The Forgotten...

Then, in the midst of his emotional turmoil, Mochaccino heard a familiar voice behind him, causing him to flinch. "I saw what you got up to in the Consul's chambers. Mischievous, especially against our newest guest. You seem fun, I think I'll tag along with you for a little while."

"Ah!" Mochaccino gasped, his tear-streaked face snapping up, startled by the sudden voice.

With a determined effort to dry his tears and regain his composure, he turned around, only to find Strawberry Crepe standing there, a hint of amusement in their eyes. It was astounding how much could transpire in such a brief span of time.

It appeared that Mochaccino had already garnered an admirer of his work, as the young engineer seemed to sport a sly grin, clearly enjoying the minor startle they had inflicted on the scientist.

"Ahem... H-hello, Strawberry Crepe Cookie," Mochaccino stammered, his voice betraying a sense of unease. "If I may ask, did you witness my, um, recent visit to the Consul's quarters? If you did, could you kindly keep this between us?"

"Eh, it's not that big a deal," Strawberry Crepe responded with a casual shrug. "But I'll cut to the chase. You were investigating in the Consul's chambers, right? So, what were you looking for? Did you find anything interesting?"

"I was following His Majesty's orders. As for making any discoveries, it's not as simple as that when it involves deciphering Light Magic enchantments. If I could read them, it would be a different story," Mochaccino lamented, a tinge of disappointment in his voice.

Strawberry Crepe's grin remained undiminished as they leaned in closer, exuding an air of enthusiasm. "Well, don't worry, because you and I can figure this out. Just imagine what two geniuses like us could accomplish. We can make history."

"That's... not the matter at hand, my friend. I simply cannot bring myself to believe the Consul would have anything evil planned. He's not a bad Cookie," Mochaccino reasoned, his voice tinged with uncertainty as he grappled with his inner doubts.

"But what if he is?" Strawberry Crepe insisted, deftly stoking the embers of Mochaccino's apprehension. "Think about it, he could just be concealing his true intentions from everyone, cloaked behind his 'politeness' and 'courtesy.' Or maybe, he's orchestrating some intricate plot, a game of chess in motion."

"I have no desire to entertain such a notion. We all have our secrets, and perhaps he's no different. But he has never given me reason to doubt him," Mochaccino responded, his voice carrying a hint of exasperation, pushing back against the doubts clouding his judgment.

"Yeah, and asking for the Soul Jams of the Ancient Heroes is totally a normal thing," Strawberry Crepe quipped, their tone dripping with sarcasm. "I mean, wanting to gather all three Soul Jams in one place is surely not suspicious."

Mochaccino lapsed into silence, the weight of the engineer's words hanging in the air. His lack of immediate response served as a tacit acknowledgment of the uncomfortable truth. "...I still don't want to believe it, not without proof," he admitted, his voice tinged with reluctance.

"C'mon Mochaccino Cookie... what other proof do you need? He shows up out of nowhere, scanned for 2% connivingness within his dough, and asks for the Soul Jams all willy nilly..." Strawberry Crepe listed off each point, their mechanical fingers ticking through the list like an animated inventory.

"...and the icing on the cake with a big, juicy cherry on top... he reveals that the White Lily Cookie is actually Dark Enchantress Cookie," they added, a conspiratorial gleam in their electronic eyes as they delivered their argument. "Do I have to spell it out for you or what? He's planning something."

Despite Mochaccino's persistent denial, he couldn't deny the logic in Strawberry Crepe's words. The engineer had presented a compelling case against Clotted Cream's intentions

 Mochaccino couldn't shake off the nagging feeling that the Consul's actions and words were indeed suspect.

Yet, his trust in Clotted Cream remained, torn between his loyalty to the Crème Republic and his growing uncertainty.

As he grappled with these internal conflicts, Mochaccino's frustration became palpable. "Ugh, I don't know what to do..." he sighed heavily, his hand ruffling his hair in a gesture of exasperation.

