Chapter 33

Kai was sleeping leaned against a container behind an alley with the weasel Luta on his chest. Alfida stood out on the sidewalk looking around the area, then walked further to the edge of a house to figure out it's a pastry and the girl checked the opening time, then got into it to encounter a Chinese-descendant woman handing out her daughter a paper bag, followed by the girl kissing the daughter, which raced against Alfida shoving her aside to crash against the door.

„Woah!" Complained Alfida, then looked at Marinette in confusion, which fell down. „You're okay?" Asked Alfida watching Marinette get up embarrassed, then she recognized the girl.

„Hey…...uh…...you're new here, right?" Questioned Marinette making Alfida nod.

„Yeah, I'm looking for something to eat before I go on to look for a friend of mine, we miss," „ Commented Alfida.

„If she's a student you could give it a try on my school there. We received a few new students, maybe she's one of them," Suggested Marinette opening the door. „I have to go, I'm late for school," Warned Marinette running out, followed by a loud car brake making Alfida flinch her teeth seeing Marinette jump back, afterward she crossed the road, while the driver just watched the girl in confusion head to the school.

„She's so scattered lately," Commented Sabine. „I hope she didn't harm you in a way,"

„It's okay," Responded Alfida dropping on the counter two euro coins. „What's the cheapest thing I can get here for two?" Questioned Alfida. „We're sort of orphans looking for our lost friend, which managed to start a life here,"

„I can sell you two Parisettes, buns, small parisettes with corns, milk bread, and wheat buns," Suggested Sabine. „Each costs 95 cents per piece,"

„The third choice sounds good," Answered Alfida watching the woman walk to the shelves with various bread sorts on it to take out Alfida's pick.

„From which country did you and your friend come, if I may ask,"

„Norway," Responded Alfida. „A little far from here,"

„I understand. I've been for 16 years here. I used to live in China and I moved here cause I met my husband,"

„That's cute," Commented Alfida.

„Your friend there. Is she a female or a male friend?" Questioned Sabine bringing her the bread.

„The one I'm looking for is the sister of my friend. As soon as he heard she was alive he wanted to see her so badly," Commented Alfida. „I'm not sure if people spoke here about it, but she had been frozen for many years inside a lake along with another boy who must be living here somewhere as well,"

„I think I might know her," Commented Sabine making Alfida wide her eyes.

„Really?" Asked Alfida excited.

„Well I mean, not personally, but from the news," Mentioned Sabine, then behind from the kitchen showed up her husband with the radio to show the information.

„Honey listen," Asked Tom watching the two women stop talking to listen to the radio.

„About a quarter-hour after midnight, the first alarm on the police station was sent about a chaos near the Trocadero, which later had turned out to be Ladybug, who had fallen into the claws of Hawk Moth to get akumatized. Even though the main lead of the superhero squad was unable to fight, Cat Noir with the help of a few other superheroes managed to bring her back,"

„Nothing more was spoken about this situation. Any superhero wasn't able to be talked to. Superhero experts Stanford Ling assumes, due to Ladybug's akumatization her yo-yo or her miraculous could have been damaged in order to save her and eventually might not be able to come back, but this we can only confirm by Ladybug herself, which no one of us knows her true identity,"

„The citizens are asking if we're still safe without Ladybug around. What do you think?"

„I believe as long as Cat Noir and the rest of the team are around, we have nothing to fear. Mayor Bourgeois is currently in a reunion with other mayors around Paris looking for a plan B, in case there's more chaos coming towards us, which the superheroes can't stop on their own,"

„Wow, I can't believe it, that Ladybug was akumatized yesterday," Commented Sabine giving Alfida back the exchange. „It's unbelievable."

„Ladybug is like us a normal human being with feelings, heart, bones, and such. I even believe she's just a young girl trying to save everyone. She has shown a lot of aspects I have seen on Marinette or other girls from her age,"

„You must be right, Tom," Agreed Sabine looking at Alfida, which nodded.

„Thanks for everything," Answered Alfida, then spotted at the entrance a sheet, which mentioned the bakery to be looking for a new team member. „What is this?"

„We're looking for a young student like you to work here for us. We received this year a confirmation, that at least one person could start his education here, if interested,"

„Cool," Responded Alfida.

„If you're interested you can send us a curriculum," Commented Tom making Alfida nod.

