Disclaimer: this chapter is little bit of a canon divergence from season 2.
Chapter 43: Kung Food, Part 1
"No," Ladybug said. "Not him." She shot a nervous look over her shoulder. "It would be like fighting five at once."
Chat Noir suspected that that wasn't the only reason Ladybug didn't want to fight Kung Food, but at this point, they were running out of options.
"It'll be just like fighting a video game, right?" Chat Noir reasoned. "A few lesser bad guys, and then the boss. Besides, it will be much easier to find food if something happens. But if you think it's a bad idea, then okay."
Ladybug sighed. "You're right. Kung Food it is."
Marinette found herself stuttering for words when she came face-to-face with Adrien.
What were we talking about again? Marinette racked her brain. They had just figured out that Chloé had sabotaged her uncle's soup. He had stormed off, and Marinette tried to remember the conversation that just had been happening.
"I'm sure your uncle's okay," Adrien said, putting his hand on top of Marinette's.
Heat rushed to Marinette's cheeks as she nodded. "I'm just concerned. Chloé can be so ruthless sometimes. I know what it's like to be on the receiving end."
It was at this point flying dumplings chased a camera man through the lobby, and began broadcasting Kung Food's announcement.
Marinette and Adrien watched as the caramel began pouring down the side of the hotel.
"I have to check on my uncle!" Marinette said. "Why don't you look for a way out?"
"Alright, be careful."
Marinette raced to the stairs, only stopping when the door behind her closed with a thud.
"Tikki, spots on!"
Adrien spotted a closet to transform him and headed in the direction.
He stepped in something sticky on the way, and felt it tug at his shoe.
"Oh come on," he complained, trying to yank his foot out of there. His foot slipped out of his shoe, and he tumbled backwards. "Talk about bad luck."
Continuing with one shoe, Adrien headed for the closet. The door shut behind him, and Plagg flew out of his shirt.
"Good thing your costume doesn't have shoes," he said.
"Uh huh," Adrien replied. "Plagg, claws out!"
Like before, Ladybug and Chat Noir met in the lobby.
"Quite a sticky situation outdoors," Chat Noir noted. "And I think it's leaking in a little more than last time."
"I wouldn't worry about the caramel," Ladybug replied. "Any minute now, Jagged Stone is going to come through that door and start attacking us with his sword."
"I guess you can say he rocks and sushi-rolls," Chat Noir quipped.
Ladybug groaned.
"We could always take the stairs, see if we can bypass the minions," Chat Noir offered.
Ladybug shook her head. "It's better to fight them one-on-one then have to take all four minions and Kung Food at the same time."
The elevator dinged, and the doors opened, revealing Jagged Stone with his massive sword of seafood.
Ladybug moved instantly, wrapping her yo-yo around his legs and yanking him into the lobby. He pulled himself out of the yo-yo strings, and stood up.
"Now that's just not very rock and roll of you, Ladybug," Jagged Stone said. "Master Kung Food has need of you two."
"Tell him we're busy," Ladybug replied.
Ladybug swung her yo-yo again, and Jagged Stone deflected. He charged at her, but Chat Noir tripped him and he fell on his face. With a scowl, he stood up again.
The pattern repeated, and Jagged Stone face planted again, but he was barely stunned.
"This can't be good for him," Ladybug muttered. "There's a closet down the hallway. Let's see if we can lock him up."
Slowly, Ladybug and Chat Noir edged Jagged Stone through the hallway. The hallway was harder to maneuver in, being more narrow, but it affected Jagged Stone's large sword more than the superhero's smaller weapons.
Ladybug opened the closet door just as Chat Noir tripped Jagged Stone again, sending him sprawling through the door. Ladybug closed the door.
"Next level?" Chat Noir asked.
"Level up," Ladybug agreed.
Something crunched, and the superheroes turned to see the end of Jagged Stone's sword sticking out through the door. It sawed through the wood, around the lock, and the door swung open with a bang.
"Oh come on!" Chat Noir argued. "Even real swords can't do that."
"Are you arguing with what you saw with your own eyes?" Ladybug teased.
"Touché," Chat Noir replied. "Now what?"
"We have to get the sword from him," Ladybug said. "And then we tie him up somewhere."
Jagged Stone charged. Trapped in the hallway with no way to dodge, Chat Noir deflected the attack while Ladybug shouldered him in the chest. Jagged Stone stumbled backwards, but swiped again.
Ladybug and Chat Noir ducked under the attack. Ladybug side-stepped, so that she was on the opposite side of Jagged Stone from Chat Noir.
Jagged Stone raised his sword and brought it down in the direction of Ladybug, who tripped him and chased him to face plant. Ladybug kneeled down, reaching for the sword, but Jagged Stone recovered and slashed the sword at her.
The sword hit her in the chest, sending her back into the wall.
Chat Noir stomped on Jagged Stone's back, sending him back to the floor. He wriggled under the force, and Chat Noir struggled to keep his balance while reaching for the sword.
"I can't keep a hold on it," Chat Noir said. He felt his balance waiver, and in a desperate last attempt, did what he knew he shouldn't.
"Cataclysm!"
The sword crumbled.
When Jagged Stone was efficiently tied up in the lobby, Ladybug shoved Chat Noir into the closet and stood watch outside.
"The mayor might be on his way right now," Ladybug hissed. "That was a mistake."
"There weren't any flying dumplings around," Chat Noir reasoned. "He probably still think we're fighting Jagged Stone. In fact, as soon as I'm transformed again, we could surprise him."
"No," Ladybug replied. "We're still out numbered. Once you're ready, we'll let him know we've defeated Jagged Stone and he'll send down the mayor. That way, when we reach him, he'll be by himself.
Chat Noir took a deep breath. "Ladybug, I know this akuma is a more personal one for you."
Ladybug's stomach jolted. "What do you mean?"
Silence. And then,
"I know he's your uncle."
This akuma is making me hungry...