Chapter Text
Long long ago, before the world of Earthbread was even thought of. There was a princess with wonderful power of Light, something only most humans could dream off. Her names was Gretel, it had been lost to time. With her wonderful power she found others like her, gifted with power beyond most humans, most of the world have different names for them. Witch, sorceress, demon, saint, monster, god. All of which they had been called, and in returned they had been worship, been hunted, used, manipulated and even killed. Maybe it was that horrible fate that made her seek out others like her, taking them to the far ends of the earth.
A coven….a family, all her own, of other girls just like her. A place, a castle where they would not have to worry about fulfilling wishes, or worrying for the day others would turn against them. They were safe….
And they were bored.
They were safe but there was an uneasiness in the same safe, predictable day happening over and over again.
So Gretel did what she always did, create.
She study so many books, so many possibilities of what she could experiment with, that she actually come to the conclusion by accident.
Magic filled cookies, making something…alive.
It was such a weird idea but it strangely work…not at first, there were multiple attempts. The cookies would wake up, walk and talk for only a minute at first before they would fall flat, to never move again. It was heartbreaking at first, but all they could do is move on.
They only made progress when First Egg made a giant cookie, one brave or maybe foolish enough to run from their mothers. The cookie in their panic ran into the water, the magic in their dough began to fall off turning it into soda water. A hit of magic killed the cookie and their body crumbled into the waters, life began to appear on his dough.
Gretel turned to see who had killed the creation, a group of wizard, like them outcasts from society yet not exactly friendly with them. They had agreed to not by enemies, yet as the wizards looked at the new land with greed in their eyes. So the coven agreed that they were going to populate this new land with cookie lives before the wizards could claim it for themselves.
There was an argument about what they should make first, some like First Choco and First Tea were better at make places and civilizations. Other were better at forming little cookie bodies, yet they still hadn't figure out the right ratio of ingredients to keep them alive, as the longest they lasted was 20 minutes. Even still they didn't allow the setback to discourage them.
Eventually Gretel come to the conclusion, they needed to make something or more currently cookies to govern this new world they were creating. Beings that were ageless and would withhold the fragile balance of life, and after that they could figure out the perfect ration of life power to cookie. It would be difficult for sure, trying to figure out how much power they could put into those little bodies before they crumble but they could figure it out.
Gretel pulled aside five of her sister, First Grain, First Sprinkle, First Milk, First Sugar and First Salt. She had been working in something in secret, power even beyond what they knew….
The Soul Jams.
The witches had finally done it, gods of this world, in the form of the Virtues and the Guardians of Nature. They were absolutely perfect.
They started more experiments, dragons, mermaids, and then they tried something else this time actually making cookies that didn't need special powers to survive. Little children they had nickname the First Batch, the first true start for all of cookiekind.
The ones the witch's truly love….
The Virtues and Guardians were sent to look after Earthbread and life moved on. The witches baked more cookies, filling not only Earthbread but their castle with life. Even the wizards close by which they were somewhat friendly with baked their own cookies, making one that guarded the realm of dreams as well as a few others.
And then everything went wrong.
It was suppose to be a spell to keep this world safe, a place so there little creations wouldn't have to worry about their creations being attacked. Yet one of the witch's prided destroyed the spell and the price they paid was there bodies. But Gretel was a stubborn soul….this….
This would not be the end of the witches.
The Virtues came to Earthbread, doing the jobs their mothers assigned to them. The Flour of Volition using her own will to grant cookies wishes. The Herald of Change looking after the cycle of change of the world. The Fount of Knowledge who was tasked was answering the question of the cookies and help civilization move forward. The Sugar of Happiness made sure cookies found their happiness, so they would never have to suffer. And the Salt of Solidarity, the unity that would bring every cookie together, the pillar of justice for ever cookies soul. As the Virtues did their job, the Guardians of Nature control over Earthbread often times destroying the civilizations the Virtues worked hard to help build. But that was the way of nature.
After all that was their role, and how the world worked for the witches, so of course they had made it that way for the cookies.
Maybe the witches had taken too much from the world they had came from.
Soon the cookies began to ask questions, or began fighting. They wanted more, or wanted to fight, or wanted answers, or wanted happiness they could not achieve, or solidarity that refused to answer them. It did not matter if the cookies prayed for their mothers for answers or for help, their prayers were always met with silence.
The cookies wanted the impossible, and yet the Virtues were expected to give them the impossible.
They still tried to do their jobs that were assigned of them, that's all they could, their Lights, the personification of their domains in the Soul Jams. Even creatures of that sort of power couldn't solve everything, even no matter how much they tried to push. Eventually it came to a point, the Light could do something or they could watch their host break, watch as they still cry out for the witches who had stopped answering them.
They choose to save their hosts.
And in returned, their hosts turned into Beasts.
The Light of Volition had taken away Mystic Flour's emotions so she wouldn't be destroyed when cookies tried to harm her, and the apathy made it so she didn't care about anything. The Light of Change took away the Herald's mind when he fought too much against the cycle of change, instead he fell into destruction and nothing else. The Light of Happiness was force to take away the Sugar of Happiness limits as her host was nearly driven mad trying to grant all their wishes, the Sugar instead turns to keeping everyone in her garden. The Light of Knowledge took away the Fount of Knowledge's freedoms, he saw what had been happening to the other Virtues and feared it might happened to his host. So he took him away from the cookies, from the cookies who tried to kill the Fount, tried to harm him.
The Fount of Knowledge dove into deceit, anything to get away from the Light who had imprisoned him.
The Salt of Solidarity had to watch as the cookies he consider his siblings suddenly disappear. But he didn't have time to process, he had to keep the knights together, had to offer cookies solidarity in some way or form. However the Light of Solidarity began to whisper in his ear, that should the cookies standing against them even have solidarity, especially for the harm they have given to the Virtues?
Eventually the murder of his knights became too much, and a dark corruption began to seep in. Salt ran to his friend, Elder Faerie Cookie and asked him to kill him for abandoning his Virtue. That is when the fairy told him that his siblings hadn't died, but had been corrupted, and it had been pushed by the Lights of the Soul Jam and it was only a matter of time before Salt joined them.
Salt didn't want this, he was angry about the world, about what could happened to Earthbread, the world his mothers loved so much.
So the Salt of Solidarity decided to sealed himself and his siblings away, locked in the trunk of a Silver Tree. In a way so the world would still have the Soul Jam's power. He had thought they would all be sealed away, he muttered a cursed that the darkness and corruption could have never leave the tree.
He did not realizes the Soul Jams, the Lights still needed to functions, they couldn't fully stayed trapped with them, and that they split their Soul Jams. That they would find halves to the bound Beasts and maybe find a way to bring back their Virtues.
And life on Earthbread moved on….
…..
Silent Salt should have realized just how stubborn his family was.
The former host of Solidarity was surprise when Shadow Milk said they should leave behind part of their power to escape. That the only way to escape through the crack in the tree was to leave behind power, to leave behind part of the darkness. Not all of them agreed at first, but Shadow Milk convince them, that it was all temporary and once they find their missing half of the Soul Jams they would come back and reclaimed that power.
