Just Desserts

NOTE: This has been continued on AO3 here: works/33464635/chapters/83136844

Chapter 1: Welcome Back to Headspace

	Sunny awakens in his room. He stares at the ceiling for a moment, before shifting to his side to see if sleep takes him again. The silence is interrupted by a low growling. Paying for skipping this evening's dinner. It's an old habit he's yet to kick despite things being better than they were before. He shifts to his side again to look at the clock laying at his table. Strangely, the display of the clock is merely a nondescript blur. Sunny sits up, groggily rubbing his eye, that can't be right. He looks again. Still nothing. Something's wrong.

	Deciding that the next best way to determine what time it is to check outside, he slowly approaches the curtains, lifting one off to the side.

	There is no window.

	With a jolt, Sunny drops the curtain and steps back, now far more alert, he scans the room for any further irregularities. The old computer his father gave him has been replaced with a more portable laptop, and there seems to be a strange glow permeating the door frame leading out of his room. Though this distracts Sunny briefly, he turns his head a bit more to see a second bed, occupied by someone. His anxiety quickly replaced by tension, he cannot help but approach the second bed. He reaches out with a hand..

	And is interrupted by a banging on the door. The person in the bed stirs and rises after a moment, her messy black hair now fully visible.

"S.. Sunny?" A familiar voice, followed by a loud yawn. "What's all the moving around and noise about?" A deep pit forms in Sunny's stomach as his sister's gaze falls upon him.

"Mari--I.. You.." His body moves on his own to hug her, holding her as if she was liable to disappear if he ever let go. She calmly pats him on the back, running her free hand through the back of his hair.

"Shh. Don't worry about me, okay?" Another bang on the door. "I'm always here. Don't forget that. Maybe I'll come with you next time, but, I.." Mari looks away. "I'm not sure if I belong in there, anymore."

	His grip loosens, he wants to cry, but no tears come. He slowly pulls away. Mari smiles at him.

"Go have fun, alright? They've been waiting for you."

	Though it's hard to look away from her, he finally glances back at the door. He twists the knob of the door and pulls back, and like that, everything goes white.

	Sunny's vision clears and he finds himself in a familiar place. Though the colors are darker and more washed out, he still spots the large yellow cat gazing down upon him. Though the ground is no longer littered with toys, it seems cleaner, albeit with a layer of dust coating most things. The tree in the room looks a bit older, with droopier leaves, though there are many planters surrounding it filled with various flowers. The table has been pushed up to the forefront of the room, and huddled around it are Kel, Hero, Aubrey, and Basil, all huddled around a large TV, though unlike the fuzzy, washed out pastel memories Sunny once had of his friends, they look exactly as they were the days before he moved away.

"Maaaaaaan." Kel lowers what seems to be a controller in his hands. "We should have picked a different game. All you have to do in this one is just get lucky!"

"Pft." Aubrey huffs. "I won way more minigames than you, anyway--wait, Basil, don't!"

	The TV loudly blurts out 'SPECIAL CHANCE!!' and a spinning roulette sound, and, after a few tense moments, Aubrey and Kel both drop their controllers.

"Oh. Huh.. Wow, I didn't even know that was something you could do, sorry, guys." Basil scratches the back of his head in slight embarrassment as he definitively ruins their chances of victory. Kel just leans forward and turns the game off, clamoring onto his feet and stretching.

"I'm over it. Lemme go knock on that door some more." Kel spins on his heels and yaps in surprise. "Oh, hey! Look who it is! I told you all he'd be back eventually!" The others turn and get up as soon as they lay eyes on Sunny, erupting in greetings.

"Just in time, too." Aubrey saunters over to the large counter, fetching her bat as it rests against it. "We were about to head out and maybe grab a bite. You really should get that microwave, Hero. There's nothing around here to actually eat without us going somewhere."

"I've been meaning to! It's just that I've never really had the Clams.." Hero pats at his pockets, a very small rattling in response.

"You would have been able to afford it by now if you actually let all those people you help actually give you something in return.." Aubrey shrugs. "Well, it's fine. I'd rather taste your actual cooking than whatever you'd make in a microwave."

"Settled! Let's go, C'mon, Sunny!" Kel rushes over to him like an excited dog, tugging on his hand lightly.

	Sunny allows himself to be tugged along, though he breaks free from Kel's grasp when he sees the familiar snake in an unfamiliar place, instead of resting on the stairs, it is coiled up on the end of the table. In fact, the stairs are now completely gone. In its stead appears to be a long ladder leading to a wooden hatch. The snake gestures Sunny over.

Sssssssssssssss...? ("Going out, Sunny?")
Sssssssssssss... ("Here is your allowance for today.")

	The snake grants him a sizable amount of Clams. He glances at the ladder and back to his friends.

"Er.. What happened to the stairs?"

	Hero plants a foot on the rung of the ladder before turning to him. "Oh! Yeah. It has been awhile since we've seen you, huh? Feels like it's been forever. Well, it's nothing to worry about. We just had to change a few things here and there, it wasn't a big deal. But things are, er.. Different up there, now. You'll see what I mean." He tacks on a reassurance, "Oh, it's nothing bad, though! I'm sure everyone will be happy to see you!"

	He begins to climb, Kel follows, then Basil, Aubrey glances at Sunny and waits for him to go before following him.

- - -

Chapter 2: Unfamiliar Territory

	Hero fiddles with the latch that keeps the door to the world above locked. "We decided to put this on just in case. Nobody's ever tried to get in here or anything, but we figured it'd be better safe than sorry since things are sorta busy up here these days.."

"Yeah--you never really explained what's been going on. Should I be worried?"

"No, no! Nothing like that. I just sort of figured it'd be easier if you saw for yourself." The latch unhooks and Hero shoves the door upwards, a loud 'thud' echoing downwards into the room as the group climbs up. The harsh sunlight above causes Sunny to squint as he crawls out onto the ground, though even with his vision blurred, he immediately notices a difference. His hands are not touching grass, the path has been paved over with stonework. The wind is blowing more fiercely than it did before. Sunny clears his vision and looks around.

	Much of the Vast Forest seems to be gone. A few trees remain, seemingly as decorations but most have been cut down and uprooted. There are many signs that are placed very low to the ground that are marked with arrows and written in a strange language and all seem to be directing them forward, towards the playground where he used to spend time with his friends. But instead of a playground, a colossal two story building looms in the distance.

	Kel immediately takes the lead. The rest follow, but Sunny can't help but lean past them to look at what exactly it is they're approaching. "Alright! Fresh air! .. Sorta. Let's hit the food court and see what's open today. Sunny's treat since he just got a fat stack of Clams, right?"

"No, Kel." Hero and Aubrey are almost in sync as they eye him.

"What *is* that?"

"A mall." Aubrey replies, "It just opened a month or so ago, though a lot of the stores didn't get filled in until recently. It's been our unofficial hangout spot for a bit. It's usually pretty crowded, but there's always something to do, at least."

	As the group nears one of the many entrances to the building, they pass through what seems to be a parking lot. Bikes, scooters and mopeds fill out the spaces, with the exception of an oversized spaceship parked on the far left, surrounded by a large yellow square painted on the ground that simply says "RESERVED PARKING". They wordlessly pass the occasional strange face leaving the mall before stopping at the front. Bangs seems to be overlooking the automatic doors, lazily resting atop a mailbox.

	Bangs sighs and deadpans at Sunny and company, "Welcome to the Vast Storefront.. Where you can get anything you can dream of.."

	Basil flashes him a smile and a small wave. "Bangs, we're going to go get something to eat, do you want me to get you anything?"

"No thanks. Just check on Bangs for me, please." Basil nods and catches up with the rest of the group.

	As they wait at the entrance, Sunny is looking over a large picture framed at the entrance, denoting the names and locations of the various stores and activities placed about. The mall seems impossibly big considering its exterior, as if it doesn't obey the normal rules of space. Also of note is that many uncommon things for a standard mall seem to be open. A Museum, a skating park, and an aquarium, to name a few.

"Ah. Right. Before we go, can we head to the main office and talk to Mr. Jawsum? Today might be the day!" Hero raises a finger and points towards a door placed to the left with a large plaque that says "MAIN OFFICE" on it.

	Aubrey scoffs. "If he ever gives you those coupons, I owe Kel 50 Clams. There's no way it's ever going to happen."

"I dunno, Aubrey. Mr. Jawsum ended up listening to me when we talked." Basil pipes in.

"Yeah, because he wanted to pave over your house for this place! It was nice that you moved in, but you should have at least asked for some Clams."

"I don't want Clams. I wanted to make sure all my plants were taken care of." Sure enough, Sunny notices a spot on the map that denotes a large garden and arboretum.

	Kel shrugs. "Never hurts to ask. Plus, we need to settle that bet. Let's go talk to him. Oh, also! Sunny, watch out for the Sprout Moles. There's always tons of them shopping here and sometimes I trip over them.." Easy for him to say, since he's actually tall. Sunny has no issue seeing the various Moles dragging bags around in their mouths.

	The main office door is open, though a Gator Guy looms near the door, dressed in a white button-up that indicates he is a member of the security staff. He nods at Hero and presses a finger to his ear. "Hero's here.. Yeah.. 'Course I'm letting him through. His friends okay too? Uh huh. Even his brother? Making sure." He steps aside. Mira waves at the group as they enter the office and make towards the back, surprisingly there's only a single phone at her desk.

	Aubrey grumbles. "Must be nice. This mall stuff must be way easier than the Last Resort ever was." The door to Mr. Jawsum's office is already open, and Sunny can see the large opulent desk in the center of the room. The group files in, and Jawsum's toothy grin flashes.

"Ah. The prodigal son returns. Hero, my boy. What can I do for you? Just name it."

"Well, Mr. Jawsum, sir. Really, I was just showing Sunny around, since he hasn't been around in awhile. Though, as long as I'm here, maybe I could finally get those special deals you were telling me about?" Hero plays coy.

	Jawsum sucks air through his teeth. "I see. Always happy to see a new customer, and any friend of Hero's a friend of mine. As for the coupons.. Of course, I'd be happy to do that. But, wouldn't you know it? Our printer's been out of ink. I really should hire someone who takes care of that and other, smaller amenities around here.. You wouldn't happen to be interested in that, would you?"

"Ha ha.. I'm always a little tempted, I have to admit, but I'd feel bad if I ended up being too busy for my friends, you know?" Hero scratches the back of his head.

"Fair enough, say no more." Jawsum takes a long swig out of his mug. "I'll get'ya eventually. Need to get my ace back."

"Er.." Sunny finally speaks up. "Mr. Jawsum? What happened to the playground? What convinced you to do all this?"

"JAWHAHAHAHAHAHA!" The shark laughs. "Want a peek into the business mind of ol' Mr. Jawsum, do ya? I don't blame you." He reaches under his desk and pulls out a metal rod, and slaps it against an easel behind him. On the easel is a large graph that seems to be plummeting downwards. "So, I did the numbers. I looked into this! And it turns out.. Playgrounds aren't actually profitable. Not one bit! I dunno who built that old place but he didn't have a clue what he was doing."

	He pushes the large paper up to reveal the next board, showing a map of the world. "So I was scouting locales for a new venture of mine, and I saw this place. It was pretty run down. Didn't look like a kid had played there in a year or two, at the very least. Only person my people found there was a fella named Boss. Prickly guy, but he's got a good heart. Made him my new head of security. Anyway.." He taps the map again. "Look at this! It's prime real estate. It's in the dead center of this whole little world we got. And there's a huge tourism branch here, there's a train station not even five minutes away! It really does not take a genius to connect the dots here. And I saw a real market on top of that. An abandoned playground? What happened? It's obvious. The kids got older. They needed something new. Something more stimulating than an old tether ball pole and a little empty picnic blanket." Everybody present seems to wince a bit and avert their gaze at the mention of the blanket.

	"And not only that, but this place has been a huge community service project. You saw all the signs out there, right? Those are for those little Sprout Mole folks. I got a tip from a very reliable source that they have piles of Clams, just waiting to be spent. The only problem is, how do you get 'im here? They go coo-coo if they get lost. So I made a little.. Investment. They can always find their way here. Sprout Mole attacks have dropped by eighty percent since I had these things put up. It was a bit pricey but I'd say it paid off in dividends." He folds up the rod and tucks it back under his desk.

	Sunny takes in this information quietly. Jawsum's reasoning is sound, but he can't help but regret the memories that have been lost alongside the playground. Kel pipes in, "Wow, Mr. Jawsum! You sure are smart about this kinda stuff!"

"That's the only good thing I've ever heard out of your mouth, Kel. JAWHAHAHAHAHAHA!" He bangs his fins on the desk. "Ah.. Anyway. Any other questions?"

	A pause.
	".. No."

"Great! You kids go have fun. Or eat. Or relax. Whatever it is, just make sure you're spending."

	The gang takes their leave. Aubrey looks at Kel with a smug smirk, though no words at exchanged. Hero's never getting those coupons.

- - -

Chapter 3: Someone's Missing..

	The gang leisurely strides through the mall, navigating the small crowds and pockets of groups walking together. Basil seems to be scanning around as he follows along.

"Do you guys think we'll run into Brows? I did tell Bangs that I would check in on him.."

"I guess it wouldn't hurt to ask around." Hero replies, "I'm sure a few people know where he is, since.. you know.." He trails off.

"The screaming?" Kel pipes in.

"Yeah. The screaming."

"Surprised security's never bothered him. Those guys have some short fuses."

"Oh, you didn't hear?" Aubrey grins. "Berly basically runs this place. All the Gator Guys respect her, so nobody messes with her, and all the playground crew's family as far as she's concerned."

	The sound of wheels rolling fills the air as small groups disperse and take places at the sides of the hallways. Almost on queue, Berly rounds the corner on a skateboard. She looks a lot different than she did a few years ago, her hair has grown longer and been styled into a side cut, the larger spines on her head acting as a separator for her hair. with her hair drooping over one of her eyes. She's now also wearing red contacts as opposed to her old glasses, and her teeth have gotten huge, her toothy smile jutting out of her mouth. As she kicks the board up, you can see there's a velociraptor painted on it.

"Aubrey! Aubs! Auby!" She approaches the gang, the board held under her arm, flashing her large grin. "You wanna ditch these guys for a bit and go shred?"

"Can't, Bers. We're going to go grab something to eat, plus, Sunny's back. Need to show him around." She idly taps her bat on the ground.

"Laaaaame." Berly grumbles. "Fine, fine. Maybe tomorrow."

	Basil, previously looming in the back of the group, leans around Hero. "Err, Berly? Do you know where Bangs might be?"

