Facing Fear With Eyes Wide Open (A Cookie Run Kingdom Role Reversal AU)

Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/37938331.

Rating: General Audiences

Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Category: F/M
Fandom: Cookie Run (Video Game)
Character: Red Velvet Cookie (Cookie Run), Licorice Cookie (Cookie Run), Poison
Mushroom Cookie (Cookie Run), Dark Choco Cookie (Cookie Run),
Pomegranate Cookie (Cookie Run), Dark Enchantress Cookie (Cookie
Run), Pure Vanilla Cookie (Cookie Run), GingerBrave | Brave Cookie,
Strawberry Cookie (Cookie Run), Wizard Cookie (Cookie Run), Custard
Cookie III (Cookie Run), Chili Pepper Cookie (Cookie Run), Chiffon
(Cookie Run)
Additional Tags: heroes and villains swap places, Pomegranate is the sunshine one
instead of a jerk, GingerBrave is emo, What would have happened if
the Cookies actually listened to Dark Enchantress?, "Evil" Pure Vanilla
Cookie, This is an AU so a lotta cannon divergence, implied Dark
ChocoxPomegranate, But she's nice in this universe so it's ok, No
matter what universe he's in Poison Mushroom Cookie is baby, I gave
the Sugar Gnomes names, Wizard Cookie can't catch a break,
Strawberry and Pure Vanilla are kinda yanderes, Dark Choco Cookie is
a drama queen (king?), Tiny tyrant Custard Cookie III
Stats: Published: 2022-03-24 Updated: 2022-05-27 Chapters: 7/? Words:
36736

Facing Fear With Eyes Wide Open (A Cookie Run Kingdom

Role Reversal AU)
by RozuTheGamingAngel

Summary

After years of hiding in the basement of the Witch's house, Red Velvet Cookie is finally
ready to make his escape to freedom. He loses his arm, but gains so much more upon
waking in the sunny forest.

He and his friends, Licorice Cookie and Poison Mushroom Cookie, find the ruins of an old
Kingdom and with the help of the Sugar Gnomes, decide to restore it and turn it into a
home of their very own. But destiny and adventure call the trio of Cookies into a world of
mystery and legends, when a mysterious curse, thought to be long vanquished by the
Ancient Heroes, resurfaces and threatens all of Cookie Kind.

Along their way, they meet a former Priestess, a young prince, and a blind healer with no
memory of who he was. Will this small band of unlikely heroes be able to defeat an ancient
foe, or will they too fall to the curse?

Notes
How did the Cookies come to worship the Witches anyhow?
 Prologue... To the prologue

Countless years ago, Cookie Kind knew only the chaos of iron and flame. The blazing heat of oven
fire, the crushing vice-like grip, and then… Death. In between the teeth of their creators, the
Witches. Out of every batch that were baked, only one or two escaped with their lives. After a few
years, the survivors made their way into the forest surrounding the Witch’s house, and slowly grew
into a small community of Cookies. But the Witch eventually learned of this small town and went
into the forest to seek out her missing Cookies. As fate would have it, she found the small
settlement. But before any other Cookie could be eaten, one stepped forward with a proposition.
His name was Saint Pastry Cookie.

“Let us live, and we will worship you and your kind as gods! We will even offer up the sweetest
and crispest of our kind to you, if only you let the softer and weaker ones live!”

The Witch enjoyed the idea of being worshiped by these tiny creatures, so she agreed to the terms.
Once a year she would return to the settlement and Saint Pastry Cookie would give her the
sweetest and crispiest Cookies to devour. They would come willingly, smiling, as they knew their
death would save so many lives. For years Saint Pastry Cookie led his people and taught them
prayers and songs of worship to appease the Witch. She could sometimes hear their songs from her
home, and it pleased her. So she let them live. The cycle continued year after year. And slowly the
community grew larger and larger.

After a while, some Cookies started opposing the sacrifices, they didn’t like the idea of their
children and loved ones being freely given to the monster. Some sweeter Cookies asked to be
spared. “Must we die? Surely there is another way?” They would cry. “Have you no shame, you
selfish Cookie?!” Saint Pastry Cookie would cry, “You are the ones chosen to protect our
community from the Godly’s wrath! If you do not fulfill that purpose you will bring death and
destruction upon us all!” Such harsh words were usually enough to keep the Cookies in their
place… For a while. But as the community grew and grew, whispers and rumors began to surface.

“We are strong in number now, surely we can revolt against the Witch. If we all stand together, we
can gain our freedom!”

Saint Pastry Cookie heard these whispers and was greatly displeased. He had grown to enjoy the
power he wielded as Keeper of the Order. And he was not willing to give it up any time soon. The
order of the world, Cookies were made to be eaten. There was no point in fighting that. He stood at
the center of town and made flamboyant speeches about the importance of keeping the Godly
placated, calling those who opposed the order of the world traitors. He said if the infidels were not
dealt with the Witch would be angered and raze their home to the ground. They were too impure to
be sacrificed to the Witch, so they would be dealt with another way.

Cookies who were found to oppose the Godly and Saint Pastry Cookie’s Order… Were burned at
the stake for the crime of blasphemy. That put the fear of the Godly back in them… For a while.
Saint Pastry Cookie knew it would only be a matter of time before his people rose up against him
again, he would need to do something else. Something more drastic, to ensure he kept himself in
the Witch’s good graces… And in power over his community. So he built a Sanctuary deeper in
the woods. A Sanctuary only his most loyal followers knew of and he charged them to keep watch
over it.

Children started disappearing from the cradles. Fires started breaking out with no apparent cause.
When his people asked him to do something about it he replied, “Is it not obvious? The Godly have
been angered. I have a solution, I have found a proper place of worship for us. Let us go and I will
show you what a pure Cookie looks like. Perhaps you can all strive for the level of purity those
Cookies have. And the Godly will be pleased with us again.”

The Cookies of the community were shocked to learn of the Sanctuary's existence. But they were
even more so surprised to learn of the Cookies who lived within. They wore beautiful white
clothing, carried themselves with the most graceful and elegant posture. They read from books that
detailed how to appease the Godly. They were detached from the world in all ways but for
worship. They were pure. They were perfect. The children were raised by the Mothers. Nuns
chosen by Saint Pastry Cookie himself to watch over their care. He told the children if they stayed
pure enough they too could be Mothers one day.

From day one, these young Cookies were taught that the Godly were loving and kind creators, who
loved nothing more than to hear their voices rise in song. Only the most loyal and devoted of faith
would grow up to learn the truth and learn that their duty was to keep the truth a secret to the rest of
Cookie Kind in order to preserve the world’s order. And keep the “lesser minded” Cookies from
angering the Godly. And behind closed doors, Saint Pastry Cookie continued to weave his web of
lies and sacrifice Cookies of his Order to the Godly. Truth mixed with lies, the children of the
community were taught the Witches protected them, not that they needed protection from them.
The sacrifices continued… Until the day the Witch grew too old to make the journey into the
woods. And decided to leave the little town of desserts be.

Nevertheless, Saint Pastry Cookie continued to spread his false teachings all over Earthbread, until
his Order became a powerful group that spread all over Earthbread. These falsehoods continued to
echo throughout Cookie history for years, long after his crumbling, as the Order grew bigger,
stronger.

Until one day… Two young Cookies decided to find the truth for themselves.

Their names.

Pure Vanilla Cookie and White Lily Cookie.

 The Dark Flour War
Chapter Notes

"Dark Enchantress Cookie! NOOOOOO!!!" -Pure Vanilla Cookie

Pure Vanilla Cookie and White Lily Cookie.

They had been best friends since they were students at the Blueberry Yogurt Academy, where they
studied magic. But also… Sought the truth. Both of them had their suspicions about the Order’s
teachings, despite both being devout followers. They knew the Witches were kind and loving
creators who protected the Cookies. But there were contradictions in some of the Teachings, and
scientific journals and some half-torn personal diaries or history documents belonging to naysayers
of the Witches that told otherwise. These books were forbidden of course, but the two weren’t
afraid to break a few rules in search of truth.

Then, White Lily Cookie learned of the Night of the Witches, a grand feast held by the Godly once
every thousand years. The two journeyed to the Godly Cake Tower together, and learned the truth.
It was a horrible sight for the two Cookies to witness. Their own kind being torn apart by the very
beings who gave them life. The revelation was too much for poor Pure Vanilla Cookie to bear, so
he shut his eyes. White Lily Cookie on the other hand, tried to convince the Cookies of the
Banquet to escape with them. But they refused, saying it was their destiny, and they were happy to
fulfill their purpose.

White Lily Cookie had no desire to fulfill such a purpose. She had her will and consciousness.
Surely she wasn’t born just to die. However, fate being the cruel thing that it was, tried to push her
into that destiny. White Lily Cookie, in shock, tumbled back and fell into a bowl of boiling Cookie
dough. Because he had his eyes shut Pure Vanilla Cookie hadn’t seen her fall until it was too late.
He ran and hid to avoid being seen, while the Witches took White Lily Cookie, and trapped her
inside a burning oven. The poor Cookie could only shut his eyes and cover his ears as his friend's
tortured screams grew louder and louder. He sobbed bitterly, cursing himself for his uselessness.
He could have saved her. He SHOULD have saved her. Lily, I’m so sorry. Then… White Lily
Cookie went silent. Pure Vanilla Cookie was just about ready to give up and reveal himself to the
Witches when suddenly, lightning burst from the oven White Lily Cookie had been imprisoned in.

Explosions, screams, fire, blasts of Crimson Moon Magic. The Night of the Witches descended into
chaos and destruction. Once the smoke cleared, Pure Vanilla Cookie could see the silhouette of a
lone Cookie, standing in the darkness. She was swaying slightly, as if injured or confused. Or both.
He understood she was the source of the incredible power that defeated the Witches, but as he grew
closer to her, he realized he recognized her eyes.

“White Lily Cookie?”

The newly rebaked Cookie was staring down at her hands, her body, her dough. Everything had
changed, except for the soft way she looked at him with her beautiful scarlet tear-filled eyes.

“Pure Vanilla Cookie?”

He was overjoyed to see she was alright, he embraced her and comforted her. Assuring her
everything would be alright. The two returned to their home, and together, they revealed the truth
of the Witches and the secrets of the Order to Cookie Kind. The Witches returned soon after, but
this time the two Cookies were ready. They, along with the help of their friends and fellow
Cookies, overthrew the Witches and chased them out of the land forever. Freeing the Cookies from
the lies of the past and the cruelty of the Witches.

The five Cookies who led the battle were known as the Five Ancient Heroes. Tales of their deeds
still resonate throughout history in songs and stories today. These five were blessed with Soul Jam
of the Purest Kind. Wise and powerful they rallied others to their cause. And ruled over the
Cookies as kings and queens, bringing in a golden age of peace and prosperity.

And who were the Five Ancient Heroes? Allow me to introduce you.

Hollyberry Cookie, the light of Passion. Ruler of the Hollyberry Kingdom. She was the most able-
bodied of the Heroes, fearlessly taking the front with her shield to protect the Cookies she called
her friends. And it was very easy to become friends with her. She loved a good party and always
wore a cheerful smile. Even while fighting a dragon! Her kingdom was the most joyous of the
four.

Dark Cacao Cookie, the light of Resolution. Ruler of the Dark Cacao Kingdom. Battle born and
war scared, this Cookie was a strong and selfless warrior, whose dough had been hardened by
years of fierce battle and biting cold. He led the charge of every battle, vowing to win or die with
honor. No matter the weight on his shoulders he never bent under pressure. And he trained his
soldiers to fight with honor and resolution. His kingdom was the strongest of the four.

Golden Cheese Cookie, the light of Prosperity. Ruler of the Golden Cheese Kingdom. Although
she ruled with an iron fist, she led her kingdom to amass great wealth. The fields were rich and her
coffers were full of priceless treasures. All that shined belonged to her kingdom. Her people were
known for their exquisite taste and rich culture. Hers was the most prosperous of the four
kingdoms.

Pure Vanilla Cookie, the light of Truth. Ruler of the Vanilla Kingdom. A beautiful and peaceful
land of healing and mercy. His people enjoyed a simple, carefree life. Free from worries or
sorrows. As their kind and gracious king, he protected his people from harm. And his magic could
heal any pain or sadness. He was a wise and loving ruler, who treated strangers as friends, and his
people as family. His soothing sweet Vanilla scent could calm even the most cranky of Cookies.
His was the most peaceful of the four kingdoms.

And last, but certainly not least, Dark Enchantress Cookie. (Formerly White Lily Cookie, prior to
the Tragedy during the Night of the Witches.) Despite being a Dark Lord, she also represented one
of the five lights of Unity. She was the light of Hope. And while she did not have a kingdom of her
very own, she was still credited with many important achievements that bettered Dessert Kind. She
not only defeated the Witches on the Night of the Witches, but she also ended the centuries long
jam feud between the Cakes and Cookies. With her leading the peace negotiations, she brought the
two species into an age of harmony and coexistence, where once there had been turmoil and
jamshed.

Together they were the Five Ancient Heroes, the Lights of Unity. Wherever they traveled, peace
and prosperity would soon follow. These brave and selfless Cookies fought any foe that dared to
threaten their beautiful homes, and the peace they held so dear.

But now, a new foe has risen to challenge that peace. Deep within the halls of the Vanilla
Kingdom, swords clash and magic blasts as the Ancient Heroes once again stand between their
kingdoms and ruin.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Dark Cacao Cookie, look out!” Golden Cheese Cookie shouted, tossing a spear. The shout gave
him just enough time to duck, avoiding both the spear and the creature that was lunging for him.
The spear made impact, and the round creature exploded. Splattering golden yellow dust and
gooey light yellow cream everywhere. Hollyberry jumped in front of Dark Cacao to shield him
from the spray. The creatures’ remains were exceptionally sticky, the heroes had to be careful not
to get any of it on them or their mobility would be restricted. In battle, that could spell disaster.

The creatures were different shapes and sizes but they all seemed to be made out of the same stuff.
Their bodies were gooey yellow custard and cream, their goopy bodies were held together by rune-
inscribed bandages that wrapped around the creatures, giving them a mummy-like appearance.
Some had horns, some had one eye, some had eyes all over their body, some had long spindly arms
and legs, some five or six appendages. Some were as small as a PupCake while others were four
times the Cookies’ size. No one knows exactly where these Custard Gremlins, or Cremlins, as they
were named, came from. The mostly widely accepted theory was they were born from a magic
Custard Volcano. It made sense considering that volcano had been dormant for years but had
recently erupted without warning. Dark Enchantress Cookie had a more sinister theory. These
creatures looked like the result of a failed magic experiment. They had been created for one
purpose… To spread the curse.

The curse had spread suddenly and swiftly through the Kingdoms. A Cookie would be found with
glowing rune-inscribed bandages over their eyes, and they would do everything in their power to
lure other Cookies into trying them on, claiming it would grant them eternal happiness if they did.
And once that Cookie had the bandages over their eyes, they would become mindless servants to
the curse.

Not only did the heroes have to deal with the Cremlins, but there were also strange plant-like
creatures as well. They looked like giant Vanilla Orchards, but with bodies made of thorny vines
and claw-like hands. They led the onslaught, trying to attack the Cookies so the Cremlins could
immobilize them, then… The Cursed Cookies would appear to finish the job.

Pure Vanilla Cookie reeled back in shock and let out a cry when a Cursed child jumped onto his
back. He tried to shake them off, but the little Cookie was already placing a glowing bandage over
his face. Dark Enchantress Cookie gasped and ran to her friend’s aid. “No, get off him, bad!” She
shouted scoldingly at the Cursed child as she pulled it off Pure Vanilla Cookie and threw them
across the room. They bounced harmlessly, and giggled as if this was all just some fun game. “Pure
Vanilla Cookie, are you alright?” The Dark Lord asked. “Yes, yes, don’t worry about me,” he said,
peeling off the parts of the bandage that had managed to stick.

He screamed in pain and doubled over slightly. Dark Enchantress Cookie held her hands out to
support him. “Don’t let those things blind you! You know what will happen!” He said to the rest of
his friends. Not only were the Cursed Cookies trying to place bandages over their eyes, but the
bandages would also erupt from the ground and walls at times. Glowing yellow and blue, and with
a mind of their own. Dark Cacao Cookie made short work of them with his sword. Once cut, the
bandages would lose their power, and fall lifeless to the floor. “GET BACK!” He shouted,
swinging his sword at a group of advancing Cursed Cookies as they waddled towards him.

“Dark Cacao Cookie, please don’t hurt them!” Dark Enchantress Cookie shouted. “It’s not their
fault! They’re affected by the curse!” She looked at the group of smiling, blinded Cookies. “This
is… Oh… What a horrible sight. These poor Cookies have had their free will and consciousness
stripped from them.” She sounded like she was about to cry. “Don’t be getting soft on us, Lily!
Focus! You wanna help them, help us stop the curse!” Dark Cacao replied. “Right,” she said with a
nod, gripping her Candy Cane Staff of Darkness tighter.

“The whole place is covered in Cookie crumbs and Cremlin Cream,” Hollyberry Cookie remarked
with disgust. “Foul sticky cream… The stench of burnt butter in the air,” Dark Cacao added. “What
on Earthbread is going on here?!” Golden Cheese Cookie said. “Hummm… It’s not good. We need
to find who created this curse and put a stop to them!” Pure Vanilla Cookie exclaimed. He sighed.
“This is all my fault. I should have been here to prevent this.” Dark Enchantress Cookie looked at
him with sorrowful eyes. “No, dear friend. I was the one you trusted to watch over your kingdom in
your absence if there’s any Cookie to blame for this… It’s me…”

“You two can play the blame game later! Right now we have more pressing matters to attend to!”
Hollyberry Cookie said. “Right, let us make haste!” Pure Vanilla Cookie exclaimed. The Heroes
continued to battle their way through wave after wave of enemies.

“Cover my flank!” Pure Vanilla Cookie shouted at Golden Cheese Cookie.

“No need to worry. I’m on your side. Haha, get it? On your side?” Golden Cheese Cookie giggled.

“Ha ha ha, hilarious,” Dark Cacao Cookie replied sarcastically.

“Lily, look out!” Hollyberry shouted as she grabbed Dark Enchantress Cookie and pulled her out of
the way of a Cursed Cookie and hid her behind her shield. “Are you alright?” The Dark Lord
chuckled in response. “Yes, Hollyberry. I’m fine. You know I’m not the delicate little flower I
used to be.”

“Evil begone!” Dark Cacao shouted as he tore apart the last Cremlin, who screeched in pain and
dissolved into a puddle of sticky goo.

The Cookies took a second to catch their breath. “Well… I think that’s the last of them,” Dark
Cacao remarked, planting his sword next to him. “The last of them maybe, but what do we do
about THOSE!?” Hollyberry shouted, pointing at the small group of Cursed Cookies that were
slowly making their way towards them. Arms outstretched with glowing Cursed Bandages in their
hands, and chanting,

“Silence, quiet. Rest in peace. Close your eyes, and sleep, sleep sleep. Quiet, silence. Rest in peace.
Close your eyes, and sleep, sleep, sleep.”

The Heroes were backed into a tight huddle as they were forced to slowly retreat to keep distance
between them and the curse. “Well, I don’t know about you guys, but I’m definitely not sleeping
tonight,” Dark Cacao Cookie groaned. “We can’t fight them the way we fight the Cremlins!
They’re my people! If we fight them, we risk hurting them!” Pure Vanilla Cookie shouted. “But if
we don’t fight them, we risk falling victim to the curse as well!” Hollyberry Cookie shouted. “In
between a Pop Rock and a hard place,” Dark Cacao mused. “May I suggest a third option?” Dark
Enchantress Cookie spoke up. “Which is?” Golden Cheese asked, pointing her spear threateningly
at the Cookies in an attempt to ward them off. “Sneak past them!” Dark Enchantress Cookie
exclaimed, raising her staff over her head, spinning it a few times, and then slamming the tip to the
ground. A shockwave of shadow fell over the Heroes. And the next time one of the Cursed Cookies
tried to touch them or their weapons, they passed right through them as if they were made of
smoke.

The Cursed Cookies mumbled confusedly among one another upon touching air where they were
certain they’d felt the dough of Cookies just seconds ago. “A cloaking spell, good thinking, Dark
Enchantress Cookie!” Dark Cacao said. Her cheeks turned a slight pink from the compliment. The
Heroes then passed by the confused Cookies as easily as water over a rock. Dark Enchantress
Cookie stopped to scoop up a couple of the fallen bandages. Perhaps later she could perform a few
experiments to find out what kind of spell they were enchanted with. And hopefully, she could find
a way to reverse it. “Hey, why didn’t you think of this earlier? Would have made it WAY easier to
get past the Cremlins,” Golden Cheese said. “It does take a lot of Mana and the spell only lasts a
few minutes, so it wouldn’t have been as effective then,” Dark Enchantress Cookie replied.
“Besides, we had to take those things down so they wouldn’t hurt anyone else,” Pure Vanilla
Cookie added.

“HELP!!!”

The group’s conversation was interrupted by a shout. “Guys, look!” Hollyberry exclaimed,
pointing ahead of them. At the end of the hallway was a Vanillian being dragged away by two
cursed Cookies. They were kicking and screaming, eyes wide with fright. “LET ME GO! LET ME
GO! SOMEBODY, PLEASE HELP ME!” The Heroes wasted no time in trying to cover the
distance between them to rescue the Cookie, but before they could stop them, the Cookie was
dragged into a room. And the door shut behind them. “That’s the door to the Chamber of
Audiences!” Pure Vanilla Cookie said. “Hmmmmm…. It seems most of the attacks have been
coming from this direction. Whoever or whatever is responsible for this must be behind that door,”
Dark Cacao reasoned. “Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s go give ‘em a piece of our minds!”
Hollyberry Cookie said, rolling her sleeve up and making it perfectly clear she was ready to kick
the door down. Golden Cheese and Dark Enchantress stepped in front of her. “Hollyberry, wait!”
Golden Cheese exclaimed. “For all we know this could be a trap! There could be thousands of
Cremlins and Thorn Orchards in there waiting to ambush us!”

“Besides, they have that poor Cookie held captive. They could hurt him if we go in there magic
blazing,” Dark Enchantress Cookie added. Hollyberry huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.
But she agreed to take a look first. Dark Cacao opened the door just a crack, Hollyberry peeked
into the room beneath him, Golden Cheese flew above to get a higher view through the crack, and
Pure Vanilla and Dark Enchantress crouched near the floor to see through.

The two Cursed Cookies were holding the Vanillian on his knees in front of a Cookie who had their
back turned to the Heroes, so they couldn’t see his face. He wore what looked like a Waffle Cone
cape, but the ends of the cape ended in sharp points and it had been fortified by being dipped in
dark chocolate. When the Cookie stretched his arms out to the side, it gave him the appearance of
having wings. He wore a large pointy hat and a long white robe with drooping sleeves. The outfit
looked otherworldly or ceremonious. It looked as if it was supposed to give him an angelic
appearance, but any comforting aspect of his outfit was ruined by the many long strips of rune-
inscribed bandages coming from under his cape, slithering in the air around him like tentacles.

“Stop! Please! Let me go! Please don’t hurt me!” The frightened Vanillian cried. “Hurt you?” The
strange Cookie replied. “Now, now, my sweet Cookie. Why would you think I want to hurt you?”
The Vanillian scoffed, “Maybe, because you invaded our home! Attacked us with your monsters!
And then tried to place everybody under a curse!”

“I don’t see any Cremlins, just that Cookie,” Hollyberry whispered. “He must be the source of the
curse, look at the bandages he’s controlling,” Dark Cacao added. “The same bandages that are
wrapped around the Cursed Cookies’ eyes,” Dark Enchantress Cookie added.

“A curse?” The Cookie sounded hurt. “You call my beautiful gift to Cookie Kind a curse? Ah ha
ha, but of course, you don’t understand yet. You will once you feel the peace my bindings have to
offer you,” the Cookie said, taking one of the floating bandages in his hand and bending down to
place it behind the Cookie’s head. The Cookie struggled, “No! NO! Get away! I don’t wanna be
some mindless zombie!” The Cookie chuckled, “Of course you want this… You just don’t realize
it yet. They always reject my gift at first, but in a moment… You’ll be thanking me, my child.”

“Now?” Hollyberry whispered to Pure Vanilla. “Now,” he replied with a nod. Hollyberry and Dark
Cacao kicked the door in. “STOP RIGHT THERE!” Golden Cheese boomed. The Cookie stopped
and turned to face them. He had a bandage over his eyes as well, and the front of his hat had a blue
glowing symbol of an eye. And in one hand he held a staff of thorns with an eye on top. It was
bloodshot and frantically darting from one place to the next, as if horrified by all it saw. He smiled,
as if welcoming the heroes. The Vanillian gasped, “The Heroes! Thank goodness!”

