A Second Emergency

Mr Delmas enters the library through the front door.

Jim: Mr Delmas!
Delmas: Wait for me outside, Jim. I must talk to these children in private.
Jim: Yessir!

Jim walks out of the library, closing the door behind him.

Delmas: Children: before anything, I would like to apologize for Jim's attitude yesterday and this morning. For some reason, he has been cultivating conspiracy stories inside his head with respect to the recent events, and has got a bit carried away with how he manages it.
Odd: Do not worry, sir, I don't blame him for being paranoid, to be honest.
Delmas: Well. Secondly, you are here due to an incident with Elizabeth. However deserved you think she had it, I cannot overlook what you did to her. But before giving you your punishment, I would like to know your version of what happened. I'm listening.

The kids remain silent for a few seconds. Communicating via glances, Yumi manifests her intention of going first.

Yumi: Headmaster, I suppose you're aware of the accusation Sissi made against Jeremie.
Delmas: Aware enough, miss Ishiyama.
Yumi: Well, I don't know if you're aware of the intimidation attempt Nicholas and Herve made against Odd yesterday, both commanded by Sissi as well.
Delmas: I was not aware, but it's not the first time we know of such an event.
Yumi: And I cannot help but mention the fact that Sissi took Jeremie's cell phone about an hour ago.
Delmas: Of that, I am aware, but I ignore the details.
Yumi: I don't think it's necessary to go in depth about that. The important thing is, due to those things, we wanted to play a prank on Sissi: Ulrich would invite her on a date and then Kiwi, Odd's dog, would appear in his place and annoy her for a while.
Delmas: From what I've been told, your joke worked quite in your favor.
Odd: Yes indeed. What we didn't expect was the intensity of Sissi's reaction.
Ulrich: If I may, sir, probably Sissi exaggerates when expressing her reaction tow…
Delmas: I'm perfectly aware of Elizabeth's means of expression, Mr Stern, thank you very much. Anything else you'd like to add?
Yumi: Well, Jeremie didn't take part on the prank, nor in its creation, so he's innocent.
Delmas: Okay. Well, your testimony tells more or less what I imagined. You will be punished, of course, but only for today. You'll have to stay in the library, studying until six o'clock.

The kids lower their heads.

Delmas: And Odd, it's necessary that we become stricter with respect to your pet's freedoms. From tomorrow onward, it'll have to stay within your room while you're in class. And when you need to take him for a walk, he must be leashed at all times. Understood?
Odd: (looking down to the floor) Yes, sir.
Delmas: Your attitude calls my attention, Odd: the first day, a heroic deed; the second, you get into trouble. You had better behave before classes start for you, and that you repeat attitudes more like the ones you had the first day.
Odd: Okay, sir.
Delmas: And miss Ishiyama, I'm surprised that you haven't gone home after the morning announcement. Do your parents know that classes are suspended?
Yumi: No, sir.
Delmas: Okay, I'll have to let them know then. In any case, unless they demand the contrary, you'll have to stay here in the library for today. Is that clear?
Yumi: Yes, sir.
Delmas: That is all. I hope your punishment allows you to reflect about what you did. Any questions?
Odd: Yeah, what will happen with our lunch?
Delmas: You'll be escorted by Jim to the cafeteria at the corresponding hour. Anything else?

The kids remain silent.

Delmas: Good; I'll leave you to it then, I must continue working…

The school's bell rings.

Delmas: What's going on? (goes outside to look) Jim, why did the class bell ring?
Jim: I'd like to know that myself, sir. Hey! Isn't that Ms Weber?

Ms Weber approaches running.

Weber: Mr Delmas! Your computer melted and set the carpet in your office on fire. I've called the firefighters, because I don't know how longer we'll be able to control the fire.
Delmas: (visibly frustrated) What? What do you mean "melted"?
Weber: Exactly what it sounds like.
Delmas: (calming down) Okay, okay, well done Ms Weber. What matters now is to ensure the children's safety. Jim! Go handle the dormitories.
Jim: At your command, headmaster sir! (runs away, towards the dorms building)
Delmas: (opening the library door) Children, you have to get out of here, there's a new emergency in school grounds! Head for the main courtyard immediately!

The kids follow Mr Delmas' command and walk out of the library.

