The Breakthrough

Meanwhile, crisis adverted in the Institute of Thaumaturgy, as the researchers managed to stabilize the sample. They were bought plenty of time thanks to the force field Mochaccino placed around it.

"PHEW!" One of the researchers coughed. "This temperature... should... do the thing, right?"

"If my calculations are correct, then we've stopped the growth. This was a great assist." Mochaccino thanked, a satisfied smile on his face.

"...Looks like the sample has finally stabilized! I thought we were done for... were it not for the shield Mochaccino Cookie put around the thing!" Another researcher sighed in relief, happy to have the crisis averted.

"Oh... I have no more energy left..." A researcher panted, the strain of the situation draining him.

"I believe a rest is due for those who are not in their full strength. As for the rest, please stay alert. We had a close call, and we almost lost these priceless samples. But, well done, everyone." Mochaccino commended, a warm expression on his features.

"It's over now, right? It should be?! We can't let our research fail!" Another researcher sighed, her voice laced with tiredness.

"Everything should be fine for now. Let us attempt to not make this incident repeat itself, however. Back to work we go, I'm sure Espresso Cookie awaits only news of progress." Mochaccino suggested, getting a round of nods and affirmations.

Speaking of, the squad was now inside Espresso Cookie's Lab. The said scientist was hard at work while the others voiced their opinions about the place. "Espresso Cookie! This lab of yours is amazing!" Gingerbrave exclaimed, marveled by the equipment present.

"On the contrary, it is merely a laboratory that suits my needs." Espresso countered, focused on his current task.

"By the Divines! It's been ages since my last visit here! It never ceases to fascinate me!" Madeleine remarked before listing off questions that popped into his mind. "Where are the spacious halls and dazzling chandeliers? Where are the soft, comfortable sofas and beds? Where is the splendid dining room where one can chat with guests to their heart's delight?! This is no... laboratory! This is a storage warehouse!"

"As I've stated before, it suits my needs." Espresso let out a heavy, annoyed sigh, about done with the Paladin's complaints.

"Are you planning to complete your research here?" Wildberry asked, taking note of the cramped and disorganized lab.

"No, the Institute of Thaumaturgy still has the equipment I need. I will return there, soon. Besides, I would not leave Mochaccino Cookie to manage everything alone. But while I am here, I must take several scrolls and tomes, as well as prior research materials." Espresso answered, organizing the scrolls he had gathered. "Please wait here as I collect the necessary items."

There were knocks on the door, which made most in the group tense up. "Who's that?! Could it be the Cookies in white masks?!" Gingerbrave questioned, hiding behind his shield.

"No, I know who is behind the door." Espresso sighed as he headed toward the door, opening it.

"OH! So you WERE inside, Espresso Cookie! I thought I heard you inside, which is why I kept knocking!" Landlord Cookie, the owner of the building, exclaimed, letting herself in.

"Greetings, good landlord." Espresso greeted, albeit with a bit of panic at the sight of his landlord.

"So you DO remember me! HA! Your laboratory has been empty for so long! You had a ton of mail in your absence! Not to worry! I have them stored safe and sound. But... I'm not here for that. I'm here because you're behind on utilities." Landlord Cookie pointed out, looking actually pretty casual regarding the whole ordeal.

"Ah yes, of course. The utility bill must be greatly overdue. Trust me, I shall pay it in full as soon as I am able." Espresso assured, not wanting to be late on payments.

"Good, good! Excellent! But there is the matter of... Well... taxes and prices are both rising throughout the entire city. In your absence, rent has also been increased everywhere!" Landlord Cookie explained, his words making Espresso's expression drop. "I'm sorry to tell you this so suddenly, but your rent has been upped as well! And now that you're here, let's talk! If you want to keep using this space, then you'll have to pay more coins."

"What?! What is the meaning of this? I beg your pardon, but did I not pay rent in full for this property?" Espresso questioned, confused and frustrated by the situation.