“What do you think you’re doing? End this madness at once!” Dark Cacao shouted brandishing his
weapon. “Friends, welcome. You misunderstand as well, I can see. This is not madness I work
from, but mercy. I am helping these poor Cookies be free from pain and sorrow.”

“How is cursing them helping them?” Hollyberry shouted. The Cookie smiled and chuckled,
“Perhaps you need a demonstration.” Quick as lighting, one of the floating bandages wrapped itself
around the captive Vanillian’s eyes. He screamed and struggled but it was too late, the bandage had
already made several layers. The Heroes could only watch helplessly in horror as the Cursed
Cookies let him go and he fell to the floor. The Cookie in charge of the curse walked up to him.
“Now, now, don’t fight it. Let all your bitter memories and worries be washed away. The world has
many scary, ugly, and painful things. But they won’t bother you if you can’t see them.
Suuusssssshhhhh. Only peace and happiness from now on my little Cookie. Silence, quiet. Rest in
peace. Close your eyes… Close your eyes,” he whispered. The Vanillian’s breathing had started to
steady. He lifted his head… And slowly began to smile.

Dark Enchantress Cookie thought she was going to be sick.

“There, now isn’t that better?” The Cookie asked the newly Cursed Cookie. “Ah…. Yes…. So
much better. I’m not afraid anymore. Thank you my king.”

Dark Enchantress Cookie let out a gasp, she was fighting back tears. “Lily?” Pure Vanilla Cookie
said, turning to her. “What wrong?” She swallowed hard and replied, “That…. Smile… That’s the
same way the Cookies at the Banquet smiled at me. He’s… He’s just like them now! No will, no
mind of his own, just blindly following a set fate like some drone in a hive mind!”

“Guys I think she’s having flashbacks,” Dark Cacao said. Golden Cheese ran to her friend and
hugged her, “Hey, hey, it’s okay. Lily, you gotta get it together!”

“You see,” the Cookie said, “The thing you so foolishly call a curse is a wonderful blessing. Once
you are blinded to the uglyness of the world you live your life as if you were asleep, wrapped in an
eternal lullaby. Living a peaceful dream.”

“At the price of their autonomy!” Dark Cacao Cookie snapped. “How could you do something so
cruel!?” Hollyberry Cookie shouted at the Cookie. “You have no right to just take their minds from
them!” Dark Enchantress Cookie added. “This is worse than anything the Witches ever done! Just
who do you think you are!?” The Cookie chuckled in response, “Oh, silly me. Where are my
manners? I haven't even introduced myself yet. I am the true guardian of Cookie Kind. Bringer of
the Sonmum Aeternus Blessing. A spell of my own creation. I. Am…”

“Bitter Truth Cookie!”

“Bitter… Truth Cookie?” Dark Enchantress Cookie echoed. Something was wrong. “You know
how they say ignorance is bliss?” Bitter Truth Cookie continued. “Well I intend to share that bliss
with all Cookies. Think about it? Why are children always so happy and carefree? Because they are
ignorant. They have their loving parents to protect them from how ugly and cruel the world really
is. These Cookies… Are my children. And any Cookie who wears one of my bindings and closes
their eyes forever. Will know that bliss… Once again.”

“By lying to them and telling them everything is ok? Your whole philosophy is based on the idea
that if you ignore a problem it will just go away! That’s not how that works!” Hollyberry Cookie
shouted. “Yeah, I’m seeing some flaws in this plan,” Golden Cheese Cookie added, crossing her
arms over her chest. “Sounds good on paper, but I don’t think that would work in practice,” Dark
Cacao Cookie agreed. “Come now. I know you all have very painful and bitter memories. I can
take all that away. I can give you eternal peace and happiness. I can protect you from all the pain in
the world.”

“We don’t need your curse for protection! We have each other!” Hollyberry Cookie exclaimed,
raising her shield. “We are strong united! We face our hardships together!” Golden Cheese Cookie
added. “Only a coward hides from adversity! We are together in peace and in battle! This is our
strength!” Dark Cacao snapped. “We don’t need your lies to hide behind! Whatever challenge may
come our way, we face it head on!” Dark Enchantress Cookie cheered. Pure Vanilla Cookie stayed
silent.

“Ah, we’re doing this the hard way are we? Alright, let’s see how long you can last!” Bitter Truth
Cookie shouted, raising his hands. Rune-inscribed bandages exploded from the ground, Cremlins
appeared in a flash of light. “Get ready my friends!” Pure Vanilla Cookie shouted. “Stay together!”
Hollyberry cheered. “You will regret this,” Dark Cacao hissed at the Cookie.

“Evil begone!”

“Outta my way!”

“Kneel before me!”

“I will not falter!”

“Let there be chaos!”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Despite giving it their all, the Heroes found themselves laying on the floor in a crumpled heap.
Burned, bruised, cracked and oozing jam in several places. They fought bravely, and while Bitter
Truth Cookie was panting and sweating from the fight. He wasn’t down for the count.
“Impressive,” he mused. “No Cookie has been able to fend off my gift for so long. But you’re all
just being stubborn. Playtime’s over! It’s time… For you all… To sleep…. Forever. Ha ha ha ha
aha ha ha ha!”

Five new bandages appeared to replace the ones that had been cut down in the fight. But now the
Heroes were too weak to fend them off properly. Dark Enchantress Cookie watched helplessly at
Hollyberry tried to swat them away. Pure Vanilla Cookie pulled his hat down over his face. Golden
Cheese curled herself into a ball and covered her face with her wings in an effort to protect herself.
The yellow and blue glow of the bonds blinded Dark Enchantress Cookie. From the part of her
vision that wasn’t blurry, she could see Bitter Truth Cookie floating above them and smiling
triumphantly.

There were two things Dark Enchantress Cookie treasured most in Earthbread. Her free will and
her friends. She wasn’t about to lose either of them.

She gathered every last bit of Mana she had in her body and raised her staff. The shadows sent a
burst of energy through her jam, but she knew it wouldn’t last for long. She had to be quick. She
rushed Bitter Truth Cookie, covering her friends in darkness and allowing her magic to levitate her
to Bitter Truth Cookie’s level. Pure Vanilla Cookie realized what she planned to do and reached
out for her. As the shadows consumed him he shouted, “Dark Enchantress Cookie!
NOOOOOOOO!!!”

She put every ounce of her Dark Magic into one single blast. Bitter Truth Cookie countered with a
ray of light. They met in the middle. The power between the two blasts grew and grew until it
became unstable. What followed was a massive explosion that consumed the entire kingdom. In
her final moments Dark Enchantress Cookie could have sworn she heard her friends calling out for
her. But the last thing she saw, was the smile on Bitter Truth Cookie’s face.

In the wake of the massive explosion, the Heroes and Bitter Truth Cookie vanished. Many believe
the Heroes had sacrificed themselves to save their homes, and the curse had died with them. But
others believe that both the Heroes and the curse still walk Earthbread’s lands. Lying in wait, for
destiny to call upon them to unite once more. And who will rise to help the fallen Heroes retake
their proper places and defeat the curse once and for all?

The answer comes in the form of a small, ordinary Cookie. Whose life was just about to truly
begin.
 Escape From the Witch's House
Chapter Notes

Just a fair warning... Um... Red Velvet Cookie does get his arm bitten off in... extreme
detail of his suffering so... And there's a lot of death mentioned. I mean... It's Cookies
but... They're sentient and... This chapter is a bit psychologically darker and... Y-you
know what, you've been warned.

I’m dead, I’m dead, I’m dead, I’m dead, I’m dead, I’m dead, I’m dead! Red Velvet Cookie’s mind
screamed. I just had to be the hero. You guys run while I distract the Witch! What was I thinking?!
She probably wouldn’t have tried to eat them anyway! Licorice Cookie’s flavor is super gross and
Poison Mushroom Cookie is literally toxic! But no! I just had to open my big fat… YIKES!

Red Velvet Cookie’s heart skipped a beat as the Witch’s hand came dangerously close to closing in
on him. He barely managed to jump out of the way in time. In front of him was the seemingly
endless stretch of counter top in the Witch’s kitchen. Greasy and wet with jam and littered with
Cookie and Cake crumbs. Some chunks were even large enough for their flavors to be identified.
Behind him was the literal window to freedom. He wasn’t a very fast runner, but he was a good
jumper, so the only thing he could do to keep distance between him and the Witch’s maw of death,
was to leap across the various jars and bags of ingredients that lay across the counter top. All while
the Witch tried to grab him and make him her next snack.

She took swing after swing at the tiny dessert. Knocking stuff over in the process. He could hear
the sound of glass shattering as yet another jar dropped to the floor. He leapt onto a bag of flour,
and turned. He didn’t even have time to catch his breath as he hoped, the Witch was already
reaching for him again. Her fingers barely managed to brush his legs as he leapt again, causing him
to lose his balance and tumble. Good news though, she managed to knock over the flour in the
process and send a cloud of the white powder into the air. Blinding her just long enough for Red
Velvet Cookie to leap out of sight and hide behind the various jars in an upper cabinet.

He sat down and placed his hand to his chest, trying to still his rapidly beating heart. The strength
of its pounding in his chest was so painful that it brought tears to his eyes. He looked back towards
the window, and sighed in relief as he saw the end of Licorice Cookie’s white cloak disappear off
the windowsill. They’d made it. They were safe. He could still hear the Witch in the middle of a
coughing fit. Good, maybe the noise she was making would drown out his own breathing and rapid
heartbeat until he could get them under control. Of course he knew he didn’t have long. If he just
stayed here she would find him eventually. And then… Red Velvet Cookie swallowed a lump in
his throat. Tears fell down his face, he struggled to keep his cries from turning into sobs. She
would definitely hear him then. Oh, why did I ever leave the basement?

The Witch’s basement had been the only world he’d known for his entire life. He’d heard of the
outside world of course, from other Cookies who would sneak down into the basement for shelter
from the Witch. Or from the various books that Licorice Cookie would constantly have his nose in.
The thing he wanted to know most about the outside world was the Cookie Paradise. Rumored to
be a beautiful land, safe from Witches where Cookies lived in peace and happiness. Where there
were more jellies than they could ever eat in their lifetimes and things called beds to sleep on at
night. Rumored to be softer than marshmallows. The Paradise was bright and colorful, unlike the
dark, damp, and gloomy atmosphere of the basement. Every Cookie who’d ever been to the
basement said that’s where they were going. So they would always leave after a day or two. Which
always upset Poison Mushroom Cookie.

“I think it’s a metaphor for death if you ask me,” Licorice Cookie said. “You don’t believe in the
Cookie Paradise, Licorice Cookie?” Red Velvet asked him. “It just… Sounds too good to be true is
all. I mean come on! An entire community made by Cookies who escaped the Witch? How many
Cookies do we know that have actually done that?”

“Well, we’ve never seen if they have or not. The way to the outside is an open window in the
Kitchen,” Red Velvet replied. At least, that’s what he heard. Licorice Cookie scoffed. “Yeah, the
Kitchen. The birthplace, and in most cases, final resting grounds for Cookies. Sure, maybe this
place is real and that’s where we have to go to get there. But you know what you’d have to get past
in order to get to that window? Forks, knives, plates, mousetraps, jars… And the Witch.”

“Oh, come on Licorice Cookie,” Red Velvet Cookie said, jumping down from his perch on the
bookshelf. “I hear the Cookie Paradise was built with the help of magic. And if there’s a
civilization, they have to keep records of all kinds of spells and… Who knows, there might even be
some records on Dark Magic.” Licorice Cookie looked up from the giant book he was reading.
(Well, giant for him. Normal sized for a Witch.) “I know what you’re trying to do, Red Velvet.
Don’t tell me you’re actually thinking of trying that crazy stunt!”

“Well… Not yet. But I’m gonna keep training. I’m gonna get faster, stronger. Once I know I’m
ready. We can all escape together!” Licorice Cookie looked away. He made a compelling
argument. He already knew every spell in these books. He’d read every one cover to cover at least
five times each. Licorice Cookie’s dream was to be a Wizard. He’d been fascinated with magic
since he was a child. But he knew there was only so much he could teach himself from the dusty
old books in the Witch’s basement. “I for one wouldn’t mind knowing if the rumors were true,
meowster,” Bat-Cat, Licorice Cookie’s pet, mewed. “And what is it you think you’ll find out there,
Bat-Cat?”

“Word from the other winged creatures is that the outside has no walls or roof. Just endless space
as far as the eye can see! Mee-wee! Imagine, me-ow being able to fly forever!”

“Or for the love of… Don’t tell me you’ve been talking to those Crows again. You know they’re a
bunch of bird brains! Besides, what would a world without walls even look like?”

“Well the spiders say…”

“You can’t trust the spiders either, they’re pathological liars. Where do you think we got the phrase
‘oh what tangled webs we weave when first we practice to deceive’ from?”

“Would there be other Cookies in the Cookie Paradise?” Poison Mushroom Cookie asked. “Lots!
And since they wouldn’t have to run away from anything, they wouldn’t leave like the Cookies
here do. You could get to know them better,” Red Velvet Cookie said. “You mean… I could
make… New Cookie friends!?” Poison Mushroom Cookie gasped with wide eyed delight. Poison
Mushroom Cookie always had a problem with being alone. He would follow Red Velvet or
Licorice around like their little shadow. The two would usually take turns watching over him
(although Licorice Cookie’s turns were usually longer). If Poison Mushroom Cookie fell asleep
and woke to find neither of them were in his line of sight, he would sob uncontrollably until one of
them came running to comfort him. The only time he was comfortable with being alone was when
he was working in his little makeshift garden. A dark and damp corner of the basement where he
would grow his Shroomies.
“Trust me, one day. I’ll be strong enough, and then we’ll all escape together!” Red Velvet Cookie
promised.

But now, Licorice and Poison Mushroom were the ones who had made it to safety, while he was
still trapped inside. Get it together, Red Velvet Cookie. You’ll never get out of here alive if you
don’t get moving. Red Velvet focused his energy into forcing himself to stand, his hearing and
smell were on hyperalert. He quickly looked over his surroundings. He was in a cabinet lined with
jars. Jars filled with the remains of various creatures, bat wings, frog legs, things Red Velvet didn’t
even recognize. Other unfortunate souls that had met their end at the hands of the Witch. He almost
made the mistake of screaming when he thought the Witch had spotted him, when he realized it
was just a jar full of eyeballs. I gotta get outta here.

His heart leapt into his throat again when he heard a sudden sound. It had come from inside the
cabinet. Something was in here with him. Red Velvet pressed his back against a jar and scanned
the cabinet in search of the thing that made the noise. Then he spotted something moving. What
was it? A rat? They tried to eat Cookies as well. He couldn’t count how many times he and his
friends would get into fights over food or turf in the basement with the rats. But without Licorice
Cookie’s magic or homemade scythe or Poison Mushroom Cookie’s Shroomies to scare it away, he
was helpless. All he knew how to do was run or hide. And with the Witch outside, he was stuck
between a rock and a hard place.

Slowly the creature moved from out behind a jar. Red Velvet Cookie realized it was too small to be
a rat. And the noise it was making wasn’t a squeak… It was a bark. A tiny, doughy nose stuck out
from behind the jar. White frosting fur and bright blue eyes stared back at him. Its strawberry ears
perked up when it caught sight of the Cookie. It tilted its head curiously. A pupcake? Red Velvet
had never seen a living Cake before. He’d only seen their remains on a plate or scattered about as
forgotten crumbs. Or as a picture in a book. It was adorable. So small, barely larger than Bat-Cat.
Those round eyes, that pink tongue stuck out of the side of its mouth. Red Velvet Cookie’s heart
melted at the sight of the tiny creature.

“Hey,” he said softly, attempting to both not frighten the pup and to avoid being heard by the
Witch. “Hey little guy, don’t be afraid. Come here,” he said, holding his arm out and bending on
one knee to be closer to the Cake. “I’m not going to hurt you.” The Cake wagged its tail and
practically leapt into his arms. He was knocked back by the force of the little Cake’s excitement.
And he found himself on his back while the tiny creature snuggled against his chest, making happy
barking noises and licking his face. “Ha ha ha, no stop! Down boy, down. Shussh! The Witch will
hear you.” The pupcake seemed to understand him and stopped. Red Velvet Cookie ran his hand
through the tiny pup’s soft frosting fur. It was so warm and soft. And unlike Bat-Cat, it seemed to
enjoy being petted. He loved the way the tiny creature smelled, he’d never seen anything this cute
in his entire life. All fear and anxiety he’d felt the moment before melted away. He nuzzled the
Cake against his cheek and the Cake wagged his tail happily.

Red Velvet’s heart nearly exploded out of his chest again when he heard the Witch’s voice.
“Where are you, little Cookie? Come out, come out wherever you are. And I’ll reward you with a
quick death.” That croak had been the focus of his nightmares for his entire life. He started shaking
violently, but then the pupcake in his arms placed his paws on Red Velvet Cookie’s chest. He
looked into his eyes, and his fear dissipated like a cloud of smoke. This little pupcake was in
danger too. If the Witch found them, they would both be devoured. Having something greater than
himself to save gave Red Velvet newfound determination and resolve. Strength returned to his once
weary limbs as he forced himself to stand. “Don’t worry, I’m gonna get us outta here,” he
whispered to the pupcake in his arms as he sat him down. Red Velvet Cookie peeked out from
behind a jar into the kitchen.
The Witch was looking through her cabinets, it wouldn’t be long until she found the one they were
hiding in. The counter top offered no cover, if he jumped down and made a run for it he would be
completely exposed. And there was still considerable distance to cover before he made it to the
window. Am I fast enough to make it without getting caught? There was no way of knowing. And
too much was at stake to risk getting the answer wrong. But before Red Velvet Cookie could think
of a plan, the Cake Hound jumped onto the counter and started barking loudly. Red Velvet gasped
in horror. “Little pupcake, no!” There was no way the Witch wouldn’t notice him. And she did.
The Cake barked and bounced up and down. Her face contorted into an ugly scowl. “Gah! You
again, you little pest!” The Cake barked happily and wagged his tail in response. The Witch tried to
grab him, but the Cake Hound’s small size made it near impossible to catch him. He effortlessly
jumped out of her way, and ran across the counter. Away from the window, jumping on this thing
and that thing while the Witch angrily yelled at the tiny dessert.

Wow. He’s really fast, Red Velvet thought to himself. And the Witch seemed to recognize him.
Looks like this wasn’t their first encounter. He’d probably escaped from her many times before
from the looks of it. His small size and speed made him near impossible to catch. “GET OVER
HERE!” The Witch screamed as he ran past the remains of his brethren and fallen Cookies. Red
Velvet Cookie suddenly realized the path to the window was clear now. I can escape while she’s
distracted! There it was. The window to freedom. Warm light streamed through the opening as if
welcoming him. He wasted no time in jumping onto the counter top and making a mad dash for the
exit. The counter was so greasy from jam and melted butter that he nearly lost his footing a couple
of times. He wondered if the Witch was just a naturally messy person, or if she chose to leave her
counter covered with Cookie crumbs as a warning for any who tried to escape. The least she could
do is finish them if she’s going to eat them. Such a waste.

There wasn’t time to think about that. There wasn’t time to mourn the fallen, he would meet the
same fate if he lost even a second of precious time. He was going to make it. He was going to find
his friends and they were going to find the Cookie Paradise. He noticed something sharp and shiny
sticking out of the back of a half-eaten Cake. A jagged knife accented with a crimson gem near the
base. It was in his direct path, so he leapt on top of some jars and grabbed the handle of the knife as
he fell. Pulling it from the corpse. Perfect. Now he had something to defend himself with. He leapt
from jar, to bag, to some unidentifiable mangled corpse of a creature. He was almost there, he
could hear the sounds of the outside world now. Bird song, wind blowing through the trees. His
heart swelled with joy at the thought of his life long dream becoming a reality. A life without fear,
nights where he didn’t have to sleep with one eye open, always having a full stomach and never
having to worry about when and where he would get his next meal from. Freedom from the Witch.

That dream was shattered. He lost his footing while jumping onto the edge of a wine glass. He’d
forgotten the knife he carried added extra weight, and this caused the glass to tip over and send him
tumbling over the side of the counter. Where the fall would definitely crumble him once he hit the
bottom. Good news, he never did hit the floor and crumble. The bad news, that was because the
Witch had given up her chase of the Cake Hound and turned her attention back to Red Velvet
Cookie. She’d noticed his fumble and grabbed him before he hit the floor.

The pressure of the Witch’s fist clenching tighter around him was more than painful. He could
practically feel cracks forming in various parts of his body from the strength of her vice-like grip.
His left arm had been pinned awkwardly to his side and frozen in place. (This was, unfortunately,
the arm he’d grabbed the knife with. He could feel its jagged edges being pressed against his
dough. Drawing droplets of jam.) Only his head and right arm were free, and he could only move
those a little as realization hit him and he desperately struggled to free himself. It was useless. He’d
have a better chance of escaping if he’d been frozen in a block of ice. He fought the urge to throw
up as he was lifted almost seven feet into the air, a dizzying height for a tiny Cookie. Red Velvet
Cookie watched in horror as he looked into the Witch’s glassy eyes. He could feel her hot, rancid
breath as she drew him closer. He wanted to scream, fight back, beg for his life, anything. But all
he could do was watch in horror as he was brought closer to her jagged yellow teeth. The only
comfort he had was that he couldn’t see very clearly through his tears.

He’d had countless nightmares like this, but this wasn’t a nightmare. This was reality. The
experience was so much worse than he’d ever imagined. “No. No. No! NO!” The Witch’s teeth
settled on his shoulder as his right arm was trapped inside her mouth. And then… It happened. The
reality of his situation was seared into his mind as a burning pain exploded through him. The
shockwaves of agony spread through his entire body, making him shake uncontrollably. He threw
his head back and screamed. Tears ran down his face like twin rivers, as his arm was snapped from
his body at the shoulder. He could hear the sickening crunch as his limb was mercilessly ripped
from its place. His right side was covered in his own jam, its smell mixed with the Witch’s rotten
breath. His hair stuck to his face where the jam had splattered. His ears were ringing, his vision
was blurry.

He was going to die. He was going to die without ever having learned what freedom felt like. He
lowered his head and sobbed. He was helpless, at the mercy of a creature that had none. His only
prayer was that she ate his head next and ended it. His only comfort was knowing that his friends
had made it out alive.

I don’t wanna die… I don’t wanna die! I DON’T WANNA DIE!

But there was nothing he could do now. The Witch was already pulling him closer for a second
bite. Red Velvet could only hope this would be the last. Suddenly the Witch stopped. It was hard to
hear through the pain, his head was pounding. But through the mental mud he could barely make
out a noise. As if he was underwater and the sound was coming from above. He weakly tilted his
head in the sound’s direction.

Bark! Bark! Bark!

It was the little pupcake from earlier. He was climbing up the Witch’s arm and barking loudly. The
Witch growled angrily and tried to grab it with her free hand. But with Red Velvet in the other it
made her movements clumsy and awkward. She missed. The Cake finally made it to her shoulder.
He jumped. The Witch swung and missed. The Cake jumped again. Red Velvet Cookie was swung
about in the Witch’s grip as she flailed about trying to grab the Cake Hound. He tried to call out for
the tiny pup, to tell it to leave him and save himself before they were both devoured. But he was
too weak. The edges of his vision were growing dark, and what he could see was blurry. The Cake
jumped again, and this time he bit down on the Witch’s ear. Hard.

The Witch screeched in pain and recoiled back. Losing her grip on Red Velvet Cookie in the
process. He was flung across the room and landed with a hard thud on the counter top. It took the
Cookie a moment to get his bearings about him. What he could see through his failing vision made
his heart leap with joy. He had landed right next to the window! A fresh set of tears fell from his
face, not from pain or fear but from relief and happiness. All that was left to do was climb up the
slanted book that made a ramp from the counter top to the window ledge. He forced himself to
stand, clutching his sword in his remaining arm. He began a slow, painful walk to freedom. His
steps were uneven and wobbly. His legs threatened to give out on him at any second, but he forced
himself to move forwards. He was so close. So very close. He’d just escaped an inescapable death,
he wasn’t about to let himself be eaten now. Not when he was THIS close.

Then, something flew through the air and landed near Red Velvet Cookie in a crumpled heap. It
was the pupcake. Injured and whimpering, curled into a ball and oozing jam from one side. Red
Velvet Cookie gasped in horror. He heard the Witch growl angrily. He wanted to look behind him
to see how close she was but he knew better. The second he looked into those glassy eyes, he’d be
frozen in terror. He had no time to waste. Every decision his muddled mind made could be the
difference between life and death at this moment. He veered off course slightly, and scooped up
the pupcake in his remaining arm. The ground shook, the Witch was coming for them. He likely
had only a couple of seconds before she was on top of them. He was almost there, the ground
shook again. He was standing on the windowsill now, looking out into the outside world, all he
could make out was light and color. He smelled strange smells and felt an odd force. It felt like
standing in front of a fan. (He didn’t recognize what wind was.)

