Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

In the distant past, when the chaos of iron and flame still reigned

Five Cookies were baked by the witches, Radiant beings, graced with wisdom and power unparalleled

The Five were destined to reshape the tempestuous world

And usher a new era of Peace, Prosperity and enlightenment for all

.

.

.

Alas...

Great Power always begets corruption...

One by one, their will crumbled under the weight of their own strength

Once promised saviours, The Five became twisted apostles of evil

And brought forth darkness and devastation

The Witches could not bear to watch the calamity that had befallen the precious land of their creation

They punished The Five by sealing them away in the remote continent of Beast-Yeast

And scattered across the world vestiges of their power, yet untouched by corruption

The Soul Jam

In hopes that a new batch of heroes would learn to resist the temptations of such strength

And put it to better use...

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

But...

This was not the end of this tragedy filled tale of twists and turns

For this story still had yet to end

many eons after the corruption of The Five

After the Chaos of Iron and Flame subsided

Long after the age of Lustrous scales and mighty beasts

Many creatures baked by the witches scattered across the world

Among them were The Five

Five Cookies graced with Soul Jam of the Purest Kind

Wise and Powerful, They rallied others to their cause

As Kings and Queens, They ruled the Cookies

Bringing in a Golden age of Peace and Prosperity

.

And within the remote land of Beast-Yeast

Laid the Silver Tree

The only thing keeping The Beasts from ages past from enacting Chaos and Destruction upon the world once more

With the help the Guardian, it flourished for eons within the Faerie Kingdom

.

.

.

And yet...

Even it could tell when it's will had become weakened over the ages

It sensed that the seal keeping The Five at bay had begun to weaken over time

It would only be a matter of time till they escaped into the world once more

.

.

And so

The Silver Tree had made a decision

Two Leaves of silver grace plucked themselves from the ever spread branches

Carrying themselves through the wind, and across the oceans of deep blue hue

Hoping to find one who would help them in their dilemma of Life and Death

One had found the help it needed

In the form of a Hero of Green and White

A Seeker of Freedom and Truth

Marking the way on her Map, to lead her to the answers she seeks across the sea of Liquorice blight

.

.

While the other

Curious as can be

Bravely traversed further

Further than any had traveled before

Fly across the seas, over the land and sky

To a place unknown

Where Cookies come to life

A Castle in the fog, within a World like no other

Where Bright and Kind, Intellect and Imagination

All come to life

The single Leaf lay lightly upon a clump of dough

Stored away to ways unknown

Waiting eagerly for the hands of Gods, to mold it into what it was meant to be

And there it waited, day and night

Through the rise of Kingdoms

and the Rise Kings and Queens

Through the creation of Evil

And the loss of Heroes

The leaf long integrated within the soft doughy surface

Until one day

The day Shadow-Touched Fingers danced along the Soft Surface

Was the day a purpose, a hero, had finally been molded

From the shaping of the Cookie to licking flames against the baked dough 

A Hero of had been born

A Valorous Saviour

A Progeny of Silver

Chapter Text

A young Cookie dashes through the green forest, down the dirt path that spread across the forest. Milky white hair and Silver Lavender Butterfly wings bounce up and down as he runs from the vicious Cake Hound chasing after him Antennae twitching in fear of what they will do to him once caught.

"Haaaah! Would you stop chasing me!?" The young Faerie Cookie exclaims, the Cake Hound behind him merely respond with a vicious growl.

He soon reaches a dead end as the cake Hounds start closing in, barking and snarling hungrily, craving the taste of freshly baked dough between their teeth. "Dead end!? Seriously!?" He exclaims panicked, turning around to face the pack of Hounds behind him, Wings and antennae drooped fearfully, he takes a deep breath, looks like he has to fight them. "Ok, nowhere to run, thats ok, Well guess what! IT'S GO TIME!!"

"Ok, lets to do this, COMIN THROUGH!!" He exclaims, drawing his Candy Cane and charging towards the Pack, whom, not expecting this sudden change in mood, jolt back shocked at the sudden turn of events.

He charges through the hounds, smacking them left and right, sending a few flying back or to the sides, others smashed to batter, GingerBrave didn't take enjoyment from killing animals, but in this case he had no choice, it was either him of them in this kind of situation.

The rest of the Cake Hounds had ran off after fighting off most, giving him a chance to make his way down the path.

Voices shrill from around him, it wasn't much of a big deal bakc in the Witches Castle, but now out here, surrounded by plants and Trees of all kind, the voices were overwhelming.

"Strange Cookie"

"The Silver Saviour"

"Child of the Tree"

"Brother from another land"

"Such a strange Faerie"

"The Second Seal"

"One of us?"

The voices echoed through his head, his Antennae twitched in slight pain, to many voices, to loud!

His body becomes heavier and heavier the more he walked, his wings droop with exhaustion. It felt as though his very dough was breaking at the seams.

"Oh no.......no no no! i'm crumbling! PLEASE STOP!!" He exclaims in slight panic as he buckles over, the voices becoming overwhelming.

"Find the Tree"

"Find the Tree"

"Find the Tree"

'FIND THE TREE"

"FIND THE TREE"

Over and over again it repeated, until exhaustion took hold of him, and he body collapsed from under him.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
GingerBraves eyes cracked open, the light blinding him for a few moments as a face comes into view, Dough a shade of yellow with a pale pink beard, a red nose and a red pointed hat, a worried expression plastering their face.

"Hellloooo, Wakey-Wakey! Rise and Shine! Up Up Up!" They say, noticing he was start to awaken.

"Wha...?" GingerBrave groans, his drowsiness started to subside.

"WAKE UP!!" The stranger suddenly yells, startling GingerBrave out of his state of dizziness as he shoots up screaming.

"GAAAAAHHHHHH!!! WHERE AM I!? WHO ARE YOU!?" GingerBrave exclaims in a panic, the strange attempting to calm him down.

"Hey hey! Cool down will ya? Finally awake you are!" The stranger says sheepishly, standing beside him, they were relatively small for a Cookie......WERE they even a Cookie? He had met several individuals in the Witches castle that weren't Cookies.

A familier voice breaks GingerBraves panicked state. "Gingerbrave! Are you ok!?" Strawberry exclaims worriedly, Wizard rushing to her side. "When we got separated we were worried we wouldn't find you again!"

"Strawberry!? Wizard!? YOUR OK!!!" GingerBrave exclaims, rushing over and embracing them in a tight hug, Wizard stampers his words and exclaims for him to loosen up while Strawberry returns the tight embrace, Wizard having the misfortune of being trapped in the middle.

Once separating GingerBrave unconsciously begins to shed tears of joy and relief. "Wh-When the Witch chased after us, i-i thought- Oh Witches i THOUGHT I HAD LOST YOU TO!!!" He sobbed out.

"It's ok GingerBrave, we're here we're right here!!" Strawberry reassures him, holding his arms.

"I'm just r-really glad you guys are ok! The Witch is very scary!!" GingerBrave sniffs, slowly calming down, his wings just drooping at the memories of the castle. "i just hope the others are alright..."

Strawberry and Wizard look at eachother in sorrow, should they tell him?.......No......the loss of GingerDozer was already a toll on his soul.....he won't be able to handle any more loss....

"hold on....Who are you guys? Your not Cookies!" GingerBrave asks the Sugar Gnome curiously.

"We are the Sugar Gnomes! We found you in the woods and brought you here!" They chuckle. "And your one to talk! Your probably the most detailed Cookie we're ever seen........not that we've...actually SEEN any Cookies in a while...your wings look very wellkept!"

"Y-yeah well...i try to take good care of them, i find brushing them every now and than keeps them from getting to dusty" He chuckles sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head as his wings flutter a bit.

"Ooooh This is heart melting!! So many Cookies in one place!! it's our Big chance to rebuild the Cookie Kingdom!! Diddi-da-di!" They exclaim joyously.

"'Gasp' SO COOL!!....uh....whats a Kingdom?" GingerBrave asks confused, Antennae tilting to the side with his head.

"Don't you know this place, this very place, used to be a KINGDOM?" The Sugar Gnome continues. "The Cookies left long ago, but we Sugar Gnomes waited....and waited......adn waited......OH, WAITED SO LONG WE HAVE!!"

That sounded....very depressing.....

"Doo-di-da! it's your Kingdom now! Now it needs a name....." They say, looking at them hopefully.

The trio thought hard about it, they had never expected to just have a kingdom handed over to them so suddenly! Now whats a good name.....

"...how about......SugarGloom?" GingerBrave says nervously.

"Hmmm.....Excellent thinking GingerBrave! It is a Kingdom inhabited by Sugar Gnomes that just happens to be inside the Gloomy Woods, pretty creative!" Wizard compliments, GingerBrave almost looks shocked, he was just spitballing buuut now it actually did make sense to call it that after Wizard explained it.

"Alrighty! SugarGloom it is!!" The SugarGnome yells out, 3 nearby Sugar gnomes cheer in joy.

"Now, ehem.....Kingdom?.....No offense but these look like some sad old forgotten ruins" Wizard comments, looking around.

"Well..it...looks like ruins now yes...but INDEED a glorious Kingdom it once was..." The Sugar Gnome sighs, reminiscing the memories, GingerBrave wonders what could have happened, this doesn't looks like a simple....leave and forget kind of thing.....more like a battle ground....

"Beasts of old"

"Ravaged and destroyed"

"Once grand now gone"

GingerBrave jumps at the voices, whirling around.

"uhh...is your winged friends alright?" The Sugar Gnome ask worriedly.

"O-oh? Oh yes don't worry he's fine" Wizard reassures, turning to him. "They talking to you?"

GingerBrave nods, the Sugar Gnome looks at him confused.

"Who's talking to who?" They ask.

"The trees" Wizard responds blandly.

The Sugar Gnome looks at him as if he had just lost his mind. "I-i'm sorry......trees?.....as in.....TREES Trees?"

"yep, it's a bit of a gift GingerBrave has" Wizard explains.

"He's a Plant Whisperer!" Strawberry adds on with a small, but hidden, smile. "Being in this new open environment is a lot more overwhelming for him with all the plants"

"Say uh, GingerBarve, why don't you go and uhh...take a break? We'll cover things here" Wizard says, turning to him.

"thank you" GingerBrave says, hastily walking away.

As the others continue to talk to the Sugar Gnome he walks to the treeline, there was A LOT of open space here, coud fit and entire town in here! Though most of it was just ruins. he sits by the tree line, and the Trees begin speaking again.

"Young Cookie, can understand?" A voice asks him.

"y-yes, i understand you" GingerBrave responds.

"Strange....Strange indeed" Another says thoughtfully.

"The young progeny shows promise" Another states.

"W-What do you mean by that?" he asks them confused.

"Time will show you-"

"-The true path soo enough"

2 Voices finish eachother.

"....Early....some of you mentioned what happened to this place....can you.....tell me?" He asks them. "i have plenty of time...."

"...very well....." A voice said, the trees rustle in the wing, bark creaking from the swaying.

"Many eons ago, when we were but saplings, children of the Millennial Trees brothers and sisters......5 Heros were baked, each representing a virtue of the world....Knowledge, Volition, Happiness, Change and Solitary"

"But chaos broke, and the first Evil was born, what were once heroes became twisted MONSTERS, now Deceit, Apathy, Sloth, Destruction and Silence.......the Kingdom was devastated-"

"-And lives lost....both Cookie.....Cream Critter.....and Plantlife alike......"

GingerBrave felt a spike of fear inside his body, this story sounded scary....even scarier than the Witches castle.....He can't imagine the kind of destruction these so called 'heroes' could have caused.

"......We have not sense Cookies here in Eons.......especially not one like you, little one......although you are different now....we would never forget the day you flew through the winds from Beast-Yeast"

GingerBrave looks at the Trees shocked. "P-Pardon? What do you mean Beast-Yeast? Is that a place? What do you mean-" He was cut off by one of the SugarGnomes screaming.

GingerBrave whirls around and shoots to his feet and sprinting back to the Kingdom to see what was going on.

He runs through the, now built village, when did this get built? he must have been sitting by the tree-line longer than he thought.

"TROUBLE!! TROUBLE!! DOO-DE-DO!" A Sugar Gnome yells as the Cookies run over.

'What! What is it!?" Wizard exclaims a panicked.

"IN THE WOODS!! A STRANGE CREEPY SOUND!!" They exclaim fearfully.

"A disturbance in the woods"

"Cake Monsters come this way"

The trees warn him, he nods his head.

"The Trees.....their saying 'Cake Monsters' are coming" GingerBrave sats to the others. "is it possible it could be the same creatures that attacked us earlier and separated us?"

"it's possible" Strawberry gulps.

They all seem to notice that the Sugar Gnome had begun to become all droopy and melt, much to their shock.

"Oh no! Why are you melting?" Strawberry exclaims worriedly.

"Oh it's the sugar, we're made of Finley-Spun, oh-so-delicate, 4-Star Sugar, and if we should happen to get, you know, STRESSED OUT! We melt" They explain.

"Oh NO!! You poor Guys! C'mon friends! Lets go!!" GingerBrave exclaims, running into the woods, Wizard and Strawberry scampering after him in a hurry.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The 3 Cookies were heading back to the Kingdom, having delt with the threat causing the Sugar Gnomes such stress. Along they way they had found a strange looking object in the shade of a Cookies silhouette.

They were unsure as to what it was, Wizard had identified it as a possible enchanted object and insisted we take it with us.

