64. The Candyman can

Zachlor16: Hey guys. So we don't remember who requested this new character. He was requested during the contest so if you recognize him, take the credit for him. But thanks for the character. Now on with the chapter!

Somewhere in the city of Royal Woods both Johnny Speed and Nuke are standing in front of candy store called the Sweet Tooth. Just then a van pulled up right next to them and Squatch comes out of the van wearing a trench coat and hat.

"What's with the trench coat?" Nuke asked.

"So I can walk around without people noticing me." Squatch asked. "One of the arms dealers suggested it."

"Why are we here at a candy store?" Nuke asked.

"One of our drug dealers said there was guy here who had an interesting drug." Johnny told them. "These guys are so under the radar that the cops don't know they exist. Plus, this guy's gang has quite a bit of territory that expands all over the city."

"Nice." Squatch growled. "And if he doesn't agree?"

"We do to him what we did to Ivan." Nuke answers. The three walk into the shop where they see just an ordinary candy store with candy all over the place and one cashier. The three head to the counter (with Squatch snatching some candy and putting them in his pocket) where the cashier looks up at them nervously.

"May I help you?" The cashier asked nervously.

"We like to meet your boss." Johnny said.

The cashier walks to the back room, and a man steps out, he is in his 30s, fair skin, curly red, wearing a crimson red suit jacket over a light purple buttoned shirt, a tan brown bow tie, brown pants, blacks shoes, and in his hands is a red and white stripped cane.

"Hello gentlemen, what brings you to the Sweet Tooth? Look for something make your sweet teeth happy." He said,

"Actually yeah." Johnny answered. "Word on the street is that you have a very special drug that's manufactured here. Is it true?" The man looks at the three with curiosity before leaning in.

"And who might I ask is asking?" The man asks. The three metas share a glance before Nuke leans in.

"Nuke, Johnny Speed and Squatch." Nuke whispers. The man's eyes widen and a big smile forms on his face before turning to the cashier.

"Oh Marty we have some very special guests here today." The man said before moving to the door that led to a back room. "Come in come in. The Terror Crew are welcome here." The three share another glance before following the man. They follow the man down a hallway before he stops and turns to them. "How rude of me. I've not introduced myself yet." He takes his hat off places it on his chest and bows. "Willy Wilder at your service. But many call me the Candyman."

"Because you sell candy?" Johnny asked.

"Right you are Johnny Boy." Candyman said.

"But we have a little offer to give you. You join us and your business or we'll take it from your cold dead hands." Johnny said.

"Yeah ok." Candyman said.

"You might want to be careful of your-wait did you just agree?" Squatch asked.

"Yeah. Sounds like fun." Candyman said causing the three metas to look at each other. "Now that we got that settled, follow me to where the magic happens." He leads them down the rest of the hallway to a curtain. They walk through the curtains where they see several tables with over a dozen of workers working at the tables. "Attention everyone! Attention!" The workers look up from their work to look at Candyman. "We work with the Terror Crew now!" The workers are silent for a second before suddenly erupting into thunderous cheers and applause. "Someone pop the champagne!"

One of the workers grabbed a bottle of champagne and popped the cork off.

"I'm surprised that he said yes." Squatch said.

"Yeah I excepted him to say no." said Nuke.

Candyman then pops up between them. "Now why would I say no?" Candyman asked. "It's good for business to work with the Terror Crew."

"Glad to be in business with you too." said Johnny. "So about this drug of yours?"

"Ah yes Zenith. Don't just think of it as a drug, but as power boost." The Candyman explained. "It'll give the user enchanted strength, speed, stamina and such."

"So a normal person would be like that Xander guy that showed up not to long ago?" Squatch asked and Candyman nodded.

"What about metas?" Nuke asked. "What effect does it have on them?"

"There powers become twice as powerful." Candyman said. "How about I go and demonstrate my drug in the field? Then you can see it in the field." The three metas look at each other and nod.

"Ok pal." Johnny said. "Go right ahead. Consider this a full audition."