"And I'm saying that the rate itself has been increased." Landlord Cookie explained, crossing his arms. "Listen, I know you're a great scientist and wizard. I never pestered you once about rent! But nothing's free in this world, innit? C'mon now, you have to understand where I'm coming from, don't you?"

"Very well." Espresso sighed, resigned to the fact that he will have to pay the extra fees. "So... how much is it?"

"I knew you'd understand! Which is why I've brought a new contract about the lease. Take a look!" Landlord Cookie cheered, giving Espresso the lease contract, which immediately made the coffee Cookie's eyes widen.

"This is... absurd!" Espresso exclaimed, appalled by the ridiculous price.

"Now that hurts, Espresso Cookie! I've taken much care to provide you with the fairest price possible! This fine piece of real estate fetches a MUCH higher price!" Landlord Cookie retorted, defending himself.

"Gah..." Espresso grunted, pinching the bridge of his glasses.

"Living in the Republic sounds tough...!" Gingerbrave muttered, starting to feel sorry for the scientist, as well as for the others who can barely afford living.

"You can say that again... Life in the Dark Cacao Kingdom is the life for me!" Crunchy Chip agreed, a wide grin forming on his face.

"I mean, considering Mochaccino Cookie managed to revolutionize the entire Black Citadel, it actually looked like a pretty nice place to live. Considering how close it is to the Licorice Sea and all." Gingerbrave mused, reminiscing his time there.

"You keep yourselves occupied. I will get things settled with Landlord Cookie..." Espresso sighed, walking off with the landowner.

After a few minutes of waiting for things to be resolved, Espresso had returned, the payment having been paid. "Ya get rid of that landlord?" Crunchy Chip asked, crossing his arms in impatience.

"I shudder to think of what you meant by 'get rid of.'" Wildberry responded, looking unamused.

"Yes, yes... It was not entirely unexpected. The landlord shall receive payment in full." Espresso confirmed, sighing in exasperation. "But enough of that. Thank you, everyone. With the supplemental materials from my laboratory and the ingredient collected from Choco Mud Town, I believe Mochaccino Cookie and I can proceed exponentially quicker. I shall return to the Institute of Thaumaturgy at once."

"Will you be OK alone? What if the masked Cookies are waiting in ambush?" Gingerbrave questioned, concern evident in his tone.

"I shall be fine. The path to the Institute will be safe." Espresso assured, heading outside.

"OK! Now then... where should we go?" Gingerbrave pondered, about as tired as can be after that fight with the Masked Cookies.

"The sun has set ages ago! We must rest! Let us return to Mansion Madeleine." Madeleine offered, feeling quite tired himself.

And to Mansion Madeleine, they went. Meanwhile, Espresso had returned to the Institute of Thaumaturgy, where Mochaccino was eager to greet him.

"Espresso Cookie, good to see you're back!" Mochaccino exclaimed, smiling at his colleague. "How was your trip?"

"Quite productive, albeit a bit delayed. I trust there have been no incidents?" Espresso questioned, raising a brow.

"We did have a close call, one of the samples went a bit out of control, but we managed to stabilize it. As far as I can tell and have seen, we still seem to lack a few ingredients." Mochaccino informed, having done some research in the meantime.

"And I believe I've found said ingredients, along with the necessary scrolls and tomes that may contain the key to completing our work. Though, by the looks of it, it seems we may now be ahead. I don't think I'll be needing even half of the supplies I've brought." Espresso added, impressed by Mochaccino's efforts. "Good, very good. Please return to your respective stations, everyone."

"Yes, professor!" Every researcher confirmed, going back to work.

"I'm happy to see that your journey was fruitful. We should begin our research immediately. We are close to the goal, I can feel it." Mochaccino praised, his gaze turning to the scrolls and books that Espresso had brought. "Shall we?"

"Yes. Let's begin." Espresso confirmed, opening one of the tomes and getting to work. And just like that, the two began working side by side.