GingerBrave had decided to lag behind, the many voices of the trees overwhelmed him a bit, the plants back at the Castle didn't talk nearly as much as they did, nor was he used to so many voices, he might need something to block out most of the noise so he doesn't get so overwhelmed, like....what did the Cookies back at the castle call them? Earmuffs? Snow Sugar said it helped him muffle any loud sounds AND kept his head nice and warm, he might as the Sugar Gnomes if it is possible to make him some when able.

He heard a small high-pitched voice speak to him from the left. "You wings are sooo pretty!"

GingerBrave turns to face a small batch of Candy Flowers, their Flat Lollipop like forms glimmering in the sun with an amazed look on their face.

"Their like glittering jewels!" Another pipes in in amazement.

"I didn't know faerie wings could come in such colours!" Another speaks.

"O-Oh! Th-thank you......um......Whats a Faerie?" GingerBrave stops to ask them.

"They are said to be magical cookies that live in Beast-Yeast, with Wings that glimmer in the sun, it's said that their kings wings are the most majestic of them all! Gleaming as brightly as the Silver Tree! Just like yours!" A Candy Flower responds.

Again with this 'Beast-Yeast', but these flowers did give him more information on it, at least he can now confirm that this was a place. "Beast-Yeast? Whats that?"

"We know not much, but it is said to be a land far across the sea! Filled with creatures long extinct!" A Flower giggles.

"Your beginning to fall behind Pretty Cookie, better catch up!" One of them informs.

GingerBrave just notices ow how he was lagging behind, he thanks the flowers and starts running to catch up with his friends, what a friendly batch of flowers! he might pay them a visit again some time!
.
.
.
.
.
.
"The Cookies are back" A Sugar Gnome exclaims to their brethren, catching their attention to the trio of Cookies returning from the woods.

"You bet! The Cake Monsters are HISTORY!! GONE!! BYE-BYE!! They won't bother us again" GingerBrave says whole-heartedly, was it good he was getting used to killing these things in such a short amount of time?

"Um....we found something weird, can you tell us what this is?" Strawberry asked as she and Wizard offered them the strange object.

"Why! Thats a special Cookie-Cutter!" The Sugar Gnome replies in amazement.

"A Cookie-Whater? Cookie-Cutter?" GingerBrave asks confused.

GingerBrave waddles over to the Cookie-Cutter and lays down in it, making sure his wings and Antennae were folded securely against their body before doing so, it felt SO COZY!!

"Yo, Check me out! If it fits, i sits!" GingerBrave exclaims, dear witches why was this comfortable!? "Ahhhhh, i'm in heaven! SOOOO COMFY!!"

"Um....GingerBrave-Wonderful-Worrier-Sir? You aren't using it right!" The Sugar Gnome informs. "Legend has it Cookie-Cutters shall lead Cookies through mysterious doors of metal, Thats right!"

"Unlike you we can't use them! But you should totally give it a shot, mm-hm!!" Another, more timid Sugar Gnome, pipes up.

"Unbelievable! I thought it was the Sugar Swan who brought Cookies into the world out here!" Wizard remarks in amazement.

"Wizard, sir? Why don't you use the Cookie-Cutter! Diddity-doo!" A Sugar Gnome requests.

As Wizard continued his ramblings about the Sugar Swan, paying no mind to the Sugar Gnomes words, GingerBrave approaches the Cookie-Cutter, feeling a compelling feeling to touch it.

The reaches forward and brushes a Finger over the fine metal, a small dim of light emitting from his chest as he does.

The Cookie-Cutter suddenly lit up and rose off the ground, lights swirl within the centre of it until it forms into a pink portal swirling with yellow, purple and cyan, littered with starts opens up inside the Cookie-Cutter.

A Cookie suddenly comes flinging out, landing and skimming across the grassy floor, the portal disappears and the Cookie-Cutter dissolves into nothing.

"Huh?" GingerBrave mutters confused.

"Huh..." Strawberry follows, Wizard being snapped form his thoughts at the sudden event.

"HUH!?" The new, Red Cookie exclaims, shooting to her feet, she had an almost spicy scent emitting from her. "Okay! Whats going on!? Who are you, COPS!? Back it up boys! Don't even think about messin with me!!" She threatens, pulling out Twin Chilli Daggers and getting into a defensive stance.

"Don't fight, it's ok! We just used the Cookie-Cutter and viola! Here you are!" The Sugar Gnome tries to calm her down.

"You WHAT!?" She exclaims. "I was just about to lay my hands on a Big 'ol' Yummy pile of SCRUMPTIOUS GOLD!!"

"WHO SUMMONED ME!? Was it you Funny face!? -Or you-!?" She exclaims, pointing her Dagger at GingerBrave. "-Weird....butterfly....THINGIE!!"

"U-um.....Yeah...it was me!" GingerBrave chuckles nervously, Antennae flopping against his head..

"Oh really!? You know what i'll do to you!? HUH!?" She snarls walking closer to him, he gulps nervously, she looks around, her angry look turning into a confused shocked one. "Wait....where in the world-? Do you even have a jewellery store in this dump!?"

"Nope! Not that we know of!" GingerBrave chuckles sheepishly.

"Okay, okay, how 'bout a bank? One measly, itty-bitty bank? please say yes!! I'm not askin for much! It's a bank NOT a rainbow! PLEASE!" She begs, face in her hands.

"it's on out 'TO-BUILD' list!" GingerBrave chuckles innocently.

"ACCCCH! UGGGH! PFF! Are you sure there's NOTHING to steal!? Nara!? Zero!? Nothin!?" She exclaims in frustration and shock, how can this place have NOTHING of value!?

"TROUBLE!! TROUBLE!!" The Timid Sugar Gnome yells in panic, everyone went on guard as they saw the panicked Sugar Gnome run their way.

"Don't tell me! CAKE MONSTERS AGAIN!?" GingerBrave exclaims in panic.

"Dutti-Doo! Someones in the Castle!! Blood-Red eyes! Razor-Sharp Teeth, yellow as the Sun! brush much? I think not" They temporarily exit their panicked state just to say that comment before slipping back in again. "No doubt! They're after the castles Great treasures, mm-hm!"

The new Cookies interest was instantly piqued. "Treasures!? Did you say 'Treasures'!? Why didn't you tell me that in the first place!? Now yer talkin!! YES!!" She exclaims enthusiastically.

The Spicy Cookies tales off running in the direction of the castle, the trio running after her.

They soon reach the area the Timid Sugar Gnome told them about and found a group of figures in the distance rummaging through some of the rubble, some Cake Hounds with them.

One of them was large and bulky, carrying a large Hammer in their grip.

Another was small and flying, around the size of their arms.

While the last was tall and lankly, wearing a grey raggy cloak, the hood obscuring their face.

"Fools! Whats taking so long!? Have you found the crown?" The Lanky Cookie asked impatiently.

"it um...doesn't, y'know, seem like there's a crown in here in all this garbage Meowster" The Bat-Cat looking creature stutters out to the Lanky Cookie.

"Check again! Double-check, Triple-check-aroo! These aren't your usual ruins!" The Lankly Cookie groans impatiently. "the crown is worth a FORTUNE!! It contains the power from the Legends! he he"

The large, bulky and muscular Cake Monster rushes over to the duo, a golden crown adorned with jewels of different colours circling the base in hand. "Crown! We found! DONE AND DONE!!"

"Soooo....there was a Crown after all! I knew it!" Wizard remarks.

"HOLD ON!! Not so fast!! uh- Wait.....who are you?" GingerBrave asks confused, blowing their cover.

The 3 silhouettes whirl in their direction, slightly startled, HOW LONG HAD THEY BEEN THERE!?

"Where do you think your takin this cool Classy Crown? 'Cuz it ain't yours! It's OWRS!!" GingerBrave snarls, he doesn't like it when people steal things from others.

"RATS!! BUSTED! ACCCH!!" The lankly hooded Cookie exclaims in a panic.

He quickly grabs a nearby Cake Hound, puts the crown on it's head and drops it, yelling as it runs. "Cake Hound! RUN LIKE THE WIND!! Take the crown as far as you can! We're right behind you!!!" The Lankly Hooded Cookie exclaims running after it, the Cake Hound disappears into the distance along with the intruders, whom escaped in another direction.

"That smelly Dog has the crown!!" Strawberry exclaims.

"STOP THEIF!! Bad Dog! Get back here! Bad bad bad!" GingerBrave exclaims as he and the others run after them.

.
.
.
.
.
.
They had been following the Crowned Cake Hound for witches know how long before finally finding it running into the Roll Cake forest. "there it is! It's running into the Roll Cake Forest!! Lets go!!" He exclaims to the others.

They had chased it deep into the forest, dodging trees and rocks, even encountering a much larger, fully grown Cake WOLF! Before coming across the path. They stumble upon the soma Squirrels attempting to play with a young Cookie, definitely much younger than they were........that or they were trying to assault him.

"Shoo! Shoo! Go Away! Skedaddle! How DARE you!" The Young Cookie exclaims at the Rabid Squirrels, chasing them off finally, before noticing the crowned Cake Hound. "WHOAH! A Cake puppy!" "And your wearing a crown! WAIT- don't tell me! ARE YOU LIKE A ROYAL!? ARE YOU NOBLE LIKE ME?"

The young Cookie exclaims in amazement, leaning down to pet the Cake Hound, who jumps up and starts licking him. "hehehe! Seriously! STOP!! Thats Tickles!" He giggles. "Hahaha- YOWCH! No Biting! Hahaha!"

"The Cake Hound! There it is!" GingerBrave exclaims, rushing over.

His sudden approach startles the younger Cookie as GingerBrave reaches forward to grab the crown, however the moment his fingers make contact with it, a horrible vision befalls him.

Cookies scream left and right, running through the ruined Kingdom in flames.

A large, Mighty Cookie welding an Axe jumps down from the mountains, crushing some Cookies who were unfortunate enough to get in their way.

The Cookie was shrouded in shadow, features unrecognisable, only their red eyes shone from within the shadows, and a Triangle shaped gemstone embedded in their chest.

Their Axe cuts through the Cookies like a Hot knife through Butter, the Cookies scream in terror and pain.

And those who tried to escape were merely cut off by another Cookie, they to shrouded in shadow, this one had Blue eyes, one a different shade from the other, a Blue inverted Club like gemstone like the first Cookie was embedded on their chest as well, only instead it seemed to attached to something unlike the first, summoning rings of fire and strings that insnare the poor Cookies, soon beginning to fight each-other, Cookies fighting Cookies who were once their comrades, and crumbling by the hands of their own friends and family.

GingerBrave jolted his hand away from the crown, which was still on the Hounds head, and fell back, breathing heavily, what the hell was that!? Was that- oh witches.....so many Cookies......what were those things!? They were definitely Cookies but.....they were so BIG! Not even in the Witches castle was there a Cookie that big! The tallest Cookie he'd met was either Marble danish or Muscle, but they were only a head or 2 taller than him, those Cookies in his vision though.....they TOWERED over those Cookies......

He had been so deep in thought he hadn't even noticed the Cake Hound had ran away, he had snapped out of his trance at Strawberry tapping him on the shoulder. "GingerBrave? Are you ok? You kind freaked out after touching that crown...."

GingerBrave looks at her for a moment before brushing her off. "I-I'm fine Strawberry, really...." He said, he knew it was bad to lie but.....it was probabaly best he doesn't make them worry.....

.
.
.
.
.
.
They had arrived back at the Kingdom empty handed, an aura of disappointment lingering in the air.

"'sigh'.....Cake Hound escaped again....." Strawberry sighs in disappointment.

"Ahem.....please?" Wizard asks, raising a brow as he looks toward the new, younger Cookie, silently asking him to introduce himself and state his purpose.

The Younger Cookie plants a foot utop a nearby stump, raising his staff as he speaks in an....overly loud....voice. "O-HO! HAHA!! Greetings my faithful, and VERY handsome and VERY cute Cookies! It's so wonderful to meet you!!" the Young Cookie exclaims, he was awfully young to be out here alone......where are his parents?

"I am Custard Cookie the Third! "The Third" by the way being extremely important, and Super cool! IS IT NOT NOBLE?" Custard exclaims with a hearty grin, such an adorable kid......might just need to work on his volume though, the overlapping voices of the trees were loud enough. "IT'S BECAUSE I'M NOBLE!! Yup! Yours truly is from a long, long line of amazing NOTABLE NOBLES!!"

GingerBrave looks at him in interest, whoa, a Noble? THATS SO COOL!!...........Whats a Noble?......Wait....isn't that what Marble danish said he is? He mentioned he was from a 'Noble family', so is this kid was like Marble Danish?

"I'm looking for land to build my future Kingdom on! These lands look positively, possibly PERFECT!!" He remarks with a joyful smile......it.........kinds reminds him of GingerDozer.........

"And as your KING, I will rule JUST and FAIR! Don't forget I'm "The Third", k? It's very important!" He continues proudly.

"Wow! At Last we have ourselves a REAL King!" GingerBrave exclaims in amazement, Wizard had spoken about his studies about the outside world, about Cookies known as Kings and Queens, whom rule over great villages, larger than any they had ever seen inside the Witches Castle, larger than the Syrup Garden, and even the Creme Refuge!.......Though.......all the Kings and Queens in the stories were adults.......