"Eh? Oh. Hey, Flowerboy. Didn't see you there. Why? You got beef with 'im? I hear you guys keep going to talk to Jawsum."

Basil waves his hands defensively. "No, no! Nothing like that. It's--it's a long story, Hero and Jawsum have this--

"Boring!" Berly interrupts. "Last I heard of him making noise, he was with us near the Museum. We wanted to see if there was anything big we could put wheels on for Van. And we figured, 'old stuff's big, right?' Which turned out to be a dud. But, yeah, try there. He'll probably still be close enough to hear. Otherwise, uh.." Her large nails scratch and ruffle at her hair. "You could try that kiosk downstairs. It's called 'Perfect Advice' or something? I dunno, the lady that runs it gives me the creeps, but everyone else says she's always right. So maybe she can read minds or is magic."

	Basil takes a small glance at a nearby map, it's pretty hard to walk around the mall without being in immediate vision of a map, presumably because it helps the Sprout Moles avoid getting lost. "Ah, so.. There.. Alright! Thanks a lot, Berly."

"Uh-huh." She taps a claw against Basil's chest. "You didn't hear it from me though. I got a reputation to uphold around here. Got it?"

"Y-yes m'am."

"Good." The wheels hit the ground and Berly rides off.

	Sunny's stomach grumbles again. "I guess we can go check as long as it doesn't take too long."

	The mall stretches and twists with various walkways, seemingly infinite at times, though as they approach the museum, the smell of food and grease fills their nostrils. The food court is near. But they have one more stop to make before they go there, pausing outside of this Museum, the floor inside abruptly becoming a fancy marble tiling with various strange and alien objects lining the walls. Basil leans over the railing to look around.

"Well.. I don't see him." A moment passes, and then another. And finally, a muffled sound in the distance.

"ᴬᴴᴴᴴᴴᴴᴴᴴᴴᴴᴴᴴᴴᴴᴴᴴᴴᴴᴴᴴᴴᴴᴴ"

"Oh! But I hear him!" Basil holds up a hand. "Hold on, I'll go try to calm him down. Be back in a second!" He runs off.

"Huh.." Sunny continues to stare into the Museum, a few pieces seem strangely familiar to him.

"Huh?" Kel waves a hand in front of his face. "You wanna go in there? It's probably fine as long as Basil can see us when he gets back. Maybe there's something cool in there, like some old Sprout Mole fossil with big teeth!"

"Yeah, maybe." Sunny seems drawn in. He slowly enters, Aubrey, Hero and Kel follow behind him. The lobby seems to be empty as he looks around some of the things set up at the entrance. There are a few paintings he recognizes of an annoying looking pink haired woman.

	Aubrey leans forward, squinting. "Are these.. Sweetheart's pictures from her art exhibits?"

"Ah, a fellow patron of the arts? I see you recognize the classics." A voice calls out from behind them. As the group turns, they see a familiar face. Though he looks older and is wearing some particularly expensive looking finery, the long ears, green hair and scarf is immediately recognized.

	Hero glances between him and the paintings. "Rococo? Why do you have Sweetheart's stuff?"

"Wait.. Er.." He trails off, quickly dodging the question. "Wait a moment, do my eyes deceive me? Are my first loyal commissioners before me again? I almost didn't recognize you! And I was honestly a little scared when I saw the pink hair with no further context.. I did sort of.. Take a few things from her castle."

	Kel looks a bit apprehensive. "So you just stole everything out of Sweetheart's exhibit and put it in here?"

"Oh, come on! She buried me in her walls for years! It's only fair that I--" Rococo clears his throat, fixing his new glasses. They visibly have no lenses and are just for show. "I mean, what is the displaying of art but simply borrowing things from people who no longer use it?! You must see there is some merit to having so many wonderful objects in one place."

"Uh-huh.. Like what?"

"I'm glad you asked, young Kel! Please, follow me!" Rococo spins on his heels and walks behind a group of displays.

"I may have made a mistake."

	Hero shrugs. "It's fine. I'll just wait outside and keep an eye out for Basil." He excuses himself, beating everyone else to making an excuse to not follow Rococo. Sunny also separated at some point while the other three were exchanging glances, seemingly interested in whatever the artist had to show them.

"You see, my friends. I was, in fact, very rich after you paid for my commissions. Which I must thank you again for! But I spent some time thinking about it, and I realized.. I had nothing to spend my Clams on. I was used to a very simple lifestyle as I toiled away my years in the walls of Sweetheart's castle. And so, I did some thinking, and I realized.. The best way to spend these Clams, was to observe other methods of art! Certainly, the brush and easel can create beautiful things. But there is more to art than simply painting. There are statues, carpentry, strange unexplained artifacts!"

	Kel seems unconvinced. "So.. You did steal things from Sweetheart and put them in here."

	Rococo's shoulders sag. "Yes. In my defense, nobody's seen Sweetheart in a long while! But! But look at these!" He points to some strange tablets. "These, I procured from the Orange Oasis! And before you ask, I did NOT steal them from Dino's Dig. And this.." He motions to a strange black bookcase. "I excavated this from beneath Sweetheart's castle! A mysterious bookshelf in a dusty ancient ruin, completely empty of books. What could it mean?" He seems a bit desperate to shift the conversation away from his perceived thievery. Sunny stares at the bookcase uneasily.

"Oh, and this is one of my favorite pieces." He holds his hands out to a faded yellow piece of paper, framed and hung on the wall. Most of the writing is ineligible but a very poorly written 'AUBREY' is visible. "This was found deep in the reaches of the Otherworld. Planted in the ground for all to see, in a mysterious language. A declaration? Or a warning?"

	Kel presses his face closer to the frame, his breath staining the glass. "Hey.. That's.."

	Aubrey's hand flies forward in a flash and wraps around Kel's mouth, muffling him. "That's very mysterious and interesting."

"Aha, so you see the value of housing such strange and fanciful objects, then! Very good. It has been a very interesting journey, but I believe it has been worth it, it is a project worthy of me and my dear sister."

	Kel finally pulls her hand off of his mouth, he coughs a bit and rubs his mouth off. "Bleck! Gross! Come on, Aubre--wait, sister? Didn't you say you were the last of your race or something?"

"Oh? Oh, you have not met her! Yes, indeed. I thought I was, but, fate seems to be on my side. You see, I recently made a comrade in a fellow named Captain Spaceboy. And he informed me that while he was doing some.. Soul searching off in the snowy mountains and came upon a girl isolated in a cabin, living off the harsh lands.. You simply must meet her! One moment!" Rococo disappears into the halls.

	Kel and Aubrey turn around and notice Sunny hasn't followed them. They backtrack and see him still looking at the bookshelf, his single visible eye glazed over.

"Sunny? You okay? Helllooooo? Earth to Sunny?" Kel frowns. Aubrey gently nudges Sunny, he stumbles in place and nearly falls over, yelping in surprise. Aubrey turns her nudge into a tight grip on his shoulder.

"You okay? You started daydreaming on us again."

"Ah.. Yeah. Sorry." He steps back and turns to see Rococo and another figure not entirely unlike him. Though Rococo seems to have tried to appear as a professional with his new attire, his sister is anything but. Her hair is short and very messy, as if she had just gotten out of bed. She sports an unassuming shirt and a pair of jeans, and an apron smock, though one would assume it was initially white, it has been stained in several places with paint, almost in a strange rainbow pattern. A sketchbook hangs off her side. She is also wearing glasses, though they appear to be actually real, unlike Rococo's. The room almost lights up with her bright smile as she bows slightly to the group.

"Hello! You must be my brother's friends. He's told me so much about you! It's very interesting to see the people he based his earlier pieces on. My name is Fluxus."

"Sunny."

	Aubrey rethinks introducing herself by name because of the dark secret of the 'mysterious paper' in the other room. "Er, nice to meet you."

"I'm Kel! Pleased to meet'cha!" He extends his hand for a handshake, Fluxus returns the gesture. "I'm guessing you're an artist too? Got any cool art?"

"Ah, I don't know if any of it is 'cool..' I'm still learning. Drawing and painting have proven to be a very interesting way to hone my skills, though I am also interested in some of the more difficult arts, like sculpting."

	Rococo chuckles. "Ah, my dear sister sells herself short! Her creative process is top notch, she has great potential. I'm sure she will surpass even me in time."

"Well, perhaps--" She is interrupted by a call from the mall outside.

"Hey, guys! Basil's back! Let's get going!"

	Kel clicks his tongue. "Ah, dang. Listen, Fluxus, we gotta go, Sunny's getting all dizzy from hunger. But maybe we'll see you around? I hope you can show me some of your art next time I see you! And hey, sculpting? That's really cool. I don't live far from here, so if you ever need a model, just tell me. I was a statue once and I looked preeeety good, if I do say so myself."

	She averts her gaze. "That's.. very kind of you to offer, Kel."

"Heheh, yeah. See'ya!" Kel grabs Sunny and pulls him along out of the exhibits. Though Aubrey doesn't follow just quite yet.

"Hey. I know Sweetheart did some pretty awful things to you. But what did you say about nobody seeing her for awhile? Did something happen?"

"Nobody knows! Shortly after you found me, I heard she had left the castle, and nobody's seen her since. The only person I can think of that might have an idea is Captain Spaceboy, since we've had similar.. experiences.. Perhaps you could ask him?"

"I might just do that. Thanks." Aubrey leaves to rejoin the group.

- - -

Chapter 4: Distant Memories

	Sunny fidgets a bit as Kel hovers close by him as they continue on. "I'm not going to faint or anything.."

"I'm just worried about ya, is all. We gotta put some meat on your bones! How much have you been eating?"

"About as much as I usually do?" he shrugs.

"Kel's right. You gotta be careful about that stuff. Malnourishment is pretty dangerous for your body, you know." Hero raises a finger.

"Yeah, see? You can't grow if you don't eat. That's what Hero said, it's why I've been doubling up on my meals!" Kel nods emphatically.

"Er.. I dunno if I said exactly that.. But it's still better to eat than not eat."

	Sunny's stomach grumbles again, he quickly decides to try and change the subject. "Did you talk to Brows, Basil?"

"Ah, yeah! I ended up calming him down a little, so things should be quiet for a bit. Sorry if I took too long!"

"We kept ourselves busy, so don't worry about it." Aubrey replies, by now the gang has approached a large archway with the words 'FOOD COURT' lined across the top of it. There are seemingly dozens of evenly placed restaurants, as well as a spacious section in the center of them dedicated to circular tables for people to eat. Though some of these places are a bit busy, the real notable one features a long line of Sprout Moles shuffling slowly ahead.

	Aubrey finds a table with adequate seating and leans her bat against it. "Alright, everybody split up, find something, and meet back here. Oh, and Sunny, don't bother going to Tofu Tuesdays. They're always busy." She glances over at the line of Moles with a hint of distaste. The gang splits up in various directions.

	Sunny takes advantage of his relatively centered position to scout out his possible meal choices. 'Space Tube Food'.. No. 'The Mustard Sub'.. Nice to say they branched out of Deep Well, but, no.. 'The Breadbasket?' Maybe.. Next to that one is a large sign with an exaggerated shape similar looking to the state of Texas that reads 'Mr. Outback's Steakhouse.'  That'll do. Though, before he enters, he looks at the Breadbasket briefly, approaching as he spots two familiar faces.

"Oh. Hey. It's you guys." He sees a boy with a large piece of bread as a hat kneading dough in the back. A chef hat slowly rises out from behind the counter, being worn by a long haired girl.

	A droning deadpan as Doughie speaks, "Welcome to the Breadbasket. Whatever you order, we guarantee you'll loaf it."

"Ohoooo..." Biscuit approaches the counter to join his sister.

"Ah, he does look remarkably similar to the one who freed us from our doughy prison, doesn't he, Biscuit?"

"Didn't.. Didn't you two leave specifically to not make any more bread?"

"Ohooooooooooooooo.."
"Biscuit has the right of it. Try as we might, these accursed hands are drawn to bread. We need it... We knead it..." Doughie sags.

"But it is not all bad. We have recently learned through duress of the mall owner, Mr. Jawsum, that there is something called.. days off."
"Ohooo!"

"As you would expect, we have made ample use of these joyous days to enjoy other, non-bread related activities. It is a happy medium. Perhaps you may join us? It is the least we can do for one who looks so similar to our savior."

	Sunny takes a step back. "Maybe later.. I just wanted to see how you two were doing."

	Doughie dusts some flour off her hands and turns back to work. "We will be here. Unless we are not. Then we are closed."
	"Oohoooooooo.."

	After excusing himself, Sunny stops at the next door down and steps inside, his ears are immediately assaulted by strange ragtime music as he spots Mr. Outback, humming along with the beat as he dances between several grills, the smell and sizzling of beef sends Sunny's stomach into pangs of hunger. He taps a small bell at the counter.

"Howdy, pardner! Welcome to the Steakhouse, what can an old codger like myself do for ya?" Sunny pauses and looks up at the menu hanging overhead. As he does, Mr. Outback seems to be looking him over.

"Now, pardon me for saying, cowpoke, but you look an awful lot like someone I was s'posed t'keep an eye out for.."

"Well done steak--huh?" Sunny looks a little annoyed, like he's about to get roped into another distraction to keep him away from his meal.

"Yeah, I reckon.. Hold 'yer horses for one second, here.." He reaches under the counter and pulls out a small slip of paper and flips it around to show Sunny. There's an extremely crude drawing that admittedly vaguely resembles him on the note. "I'd call you a dead ringer for this fella!"

	He squints. "I... Guess?"

"Won't hurt no one to make sure! I'll cut a little deal with ya, pardner. A friend'o mine told me you might end up blazing your trail to my little saloon. And they said that I oughta send you their way if I ever see ya. So if you just go check in on 'em, I'll give you a pardner's discount. That sound peachy to you?"

	Sunny frowns. "And where is this friend?"

"Just cross the way o'er there on the other side of the court. It's the noodle shop. Don't gotta be a deadeye to catch it."

"Fine." Sunny turns and leaves. He sees Basil and Hero waiting at their table. Kel has a large bag and.. He walks past the table, to another restaurant. He notices Aubrey's pink hair a ways off, standing in a dark, black store, the sign has strange black ramen noodles hanging from it, the sign reading 'Offerings from the Abyss.' Sunny is suspicious and opts not to go there just yet, waiting for Aubrey to return. Eventually she does, and Kel arrives last, with a second bag.

"Alright, what'd everyone get?" Kel rifles through one of his bags. "I got some chicken from that Orange Oasis themed place. But their fries stink, so I had to go over to the All-American diner for those."

