The Rebirth of the Phoenix

Chapter 24: Inside the Hollyberry's Palace

After the preliminary rounds, the Cookie group saw that many contestants passed. A mysterious Cookie was among the crows, he seemed to be a Cranberry flavored Cookie, judging from his hair color and his cane.

"Look at this hopeless bunch. All here, hoping to become the 'Princess'." He mumbled.

Back inside the Castle, the two sovereign cookies knew that Princess Cookie came back, but they didn't have a choice but to make this contest for the winner contestant to wield Hollyberry Cookie's Soul Jam to face the dragon.

"I shall go back to deal with the Dragon's tantrums. Dear, since we have visitors wandering around... Please make sure that the treasure is safely secured." Jungleberry mumbled.

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"Ha ha ha! Finally reached the palace! This place looks like it hasn't changed at all!" Huntress Cookie said as she entered the palace: "Let's see if it's the same on the inside too!"

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Meanwhile, at the Contest Host Cookie stated that they must find the site of Princess's Corner, a recently new location. As the participants were looking for it, the Cranberry flavored Cookie was preparing an ambush...

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The cookies arrived at what seems to be a flat and decorated place.

"As you are all aware, the Hollyberry Kingdom consists of many noble houses! Each house is famous for their fresh, plump and juich berries! It didn't use to be like that... But! It's natural that our berry juices are the finest of all Earthbread! And this next event will be related to our berry juice!" Host Cookie announced: "The grraceful... Barrel Run! There's nothing more depressing than see youself throwing away your berry juice! That's why you gotta roool the barrel regularly to mix them!"

All the participants had to run on a barrel and reach the goal, without getting off. Funnily enough, Wizard's height couldn't even surpass one.

As expected, there were Cookies that were meddling with the Contest, as the contestants and their assistants had to fight them off without falling from the barrel.

It seemed that Princess Cookie and Choco Werehound Princess were the only ones standing on their side. All of a sudden, Choco Werehound Princess, Bat-Cat and Licorice Cookie were acting weird...

"O' brave Licorice Cookie, you saved me!"

"Of course, darling... Or should I say... the future Princess of Hollyberry Kingdom?"

"Meow-of course, anything for the princess!"

As Host Cookie announced that the next trial was a dance party, as the others were relaxing, Host Cookie was surprised that they expected a normal dance party.

"Yes, the dance parties in the Hollyberry Kingdom are indeed full of laughter and fun! But... not all come to boogie!" Host Cookie made everyone aware of the intruders, because trial consists of fighting as well as dancing.

"Ugh, it's too much. Just toooo much." Wizard uttered as the cookies split into pairs and he had to paralyze the meddlers as Strawberry Cookie was trying to fight them off. 

Although they were pretty strong, the meddlers mainly focused on the two Gingerbread Cookies as they seemed to be the most harmless, but oh they were so wrong. 

"Take that!" Gingerbrave said as he was making a War cry burning the weakened spies by Gingerbright as she was also yelling: "That's what you get for underestimating us!"

"I didn't expect them to be ridiculously strong! I guess we don't have a choice... Time to involve the Greenish Red Dragon."

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"If you ask me, I don't know what to think anymore." Wizard gave up. (Never gonna give you up-)

"Ah... Well, Choco Werehound Princess wasn't actually disqualified..." Host Cookie added: "But! Attacking others is clearly against the rules... Therefore... DISQUALIFIED!"

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Inside the throne room, Pitaya Dragon Cookie noticed a Cookie, he thought it was the contest's winner. But it was the Cranberry intruder. He whispered poisonous words to the Dragon about how none of the contestants were worthy to face the Greenish Red Dragon. 

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As there were only ten contestants, Host Cookie decided to announce the Final Challenge, but suddenly, a Red Dragon broke into the place.

"RAAAAA!"

"E-everyone! Evacuate! Go! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! S-s-stay c-calm!" Host Cookie made it clear that this was not part of the contest.

Amidst the chaos, Princess Cookie and Raspberry Cookie decided that the first fight the dragon and the other evacuate the other cookies. As Raspberry and the other Cookies that can defend themselves were leading the civilian Cookies, the spies blocked their path, again.

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As the venue was empty, Princess Cookie and Knight Cookie were seen fighting Pitaya Dragon Cookie.

"Ha ha! Funny bissscuitsss, aren't you?! You've got the NERVE to talk to each other while facing ME?!" Pitaya Dragon was furious: "Let's sssee if you can laugh THISSS off...!"

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Inside the palace halls, a certain pink-haired Cookie is seen walking around.

"Hmm? This place is... Yes, I remember! I had paintings  up on walls to commemorate different historic events!"

"Yes, you did!"

"See, this is the founding day of the kingdom! And that's when my son married Jungleberry Cookie... Ha ha, that kid made me worry sometimes, you know? Boy, I am glad he met her! They're gonna do just fine, even without me..."

"And these must be..."

"Yes?"

"My grandchildren. Pa ha ha! What's this, when she won an eating contest? She's exactly like me! Wait, she's the one participating in the contest!"

"NOW do you get it?"

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The monarch cookies haven't left the palace yet, they haven't found the cookie worthy of the Soul Jam yet.

"Everyone has taken shelter... Wait, who's that Cookie? Oh my! OH MY! IT'S PRINCESS COOKIE!" Royal berry Cookie yelled.

"What? Princess Cookie?! But Princess Cookie... No, my dear king, we must gather our wits at times like this! Please head out and reassure the citizens! I will find a way, do you trust me?"

"... Yes, you are a Cookie of her word. I trust you. I have faith in you! Be safe, my love!"

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"Ha ha ha! You may not be as ssstrong as her, but you're quite interesting! Weak but formidable nomethelessss!" Pitaya Dragon said as he was about to burn the Cookies to a crisp.

"Oiii! You big, good-for-nothing lizard! Why don't you pick on someone of your own size! Remember me from the Berry Fields?!"