"Ok then." Candyman said before turning to his workers. "Let's go fight the L-Crew!" The workers then cheer loudly.

"I like this guy." Squatch said.

In Royal Woods High School, Lori and Leni were talking as they walked through the hall when they hear Dana and Becky talking.

"I mean could it be true?" Becky was asking.

"I don't know." Dana answered. "I mean anything is possible these days." Lori and Leni then walk over.

"Hey guy. What are you guys talking about?" Lori asks.

"We heard a rumour about this drug that can make you superhuman for period of time." Dana explained.

"That has to be fake." Lori scoffed.

"It could be real Lori. I mean we had cyborgs and two giant hairy monsters running around Royal Woods. Becky explained.

"Yeah not to mention a walking rock monster and a crazy rubber monster." Dana added. "A drug that can temporarily turn someone into a superhuman is that farfetched."

"She has a point Lori." Leni said.

"True." Lori sighed. "But it's weird that we haven't heard anything about it on the news or in the papers."

"That's because most of the incidents happened in Hazeltucky." Dana explained. "But apparently the drug originates in Royal Woods but people don't want anything to do with the drug. Til recently."

"What is it a challenge or something, like that blindfold challenge?" Lori asked.

"No. Rumor has it that some metas are interested in the drug." Becky explained. "According to rumors, the drug has a different effect on metas. It actually increases their powers. But nobody knows for sure."

"I would hate to find out." said Lori as she and Leni walk away from Dana and Becky. Once they were far from Becky and Dana. "We need to find the supplier and take them down." Lori whispered to Leni.

In Royal Woods, Candyman walked down the street with his gang following. He walked down the street twirling his cane around and tipping his hat to the people. He passed a trash and knocks it over causing the trash to spill out. He walks past a man on his phone and knocks the phone out of his hand with his cane. "Beautiful day isn't it boys?' Candyman says. "Nice day for a stroll."

"Sure is boss." One of his workers said.

Then the Candyman used his cane to pop a little girl's balloon and she cries. "Life isn't always sweet my dear." said the Candyman.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" The girl's father demanded. Candyman just looks at him with a smile before raising his cane so that it was underneath the man's chin.

"Someone you definitely don't want to anger." Candyman said before pushing the man down with his cane. "Now come on boys! Let's go have more fun."

In Vanzilla, Lori and Leni were filling the rest of the Louds in on what Dana and Becky told them.

"So there's this drug that makes people superhuman?" Lynn asked.

"Yes, but for a certain amount of time." Lori replied. "But it has a different affect on metahumans. But we don't know what though."

"Becky said that it might increase the powers of metas." Leni said. "Whatever that means."

"So what's the mission?" Luna asked. "Hunt down the supplier and shut this drug down?"

"Yes, if that drug ends up in our enemies. We're toast." Lori said.

"That's something I don't want to see." Lincoln said.

"Agreed. But it would be nice to get a sample and study the drug." Lisa said.

"So you can find out what it's made of?" Lola asked.

Lisa nodded. "I'm curious on what he used to create such a drug." Suddenly a news report comes on the radio.

"Breaking news: reports say that a man in a top hat was seen in Royal Woods popping balloons, knocking cell phones to the ground and knocking over trash cans."

"There's a man littering in the city!" Lana exclaimed.

"Ah hell no." Lynn said. "Not in our town!"

"Are we a town or a city?" Lucy wondered out loud.

"Lori punch it!" Lincoln said. "We got to beat up a litterer!"

"On it!" Lori nodded as she puts her foot on the gas and drive off to deal with that litterer.

Back in Royal Woods, Candyman's workers were destroying a mailbox while Candyman watched from a lawn chair while sipping a smoothie.

"That's right boys! Destroy the mailbox!" Candyman cheered.

"Hey!" Candyman turned and saw the L-Crew standing a few feet away.

"Oh hello." Candyman greeted. "You must be the L-Crew."

"Damn right we are?!" Parkour shouted. "Get off your butt so we can press charges on your littering."

"You're mad about the littering?" Candyman asked.

