Appearancing in "The Golden Weapon"
Featured characters:
Ninja (First full appearance)
Red (Fire) Ninja (Kai) (First appearance as Red Ninja)
Blue (Lightning) Ninja (Jay) (First appearance as Blue Ninja) (Main story and flashback)
White (Ice) Ninja (Zane) (First appearance as White Ninja) (Main story and flashback)
Black (Earth) Ninja (Cole) (First appearance as Black Ninja) (Main story and flashback)
Sensei Wu (Main story and flashback)
Supporting characters:
Antagonists:
Skulkin Army
Samukai
Kruncha
Nuckal
Lord Garmadon (First appearance) (Shadow only) (Cameo)
Earth Elemental Dragon (First full appearance)
Other characters:
Nya (Mentioned)
Organizations:
Ninja (First full appearance)
Skulkin Army
Sons of the First Spinjitzu Master
Races and species:
Human
Elemental Masters
Human-Dragon-Oni Hybrids
Dragons (First full appearance)
Skeletons
Fish (First appearance) (Only in flashback)
Nindroids (First full appearance) (Main story and flashback) (Unidentified)
Locations:
Realms of Creation
Ninjago (realm)
Ninjago
Mountains of Impossible Height
Monastery of Spinjitzu
Bathroom
Caves of Despair (First appearance)
Ninjago City (First appearance) (Only in flashback) (Cameo)
Frozen Pond (First appearance) (Only in flashback)
Tallest Mountain (First appearance) (Only in flashback)
Underworld (First appearance)
Garmadon's Dark Fortress (First appearance)
Items:
Kai's Sword
Jay's Nunchucks
Zane's Shurikens
Cole's Scythe
Map of the Golden Weapons
Jay's gliders (First appearance) (Only in flashback)
Bone daggers
Wu's bo staff
Silver Bone Axe
Golden Weapons
Scythe of Quakes (First full appearance)
Vehicles:
Wu's horse carriage (First appearance)
Events:
Search for the Golden Weapons
Theft of the Scythe of Quakes (First and only known appearance)
Battle in the Caves of Despair (First and only known appearance)
Concepts:
Elemental Powers
Spinjitzu
Earth (First appearance)
Creation
Plot
After being ambushed by three Ninjas[a], Kai is helped by Sensei Wu, who uses Spinjitzu to change their outfits. They reveal themselves as Cole, Jay, and Zane, respectively and Wu states that they have the Elemental Powers of Earth, Lightning, and Ice, respectively and that they have to find the Golden Weapons before Lord Garmadon does while also rescuing, Kai's younger sister, Nya, who was kidnapped by the Skulkin travel to the Caves of Despair, and successfully steal the Scythe of Quakes before being caught by Samukai and his soldiers. They defeat them with Spinjitzu and Kai uses the Scythe to escape the Earth Elemental Dragon, before being chastised by Wu. In the Underworld, Garmadon smiles as everything is going according to his plan.
Cast
Vincent Tong as Kai: The red ninja whose ability is fire, who is reluctant to be part of the time.
Michael Adamthwaite as Jay: The blue ninja whose ability is lightning who is the least mature of the team.
Kirby Morrow as Cole: The black ninja whose ability is earth who is the most mature, oldest, and the leader of the ninja.
Brent Miller as Zane: The white ninja whose ability is ice, who is the most intelligence member of the ninja, but doesn't have a sense of humor.
Paul Dobson as Sensei Wu: The ninja's wise and old master and Garmadon's estranged brother.
Brian Drummond as Kruncha and Nuckal: Members of the Skulkin Army, who are dimwitted and constantly at odds with one another.
Michael Kopsa as Samukai: Garmadon's second-in-command and the general of the Skulkin Army.
Mark Oliver as Lord Garmadon: Wu's banished and estranged older brother who turned dark years ago and is the leader and ruler of the Underworld and Skulkin Army.
Notes
As depicted in the first episode of the pilot season, "Way of the Ninja".
"So are we still going to keep doing us?" the ninja asked.
"Yes." Alex confirmed.
They nodded.
The intro starts with the title screen and below it an subtitle reading "Episode 2 – The Golden Weapon".
The second part of the first episode starts with Kai attacking the ninja and escaping through the rooftop, who laughs when one of them is hurt. Kai ends up backflipping onto the floor, before Kai pushes the button on the statue, turning on the training course, attacking the ninja with nunchucks and shurikens, but not the one with the scythe, who Kai tackles. Kicks and blows are traded, as a dogpile occurs. Sensei Wu appears.
Wu: Stop!
"These guys are well-trained." Damian noted.
Ninja: Yes, Sensei.
They bow.
Kai (confused): Wait a minute, they're your students too? Wu nods. This was my final test, wasn't i–?
The one with nunchucks, Jay, interrupts.
Jay: Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! You never said anything about a fourth. It's always three. Three Blind Mice. Three Musketeers. Three–
"Those are things in Ninjago?" Steve asked.
"Yeah." Jay said.
The one with the scythe, Cole, steps in front of Kai and interrupts Jay.
Cole: Uh, what he's trying to say, Sensei Wu, is that the three of us have trained together. We're solid. He does a hand gesture.
Kai crosses his arms.
Kai: Didn't look so solid to me.
The one with shurikens, Zane, speaks.
Zane: Master, what is the meaning of this?
Wu steps forward.
Wu: Each of you have been chosen. Each in tune with elemental properties. But first, ninja, Go!
He performs spinjitzu, turning their clothing into white, blue, red, and black ninja gi, respectively.