„I'm more interested in navigation or fighting. But I could tell someone else," Offered Alfida making the adults smile, then Alfida got out to spot Kai in panic ran against Alfida, which dropped the bag on the ground.

„Oh there you are," Commented Kai picking up the bag to hand it back to his crush. „I'm sorry,"

„It's okay," Commented Alfida. „Look, I've got a little clue to where we could find Gerda,"

„Really?" Asked Kai, then Alfida pointed at the Françoise Dupont schoolhouse. „Oh, I think that's a school,"

„Yes and that's a good place to start looking. Apparently, new students got there and Gerda must be one of them,"

„Or Rollan," Added Kai making Alfida chuckle.

„Leave the boy in peace. Gerda is what matters the most," Commented the pirate girl crossing the road to head to the stairs, where they encountered the janitor Fred Hapréle, which noticed them and stopped.

„Hey. You two aren't from this school?" Questioned Fred watching Kai shake his head, but Alfida nodded.

„I am. I'm new here" Lied Alfida making Fred frown.

„Oh really? What's your name?" Asked Fred.

„Alfida," Responded the girl, then Fred took out his smartphone to call someone.

„I'm sorry to bother you, but there is a girl named Alfida claiming she's from this school here," Questioned the janitor. „Is there someone with that name?"

Alfida and Kai looked at each other wondering, what is coming next then he placed his phone down.

„I'm sorry, but there is no Alfida in our school,"

„Can you at least ask that person, if my sister Gerda is in there?" Questioned Kai. „We've been looking for her for weeks!"

„I'm sorry. Due to data policy law, I can't reveal any private information like that,"

„Why not?" Asked Kai sad.

„Yeah?" Added Alfida.

„I'm sorry. This is a private school, not a regular one. You only make it here, if your parents enroll you here and pay for it as well," Explained Fred making the two raven-haired teens sink their heads.

„Okay, then looks like we gotta look somewhere else," Said Alfida, then guided Kai away from the stairs and Luta, which had been hiding inside Kai's jacket observed the man going back into the court and jumped down at the ground.

„Where are you going?" Asked Kai, then Luta pointed into the building. „Okay, we will wait there at the other side of the road,"

Luta nodded, then ran stairs up to see the large court that was empty and noticed doors leading to various classrooms, then the weasel ran to the first classroom and jumped at the doorknob after that tried to look at the large window beside it to see several students inside it. Luta shook her head as she saw none of them was familiar to her and continued to look in the next ones.

At the house of the Agreste's, Nathalie stepped into the office of Gabriel to see him sitting in front of his desk with his hands placed on his forehead feeling depressed from his last mission.

„Mr. Agreste?" Spoke Nathalie, then watched Gabriel smash the case with pens down at the ground shrieking the assistant.

„We had Ladybug akumatized. WE HAD LADYBUG AKUMATIZED! How did we not make it this time?!"

„Sir it was a brilliant plan, it's just…...wasn't the right time,"

„How many times will it take to be the right time, Nathalie?" Questioned Gabriel looking sternly at his assistant.

„We have to be a little bit more patient, Gabriel," Mentioned Nathalie passing around Gabriel to unlock his computer to search for the news site to show him infos about the last akuma attacks. „If you look around Paris, several destructions caused by Miss Fortune haven't been restored by her, and do you know why?" Asked the adult woman watching Gabriel ponder about the question, then he figured it out.

„You mean her miraculous didn't work, cause it got damaged?"

„Exaclty," Commented Nathalie making Gabriel smirk.

„Oh this is actually good. Without the guardian, she can't fix her miraculous anymore and without it, she can't purify my akumas as well. If we continue this fight and manage to take down Cat Noir, eventually the rest of his teammates, they'll leave us no choice and give is their miraculouses and we can get back the ladybug one as well,"

„Then you will just have to fix it and our work is finally done," Added Nathalie watching Gabriel raise his fist in victory.

„Ah I have never felt better than I am now," Admitted Gabriel. „My dear Emilie don't you worry, soon you'll be up here with us like in good old times," Commented Gabriel making Nathalie nod looking at the joy of her boss.

The students left for break and Gerda came out along with Rose and Juleka, which were chatting with each other.

„How was your movie night?" Asked Gerda looking at the two girl friends.

„Great. We watched Thaitanic together. It was so romantic," Answered Rose. „At least for me, Juleka fell asleep,"

„And you didn't hear about, what happened last day with Ladybug?" Questioned Gerda curious making the girls shake their heads.