"That and popping balloons, knocking trash cans overs and knocking cellphones out of people's hands." said Firecracker.

"Fair enough." Candyman said before turning to his workers. "Gentlemen, if you would please take care of them."

The workers all stopped destroying the mailbox and walked towards the L-Crew. "Ok what do we beat them up or something?" Parkour aksed.

"You act like we don't fight henchmen." Speed Queen said.

"Well it's not often that we do." Parkour points out. "So it's easy to forget sometimes."

"Alright let's take these guys down and quick." Speed Queen said.

The L-Crew charged at the workers with a shout. Firecracker kicks a worker in the face while Ms. Appear sweeps his legs out from under him. Crystal Princess punches another worker in the gut while Amplifier uppercuts him. Speed Queen does a drive by speed punch while Black Ice hits him with her ice hammer. On the sidelines, Candyman is cheering and clapping at the action when a man with a map walks over.

"Um excuse me? I'm kinda lost." The man said. "Could you give me some directions?"

"Why certainly." Candyman said. "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to Dairyland do you know where to go?" The man asked.

"Of course! A most exquisite destination." Candyman responded. "What you want to do is head that until you reach the thruway. Once there, get on the thruway until you reach the third exit. From there Dairyland should be on your right."

"Thanks." The man said before walking off.

"Nice man." Candyman said. "Wonder how the fight is going?" He looks back at the fight where he sees one his workers being held by Multiple Girl while one of her clones punched him. "Seems to be going quite nicely."

Parkour throws a worker towards a garbage can, Wildgirl in monkey form is attacking a worker in the face. Prodigy uses her telekinesis to lift two of the workers and throws them to the wall. Green thumb uses her vines to grab a worker by the ankle tossed him around.

"I think we got them all." Speed Queen said. A worker tries to sneak up on her but she throws a fist back knocking him out. They then hear clapping and see Candyman clapping his hands.

"Well done." Candyman said. "Well done indeed. Now if you don't mind, i believe that it's my turn to play."

"Don't worry girls. I got this." Firecracker said stepping up.

"Ah, one on one, the perfect fight." The Candyman said.

Firecracker threw fireballs at the Candyman, but the Candyman dances around the fireballs avoiding them. "You've got to be kidding me?" Firecracker exclaimed.

"No i am not." Candyman said. Amplifier then steps up.

"Let me try bro." Amplifier said. She fires an electric blast at Candyman who tap dances around it causing Amplifier and Firecracker's jaws to drop. "This dude ain't right."

"Let me try." said Black Ice and stomps her foot on the ground surrounding the ground in ice. But to their surprise the Candyman is ice skating around Black Ice.

"You are as bitter as black liquorice." said the Candyman.

"Ok. So obviously you element guys aren't doing any damage." Parkour said. "Look it's just a dude. Let's all just rush him."

"I'm on it!" Wildgirl said and morphed into a Panther and snarls. Then lunges towards the Candyman.

"Not so fast!" Candyman said pointing his cane at Wildgirl who tilts her head in confusion. "Any minute now." The cane does nothing. "Almost forgot." He pushes a button on his cane and it turns into a rocket launcher. "Now we're talking!"

"Oh come on!" Wildgirl groaned. Then the Candyman fires the rocket and flies towards Wildgirl, but she dodges the rocket.

"That's it I'm taking this guy down." Speed Queen said and runs towards him.

"I would rethink that my dear." Candyman said before pressing a button on the rocket launcher to turn it back into a cane before pressing the button again to unleash oil onto the street causing Speed Queen to slide.

"Whoah whoa whoa!" Speed Queen shouts as she slides into a car. "Literally?"

"This Guy is like a looney tune character." said Ms. Appear.

"Well this time I'm taking him down!" Parkour said as she ripped a car door off a car and took a running start and used the car door to slide across the oil slick.

The Candyman uses his cane and releases a smoke bomb.

Parkour sees the smoke and groans. "Crap." She goes into the smoke and closes her eyes to keep out the smoks when she is hit by something, knocking her off the door.

"All brawn and no brain I see." Candyman said. "Oh well. Moving on."