Odd: I'm finding Kadic's teaching system quite peculiar, but I like it so far!
Ulrich: Yeah, emergency protocols are our speciality.
Odd: And I like these super-short punishments; especially given that they tell you you'll be locked in for hours but they release you immediately.
Yumi: (following the joke along) Actually, the emergency is part of the punishment: if you misbehave, the school makes sure all of the school acknowledges your bad behavior by being subject to an emergency.
Ulrich: It sure is a lot more effective than the Boogeyman's tale.
Odd: "If you don't do your homework, we're gonna have a school emergency."

Despite the contingency, the three kids laugh out loud as they head to the main courtyard. Once they arrive, they reunite with their classmates. After a minute, they see Jeremie approach.

Yumi: Jeremie!
Jeremie: Hello, guys, I see we have another incident today.
Odd: Yumi and Ulrich tell me this is part of the routine here.
Jeremie: Yeah, this helps enjoy nap time even more once this is over.

The kids laugh once again. Odd holds his breath to stop laughing.

Jeremie: Actually, I came to look for you, guys. There's trouble in Lyoko as well.
Yumi: What happened?
Jeremie: XANA activated and started to instance copies of something new. The computer's off for the time being, to prevent them from multiplying still.
Odd: I don't know what you guys are talking about, but I didn't understand any of it.
Ulrich: We'll explain later. (to Jeremie) We're in trouble, because we're under punishment and surely Jim has his gaze over us. It'll be hard for us to sneak away. And that doesn't exclude you, Jeremie. Even though you aren't under punishment, Jim's been looking for you.
Jeremie: This Jim is stubbornness in the flesh! We'll have to use the conventional method.
Ulrich: What's the conventional method?
Jeremie: Ask our parents to pick us up.
Ulrich: That might work for you, but you can forget it as a means for me: if my father came to pick me up, I wouldn't be able to shake him off once outside of school.
Odd: In my case, my family doesn't live here, so I certainly doubt that I'd be allowed to get out of school in an urgency.
Yumi: I probably could go given the contingency: I'm not a boarding student, so I usually go home every day.
Jeremie: Sounds like the better option is for Yumi to join me. Sorry, Odd, your visit to the factory will have to be for next time.
Odd: Don't worry, Jeremie, the events here in Kadic have been quite amusing so far.
Ulrich: Yeah, we'll stay here with Odd. Maybe we could help control the situation a bit.
Jeremie: Fine with me. I'll call my father for the time being.
Yumi: I'll also call them so that they let me leave.
Jeremie: Hold up, Yumi.
Yumi: Tell me.
Jeremie: In case we don't see each other before leaving: you'll probably get to the factory before I do. When you arrive, turn on the computer and write "lyoko" on the keyboard once it's on; then press enter. That'll make Lyoko start up and it'll allow you to communicate with Aelita. She'll know how to coordinate with you the pertinent actions.
Yumi: Understood! See you there. Good luck, you two!
Ulrich: Good luck.

Transition montage: Fast punk music in the first plane. Both Yumi and Jeremie make their respective calls. Yumi then heads towards the headmaster and gives him his phone to talk to her parents. Jeremie Talks with his father for a brief timelapse and then hangs up. Delmas also hangs up and nods to Yumi. Odd and Ulrich talk to Jim, and he gives them some instructions. Yumi heads to the lockers and takes out her backpack and two skateboards. Odd and Ulrich go to two different buildings, from which they take out two fire extinguishers (one each), after which they head to the administrative building. Yumi runs, but heading to the forest instead of the exit. She opens the sewer entrance and descends. Once there, she leaves one of her skateboards leaning on the wall, and uses the other one to head to the factory. Jeremie waits at Kadic's main entrance, while being watched by Jim, who's at the door. Finally, his father arrives in a car. He gets out to exchange a few words with Jim, after which the latter lets Jeremie exit. The boy says hello to his father and both of them get in the car.