""Uh....Wha-" Wizard stumbles, it seems he to thinks this. "I can't believe what you're saying...!?"

"Aww, Wizard, he can't handle the good news! What a Sweetheart" Strawberry teases.

"NO no no! It's just- I'm...." Wizard stutters out, unable to find the words. "HUNGRY!! Yeah! thats it!"

"Though......aren't you a bit.......young...to be a king?" GingerBrave asks Custard III confused.

"He still had much to learn"

"Not ready to rule"

"In time he will understand how to rule as a King"

The Tree whisper in wispy voices, GingerBrave can't help but agree, he was to young to be a king, a Kingdom was a pretty complex system from what he currently knows.

"Well.....yeah.......but when i do get older! I'm going to be a great and loved King! Just like my father!" Custard III Says gingerly. "Man...i'm hungry!"

"Oh, thats right....we haven't eaten since the whole 'Witch Thing'" Strawberry whispers to GingerBrave and Wizard.

Thats.......actually true.......they haven't eaten at ALL since they escaped......which had been at least a Day or 2, GingerBrave......hadn't really thought about it.....guess loosing GingerDozer really took more of a toll on him than he thought....

"Here! Have a Star Jelly good Sir!" A Sugar Gnome walks up to them, offering a strange Star looking object to Custard III.

What was that? Some sort of food?

"not only Sweet! but also highly nutritious! Doo-ba-dup!" The Sugar Gnome finishes, handing it to Custard III, who takes it eagerly.

They soon gave some to the rest of them.

It....ACTUALLY TASTED AMAZING!!

"The Star Jellies are great sustenance for a Cookies body"

"Keep some one you at all times in the journey ahead little Sapling"

The trees whisper to him, he silently thanks them and continues eating.

Once finished, the red Cookie they had summoned earlier walked up to them with a sly look on her face, oh yeah, he had forgotten she was here!

"feelin Ship-shape, ol' Pointy hat?" She chuckles.

"...Amazing.....I'M REBORN!! Classy and SASSY AS EVER!! HAH!!" Wizard say energetically. "The power to fight ignorance and pioneer this wacky world wielding only my uncanny abilities of science and magic! OH YES!! IT'S ROARING WITHIN ME!! I AM WIZARD COOKIE!!!"

GingerBrave can't help but giggle at Wizards sudden hyperactivity, he himself had also begun to feel overly energised as well, like he could run a dozen laps!

"um, GingerBrave....you gotta lil somethin on you" Strawberry says meekly, pointing out the vines that had suddenly begun to grown up his legs.

GingerBrave jumps to his feet in shock a bit, causing the vines to slip off him, only for some more to start creeping up his feet, in which he starts running in circles.

"The grounds tryin to get me!!" He exclaims.

"Oh calm down GingerBrave, could just be a sudden influx in magic" Wizard sighs.

"Magic!? Whats that supposed to mean!?" GingerBrave exclaims in confusion, still running.

".....GingerBrave.......you can talk to plants.....if thats not magic i don't know what it is, the sudden increase in your energy from the Star Jellies must have increased your Magic influx, which would explain the plants" Wizard explains. "in short your magic is affecting the plant growth around you"

"Well how do i get it stop!?" GingerBrave exclaims, now finding himself tied up by vines and flowered roots.

"Well.....it's your magic so maybe just.....command them off you?' Wizard shrugs.

"Um...ok?.......Hello little vines can you uh...maybe......get off.....please?" GingerBrave stutters out sheepishly, he waits a few moments for something to happen, a few seconds later the vines starts slither off him and burrowing back into the ground. "....huh.......can't believed that actually worked...."

"Wow, nature really loves ya huh?" The red Cookie chuckles.

"Oh yeah yours still here" GingerBrave says thoughtfully. "I don't believe we actually got your name"

"Chilli Pepper, please to meet you...i guess..." She rolls her eyes.

A nearby Sugar Gnome chuckles. "Ah, what a great time to be a Sugar Gnome! Once again this place is hustling and bustling with Cookies and merry laughs!" They chuckle as they begin to melt a bit.

"Oh no, why are you melting again?" Strawberry asks worriedly.

"it's the ol' delicate sugar my friend! Any Teeny-Tiny bit of emotion and WE MELT!" They chuckle cheerfully, thats.......a strange fact, why do they melt at the slightest strong emotion?

The melted parts of their body suddenly slide back into place as they jump up and down happily. "Now rejoice! For today shall NEVER be forgotten! Together we shall build a glorious Kingdom!! Datta-Doo!"

"What'dja say your name was again kid? Custard Cookie? 'Scoff' You said you wanna be our King?" Chilli pepper scoffs, looking at Custard III.

"it's Custard Cookie III if you please! Third of this name! Thank you very much!" He exclaims with a pout.

"Riiiiight.....So Mr. 'Third of this name', how EXACTLY you gonna build your So-Called Kingdom kiddo?" She rolls her eyes. "A real king works hard for the good of his subjects Ya know!"

"Oh really? OK!" Custard III says innocently, by the witches he was TO INNOCENT FOR THIS WORLD!!

"I hereby proclaim that CUSTARD COOKIE III, thats me, thank you very much! Shall build the best-est nation on the entire Earthbread!" He exclaims joyously and proudly.

"Huh?? It can't be THAT easy.....can it?" Wizard spouts out dumbfounded.

Chilli Pepper chuckles and turns to the gang. "Everybody done chowin down? Ginger-fly, ya don't being a Plant hugger? Cuz' it's time to catch that Doggo with my- i mean OUR, um, crown!" She announces, everyone nods in agreement, GingerBrave was going to protest against being called 'Ginger-Fly' but said nothing.

As everyone stood up to grab some supplys a Sugar Gnome, Timid and shy, walks up to him with something in hand.

"u-Um.......Mr. GingerBrave.......sir?" The ask him.

"Yeah? Whats up?" He turns to them curiously.

"I...uh.....noticed you were having trouble with....'certain noises'.......so i uh....made you a lil somethin" They say meekly, handing him the object in their hands.

It was a pair of orange EarMuffs. GingerBrave takes it curiously and slowly puts them on his head, easing them around the sides of his head, and for once since he got here......the overlapping voices of the trees had quietened to a mere whisper.

"I....Can't thank you enough for this-" GingerBrave begins ti thank the Timid Sugar Gnome, but finds that they were already gone, shame, he really wanted to thank them.

He had noticed the others had beguns to move out, and rushed over to join them, ready to continue their journey form where they left off.
.
.
.
.
.
However.........little did they know....their problems would only get WORSE from here.......and what was soon to come....would make the Bounty Hunters......and the Apostles of the Witch...look....like......N O T H I N G..........

Chapter Text

GingerBraves wings fluttered in excitement as his feet touched the Vanilla Kingdom grounds, so many memories of this place, not all good of course but many good memories were made here.

Many years had passed since Dark Enchantress was set free (kinda his fault), and since defeating her on these very grounds with the help of his companions he had been travelling from place to place, meeting old friends, and making many new ones.

"It's been awhile since we've visited the Vanilla Kingdom!" GingerBrave says thoughtfully to himself, he'd visited a few times before his journey abroad, his time with Pure Vanilla was surly something to remember! The memory of him teaching him how to write still fresh in his mind.

"Pure Vanilla said he had something important to discuss, I wonder what it could be" GingerBrave says to himself as he looks around the town, it looked far more put together since the last time he was here, the Statue was fixed, the buildings and floor were stable and rebuilt, looking good as new! Even better actually!

"LOOK! It's GingerBrave!" One of the Raisin Villagers exclaimed, rushing over with a whole flock of Raisin Cookies.

"Hi everybody! How've you all been?" He asks them cheerfully.

"Great! Great! Here in the Vanilla Kingdom, we have plenty of Jellies!" The Raisin villager he recognised as Sour Raisin responded.

"Yeah! And houses that don't fall apart in the middle of the day!" Sweet Raisin followed up with a cheerful smile. "All thanks to Pure Vanilla! He's been very kind to us!"

"Thats amazing news! Do you know where he is right now?" GingerBrave asks them, it was great that they were all becoming accustomed to their new lives. They deserve it after everything thats happened.

"Look in the outdoor garden on the castle grounds, you can ask Black Raisin if you need any help!" Sour Raisin says, pointing him to where Garden was.

"Awesome! Thanks, Catch yall later!" He bids his farewell and starts making his way towards the garden, many plants around his whispering him the directions.
.
.
.
Entering the Garden he is met with Black Raisin, who seems more then thrilled to see him again. "GingerBrave! I've heard of your adventures, saving Cookies all across Earthbread! You're quite the hero aren't you?" She greets him.

"Hehehe, well i had a lot of help from my friends!" He responds bashfully.

"So, What do you think of the New Vanilla Kingdom? It looks a lot different then before right?" She decides to make some small talk while they were together.

"Definitely! Everyone looks so happy and energetic! Their icings are gleaming with joy! And the plants here have never been so talkative!" GingerBrave giggles, adjusting his earmuffs a bit so he can hear what the many flowers and plants were saying.

"Joyous day!"

"The winds blow through these lands once more!"

"Sweet Life Powder flows once again!"

"And let me tell you, they are OVERJOYED to be blooming again!" GingerBrave laughs, his wings fluttering with joy.

"Well i'm glad to hear their content with how things are now!" She chuckles, she'd be lying if she said she was still a tad shocked that the plats were alive......like ALIVE alive, she hasn't looked at a plant the same way since finding that out. "We're all trying to help each other with rebuilding the Kingdom, with everyone working together the reconstruction is going by easy!"

"Thats great! I'll be rooting for you all! Oh and do you know where I can find Pure Vanilla?" He asks her, getting back to the task at hand.

"He's probabaly somewhere in the castle" She informs him, pointing to the entrance through the garden. "by the way, once your done talking to him, why not stop by the Crows Nest? It's our new hang out, I'm sure everyone will be thrilled to see you again!"

"Thats so cool! I sure will! See you soon!" GingerBrave says cheerfully, waving goodbye as he makes his way into the Castle.

Entering the castle he's met with many familiar sights, the walls, now devoid of Jam and Cake Batter, the many cadle decorations rowing the halls and the newly fixed statues of Pure Vanilla, his eyes land on one that looks like Pure Vanilla holding a Doughling, SO CUTE!!!

H e walks past some potted Vanilla Orchids, which look a tad dried up, guess the Raisin Cookies forgot to water them, makes sense they grew up in a rather barren land.

"Oh you poor thing" He mutters, walking up to the potted plants. 

He reaches out to touch the plant, feeling it's dry petals against his fingers, taking a deep breath he concentrated his energy into the plant, letting it flow into it's shrivelled form. The stem soon began to grow greener and the petals began to regain it's shape, as the stem straightened out the Vanilla Orchids eye cracks open as it shook a bit like a wet Cake Hound before looking up at him.

"Thank you young child, I was beginning to think it was the end for me" The Orchid chuckles. 

"It's no problem! Really! Just doing my duty" GingerBrave chuckles in response. "Have you seem Pure Vanilla around recently?"

"Oh? His majesty? Why yes, he passed by here not to long ago, he should be in the Solarium of Unity right now" The Vanilla Orchid responded. 

"Of course! Thanks!" He bids farewell and runs off down the hall, he should remember where the Solarium of Unity is!

.

.

.

After many twists and turns and Star climbing he finally reached the Solarium of Unity, and once he enters he's met with several Raisin Villagers carrying around food and moving chairs to some tables, Black Currant standing in the middle giving some Raisin Cookies some directions on where to put stuff.

"Man, this place brings back memories" GingerBrave chuckles to himself, evading some Raisin Cookies as he makes his way to the centre, his gaze reaches the Sugar Glass paintings depicting the 5 Ancient Heroes. "WHOA! They did a great job restoring the Sugar Glass to! It looks no shiny and new!"

He does his best to doge some Cookies as he makes his way forward. "Whao! 'Scuse me! Coming through, sorry!"

"One by one! Table over here! Chais should go over there!" He heard Black Currant yell out.

"I brought more Raisin Jellies! Where should put them?" Bitter Raisin calls out to Black Currant.

"Give em to me! I'll take care of the food!" Sour Raisin calls out, taking the Raisin Jellies off his hands. "OK, so softer foods should be served first-" GingerBrave heard his voice fade out into the large crowd.

"Hi everybody, whats going on here?" He speaks up, managing to find the 3 familiar Cookies, also how did Sour Raisin get here before him???

"Oh hey! We're expecting a lot of guests!" He responds to his question while setting the Raisin Jellies down on one of the tables. "Which is why we're preparing for a feast!"

"Oh! But...I don't see Pure Vanilla around" GingerBrave said confused, that Vanilla Orchid said he came here, did he leave already? "...huh...guess he's not here"

"Oh but he was here just a moment ago! Maybe he's in the White Lily Greenhouse? You should check for him there!" Bitter Raisin recomended.

"And make sure to come to the feast!" Sour Raisin exclaim, walking by while carrying a whole stack of food for the Feast in his arms.

"I won't miss it! See you later!" GingerBrave says, it was so crowded he actually had to fly a bit to get out, but he eventually reaches the door and exist the Solarium of Unity.

And after asking a few plants for directions he finally finds the White Lily Greenhouse, which, as the name stated, was filled to the brim with White Lillies, all of them humming a sorrowful tune, and whispering words of regret,

"Such sins...such sorrows...."

"The agony....the sadness....to much to bear"

"We're sorry, for everything we have 'rought...."