	A loud slurping noise follows as Aubrey swallows some noodles. "I eat this ramen stuff pretty often. I get tired of the cheap stuff, but that Abyss place is pretty high quality. Name's weird, though."

	Hero's plate seems relatively fancy. "Just some osso buco with a side of risotto.."

"Gesundheit." Kel replies.

"I really like the variety of food I can get at Papa Chip's. I get something new there every time I go and it's never let me down."

	Basil chomps down on a huge burger. "Oh, nothing special. I just got a cheeseburger."

"You always.. munch.. Surprise me with what you get, Basil. I thought you'd like.. munch.. Eat vegetarian stuff, you know?" Kel's mouth is full as he speaks.

"Er, well, I usually prefer that kind of food. But I have to admit, cheese really is my weakness. I just love stuff with cheese on it. Even stuff that cheese shouldn't be on sometimes.."

	Sunny is a bit jealous as he watches everyone eat. "Aubrey. You went to the noodle place, right?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Who's running--"

	Aubrey looks off to the side and spots Captain Spaceboy exiting the Space themed restaurant with a small tube of space food, with two of his crew mates and a large robot. "Hold that thought, Sunny." She waves. "Hey! Captain Spaceboy!! Come over here for a second, would you?"

	Sunny grumbles. He doesn't have time for this, he stands up and makes his way towards the noodle restaurant. He passes Captain Spaceboy, who joins them. Spaceboy hasn't seemed to age very much, the only real hint of it is the fact that he seems.. tired. There are bags under his eyes and he has lost his smile. "Ah.. It has been awhile, little lady. What can I do for you?"

	Kel yelps in surprise, spitting the chicken out of his mouth as he spies the robot accompanying Spaceboy. He leans over and reaches for Aubrey's bat. "Oh no! It's the killer robot that those slime girls made! Watch out!"

"Pardon..? Oh. You mean Roboheart?" Captain Spaceboy chuckles. "Oh, no, no, you are sorely mistaken, young Kel. She is merely.. A friend of mine."

	The robot screeches. "V2UgYXJlIG1vcmUgdGhhbiBmcmllbmRzIQ== VHJ1ZSBsb3ZlIGlzIG5vdGhpbmcgdG8gYmUgYXNoYW1lZCBvZiwgQ2FwdGFpbiBvZiBteSBoZWFydC4u"

"That's what I was going to ask about, actually." Aubrey pointedly takes her bat from Kel and sets it back down. "Somebody said Sweetheart's been missing for a long time now. Do you have any idea where she is?"

"Ah." Spaceboy's tone turns flat. "I'm.. not sure why you wish to know that. But my understanding is that she has remained in the Orange Oasis for some time now. I have men watching her."

"WU9VIFdIQVQ/" Roboheart's head nearly spins to lock on the Captain of the Space Pirates.

"It's nothing like that, my metallic muse.. I want to be forewarned if she ever returns, that is all. It is for my sake."

	Roboheart stares in cold silence. We can never know the calculations running in her head.

"That doesn't seem like her.. Is she okay?"

"Fine, as far as I'm aware. If it's something you wish to investigate, I will not stop you, but at least give me fair warning should she return here. It would be best for both of us."

	Meanwhile, Sunny enters the Offerings from the Abyss restaurant. It is eerily quiet and empty. The inside of the restaurant is dimly lit. Nobody seems to be manning the counter.
	He rings the bell.
	Silence.
	He rings it again.
	Still nothing.

	He spots a door to the back, presumably to the kitchen. After a moment of deliberation, he decides that if there is someone here that wants to see him, they wouldn't mind him coming in. Sunny climbs over the counter and steps into the kitchen.

	As the door closes behind him, he sees a peculiar sight. The kitchen looks, for the most part, normal. There are many boiling pots filled with noodles and the simmering of water in saucepans fills the air. However, the oddity lies in the fact that the kitchen staff is entirely consistent of tentacles. All working in tandem and harmony to prepare the meals.

"What.." Sunny looks on, his head begins to throb with pain. As he speaks up, one of the tentacles drops a pan on the floor, water spilling everywhere. The tentacles all seem to twist and turn. Eyes begin to pop open on each of them, and then a mouth. They all begin to chant in unison.

"Dreamer."
"Dreamer.."
"Dreamer..."

	Ooze pours from the wall behind him, he scrambles for the door, but it is too late. The tentacles lash out at Sunny, gripping his limbs and torso, pulling him away. Pulling him further into the kitchen. He struggles fruitlessly in their grasp. His breathing becomes heavy and ragged, he continues to strain as they all tug on him, pulling him with a singular purpose. He closes his eye.

	After a moment, the force stops, and they drop him. Another door swings open and a tall woman appears before him. She is inky black, dripping strange liquid, the only part of her body that is not pure darkness is her white sclera and an apron with a large question mark on it. She pulls Sunny into an embrace, ooze sticks to his clothing and hair.

"It is truly you. I have missed you so, Dreamer.. My best friend.."

"L.. Let go of me! Who are you?"

	She ignores his pleas. "It has been too long since I was cast away. Of course you do not remember me.. I am Abbi. You saved me."

"What are you even talking about?"

"You.. No. He.. He cast me into the darkness. But he is no longer. You are one with him. In forgiving yourself.. You have forgiven me. It is gratitude I wish to express, Dreamer."

	Abbi lets Sunny go, he resists the immediate urge to distance himself from her.  "I'm sorry. I really don't know what you're talking about."

"Memories are difficult things, Dreamer. Perhaps you shall in time. Until that day comes, allow me to nurture you as I once did. Eat." Abbi offers him a large plate of noodles.

"I.. I don't really like ramen."

	She holds a tentacle up to her cheek in surprise. "Ah! It seems I.. Also do not remember some things. This is of no matter." Abbi's eyes twinkle, and with a flash, the room falls away into darkness. They stand in nothingness for a short time before the room begins to reconstruct itself around them, the bricks and tiles refilling the walls and floor, ovens, microwaves and cooking ware land down with a resounding thud. The plate Abbi is holding now contains a large steak burrito. The sign that rested on the wall that said 'Offerings from the Abyss' now says 'Tako Bell.'

"This is more to your liking, yes, Dreamer?'

"How did you.." The plate is forced into his hands.

"The power of lucidity and understanding allows the manipulation of this fickle mindscape. It was your gift to me that allows this. You, too, are capable of such things, Dreamer. Perhaps you could learn if you.. If you would return to me again. But that is for another time. Quickly go and enjoy your time with your friends. Dawn approaches soon, and you will leave this place."

	Sunny silently leaves, his mind racing with thoughts. His friends greet him as he returns, Aubrey now munching on a hard-shell taco. He spends the rest of the day with his friends, eating and enjoying the sights, before it all fades away and he finds himself awake in bed.

- - -

Chapter 5: Sweetheart

	Sunny is awoken again. The light overhead is on this time, illuminating his room. He groans and tries to go back to sleep, though his attempts fall short, primarily due to a strange noise..

	Crunch.. Crunch.. Sunny sits up. Mari is sitting across the room from him on her bed, munching on some chips.

"Hey, little Brother. [Crunch].. You were hungry last time, so I brought a snack." She holds out the bag. "Want some?"

	Another dream. The door leading out of his room has the glow from the previous day oozing out from its frame. Sunny quietly takes the bag.

"I know it isn't much, but hopefully it'll help. Maybe I should have cooked something.." She taps a finger on her chin.

	Sunny feels a bit uncomfortable. Even after everything that's happened, it feels wrong to have her speaking so casually in front of him. But he fights against the negative feelings, Mari isn't supposed to hurt him anymore. "Did you.. want to come with me, this time?"

"Ah.." She averts her eyes. "I thought about it a bit. And maybe it's for the best I don't. I mean.. I just don't think they would react well. I can only imagine how Basil would feel."

	He looks down at the floor. Sunny doesn't want to admit it, but she's right. But..
	A long pause. He thinks about what Abbi told him. How things could be manipulated in a dream.

"What if you being around was just a normal thing? Like before?"

"I don't quite understand what you mean, Sunny.."

	Sunny stands, a determined glint in his eye. "Just give me a little bit. I can't just.. leave you in here alone." Mari does not reply. He pulls the door open and enters the dreamscape once again.

	The immediate sight before him is Kel and Aubrey standing across from each other, both looking frustrated. Basil and Hero sit by, exchanging glances.

"Oh, hey, there you are!" Kel strides over. "Are those chips?" He reaches his hand into the bag to help himself.
Crunch.. Crunch.. "Perfect timing, Sunny. You can be our tiebreaker for this argument."

"I'm just saying, we should check on her." Aubrey pipes in.

"And when has that ever been a good idea?! I say she's better off there, not bothering anybody." Kel says, with a mouth full of chips.

	Aubrey looks over to Hero and Basil.

"I mean.. I'll go along with either choice. I don't think you're wrong, but neither is Kel.."
"I don't know who you're talking about, so I should abstain.."

"Er.. What's going on?" Sunny looks a bit confused.

"It's just.. I want to go check on Sweetheart." Aubrey braces for a negative reaction.

"And *I* think that's stupid! She tried to kill us once, and tried to sell us to those weird witches the other time!" Kel huffs.

"Kel makes a good point." He fist pumps at this affirmation. "Why do you want to go see her?" Sunny shrugs.

"Don't you think it's weird that she's just been out there on her own? It's completely unlike her to be out of the spotlight for so long. She must be lonely.. And, maybe she's different now. A lot can change in four years.."

	She doesn't want to say it, but Sweetheart is reminding her of herself, being isolated. Everything that happened. Sunny realizes that. Aubrey may be a little misguided in wanting to pursue this, but her heart is in the right place, it always has been. "Alright. Let's go."

"Maaaaaaaan. Aubrey always gets what she wants."

	Aubrey closes her eyes and smiles. "Thanks. I'll take responsibility if I'm wrong about this, but I have a feeling." She grabs her bat and makes her way up the ladder.

	Basil raises his hand. "Um. Who's Sweetheart?"

"The worst." Kel grumbles, following Aubrey up.

	Hero doesn't seem to want to explain much further, either. Eventually, the gang returns to the surface.

	Sunny takes a moment to look around. "There was something I wanted to do, so I'd rather skip the train ride.. Is Pluto still around?"

"I think so.. There's a Spaceline station near the mall, anyway. Let's go check." Aubrey continues to lead the way.

	Sure enough, there's a side path that leads down a small road, and sitting in a small clearing of trees is the familiar blue station platform. It seems a bit weathered with time and neglected. One of the letters has fallen off the sign, so now it reads 'Pluto's paceline.'

"Ah, jeez.. I am not looking forward to doing this again. How is this even going to work with Basil here?" Kel begrudgingly steps on the platform.

	A minute passes. Then another. Then another.

"Uh.." Kel taps his foot on the platform a few times. Then he gets off it and back on it again. He stares off into the sky. "Pluto? Pluuuuuuuuuuto?'

	The tail of a comet streaks through the sky. In a flash of light, the dwarf planet lands behind them. The ground quakes as a small crater is left by his impact. There is a strange capsule behind him, attached by a rigid material to his shoulders, like a strange backpack. Pluto looks mostly unchanged, though he now sports a large, icy beard.

"Ah... Children. No.. It is no longer fair to call you children. You've all grown. Especially you, young Kel. GWAHAHAHAHAHA!" Pluto emits a roaring laugh, his hands on his waist. "I had begun to think that nobody remembered Pluto's Spaceline, but of course my most loyal customers and friends would never forget, would they?"

"Business has been bad, Pluto?" Hero chimes in.

"Well. There have been some.. unfavorable events. Accidents, I suppose you could say. My strength is immense, though there were some troubles holding so many people. The Sprout Mole tragedy still haunts me to this day.. The new proprietor of this mall threatened to decommission my operations if I did not confirm to some new safety standards." He tugs on the bands securing the capsule behind him. "It is a much heavier load, but I am no stranger to a good workout! Now.. Where would you like to go today, young travelers?"

	Basil looks a little nervous, lacking context beyond what he was just told. "U..uh.. Orange Oasis?" He looks to Aubrey for confirmation, she nods.

"Excellent. Hop in." Pluto grabs the large capsule, outfitted with several seats, and pulls it to the front. The gang awkwardly climbs in and seats themselves. "Please fasten the seat belts provided to you. There are bags underneath them if you feel sick."

"Now. Three.. Two.. One.. Lift-off!" With the capsule in his firm grasp, he leaps into the sky. The capsule shakes violently, but they seem to be mostly secured in their seats. The world itself seems to move beneath them as Pluto traverses the skies.

"I guess this is better than it used to be." Kel shudders, remembering hanging on for dear life.

"Th-this is better?!" Basil vibrates intensely. "How was it before?"

"It's kind of a long story, but back in the day we used to--" Hero is interuptted by a crash and a quake. The capsule door is pulled open.

"We have arrived." Pluto gingerly places them down, and the gang slowly crawls out one by one.

"Wow, that was fast." Sunny deadpans.

"Of course, that is what my service is known for! Tell your friends! .. Please. Watching old shows with the Earth is fun and all, but we're getting into the reruns now and I really need some sort of distraction." Pluto takes off.

".. Right." Aubrey ignores that. "So. Orange Oasis is a pretty big place.. We should probably split up."

	Hero looks around a bit, nervous. "I'm not sure if I want to run into her on my own, but you're right. Let's meet up outside Dino's Dig if we don't find her?"

"Where should I look? I've never been here before.." Basil looks out over the Oasis.

"There's a pretty straightforward path on the east side." Sunny points. "It's a bit of a walk, but you shouldn't get lost."

"Alright. I'll check it out, you can count on me!" He nods.

	The group travels to the center of the Oasis, near the pool of orange juice, and splits up. Sunny figures the best place to check is the donut-shaped house in the north. There are still a few bunnies wandering about the desert, though they seem to keep to themselves. The dream world does seem a bit safer than it used to be. As he nears the abode, he immediately notices a few small differences. The fence around the house has been made much taller, and there is a gate that separates the house from the rest of the oasis. Inside the gate is a folded up solar screen, a large beach chair, and a pool has been dug out. This definitely seems like Sweetheart's handiwork..

	Sunny peeks inside the donut house, though he doesn't spot her, though the furniture has been moved around, there are two old donuts lounging and resting, as well as a small donut scampering around and playing with two dolls. He decides it's better not to disturb them and return to his friends. Kel, Hero and Aubrey seem to be chattering as he approaches.