"I'm... gonna go for a walk, try and clear my head a bit." With those words, he rose from his seat, hands buried deep in his pockets, and took slow, contemplative steps, his gaze fixed on the ground as he walked away.

Strawberry Crepe merely offered a casual shrug, observing Mochaccino's departure with a mechanical nonchalance that seemed detached from the brewing turmoil.

The engineer had more pressing matters occupying their gears and circuits, anyway.

Meanwhile, the scientist, grappling with doubts and the uneasy weight of moral ambiguity, felt an unsettling restlessness during his meandering walk.

The aimless steps led him to the welcoming glow of the Crow's Nest Inn, its lights beckoning him like a haven in the midst of his internal storm.

As he pushed through the door, the warm ambiance of the humble establishment embraced him. The murmur of conversations and the clinking of glasses provided a backdrop to his contemplations.

Engrossed in his thoughts, Mochaccino's gaze remained fixed on the floor. However, amid the ambient sounds, a lone voice pierced through the noise.

"Barkeep! A glass of juice." There, seated on a barstool with an air of melancholy, was Hollyberry. Her eyes, fixed on the table, betrayed a somber expression that hinted at the weight of recent events.

"The usual?" The Barkeep queried, his voice carrying a hint of familiarity as he regarded Hollyberry. In response, she offered a nod, a gesture weighted with a sense of solemnity that hung in the air.

"Yes... You know what, no. Make it extra strong. The stronger, the better," Hollyberry instructed, her voice carrying the burden of weariness, the weight of recent events palpable in her words.

"Right away! One glass of berry juice, extra strong and sweet!" The Barkeep announced, his hands deftly moving to prepare the requested concoction, the clinking of glassware adding a subtle rhythm to the establishment's ambiance.

Feeling the need for solace, Mochaccino spoke up, lifting his head from its usual downward gaze.

His voice, usually vibrant, now lacked its characteristic energy as he addressed the Barkeep, "One for me, as well."

With that, he walked towards the table, settling into the stool next to Hollyberry with an air of dejection.

"Mochaccino Cookie? I'm surprised to see you here," Hollyberry remarked, her initial surprise morphing into genuine concern as she took note of his somber expression. The dim light of the inn cast shadows on his face, revealing the toll of the burdens he carried.

"I know, my presence here is... likely unwanted by you, Miss Hollyberry Cookie. Especially after what happened today..." Mochaccino admitted, his gaze downcast, the weight of his words reflected in the subtle creases on his forehead. "I would like to apologize on behalf of His Majesty. He let his anger get the better of him, and... well, I did not help the situation."

His voice, usually confident, carried a note of genuine remorse, the sincerity of his apology evident in the downturn of his lips and the shadows that lingered in his eyes. "I just wasn't in the right mind, is all."

The scientist's voice began to trail off like a distant echo. "...not to say it was excusable, what I did. And I'm still not in my fair judgment right now, is the long and short of it. And because of it, Financier Cookie was injured... This is possibly the lowest I've ever felt."

The atmosphere in the inn seemed to grow heavier as the weight of his confession settled. Mochaccino's vulnerability was laid bare, and the dim light of the establishment cast a somber tone on his figure. The murmurs of other patrons provided a subdued backdrop to the unfolding drama at the table.

"It's true that I was furious when you attacked Clotted Cream Cookie, and it's not something I can easily forgive," Hollyberry started, her words carrying a stern edge that briefly etched a look of dismay on the scientist's face.

However, her expression softened slightly as she continued, "But I can see you're genuinely sorry. It takes a lot of courage to admit you made a mistake, so I respect that."

Mochaccino's eyes flickered with a mix of gratitude and regret, his acknowledgment of her understanding hanging in the air. "I promise, I tried to find another way... to talk things through with His Majesty."

"But his tone... his stare... it was dead," he sighed, the memory of Dark Cacao's commanding presence haunting his words. "It just... instilled a fear in me... of what would happen if I failed him. That's why I did not refuse his order."

Hollyberry sighed, her features creased with a mixture of guilt and disappointment. "Yes... well... I understand how you feel. There were Cookies whom I considered my old friends... But now? I don't even know what to think... We used to do everything together, we were always honest with each other..."