The next day, things were more than lively at the Institute of Thaumaturgy, for the researchers have achieved something miraculous.

"AMAZING! To have succeeded in transferring the energy of Soul Jam in just an hour...! This is remarkable progress!" One of the researchers exclaimed, amazed by the discovery.

"All that's left is harnessing that energy for use, which is what we are currently doing! We're halfway done with our goal!" Another one added, looking at the sample with awe.

"I've said this many times in the past, yet I don't mean it any less... Mochaccino Cookie, you've impressed me yet again. I thought this process would've taken at least another day, but you've shown that my calculations were lacking." Espresso complimented, nodding at his colleague. "From one day to a single hour, such a difference."

"Haha, my knowledge in this area was more than sufficient to make things progress faster. I learned from you, after all. Though, your knowledge is miles ahead of mine." Mochaccino replied, grinning at Espresso. "But it's still not over. There's a lot of work to be done. We've got a lot of research to do."

"Well said, my friend. Well said." Espresso agreed, a proud smile on his face as he bumped fists with his colleague.

"Wow, I didn't know Espresso Cookie and Mochaccino Cookie were THAT close!" A researcher gasped, a little surprised at the fact that, out of all Cookies, Espresso had partook in such an urban manner of showing friendship.

"Did something good happen? Everyone seems excited!" Gingerbrave remarked as he and the other members of the team entered the Institute.

"Gingerbrave, good timing! And yes, quite a lot of reason for joy, I'd say." Mochaccino answered, smiling with great satisfaction. "We have managed to complete a crucial step in the research. We even got ahead of the schedule and are now working on the next step to harnessing the power of Soul Jam as we speak."

"And how's that going? You and Espresso Cookie look, er... sorta tired." Gingerbrave noted, not exactly sure how to word his concern.

"Tired? I beg to differ. I have been conducting experiments while sipping on a quadruple-shot espresso." Espresso stated, as if his current state was not a sign of his fatigue.

"And I have been conducting experiments while sipping a mix of mocha coffee and cappuccino! So, really, we're both fine." Mochaccino added, not really helping with the situation, as it was quite concerning that the two were so overworked.

"That's usually what we'd call 'tired'! Are you both alright?!" Gingerbrave exclaimed, worried about the duo.

"Yes, we can continue working with no difficulty." Espresso confirmed, not looking up from his research.

"Although I cannot stay awake for as long as Espresso Cookie can, I can last enough to remain here until the results are complete. I won't pass out for a few days at least." Mochaccino added, yawning a little.

"We have succeeded in transferring a portion of Soul Jam energy to a receptacle made of compressed sugar. The special ingredient we procured from Choco Mud Town has proven quite useful." Espresso explained, gesturing at a nearby vial containing the said special ingredient.

"That's great! Then does that mean your research is done?" Gingerbrave inquired, curious and optimistic in his tone.

"Not entirely, but we have progressed considerably." Espresso replied, his gaze on his colleague. "Aside from the occasional explosions that have been contained and prevented from causing any or too much damage, thanks to Mochaccino Cookie's containment force fields, I can feel ourselves climbing the staircase towards the answer. I must thank you again for assisting me. Now, please excuse us. We must focus on our next step."

"Is there anything we can do to help?" Gingerbrave questioned, wanting to know what else he and his friends can do.

"No. These final steps will be completed quicker if I work alone." Espresso denied, only to realize something. "Ah, wait. I take back my statement. May I ask you for a cup of coffee? Every moment matters today and I must ward off sleep as efficiently as possible. Oh, and the coffee must be strong. Very strong."

"One for me, as well. Whatever works." Mochaccino requested, the two looking at Gingerbrave expectantly.

"Coffee! Got it! I'll get you two the best coffee I can find!" Gingerbrave promised, determined and eager to help.