„Well, we were asleep when it happened. We just saw the group chat this morning and got in panic," Confessed Rose showing Gerda the group chat.

„I really was in fear this time. I think this was the worst time for…..the superheroes to deal with her," Commented the Norwegian girl making the short girl nod.

„I believe it," Admitted Rose. „Wish I and Juleka could have helped the team,"

„That would be cool…..I mean, if you could be superheroes and help them I mean," Corrected Gerda making Rose chuckle, then their trio got into the cafeteria and Rose spotted Rollan sitting along with Luka on the table with Kim, Max, and several other students, which were listening to Kim speaking.

„Gerda, look!" Warned Rose grabbing Gerda on her arm to show the full table making Gerda curious at the number of people sitting at the table.

„Wonder what's up," Gerda commented, then the trio head to the table and Rose stood behind Max along with Gerda and Juleka.

„Hey guys," Greeted Rose, then Max looked up at the girls and smiled.

„Kim, we've got more people interested in the story,"

„Oh uh…..give them some space somewhere," Answered Kim with a chuckle, then Max got aside leaving between him and Rollan place free.

„You two go," Offered Juleka, then Rose held her hand out for Gerda to sit down, making her roll her eyes knowing Rose was keen to have her seat near Rollan. Gerda sat down, then Rose sat down beside her and passed her hand behind Gerda's back to touch Rollan on his shoulder and Rollan looked back to see Rose retrieve her arm back and the Spaniard followed her with his eyes.

„Hola Rose," Greeted Rollan. „You need something?"

„It wasn't me, it was Gerda," Commented Rose making Rollan frown.

„I saw your arm," Warned Rollan making Gerda chuckle, while Rose frowned.

„Tell him what you heard about him yesterday," Commented Rose making Gerda frown, while Rose patted the friend on the shoulder. „Come, tell anything," Whispered Rose making Gerda roll her eyes and look at Rollan, which tilted his head. Gerda passed her hand behind her neck, then decided to start a normal conversation with the boy.

„What's going on here? Why is everyone sitting here with your friends?"

„I have no idea, but apparently Kim is a superhero called Monkey King and Luka here is called Viperion," Commented Rollan making Gerda shut her eyes wide.

„For real?" Asked Gerda making Rollan shrug his shoulders.

„It seems. To be honest, I don't believe it until I see it,"

„Same for me," Commented Gerda. „Where you home yesterday when the akuma attack went off?"

„Yeah, I was on the balcony on my own. Actually, if you believe it or not, Lady Frost passed by me and prevented me from getting hurt by Ladybug's villain-self,"

„Ah great and how was your impression on her?" Questioned Gerda making Rollan roll his eyes up to think.

„I find her kind. In a way, she's like you. You know, personality-wise and the bravery part,"

„You think so?"

„Which part do you mean? Yours or hers?"

„Uh…..both I guess?" Questioned Gerda making Rollan snicker.

„This probably sounds far-fetched for you, but I kind of saved her from getting hit by an anvil, that was thrown at us. I don't know, why I reacted first thought,"
„If the heroes could have seen you, they would probably loved to have you working with them. I would…...if I were a superhero, but I'm not, obvious...ly,"

„Gracias," Responded Rollan with a smile. „I…..don't know how the superheroes got their powers, but Lady Frost still was thankful for my little help, but because of missing powers I couldn't help her,"

„Oh," Commented Gerda placing her hand on Rollan's. „I would have given you a chance if I could,"

Rollan smiled at the girl's comment and moved his other hand to put it over hers.

„I would do the same to you. I haven't seen you fight against the Snow Queen, but according to the legends and Orm…..you sounded amazing," Stated Rollan making Gerda smile amorously at the boy.

Meanwhile, Kim had finished his story, then earned applause from the crowd and looked at Rollan and Gerda being the only ones not applauding.

„Hey, hey, hey loverboy. You promised me to be paying attention," Commented Kim watching Rollan look at Kim confused, then he felt Gerda remove her hand away from Rollan's hands, which noticed what was up.

„I'm sorry," Apologized Rollan making Gerda chuckle.

Myléne came along and touched Rose on the shoulder to show her the new print of the prom night.

„Oh cool," Commented Rose, then picked it up to show it to Gerda. „Look for the prom night the poster,"

„Oh looks pretty," Commented Gerda, then Rollan noticed the poster and looked at the sheet.