"I feel like such an old fool..." Her voice trailed off, revealing the depth of her inner turmoil, and the ambiance of the Crow's Nest Inn seemed to resonate with the shared burden of their uncertainties.

"Hardships? There were none we couldn't overcome. And, at the end of the day, we laughed, we drank, we feasted. How did we let this happen...?" Hollyberry continued, her words carrying a wistful echo that seemed to reverberate through the inn, a lament for the days of camaraderie that had slipped through their fingers like sand.

The dim light cast intricate patterns on the wooden table, dancing in harmony with the emotions woven into Hollyberry's voice.

Mochaccino listened, a silent witness to the unraveling of a friendship that had once weathered countless storms.

The ambiance of the inn, once filled with the murmurs of patrons and the clinking of glasses, now hung in a poignant stillness.

"I can only speak from my own experiences, but... I find that even the closest of friends can drift apart over time," Mochaccino said, his voice carrying a weight of melancholy that mirrored the bittersweet notes of a fading melody.

Visions of Affogato flickered in the scientist's mind, a friendship shattered and replaced by the cold remnants of resentment.

The scientist's gaze became distant, lost in the recesses of his memories. "I once made someone who I considered a friend, my own family, feel like I had turned my back on him," he confessed, the shadows of regret weaving through his words. "I thought we were close, but he... ended up hating me. I don't know why, I thought we were getting along well."

He paused, the silence echoing the unresolved emotions that lingered between the lines of his tale. The dim glow of the inn's lights seemed to soften, casting a muted glow on Mochaccino's face as he continued.

"But then, one day when he finally told me what I'd made him feel, when we'd finally somewhat mended the bridge... he left. He said it was for the better of the masses, that he no longer wanted to harm anyone... To this day, I do not know where he is, or how he's doing... nor if I will ever see him again."

Mochaccino's admission hung in the air, a delicate vulnerability laid bare for both Hollyberry and the shadows of the past to absorb.

The scent of berry juice lingered in the air as he took a sip, grounding himself in the present moment. "Even then... I still feel that perhaps he's changed, that he still has goodness in him. Because despite his betrayal, his lies, and the harm he's done... he's still my friend."

Mochaccino admitted, his eyes holding a distant gaze that hinted at the complex tapestry of emotions woven into his history. "After all, in the past, all we knew was unity. He and I, surviving together... I can't deny our bond."

Hollyberry lapsed into thoughtful silence, her eyes reflecting the intricate dance of shadows and light within the dimly lit inn.

The weight of the scientist's words hung in the air like the delicate strands of an unresolved melody, creating an atmosphere tinged with introspection.

Finally, she spoke up, her voice a measured cadence carrying a note of sincerity. "So... you and your friend... helped each other out with even the smallest of tasks? We, too, used to think in unison and look towards the future together... When did we lose our unity...?"

Mochaccino, having taken the last sip of the berry juice, regarded her with a gaze marked by understanding. "I hope you find it in your heart to forgive Pure Vanilla Cookie. In his defense, it's not every day you find out your friend is the one you're fighting against."

The resonance of his words echoing in the quietude of the inn. "I'm sure if you talk things through with one another, get in his shoes, try to understand how he must've felt knowing that he'd have to reveal a secret he didn't want to share..."

As Mochaccino stood up to leave, the soft creaking of the wooden stool punctuated the somber air. He paid for his drink and walked toward the door, the ambient light casting a fleeting glow on his retreating figure.

But before he left, he turned back to offer Hollyberry one last piece of advice, his gaze carrying the weight of shared experience. "Miss Hollyberry Cookie... holding secrets you just can't bring yourself to tell those you respect... it hurts."

"It tears you apart from the inside. Guilt grips your heart, and leaves you questioning if you are even... yourself. So... I hope you and the other Ancient Heroes can make amends..."

With those parting words, Mochaccino left the inn, the door softly closing behind him. The exchanged sentiments lingered in the air, leaving Hollyberry in the contemplative embrace of the inn's quietude.

