Chapter Text
“You all took quite the beating…” White Lily Cookie says, helping Pure Vanilla Cookie patch up her friends with the little healing magic that she knew.
”We have experienced worse.” Hollyberry Cookie chuckles as White Lily Cookie tended to the wound on her arm.
”I suppose these are my first steps towards forgiveness…” She smiles guiltily.
“Nonsense.” Hollyberry Cookie says gently. “In my heart, I already forgave you a long time ago, White Lily Cookie. You may have made many mistakes but above all, you are one of my oldest friends.” She says as White Lily Cookie finishes tending to a wound on her arm.
A small smile crossed White Lily Cookie’s lips.
Even after everything, her friends were willing to forgive her and welcome her back into their lives.
It made her heart feel a little more at peace.
”Thank you, Hollyberry Cookie.” She replies, starting to look for anymore wounds.
She noticed the wedding ring on her finger.
”Ah, your spouse…” White Lily Cookie says.
”I must find them at once.” Hollyberry Cookie declares. “They joined the war and I have not seen them since-“
White Lily Cookie looked rather uncomfortable.
”Ah.” Hollyberry Cookie says. “Ah, don’t worry, my friend, I shall make sure that they refrain from doing anything…rash.”
”Are you sure?” White Lily Cookie asks. “I don’t want to cause any trouble…”
”Pitaya always listens to anything I have to say.” Hollyberry Cookie laughs. “Don’t worry. I won’t let them lay a finger on you.” She smiles.
White Lily Cookie sighs.
”If you say so.” She smiles softly.
”Are you alright?” Pure Vanilla Cookie asks, finally making his way over to them after he had tended to Dark Cacao Cookie and Golden Cheese Cookie.
”White Lily Cookie here did an excellent job!” Hollyberry Cookie grins.
”Wonderful, I’m glad.” Pure Vanilla Cookie smiles, taking one last look over her. “If I may, might I do the finishing touches?” He asks.
”Go ahead!” Hollyberry Cookie smiles.
Pure Vanilla Cookie checked her over one last time and healed the slightly more persistent wounds in her dough.
”You’re awfully clingy, Golden Cheese Cookie.” White Lily Cookie giggles, Golden Cheese Cookie and Dark Cacao Cookie having joined them as Pure Vanilla Cookie finished up with Hollyberry Cookie.
”I simply see it fit to be.” Golden Cheese Cookie smiles, holding onto White Lily Cookie’s arm. “I am relieved to have you back, White Lily Cookie. We have much to talk about.” She says, gentler now.
”…We do.” White Lily Cookie agrees, rather apprehensively.
”There is no need to sound so anxious, White Lily Cookie.” Golden Cheese Cookie reassures her. “I am ready to forgive you, with all my heart, I am. I’d just prefer to do it under more…pleasant circumstances.” She says, gazing around at the now calm battlefield.
”Hm.” White Lily Cookie hums.
”We are all happy to have you back, White Lily Cookie.” Dark Cacao Cookie speaks up. “And we are all ready to forgive you, no matter how big the mistakes you have made.” He says. “There will always be a way to atone for them.”
White Lily Cookie felt tears well in her eyes again before she shook her head.
”There!” Pure Vanilla Cookie says cheerfully as he finished tending to Hollyberry Cookie.
”Ah, I feel better than ever!” Hollyberry Cookie says, standing. “Thank you. Both of you.” She smiles, looking between Pure Vanilla Cookie and White Lily Cookie.
”You’re very welcome!” Pure Vanilla Cookie smiles.
He turns to White Lily Cookie.
”I know the Sugar Swan has probably healed most of your injuries but…may I?” He asks.
White Lily Cookie couldn’t help but smile at him.
”Of course.” She says softly, allowing Pure Vanilla Cookie to examine her.
“Your new form,” Pure Vanilla Cookie says as he looks over her. “It’s beautiful.”
White Lily Cookie feels her cheeks heat up.
”Thank you.” She says, rather shyly. “Yours is too. All of yours, I mean.” She clarifies.
Dark Cacao Cookie, Hollyberry Cookie and Golden Cheese Cookie all shared a knowing look.
”It seems like the Sugar Swan has taken care of everything.” Pure Vanilla Cookie says, stepping back. “Do you feel alright?”