A shadow fell over him, the Witch’s hand. Red Velvet Cookie was using every bit of his energy
just to stay conscious. But he had to move so instead he focused that meager energy into. One.
Last. Jump. He felt the Witch’s hand brush his legs as gravity overtook him. And he found himself
falling and tumbling through the air, clutching the pupcake to his chest for dear life. Through the
cloud in his mind he heard the Witch cursing. He didn’t even remember hitting the ground. The
last thing he remembered before succumbing to exhaustion was thinking,

I made it. I’m free!

 Friendly Faces in New Places
Chapter Notes

By the way, all the Cookies of Darkness will be wearing costumes from kingdom.
Licorice wears his white robes and Poison Mushroom Cookie is wearing the red
Sprung Up Mushroom skin. Red Velvet wears the same outfit he wore when he was
younger. You can look them up if you don't know how they look.

In later chapters Dark Choco will be wearing his white prince attire and Pomegranate
wears her Dreamy Prophecy outfit. (It's exactly like her normal one except its pink. :D
)

See the end of the chapter for more notes

“Helllooooo in there! Wakey, wakey! Rise and shine! Up, up, UP!”

“Uh… Wha…?” Red Velvet Cookie groaned.

“WAKE UP!”

Red Velvet Cookie slowly opened his eyes. He was greeted by the sight of a strange creature with
beady black eyes and a large mustache. Red Velvet Cookie yelled in shock and knocked the
creature over. It landed on its bottom with an “Oomph.” But luckily it seemed unharmed for the
most part. “Who are? What are? Where am? When did?” Red Velvet Cookie stuttered. “Woah ho
ho now, Bucko. That’s a lotta questions in under five seconds. Glad to see you’re finally awake
though, doopity-doo!” The tiny creature replied. “Who? What are you?”

“Red Velvet Cookie?”

Red Velvet looked up to see two Cookies standing nearby with wide eyes and huge smiles. A gray
Cookie with watery yellow eyes and a white cloak. And a smaller Cookie with earth toned dough
and bright red eyes. Red Velvet recognized them immediately. “Licorice Cookie! Poison
Mushroom Cookie! You guys are okay!” Poison Mushroom Cookie squealed with glee and
embraced Red Velvet in a bear hug. “Red Velvet Cookie! You’re alive!” Licorice Cookie walked
up to them and added, “We thought you were dead, man! We… We were outside a-and we heard
you scream and… Oh, we thought the Witch had got you!” Red Velvet Cookie sighed, “She did…
I don’t wanna talk about it…”

“What happened to your arm?” Poison Mushroom Cookie asked. “Like I said, I don’t wanna talk
about it. Luckily that was the only part of me the Witch got before…”

“Um… Okay… But what about your new arm?” Licorice Cookie interrupted. “My… What?” Red
Velvet Cookie said. He looked down at his right arm, and noticed something strange. First off,
there shouldn’t have been anything there… But there was… It wasn’t made of Cookie dough. He
lifted it up, it was red and white and smelled of Cake. It ended in a four fingered hand. He brought
the new appendage close to his face and found he could move the strange fingers with relative
ease. Opening and closing his new hand. He held both his arms out to compare them. The Cake
one was thicker, longer, and… He stood up and moved his new Cake arm around a bit, making an
almost circular shrugging motion with it. Yup, it felt stronger too.
“Okay… THIS is officially the WEIRDEST day of my life! I nearly get eaten by a Witch, get
rescued by a Cake Hound, fell out a window, THIS!!!” He said pointing to his Cake arm with his
Cookie arm. Licorice opened his mouth and raised his hand. “And, no! I don’t know how that
happened, okay? The last thing I remember doing was jumping out a window! So, please don’t
ask!” Licorice Cookie closed his mouth and lowered his hand. “And the next thing you know…”
Red Velvet Cookie continued, “I’m waking up looking into the face of…” Red Velvet Cookie
looked at the tiny, mustached creature that had awoken him. “I-I’m sorry… What… Who are
you?”

“We are the Sugar Gnomes!” Another creature identical to the first said, suddenly appearing next
to Red Velvet Cookie. “AHH!” Red Velvet Cookie exclaimed in surprise. “How many of you guys
are there?” “Only us three,” another Sugar Gnome said, appearing from behind Licorice Cookie.
“There used to be a lot more of us… But many of our brothers were lost in the wake of the Dark
Flour War. Doopity-dee,” he said sadly. “Oh… I’m so sorry to hear that,” Poison Mushroom
Cookie said. The other two joined the first. “I’m Charlie, this is Davis, and that’s Olaf,” the center
one said, pointing to the other two. “Well, it’s nice to meet you!” Red Velvet Cookie said. Licorice
Cookie sighed and placed a hand on Red Velvet Cookie’s shoulder. “I’m just glad to see you made
it here alright.” Red Velvet Cookie chuckled, “Yeah, um… Where is here, and… How did you
guys make it?” He asked. “My new friend, Schwarzwälder, brought us here,” Licorice Cookie
replied. “Who is…?”

“FOR THE LAST TIME!!!” A voice boomed, “My name is not Schwarzwälder! It’s Choco
Werehound Brute!” The owner of the voice was a large bipedal Cake with red horns who was
angrily stomping in their direction. Red Velvet Cookie hid behind Licorice Cookie ever so slightly.
Licorice Cookie however, was unfazed. “That’s your species name, Schwarzwälder. Your brother
told me so.” Schwarzwälder rolled his eyes, “What does Esterházy know anyway? I like Choco
Werehound Brute better, doesn’t sound as sissy as Schwarzwälder,” the Werehound grumbled. “I
think it sounds cool,” Red Velvet Cookie said softly. The Werehound let out a huff.

“Arf! Arf! Arf!”

“Wait…” Red Velvet Cookie said, “Is that?” A tiny Cake Hound came bouncing across the fields
of grass. Red Velvet Cookie laughed and ran to it with his arms outstretched. “Hey, little pupcake!
You’re okay!” The tiny Cake dove into Red Velvet Cookie’s arms and began bombarding him with
puppy kisses. Red Velvet Cookie laughed uncontrollably as his wet tongue tickled his face. “You
know that Cake, Red Velvet Cookie?” Poison Mushroom Cookie asked. “Yeah, he’s the one who
saved me from the Witch,” Red Velvet replied with a smile. “Wait?” Schwarzwälder said,
“Chiffon wasn’t kidding when he said he bit the Witch. I thought he was just makin’ it up!”

“Chiffon?” Red Velvet Cookie echoed. “So that’s your name huh?” Chiffon barked happily in
response. “Thank you for saving me, and thanks for taking care of my friends, Schwarzwälder.”
The Werehound beamed proudly, “No problem! After all, Cakes and Cookies are friends! Cakes
protect Cookies from scary Witch! That’s what my big brother taught me!”

“Schwarzwälder found us and brought us here shortly after we escaped,” Bat-Cat piped up,
appearing from inside Licorice Cookie’s hood. “Some other Cakes came by shortly after carrying
you on their backs. Chiffon was the only one of them that stayed behind. He’s been really worried
about you.” Red Velvet looked down at the Cake Hound in his arms. His bright blue eyes sparkled
with joy. His tail wagged rapidly. “I’m glad you’re alright.”

“Hey, Chiffon… Are you sure THIS is the place we were supposed to bring them?”
Schwarzwälder asked. Red Velvet Cookie took his first good look at his surroundings. Old
buildings were falling in on themselves, roads overgrown with grass and weeds, brambles and
sugar stones littered the ground, the torn remains of once colorful flags fluttered weakly in the
breeze. “Is this… The Cookie Paradise?” Red Velvet Cookie questioned, raising an eyebrow.
“Kinda underwhelming really, almost disappointing,” Licorice Cookie added, joining Red Velvet
Cookie. Poison Mushroom Cookie stood on Red Velvet’s other side. “Where are all the other
Cookies?”

“Oh, well, about that,” Charlie the Sugar Gnome said. “You three are the first Cookies to grace
these lands in a long time. I know it may not look like much now but… Once upon a time, this
place was a grand and glorious kingdom! Dippi-da-dee!”

“Wow! That’s so cool! Wait, what’s a kingdom?” Red Velvet Cookie asked.

“No offense… But this place looks like just some sad old ruins to me,” Licorice Cookie said. “I’m
with Meowster,” Bat-Cat added. “Well, yes… It may look like old ruins now, but indeed a glorious
kingdom once it was. This place was built by the Ancient Cookie Heroes! It was meant to be the
fifth and final Cookie Kingdom of Earthbread! Oh, I remember those days. Cookies and Cakes
running about, playing, laughing. The Coronation was going to be the biggest party in dessert
history!”

“So what happened?” Red Velvet Cookie asked. Charlie the Sugar Gnome sighed, “Oh… Sadly,
the Cookie who was meant to rule the kingdom never made it to the throne. Rumor has it she
perished in the Dark Flour War. And then monsters started appearing from the forest! We tried to
fight them off but we Sugar Gnomes are not warriors, no sir! Doopity-dee! The forest took over,
the Cookies left, but we stayed behind and waited. And waited. Aaaaaaannddddd
waiiiiiiitttttteeeeed. OH WAITED FOR SO LONG WE HAVE!”

“But now, YOU’RE HERE! And with your help, we can restore this place to its former glory! So
you will stay right? Please say yes. PLEASE SAY YES! We’ve been so lonely here all by
ourselves, Doopity-doo…” One of the Sugar Gnomes said, throwing himself at Red Velvet
Cookie’s feet. “Well…” Red Velvet Cookie said slowly, looking at his friends. Licorice Cookie
looked unconvinced and Poison Mushroom Cookie was still upset there weren't any other Cookies
to make friends with. “Why not?” The response prompted a “Huh?” from Licorice and Poison
Mushroom, and the Sugar Gnomes started dancing and shouting in celebration. “Yippie! They’re
staying!” “Doopity-dee-da! Hooray!” “Wait, wait, wait. Red Velvet, are you crazy?” Licorice
Cookie said. “Oh, come on, Licy. Think about it, a kingdom of our very own! Wouldn’t that be
amazing!?” Licorice Cookie raised an eyebrow, “Really? You’re serious?” He sighed, “Okay, Red
Velvet Cookie, one key question. How many Cookies do you see?”

“Um… You, me, and Poison Mushroom Cookie, so… Three!”

“Uh-huh, and do you think just three little Cookies can build an ENTIRE KINGDOM!?”

“I don’t see why not,” Red Velvet replied with a smile. Licorice Cookie sighed again. “Red Velvet
Cookie. Do you have any idea what a kingdom even is? Be honest. Do you have even the
SLIGHTEST piccadilly notion of what I’m talking about?!”

“It… Is a big job, that’s no lie,” one of the Sugar Gnomes added. “Come on guys, this place is
great! We can make it exactly how we want it to be. Like… Licorice Cookie, you can have your
own place to practice your magic!” Licorice Cookie looked away in thought. “Hemmm, perhaps.”

“And Poison Mushroom Cookie, just because there aren’t any other Cookies here, doesn’t mean
you can’t make new friends!”

“It doesn’t?” The small Cookie said, tilting his head. “Yeah, I mean, we have Chiffon,
Schwarzwälder, and the Sugar Gnomes! They’re not Cookies but… They’re our friends, right?”
Poison Mushroom Cookie grinned ear to ear. “Oh…. Yeah…. You’re right. Cakes… Cookies…
Sugar Gnomes… All new friends, he he he!”

“That’s the spirit!” Red Velvet Cookie said. “I guess it would be… Pretty cool to have a place of
our very own,” Licorice Cookie admitted. “OH! OOOOHHHH! That reminds me, boys we must
get to work on our new friends' Cookie Houses!” Olaf the Sugar Gnome exclaimed. The other two
cheered in agreement. “Wait… A Cookie House?” Red Velvet said. “Correct, my fair Cookie. A
place to rest, a home.”

“Home,” Red Velvet Cookie echoed. “We’ve never had one of those before!”

“Can mine have Shroomies?” Poison Mushroom Cookie asked, holding up one of his precious
mushrooms. “It can have whatever you like, as long as you stay! We’ll turn his place into a
wonderful home for you all, the Cakes as well.” Chiffon barked happily. “Oh, Schwarzwälder can
help too, he’s super strong, and I bet that giant hammer of yours is great at breaking up Sugar
Stones, Schwarzwälder,” Bat-Cat said flying out of Licorice Cookie’s hood and up to the
Werehound. “YOU BET IT IS! Choco Werehound Brute GREAT at smashing things!”

“So it's settled. We’ll build the buildings, the Cakes can help clear out the land for construction,”
Davis the Sugar Gnome said. “What can we do?” Red Velvet Cookie asked. “Well….” The
conversation was interrupted by strange noises coming from the nearby woods. The Sugar Gnomes
panicked and hid behind Schwarzwälder. “Oh no! THEY’RE BACK!” “Oooh, Doopity-doo,
protect us, O mighty Millennial Tree!” “Who’s back,” Red Velvet Cookie asked, backing up
slightly from the forest edge. “Those monsters! The ones who attacked us and laid the kingdom to
ruin all those years ago!” Olaf shouted.

Then, they appeared. Crawling and lumbering out of the forest, dripping, arms outstretched,
making guttural gurgling noises. Creatures made of sticky, goopy custard and held together with
bandages. Most of them were small, but they were clearly unnatural. The Cookies gasped in horror.
“GET BEHIND CHOCO WEREHOUND BRUTE, COOKIES! Cakes protect you!”
Schwarzwälder shouted. Chiffon barked and ran off in a different direction. “HEY WHAT THE!?
Chiffon! Where are you going? Protect Cookies doesn’t mean retreat!”

“Don’t worry, Schwarzwälder. This isn’t my first fight to the death. Poison Mushroom Cookie,
watch my back!” “Okay, Licorice Cookie!” Licorice Cookie summoned his bone scythe, he rushed
towards the monsters and slashed through them as he ran past them. They exploded and sent sticky
cream flying everywhere. Licorice Cookie jumped out of the way of the spray and landed on his
feet. Placing his hand to the ground to balance himself as he slid, the other hand held his scythe
high above his head. More creatures advanced, and he blasted them away with shocks of Dark
Magic. “Way to go, Licorice Cookie!” Red Velvet cheered. “Woah, not bad for a little Cookie,”
Schwarzwälder remarked, clearly impressed. “They just keep coming!” Olaf shouted. “Oh, I can’t
watch,” Charlie said, covering his eyes.

The creatures were closing in on him now, he could only focus on one side, they grew close from
behind as Licorice fought the ones in front of him. Poison Mushroom Cookie jumped between the
creatures and his best friend. “Hey, Monsters! Have a Shroomy!” He shouted, tossing one of his
Shroomies, which exploded upon impact. Sending a cloud of poisonous spores into the air and
covering the creatures. Their psychedelic poison quickly took effect, causing the creatures to teeter
and crash into each other. Causing them to explode. “I… I think they’re actually doing it!” Davis
the Sugar Gnome said. “I… Think…” Licorice Cookie said as he sliced the last creature in half.
“That’s the last of them.”
“Um… I wouldn’t be so, s-s-s-sure…” Olaf said, pointing. Licorice Cookie suddenly felt a shadow
fall over him. He slowly turned around, and his breath caught in his throat as he realized a giant
version of the creature was standing over him, it had three lopsided eyes and a large gaping mouth.
It was twice a Cookie’s size and staring right at them. “Um… S-Shroomy?” Poison Mushroom
Cookie said slowly, holding out one of his mushrooms weakly. The creature roared.
“RETREAT!!!!” Licorice Cookie shouted, scooping up Poison Mushroom Cookie and running the
other direction while yelling his lungs out. The monster gave chase. “RUN!!!” The Sugar Gnomes
shouted. “HEY! You leave my Cookie friends alone!” Schwarzwälder shouted, rushing the
creature with his hammer. The two were quickly locked in a stalemate, as the creature grabbed onto
the head of his hammer. The creature growled and bit down on the handle of the hammer.
Schwarzwälder was clearly struggling to keep the monster at bay. Red Velvet Cookie was the only
one who hadn’t fled the scene yet. “Red Velvet Cookie run! Choco Werehound Brute will take
care of this!”

“But… But…” Watching Schwarzwälder getting pushed back by the Custard creature ignited a fire
in his stomach. “No.”

“WHAT?”

“I. Said. NO! I’m not going to run anymore. I’ve done nothing but run and hide my entire life and
I’m sick of it!” Red Velvet Cookie shouted with tears in his eyes. “Even back in the basement I
always relied on my friends for protection, well… Not anymore. I’m… I’m gonna fight too! I
wanna help!”

“How do you plan to do that, Red?” Schwarzwälder shouted. He suddenly screamed in pain as the
creature bit down into his arm. “Schwarzwälder!”

“Arf! Arf! Arf!”

Red Velvet Cookie turned to see Chiffon running towards them with something in his mouth. It
was the knife he had retrieved from the Witch’s house. The knife. I can use it as a sword! “Chiffon!
Over here boy!” He shouted. Chiffon ran to Red Velvet’s side, and he grabbed the sword from his
mouth. He was still learning how to properly grip with his new hand, so he held the sword in his
Cookie hand. He rushed the creature, Chiffon ran by his side barking loudly. Schwarzwälder had
been pushed to the ground at his point. The monster seemed determined to take a chunk out of his
dough. It didn’t notice the tiny Cookie until it was too late. Red Velvet slashed at the monster’s
midsection and it recoiled and roared in pain. Foul sticky cream oozed from the wound, but it
wasn’t enough to take it down. The injury only aggravated the creature farther. The monster turned
to the Cookie with fire in all three of its eyes. Red Velvet was stumbling and struggling to recover
from his swing.

He’d never been in a proper fight before in his life. So he knew nothing about how he was
supposed to stand or swing. And the weight of both his new arm and the sword in his other hand
was difficult to balance. Schwarzwälder realized the monster had turned its attention to the
faltering Cookie. He couldn’t swing his hammer properly from his position on the ground, so he
lifted his hind legs and delivered a swift kick to the monster’s jaw while it was distracted. It
stumbled back and roared in pain. It turned back to the Werehound. Good. It seemed to only be
able to focus on one enemy at a time. And whoever aggravated it worse was more likely to be its
target. Schwarzwälder rushed the creature, but before he could swing his hammer again, Red
Velvet recovered and slashed the creature again. But he stumbled during his swing and lost grip of
his sword. Creating a surface level wound and causing the monster to turn back to him.

Red Velvet felt the wind get knocked out of him as the monster delivered a powerful slap that sent
the Cookie hurling through the air and knocking him to the ground. The next thing Red Velvet
knew, a shadow had fallen over him and his arms were pinned to the ground as the creature’s
gaping maw drew closer and closer to the helpless Cookie. Red Velvet struggled to free himself
but the monster’s arms had his frozen in place. His mind swam in panic. Not again. Not again!
NOT AGAIN!

But before the creature could take a bite out of the Cookie, Chiffon rushed to his friend’s rescue.
The tiny Cake Hound barked loudly and bit down on the creature’s leg. It only hurt the monster a
little, but it was enough to get his attention on Chiffon and off of Red Velvet Cookie. The monster
made the mistake of lifting his arm off of Red Velvet Cookie’s Cake arm. And Red Velvet reacted
in the only way he could. He’d planned on punching the creature, but some strange instinct took
over, and his new fingers curled into a claw as he swung. He slashed the monster’s face with
strength he didn’t even know he had. Strength he didn’t even know a Cookie could possess. Sticky
custard cream rained down on Red Velvet Cookie as he cut three deep gashes in the monster’s
face. Taking out one of its eyes in the process. It roared in pain and stumbled back.

Schwarzwälder had finally recovered and took the opportunity to rush the creature. He charged on
all fours with his head down. Colliding with the creature's midsection and digging his horns into its
creamy body. It roared in pain as Schwarzwälder reared back on his hind legs and twisted.
Slamming the Custard Orge down to the ground. He quickly pulled out his hammer, and dealt the
finishing blow to the Orge’s head. Its body dissolved into a puddle of light yellow goo and wet
bandages. The Werehound finally allowed himself to breathe. Panting heavily, he looked over at
Red Velvet, who was struggling to get to his feet. Not because he was injured, but because Chiffon
kept knocking him down as he leapt onto his face to lick off the custard cream.

“HA HA HA HAHA! C-Chiffon! Stop! Down boy, down!” Red Velvet Cookie laughed.
Schwarzwälder walked up to the duo. “Not bad, kid. But if you’re gonna fight, you’re gonna have
to learn to do it right,” the Werehound grunted. “Y-yeah… I guess you’re right,” Red Velvet said
sheepishly. He’d finally given up trying to get Chiffon to stop and let him drown him with puppy
kisses.

“THAT WAS AMAZING!”

Red Velvet looked up to see the Sugar Gnomes, Poison Mushroom Cookie, and Licorice Cookie
hiding in a nearby tree. Licorice was clinging to one of the branches and the Sugar Gnomes were
climbing down. Charlie the Sugar Gnome hit the ground first and ran up to the Cakes and Cake-
Cookie hybrid. “That was the most amazing display of combat skill I’ve ever seen! You are all
truly great and brave warriors! Doopity-dee!”

“Yeah, you ripped that beast to pieces, Red Velvet Cookie!” Olaf added.

“You know what?” Red Velvet said, looking down at his new Cake arm. He curled his hand into a
claw and swiped the air a few times. “I could get used to this! This new arm is awesome! I feel
stronger than I’ve ever felt in my entire life! I could fight a hundred of those things!”

“So glad to hear you say that… Because um… There’s a lot more of them in the forest surrounding
the kingdom,” Davis the Sugar Gnome shuddered. “Do you brave Cookies think you can clear
them out? Once the woodlands are safe for us Sugar Gnomes to enter, we can clear away the
foliage and expand!” Red Velvet Cookie smiled. “Yeah! We can totally do that! Right, guys?” He
asked his friends who were climbing down from the tree. (Well Poison Mushroom Cookie climbed
down, Licorice Cookie fell and hit the ground with an “Oomph!”) “Yeah… No problem…”
Licorice Cookie said, rubbing his sore side where he fell. “Choco Werehound Brute will come
too!” Schwarzwälder exclaimed. “I can help too!” Bat-Cat pipped up. “I’d like to dig my claws
 into one of those creatures for hurting my Meowster!” he hissed.

“It won’t be easy,” warned Davis. “Don’t worry. Between Licorice Cookie’s magic, Poison
Mushroom Cookie’s Shroomies, and my two weapons they won’t stand a chance!” Red Velvet
Cookie cheered. “Two?” Schwarzwälder asked, raising an eyebrow. “Yeah, my new Cake arm and
this!” Red Velvet Cookie shouted, swinging his sword around. Unfortunately he swung it into a
nearby rotting tree and couldn’t get it free. “Um… It’s stuck…” He said sheepishly.

The group’s laughter could be heard ringing throughout the forest.

Chapter End Notes

On another note, try reading the fight scenes while listening to battle music from the
Cookie Run Kingdom Soundtrack. I tried it, it makes it much more interesting.
 Cookies of the Kingdom part 1
Chapter Notes

This chapter and the next one were originally going to be one chapter but I realized
that was making it too long.

Enter the supporting characters.

“Red Velvet Cookie, on your left!”

“I see ‘em, Licy!” Red Velvet shouted, slashing a small monster that had dived to attack him. It let
out a guttural screech as it was torn in half, and exploded into a puddle of custard. Licorice Cookie
blasted back a small group of Custard monsters with his magic. It took a few shots as he was trying
to be sparing with his magic, if he ran out of Mana it would take a while for it to recover. He was
so focused on the ones in front of him that he didn’t notice the one in the tree above him. It jumped
to attack him, but never hit its target. Bat-Cat collided with the creature in mid-air. The winged
feline bit down into the creature’s neck, hard. It screeched in pain as Bat-Cat twisted, tossing the
monster into a tree, it exploded upon impact. Schwarzwälder was impressed, “Not bad for an itty-
bitty kitty.” Bat-Cat beamed proudly. “These guys are easy. I’ve fought rats 20 times my size
before.”

“Hey Red Velvet, how many have you got?” Licorice Cookie asked, slashing through another
monster. “About 15, you?” Red Velvet replied. “I’m ahead by two, try to keep up!” Licorice
Cookie laughed. Some of the smaller monsters started to retreat rather than fight. “We did it!”
Poison Mushroom Cookie cheered. “Wait a second…” Bat-Cat said, his ears perking up. The trio
of Cookies knew that was a sign to stay alert. Bat-Cat had supersonic hearing after all, even the
quietest of enemies couldn’t sneak up on them. It didn’t take long for the sound to reach the
Cookies' ears as well. The thundering stomps of a Custard Orge. Schwarzwälder drew his hammer,
Red Velvet curled his Cake hand into a claw, and Licorice gathered his magic as the creature
lumbered into view. Its three lopsided eyes staring down at the Cookies.