Back to work both coffee Cookies went, while Gingerbrave took on the task of procuring the said drink. Later, Gingerbrave had returned with two cups of caffeinated goodness. "Here! I brought some coffee! Drink up while it's hot!" He announced, handing the two the drinks.

"This... is...?! Ugh..." Espresso groaned, noticing what the beverage was.

"Why? What's wrong?" Gingerbrave asked, confused by the sudden reaction.

"Oh, nothing. Just a blow to Espresso Cookie's pride." Mochaccino playfully jested, his words only adding to the confusion.

"It's just... This is a latte." Espresso groaned, sounding almost disappointed.

"Yup! It was the only coffee I could find!" Gingerbrave explained, his expression becoming sheepish.

"It matters not. This... latte... will have to suffice. But, whatever happens, please keep this a secret from Latte Cookie." Espresso sighed in defeat, sipping the drink.

"Oh, my friend. Latte Cookie is already aware that her former classmate drank her favorite coffee." Mochaccino snickered, making Espresso almost choke on the drink, but managed to catch himself.

"She knows?!" Espresso exclaimed, shocked by the revelation.

"Of course she knows. You thought that time in Parfaedia Institute, when you sneaked for a cup of latte during a lecture and drank the whole thing, went unnoticed?" Mochaccino pointed out, smirking at the memory.

"You promised you wouldn't speak of it!" Espresso scolded, feigning a tone of betrayal.

"I didn't. She told me that same day that she had caught you. Besides, she didn't mind, and was actually pretty amused." Mochaccino reminded, taking a sip of his own drink.

"Oh, how humiliating..." Espresso muttered, momentarily hiding his face in shame. "Regardless... I can feel the caffeine coursing through my dough, revitalizing my senses. Now, I shall continue with our experimentation."

"Same here. My mind is as fresh as ever. And with that, we proceed." Mochaccino concurred, returning to his station.

Outside at the Fountain Piazza, Wildberry and Crunchy Chip found themselves completely without any tasks, which was a first for them.

"We have nothing to do. Are we to stay idle until the research is completed?" Wildberry questioned, not too fond of the idea of being idle.

"Hrmph! Sounds boring! Waiting around in some city isn't for me, as a proud guardian of the borders of the Dark Cacao Kingdom!" Crunchy Chip grunted, crossing his arms in displeasure.

"What do you propose?" Wildberry asked, curious to know what Crunchy Chip had in mind.

"The Night Market! Let's go back to the Night Market! That place was fishy, I tell ya!" Crunchy Chip near-instantly demanded, having remembered the place.

"The atmosphere was different, yes, but one akin to any market or bazaar in Earthbread. It resembled the Grandberry Market back home." Wildberry recalled, finding the place oddly comforting, despite its oddities.

"Nah, I tell you, there's something weird about this place! If we go looking and sniffing around, I know we're gonna find something!" Crunchy Chip assured, confident in his suspicions.

"Very well. You did seem tempted by the sweets being sold there." Wildberry sighed, giving in.

"N-n-no! You take that back! A Dark Cacao warrior doesn't need to live on sweets!" Crunchy Chip quickly and hastily retorted, trying and failing to sound convincing. "I'm JUST saying that if we go back there, we might find out more about the masked Cookies! That Night Market is our best bet, I know it! And that squeaky puppy toy looked SUPER suspicious!"

"Sure. Sure." Wildberry cracked a small smirk, amused by the wolf captain's failed attempts at concealing his actual intentions. "Then let us depart and begin our investigation. Remaining idle is not my forte either."

Back in the Institute of Thaumaturgy, progress was made, but there were still obstacles to overcome. "Espresso Cookie! Mochaccino Cookie How's it going?!" Gingerbrave greeted, excited to hear about the results.

"Shall I give you a reassuring or an honest answer?" Espresso replied, sighing a little.

"Honest answers all the way! Haha." Gingerbrave chuckled, his enthusiasm remaining unshaken.

"In this case... We have discovered that the problem is not in transferring the energy of Soul Jam." Espresso explained, his expression becoming a bit tainted by frustration.