Michael (Jeremie's father): I was only partly aware that there was an emergency at your school. Are you okay?
Jeremie: Yeah, totally fine. I didn't communicate with you yesterday because I thought that things would be normal by today; I wouldn't have expected that today happened something else.
Michael: I'm glad you asked me to come pick you up; I'm calmer knowing that you're far from danger.
Jeremie: Yeah, I just hope my friends remain out of trouble.
Michael: "Friends"? As in more than one?
Jeremie: Yeah, Ulrich and I have been making a few friends in the last days.
Michael: Wow, that's great news! How has that been?
Jeremie: Well, we've only known them for a few days, but it's been pretty good so far. Yumi's quite enthusiastic and takes things with relative wisdom; Odd's a guy that's constantly dropping jokes, and he's quite a loyal fellow; and Aelit… (interrupts himself) Yeah… That's all for now.
Michael: I see… It makes me very happy to know you're making more friends.
Jeremie: Yeah, it's been good. Speaking of which, dad…
Michael: Yes?
Jeremie: What's a good gift for apologizing?
Michael: Oh! Did you have a fight with someone?
Jeremie: More like I offended someone.
Michael: I understand. Hmm, a good gift can be an invitation to go for an ice cream, or a milkshake. That way, you can both talk about what happened and you can apologize in a safe space for both.
Jeremie: Hmm, I like the idea, but I think I need a material gift for this occasion.
Michael: Oh, well. Flowers are always a good gift to say you're sorry. I'd suggest to use yellow flowers, or red ones if you want to manifest romantic intentions.
Jeremie: I think yellow flowers might be enough. Thanks, dad.
Michael: You're welcome, son. Who's this person that's been a victim of your offences?
Jeremie: (thinks before talking, but finally he makes up his mind) Her name's Aelita. I don't know him that much and it's been hard for me to trust her. Given that she has tried to be friends with us for a while now, my signs of distrust ended up making her mad.
Michael: I see. And why is it so hard for you to trust her?
Jeremie: It's a bit hard to explain.
Michael: Okay, I won't ask further. Just a reminder to be careful of trusting your prejudices too much.
Jeremie: Yeah, I know.
Michael: Of course you know, you're too smart; but once in a while, it's helpful to be reminded some things.
Jeremie: I understand, and I thank you for it.
Michael: Anyway, when do you want to apologize?
Jeremie: Today, if possible.
Michael: I see. Do you want me to take you to the flower shop?
Jeremie: Thanks, but I'd like to go home to pick up my scooter. I think it's better if you take me there.
Michael: Very well.

Yumi arrives to the factory, after which she follows the instructions given by Jeremie. When she writes on the screen, she does it very carefully, afraid of missing a step. She eventually succeeds, and Lyoko starts normally. Yumi turns on the microphone.

Yumi: Hello? Aelita?
Aelita: Yumi! Is that you?
Yumi: The one and only. How's it going?
Aelita: I'm a bit worried. What about the rest?
Yumi: Not all of us were able to come, but Jeremie will be here in a while.
Aelita: Well, could be worse. I need you to come to Lyoko quickly.
Yumi: How do I do that?
Aelita: Don't worry, I'll handle it. You just go to the scanners and enter the one on the left. I'll virtualize you from here within thirty seconds.
Yumi: Thirty seconds?
Thirty seconds starting in three… two… one… now!
Yumi: On my way!

Yumi runs to the scanners and enters the leftmost one. After a while, the doors close and the scanner starts up. After about five seconds, Yumi is virtualized in the main square. Aelita waves at her from the cabin.

Aelita: Hello, Yumi!
Yumi: Hi, Aelita! So nice to see you.
Aelita: Nice to see you too. Sorry that I treat you with such coldness, but time is of the essence. Give me twenty seconds, I'll provide you a few things.
Yumi: Okay!

Yumi waits for a few seconds, after which she starts to levitate, and then falls to the ground. Afterwards, Yumi sees Aelita getting out of the cabin and heading towards her.

Aelita: Just one more detail: the key to neutralize XANA.
Yumi: But you gave it to me last time.
Aelita: Yes, but once you go back to the real world, you lose it. Declarative information only has sustenance in a virtual environment.
Yumi: …I don't think I got what you said, but I'll stick to the first thing you said. Go ahead then.

Aelita touches Yumi's arm with her hand, closes her eyes and both levitate. After about ten seconds, they both land again.

Aelita: Everything ready. Let's go!
Yumi: Right behind you!

- END OF CHAPTER 13 -