“Okay, here’s the game plan. I’ll flank left, Red Velvet you flank right, Bat-Cat you go for the
eyes while Schwarzwälder…” Licorice Cookie was interrupted by the monster letting out a loud
roar. Poison Mushroom Cookie jumped in front of Licorice and shouted, “Hey monster, have a
Shroomy!” and tossed a mushroom into the creature’s mouth. It had no choice but to swallow. The
monster froze and a few seconds later the mushroom exploded inside the creature. Causing sticky
cream to splatter onto the small band of desserts. They all stood there silently for a moment,
dripping Custard ooze before Licorice deadpanned, “Or… that… That works too. Why didn't you
do that earlier with the first one!?” He shouted at the fungus flavored Cookie. “I tried, it didn’t take
the Shroomy!” Poison Mushroom Cookie replied defensively.

“NAYYYAA! Great! Now I’m covered in monster guts! It’ll take meow forever to groom this
off…” Bat-Cat sighed. He tried to take flight but he discovered one of his wings was stuck in the
goop and pinned to the side of his body. His feet were frozen in place as well. “NAYYA!
Meowster! Help! I… I can’t move!” Licorice Cookie realized his foot was stuck in a puddle of the
cream as well, and his hand was stuck to his scythe. Poison Mushroom Cookie tried to wipe the
cream off but only ended up getting himself more stuck and tangled up in the process.
Schwarzwälder and Chiffon, on the other hand, didn’t seem bothered by the mess at all.
Schwarzwälder shook it off his fur easily. And Chiffon ran over to Bat-Cat and started licking the
Custard Cream off him. “Ahhh! Chiffon! NO! STOP THAT! EW!”

Red Velvet looked down at his own Custard covered clothes. He realized when he stuck his
Cookie arm into the cream it became immobilized. But when he used his Cake arm, it slid right
off. “Hey guys, I think this stuff affects Cookies but not Cakes. Look,” he said, demonstrating how
he could easily clean his hair of Custard Cream by running his Cake arm through it. Chiffon had
finished licking Bat-Cat off, leaving the flying feline disgruntled and fur ruffled, but clean of
Custard Cream. Further proving Red Velvet Cookie’s theory. Licorice Cookie cried out in shock
when Schwarzwälder suddenly licked his side. “This stuff’s pretty tasty too!” The Brute
exclaimed. “Schwarzwälder, ew…” Licorice sighed, “But I guess if that’s the only way…”

“I’m gonna scout out up ahead to see if there’s any more monsters. Chiffon. Schwarzwälder. See if
you two can get Licorice and Poison Mushroom unstuck, ok?” Red Velvet Cookie laughed. “Okie
dokie!” Schwarzwälder replied. Licorice Cookie groaned loudly as Schwarzwälder licked his hair
free of sticky cream. Red Velvet set off deeper into the woods. Following the overgrown path to
the best of his abilities. His sword and Crimson Hand made quick work of any thorn bushes or
overgrown vines that stood in his path. Cutting back the brambles with ease. He didn’t encounter
any more monsters during his journey, so he concluded that this area was now clear and belonged
to their kingdom once more. The little Cookie couldn’t help but puff his chest out a bit in pride for
the job well done he and his friends had accomplished.

Building a kingdom. It was a big job and slow going that was for sure, but he couldn’t help but be
proud that he’d played his part. He felt like he was a part of something big. Something more
important than he’d even been a part of in his entire life. His new arm and abilities made him feel
powerful, as if he had a say in his destiny. Before, all he could do was run or hide. Before he felt
helpless and afraid all the time. But now, he learned an emotion other than fear. His goal was no
longer to survive, but to thrive. He felt so helpless when he lost his arm… Now, he felt as if he
could take on any foe. Swinging his sword over his shoulder and humming happily to himself, he
allowed himself to truly relax for the first time in his life. He smiled as he listened to the wind
blow through the trees, he sighed contentedly as he breathed the fresh air, air that did not carry the
scent of decay or mildew, unlike the musty atmosphere of the basement. He admired the colors and
smell of the small wildflowers that grew on either side of the path, and then… Something caught
his eye. Something new and unfamiliar to the Cake-Cookie hybrid.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Red Velvet Cookie, where are you?” Licorice Cookie called. “Are you sure this is the way he
went?” He said, turning to Schwarzwälder. The Werehound stuck his nose in the air and sniffed.
“Yup! I can smell him this way!” He replied, picking up the pace a bit. Bat-Cat tilted his ears in all
directions. “Hemmm… I believe Schwarzwälder is right, Meowster. I can hear footsteps this way.
About Cookie sized.” “Well, if Schwarzwälder’s super smell and your super hearing both conclude
that we're going the right way then that must be the case,” Licorice Cookie reasoned. Poison
Mushroom Cookie suddenly ran up ahead. “Ah! Poison Mushroom Cookie! Wait up!” Licorice
Cookie shouted, running after the tiny Cookie.

It didn’t take long to catch up to him, as the pathway had been cleared by Red Velvet earlier. He
soon caught sight of the small Cookie’s red mushroom cap. He was about to scold him for running
off without warning, when he noticed what he was staring at. Red Velvet Cookie was tearing vines
and brambles off of a strange structure. A Cookie sized building made of roll cake wood. There
was a Cookie sized table in the center, tools that would fit perfectly in a Cookie’s hand laying
across the counter, and even a small oven in the wall. “Well, wouldja look at that. Looks like Red
Velvet Cookie found the old Smithy!” Schwarzwälder said, joining the two Cookies. “Who’s
Smithy?” Poison Mushroom Cookie asked. “A Smithy’s not a who, it's a what!” Schwarzwälder
replied. “It’s a building where Cookies make tools for building new buildings and tearing down old
stuff. The Cookies in the Old Village near the Witch’s house had one.”

“Tools for building things?” Red Velvet Cookie said, turning to face his friends. “That’s perfect!
We can use this place to make some tools for the Sugar Gnomes!” Chiffon barked happily in
agreement. “Uh… I dunno, Red Velvet Cookie…” Poison Mushroom Cookie said. “This place
doesn’t look…” A piece of the roof fell off the rotting wood of the building. “Safe,” Poison
Mushroom Cookie concluded. “It does look a little run down,” Licorice Cookie added. “Well,” Red
Velvet Cookie said with a shrug, “Maybe we can make some tools to build a new Smithy back in
the kingdom. Now… How do you make a tool?” He mumbled looking around at the piles of
worm-eaten wood and half-melted sugar cubes. Licorice Cookie sighed, “Red Velvet Cookie, how
do you plan to make anything if you don’t even know WHAT you're making?”

Chiffon started barking and jumping up and down near a set of drawers. “What is it boy?” Red
Velvet Cookie asked, coming to calm the excited Pupcake. Chiffon barked, and pointed his nose to
the top drawer. Red Velvet Cookie had a feeling Chiffon was trying to tell him something, so he
opened the drawer the Cake Hound had pointed too. Inside were several pieces of cardstock with
writing and a picture in the top left corner. Upon closer inspection he realized what they were and
smiled. “Hey guys! Chiffon found instructions on how to make different tools!” He said, waving
the cards over his head. “Really? Let me see!” Licorice Cookie said running up to the Smithy,
Poison Mushroom followed fatefully after. “Well I’ll be… That’s exactly what this is. It’s even
step-by-step with diagrams. Huh, these make it look so easy even a child could do it,” Licorice
Cookie said with a smile. “Can we make something, Licorice Cookie!?” Poison Mushroom Cookie
asked excitedly. “Well I don’t see why not, let’s start with… This one, the Sturdy Axe. Uses
include cutting down trees and chopping up roll cake logs.”

“That sounds like it would come in handy,” Red Velvet Cookie added. “And it doesn’t take a lot to
make, Red Velvet you get the fire going while Poison Mushroom Cookie and I gather the
materials,” Licorice Cookie said.

If one had been listening in on the next few minutes it would have sounded something like this.

“No, don't use those logs, Red Velvet, they’re rotted.”

“Can we use Shroomies?”

“The instructions don’t call for Shroomies, Poison Mushroom Cookie…”

“Choco Werehound Brute and Bat-Cat found new wood!”

“Great job guys, place it here, Chiffon can you help me carry this?”

“Bark, bark, bark!”

“I think this part goes here, no… wait… I’m reading it wrong.”

“Do you sharpen the sugar blade before or after you attach it?”

“No, that’s step 5, Poison Mushroom Cookie, we’re on step 3.”

“Oh wow, this part is a lot heavier than I thought it’d be.”

“I think we’re supposed to cut a hole here?”

“Aaaaaannnnnndddd. Done!” Red Velvet Cookie said triumphantly as he slid the Axe head onto
the handle. “Wow, it looks just like the picture!” Poison Mushroom Cookie said, holding up the
instruction card. “See, easy peasy pudding in the freezie,” Licorice Cookie said with a proud smile.
“That was actually quite fun,” Bat-Cat said, flying down to rest on Licorice Cookie’s shoulder.
“We’ve never made anything ourselves before. What else can we do?” Licorice had started
flipping through the cards when a creaking sound made him stop. All members of the party looked
up to see one of the posts cracking and leaning over a little too much for comfort. Licorice Cookie
looked up at the roof above them. “Uh… Guys… What do you say we take these cards back and…
Have the Sugar Gnomes build us a more… stable Smithy?” The others nodded in agreement. “Um-
hum,” “Yeah,” “I’m with you.” The desserts returned back the way they came. Red Velvet Cookie
proudly swinging their homemade Axe in his Cake hand. A few seconds later, they heard the
sound of a crash as if a building had toppled over. They all looked at one another in silence, except
for the sigh of relief they all seemed to exhale at once.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Hey guys! We’re back!” Red Velvet Cookie called as they stepped into the bright sunny clearing
of the kingdom. “Good news, that area of the woods is now cleared for construction!” Licorice
Cookie called. “And speaking of construction we…” Red Velvet began before he heard a sound
that made him pause. A voice he didn’t recognize.

“You are so infuriating!”

It was too high pitched to be a Sugar Gnome, and when they caught sight of the owner of the voice
Poison Mushroom Cookie gasped in delight. “Are those… Cookies?” Indeed, two Cookies
appeared from the forest. One was a short Cookie with purple hair and glasses, she held a small
book in one hand and was dragging another Cookie along the ground with the other. The taller
Cookie didn’t seem to mind a bit. He was lazily smiling at her and sipping from a small glass.
“You’re so meeeeaaann. I’m tired. We’ve been running forever!” The female Cookie stopped and
dropped the other one. “We? There’s no we, Vampire Cookie! I’ve been the one running, I
practically carried you out of the oven!” The red haired Cookie on the ground looked up at her,
never losing his smile. “Actually it was quite nice and warm in the oven.” The other one groaned
loudly and ran her hand down her face. “NEVERMIND! Where are we anyway?”

“Hey!”

“Huh?” The purple haired Cookie said, looking down to see a small red Mushroom Cookie with
big eyes smiling at her. “Hi new friends, welcome to the kingdom!” he giggled. “Kingdom?” the
purple haired Cookie replied, adjusting her glasses and looking around her in slight disbelief. “Well
it’s going to be a kingdom, we’re restoring it. My name is Red Velvet Cookie, this is Licorice
Cookie and…” Red Velvet was cut off by the Cookie gasping loudly and running up to him. “Oh
my stars! A Cookie with a Cake arm! That is so fascinating! I didn’t think Cookie and Cake batter
was compatible that way! Are there other Cake-Cookies like you? Or would you be a Cookie-
Cake. I’m gonna say Cake-Cookie cause you appear to be 20% Cake and 80% Cookie… But I’d
have to do a full analysis to make sure,” she said, getting a little too close for Red Velvet Cookie’s
comfort. “Hey sis, you’re weirding them out. This is why you don't have any friends you know.”
The purple haired Cookie turned to him with a scowl. She quickly regained her composure, cleared
her throat and readjusted her glasses. “I’m Alchemist Cookie, and THAT would be my deadbeat
brother, Vampire Cookie.”

“You know what your problem is, sis? You have no chill. Now take this guy,” Vampire Cookie
said, smiling at Poison Mushroom Cookie, who was standing over him and waving hello. “Hi new
friend.”
“This guy’s got chill. I like him.” Poison Mushroom Cookie beamed. “Hear that, Licorice Cookie!
I have chill.”

“What’s chill?” Licorice Cookie asked. Alchemist Cookie scoffed, “It means he likes to be
LAZY!”

“See what I mean,” Vampire Cookie slurred, “No chill at all. Always yelling or nagging. Doesn’t
know how to slow down and enjoy life.” Alchemist Cookie blushed with embarrassment slightly as
she realized she’d fallen right into her brother’s trap. She quickly collected herself and tried to save
what dignity she had left. “So…" Licorice Cookie said, “An Alchemist huh? Well no shame in that.
Not everyone can master a feat as great as magical talent.” Alchemist Cookie turned to him with
her jaw open. “Excuse me?” She sighed loudly. “Don’t tell me he’s a wizard.” “One of the best!”
Bat-Cat cheered from his perch on his master’s shoulder. “Licorice Cookie is a self-taught Dark
Wizard. He’s fought rat hoards and all sorts of monsters!” “Aw go on,” Licorice Cookie chuckled,
waving his hand. “No really go on, I wanna hear more.”

Alchemist Cookie groaned and rolled her eyes. “Of course, just like all wizards he’s cocky and
self-absorbed just because he knows how to do a few parlor tricks.” Licorice Cookie turned to her
with a gleam in his eye. “Oh and your little science experiments are so special? ANYONE can mix
this thing and that thing and get these things. Magic on the other hand, takes diligent practice, it's
not for everyone. Alchemy is for wannabe magicians and wizards who can’t handle the self-
discipline magic requires. How many times have you blown yourself up doing your little wanna be
magic?” He scoffed with a smirk. “Like 16 times!” Vampire Cookie shouted. “SHUT UP,
VAMPIRE COOKIE!” Alchemist Cookie shouted at her brother.

“Alchemy is a respected science!”

“Magic is a refined art form!”

“Alchemy is practically what the Witches used to create our very dough!”

“Dough that was lifeless until the Witches added magical life powder!”

“Ok, ok, guys. That’s enough! No need to fight,” Red Velvet Cookie said, stepping between the
two. “We’re all Cookies so we should all be friends, we don’t have to like the same things to get
along. Having different abilities and flavors is what makes us special.” The two just huffed and
crossed their arms over their chests. “Yeah, and can you two stop yelling? I have this splitting
headache…” Vampire groaned. “Well, that’s what you get for overindulging on Grape Juice,”
Alchemist Cookie replied. “Uh…. Sis… Think you can do your big brother a solid and carry me
somewhere quiet? I don’t feel so good.” Alchemist Cookie rolled her eyes. “No, I’ve carried you
the whole way here. If anyone should be exhausted it’s me.”

“I really don’t feel good…”

“It’s called a hangover, big brother. Deal with it.”

Vampire Cookie responded by upchucking the contents of his stomach onto the ground in front of
him and then laying his face down in the pile of his own vomit. Alchemist Cookie could feel her
face turning red. She looked at the other three Cookies who were, of course, giving her brother that
look. The look of confusion, pity, concern, at least the disapproval wasn’t there this time. “Did I
say I was related to him? I’m not, I’ve never seen this Cookie before in my life,” Alchemist Cookie
said in a desperate attempt to regain some of her self respect. “You’re so meeeeeeeeaaaaaaaan!”
Vampire slurred as he lifted his face from the puddle of throw up.
“Um…. Here. Let me help,” Red Velvet Cookie said. “No, don’t! I’m warning you, show him the
tiniest bit of kindness and he’ll suck you dry. He’s a moocher.” Alchemist Cookie warned. “And
you’re a stuck up stick in the mud,” Vampire quipped. “What did you just call me?” She shouted.
Red Velvet ignored the siblings' banter and gently placed his Cake arm under Vampire’s stomach.
He wasn’t sure if it was because his Cake arm was so strong or because Vampire was surprisingly
light, but he found him easy to lift. “Thanks man, just lay me somewhere shady will ya? The sun is
way too bright here,” Vampire said, lifting his hand to his face to shield his eyes. “Y’all got
somewhere quiet a guy can sleep?”

“We certainly doopity-doo!” Charlie the Sugar Gnome said, walking up to the group. “If you need
a place to rest you can look no farther than the Tree of Wishes! Cookies always used that spot as a
hangout back in the kingdom’s heyday!” “What’s a Tree of Wishes?” Red Velvet Cookie asked.
“It’s a special tree near the castle where the Blueberry Birds make their home. If you write a wish
and hang it on one of its branches it will come true! Doopity-doo!” “A tree that grants wishes?
That doesn’t sound very scientific,” Alchemist Cookie remarked. “Well it's not the tree so much as
the Blueberry birds. But I’m afraid they’ve all left, see they only nest in places of peace and
happiness and well… After the war they kinda… Um… So the Tree of Wishes is more of a… Tree
That’s a Really Good Spot to Take a Nap, now.”

“That’s all I’d wish for right now,” groaned Vampire Cookie. “I’ll show you the way, follow me!
Doopity-dee!” The Sugar Gnome and the Cookies set off to the Tree of Wishes. Licorice and
Alchemist arguing all the while. Red Velvet gasped in awe when he saw the large beautiful tree
with its blue leaves spreading out in all directions. Some branches were low enough that a Cookie
could easily climb onto them, others reached to the sky ending with a bouquet of beautiful blue
leaves. “This is the Tree of Wishes!” Charlie exclaimed. “It’s beautiful,” Red Velvet Cookie
breathed. “It's so big!” Poison Mushroom Cookie cheered. “It appears to be a type of Blue Atlas
Cedar if I’m not mistaken,” Alchemist Cookie commented, “Fully matured. Someone has taken
very good care of it over the years.” “That would be us!” Davis the Sugar Gnome said proudly
walking up to the group. “We just couldn’t allow this place to be overgrown or unkept. Why, next
to the Fountain and the Castle, this Tree was the Kingdom’s pride and joy! Doopity-doo!” Olaf the
Sugar Gnome added. Charlie sighed, “It was the only thing we managed to keep together. The
Fountain of Abundance has run dry and the Castle is crumbling in on itself.” “Now, Charlie, don’t
think like that, remember you’ll melt!” Olaf exclaimed. Charlie wiped a tear from his eye, “I know,
I know… It’s just so sad is all.”

“You mean you three have been taking care of this place all by yourselves?” Alchemist Cookie
asked. Charlie nodded. “Yes, we Sugar Gnomes are the Kingdom’s Caretakers, it is our duty to
keep the kingdom spick and span. Um… Although… It’s been hard as of late with nobody else
around but… Now that you’re here we can finally turn this place into a happy home!”

Tweet! Tweet! Tweet! Tweet!

Charlie gasped, “Olaf… Did you hear that?”

Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!

“Why, Davis, look!” Olaf shouted, grabbing the other Sugar Gnome’s arm and pointing into the
tree. A small round, blue bird sat on a low hanging branch. Watching the group with a curious look
in its eye. “Wow, a birdy!” Poison Mushroom Cookie said. “That’s not just any birdy, Poison
Mushroom Cookie. That’s a Blueberry Bird! Oh and look! There’s another, a-and another over
there!” Olaf shouted. “I think I can see one building a nest deeper in the tree. What a fascinating
sight! I’ve read about them in books but I’ve never been able to observe birds in their natural
habitat!” Licorice Cookie exclaimed. “Me neither!”Alchemist Cookie laughed. “Oh, this is so
wonderful! The Blueberry Birds have returned! Oh, the Wish Scripts, where are the Wish
Scripts?” Olaf said, running around the tree. “Over here, Olaf!” Davis said, pulling a small wooden
box from behind the root of the tree. “Oh ho ho, marvelous! Cookies, over here! Come. Quickly,
quickly, quickly!” The Sugar Gnomes’ excitement was starting to spread throughout the group.
Red Velvet watched as Charlie opened the lid of the box and pulled out a small envelope with a
ribbon at the top.

“Now, all you need to do is write down a wish, any wish at all and the Blueberry Birds will grant
it!” he cheered. “Birds that grant wishes? I still say that’s not very…” Alchemist Cookie was
interrupted by her brother chanting “Fuddy duddy stick in the mud,” in a sing-songy voice. “Come
on, Alchemist Cookie, don’t you wanna at least give it a try?” Red Velvet Cookie asked. She
sighed. “Oh all right, but for experimental purposes only!” She said adjusting her glasses. “Good,
good, now here’s one for Licorice Cookie, Poison Mushroom. Here’s a quill. Now just write down
whatever your heart desires, tie the Wish Script to a branch on the Tree and the Blueberry Birds
will do the rest!” Alchemist Cookie thought for a moment before scribbling down on her sheet.
Licorice Cookie wrote one word and then slipped his script into the envelope. “How do you spell
‘friends’?” Poison Mushroom Cookie asked. Red Velvet looked down at Chiffon, then back at his
piece of paper, he twirled the quill in his hand, looked back at the paper, up at his friends, back
down at the paper again.

“Um… Red Velvet Cookie… What are you going to wish for?” Poison Mushroom asked. “That's
just it. I don’t know. I’ve already got everything I could possibly want! Freedom! And a home
where all my friends are safe.” Chiffon barked happily in response. Red Velvet watched as
Licorice Cookie helped Alchemist tie her wish to a branch. (She was too short to reach it. And she
didn’t seem happy about needing help from the Wizard.) He looked down at his paper once before
deciding to place it in his pocket. “Maybe I’ll think of something later.” Three Blueberry Birds
flew down and undid the knots of the Wish Scripts. Once untied, they flew off with the pieces of
paper in their beaks. “Looks like they’re off to grant your wishes. Don’t worry they’ll be back
soon, they’re very fast flyers,” Olaf said. “If that bird actually manages to get me what I asked for,
I’ll eat my own hat,” Alchemist Cookie laughed. “What did you wish for?” Licorice Cookie asked.
Alchemist scoffed, “I can’t tell you otherwise it won’t come true. That’s how it works isn’t it?”
“I… Don’t think in this case,” Licorice mumbled.

The two were interrupted by a chirp. “Huh… No way. It’s back already?” Alchemist Cookie said
in disbelief. “Like I said, really fast flyers,” Olaf said with a smile. The Blueberry Bird was
carrying a pink box with a light purple ribbon. It dropped the box in front of Licorice Cookie and
hopped to the side. Looking at him with an expectant eye as if waiting to see his reaction. “Oh how
cute, they even gift wrap it,” Bat-Cat chuckled. Licorice Cookie bent down and picked up the box.
He didn’t actually expect the tiny bird to return with anything; the look on Alchemist Cookie’s
face said she was thinking the same thing. He slowly undid the ribbon and opened the lid.
“WOAH! Check this out!” He said, pulling out a large blue jelly from the box. Red Velvet and
Poison Mushroom gasped. “That’s the biggest jelly I’ve ever seen in my entire life!” Red Velvet
shouted. “There’s a whole box full of these things!” Licorice Cookie shouted. He looked down at
the tiny bird, “You guys really are wish granters!” The Blueberry Bird chirped happily in response
before flying back to the tree. “Oh man,” Licorice Cookie said as he bit into the jelly, “This is
delicious! Super juicy too!” “Hey I want one!” Poison Mushroom Cookie said jumping up and
down. “I’m quite famished too, Meowster,” Bat-Cat groaned, lowering his ears to try to make
himself look pitiful.

“You wished for Jelly Beans?” Alchemist Cookie asked. “Actually I wished for food. I’ve been
fighting monsters all day, I’m starving!” Licorice Cookie said, taking a bite out of a Jellybean.
“Ooh, save one or two Licorice Cookie, we can plant it and grow a whole Jellybean Orchard!”
Charlie said. Licorice Cookie nodded and set aside a couple of Jellybeans. Another chirp rang
through the sky, and a Blueberry Bird appeared with a box identical to the first in its beak. It
dropped the box in front of Alchemist Cookie and hopped aside. Alchemist looked at the box and
slowly picked it up. Could that little bird actually have gotten her what she needed? She opened the
box and to her surprised delight found a large fuzzy root inside. “A Barbacenia tomentosa root!
How did you ever find this?” She said to the tiny bird, who seemed to puff out its chest in pride.
“A what?” Licorice Cookie said. “The missing ingredient for my rock melting potion. I’ve been
looking for one of these forever! How on Earthbread did they know where to find this? And…
Where do the boxes come from?” She said, looking at the box in her hands with a raised eyebrow.
Charlie shrugged, “Some things we may never know.”