White Lily Cookie nods.
”Yes.” She replies. “Better than I have a long while, it feels like.”
”The wonders of becoming whole again, it must be.” Golden Cheese Cookie smiles, flying over to her and draping one feathery wing around her.
White Lily Cookie giggles.
”Yes.” She says. “It seems so.”
And once again, the Ancient Heroes found themselves piled into a hug, smiles on all of their faces and relief in their hearts.
“I do hate to interrupt.” Dark Cacao Cookie was the first to say. “But we still have rather pressing matters to attend to. The Beast Cookie’s…we must locate them immediately.”
White Lily Cookie’s eyes widen.
”Silent Salt Cookie!” She exclaims.
Everyone raises an eyebrow.
”That is…your Beast is it not, White Lily Cookie?” Hollyberry Cookie asks.
She nods in return.
”He knew about my whole plan, luring that creature here, defeating Dark Enchantress, making myself crumble…” She explains. “I must find him! He was expecting me to crumble!”
”We shall come with you!” Dark Cacao Cookie immediately replies. “Who knows what those other foul Beasts are planning!”
”I think they’re still near the castle!” Golden Cheese Cookie says. “I shall fly ahead; come, everyone, there’s no time to waste!” She instructs, immediately flying high in the air and towards what once was Dark Enchantress’s castle.
As fast as they could, the four other cookie’s made their way to the castle.
And the sight that greeted them all was not at all pleasant.
Silent Salt Cookie was laying on the floor, a silver fork piercing his stomach and Shadow Milk Cookie looming over him rather sinisterly.
The other Beast cookies, no matter how their respective Ancient felt about them, looked dreadful.
Mystic Flour Cookie and Eternal Sugar lay motionless on their floor, their eyecings devoid of any signs of life and Burning Spice Cookie was on his knees, his eyes too, had lost their usual spark for destruction, battle and chaos. All of their doughs were stale and grey and their Soul Jams…well, only the slightest bit of colour remained in them.
”Silent Salt Cookie!” White Lily Cookie cried, immediately casting one of her most powerful spell to distract Shadow Milk Cookie.
”Ugh!” Came a frustrated groan from Shadow Milk Cookie, who immediately raised a hand to cover one of his eyes.
”Well! Well, well, well! Look what the cake-hound dragged in!” Shadow Milk Cookie says once he got a good look at who had attacked him.
“White Lily Cookie?!” Silent Salt Cookie exclaimed as he turned his head and caught sight of her.
“Shouldn’t your sorry little self have crumbled when that fraud of a witch was defeated?” Shadow Milk Cookie taunted. “No matter, if you want to be gone so badly, then I’ll just take care of it myself! With a little borrowed help, of course.” He smiles, moving his hand to reveal his eye.
The Ancient heroes gasped at the sight. His eye was…a dreadful mix of colours, several other eyes emerging from it too. The heroes quickly realised that those other eyes…they resembled each of the Beasts. Mystic Flour Cookie, Burning Spice Cookie, Eternal Sugar Cookie…all of them except Silent Salt Cookie.
”Pure Vanilla Cookie!” White Lily Cookie says, turning to him. “Please, aid Silent Salt Cookie! Quickly!”
”Everyone!” She says, turning to Hollyberry Cookie, Golden Cheese Cookie and Dark Cacao Cookie. “Please aid me in battle!”
They asked no questions and Pure Vanilla Cookie immediately rushed towards Silent Salt Cookie whilst the others started attacking Shadow Milk Cookie.
”I am still capable of fighting…” Silent Salt Cookie says, reaching for his sword.
”Please, let me-“
But Silent Salt Cookie paid no attention as he dug his sword into the ground as best as he could, his attack and one from White Lily Cookie both hitting Shadow Milk Cookie at the same time.
”Argh!” Shadow Milk Cookie groaned with frustration. “Damn it!” Was all he said before he turned and fled, flying towards the rift in the sky.
”Shadow Milk Cookie!” Pure Vanilla Cookie attempted to call after him but the Beast cookie paid him no mind and flew into the rift without looking back.
”No!” White Lily Cookie cried. “That rift! Who knows where it leads! He could-he could-!” She exclaims. “No! He’ll-he’ll-“ Hopelessly, she fell to her knees, the others immediately rushing to her side.