"Which now begs the question, what IS the problem? Perhaps a different catalyst, a different substance or element? Or could it be a different kind of energy?" Mochaccino speculated, pondering the possibilities.

"So, does that mean you're closer to figuring it out?" Gingerbrave questioned, feeling a little optimistic.

"Not exactly, but we're not further, either." Espresso clarified, looking down at his research. "Soul Jam Energy has been successfully transferred into the receptacle. The problem lies is, each time physical contact is made, the receptacle shatters before our eyes..."

"We must keep our head held high and move on to the next test, the next trial." Mochaccino encouraged, his optimism still standing strong. "We'll succeed eventually. And hopefully, that's sooner than later."

And in rather poor timing, the buzzing of the receptacle suddenly began to intensify, as the energy was building up to an unstable level, and exploded in an instant. Not before Mochaccino stepped in and shielded those in radius from the blast.

"Another failure...! Why are you shattering?" Espresso, brimming with anger and frustration, growled, his hands trembling as he clenched them. "Why, why, why...? The theory is foolproof! The formula is perfect!"

"Ease yourself, Espresso Cookie. We may not have much time left, as we must return the Soul Jam in a few hours... But... I might have an idea. It's dangerous, but... worth a shot." Mochaccino informed, his tone serious as he had come up with an idea.

"At this point, we've got nothing to lose. Tell me your idea, Mochaccino Cookie." Espresso requested, intrigued.

"According to my own studies, I've theorized that Soul Jam, in order to bond with their respective Cookie, has to resonate with their soul, which is the key factor for the successful harnessing of its power. So... Maybe if we try to add a factor, a component that is a part of us... Something that we can use which represents our very essence..." Mochaccino elaborated, his tone becoming a little more hopeful.

"..." Espresso stayed silent, thinking the suggestion through. "...we are running out of time. This may be a gamble, but... I cannot ignore the possibilities it holds. I don't have the time nor patience to find another option. Yes, this may just be what we needed. But what could this component be? Something that represents our essence? Our soul, so to speak..."

"..." Mochaccino looked around, rubbing his chin as he pondered the question, before his gaze fell on a cup of Espresso's signature drink, a cup which was half full of coffee. "Espresso Cookie... before I do what I'm about to do, trust me."

"What do you mean-? Mochaccino Cookie?!" Espresso was interrupted, when Mochaccino grabbed the cup of espresso, mixing it with the receptacle, making the entire room tremble and shake.

"Mochaccino Cookie, what have you done?! This new receptacle is contaminated! And I will not stand for contamination! We must clear away this tainted sample and..." Espresso halted as he felt an energy that felt familiar, yet unknown, and glanced over at the receptacle, where something miraculous occurred. "What's this? I feel... a surge of energy? Could it be...?"

"I told you to trust me. Espresso Cookie, I believe I have found that component. The one we needed." Mochaccino declared, the receptacle not exploding, and instead, it glowed.

"I... The... This one is not resisting physical contact?! It's as if my soul and this receptacle are... resonating with each other? Was it the coffee? Could it be? What if I... yes... What if I deliberately pour more coffee onto... THIS IS...!" Espresso's mind was racing, as he was finally witnessing the moment he and Mochaccino had worked tirelessly towards.

"I figured since the receptacle needed some sort of 'nexus' in order to bond with a Cookie's soul, so, by using coffee, a component which is the source of your power and your essence, the receptacle now sees you, Espresso Cookie, as the one to resonate with." Mochaccino explained, proud and relieved to have contributed.

"The receptacle is a perfect sphere, exuding a grand aroma of the finest coffee I have ever encountered! And... I can hold it in my hand! The energy... the power! A new form of Soul Jam has been created, one that resonates with my very soul! Mochaccino Cookie... this is beyond brilliant, my friend!" Espresso praised, holding the receptacle in his hand. "The experiment... is a SUCCESS!"