The library was quiet as Lloyd typed furiously on the computer, desperately searching for clues that would help him figure out what the perpetrators' plan was.
"I wonder what the 'extra supplies' Jay mentioned are for," Lloyd thought quietly to himself. "Whatever they are, they can't be good."
It had been two hours since the green ninja first arrived at the library, meaning it was already 10 o' clock, and Lloyd still wasn't any closer to finding any answers.
"If they're waiting to carry out their plan until the ceremony, it must mean that it has something to do with the mayor. But what? If only we could nab one of them and make them cough up some answers."
"But they're illusive. It's like one minute they're there, then the next minute they're gone. I haven't seen Victor on campus since last night. And Jay said José was with three other people. If only he could've seen what they looked like. Not that that would've been very helpful, considering there's other people on campus who no doubt would've matched their general physical descriptions."
Lloyd instinctively felt for the listening device he kept in the pocket of his jeans.
Still there. Good.
If Victor was going to come again tonight, he'd be ready. Either he or one of the other suspects would likely be coming to check out another book about the Cursed Realm. Lloyd still didn't understand what the Cursed Realm had to do with anything, but he knew it couldn't have to do with anything good. If they were planning to bring back evildoers from the Cursed Realm, there'd be no doubt Ninjago would be in danger.
Suddenly, Lloyd thought of an idea. Instead of letting those creeps get their hands on another book about the Cursed Realm, perhaps he should check out the rest of the books about the Cursed Realm first. That way, they wouldn't be able to get more information on the Cursed Realm than they already had.
Thinking through his plan, Lloyd quickly browsed all the other available books touching on the Cursed Realm in the library. There was still one left: Physics Behind the Sixteen Realms.
"Eh, sounds like a nightmare to read. Maybe I'll give it to Kai and see if he can decipher it," the green ninja chuckled to himself.
Returning to the task at hand, Lloyd logged out of his computer and headed upstairs to the circulation area to find the book.
"The online catalog says the call number is 401.3b," Lloyd muttered as he entered the area circulation. "Just need to know where the heck that would be."
As he wondered through the aisles and aisles books, the green ninja could feel himself becoming increasingly anxious. What if the bad guys had already gotten their hands on the book? What if Victor came in and saw him trying to grab the book? It was completely deserted up there. What if Victor did something to him? No one would know until it was too late.
Finally, he reached the aisle labelled 400.0-499.9E.
"I bet this is where it is," Lloyd surmised.
Sure enough, after looking for about two minutes, he found what he was looking for.
"Better check this out before one of those slime-balls gets their hands on it."
Quickly tucking the book under his elbow, Lloyd made a mad dash (or rather, a brisk walk) towards the stairs, determined to check the book out as fast as possible. Everything was going to plan until, in his haste, he bumped into someone who was rounding the corner of one of the book aisles.
"Ow!" a girl's voice rang out.
At the same time, Lloyd lost his grip on the book, which tumbled to the floor.
In the midst of panic, the green ninja quickly scooped up the book and glanced up to assess the damage he had done to the person he crashed into.
He was startled to meet the chocolate-colored eyes of a cute brunette with dark, curly hair and doll-like features. Her angelic appearance combined with the thought of roughhousing her on accident made him want to die on the spot.
"I'm so sorry," Lloyd said, rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment. Fortunately, she didn't appear to be hurt.
"It's alright, just…watch where you're going next time."
Her eyes immediately lit up upon seeing a book tucked under the young man's arm.
"What book are checking out?" she asked curiously.
"Oh! Um…" Lloyd stammered nervously. It couldn't hurt to tell her, right? She seemed innocent enough. Plus, it was the least he could do after ramming into her. "It's the…Physics Behind the Sixteen Realms," he answered.
"Oh, cool! I'm actually doing an independent research project on the sixteen realms," the girl said, clearly interested in the subject. "I was going to the library to check out a book on all the realms, but I guess you beat me to it."
Lloyd glanced at the book tucked under his arm with uncertainty. "Well, I'll be returning it in a few days, so it'll be free game for anyone who wants it," he replied. "And, I mean…" he began, biting his lip reluctantly, "…if you wanna borrow it before then I'd be happy to lend it to you if you want."
"Oh my gosh, that be great!" the girl exclaimed, graciously accepting his offer. "My project's due at the end of the term but my professor says I need to start researching now to make sure I get all the information I need. If you could do that for me, I'd greatly appreciate it."
She smiled at him sweetly, making Lloyd feel mushy on the inside.
"Well, it's the least I could do after bumping into you."
The girl extended her hand. "My name's Julia. Nice to meet you."
"Uh, same to you," Lloyd said, shaking her hand. It felt so small and delicate compared to his. "I'm Lloyd."
"My dorm is actually just down the street from here," the girl rambled on. "So, if you ever wanna study together you'll know where to find me."
Lloyd's jaw practically dropped, not believing his luck. "You live in Roosevelt Hall?"
Julia nodded. "Practically all of the upperclassmen live there."
What are the odds?
"You okay, Lloyd?" she asked, noticing the boy's lack of response.
The green ninja snapped free from his state of shock. "Yeah, yeah, I'm great. How about we study tomorrow at 8?"
The brunette nodded once more. "Sounds great! See you at 8!"
She gave him one last wink before she turned and headed back downstairs, empty-handed. Lloyd took a minute to process all that had transpired within a matter of minutes, staring at his newfound book in bewilderment.
"Maybe this book isn't so cursed after all."