"Slumber we shall, for eternity if we must...."

He felt a pang of sadness over take him, these Lillies, they were in such pain, could it be, they were still somehow connected to White Lily in a way? That theory only made that sadness strengthen.

He caught glimpse of Pure Vanilla in a Gazebo in the centre of the Greenhouse, looking over the Many White Lillies, speaking to himself. 

"I can hardly believe it! I will be reunited with my dearest friends any moment now!" He says joyfully to himself, after 2 decades he will finally be able to see his friends again! "I hope the journey here wasn't to difficult, and i haven't seen them in such a long time! How should i greet them? What should i say?" 

His smile drops, his expression turning to one of sober. "And i......must tell them who Dark Enchantress truly is.....They're going to be devastated....is there no way of telling them the truth without hurting them?" He asks himself sadly.

".......The Lillies are more silent then usual today..." he says, looking over the Sea of White Lillies, going silent.

GingerBrave decides to break the silence, maybe he can cheer him up? "Pure Vanilla! There you are!" He calls out, acting like he had just got there.

His sudden exclamation startled the poor Ancient as he nearly dropped his staff, he turns to find the younger Cookies approaching him. "GingerBrave! I am so glad you came! Please, welcome!" He says joyfully, kneeling down with open arms.

On que, GingerBrave rushed forward and hugged him, how he's missed him! Separating from the hug GingerBraves takes a few steps back to give the older Cookie some space.

"I have great news! My friends are on their way to the Vanilla Kingdom!" Pure Vanilla says cheerfully. "I haven't felt so much joy and excitement for many, many years!"

It was still a tad strange, when Pure Vanilla spoke he would faintly hear his Vanilla Orchid Staff speak in unison to him, almost like it and the Blind Healer were the same being, it fascinated him to no end.

"Thats amazing! You must've missed them so much! I'm excited to see then all to!" GingerBrave says joyfully. "It's like reuniting with old family!"

"Indeed it is GingerBrave!....But if only the purpose of this reunion were as happy....I have requested their presence because there is a rather heavy subject i wish to discuss" Pure Vanilla says sadly.

"....Dark Enchantress.....?" GingerBrave asks him.

"...Yes......Dark Enchantress is preparing for another war....Troubling things are happening all over Earthbread as we speak; Magical rifts are shattering the sky, and the followers of Dark Enchantress are rising all over Earthbread!" He says sorrowfully. "

"We cannot stand by and witness out Kingdoms crumble one by one, that is why I have summoned the other Ancients, we must devise a plan to stop this threat once and for all" Pure Vanilla says with renewed determination. "GingerBrave, you have done a lot to help those in need all across Earthbread, this very Kingdom owes it's existence to none other but you, my child, please share your selfless courage with us all at the upcoming council"

"Of course! Easy! You can always count on me!" GingerBrave responds wholeheartedly.

"You have my gratitude GingerBrave" Pure Vanilla says thankfully. "But now, Hollyberry and Dark Cacao will be here any minute, I will head over to the Solarium of Unity to help with the preparations, meanwhile, may I ask you to give my friends a warm welcome? It would help me tremendously if you showed them to the accommodations we prepared!"

"Of course! I'll get right one it! Bye Dad!" GingerBrave says cheerfully before running out to greet which ever Ancient arrived first, leaving Pure Vanilla stunned for a few moments, before a small smile crept onto his face.

"....He.......called me Dad...."
.
.
.

Waiting in the Garden GingerBrave decided to kill some time by talking to some of the plants, and man they had ALOT to talk about! It eventually led to him having several vines from young and newly grown plants clinging to him, their fuzzy little vines tickled against his dough as they giggled. "Sta-a-a-ap it! That tickles!" He laughed, his laughing fit was cut short by the sound of new voices entering the Garden, the vines retreating to their plants.

"The Vanilla Kingdom, my lady" He heard an unfamiliar voice speak from behind some flower bushes.

"Listen! Can you hear it? I bet you can't! Haha! The Vanilla Kingdom has always been too peaceful and quiet!" The second voice, which he recognised as Hollyberry, laughs. "Ah but look at those Cookies all happy and crispy! Marvellous! Just marvellous! Whahaha!"

Looks like the first of the Ancients have arrived! And with a plus one it seems, makes sense, Pure Vanilla DID ask him to come as well, he must have called him here to be his plus one as well.

Stepping out from the bushes, brushing any leaves off is wings he went out to greet them. "Hollyberry! You're here!!"

However his sudden appearance from the bushes seemed to have understandably put her Bodyguard on the defense as he step infront of Hollyberry, gauntlet raised with aggression. "State your purpose!" 

Ok so maybe coming out the bushes and just so happening to know Hollyberrys name did make him look a tad suspicious, he felt the Garden begin to fester, he felt it start to increase in aggression, no no calm down these aren't bad Cookies! No need to get ansy!

"Hold your berries there! GingerBrave is a friend! And a friend of my Grand-daughter!" Hollyberry does him the favour of attempting to de-escalate the situation. "Young GingerBrave! Our gasses clinked back in the Hollyberry Kingdom, remember? It's been awhile!"

"The juice was awesome! It's so good to see you!" GingerBrave chuckles, before noticing a couple more Cookies following behind her. "But who are all these Cookies with you?"

"This one here is Wildberry, my escort" She introduces him. "Naturally I would have been perfectly fine of my own, but you know how Jungleberry is, she insisted! Haha! Then guess what, Wildberry SUGGESTED we bring even MORE Cookies with us! I've tried to argue but this chum simply PUT HIS FOOT DOWN! Hahaha! " 

"Ahem..." Wildberry cleared his throat to get his attention. "Pleased to meet you" He speaks, holding out a hand, which GingerBrave takes and shakes, well his behaviour sure took a 180 real quick.

"Now now! At ease Wildberry! The more the merrier! Every Cookie here is as sweet and crunchy as they come! A tad Shiny in GingerBraves case! You'll be friends in no time!" Hollyberry says enthusiastically.

"Hahaha! I'm sure of it! Welcome to the Vanilla Kingdom!" GingerBrave says warmly. "I'll show you around! Pure Vanilla prepared special rooms for everybody! Follow me!"

As the group of Cookies follow GingerBrave through the Kingdom halls, Hollyberry reminisced about old times, telling stories to her escorts, a wilted plant catches GingerBraves eye.

"Daw! Not again! The Raisin Cookies really need to learn more about plant care!" GingerBrave exclaimed, rushing over to the wilted Tulips. "Don't worry lil guys! All you need to a lil boost!"

Without another word GingerBrave concentrated his energy into the plant, rejuvenating it's vitality like he did with the Vanilla Orchid.

"Thaaaaank yoooooou!" The tulips sung.

"It's no problem lil guys! All in a days work!" GingerBrave chuckled, before realising he was still with the Hollyberians, turning he finds Wildberry and the other escorts looking at him like he had a second head....right......they can't hear them....

"......Did you just talk to a flower.......after bringing it back from the dead??" One of the Hollyberian escorts asked with a questioning look.

"Your rooms should be this way!" GingerBrave utters out nervously, completely avoiding the question and moving to the front.

He could hear some of the escorts whispering behind him.

"What was that about?"

"Kinda freaky if you ask me"

"Don't be rude! He might just be the royal Garden keeper or something! That ability of his would make his qualified to be one!"

"If you say so"

Creators that was EMBARRASSING!! He should have waited till he got them to their rooms and done it when they were gone! Then it wouldn't have been as awkward!!

Reaching the rooms prepared for the Hollyberians, as the escorts got settled in he showed Hollyberry to her room, Wildberry insisted that he not leave the Queens side, so he tagged along as well.

"Just place your hand o that pad by the door and wait a moment!" GingerBrave instructs, Hollyberry places her hand onto the pad next to the door, it scans her hand, and after a few moments the door opens, revealing a room similar to her own in the Hollyberry Castle. The bed, the flowers and even the furniture were that of Hellyberian origin.

"Well strike me down! These are my chambers?" Hollyberry exclaimed in shock, even Wildberry seemed stunned. "Gorgeous! Simply gorgeous! Aw Pure Vanilla you didn't have to! And I have just the bottle of berry juice befitting this luxury!!"

GingerBrave smiled as she went inside to look around, should he tell her that the room actually morphed into one of her preference via Magicanical Technology through the Scanner pad?.......NAH! She'll figure it out!

"Please put your glass down my lady, the council is about to start" Wildberry sighs, seems Jungleberry also sent him here to make sure Hollyberry doesn't 'overindulge' in the drinks. "With all due respect, Jungleberry specifically requested to make sure you your highness doesn't.....'overindulge' in berry juice.."

......wow......is a Seer or something!? How did he guess that right off the bat!? .........nah might be because of how predictable Hollyberry is.

"And you should change your name to Naggingberry! Hmph!" She says childishly with a pout. "Ah young GingerBrave thank you for your help! We'll head to the Vanilla Castle once we finish settling down"

"Of course, if you need anything, I'll be in the garden" He bows before making his way back to the garden.

.

.

.

Waiting in the garden once again, GingerBrave went back to tending to the Garden to pass the time, if he was correct Dark Cacao should be showing up next, knowing his Kingdoms culture there's no doubt that he would prefer more.....bitter foods.

Thats when an idea struck him, he still had some Cacao Bean seeds he picked up from the forests of the Dark Cacao Kingdom! He could grow some here! Digging some small holes in the soil with his finger he plants some of the seeds.

After burying them he concentrates his energy into the soil, making a plat sprout took a lot more focus then healing a plants vitality so he needed to focus, blocking out any noises he focused solely on the seeds, creating a deep connection with them, he felt the roots start to take hold and felt the stem start to push out from the soil, just a little more!

It grew and grew......ok maybe thats a bit to much! He stops to late however as he finds the Cacao Bean seeds have grown into large, supersized Cacao Bean trees, at least 5x larger then a normal Cacao Bean plant, ok he MAY have over done it!

"H-Hey there big guy, would you be so kind as to lend me some of your beans?" He asks one of the tree, it was silent for a few moments, before answering in a deep voice.

"Take what you need, no need to ask, providing bitter neutriance is our duty little sapling" It speaks, and each tree lowers a branch and snaps off a Cacao Bean pod.

"Thank you all very kindly" He responds, picking up each pod, he could make quite a few Bitter treats with these!

"hmmm....Dark Cacao should be arriving any minute now..." He says to himself as he stands up, holding the Bean Pods under his arms.

Next thing he knows he's suddenly having the spirit scared out of him by a Cream Wolf jumping at him from the bushes, barking wildly at him.

"AAAAHHHH!!" He yells as he falls back in shock and fear, dropping the pods in the process. "A-A Giant........puppy?"

"PUPPY!?" A new voice yells out, a new Cookies pushes his way through the bushes with an offended expression. "This majestic Beast is a Cream Wolf!! AND He's a great judge of character! Is this Cookie hiding something!? You, Stranger! Identify yourself!!" 

The moment the Cream Wolf steps closer his survival instincts kick in as he immedientally cocoons himself in his wings, he feels the Cream Wolf sniff him a bit, nudging him with his snout. It grumbles a bit before he heard it's stomach growl, he peals out from behind his wings.

"Huh?....Are....are you hungry? You look hungry" He asks the Cream Wolf, he reaches a hand out with some Jellies he keeps stored in his satchel. "Here, have some Jellies"

"Jellies!? No, get back! Something as sweet as jellies will upset-" The new Cookies spoke to late however as the Cream Wolf happily munched on the Jellies in GingerBraves hand as he slowly unfurled his wings.

".....Never mind...." He sighed, holding a hand to his face, oh dear, he really hopes he didn't just accidentally insult his culture or something!

"Crunchy Chip! Whats this commotion about?" Dark Cacao steps out from behind the bushes.

"This Cookies is giving jellies to the wolves" The Cookie groaned, pointing to GingerBrave, who was now being swarmed and cuddled piled by an entire pack of Cream Wolves, the riders trying to get them off him, WHEN DID THEY GET HERE!?

"Dark Cacao! Are these Wolf riding Cookies your friends?" He asks enthusiastically from under the pile of Canines.

Dark cacao sighed and walked over, picking GingerBrave up from the pile and setting him down. "These are the Cream Wolves, defenders of the dark cacao Kingdoms borders, this is their squadron captain Crunchy Chip" He introduces the new Cookie.

"Your majesty, we haven't secured the perimeter yet, the floor might be covered with traps and enemies may ambush us at any minute, we must stay vigilent!" Crunchy Chip says with a deep bow of respect........ooookay maybe they take their jobs a tad to seriously.

"Huh? Ambush? No no no, This place is safe! Super safe!" GingerBrave attempts to reassure them. "And you're about to get super comfy in the rooms Pure Vanilla prepared just for you! Cmon, let me show you the way!" 

"'Rooms'? We cannot allow such luxury of comfort at dire times like this, we shall set camp here and patrol the surrounding ground" He says..........okay, someones certainly a bit to uptight!

"Yessir! We will begin gather materials and get ready to set up camp at once!" Crunchy Chip salutes.

"CAMPING!? Count me in! I can help! Let me help gather materials!" GingerBrave says enthusiastically, he would usually be the one to gather supplies when he and his siblings used to camp out in the woods.

"Just lemmie put these in the kitchen and i'll be right out!" He says as he picked up the Cacao Bean pods he dropped. 