One of the Blueberry Birds flew down and landed on Poison Mushroom Cookie’s shoulder. She
started chirping and hopping up and down. “Oh… Hello little friend,” He said, smiling at the bird.
“I think she wants you to follow her, Poison Mushroom Cookie. I think she’s trying to grant your
wish,” Charlie said. Poison Mushroom Cookie grinned from ear to ear and ran after the tiny bird as
it flew off. “What did he wish for?” Alchemist Cookie asked. Licorice Cookie picked up Poison
Mushroom Cookie’s discarded Wish Script. “New Cookie friends,” he read aloud. Alchemist
Cookie looked over Licorice’s shoulder at the piece of paper. “He misspelled Cookie,” she
remarked. “Yes I know. Poison Mushroom’s not exactly the crispest crumb in the breadbox but he
means well.”

“If you little fellows are so good at granting wishes, then perhaps you can help me find my missing
employer.” A voice no one recognized said. Red Velvet looked up to see a Cookie with dark purple
hair in a maid’s outfit gently holding one of the Blueberry Birds in her hand and smiling at the tiny
creature. “Oh wow, I didn’t even hear her walk up,” Red Velvet said, going over to greet the
Cookie. “Hi, I’m Red Velvet Cookie, welcome to our kingdom!” The Cookie smiled in response.
“Pleased to make your acquaintance, I’m Blackberry Cookie, fateful servant of the Archaeology
family. My employer, Adventurer Cookie came this way and… As of yet I am still unable to find
him. I’m concerned for his well being as he always gets himself into trouble. You haven’t seen him
by any chance have you?” Red Velvet looked around, Alchemist and Licorice had gotten into
another fight about the supremacy of Alchemy vs Magic, and Poison Mushroom Cookie was
already gone. Looks like he was the only one available to help. “Well, we haven’t seen anyone new
besides you, Alchemist, and her brother. But I’d be happy to help you look for him, right Chiffon?”

The Cake Hound barked and wagged his tail in response. “A helping hand would be much
appreciated. Cakes have been known for their excellent tracking skills, one second,” Blackberry
Cookie said, digging into her pockets and pulling out a small piece of orange fabric, “This carries
his scent. Do you think you can use it to find him?” She asked Chiffon. Chiffon barked and ran up
to her as she bent down to let Chiffon get a good whiff of the fabric. Chiffon stuck his nose up in
the air and sniffed several times running about, suddenly he barked loudly and ran off in one
direction. “I think he’s picked up a scent!” Red Velvet exclaimed. “Good. Let us make haste,”
Blackberry Cookie said following after the tiny Cake Hound.
 Cookies of the Kingdom part 2

Chiffon led them into a section of the forest Red Velvet didn’t recognize. He drew his sword and
curled his Cake Hand into a claw in case any monsters tried to ambush them. Blackberry Cookie
pulled out a small candle and lit it to make up for the loss of sunlight from the overgrown canopy
of trees overhead.

“I beg your pardon, I don’t mean this question to pry but… How did that happen?” She said,
looking at his Cake arm. Red Velvet Cookie shrugged his Cake arm, “I know it sounds crazy, but I
just woke up with it like that. I lost the old one to the Witch when my friends and I escaped.” He
was worried she wouldn’t believe him but it looked like she did. She seemed more interested and
slightly impressed than anything. “I was not an Ovenbaked Cookie, so I’ve only heard tales of the
Witches. Are they really as terrifying as they sound?” Red Velvet Cookie nodded. “Yeah, whatever
you think they are. It’s a million times worse. I never want to go through anything like that again,”
he said softly. “You won’t need to worry. The Ancient Heroes drove the Witches out of Earthbread
a long time ago with the Great Cookie Revolution,” Blackberry replied. “I keep hearing about these
‘Ancient Heroes’, who are they?” Red Velvet asked. “The five Ancient Cookie Heroes were the
protectors and rulers of the four great Cookie Kingdoms. They wielded the Light of Unity, a
powerful magic that no Cookie has ever been able to use before nor since. That magic is what
created the barrier between our world and the Witches’, once a Cookie crosses the border the
Witches will never be able to reach them.”

Red Velvet Cookie smiled. “So me and my friends are definitely safe from her then. Phew, that's a
relief. But I can’t believe these Cookies actually fought against the Witches and won! That’s
amazing!” Blackberry Cookie nodded. “I’ve heard many tales of them, I remember Adventurer
Cookie’s grandfather used to sing songs of their accomplishments. How did it go? Um…”

Radiant light, pure and true. May you heal all woes and sorrows. Heart that’s kind and pure and
true, outshines the sun’s tomorrows.

Passion stronger than a thousand suns shield all from despair, may joyous laughter fill the land and
sweet song fill the air.

Warrior born of bitterest winter cold and adversities’ steel, sword of resolution never falter never
yield.

Golden, gilded, gleaming, glow never touched by dust nor rust. May golden fields of wheat grow
wherever your wings may touch.

Fallen angel of the night, Lily blooming bright. May the Darkness bring you peace, rest now from
freedom's fight.

“Each verse is for one of the five Ancient Heroes, to honor their sacrifices and praise their
accomplishments for Cookie Kind.” “Wow,” Red Velvet Cookie breathed, “They all sound
amazing! Wish I could have met them.”

Arf! Arf! Arf!

“I think Chiffon found something!” Red Velvet Cookie said, upon hearing his friend’s barks. “I
think I hear something,” Blackberry Cookie said. “Hey, c’mon, down boy. Chill out!” A voice
said. “That’s him,” Blackberry Cookie said with a nod. “That’s Adventurer Cookie.” The duo soon
came across a Cookie with a stetson hat and an orange bandana. He was covered in Cremlin Cream
and tangled up in a rope. He looked afraid when he heard the two approaching but relaxed when he
saw Blackberry Cookie. He looked relieved, albeit a bit embarrassed. “Blackberry Cookie! Oh boy
am I ever glad to see you! Not that I was scared or worried or anything I’m just… Glad to see
you’re all right,” He said with an embarrassed chuckle. “I’m not even going to ask how this
happened,” she replied, referring to his current state. “A-actually there’s a perfectly logical
explanation for this! You see, I was fighting these little critters that kept trying to attack me and
one of ‘em exploded…” Blackberry Cookie raised an eyebrow. “I’m serious! It just blew up!”
Adventurer Cookie exclaimed. “If he’s talking about the same monsters my friends and I have been
dealing with, he's telling the truth. They explode and scatter sticky cream,” Red Velvet Cookie
said.

“Sticky is right. I tried to get the stuff off my rope, and then my rope stuck to my hand, and then
my hand stuck to my arm, and then my arm got stuck to my chest and then…. Well, you get the
picture.” Blackberry Cookie chuckled softly. “Well, I’m glad to see you are at least in one piece
and unharmed. Here, let me help you.” Red Velvet grabbed her arm with his Cake hand before she
could reach Adventurer Cookie. “Blackberry Cookie, wait! If you touch him you’ll get stuck too!
But don’t worry, Chiffon and I can handle this. This stuff doesn’t work on Cakes.” Chiffon took
that as a cue to knock Adventurer Cookie down and start licking the Cream off. Adventurer Cookie
laughed loudly as the Cake tickled him with his wet, pink tongue. “HAHAHAHAHAHA! S-stop,
that tickles!” Blackberry Cookie placed her hand over her mouth in an attempt to hide her own
chuckling. Red Velvet used his Cake hand to pull the rope free from its sticky prison and untangle
Adventurer Cookie. He wiggled so much that it took the job almost two minutes, but finally the
two had the Cookie clean and free of Cremlin Cream.

He stood up and dusted himself off. Blushing slightly and sheepishly clearing his throat. He tried
to regain his composure. “Thanks for helping me get outta that sticky situation, friend. The name’s
Adventurer Cookie. Famous explorer and treasure tracker extraordinaire!” he said, smiling and
holding out his hand. Red Velvet took it with his Cake hand and shook it, “Red Velvet Cookie, and
that’s Chiffon,” he said nodding at the Cake Hound who was holding Adventure Cookie’s hat in
his mouth and wagging his tail. “Thanks little guy,” Adventurer Cookie said, taking the hat back
from him and placing it back on his head. “I was in the middle of searching for some ancient ruins
from the Heroes Era, you wouldn’t happen to know about that would you?” Red Velvet Cookie
blinked. “You mean… The ruins of an old kingdom?” Adventurer Cookie beamed, “Yes! Exactly!
I hear the castle may still have some old treasures in its walls belonging to the Ancient Heroes.”

“Um… Well, my friends and I haven’t been to the castle yet. But the ruins you’re talking about are
probably the ones my friends and I are making into our new home.” Adventurer Cookie scratched
his head. “I’ve heard of Cookies restoring ancient ruins for a lotta reasons but, never to live in.” He
said with a chuckle. “From what I’ve seen, there has already been some progress in clearing out the
woods and brambles from around the kingdom,” Blackberry Cookie added, “Some of the
kingdom’s utilities are already in working order and I think it would only be fair to say anything on
these lands belong to the Cookies who call this place home. Wouldn’t you, Adventurer Cookie?”
The Explorer looked a little disappointed at first, but the expression was quickly replaced with a
smile. “Well, yeah. Squatters rights and all that. And besides finders keepers, and if they found this
place first. It’s only fair.” Blackberry Cookie nodded, proud of her partner's good sportsmanship
about the whole ordeal.

Red Velvet couldn’t help but feel a little guilty, he and his friends had just happened upon this
place by chance. Actually… It was the Cakes that brought them here. Who knows how long
Adventurer Cookie had been searching for the lost kingdom. “Sorry the expedition didn’t turn out
the way you were hoping it would,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck with his Cake arm.
Adventurer Cookie waved his hand, “Aw pshaw, I don’t care about the treasure as much as I do
about the journey. And the credit for being the one who found this place. But y’know what’s
bigger than finding a lost kingdom?” Red Velvet shrugged when he realized he wasn’t going to
answer his own question at first. “Finding an old kingdom and then making it into a new one! Now
that’s something no explorer has ever done before. How’s about I lend you guys a hand in the
restoration? My family happens to be loaded! We’re talking filthy rich. We can fund the project!”

“Really, you’d do that?” Red Velvet Cookie said with a grin. “You bet your boots. Besides, this
place has got plenty of unexplored territory. It’s practically one big adventure just waiting to be
had! And no self-respecting explorer would miss out on an opportunity like that.” Blackberry
Cookie rolled her eyes. Typical. “If you’re planning on staying a while we can have the Sugar
Gnomes build you a Cookie House. It’s the least we can do if you’re going to help us rebuild,” Red
Velvet said with a smile. Chiffon bounced a few times, barking in agreement. “Much obliged
partner,” Adventurer Cookie said with a charming tip of his hat. “So,” Blackberry Cookie said,
walking up to her employer. “Did you find anything of interest besides exploding monsters?”
“Well…” Adventurer Cookie said, “Nothing glamorous, but I did find something interesting at
least. Come one, I’ll show ya.”

The two Cookies and Cake Hound followed the excited explorer to a small clearing. Where large
bushes filled with red ripe berries smothered the trees and spread across the ground in an
overgrown heap like a forest carpet. “Wow!” Red Velvet Cookie breathed. “Jellyberries… Wild
ones. I’ve never seen so many,” Blackberry Cookie said. “I think this place used to be a Jellyberry
Orchard… But without a caretaker to keep the bushes trimmed it must of grown outta control,”
Adventurer Cookie reasoned. “If you can get through the mess though, the berries are quite tasty,”
he said, plucking a large berry off a nearby bush and popping it into his mouth. Red Velvet gently
picked a berry from a bush and placed it into his mouth. It was much juicier than the Jellybeans,
and the flavor was different. It was more tart than sweet, but still enjoyable. “There’s enough food
here to last three Cookies almost two months. And we can always plant more bushes with the extra
berries. This place really is paradise,” he said, smiling down at Chiffon. Who was looking at him
with his big sparkly brown eyes.

“C’mon, Chiffon. Let’s take some back to the others!” Red Velvet said, grabbing a handful of
berries. “That’s a great idea! After all, a working kingdom needs a good food supply. And there’s
enough Jellyberries here to feed an army!” Adventurer Cookie laughed as he removed his hat and
began to fill it with berries. “Save the riper ones to be planted so a new Orchard can be grown,”
suggested Blackberry Cookie. The trio of Cookies and Cake Hound returned to the kingdom with
their bounty in hand. By the time they got back, the sun was low in the sky and casting long
shadows from the afternoon light. Adventurer Cookie was in the middle of telling the tale of one of
his “famous” adventurers, and Red Velvet was listening with wide eyes. He was interrupted by a
small voice.

“Mommy! Daddy!”

Blackberry and Adventurer Cookie looked up to see a small purple haired Cookie in a white dress
running towards them. “Onion Cookie!” Adventurer Cookie exclaimed as he bent down to let the
small Cookie run into his arms. He hugged her tight and stroked her hair. “Hey baby girl, are you
crying again? What’s wrong huh?” The little girl sniffed and replied tearfully, “I lost Onion
Rabbit!” “Again?” Blackberry Cookie sighed. “Oh, don’t worry dear, we’ve found him before
we’ll find him again.” She said, patting her daughter’s head. “What’s an Onion Rabbit?” Red
Velvet Cookie asked. “It’s her favorite doll,” Poison Mushroom Cookie said walking up to the
group. “We’ve been trying to find it but so far no luck.” Blackberry looked at Poison Mushroom
and smiled, “Is this your new friend, dear?” Onion Cookie paused her crying for just a moment to
smile slightly and nod. “Uh-huh, Poison Mushroom Cookie’s been helping me look for Onion
Rabbit but… We…. WE CAN’T FIND HIM ANYWHERE! WHAAAAAAAA!” Adventurer and
Blackberry continued to try to comfort their daughter, Poison Mushroom Cookie joined in. He
hated seeing any Cookie cry, especially one of his friends.

“Magic has been used to build entire civilizations! Name one time so much as a town has been built
using Alchemy!”

“As a matter of fact, there was this very famous Alchemist who…”

“Oh boy,” Red Velvet Cookie groaned as Licorice and Alchemist Cookie wandered into sight.
“They’re at it again.” “If he’s so famous why haven’t I heard about him?” Licorice snapped.
“Because you only know about MAGIC!” Alchemist Cookie shouted in response. “Guys… Can
you chill out a little? You’re scaring Onion Cookie,” Poison Mushroom Cookie said, hugging the
crying girl. The two stopped when they noticed her, “Oh… S-sorry about that,” Licorice Cookie
said sheepishly. “Sorry, Sweetie. We were just having a… Loud disagreement,” Alchemist said
awkwardly. Onion Cookie sniffled and rubbed her eyes. Blackberry Cookie looked towards the
setting sun. “It will be getting dark soon, we may not have time to find Onion Rabbit.” Onion
Cookie gasped. “But we can’t leave him all by himself in the dark! He gets scared when he’s
alone! I get scared when I’m alone,” Onion Cookie sniffled before bursting into a fresh set of tears.
Poison Mushroom Cookie desperately tried to calm her again but to no avail.

“I’ve never heard of an Onion Rabbit,” Alchemist Cookie said, “Is that her pet or something?”
Adventurer Cookie shook his head, “It’s her favorite doll. She can’t go anywhere without it.” He
sighed loudly. “She’s always losing it.” A look of realization suddenly flashed across Licorice
Cookie’s face, “Oh, wait. Does it look…” he dug into the pockets of his robe and pulled out a
small purple plush toy with leaves for ears, arms, and legs. “Something like this?” Onion Cookie
gasped loudly. “Onion Rabbit!” She ran up to Licorice and he gently returned the toy to her. She
hugged it tight and nuzzled its soft fabric against her cheek. Adventurer Cookie sighed in relief. He
knew his daughter wasn’t going to sleep without that toy. Which meant he wouldn’t be able to
sleep until it had been found. Which meant he would have to spend the night searching the
kingdom in the dark with a lantern. Like he’d done many, many, many times before. “I found it
near the Tree of Wishes. It had a big hole in the side so I decided to patch him up. I figured I’d
give it to Bat-Cat but since it already has an owner…” Licorice Cookie said with a smile. “He’s
right, Mommy look! Onion Rabbit’s boo-boo is all better!” Onion Cookie said holding up her
precious doll. “I see,” Blackberry Cookie laughed. “Thank you for finding and fixing my little
girl’s Onion Rabbit,” she said, turning to Licorice Cookie. “Aw, it was nothing,” Licorice said,
rubbing the back of his neck. “I still can’t believe you know how to sew,” Alchemist Cookie said
to Licorice.

“Oh, so this is Onion Rabbit,” Poison Mushroom Cookie said. “Hi, Onion Rabbit.” Onion Cookie
held the toy in front of her face, and waved one of its arms, “Hello,” ‘Onion Rabbit’ said in a high
pitched voice. Poison Mushroom Cookie gasped. “It can talk!?” The other Cookies laughed at
Poison Mushroom Cookie’s reaction. “Oh, isn’t that a wonderful sound?” Charlie the Sugar
Gnome said, walking up to the group with his two brothers in tow. “Yes, yes, it's been so long since
the sweet sound of Cookie’s laughter has filled the air. Just think, just this morning it was just the
three of us, and now look at all the Cookies that have come to call the kingdom home! Doopity-
doo!” Olaf replied happily. Red Velvet looked at Davis worriedly. “Um… Davis… Why are you
melting?” The other two Sugar Gnomes looked at Davis. “It’s on account of the soft sugar we’re
made of my dear, Red Velvet Cookie. Finely-spun, oh-so-delicate, four-star sugar. Just the tiniest
tiniest bit of emotion and… we melt,” Davis chuckled in response. “It’s perfectly normal for a
Sugar Gnome, I should know, my soft warm feelings have had me melting at least 5 times today,”
Olaf said. “Boys! Pull yourselves together! There’s still so much to Doopity-doo! We have Cookie
Houses to build! Land to clear out!”

“Don’t cha think it’s getting kinda late?” Poison Mushroom Cookie said, looking up at the sky
which was being painted with shades of orange and red from the sunset. “All the more reason we
must get ALL the houses finished. Now let’s see, we need once each for Red Velvet, Licorice, and
Poison Mushroom. A two story for Alchemist and her brother. A big one for Adventurer Cookie
and his family…” “My family is more used to something mansion sized,” Adventurer said.
Blackberry Cookie placed her hand over his mouth. “But if you’re pressed for time a small one will
do.”

DOOOOOOOOOOT

The sound of a horn rang from the forest, staring some birds out of the trees. “Don’t tell me,” Davis
said in wide eyed amazement as three more Cookies appeared from the forest. “ ‘ello friends!
Sparklin’ Cookie, look. Cookies!” One said, she looked like a Cookie from the top, but she had the
bottom half of a horse, she wore a fig hat and carried a horn in her hands. The Cookie next to her
had fizzy yellow hair, he wore a tired expression and an outfit that would have looked quite
dashing, had it not been torn and dirty, as if he had gotten into a fight with a bramble bush. A few
small Cakes were leading the way, wagging their tails happily as they entered the Kingdom’s
clearing. “Oh, thank goodness,” the yellow haired Cookie said, dropping to his knees. “It feels like
we’ve been walking forever!” The centar Cookie gave him a look, “I told ya yeh could swap places
with ‘erb anytime, laddy. He asked ya several times if yeh needed a break.” Sparkling Cookie
shook his head. “Absolutely not, Herb is much too soft to make the long walk here.”

Herb Cookie, a Cookie with bright green leaves for hair, gently slid off of the other Cookie’s back.
“Thank you for all your help, Fig Cookie,” he said with a warm smile. “Glad I could ‘elp boys.”
Red Velvet, his friends, and the Sugar Gnomes went to greet the newcomers. “Oh ho ho, welcome
everyone to the Cookie Kingdom. Please forgive the mess, we’re in the middle of renovating. But
if you plan to stay we can build you all your own Cookie Houses lickity split. Dippity-doo!”
Sparkling Cookie rubbed his sore feet. Herb took a deep breath. “The air,” he bent down and
rubbed the ground, “The grass,” he picked up a handful of dirt, “The earth. This place is just so
alive. Oh, is there a source of running water anywhere near here?” Charlie nodded, “As a matter of
fact, there’s a bubbling soda stream not too far from here. We just have to clear the monsters out of
the area,” he said under his breath. “Clean air, fresh water, fertile soil. This place is perfect,
Sparkling!”

Herb Cookie reached onto Fig Cookie’s back and pulled something off. It was a small plant pot
filled with dirt, and a tiny green plant nestled inside. “What do you think, Little Sprout?” he said to
the plant before holding it up to his ear. Alchemist Cookie raised an eyebrow, “What are you…”
Sparkling Cookie shushed her. Herb finally lowered the potted plant and smiled. “She says it's
perfect! This is it! This is the place where we make our new home!” The Sugar Gnomes (naturally)
broke into excited cheers when they heard that. “That’s great news! Welcome to the kingdom. My
name is Red Velvet Cookie, and these are my friends, Licorice and Poison Mushroom.” “Hi new
friends!” Poison Mushroom Cookie said waving hello. “Um… I’m sorry,” Bat-Cat said tilting his
head. “But did you say your plant said that this place was perfect or… Did I mishear that? I have
great hearing. It's very unlikely I misheard it but…”

Herb Cookie shook his head, “Oh no, she loves it here. And…” He paused and lifted the plant to
his ear again, he was silent for a moment before he frowned. “Oh do I really have to? I’m sure
there are lots of new plants here too…” He went silent again… then sighed. “Ok…” “Um…
What’s she saying?” Red Velvet Cookie asked. Feeling a little silly to be addressing a plant as a
“she”. “She says… She’s glad there are other Cookies here so… I can make some new friends.”
He said softly, looking down at the ground and hugging his plant tighter. “Herb Cookie is very shy.
He gets along better with flowers and trees than he does with his own kind,” Sparkling Cookie
explained, finally getting to his feet. “That’s ridiculous! Plants can’t talk! It’s scientifically
imposs… OW!” Alchemist Cookie had started to say, before receiving a smack from Licorice
Cookie. She glared at him and he pointed to Herb, who was looking down and rocking back and
forth on his feet. She looked at Licorice with a raised eyebrow and Licorice rolled his eyes.
“Cookies saying stuff like that is probably the reason he has a hard time making friends in the first
place!” He hissed through gritted teeth. Realization flashed across her face as his words sunk in…
“Um… What I mean is… I’ve never heard a plant talk. But… It’s pretty cool you can.”

Herb looked up and smiled ever so slightly. “Oh, anyone can. If you listen hard enough. They
always whisper, their voices are like the gentle breeze. You have to be very quiet to hear them.”
“It’s louder if there's a ton o’ ‘em though. Just listen! Listen to nature’s call, hi! Hi!” Fig Cookie
said, raising her horn to her lips and blowing. The sound echoed from within the forest. “Yeh little
fellas are sure this be the Cookie Paradise?” She said, turning to the Cake Hounds that had escorted
the three Cookies into the Kingdom. They barked and nodded. “Well, even we don’t know for
certain,” Licorice Cookie said. “I’m not sure if that’s actually a real place. But if you ask me,
anywhere that isn’t a Witch’s House is paradise to me,” Alchemist Cookie said, shuddering at
some unpleasant memory. “I certainly think this place is paradise. And hey, even if it’s a little run
down, even if it's not perfect… It’s home. And that’s what truly matters right?” Red Velvet Cookie
said. All Cookies and Cakes present voiced their agreement.

“Good. Now that ya two have found yer ‘ome, it’s time fer me ta be gettin’ back ta mine,” Fig
Cookie said, blowing her horn. “Farewell friends!” She said, galloping back into the forest with the
Cake Hounds in tow. “Oh, so she’s… Not staying,” Charlie said, sounding very disappointed. “Fig
says she belongs to the forest. Whatever that means,” Sparkling Cookie said. “But we’ll definitely
be staying,” Herb said with a smile. “And now that we’re here, that means I can finally break out
the celebratory juice!” Sparkling Cookie said, pulling a bottle of red liquid from… Somewhere, and
popping the cork. Vampire Cookie materialized next to his sister. “I smell Grape Juice!” “Don’t
even think about it…” Alchemist began to say. It was too late, he was already standing next to
Sparkling Cookie and smelling the aroma from the bottle. “Ooh, don’t tell me that’s Cabernet
Sauvignon. The good stuff.” Sparkling Cookie smiled, “Well, I love a fella who knows his juice.
Most Cookies don’t know much about my craft and the dedication it takes to make proper quality
drinks.”

“Sparkling Cookie is the best Juice Maker in all of Earthbread, he can tell exactly what kind of
juice a Cookie would like even if he’s never met them before. Or if it's their first time,” Herb
Cookie said. Vampire draped his arm around Sparkling’s shoulder. “Sparky… I can tell you and I
are gonna be great friends.” Alchemist Cookie groaned loudly and facepalmed. “I’d love to give
you all a demonstration of my skills but… I’m a little low on ingredients. I need fruit, any kind at
all. The juicer the better. You guys got any laying around?” Sparkling Cookie asked. “I’ll go to the
Tree of Wishes and have the Blueberry Birds bring us one of every type of fruit in existence!”
Vampire Cookie shouted. He’d run off before anyone could even blink. With speed so extreme one
would have thought he teleported. A bit of a hush fell over the group from the suddenness and
absurdity of Vampire Cookie’s actions. Alchemist Cookie sighed.

