Isekai'd as the new French Miraculous Superhero Team.

Chapter 38: Erysichthon vs. Kung Food.

(Author's notes: Warning: mentions of murder, mentions of cannibalism, mentions of the way that the Chinese government is run, mentions of the hypocritical European history of cannibalism, mentions of only one instance in which a cannibal on French grounds was sentenced to thirty years imprisonment, and mentions of the Guang Cultural Revolution Massacre among other things.

Also, because Marinette's great-uncle in canon spoke mainly Mandarin Chinese and little English until his next appearance in the Miraculous World Shanghai episode, there'll be instances of Marinette and Wang interacting in Chinese throughout this chapter. And every sentence that is translated using Google Translate is basically Simplified Chinese translated into English and vice versa from the opening scene. Look it up on Google and Google Translate if you don't believe me. And no, I myself don't speak Mandarin Chinese; I'm barely fluent in my native Spanish in contrast to me being extremely fluent in English, hence why all of my stories are always in English foremost.

Enjoy chapter 38: Erysichthon vs. Kung Food.)

(Quantic Universe Earth 19274729568301958374, Paris, France, January 19th, 2016, third person POV...)

Marinette then says before saying into a microphone, "Now, let's see if my years of practice haven't worn off. Here we go. Hello, and welcome to my home. My name is Marinette Dupain-Cheng."

The app she chose specifically for this occasion and for training herself to make sure she remembers how to speak in Chinese and remembers how to pronounce her words in Chinese, "Nǐ hǎo, huānyíng lái dào wǒjiā. Wǒ de míngzì shì mǎlǐ nèi tè·dù pān·chéng."

Marinette repeats after the app and gets everything right on the first try, "Nǐ hǎo, huānyíng lái dào wǒjiā. Wǒ de míngzì shì mǎlǐ nèi tè·dù pān·chéng./Hello, and welcome to my home. My name is Marinette Dupain-Cheng."

Tikki remarks, "Great job on the first try, Marinette!"

Marinette replies before asking, "Thanks, Tikki. Um, no offense, but do you think Uncle Wang will actually appreciate using these flowers for his Celestial Soup?"

Marinette gestures to an assortment of Chrysanthemum flowers for added emphasis.

Tikki replies, "But of course, Marinette! After all, you did make it clear to your mother that she unintentionally forgot to remind you that your great-uncle isn't always great with words, and you had her make it clear to him over the phone that you only seek approval as long as it doesn't involve anything having to be perfect. After all, there's only so much you can do with limited time."

Marinette replies back as she also points out, "Yes, but considering how Uncle Wang is in terms of being a perfectionist, one can only assume that this might've been the mindset drilled into his brain from childhood and thus carried over to his adult life."

Tikki replies back as well, "True. But all the same, you do know what will happen if someone sabotages his Celestial Soup."

Marinette answers, "Yes, I do. Although, I haven't even tried it myself, even though I've already tried lots of other soups as long as they were healthy."

Tikki suggests, "Well, why don't you ask him for a portion after the competition is over?"

Marinette replies, "Good idea, my little friend."

The doorbell rings.

Marinette says, "Unless I missed my guess, that should be him."

Marinette and Tikki walk over to the door as Tikki enters her humanoid form.

Tikki and Marinette stop in front of the door and Marinette opens it.

Wang Cheng does a Chinese bow as he says in Mandarin, "Nǐ hǎo./Hello."

Marinette does a similar bow as she replies in Chinese, "Nǐ hǎo, huānyíng lái dào wǒjiā. Wǒ de míngzì shì mǎlǐ nèi tè·dù pān·chéng./Hello, and welcome to my home. My name is Marinette Dupain-Cheng."

Wang's eyes widened in surprise at what Marinette had to say, in Chinese, no less.

Wang remarks in Chinese, "Wa. Wǒ bù zhīdào nǐ zhōngwén shuō dé zhème hǎo, mǎlǐ nèi tè./Wow. I didn't know you could speak Chinese so well, Marinette."

Marinette replies in Chinese, "Ń, wǒ de tóngnián huāle wǔ nián de shíjiān, dàn shìshí zhèngmíng, wǒ guòqù shì, xiànzài réngrán shì yīgè kuàisù xuéxí zhě./Well, it took me five years of my childhood, but as it turns out, I was and still am a fast learner."

Wang replies in Chinese before asking as he notices Tikki's human form, "Rújīn, zài wǒmen zhōngguó jiātíng zhōng, xuéxí sùdù kuài de chéngyuán shì fēicháng hǎnjiàn de. Nǐ de péngyǒu kěnéng shì shéi?/A member of our Chinese family being a fast learner is a rare commodity these days. And who might your friend be?"

Tikki answers in Chinese, "Chéng lǎoshī nín hǎo. Wǒ shì dì lì'ān·mǎbólì, mǎlǐ nèi tè de línjū zhī yī, zhù zài jù zhèlǐ xīběi liǎng gè jiēqū de yī tào gōngyù lǐ. Shì de, wǒ yě huì shuō zhōngwén./Hello, Master Cheng. I'm Tillyan Maberly, one of Marinette's neighbors from one of the apartments two blocks south by northwest from here. And yes, I also speak Chinese."