Silent Salt almost believe him as the former Fount sold the pitch that if was all for their selfish desire. But he could see how Shadow Milk's hair curled around the doughlings under his, they were stuck in a deep sleep and while the beasts magic had done it's best, their were cracks forming in their dough…..they weren't going to survive much longer in here.
So the Beasts did what their older brother they each tore off part of their power, unaware the tree would take more from them….but they were finally able to escape.
They each ended up finding their other half, the ones who carried the other halves of their Soul Jams.
Silent Salt with his torn throat stumbled into an library his Soul Jam pulled him too, where he found a cookie looking through books, a smell of lilies clinging to her. He wanted to tell her and warned her of his siblings, but only a gasping sound came out and he spat out jam. The mysterious cookie finally notice the hurt cookie and ran to help him.
Eternal Sugar barely pulled herself through the forest of Beast Yeast, tears flowing down her face, jam followed out of where a pair of wings and her tail was torn from her. She finally saw the soda water of the ocean and collapsed onto the ground. A cookie with a shield watched as the cookie fell and quickly rushed to help her.
Shadow Milk tumbled, his arms full of the two cookies he had saved back when he was the imprisoned in that Spire. He ignored the pain as his magic screamed at him, he was using ever ounce of magic to keep his legs together and to not fall into crumbs. He found the cookie that held his other half of knowledge. He spat out his demand, ordering his Soul Jam to be returned, however his legs finally gave out. The cookie ran and began to ingulf the fallen cookie in healing magic, ignoring the curses he spat.
Burning Spice marched with a purpose, following the path his Soul Jam had laid out. The desert he had found was both familiar and different, and he spotted the thief that wore the other half of his Soul Jam. He started the battle, he always did, but he never expected to lose, to be bested by this winged cookie. He fell to his knees and asked to be killed, and the winged cookie instead offered him a helping hand.
Mystic Flour didn't bother looking for the other half of her Soul Jam, she went to her temple to grab her Haetae and then explore and looked for another place to call home, one that will hopefully bring back her apathy. Yet as she settle into a new temple, the cookies around thought she was omen, and tried to attack her. One cookie didn't point a sword at her but instead opted to listened, and eventually offered a hand to her, protection.
The five Beasts did not try to steal from the Ancient Heroes, the ones that held the other half of their Soul Jams, instead something else bloomed instead of anger. Relief, then friendship before finally shifting to love. The Beasts idea of gaining back power faded, the idea of any of that darkness began to make them sick, instead they began to look forward, making plans not as Beasts or Virtues, but as regular cookies.
The Ex-Beasts healed, they helped build kingdom, they had fallen in love, they all planned for futures. They beasts changed their names to separated from their past, a few like Eternal Sugar, who knows goes by Sweet Sugar and Silent Salt, who picked Pure Salt. Both the Ex-beasts began to plan for doughlings with their partners.
Pure Salt and White Lily were the first to have doughlings, a set of triplets. Salt's four siblings have him crap for it but he adored them and welcomes the chaos.
Then White Lily had left, to learn the secrets to why cookies were made.
And then she vanished…
Something horrible appeared in her absence, Dark Enchantress Cookie.
The dark cookie approached Pure Salt, spewing her lies, wanting to usurp the witches, with twisted eyes she held out her arms, ether to accept her husband, or to take back her doughlings.
Salt stabbed the cookie and ran with the doughlings.
He knew the monster would just chase him, eventually he would fall and it would take his children. So he went to the only place he knew every cookie fear, one embedded in their dough.
He went to the Witch's Castle, where he had once been baked. Pure Salt had heard rumors, about a witch had taken up residence in his mother's former home, the dark magic coming off it made him want to turn around and run. Yet he didn't, he slowly walked, slipping through a crack in the wall.
Pure Salt place the doughlings down, summing a barrier spell, one that should slow time, one to keep them unnoticed and safe until the war stops. The former Commander still didn't think that was enough and with a heavy heart, he took off his Soul Jam. He brought his fist down, shattering the gem. He took three shards and place them on the doughlings chest, and with a little bit of magic the shards disappeared into their dough. Salt gave each a kiss on their little heads, before begging them to survive and for them to be brave through his broken voice. He looked at his sleeping children one last time before he force himself to turn away, he fled with leaking tears as he disappeared into the fog. He was ready, he would be bait and draw Dark Enchantress away from his children…until….this monster was gone and the war was over.
The doughlings would stay under the barrier, it would provide everything they need, their aging would slow, they would dream until someone comes to get them.
The Dark Flour War ended with two giant spells thrown at each other, Dark Enchantress was gone, Pure Vanilla and Shadow Milk (known know as Blueberry Milk) disappeared, one trapped in a castle lost to time. The few that had survived went back to their kingdoms to lick their wounds. Pure Salt was left, while part of him wanted to immediately go to his doughlings, he could still feel that White Lily was alive through the Soul Jam of Solidarity. So he decided to search for her, and once he found her they would collect their doughlings together. They would be a family again.
Years passed.
Everyone in the Witch's Castle knew the story of the three hero cookies that appeared. Well while they were heroes to every cookie in the castle, they also knew that there were just kids, not meant for the burden they decided to take. All that is known is that were not from the oven, they weren't cookies who were baked by the Shadow Witch who just barely escaped.
A young cookie open his eyes and force himself to get up, there were two other cookies around him, siblings, he could feel it in his soul. He took note of his appearance, simple brown shorts and a shirt, oversized, with a two skull button. A sister to his right, white hair and red eyes with a giant oversize hoodie that engulfed her form, the same color of the syrup she smelt of. And then to his left was a brother, the same white hair and red eyes as his sister, however his clothing was shaped from flower petals, shorts and a shirt like his brother, but also a grass shaw over his body.
As they took note of their surrounding they could feel the hostility of this place, and each one grabbed a weapon, a candy cane for the simple boy, a lollipop for the girl, and a shard of a magical gem put into a flower for the red eyed boy.
The heroes wondered through the witch's castle lost and confused, until they met another cookie. Who told them of the castle, of the monstrous witch living in it's walls that ate cookies. Yet this is where the heroes showed off the bravery as while they tried to look for a way to escaped, they saw a cookie being attack by the witch's pet. And while most cookies would rather run and save their own dough, the three fought through jam and crumbs to save the cookie.
"Hi there!" A sweet voice said causing all three of the cookies to jump. Laughter began to fill the air as they turned towards the source of the sound. A young girl, probably couldn't be much older the 11 like them looked at them with big purple eyes, her hair pulled back in a brown ponytail. A smile was on her face, seemingly completely unaware of the girl's fear of the red eyed boy pointing his magical staff at her. She just held out her hand to the other kids in front of her. "I'm Gingerbright!"
They looked stunned for a moment, but the cookie in the middle smile, even thought though she carried a swirl lollipop, something told him that she was an enemy. So he held grabbed the hand of purple dressed cookie and spoke. "Hello, I am Ginger Salt!"