„Uh a short question. What exactly is a prom night?" Questioned Rollan making Rose get up and stand behind him and Gerda.

„The prom night is the most awaited night for many students here," Spoke Rose and placed her hand on the shoulder of the two friends. „People come there to dance, eat, drink, chat, and so on. You know have fun. Most of the people go together with a friend or a very important person," Commented Rose looking away from Rollan at Gerda, which grinned a little embarrassed at Rose's behavior in putting them together in one boat.

„Is it bad if I go alone?" Questioned Rollan. „I don't have anyone to go there yet,"

„Don't worry dude, you got a few days in front of you to find someone to go with or you can as well on the night find it. Doesn't matter," Nino commented.

„For the dramatic, it's even better," Commented Wayhem making Rollan nod.

„I'll see it then," Commented Rollan looking at Gerda and Rose. Rose grinned big at Rollan, then moved her eyes at Gerda hoping Rollan to notice it and Rollan got up from the bench. „I'm going to get something to eat," Spoke Rollan making the blonde nod, then looked at Gerda, which gave the sheet back to Myléne. „Are you girls interested in something to eat? I could bring you something,"

„No thanks Rollan," Responded Myléne while Rose shook her head and looked at Gerda.

„A little something is alright if you'd like," Answered Gerda making Rollan nod and walk across the cafeteria to stay behind the queue.

Myléne sat down beside Gerda to see Rollan standing, then looked at Gerda.

„You know I think Rollan is starting to show you interest," Said the short girl. „At least it looked to me like that,"

„Well…..I sort of kissed him on his cheek, when he walked me home last week," Mentioned Gerda making Rose squeal catching everyone's attention around her.

„Rose, did you find another Ladynoir fanart or what?" Asked Kim bore his ear with his finger.

„Sorry, I didn't mean to sound this loud," Apologized Rose, then she looked back at the half-bewildered friend. „You kissed him and you didn't tell us a word?" Asked Rose quiet making Gerda nod.

„Rose I know you want so bad to put me and Rollan together, but you can't force him to like me or me him. I'm doing this on my own and this kiss on the cheek was my way to make him notice I am interested in him," The northern girl explained making the blonde nod.

„And it's working or slowly working?" Questioned Rose, then Gerda shrugged.

„If I go slow and my way, it will work out for good. You just have to promise me to not interrupt or force me or him into getting closer. Is this alright?"

„Okay…...I promise," Responded Rose holding up her pinky at Gerda making her smile and give her hers.

„I know you would understand it," Gerda commented making Rose smile, then embrace the tall friend.

Alya and Marinette sat at the outside of the entrance to the cafeteria sharing together croissants made by Tom Dupain.

„I wasn't expecting, that soon I would need to replace you temporarily, but I'm really glad everything worked out in the end," Confessed Alya. „Welcome back to us,"

„Thanks for everything you did. I don't think Cat Noir would have managed to get out of my hands easily without additional help,"

„Viperion and Lady Frost were giving their best as well. Even that, they had needed Monkey King and my help to defeat you. It was big luck, that we made it in time there,"

„Where was Fire King during this time?" Questioned Marinette. „Something went up with him in our last fight and I haven't seen him since that,"

„Really? That's odd. Had it happened once before?" Questioned Alya making Marinette shrug her shoulders,

„Not that I know," Responded the half-French girl. „But he should really tell me something, so I can help him see what's up. I don't think it's an issue of him,"

„What could happen to him, if we would keep using it and not say anything?"

„I don't know, but according to Master Fu using a broken miraculous can be dangerous for our health. Worse perhaps with his miraculous is, we don't know if the consequences are the same or worse,"

„What could be worse, than death?" Questioned Alya. „That is the last stage of worse,"

„I don't know, what if he had to live with a eternal scar of the miraculous somewhere like I don't know….. on his forehead or…...what if he had a scald on his hands or somewhere else?"

„I think it could be the same or his miraculous would just stop working or malfunction. If me manage to see him next time we can question him and explain him, to trust us his miraculous to give it this guardian I don't know about,"

„Yes…...oh uhm I haven't heard anything about him yet, but he was up this morning in my house and told me he heard about what happened," Marinette began. „I explained to him I had an emergency backup plan, which got to work yesterday, and thanks to that I was saved. He was impressed but at the same time annoyed, because I have let it happened. He congratulated me for the success and promised to bring me back the miraculous when he would fix it. It wouldn't be a problem, cause it wasn't damaged by a cataclysm,"

„So this means you'll be ready sooner than expected?" Questioned Alya making Marinette nod.