Wang bows before Marinette asks, "Nǐ xiǎng jìnlái ma?/Would you like to come in?"

Wang replies, "Xièxiè nǐ, mǎlǐ nèi tè./Thank you, Marinette."

Wang looks at the living room, and he notices the flowers on the coffee table.

Wang asks, "Mǎlǐ nèi tè, zhèxiē shì shénme huā?/What flowers are these, Marinette?"

Marinette answers, "Ó, nà shì júhuā. Wǒ tīng shuō nǐ zài mǒu xiē pēngrèn fāngshì zhōng qīngxiàng yú shǐyòng xiānhuā, suǒyǐ wǒ juédìng zài jīntiān de bǐsài zhōng wèi nǐ de pēngrèn gòumǎi zhèxiē huā. Bié dānxīn; zhèxiē huā shì ānquán de, kěyǐ yòng lái zhǔ tāng. Shuō zhēn de, wǒ duì huā zuòle yánjiū./Oh, those are Chrysanthemum flowers. I heard you tend to use flowers in some forms of your cooking, so I decided to buy those for your cooking at the competition today. And don't worry; those kinds of flowers are safe and edible for cooking in a soup. Seriously, I did my research on the flowers."

Wang remarks, "Mǎlǐ nèi tè, nǐ duì huāduǒ jìnxíng yánjiū shì fēicháng zhōudào hé míngzhì de./That was very thoughtful and wise of you to do your research on the flowers, Marinette."

Marinette bows.

Tikki then queries, "Nàme, chéng dàshī, nín shì dì yī cì lái fàguó ma?/So, Master Cheng, is this the first time you visited France?"

Wang answers before saying, "Shìshí shàng, méiyǒu. Wǒ dì yī cì lái fàguó shì sānshí nián qián. Wǒ bù zhīdào wǒ de zhísūn nǚ hé sà bīn gàosù wǒ de tā de zhòngduō péngyǒu zhī yī néng shuō zhème liúlì de zhōngwén./Actually, no. My first time in France was thirty years ago. I had no idea that my grand-niece and one of her many friends Sabine told me about could speak Chinese so fluently."

Marinette replies, "Chéngrán, zhōngwén shì shìjiè shàng zuì nán xuéxí hé liànxí de yǔyán zhī yī, dàn rúguǒ yīgè rén zhēnzhèng nǔlì, chíxù liànxí, yǒng bù fàngqì, zhèyàng de shìqíng shì kěyǐ chéngwéi xiànshí de./Granted, Chinese might be one of the most difficult languages in the world to learn and practice, but if one were to work really hard, continue to practice, and never give up, such a thing can be made into reality."

Wang replies, "Quèqiè de. Duōme shēnkè a, mǎlǐ nèi tè./Exactly. How profound, Marinette."

Marinette bows.

Wang then says, "Dàn shuō shíhuà, wǒ de yīngyǔ bù xiàng nǐ néng shuō liúlì de zhōngwén, wǒ de yīngyǔ méi nàme hǎo./But in all seriousness, unlike your ability to speak Chinese fluently, my ability to speak English is not as good."

Marinette suggests, "Hǎo ba, nǐ wèishéme bù chángshì yòng jǐ gè yuè de shíjiān cānjiā yīxiē yīngyǔ kèchéng, bìng zài xuéxí de guòchéng zhōng bùduàn jìnbù ne?/Well, why don't you try taking a few English-speaking classes for a few months and work your progress as you go along?"

Wang rubs his chin as he replies, "Ń. Wǒ hái méiyǒu xiǎngdào zhè yīdiǎn./Hm. I have not thought of that."

In the car on the way to the contest, Marinette says, "Yīncǐ, zǒng'éryánzhī, zhídào fàguó qíjī chāojí yīngxióng tuánduì nénggòu dàibǔ yīng é hé tā de rènhé méngyǒu, tóngshí bōduó tā de húdié qíjī, kǒngquè qíjī yǐjí tā hé tā de tóngshì kěnéng yòng lái jiāng tā cóng wéixiǎn zhōng jiějiù chūlái de rènhé qítā yǒu jiàzhí de mófǎ zhūbǎo. Jiānyù, zhè zìmiàn yìsi shì rènhé bùxìng jīnglì fènnù, bēishāng, jídù, hòuhuǐ shènzhì bēitòng de yóukè, zài tā jiǎncè fùmiàn qíngxù de nénglì bànjìng yībǎi wǔshí yīnglǐ nèi, dōu yǒu bèi tā zhùrù hēi mófǎ de húdié fù shēn de wéixiǎn bìng kěnéng bèi pò fànzuì bìng wéibèi zìjǐ de yìyuàn yǔ fàguó qíjī chāojí yīngxióng tuánduì zuòzhàn./ So, in conclusion, until the French Miraculous Superhero Team can apprehend Hawk Moth and any of his allies while simultaneously stripping him of the Butterfly Miraculous, the Peacock Miraculous, and any other valuable magical jewelry he and his associates could possibly use to free him from prison, this literally means any tourists unfortunate enough to experience anger, sadness, jealousy, regret, or even grief while within a one hundred and fifty mile radius of his ability to detect negative emotions is in danger of being possessed by his dark magic infused butterflies and potentially being forced to commit crimes and fight the French Miraculous Superhero Team against their will."