Gingerbright let out a laugh as she shook his hand. The other two cookies seeming gaining their confidence.
"I am-m.." The girl with red eyes started before she delved into coughs, eventually it stopped and she was able to speak through a scratchy voice. "I'm Elderflower Syrup Cookie."
The red eyed boy still glared as Gingerbright offer his sister a drink, but eventually he put down his staff and spoke. "I'm Daylily.
"It's nice to meet you, not many cookies escape the witch so it can be lonely at times. Wanna be friends?" Gingerbright asked. "I can show you the best hiding spots so you and your sisters can stay safe, Ginger Salt."
"Witch?" Ginger Salt muttered.
"Sister?! I'm a boy!" Daylily started to yelled but was quickly stopped by Elderflower Syrup.
As the girl quieted her brothers rants, Ginger Salt began to ask Gingerbright about the witch. The cookie looked confused but still happily describe the monster, the thing that made cookies but they also ended up in her mouth. Most Cookies knew you needed to hide deeper into the walls to avoid her, but even then she still has her servants.
So Ginger Salt propose a simpler solution…..escape.
"Escape? Hm, the only real way out would be that tall window up there. It's the only place that moonlight comes in." Gingerbright said with a smile as she pointed to a window in the distance.
"Well that where we should head then." Ginger Salt stated before turning. "Would you like to come with his Gingerbright?"
"Of course!" The girl said practically jumping with excitement. "I'll follow you guys."
The group went from three to four, and began to start their adventure. They squeezed through the walls, unnoticed and neglected by the witch. It was almost enjoyable until they stumbled across the cat, a cookie crying under it's claws. Most would run away, it was a smart thing to do. Yet the three didn't, with an order from Ginger Salt, Elderflower Syrup picked up the cat cans around threw them at the beasts.
With a few well place hits, the cats scrambled away due to pain. And they helped the crying cookie up, he was smaller, probably somewhere between six and eight. He had white hair, and was closed in pajamas, including a little sleeping cap.
His names was Gingerdozer and that was all he seemed to know.
"We can't just leave him alone." Daylily muttered causing Ginger Salt to get on his knees to speak to the cookie.
"Gingerdozer, would you like to come with us? We're pretty new to all this but I promise I'll treat you like fami-." Ginger Salt started to say.
"I'll GO!" Gingerdozer yelled throwing his arms around the taller boy.
The group brought along Gingerdozer, unaware he was one of the First Batch. And the Shadow Witch wasn't going to rest until she had him, sending the cat back after then before eventually capturing him herself. The three did their best to save him but he was captured, and even though freedom was right out the window, the heroes refused. They weren't going to leave without their newest friend.
They were under the window, the moon was high in the sky, stars dancing around her. It was absolutely beautiful, Gingerdozer made a comment that he wanted to see and Ginger Salt lifted him up.
However a growl from above made them shiver, there was the cat, pissed off glaring down at them. Daylily began to lift things with magic to throw at the creature, while Elderflower Syrup and Gingerbright began to lift and toss things at it. Eventually the cat let out a howl and scurry away again.
However before they could celebrate again, the world began to shake, a shadow following over them. They barely had time to turn before a giant hand came down grabbing Gingerdozer, the young cookie began to cry in terror.
Gingerdozer has been snatched up by the witch. She looked down at the group with sharp teeth, her features hidden under a mask.
Where cookies should have been shaking in fear, where they would have run into the shadows. Ginger Salt instead ran forward jumping onto the hand to try and grab Gingerdozer. The others realize what he was doing and ran after him trying to pull him out of the monster's grip.
"I didn't bake you, but you are definitely interesting….Maybe I'll take you as well." The Shadow Witch muttered, as she began to move to grab the others.
However her cat, probably still pissed off about being at attack and bested twice, launched himself at the cookies. However he has missed judge the distance and sank his claws into her arm. The Shadow Witch let out a yelled as she pulled her back before swatting her arm to scare away the cat, unknowingly swatting the other four cookies away.
The Shadow Witch turned looking for the cookies but they disappeared, they were hidden in the shadows. The witch let out a swear but she sighed and walked away, Gingerdozer crying in his hand.
As the witch walked away, the four got up, they could see the cat narrow it's sight onto them, however a wave of magic, this time soft, appeared. And the cat was gone.
"Gingerdozer!" Ginger Salt yelled jumping to his feet. "Come on, we need to save hi-."
The cookie that have saved them held out a golden whisk, stopping them in their tracks. She was a pale cookie, hair in long cream curled as she looked at the group with golden eyes.
"I believe you adventure ends here." The new cookie said, gesturing to the window with her head. "Run now, little ones."
"No!" Ginger Salt yelled. "We are not leaving without Gingerdozer!"
"A small, nearly freshly baked cookie such as yourself won't stand a match against a witch." The cookie said shaking her head. "After all the one who was taken was of the First Batch."
"First Batch?" Ginger Salt repeated.
"What is that suppose to mean?" Daylily asked.
"The witch seeks the cookies of the First Batch…for within them contains ancient secrets." The older cookie said. "The witch's vast legion of minions will keep keep a close eye on him."
"We'll find a way!" Ginger Salt yelled.
"You could barely handle the cat." The older cookie argue.
"I would have lit it on fire if you haven't stepped in." Daylily added.
"Still you freshdoughs, way to young…" The cookie said pointing at the window. "Your life starts now, escape while you can."
The three were silent, Gingerbright's eye glanced from the three to the older cookie, as if waiting for her new friends to speak.
"What is your name?" Ginger Salt asked, there was no anger or loud tone, it was softer, calmer. It almost shocked the older cookie.
"First Cream Cookie." The older cookie replied, her yellow eyes looked at them, they always seemed to be trying to understand. Like something was on the tip of her tongue that she just couldn't remember. Ginger Salt brought a hand up, resting it over his heart.
"My name is Ginger Salt, and I am not going to run away." Ginger Salt stated, as if it was a fact, shocking First Cream. Elderflower Syrup let out a gasp, while Daylily gave a nod as if agreeing.
"I knew you guys were fun." Gingerbright said with a laugh.
"You must see me as small, so young and stupid. But I know one thing, Gingerdozer….he's my friend…my soul tells me he should be my brother. And I am not going to leave my friend behind." Ginger Salt stated. "And Gingerdozer is my friend."
"A lone cookie has-" First Cream started to say.
"But he's not alone." Daylily said. "I will follow my brother wherever he goes."
Elderflower Syrup gave a nod, stepping close her hand tightening on her weapons. "Dozer is our friend."
"Me too, Gingerdozer is my friend too." Gingerbright added.
"Brave…Your name should have been Gingerbrave." First Cream said with a smile before she pointed to the distance. "Seek out the compass at the hotel, it will aid you in your quest to rescue your companion."
Ginger Salt gave a nod, his face shifted to an expression of determination.