The rift in the sky closed and all was quiet again, save for White Lily Cookie’s sobs.
”No…” She whispered sadly. “It’s my fault this happened, I-“
”No.” Dark Cacao said. “If anything, all of us are also to blame.” He tells her. “We should’ve stationed troops here, ones that would’ve been able to fend off the Beasts if they broke out of Silent Salt Cookie’s spell. Please, do not be so hard on yourself, White Lily Cookie”
”Had we known that the Beasts were going to break free or what Shadow Milk Cookie was going to, we would’ve taken precautions.” Hollyberry Cookie says, holding White Lily Cookie close. “It is not your fault. What he did was entirely unpredictable.”
White Lily Cookie sniffed, wiped her eyes and stood up, making her way over to Silent Salt Cookie.
”What happened here?” She asks the knight.
”Shadow Milk Cookie seemed to have found a way to break out of my Judgement of Silence, the others were not so lucky.” He explains. “He said he snuck into the Ultimate Oven and took a piece of dough from the cookie that Dark Enchantress was baking.”
”The Ultimate Cookie…” Pure Vanilla Cookie says.
The knight nods.
”That maniacal clown used it to absorb the last of their powers. I was close to destroying my own soul jam before you all arrived.” He explains. “It is clear that he won’t stop, no matter the cost. Even if it meant the lives of his allies.”
There was silence for a few moments.
”What is it that you wish to do, Silent Salt Cookie?” White Lily Cookie asks. “You crumbled three of the Beast’s, you have been pierced by a silver fork,” She says. “Are you going to choose to live or crumble?” She asks.
”The deeds I have committed are unforgivable, there is no doubt there.” Silent Salt Cookie replies. “So why do you ask me this question?”
White Lily Cookie was silent and then, as if on cue, a beautiful silver butterfly fluttered over and landed on Silent Salt Cookie’s sword.
”Well,” White Lily Cookie says softly. “What do you think that he would want? When you fell from grace, he tried everything in his power to convince you to stay, didn’t he?” She asks. “Do you think he would want you to live and repent or crumble, miserable and unforgiven?”
”My Virtue is tainted and a threat to Cookiekind.” Silent Salt Cookie replies. “We all know the answer to your question so why do you use him against me? As a means to convince me?” He asks.
”Because after everything, even now, I am sure he would want you to stay.” White Lily Cookie says solemnly, reaching out and letting the silver butterfly perch on her hand. "Because he loved you. More than anything."
There was silence for a few moments again.
”…He was devastated…” He reminisces.
”…When you came to him after your Virtue was tainted?” White Lily Cookie asks.
The knight nods.
”When I asked him if he could take my life by his own hands…I shall never forget the expression on his face…” He says.
The butterfly flew over to Silent Salt Cookie and landed on his helmet.
“I shall make a deal with you.” Silent Salt Cookie decides.
White Lily Cookie raises an eyebrow at him expectantly.
”I shall stay.” He tells her. “I shall stay, repent for my sins as best I can and prevent my fallen Virtue from tainting the future of Cookiekind. And if that maniacal clown returns, I shall assist you in fighting him.” He explains. “But if I bring more harm than good, then I shall ask you to end my life by your hands.” He tells her. “Do you accept my offer?”
Without hesitation, White Lily Cookie nods.
”Yes.” She replies. “We both have similar goals in mind. Together, I am sure we can work towards them.” She smiles at him gently.
”Very well then.”
White Lily Cookie turns towards Pure Vanilla Cookie.
”Will you need help?” She asks, glancing back at the fork that was piercing the knight’s dough.
”I shall need something to stop the jam flowing when that fork is pulled out.” Pure Vanilla Cookie says. “Do we have something that can be used?”
”Um…” White Lily Cookie says.
She tapped her staff against the ground and in an instant, a cloth, fashioned rather like a lily petal, appeared in front of them.
”This should work.” She says.
”Wonderful, I can use it to wrap around the wound once the fork is removed too.”
”I am sorry but I cannot promise that this will be painless.” Pure Vanilla Cookie says to Silent Salt Cookie sympathetically.
Silent Salt Cookie said nothing.
With that, the two got started on patching him up.
“How…horrible…” Hollyberry Cookie says, staring down at the lifeless dough that was Eternal Sugar Cookie.