Wang replies before asking, "Wǒ wàn wàn méi xiǎngdào, bālí huì bèi yīgè nénggòu lìyòng fùmiàn qíngxù de mófǎ kǒngbù fèn zǐ zuòwéi qínggǎn rénzhì. Nàme, zhōngguó chuánshuō zhōng de shén jī shì zhēn de ma?/I never anticipated that Paris would be held emotionally hostage by a magical terrorist who can prey on negative emotions. So, the Miraculouses of Chinese legend are true?"

Marinette answers, "Shì de. Zhèngrú kǎtè·sī lái dé zài dì yī bù zhēnrén "è líng qíshì" diànyǐng kāichǎng shí suǒ shuō dì nàyàng, "chuánqí de tèdiǎn shì, yǒushí tāmen shì zhēnshí de."'/ Yes. And like Carter Slade once said in the opening scene of the first live action Ghost Rider movie, "The thing about legends is, sometimes, they're true."' "

Wang then asks, "Chú cǐ zhī wài, rúguǒ yīng é zhēn de ná dàole piáo chóng hé hēi māo shénqì, tā jiù yǒngyǒule ràng qīzi fùhuó de lìliàng, ér tā yě bù huì zàiyì kěnéng yào fùchū de dàijià ba?/ Aside from that, if Hawk Moth does get his greasy hands on the Ladybug and Black Cat Miraculouses, he will have the power he needs to wish for his wife to be resurrected, and he will not care about the potential price to pay in exchange?"

Marinette answers, "Shì de, érqiě tā gēnběn bù guānxīn shǐyòng zhōngjí shéntōng juéduì lìliàng de hòuguǒ. Duì tā lái shuō, méiyǒu shé me bǐ tā de qī zǐ jiànkāng de guīlái gèng zhòngyào dele, wúlùn tā wèile shíxiàn zhège mèngxiǎng bìxū zuò chū zěnyàng de xīshēng./ Yes, and he doesn't even care about the consequences of using the Ultimate Miraculous Absolute Power. To him, nothing matters more than his wife returned in perfect health, regardless of the sacrifices he has to make in order to achieve that dream."

Wang decides to leave it at that, and so does Marinette.

Outside of the Grand Paris Hotel, the logo for "The World's Greatest Chef" flashes as it is a televised segment by Alec Cataldi.

Alec remarks, "Since our '"World's Greatest Chef"' competition kicked off, the best culinary professionals from all around the world have been blowing our minds with their appetizing creations."

Wang gets out of the car, as does Marinette.

Mayor Andre Bourgeois remarks, "Cheng Sifu! I am delighted and honored to have you on our final show! In this final show, you will have the chance to defeat all of the chefs who have competed so far."

Wang bows and smiles. Then he and Marinette follow Mayor Bourgeois as they head into the hotel lobby.

Alec remarks outside before the camera switches to the lobby on the inside and before he asks Wang, "Only one chef will be awarded the title of '"The World's Greatest Chef."' The winner's dish will become the new Mayor's Special on the Grand Paris' hotel restaurant menu! Tell us, Cheng Shifu, what dish will you be honoring our panel with today?"

Marinette translates what Alec said, "Tā zhǐ de shì nín jiāng tígōng de càiyáo./He means the dish you will be offering."

Wang answers in English, "My dish is Celestial Soup."

Alec remarks before saying, "Wow! I've heard so much about your legendary Celestial Soup, but today, we'll actually get to taste it!"

The TV broadcast ends.

Marinette asks in English, "Is everything well in hand, Uncle Wang?"

Wang replies in English, "Yes, Marinette, everything is under control."

Alec escorts Wang to the kitchen.

Marinette then asks Tikki while being careful of names, "So, Tillyan, do you think that everything is well in hand? We have to be certain."

Tikki answers, "Marinette, please. Your paranoia is gonna make you act reckless."

Marinette sighs before taking a swig of her carry-on water thermos.

Chloe comes up and knocks on the stair banister, startling Marinette into adopting a Kung-Fu pose.

Chloe raises an eyebrow, signifying that she had seen that reaction coming.

Marinette states, "Hhhaaa. Chloe, don't do that again; you know how jumpy I get when I'm paranoid."

Chloe replies, "Sorry, Marinette; just wanted to say hi there to two of my best friends."

Tikki remarks, "Nice to see you too, Chloe."

Tikki and Chloe give each other la bise.

Chloe then says, "Anyway, I come with good news: I'm on the panel of judges representing the younger generation for the judge panel, and well, I'm kind of nervous about trying the Celestial Soup."