The echoes of pain and regret in the eyes of the once-powerful Ancient Hero mirrored the turmoil within Mochaccino's own conscience.

The tasks bestowed upon him by Dark Cacao were shrouded in secrecy, an unspoken burden that weighed heavily on his soul.

Back at the inn, Hollyberry stood in a momentary reverie, her eyes following the diminishing silhouette of the departing scientist.

The echo of Mochaccino's words resonated within her, creating a profound ripple of emotions that stirred the depths of her soul.

"...When in doubt or in trouble, we used to share our deepest hopes and fears... After all, that's what friends are for!" she exclaimed, the tremor in her voice betraying the impact of Mochaccino's sentiments.

The room seemed to hold its breath, absorbing the weight of the shared history and camaraderie that now felt fragile.

"That's right! We must talk! I can't bear to imagine how Pure Vanilla Cookie must be feeling... One of my dearest friends! I can't put any blame on him; we need to talk this through." Finishing the last remnants of her berry juice, Hollyberry rose from her seat, her determination rekindled. "But first, I need to go and find Dark Cacao Cookie!"

Resolute, Hollyberry navigated the bustling streets toward Dark Cacao's Campgrounds, anticipation and purpose propelling her steps.

However, confusion clouded her expression as she reached the camp, observing a scene that defied her expectations.

The Cacaoian troops, usually stationed with unwavering discipline, were now in the midst of packing their equipment, creating an atmosphere of urgency.

"What is going on here?! The soldiers are packing for departure!" Hollyberry exclaimed, a furrow forming on her brow as she surveyed the unexpected activity unfolding before her.

The juxtaposition of departure preparations against her quest to find Dark Cacao added an air of mystery and urgency to the unfolding narrative.

"Hm?! Why are you here?" Crunchy Chip asked, the Wolf Captain's eyes widening in surprise at the unexpected arrival of Hollyberry, breaking the monotony of their preparation.

"Tell me what's going on here!" Hollyberry demanded, her voice cutting through the air with a mix of urgency and confusion, her eyes scanning the bustling scene of troops in rapid preparation.

"His Majesty ordered us to start packing! We're riding back to the Dark Cacao Kingdom!" Crunchy Chip announced, his authoritative tone mirroring the gravity of the unfolding situation. The intensity in his eyes reflected the weight of the orders they were swiftly executing.

"What?! Show me where he is!" Hollyberry gasped, her expression a tapestry of disbelief and concern, the unexpected revelation catching her off guard and unsettling her deeply.

"His Majesty is in his tent!" Crunchy Chip responded promptly, gesturing for her to follow as he briskly led the way through the labyrinth of campgrounds, the urgency palpable in every hurried step.

Once they arrived at Dark Cacao's tent, Hollyberry made her entrance with a sense of urgency that echoed in her voice.

"Dark Cacao Cookie! What are you doing?!" she exclaimed, her eyes widening with disbelief, the vibrant glow of the tent flickering in the intensity of the moment.

"...We are going back. The Kingdom is in Caramel Arrow Cookie's good hands, but even so, I cannot afford to leave the throne vacant for so long. I do not wish to waste any more time with this laughable mockery of a debate." Dark Cacao replied, his gaze fixated on maps spread across a table, his attention seemingly unmoved by Hollyberry's entrance.

The unspoken question lingered in the air, whether he still harbored intentions of leaving Mochaccino behind as a covert operative remained unanswered.

"Wait! The three of us must talk! Don't you think?! Besides, we haven't decided what to do yet!" Hollyberry implored, her words carrying a note of desperation as she tried to reach the king's unyielding resolve.

"Time is of the essence, more than ever. Our forces must reach the continent of Beast-Yeast before it is too late. This is why I must return to the Dark Cacao Kingdom and begin preparing the troops at once!" Dark Cacao responded, his voice resonating with authority and determination, the strategic importance of their mission commanding his unwavering focus.