"We're still standing!" Ms. Appear shouted.

"I see that." Candyman said. "So who wants to go next?" The L-Crew look at each other and then they all approach him. Candyman gets a little nervous. He hears movement behind him and turns to see Speed Queen, Parkour and Wildgirl approaching him. "Um, can we talk about this?"

"No." Crystal Princess answered before forming a crystal hammer. The L-Crew get closer and are about to charge.

"WAIT!" Candyman shouts catching the L-Crew off guard. "Before you beat me to a pulp, may I please have a small snack? Just a small one."

"Fine!" Speed Queen groaned. "But make it quick."

The Candyman takes out a candy bar, unwraps itnand eats it. "That hits the spot." said the Candyman.

"Ready now?" Parkour asked.

"Give it a minute." Candyman answered before suddenly bulking up much to everyone's surprise. "Now I'm ready." Speed Queen's eyes widen when she remembers what Becky and Dana said.

"The candy is the drug!" Speed Queen exclaimed. "And you're the manufacturer!"

"I see that you are quick with thought as well." The Candyman said.

Parkour charges towards the Candyman And was about to throw a punch but the Candyman blocks the punch.

"What the hell?" Parkour gasps before Candyman hits Parkour with his cane knocking her down. "That actually hurt a little. "What's that cane made of?"

"Not knowing is part of the fun." The Candyman said.

Crystal Princess charges towards the Candyman with her crystal hammer, but the Candyman dodges the attack and turns his cane into a warhammer and both of their weapons clashed. But it cracks Crystal princess' hammer.

"I don't get it? My crystals are harder now?" Crystal Princess shouts before Candyman sweeps her feet from underneath her. Ms. Appear and Firecracker then charge forward. Both go for right hand but Candyman dodges and hits them both with his cane. Multiple Girl then runs in with a clone and the two tackle Candyman. However, unknown to them a piece of candy fell out of Candyman's pocket and landed right by Wildgirl.

"Huh?" Wildgirl noticed the candy and picks it up. "Another piece of candy? Wait if this made him stronger, it would increase my powers."

However she hesitates. While it could increase her powers, it could possibly have some after effects. So the question was if it was worth it? Wildgirl looks up and sees that Candyman shook off Multiple Girl but was soon attacked by Amplifier and Prodigy who flew towards him with objects floating around Prodigy.

"You shall be defeated!" Prodigy yelled.

The Candyman turns his cane into a laser gun and shoots down the objects that were coming towards him. Then he punches the flying Prodigy in the gut knocking her down.

Then he shot a rocket from his cane at Amplifier but she teleported out of the way.

"Why are we struggling?" Amplifier asked as she appears behind Candyman.

"Possibly because of his style." Prodigy groaned. "He's unorthodox because he's possibly insane." On the sidelines, Wildgirl stood still holding the candy. She took another look at the drug before hesitating. After a few seconds, she puts the candy in her pocket.

"No shortcuts." She says. "But how do we beat him? He has no powers but his unorthodox style his tripping us up. And that drug he took is just making it harder. Wait a minute. If this drug works like any other drug, then it must wear off. If we can keep him busy long enough, the drug's effects should wear off. Man, I'm smart."

"Hey Candyman try this on for size!" Firecracker shouted threw a lot of fireballs at Candyman but his cane turns into a fire extinguish like weapon and puts out the fireballs. "I really hate this guy."

"This guy makes Ms. Appear on April Fools day seem sane." Crystal Princess added as she fired crystals at Candyman.

The Candyman dances around the crystals while dodging them.

"That was the old me." Ms. Appear stated.

"When does this drug wear off!?" Firecracker shouts as he threw a fireball at Candyman who batted it away.

"Hold on I'll ask him." Multiple Girl responded. "Um excuse me? When does the drug wear off?"

"Oh. Normally I wouldn't answer that but since you asked so nicely I'll answer." Candyman said. "It should wear off in about a minute."

"Ok thanks." said Muiltipe Girl.

