Chapter 9: Licorice Castle-Kandy Castle

Gloppy looked at them. "Did I hear right that one of you has the power to fly?" He asked.

"Well, Rachel can make us all float with her telekinesis," Kairi said.

"What do you have in mind, Gloppy?" The Tech Portal Master asked.

"Well, Kaos and Lord Licorice will be expecting an approach from the castle door, so why not surprise them?" He suggested. "You could fly under the castle."

"Under the castle?" Amelia repeated.

Crystal then spotted something and tugged Rachel's hand. "But surely Kaos will be watching us," she said, gesturing outward with her hand, her pointer finger outwards. The older girl noticed the gesture and sighed, rolling her neck as if she had a cramp in it and she spotted the small camera her sister had seen.

"So we'll just make sure he doesn't see us," she said, winking at her sister and then winking at the others. "If we make a play for under the castle, I don't think he'll be able to see us."

"Are we certain about that?" Thumpback said, knowing that the two sisters were acting. He smiled at Kairi. "I don't suppose you could swim through chocolate, could you, my mermaid?"

"What, so you can 'feast' on me later?" She asked jokingly, smiling back at him, making him laugh.

Spellslamzer laughed. "A chocolate mermaid," he said. "What whale can resist that?"

"Especially when chocolate is his favorite?" Amelia said, getting an idea and looking at the swamp. "Gloppy, am I seeing things, or is there chocolate under your swamp?"

"Oh, yes," Gloppy said, smiling. "There's all kinds of chocolate in my swamp. I found the mixture of melted chocolate and molasses brings children running for a deliciously sweet, somewhat tart, treat."

Rachel grew thoughtful and activated her telekinesis, placing a protective wall around her sister and friends. "Stand back," she said.

They watched as she took a deep breath. "Gorilla Drilla taught me this trick the other day," she explained before she took out a large gear similar to the one that Gearshift used, fixing it so that it was in a spiral around her. She then began spinning around in mid-air, closing her eyes as she became a blur and shot downwards into the swamp.

The others saw why she shielded them. Molasses and chocolate flew everywhere as Rachel burrowed down into the liquid, slinging it off her gear into a controlled landing around the castle. Before long, a mountain of chocolate surrounded the castle and just before it could melt, the Tech Portal Master used her ice attacks that she had been practicing with King Pen and Chill, freezing the melting liquid so that it held firm. She finally stopped, looking a little dizzy, but then shook her head, smiling at her handiwork. "Come on, now's our chance!" She said. "Let's go under!"

But she gestured upwards and the team caught on as Rachel caught them in a telekinetic bubble and flew them up high to a high tower. "Okay, I think we might need some teleporting magic, Spells," she said.

"You got it," he said, snapping his fingers and they all disappeared into the castle moments before the chocolate wall melted. "Alright, we're in."

Gloppy came in too, smiling. "Nice," he said. "The stories were true about you Portal Masters being clever."

The four girls bowed their heads modestly while Thumpback and Spellslamzer grinned. "They certainly are," the whale said.

"Yes," the Spell Punk agreed.

Amelia gazed out of the room they were in, seeing no guards. "No guards," she said softly.

"Kaos and Lord Licorice must feel pretty sure that we'll fail if they didn't send any guards around," Kairi said.

"All the same, be careful," Rachel cautioned. "We wouldn't have seen that camera if Crystal hadn't spotted it."

The little girl was quiet and they saw she had teleported ahead, motioning to them when it was clear. Nodding, they followed the little one, but Rachel moved closer to Spellslamzer. "Get ready to teleport Crystal back here if she happens to run into danger," she said in a whisper.

"Will do," he said, knowing she was just being protective.

Surprisingly, they didn't run into any trouble and soon made it to a long hallway. Rachel paused, getting an uneasy feeling. "Guys, I think they might be waiting for us," she said.

"Okay, let's approach with caution," Kairi said.

Amelia nodded and Crystal stuck close to her sister. Thumpback looked at Rachel. "Can you gather us all in a bubble?" He asked.

Nodding, she did so and Spellslamzer teleported them in, timing it just right to where they appeared behind a pillar that was large enough to hide two Skylander giants. Carefully peeking around, the group saw Kaos and Lord Licorice looking out of sorts.