“Well, it’s getting late and the Sugar Gnomes don’t have the Cookie Houses up just yet. So I’ll
guess we’ll just have to start a bonfire and camp out under the stars until they’re finished. I’ll
handle the fire,” She said with a proud smile. “Choco Werehound Brute help too!” Schwarzwälder
exclaimed. “Uh… No thanks. I don’t require help from anyone who associates themselves with
wizards.” Alchemist replied, sticking her nose up in the air and walking away. Licorice glared at
her as she left. “Um… Do they always fight like this?” Sparkling Cookie whispered to Red Velvet.
“Yes… And they only met just this morning.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Night had fallen over the Cookie Kingdom. Many of the Cookies got to see the stars for the first
time in their lives. After Alchemist had the fire going, the Ovenbaked Cookies could all be found
sitting together and staring up at the night sky. “Wow,” Herb Cookie breathed. “I… I’ve seen
pictures in books but…” Licorice Cookie began. “It’s even more beautiful in real life,” Alchemist
Cookie finished. Chiffon curled up in Red Velvet’s lap as the Cake-Cookie hybrid stared,
unblinking, up into the dark purple sky. The silver lights twinkled overhead reflecting in the
Cookies’ eyes. “So… Pretty…” Poison Mushroom Cookie said, reaching up as if trying to grab one
of the beautiful lights. “Hey, Licorice Cookie, what happens if one of them falls out of the sky?
Would it ever see its friends again?” Licorice wasn't sure how to answer. Alchemist scoffed and
rolled her eyes, “Stars can’t fall out of the sky. It’s scientifically impossible. They’re big balls of
hydrogen and helium, millions and millions of…”

“Do you mind? You’re kinda ruining the moment, Alchemist Cookie. Not everything has to be
about science all the time you know. Can’t it ever just be what it is without you having to give an
explanation about it? We get it, you’re smart, you don’t have to prove it with every given
opportunity.” Licorice Cookie said. Alchemist would have argued with him if he hadn’t stuck what
she felt was meant to be a compliment at the end. And… It honestly made her feel good to have
that acknowledged. But it was the last sentence that she was now turning over in her head. No one
had ever told her that before, and the thought made her feel… Relaxed. First time in her life she’d
ever felt that way.

Vampire Cookie soon returned, carrying more gift wrapped boxes than a Cookie his size should
have been able to carry. But he didn’t seem bothered by the weight. Sparkling Cookie soon set to
work picking out which fruits to mix to make the individualized juices for everyone. Vampire
Cookie watched with wide eyes and more attentiveness than he’d shown in anything since his
arrival at the kingdom. He was leaning forward with a mesmerized expression like a spell bound
child. Red Velvet Cookie was watching with a similar fascination, but for a different reason.
Vampire was concerned with the juice he was making. Red Velvet enjoyed watching Sparkling
Cookie’s smile. He could tell as he worked, there was light in his eye. His movements were fluid,
almost like a dance as he shook and tossed his golden jigger. (That’s the name of the cup he used to
mix the juice.) Red Velvet could tell he was passionate about his craft, and he always loved when
his friends shared their passions.

That was his favorite part of making friends, learning what they loved to do. Every Cookie he met
had a different passion or favorite skill. And even if he didn’t fully understand it, like Licorice
Cookie’s magic or Alchemist Cookie’s Alchemy, it was still fun to learn. It probably stemmed
from the fact that before this morning his entire world was limited to four gray walls and a mold
covered roof. And the company of two little Cookies and a Bat-Cat who each had something
different that made them happy. And when you live each day wondering if it will be your last,
happiness is an elusive and precious treasure. But there seemed to be no shortage of it in the
outside world. He loved hearing the excitement in Alchemist Cookie’s voice as she explained some
complicated science thing. He loved the look of pride on Sparkling Cookie’s face as Vampire
complimented his juice making skills. He loved hearing Poison Mushroom Cookie laugh as he
played with Onion Cookie and their dolls. (Poison Mushroom had made his own toy out of a stick
and a Shroomy, which he had drawn a smiley face on.)

There were so many new and exciting things to experience in the outside world, and he wanted to
see them all. Even the tiniest thing, even Chiffon’s rhythmic breathing as he lay curled up in his
lap, brought the Cake-Cookie hybrid great joy. “If this is all just a dream…. Just a wonderful,
impossible dream. I don’t ever want to wake up,” he said softly, stroking his hand across Chiffon’s
white frosting fur. “Me neither,” Licorice Cookie said, pulling his hood down so Bat-Cat could fly
inside and curl into a ball. Schwarzwälder watched with a smile as the flying feline fell asleep.
“He’s so cute,” he whispered. “I know right,” Licorice Cookie chuckled as he sipped his juice, he
suddenly dropped it and jumped up. “Poison Mushroom Cookie no!” He ran over to the tiny
Cookie, who was trying to give one of his Shroomies to Sparkling Cookie to make juice with.
“Sparkling I wouldn’t use that if I were you. Now Poison Mushroom Cookie, what have I told you
about giving your Shroomies to new friends?” Poison Mushroom Cookie lowered his head. “To not
to.” “And why is that?” Licorice Cookie asked with his arms crossed over his chest. “Because only
we can eat them, and if they’ve never eaten a Shroomy they get sick…. Like you guys used to.”
Licorice Cookie nodded. “Right, now I know you wanna do something nice for our new friends
but… That’s not it.”

“Hey cut him some slack, Licorice Cookie. He was only trying to help. That’s more than a certain
DEADBEAT BROTHER of mine does. One who never does ANYTHING and NEVER
LISTENS!” Alchemist Cookie shouted at her juiced up brother. Vampire Cookie lifted his head
slowly and slurred, “What now? I wasn’t listening.” Alchemist Cookie groaned loudly. “This is
exactly what I’m talking about! All you ever do is loaf around and mooch off of other Cookie’s
work! Half the time I’m remaking my potions because you keep drinking them!” Vampire Cookie
sat his glass down with enough force to splash, he spilled a few drops. He turned to his sister with
a glare rivaling her own. Red Velvet could have sworn he saw his eyes glowing. “Oh yeah, I didn’t
ask you to drag me out of the oven, you know. You coulda just left without me. You almost did!
You made it to the window, I saw you! And yet you turned back and risked getting yourself eaten
to save me and for what? If I’m such a burden to you, why’d you bother bringing me along in the
first place?!”

“Because you’re my brother and I love you!”

Vampire’s expression changed from anger to shock and then melted into teary eyed gratitude.
“Really sis?” he squeaked. “Oh no,” Alchemist said, realizing her mistake. It was too late, Vampire
was hugging her tightly and crying loudly. “Aw Alchemist, you’re the best baby sister a guy could
have!” “VAMPIRE COOKIE! Get off! No! You’re crying all over me! AUGGHH!” She tried to
struggle out of his grip but to no avail. Once Vampire Cookie had you in one of his bear hugs it
was impossible to escape until he let you go. He was surprisingly strong. Alchemist just sighed and
accepted her fate, blushing slightly as she watched the others’ reactions to her brother’s display of
affection.

“Doopity-dee! There you all are!” Charlie said, suddenly appearing. “Great news everyone! The
Cookie Houses are finally complete, Doopity-doo!” “How many of them?” Blackberry Cookie
said. “All of them!” Charlie replied proudly. “All of them? In one day?” Alchemist Cookie said.
“Come on guys, let's go check it out!” Red Velvet Cookie said, cradling Chiffon in his arms and
following Charlie.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Wow! It’s perfect! So many windows for my plants to get sunlight!” Herb Cookie said.

“It’s a bit smaller than what we’re used to,” Adventurer Cookie remarked.

“But still much bigger than I expected,” Blackberry Cookie replied, impressed.

“Two stories! Perfect. I call second floor, Vamps,” Alchemist Cookie said, turning to her brother.

“That’s cool, as long as I can have the basement all to myself,” Vampire Cookie said with a smile.
“Deal!” Alchemist Cookie said, returning the smile.

“It’s a giant Shroomy!” Poison Mushroom Cookie exclaimed.

“It’s perfect, thank you all so much,” Red Velvet Cookie said. Chiffon barked what sounded like a
“Thank you”.

Each of the Cookie’s houses were tailor made for them. Sparkling Cookie had lots of shelf space
and a full length mirror in his bathroom. Licorice Cookie had his own study with rows and rows of
bookshelves. (Empty at the moment, but ready to be filled with books of his choosing.) Alchemist
and Vampire’s house gave the siblings each their own space. And the Archaeology family’s mini
mansion was big enough to be considered luxurious, but small enough to keep clean without
outside help. (Which Blackberry Cookie quite appreciated.)

Red Velvet wandered around his own Cookie House, taking in every room with the same thought.
Everything's exactly my size! He was used to Witch sized versions of the furniture and utilities his
house had. Chiffon followed him around, running around the rooms and down the hallways. He
even had a Cookie sized kitchen with fully stocked cabinets. He took one of the jars full of blue
jam, and just… held it for a moment. It was strange. The same thing he’d hid behind to stay out of
the Witch’s sight a while ago. The same thing, but small enough to fit in his hand. A thing he was
used to being big enough to hold several of his own kind captive. He even found a drawer full of
Cookie sized eating utensils. Instruments that, when used by the Witch, were objects of execution
and torture for a Cookie. It was no surprise that holding a miniature version of it made him feel
strange. But also strong. He felt giant among the Cookie sized objects. To be around so many
things that he was used to being bigger than him, but he was now bigger than them. Strange.
Overwhelmingly so, but in a good way.

But his favorite room in the house by far was the bedroom. It was simple in terms of design. A
bed, a small Cake bed for Chiffon, a nightstand, a lamp on the nightstand, a chest of drawers with a
mirror atop it, and a ceiling fan. There was a window on the wall opposite to the door. He opened
it, and decided to leave it open for the night. The sight of an open window was a comforting one.
After all, it had been an open window that blessed him and his friends with freedom. Chiffon
barked and jumped onto the bed, hopping up and down as if calling Red Velvet to him. It was at
this moment and Red Velvet realized how tired he was. His body felt heavy from all the running
and fighting he’d done that day. He could barely keep his eyes open. He shuffled over to the bed
and placed his hand on the soft covers. It sank down slightly under his weight. He pulled back
suddenly. He wasn’t expecting it to do that. “Um… Chiffon. Are you sure this thing’s safe?”
Chiffon gave him a look that said, “What, you don’t trust me?” Red Velvet chuckled slightly,
“Well, alright.” He said, climbing onto the bed.

He collapsed into the covers and let out a moan as the soft blankets enveloped his exhausted
dough, “I’m in Heaven.” He mumbled into the blanket. Chiffon climbed on top of him and jumped
down to his side. He turned in circles several times before flopping down next to him. Red Velvet
cradled the tiny Pupcake close to his chest and nuzzled his soft dough. Taking comfort in the Cake
Hound’s sweet scent.

By habit, Red Velvet Cookie only slept in short intervals. When he fell asleep his senses would be
on hyperalert for any sign of the Witch. So even the tiniest sound awoke him. But he didn’t mind.
He would awake, remember where he was and fall back asleep. He was used to hearing scratches
or creeks, moans or groans or even the occasional scream of a Cookie or Cake meeting their tragic
end. But tonight, all he heard was the howl of a Cake Hound in the forest (he could have swore he
heard Schwarzwälder howling back once). Vampire Cookie singing, Alchemist yelling loudly for
him to shut up. Poison Mushroom Cookie giggling. And if he listened closely, he could have sworn
he heard the scratch, scratch, scratch of quill of paper. Licorice Cookie, writing in his journal until
odd hours of the night. (Licorice Cookie’s house was right next to his, and both Cookies had left
their windows open.) The last thing he remembered hearing was Onion Cookie crying and
Blackberry Cookie singing her a lullaby.
There’s no need to fear the shadows my little one, there's no need to hide, there’s no need to run.
My arms shall be your fortress, don’t cry you’re not alone, my heart shall be your castle, you’re
safe now, you are home.

The last two lines of the song replayed over and over in Red Velvet Cookie’s head as he fell into
the soothing darkness of a dreamless slumber.
 Cat-napped!
Chapter Notes

The gang's all here, yay! Well, not everyone, Bat-Cat kinda got kidnapped so... There's
that.

Also slight blood warning. Yes, blood. Not jam. Bat-Cat gets hurt. (Pretty sure he has
blood not jam.)

It had been two weeks since the Cookies set foot in the ruins of the Cookie Kingdom. Over the
course of those two weeks the land had been transformed from crumbling buildings and silent
overgrown roads to bustling streets filled with happy chatter and lively laughter. While nobody had
assigned tasks, everyone found something they were good at and enjoyed doing. So everyone
played their part in building their home. Each Cookie and Cake and Sugar Gnome left their mark
on the newborn nation.

Alchemist, Adventurer, Licorice Cookie, Bat-Cat, and Schwarzwälder became the kingdom's
defenders, as they were the best at fighting back the monsters of the forests. Herb tended to the
Jellybean and Jellyberry Orchards and the Tree of Wishes. All the yummy jellies the Cookies
enjoyed for their daily meals were grown by the young plant lover, so his skill received much
respect in their small community, as a result, the shy green haired Cookie slowly came out of his
shell. He even began to gain some respect for himself upon realizing how much his talents were
appreciated. Sparkling handled drinks and beverages, and he had one for every occasion. Feeling
sick? Sparkling knew a tonic drink that would make you feel right as rain as soon as you had a sip.
Can’t sleep? Sparkling’s lullaby juice would have a Cookie sleeping like a baby in no time. Tired
after fighting monsters all day? Sparkling could whip up the most refreshing beverage lickity split.
Cookies began to joke that he was the town’s medic, as he knew a recipe for every ailment.

Blackberry Cookie helped the Sugar Gnomes clean up the kingdom where there were overgrown
brambles or fallen branches, sometimes Poison Mushroom or Onion Cookie would help her. But
usually those two could be found playing together near the Tree of Wishes or running through the
kingdom’s grassy fields. Vampire Cookie… He was good company at least. Certainly great for a
laugh. But in terms of helping build the kingdom, he was more of a hinder than a help. Alchemist
Cookie had lost track of how many times she’d had to apologize for her brother falling asleep on
the ground in the middle of the day, and someone tripping over him. The Sugar Gnomes handled
construction of course. And Red Velvet did a little bit of everything. He went wherever he was
needed, with his trusty companion Chiffon following fatefully behind. Some days he helped
Licorice or Adventurer fight off monsters, other days he helped Herb in the Orchards, and other
days he ran about doing this and that. Sometimes he even helped the Blueberry Birds deliver the
Wish Boxes.

Of course there were limits to his abilities. He found he was better at fetching things Alchemist
Cookie needed for her potions than helping her make them. He tried to help Licorice Cookie repair
the banners and flags around the kingdom but he kept sticking himself with the sewing needle. So
he left those repairs to the expert. When alone however, he found his favorite thing to do was mine
sugar cubes. Swinging the Picaxe and breaking off the cubes of sweet sugar had an oddly soothing
monotony to it. It also made him feel strong, as he could get twice as many cubes mined in half the
time it took any other Cookie to do it. He found he could lift heavy things alone that took other
Cookies a team to do. He found that in an arm wrestling match, the only Cookie that could beat
him was Vampire Cookie (and that was using his Cookie arm).

He was getting stronger.

Not just the Cake part of him, but the Cookie part as well. It was as if the new appendage had
blessed him with the might and bravery of the Cakes. Red Velvet found Cakes to typically be
stronger than Cookies, in most cases faster, and in some cases even more intelligent.
Schwarzwälder had joked once that Red Velvet was becoming a Cake, but that became less of a
joke when Cake Hounds from the forest told the Werehound that they saw him as one of their
brothers. Red Velvet was actually quite happy when Schwarzwälder relayed that translation.
(Being the only member who could speak both Cake and Cookie.) In his free time whenever his
friends were busy, Red Velvet Cookie found himself spending more and more time with his new
“brothers”. Playing fetch and tug of war with them in the forest, racing them across the fields and
actually being able to keep up with them after a while. On sunny days in the afternoon the Cake-
Cookie hybrid could be found sleeping under a tree with several Cake Hounds around or atop him.
He’d even found that at times, he didn’t need Schwarzwälder to translate the Cake Hounds barks,
as he already understood what they were trying to say.

Today, Red Velvet Cookie awoke to the same sight that had greeted him since his first morning in
his new home. Chiffon’s sparkling brown eyes and tiny nose pressed up against his face. Red
Velvet only had seconds to brace himself before being bombarded with wet puppy kisses from the
Pupcake. “Hahahahahahahahaha! C-Chiffon, ok! Ok! I’m up!” Red Velvet laughed as he picked up
the tiny Cake and held him above his head as he rolled onto his back. Chiffon did not at all seem to
mind being held aloft above his friend’s smiling face and only waved his tiny legs in midair,
barking happily. Red Velvet yawned and raised himself into a sitting position and hugged the
Pupcake close to his chest. From the open window he could hear the Blueberry Birds’ joyful song,
welcoming a new morning. Red Velvet went about his daily routine. Which consisted of taming
his bed head, taking almost 10 minutes to brush his long red and black hair and tie it back to keep it
out of his face. He then proceeded to brush Chffon’s frosting fur (with the same brush no less).

Today he noticed something odd about his reflection. His mouth specifically. Even more
specifically his teeth, or one tooth. Off to the side. He leaned in closer to his reflection and opened
his mouth wider. One little tooth that stuck out farther than the rest. Did he always have a… fang?
Indeed, it looked like a sharp tooth that belonged to a fearsome Cake Hound, not a Cookie. The
rest of his mouth was normal though. It was his reaction that wasn’t. He wasn’t startled or even the
slightest bit worried by the sudden incisor. In fact, as he ran his tongue across the sharp tooth, he
felt pride in it as he watched it sparkle. It made him feel strong. “I’d like to see a Witch try to mess
with me now!” He said, half to himself, half to Chiffon as he jumped off the stool and trotted out
the door.

The day was bright and sunny with just a few clouds drifting lazily by, occasionally blocking the
sun and casting a slight shade over the land. The air smelt of wildflowers and freshly baked Hearty
Rye Bread. It smelled like home. Chiffon gleefully barked and ran circles around Red Velvet
Cookie as the Cake-Cookie hybrid made his way to the Tree of Wishes. The Tree had once again
become the go-to get-together spot for the Cookies of the Kingdom. The small group of desserts
had made that the place they went every morning to eat breakfast together and plan the day's
activities.

Vampire was already asleep under the Tree in his usual spot. Sparkling was mixing up another
batch of juice while Blackberry and Herb chatted. Poison Mushroom and Onion were under the
waffle table coloring together. And two of the Sugar Gnomes sat together on a small picnic mat,
drinking tea. Chiffon’s barks alerted the others to their arrival. “Oh, good morning, Red Velvet
Cookie. Hello, Chiffon,” Herb said with one of his warm smiles. “Isn’t the weather lovely today? I
just love spring time, it's the time for all sorts of flowers and plants…” Blackberry Cookie sneezed
into a handkerchief. “And allergies,” she lamented with a sniff. “I’ve got just the thing for that! A
little honey and ginseng juice will fix you right up Ms. Blackberry!” Sparkling Cookie said with
one of his dazzling smiles. “Thank you, Sparkling Cookie.”

“And that proves once and for all that Alchemy outperforms magic!”

“You can’t make that conclusion on one victory!”

“They’ve been at it all day,” Adventurer Cookie groaned as he, Licorice, and Alchemist Cookie
came into view. “Well, that's your own fault for agreeing to go monster hunting with them. You
know how those two are,” Red Velvet chuckled as he scooped up a handful of Star Jellies from a
basket in the center of the table and passed a few to Chiffon. “Monster hunting? Before breakfast,
Adventurer Cookie?” Blackberry Cookie questioned. “We wanted to get an early start. But
maaaybe we shoulda eaten first…. All the fighting sure got me working up an appetite!”
Adventurer Cookie said. “You fighting monsters or those two fighting with each other?” Red
Velvet said, pointing to Alchemist and Licorice (who were still in a verbal tirade). “Both,”
Adventurer Cookie sighed as he sat down next to Blackberry Cookie.

“By the way, Licorice Cookie, who are your friends?” Red Velvet asked, looking behind Licorice.
“Huh?” the Dark Wizard replied, turning around to see three small Licorice Creatures. “Oh for the
love of… What part of ‘get lost’ do you guys not understand?!” He shouted at the creatures.
“Where’d you find them?” Herb asked. “Licorice saved them from some monsters in the forest and
now they won’t leave him alone,” Adventurer Cookie replied. “They’re made out of the same
ingredients you are, Licorice Cookie. Maybe they think you’re their papa,” Alchemist Cookie
laughed. “WHAT?!? No, no, a thousand times no! I already have Bat-Cat and Schwarzwälder
and… Gah! See, they have no concept of personal space!” He said, one of the creatures was
hugging his leg, one was pulling his robes, and the last one looked like he was trying to climb up
his robes onto his back. “No, no! Get off!” Licorice Cookie shouted, shaking his leg and flailing
his arms. He almost lost his balance several times. The sight was so comical that Red Velvet
couldn’t help but laugh, a few more Cookies joined in. Licorice glared at them.

“Aw, come on, Licorice Cookie, you gotta admit they’re cute!” Schwarzwälder said with a laugh.
“Cute they may be but I don’t need any more mouths to feed. I already have your bottomless pit of
an appetite to worry about,” Licorice Cookie replied. “Ooh! You should give them names! How
about Larry, Moe, and Curly? Hahaha!” Alchemist Cookie said. “They already have names,
Alchemist Cookie. Licastor, Liciam, and Licorina. They’re triplets.” Alchemist Cookie raised an
eyebrow, “Oh, so you don’t want to keep them… Yet you’ve given them names?” “No. They
already have names and they told me what they were,” Licorice Cookie replied. Alchemist looked
down at the creatures. “They… Told you?” The creatures squeaked in response. “You can
understand them?” Red Velvet asked. “Well of course I can! Can’t you? They’re speaking plain
Cookieish!”

Eeep! Eeep! Eeep!

“Um… Licorice Cookie… All I hear is squeaking,” Alchemist Cookie said. “Yeah, me too,”
Adventurer Cookie said. “What? But I can understand them just fine!” Licorice Cookie exclaimed
in confusion. Alchemist Cookie tapped her chin. “Maybe… Because you’re made out of the same
ingredients you have some sort of connection to them. A…. Licorice language perhaps?” Licorice
Cookie blinked. “Huh… Maybe.”
“And if you’re the only one who can understand them, that’s all the more reason for them to
imprint on you, hahahaha!”

“Oh, for shadow’s sake, they don’t call me papa, Alchemist Cookie!”

“What are they referring to you as?” Alchemist laughed. Licorice sighed, “Right now all I’ve
gotten out of them is Great and Mighty Wizard.”

“And what’s the problem with that? Come on, Licorice Cookie, all the great Wizards had a band of
followers and minions,” Red Velvet reasoned. “I don’t need minions! What on Earthbread would I
do with minions?” “I dunno, your chores?” Alchemist Cookie said with a shrug. “Maybe if you had
a few extra team members you’d actually be able to beat me. You said the only reason I won is
because you didn’t have your whole crew today.” “So, you won today, sis?” Vampire Cookie
yawned from his spot under the Tree. “Yup! My Alchemy took out three more monsters than
Licorice Cookie’s magic!” She replied proudly. “Humph! You wouldn't have won had Bat-Cat
been there! Where is that darn furball anyway?”

“I don’t appreciate the furball comment, Meowster.”

“There you are!” Licorice Cookie shouted as Bat-Cat flew down from somewhere. “Where have
you been all morning? Thanks to you, Alchemist Cookie took OUR bragging rights today!” Bat-
Cat licked his paw and began to groom himself. “You know I always stretch my wings first thing
in the morning. I was taking my daily flight around the kingdom. Who are they?” Bat-Cat said,
eyeing the Licorice Creatures. “Just some critters I picked up in the forest… What…? No, he’s
saying ‘master’ that’s just the way he talks,” Licorice Cookie explained to one of the Licorice
Creatures who had made a questioning squeak. A few more squeaks followed. “What? No you
can’t….” All of them started squeaking. Licorice facepalmed. “Great, now they’re calling me
master too.” Alchemist laughed, “I don’t think you’re gonna get rid of them, Licorice Cookie.”
Licorice groaned loudly, “Why me?”