The little kind hearted cookies set off on the goal, despite the fear the face, the impossibility of the task, they refused to give up. Along the way they helped everyone they came across. They help a pair of cookies where one act of cowardice spell the ruin of a family, and the betrayal of a cookie. They brought life back to a dried garden, saving a cookie in a jar before destroying the monster that had made the gardener hide in the bottle. At last they went to Mount St. Creme a land of fluctuating temperatures, where cookies were suffering from mold and ice. And that is when they learn the truth, of who is after the First Batch.
A hotel that had once belong to a noble house, a house that had fallen into ruin by sticky fingered thieves. A former noble, no older then 20 had gone to look back at his old home only to be set attack by the thieves, along with the four doughlings who had decided to to help the hotel.
It had come to ahead during the final fight, when the Marble Danish realized who the leader of the thieves was, who she use to be. And when Sachertorte Cookie, leader of the Apricot Jam Syndicate, fell over the edge, he had rushed to grab her arm.
Marble Danish nearly fell with her, Ginger Salt, Gingerbright and then others realizing what was happening and ran to grab him. Pulling with all their strength until both adult cookies feet were firmly on the ground.
Everyone took a breath as they tried to focus on getting air back in their lungs, Sachertorte's eyes locked onto Marble Danish as the cookie march over with a purpose. Her eyes glance at his sword, wondering if he would kill her.
Marble Danish fell to his knees, bowing his head. "…I am sorry."
"What?" Sachertorte muttered.
"You heard correct, I am sorry." Marble Danish apologized. "My immature as a doughling has caused you so much pain, and the fact I had somehow forgotten how I wronged you must have only magnified your pain….I resented you without recognizing my own faults. And for that I am deeply truly sorry."
"Your sorry? You say nothing…I was orphan, only a year older then you and I was thrown out, I had not one. Left to the mercy of this land…to the mercy of the witch because you couldn't admit your fault!" Sachertorte screamed, angry tears running down her dough. "And you want me to forgive you? To accept this apology after all this time."
"I am not asking for forgiveness, nor I am I asking you to forgive my family. You are free to reject it, but I need to apologize because you deserve one the most." Marble Danish said as he stood up. "You did nothing wrong and in return, my cowardliness and my families cruelty caused your suffering. I am apologizing and I know it is long overdue…but please know I will do use every fiber of my dough to right the wrongs I have done."
"….Long overdue indeed." Sachertorte muttered before a knowing smile dance across her face. "You never were the punctual type, I remember how many times I had to save you because of that….Goodbye Marble Danish Cookie."
With a wave of her parasol, the thief was gone, only the compass remained. Marble Danish looked around trying to see where she could have disappeared too. While the four doughlings grabbed the compass, the one that formally belong to House Danish. Ginger Salt picked it up, walking up to the older cookie.
"Here you go Marble Danish, you should keep it." Ginger Salt said. "It use to belong to your family."
"What? But your quest?" Marble Danish muttered.
"I'm pretty sure we'll find Gingerdozer on our own, I don't know why but I just feel like we can and will!" Ginger Salt exclaimed as he tried to push the compass towards the adult.
"…I will not accept this." Marble Danish said.
"But why?" Elderflower Syrup asked.
"House Danish has sullied its name by clinging onto relics and treasures all while hurting those closest to me. I will not let history repeat itself." Marble Danish said, he couldn't see it but he was sure he could feel eyes, a smile shifting on her face. "Even without treasures, as a member of House Danish, I can still offer aid and assistance to those in need. Which is the path I am taking now, take the compass, save your friend."
….
The garden finally had life again, despite the trap Radish Cookie had set for them, Ginger Salt, Gingerbright, Elderflower Syrup and Daylily, none of the took it to heart. They understand her panic, a garden she love, memories of her sister and her friends, now gone nothing by dry because of the lack of syrup. But they had fixed all the pumps, all they had to do was restart the Sweet Heart, the heart of the garden, in the middle Rosemary Cookie sleeps.
The Churro Golem had been chased away and Ginger Salt rushed to the top of the Sweet Heart, using the hook on his candy cane to grab the unconscious cookie in the jar. With all his strength he pulled her up, before the syrup could fill her lungs. Radish quick took Rosemary in her arms, calling out her sister's names.
"Radish Cookie?….wait our syrup garden is awake…" Rosemary Cookie asked.
"Yep, Radish Cookie started it all." Gingerbright said with a smile.
"She was determined to save you." Daylily said giving Elderflower Syrup a slight nudge. "Siblings are stubborn like that."
"No, no, NO! How could you be so stupid!?!" Rosemary screamed out.
Rosemary admitted she had killed the garden, because without the garden, the Reaper wouldn't need to appear…and it was like the monster could smell the syrup in the air. As Rosemary ran in panic and the others ran after her, Elderflower Syrup was capture. Rosemary wanted to try and kill the garden again, however Radish yelled at her sister. That they were living in fear, not truly living, even if the idea of fighting was a dream, at least they actually tired.
Daylily attacked first, anger practically dripping off him, Ginger Salt ran recklessly, jumping up and stabbing the Reaper in the face. Even the friends of the garden joined them in the fight, finally encouraging Rosemary to actually take a stand to fight. Eventually the Reaper was destroyed and their friends freed.
Ginger Salt and Daylily ran so fast hugging Elderflower Syrup so tight she almost had trouble breathing, thought she didn't complain, allowing her syrup like tears of joy and relief to fall. Radish and Rosemary talked as well, the older sister apologizing for being so cowardly and allowing her sister to deal with it all alone. However the peaceful moment was stopped when Elderflower's memories came rushing back and she yelled out.
"Gingerdozer!" Elderflower Syrup said. "When I was capture, the Reaper said something about him and where he might be."
The girl immediately began to cough as she overused her voice. Ginger Salt and Daylily quickly rubbed her back, trying to calm her down. She made gestures as if trying to speak more, though only gasping sounds escaped.
"Just whisper to me, I'll be your voice." Ginger Salt said. Elderflower Syrup nodded and got closer to whisper to her older brother. Ginger Salt repeated the words. "Mount? Mont? Mountain?"
Rosemary let out a gasp before she asked. "Was it perhaps…Mount St. Creme?"
Elderflower Syrup nodded, confirming it was the name, her brothers looked at Rosemary. She obviously knew about this place.
"Soils have mercy… if that is true, your friend might not have much time." Rosemary said.
"Not much time?" Ginger Salt asked.
"The entirety of Mount St. Creme was regarded as sacred ground, it existed for ages, considered ancient even before Radish and I were baked." Rosemary explained. "It's said that those upon the mountain were able to exist in a state of freshest youth for all eternity."
"Eternal freshness?" Daylily asked. "Is something like that even possible?"
"That sounds wonderful, that means Gingerdozer would be alright?" Gingerbright said with a laugh.
"Maybe if it was the old Mount St. Creme…but now?" Radish began to mutter.
"It is not longer considered sacred…it has corrupted, a place of misery and doom." Rosemary explained.
"No!" Elderflower Syrup yelled before coughing again.
"Mount St. Creme is now a perpetually frozen prison, where all become one with the frost or until they meet their fate upon the witch's dining table as a meal for the witch herself." Rosemary explained.
