Chapter Text
"Glory be to the godly Witches for our life and our sweetness..."
Spice Velvet Cookie prayed, hoping his words reached their godly makers above. The Cookie didn't hear the doors slowly creak open, as Reverend Mother Cookie entered the room.
"Spice Velvet Cookie. I didn't expect to find you here past the retire bell." She said calmly. Spice Velvet Cookie looked at her in surprise, getting up from where he was kneeling. "Reverend Mother..! Forgive me; I was just making up for missing today's morning prayer... and I must've been too loud.." The male said, embarrassed.
"My child, how can I punish you for praying! Tell me of your worries."
"Flour 17:9..."
"... For where thine forks art sharp, thine tables art peaceful!"
"A wielder of the sacred fork knows no sleep, I was merely honing my weapon and my mind." He said, looking at the Cookie cloaked in white. One of his hands held softly onto his veil he wore and brushed it against the material.
"Ha... Such diligence is commendable, my child! Truly, your soul of pure butter bears not an iota of foul margarine..." Reverend Mother Cookie told him. "I am not worthy of such high praise.." he said back.
"Indeed... But I bring most saddening news. Cake Monster taint has nested within the sacred halls of the Godly Banquet." She said to him. Spice Velvet Cookie knew what she meant immediately.
"You are talking about the miraculous Cake Tower? The holy grounds of the Godly Baking..?!" He answered quickly. Something tainting the Baking Ground of those above was something he could never tolerate. He had to do something about it.
"I, myself, refused to believe such outrageous rumors. Yet, things most sweet and delicate tend to turn foul the soonest..." Reverend Mother Cookie continued, "But if the rumors are true... Such insult to the sacred CANNOT. TAKE. PLACE!" She spoke loudly at the end.
"... Your wish is my command, Reverend Mother. I shall gladly purge the unclean." Spice Velvet Cookie told her, readying the Fork of Judgement.
"Yes, child. You will go with my blessing! Depart now, under the night's cover. You must find out what blasphemy has been allowed to happen." Reverend Mother Cookie nodded, as Spice Velvet Cookie left and made his way to the sacred tower.
"The Godly Cake Tower... An ancient holy place." he spoke, seeing what the Cake Tower turned into. He noted the Strawberry Jam dripping down those.. giant horns in the ground, flames emerging from the entrance of the tower.
"It's as if the sky rested on its top! Just... how tall is it..?" The red-doughed male gripped onto the Fork of Judgement tighter.
"Dozens of candies... Intricate cutlery and decorations... This goblet, these forks and knives! Everything here is so gigantic! The gods must've feasted here for days..!"
"And this must be... the First Oven. Even though ancient and eaten by rust, it is still burning hot..." Spice Velvet Cookie commented, looking around even more. He marveled the burning doors to the tower, looking awestruck.
"Remember, nurture your fear and awe towards the Oven! For these are engrained in every Cookie's dough..." He heard Reverend Mother Cookie wistfully say in the back of his head, remembering the teachings.
"In this very place, the first Cookies took their first steps..." he quietly said. "Yet, now this place is fouled with smoke and burnt butter, like an overbaked cake." He said, looking around more cautiously.
He made a praying motion with his hands, saying "O divine witches... Forgive me for trespassing these sacred grounds.." He murmured, before seeing a Stray Cake Hound bark at him. He looked at it and loaded the crossbow in his hands. "In the name of the Witches..!" He said spitefully. The Cake Hound started whimpering in fear of it being attacked.
"Reverend Mother was right. There is something terrible going on here. And I will not tolerate the foul presence of the defilers!" He shouted.
"Knead the batter, my beasts! KNEAD HARDER! And make sure not to stick to it!" a commanding voice boomed near the baking area.
"Keep the bonfires burning! Throw in more wood! LET THE FLAMES BURN THE VERY SKY!" It continued. "The time has come! PULL OUT THE TRAY!" It commanded the Cakes, as a freshly baked Cake Hound came out of the Oven.
It began barking, growling at the others, ready for battle. "Welcome your new brethren." the Cookie said.
Two other Cookies walked into the area, one adorned with Wizardry-like clothes and a staff with a piece of black and red candy. he had a tired look in his eyes, and his hair was long and grey. The other Cookie wore a hoodie and green bag, one part of her leg and her entire head was covered in a pink substance, a big bite mark was also on her head. One of her eyes was a yellow jellybean, and she looked like she was crying, parts of her body melting.
"Working hard as always, Choux Pastry Cookie." Dark Wizard Cookie commented. "Bien sur que je le suis. But what a surprise, Dark Wizard Cookie and Rotten Strawberry Cookie, in the dough. You two never leave eachothers side, don't you?" She somewhat asked.
"That's not important though. Did GingerBread send you to watch over the preparations? Is he still reluctant to come in person?" She asked again.
