Chapter V. Let the Games begin

                                    

                                          
Chatter filled the cafeteria hall. All competitors sat nearly in the same groups as ever. So did the Ninja. Everyone sat comfortable in their chairs and enjoyed the fresh breakfast standing right in front of them.
The last night went by without any complications, much to the Ninjas happiness. There's not often a time during missions where they can sleep without any problems. But that wouldn't drop their suspicion about the whole tournament thing. Somethings off and they're determined to find out. Now they just have to learn to work as a team together again. Finding out about the whereabouts of the temple was... anything but easy. If they really want to go through smoothly, they'll have to stop fighting and arguing.
Kai picked up some of his food and guided it to his mouth, chewing it in process. Glancing beside him, he saw Lloyd poking aimlessly in his food. He nudged his shoulder to attract his leaders attention. 
Looking up from his plate, he cocked a brow, "What?" His voice low from the morning as he hesitantly took a bite from his bread. "You're not really hungry, are you?" Lloyd glanced from his plate to Kais, then took another bite of his bread, shrugging. Kai sighed, "You'll need your strength in the tournament. So, eat."
"But I do", Lloyd waved his bread in front of his honorary brother "See this" Kai chuckled at his childish behavior and shook his head playfully. "Whatever you say. But we need our green bean in the tournament so--" 
"Hey, I am not a..." Lloyd trailed off, as it seemed that the talking calmed down. Soon another voice got the attantion of the competitors. "Good morning and welcome back!" Travis' voice echoed through the hall. "I hope you had a nice deep slumber, because today is the day!" His face lit up. "Does he have to be so dramatic?" Jay said whilst grabbing a apple from his plate. He noticed the looks he earned and flattened his brows "What?!" Jay whisper-yelled. 
"Maybe he's just happy. He said he planned this for years after all" Skylor defended but the lightning elemental rolled his eyes "As if" With that, he turned his attantion back to the hosts speech. 
"So now. Let us show you who will be competing first today! To make fair battles, we will not decide it ourselfes but instead a randomiser. All your names are in its database and it'll decide random battles!" Travis exclaimed eagerly. "Now. No time to waste, dear competitors. In half an hour we- ahem no... the randomiser will decide the first battle! However, we meet at the courtyard in front of a big screen" With that last sentence he vanished through the front door, leaving the elementals and non elementals behind.
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Now was finally the time to start the tournament. Gazing around the  crowd, the mood changes nearly every second. Happy, sad, angry, anxious,  nervous, determined,... the list could go on. The Ninja were standing  right in the middle of the crowd, waiting unpatiently for the host to  announce the first battles. 
Lloyd shifted uncomfortable on  his feet. He wasn't sure how he felt about this tournament. Travis made a  excited and happy impression. To happy in his opinion. Chen was happy  too when his tournament started, but he made clear soon what his  intentions were. Question is, is Travis the same like Chen. Lloyd can be  sure, that he wouldn't want to shape into an Anacondrai. He hoped at  least. So, what are his intentions? 
As now, Lloyd could only  believe that it is a honorary tournament for all the heroes who saved  Ninjago multiple times. But why two years later, it wouldn't make any  sense.
A waving hand brought Lloyd back in reality. "Hey bud? Something's wrong?" Coles face plastered with worry. The green-coded ninja nodded swiftly but Cole raised a brow. 
"What?"
"What 'what'. I wanna know what's going on in there" The earth elemental knocked against his leaders head two times before letting it rest on his hip. Lloyd chuckled slightly "To much to handle" he joked. Cole rubbed a hand against his face, groaning mentally at the green ninjas behavior. Looking at him, the corner of his mouth curved into a small smile. Then a new voice chimed in, "Welcome back Ladies and Gentlemen!"