"They have all of Candy Land restored!" The candy villain said. "And I can't find them anywhere!"

"You fool! Keep looking!" Kaos berated him.

Rachel remembered her idea from before and smiled. "Hey, Kairi, you can mesmerize anyone with your singing, right?" She asked.

The Water Portal Master nodded, having learned that trick from Echo. She caught on what her friend was saying and began singing softly, but it was so soft that one would have to really strain their ears to hear it. Amelia got some rope ready and Spellslamzer had a bandana ready to gag the villain.

Lord Licorice thought he heard faint singing and turned to the pillar, curious and feeling rather mesmerized. He stood up and moved quietly. Kaos didn't see him as the short Portal Master was busy searching Candy Land for the Portal Masters and their two giant friends.

As Kairi kept singing, Crystal brought out a long bamboo staff, given to her by Hood Sickle as a Christmas gift. Holding it as he had taught her, she began spinning it, a mystical green mist surrounding the area in front of her. Lord Licorice continued coming forward, but they could see he was mesmerized by both Kairi's singing and Crystal's hypnotic staff spin. As the two kept up their attacks, Amelia quickly bound Lord Licorice's hands with rope and he was tied to the pillar in front of them, Rachel using her telekinesis to wind the rope unseeingly around the pillar and Spellslamzer put the gag on the villain, nodding when it was secure.

Lord Licorice suddenly blinked as the singing and staff twirling stopped and he struggled and tried to speak, but found himself bound and gagged. "Oh, don't worry, Licorice," Rachel said to him, her voice low. "We've got something special in mind for you."

He actually looked afraid at seeing them smirking before they heard Kaos yell. "Licorice! Where are you?" He yelled. "Oh, curses! I'll have to do this myself!"

The team moved quickly and quietly, seeing Kaos' back was turned and he was engrossed in his project, something that wasn't good if you wanted to be prepared for a sneak attack. Seeing he was busy, the group suddenly jumped and ambushed him. "HEY!" The evil Portal Master screamed out. "WHO DARES-MMPH!"

Quick as a flash, the group had him tied up and gagged too. "So nice of you to join the party, Kaos," Kairi said. "Now, you're going to tell us where King Kandy and the protectors are."

When they had been ready to catch Kaos, they noticed the king and protectors were gone, no doubt moved to another prison. Kaos now glared at them before starting to sweat when he saw Amelia and Crystal hold up long, fluffy feathers. "Let's give him some motive to think about telling us where they are," the Light Portal Master said.

"Let's get them comfortable," Spellslamzer said, snapping his fingers and two tables with cuffs on them appeared in the room. Using her telekinesis, Rachel brought both Kaos and Lord Licorice over to the tables and Thumpback secured them both. The two villains didn't look so sure anymore at seeing the devious smirks on the six heroes as they held up feathers.

"Alright, who wants to tickle who?" Rachel asked.

"Lord Licorice!" Crystal said instantly.

"I'm with her," Spellslamzer said.

"Kaos," said Kairi.

"Same here," Amelia said.

"I'll help you two tickle Kaos," Thumpback said.

Rachel grinned. "Then I'll help Crystal and Spells tickle Lord Licorice," she said.

Kaos mumbled protests as Amelia lifted up his shirt to reveal his stomach and Thumpback removed the villain's shoes. "Okay, Thumpy, how about you and I get his feet and Amelia gets his stomach?" Kairi said. "We can switch after a bit."

"Sounds good to me," he said.

"I agree," Amelia said, bringing her feather down and twirling it in Kaos' belly button. His eyes bulged in surprise before he began shaking with laughter, though it was muffled behind his gag.

Spellslamzer had lifted up Lord Licorice's shirt as well and was dragging a feather over the exposed stomach, to which the candy villain shivered and tried to suck in his stomach, but that didn't help. Rachel and Crystal began tickling his underarms and they noticed the villain's shaking grew as his muffled laughter reached their ears. "Well, well, looks like these two villains are very ticklish," Rachel said.

"Let's see if this one might be willing to talk," Spellslamzer said, removing the gag, but still tickling Lord Licorice's stomach. The villain's laughter ran out at that. "How about it, Licorice? Feel like talking?"