"...Don't you dare question our Leader's ways. No matter the reason, my presence here will foster our progress." He bluntly said, Rotten Strawberry Cookie simply watching, keeping her grip on Dark Wizard Cookie's hand.
"Tell me. Have you made any progress?" "Hmph. Our numbers are increasing by the day. With or without your needless pestering. See for yourself; twice as many soldiers in but a moon."
"Twice? Hm. Perhaps I was too optimistic to hope you were capable enough to increase our forces tenfold." Dark Wizard Cookie said simply.
"Spill your poison as much as you want. There are limits to what I can achieve in current circumstances. The oven is eaten by rust and the batter is too stale. Most of our newly baked Cakes don't make it, Pour ton information." She said back.
"This tower is the sacred ground of baking. All that is needed can be found here." He said again. "Solve your problem. No matter what it takes."
"Easier said than done."
A Cake Monster went up to Choux Pastry Cookie, telling her something.
"Quoi..!? ... Je vois.
Looks like we have an uninvited guest. I will get rid of this nuisance."
"And I'll be waiting. And try to come back before my coffee goes cold."
"Twenty nine! Thirty! Thirty one!"
"Thirty seven, Thirty eight! Foul creatures, I release you from your sweet temptations, BEGONE!" He shouted.
...
"There's no end to them... It pains me to see a holy place stained by fallen desserts!" He commented.
"Ah, and so the little nosy gnat has shown himself. How typical of a gnat to be attracted to sweet things..." Choux Pastry Cookie said mockingly.
"A.. A Cookie.. with an arm of a Cake Monster!?" He shouted again, visibly shocked. "Hmm. Did Dark Wizard Cookie say to "crumble" the intruder..? Was there such a command?"
Choux Pastry Cookie looked at him. "Vous y. Do you wish to work for me? I can be merciful enough to pardon your foolish intrusion!"
"... What is this nonsense!?"
"Hah. Do not say I didn't try to be diplomatic. We provide accommodations AND let you sleep in. And you, little nosy gnat, look like you could use both. ha ha!"
"... You. Are you a Cookie or a Cake Monster!?" He aggressively said, pointing his crossbow at Choux Pastry Cookie.
"Was it you who reduced this holy shrine to... THIS!?"
"What you see is what you see: nothing more, nothing less." She said, "Ah, can you hear these sounds? That is the Cake factory working day and night." Choux Pastry Cookie praised the Oven, looking back at the tower.
"HOW DARE YOU!" Spice Velvet Cookie gave a look of immense hatred towards the female.
"I am Spice Velvet Cookie, a devotee sworn to preserve the order of this world! And, in the name of the St. Pastry Order, I shall purge you and your foul creations!"
"Hah. Ces mots audacieux! Faites de votre mieux!"
"Crossbow loaded. I will not miss."
"Book of salt, 3:2."
"... may thy will guide the fork of your humble servant!"
Choux Pastry Cookie fell on her knee, gasping.
"GAH! Toi..." she roughly spoke.
"What did you do... to me? I... I can't move!"
"A doing of my Fork of Judgement. Fallen creatures like you cannot resist it. It is said that this weapon cannot hurt an innocent being. A consecrated weapon, forged to be used in the praise of the Godly." Spice Velvet Cookie explained.
"HAH! So this Fork of yours alone decides who to crumble or let live? Une telle suffisance risible!" She laughed. "The same ingredients and oven were used to bake the two kin, Cakes and Cookies! By mere coincidence the former couldn't gain consciousness like you did!"
"Neither you, nor the Witches—NO ONE is in the right to take their lives, simply because they are different!"
Spice Velvet Cookie held his crossbow directly at the female. "You dare to utter... the name of the Godly!" he shouted, as Choux Pastry Cookie also shouted, but in agony.
"Are you afraid and hurt? Rejoice! For I am about to release you of your shame! I shall reduce you to CRUMBS!" Spice Velvet Cookie shouted again.
A Cake Hound ran up to Choux Pastry Cookie, trembling in fear and whimpering. "Alphonse! Mon cher Alphonse, Everything's alright..." she comforted the Cake dog, as Spice Velvet Cookie stared quietly.
"Go on, SHOOT. If you dare." Choux Pastry spat out.
"... Last words?"
"Why the delay? ... Ah, thats right! You see a Cookie in me!" Choux Pastry Cookie said with snark at him.
"But I have no need for your sympathy! I am no different from those beasts you crushed, I was born within this tower's walls!" She continued.
""This... tower...". The Godly... created you this way?" Spice Velvet Cookie held back, questioning him.
"Only the half. Coincidence would be my other creator."
"I began wondering what was taking so long." a voice spoke. "My coffee became as cold as ice." Dark Wizard Cookie said as both Spice Velvet Cookie and Choux Pastry Cookie looked at him.