"I checked Rain Town." Aubrey looks a bit soaked. "She wasn't there.."

"Well, I checked Club Sandwich, and they said she was banned from there." Hero signs. "I also checke Dino's Dig, and Dino said she was banned from there, too."

"I went and visited Orange Joe!" Kel smiles. "Him and his brother are doing great!"

	Aubrey glares at Kel. "That's.. good. But you were supposed to look for Sweetheart."

"Yeah, I know. I didn't want to, so I visited Orange Joe instead."

"Kel, I swear to--" Sunny interrupts before this becomes an issue. "Where's Basil?"

	They all stop and look around. Where IS Basil?

	Meanwhile..

	Basil walks uneasily through the valley leading eastward. He hasn't seen anyone or anything thus far, and he's becoming a bit nervous that he's straying so far away from the oasis. Why did Sunny send him off so far? He thinks about going back, but he sees something approaching him. Fast.

	A tall, pure black man, wreathed in flames is approaching him at rapid speed. Basil freezes. His mind tells him to run, but his legs refuse, they know they can't possibly outrun the strange thing running him down. He closes his eyes and prepares for the worst..

	"You.."

	Basil slowly opens one eye. He's kneeling down.

	"I can tell a great weight has been lifted from your shoulders recently. You have suffered through a great trial, and have come out of it stronger. Though I see your feelings still falter. You must take heart, young one. Though the darkest night is behind you and a bright dawn awaits you, you must venture forth and claim it! The greatest test is not enduring your lowest lows, but getting the most out of your highest highs. And know, that I will believe in you, no matter what path you tread. Do you understand?"

	"U---uhhhh.. Yes?"

	"Excellent. Now, if you'll excuse me. I must be off." With a graceful movement, the man stands and speeds off into the distance. Basil stands for a moment in a mix of positive feelings and utter confusion. He continues walking.

	Eventually, Basil arrives at a dead end, a line of graves headed with pieces of toast surround him. Sitting amongst the graves is a woman, with long pink hair, wearing a rather plain white dress, facing away from Basil. He cautiously approaches.

"Oh, hey, Aubrey! Wasn't I supposed to check this--" He trails off as the woman spins around, with a decidedly different face than his friend.

"My, my.." She stares at him, her gaze sizing him up like a piece of meat, and pausing at the flower in his hair. "What a strange little Sprout Mole, you are. Are you lost, little Mole? Or perhaps you knew exactly where to find me? I had hoped my fans would respect my privacy, but that is clearly too high of a hope to hold."

"Huh?" Basil sweats nervously. "I-I'm not a.."

	She steps towards him and lifts him up, hefting him into the air with surprising strength. "I really don't need any servants at this moment, little Mole.. Though.." Basil wiggles in her grasp.

"You are quite cute for a Sprout Mole, I must admit. I said I would try to distance myself from my old lifestyle.. But things have been so quiet after Great Grandmama went to the Great Bakery in the Sky.. Perhaps I could keep.. Just one pet?"

"Pet?! A-are you listening to me, I'm not--"

"Pish-posh! There are hundreds of Moles that would kill to be in your position! You would be pampered like a King! There are, of course, some small obligations you would have to fulfill, but you look capable.."

"HEY!" The rest of Basil's friends rush in, Kel leading the pack. "You let Basil go right now!"

	The woman glances between them and seems to freeze. Basil slowly slides out of her grip and to the ground, he scrambles to his feet and rushes behind them. "Oh.. Oh my.. Is that.. HERO?!"

"Oh no.."

"Hero! My Prince Charming! Have you come to save this captive Princess from her life of banality? You have grown into quite a man, perhaps I could even forgive your transgressions.."

"Uh.. No. Nothing like that, Sweetheart.." As Hero names her, Basil glances at Kel, his face communicating 'Oh, THAT'S what you meant' better than any words could. Hero nudges Aubrey forward. "Actually, my friend was worried about you.."

	Sweetheart scoffs as Aubrey catches her attention. "Of course she was worried about me. Worried when I would come back! I'm sure she's made quite the killing IMPERSONATING me! You must know there is no replacing the original, dear."

	Aubrey's face immediately lights up in anger. "Impersonating you?! You think I dyed my hair to--I really went out on a limb to come check up on you, you know! I thought you were living here on your own, in some rut, and you haven't changed a bit!"

"OHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!"
"OOOOOOOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!"

"Me? Change? What possible reason would I have to change? No, no, dear children. I simply realized that.. After you RUINED my wedding and RUINED my possibility of finding true love, and after being subjected to so many.. indignities.." She shudders. "by that wretched excuse for a clone, that I wasn't truly happy!"

"Indeed. All the hundreds and thousands of idiotic fans fawning over me.. The lifestyle of being waited on hand and foot. It was nice. Pleasant even. But what did it truly get me? Hm? There's no ring on my finger!" She waves her hand at the group. "There's no smile upon my face! The closest thing I've had to an enjoyable day was watching my dear niece Candy grow up before my eyes!"

"But. But perhaps, as much as I loathe to admit this, you are right. It has been too long. What could the Sprout Moles even spend their Clams on, since I have been gone for so long? Perhaps it is time for a Sweetheart return tour!" She splays her fingers and points at Sunny and Kel. "You two! Come pack my bags so that I may grace the starving world with my presence yet again!"

	Aubrey grits her teeth and hefts her bat. "Oh, that is IT. We are leaving! Come on, guys!" She stomps off. Basil quickly follows in her wake and the rest of the boys follow.

"Hey. Hey Aubrey." Kel grins.

"Kel, so help me, if you say 'I told you so..'

"Well, I'm not gonna now!"

"UGH. Sunny, what did you want to do?"

Sunny looks back to see if Sweetheart is following them. "Er.. I wanted to go back to the Offe--Tako Bell to talk to someone."

"Fine. Whatever. Anything other than this complete waste of time."

- - -

Chapter 6: Lucid Dreaming

	The ride back to the remnants of the Vast Forest passes in silence. Aubrey is very clearly upset at herself. Hero decides to be the one to break the ice.

"You shouldn't feel bad, Aubrey!"

"Huh? I didn't say I was.."

"Well, no. But it does looks like you do. I'm just saying.. Your heart was definitely in the right place, and that's the important thing. Basil's okay, so it's no harm, no foul, right? I don't want to see you stop wanting to do good things because of a bad experience."

	Kel leans over in his seat. "Yeah. I know I was giving you a hard time but it's totally Sweetheart's fault!"

"Thanks, guys.. I really appreciate it." She still looks a bit sore about the whole affair, but at least she's smiling again. "Who are you visiting, Sunny? Anyone we know?"

"I don't think so."

	A few eyebrows are raised at this. Kel interjects, "A friend of yours we don't know? That's weird."

"It's kind of complicated, really.."

"Ooooh?" He looks much more interested. "Come on. That's code for 'Sunny's seeing someone', right? you can tell us!"

"Yes? I'm going to go see someone. I already said that." Sunny replies sarcastically.

"Alright, alright. I see how it is. Guess we'll just have to keep ourselves entertained while you're doing that. Shouldn't be that hard."

"Guess I'll go check on Berly and the gang.. Van usually keeps her out of trouble, but sometimes things get a little crazy. Basil?"

"The garden could always use a little tending.. Though I wouldn't mind a little help moving some top soil around."

"Sounds like a job for us. You up for some heavy lifting, Kel?" Hero nudges his brother, though Kel's mind seems to be wandering..

"Huh--wha? Carrying stuff? Won't take too long between the both of us. Guess we'll meet up at the garden when everyone's done? That's where most of us will be."

	The group nods in agreement as they arrive at their destination. It doesn't take them long to return to the Vast Storefront, and they quietly go their separate ways. As Sunny makes the walk to the food court, he passes by a small kiosk with a simple sign that says 'Perfect Advice'. Berly was talking about this earlier.. There's not much to the setup, there's one seat that looks not unlike the kind of couch you'd see at a psychiatrist's office and a lounge chair. The buzzing sound of a glow pierces Sunny's ears as he looks at the person seated there. It's that clone of Sweetheart that Medusa made. It's hard not to look at her with a bit of distaste considering what he had to deal with today. She looks back at Sunny and smiles. He glances away awkwardly and keeps walking.

	Sunny cuts through the crowds into the food court, the line to the tofu place seems longer. Is it even the same line or are these new Sprout Moles? He could have sworn that he saw that one with the drooping stem earlier.. Whatever, it isn't important. He has business with the strange creature that calls herself 'his best friend.' The kitchen door behind the counter at Tako Bell beckons to him. Though there's a moment of hestitation, he enters.

	A few tentacles linger at the stations, managing some dishes. It doesn't seem like this place gets a lot of business most of the time. Abbi herself is standing in the middle of the room, directing the workflow with subtle movements of her tentacle arms. Her eyes fall on Sunny with her usual piercing gaze, everything in the kitchen slows to a halt. "So soon you have returned to me, Dreamer. I am overjoyed by your precense once again." Sunny can't help but feel unnerved by her soft voice, echoing as if being spoken through a veil of water.

"You said you would teach me about.. changing things." Sunny gestures around the room as he says this, calling back to how she previously reconstructed this entire kitchen.

"Indeed, I did. Your other half.." She shudders as she speaks of this thing. "Understood this well. If something was not to his liking, it would be erased. Perhaps his intentions were pure, but his power.. his power was great and terrible. Well beyond the capabilities of myself and colleagues. If you are capable of even a fraction of this, all will bend to your will, should you choose it."

"I don't need anything like that. I just want everyone to be happy again."

	Abbi glances around, fidgeting with nervousness. "I.. Perhaps I overstep, Dreamer.. But I would ask a price for this lesson."

	Sunny casts a suspicious glare. "And what would that be?"

	She glides across the tile flooring to stand in front of him, lowering herself to face him. "The boon I crave--is that you continue to visit me."

"..That's all?"

"I have been alone for so, so long. Burdened with the knowledge that no one else here is truly real. Except you. Your memory may fail you, but I have been with you since your thoughts first formed." A slimy tentacle caresses Sunny's cheek. "I cannot lose you again. And I do not wish to be used and abandoned.. Not without due recompence."

	He shrugs. Not in a non-commital way, but in the way that he doesn't see this as an issue, despite her strange behavior. "That's fine."

"Excellent. Most wonderful. Then we shall begin. And I see a valuable way to teach you." The tentacle laid across his cheek slides up the side of his face, wriggling under the band of his eye-patch.

"What are--"

"Shhh.. Let me see."

	Abbi removes it. Staring intently at the stitched up wound, a very visible slashing scar laid across where his eye used to be.

"This will suffice well. It is your first lesson, and a key that will be useful later. To control your dream, the first thing you must do is realize you are dreaming."

"That.. seems obvious. You're definitely not something I would see in real life."

"You know you are dreaming, but do you understand that you are dreaming? These things.. are different. You must look for irregularities. Things that are normally of detail serve this purpose well. Clocks will change time if you take your eyes off them. Mirrors will lack fine details or show things that are not truly there. Even the breaths you take can tip you off that you are not in the waking world. Check these things frequently as you wake, and you will check them as you sleep. Train your cognition. Another idea is to document these dreams when you wake. As you learn of your dreams, you will notice signs that signify you are not in the real world. Recognizing these signs is key to understanding."

	He reaches for his eye-patch. "I guess I'll.. keep that in mind.. But why did you need to look at my eye?"

"We are not finished." Abbi pulls it away. "This is your test. You have not been without it long. So the memory should still linger. Expand your mind, Dreamer. Return your sight to the way it once was."

	Sunny stops to think. What is he supposed to do? Just.. imagine that he has both of his eyes again? Wish for it really hard? He's spent so much time talking with Abbi about how this is a dream, there's no doubt at this point. He shuts his remaining eye and imagines the night he lost the other eye. The sequence itself felt like a dream, his mind envisioning a stand-down with Basil when in reality they were just violently attacking one another.. The memory begins to flash through his mind rapidly, the stabbing, the fighting, him being trapped in Basil's room, getting out of his sleeping bag.. It's playing in reverse. A violent buzzing sound wracks his mind as he clutches his face.

	He drops to one knee, occasional glimpses at Abbi are all he can muster as she watches in silence. It feels like an eternity of this intense droning before it finally ceases. Sunny struggles to his feet and opens his eyes.

"So quickly.. As I expected of you, Dreamer. This will be your new key to realize which reality you reside in. Such a detail cannot escape notice, and when you notice, you will know."

	Abbi tucks the eye-patch away. "I will keep this. As a.. memento of your triumph this day."

	Sunny runs a hand along his face, palming at his eye. It's hard to believe it's just.. there, again. But he is struck with a sudden realization. "Won't everyone else know that I'm supposed to be missing one..?"

"I suggest you think about that, yes. That is your second test. To control perception of self is a start, but controlling the perceptions of the other inhabitants of this world is also critical. You may remain here as long as you like to consider your next course of action. I will.. enjoy your company."

- - -

Chapter 7: Starving Artist

	Aubrey navigates the small crowds gathered in the mall to return to where most of the old playground group spends their time now, a section of the storefront converted into a skate park. The patterned tiling of the floor shortly gives way to concrete with a few wooden constructions laying around. Van and Sharleen are immediately visible due to their relative size, sitting on the top end of a half-pipe, kicking their feet. Someone seems to have shoddily drawn angry eyebrows onto Van..

	Upon seeing her, Van hops off the half-pipe, the ground quivers a bit as he lands. "Yo, Aubrey." Sharleen meekly waves as well. "Been awhile. How are things?"

"Could be better.. Berly out causing trouble?"

	He shrugs. "Not more than usual. She's around here.." His head can't quite twist around to the sides very well. "Somewhere."

	The familiar sound of wheels rolling on stone fills the air. A brief flash flies by behind Van. "Ow."

	Berly comes to a halt on her board, hopping off of it. She has some knee pads, but her concern for safety is awkwardly offset by the fact the spines on the top of her head make it extremely difficult for her to wear a helmet, it hangs on one side and looks rather strange. She's rubbing a bit of fur off of the lollipop she nicked off Van's back before handing it to him. "Aubs! You here to thrash?"

"Got some time to kill, I could be convinced."

"Sweet. I think your bike's still around here--"

	Berly is interrupted by a shrill, and extremely annoying voice. "IMPOSTOR!"

	Aubrey tightens the grip on her at in reflex. She turns to see a figure, wearing a large hoodie that seems to mostly cover her features. Unfortunately for her, it's impossible to mask the voice, tendencies and audacity of this woman. It's Sweetheart. Again.

"You've got some nerve--"

"A-ha! I was going to say the exact same thing! I demand you tell me what you've done to deface my name since I have been gone!"