"You're most welcome." Candyman responded before he realized what he said. "Uh oh." His body then turns back to normal. "Huh. Well that's unfortunate." He looks and sees the L-Crew approaching him. "Um, you wouldn't want to rethink this would you?"

"Sorry but you are going down and going to jail." Speed Queen said. Suddenly something comes crashing down coated in energy. The L-Crew gasp when they see it's Nuke.

"Long time no see Loser Crew." Nuke said. "But as much as I'd to stay and catch up, I'm afraid I can't let you hurt our new friend here. So I'm going to have to ask you to step back!" He then fires a energy blast at the ground forcing the L-Crew back. Nuke then grabs Candyman and they fly off. "Later losers!"

The L-Crew all got up and groaned. "Great Nuke fit away with the drug manufacturer!" Parkour groaned.

"Yeah, but did Nuke look different somehow?" Firecracker asked.

"Well he was glowing." Ms. Appear pointed out.

"Dudes, you don't think Nuke took the drug do you?" Amplifier asked.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he did." Prodigy said. "And if I were to guess, Johnny Speed and Squatch no doubt took the drug as well."

"Great just what we need, supercharged villains." said Black Ice.

"Just imagine what would Vesuvius would be like when she takes the drug?" Firecracker said.

"Or worst Rampage." said Parkour.

"Guys. Don't worry." Speed Queen said. "No matter what they throw at us, we'll deal with them. We've done it before and we'll do it again."

"Yeah. Even if they're supercharged, we'll take them down." Amplifier added. "We don't need drugs to beat down villians." Nearby Wildgirl reached into her pocket and pulled out the candy drug and looked.

"We don't need it." Wildgirl whispered before destroying it.

"I still wish I had a sample of it so I can study it. But that'll come another day." said Prodigy

"Who cares what's in it?" Parkour scoffed. "It's practically steroids."

"Yeah. Besides we don't need that drug to kick butt." Firecracker said. "Now lets head home."

"Agreed." Speed Queen said. "Now where did we park?"

At the hideout, Johnny and Squatch stood waiting for Nuke to come back with Candyman. As they waited, they discussed the drug that Candyman gave them.

"I don't know about you Johnny, but ever since we took that drug i feel great." Squatch said.

"I know I haven't felt anything like this since I had that Speed bracelet." said Johnny.

"I can't wait to fight the L-Crew again." Squatch growled. "Can't wait to crush them with my bare hands." The two hear the garage's door open to reveal Nuke and Candyman.

"Wow what a rush!" Candyman said. "So how are you boys enjoying your new boost in power?"

"Feels great." Nuke said. "One little blast and the L-Crew were pushed back. Couldn't even react." He and Squatch then fist bump.

"Excellent, I'll be sure to add some more. Soon I'll sell my new power booster on the streets and the cops won't know." said the Candyman. "But keep in mind this is only a little power boost that won't last long."

"Who cares? Even a temporary power boost is enough to crush the L-Crew." Johnny said.

"We are the boots and they are the ants." Nuke said.

"So I assume you recruited me for another reason and I don't mean my good looks." Candyman said. "So, what's the whole plan?" Johnny walks up and whispers something in his ear and as Johnny's telling him, a big smile forms on his face. "Oh you guys can count me in."

Night had fallen over Royal Woods and two figures ran across the rooftops until they reached a specific building: Tetherby Industries.

"Alright Alice, there it is." Replicate said. "Ready to go see Johnson?"

"I'm ready." Alice nodded.

"Good let's begin." said Replicate.

Replicate grabbed Alice and jumped down from the building. They made their way to Tetherby Industries building. Once there, they stealthily snuck into the building. The two make their way through the building when they hear footsteps.

"I'll handle this." Replicate whispers. He's about to go confront whoever's walking before being stopped by Alice.

"Hold on. If you get into a fight now, you'll blow our cover." Alice whispers. "Stay close to me and don't move." Replicate nods and Alice then creates an illusion around them. When the guards walked by, they only saw another plant. Once the guards were gone, Alice canceled the illusion. "See? Not everything needs to be solved with violence." Replicate rolled his eyes and they moved on until they reached the lab area where they hacked into the security door. They walk in and see Johnson.