"Choux Pastry Cookie. How could you allow this puny being to bring you down on your knees?" Dark Wizard Cookie asked, showing a mocking tone.
"Epargnez-moi vos lancinantes pathétiques..." she replied. "A Cake Monster Cookie... and a heretic...!?" Spice Velvet Cookie gasped in shock.
"I'm losing time... This taint of Darkness was even worse than I feared..."
"Correct. Welcome to the temple of the Shadow; the Cake Tower." Dark Wizard Cookie chuckled, a small smile showing from under his scarf.
"What even is this place...?! That giant mold looks just like a Cookie...! That fine flour?! That enormous sack is filled with it! And all kinds of Cookie-making tools... I can't believe this is the sacred Godly Pantry!" Spice Velvet Cookie said, shaking. "There's no other place in the world as sacred as this one! I cannot allow you to continue!" He shouted.
"Foolish! Clearly the true significance of this place is merely beyond your comprehension." Dark Wizard Cookie commented.
"This is the very place where our glorious Leader, GingerBread, was reborn... The first and last place a Cookie surpassed his creators, the Witches!" He laughed, sounding maniacal. "And I would know... I witnessed it with my very eyes." he added softly.
"Choux Pastry Cookie, too, was created here."
"I will hear no more of this blasphemy! Do not insult this miraculous shrine with your filthy LIES!" Spice Velvet Cookie shouted, becoming defensive.
"Do not test her patience, Mage de l'Ombre. That "puny being's" crossbow can become your undoing." Choux Pastry Cookie told him. "Oh, is that so...? Let us see him battle his worst enemy... HIMSELF!"
Dark Wizard Cookie summoned a mirror item, something exactly that Fragrant Pomegranate Cookie carries with her all the time, as Spice Velvet Cookie looked into it in shock. "Wh.. AGH!" he shouted, backing away.
"My consecrated crossbow senses an enemy in you, brother!" The reflection replied to him.
"Your soul is ridden with doubt! Is the path you have chosen truly yours!?"
"N..No! Don't come near me! Book of Butter, 9:17."
"... thou I... I s-shall... resist!"
He eventually screamed, falling into a cauldron..
"He fell into the Ultimate Dough! Il... coule?" Choux Pastry Cookie commented, looking back at Dark Wizard Cookie. "'The millennia old Ultimate Dough...? But it should be hardened, stale." he replied, making the magic mirror reveal the truth.
"I... but... I fell into the dough...?" The male asked himself mentally.
"...Where... where am I?"
"The banquet is starting..."
"M-My voice...?!"
"The Night of the Witches...! held once in a thousand years, this is our only chance!"
A familiar voice said, him being... GingerBread? But he looked... different. His dough was a different colour and some of his frosting different too, he still held his dearest Candy Cane. Dark Wizard Cookie hid behind him too, but he didnt have those deep blue eyes and odd wizardry clothes.
"The Banquet of Gods...?! No, no, no! It's a sight no Cookie is allowed to witness... I must wake up at once!" Spice Velvet Cookie told himself.
"We can meet our creators, the Witches, but... are you SURE this is the best idea, GingerBrave?!" Wizard Cookie asked him, brushing his long grey hair out of his face. "We have to! We must ask the question.."
"I'm not sure about this at all." Wizard Cookie reinformed GingerBrave. "I can ask! I can ask why they created the Cookies and us. We gotta learn the truth."
"WELL WELL WELL, IT'S BEEN A THOUSAND LONG YEARS! GLAD TO SEE Y'ALL!"
"PHEW! I BAKED A TON OF COOKIES!
HERE, TRY ONE! YOU'RE GONNA LOVE IT!"
"AND WOULD YOU LOOK AT THESE! THEY LOOK AMAZING! Y'ALL BEEN WORKING HARD!"
GingerBrave and Wizard Cookie stared in horror.
"Impossible..." GingerBrave gasped in pure terror. "They're... eating Cookies..." Wizard Cookie looked back at GingerBrave, shock laced in his voice.
"W-Wake up! WAKE UP! YOU CAN'T STAY HERE!" GingerBrave said, gripping his Candy Cane.
"We have to escape!" Wizard Cookie shouted, but the Banquet Cookies... stayed silent.
"Why... WHY ARE YOU JUST SMILING AT US...?!" GingerBrave cried. "We must inform the academy..." Wizard Cookie told GingerBrave, as the crispy male nodded. But GingerBrave slipped and fell, falling directly into the Ultimate Dough.
"GINGERBRAVE!"
"Someone, please...!" Spice Velvet Cookie slightly sobbed, unable to look away at the events unfolding in front of him.
"How... How could you, Witches..."
"Us Cookies... were made to be eaten!"
"No.. No...! NO! I WON'T ACCEPT THIS FATE!"
"WHOSE COOKIE IS THAT?
LOOK, IT FELL INTO THE ULTIMATE DOUGH!"
