Chapter Text
War… although not like the initial Dark Flour War that has existed many millennia ago, the Dark Enchantress was brutal as all wars become to be, with strawberry jam soaking in the moldy fields, and the crumbs of crumbling soldiers and enemies alike, GingerBrave after having scouted ahead after the Ancients being caught by their Beasts in the battle field, and after a tough fight with the Mold Trio finds himself with Strawberry Cookie, and Wizard Cookie (After having left the airship, where Espresso Cookie stayed, to aid Gingerbrave) find themselves approaching the Dark Castle that looms in the distance, and as so, they are reunited with the battle worn Ancients, and the warriors who stand just at the entrance of where the castle stays.
“We’ve almost reached Dark Enchantress Cookie’s lair… Be careful. It is just across that ridge” Mercurial Knight Cookie warns as his wings keep him afloat in the air. Financier Cookie shivers at feeling the menacing aura that looms as they drew closer towards the castle on the horizon.
“I can feel its dark aura grow stronger… we must be close”
“Don’t worry.” Silverbell Cookie chimes in “Judging by the traces we found, the Ancient Heroes made it through safely.”
Tea Knight gives a nod “Good. Still… they may need our help, we must find them first.”
As Tea Knight’s sentence reaches a finish the ground begins to tremble, causing all the warriors guards to return a Crunchy Chip Cookie warns “Wait!... The ground is trembling…!”
Mercurial’s grip on his spear tightens as he catches sight of the incoming beasts “Enemies! Everyone- stay sharp!”
That is when the sharp battle axe of Burning Spice Cookie embeds itself in front of the warriors way forward which is followed by the appearance of said beast as he growls out “You worthless scum! I will crush every last one of you!”
Madeleine cookie steps back in shock while keeping hold of his shield “A Beast Cookie…!”
“The Knights will hold the line here-go, quickly, to the castle!” Mercurial Knight orders the Ancients.
Pure Vanilla nods “Understood! Thank you and be safe!”
The group rushes towards the castle without delay as the Mercurial Knights hold the line of enemies back. “The castle-There it is!” Financier Cookie claims as she points it out.
“Look! I see Cookies, too!” Pure Vanilla claims as he spots the other ancient heroes standing in silence.
“But… why are they all standing still? It is quiet… Too quiet…” Tea Knight observes. But that is when they all recognize Silent Salt standing firm in the middle in silence as the rest realize the chains coming from him, causing the other three to be stood in a spell of silence.
“They’re bound by a spell of silence. That Cookie in the black armor-he’s conjuring it!” Pure Vanilla recognized “To silence so many Cookies at once… Such a terrifying power…”
Crunchy Chip turns to Pure Vanilla distraught “What do we do…?!”
“Attack that Cookie to distract them! I will protect the others with my magic!
Pure Vanilla commands as he is met with a chorus of affirming responses of his plan as the warriors go forward to attack Silent Salt. This catches said silent foe off guard causing his concentration to break and free the Ancient heroes in his grasp, all coming to with a gasp from the silent hold they were in.
“The Silence is broken!” Tea Knight affirmed.
“Pure Vanilla Cookie! Now!” Madeleine cues as Pure Vanilla casts a spell to make a protective barrier around him in a sphere “Everyone-inside my barrier, quickly” He orders
“Pure Vanilla cookie!” The three heroes exclaim in relief as they go towards the barrier.
“...And so, they have all gathered here… Is this truly the fate of our world…?” Silent Salt questions in a solemn tone.
Burning Spice’s Axe embeds in the Earthbread once more as he approaches, covered in mercury with labored breath “So all you wretched insects are here…”
“Burning Spice Cookie…!” Golden Cheese gasped.
“You dare deceive me and flee?! I’ll annihilate this place…!” Burning Spice declares with a heated glare towards Golden Cheese.
“Burning Spice Cookie… You don’t look well. It is unlike you.” Silent salt says
“Haa.. it’s those silver-winged pests…hrgh… But worry not… I still have more than enough power to crush you…!” Burning Spice claims
“Oh, Hollyberry Cookie… You may protest…But…” Eternal Sugar began as she flew over, her dough still burnt at the edges from being set ablaze earlier. “I cannot give you up… I will take you with me…!”
“Agh! It’s Eternal Sugar Cookie…! We lost too much time under that silence spell!” Hollyberry claims
Flour dust rolls in as Mystic Flour Cookie emerges with the fried burns from the lightning strike she experienced still fresh in her dough as she speaks monotonously.
