Meanwhile, at a carnival that had recently arrived, Robin and Starfire were by the ring toss booth. Robin shot the ring at one of the higher cans, only to watch as it clanged from can to can, until it finally hit the floor.

"Shoot! I almost had it!"

Starfire looked a bit dumbstruck.

"I do not understand. Is not the object of the game to hit one of the cylindrical objects?"

Robin laughed and shook his head.

"No it isn't Starfire. Actually you're supposed to make it so that the ring falls through the can. Think of basketball and you got the picture."

Apparently, Starfire didn't get the picture.

"Do you mean we are to pick up the objects and throw them through the rings?"

Robin felt like laughing, but didn't want to make Starfire feel like an idiot.

"Actually...sighs watch."

He picked up another ring and shot it at the can. This time, it swerved a bit, but then fell straight through the can.

"Alright direct hit!"

Now Starfire understood. She gazed in awe as the man at the booth handed Robin a teddy bear and Robin gave it to her.

"Ooh, it is so fluffy and warm!" Starfire hugged the bear, causing it to let out a sudden squeak. Her eyes filled with laughter. "Gasp It sings!"

"Sort of." Robin almost laughed. "Now let's go catch up with the others before Beast Boy starts getting ideas."

With that, they left the booth as Starfire squeezed the bear again to hear it squeak. Robin stopped, however, when he felt something wet wrap around his ankle. Looking down, he saw little more than a slimy black tentacle.

"What the-?" Robin struggled to loosen the grasp of the tentacle, but it was no use. The tentacle pulled at Robin causing him to fall. "What the-?! Starfire help!"

The word 'help' barely came out before several other tentacles wrapped around Robin, one of them covering his mouth. Robin struggled to break loose as the tentacles dragged him into the alley, but before he knew it, he was dragged until he was in the light. Hekata was in the shadows, calling to the mysterious creature.

"You have done well my little seedling. Now keep him still while I cast the spell."

The seedling obediently held Robin down as Hekata took out her black vial. She poured the black liquid into a syringe needle, then injected Robin with it saying,

"Mortal of good, I bring thee to me

And only memory can set thy mind free.

You are forever to obey she

Whom you denied. So sayeth me!"

Hekata cackled as the black liquid boiled inside Robin's veins. Robin struggled to avoid Hekata's glowing eyes, but Kitten ran from the shadows and held his head completely still. Hekata still couldn't get through, however, since Robin's will was too strong.

"Grr why must men be so stubborn?!?"

With that, the liquid boiled even more. This power reached an overwhelming rate, and Robin quickly stopped struggling and simply stared blankly at Kitten. Hekata then turned her gaze to the 'seedling'.

"Your job here is done. I dismiss you."

The seedling let go of Robin, and then vanished. Hekata smiled and focused her gaze on Robin.

"Listen to me. From now on this lovely young lady is your master, and you must do as she commands, no matter what it is."

"No matter what it is." Robin said in a monotone way, but Hekata wasn't finished.

"Whenever you hear the phrase, 'The Dark Master,' you will obey any command given you, during and after which you will act as you normally do and remember nothing of your little chat."

"Remember nothing." Robin simply lay there, in spite of Hekata's demanding stare. Hekata stood upright and then left.

"The spell is complete. I shall leave now, but I will be back later to see how well you fare. Do with your new slave as you wish."

With those words said, Hekata uttered some strange words and vanished into thin air. Kitten grinned mischievously. "The Dark Master!" She said in a faked sweet voice. Robin looked to her blankly, and she knew just what else to say.

"I command you to take me to homecoming!"

Without even thinking, Robin answered very robotically.

"Yes Master."