Marinette replies, "Well, either way, it'll still taste good, Chloe. But don't take my word for it."

Tikki then says, "Girls, I understand how nervous you both are, but try to be patient, okay?"

Marinette and Chloe take a few deep breaths before huddling in a group hug.

Marinette then says, "Okay, here's the plan. I have some drones watching over my great uncle in the kitchen. The moment his back is turned, especially if anyone makes him think that I'm looking for him outside, if anyone tries to sabotage his soup, I will spring the trap. Tikki, I want you to make sure that the guards are on standby to apprehend the intruder once Chloe flushes them out. Everyone clear?"

Chloe and Tikki reply in unison, "Clear." "Clear."

Marinette, Tikki, and Chloe go their separate ways.

In the Grand Paris kitchen, Wang is cooking his Celestial Soup.

Then, a brown-haired girl eerily similar to Ivonna Caussade peers in from the hallway.

But then, sensing that someone was there, Wang looks at the doorway, but he sees no one there.

Wang goes to look, but he passes by the girl without knowing it.

The girl remarks mischievously, "Let's see if the judges will enjoy your relative's soup after this, Marinette Dupain-Cheng."

Suddenly, a police robot comes up with a taser and a sawed-off shotgun before saying in a human-like voice, "Freeze!"

The girl shrieks as she raises her hands in the surrender sign.

But in the confusion, a second girl wearing an invisibility belt like the one shown on Transformers Rescue Bots comes into the kitchen while nobody's looking, then she pours some olive oil into the soup before stirring it.

And then she leaves just before Wang Cheng comes in to see what was going on.

In the Grand Paris dining hall, the competition for The World's Greatest Chef is being filmed.

Alec remarks, "As usual, our panel of gourmets is consisted of Mayor Andre Bourgeois, our nation's President Achraf Benoit, Mayor Bourgeois' daughter Chloe representing the younger generation, the hot rock and roll superstar Jagged Stone and his amazing crocodile Fang, the god-sent head chef of this hotel, Marlena Cesaire, and finally, yours truly, Alec!"

The logo for "The World's Greatest Chef" flashes across the camera screen before the view shifts over to Marinette looking at Chloe, communicating in telepathy.

Chloe asks Marinette telepathically, "So, we were duped again?"

Marinette answers, "Yes, but don't worry; our President-and-Mayor-approved assistants will come up to present the evidence of the sabotage in action, and they will be bringing a few portions of the not so sabotaged soup, a replica of the real one that I made without the olive oil, and they'll make sure to have the real soup on hand for the judging. But if Alec refuses to play by the rules, then we'll have to move our initial plans for him on Simon Says to today."

Alec then says, "It's time to determine the fate of Cheng Shifu's famous Celestial Soup. Let's get tasting!"

The entire judge panel tastes the soup, aside from Chloe, who simply sits there.

Alec spits out his soup and demands, "What is this?!"

Wang gasps.

Mayor Bourgeois starts to say, "Um, I don't think that – "

But Marinette and Chloe clap their hands in unison while saying, "Assistants!" "Assistants!"

Marinette and Chloe's assistants, who are basically reserve staff for the hotel and the Dupain-Cheng bakery come up, and after a few minutes, they provided evidence that Wang Cheng's Celestial Soup was sabotaged with olive oil by another of Ivetta's sycophants by the name of Allerie Ducuing for the sole purpose of getting Marinette upset enough to get Akumatized.

Marinette then says into the camera and the judge panel at the same time, "Now, ordinarily, some dish like my great uncle's Celestial Soup would be appetizing, especially if you have the right ingredients. For example, my uncle's cooking dishes often require specific types of ingredients, such as edible flowers like the Chrysanthemum flowers from Japan. But once you add an ingredient like olive oil to the mixture, you risk accidentally poisoning whoever consumes it to death."

Everyone gasps in shock and horror.

After Alec tries the real Celestial Soup, he remarks, "Mm! This truly is wonderful!"

Wang smiles.

President Benoit tries the soup and he remarks, "Mm! This truly is a delicious soup, made with all natural ingredients and the kind of love that comes from a traditional recipe from years before any of us today was born. I give this soup a 10/10."

Mayor Bourgeois tries the real soup and he remarks, "Mm. I definitely think that this not sabotaged soup will fare well with our guests. I'll give it a ten out of ten."

Chloe tries the real soup too, and she remarks, "Mm! This truly is one of the most appetizing soups I've tried in my life so far. I'll give it a ten out of ten as well."

Jagged Stone tries the soup as well and he remarks, "Mm! It's like kissing a clean and healthy Christmas dish before eating it. Positive ten."

Marlena Cesaire remarks, "I don't know how to describe it, but it's truly delicious. I give it a ten out of ten."

Alec remarks, "I concur, Marlena. It truly is wonderful to try. I'll give it a ten out of ten, too. Cheng Shifu, this brings your score to a 10.10/10.10, the highest so far. Celestial Soup will therefore be featured on the hotel's restaurant menu, and you are hereby named the World's Greatest Chef."