“Foolish souls who fail to reach leavening… The greed of this world gathers here, ugly and shameless. Perhaps this is where all things will fade into nothingness…”
“And Mystic Flour Cookie…! The Beasts are arriving one by one…!” Dark Cacao exclaims
“We are surrounded! There’s no way out! Moving now would be too dangerous…!” Pure Vanilla responds. “My barrier should hold for a while. Tend to your wounds and prepare for battle…!”
“My, my… That fire-breathing lizard almost made me miss the beginning of this grand show…” Shadow Milk’s sardonic tone echoes as he makes his way over, “But would you look at that! The actors and audience have all gathered, mmm?”
Pure Vanilla turns around in shock “Shadow Milk Cookie…!”
The atmosphere changes as the stage that Shadow Milk creates appears “Talk about perfect timing! The star of the show -Shadow Milk Cookie- is heeere!!!”
Thus causing the beast cookies to go closer slowly while off in the distance inside the castle, Pomegranate Cookie affirms to Dark Enchantress “...Everyone has gathered, Master.”
“How timely… Yes, indeed…” Dark Enchantress agrees with a wicked smile on her face “The temperature is unjust right… and all the ingredients have converged. It will all come to fruition soon enough. My masterpiece has been completed.” Dark Enchantress affirms as she looks towards the oven behind them both, where a shadowed figure remains inside. “Nothing they do will matter anymore.”
Pomegranate nods “...Yes, finally…” An admiring stare towards her Master “You will ascend to greater heights, leaving the world of Cookies behind…!”
The scene shifts back as the Ancients and Beast are in a stand off, Shadow Milk giggles “Enough playtime… It is time to raise the curtains.. I will gladly twist the necks of your sad little souls, you insufferable half-baked gnats…” He threatens as he gets closer with pure menacing aura seeping from him.
Pure Vanilla steps forward “Shadow Milk Cookie…!”
Though the clacking sound of Dark Enchantress’s Staff brings the attention of each Ancient and Beast to her. “Ah yes, there are all my ingredients…! Perfect!” She preens.
“Dark Enchantress Cookie…!!!” Pure Vanilla exclaims as the Ancients bring up their guards.
“Haa… You…” Shadow Milk glares before a realization crosses him “What was that? “Ingredients”?! You are in the presence of the great Beasts!” Shadow Milk moves towards Dark Enchantress “ I came all the way since you promised some quality entertainment…. Which turned out to be a complete flop after all! You can practically hear the booing from the audience! BOOOO! Honestly, I thought it’d be a good laugh to see what you had up in your fake witchy sleeves.”
“The Great Beasts you say? Ha ha… It is amusing how you finally seem to have found something in common.’ Dark Enchantress says amused as she moves closer. “But it wasn’t always like that, was it now?”
“What?” Shadow Milk questioned
“Oh, I have prepared a welcome befitting my grand guests! How about a story? I will tell you of my visit to the Faerie Kingdom when I broke your seal.” She states as she circles around him.
Beginning of flashback
“The ancient demons… This is the Silver Seal Tree where the Beasts lie dormant…” Past Dark Enchantress approaches “Legend has it that the Witches bound the fallen here, unable to tame them.” Dark Enchantress’s hand rests on it as she hears the shimmer of the magic causing her to pause “...Wait, What is this…? This is no magic of the Witches.” She leans closer “Traces of Life Energy that the Faerie Cookies harness… And with it…” Dark Enchantress then gets the vision of Silent Salt and Elder Faerie Cookie casting the sealing spell causing a laugh to bubble out of her.
End of Flashback
“That is when I realized. The one who sealed the Beasts, the one who halved your Soul Jams and took away your powers…” Dark Enchantress continues as she points her staff to Silent Salt directly as the Beasts all turn to look. “It was no other than Silent Salt Cookie, who allied with Elder Faerie!” Dark Enchantress reveals causing shock to go through the rest of the Beasts. Silent Salt remains standing, sword still in hand as he remains silent.
“Silent Salt Cookie… and Elder Faerie…sealed us away?” Shadow Milk questions as he registers the reveal “It wasn’t the Witches…but… You Silent Salt…?” He turns to said cookie in black armor. Who doesn’t reply instead looks towards Dark Enchantress. “Dark Enchantress Cookie… you are a dangerous one. This truth was buried deep for the sake of protecting order in the Cookie World…” He states as he glares at her “But you expose it merely to drive the Beasts apart….” Dark Enchantress laughs.