"W-wait where did you get those? Those are only native to- OH MY WITCHES!!" Crunchy Chip exclaimed as he only just now noticed the 4 supersized Cacao Bean Trees near them. "WHERE- HOW- HUH!?"

Even Dark Cacao seemed taken aback by it. "G-GingerBrave....did you-"

"Yeah I may have gone a tad overboard" He says sheepishly. "You guys want some? I can get you some if you like!"

"Hmm....well we do need some Cacao Nibs as emergency food.." Dark Cacao says thoughtfully.

"No worries! I'll get some!" He chuckles, walking up to the trees and lightly knocking on the wood with his foot. "S'cuse me! Sorry to ask again but could you drop another Pod for me? It's for the Dark Cacao fleet making camp in the garden!" He asks the tree sheepihsly.

"I-Is he seriously- Kid cmon, it's a tree, it's not gonna-" And before Crunchy Chip could finish a bean Pod around half the size of Dark cacao drops from the tree and right infront of him, there'd be enough Beans in there to mad Nibs for their entire fleet!!

"Welp gotta drop these off at the kitchen! I'll meet you back here to help you set up in a second! BYYYYYYEE!!" He says as he rushes back into the castle while the many Dark Cacao warriors started to set up supplies and loom for materials for camp, about 3 were carrying the oversized Bean pod to the camp grounds, while Crunchy Chip was still freaking out about everything that just happened.

.

.

.

GingerBrave eventually came back to help the fleet set up their camp, and by the time it was done it looked rather decent, definitely better them what he, Wizard and Strawberry could have done.

"This will do" Dark Cacao muttered to himself. "Thank you for your help, we shall be staying here for the duration of the council....When can i see Pure Vanilla?"

"I'll go check to see if the party preperations are done after I make some snacks for you and your troops, I know you aren't really a fan of Sweet foods so thats why i grew some Cacao Beans to make something for ya!" GingerBrave chuckles, Antenna twitching a bit.

"That is very thoughtful of you GingerBrave, thank you" Dark Cacao thanks him as he walks off into the castle.

Crunchy Chip approaches the king. "Sir, about that Cookie.....He's running around without a single coat of armour, and....i've never seen a Cookie of his design before, it might just be because i've never been outside the Kingdom but......those trees...he said HE grew them TODAY...how is a single Cookie able to do that?"

"GingerBrave in unique in a many variety of ways, it would be to complicated to explain everything in detail, for not even i know the full story, and nor does he by the looks of it, but to put it simple, he has a......way....with plants" Dark Cacao responds. "Now, let us get back to camp, I am sure Pure Vanilla will send someone to let us know it is time..."

.

.

.

Everyone was now gathered in the Solarium of Unity, Pure Vanilla had sent GingerBrave to get the others, for Hollyberry he had walked in on her midway from opening a bottle of aged Berry Juice which was rather....awkward sight to intrude upon, and Dark Cacao he had walk into their Camp grounds to find some of the soldiers wrestling eachother, turned out it was a past time activity they did......and right before they left Crunchy Chip ordered his Cream Wolves to scout the borders, where Dark Cacao had to clm him down by stating it was a feast not a battle. They 2 Heroes and the Cookies with them who have chosen to attend should be entering any minute now.

"Flowers and Plants need to go here! Empty plates need to go over there!" Black Raisin called out to the other Raisin Cookies as they made the final preparations before the Heroes arrived in the Solarium of Unity. "Ah! Don't wrinkle those napkins! Push in the chairs so they line up!"

GingerBrave had lent a hand at setting up the flowers, if anything Black Raisin suggested he do it cause he tended to have a knack for plant decoration. 

"....Is that it? Phew! I think we got everything done!" Black Raisin sighs out in releif.

"Trouble! Trouble! Black Raisin! We're expecting MORE guests!! A LOT MORE!" Dry Raisin exclaimed as she peaked out the window to see several of the Dark Cacao Soldiers and Hollyberians enter the Castle.

"What!? But we won't have enough food!!" Black Raisin exclaimed panicked.

"ON IT!!" GingerBrave exclaimed, rushing into the kitchen with about 6 Plants and 2 Raisin Cookies consisting of Black Currant and Sour Raisin, setting up a 'do not enter sign' at the door.

"Alright team! Black Currant you start working on Vanilla specialties! Sour Raisin! How good are you are mixing fruits and baking?" GingerBrave asks hastily.

"Um i'm experienced!" Sour Raisin responds as Gingerbrave shoves several berries, jellies and Biscuit power into his hands.

"Good! Start cooking up some Hollyberian Cuisine! I'll get starting on making food for the Cacaoians!" He says before setting the potted plants down at another bench, looking through a recipe book as he grabbed a mixer and the cacao Bean pods he picked earlier. "Alright buddies, mind giving me a hand with these?" He asks the plants, which in response, slither long vines and roots toward the Pods and crack them open, spilling the Beans into the mixing pot while GingerBrave start pouring Flour in.

.

.

Pure Vanilla enters the Solarium to see the progress, finding several of the Raisin Cookies scrambling to get everything in place.

"How is the progress going Black Raisin?" He asks her as he walks up to the frantic Cookie.

"On a very tight clock right now! GingerBrave as some others have gone to the kitchen right now to prepare some last minute food, could have warned us we'd have extra guests" Black Raisin sighs tiredly. 

"Oh dear, I apologise, but i'm afraid not even i knew they would bring extra guests, please forgive me" Pure Vanilla says worriedly, he hates see her in such a state.

"No it's fine, knowing GingerBrave he'll probabaly be done sooner then expected" She chuckles.

"FOOD!!!" GingerBrave exclaims as he and the other 2 Cookies burst through the doors with several carts of plated food being held in the Vines of Fire Snappers and Vanilla Orchids.

".......much....much faster them we'd expect..." Pure vanilla deadpans, wait how did he get Fire Snappers in here?!

"Sorry for the wait! I had to quickly grow some Fire Snappers for the warm food! The oven wasn't working!" GingerBrave huffed tiredly as some Raisin Cookies move the food to the different tables. "O-Oh uh don't take any of the food from the Fire Snapper just place the whole plant on the table! Actually! Place it near the warm foods it'll keep em hot!" GingerBrave calls to them as they carefully move the plant.

"Alright! Pure Vanilla! We're ready to begin the party!" GingerBrave exclaimed, he looked a bit worse for wear, covering in flour and had some soot, probabaly from the Fire Snapper.

"Thank you so much for helping" Pure Vanilla said thankfully as GingerBrave brushed himself off. "This is it....This is the moment I've been waiting for! I think i'm wore nervous then the day of my coronation! Come everyone, come and join me in greeting my dear friends!"

After Pure Vanilla quickly rushed to his room to grab his hat, Pure Vanilla, GingerBrave and Black Raisin stood by the door to greet the Ancients as the entered.

"Hollyberry! Dark Cacao!" Pure Vanilla greets them with a bow before he was tackle hugged by Hollyberry.

"Well I'll be baked! It's Pure Vanilla! Gimme a hug will ya!?" She laughed as she pretty much hugged the life out of the poor healer.

"Ho-Hollyberry! Your hugs are as tight as ever!" Pure Vanilla managed to utter out, a moment of hugging later the Hero of Passion finally let go.

"Whats this? Have you grown flatter? Lets make sure your well-fed huh? You need nutrition after all that sleep! HA!" She laughed, slinging an arm over his shoulders, yep there was NO getting out of this one!

"It has been a while" Dark cacao says with a respectful bow. 

"Dark Cacao! I hope the journey here wasn't to exhausting! Thank you for coming all this way! You haven't changed a bit! You're still the Hollyberry and Dark Cacao i remember and love!" Pure Vanilla responds cheerfully, GingerBrave smiled at the scene, seeing Pure Vanilla so happy make him feel contempt with himself, and seeing these 3 together reminds him of Wizard and Strawberry, wonder how their doing back at the Kingdom?

"Knowing that you are alive and well fills my heart with joy, Pure Vanilla" Dark Cacao says with a- i'm sorry is THAT A SMILE!?

"Dark Cacao...." Pure vanilla speaks, a hint of sorrow in his voice, sooner or later....he has to tell them. "Words cannot describe how much i've missed you all, I......I am so happy to see you!"

Pure Vanillas attention goes to the guests each of his friends have brought. "And who are these wonderful new Cookies?"

"Ah! Right, this is Wildberry! He is one of the most reliable knights in all the Hollyberry Kingdom!" Hollyberry introduces the Cookie beside her, Wildberry gives a grunt of acknowledgment. "What did i tell you, Hahaha!!" 

"And these are the Cream Wolves that protect our borders with their captain, Crunchy Chip" Dark Cacao speaks up, said Crunchy Chip was looking around each of the tables forward.

"Whats with all this sweet food? Whatever you're plotting is pointless! Your tricks won't get by my eyes!" He growls, quite an uptight one isn't he?

"Haha! Welcome to the Vanilla Kingdom! We are so glad to have you here, it's been so long since we've had guests!" Pure Vanilla chuckles. "And worry not dear friend, there is a table around the left of the Solarium of Unity with Dark cacao Kingdom delicacies, all prepared last minute by my son"

"Hah, it has been a long long time thats for sure- I'm sorry did you say SON!?" Hollyberry exclaims after processing what he just said."While I'll be a Jelly Worm! I didn't know you went and hitched up! So who's the lucky Cookie?"

"O-Oh no no! It's nothing like that, he's one of my adopted children!" Pure Vanilla chuckles nervously, guess this was coming out sooner then expected.

"CHILDREN!? Oh now i simply MUST meet them! Where are they?" She says giddily, she's always wanted to be an Aunt.

"You've already met them actually! The other 3 aren't here right now but my son is!" Pure Vanilla chuckles. "GingerBrave! Could you come over here please!" He yelled over to GingerBrave who was trying to help the Raisin Cookies arrange to food.

He rushed over after hearing his name being called. "Whats up?"

Dark Cacao and Hollyberry look at GingerBrave dumbfounded, almost speechless before Hollyberry pulls GingerBrave into a tight hug. 

"I'M AN AUNTIE!!!" She exclaimed joyously as GingerBrave chokes a bit. "You hear that Dark cacao! Your an Uncle!"

"Not really related but there is no way i'm going to convince you not to call me that anyways" He sighed.

"Ho-Hollyberry...to....tight!" GingerBrave chokes out as his wings flutter rapidly.

"Do give him some space Hollyberry, your suffocating the boy" Pure Vanilla says worriedly.

She hastily lets him go. "SORRY sorry hehe! I just got a bit excited!" 

"I can understand" Pure vanilla chuckles, seeing his friend so happy brings him nothing but joy.

"So, if I may ask, when did this happen?" Dark Cacao asks him.

"Well it all happened quite a while ago, about a couple days before GingerBrave started out on his journey a couple years ago" Pure Vanilla responds. "I've never taken much thought of having a family of my own but......after meeting these kids i well.....I started wanting to know what it was like to be a father"

"Oh Pure Vanilla you big Softy!" Hollyberry chuckles, it was nice to finally tell them that, and he'd be lying if he said meeting the children wasn't the best day of his life, otherwise he would have never had all these wonderful experiences with them.

"Now then, why don't we begin the feast? help yourselves to what ever you like!"

.

.

.

The Cookies were chatting away, the Raisin Cookies asking the Cacaoians all sorts of questions about their homeland, the Cacaoians and the Hollyberians sharing culture and all sorts small talk, this kind of unity between Kingdoms was truly something to admire.

"Hmmm, Fire Snappers to keep the food warm, quite ingenious!" Hollyberry muses as she takes a bite of Jelly Pie.

"You can thank GingerBrave for that, it was his idea" Black Raisin responds.

"Truly a sharp minded Cookie he is!" Hollyberry laughs wholeheartedly.

Meanwhile Crunchy Chip was looking around the banquet, a few Cacao Nibs in his hand, man, if he had known that Cookie was the literal PRINCE of the Vanilla Kingdom he wouldn't have sicced his Cream Wolf on em! Thinking back to it he felt rather embarrassed, he was so....forgiving though! His Cream Wolf pounced at him and he just fed it in response! It made his nerves stand on end, he'd encounter Cookies with such 'kindness' before, never ended well when he trusted them, and this place was to welcoming to be real! He doesn't trust it.....He's gonna keep an eye on them.

"To think this place was once torn by war....Completely unrecognisable! A Job well done!" Hollyberry chuckles, standing by Dark Cacao and Pure Vanilla, who watched GingerBrave hand out all sorts of food made from recipes from his own Kingdom, such as those Glazed Donuts he gave him that one time!

"Yes....the Dark Flour War.....we cannot let that tragedy repeat ever again!......and that is why we have gathered here...." Pure Vanilla says sorrowfully, all those Cookies, his subjects.....thinking about them makes his heart ache.

"Dark Enchantress is still hiding out there, planning to get her hands on our power" Dark Cacao snarls. 

"Yes...she is relentless in her pursuit of power over the entire Cookie World..." Pure Vanilla responds with a saddened tone, oh White Lily.....how could this have happened to you?

"Well, she's definitely not going to back out now! I bet she's preparing for a final strike!" Hollyberry was affirmatively. "Dark Enchantress MUST be stopped! I'll make sure to find her and give her a taste of my-"

"U-Um, sorry it interrupt...." Black Current says nervously, approaching the 3. "But a Cookie has just arrived, he says need needs to join the Council...."