Marinette cheers for her great uncle, and the "World's Greatest Chef" symbol flashes.

Marinette notices Chloe tasting the soup again in delight, and she moans in a pleased manner, "Well, I'll be a cat's mother, this truly is a wonderful soup."

Marinette approaches Wang and she says, "I think my childhood friend Chloe Bourgeois loves your soup, Uncle Wang."

Wang replies before asking, "Ah, so it seems. Would you like to try it yourself, Marinette?"

Marinette replies, "Yes, please."

Wang hands Marinette a bowl of the Celestial Soup he made especially for her, and Marinette tries it while being careful not to spill any of the soup liquid from the spoon she's using.

Marinette remarks in Chinese, "Háomǐ. Wáng shūshu, zhè tāng quèshí hěn hǎo hē./Mm. This truly is a delicious soup, Uncle Wang."

Wang replies in Chinese, "Wǒ hěn gāoxìng nǐ xǐhuān wǒ de tāng, mǎlǐ nèi tè./I'm glad you love my soup, Marinette."

Marinette then says, "Dàn shuō shíhuà, wáng shūshu, zhèngrú wǒmen zài xiàndài suǒ shuō dì nàyàng, wǒmen jīntiān cóng zìmiàn shàng hé yǐnyù shàng dū duǒguòle zǐdàn./But in all seriousness, Uncle Wang, as we say in the modern era, we literally and metaphorically dodged a bullet today."

Wang questions, "Zěnme yàng, mǎlǐ nèi tè?/How so, Marinette?"

Marinette answers, "Yīnwèi, rúguǒ nǐ de tāng bèi pòhuàile, ér nǐ zài méiyǒu wǒ tígōng pòhuài fāshēng de zhèngjù de qíngkuàng xià shū diàole bǐsài, nàme nǐ jiù huì bèi ā kù mǎ tè huà, yīnwèi duì shū diào bǐsài de bēishāng huì bèi shì wéi bèi ā kù mǎ tè huà de yīgè yuányīn./ Because, if your soup had been sabotaged and you lost the competition without me providing evidence of the sabotage happening, you would've gotten Akumatized because sadness over a lost competition counts as a cause of getting Akumatized."

Wang admits before saying angrily, "Chéngrán, wǒmen quèshí huì yù dào yī chǎng zāinàn, zhè kěnéng huì ràng bālí xīn chāojí yīngxióng jūnduì de gōngzuò biàn dé gèngjiā kùnnán. Dàn zhè bìng bù chóng yào; wúlùn wǒ zǒu dào nǎlǐ, wǒ dū bìxū quèbǎo jiāqiáng chúfáng de ānquán, yǐ quèbǎo xiàndài rén suǒ shuō de "jìn jùlí tì xū" bù zài fāshēng./ Admittedly, we would indeed have had a disaster on our hands that could potentially make the job of Paris' new superhero army even harder. But it matters not; I must make sure that I increase kitchen security wherever I go to ensure that this so-called close shave that modern men say does not happen again."

Marinette queries, "Nǐ xūyào zìjǐ de shíjiān ma?/Do you require time for yourself?"

Wang answers as he marches away, "Shì de, mǎlǐ nèi tè./Yes, Marinette."

Tikki comes up and says, "It's horrible to lose face in China, Marinette. We'll wait for him downstairs."

Marinette growls, making Tikki back away.

Marinette says into her thumb radio while doing a convincing impression of her Ladybug voice, "Purple Streak, it's time for Plan B. Make someone become Erysichthon."

Purple Streak replies, "Copy that, Ladybug."

In the kitchen, Wang stands angrily and sadly over his soup pot.

In Hawk Moth's lair, his window opens and he remarks, "A great artist was almost wronged today, and he still won't let it go. I can feel it. I can hear his heart screaming for revenge."

Hawk Moth turns a butterfly into an Akuma.

Hawk Moth sends the Akuma off to the Grand Paris' kitchen and he remarks, "Fly away, my little Akuma, and evilize him! Victory never tasted so good! Mwahahahahahahahahahahahaha!"

In Purple Streak's observatory, the windows open and Purple Streak senses the positive emotions of benevolent pride, happiness, and joy coming from Aimeeloved Duminil-Copin, a French-Italian-Japanese-Chinese chef who got a job with Restaurant Guy Savoy, one of the few restaurants in Paris that still hires foreigners to this day.

Purple Streak remarks, "A great artist got himself a job today. I can feel his heart screaming with joy and pride, and that combined with the myth of the Greek king cursed with endless hunger without ever gaining weight is just what we need to defeat Kung Food."

Purple Streak energizes a butterfly of her own into a Tenshi and she sends it off to the restaurant while saying, "Fly off, my little Tenshi, and Championize him into Erysichthon! Victory and lunch at this hour never tasted so distinctive before now! Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!"

In the kitchen, Wang spots a bottle of olive oil next to his soup pot and grabs it, looking at the label.