“It does not matter what they did, no cookie deserves to crumble like this…” Golden Cheese Cookie says, kneeling in front of Burning Spice Cookie.
”Almost crumbled by one of your allies and then effectively finished off by another one of them…” Dark Cacao Cookie says, standing over Mystic Flour Cookie. “You are right, Golden Cheese Cookie, no one deserves to crumble like that.”
”I…I knew something would happen to them at some point but…part of me wishes that we received proper closure, if that makes sense?” Golden Cheese Cookie says, staring at Burning Spice Cookie’s lifeless eyes.
”I understand.” Hollyberry Cookie replies.
”The burdens of the world became too much for them to bear. They bid farewell to their old selves and started anew, in the most twisted way possible…” Dark Cacao Cookie says. “And in the end, they never received a chance to see how Cookiekind has changed, how it is different to what it once used to be…”
“Do you think that they ever would’ve had a chance at redemption?” Golden Cheese Cookie asks. “I think about it sometimes…about how Burning Spice Cookie might’ve handled such an offer.”
”Eternal Sugar Cookie had a rather twisted view of keeping cookie’s safe and happy.” Hollyberry Cookie tells them. “But…I believe that if I showed that there was another way of making her loved ones happy…then maybe she would’ve accepted such an offer…”
”Mystic Flour Cookie’s views of this world have been tainted by the greed of the cookie’s who visited her,” Dark Cacao Cookie says. “Perhaps…if she was shown that things were different. That cookie’s do not always succumb to their desires, then perhaps she too would’ve considered redemption…”
They were quiet as they looked down upon their counterparts, lifeless and cold and never having a chance to see that the world had changed since their fall from grace.
Hollyberry Cookie leaned down and scooped Eternal Sugar Cookie’s stale dough into her arms.
Golden Cheese Cookie leaned forward and closed Burning Spice Cookie’s eyes.
Dark Cacao Cookie followed suit and closed Mystic Flour Cookie’s eyes and scooped her fragile dough into his arms.
”What of their lackeys?” He asks.
Hollyberry Cookie and Golden Cheese Cookie looked at him.
”That is…a good question…” Hollyberry Cookie replies.
”Who knows where they are,” Golden Cheese Cookie says. “But they, at the very least, deserve to know of their Master’s fall.”
”NO!” Came a voice, as if on cue.
Dark Cacao Cookie recognised that sound and turned towards its source.
Cloud Haetae Cookie was running towards him, tears rolling down their face.
“Cloud Haetae Cookie,” Dark Cacao Cookie began to say.
”Master!” Cloud Haetae Cookie sobbed.
And Dark Cacao Cookie could do nothing but descend to their height so they could see Mystic Flour Cookie.
”Master…” They sob weakly, their little arms clutching at her hanfu.
”I…I am sorry…” Was all Dark Cacao Cookie could say as the haetae mourned the loss of their Master.
Golden Cheese Cookie heard a sound and turned around.
”Nutmeg Tiger Cookie,” She says, still sat on her knees.
”The Great Destroyer really is…” Nutmeg Tiger Cookie says as she approaches Burning Spice Cookie’s lifeless dough.
”Yes.” Was Golden Cheese Cookie replied.
"I..." Nutmeg Tiger Cookie began to say. Golden Cheese Cookie didn't think that she'd ever seen her look so shaken.
"I never thought it possible..." She says, falling to her knees beside Golden Cheese Cookie.
The two of them sat in silence in front of his corpse.
“I know you are there, Pavlova Cookie.” Hollyberry Cookie says without turning around.
”Ah. So you caught me.” Pavlova Cookie says, stepping forward.
He gazes down at Eternal Sugar Cookie’s lifeless dough, hardly any emotion in his eyes.
”I feel…conflicted…” He tells Hollyberry Cookie.
”Is that so?” Hollyberry Cookie asks. “Go on. If you’d like to, of course…”
”I…Eternal Sugar Cookie created me long before she corrupted. I was the only one out of all of her attempted her creations to survive the baking process.” Pavlova Cookie explains. “So I have been with her for much of my life. I witnessed her corruption and fell alongside her.” He continues. “For much of my life after that, I was forbidden from ever leaving the garden, unless if it was absolutely necessary.” He explains. “But…Eternal Sugar Cookie cared for me, like most creators do for their creations…” He trails off. “So…I…I’m conflicted. She created me and loved me like every creator should their creation but at the same time…it was overbearing…”
Hollyberry Cookie looks at him sympathetically.