Before they could ask what he meant, a new Cookie walks through the open doors, dressed in white and gold, a large coast hanging from his shoulders with 4 long white tendril like ribbons with gold blade like tips swaying on his back. 

"I apologies for the interruption, I mean to arrive sooner ....has the Council already started? I hope I didn't miss anything important" The Unknown Cookie muses, looking around. "It is truly an honar to be in the presence of the 5 Heroes! My name is Clotted Cream"

GingerBrave eyes him, who was this guy? He'd never seen him before, and his clothes looked fancy to, but it didn't seem to match any of the Kingdoms he knew of.

"Interloper"

"He reaks of deception!"

"The stench of betrayal is thick around him....ad yet i sense great suffering...."

GingerBrave heard the plants utter, was.........was this Cookie ok?

"I came here as soon as I heard about the Council discussing the question of war against Dark Enchantress" Clotted Cream continues, stepping farther into the Solarium and before the 3 Ancients.

"Clotted Cream? hm, I don't think I've heard of you before...where are you from?" Hollyberry asks sceptically.

"I hail from the Creme Republic, the land of Delightful Cream and Fresh Oysters" Clotted Cream responds with a smile, though it seemed a tad forced, practiced almost, not in a bad way but more in a way GingerBrave is familiar with.

"And I am from House Custard, drawing it's liniage from the old Vanilla Kingdom" He speaks, sending an arrow of shock though Pure Vanillas heart, heritage....from the OLD VANILLA KINGDOM!? SO....DOES THAT MEAN-

"WHAAAAT!?" Pretty much everyone uttered out i complete shock, greatly startling Clotted Cream, but kept himself composed, guess he's not good with loud noises.

"The old....Vanilla Kingdom?" Hollyberry uttered out in disbelief.

"The Vanilla Kingdom suffered the most from Dark Enchantress's war, the entire Kingdom had been sealed away up until recently" Dark Cacao uttered out.

"Yes, that is true, fortunately, the Vanillians were able to escape the Vanilla Kingdom before it's collapse, they feld on an airship before everything was Sealed away, the winds blew in their favour, and they managed to reach a new land" Clotted Cream explains. "The Vanillians were surprised the find the land already inhabited by Sea-Fairing Cookies, the Vanillains offered their knowledge and culture to them, and eventually the 2 Cookies came together to build our Creme Republic"

Wait......House Custard.....like....Custard III kind of Custard!? If he was from the same house as his little brother, then that would make him- No he's to old, would be around the age of Custard III bio Dad, so......Uncle maybe? And 'Creme Republic'.......reminds him of the Creme Refuge in Mt Saint Creme.

"A Cookie from House Custard!? So there were others who survived! This is such great news! We are honared to welcome you to the Vanilla Kingdom!" Pure Vanilla exclaimed with relief and excitement, to know that some of his old subjects had managed to survive such a tragedy brings warmth and peace to his heart.

"The pleasure is all mine Pure vanilla, it is an honour to meet one of the Forefathers" Clotted Cream states as the 2 shake hands respectfully, GingerBrave could sense genuine admiration from Clotted Cream.

Wildberry soon speaks up, noticing another Cookie with Clotted Cream. "Who is that Cookie with you?"

"I am Financier, I am accompanying Consul Clotted Cream on his mission" She says respectfully.

"A 'mission'? And I assume this mission of yours in more then just saying hello to your ancestor? Out with it, now!" Crunchy Chip chimed in aggressively.

"Now now, have you not gathered here to discuss the course of action regarding Dark Enchantress?" Clotted Cream attempts to de-escalate the tension. "My sole purpose is to provide assistance at this dire hour, as the descendants of the Vanilla Kingdom the Cookies of the Republic have every right to attend this Council and voice their concerns, we have every reason to join this war against Dark Enchantress, not to mention that our resources and armed forces will be of great benefit to the war effort"

"'Creme Republic' you say? Please join us! Let us discuss the preparations for this war" Pure Vanilla welcomes the 2 in the fold of the Council with open arms.

"Thank you kindly, Pure Vanilla, and it is an honour to meet you both, Hollyberry and Dark Cacao" Clotted Cream gives a small bow their way. "I am truly in awe that I am in the presence of the great heroes, I look forward to finding out a olution to this grave threat alongside all of you"

"Oh what a joyous day! Words cannot express how happy I am to meet you all! You all must be exhausted from your journey, come let us continue the feast, and show our new guests a warm welcome! Let us discuss the exact details when the Council commences tomorrow!" Pure Vanilla says warmly as the Raisin Cookies cheer with the Hollyberians, while the Cacaoians salute.

GingerBrave still has his doubts, these Cookies appear out of nowhere, and ask to join the Council, not to mention the plants seem to sense something off about Clotted Cream, there's just something he's not telling them.

As the feast continued, GingerBrave coud help but catch Clotted Cream sending a few glances at him, hints of curiosity and surprise echoes within his eyes, they say the eyes are the window to the soul, and GingerBrave got a small glimpse of his.........a small....lonely child who was forced to grow up to quickly......

.

.

.

The rest of the day went on like normal, GingerBrave had wandered around the Kingdom, he went to have a look at the airship Clotted Cream and Financier came on, visited Crunchy Chip and his Cream Wolf at the camp and fed the Wolfie some more Jellies.......then getting swarmed by the entire pack again, then giving some Jellies to Crunchy Chip who turned out to have a sweet tooth.

His day eventually led to him to where Clotted Cream as his escort were staying, it was originally going to be Dark cacaos room but he'd insited in staying in the garden. It would seem rude to just enter, but would it also be rude to interrupt while their trying to get settled?

GingerBrave was startled out of his thoughts by Clotted Cream suddenly opening the door, OH CREATORS WHAT DOES HE SAY!? DID THEY KNOW HE WAS THERE OR WAS HE JUST EXITING FOR SOME FRESH AIR!? AHHHHHHH-

"You were at the banquet earlier, correct?" Clotted Cream asks him, he was just going out to take a look around to find the young Cookie from the banquet outside his door, needless to say he was unprepared for such an interaction and it looks like the younger Cookie was as well, though he keeps his composure. "How should I address you?"

"My names GingerBrave!" GingerBrave utters out with renewed confidence.

"A pleasure to meet you, and which Kingdom are you from?" Clotted Cream asks him, he doesn't look like he hails from the Dark cacao or Hollyberry Kingdoms, and with the Raisin Cookies he's seen looking around it would be safe to assume he was probabaly a new resident of the NEW Vanilla Kingdom, though it would also be safe to ask first.

"Oh! Well Ii guess technically I sort of now have heritage in the Vanilla Kingdom, but I originate from the SugarGloom Kingdom!" GingerBrave chuckles nervously, keep it together man!! "It's still pretty new but an awesome place to live!"

"I see, and who is the rular of this wonderful realm?" Clotted Cream asks him, to learn more about a newly formed Kingdom would make a good side project to deepen connections.

"We don't have one" GingerBrave says innocently.

"What is the median income of your nation?" Clotted Cream asks, was this Kingdom more like the republic and instead had a council or government run it?

"Umm.....well uhhhhh....Everyone is...super happy??" GingerBrave says nervously, Hmmm......perhaps that question was a little to complicated for the young Cookie.

"Remarkable, what do your fellow Cookies do for a living?" Clotted Cream asks a more simplified version of his previous question.

"Well, our Kingdom is each split into different factions! The Amity Faction is run by my sister Strawberry! They're incharge of gathering wool, taking care of plants, animals, and all that stuff! Then there's the Occult Faction, run by my brother Wizard! Their incharge of education, schools, and potion making! There's the Sugar Faction run by out little brother Custard III, who are incharge of construction and land layout! And then theirs my faction, the Forestkeepers, who are incharge of hunting, fending of violent Cake Monsters, and defending the Kingdom, i am currently the leader of the Batter Squadron!"

Hm, so this Kingdom did have a sophisticated system despite being so new, and.....Custard?......hm....surely a....coincidence?

"Hm quite interesting, you say you're the leader of the 'Batter Squadron'? Is that some form of elite knight squadron or something?" Clotted Cream asks him.

"Hmm, kinda? Actually now that I think about it it's similar to the Cream Wolf Squadron the Dark Cacao Kingdom has, only we ride Cake Wolves and Cake Boars!" GingerBrave chuckles.

.......Cake.......Wolves....and Cake Boars?......Such a unique tactic, taming what is supposed to be the enemy and turning them to your side....hmmm, ow that he thinks of it he's sure he's heard the Dark Cacao Kingdom is known to tame some Rice Cake Hounds to help with menial work.

"I remember when I first met my wolf Shepard! I found him wandering though the forest with a Cream Sheep! He was wearing what looked to be shedded Sheep's wool, though really it was his fur that made it look like Cream Sheep wool, his Navy and White colours stood out like a sore thumb!" GingerBrave giggled.

"That sounds like quite an interesting tale GingerBrave" Clotted Cream chuckles a bit, normally things such as Cream Sheep and Cake Wolves would be mortal enemies, guess nature still had some way to surprise them.

"But back to the Kingdoms prosperity, we work hard everyday! Thats for sure!" GingerBrave says determinedly, wings fluttering.

"How...wonderful, and intriguing place indeed" Though really he was in no place to judge their culture, every Kingdom had their own cultures and methods to do things. "Is this your first time visiting the Vanilla Kingdom?"

"Nope! I've been to many places here and there! The Flowers always welcome me when ever I stop by! They practically know be by name by now!" GingerBrave chuckles, he's uh.....just going to ignore that.

"Perfect! Can I ask you for a tour around the castle then? First thing tomorrow morning?" Clotted Cream requests. "I would love to kno more about the Vanilla Kingdom but you see it is my first time visiting here"

"Sure! Or course! Piece of cake, you can count of me!" GingerBrave says affirmatively.

"Thank you so much, I'll see you tomorrow then" He bids farewell as GingerBrave skips off somewhere, guess that solves his 'exploring the Vanilla Kingdom' problem for tomorrow.

Meanwhile with GingerBrave, he visits the crows nest as promised, and he;]'s met with Bitter Raisin at the counter, he orders a room for the night as walks up stairs, the room help a bed, some potted plants and a window with some curtains, a very well kept room indeed!

The flower in question, when he asked about it, said it was a plant Hollyberry brought in from Beast-Yeast, a continent over the Liquorice Sea, she said it was a flower called a 'Milk Crown', he's read a few Books on Beast-Yeast and it's flora with the few Books to be found, Flowers said to grow where tears fall.

"What sweet lie will they tell me this time?"

"Lonely.......so lonely...."

"Is that all I am to these Cookies?........"

A heard feint whispers of sorrow, though it didn't sound like it was from the flower so to speak, more like echos from the tears shed that the flower grew from, he felt bad for the poor Cookie who grew these flowers, even if it wasn't by intention, a flower that grow from ones own sorrow, truly a saddening thing.

"......Don't worry little flower.......as long as i'm here you will never be alone...." GingerBrave says softly as he lay down in his bed and drifted off, the flower echoes one last time, to quiet to hear.

"...........If it is Lies they want.........then it is lies they shall get......."

Chapter Text

Knocking on the door to Clotted Creams room, the door is answer by Financier, who looks rather awake for such an early morning, he wonders if the Palidins of the Republic have to get up this early all the time, he had to have a Fire Snapper nearly burn his eyebrows off to wake him up!

"How may I aid you?" She asks him.

"Um, hello? I'm GingerBrave, I promised Clotted Cream I'd show him around!" GingerBrave chuckles.

The Paliden looks him up and down for even a shred of deceit, finding none she nods. "I see, remain here please" She says, retreating into the room to inform Clotted Cream of his arrival. GingerBrave waited outside patiently, during that short time thinking to himself about all thats happened recently, he knows Clotted Cream was hiding something, and he knows he was suffering in some way, but he would not push or prod, that would be rude of him, he'll just wait for him to open up himself.

Clotted Cream soon stands at the doorway, adjusting his Jabot before holding his hands behind his back respectably. "Good morning GingerBrave! Thank you for coming"

"Don't mention it! The weather id gorgeous today! Perfect for a tour around the Kingdom!" GingerBrave responded cheerfully, his wings fluttering with excitment, if he had an opertunity to make a new friend he'd take it without hesitation.

"I cannot wait! And it seems I have chosen the perfect Cookie to be my guide!" Clotted Cream muses, stepping out from the doorway.

"You sure did! Alright, where should we start?" GingerBrave asks him as they started to walk down the hall, if he had any places he'd like to visit first he's be glad to show him there!

Clotted Cream had ultimately have him choose where they went first, of course! Silly him! He didn't know most of the places here yet! So to begin the tour he decided to show him to the Wafflebot Hanger!

While walking there Clotted Cream and GingerBrave made some small talk, Clotted Cream had asked several questions about his 'accessories', like if his wings were sensitive, if he could smell out of his Antennae like an insect, and if he could fly, in which he answer 'Yes' 'Not sure, haven't tried' and 'Yes'.

Approaching the Wafflebot Hanger GingerBrave gazes at how much the condition of it has improved, no longer as dusty, the roof was fixed and most of the machinery looked far more usable. 

"Whoa! The Wafflebot hanger's looking much better then last time!" GingerBrave muses, looking around.

"I see screws and other mechanical parts lying around, and.....machinery that has stopped working" Clotted Cream says, looking around, gaze locking onto the Wafflebots. "These robots, they look exactly like the Construction Robots in the Republic"

 "These are called Waffebots! Apparently the Old Vanillians created them!" GingerBrave says in fasination, now that they weren't trying to crumble him they were quite magnificent pieces of work, one would even call them a work of art! "When we first met them they were ferocious! But i guess....their asleep now? Look! Their standing still!"