Wang somberly states as his sadness turns to anger, "Marinette was right. It was evil act by that brat who narrowly escaped imprisonment and who I am sure is being pursued by police! No respect for Cheng Sifu!"

The Akuma discreetly merges with his chef hat.

Hawk Moth remarks, "Kung Food, I am Hawk Moth. Those who tasted your sabotaged soup will become your servants. Everyone who wronged you will pay dearly with their lives and minds."

Wang/Kung Food replies evilly, "I will show I am greatest chef in the world!"

The Akuma turns him into Kung Food.

In the kitchen of the Restaurant Guy Savoy, the Tenshi merges with both Aimeeloved's hat and his duffel bag he carries for emergencies.

Purple Streak says, "Erysichthon, I am Purple Streak. I'm granting you the power you'll need to satisfy your hunger for genuine food and to defeat Hawk Moth's newest victim, Wang Cheng, also known as Kung Food. Target his bag, as that is where he summons his food weapons. Understood?"

Aimeeloved/Erysichthon replies, "Yes, Purple Streak. It's lunchtime!"

Aimeeloved turns into an armored superhero version of Kung Food mixed with illustrations of the mythological Greek king cursed with endless hunger called Erysichthon, albeit while looking thin but muscular.

Erysichthon makes his way to the Grand Paris.

In the Grand Paris dining hall, in the instants after Kung Food was Akumatized, Alec is in the middle of filming a segment when the jury besides Chloe gets a stomachache from the sabotaged soup, apparently because the rest of the jury tasted the sabotaged soup for no apparent reason other than to see if it was indeed sabotaged.

Alec remarks in pain while clutching his stomach, "Ooohhh, uhh..."

Jagged Stone clutches his stomach in pain before banging the table, "Ohh, my guts are killing me. (Banging the table) Nrgg!"

Mayor Bourgeois says as he also clutches his stomach in pain, "I'm feeling quite uncomfortable, Mr. President."

President Benoit replies, "Me too, Andre. Ooohhh."

Kung Food remarks as he jumps in from out of nowhere, "Bwahahahahahaha! You have eaten my soup. You become my servants! Nyehehehehahahahahahahahaha!"

The people who have eaten the sabotaged Celestial Soup becomes possessed, their eyes turning orange, and they stand up straight.

Alec says like a drone, "At your command, master."

Kung Food says as he points to Chloe, "Grab the girl and force her to eat my soup."

Chloe then hangs up her phone and adopts a Kung-Fu pose.

Chloe snarls while doing a decent enough impression of the PS3/Xbox 360/PC video game iterations of the Spider-Man 3 version of Venom, "(Imitating distorted Venom) You'll never take me alive or force me to eat your sabotaged soup!"

Kung Food laughs mockingly as he remarks, "You do not even know Kung-Fu!"

Chloe replies while still doing her Venom impression, "(As Venom) Sir, you don't even know me."

Marlena charges and Chloe does two Thirst Punches to Marlena's throat in unison with both hands before doing three inside crescent kicks and before doing a front flipping axe kick to Marlena's head, knocking her out.

Mayor Bourgeois charges, and Chloe does four outside crescent kicks, six cannon punches, four side swinging kicks, and four horn punches before doing a jumping headstand kick to Mayor Bourgeois' forehead, knocking him out cold.

Jagged Stone charges, and Chloe does four diagonal punches, six spring kicks, and eight sweeping punches before doing a spinning handstand and breakdancing kick to both his chest and head, knocking him out cold.

President Benoit charges with Alec, and Chloe dodges several grabs before doing four simultaneous whip punches, six heel kicks, eight wave punches, twelve side thrust kicks, and sixteen chopping punches to both their chest and foreheads, before doing a jumping and throwing over your head tackle to Alec, and then doing a jumping roundhouse kick mixed with a swinging kick immediately afterwards before doing a handspring kick to President Benoit's head, also knocking him out cold.

Kung Food looks aghast that his servants were taken down so easily.

In Hawk Moth's lair, Hawk Moth mutters in shock before saying, "So, the rumors are true. Chloe Bourgeois does know how to fight. No matter. Kung Food, get Chloe Bourgeois on the ropes long enough to capture her."

Chloe points out multiple times, "You know I can hear you from here, right, Hawk Moth? And FYI, your choice of appearance for Kung Food is seriously racist! (Kung Food and Hawk Moth: Huh?!) It's simple. First of all, you made Kung Food look like a Japanese cooking demon, and Cheng Sifu is Chinese, not Japanese. Get your facts straight. And secondly, if you really wanted to catch me off-guard, you should've studied martial arts other than Kung-Fu for years. I'm more than a match for you, Hawk Moth, even without needing a Miraculous jewel. So go ahead, Kung Food, take your best shot."

Kung Food charges, and the moment the fight starts, Erysichthon shows up.

Kung Food tries to do a push kick, but Chloe counters it with a push punch, a hunger kick, a sideways swinging punch, a blaster kick, an upside down circle punch, a right side up square kick, a tail punch, and a front swinging kick.

Kung Food snarls, "Enough of this!"