”So I feel relief but I also feel…sorrow…” Pavlova Cookie says, looking down at Eternal Sugar Cookie’s dough.
“I…I do not know what to say…” Hollyberry Cookie replies.
”You do not need to say anything.” Pavlova Cookie immediately says.
Hollyberry Cookie stayed quiet, Eternal Sugar Cookie still in her arms as Pavlova Cookie stared down at her, his eyes unreadable.
A short distance away, the trees rustled but no one seemed to notice.
“Can you see him? Can you see him?” A high-pitched voice whispered frantically.
”I’m trying but there’s no sign!” Another lower-pitched voice hissed. “But there’s no sign of a stale dough, either…could he have…?”
”Are you doubting him, dough-brain? Of course he would’ve been smart enough to escape!” The high-pitched voice retorted. “But…he’s left us here…”
”Well, we obviously must continue spreading lies and deceit if he’s left us here.” The other voice concludes. “C’mon! We’ll wait for all of them to leave and then we’ll make our grand entrance! Just to double check, of course.”
“How do you feel?” Pure Vanilla Cookie asks Silent Salt Cookie.
”…Well enough.” The knight replies simply.
”I am sorry that I’m not able to heal you as best as I usually can. Perhaps when we are back in a more…civilised area I can finish up?” He suggests.
“Very well.” Silent Salt Cookie replies.
Pure Vanilla Cookie smiles and stands up, going over to White Lily Cookie, who was watching all of their friends crouched over their respective Beasts.
”How awful…” Pure Vanilla Cookie says sympathetically.
White Lily Cookie nods her head in agreement.
”How selfish of him…” White Lily Cookie replies. “Wasn’t he a cookie who once knew all? If he didn’t have such a twisted mindset, perhaps he could’ve cast healing magic to get them back on their feet.” She says. “Instead…he chose to finish them off.”
“Not necessarily.” Silent Salt Cookie says from behind them. “I believe their souls are with him and because of that, their physical forms…” He says, looking at the Beasts. “Serve no purpose anymore.”
“So…they are sentient within Shadow Milk Cookie?” Pure Vanilla Cookie asks.
”We can only assume so.” Silent Salt Cookie replies.
It was quiet for a few moments.
“Lord Commander.” A voice came from behind them.
The three of them turned to find Salt Cellar Cookie and Nox Black Salt.
”Salt Cellar Cookie.” Silent Salt Cookie said, approaching them and allowing Nox Black Salt to nuzzle against him.
”I am relieved to see you…as well as you can be, Lord Commander.” Salt Cellar Cookie says. She peaks around him and catches sight of the lifeless doughs of the other Beasts. “You have fulfilled your goal.” She says.
”Yes.” He replies. “Except for that maniacal clown. He fled through the rift that White Lily Cookie arrived in.” He explains.
”I see.” Salt Cellar Cookie replies. “When we return to the Great Barren, shall we begin preparing for a bigger threat, then?” She asks.
”Yes.” The knight immediately replies. “We shall begin as soon as we can. Everything is…unpredictable at that moment, it is wise to allow everything to settle first.”
”Very well, Lord Commander.” Salt Cellar Cookie nods. “I believe White Lily Cookie and her allies will have some much needed reunions to attend to first, won’t they?” She asks, looking at Pure Vanilla Cookie and White Lily Cookie stood together.
“Yes.” Silent Salt Cookie nods his head. “We shall certainly let them see to it first.”
Meanwhile, Pure Vanilla Cookie reached out and took White Lily Cookie’s hand. Hesitantly, she reciprocated the action.
”Is this alright?” He asks kindly.
White Lily Cookie nods.
”Yes.” She replies gently, the action very much reminding her of their days as students.
”We have some much needed reunions to attend to, now that all of this is over.” He says. “I’m sure there are many Cookie’s who are looking forward to seeing you. I can already think of a few.” He smiles.
”Yes.” White Lily Cookie smiles back at him.
”I’m looking forward to seeing them too.”