So basically I headcanon that Hero is Gingerbrave's and Gingerbright's father figure and that Brave is Bright's older brother
Gingerbrave stood and looked around for a bit. He really shouldn't be standing out in the open like this, but he wasn't thinking about that. The reality of what just happened was setting in. He was free. He was escaped the Witch.
He fulfilled his brother's last wish.
He just escaped the oven and was lucky to escape with just a few burns. (A few painful bordering on agonizing burns, but a few nonetheless.) But, now he had several new problems and questions.
First off, he had no idea where he was. All he knew is that he was out of the oven of death. He would probably get lost every time he turned a corner.
Second, he had no idea where and who was safe. Where could he stay without worrying about the Witch? Who could a trust that wouldn't rat him out to the Witch in exchange for a chance a safety? Was there even other cookies out here?
Third, what about his little sister Gingerbright? Bright probably- no, definitely thinks he's dead. What was she thinking right now? Had she given up? Did this break her spirit completely? And what the Witch do with her in the meantime? Would she try to eat Bright before she could get the chance to follow him? Would she even try to resist? The last thought sent chills through Brave's body. She was the only thing that kept him going after the loss of Dozer. He couldn't lose her too. He just couldn't. He didn't know what he'd do with himself if he did.
He was suddenly snapped out of his train of thought by something grabbing his shoulder. It was definitely a cookie's hand, but one much bigger and stronger than his. Most likely an adult's. The cookie let go of his shoulder as another hand grabbed his arm and pulled him into a hole in the wall.
"Hey! Who are you?! Let go!" Brave said as they ran into a crawl space in-between to walls. That was before he heard it.
The Witch's footsteps. He released that the other cookie was most likely trying to save him and stopped resisting. The Witch stuck as much of her hand into the crawl space and grab them but to no avail. Angrily, the Witch stomped off.
"What were you thinking! You could of at least tried to hide before zoning out like that!" The adult cookie yelled. He had hair like Gingerbrave's, and was wearing a pair of glasses. "S-sorry, I was still trying to process what was going on." Brave responded. "No... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at someone I just met. I'm Hero Cookie, by the way." The adult cookie said. "I'm Gingerbrave." You know who responded. "So... what's a little kid like you doing out in the open? That's practically a death sentence." Hero asked. "Well... I just got out and I don't know where to go..." Gingerbrave replied before being cut off. "Wait- 'just got out'? Did you escape the Witch?" Hero asked. "Yeah! You must of too! You came from somewhere!" Gingerbrave snapped. "Wh... n-no! I was born free!" Hero replied.
That shook Brave to his core. A million questions entered his mind. There were other cookie born outside of the Witch's grasp? Adults who never knew the same fear he had all his life so far? Did they even know the force that took away almost everything he loved away was even there?
"Did... did you know people like me... existed...?" Gingerbrave asked.
"Well... yes but-"
"And they didn't help us?!"
"It was the rule! Only a certain group of cookies where allowed to leave! And even then, no one has ever survived a after the Witch got a hold of them..." Hero trailed off at the last part. "Believe me, a lot of good people have tried..." "So... why are you here? Are you next in line to try to make a difference?" Brave asked. "No, it's just..." Hero replied before a mournful look came to his face
"...the Witch... she... found us." Hero replied.
"Our kingdom." He continued "Everyone scattered in different directions and I haven't seen anyone else. You're the first living cookie I've seen since."
Maybe it would have been better if I kept my mouth shut. Gingerbrave thought. "...... oh. I see... but! Now you have someone who's escaped the Witch on your side!" Gingerbrave said in a hopeful voice that was obviously fake. Hero smiled nonetheless.
"Yeah... I guess you're right... this is the first step to rebuilding society, finding people you can trust"
