A Hero, A Team, and a Story [BOOK ONE]

Chapter 6: True Intentions

The four followed the map onwards, no end in sight. They passed by bushes of flowers, gardens of poison berries, and finally, a bramble bush. From one of the thorns hung a wooden sign, the words "THE TRIAL OF THE SECRET BRAMBLE" carved onto it. There were three wooden buttons, painted green, red, and blue respectively. Another note was above it that said "BRBGGRP" that was somewhat of a code.

"I can decode that! Blue, red, blue, green, green, red," Alchemist stared at the final letter, "Purple?"

"I think that means you have to press the colors that make purple at the same time," Pen said, putting his hand on the board, "So watch me." He pressed the buttons. Blue, red, blue, green, green, red, and the blue and red at the same time. The bramble bush rumbled, and it moved to show a garden with a lacy fence. Behind it was a stone with a small slit just right to fit a paper in it. Alchemist stopped. Her expression was cold.

"Guys... I have something to tell you all," She turned to the other three.

"You can tell us anything, Alchemist," Cloud smiled, "We're here for you!" Everyone else nodded in agreement.

"Well, uh, about that stone," Alchemist sighed, "5 years ago, me and my brother went to a stone very similar to that, and ended up in that exact garden. I was very, VERY sick, and I had this very special piece of golden paper that keeps it at bay." She grabbed the paper and showed it to everyone.

"Okay," Pen said, "What are you going to tell us?"

"Well, today, right here, right now, I must insert the paper into the stone... but it will cost me."

"Cost you?" Henry tilted his head, "What do you mean?"

"It'd cost me my life. If I don't do this here and now, I'll die even more painfully due to my sickness," Alchemist said as some jam started to fall from her mouth, "Oh no, I have to do this quickly." Alchemist ran towards the stone, holding the paper.

"Alchemist, no!" Cloud yelled. They started to cry a bit.

"I'm sorry everyone, but I have to do this," Alchemist held the paper above the stone, "Goodbye everyone, I enjoyed this journey with you all, but it's my time. Hopefully I'll see you in my next life." She placed the paper in the stone, and she fell to the ground.

"Alchemist!" Pen ran through the gate, and towards the stone, tears falling from his eyes, "Alchemist... please! Don't go! We... we need you!" He shook the lifeless body of what once was Alchemist Cookie.

"It's no use, Pen," Cloud whispered, "She's gone. I'm sorry."

"No no no no no no no! There has to be a way to get her back!" Pen cried.

"...What did she even do for us?" Henry shrugged, "We didn't need her. She's dead weight." He kind of smiled a bit.

"Why would you say that, Henry?" Pen turned to Henry, who was laughing.

"Just think," Henry pointed to Pen's point, "What did she do for us?" Pen looked to the side, ashamed. "See, Pen, this is what I mean. You, Cloud, and I are the only true good ones in this situation, but not really Cloud. Have they done anything remarkable?"

"...Shut up," Pen turned towards Henry. He seemed to be crying. The small pink, blue, and white pin almost fell off of his cap, and Henry saw an opportunity to really get him in the weak point.

"Awww, is the little princess crying because her little friend got insulted? Listen, Pen, saying shut up won't work, it doesn't hit me as hard, especially since you're a girl."

"I said... SHUT UP!" Just as Pen yelled, he punched Henry in the face, and he toppled over, as Pen huffed, "I... am not... A GIRL! I don't wanna be reminded of who I was!" He landed another blow, tears falling from his anger-fueled eyes.

"Pen, calm down! I'm sure Henry didn't mean it!" Cloud tried to pull Pen back, but alas, they were too small.

"He didn't! Look at that smug face! He knows what he's doing," Pen briefly turned to face Cloud.

"Yeah. I clearly know that she's a girl. She just can't stomach it!" Henry was laughing, as Pen grew angrier.

"SHUT! UP! I'M A BOY! Why... Why are you doing this? You were so nice to us just yesterday! You're a jerk! Jerk jerk jerk jerk jerk jerk jerk!" With every 'jerk', Pen landed another blow.

"Okay, okay, fine, I'll tell you what I'm saying. I saw that little flag, so I thought I'd set you off, and stop if you joined me," Henry smirked, wiping the small bloodstain from his mouth.

"Join you in what?" Pen stood back from the bruised stickman. He looked angry at his former comrade.

"Oh, I thought you'd know by my demeanor," He stood up, "The way I took books from you guys, I barely talked to you, I knew code, I didn't even work with the 'two' I told you about! I worked with the Dark Legion Nouveau, I was the lead spy! I'm... a traitor!"