing to you as I did to your little friend if I wanted to!" I wince, the strings wrapped around me even tighter. He leaned closer, that insane smirk appearing again on his wretched face. "Feeling weak? Ready to give up yet?" Shadow Milk Cookie cackles, his head tilting again an uncomfortable amount. "I'll never... surrender to you." I choked out, I could barely speak anymore with these strings tied around me. "Hm... I'll just have to make you then!" Shadow Milk Cookie lets out another cackle, the strings wrap around me tighter than before, choking me slowly. He watches me, his grin wider than ever, before the strings loosen. A familiar voice emerges from the void, "Let him go!" The sudden voice roars. Someone charges into Shadow Milk Cookie, making him grunt as he falls back. The strings around me suddenly let go, making me fall back to the ground. A hand reaches out to me, picking me up once I grasp onto it. "There you go, friend." I look at Hollyberry Cookie and let out a sigh of relief, suddenly we both hear a growl behind the both of us. "PESKY COOKIES." The clown snarls. "I'll give you time! Go get Pure Vanilla Cookie!" Hollyberry Cookie says, charging at Shadow Milk Cookie again, trying to stop him from getting to me. I quickly grab onto my sword, running towards Pure Vanilla as I slash the strings holding onto him. He falls from mid-air, falling into my arms once I reach out to him. The sight of him was enough to make me feel weak. I looked upon his pale face, the warmth fading from his dough. He was out cold, his chest heaving with small breaths, struggling to keep himself alive. There was blood seeping through his robe, staining his clothes a dark red. A cookie so sweet, kind, and gentle did not deserve such pain... such cruelness. I couldn't think about anything else... I had to get out of here alive with Pure Vanilla Cookie. "Dark Cacao Cookie go! There's... agh... no time!" Hollyberry Cookie yells from the background, shielding herself from Shadow Milk Cookie's attacks. I look at Hollyberry Cookie, then back at Pure Vanilla Cookie... I needed to help first. I gently lay Pure Vanilla Cookie on the ground, then a grasp onto my sword, slashing right through Shadow Milk Cookie from behind. He stops, his figure starts to fade, and no blood is withdrawn from him while he laughs, "I'll be back! You'll see! You can't keep me away forever!" His laugh slowly fades into nothing but an echo, and the void disappears as well, leaving us back where we were before.

I let out a huff, turning around to see Pure Vanilla Cookie trying to sit up, his body shaking ever so slightly. I drop my sword, running over to Pure Vanilla, and getting on my knees. I lean close, holding him up by his back and waist. My breath was shaky, I don't think I've ever felt so relieved to see that Pure Vanilla Cookie was ok, that I knew I wasn't going to lose him. This has almost happened twice now... I wouldn't want it to happen again. In the quiet of the atmosphere, Pure Vanilla Cookie's cough breaks the stillness, accompanied by a faint smile on his face. With tender hands, he reaches out to touch my face, his warmth comforting against my dough. Concern shows in my words as I ask him softly, 'Will you be alright, Pure Vanilla Cookie?' Gripping his hands gently, I lean in, seeking solace in his presence.

Pure Vanilla Cookie's smile widens, his eyes opening to reveal the mesmerizing contrast of his heterochromia eyes, one a soft yellow and the other a delicate blue. "I'll be alright, Dark Cacao Cookie," he reassures me amidst a cough. Despite his words, worry consumes me; the thought of losing him is unbearable.

Clasping his wrists tightly, I fight back tears, determined not to break down. I draw closer to Pure Vanilla Cookie, enveloping him in a heartfelt embrace, desperately clinging to the comfort he offers.

"I'll stay with you as long as I need to, Pure Vanilla Cookie."

I whisper, showing only a side of myself that I've rarely shown, a side of vulnerability. I can see Hollyberry standing near my side, a look of sorrow on her face. She kneels beside me, putting a comforting hand on my back, and patting it a couple of times, not as harsh as usual. "Come on, let's go home." Hollyberry mumbles, before taking her stand. I look back at Hollyberry Cookie, before standing as well, cradling the light Pure Vanilla Cookie in my arms. I look down at him, his body still trembling ever so slightly from all the pain he must be feeling, I can't help but feel my heart ache as I take in more of the details of his beaten-up appearance. Hollyberry looks back at me, standing a few feet away. I could tell that she could feel my grieving, she knew how much I cared for him, and always did. She was probably waiting for me, of course, I can't stand here all day. So I grab my discarded sword to put it on my back, taking a few steps forward to catch up to Hollyberry Cookie. She smiles slightly, walking right beside me, now leading us on a peaceful journey back home.

The End.

—-------------- Author Note: Hey guys, this was just a little thing I wanted to share since I stopped writing my story and stuff because I didn't know how I was going to continue it. Just so you know this IS NOT a part of the story, just something I thought I should write for fun. :3 Hopefully you guys liked it, might write more in the future! Also thanks for so many reads! I didn't think this story would ever get so popular 😭