"T'IS ALRIGHT! LET'S JUST BAKE IT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS!"
"YEAH, LET'S BAKE IT! LET'S SEE WHAT FORTUNA HAS IN STORE!"
"Ha ha ha ha ha... HA HA HA HA HA! MUA HA HA HA!" The reborn Cookie laughed maniacally. "Who knew it was so simple! NOW I UNDERSTAND!"
"THE WITCHES WERE WRONG! I refuse to accept this so-called "destiny"!" GingerBread said.
"He's... changed...?" Spice Velvet Cookie asked himself softly.
"I was reborn against anyone's will! And a new look... how refreshing."
"And now... you Witches will learn to FEAR ME!"
GingerBread attacked the Witches, hearing them fearfully scream and flee the room. "Ha ha... But where are you going so soon? You left your cake in the oven!" He laughed. "ARISE, FORSAKEN DESSERTS!"
Cake Monsters leaving the Oven, gathering around the extra crispy male.
"REJECT YOUR PITIFUL FATES LIKE I HAVE REJECTED MINE!"
As the Cake Monsters did what GingerBread told them, Spice Velvet Cookie still could not believe it. "O Divine ones... This can't be true... can it...?"
"THE WORLD DIVIDED INTO THOSE WHO EAT AND THOSE TO BE EATEN... WILL BURN! HEED ME, DESSERTS! IT IS TIME TO UNLEASH HELL ONTO THE WITCHES!"
Spice Velvet Cookie simply trembled where he stood. "I can't... stop..."
"They will destroy... the world's order...!" He cried.
Nearby, a small Cookie with a missing arm slowly approached the reborn male.
"Ginger... Bread...?"
"I hear you, child. Poor thing, have you lost your arm?" the small Cookie nodded, holding her arm. "There, there. I have a gift for you. I believe this will serve you well."
"This arm will connect you with your brethren!" "Hm... I guess... yes..."
"That cupboard holds the Ultimate Recipe. And you are about to witness what it is capable of. Follow me, child. I will show you a better world."
Spice Velvet Cookie coughed as he was finally freed from what he was subjected to. "Truly a sight to see." Dark Wizard Cookie chuckled.
"Enough. How fortunate—to witness our Leader's magnificent past. You look shocked. The truth is very different from the teachings of your Order, is it not?"
"I understand now... This tower is not the sacred birthplace of Cookies... This is the place where a Cookie who dared to deny the Godly saw his horrid fate...!"
"His "END"? Ha ha ha! Ohhh, that was simply the beginning! Tell me, foolish one; do you still think your "Godly" are "great and glorious"?!"
Spice Velvet Cookie stayed silent for a second. "What are you planning to do... to this world...?!"
"Reconstruisez-le."
"Rebuild it for the despaired and fallen...?!" He asked weakly, shocked.
"Yes, tu as raison! Those who you call "Monsters" also desire a world to live in!" Choux Pastry Cookie explained.
"And when you meet your Godly creators, ask them. Ask them about your precious "Order' that decrees those pretty Cookies to live, and forsaken, burnt Cakes to be SLAIN." She then said with a tinge of hatred in her tone.
"...!"
A horde of Cakes were released, them rushing out of the entrance.
"GLORIEUSE LÉGION DES GÂTEAUX! TON HEURE EST ARRIVÉE!"
the Cakes howled and barked, making all sorts of noises, Spice Velvet Cookie got up and immediately backed away.
"...I must leave this place...!"
"My child, you are back so soon!" Reverend Mother Cookie spoke out, seeing the male rush into the place. "Reverend Mother..." he said, some fear still laced in his voice. "Tell me of your findings."
"I saw the taint and corruption afflicting the Cake Tower and couldn't do anything... I repent... In that place, I saw an innumerous horde of Cake Monsters! You taught me that they deserve only the final judgement, but... The monsters could talk... and... and had feelings just like us..." He explained. "Moreover... A dreadful glimpse of the Witches was revealed to me. The Godly Creators... ate Cookies, like us... I... I can't get myself to pray anymore. Even a Holy Fork cannot help me against these memories..."
"Poor child... A true believer will always face a moment of doubt. But wisdom will help you overcome of such... incidents. It may be difficult, but time can indeed heal the worst wounds on our souls." "Yes... yes..." he replied quickly.
"Ah, I must remind you... Sometimes... secrets must remain unspoken, for the order of this world. You understand me, yes?" "... Yes, Mother."
"Such an obediant child. A secret between you and me!" "Yes, forever..."
The door creaked open again, revealing another Cookie. "Is that all? You are too merciful. Command me, and I will silence him forever." "He he... There's nothing to worry about. Spice Velvet Cookie is a very loyal student. One day, he, too, will become a stalwart protector of our secrets, just like each of us."
"Until then, we shall guard the secrets of the Tower..."