Kung Food snatches out of his bag a bludgeoning baguette.

Erysichthon wolf-whistles before charging towards Kung Food.

Kung Food swings his bludgeoning baguette, but Erysichthon dodges and sucker punches Kung Food before snatching away his food weapon bag.

Then, in an instant, Erysichthon takes out thousands of food weapons and starts eating them as if he was a competitive eater.

Everyone looks aghast at the Tenshized iteration of Erysichthon living up to his namesake's name and habits.

In the lobby, Alec's cameraman runs to the exit while shouting, "Get out! Hurry! Get out of here while you still can!"

Ladybug comes barreling in after the cameraman leaves, armed with a scatter shotgun, an assault rifle, a sniper rifle, a revolver, a stun pistol, a flare gun, an assortment of ammo belts, and several flash bang grenades, smoke grenades, flash freeze grenades, tear gas grenades, a taser, a nightstick, and a broadsword.

Kung Food says on some projectors from three to six floors up from the lobby as he watches more and more people evacuate the hotel, "Not polite to leave table without permission. Block all exits of hotel!"

Ladybug opens a portal from her hands and uses the large portal to evacuate more people in the lobby as she says, "The exits are being blocked by caramel! Evacuate through the portal if you want to avoid being hypnotized!"

People evacuate through the portal as Kung Food's minions start pouring vats of caramel down the sides of the hotel all the way to the main and back doors, barricading the exits, which includes the windows.

From a projector screen on the rooftop of the hotel where the swimming pool is, Kung Food notices more people leaving through a portal summoned by a hidden Ladybug and, through a projector in the lobby, he starts to say before noticing that the lobby is practically empty, "As I just said minute ago, not polite to leave – huh? Where did escapees go?"

Ladybug hovers in front of the projector and growls while doing a decent impression of the Johnny Blaze iteration of the Ghost Rider from the first Ghost Rider movie, "Yaaaaarrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh! Haaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhh!"

Kung Food shrieks like a girl at seeing Ladybug heavily armed and he asks fearfully, "Are-are you the Ladybug my grand-niece told me about?"

Ladybug replies coldly, thankful that her automatic voice changer makes her sound like the second live action Supergirl combined with a female version of the Lizard, a female version of the Transformers Prime Predaking, and a female version of the Transformers Prime Unicron, "Yes, I am, and now, you're next on the block!"

Kung Food says fretfully, "Servants! All units! Ladybug is here! Disarm her and take her earrings!"

Ladybug says coldly, "Supervillain Tyranny 101: Never declare your plans or your attacks; it always gives superheroes a chance to stop you."

Cat Noir emerges through a black hole portal he made, thankful that his wishing power allows him to use his destruction magic for restoration, transportation, cloning, and other kinds of purposes associated with becoming a True Chosen Miraculous wielder of the highest level to be considered a god.

Ladybug says, "Ah, Cat Noir, glad you could join me."

Cat Noir replies, "I don't know about you, Ladybug, but I'm hungry."

Ladybug replies, "Then let's prepare ourselves some food."

Ladybug and Cat Noir then fly up the stairwells while maintaining their shared invisibility power at all times.

On the roof, Hawk Moth says to Kung Food now that he's successfully captured Erysichthon after restraining him and after making him overeat to the point of gaining 340 pounds, "Kung Food, Ladybug and Cat Noir have come to stop you from completing your soup. You must add them to your recipe!"

Kung Food replies, "Surprise ingredients? Heh, delicious!"

Kung Food points to Jagged Stone and says, "You, go capture them!"

Jagged Stone replies, "Yes, Master Kung Food."

He runs off to ambush Ladybug and Cat Noir.

Kung Food remarks, "Martial Artist Soup even more powerful with superhero flavor."

Chloe points out coldly, "You do realize that adding a human being to your food is considered cannibalism, right? Ergo, you eat me and our superheroes, and after Hawk Moth returns you to normal, you'll end up imprisoned in Paris rather than deported to China and sentenced to life imprisonment here in Paris if you're found guilty."

Kung Food demands, "And how do you know this?!"

Chloe replies, "Even though the Guangxi Cultural Revolution Massacre has already come to pass, the Government of the People's Republic of China still allows anyone from China who still lives in China today and practices cannibalism today who aren't part of the Chinese government to practice cannibalism as long as the cannibalism doesn't involve a Chinese person's neighbor's wife. But here in Paris, people who practice cannibalism can actually be sentenced to potentially thirty years in prison, especially if the cannibalism in question involved actual murdering and dismembering. Just like Issei Sagawa, the infamous Japanese cannibal who, despite being deported to Japan, was released and therefore forced the French government's hand by having him imprisoned on French grounds."

Kung Food's eyes widened in shock and horror, and Chloe concludes, "Yeah, so, even aside from the European hypocritical history of cannibalism, you in particular would end up becoming ninety years old before you would be let out of prison at the end of your sentence."

Kung Food sputters as he exclaims, "Bu-bu-bu-but I would be too old!"