Bat-Cat simply focused on grooming himself through the whole ordeal. Red Velvet Cookie noticed
something sparkling as he moved his head. “Hey, Bat-Cat. Where’d you get the new collar?” Bat-
Cat paused his grooming and smiled proudly. “You like? Meowster made it for me! Isn’t it
purrrrrfect?” The collar was made of multicolored fabric, in the front dangled a blue jewel shaped
sort of like a four petal flower. “I made it out of some scrap fabric from the banners I fixed up. And
the gem I found near the ruins of the old castle,” Licorice Cookie explained. “I’d threaten to take it
from him for not being around when I needed him but it's the first truly nice thing he’s ever
owned,” he whispered to Alchemist. He watched as Bat-Cat purred at his reflection in Herb’s
watering can.

All of the sudden, the peaceful atmosphere was broken by the sound of, “Trouble! Trouble! Doo-
dee-doo!” Davis shouted running up to the group like there was a dragon on his tail. Poison
Mushroom Cookie came out from under the table. “Davis… What’s wrong? Why are you so
crazy?” He asked. Davis was breathing heavily, his brothers tried to help him steady his breathing
and comfort him to keep him from melting. “What is it, Davis? Monsters?” Olaf asked. “No
worse!” Davis replied. “Two very clearly up-to-no-good Cookies have broken into the Castle! One
had a sharp pointy hat and the other had eyes like red lasers and spikes in her hair! And the way
they laughed… It was sinister. One of them said something about stealing the Castle’s treasures!”

The Cookies gasped. “They can’t do that!” Adventurer Cookie shouted, slamming his juice glass
down on the table. “Wait, I thought the Castle was blocked off by rubble and ruins. How did these
Cookies get in?” Red Velvet Cookie asked. “One of them is a Wizard! He used his magic to lift up
all the rubble and they just walked right in! I tried to follow and stop them but the Cookie dropped
the rubble and it all came crashing down on me! I almost went from a Sugar Gnome to sugar dust!
Doopity-dee…” Davis exclaimed, shuttering. The Cookies couldn’t believe what they were
hearing. Not only did these Cookies break into their castle with plans of taking something that
wasn’t theirs, but almost hurting one of their friends… That was unforgivable. “Why… That’s…
That’s… That's using power to harm another creature that poses no threat to them! That’s improper
use of magic! Grrrr, it’s Wizards like that who give magic a bad name! I oughta find this guy and
give him a piece of my mind!” Licorice Cookie shouted.

“But with the rubble back in the way, how are we going to get into the castle to stop them?”
Alchemist Cookie said. “Gah! It will take weeks to clear that stuff out, by that time those Cookies
will be long gone!” Adventurer Cookie exclaimed. “Not if we all work together, we don’t need to
clear all of it out, just enough to get into the Castle!” Red Velvet said, standing up. “I agree with
Red Velvet Cookie. Our combined efforts will make the work go by much faster,” Blackberry
Cookie said. “Work?” Vampire Cookie said, lifting his head. “Choco Werehound Brute can
SMASH that rubble into tiny pieces!” Schwarzwälder shouted, brandishing his hammer. “And
you!” Licorice Cookie shouted yanking Bat-Cat off the table, “Can fly ahead and stall those
Cookies!” “WHAT!?” The winged feline protested. “Get into the Castle and hold them off until we
get there! NOW GO!” Licorice Cookie shouted, tossing Bat-Cat into the air. He flapped his wings
to prevent himself from falling and turned to face Licorice Cookie with an annoyed glare. “Why
me-wee?!”

“Because you can fly! You can bypass the rubble and get into the Castle before us, just… crawl in
through a window or something! Now stop lollygagging and get going! We’ll be right behind
you.” Bat-Cat rolled his eyes and hissed, “Nayya! Fine!” Before flying off with a huff. “Don’t you
take that tone of voice with me, young man!” Licorice Cookie shouted, shaking his fist at the
departing pet. “No time to waste, let’s go!” Red Velvet Cookie cheered running off towards the
Castle. Chiffon ran by his side, barking loudly. And the Cookies took off towards the Castle.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Meanwhile, in the
Castle~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A Cookie with a pointy hat and a white scarf looked out the window, “Um… Chili Pepper Cookie,
do you think you can hurry it up a bit? I think a Sugar Gnome spotted us or something,” he said,
frantically searching the outside for any sign of trouble. A red-haired Cookie was digging through
the piles of rubble and tossing various items over her shoulder while saying, “Junk. Worthless…
Hemmm…. Probably valuable but not very shiny.”

“CHILI PEPPER COOKIE!”

Chili Pepper dropped the object she was holding and turned to glare at her companion. “Can you
hurry it up, please!? If we come back from another mission empty handed, GingerGrave is going to
kill us, bring us back to life, and then kill us again!” he shouted. Chili Pepper scoffed, “Don’t get
your scarf in a tangle, Pointy Hat. You’re talking to the best treasure tracker and thief in all of
Earthbread,” she said proudly, placing a hand on her chest. “That’s the whole reason I brought you
with me,” the other one said with narrowed eyes. (Well, eye, the one that wasn’t covered by his
white hair.) “Is that a compliment, Wizard Cookie?” Chili Pepper said, raising an eyebrow and
smirking. “It’s just a fact. I do the research, you do the treasure finding,” Wizard replied. “Are you
sure your research is right about this place? All I’ve found so far is junk!”

Wizard Cookie chuckled, “Trust me, Chili Pepper Cookie, I’m never wrong. This place was built
by the five Ancient Cookie Heroes themselves. There’s bound to be something here our master
left, you’re just not looking hard enough!” He snapped. “Well, maybe I’d have a better time finding
it if I knew what it was I was looking for!” She shot back. “Something, ANYTHING that could
have some sort of sentimental connection to our Master!” Wizard Cookie left the window and
began pacing around the room. “Once we have that, we may have enough to summon the other
half of his consciousness back from the Abyss. And once his power is restored to full, the Blind
King will be able to destroy the barrier the Ancient Heroes placed around his Kingdom. And the
Cookies of Night will rise again and bring eternal night to all of Earthbread!” He said dramatically,
raising his hands above his head with a flourish. “Yeah, I know that. Why are you monologuing
like you’re talking to someone who doesn’t?” Chili Pepper said, raising an eyebrow. Wizard
Cookie scoffed. “Have you never heard of dramatic effect?” Chili Pepper rolled her eyes. “Spend
half an hour with Custard Cookie III, and you’ll have enough drama to last you a lifetime…. OOH!
Wizard Cookie! I think I found it!”

“What? Found what? What did you find?” Wizard Cookie exclaimed, walking over to her. “This!”
Chili Pepper Cookie shouted, holding up a glittering golden crown. Wizard Cookie sighed. Of
course, she picks up the shiniest thing she can find. Wizard Cookie was about to protest when
something caught his eye. “Wait…. The jewels in this crown…” “I know right!” Chili Pepper
exclaimed, “It must be worth a fortune!” “No, no, no. Not that. Just look at the colors and shapes.
A purple diamond, a pink heart, a green fleur-de-lis lily flower. Chili Pepper you’ve done it! These
are the symbols of the five Ancient Cookie Heroes! This has to have some sort of sentimental
significance!” Wizard Cookie cheered. “Hey, check this out,” Chili Pepper said, placing the crown
on her head. “I’m Queen Chili Pepper Cookie of Treasureland! Bring me all your shiny things or I
shall have you fed to the Witches!” The two Cookies laughed loudly. “Hahaha, oh, just don’t break
it, ok?” Chili Pepper scoffed and took off the crown, “Ple—ase Wizard Cookie I’m not gonna…
Uh oh.”

Wizard Cookie froze. “Uh oh? What do you mean, uh oh?!” “I think it’s already broken,” Chili
Pepper said, slight panic rising in her voice. “WHAT!?!” Wizard Cookie shouted. “Take a look,
there’s a hole here where I think a jewel’s supposed to go.” Wizard Cookie took the crown from
her and examined it. Sure enough, there were four gems and an empty spot where the fifth would
be. Wizard groaned loudly. “That’s the Orchid of Truth. Great! Of all the symbols to go missing it
had to be our Master’s!” “Will it still work without it?” Chili Pepper Cookie exclaimed, eyes
widening at the thought of failing the mission. She knew what would happen if they did. “I don’t
know!” Wizard Cookie shouted, making eye contact with her. It was clear they were both thinking
the same thing. “O… Ok, don’t panic… It-it’s gotta be around here somewhere!” Chili Pepper
shouted, frantically digging through the rubble. Wizard Cookie did the same, lifting junk aside
with his magic.

“Hey!” A voice shouted. The two Cookies froze as something flew through the window. “What do
you think you’re doing?!” It was a… Flying cat? “Would you believe us if we said we were lost?”
Wizard said, hiding the crown behind his back. “Not particularly,” Bat-Cat replied, narrowing his
eyes at the intruders. “Well, I tried,” Wizard Cookie whispered to Chili Pepper. Chili Pepper rolled
her eyes and walked up to the winged feline. “Step aside, little kitty. What we’re doing here is our
business, not yours. So why don’t you go find a ball of yarn to go play with or something?” She
sneered. Bat-Cat flew around to see what Wizard Cookie was hiding behind his back. He couldn’t
get too close because Chili Pepper jumped next to her partner and brandished a Chili Pepper
Dagger. “Ah ah ah. Haven’t you ever heard the saying ‘curiosity killed the cat’?” Bat-Cat backed
up a bit, but continued to glare at the two Cookies. “That doesn’t belong to you!” He shouted.
“Listen pal, we took it so that makes it ours! You can try to take it back… If you feel like getting a
taste of my spicy…”

“Chili Pepper, wait…” Wizard Cookie said, holding his arm out in front of her to stop her from
getting any closer to Bat-Cat. “What? Come on! I was really feeling that one!” She protested.
Wizard Cookie gave her a look that told her to stop talking. “Do you notice something…
Interesting about the gem on that cat’s collar?” She looked at the creature, who was tilting his head
in confusion. Why would he suddenly change the subject to… Oh no. Chili Pepper smiled.
“Yeah… It is quite shiny isn’t it?” Bat-Cat flew well out of the Cookie’s reach and hissed, clasping
his paws over the jewel of his collar. “Don’t even think about it! My Meowster made this for me!”
Wizard Cookie wasn’t focused on him, he was sighing and still talking to Chili Pepper. “Not only
that but the color, the shape…” He tapped the empty spot on the crown. Chili Pepper looked up at
Bat-Cat, who had removed his paws from the jewel as he hastily searched for an exit. “Oh yeah…”
Chili Pepper Cookie said, suddenly realizing what Wizard Cookie was trying to say. The jewel on
his collar was blue and the shape matched the space in the crown perfectly.

Bat-Cat finally spotted the window he’d flown into earlier and zipped towards it. But his hopes of
escape were dashed by the window suddenly shutting, seemingly on its own, he was lucky he
noticed in time and managed to catch himself before he flew into it. He faltered, flapping his wings
wildly as he tried to steady himself, he’d dropped near to the ground when he heard Wizard
Cookie’s voice, coldly saying, “Here, kitty, kitty, kitty.” Bat-Cat looked up in horror to see Chili
Pepper and Wizard Cookie with their weapons in hand and slowly advancing. Blue magic cackled
and sparked around Wizard Cookie’s Candy Wand. Chili Pepper ran her hand across the blade of
her dagger. “Just hold still, and maybe we won’t hurt you,” she warned. Bat-Cat shrunk back, his
pupils narrowed to slits as his fight-or-flight response kicked in. He chose flight. As in, take flight
and fly around the room in a blind panic trying to lose them. What followed for the next several
minutes was the two Cookies running and jumping about and tripping over things trying to catch
the flying cat. All while Bat-Cat tried to stay out of their reach, and avoid any lighting blasts from
Wizard Cookie as he frantically searched for another way out.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Meanwhile,
outside~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Cookies, Cakes, and Sugar Gnomes were smashing and throwing aside rubble as fast as they
could. Red Velvet lifted up larger chunks with his Cake arm, Licorice moved aside rocks and cut
down overgrown brambles with this scythe, Schwarzwälder broke pieces that were too big to be
lifted with his hammer and Poison Mushroom Cookie helped him with his explosive Shroomies.
Chiffon picked up a rock and happily moved it aside, wagging his tail all the way. The Licorice
Creatures followed suit. But despite their combined efforts, they’d barely made a dent in the
pathway. It was clear they would never make it in time at this pace. The only one that wasn’t
helping was Vampire Cookie, who watched the others toss aside rubble and kick up dust from his
spot atop a large rock. Alchemist Cookie groaned loudly, “VAMPIRE COOKIE, get down here
and help us!” She shouted. “I am helping! I’m very busy supervising… and…” He sipped his juice,
“Offering my support, *hic* you guys are doing great by the way. *hic* ‘cuse me.” Alchemist
Cookie groaned and tugged at her pigtails in frustration. “Vampire Cookie… Stop being such a
lazy good-for-nothing! There’s no way we can clear this without your help!” Schwarzwälder
whispered to Licorice Cookie, “I don’t see how one more Cookie is gonna make a difference.”
Licorice Cookie looked at the mountains of rubble ahead of them and nodded in agreement. Red
Velvet looked over at the two siblings and decided to offer his help.

“Vampire Cookie please, Alchemist is right, we have to work together if we’re gonna keep those
Cookies from stealing anything from the castle.” Vampire yawned loudly and swished his drink,
“Maaaaybe I could help…. Under the right conditions but…. Y’know I’m just not feeling…
Motivated…” Alchemist Cookie groaned loudly. “Vamps, if you help us clear this out… I’ll…
I’ll…” Vampire sat bolt upright with a lopsided grin, “You’ll let Sparkling Cookie use your grapes
to make me some good quality juice?” He suggested. Alchemist Cookie’s jaw dropped, “What?
B…But, I need those for a health potion!” “You want my help or not?” Vampire Cookie said,
giving his sister a toothy grin and cocking his head to one side. “Yes but… I’m not giving up my
good grapes, ok! Look, It’ll take all of a minute! If you help us I’ll… I’ll write a signed promise to
leave you alone for the entire day, Ok?” Vampire Cookie tapped his chin in thought. “Hemmmm…
Gotta say a no-nagging agreement sounds pretty sweet, but I don’t think one day will be enough.”

“One day is all my sanity can handle,” Alchemist Cookie hissed through gritted teeth. “Uh… I
dunno. How about three days?” Vampire replied. “A day and a half!” Alchemist shot back with her
arms crossed over her chest. “Ok, one day of you not nagging, yelling, or name calling.
Aaaaaaaaaaand you have to spend this afternoon with me at Sparkling’s Juice Bar, instead of
staying holed up in your little experiment room,” Vampire said with a chuckle. “WHAT? NO
WAY! I’d rather die!” Alchemist Cookie screamed. “You’d rather die than spend time with your
big brother? Aw, that’s cold little sis…” Vampire Cookie said, looking away. “What? No! That’s
not what I meant!”

“Naw, naw I get it. You being a successful Alchemist is more important than your big brother’s
feelings,” Vampire Cookie said, sticking his bottom lip out and letting it quiver slightly. “Vamps,
no I…” Alchemist Cookie looked around, praying that their spat had gone unnoticed by the other
Cookies. It hadn’t, everyone was looking at them, even Chiffon seemed to be watching ,wondering
how she would react to Vampire’s accusation. She turned back to her brother who was putting on a
very good woe-is-me performance, he seemed to even be conjuring up some fake tears. At least…
She hoped they were fake. The accusation did have a ring of truth to it. Whether he’d meant to
humiliate her into accepting his terms or guilt her into it, either way it was working. She sighed in
defeat and accepted her fate. “Ok, fine, I’ll do it but only if you help us clear out this mess!”
Alchemist Cookie shouted pointing at the pile of rubble leading up to the Castle. Vampire Cookie
shut one eye and looked at her with a smile on his face, cocking his head to one side playfully.
They were both silent for a moment before Alchemist Cookie inhaled slowly through her nose and
said through gritted teeth.

“Please…”

Vampire Cookie placed his juice glass down and stood up. “Gimme two ticks,” he said with a
smirk. The next few seconds were hard to describe as the Cookies didn’t register what was
happening. Other than a gust of air, a blur of color, rocks and brambles flying everywhere. By the
time the group had gotten their bearings about them, they looked to see not just a pathway, but the
entirety of the space in front of the Castle had been cleared out, except for one large sugar boulder
that blocked the entryway Vampire Cookie was standing in front of. He placed his hands beneath
the rock that was over five times his size. And effortlessly lifted it into the air, as if he were
picking up a pebble. He tossed it aside, landing well out of the way and shattering as it hit the
ground. He turned to the group of speechless desserts as he dusted his hands off. “There, done!” He
said with a proud smile. The Cookies stared at him wide-eyed and mouths agape. “How… How….
How? How? How did you do that?” Red Velvet exclaimed in disbelief. “Choco Werehound Brute
probably wouldn't be able to lift that rock, much less a tiny Cookie.” Schwarzwälder said. Vampire
Cookie flexed one of his arms, “Vampire super strength and super speed. It’s a gift.”

“That. Was. AMAZING!” Herb Cookie shouted. “You’re like a real live super hero!” Onion
Cookie cheered running up to Vampire Cookie. Vampire chuckled. “Aw, it was nothing, right sis?”
he said walking up to Alchemist Cookie with his lopsided smirk that she hated so much. Her fists
shook at her sides, oh how she wanted to answer with some sarcastic comeback, but due to the deal
they had made she was stuck being nice to him for the rest of the day. So her answer was a half-
hearted, “Thanks…” Vampire Cookie kissed her forehead as he walked by, “No problem, baby
sister.” And with that, he went on his merry way, humming happily to himself. Looking forward to
enjoying the rest of his day lazing about without his sister’s nagging. The group stood in silence
for a moment. “Wow, I had no idea your brother could…” Sparkling Cookie began. Alchemist held
up her hand, “Don’t…” she said flatly. “Please, don’t.”

A crash sounded from inside the Castle. “No time to waste, let’s go!” Red Velvet Cookie shouted,
running to the front with Licorice and Poison Mushroom right behind him.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Oh my gosh, Chili Pepper just grab him already!”

“I’m trying! Why can’t you use your magic or something?!”

“He’s moving too fast for me to lock on a spell! I need you to slow him down!”

“Just leave meow alone!” Bat-Cat shouted, narrowly dodging another of Wizard Cookie’s lighting
attacks. His wings felt heavy, his strength was starting to wane, he knew he couldn’t keep this up
forever, but he hadn’t been able to find another way out. He managed to stay just barely out of the
two Cookies' reach for some time but he couldn’t fly forever. At one point he considered giving up
and handing over the gem of his collar. But he decided against it. It wasn’t theirs. That crown
wasn’t theirs either. The nerve of them to break into their home and steal from them. The home
they’d spent so much time, so much jam, sweat, and tears in building. The paradise they’d yearned
for their entire lives. This Castle and that crown were a piece of that paradise. And the thought of
anyone trying to take it away from them made Bat-Cat’s blood boil. He decided at that moment to
stop playing defensive and go on the offense. He let out his claws and flew towards one of the
Cookies as fast as his tiny wings could carry him. “I got him! I got him!” Chili Pepper Cookie
shouted trying to grab for Bat-Cat as he flew past, all she got were three small scratches on her arm
as he narrowly escaped her grasp. She yelled out in shock and pain and held her injured arm. She
looked down at the tiny cracks in her dough, drops of red pooled from the injury.

“All right, enough is enough!” She shouted. “HEY!” A new voice shouted. Wizard and Chili
Pepper froze as they realized three Cookies had appeared in the room. “Meowster!” Bat-Cat
shouted, recognizing one of them as his Master. He flew towards his friends… But he never made
it into the safety of his Master’s arms. He let out an ear-splitting screech as his side exploded in
pain. He dropped like a rock and hit the floor. He slowly opened his eyes, and almost passed out
when he saw what had happened. His wing was now frozen to the floor, held in place by one of
Chili Pepper’s daggers. A small pool of blood had already begun to form under his injured wing.
Licorice Cookie wanted to throw up. Seeing his precious pet pinned to the ground with his wing
impaled. The whole ordeal took all of half a second. He was in the air one second and stuck to the
ground the next. Chili Pepper could throw a dagger with that much speed and accuracy? How fast
was she? “What do we do now?” Wizard Cookie asked, clutching the crown to his chest. “Like I
always say, when you can’t take the treasure, take the treasure chest,” Chili Pepper replied. “Huh?”
Wizard said dumbly. “GRAB THE CAT YOU MORON!” Chili Pepper Cookie shouted.

Licorice Cookie was already running to his pet with his arms outstretched. He was so focused on
rescuing his friend that he didn’t hear Wizard Cookie shout, “Lightning Strike!” He didn’t
recognize it as a spell until the lightning bolt that would have reduced him to crumbs flashed beside
him. The reason it didn’t meet its mark was because one of the Licorice Creatures he’d found had
pushed him out of the way just in the nick of time. The other two did the same with Red Velvet and
Poison Mushroom, who were now on the ground and trying to get their bearings about them.
They’d all just survived a near-death experience, but… Bat-Cat and the two Cookies were nowhere
to be found. Chili Pepper had grabbed up the injured cat during the confusion and the two had
made their escape. Licorice Cookie was snapped back to reality when he heard Bat-Cat calling out
for him down the hallway. “Meowster! Help!”

“Bat-Cat!” Licorice Cookie shouted. Grabbing his scythe, he sped down the hall, ignoring his
friends’ cries of “Licorice Cookie, wait!” He couldn’t wait. He had to get Bat-Cat back, he had to
make those Cookies pay for injuring his beloved pet. He could see them at the end of the hallway,
Chili Pepper clutching the squirming cat close to her and yelling at Wizard Cookie. Bat-Cat’s eyes
were wide with fear and tears fell down his face from the pain of his injured wing. “Bat-Cat! Hang
on buddy, I’m coming!” Licorice Cookie shouted. “Stop right there!” Another voice shouted from
behind Chili Pepper and Wizard Cookie. Several Cookies had gathered outside the Castle, some of
them holding weapons like a rope whip or an Alchemy potion. “We’ve got company,” Chili Pepper
said. She looked at her partner, who gave her a nod. Chili Pepper suddenly turned to Licorice and
tossed several crimson colored daggers. Licorice barely managed to dodge them all. In fact, one
would have hit him square in the face, had it not been for the Licorice Creatures once again. One
jumped in front of him and blocked the attack with a small bone dagger of his own.

At the same time Wizard Cookie unleashed a devastating lightning attack on the small group of
Cookies outside. The blast knocked them all back, clearing the way for the two Cookie’s exit. As
they ran out of the Castle, Wizard Cookie raised his Candy Wand once more and shouted, “Abra-
Cookie-Cadabra! Smokescreen spell!” An explosion of smoke engulfed the Castle grounds.
Licorice Cookie could hear Cookies crying out in pain, coughing from the smoke, yelling out
names trying to find their friends or family in the haze. But he also heard Bat-Cat, faintly calling
out for him. So without a second’s hesitation he rushed outside into the wall of smoke. It stung his
eyes and burned his lungs but he ran in what he thought was the direction he’d heard Bat-Cat call
for him. The smoke blinded him, he was disoriented from the sounds around him.

Onion Cookie crying for her mother. Vampire Cookie calling out for his sister. Sparkling’s
panicked voice exclaiming that Herb had been injured. Cookies coughing and crying out in pain.
Licorice Cookie tried to listen for Bat-Cat’s voice among the chaos but he couldn’t hear it
anymore. So he added his own voice to the disharmony of cries. He called out his name as he
stumbled through the smog. His lungs felt heavy, his eyes burned, tears rolled down his face as his
voice gave out and dissolved into a fit of hacking coughs that brought him to his knees. He finally
collapsed to the ground, shaking and sobbing. Bat-Cat was gone… Forever.

That’s how his friends found him when the smoke finally settled enough to see. Laying on the
ground and sobbing into his arms. “Licorice Cookie are you ok?” Red Velvet asked, bending down
and placing his Cake hand on the Dark Wizard’s back. “He’s gone,” Licorice Cookie sobbed,
“He’s gone…” was all he said. Red Velvet pulled him to his feet. Poison Mushroom Cookie
hugged him. Chiffon and the Licorice Creatures stood off to one side looking at one another. What
could they do? Licorice Cookie hiccuped and wiped his eyes on the sleeves of his robes. He looked
around at the destruction the thieves had caused. The Sugar Gnomes were running this way and
that with medical supplies trying to patch up the injured Cookies. Onion Cookie clung to her
mother, sobbing uncontrollably as Blackberry tried to both comfort her and tend to Adventurer
Cookies wounds. Herb held his oozing arm and cried out in pain when Sparkling Cookie touched
him… Anywhere. Vampire Cookie cradled an unconscious Alchemist Cookie in his arms and
sobbed. A stream of red jam oozed down her face like a river and stained her robes. Her purple hair
sticking to her face. She was breathing at least, but large cracks could be seen beneath the tears in
her clothes.