"For the last time, the LAST person I want to be is you. Whatever problem you have, I had nothing to do with it."

"Then explain to me exactly what is going on! Look at this!" Sweetheart holds a Sprout Mole up by the stem by two fingers in distaste, using her free hand to take her hoodie off.

"..."

"..."

"What?"

"Look! It's like it doesn't even know me! Hello? Stupid Mole? It is I, Sweetheart? Perhaps you remember me as every notable aspect of your life?"

"Huh." The Sprout Mole stares at her. "Can you put me down, please?"

	Sweetheart throws the Sprout Mole away with all her might, it careens off into the distance. "This.. Is utter nonsense!"

	Berly erupts into an uproarious laughter. "Looks like you're old news, lady! Oh, and, quick word of advice? If you're here to cause trouble for Aubrey, you're gonna be causing trouble for all of us." She flashes her large teeth and claws. Van nods in affirmation. "Come on, Van. You can't say something threatening?"

"Nah, I think you did fine, Berly."

"Why did I even put those on you?"

	Sweetheart stomps a bit. "Fine! So you don't know why nobody here recognizes me. Perhaps you at least know why I cannot even get into MY Castle? Not only were the gates locked and my keys did not work, no servants were there to open it for me. Even worse is that there's now some sort of password on the entrance! It fed me some strange and nonsensical riddle!"

	Aubrey hefts her bat. "I don't know, and I don't care. Now you better--" Berly leans in. "Hold on a sec, Aubs. You said a riddle? Like.. a puzzle? Jeez. Is that where they wandered off to?" Both Aubrey and Sweetheart look at Berly in confusion.

"Mikal and Neb started acting pretty weird a bit ago.. Started calling themselves some weird titles like.. The Dark King and his Humble Servant or something..? I don't know, but they wandered off and Daisy went with them. It sounds like you got evicted! Hahahaha!"

"I--preposterous! I was told the Castle was mine and I was able to do as I see fit!"

	Aubrey glares. "Yeah, well. I didn't have anything to do with it. So, figure it out yourself."

	Sweetheart scoffs. "Clearly I expected too much. Very well! I shall collect my vassals. Surely any of the ones that still serve me are the smartest of all Sprout Moles. They would know to have faith in their Goddess! I'm off!"

"Well." Berly chuckles. "She's doomed."

"Whatever. Not my problem. Maybe if she crawls back and apologizes to me, then I'll think about it."

	As Aubrey and Berly deal with Sweetheart, Kel, Hero and Basil are finishing up their moving work over in the arboretum. Kel in particular is working with zeal, carrying two heavy bags of fertilizer on each of his shoulders. He hefts them down into a stack with a few other bags and wipes a bit of sweat from his brow.

"Phew! Think this is enough for you? We could probably move it a bit closer to your garden if you need us to."

	Basil waves his hands. "Oh, no, no, this is perfectly fine. I'm pretty used to carrying this stuff around myself, honestly. It's a bit of a walk from here and storage, though. Thanks, you two, I really appreciate it!"

"Don't sweat it." Kel and Hero say in unison, they look at each other and exchange goofy smiles. Hero continues, "Anyway.. You said you wanted to go check on something, Kel?"

"Huh? Oh, yeaaaah.." He glances down, looking himself over. "Do I look alright?"

"Er.." Hero pauses, looking puzzled. "About the same as always to me. A little sweaty? That's pretty normal.."

"Cool, perfect! I'll be back!" Kel vanishes in a flash.

"Okay? Where are you--Alright, he's already gone."

"Should we go with him?" Basil replies.

	Hero exhales sharply and rests against the stack of fertilizer bags. "Honestly? I'm a bit winded. I dunno how Kel does it. But I think he'll be okay. Plus, if he wanted us to come with, he'd invite us, don't you think?"

	Basil nods. "Yeah.. You're right. Well.. While you're here, we could maybe check around and make sure everything's getting properly watered?"

"Sounds like a good way to relax. Plus I've always enjoyed all the little trivia you have about flowers.." Hero trails off. A cold shiver runs up his spine. "There.. Aren't any spiders in these gardens, right?"

"Oh, uh.." Basil taps his chin. "Well, some spiders do nest in gardens, but those are pretty easy to avoid, they just wait in their webs. Though there are a few species of cursorial spiders who hunt down mites, and aphids, they're actually pretty help--"

"I get it, Basil." Hero interrupts his line of thought, there is no enjoyment to be had about spider trivia.

"Right, right, sorry. It won't be a problem, trust me!"

	Hero stirs uneasily. "Alright. I trust you. Let's go."

	Meanwhile, Kel ducks and weaves through the various clusters of shoppers, putting his experience and footwork from the courts to use. It takes him virtually no time at all to get where he's going. Kel would never admit it, but the group does force him to slow down a fair bit. The museum is open and waiting for him to enter. He slowly peeks his head in and glances around.. Nobody seems to be here. Come to think of it, it wasn't that busy the last time he was here, too. How does this place even stay open? He discards the thought for now, it isn't that important.

	Though he initially has no luck finding either of the proprietors as he wanders around, he does come to a halt as he's greeted by the ever so tantalizing 'Staff only' door. He looks left, he looks right. Nobody's looking. Kel wiggles the doorknob. It isn't locked. It can't be that big of a deal if it isn't locked, right? It's always better to ask for forgiveness than permission, after all. Kel enters the back offices.  The fanciful museum gives way to a rather plain hallway with several doors flanking each side. A few are unmarked, but the ones that stick out with plaques are an office and three simply labeled 'exhibition room' with a number at the end of it. Passing by the second exhibition room causes Kel to pause, as he hears a voice coming from inside.

	Quietly, Kel opens the door and peers in. It seems to be a bit of a workshop, there are many clear tarps laid across the floor and furniture. A table and easel featuring a large portrait are in the center of the room. Fluxus is crouched over a group of large paint buckets, taking the lid off one and sitting up. She seems to be wearing some sort of.. raincoat?

"Oh, hey! What'cha doin' with that paint?" Kel follows along, looming around closely behind her. Though it's strange she doesn't respond.. She just seems to be humming a tune. After a few steps forward, she takes a few steps back, forcing Kel to move along with her as she grips the bucket with bold hands. "Er.. Fluxus?"

	As if on queue, she bolts forward and upends the contents of the bucket towards the easel. The violent splattering collision sends drops and flecks of paint absolutely everywhere. It's like a basket of tomatoes violently exploded. In the moment before the splatter coats the wall and floor, Kel finally realizes what the tarps are for, and he is not spared, despite his best efforts to dodge, he ends up on the ground, his face and clothing are quickly stained with the red paint.

"Ack! Bleh! Aw, jeez, I think I got some in my mouth!" Kel grinds his teeth on his tongue and spits a bit. In response to the commotion, Fluxus turns to look at him, jolting a bit in surprise. ".. Kel? What are you doing back here?" She lowers the hood of the coat and takes off a pair of headphones.

"Ooooohhhh. You couldn't hear me! That does explain a lot." He pulls himself up onto his feast and scratches the back of his head. "I wanted to visit since I kinda got pulled away at a pretty weird time yesterday, there was a lot going on.. Didn't mean to scare you or anything like that."

"The sign outside still says 'staff only', that doesn't really explain.." Fluxus pauses for a moment. "Well, I suppose it doesn't matter. I do recall you saying you wanted to see some.. What was the word? Cool art?"

	Kel nods a few times, that sounds about right.

"I can't help but feel that I might disappoint you, in that case. I've been, er." She gestures around the room before pointing at the canvas resting in the middle of the room, "I think I've been having some trouble expressing myself, truth be told."

	He has a serene expression on his face, looking the splattering up and down for a moment with a hand on his chin. "Ah, yes.. I see. Expressing yourself. You feel.. Messy?"

"No, no! This is just the base, there's supposed to be more to it. Just.." a sag of her shoulders. "I haven't really made anything I've been happy with recently, there's a great amount of inspiration here with the installations and all the tools I need, but nothing's really clicked. I'll never be up to Rococo's level at this rate.."

	The drive to live up to the expectations set by a sibling.. This is something he knows all too well. Of course, it's not that Kel holds any grudge against Hero, but filling his shoes has always felt like such an impossible task. He takes a moment to think. "It does seem like there's a lot of stuff from talented people that Rococo gathered, but.. How long have you been here?"

"It hasn't been terribly long. Perhaps a few months?"

"And.. Have you gone anywhere else?"

	Fluxus shakes her head. "I've been out shopping a little for supplies, but I've mostly kept to myself."

"Then that's it!" Kel bangs his fist into his palm. "There's a lot of cool things out there, Fluxus! The stuff in this museum probably doesn't inspire you anymore, so maybe you just need to find something new?"

"Oh.. That. That does sound like a very good idea, Kel. Though it seems like it would be tough to get around.. I've heard it's dangerous if you go too far from the mall."

"Don't worry about that. I know a guy! Runs an A+ travel service. I'll introduce you to him. I guarantee he'd be happy to take you around, maybe I could tag along too?"

	She smiles. "Well, you would have to. I wouldn't know where to look for these 'cool things' you seem to be aware of. I will have to talk to my brother about this, since I would be leaving.. But there shouldn't be any issues. Would you be willing to come back in a day or two?"

	Kel stretches his arm out and gives a thumbs up. "Yeah! Perfect. Works for me. I'll catch you then." He turns to leave.

"Oh! Wait. Before you go." As he turns around, Fluxus has retrieved a small towel and an apron. "Perhaps.. Wash your face and wear this. Forgive me for saying, but with the paint.. You look like you've killed someone."

"Is it that bad?" He peers down at his shirt, which does have a few large blotches of paint on it. "I guess you really did get me, huh?" A grin as he takes what she offered him. "Ah, no big deal, I'm sure I've gotten worse stains out of these."

	And with that, he leaves. As the door shuts with a click, he pumps his fist. Everything's coming up Kel.

- - -

Chapter 8: Dilemma.

	Sunny remains in the back kitchen of Tako Bell, his head tilted downward in an attempt to focus, though his mind has been wandering.. "Does anyone even buy food from this place? The smell is.. a little distracting."

	Abbi wrings her tentacles against each other as she looks around at her various vestiges mingling about. "Ah.. Well.. No, not as such. Though I had figured, while you are here, perhaps you could enjoy a meal?"

"Er." There are far too many flames on in this kitchen. If Abbi is making food for him, it's more than he could possibly eat. "Is there really any reason for me to eat anything? This is a dream."

	The large inky form circles around him, a slimy appendage strokes his hair, lightly coating it in a thin sludge. She speaks softly. "A good meal is a peaceful dream. A peaceful dream is happiness. And your joy is my joy, Dreamer."

	He fidgets uncomfortably and attempts to shift the subject, motioning toward his functioning eyes. "You know more about this. If they see me like this and react, is something going to happen?"

"It is not for me to say. I do not know them as I know you. And do recall, Dreamer, they are fragments of who they are. Your perception would shape their reaction, should they have any.. If it something that worries you so, then you could simply.. Remain with me." A slow blink from her seemingly unfeeling eyes as her body shifts. "Dawn approaches and you will leave this place soon, regardless of what happens, and I would not turn you away."

	A moment passes as he considers her answer. It doesn't sit well with Sunny. "No.. I should make sure of this now. It's just going to be a problem later if I don't." He approaches the door out slowly, with a bit of caution. Uneasy with how Abbi will react to this.

"You are correct, but I still cannot help but be disappointed. I suggest you hurry, Dreamer. And.. Do come back again." Sunny nods at this and leaves. The first thing he does is wipe his hair off, the film of whatever drips from her still lingering. "Eugh.." He paces forward out into the food court.

	Maybe he shouldn't have nodded. The way Abbi acts is a bit off-putting. It worries him to think of what she would do if he didn't show up, though. It feels like she's scared of him, but Sunny can't understand why.. She's far more intimidating than he could possibly be. Though some of the things she said can't help but stir in his mind as he walks. Calling his friends 'fragments..' She's right, but he doesn't want to admit it. His real friends are miles away. And Mari.. Well, maybe he doesn't want her to be just a memory. Even if it hurts to see her, she's still so welcoming, still his sister, even after everything that happened. And even if this is just a dream, would it really be so wrong to dream about her still being here? Does he deserve that? Maybe he should ask someone.. Besides Abbi. She seems inclined to agree with anything he says. There is that place downstairs Berly talked about. Or he could ask Kel.

"Hey, Sunny!"

"Hey, Kel."-- Wait. What? He stops and turns.

	Kel also turns to look at him. Huh.. That's weird.. Is that weird? Something about this is weird. Is it this dumb apron and all the paint on me? I guess he might think that's weird, but I'm sure he won't ask too many questions. That's Sunny for you, he always takes these things in stride so long as it doesn't scare him too badly. Sunny squints. "Is that paint?"

"Oh, yeah. It's a long story."

	Sunny averts his gaze awkwardly. "Ah. I'm.. in a bit of a hurry."

"Hey, sometimes you're just busy, y'know? Not like I'm going anywhere." Kel shrugs. "I've already had to explain it to a couple of Gator Guys, and I'm sure Aubrey's gonna rib me about it when I get back to the gardens, so I'll just fill you in later. You go do what you gotta do, buddy."

"Thanks, Kel."

	He gives an exaggerated thumbs up and a wide grin before spinning on his heels before speeding off. He didn't.. seem to react negatively. So that's a good sign. Sunny takes an escalator downstairs, the maps of the mall orient him as he follows the directions to a center portion where various kiosks and carts are strewn about advertising various services. Most of these seem shady, offering premium versions of things that aren't very premium in the first place, like bottles of water or Dino Dollars, though most of these seem to keep a fair distance from a small boxy wagon that has a rather ostentatious sign about it that says 'Perfect Advice.'

	There are three small steps he climbs up, and the door lays in front of him, slightly ajar. Sunny pushes it open a bit to peek inside, though the ringing of a bell announces his presence. A soothing feminine voice calls out. "Do come in!"

	Following these instructions, he steps inside. The door behind him seems to shut on its own. Sunny would turn to check this, were it not for the double take he had to do upon sighting the proprietor of this booth. She looks strikingly similar to Sweetheart, though is dressed rather plainly, and seemingly radiating with a faint glow. She's resting in a high-backed pink chair, and there is a long leather sofa across from her. The lighting in this wagon is rather dim, illuminated by a few candles, and, of course, the aforementioned glow. There are various motivational posters on the wall, including one of a Sprout Mole using his stem to hold onto a branch, with "Hang in there!" posted under it.