"There he is." Replicate growls. He walks over and turns Johnson around and lifts him up. "Professor Johnson i presume?"

"Yes I am Professor Johnson." Johnson gulped in fear. "What do you want money?"

"Answers." Replicate growled.

Up in his office, Andrew Tetherby is doing some paperwork when he receives a message.

"What?" Andrew answered irritably.

"Sir, we got reports of someone breaking into the labs." A man on the line said. "Would you like me to send a squad down?"

"No. I'll deal with it." Tetherby answered before hanging up and calling someone else. "Adamborg. We appear to have company. Deal with them and kill Johnson."

"With pleasure." Adamborg responded.

"What do you want with me?" Johnson asked.

"Simple remember Tetherby?" Replicate asked.

"You mean Andrew Tetherby?" Johnson asked in fear.

"Not him! His father!" Replicate shouted.

"What about William Tetherby?" Johnson asked fearfully.

"You were helping him work on anti-meta research. What exactly were you working on?" Replicate growled.

"I don't know! I wasn't there for the whole time!" Johnson explained. "But Tetherby was up to something. Something big."

"What?" Replicate asks while putting Johnson on the ground.

"A weapon. It was made to-ack!" Johnson said before falling backwards with a hole in his chest. Replicate and Alice turn to see Adamborg 2.0 with his blaster smoking.

"Well what do you know?" Adamborg said. "Our intruders is Replicate and a little girl. Didn't you think you liked kids much Replicate."

"There's a lot about me you don't know." Replicate growls. "So who might you be? The tin man who wants a heart?"

"The name's Adamborg 2.0." Adamborg 2.0 introduced.

"I don't care what happened to the original body. But it'll End up in the junk pile." Replicate threatened.

"You sure about that old man?" Adamborg mocked. Replicate scowls and looks down at Alice.

"When I give the word, move." Replicate ordered. "Got it?"

"Got it." Alice nodded.

"Well that's enough talk." Adamborg said before aiming his blaster at them. "Time for you to join the old man."

"Preferably not." Replicate said. Before anyone can say anything, Replicate lunges forward and shoulder tackles Adamborg into a wall before turning to Alice. "Move!" Alice nods and runs out the door with Replicate following not far behind. As they ran through the hall, Replicate picked up Alice much to her surprise.

"Hey! I can run by myself!" Alice shouted.

"Suck it up!" Replicate said as he turned a corner while avoiding blaster fire.

"Now our only source is dead." said Alice.

"I'm well aware of that. But Johnson said something about a weapon." Replicate said. "But we need to leave now!"

As he's running, he knees a guard in the face before thrust kicking another. Another guard runs up but Replicate leaps up and double foot stomps him. He then sees the exit.

"Replicate he's getting closer!" Alice said.

"Quit being a backseat driver!" Replicate fired back. Adamborg sees this and activates his communicator.

"Xander, they're almost at the exit." Adamborg reports. "You in position?"

"Like a hunter waiting for his prey." Xander answered.

"Good cause they're coming!" Adamborg said.

Once Xander sees Replicate and Alice in his sights he throws a bolas at Replicate's feet tying him up. "What the hell?" Replicate exclaimed.

"What just happened?" Alice asked.

Replicate lets out a growl and frees himself before looking at Xander. "He happened." He growled.

"Oi, you escaped that fast." Xander said as he walked up. "But what can expect from the legendary Replicate."

"I see reputation proceeds me." Replicate comments while motioning for Alice to stay behind him. "But I know you as well. Xander the Hunter. Experimentation increase your body to peak human levels and then some. Arrived a week ago hunt Wildgirl. You're a dangerous man. You might actually be a challenge."

"Damn right I am." Xander said as he told out a hunting knife. "And there's no metahuman in sight for you to copy. It's just me and Adamborg against you Replicate."

Replicate looks behind him and sees Adamborg behind him with two blasters aimed towards him. There was no way out for Replicate and Alice.