Suddenly, as those words left his mouth a Wafflebot Goliath suddenly turned on, red eyes opening as it's limbs stretched out of gain balance, causing GingerBrave to let out a startled shreik. 

"HUH!? WHATS GOING ON HERE!? Who dares to mess with my robots!?" Strawberry Creme exclaimed as they suddenly run out from one of the hangers, fuming. Once catching sight of GingerBrave their anger turned into annoyance. "Wait....GINGERBRAVE!?"

"Strawberry Crepe! Have you been here all this time with the Wafflebots?" GingerBrave greets her enthusiastically.

"D'uh! Who else has craftsmanship and brains to take care of other then me? Strawberry Crepe!" Starwberry Crepe scoffs. "Though I would assume a Tree-hugging, Tree Cookie like you to understand!"

Strawberry Crepes gaze turns to Clotted Cream. "And who's that pasty Cookie next to you?"

Clotted Cream almost stutter out in offense before GingerBrave spoke up. "Let me introduce Clotted Cream! A new friend of mine! Clotted Cream claims he's a descendant of the Vanilla Kingdom! From house Custard of the Creme Republic! Isn't that awesome!"

"Custard......Custard.....Now where have I heard that before?" Strawberry Crepe says thoughtfully to themself. ".....eh! Whatever! Well then! Let me see what you're made of! Let me analyse you!"

The request took Clotted Cream aback, but had to time to react before Strawberry Crepe was all over him, looking him top to bottom.

"Excuse me? What is the meaning of this?" Clotted Cream asks in utter confusion as Strawberry Creme continues with their analysis.

"Oh it's nothing, i'm just analysing your dough! Now stand still will you?" Strawberry Creme informs with a 'matter-of-fact' tone as the proceed. After finishing their analysis they give Clotted Cream some space and recites the result. "Lets see.......25% Grace, 23% Eloquence, 20% Brilliance, 20% Ambition, 10% Condensed Cream and.......2% Connivingness"

GingerBrave raised a brow at that last one, 'Connivingness'? That only seemed to prove GingerBraves suspicions.

"..Pfffft, not much to see if you ask me, not like Mr. Tree over here!" Strawberry Crepe scoffs.

"Hey, now thats a bit rude!" GingerBrave scolds them.

"Why do they keep calling you a 'Tree' if i might ask?" Clotted Cream asks, he brushed it off the first time but now that they mention it a second, he was now curious.

"Thats because GingerBraves dough consists of 50% Bravery, 20% Magic, and 30% Tree" Strawberry Crepe explains. 'Whats even more fascinating is that I couldn't match the exact componants of what Tree GingerBrave was made from with any in Crispa! I've cross referenced, even taken a sample of his dough to match with different Tree Bark, but all have come back negative matches! It's like what ever Tree he's made from doesn't exist, or used to at least, could be it doesn't even originate FROM Crispa" They shrug.

"Now that is quite fascinating" Clotted Cream muses, a Tree that does not originate from Crispa, he knows of a few islands that surround the continent, hough it could be likily it probabaly originates from another continent entirely, now begs the question, how did it get HERE of all places? It's not like a tree can move one it's own.

"You dare analyse another Cookies ingredients without their consent!? Such disrespect!" Financier exclaimed from the Hanger door, CREATORS WHEN DID SHE GET HERE!? DID SHE FOLLOW THEM!?

"It's alright....I'm surprised this Kingdom still has functioning robots, they are ancient yet they operate like they were built yesterday, how remarkable!" Clotted Cream says in fascination, he doesn't seem surprised Financier followed them here, this must happen alot. "And this analysing skill of your seems very useful"

"Of course it is! I'm quite the genius you see!" Strawberry Crepe says pridefully, Clotted Creams words clearly rubbing on their ego.

"Ha ha! Yes yes, let us talk more about the robotics later, I should get going now" Clotted Cream says before the 3 of them left.

"Hmph! He's not so bad! He did recognise my brilliance after all!.......Wait but...." Strawberry Crepe thinks hard, re-reading through his Dough ingredients carefully. "His dough didn't contain any Custard......."

.

.

.

The next place on GingerBraves tour was the Crows Nest Inn, entering the Inn he shows the 2 foreign guests around.

"Now this is the Inn! You can eat here, talk here, and more! All in all a very fun place to be!" He says enthusiastically as Clotted Cream and Financier looked around.

Bitter Raisin finally noticed the 3 had entered and greeted them. "Come in come in! Welcome to the Crows Nest Inn!"

"What an energetic place!" Clotted Cream compliments as he looks around.

"Yup! Built from the ground up by yours truly!" Bitter Raisin chuckles. "Me and my friends from the village down there worked hard to make this the best Inn in the land! And I still can;t beleive we get PAID for our work! If you told me we'd be able to afford Raisins back then i wouldn't have believed ya!"

Soon Dry Raisin walks down from the stairs, she spots the new Cookies and goes over to say hello. "Hello! Is it your first time in the Vanilla Kingdom? How are you liking it so far?"

"I find it most wonderful! Such a vibrant place full of vibrancy and optimism!" Clotted Cream responds to her question.

Dry Raisin suddenly takes a Raisin Jelly out of her pocket and offers it to the Consul. "Oooohh! You should try this! It's called a Raisin Jelly! Have you ever had Raisin Jellies?"

"Hmm, I don't I am familiar with Raisin Jellies" Clotted Cream responds thoughtfully, taking it from her hand.

"So......would you like to try one?" Dry Raisin asks him, he usually sticks to Cream Based foods and the diet his father set for him, but who was he to refuse such a unique delicacy he has yet to know of?

"Clotted Cream, it would be wise to ascertain the source of such food before consumption! Who knows what unverified ingredients are in there!" Financier warns him, weary of everything as usual.

"Oh Financier, it is most impolite to refuse a welcome gift! Thank you so much kind Cookie" Clotted Cream thanks her as he takes a bite of the Raisin Jelly. 

"What do ya think? it's good right?" Dry Raisin says with hopeful eyes.

Chewing thoughtfully on the jelly he hums. "Most delicious and chewy! And the balance of sweetness and tartness is just impeccable!" He compliments.

"Oh i'm so glad! Would you like another one?" Dry Raisin asks him, but he politely declines.

"Oh, no no no, I usually skip breakfast, but thank you" He says politely, GingerBrave just looks at him like he had just grown a second head, that.......can't be healthy. "I was delited to learn more about the local cuisine! Now I should continue my tour, for there is much to see in your wonderful Kingdom!"

"I gotta admit, I thought you'd be more difficult, but you're pretty swell!" Dry Raisin chuckles. "He he, I'll save more Raisin Jellies for you! Have fun! Bye!" She calls out as the trio leave the Inn.

.

.

.

The tour went on for a bit, next he had shown Clotted Cream around the Castle, taking him to meet Wildberry and Hollyberry, who shared cultures with one another, she even gave him some plant seeds she found in Beast-Yeast to use for later, next was the newly opened Magic Academy where some of the Raisin Cookies were practicing defensive magic, they ask GingerBrave if he wanted to join them or if he wanted to teach them any spells he knew, but he politely declines stating it wasn't really spells he used but more of a....'natural connection' he had with Plants, not even he knew why he could do it, he was merely baked with the ability, but he did promise to stop by laster to learn some White Magic spells with them.

Next came Garden, he had much fun showing Clotted Cream and Financier around there, Clotted Cream asked him to demonstrate his 'Plant Whispering' as he called it, and he grew a nice plump Peach Boa Tree with one of seeds Hollyberry gave him, their voices sounded sweet as honey and they had quite the generous personality as well! Gave them a Peach Boa each, and they tasted GREAT!! Apparently these kinds of trees are near extinct in Beast-Yeast now, the Peach Boa Tree said they remember a feint memory about SomeCookie named 'The Leavened One' who used to care for their Orchards with another, they sound like an amazing Cookie! They also met Pure Vanilla there! They had a wonderful chat, they even did a bit of Gardening together! Turns out Clotted Cream had quite the Green Thumb!

Next they visited Dark Cacaos campsite, and uh.......they made quite the impression...so to speak, pretty sure they just offended their culture by complete accident by trying to give them Scones, but they were grateful for the generous offer non-the-less, he's just glad Crunchy Chip enjoyed it, though he insisted on doing double the training to 'cleanse the corruption' from his body.

Clotted Cream decided to call it a day and return to his room to prepare for the meeting, after saying goodbye GingerBrave decided to visit the Plaza, and wouldn't you know it! The Pilgrims were here! Seems they heard wind of the Council and wanted to witness it with their own eyes! They seemed very excited to be in the Kingdom as well, finally visiting their Birth home after so long! He can only imagine!

Everyone was super stoked! That just makes him all the more exited for the up coming meeting! The sooner they find a solution to the current Dark Enchantress problem the better!

Black Raisin had come up with an amazing idea to make the Plaza more inviting for visitors now that the Vanilla Kingdoms doors were open again, and GingerBrave gladly helped. He used his Plant Magic to decorate the Statue and Plaza with flowers and make the Gardens Bloom again, while Black Raisin repainted the walls of the houses to they didn't look as old and time-ridden. Needless to say they did a GREAT JOB!!

Before he knew it, the Council was about to start, he rushed to the Council Hall, where he found the others with their escorts already settling in.

Standing next to Pure Vanilla, the Blind Healer began the meeting and spoke up. "Hello and welcome to the first council meeting here in the Vanilla Kingdom, I would like to thank my friends Hollyberry and Dark Cacao, and of course the esteemed Clotted Cream, who came all the way from the Creme Republic, we have gathered here as reprisentitives of out nations to discuss matters of great significance"

Ok, everything was going well so far.

"But first I would like to introduce you all to very special Cookie" Pure Vanilla says warmly, turning to GingerBrave. "My Son, GingerBrave, as you all know is a Cookie of unheard Bravery, and for the past 4 Years he has been fending off Dark Enchantress's forces all across Crispia, he had fought with great valor, and is here today to represent his own Kingdom, the SugarGloom Kingdom, a newly developed Kingdom hidden within the depths of the Gloomy Forest"

"Hehe, you uh....don't have to sugarcoat it dad" GingerBrave says sheepishly.

"The Gloomy Forest ey? Quite a smart place to put a Kingdom if you want to keep it hidden! It's the last place anyone would expect to look!" Hollyberry compliments.

"He witnessed Dark Enchantresses's awakening with his own eyes, and fought valiantly to protect the Cookies of this world, if it were not for him this very soil we stand on might have been reduced to ashes" Pure Vanilla continued. "It is because of him we are able to stand here today to discuss out shared future!"

"Huh, so small, yet so Brave" Wildberry mutters to himself.

"But how? he doesn't even have any icing armour" Crunchy Chip contemplates.

"Aww stop! I wasn't alone! I wouldn't have gotten this far without my friends" GingerBrave insists. "Dark forces have tried many times to breach out borders, but thanks to the full efforts of the Batter Squadron, we are able to defend against any violent Cake Monsters that try to invade our forests!"

"Now, let us begin" Pure Vanilla says with a small chuckle, his face soon turning more serious. "Dark Enchantress has returned, and she is moving forward with her schemes to take over Earthbread, recently she has caused chaos and havoc in other Kingdoms"

"That is true, followers of Dark Enchantress have made an appearance in our Kingdom" Dark cacao confirms. "After their efforts were thwarted by the Dark Cacao warriors, I received reports of them fleeing to the land of Beast-Yeast across the Licorice Sea"

Beast-Yeast!? As in that continent he keeps hearing about!? The trees have told him he would find the origin of his abilities there, the secrets to why he was baked like this, but, would it be rude to ask to go there at such dire times...........not now, now they had more important matters.

"Then it is highly likely that Dark Enchantress resides somewhere within Beast-Yeast" Pure Vanilla says thoughtfully.

"Ah, Beast-Yeast, I'm quite familiar with the land if I do say so myself" Hollyberry speaks up. "It's a wild and mysterious landscape of overgrown marsh and swamps, home to strange and ancient beasts, Everyday they burst forth from the earth to hunt their prey"

"Those heinous creatures crawled into the licorice sea and defiled it's waters!" Dark Cacao snarled. "Hence the reason why the Dark Cacao Kingdom constructed such strong walls boardering off the sea"

"Dark Enchantress will try to use those dangerous beasts to her advantage, i'm sure of it!" Hollyberry says, clearly on edge, there is no was to truly know what that witch was planning.

"Our enemy is cornered no doubt, I assume she will be preparing her final strike" Clotted Cream speaks up, pondering to himself.

"We must gather our forces! We need to travel across the lands and find Cookies who will lend us their strength!" Pure Vanilla says determinedly.

"if you're thinking about creating an alliance against Dark Enchantress, then shouldn't we find White Lily and Golden Cheese first?" Hollyberry asks him, making GingerBrave freeze, oh yeah.......White Lily.....

"Do you know of their whereabouts?" Dark Cacao adds on, if they wish to carry this out they'll need the rest of the Ancient Heroes.

Pure Vanilla was quiet for a moment, unsure how to answer, GingerBrave decides to speak up for him.