Chloe replies coldly, "You and Hawk Moth should've thought of that earlier, because if my best friend Marinette Dupain-Cheng found out her great uncle was sentenced to thirty years imprisonment for cannibalism just because of Hawk Moth giving you these powers and ideas, she'd rain hell on Hawk Moth's family to kill him in retaliation even despite knowing she herself would be sentenced to life imprisonment for murder."

Ladybug blows open the doors with a sticky bomb and she roars like the Ghost Rider, "(As Ghost Rider) RRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!"

Kung Food shrieks as he says, "Stop! Stop! I surrender!"

This time, Hawk Moth doesn't stop Kung Food from surrendering, having started to think about how much of an idiot he was being and the heartbreak and vengeance he could've installed into Marinette Dupain-Cheng to the point where she would hunt him down and kill him if his plans and Kung Food's plans had reached fruition and if Chloe hadn't spoken up in time.

Ladybug breaks Kung Food's chef hat, purifies the Akuma, and uses her Miraculous Ladybug cure to fix everything that happened while Wang Cheng was Akumatized.

Kung Food returns to normal, and Ladybug places Wang's hat back on his head, now that the hat was fully restored.

Hawk Moth mutters before saying, "This evil dinner was almost ruined, all because I was an idiot who almost hypothetically caused me to get murdered in the future. But nevertheless, I will never Akumatize someone like Kung Food ever again. And nevertheless on that, revenge is a dish best served cold, so watch yourselves, because I'll be ready to strike again!"

The window to Hawk Moth's lair closes.

In no time, Alec's cameraman films Marinette hugging her great uncle, and soon enough, Marinette, Chloe, and Wang sit down to eat their portions of the Celestial Soup.

In Marinette's bedroom, Marinette finishes explaining to her great uncle, "So, basically, that is why I planned to reveal my identity to you after my team returned you to normal and after the hassle at the hotel ended."

Wang says to Marinette, "To me, you will always be Marinette Dupain-Cheng, no matter how you were born or reincarnated and no matter what superhero identities you take upon in your war against evil."

Marinette and Wang hug again.

Later, after Wang had been taken to the airport by Sabine, Marinette says as she crosses her great-uncle's Akumatized name off the list before coming across the name of Manon Chamack as The Puppeteer, "Okay, that is Kung Food cut-and-dried. Ugh, the next one is Manon, aka The Puppeteer. I have a feeling I'm gonna be pumped full of rage over this one."

Tikki inquires, "Why?"

Marinette answers, "Because, for one thing, Manon is five years old and thus talks like a five year old to the point where she doesn't refer to more than one superhero as a goody-two-shoes properly. Secondly, as The Puppeteer, she can reakumatize anyone who has an Akumatized villain doll made after their Akumatized identities, and thus can control them as if they're puppets, as her Akumatized name implies. Thirdly, when an Akumatized supervillain is under her control, or even a Miraculous user who has a doll made after their Miraculous transformation identities, she makes them think and talk like a five year old child just like with the reakumatized villains. And admittedly, it might sound funny, but even I wouldn't be laughing if I were in that position, and neither would you, Tikki."

Tikki huffs before saying, "That's an interesting point. Please continue."

Marinette explains further, "And lastly, Manon got Akumatized because she wanted to keep the Miraculous wearer superhero and Akumatized villain dolls I made and owned so she can keep playing with them, and when her mother continued saying no, Manon resorted to lying to fulfill her fantasies, and because she's still a five year old child with a high emotional equilibrium, she easily started crying her eyes out when her mother inevitably punished her, just enough to attract Hawk Moth's attention."

Tikki inquires again, "And considering your love/hate relationship with children and babies, you're liable to lose control of your anger at some point, right?"

Marinette answers, "Yes. And considering the fact that Manon inevitably brought this on herself, I'm gonna make sure she knows that I won't tolerate such irresponsible and sinful behavior on my parents' property and I won't tolerate her actions any longer. To that end, after I give Manon a Magical Charm discreetly, I'll personally see to it that her mother doesn't let up on her punishments a tad."

But before Tikki could protest, Marinette says, "On second thought, I have a better idea. From then on, after Manon's first experience as The Puppeteer, I'm never babysitting her anymore!"

Tikki gasped in shock and horror at what Marinette had to say.

Marinette sighs as she says again, "Now, granted, I may seem hypocritical about my views on biblical values and modern punishments for children, but where were those biblical values when ninety-six percent of Earth's human population started to denounce their faith that God and Jesus exist as two-thirds of the Holy Trinity?"

Tikki then uses her purification power on Marinette, and they started debating the best contingency plans for Puppeteer and the proper punishments for Manon before and after she gets Akumatized.

Marinette then says, "Anyway, Tikki, I think I could use a few additional language lessons for the modern languages including Chinese, and so I can get lots of practice in."

Tikki replies, "I'll be all too happy to help, Marinette."

The twosome continues their language lessons before being called down to dinner.

The End.

(Author's notes: See you all in chapter 39: The Puppeteer vs. Mannequin.)