“Silent Salt Cookie! How could you…?!” Eternal Sugar cried
“Silent you were, but no one would have known you were plotting behind our backs” Mystic Flour says with a stare.
“YOU TRAITOR!!!!!” Burning Spice roars
“SILENT SALT COOOOOKIEEEE!!!!!!” Shadow Milk screams as he goes to attack yet Silent Salt retaliates by plunging his sword into Shadow Milk's chest, making him heave over with a groan as jam drips down . “You filthy traitor…!!!” Shock ripples through the beasts as the ghosts of Kala Namak Knights appear and bind the rest to one place, causing Eternal Sugar Cookie to yell, Mystic flour gasps, and Burning Spice growls in frustration.
“You, who have plunged the world into the abyss of despair…! Heed my word, corrupted fiends! Your existence was a grave mistake!” Silent Salt affirms with a tone of pure hatred dripping from his words, as he removes his sword from the wound inflicted onto Shadow Milk and raises it high. “This is the end of your twisted fate! Accept the demise you have wrought upon yourself in the depths of Silence eternal!!!! Judgement of Silence!!!” Silent Salt casts his sword plunging into the crust of the world as chains of Silence wrap around the beasts causing them to go still and completely silent.
“The Beasts are frozen still…!” Hollyberry exclaims.
“It is the same magic as before.” Golden Cheese affirms.
“So the Beasts have fought amongst themselves… This may work in our favor…” Dark Cacao agrees.
“Dark Enchantress Cookie… Just what are you planning…?” Pure Vanilla questions wearily. She laughs airily in reply. While Shadow Milk comes to terms in his frozen state to reflect and while plotting he is interrupted by past cookies who sought his knowledge in the past causing him an internal mental breakdown.
“Very well. The “Great” Beasts are now trapped in Silence… And now it is your turn, my old foes…” Dark Enchantress says as she faces the Ancients who all stagger back before keeping their weapons drawn.
“Dark Enchantress Cookie…” Pure Vanilla begins moving forward “How far will you go to get what you want? When will it ever be enough for you?”
“Enough..?” She scoffed in amusement as she looked at Pure Vanilla “Enough you say…How very like you Pure Vanilla Cookie- to speak of contentment in a world like this. I came this far because I could never obtain the one thing I desired.” She says as she continues forward step by step wings flaring more as she continues “Always bound in this frail, brittle vessel- born to be eaten, destined to crumble… Never once was I truly free!”
“You’re wrong! We can be free- without resorting to violence and ruin!” Pure Vanilla attempted to persuade. “Please Dark Enchantress Cookie… Remember the days we studied together…” He pleads “You’d light up with wonder at every new discovery! How free you were, filled with pure light!”
“Ah…yes.” She muses in reply “Yes, there was a time when you enjoyed exploring the forbidden arts with me. But when it came to the final taboo-breathing life into what should not live- you hesitated.” She laughed a bit. “You never wanted to turn the last page because you couldn’t bear for the story to end.” A frown forms as she stands firm “But I am not like you. I am ready to turn the final page, to step beyond the story itself!” Dark Enchantress exclaims “Pure Vanilla Cookie, since you refuse to do it yourself… I shall gladly turn that page for you!!!”
“Dark Enchantress Cookie, don’t…” Pure Vanilla pleads
"Ah, thank you all for gathering here to play your destined roles in my grand design! From this moment on, all Soul Jams will be mine- and I shall be reborn! The destiny of weakness shall end today…!” She exclaims as her magic pulses “I will break it and usher in a new world ruled by those of true power!”
The magic of the Soul Jams fade as it’s pulled out of both halves causing the Ancients to falter as they are unable to move, a cry of anguish escapes Golden Cheese as Hollyberry questions what is happening. “The light is being drained from our Soul Jams…!” Dark Cacao grits out “Not just ours… but the Beast Cookies as well!” The Beasts in their frozen state remained still and silent as their Soul Jams drained, Pure Vanilla in his weakened state calls to Dark Enchantress one more time as she cackles at their states.
“My faithful servants fulfilled their sworn duties! Dear guests, you will have to stay for a while. At last… everything has come together just as I planned! The magic circle that shall absorb the power of the Soul Jams is complete!” She lists each Soul Jam, of each pair of Ancient and Beast. “All your power is finally within my grasp! Now with these faded, corrupted lights of the past combined, it is time to forge a new being.”
“Dark Enchantress Cookie..! If you truly intend to use the Soul Jams’ power to perform the Witches; forbidden baking magic… You know as well as I do that no Cookie can withstand it! Not even you!”