"Sweetheart?"

	A light chuckle in response. "Hohohohoho.. Not quite. You could say we are related, though."

".. Right. And you.. give advice?"

	She pushes her hands together, forming a heart shape. "If that's what you're looking for, you've come to the perfect place."

"Does this cost anything?"

"That depends on how much I think you need to hear what I say." She leans forward and pats the seat across from her. "Now, come, come. Take a seat. Talk to me."

	Sunny doesn't take his eyes off of her as he slowly walks over and seats himself. She doesn't initiate any further conversation, waiting for him to speak his mind with a disarming smile.

"Is it.. Do you think it's okay to do something that you would consider bad, if it will make other people happy?"

	Perfectheart stares through him. Her voice does not deviate from her quiet and calm cadence as she probes further. "Would this be something that would hurt or otherwise bring any sort of harm someone else to bring this happiness?"

"No. I don't think so. It's something that has been gone, and everybody misses it."

"If it's been gone, and it doesn't hurt anyone to have it around, then what has stopped you from bringing it back earlier?"

"I didn't know I could. And.."

	A long pause. She does not prod him to continue, patiently waiting for him to be ready.

"And it's my fault that it's gone."

"Ah. So it is a reminder of guilt. Would it being around make you happy?"

	Sunny nods.

"And you are unsure if you are worthy of being happy?"

	.. He nods again.

	A pointed final question. "And whatever this is, does it abhor your presence?"

	He casts his eyes downwards as his hands grip into the seat. "I used to think so. Though I couldn't have been further from the truth."

"It sounds to me like your mind is made up, then. Recognizing everyone else would be happier so readily means you know that deep down, it would make you happy, as well. Lingering on whether or not you 'deserve' the happiness is up to whatever it is that you wronged, because it is the only thing that can fairly judge your actions. Guilt will always mire your perception, should you allow it to. Focus instead on the memories you can create rather than the ones that remain, though take care not to forget them."

	Sunny is filled with a strange determination as he nods along to Perfectheart's words. There was nothing for him to disagree with. Even in the event that he didn't want to try and manipulate his dreams for Mari to fit into them again, he probably would have done it regardless. Seeing his friends happy would be worth any price to him.

	His thoughts are quickly interrupted by the shrill ringing of an alarm clock. The ringing causes the wagon he's in to vibrate intensely, and in an instant, the chair he's sitting in falls away into nothingness beneath him. There's no time to react as he tumbles into the blackness, falling into an abyss. The only thing he can see is Perfectheart staring at him as he drifts away. "Well, it seems as if our session has run out of time. I will send you a bill for the consultation." is the last thing he hears before he awakens in the real world with a loud gasp. Sunny is alone again.

- - -

Chapter 9: By Your Side.

	Days pass. Sleep has been evading Sunny as of late. Maybe it's the crisp autumn weather that's been leaving him drained, or the influx of school work he hasn't gotten used to doing again.. But it's been hard to stay awake, and even harder to stay asleep. He's not exactly having issues with the homework, thankfully, he was always a pretty sharp kid, there's just.. a lot of it. Though, subconsciously, he knows the actual issue. His dreams. They've been bothering him for awhile, now. Sure, there's fleeting joy to be had as he spends time with his friends, but knowing it's nothing more than distant memories in his head.. It stings.

	Are they mad at him? Sunny doesn't think so. But he knows how easy it is to hide those emotions. Can't blame them if they were. No, no.. It's not worth entertaining this. He's just paranoid. He visited near the end of summer and spent time with them, they were still there for him, and Basil, too. It would have been easy to just never talk to him again, but none of them did that. Sunny was just wishing there was someone he could talk to about this, but what would he even say? There's having an overactive imagination, and then there's.. Whatever he's dealing with. All these strange people in his dream, and his Sister.

	Still, he can't put off sleeping forever. The weekend mercifully arrives after a long school day, and he asks his Mother to borrow one of her sleeping pills. She talks briefly about how she 'shouldn't be sharing these..' but she eventually gives one to him, like she does every other time they've had this conversation. He ingests it with a small glass of water, brushes his teeth, and finally falls onto his bed like a sack of bricks. Everything seems to melt away within moments..

	Sunny's eyes flutter open, glancing about in a slight blur before he uses his arm to wipe them clear. Wait. Eyes? He sits up. The other bed is there. He's back here, again.. Though if he's here, and he knows that he's dreaming.. That means she can come with him this time. Slowly, he creeps out of bed and towards the other bed, a nondescript lump rests under the covers. His hand reaches out.. But he stops. It doesn't really make sense for Mari to look like how she did before everything happened. She'd be about nineteen by now.

	His stomach turns as his hand remains frozen over Mari. Sunny can't help but feel morbid as he realizes what he has to do. He can't risk any strange reactions from his friends. What would his Sister look like at that age? Does he just.. imagine it? Sunny's still uncertain about it. She's right there. How is this going to work? Questions pile up as his mind races, and it feels like several minutes pass before.. The person in the bed stirs.

	Mari sits up. Her hair is a bit shorter than it used to be, and it is dyed a deep purple. It's also quite messy, but bedhead has always been an issue of hers, not that she would admit it, but it'd at least take her ten minutes every morning to get everything 'just right,' the only other person who knows about that is Hero and he would be a dead man if he ever dared tell the secret. Along with that, she seems to be sporting a simple jacket and dress combo. Now that Sunny thinks about it, this is sort of similar to what Aubrey wears, but it still has a distinct style that definitely suits Mari, along with the hair they promised to dye together. They always were close, and maybe that's why this is how she ended up.

"Mmh.. What's the thermostat on? It's really hot in here--" Mari glances around before slowly trailing off. "Sunny? What are you doing?"

"Uh.. It's.." He stammers.

	She looks down, and then back up, she brushes some hair out of her face before freezing again. Even in the dim light of this bedroom, she can clearly tell something is wrong, though she isn't sure how to respond.

	Sunny interjects. "You said you wanted to come with me, right?"

"Well, I did.. But I wasn't sure--"

"It's fine now! You can! I.. I'm not sure how to explain it, but everything should be okay now. Nothing's going to happen."

	It's hard to deny that things might be different. She certainly feels different. She shifts uncomfortably. "I'm not sure."

	Sunny reaches his hand out, it ever so slightly quivers in the air. "Mari.. Trust me."

	Mari takes his hand and pulls herself to her feet. "It always was hard to say no to you.. I trust you, Sunny. Let's go."

	He nods wordlessly, leading her over to the way out. He grips her hand tightly as he moves forward, without even thinking about it. Though she doesn't voice this potential complaint. The faint glow around the door frame quickly turns into a blinding light as Sunny pulls it open, and within moments, Sunny and Mari find themselves in Neighbor's Room.

	The scene before them is a bit.. Odd. Kel and Hero seem to be huddled on the far side of the corner discussing something in a hushed whisper. Meanwhile, Basil and Aubrey seem to be snacking on a particularly fancy cake. Kel seems to be the first to notice the siblings as they exchange glances. "Oh, hey, guys! Wow, perfect timing!" He waves, taking a few sly steps from Hero.

"Perfect timing for what?" Sunny squints. "What are you doing, anyway?"

"Huh? Nothin'." Kel is a terrible liar. "We were just.. About to head out, y'know?"

	Aubrey raises a hand in greeting. "Yeah, I don't know. Kel's being really cagey about something, and Hero isn't helping. He is right, though. We were about to leave.." She holds up a folded letter between two fingers. "Oh, and, someone sent this to you, Sunny. It came with some cake?"

"Which we ate most of. Sorry.." Basil chimes in, he sounds guilty, but the crumbs on his cheeks betray him.

"Maybe Mari and I can go window shopping? There's this pet store and I swear there were some of the cutest--" Aubrey pauses as she takes a second to look at Mari. "Mari? You okay?"

	Mari rushes over to Hero, pulling him into an embrace. He quickly reciprocates the hug, but it's hard for him to not react when she's squeezing him so tightly. This isn't like her to be so direct.. "Woah. Is everything okay? Do you want to talk about it?"

"I've never felt better.." She finally lets him go after a short time. A moment of weakness. Her composure quickly returns as she stands up straight and gives her friends a warm smile as she tries to shift the subject. "So.. We're going somewhere? Sounds like a great time! Let's go."

"Yeah, just go and get a head start, okay? Me and Hero need to talk about, uh, brother stuff.." Kel has a shifty look on his face.

	Aubrey just shrugs. "Fine." Basil, Aubrey and Mari scramble up the ladder and head topside. Though Sunny lags behind a moment to collect his allowance from the snake, the bag of clams is lighter than usual.

Sssssssssssssss...? ("Going out, Sunny?")
Ssssssssss... ("Here is your allowance for today.")
Sssssssssssssssss.. ("Though we had to pay a rather hefty bill to a woman who came by..")

	Eventually, Sunny follows. As Kel gives a few confirming glances to see if they're alone, his voice quickly raises. "What do you mean you can't help me?! You gotta help me, Hero! That's like.. That's your thing!"

"I already told you, Kel. This is something I don't have a lot of experience with.."

"How does that work? You and Mari have been together for years! That didn't just happen out of nowhere. What did you do?"

	Hero looks a bit embarrassed, what just happened with her isn't really helping his case. "Well, I mean, what I did isn't really important. We're entirely different people, what I did and what you should do are probably entirely different things.. And, uh.." Kel looks at him expectantly. "Honestly, I didn't really do anything.."

"What."

"Yeah. Mari kinda.. had to spell it out that she liked me. I couldn't really tell for the longest time. I thought all those treats she made for me was just her being nice, and she was doing that for everyone, you know? But then we had a pretty long talk about it at our old hangout spot. It was the middle of winter, I don't know why we were out there, the lake was frozen over.. It was pretty romantic." He sighs wistfully.

"Come on, man, give me something, here."

"Alright! Alright! I dunno, Kel. Just.. Take it slow. You haven't really known her for very long, anyway. You shouldn't rush these sorts of things. You said something about inspiring her to make artwork, so you have plenty of excuses to take her to nice places. Just start with that and see what happens?"

	Kel scratches at his chin. "Hmm.. Yeah. Yeah, that's a start. I think I know what to do. Thanks, Hero."

"Anything to help my little bro. Let's not keep them waiting any longer." Kel and Hero quickly rejoin the rest of the group. Sunny is holding the letter addressed to him, glancing over it. Aubrey and Basil hover near him. "So? What does it say?"

	Sunny clears his throat, he reads the letter aloud, though he can't help but lapse into the monotone voice of the person who wrote the letter to him.

	"Our Savior,
	It is one of our 'days off.' Biscuit and I would very much like to see you. Troubling news has reached our ears and we must investigate. However, directions were not provided and we have not a single clue where to go. We must ask for your help again, a 'Dark King' has our dearest little Brother. Kneadless to say, he is defenseless without us. Meet us at the Bread Basket, post haste.
	Biscuit and Doughie"

"Oh, jeez.." Aubrey rolls her eyes. "Didn't know Mikal was related to them.."

	Sunny glances up from the paper. "Oh. You know what these two are talking about?"

"Yeah.. Mikal kicked Sweetheart out of her castle and is acting like he runs the place. Neb and Daisy are with him, too. This is all secondhand information from Berly, though. You might want to go tell them that. He's not in trouble or anything, as far as I know."

"Uh-huh. I guess that won't take too long." Sunny lies to himself. "Let's go."

- - -

Chapter 10: In the Court of the Dark King, Part 1

	The gang has gathered around a table in the food court, a few chairs dragged from emptier seats to accommodate the now full group of Sunny and his friends. A few light snacks are being shared as ideas are exchanged about how to proceed.

	Aubrey starts, "I know it's just Mikal and Neb, but this 'Dark King' stuff could really be anything. Just be careful."

"You're sure you'll be fine on your own, Sunny?" Hero chimes in. "It's really no trouble if you want us to help out."

"I'll be fine. It would probably be a little too crowded with eight people walking around, don't you think? I doubt Pluto could haul all of us at once."

"Seven." Kel corrects Sunny.

"Right. Seven."

	Aubrey squints at Kel. "You still haven't mentioned exactly why you're suddenly so busy."

"Sure haven't!" He takes a large sip from his drink, emptying the cup. "Top secret stuff."

"That's how it's gonna be, huh? Fine. Guess I'll just ask Hero about it later."

"Hold on a sec--"
	Kel interrupts. "Good luck with that! My mom grilled him for hours about who broke that old vase and he didn't break our cover that Hector did it." He shakes his drink around. "I'm gonna get this refilled and then go do all the secret stuff you don't get to know about. Good luck, Sunny!"

"Er.. Yeah. You too, Kel." Sunny exchanges glances with Aubrey. She rolls her eyes. "Guess I should get going. Meet you guys back at home tonight. Probably." he excuses himself, walking towards the currently closed Bread Basket.

"Now why'd he have to go and say 'probably' for? Just getting us all worried.." Basil grumbles.

	Mari smiles. "I'm sure everything will be fine. Though, if he's getting home late, that does give me an idea.. How about we all stay up late? We can stop by that video place on our way back, maybe have a movie night."

"Sounds good to me. I'll have to pick something out for Kel, though.." The remainder of the gang leans closer and begins plotting their evening.

	Sunny peers into the darkness of the Bread Basket, the gate is firmly locked and secured, and he doesn't see any actual back way into the restaurant. A few moments pass in silence before an audible 'click' and the gate slowly rising.

"You may enter." A voice calls out from within.

"Uh."
"Actually, don't we have to go? Shouldn't you come out here?"

A few moments of silence.

"Ohooo.."
"Yes, that does make more sense. Though we did wish for a more suspenseful scene." A hand holds up the chain gate as Biscuit appears, the bread adorned on his head bending awkwardly as he ducks under the fence. Doughie follows suit. They seem dressed for war. Small sacks of flour and rolling pins dangle off their belts, and Biscuit seems to have some sort of yeast wiped across his cheeks like a traditional soldier.

"So our letter has reached you. This is good, we have no time to spare. Who knows what tortures this scion of darkness is inflicting upon our little brother? He must be stopped. Lead us to battle."

	Sunny motions them along as he takes off towards the exit. "I don't think there's a battle, or anything. Apparently your brother is the one calling himself The Dark King. I don't think he's in trouble."

	The twins exchange looks.
"Our brother?"
"Ohooooo.."
"A Dark King?"
"Oho.."
"Yes. Biscuit. Nonsense. Our dearest Mikal could not tell a biga apart from a poolish. And is now evil royalty?"

"I'm just telling you what I've heard." Sunny gives a non-committal shrug. "I'm sure we'll figure it out."