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! STOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOP!" Licorice begged, squealing when the feather dipped into his belly button. "I CAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAN'T STAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAD IHIHIHIHIHIHIT!"

"All you have to do is talk, Licorice," Crystal said with a giggle as she tickled his right underarm with her fingers, making him squeal again.

"Hmm, perhaps raspberries might do the trick," Rachel said thoughtfully.

"I agree," Spellslamzer said. "It seems his belly button is rather sensitive."

Smirking, Rachel nodded and as the Spell Punk moved the feather to tickle Licorice's sides, the Tech Portal Master took a deep breath and blew a big raspberry right onto the ticklish belly button. The loudest squeal that ever came from the villain filled the room as he laughed even harder. "NOHOHOHOHOHO! NOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOT THAHAT!" He pleaded. "NOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOT THAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAT! PLEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEASE!"

"Well, well, listen to that," Rachel said with a smirk.

"He sounds funny!" Crystal giggled.

Spellslamzer chuckled. "You willing to talk, Licorice?" He asked.

The candy villain nodded, looking winded. "Please, no more," he pleaded. "I'll talk."

Rachel smiled. "Give him a moment to catch his breath," she said as they turned to see the other three were tickling Kaos like crazy and the evil Portal Master was squealing as Thumpback blew giant raspberries into the ticklish stomach and Kairi and Amelia tickled his feet all over with feathers.

"IHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHI OHOHOHOHOHOHORDER YOOHOOHOOHOOU TOHOHOHOHOHOHO STOHOHOHOHOHOP!" Kaos screamed out.

"Not a chance, Kaos!" Kairi said.

"Unless you tell us where the king and protectors are," Amelia said.

"NEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEVER!" Kaos squealed out as his underarms and ribs were tickled.

Kairi smirked. "Thumpy, give him the biggest, ticklish raspberry on that belly button that you can," she said.

"As you command, my mermaid," the whale said, taking a deep breath and doing just that. Kaos looked ready to jump out of his skin as he let out the loudest squeal he could.

"NOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO! STOHOHOHOHOHOHOP!" He pleaded.

"Surrender then," Amelia said. "You know we've defeated you."

But Kaos refused, to which Rachel looked at Crystal. "I think he needs to get a little closer to plant life, hon," she said.

The little girl grinned and with a wave of her hand, vines surrounded Kaos and were tickling him like no tomorrow, making him squeal constantly. "I think that just might be our trump card," Kairi said, smiling at the young girl. "Thanks, Crystal."

The Life Portal Master beamed before giggling. "Kaos is sure funny when he's laughing," she said.

"That he is," Spellslamzer said with a chuckle.

Lord Licorice gulped, feeling sympathy for his fellow villain. Rachel turned to him and smirked. "I think Licorice is wanting some attention," she said.

He looked panicked. "No, please!" He pleaded. "I beg you. Have mercy. I...I can't stand being tickled. I'm too ticklish."

"We certainly saw that," Spellslamzer said with a chuckle. "Tell you what, you tell us where the king and protectors are, and we'll let you go with a stern warning that if you should try this again, we'll tickle you to pieces and believe me, being magical, I know a few tricks to keep you in stitches."

Licorice gulped hard, shivering a bit. "Alright, I'll lead you to them," he said meekly.

Rachel prodded his side, making him jump and squeak. "No tricks, Licorice," she said firmly.

"Oh, no," he said, shaking his head. "None, I promise."

She nodded and turned to the others. "Guys, Licorice is going to lead us to where King Kandy and the protectors are," she said.

They stopped tickling Kaos. "Good," Thumpback said. "It looks like Kaos is about to pass out right now."

It was true. The evil Portal Master looked winded and he gazed at them angrily. "You...haven't...seen the last...of me," he said, too weak to do anything. He squealed when Thumpback poked him in the belly button.

"Watch the attitude, or I'll have Rachel give you that same laughing potion she gave you sometime back," he warned, making the short man gulp audibly.

"Let's get our friends free," Kairi said. "We can decide what to do with these villains later."

Lord Licorice led them to another part of the castle. "In here," he said, going into a room. The others followed with Thumpback carrying a bound Kaos.