„Sure…..as long as nothing happens before it,"

„Please Marinette don't talk like that. I can't take another occasion like that again,"

„I'm sorry. I'm not meaning it like that. It's just a what-if moment," Corrected Marinette making Alya nod, then she heard a squeak of an animal and spotted on the floor a white weasel looking around the place, then she moved up her head at the girl, which made Marinette scream.

„A rat!" Shouted Marinette jumping back, while Alya stood there looking at the animal, then chuckled.

„That's not a rat. That's just a stoat," Commented Alya, watching Marinette slowly calm down to see the weasel get into the cafeteria to search for any clues of Gerda. Luta began to use her nose to track a familiar scent, then moved forward and got pulled by her back by a student, which was Jean Duparc.

„Hey you look just like…..." Commented Jean followed by the weasel bitting him on the nose, making him scream and calling several students' attention. Jean took the weasel off his face, throwing him against Chloé's head, which jumped up off her bench trying to get it off her head.

„Sabrina! Help me!" Yelled Chloé while Sabrina looked around to see how she could help her and grabbed a tableau and hit it on her friend's ponytail at the moment the weasel got off.

„Sabrina! Hit the rat, not me!" Complained the blonde watching the weasel ran off.

Luta ran under the tables to escape students, which stood around normally and two teens pursued the weasel trying to catch up to it. Luta hide behind a table leg to look across the hall, then spotted Gerda which sat together with Myléne and Rose and smiled. Luta jumped out, then was caught by the backpack of a student.

„Got it!" Announced the boy, then Principal Damocles showed up to spot the first crowd, which had been watching at the boy hidding the weasel.

„What's all this theatre?" Questioned the principal stern.

„There was a rat in this canteen," Warned Chloé annoyed. „You're lucky my daddy didn't hear from any of this,"
„What rat?" Asked the principal watching the boy, who caught it show Luta, making the adult nod.

„Alright, drop the animal down at the park and I will advise the janitor to have the entire school checked up," Ordered the principal earning a nod from the boy, which walked off and Luta took out her head to watch Gerda continuing to listen to her friends.

Alfida and Kai, which were on the outside eating their breakfast watched from the entrance of the school a boy with a backpack ran out, heading to the park across the school and noticed him dropping out of his back the weasel Luta, which ran off making the boy drop his mouth at her reaction.

„Why did that boy hide Luta in his bag?" Questioned Kai bewildered, then Alfida pondered about it.

„Don't some places in this world have a sign saying animals are forbidden inside?"

„Maybe it's an option," Answered Kai, then saw Luta approach him and point at the school. „Did you see Gerda in there?"

Luta nodded making Kai smack Alfida on her shoulder happy.

„And did she see you?" Questioned Kai making the weasel shake her head and point at the boy, which returned to the school. „Okay, and what was she doing?"

Luta used her paws and demonstrated two talking persons, then placed her one paw behind her other.

„She was talking with other girls?" Questioned Kai making the weasel nod. „What about Rollan? The boy that disappeared along with her?" Questioned Kai making Luta shake her head. „He isn't there?" Questioned Kai making Luta shrug. „Okay,"

„And? What are you planning to do?" Questioned Alfida making Kai shrug his shoulders.

„Maybe wait until Gerda gets out of there?"

„Okay and when exactly do you think will that happen?" Questioned Alfida.

„Around midday maybe?" Suggested Kai. „Or later on? I don't know. She must get out of that house at some point. She or the others,"

„I'm not really fascinated in having to stay here the entire day waiting for Gerda to get out,"

„If she's here according to Luta, I will stay, no matter how long it feels like. If you want to come back later and I don't know, look for something else it's okay, I can be by myself too. I won't die or anything," Commented Kai making Alfida chuckle.

„This reminds me of that night in Rotterdam," Alfida mentioned making Kai frown.

„Don't ever remind me of that night again. This was such a shame to know, it happened,"

„Alright, alright, don't worry," Promised Alfida getting up and place her hands on Kai's shoulder to peck him on the forehead. „I will look for a way to get us some cheap lunch,"

„Sure, see you later," Said Kai watching Alfida move along the sidewalk following into the city center.