Ginger Salt let out a broken sound, his eyes narrowed in anger as he imagined the young cookie being hurt. Gingerbright began to shake in fear as she spoke. "That sounds horrible!"
"Then there is a not a moment to wait, we need to head to Mount St. Creme and save Gingerdozer." Ginger Salt stated as if it was the most natural thing. His friends had nodded in determination, agreeing with the brave cookie.
Rosemary and Radish shared a look before reluctantly pointing the group of four into the right direction. It was dangerous for sure, but they had help saved their garden, helped given them bravery. It was the least they could do.
….
The group walked to Mount St. Creme, noticing how it wasn't as cold as they had been told. They met and saved food that had been suffer from fungus over not being cold. They met Onyx Cream Cookie, decided to help sense there was something off with the temperature that was causing so much suffering. Though he wasn't exactly happy about how causally they spoke of First Creme Cookie, he joined them on their journey. Stopping a tyrant soda and helping others keep cool. Before eventually Onyx Cream offered to show them to the ice prison where Gingerdozer was likely being held.
An arrow flew by the group, Ginger Salt jumped, his siblings and friends jump getting ready for a possible attack. Onyx Cream looked at the attacker, a female cookie with long icy hair holding a bow.
"Go away outsiders." She snarled. The four behind him got ready for a fight before Onyx finally realized who he was looking at.
"Wait, Stop. Snow Crystal Cookie, it's me…" Onyx Cream said. "It's Onyx Cream Cookie. I admit it has been such a long time sense we've seen each other….you were always such a stern cookie, did time freeze your heart as well?"
"You?.." Snow Crystal started to say as she took a good look at Onyx Cream, her expression shifted to answer as she ran over, lifting her bow to strike him. "You sack of rancid milk! Where have you been?!"
The group quickly got between the two adults, stopping then before they could attack each other. They learned that Onyx had been gone for a long time sent on a mission for First Cream and sadly that meant leaving their friend. Once Snow Crystal learned the truth she calmed down, leading them to a room that was rumored to belong to a witch.
Said room fried their magical compass, much to the group's shock. However Snow Crystal showed them the way to the icy prison and why their journey had been so difficult. The Shadow Witch's minions also visited this place and they were capturing cookies, doing everything to avoid landing on the witches plate. Maybe it was to discourage them but the group refused marching deeper until they finally found Gingerdozer, locked within an icy cage.
It shocked Snow Crystal and Onyx Cream how the four doughlings took off, using their weapons to break apart the cage that should not have broken. Ginger Salt pulled Gingerdozer close trying to see if he was alright, he was breathing, obviously asleep, he must be cold as he curled closer to the older boy.
"C'mon, buddy, wake up!" Ginger Salt tried, yet the smaller cookie just kept sleeping.
"Is something wrong?" Elderflower Syrup asked.
"Has he gone stale?" Daylily added.
"GRRR!" A monstrous three headed soda dog appear. "You prisoners-."
"SHUT UP!" Ginger Salt yelled, glaring at the creature, startling him. The monster three headed soda dog went to open his mouths, likely to scold it's new prisoners however it found now sound escaping its mouths. Elderflower Syrup and Daylily probably spurn on by their brother's anger, launched into attacks and soon the warden laid knock out.
"I don't think he's going to wake up." Gingerbright said, sadness in her tone.
"Do we need to take him somewhere warmer?" Ginger Salt asked.
"May I have a look?" A familiar voice asked.
They turned to see First Cream Cookie, the pale cookie walked over, Ginger Salt originally tighten his grip before he realize what he was doing and allowed First Cream to take the smaller cookie.
They learn that Mount St. Creme chaos wasn't because of the temperature gauge, but an relic that First Cream had left behind. It held part of her power, and something must have happen to it. They made it back to her home, where they found Rainbow Sherbet trapped holding onto the corrupt relic. Even once they freed the cookie, the nasty magic on the relic put up a fight, but eventually they clear it of it's dark magic and it returned to it's rightful state.
With the power of the relic, power flowed through First Cream and a magic flowed through the air, restoring the mountain to the thing of legends. The four could imagine the cookies and other deserts cheers as magic absorbed into the land.
"Mount St. Creme…it's eternally cool and fresh." Daylily muttered.
Gingerdozer moved in Ginger Salt's arms, slowly opening his eyes as he looked up to see the older cookie's eyes.
"Hey Dozer." Ginger Salt said, ignoring the tears of relief and joy peeking out at the corners of his eyes. "You scared us half to dead."
"Ginger Salt…you came to save me?" Gingerdozer asked, as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing.
"Of course buddy. I would fight that witch head on if it meant keeping you safe." Ginger Salt said, meaning every word. Joy and hope filled Gingerdozer's eyes as he grip the older cookie.
"Brave! Ginger Salt is brave! Gingerbrave!" Gingerdozer exclaimed, knocking Ginger Salt to fall on his butt.
"My name is-." Ginger Salt started to say but he was drowned out by the smaller cookies yells of 'Gingerbrave'. Eventually he let out a sigh before pulling Gingerdozer into a tighter hug. "Alright, you can call me Gingerbrave."
The other three curled closer, hugging the pair, all exclaiming their worries and reliefs that the smaller cookie was alright. Daylily did say something about Ginger Salt's new nickname and considering he couldn't smack his brother, he just gave him a half hearted glare, to which Elderflower Syrup gave Daylily a quick smack on his shoulder.
First Cream felt her breath shake, there was such joy there, and there was also another magic, not of the Shadow Witch. But there was something else, something familiar.
Gingerdozer turned to look, locking eyes with First Cream, more joy appeared on his face threatening to tear his dough. Dozer tore himself out of Ginger Salt's grip, and ran to hug First Cream, shocking the cookie as the smaller cookie yelled. "Your back!!"
"Oh, do Gingerdozer and First Cream Cookie know each other?" Gingerbright asked.
Gingerdozer turned to look at Gingerbright and then the cookie he was hugging and said. "First Cream Cookie?"
"I think that's a no." Elderflower Syrup said.
"But First Cream seems to know Gingerdozer through. Didn't she say he was a Cookie of the First Batch?" Daylily asked.
"I remember that, what is a cookie of the First Batch?" Ginger Salt added.
"Cookies of the First Batch…are the ones who baked with Life Powder for the very first time in history-ark!" First Cream said clutching her head, as if her mind was screaming at her.
"First Cream Cookie?" Ginger Salt asked rushing forward.
"I am fine…At least I believe the First Batch were baked with a special sort of Life Powder, baked by a powerful coven of witches, thus their name." First Cream said. "Me and my other sisters, the First Cookies, have been tasked with seeking and protecting the First Batch. I am still looking for a few that had disappeared…but…"
"But?" Ginger Salt repeated.
"One of them, First Egg Cookie had turned against our goal. She has been seeking out the First Batch, ripping them from their safety, and I fear what she will do to them." First Cream admitted to the group. "I am sorry for venting my worries on you, young doughs. You probably still want to leave, correct?"
