Oops, it appears I didn't describe the Candyman effectively enough. I apologize! He's not a giant oreo cookie, he merely had oreo like cookie things for eyes. I'll have to go back later and rewrite the description to be less confusing. Thanks to that anonymous reader who pointed out the confusion!
In the meantime, here, enjoy the new chapter. Hope everyone likes it! Once again, I want to thank all the nice people who have read and reviewed. It does my grumpy heart good to know people enjoy the work!
Chapter 7: Dream Factory
Queen Kory and Robin rode up to the massive iron gates of the factory, a fetid wind sending choking clouds to assault their lungs. The huge rusty bars loomed before them in wickedly twisted shapes, formless shadows shifting through the dust and clouds on the other side. A grinding wine was heard from the decrepit hinges of the gate as it slowly swung open, the sound echoing through the wasteland eerily.
Queen Kory moved to ride into the factory proper when Robin stopped her with a barring arm. "Wait," he said to her before turning to the entrance and calling out, "We have come to negotiate for Sir Robin's release."
There was a pause before the Candyman's sinister voice called back. "There is no negotiation, vagabond. The Queen surrenders to me or the knight dies."
"How do we know he is even alive? Or if you will keep your promise of releasing him when you have the Queen?"
"I give no guarantees," Candyman's voice growled from the smoky darkness within the factory proper, "In my estimation, you simply have no choice."
"Then," Robin stated practically, "We'll just leave." He made a motion to turn his horse around, Queen Kory looking at him with worry. He winked at her behind his mask and she calmed, also turning.
"STOP!" boomed the voice, causing the pair to stop in place. A rumbling came from within the factory and from the dirt and dust the large form of the Candyman appeared, black eyes glaring hatefully at them. "This is your doing, vagabond," he sneered, "The Queen would have done anything to have the knight returned. I don't know how you managed to convince her of the wisdom of this action."
"I'm good like that," Robin couldn't help replying with a smirk.
The Candyman growled then nodded, "Very well. I will have the knight fetched and delivered. We will... exchange hostages together."
"In the open," Robin stated flatly, "Not at these gates."
"You dare make demands, vagabond?!" boomed the Candyman's outraged voice before he forced himself calm, "Very well. I agree to your terms. But only just outside the gates." The candy form then turned and stomped off, back into the haze covering the interior of the factory.
Nearby, hidden in the smoke and rocky crags that dotted the wasteland, Raven, Cyborg, and Beast Boy stat waiting.
"My foot's fallen asleep," Beast Boy muttered from his cramped position, "What's happening?"
Cyborg was peeking over a boulder, watching Robin and Starfire nearby. "It looks like the Candyman agreed with the demands. He must be pretty desperate to get his claws on the Queen."
"Everyone know what to do?" Raven asked evenly.
Beast Boy nodded, "Yeah, yeah. As soon as the Queen and the Knight pass the mid-way point, we all attack, right? Piece of cake!"
Raven merely pursed her lips slightly; she wasn't quite sure it would be as easy as the green titan thought.
Back down at the gates, thunderous footfalls signaled the arrival of the Candyman, carrying a bound and bruised, but otherwise unhurt.
"Okay, both will start walking at the same time, that way we're sure neither can pull something," Robin stated.
The Candyman grunted then set the knight on the ground, black eyes searching around the barren landscape. Those eyes refocused on Robin and narrowed. "Where is the rest of your coterie, vagabond?"
"Back at the castle."
The Candyman grunted again and took one last look around the area before pulling on the ropes that bound the knight and letting them fall by the wayside. "We begin now!"
The two figures began walking towards each other slowly, Robin's muscles tightening in readiness. Soon, the Queen and the knight were even and it was then that Robin called out, "Titans, go!"
Instantly springing into action, the other three titans erupted from their hiding place, Raven's eyes glowing as she took to the sky, Beast Boy morphing into a gorilla, and Cyborg's arm transforming into a cannon. Robin leaped off his steed, letting his bo staff extend and whirling it impressively. Even Queen Kory lept into action, quickly taking the knight's hand and leading him away from the battle.
"So! A trap!" the Candyman exclaimed, but his evil voice didn't contain a hint of surprise. With a roar, the monster launched a savage fist at Raven, even as energy bolts from Cyborg's arm sliced through his chocolate form. Though the holes quickly patched over, it was enough to throw the Candyman's aim off and his fist whizzed past Raven.
"Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos!" Raven called out, eyes aglow once more, sending a string of shadow tentacles streaking towards the monstrous form. The Candyman roared in the entanglement as Beast Boy began to rain heavy gorilla blows on the beast, sending great handfuls of candy flying.
Robin was just about to join the frey when the Candyman stopped struggling and began to laugh. The sound was a thunderous, deep sound, like drums in a cavern. It gave the titans momentary pause. "Look behind you," the golem stated with an evil, sharp toothed grin.
Confused, Robin did look behind him and saw that the knight had his sword to Queen Kory's throat, his eyes staring blankly straight ahead.
"Your treachery was transparent," jeered the Candyman, "I have much more experience in affairs of deceit. You fell for my Sir Robin double so completely. NOW! All of you will surrender now. Or the Queen dies."
The false Sir Robin pressed the sword closer to Queen Kory's throat, causing the teen to gasp, fear in her green eyes. Robin narrowed his eyes then spoke in a sotto voice to the other titans, "What happens if she dies?"
"Starfire will probably wake up," Raven replied.
"And what about us?" Beast Boy stated, "Will we be trapped in here until she goes to sleep again?"
Raven hesitated, "I don't know. That's possible. It's also possible we'll be lost forever. Or... cease to exist. I honestly have no idea."
Robin pursed his lips, narrowing his eyes again. The best laid plans of mice and men... "We can't risk it." Angry at himself for falling for the Candyman's ruse, Robin dropped the bo staff.
A slow, evil smile pulled at the Candyman's features as the staff hit the ground, the monster beginning to chuckle. The chuckle expanded into a laugh and then a full-fledged cackle, the sound echoing through the wastes.