"There they are!" A familiar voice said and they saw King Kandy and the six protectors looking at them with smiles.

"You did it!" Mr. Mint said happily.

"We knew we could count on you!" Jolly said with a cheer.

Kairi noticed the bars looked to be made of a mixture of hard candies and chocolate. "How do we get you out?" She asked them.

"Allow me," Gloppy said, going up to the bars and munching on them happily. They watched with smiles as he ate away the last of the bars and King Kandy stepped out, the six protectors behind him.

"Thank you all," the king said gratefully, smiling at them and going up to Kairi, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Your grandmother would be proud, Kairi."

She smiled and bowed her head. "Thank you, Your Majesty," she said.

Jolly went up to Spellslamzer, smiling. "Thank you for saving my Gumdrop Mountains," he said.

"And for saving my Ice Cream Sea," Queen Frostine said, smiling at Kairi.

"And my Peppermint Forest," Mr. Mint said, shaking Rachel's hand.

"And my Lollipop Woods," Princess Lolli said, giving Crystal a friendly hug.

"And my house," Grandma Nutt said, giving Amelia a warm hug.

Plumpy shook Thumpback's hand. "And my Gingerbread Orchard," he said.

The group smiled before Rachel looked over at the two villains that had caused so much trouble. "We'll take Kaos back with us and make sure he won't trouble you all again," she said, looking at her sworn enemy sternly. "And I hope you take Spellslamzer's warning, Licorice."

The candy villain shuddered in fear, but nodded meekly. King Kandy nodded. "I think he'll behave himself," he said.

Spellslamzer teleported Lord Licorice back to the Licorice Thicket and teleported Kaos back to Skylands, nodding a moment later. "Master Eon says that Kaos is back at his lair," he said.

"Good," Kairi said before smiling. "Come on, let's help the protectors get back to their homes."

"Oh, wait," King Kandy said. "I have something for you all."

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out six charms that were shaped into crowns. "You all deserve these for your bravery," he said.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Rachel said and the others echoed her thanks, putting the charms on their bracelets. The king smiled.

"One more thing," he said. "I know Mr. Pop is needing some more candy. Might I trouble you all to take some to him?"

The girls and giant Skylanders grinned. "We'd be happy to," Amelia said.

He smiled and it wasn't long before they had a lot of candy and began the trek back to Mr. Pop's candy shop. They first stopped in each area of Candy Land, starting with the Ice Cream Sea. The protectors hugged them all before waving goodbye as they reached their homes and the group made it to Mr. Pop's shop, going in and smiling at the shop owner as they showed him the bags of candy they had.

"Well done!" He said happily. "I and all of Candy Land are in your debt."

"There's no debt among friends," Spellslamzer said, smiling.

"We had a great adventure," Crystal said.

"One of the best," Kairi said before looking around. "I feel closer to my grandmother knowing that she had a special connection to this place."

"You remind me of her, Kairi," Mr. Pop said kindly. "Which reminds me, before she went to her reward, she asked me to give you and your friends these charms when you arrived."

He held out his hands and they saw he had six sweet shop charms. "To complete your collection," he said.

Each accepted a charm, thanking him and he smiled. "Also, take some of the candy with you," he said. "You've earned it."

Thanking him again, they accepted some candy to take with them and soon were back in Skylands, being greeted by their friends and family. Master Eon smiled at them. "Well done," he said. "I knew you six could rise to the challenge and save Candy Land."

"No matter what comes our way, we'll defeat the villains and save the innocent," Rachel said firmly.

"Ditto," Amelia said.

"All the way," Kairi said with a nod.

"Cause we don't give up!" Crystal cheered.

"That's right," Thumpback said with a nod, hugging Kairi, who hugged him back and kissed him.

"With courage, determination, and the magic inside of us," Spellslamzer said, picking up Crystal, who hugged him happily.

Master Eon nodded proudly and up in Heaven, Kairi's grandmother smiled down upon the group, proud of them all, especially her granddaughter.

And that concludes "The Magic Inside Of Us". I want to extend a big thanks to antaurilover685 for requesting this. :) It was fun to write. :)

Please leave a review, but no flames! Any flames will be used to make s'mores! :)

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