Hey! It's still the same night so apologies if I can't access all of the writing features because of a small power outage. We're still going strong for now! Enjoy this chapter and no hate to anyone or anything. Also, who can't waiiiit for Harumi..?😑 Sorry if you like her but I just can't with her!! 👊👊

Adelaide Thomas's pov

I race across the red tinted rooftops and gaze upon the crowd of people. I slow down to a walk.

"As many of you know, my family has kept a private life," the emperor begins his speech. I still can't believe this architecture, it is beautiful. "We aren't interested in meddling with current affairs," he continues and manages to pull me out of my thoughts. "But as crime has risen, so has our concern!"

I look around and see the ninja all around. Lloyd stands out like a sore thumb on the red rooftops. At least I am wearing peach.

(I cant do the italics and bold for some reason. The power is good but for some reason the text isn't working properly!!)

"So it is time to step out of the shadows" the emperor walks forward and speeds his arms wide "and into the light!" The crowd cheers and he waves.

"I don't like this one bit!" Nya says from down in the massive cluster of people. "Why would a family who likes their privacy so much make such a public speech?"

I press my hand to the side of my mask and speak. "Yeah, something's off," I agree with Nya.

"I think it's nice!" Jay says lightheartedly "they're reaching out to the people!" I spot him on a fancy design above the royal family's stage. Kai and Cole drop down beside him.

"Why all the hate, gals?" Kai asks.
"You guys just don't like getting gussied up,"

"Excuse you," I say with a scowl.

"All that gold and glitter is show. The royal family are figureheads!" Nya defends herself. I step in again.

"Well, if they don't have any real power, what purpose do they have? They didn't reach out at all when we fought for them," I say with a huff. 

"Their purpose is to be protected, as do all our traditions." Zane counters.

"That's a shitty purpose, in my opinion." I sass.

"I believe master Lloyd has spotted something of interest." Zane says on the comm. I glance in his direction and follow his gaze.
"Looks like he's got an eye for the princess!" Kai teases. I feel a pain in my chest and look away.
"I need to focus." I say quietly to myself "I can't let my feelings get in the way."

"I guess green is her favourite colour!" Jays smirk could be heard in his voice. Suddenly Lloyd snaps out of it.
"You do know I can hear you, right?"

"We need to focus anyways, like Zane said we need to protect the royal family." I say stiffly. I fully ignore the end of the emperor's speech and barely hear Lloyd say "be on the lookout."

What did you expect, Adelaide? He's allowed to fall in love again.

"Toothpick?" Cole asks without using the comm as he lands beside me.

"Hm?" I begin walking across to another roof and he follows. 

"You okay?"
I turn around to face him. His brown eyes sparkle with a brotherly worry. I clear my throat and smile.
"Yeah, don't worry about me,"

"But you're sad," he says slowly "I can see it in your eyes."

I wince and make my smile bigger "no I'm not, I'm just er- hungry."

"Adelaide-"

"Really, I'm fine Cole. It doesn't bother me, not even a little. Lloyd can love whoever he wants and I can too." Cole wraps me in a hug and pats my back.
"I'll go over there and keep an eye out." He days and leaps away.

"I see a-" Lloyd gets cut off by a loud noise. I leap down to the ground and knock the empress to the floor. Lloyd  just HAS to tackle the princess. Mr. Hudgens knocks the emperor down and everyone screams.

"Is the threat clear?" Lloyd asks.
"Stay down until I make sure it's okay please," I instruct the woman. She nods and whimpers slightly.

"Huh." Nah says "firecrackers." I get up and help the empress up. I dust myself off.
"False alarm." I tell her with a small smile.

"Thank you, dear." She smiles back. Her and the royal family walk through the big doors and the ninja drop down in front of me and Lloyd. Mr. Hudgens sighs. "Uggh, you both protected the royal family. You have their gratitude." The ninja walk up behind me and Lloyd and Cole gives me another small smile.

(Why does he keep smilinglikethat?) I ask myself.

"You are invited to be their guests in their palace." He says reluctantly.

"Heh, no one gets invited into their palace!" Jay says, trying poorly to hide his excitement. "Are you sure they meant US?"

"It's just a palace,once you've seen one you've seen 'em all." Nya says nonchalantly.

"We'd be honoured" Lloyd says with a bow.

"Why is be bowing," I whisper to Nya. "He clearly hates us." She grunts in agreement. Lloyd stands back up and I look at Nya again.

"I have a very bad feeling about this."

Lloyd Garmadon's pov

I watch the princess with a fluffy feeling in my chest. I know i should focus on the task. But...
The princess looks me dead in the eyes with a small smile. I feel dizzy. I lean more on the pillar to my right and she looks away.

"Looks like he's got an eye for the princess!" Kai says. I barely hear him and sigh.
She's so beautiful. The green dress makes her ha-

"I guess green is her favourite colour." Jay laughs at his own joke and I groan.
"You know I can hear you, right?"

"We need to focus anyways, like Zane said we need to protect the royal family." Adelaide says. She sounds slightly angry but hides it with a tense tone.
What's her problem? I think. I look over to her assigned position and see Cole in conversation with her. He hugs her and leaves.

I scan the area and see a blue balloon with a black marking.

They're here.
"I see a-" Im cut off by loud cracks from in the audience. I dive for the princess and blush.
"Is the threat clear?" I ask over comms. Adelaide gives calm instructions to the panicking empress and a reassuring smile.

"Huh. Firecrackers." Nya says

"False alarm," Adelaide says to the empress. I glance at her but then glue my eyes to the princess. She smiles at me and turns to leave.  I watch her go, and Adelaide stiffens. The ninja join us and Mr. Hudgens invites us into the palace.  I smile and think about the princess. She's GOT to be in the palace, and we HAVE to bump into each other at least once, right?

"Heh, no one gets invited into their palace!" Jay fangirls. "Are you sure they meant US?"

Nya grumbles something and I bow to the middle aged man. "We would be honoured." Adelaide mutters to Nya and she grunts. The man leaves and Adelaide speaks
"I have a bad feeling about this." I glare at her. What could possibly go wrong?

1234 words (haha!) I hope you enjoyed this short chapter and I'll see you soon!

💕Grace!