"Stop! Don't storm off like that! We still have some time! Think of how hard it was for us three to reunite!" Hollyberry insisted, her plea laced with the weight of their shared history and the bonds that had once held them together.

"...Do not hold me back. My soldiers are ready to depart this instant." Dark Cacao replied, his tone brooking no delay, the weight of his responsibility evident in the briskness of his decision.

"Don't you remember? We used to share all our troubles and burdens and find solutions together! Have you forgotten our friendship? Our bond that used to be so strong, time or distance could never break it?! We-" Hollyberry's impassioned plea resonated within the tent, her words attempting to bridge the growing chasm between them. However, her earnest speech was abruptly interrupted.

"Dark Cacao Cookie, Hollyberry Cookie! There you are...!" Pure Vanilla's voice cut through the tension, his hurried steps heralding his arrival.

"Pure Vanilla Cookie...!" Hollyberry's surprise at the healer's sudden appearance was palpable, her gaze shifting from Dark Cacao to the newcomer.

"I am sorry I am late! I... I came because I wanted to explain everything. Will you... talk with me?" Pure Vanilla's plea hung in the air, the vulnerability in his voice reaching out to both Hollyberry and Dark Cacao.

Hollyberry and Dark Cacao exchanged a glance, their perspectives still not entirely aligned. However, swayed by Mochaccino's earlier advice, Hollyberry decided to give Pure Vanilla a chance.

Dark Cacao, perhaps driven by a sense of duty or a lingering curiosity, relented, willing to hear what Pure Vanilla had to say before his imminent departure.

Under the canopy of a night sky painted in darkness, the stars emerged as radiant beacons, casting their shimmering glow upon the tableau below.

The celestial bodies twinkled like distant lanterns adorning the cosmic tapestry, and a gentle breeze wove through the atmosphere, a tender caress that offered solace to the weary souls beneath.

Seated around a table beneath the ethereal moonlight, the three Ancient Heroes maintained a contemplative silence, each burdened by the weight of an unspoken past.

Breaking the quietude, Pure Vanilla's voice cut through the night, laden with the gravity of guilt. "I owe you... an apology," he confessed, his words carrying the weight of withheld truths. "Please, forgive me for not telling you the truth about what happened to White Lily Cookie. I just... I couldn't find the right words... And it was too important to write in a letter."

Dark Cacao's gaze remained anchored to the table, a stoic mask concealing the tumultuous thoughts within, the silence standing as an unspoken reckoning.

"I was so angry at you back at the Council... But... It must have been tough for you. A certain someone made me realize this..." Hollyberry's understanding gaze bore into the night, regret lingering in her voice. "Mochaccino Cookie... he told me, 'Holding secrets you can't tell your friends will tear you apart.'"

"Besides, it was you who sacrificed himself to stop Dark Enchantress Cookie and end the war. I can't even begin to imagine how hard it was for you to find out the truth..." Her voice carried the weight of shared remorse, but then, a resolute note emerged. "But know this: from now on, I will always stand by your side! No matter what happens, I shall protect you!"

It took a moment, but Dark Cacao's countenance lifted at the mention of his loyal scientist, realizing that Mochaccino's influence had played a pivotal role in Hollyberry's newfound willingness to forgive. What a light of hope the man was.

"I will never hold anything back from you anymore, I promise!" Pure Vanilla declared, his voice a resolute vow, the lingering shadows of regret receding like a retreating tide. "One thing is certain: we must stop Dark Enchantress Cookie! As the old friends of the Cookie she once used to be. Yet we are not the only ones who can stop her."

Pure Vanilla pressed on, his words resonating with shared determination among those gathered in the Republic. "Countless Cookies from all across the land have suffered because of her evil. This wish to rise and fight against the evil that is threatening their families and friends!"

The weight of his words emphasized the collective strength and purpose uniting the multitude. "If we could share our strength with them... If this strength could prevent their sacrifices... Wouldn't that be enough?"

"Think of all those Vanillians who had to flee from the war. Think of all the Hollyberrians who witnessed their beloved palace crumbling down. Think of all the many names inscribed onto the Altar of the Fallen..." Pure Vanilla's voice carried the weight of emotion, each kingdom's tragedies etched in his words.