"Investigation is required regardless." Doughie nods. "How far away is this place?"

"It's.. Pretty close. Most of the forest around here got cleared out, so it probably isn't that dangerous, either."

	Indeed, the large blooming flowers and darker purple trees of the Pyrefly Forest are visible in the distance without the foliage of the Vast Forest to obstruct them. Getting closer to these woods is met with more and more signs set at Sprout Mole height with various warnings about keeping out and turning back. Seems like this place wasn't worth Jawsum's effort, remaining unclaimed, even with the passage of time.

	The bustle of the Storefront has faded away, and all is silent in these dark woods. Sunny occasionally checks behind him to make certain that Biscuit and Doughie are still following him. They mimic his movements seemingly too well as they duck and avoid small insects and spider webs. Eventually they reach a long winding track with an old mine cart resting at the beginning of it.

	Sunny points. "Oh. Mine cart. We can use this to get there faster."

	Doughie circles around the curious object. "Is it truly a mine cart?"

"What?"

"There is no mine nearby. Would this not be a forest cart?"

"I think it's just called that because they were made for mines? You can call it whatever you want.."

"Named after where it is primarily used, not where it is.."
"Ohoo.."
"Truly, this world is mysterious and beautiful." Biscuit and Doughie climb in the forest cart. Sunny has to scramble in to make sure it doesn't leave without him.

	As if animated by a mysterious force, the cart begins to barrel down the track, rapidly picking up speed. Trails of light seem to cast from the dark eyes illuminated in the bushes as the cart makes sharp, impossible turns. Biscuit and Doughie have their hands up.

"Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee."
"Ohoooooooooooooooooooo...."

	Eventually, the wheels begin to grind as they drift across a bridge, slowing down in preparation to stop. A large black castle looms in the distance overhead with spotlights scanning the sky around it. As the cart stops at the end of the track, The Unbread Twins hop out and exchange high fives.

"Ohoo.."
"Yes. How very exhilarating. However, we must not get distracted. We will ride it again after our business is concluded. I presume that castle in question is the one we seek. It is much closer than expected." Doughie takes the lead now, the path forward laid before her.

"If the Sprout Mole Village is still around here, then.. Ah. There." Sunny directs their attention to a long ladder descending into the earth below. As Biscuit leans over the hole to see how far down it goes, a loud "WHAT?!" echoes from the caverns. The voice sounded familiar..

	Oh no.
	Biscuit and Doughie have already begin their descent. It's too late. He has to follow them. Sunny takes a deep breath and meets them at the bottom. There is an extremely annoying woman violently shaking a stack of Sprout Moles blocking her path. The Twins look on in concern as she becomes increasingly louder and indignant.

"I can't go through here? Don't you KNOW WHO I AM?! That Castle stops belonging to Sweetheart when they pry every body I've ever buried out of the dungeon's stonework, do you hear me? Now LET ME PASS!"


---


Chapter 11: In the Court of the Dark King, Part 2

	The damp cave is lit up both audibly and visually by Sweetheart. The stomping, the increasingly shrill yelling, the gaudy bright dress. The overall decorum of a person who has not been denied in a very long time reaches a crescendo as the Sprout Moles blocking her path finally manage to deflect her. It's unclear whether this was pure fortune or perhaps the Princess was not expecting her subjects to actually hold their ground against her complaints. One brave mole steps forward.

"I'm sorry, Sweetheart! You haven't been here in so long.. All the merch sales have dried up. Someone new came in and offered to buy the Castle! It was the only way we could feed ourselves!" The leaf on top of its head wobbles about as he bows.

	She scoffs. "And *who* gave you permission to do that?! I don't recall leaving any sort of secondary Sweetheart who was allowed to make those sorts of decisions on my behalf! Surely I left one of you some way to contact me instead of just throwing away every single thing I've ever had."

	The crowd of Sprout Moles mumble. Even by the standards of your average vacuous stare of a Sprout Mole, the glances they exchange are awkward. A second mole joins the front of the group, with an overly decorated piece of pink parchment taped to his side. "Well. Actually.." Sweetheart grabs the note before they can even begin speaking.

	"HELLO, MY ADORING PEONS!
		I NEED SOME **ME** TIME. DO NOT TRY TO FIND ME. I KNOW SOME OF MY MORE OBSESSED FANS LIKELY KNOW WHERE I WILL BE GOING. AND IF THEY KNOW WHAT IS GOOD FOR THEM, THEY WILL NOT MENTION IT TO THE REST OF YOU LESSER FANS. IF ANY INFORMATION ABOUT MY LOCATION IS EXCHANGED, PLEASE SEND THEM TO THE DUNGEON FOREVER, AND THEN SENTENCE YOURSELF TO BE THEIR CELLMATE SINCE YOU NOW KNOW TOO MUCH.
																															-S"

	A long silence.
"We put about ten moles in the dungeon, but by then we were all out of tofu."

	She rips the paper in half, and then into fourths, a flurry of tearing and growling follow as the paper is slashed into unintelligible bits. "OKAY. FINE. PERHAPS.. I .." Sweetheart sounds sick. Her voice shrinks. "mayhavemadeasmallmistake.." "BUT STILL! If you don't have anything to do with whoever it is that is in my castle now, why do you care if I get in or not?!"

"Because every few weeks someone comes out here to let us join the E.P.S., and they get tons of benefits! They said they'd recruit double if we made sure everyone except the VIPs weren't allowed in!"

	Sweetheart glares daggers at the crowd of Sprout Moles before finally transferring her hateful gaze to the wooden stand behind them. A series of drawings depicts two individuals. One with a large piece of bread on their head, and the other with longer hair and a strange round tiara, both of them wearing aprons. She squints. "The.. The guardi--" She is interrupted. "Oh, that's them right there!"

	The Sprout Moles move like a wave, most simply move past Sweetheart but a few get caught on her as the crowd begins to surround Biscuit and Doughie.
"Hello! Hello! Welcome to Sprout Mole Village!" "Please, right this way!" "We were told to expect you!" "You've been invited!" The swarm calls out. They bump into the back of the legs of each twin, ferrying them forward towards the entrance to Sweetheart's castle.

"O..Ohoooooo?" Biscuit seems to simply follow along. They continue to bump into Doughie, though she has yet to move.
"It is unlikely we would have found our way here without our colleague, can he also join us?" She gestures to Sunny.

"Sure!" "Why not?" "I'm getting tofu for this anyway!" "I don't think that's a good idea but I've clearly been outvoted!" They move like a single minded colony. Sunny finds himself surrounded and similarly herded forward by mildly annoying bumps. "Ow. Ow--hey. Stop that. I'm going.." Within a few moments, the doors to the castle creak behind them and slam shut.

	An unfamiliar scene greets the trio. Rows of chairs are stacked up on each side of the room, various cabinets and storage bins litter an area far too big to be a simple storage room. Walking down the center of the aisle and up a small set of stairs, large, foreboding black doors loom in front of them. Though these is a large ring on the door, it does not budge when Doughie pulls on it.

"Ooohoooooo?" Biscuit leans over his sister's shoulder.
"No. It is not a push door." She replies.
"Oho.." He raises a finger and directs it towards a small green panel at the side of the door.
"Oh. Yes. Perhaps that will open it."

	The twins put their heads together, or at least as closely as they can, and look over the panel. A hushed conversation forms between the two. Occasional nodding and muttering affirmations are shared. Biscuit holds up his hand and gestures Sunny over.

"Oh. Did you figure it out? What is it?"
"We do not know. We believe it to be some sort of cipher. Biscuit and I cannot make crumb nor crust of this mysterious riddle."
".. What? Hold on. Let me look." Doughie steps aside. Upon inspection, it seems to be a very simple computer display. The words upon it are completely legible English.

"QUESTION FOUR OF FIVE." .. They must have mashed through the other questions on accident. "WHEN WAS DINO'S DIG CONSTRUCTED?"

"You can't read this? It looks normal to me." The twins shake their head. "We have never seen such a script. It is only natural our savior is so worldly to understand these strange writings.."

	Come to think of it, there wasn't much writing in the Orange Oasis. That mural that had these two chiseled into it definitely wasn't any language Sunny recognized. "Well, uh.. It's asking some questions about Orange Oasis. Like when that pyramid was built."

"Oh."
	A pause. Sunny glances between them and the panel, it has an input, but it's a blank three digit number with a 'B.O.' at the end.
"We do not know."
"You.. Don't have a guess? Or anything?"
"Ohooo..."
"Biscuit and I were always far too busy baking to keep track of those sorts of things. Perhaps this 'Dark King' believed we would be able to answer these questions to meet him?"
"So, what do we do?"

	Doughie taps her chin. "I am certain that if Biscuit and I take turns, we would be able to guess it in a few hours?"

	Sunny raises a finger and is about to explain to Biscuit and Doughie about how that is a tremendously awful idea, before he is interrupted by a voice from behind, "*Well, well, well, well, well.* It sounds as if we have reached a point of mutual need! You need to get inside, do you? As do I! And it is most serendipitous indeed that I can provide you an open door, and you can provide me with the means to have an audience with the individual who thought themselves able to kick me out of my own castle with no repercussions!" The boy mentally prepares himself. He turns to see, of course, Sweetheart. Her hand is resting against her cheek and her face sports possibly the most smug grin anyone could possess.

"And.. How did you get in here?"
"OHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!" He regrets asking.
"I simply walked in, of course. Those imbecilic Sprout Moles failed their would-be new master, just as they failed me. One distraction, that is, you, was all that was required for me to enter. Did you not think it odd the doors they closed behind you were already open?" Before Sunny can respond, she steps closer. "You know, I thought I had recognized you.. I do have a talent for memorable faces. At first, I had simply thought of you as one of Hero's random fans.. But now I can see I have vastly misjudged you, and the company you keep. The Guardians of the Orange Oasis.."

	Biscuit waves as she says this, though Doughie is distracted punching random keys into the panel. Sunny offers a non-committal shrug. "You know them?"
"Any Sweetling that calls our desert home knows of them! They house the great oven we are baked in, and it is they we rejoin in the Great Bread Basket in the sky when our time comes! How is it you can so boldly traipse about with them while not knowing such simple things?"

	Sunny thinks on his feet, hoping to deflect her into talking about something else as quickly as possible, "They asked me to bring them here, is all. I'm sure they'd like it if you helped."

"Hoho! Of course they would. It truly is a shame they decided to visit at such an unfortunate time. Cruel fate that they would finally seek out the brightest star of the Orange Oasis in such a troublesome time. Thankfully, we are dealing with an amateur. Come along now." She twirls on her heels gracefully, going to one of the corners of the room nearest the door back to Sprout Mole Village. She approaches the large cabinet resting there and unceremoniously throws it to the side with a surprising show of strength. The crashing of wood immediately draws the attention of the twins, who quickly rejoin Sunny.

"They can change the name all they would like, but at the end of the day, this is **my** castle, and I am intimately familiar with all of the secrets within it." Sweetheart beams with pride as she presents a dusty hatch. "Come, come! This will take us into the hedge mazes within the courtyard!" With no delay, she pops the hatch open and starts sliding her way down the ladder leading deeper into the earth.

"Wow.."
"Oho..."

Oh no. They actually like her.

--

Chapter 12: In the Court of the Dark King, Final

	The hollow ringing of feet against metal fills the otherwise silent shaft as Sweetheart, Doughie, Biscuit and Sunny make their way down into the bowels of what was once Sweetheart's Castle. Minutes pass. Climbing down, slowly. Sweetheart must be struggling using a ladder with her ridiculously oversized dress, or at least Sunny figures as much. Finally, he hears the self-proclaimed princess call out to the rest, "Viola! Here we --" The confident bluster is replaced with a shrill gasp. What now?

"Who are you?! And just what do you think you're doing to **my fanmail**?" An agitated tone followed by stomping. The remaining three quickly scramble off the letter to see Sweetheart approaching what appears to be.. A jigsaw piece with arms and legs? Closer inspection of the form also shows it wearing a domino mask and a small badge that reads "E.P.S."

	The jigsaw piece stands firm as Sweetheart draws closer, replying in an oddly baritone voice, "Your fanmail? Look, lady. I don't know nothin' about that. I'm just doing my job. Promotions are coming up and if I let any of the stuff topside go offline, then I'm screwed 'til next review."

	Sunny realizes what's going on. The puzzle piece is holding a shovel, letters and presents litter the ground around it, a large furnace in front of them. He raises a hand to speak but is swiftly interrupted by an incensed Sweetheart, "You're scant seconds away from being promoted to a permanent guest in the dungeon, you vile thing! Put that down this instant!"

"No dice. I don't see your name on any of this anyway." In a swift motion, the shovel clatters to the ground as Sweetheart bodily hefts the jigsaw piece into the air.

"I don't believe you were looking too terribly hard. Perhaps I could give you some of my titles? Sweetheart? Princess Sweetheart? Duchess Sweetheart? The GREATEST GIFT TO THIS DISMAL LITTLE WORLD? I've seen more than a few of these addressed with those names and more! Perhaps if you spend some time on the floor, you could get a better look? Hmm? Or maybe.."

	Sunny steps in, holding up his hands as he tries to get between the two, "Hold on. He's.. He's just doing what he was told to do, right? We should probably go talk to the Dark King. It's not going to be worth getting into fights with everyone we run into." The E.P.S. agent nods emphatically. "Y-yeah, you 'oughta take it up with the boss! Not me!"

	Things are silent for a few moments. Sunny's concern is quickly growing as he follows Sweetheart's eyes, tracing between the agent and the furnace.. But finally, she drops him. She dusts her hands off.

"Consider yourself fortunate that I understand the value of a peon who follows orders, even if they happen to be the kind of instructions that might get you hurt. Let us go, then." She waves along the remainder of the group and directs them to another ladder. Sunny exhales in relief.

	The group finds themselves in the courtyard, predictably, the large statue of the previous occupant is gone. Though the hedge mazes remain. On occasion, more jigsaw pieces enter and exit the mazes, giggling and laughing at one another. Some of them appear to be multiple pieces stuck together, two pieces, three pieces, a few of them are even composed of four pieces. Though a few of them regard Sweetheart and her party, none of them seem interested in accosting them. Some even offer greetings to Biscuit.

"Ohoo.."
Doughie nods. "Indeed. It does seem as if they are enjoying themselves."

	Sweetheart scoffs at the notion, "Hmph. It is likely they are merely confusing the holy mantle upon your head as one of their gauche little puzzle pieces. Pay them no mind! We're here for their leader and nothing more."

