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It was a normal breakfast for the family. Gingerbrave was sitting down, eagerly waiting for the eggs. Strawberry was half asleep, using her hoodie to cover her eyes, trying to return to her dreams before breakfast. Wizard was reading a book as always and Custard was painting with crayons. Chili pepper was trying to make the eggs as perfect as possible for Brave. And Rye was doing the other stuff, like a good step parent. As all of them sat down and started eating in the usual formation they always did, Chilli Pepper paused. She was so happy that they got to eat breakfast together. It was the only thing they did together before all of them went to their own separate stuff. The table kind of knew that they never really do things as a full family. Well, they do things together sometimes but one, two, or three of them are always missing, and Chili Pepper made the decision to change that.
-"Hey kids, do you want to defeat some monsters in the new territories ? we haven't done that in a while. Gingerbrave, always ready for adventure, yelled.
-Yeah, let's do that ! He yelled excitingly, which woke up Strawberry.
-Yeah...it will be cool." she mumbled, kind of dazed, she yanded little bit.
-Oh, sorry to wake you up Strawberry !" Giggled Gingerbrave.
-"Well, it might interfere with my kingly duties. Custard said.
-You mean ordering around your preschool friends?
-Hey, I am NOT a preschooler !! I'm an elementary schooler !
-Same thing, Wizard returned.
-Hey kids don't argue !" Chili Pepper said in a stern tone.
Wizard just shrugged and returned to reading.
-"Anyways…but I think it might be fun, I mean I need to practice healing again, haven't used it in some time.
-Yeah, but I will not let any of you get hurt !" Cheered Gingerbrave. Chili Pepper giggled, although she's thinking about why she doesn't let Custard leave the Cookie Kingdom anymore. He has already been traumatized enough.
-"I guess I'm not going to make any great discoveries about magic today, so I might tag along.
-Okay then amazing ! Chili pepper said. Kids and Rye, let's get ready to spice things up !
-Yeah !" Gingerbrave yelled.
They all slowly started going to their rooms, and Rye was slightly surprised that she was invited too. She said that she will be the one to clean off the table today. When everybody left, she whispered to herself.
"I guess I'm really part of this family now."
Chili Pepper waited in front of the big door to the castle, she always got ready first. All of the kids slowly started showing up. Gingerbrave decided to dress a bit more today.
-"Brave the skirt looks good on you ! and the hair clips, I'm kind of glad you said you were gonna change your style. The same T-shirt and pants were getting kind of boring.
-Yeah you're my brother after all and my brother should dress accordingly to being the brother of the king !
-Mhm, you look cute.
-Thanks guys ! I just decided to experiment, might be fun ! She brushed her hand through her hair that she recently started growing.
-Hey guys, sorry for being late ! Rye said, finally arriving.
-It's okay ! Chili said you were cleaning the table and we are a family of six ! She giggled.
-Yeah let's go !"
They all started walking to the outskirts, being greeted and praised by multiple cookies along the way since they were the founders.
-"Okay kids, we are entering the part of the forest that we are going to clear. Remember, there could be a lot of dangers !
-Chili we've been doing this for so long, it doesn't matter ! Wizard snorked.
-Okay pointy hat then go alone ! Chili Pepper said mockingly, not intending it.
-Okay then." He said, going first. Chili rolled her eyes and everyone started following him household. Chilli and Wizard had always been the ones who argued the most, and everybody has gotten used to it. They didn't really care because they knew that in a few minutes, it will be like nothing ever happened. As they all walked throughout the forest, they got ambushed by a few cake monsters.
"Lightning strike !" Wizard screamed
Strawberry started hitting them off. Chili sliced them up and rye shooted all of them as Custard healed and buffed.
-"We make a pretty great team ! Brave said as he smiled over their achievement.
-Yeah but remember it's not over, Wizard said. We have to clear out the whole area.
-Wizard, stop being so f****** negative ! We did a good job." Strawberry said, even though she was getting out of herself with her family, none of them really expected that.
-When did you learn that language ?
-You guys.
-Okay that's amazing sweetie ! Chili cheered. Let's continue."
They continue their journey slowly, clearing out the area fighting together as a family and chatting along the way.
-"Oh ! Strawberry are you okay ? Slightly yelled Brave, holding their leg.
-Yeah just a cramp.
- Oh okay.
-Maybe we should take a break, at least until Strawberry's cramp gets better.
-Finally !! Said Custard sitting down. The king is tired, maybe you guys should have carried me !!!
-You can't expect us to read your mind, you know ?" Wizard sighed as everybody also slowly sat down. Rye, who has been quiet all throughout, finally spoke up.
-"Hey I packed some snacks you guys !
-Of course ! Brave smiled, she handed him and everyone else a small sandwich and sat down next to Chili.
-Woah you're really picking up this stepmom thing !!
-Yeah I guess, Rye said. Can we talk more quietly ? I want to discuss something.
-Oh, okay.
-Well, you have changed, you're not the old chili and…I don't exactly know.
-Yeah, I guess a castle full of treasures and four children changes someone but I don't think I'm that different. A little bit more caring sure but I'm still going to murder anyone who gets in my way and I still love the shinies, but now I have loved ones and even if it's hard to have loved ones I still like my new life. I mean there's parts of it that I miss like the freedom but I like it, don't you ?
-Well I don't know, I'm still just getting used to it I guess and fighting with you and the kids is fun. It's just I miss the adrenaline of our fights Chili.
The other woman smiled and flipped her knife.
-Then I have a challenge for you,the next time we encounter any monsters we are going to make a challenge of wiping out much as possible. And the one that loses does the dishes for a week !
Rye smiled. Well that's a challenge I can guarantee I'll win."
The kids were playing rock paper scissors.
-"I lost again. Strawberry mumbled, hiding.
-Why aren't you letting your king win?!
-No chance. Wizard systematically refused. You guys are losing, fair and square.
Custard pouted. I'm telling Mom !!
As he started walking away, the three looked at each other.
-2 years.
-Huh ?? Brave looked up, what do you mean, Strawberry ?
-2 years since we escaped.
-Well it's more like a year and 8 months, said Wizard but still, a lot of stuff has happened. We've been through many stuff and we have the scars to show it, I can't believe we are going to be 14 soon.
-14 years of age !...Strawberry sang, making a song reference.
-Yeah Wizard said, reminiscing. I am so happy you guys are my family, even though we've been through many hard stuff I still would choose this over not having you guys and our little brother. And our moms.
-Yeah me too ! Strawberry said.
-Let's go reclaim more territories ! Said Brave as he got up. Rye and Chili both agreed.
"Okay then let's go !" Enthusiastically yelled Custard, and they all walked to clear out more territories.
Hours later, all of them slowly returned to the kingdom. They announce to everybody that more territory has been cleared which means their Kingdom can expand more. They all slowly got back to the castle to have dinner like a family. An unlikely one, but still a very loving family.