"All those precious lives that could have been saved...! That could BE saved!" The echoes of sorrow and regret resonated, painting a vivid canvas of past and future losses.

"..." Dark Cacao's gaze was cast down, a heavy silence hanging in the air.

"Well, you might not appreciate what I'm about to say, but..." Hollyberry's eyes sparked with a glimmer of hope as she offered her perspective. "I think we, too, are responsible for Dark Enchantress Cookie's return. Remember how everything was in shambles after the Dark Flour War ended? Remember how we went on separate paths? We didn't do anything to prevent her return! We are responsible, and very much so!"

"But to give our Soul Jam away... You know too well how dangerous it might be, do you not?" Dark Cacao countered, his words laden with caution and prudence. "We all fought in a war started because of it! How can we simply give it away, when the waters of the Licorice Sea have never been as restless...?"

"The warriors of Dark Cacao don't have to fight with their swords only... We will only see more sacrifices if we keep this path." Pure Vanilla interjected, his words carrying the weight of experience and empathy, having borne witness to the toll of war. "None of the kingdoms can put an end to the shadow hanging over us alone. We need a new perspective, my friend."

"But...! How can this... Clotted Cream Cookie be trusted?! How can we be sure that our Soul Jam is safe in HIS hands?" Dark Cacao's distrust of the Consul lingered, shadows in his eyes mirroring his apprehension.

"Times have changed, we have changed. There are good and just Cookies in all corners of the world." Pure Vanilla countered, conviction lacing his words as he placed faith in the Consul. "Cookies who took me in when I was in my darkest place. Cookies who helped me remember who I am. Cookies who protect their dearest no matter the cost. Cookies who are fighting evil as we speak."

"I believe in them. I believe in good. Tyranny will never prevail in this world. And... there are those who have all that is needed to become heroes, just like us." Pure Vanilla's voice held a delicate blend of tenderness and conviction, the resonance of his belief imbuing his convictions with unwavering certainty.

"I understand. But this isn't something that can be decided so easily. I must think it over once again." Hollyberry reasoned, the shadows of doubt flickering in her eyes, the weight of her decision pressing down on her shoulders.

"..." Dark Cacao's eyes revealed an inscrutable array of emotions, a tempest of thoughts and feelings contained by an unyielding facade.

"Will you join... the Council tomorrow? Let us all think it over and reach the final decision tomorrow. And no matter what happens, let us respect each other's decision. Pure Vanilla implored, the lingering shadows of regret and the fragility of hope suspended in the balance.

"Well said! Dark Cacao Cookie, are you with us?" Hollyberry exclaimed in agreement, a renewed determination and hope sparking in her eyes.

"...Very well." Dark Cacao conceded, the tension easing from his posture as the weight of his responsibilities shifted, the burden of his decision momentarily relinquished. His gaze, once steely and resolute, softened with a hint of contemplation.

"Good! Then, tomorrow is the day!" Hollyberry affirmed, her voice carrying a blend of relief and anticipation as the weight of the impending decision lifted, leaving the future hanging like an unopened chapter. "Ha ha, talking with you, my friends, reminded me of the days when we traveled the world in search of adventure together. Remember how we used to talk sitting by the campfire? Those were the days, eh..."

"Speaking of memories..." Dark Cacao interjected, his voice laced with a nuanced tone that held a blend of concern and curiosity. "...I feel as if I've forgotten something important... but I can't remember what it is."

"If you forgot, then it's probably not that important," Hollyberry reasoned, a tinge of confusion in her voice as she responded, her eyes flickering with a subtle hint of curiosity.

"Perhaps you are right. Maybe it was nothing worth noting." Dark Cacao acknowledged, his words carrying a note of resignation, the weight of the past settling between them like a silent specter.

Little did he know that the forgotten detail was crucial... his failure to inform Mochaccino that the mission to sabotage the Crème Republic had been called off. The consequences of this oversight were yet to unfold, and they would be... harsh.