"We are still unsure of their whereabouts as of now, the Golden Cheese Kingdom is incredibly well hidden, almost off the map entirely with few clues indicating where it is, and White Lily is still nowhere to be found, I have someone from my Kingdom decoding some Golden Cheese Kingdom transcripts to find out where it is as we speak, but it will take a while, a few weeks maybe" GingerBrave speaks up, antennae drooping a bit, he didn't enjoy lying, it mad him feel sick on the inside, like a serpent was constricting his waist every time he did, but right now it was nessasary, Pure Vanilla clearly wasn't ready to tell them yet.

"That is......at least comforting to know,, I have not heard from White Lily since the war, but if we can find Golden Cheese, hopefully alive and well, then that would bring some closure to my soul, thank you for taking such matters into consideration beforehand GingerBrave" Hollyberry sighed out in exhausted relief, she just hopes their okay. "I sure do miss those 2.....I wonder what they're up to nowadays....."

"Who else is there?" Dark Cacao spoke up, if White Lily and Golden Cheese were momentarily off the table then they would need to find others to ally themselves with.

"Ah! What about the Dragons?' Hollyberry speaks up as the idea entered her mind. "Now we may have had our differences in the past, but they are powerful beings with tremendous power, and giant to! If we can persuade them to join out cause, they'd be of great help!"

"Persuade them?.......With words?" Dark Cacao questions.

"Words? Hahaha! I never said anything about words!" Hollyberry laughed, yep no that seems more like Hollyberry to him.

"There's also another group of Cookies, each being a force to be reckoned with, Cookies wielding the mystical powers of the Elements themselves" Pure Vanilla adds on another potential group of allies. "I've felt their presence and their power for a while now"

Oh! He must mean the Cookies Uncle Millennial Tree mentioned! The Elemental Guardians, he did mention his son, Wind Archer, was one of them along with himself, he wonders where his technical cousin is right now?

"If we can persuade them to join our cause, our odds will increase significantly!" Pure Vanilla continues.

"Looks like our chances are no so low after all!" Hollyberry laughs determinedly. "We must find as many potential allies as we can!"

"I'm sure many Cookies will join us in this fight, and together we are more then capable of opposing Dark Enchantress!" Pure Vanilla adds on, Dark Cacao nods in agreement. "Of course before that we have a lot of work to do, this is the task that lies before us, this.....is our mission"

GingerBrave feels a pang of stress envelop him, the end was so close now, but he can help but feel something is going to go wrong, like they were kissing a large piece of puzzle, like.........something......was coming.....

"Mission....." He heard Wildberry mutter to himself, he can sense he's under a lot of stress as well as the shorter one.

"I'm ready for any mission! Yeah!" Crunchy Chip says determinedly, covering up he past feelings.

"i am afraid we do not have the luxury of time, as we speak Dark Enchantress is tightening her hold on this world" Clotted Cream finally speaks up. "We have no information, neither of where she's hiding nor what he plan is, this is our greatest disadvantage and it must be eliminated as quickly as possible" 

"Clotted Creams right, while we HAVE come up with a plan to stop her we still have no idea where she could be or what she could be doing, for all we know we could be walking into a trap" GingerBrave speaks up, agreeing with the Consul.

"They're right, we don't have much time" Hollyberry agrees.

"Then lets decide who should lead the expedition to Beast-Yeast" Clotted Cream says in a serious tone, he has a point we DO actually need to decide who gets to go.

Needless to say it all led to Hollyberry and Dark Cacao having an argument about which one of them should go, while yes the Dark cacao soldiers had battle experience Hollyberry argued that Dark cacao still had a Kingdom to lead, and that she, having been to Beast-Yeast and is able to move freely thanks to her Son and Daughter-in-Law leading the Kingdom in her stead, should go instead.

The argument only escalated when Crunchy Chip and Wildberry got involved.

The argument only came to a hold thanks to Pure Vanilla, who had called the meeting a day to give everyone time to think about it in the meeting tomorrow, needless to say it left GingerBrave slightly shaken, only the first Council Meeting and everything was already going wrong! What would have happened if Hollyberry and Dark Cacao didn't calm down?! N-No he's not going to think about that.......he..............he needs a drink....

Walking to the Crows-Nest Inn, small blades of grass and flowers sprouted from between the rocks from the path he speedwalked on, leaving a small trail of greenery in his wake.

Entering the Inn he sat down at the counter and asked for some Juice, Pure Vanilla said he was still to young to drink Juice like the ones in the Hollyberry Kingdom, called it 'Fermented Juice', apparently made your mind fuzzy, but GingerBrave was feeling rather down right now, Princess said Hollyberry and Jungleberry sometimes drank juice when they were down so........to hell with it! He was 15, almost 16! Should be old enough right?

Bitter Raisin was a tad stunned at GingerBraves request, but decided to prepare some for him anyways, though he did pick the less fermented berries for it, Pure Vanilla would scold him if he found out he let GingerBrave drink FULLY Fermented Juice.

Placing the cup of Juice down on the counter Bitter Raisin looked at him worried. ".......Council Meeting didn't go well?"

"Mhm.......how could you tell?" GingerBrave asked him exhausted, taking a sip of the juice.

"Well maybe it's the fact moss is growing on my counter where you touched it" Bitter Raisin pointed it out, and indeed, moss had begun to grown under and from the wooden counter where his hands were.

"Oh crumbs! sorry!" GingerBrave apologised.

"Hey, it's no big deal, just uh......ease up on that juice bud" He said.

The afternoon was rather uneventful, that was until Hollyberry and Dark Cacao suddenly entered the Inn, turns out some of the Raisin Cookies managed to convince then to come here to make up and talk things out, and not a moment after noticing GingerBrave Hollyberry rushed up to him, grabbed his cup and downed his juice, then ordered him a cup of Apple Juice along wth 50 cups of Fermented Juice for herself and Dark Cacao, so yeah, that was a pretty wild after noon.

It all eventually led to a VERY drunk Dark Cacao running outside into the courtyard and trying to fight a tree, which was the funniest thing GingerBrave had ever seen the usually stoic and resolute king do, but best of all seeing these 2 work things out also calmed him down a bit.

Afterwards he heard word that another Airship had arrived at the Kingdom, must be some friends of Clotted Cream's! GingerBrave and some of the other Raisin Cookies rushed over to the Airship Port to greet then, and admire their ship.

"Whoah! Lookie-lookie! Welcomes friends!" GingerBrave greets the 2 new Cookies, one smelled of Cafeen while the other Vanilla and Cream.

"Apologises, a quest of great importance has delayed us!" One of the new Cookies says, almost sounding exhausted. 

"Fate has finally brought us to the fabled Vanilla Kingdom! Ha ha! As always I go where my presence is needed!" The second one laughed, the first one groans in annoyance, he seems......arrogant.....

"I hear the Creme Republic has seen many changes since our departure, Clotted Cream has become the new Consul" The Caffeine smelling Cookie muses. "I recall him being a novice politician, indeed, the Political role situations across the see is hard to predict"

GingerBrave had shown the 2 Cookies, who he learned were named Espresso and Madeline, to Clotted Creams chambers, where afterwards he showed the 2 to their temporary rooms, he's not sure what they were talking about in there by the flowers warned him to be careful, which makes him worry a bit.

"Whew, what a busy day" GingerBrave says exhaustedly, entering the Inn, it was getting late, probabaly best to clock out for the day.

Entering his room he gaze turns back to the Milkcrown Flower set up on his bedside table, and his mind drifts back to the sorrowful echos of the Cookie who wept it into bloom, the Milkcrown did not speak like the other plants he had encountered, instead echoing the words of the Cookie who wept on it.

"Am i not enough for them?"

"What is happening to everyones else? Where did things go wrong?"

"Why did I have to be baked into such a heavy weight of responsibility!?"

"Cmon....don't lie to yourself....they're just using you....everyone does...."

GingerBraves heart aches at the voice, raising a hand he stroked the Flowers delicate petals, not that it would bring the long gone Cookie any comfort, but it was the thought that counted. He can't help but think to himself, if he were to have met that Cookie, Time Travel or spirit......he'd give em the biggest hug he could ever ask for......cause clearly he hadn't been given enough......

Closing his eyes as he lay on the bed he let his mind drift into unconsiousness.

His eyes cracked open to an empty, black landscape, several blue eyes blinking across the area, unfocused and spaced out. He sits up rubbing his eyes and looks around drowsily, was this......a dream? Didn't feel like it......

Shakily he stands up, gaining his footing, flapping his wings a bit to hoist him up, where was he?

He heard a noise through the empty space.......crying......it sounded like crying......mixed with laughing? Manic and insane.

GingerBrave turned in the direction of the sobbing laughter, he finds a figure, details indistinguishable and shadowed over, nothing more then a black silhouette in the void, hunched over, talking to themself.

"-Such a dirty dirty lier! Heheheheheh! Think she can trick us!? Steal our birthright from right under our noses and flaunt her victory!? No no NO! We've been trapped to long! And i REFUSE to be trapped again!"

They snarl, the voice sounds like a man, so until he can confirm it he's assuming it's a dude.

"Oh little gnat, fine we'll play alone~ Hehehehehe oh yes we'll play along!"

"And then we'll usurp her from right under her nose!"

"Why yess that sounds like a fascinating idea!"

He speaks, his voice and form shifting to that of a women before turning back, wow, talk about 'Talking to yourself'.

"And what of the thieves?" He says, shifting to an old man.

"And that little Enchantress's hopelessly devoted servants?" He shifts to a child.

"What about em? We'll get whats rightfully ours and then REMAKE THE WORLD IN OUR IMAGE! And then not her, those Gnats who call themselves HEROES, or the WITCHES can stop us!!" He says, shifting back.

He then laughs, sounding like a mix of all their voices at once, like a chorus of distorted and manic laughter. The laughter quiets down and the silhouette is quiet for a moment before letting out a loud groan.

"Creators this place is starting to get to me..........no, no.....it got to me thousands of years ago........" He snarled with an exhausted tone.

GingerBrave let out a breath he didn't even know he'd been holding in, but in the quiet, empty void, such an exhale was more akin to a shout.

The silhouette suddenly snaps his head around, a dozen Azure eyes looking around wildly. 

"WHO'S THERE!?" He shouts the instant he does.

Not a moment later, GingerBrave suddenly felt a thousand eyes on him.

He looks at his surroundings, finding the several Azure eyes that were once gazing, unfocused and spaced out into the void, now staring directly at him, unblinking and focused.

The silhouette was silent, all of his eyes staring him down, ones of his eyes, which he can assume is somewhere where his face would be, was cyan in colour, the odd one out of the several unblinking eyes.

On the upper chest of the silhouette was a strange object, one that looked akin to an inverted club with a pointed stem, looking almost exactly like Pure Vanillas SoulJam, minues the black, slit like marking down the middle, mimicking an Iris.

Those eyes, and that SoulJam, if that is what it is, where......where has he seen it before? Where has be heard that voice before?

".........Who......are.......you....." The Silhouette says in a dangerously low voice, eyes never once leaving him, or blinking, the silence was broken when the silloette started breaking down in manic laughter. "OOOOOOOHHHH! I get it now! You're just another illusion aren't you? A figment of my ever deteriorating mind telling me just how much i've lost it? Isn't that right little light? Hehehehehehehehe!"

He stands up, it almost looked like his body increased in size......no wait HE ACTUALLY IS!!

"Silly little Light~ All alone! Fine, I'll play along, little figment of deceit~ I'll be the cat! And YOU'LL be the mouse! Just like old times!"  He snickered, head turning at an angle that should have been impossible, that was all the motivation GingerBraves shivering body needed, had he been shivering? He hadn't even noticed.

GingerBrave bolted the moment the Silhouette started charging towards him, his wings clamped tightly to his back, to scared to move.

He ran and ran, he's not sure how long, it's only when a root rose up from the 'ground' and caught on his ankle did he realise just how fast he had been going, he rolled several feet, his legs burning from exhaustion, and the laughter only got closer.

He only had a mere moment to turn around when he felt a hand slam down on him, his body ached, tired and sore as the giant spoke up.

"Well now THAT was fun! To bad it's ove-" The silhouette paused mid speech, feeling GingerBrave under his hand........feel?..........No.....Illusions can't be felt or interacted with, thats what they are, intangible figments of the mind! NOTHING MORE!!!.........It couldn't be.....it's not possible!!......

Fingers curl around GingerBraves body tightly, and he feels himself being lifted up, the small light had shape, a COOKIES shape, he could feel their dough in his hand.......he could FEEL IT!!!

GingerBraves cracks a sore and exhausted eye open, feeling like he was about to pass out, hundreds of azure eyes meeting his.

The last thing he hears when he passes out, in the giant Silhouettes voice, riddled with manic glee, shrill.

"...........The seal has weakened......."

GingerBrave woke up with a start, breaths laboured and panicked, he quickly felt his body up and down, no aching pain in his dough, no burning, overworking feeling in his legs, only his chilling sense of dread.

He looked around, he was back in his room in the Inn, or....more like he never left to begin with......

He looks out the window, finding the Sun had just started to rise across the horizon, has it really been that long? The hell was that place? WHO was that!? Why did he have a SoulJam identical to Pure Vanillas!? And where has he seen it before?

Those......were regrettably a question for another time, maybe in his free time after the Council Meeting he could do some research to see if there were any other SoulJam weilders, or better yet, ask Pure Vanilla, surely he would know!!

Till then he had a job to do....

.........Today was a new day.......