Licorice Cookie’s eyes widened in terror when a thought came to him. If they were willing to do
this to other Cookies. What are they going to do to Bat-Cat? His precious pet had already been
injured by those monsters. The memory of him laying on the floor with a dagger stuck through his
wing summoned another wave of sobs from Licorice Cookie. “I couldn’t stop them… I couldn’t
save him! It’s my fault! It’s all my fault! I shouldn’t have sent him in there alone! I shouldn’t have
been so angry with him! I…I!” Red Velvet placed his hand on his shoulder. “Licorice Cookie,
listen to me, we’re going to get him back. I promise,” He said with a nod and a determined look in
his eye. “Yeah! No one messes with our friends and gets away with it!” Poison Mushroom Cookie
cheered, furring his brow. Licorice Cookie looked up at Red Velvet with a tear-stained face, “H-
how?” He hiccuped. Red Velvet didn’t know how to answer that. “Licorice Cookie! Are you
ok?!?” Schwarzwälder’s booming voice shouted as he ran up to the trio. “NO! Those Cookies took
Bat-Cat!” Licorice replied, pointing in the direction… He thought they’d went. “WHAT!?!”
Schwarzwälder shouted. “Bat-Cat’s been Cat-napped!” Charlie said, running over to the group.
“Oh me, oh my, what will we doopity-doo?” he exclaimed.

Schwarzwälder narrowed his eyes and stuck his nose up in the air. Chiffon noticed and lowered his
to the ground and began sniffing. None of the Cookies noticed the two, they were still trying to
comfort Licorice Cookie. The two around, searching for a scent, then Chiffon found something on
the ground and barked to alert Schwarzwälder. He ran over and smiled when he saw what Chiffon
had discovered. “HEY GUYS! We found something!” he shouted. The Cookies looked up, Red
Velvet ran over to them. On the ground was a small red splatter. Could be jam. That made sense,
there was probably jam all over the ground from the Cookies' injuries. But when Red Velvet
knelled down and sniffed the stain with his own heightened smell, he noticed something strange.
“What is it, Red Velvet Cookie?” Poison Mushroom Cookie asked. “It looks like jam but… It
doesn't smell like jam. Jam has a sweet scent, this smells more… Metallic.”

“Blood,” Licorice Cookie breathed. “It’s blood! It must be Bat-Cat’s!” He shouted running up to
meet them and see the spot for himself. “His wing was injured when they Cat-napped him!”
Schwarzwälder looked up ahead, “There's a whole trail of it!” “That must be the way they went!”
Licorice Cookie exclaimed, hope shining in his eyes once again. “Looks like they’re headed for the
Land of Little Big Dreams,” Sparkling Cookie said, looking in the direction Licorice was pointing.
“Well what are we waiting for? Let’s go save Bat-Cat!” Poison Mushroom Cookie exclaimed,
throwing his hands up in the air excitedly. “Guys wait,” Red Velvet Cookie said, turning to the
Sugar Gnomes. “Charlie, Davis, Olaf. Do you guys think you can tend to the injured Cookies while
we go rescue Bat-Cat?” Charlie smiled and saluted with a proud twinkle in his eye, “Sure can
doopity-doo! Mr. Red Velvet Cookie sir!” “I’ll see if I have enough healing juice for everyone,”
Sparkling Cookie said with a smile. “My little sis can probably make some healing potions… Once
she wakes up,” Vampire Cookie said, gently wiping Alchemist Cookie’s face clean with his cape.
“All right then,” Red Velvet said with a nod, “Schwarzwälder, Chiffon, you two lead the way!
Let’s go save our friend!” Schwarzwälder and Chiffon howled as they charged forward into the
forest, with the Cookies close behind.

“Hang on, buddy! I’m coming for you!” Licorice Cookie called into the unknown.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Meanwhile, in the
forest~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A Cookie was happily skipping along the forest trail. Admiring every tree, flower, and blade of
grass she passed. She loved springtime, the colors were so vibrant and the smells were so sweet.
She gasped in delight as a butterfly flew into her range of vision. She watched the beautiful delicate
creature, as it seemed to dance in the air. She couldn’t help but join in, reaching her arms out to
allow her long pink sleeves to spread out like wings of her own. Spinning around and laughing the
pink-claid Cookie followed the tiny creature until it landed on a flower bush. Sitting on a bright
blue flower, matching the color of its wings. She watched it spellbound as it drank from the flower.
She found the flowers were not only pretty and sweet-smelling, but also had flexible yet strong
stems. Perfect for making a flower crown with. So she decided to do just that. The butterfly flew
away into the bright blue sky and she waved bye-bye to the little creature as it departed.

While she was weaving the flower stems together she heard a sound that made her pause. She
looked up to see two Cookies running down the forest trail, both holding something in their hands
and running like there was a Witch chasing them. They were both yelling at one another. The taller
one held what looked like a cat, and the shorter one was carrying something gold and shiny. She
couldn’t get a very good look at it, they were gone as quickly as they came. She could still hear the
echoes of their arguing fading away. The puzzled Cookie shook her head. She never understood
Cookies like that. Always in a rush, never taking the time to stop and admire the beauty and
wonder around them. She was half-way through her flower crown when she heard another noise.

A small creature appeared from the bushes. It was made of custard and covered in bandages with
strange symbols on them. It was peeking out from behind the bush at her and making strange
noises. She’d never seen a creature like this before. She was curious. “Hello, little guy,” she said
softly, trying not to frighten the little creature. “Are you lost?” The Custard creature made a soft
noise, she giggled at its funny walk. “Why are you wearing those bandages? Are you hurt? Here,
don’t be afraid. I can help you,” she said, holding up her rod. “I know healing magic. I can make
you feel better.” The creature seemed to understand her and slowly tottled towards her with its arms
outstretched. “That’s it, just come a little closer. Everything’s ok,” she said, holding out her hand.
The creature chuckled under its breath.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Meanwhile, not very far from

there~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Pomegranate Cookie?”

The tall Cookie in White Chocolate armor called out for his companion. But no response. Even if
she had heard him, she likely wouldn’t answer. “Probably off chasing butterflies again knowing
her,” he said to himself, rolling his crimson eye. The other one had been sealed shut with a scar
over it. A constant reminder of his final battle before leaving his homeland. At his side he carried a
sword that was glowing with dark power, of course to anyone else, its whispers would have taken
over his mind and driven him insane. But not him. He’d wielded the cursed blade for years, and
he’d been trained by one of his father’s close friends to control its power. So while others would
bend to the will of the sword, it bent to his. He tucked a piece of his long black hair out of his face
and sighed.

He finally heard a familiar giggle. He sighed in relief as he caught sight of her near some flower
bushes. But his breath caught in his throat when we realized what she was doing. He recognized
that tiny creature. He drew his sword and rushed to her, “Pomegranate Cookie! Stop!” She looked
up, but it was too late. The creature realized it had been found by another who knew of its purpose,
so it self-destructed and exploded. Scattering sticky cream and covering Pomegranate Cookie. She
yelled out in surprise and the warrior stopped in his tracks, but only for a moment. He rushed to her
and knelt beside her. “Are you alright? Are you injured?” It took her a second to realize what had
happened. “N… No. But… I…. I can’t move!” She realized she was trapped by the sticky ooze,
“I… I thought it was hurt, I-I was just trying to help.”

“Hey, hey. It’s ok,” he said calmly, realizing she was on the verge of tears. “Let's get you out of
this.” “Um… Dark Choco Cookie…” She said looking off. Dark Choco Cookie followed her gaze,
several creatures like the first were appearing from the depths of the forest and heading right for
them. Several small ones and a Custard Orge, arms outstretched, gurgling. He looked back at his
companion. Her eyes were wide with fright. She was frozen in place so she couldn’t help him, but
he couldn’t let those monsters hurt her. He stepped in front of her and brandished his sword. The
red glow of the Strawberry Jam Sword served as a warning to the monsters. A few faltered from
Dark Choco Cookie’s show of intimidation, but advanced nonetheless. He gripped his blade tightly
and whispered under his breath. “Ancestors, give me strength,” before letting out a battle cry and
charging forward.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Back with Red Velvet and

Co.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Chiffon sniffed at the ground and barked, wagging his tail and jumping up and down. The three
Cookies were right behind him, Licorice at the front as he was the most eagar of them to find those
Cookies and get his Bat-Cat back. “Oh, I hope we can find him before it's too late!” He
whimpered. “We will Licorice Cookie, I promise,” Red Velvet said with a smile. His sword
swinging at his side. Licorice Cookie clutched his scythe close, frantically looking around for
monsters. Poison Mushroom Cookie just followed happily and carefree, humming to himself. “This
way! Choco Werehound Brute smell spicy Cookie and magic Cookie this way!” Schwarzwälder
shouted. Licorice Cookie sighed. “Why would they take him anyway? What could those awful
Cookies want with my precious Bat-Cat?” The Licorice Creatures squeaked something that
sounded like an attempt to comfort him. “I remember the red-haired one saying something about
treasure,” Red Velvet said. “So what? They already had the crown, why take Bat-Cat too?”
Licorice Cookie cried. “I’m not….”

Raaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrr!

Licorice Cookie froze, “Did you guys hear that?” “M-m-monsters,” Poison Mushroom Cookie
whimpered, hiding behind Licorice Cookie. The Licorice Creatures brandished their tiny Bone
Daggers and looked around in search of the danger. “It sounded like it came from up ahead,” Red
Velvet Cookie said.

“Meet your end!”

“Wait… that doesn’t sound like a monster…. That sounded like…” Red Velvet said.

“Dark Choco Cookie, look out!”

“Cookies!” Poison Mushroom Cookie exclaimed, running towards the sound. “Poison Mushroom
Cookie, wait! It’s not safe!” Licorice Cookie shouted running after the small Cookie. The trio
followed the sounds of battle until they came to a small slope, at the bottom they could see a
Cookie locked in battle with several of the Custard Creatures. Another Cookie was frozen in place
by Custard Cream, and watched the battle with wide eyes. “There’s so many of them,” Licorice
Cookie said. “He’s clearly outnumbered… There’s no way he…” Licorice Cookie was stunned into
silence when he saw the Cookie’s sword glow a bright red. Crimson colored lightning bolts slashed
through the monsters wherever he swung. The sword seemed to be summoning the magical bolts,
so the Cookie didn’t even have to make contact to do damage, which meant he could stay out of the
spray when they exploded. “Wait, was that… Magic?” Red Velvet Cookie breathed, turning to
Licorice Cookie. “Why yes, Dark Magic in fact! His sword must be enchanted! Incredible. He must
be a top-notch swordfighter, only the best warriors can wield a weapon granted with Dark Magic.”

Despite being outnumbered, the Cookie seemed to be holding his own against the creatures. His
movements were fluid, almost like a dance as he swung his sword. Lightning crackled and flashed
as the blade cut through the air. The monsters were cut down left and right, but they still kept
coming. He would jump back every now and again to keep distance between him and the monsters.
Every so often he would turn back towards the trapped Cookie, to ensure none had gotten any
closer to her. He had to keep the monsters focused on him. Some appeared from behind, some
dropped down from nearby trees and got a little too close for comfort before exploding. The
ground was littered with foul sticky cream, and there was less and less space for him to plant his
footing without getting stuck. Then, the Custard Orge roared and charged him.

Dark Choco Cookie didn’t have time to counter-attack, so he jumped out of its way, but lost his
footing and tumbled, his sword flying out of his hand, and one of his arms landing in a pile of
sticky Custard Cream. Pomegranate Cookie gasped, “Dark Choco Cookie, no!” The monster turned
towards her, she froze. The monster took a step towards her, then another, then broke into a run
with a roar. She shut her eyes and turned her head. Dark Choco Cookie tried to pull his arm free but
to no avail. He tried to reach for his sword but it was too far out of his reach, the monster grew
closer and closer to Pomegranate Cookie, when suddenly.

“Sic ‘em Chiffon!” A voice shouted. “Arf! Arf! Arf!” The monster was suddenly knocked back by
a Pupcake running into it. It wasn’t enough to knock it down, but it was enough to confuse it. The
Cake Hound jumped in front of Pomegranate Cookie and growled, bearing his tiny sharp teeth.
“Attaboy, Chiffon!” Red Velvet Cookie shouted as he dove into battle. Several of the smaller
monsters were ripped apart by his Crimson Hand, a few more were split in half by his sword. He
jumped out of the way of the spray and ducked under the Orge’s swing. A few monsters tried to
close in on him and self-destruct, but he shielded himself with his Cake arm, and shook it off.
“Heeeeeeey, that’s a pretty cool trick,” Poison Mushroom Cookie said. The monsters looked at
him. “I can do that too! See?” he said pulling out one of his explosive Shroomies and tossing it, it
exploded upon impact and four of the creatures were disposed of. Red Velvet blocked an attack
from the Ogre with his sword, he dug his heels into the dirt as he was pushed back. “Poison
Mushroom Cookie, keep her safe!” He shouted nodding to Pomegranate Cookie. “Don’t let them
get too close! Chiffon, you know what to do!” Chiffon barked and ran to help Dark Choco Cookie
get free from the Cream. Poison Mushroom Cookie took out a few more Shroomies and gave
Pomegranate a reassuring smile. She smiled back.

Red Velvet tried to lower his sword so he could get in a swing with his claw but the monster
knocked him back as he lost his footing. He hit the ground hard. He looked up to see the monster
holding a large rock over its head. He rolled to the side before the creature could bring it down on
him. It crumbled as it hit the ground. The Custard Orge roared in anger over the Cookie escaping
his attack. Red Velvet quickly got to his feet and curled his hand into a claw. He was breathing
heavily and trying to figure out where the best place to focus his attack was. Dark Choco Cookie
had been freed and he’d retrieved his sword, he rushed towards the monster while it had his back
turned to him. Then he noticed something. “HEY! On your left!” The warning gave Red Velvet
enough time to evade an attack from a Custard Creature that had appeared from somewhere… This
one was different. It was round, and had one eye, a waffle horn atop its head, and waffle wings, a
few more appeared from the air.

Red Velvet backed up and readied his sword for the next strike. The Waffle Wing dove, Dark
Choco Cookie slashed through the Orge, Red Velvet Cookie blocked the attack, the Orge roared,
Red Velvet blocked two more attacks but was hit by the third and fell back. Dark Choco’s attack
wasn’t enough to take the monster down, so he got hit by a side blow and got the wind knocked out
of him. The flying Custard Monsters prepared to dive bomb Red Velvet and land the final blow.
The Orge roared and rushed Dark Choco while he was still recovering from the first blow. But
before any of them hit their mark, the three Wafflewings were intercepted by three Licorice
Creatures, who slashed their eyes with Bone Daggers. The creatures hissed in pain and dissipated.

“Shadowbolt Strike!” A voice shouted, summoning dark purple lightning bolts, which brought the
Custard Orge to its knees. Licorice Cookie ran up to the Orge, he jumped, held his scythe high and
swung, making a clean cut through the monster’s throat. He landed with expert skill as the monster
dropped to the ground and dissolved into a puddle of Cream. The remaining monsters froze, and
then ran away with a cry of fear. The Cookies all breathed heavily, watching and waiting to see if
any more monsters would appear. They didn’t. “We did it!” Poison Mushroom Cookie cheered.
“Nice work, Licorice Cookie!” Schwarzwälder cheered walking up to the group. “No…. Pro….
Blem….” the Dark Wizard said in between gasps. “Thanks kid,” Dark Choco Cookie said walking
up to Red Velvet. “I owe you one. But you need to work on your swordsmanship, your form is
off,” he laughed. Red Velvet chuckled, “Yeah, I guess so.” Dark Choco Cookie smiled. “But I
suppose it helps to have a natural weapon in battle as well,” he said, eyeing Red Velvet’s Cake
arm. Red Velvet opened and closed his Cake hand. “Yeah…. That’s a long story.”
“Hahahahahaha, stop, puppy! That tickles!” Pomegranate Cookie laughed as Chiffon licked the
Custard Cream off her face. “Oh yeah, I almost forgot,” Red Velvet said, running up to her. “Here,
let me help get you out of that,” he said, bending down to help Chiffon clean off the Cream. “Wait,
won’t you get stuck too?” She said, “Not if I use my Cake arm,” Red Velvet said, waving his Cake
hand. This was her first time noticing that, so naturally she had a million questions. All he could tell
her was that he just woke up with it like that, and that was all he knew. Once the two had her free,
Red Velvet helped her to her feet. “My name’s Red Velvet Cookie, and these are my friends,
Poison Mushroom and Licorice Cookie.”

“Hi new friend!” Poison Mushroom Cookie said with a happy smile. “Hey,” Licorice said, still out
of breath from the fight. “Phew, I used up way too much Mana for that one. Where are my Mana
jellies?” He said digging into the pockets of his robes, and pulling out a dark blue jelly. “Arf! Arf!
Arf!” Red Velvet chuckled, “And that’s Chiffon. And Licorice Cookie’s Cake is Schwarzw-”
“CHOCO WEREHOUND BRUTE!” Schwarzwälder shouted, cutting Red Velvet Cookie off.
Licorice Cookie rolled his eyes, “He likes to be called by his species name.” “It’s a pleasure to
meet you all,” Pomegranate Cookie said with a smile, “Thank you for helping us with those
monsters. I thought for sure we were goners for a second there. Right, Dark Choco Cookie?” She
paused. He was staring down at something on the ground. “Dark Choco Cookie?” She said
walking up to him. He stabbed the thing with his sword and lifted it to his face. It was one of the
bandages the Custard Monsters wore, it was covered in cream and the marking had faded slightly.
But they were still legible enough to be recognized. “Cremlins…” He said softly. “What?”
Pomegranate said, tilting her head in confusion. “If they’ve returned, then that means the curse has
as well,” he replied solemnly. “Curse? What curse?” Red Velvet Cookie said, raising an eyebrow.
“Um, hello? Excuse me, three totally clueless Cookies over here who would like to know what
you’re talking about,” Licorice Cookie said.

Dark Choco Cookie snapped out of his self-induced trance and turned to the three Cookies. He
looked down, his eyes glazing over, staring into memories he’d avoided remembering for years.
He took a deep breath to steady himself and replied in a grave voice, “The Somnus Aeternus Curse.
The curse behind the destruction of the Dark Flour War. The Five Ancient Heroes sacrificed
everything to seal that curse away, but if these monsters have returned to Earthbread, then so has
that curse.” “What?” Red Velvet siad, “But my friends and I have been fighting those things for
weeks!” “Yeah, we just thought they’d always been there,” Licorice Cookie added. Dark Choco
Cookie shook his head, “They appeared shortly before the curse took over. They’re servants to the
curse’s creator, these bandages are harmless but the cursed ones can leave a Cookie defenseless.”

“What exactly does this curse do?” Licorice Cookie asked. “It strips a Cookie of their autonomy
and free will, making them mindless servants to its creator. A Cookie known as Bitter Truth
Cookie, the Blind King. He brainwashes Cookies into becoming mindless zombies by wrapping
bandages like these around their eyes. But those glow, these don’t, so these are just to mark his
creations with.” He said, holding up the soggy bandage. “And… You said those monsters are
called…. Cremlins?” Red Velvet asked. Dark Choco Cookie nodded, “They are the same monsters
that laid my kingdom to waste all those years ago,” he said softly. His eyes looking at something
only he could see, into a past he wished he could forget. Poison Mushroom Cookie gasped loudly.
“You have a kingdom? We have a kingdom too! We’re building it together to make a home for all
Cookies to live together and be happy!” He said, throwing his hands in the air. Dark Choco Cookie
snapped out of his spiral once he realized something. He chuckled and placed his hand to his
forehead, “Oh, goodness. Where are my manners? I haven’t even introduced myself… I’m…”

He drew his sword and planted it into the ground next to him, his cape and hair flew behind him as
he turned his head, planting on foot atop a nearby rock, he said with a bold flair, “Prince Dark
Choco Cookie of the Dark Cacao Kingdom! Hero and descendant of one of the Five Ancient
Heroes!”
“Wow! You’re a prince? That’s so cool!” Red Velvet Cookie shouted. “There’s no wind… How is
his cape doing that?” Licorice Cookie questioned. (If he’d been paying attention to Pomegranate
Cookie and not Dark Choco he would have noticed her standing a little ways off with a small
handheld fan. Which she quickly turned off and hid behind her back.) “I’m on a quest!” Dark
Choco Cookie continued. “I’m searching for my father, Dark Cacao Cookie, leader of our
kingdom. You three wouldn’t happen to know anything of his whereabouts would you?” he asked.
The trio of Cookies looked at one another. Even Chiffon tilted his head to one side with a
questioning, “Arroo?” Red Velvet shook his head, “Sorry, no.” “I’m pretty sure I would have
remembered meeting one of the Five Ancient Heroes everyone keeps talking about,” Licorice
Cookie added. “We only escaped from the scary Witch a couple of weeks ago,” Poison Mushroom
Cookie added. “You three are Ovenbaked Cookies then?” Pomegranate Cookie said, “That must of
been really scary… I’ve only heard stories of those monsters but… What I’ve heard is enough to
give me nightmares.”

“This is my companion, Pomegranate Cookie,” Dark Choco Cookie said nodding to the pink-claid
Cookie. “She’s been helping me search for my father. We heard rumors that the ruins of a kingdom
built by the Five Ancient Heroes could be found somewhere around here. I was hoping they might
hold some clue to where he disappeared to after the Dark Flour War,” he explained. “Those ruins
are the kingdom we now call home! We’re fixing it up with the help of the Sugar Gnomes!” Red
Velvet Cookie said. “But some mean Cookies broke into the Castle and took a crown that didn’t
belong to them,” Poison Mushroom Cookie said. “AND THEY TOOK BAT-CAT!” Licorice
Cookie wailed. “Who’s… Bat-Cat?” Pomegranate Cookie asked. “Licorice Cookie’s and Choco
Werehound Brute’s friend. Stealing Cookies took him into the forest, so we’re running after them
to get him back!” Schwarzwälder said. “Wait…” How many Cookies were there?” Pomegranate
Cookie asked. “Two… Why?” Poison Mushroom Cookie asked. “I saw a couple of Cookies run by
just before the Cremlins attacked us. I think I remember seeing that crown you were talking
about… And one of them looked like it was carrying a cat.” Licorice Cookie’s eyes widened,
“Really? That had to be them? Which way did they go?” He said in one breath. “I saw them go
deeper into the woods that way,” she replied pointing off down the trail with her rod. “Great! Nice
meeting you guys, c’mon Schwarzwälder, Licastor, Liciam, Licorina, let’s go!” Licorice Cookie
said, taking off down the trail without another word. Schwarzwälder and the Licorice Creatures
followed after. Dark Choco Cookie watched them leave. “Looks like we’re both searching for
someone. Hemmm.”

“What cha thinking about Dark Choco Cookie?” Pomegranate Cookie asked, she knew him well
enough to recognize that look. She knew what he was thinking. “Well, as a hero it is my duty to
help those in need. You guys need help getting your friend back, so if you would like, I would be
honored to join you in your quest!” He said, placing his hand to his chest. “Really?” Poison
Mushroom Cookie said. “Of course! Besides, those Cookies have committed the crime of thievery!
On my honor as a Dark Cacao warrior, I swear I shall not rest until justice is properly served and
these Cookies have been punished!” Dark Choco Cookie exclaimed, holding his sword to the light
and allowing it to catch the gem of his sword. Making it gleam with a heroic sparkle. “And I can
help too!” Pomegranate Cookie said. “If we lose the trail, I can use my magic mirror to see where
they’ve taken him!” She said holding up a pink mirror she’d been hiding in her robes. “She’s also
an excellent healer, her magic is what’s gotten me through many a tough battle,” Dark Choco
Cookie said, smiling proudly at his companion. Pomegranate Cookie’s cheeks turned as pink as her
robes.

“That would be great! These Cookies are really tough, so we could use all the help we could get,”
Red Velvet Cookie said. “And hey, I just thought of something. If you’re helping us get Bat-Cat
back, maybe we can help you find your dad, Dark Choco Cookie. Like you said, there may be
something back at the kingdom that could give us an idea where he’d be.” Dark Choco Cookie
smiled, “I would much appreciate any assistance you can offer. If the curse truly has returned, then
all of Earthbread is in need of his strength.” Dark Choco Cookie said, lowering his head. He
quickly raised it again, looking off down the forest trail. “So we have no time to waste, Cookies,
onward!” He shouted, pointing his sword and charging forward down the trail, with his white cape
flowing behind him like a battle flag. Pomegranate Cookie shook her head. “In case you haven’t
noticed, he’s got a bit of a flair for the dramatic,” she whispered to Red Velvet. “I noticed,” he
chuckled, “I think he’s neat.”

Pomegranate placed her hand over her mouth and chuckled softly. “Let’s see if you can keep up
with him,” she said, breaking into a run. “Hey! Wait up!” Red Velvet Cookie laughed, sprinting
after her. Poison Mushroom Cookie blinked, realized his friends were running ahead and smiled,
“Hey! Are we having a race! Shroomy’s gonna win!” he shouted, happily running after them.

Deep into the unknown.

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