"Yes but-." Ginger Salt started to say.
"No, no, Gingerbrave don't leave!" Gingerdozer yelled as he let go of First Cream before rushing over and threw his arms around Ginger Salt's waist. "Don't leave!"
"Dozer, I am not going anywhere." Ginger Salt did his best to comfort as he turned to look at First Cream. "While I still want that, I don't feel right leaving when there are still cookies out there in danger. Why don't we help?"
First Cream felt a smile appear on her face, as if hope began to fill her heart destroying the despair that had once controlled it.
So the three brave heroes along with Gingerbright decided to help First Cream Cookie with her goal. Seeking out other First Cookies to make sure the First Batch Cookies they had were safe and to seek out First Cream. They met so many First Cookies, Grain, Choco, Sprinkle, Milk, Berry, Salt, Sugar, Honey, Yeast, Vanilla and Tea. Some of the First Batch were safe and others capture by First Egg and the Shadow Witch. But the group was determined, they helped the First Cookies and learn the truth about them, the First Cookies were once witches. However the group still helped, eventually making sure all the First Batch Cookies were safety with their First Cookies, destroying First Egg's plan.
"But I don't want you to go! Gingerbrave, stay!" Gingerdozer cried out as he held Ginger Salt's arm in a vice like grip. The older boy let out some laughs as he tried to pry the smaller one off.
"I'll be back, I promise. But I need to help out First Cream and her friends."Ginger Salt explained as he finally got Gingerdozer off his arm. First Cream place her hands on his shoulder, keeping him in place.
"But, but, what if you don't come back?" Dozer asked through tears.
"Hmmm, how about this? Why don't we pinky swear?" Ginger Salt said holding out his pinky finger to the smaller boy.
"Pinky swear?" Gingerdozer asked.
"Yes, a pinky swear. I swear I will return to you after helping the First Cookies, and if I break it, then the universe will break my pinky." Ginger Salt stated, causing horror to appear on Dozer's face.
"But I don't want you to break your pinky!" Gingerdozer yelled.
"Then I guess I need to keep my promise." Ginger Salt giving a bright smile as he offer his pinky to the smaller cookie. Gingerdozer slowly reached over with his own pinky, the linked them with a small shake. Ginger Salt let out a laugh as he removed his hand so he could grab the smaller cookie and planting a kiss on his forward, for some reason it just felt like the right thing to do. "Be brave, Gingerdozer."
"Bye Gingerbrave." Dozer muttered as he tried to bury himself in First Cream's dress. "Come back soon."
"I will, we all will!" Ginger Salt said with a wave before turning to where Gingerbright, Elderflower Syrup and Daylily were waiting, they had already said their goodbyes.
With the map that First Cream had given them, they set off on their adventure.
…
The found the Temple of Abundance that was looked after by First Grain Cookie, who had a little cookie from the First Batch nickname Yummers consider his giant appetite. It took a while to get First Grain to understand, thought the four didn't hold it against her, considering a cookie working for First Egg had been whispering in her ear. She was the one where they learn the truth about the First Cookies.
"Oh deary, it's so dusty back here." First Grain muttered as they walked into a long forgotten room. They had been looking for farming equipment, as considering Buckwheat schemes had destroyed part of the land. "I should have been putting in some elbow grease, not focusing on magic."
Ginger Salt let out a sneeze at all the dust and he stumbled, Elderflower Syrup quickly grabbed him.
"Gingerbrave, watch your step." Elderflower Syrup scolded.
"You almost broke something, you nearly stepped onto it." Daylily said pointed to what looked like a wafer writing slab.
"Huh, what is it?" Ginger Salt asked.
"It looks like there writing on it." Elderflower Syrup added.
"Oh my, this is quite a relic of the past." First Grain said as she took the slab from the four. "It is a stone tablet, one I carved and wrote in ages past."
"Awesome, so it's your writing?" Gingerbright asked.
"It is, I wrote it when I finally realize I had become a Cookie. I could feel my memory beginning to fragment." First Grain explained. "I wrote down as much as I could possibly remember….huh…my first, Volition?"
"Wait, you said 'you became a cookie'? You misspoke right?" Daylily asked, his hand going up to tap the shard of magical stone.
"Oh dear, I thought I said it earlier, I guess my memory is failing me once more." First Grain said with a laugh. "I was originally a Witch."
"A Witch?!" the four exclaimed in confusion.
"Wait, First Grain Cookie…was a witch?" Ginger Salt asked.
"Why am I getting goosebumps all of a sudden?" Gingerbright muttered.
"It was far, far long ago. Many of us witches were hunted, hurt by others and a savor gathered us from all corners of the world, each of us with our own purpose and motive." First Grain spoke. "And we began to make living cookies but…I can't seem to remember everything."
"It's alright, we just wanted to make sure the First Batch were safe. And First Cream would like to see you." Ginger Salt said with a smile.
….
First Choco Cookie felt a sense of defeat fill her, the First Batch cookie she had been asked to protect, was gone. Nothing left but a broken wooden sword that her little cookie adored, one that made her nearly crumble. The only proof of anyone being there was a simple charm.
"First Egg Cookie, how could you…I'll crumble you." First Choco cursed under her breath.
Ginger Salt quickly got the first's attention, promising they would get the cookie back and to not lose hope. First Choco felt hope filled her heart along with determination, so she order her soldiers to help the four.
…
First Sprinkle destroyed all the little egg monsters that had threaten her circus, Giggles, the cookie of the First Batch landed safely in her arms, laughing at all the excitement.
"Those little monsters almost ruined my circus!" First Sprinkle yelled as she set down Giggles.
"Um, First Sprinkle Cookie?" Cream Donut asked, keeping their head down. The ring leader turned to look at them a sadness quickly filling her. They had told her their complaints and she had ignore them, it reminder her of her time as a human and that part just crushed her heart. "I was-."
"You don't have to say anything…I am sorry for ignoring you all earlier." First Sprinkle said to her performers. "I wanted to keep the circus running, that it how you preserve something precious, and I ignored how much I was hurting you. I am sorry. If you wished to leave I understand…after all once a mark is left it is not easily forgotten…..where did I hear that from?"
The ringleader and her trope made up with hugs and tears, and the group was sure Giggles would be safe. At the very least they could also go to Mount St. Creme if they needed too. First Sprinkle grabbed a piece of fabric, tying it around Cream Donut.
"There, you will herald our newest show…" First Sprinkle said before her eyes began to look down, as she tried to search her memory for something, muttering under her breath. "Herald….my herald."
…
They met First Milk Cookie, a very panic healer who was barely keeping her cookies safe after Net Cookies lies. She gain some confidence and with the help of the group woke up her First Batch, a near baby name Toughie.
As Ginger Salt gentle held the baby, First Milk found herself looking up at the sky, her magic causing the false ceil to shift into glittering stars. An ache filled her heart, one she knew couldn't be heal with medicine or magic.
