Chapter 23: Horror Rush

Back in the Candy-Tree Forest, Kendall was still leading Licortwist, Frostbite Willow, Frostbite Wynter, the Sugar Rush racers's Frostbites, Frostbite Rudolph, Frostbite Adolf, and Steven towards Horror Rush. Licortwist was walking by Kendall's side, and the Frostbites and Steven were following them. As they walked, Kendall pointed out the route that they were taking in order to get to Horror Rush.

"Alright, now we pass this fork in the road and head left." Kendall said.

"Got it." Licortwist said as he continued walking.

Steven looked at Licortwist.

"How can you be sure that she's telling the truth? She could be lying to lead us astray." Steven asked in suspicion.

"Relax, Steven. Everything's been fine so far. We have someone who is taking us to Horror Rush and we've already taken care of the Nightmare racers, since they've attacked us. And when we get to Horror Rush, we'll just convince their leader to join us. What could go wrong?" Licortwist asked in a quiet tone.

Steven crossed his arms.

"You know, something bad always happens when someone says that." Steven said.

Licortwist sighed.

"Well, this time, nothing bad will happen." Licortwist said.

Just then, Kendall stopped walking.

"We're here." Kendall announced.

Kendall was right. She, Licortwist, Frostbite Willow, Frostbite Wynter, the Sugar Rush racers's Frostbites, Frostbite Rudolph, Frostbite Adolf, and Steven had reached the end of the Candy-Tree Forest and were looking down at Horror Rush. Everyone except Kendall glanced around at the town. They noticed that Horror Rush was incredibly large, and all the houses were double the size of even Taffyta's strawberry mansion, the third largest building in Sugar Rush aside from Vanellope's castle and Crumbelina's house (which she still used whenever she was in Sugar Rush, even though she had moved into the castle in Richmond after marrying Timothy). There were several giant trees in the town, all of which were spiked and colored red and black, the sky was black, and there were multiple red clouds. But above all, everything was black and red.

"You Nightmares seem to have a pretty blunt color scheme. Everything's red and black, and nothing else." Frostbite Candlehead said.

"Shut it!" Kendall snapped without even looking at her.

Frostbite Candlehead rolled her eyes, and she, the rest of the Sugar Rush racers's Frostbites, Licortwist, Frostbite Willow, Frostbite Wynter, Frostbite Rudolph, Frostbite Adolf, Steven, and Kendall entered Horror Rush. As they walked, they noticed that a few candy citizens were in the town, and they looked more threatening then the candy citizens in Sugar Rush. However, oddly enough, they fled when they saw Licortwist, his allies, and Kendall.

"Why is everyone so intimidated by us?" Frostbite Gloyd asked Kendall.

Kendall didn't answer his question. Eventually, she stopped walking.

"Well, we're here. The Horror Acropolis." Kendall announced.

Licortwist, Frostbite Willow, Frostbite Wynter, the Sugar Rush racers's Frostbites, Frostbite Rudolph, Frostbite Adolf, and Steven glanced up and they saw that they had arrived at the Horror Acropolis. The place was enormous, likely ten kilometers wide and six miles high, there were dozens of windows, and a large tower stood magnificently at the top of the castle.

"Alright, palette swap, take us to your leader." Licortwist ordered.

Kendall glared at Licortwist.

"My name is Kendall, not palette swap." Kendall said angrily.

Licortwist rolled his eyes.

"Whatever. Just bring us in." Licortwist ordered.

Kendall sighed and walked up the stairs that led to the Horror Acropolis, with the others following her. They went inside and made their way through the massive castle. Eventually, they came to a set of red double doors that had black doorknobs. Kendall knocked on the doors.

"Come in!" a voice ordered.

Kendall opened the double doors, and she, Licortwist, Frostbite Willow, Frostbite Wynter, the Sugar Rush racers's Frostbites, Frostbite Rudolph, Frostbite Adolf, and Steven entered the room that was behind the double doors. Once they were inside, Licortwist and his group noticed that they were in a large, dark throne room that had scarlet red stripes and markings on the walls and ceiling. Kendall led them up to a throne, where a figure was sitting, concealed by darkness. Kendall bowed on the ground and kept her face looking down at the ground.

"What is it, Kendall?" the figure asked.

Kendall kept her face looking down at the ground.

"Queen Penelope, these people are here to see you." Kendall replied.

The figure nodded.

"Very well. You can go now, Kendall." the figure said.

Kendall nodded. She then turned around, threw Licortwist, Frostbite Willow, Frostbite Wynter, the Sugar Rush racers's Frostbites, Frostbite Rudolph, Frostbite Adolf, and Steven a dirty look, and then ran out of the throne room. Once Kendall was gone, the figure stood up and revealed herself. It turned out to be Penelope.

"Who are you?" Frostbite Jubileena asked.

Penelope frowned.

"I am Penelope von Schweetz, Queen of Horror Rush." Penelope replied.