	She stops at the main gate leading into her castle, the doors are firmly shut and flanked by two large and imposing E.P.S. agents.

"It seems our guests have arrived."
"It seems such, indeed. Though do they have the password?"

	The twins exchange glances. "The.. password?"

"Of course, the password! We are the elite of the E.P.S.! The Elite Puzzle Service!"
"Simply because you are invited by the Dark King does not mean you may approach him without proving yourselves worthy! The Vizier Neb demands it!"

	Biscuit and Doughie nod, "We shall accept this challenge, then. Where must we begin to find this password?"

	The two agents laugh. "They wish for a hint! So soon?!"
	"The Dark King wishes dearly to see them. Perhaps we should.."
	"Oh, fine, fine. Navigate the mazes you passed here and look for things that do not belong! It is th--"

"OHOHOHOHOHOHO!" They are interrupted.
"OOOOOOOOOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!" Not to be outdone by their laughter.
"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!!" All eyes are on Sweetheart, just as she desires.

"Your King is a fraud! Just because he put his own little trite spin on something of my own creation does not mean he did not wholesale steal it! It seems that's all he does. Steal! Steal my ideas, steal my castle! I refuse to participate in such a milquetoast theft of my own design!" She brushes past the guards. The door is predictably locked. They grin for a moment, though the smile is quickly replaced by a frown as Sweetheart pries a loose brick from the stonework near them and reveals a key hidden beneath it."

"A bypass?!"
"Fie! We could have sworn we found all of them.. You will not be so lucky further in, witch! We must warn the King!"
The two guards yell in unison, "SWING TO THE MOON!" The doors fly ajar and they quickly retreat further in.

	Sunny leans in to peer down the long corridor leading into the foyer, "Good job."
	Though Sweetheart is predictably smug, she holds up a finger to Sunny, "Hold my well deserved praise until we have finished. Regrettably, I believe they were not lying when they claimed to have found the spare keys I left for my foolish minions whenever they misplaced theirs."

"Ohooo?"
"Yes.. How many puzzles do you think they will require us to do?"

"I'm afraid I cannot say for certain, but if they've repurposed my entire Castle for their silly little games, at least three. Chop chop, then! Time is wasting! At least they seem keen in allowing us free access, so long as we play along."

	Though the color scheme of the castle has shifted from the aggressive pink to a more muted mix of green and black, Sweetheart still struts around as if she were still in full control. Sunny, Biscuit and Doughie seem keen on following her lead. Four heads are better than one when it comes to testing intellect, after all. The E.P.S. still litters the halls of the castle, but they are content to leave them be, as Sweetheart predicted.

	First, she leads the group to the top left door, which was once Sweetheart's personal quarters. Of course, it was locked tight. This was to be expected, but it was smart to confirm it. The group turns their attention to the door on the opposite end of the upper floor. The kitchen and staff dining area awaited them, though it was empty, save for a simple note laid atop the counter.

"I'm afraid you've been locked out. You'll... knead.. to find a way inside yourself." Sunny recites in a deadpan voice, sighing at the pun.

	A glint appears in the eyes of Biscuit and Doughie.
"Oho.."
"It seems they seek to test us, then. Well, I am remiss to ask our savior and our guide to be our assistants for this, however.."
	As the twins turn, they see that Sweetheart is, conveniently, currently absent.
"Ah. Well. I am remiss to ask our savior to be our assistant for this, however.. We must cook."

	Sunny is given a small hat and an apron and the kitchen comes to life with an incredible racket. The names of ingredients being barked, utensils clattering, oven racks sliding. The twins are stern in their orders, but it still ends up being an oddly enjoyable experience, despite the chaos.

"Ohooooooo.." Doughie sings.
"Ohooooooooooooooo..." Sunny joins in.
"Ooohooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.." Biscuit harmonizes.
	*Ding!*

	The three hold up a large plate. On it, a piece of bread carved into the shape of a key. The remaining bread is shared between the trio. "Key lime flavored. Order up!" Doughie calls. Sweetheart, conveniently, rejoins them as she hears that they are finished.

"Ah. Our guide has returned. Did you find our next challenge? We have to wait a little bit for this to cool off before we use it to open the door, so we have time."

"What? No, I was just waiting becaus--er.. I mean, yes! Of course! That's what I was doing. Come, come!" Out the kitchen, down the stairs, through two hallways. Sweetheart takes a shot in the dark, but, thankfully, ends up being correct. The ballroom hosts another puzzle for them to solve, another note among a group of switches.

"The.. Oh, come on.. The key to success is making sure everyone has their right partner?" As Sunny reads this note, the lights dim, the switches activate. Twelve silhouettes of dancers appear in the middle of the ballroom, all distinctly performing their own style, and all very obviously mismatched. Biscuit curiously flips one of these switches and two of the dancers swap places.

	Sunny frowns. "I have no clue how to dance."
	"Neither do I."
	"Ohoooo.."

	As they overlook the ballroom floor, the silhouettes rapidly swap. Levers are being thrown, they turn to see Sweetheart operating the machinery, occasionally stopping for the briefest moment to check her work. "As always, my presence is good fortune! Of course I'm familiar with all forms of performance! You can't capture my heart unless you know how to properly dance, of course. Those suitors I had hauled off complaining about me 'stepping on their toes' were truly insufferable.." Within a few moments, the dancers all seem properly paired. A small musical number begins as the shadows perform in beautiful unison, with their proper partners, it is a beautiful sight. The lights all turn off for a moment, and when they return, a key lays in the center of the ballroom. Dougie collects it on the plate with the first key.

	They file out, down the hall, across the foyer. Sweetheart pauses at a split.. She turns at the fork, leading the group into the theater. Again, a projector, and a note. "The answer lies in subliminal messaging? At least this one isn't a pun." Sunny fiddles with the machine for a moment and the screen begins showing a series of films, one after another.

	What they watch is a series of very confusing shorts, each more baffling than the last. Extremely experimental films, reels of photos, confusing monologues, interpretive dances. There's seemingly no rhyme or reason to any of it. Each one lasts only a few minutes and offer no answers. The twins seem amused, and Sweetheart seems frustrated as they begin to loop. Sunny squints.. He stands up and returns to the projector, and again, he fiddles with the controls, muttering to himself as the films are occasionally paused and resumed. At one point, he freezes the video at a seemingly mundane shot of the Pyrefly Forest. He points at the screen.

"Right there. The sign. See how the 'F' is highlighted?"

	Sweetheart leans forward, uncomfortably close to the big screen. "How did you notice that?"
	"Er.. Eye for details, I guess?" He resumes the video. This continues for a little bit, letters appearing more prominently in the background of each video. "F.. R.. E.. Fresh? Freeze? Freaky? Freedom?"

	With the password spoken, the projector abruptly stops. A small platform beneath it reveals a key. It joins the other two on the plate they've decided to transport them on. The quartet quickly exit and stop at the fork in the hallway.

"That is three, as our guide predicted. We must make haste, our dearest brother needs our help." Doughie turns right and makes towards the locked doors upstairs, Biscuit and Sunny follow them. Sweetheart pauses. She looks left, toward her gallery. It wouldn't hurt to check.. There might be a fourth puzzle. She begins to move towards the door, though she is stopped in her tracks. A foul smell hits her nostrils. She recoils for the briefest of moments, all of her royal instincts telling her she has no business with anything that produces such a stench, but despite herself, she opens the door.

	The scream that emits from her is audible through the halls of the castle. Sunny, Doughie and Biscuit are stopped in their tracks, in the process of using their three hard earned keys to open the layers of security between them and what they assume to be the Dark King's throne room.

"I--this.. You.. This is.. **UNACCEPTABLE!!**" Sweetheart sputters, gawking in horror at her once proud museum. All of the exhibits are filthy and unwashed, and most paintings have been taken off the wall. It seems the new master of the castle was using this room as a giant trash heap. It's not clear if this was meant to be a mockery directed to Sweetheart, but it was clear she took it as a personal attack. She turns, leaving to rejoin the trio.

"Do you think our guide is okay? That sounded rather dire." Doughie asks Sunny.
"She's probably fine." He leads them forward to the final door between them and the Dark King, a looming, black door. The ground beneath them quakes as they approach. Raising from the ground beneath them is a stone altar. The last line of defense. Their final puzzle. A scrambled picture, split into various small times.

"Oh, no.. I hate these things." Sunny glowers.
"We mustn't stop so close to the goal! Come, Biscuit! It falls to us!"
"Oho!"

	Biscuit and Doughie begin to slide around tiles wildly and randomly. It seems that every few moments one reverses an action the other made. It's quickly turning into an unsolvable mess.. Though after a few moments they are interrupted. *Stomp, stomp, stomp, stomp..*

	Sweetheart is wordlessly approaching. She's furious. Madder than she's ever looked. She's dragging a large chain flail drags across the fancy carpet leading to the throne room behind her. Sunny quickly grabs the twins and shuffles them along to the corners of the room. She barely even regards the puzzle placed in front of her as she steps past it. Sweetheart stops at the door, rears her mace back..

*CRASH*
	The first hit splinters the wood.
*CRASH*
	The second hit gets the head of the mace stuck in the door. She rips it out in a clean motion, a hole is visible in the door.
*CRASH*
	The third hit shatters the first hole wide open, the hinges weakly supporting the half of the door still attached to the frame. There's enough space for her to enter now, and she does. A rather lofty and dramatic voice can be heard, albeit muffled, from outside.

"Ah! You've certainly kept me waiting a very long time, it is good to finally meet.. face to--wait, pause. Who are you? Woah-woah, hold on a second, DON'T--

	Sunny winces and hurries inside, pulling the twins in tow. What awaits them is an extremely ostentatious throne room, gaudy and overdecorated. Though the throne isn't visible at the moment.. There appears to be a large, opaque barrier that has Sweetheart's flail lodged firmly in it. The voice Sunny heard earlier continues, still muffled, behind the barrier.

"Wow! That was close. Good work, Vizier. Talk about ruining a moment. I was practicing that for a solid WEEK and not only is the first person walking in here someone I don't even know, she tries to kill me!"

	Vizier Neb, seeing Sweetheart technically unarmed and unable to reach the raised platform upon which the Dark King sat, and more importantly, seeing Biscuit and Doughie, slowly lowers the magical barrier. "Dark King, they are here. I will begin preparations, as you commanded." With that, he vanishes. As the barrier slowly lowers, a lanky boy with a strange multi-dyed blonde and dark hair atop a throne with a gaudy crown surveys the group. Doughie and Biscuit gasp.

	"M.. Michekhail?!"
	"Do not use that name!" He spits in response. "I shed that name when I escaped that tomb you called a bakery! I am Mikal, the Dark King! Lord of this Castle and commander of the Elite Puzzle Service! I knew full well you two would come to try and drag me back one day, to force me to claim my cursed birthright, and here you are, as predicted! But I will not go quietly!"

	"O..ohooo?"
	"Wait, what? No, we.."
	"Silence!" He interrupts again. "I have waited for this moment for a long time. This is your best chance to catch me, but know this! My Vizier will be starting the self-destruct sequence for this castle any moment now, as we speak! You may be strong, but are you strong enough to defeat someone who shares your blood before we all go up in flames?! I think not! But, if you do not take this chance, I will surely disappear, adopting a new moniker, and you will never find me again! What will you do?" Mikal throws his hands up, laughing maniacally as an alarm begins to blare through the halls of the castle, and a monotone voice confirms his claims, urging everyone to evacuate.

	"Michekhail! You are mistaken! We were told that our brother was being held captive by the Dark King! Biscuit and I only came to save you from.. him.. That being you. That is why we tasked our savior and our guide to help us! We decided Breaven sucked too, we left months ago."

	"I--What? Is.. is this true?" Mikal looks to the other three for confirmation.
	"Er.. Yeah. That's what they told me." Sunny shrugs.
	"Ohoooo!"
	Sweetheart does not respond.

	"What? Really? Well--I.. Then.. This is.. a complete misunderstanding! How did this happen?!" He stands from his throne, glancing around to Neb. "Ah. Vizier! There you are! There has.. Been a change of plans! Please go turn off the self-destruct sequence, we don't actually need it."

	"Turn it off?"
	"Yes. That's what I, your king, has commanded!"
	"What do you mean turn it off? You didn't tell me to add a way to turn it off! Nobody's ever made a self destruct that you can just turn off!"

	A long pause.
	"Oh." Mikal looks around nervously.
	"We.. we should go."

Mikal scrambles off the throne, Neb following closely behind as the group rushes through the now empty castle, through the empty courtyard, and through the doors leading back to Sprout Mole Village. Biscuit and Doughie slam the doors behind them, though no explosion immediately follows.
	"I might have set it to take a little bit, you know, for dramatic effect, but it's going to explode! Trust me!"

Almost on queue, the entire village is rocked with a quake, many Sprout Moles tumble and fall over, and the doors to the castle begin to show dent from the inside with crashing rocks and rubble. Mikal wipes some sweat from his brow, and Doughie releases Sunny from a princess carry, since he tripped early in their escape from the castle. They all take a moment to catch their breath, and Neb finally breaks the silence.
	"Well. That was fun. Gonna miss those puzzle guys. Wanna go see what Berly's up to?"
	"Of course! This is why you were my trusted advisor, Neb! We'll, uh.. We'll catch up later, okay?" Mikal waves to his brother and sister as they quickly make their escape.

The twins both smile at Sunny.
	"That was quite an adventure. I'm glad everything worked out."
	"Ohoooooo!"

Sunny grimaces as he directs them to look at Sweetheart. She looks despondent, as if her entire world had just crashed down upon her.
	"Ah. Well, yes, I suppose we are partially responsible for that. It is only fair that we let her stay with us until she can find a new living situation, yes, Biscuit?" He nods in response.

A glimmer of life returns to Sweetheart as she scrambles to her feet as she hears this proposition.
	"Y..Yes! Of course! OHOHOHOHO! This was all a trial! Everything happens for a reason! I may have lost my castle, but now I get to live in decadence among gods! As if I deserve no less! I can only imagine the wonder and splendor that await me in your humble domain, guardians!"

Doughie clasps her hands together and smiles warmly at Sweetheart, "Yes! We have a wonderful two bedroom apartment. Our landlord, Jawsum, has told us the price is most fair. Though.. Hmm.. You may have to sleep on the couch in the living room."
"Ohooooo.."
"Quite right, Biscuit! It does turn into a bed if you remove the seat cushions. The wonders of the modern world.." She wistfully sighs.

Sweetheart screams for the second time today. Every Sprout Mole in the village can hear it.

--