…
There was First Berry Cookie, a witch turn cookie who had been obsessed with preserving memories in jars, to make sure they weren't forgotten. Her little First Batch, Smarty had not been too happy about being trapped in there, never allowing his curiosity to explore. One lie from First Egg set the garden a flame and First Berry finally let go of the memories.
….
There was First Sugar Cookie and First Salt Cookie, a set of twin witches who turned into cookies. They acted as the judges of the cookie in the Witch's Castle, holding trials for cookies convicted of wrong doing. The two did not care about the group of four that had tired to talked and plead with them, not until the Shadow Witch appeared and stole their First Batch, Sweety, away from them.
"Maybe if we had step out of our Sugar dome and paid attention to the world, this wouldn't have happened." First Salt muttered bitterly looking at chaos that had befallen their court room.
"Don't give up just yet, there is no way you could have know First Egg would go as far as using the witch." Ginger Salt said grabbing the two first cookies attention. "We'll save Sweety, we won't rest until all the First Batch is safe."
First Salt and First Sugar shared a look, they didn't say anything, they didn't have too as they were both thinking the same thing.
"You look very familiar…What is your name again?" First Salt asked the smiling boy.
"I am Ginger Salt." He replied.
"Though according to Gingerdozer, it should be Gingerbrave." Daylily said giving his brother playful shove, which cause Ginger Salt to shove him back.
Elderflower Syrup let out a giggle before pushing herself in the middle of her brothers, before it devolved into a fight.
First Sugar and Salt watched with familiar curiosity, they both kept trying to dig into their memories, trying to figure out where their feelings were coming from.
"Your going to stop First Egg by yourself?" First Sugar asked.
"Not by ourself, we have our friends." Ginger Salt said with a smile. "We can't stop, not till all the First Batch cookies are safe."
"First Cream Cookie is at Mount St. Creme, I'm sure she would like you to visit." Elderflower Syrup offered before she began to cough grabbing hers brothers attention.
First Salt couldn't stop the way her head throbbed trying to force her to remember, First Sugar felt something deep down, wanted to wrap up the children and keep them safe like they had tried with Sweety. But before ether could gain the will to try, an energy washed over them and with a heavy heart they allowed the group to leave.
…
They met First Vanilla, First Yeast, First Honey and First Tea along with their First Batch cookies, some were safe and sound, others captured. The four determined cookies helped as much as they could, sending the First Cookies back to First Cream and promising to save the ones of the First Batch who had been capture.
Ginger Salt, Daylily, Elderflower Syrup and Gingerbright found their way to First Egg's hideout, finding the rest of the First Batch. It was difficult but eventually found a way to get them back, and get them back to their First Cookies.
The First Batch were now safe with their First Cookies, and as powerful as First Egg was, she was not match to 12 other First Cookies.
The First Batch cookies were safe….truly safe.
However unlike most stories of heroes, these three don't have a happy ending.
"Gingerbrave, No!" Gingerdozer screamed as he kept his arms around Ginger Salt's arm, tears running down his face. "Don't go!"
Despite all saving the First Batch, the triplets have been having some concerns about their feelings, on some level they still wanted to leave, to explore. But also their friends were here, Gingerdozer, First Cream, so many amazing cookies that were truly safe here. Ginger Salt had asked to visit the window, to look at the night sky to think about the future. His siblings joined him of course, but also Gingerdozer as well as Gingerbright, and he was sure First Cream and some others weren't too far away considering Dozer was joining them. Maybe they had gotten two comfortable…because he forgot about the Shadow Witch that haunted the halls.
The felt the steps of the Shadow Witch and saw her, and in Ginger Salt scrambled to get Gingerdozer somewhere the witch couldn't reach, he didn't realize she could be after other targets.
Elderflower Syrup and Daylily screamed as they were grabbed by the Shadow Witch, trying their best to escape her grip as she carried them off to who knows where. Ginger Salt went to chase after them only for Gingerdozer's arms to lock around his arm, crying for him to stay.
"Gingerbright, can you keep Dozer safe, maybe get him back to First Cream?" Ginger Salt asked the normally cheerful girl, who nodded in agreement. It only cause Gingerdozer to cry more as Ginger Salt pry the young boy's arms off of him.
"I've got to save my siblings Dozer, I'll be back." Ginger Salt comforted, unaware of what the Shadow Witch was doing. Gingerdozer just cried harder, causing Ginger Salt to shush the crying doughling, grabbing his small hand and interlocking their pinky's in a little pinky swear. "I swear, you will see me again."
Gingerdozer didn't reply with words, just letting up hiccuping sobs. Ginger Salt cupped Gingerdozer's face, trying to reassure him.
"Be brave Dozer, be brave until I get back." Ginger Salt said before placing a kiss on his forehead and finally pulling away.
"No! Gingerbrave!" Gingerdozer cried out, trying to follow after Ginger Salt, however Gingerbright reacted first, grabbing the smaller boy keeping him in place. Gingerdozer cried and scream, trying to get closer to Ginger Salt.
Ginger Salt gave a sorrowful smile, before running ready to save his siblings. He knew the quick routes, the cracks within the walls. Ginger Salt spotted the Shadow Witch, and made him plans, pushing off jars of ingredients to fall on the horrible witch. She let out screams and cursed and desperately reached for the horrible cookie yet Ginger Salt was always one step ahead, moving from where she could actually reach. He needed to chase her out of the room, get her away so he could save him siblings from the prisons she had dropped them in. Elderflower Syrup had been dropped in strawberry syrup, trying to keep her head up above the syrup and not drown. Daylily had been dropped into a batch of ice cream, shivering as if he could barely summoned the strength to move.
"GINGERBRAVE!" Dozer screamed out.
That was all it took, that one word, it cause Ginger Salt to slow down just enough for the Shadow Witch to swat at him, knocking him down into a bowl of powder.
Dozer screamed, cried and tired to rush in as the witch's hands curled around the unconscious Ginger Salt. Gingerbright held onto Gingerdozer with a vice like grip, slowly moving back into the wall.
"We'll get First Cream and the others, they can save them." Gingerbright tried to encourage as she kept a tight grip before running with the small cookie in her arms. Gingerdozer stopped struggling, surly First Cream could help Ginger Salt, all of the First Cookies together would put that nasty Shadow Witch in her place.
There had been hope….and how easily it was crumbled.
By the time they gather the First Cookies all of them heard the Shadow Witch scream, it offer some comfort showing that the three were putting up a fight.
But the second scream was different, it was accompany by the castle shaking and the smell of fire, smoke and something burning. They cookies gather around the edge of the walls and shelves, seeing evidence of where the fire was once, there were a few spots still aflame the Shadow Witch was putting out. She held her face, blood dripping out between her fingers.
However the oven looked destroyed, as if had exploded from the inside out.
And there was no evidence of Ginger Salt, Elderflower Syrup and Daylily.
All that left was ashes, crumbs and the fire….there was no way they could have survive, no cookie could survive being thrown back into the oven.
One wrong move from the heroes lead to them getting capture by the Shadow Witch, and though their deaths were not in vain, physically weakening the monster, it seems their lives were the price. And that is where the story of the heroes end….