“I am aware. The Oven… No mere Cookie could ever hope to light its flame… But I have long since accepted that fate.” Dark Enchantress states as she summons her magic creates The Oven behind her. “Behold! To rewrite the destiny of Cookiekind… I shall offer my very dough as sacrifice!!!” The oven opens and she flies in, screaming the moment the door closes behind her, she growls as the heat of the flame catches her dough ablaze. “My dough… is burning… This overwhelming blinding pain…! I am being torn to shreds by flame… I am… being born anew…!!!”
Dark Enchantress remembers the voices of the very cookies she witnessed being eaten and thrown into the Ultimate Dough. How she came to be Dark Enchantress in the first place as the flames of the Oven engulf her form more. “I can still hear those voices. I have embraced the cries of countless broken Cookies… And thus, we were born anew… Only I can do this! I…will use the Soul Jams to create the Ultimate Cookie!” She exclaims “I will create a being that surpasses the Witches and rewrite Cookiekind’s destiny to be eaten by humans! What lives will Cookies live in this new world? What will they do? How far will they go?” A blinding light shines as her form begins to change “No limits! No bonds! No fear! We shall behold a world of infinite freedom…! I cast my dough aside! I do not care what I will become! Neither a human, nor a Cookie. If such is the price for me… no, for us… to be truly free… and witness a new World!” Dark Enchantresses form grows in size as the dough and jam oozes all over her as GingerBrave watches in horror with Strawberry Cookie and Wizard beside him, as well as the Ancients as this giant monstrous form rises up from the ground with a loud cackle leaving Dark Enchantress.
As Dark Enchantress steadies herself, her gaze lands on GingerBrave, a cackle leaving her again. “Oh my my my, what do we have here~ A little hero who thinks he’s brave enough to fight?”
GingerBrave steps backwards as Dark Enchantress reaches forward with her spindle-like fingers, grabbing him from where he stood with her clawed oozing doughy hands.
“GingerBrave!” Strawberry and Wizard yelled as they tried to grab his hand to keep him from being taken, Pure Vanilla joined in by grabbing hold onto Wizard Cookie as they tried to pull GingerBrave out of Dark Enchantress’s hold.
The other Ancients soon followed suit despite their weakened states due to the magic of the Soul Jams having drained from them, yet Dark Enchantress cackles even louder as their collective strength wasn’t enough for she manages to pull GingerBrave away from the other Cookies with an ease that knocks the rest over and let them tumble to the ground.
“Noooo!!!” Strawberry and Wizard cried out as GingerBrave was taken towards the castle, scrambling to get up despite the injuries sustained by the tumble they took. As soon as Dark Enchantress stalked towards her castle the rest of the Cookies followed in great panic as they couldn’t let GingerBrave be taken away after everything… Yet as they all reached the castle Dark Enchantress had set GingerBrave down as she goes to The Oven, that Butter Roll Cookie has manufactured and created inside, the ominous pinkish glow inside of it dimming as, the Cookie that was baking inside was finished.
“Now now~ I think I should introduce a very important Cookie to all of you, now that I have you and your friends here” Dark Enchantress croons as she opens the oven door with a loud groan of metal, as everyone sees a silhouette inside of a Cookie. It only takes a few seconds before that cookie moves forward, and as they emerged from the depths of the shadowy inside of the oven their mismatched dough is revealed slowly…but to GingerBraves eyes, they focus on the very familiar dark green candy cane clutched in their grip causing his breath to hitch. As the shadows peeled away from the form of the Cookie, everyone was stunned… Strawberry gasped in recognition as Wizard Cookie stepped back out of shock.
“It….can’t be…” The stunned Wizard Cookie muttered.
GingerBrave just couldn’t stop staring straight at the Cookie, as the memories flooded back to him… from waking up in the oven, to finding GingerBright, and eventually… Him… the very cookie that stands before him now… his baby brother, that he witnessed after trying to pull him out of a witch's grasp…who he believed that she completely killed him…. Gingerdozer
“Dozer?” GingerBrave’s whispered question.
There’s a brief pause as tension fills the air between the heroes and villains… and the ghost that GingerBrave never thought he would see ever again… as Dozer’s once hope filled eye looks at GingerBrave with a dull hollowed look…. The marbled dough of his covered by the cape he now dons that matches his hat while the Soul Jam…created by mixing all of the others that were drained by Dark Enchantress, sits as a clasp, as a yellow star….
“Hello Brother” Dozer's words leave flat almost monotonous, causing everyone a chill to run through them…. To be continued…