AN: Here's the Tuesday update as promised. I've also finished outlining the rest of the story and I can say with confidence there's going to be 58 chapters of this story. I think you guys will love what I have planned. Once I finish writing it...
Chapter 40:
The group flipped the next switch by the haunted house and they once more heard another door open. It took a little to find, but they eventually went through the door in the back corner of the warehouse called attraction storage. They walked down the hallway and into a large room with an octopus ride. In front of it was a desk with only a tape recorder on it. The group paused at the entrance, feeling a sense of foreboding from the room for some reason. But as they could see no sign of danger, they cautiously approached the desk and played the recorder.
"The biggest park ever built, a centerfold of attractions…" came Bertrum Piedmont's voice. But something was wrong. Even though they had pressed play, the voice didn't seem to be coming from the recorder… "Each one, more grand than the one before it. It makes my eyes come to tears at the thought. But then… oh, Mister Drew."
The group huddled together as the voice took a darker tone, looking around to try and find the source of the voice.
"For all your talk of dreams, you are the architect behind so many nightmares." Bertrum continued angerly. "I built this park. It was to be a masterpiece! My masterpiece! And now you think you can just throw me out? Trample me to the dust and forget me? No! This is my park! My glory! You may think I'm gone… But I'm still here! "
The group backed up as they noticed the ride begin to twitch and move. Doors opening up to reveal a large human face much to their shock and horror. The arms moved and one slammed down, barely missing the group as they jumped back and destroying the table.
"Stay back!" Henry commands the teens, spotting an ax among the remains of the table. "I'll take care of this!"
Henry ran forward and grabbed the ax, ducking as a group of cars swung overhead. He moved back as he looked for an opening to attack. One of the arms stopped over him and slammed down. Henry was able to roll out of the way in time and came up in a crouch, ready to attack or run if need be. After the arm slammed in the same spot a few times, it sparked slightly and collapsed. Henry immediately took advantage of this and ran forward. He swung his ax desperately, trying to cause as much damage as he could. He ended up hitting of the joint bolts, causing it to pop off and spray ink. Having identified a weak point, Henry tried to make it to the next bolt but the arm stirred and moved. He tried to move back in time but he wasn't quite fast enough. He was hit in the chest, sending him back towards the walls and knocking the breath out of him.
Henry gasped as he struggled to regain his breath and forced himself to stand. He couldn't be stopped so easily. He had the kids to protect and those trapped in the studio to save. He would push pass this obstacle and anything else this hellhole has to throw at him. Tightening his grip on the ax, Henry looked for an opening and ran forward to hit the next bolt.
"I can't just stand here helplessly!" Marinette declared from where she and the others were taking cover behind some boxes. "I have to do something! Tikki! Spots on!"
Marinette allowed herself to transform, ignoring how it felt off. When she finished, parts of her suit were reversed color and when she felt her head, she found small horns starting to grow. But she didn't have time to worry about that. Henry had just managed to destroy all the bolts on one of the arms, causing it to break and the others to swing around wildly. Ladybug tossed her yo-yo forward, easily wrapping it around Henry and pulling him back to safety just before he would have been hit.
"Marinette!" Henry said in surprise and worry as he took in her appearance. "As much I as appreciate the rescue… you shouldn't have transformed! Quick! Change back before the infection spreads."
"Not this time Henry," Ladybug replied defiantly. "Just like you refuse to let any harm come to us, I refuse to stand by and see you get hurt protecting us. You can't stop me, so we might as well do this together."
"Spoken like a true superhero huh," Henry commented with a wry grin, hefting his ax. "Okay, then let's do this as quickly as possible."
"No problem," Ladybug smirked, swinging her yo-yo around. The two split up and circled around the out of control ride, looking for another chance to attack. Soon another arm came smashing down toward Ladybug. She easily flipped out of the way and they surged forward as soon as the arm stalled. Between the two of them, they were able to get all the bolts and break the arm. Ladybug wrapped an arm around Henry and swung them to safety as the remaining arms sparked and swung around rapidly.
They repeated the process with the last two arms, the ax shattering when Henry destroyed the final bolt. After getting to a safe distance, Ladybug and Henry watched as the center part spun around, releasing all sorts of sparks and steam. Finally, everything came grinding to a halt and doors slowly closed on the now still face. After a few moments of silence, Henry and Ladybug sighed in relief knowing they had won. She ended transformation, but she could see that the ink had already spread down to her shoulders as a result of her becoming Ladybug, turning her eyes yellow as well.
"You guys did it!" Nino cheered as he and Alya hurried over to the others. "And it was totally epic! You just defeated that giant robot!"
"I wish I could have recorded that," Alya agreed with a grin. "But my phone died long ago."
"No matter how cool it looked, I'm just glad it's over with," Henry sighed, gingerly feeling his bruised chest. "Come on, let's find that switch and get out of here."
It took a few minutes but they eventually found the switch in a hidden alcove.
"That makes three, one to go," Henry commented once he flipped it. He then lead the others back to the main warehouse to flip the next switch.