"Surely you don't believe that do you, Dozer?" Smarty asked as he touched his glasses up.
The rooms of Mount St. Creme had been changed, to be more comfortable to all the First Cookies and there First Batch so they could stay together, safety in numbers and all. So Dozer was hang out with the other First Batch, the rest of the immortal children, doing his best to stay awake. He looked over with bags under his eyes towards the small cookie with glasses.
"What?" Dozer muttered. He had truly not been himself, not sense they day he lost his big brother.
"You can't truly believe that Gingerbrave is gone. " Smarty said pushing up his glasses. "He and his siblings survive odds that would kill most cookies, surely the oven would not do them in, especially given the realistic amount of time they would have been in it.
Hope began to fill Gingerdozer's chest, he always held onto some idea that Gingerbrave was still out there, somewhere.
"But no cookie can survive the oven, at least not without burns…" Yummers muttered he swallowed the last bit of food in his mouth, but stop reaching for the jellies on his place, he never really had an appetite when talking about Gingerbrave. "And we would have found them? After all we looked everywhere."
The words stole the hope, Sweety looked down, Giggles smile shifted to a familiar frown she sometimes wore, Lil Choco, the First Batch from First Choco, looked at their wooden sword as if contemplating throwing it.
"But that's the thing, if they had been in the oven then they would have found…something..." Smarty said, drifting off. He didn't add anything else, or else he might reduce Dozer to tears again. "By logical sense all the signs pointed to them surviving."
"What are you talking about?" A cheerful voice asked.
Gingerdozer turned to see the cookie with familiar purple eyes, still trying to be sweet and cheerful despite all she had seen, Gingerbright. She was still around, whole most cookies went off to have another adventure, she still as close to Dozer as she could, as if trying to keep her promise to look after him. She had grown, no longer looking 10 but older now maybe about 13-14. She had grown like all the other cookies in the Witch's castle, so long as they had a steady supply of life potions they would grown, mimicking the humans they were shaped after. The only exception was the First Batch cookies, as they didn't grow unless their witches wanted them too. So despite the years that had passed, most of them still looked the same as they did when they first met Gingerbrave.
The only First Batch who has grown was Toughie, First Milk had finally felt enough confidence for them to thrive, so they had slowly grown the baby they once were into a toddler. But still barely spoke, and had to be held by someone, which currently was Sweety.
"We were talking about Gingerbrave." Smarty said, causing Gingerbright smile to falter for only a second before it came back.
"What about Gingerbrave?" Gingerbright asked.
"I might have found a way to find him!" Smarty suddenly said grabbing everyone's attention. "There was no realistic way for them to be gone and I have been looking through the archives of spells. And I believe I have found one that will teleport us to him."
That got all of these attention, all the eyes were on the small boy in glasses.
"Smarty, I love jokes but this isn't t-." Giggles started to say.
"I am not joking. The spell isn't complete, but the bases of it is suppose to teleport you to someone of your memories or where you would feel the safest. I'll have to go over it just to be sure, but…it should work." Smarty said. Silence was share across the group, as they looked at each, as if asking if they dared hope.
"Why can't we just switch it?" Gingerdozer asked. "Can't we just switch it around and teleport Gingerbrave here? That way he would be safe from First Egg Cookie."
At Gingerdozer's words, both lil Choco and Sweety flinched, both didn't want to remember their time capture by First Egg, that horrible cookie. And if she had the chance she would 100 percent use Gingerbrave and his siblings if it meant getting her hands on the First Batch. If they teleport them straight too home it would take away that risk.
"I…I thought about that…I actually tried that." Smarty said, a blush of embarrassment on his face as he remember his failure. "As soon as I found the spell I tried to summon them back. But it seems like their is some sort of ward around the castle. It won't allow any magic in, there are smaller ones around here, it's how First Egg doesn't summon us."
"But if we want to find Gingerbrave…" Sweety started.
"We would need to go." Gingerdozer answered.
"Why don't we tell the First Cookies?" Yummers tried.
"They would never allow us to go, and they wouldn't risk going for fear of First Egg attacking while their gone." Sweety answered. Silence filled the room, as they thought about their words.
"Then we don't tell them." Gingerbright said capturing all their attention, with her normal bright smile. "At least until we're already gone, we can leave a note to calm them down. But we won't ask for permission, but forgiveness."
"But then First Grain-." Yummers started to say.
"Will get over it. Besides, after everything done, we'll have everyone, Ginger Salt, Elderflower Syrup and Daylily back where their safe." Gingerbright butted in. Determination filling her eyes. "They would do the same for any of us."
There was so much truth to her words, in fact Gingerbrave had done so much for many of them, it was his stubbornness that freed them from the clutches of First Egg Cookie.
"Gingerdozer, you were the closest to Gingerbrave." Smarty said eyes locking onto Dozer's tired ones. "You should have the final say."
Gingerdozer was silent, as if thinking through all the possibilities of what could happen if they leave to look for Gingerbrave. The possible disappointment from the First Cookies, the dangers they could be in leaving the safety of the sanctuaries. But at the same time, he just kept thinking of Gingerbrave's face, his pinky in his swearing they would see each other again, his voice begging him to be brave.
"Let's do it." Gingerdozer said. "Let's bring my brother home."
The First Batch cookies laugh, Smarty smiled as he began to go over the spell and planned. Gingerbright looked over with a smile, her heart was aching to see her friends again, and she would make sure all the adults were none the wiser until they were gone. Gingerbright walked over, wrapping her arms around Gingerdozer in a hug, thanking him for his choice.
Gingerdozer leaned into Gingerbright, eyes closing with the warmth he felt. He allowed himself to imagine it was Gingerbrave, laughing slightly trying to wake up Dozer from his rest.
He would see Gingerbrave soon.
A small kingdom was thriving in Earthbread, it's 'rulers' a set of triplets, three siblings who had seemingly been to every corner of Crispa. Fight against the Cookies of Darkness, helping Ancient Heroes find their power, hope, reuniting them with their loves and their families. Not only had their kingdom had thrive but their adventures had cause many other kingdoms to grow as well.
Gingerbrave worked in a garden, something he had started every sense he learned who their mother was, the only connection to the version of her past they saw in an echo.
'GINGERBRAVE!'
Gingerbrave turned, looking for who called him, his cracks clear on his dough, yet as his deep blue eyes scanned he couldn't see who called him. He brought a hand up to hold right above where his heart would be at, the one where a shard from the Soul Jam of Solidarity rested beneath his dough. It practically hummed as if trying to warn him of something that would happen.
"Hey brat." Chili Pepper yelled out, as she notice the boy staring off in the distance. "Are you alright? Do you want me to get Strawberry or Wizard?"
"Huh? Oh no, no, don't bug them. I am fine." Gingerbrave quickly said wave Chili Pepper off. "I just thought I heard something."
Gingerbrave kept looking out as the humming of the shard kept going. As if trying to warn him. A voice, one that sounded like White Lily, Pure Salt and Dark Enchantress all speaking at the same time.
'Prepare for unforeseen consequences.'