Kai: Whoa!
Cole: How'd he do that?!
"Spinjitzu." Cole said to his past self, but obviously, he couldn't hear him.
Jay (elated): Whoa! Look at what color I am!
Cole: Wait a minute, I'm still black.
Wu steps forward to Kai.
Wu: Kai, Master of Fire. It burns bright in you.
"You have fire elemental powers?" Zuko asked.
"Yeah. When my powers work." Kai said. [1]
"What do you mean?" Zuko asked.
"My powers have to have a weapon to channel it. Otherwise, we're powerless. Lloyd is the only one who can cast power without the need of a weapon." Kai explained.
"I see what you mean by that we're similar." Zuko said to Jay.
Jay nodded.
Wu (stepping forward to Jay): Jay is blue, Master of Lightning.
Jay: Heh, that's not all I'm the master of. I do a little inventing. A dabble in model building. A touch of cooking. A little poetry.
Cole (sighing): More like "Mouth of Lightning".
Everybody laughed.
"Hey!" Jay exclaimed.
"In our defense, you do talk alot." Kai stated.
"I admit it, I do." Jay stated.
Wu: Black Ninja is Cole, solid as rock, Master of Earth.
Cole spins around and shows off his moves.
"What was that?" Garmadon asked.
"Cole being the 'Master of Showing Off'." Kai said.
"Oh, you're one to talk, 'Mr. Master of Impulsiveness and Recklessness'." Cole said. [2]
Cole (to Kai, taking off his hood): Nice to meet you, kid. I got your back, and for the record, there ain't nothing in this world I'm afraid of.
Zane: Except for dragons.
"Not anymore." Cole grumbled.
"Yeah, you got over that with encouragement." Jay said, winking at Kai, knowing he was the one that got Cole over his dragonphobia. [3]
Cole (annoyed): Dragons aren't from this world, Zane. I said in this world.
Wu: And White Ninja is Zane, Master of Ice, and seer with sixth sense. As Wu speaks, Zane takes out his shurikens before making them disappear.
Everyone laughed, including Zane, thinking his taking everything seriously was hilarious, even though he was making fun of his past self.
Kai: I sense this one takes things a little too seriously.
Zane (taking off his hood): You too have the gift?
"It was sarcasm." Kai stated.
"I know that, now." Zane said.
Jay laughs, before taking off his hood.
Jay: He's just making a joke, Zane. Remember what we talked about? Your sense of humor? Huh?
"Wait, he doesn't have a sense of humor. You know who that reminds me of–" Nightwing began and smiled.
"Dick…" Bruce began.
"Yep. You two are similar." Nightwing said.
"I joke!" Bruce defended himself. [4]
"When?" Nightwing asked.
"Sometimes." Bruce said.
Nightwing shut up.
Zane: Yes, it was a joke. Haha.
Everybody laughed, including Bruce, which made Nightwing smile.
Jay shakes his head in disappointment.
Wu: Pay attention! You four are the chosen ones who will protect the Four Weapons of Spinjitzu… from Lord Garmadon.
Kai: But what about my sister?!
Jay (gasping excitedly): We're saving a girl? Is she hot?
Ray and Kai glared at Jay for that last comment.
"Come on, you two. I can handle myself." Nya said.
Cole: Jay…
Jay: I–I just wanna know what we're getting ourselves into. Does she like blue?
"I do." Nya said.
Kai: Back off!
"That was a little aggressive." Nya said.
"Sorry, I didn't know him well. And I didn't know if he would hurt you or not." Kai explained.
Jay and Nya nodded.
Wu: When we find the weapons, we will find your sister. It is time! We must go to the first weapon!
Cole: Whoa! Hold on a minute. You said you were gonna teach us Spinjitzu.
"It is already locked inside of you." Wu said.
"I know that now." Cole said.
Wu: Spinjitzu is inside each and every one of you, but it will only be unlocked when the key is ready to be found. Wu pauses for a moment. Come! My feet are tired. We will take the horse carriage.
Everybody laughed.
Cole: Great.
Jay: Now he have to find the key?
Cole: Yeah, I'm feeling like he's taking us for a ride.
Kai: Well, if it means finding my sister, then sign me up. Kai pulls his hood up.
Later, the ninja are pulling the horse carriage which Wu is sitting it as they travel to the Caves of Despair.
Jay (mocking Kai): "Sign me up." (normal) Way to go, spark plug.
Everybody laughed.
Zane: I sense this is some form of team-building.
Cole: Just keep pulling. We have a long way to go.
Kai: So, where did Sensei find you three?
Cole: Let's just say if it wasn't for Sensei Wu, I don't think we'd ever been seen together. I was testing my limits. In a flashback, Cole is seen climbing a mountain where he stumbles across Wu drinking tea.
Jay: I was testing my invention. In a flashback, Jay is shown to a flashback, Jay is shown testing his gliders, when he crashed into a billboard and stumbled across Wu drinking tea.
Everybody chuckled.
"I told you not to drive that contraption!" Edna scolded her adoptive son.
Jay slumped in his seat.
Zane: And I was testing myself. In a flashback, Zane is meditating under a frozen pond. He loses focus and starts gasping for air when Wu drinks tea, which he was apparently doing the whole time.
"How is that even possible?" Kai asked.
"I don't know." Zane shrugged.
"For a man to be drinking tea underwater. Wouldn't it spill out?" Jay wondered.
Kai: You're right, if it weren't for Sensei, none of us would–
"I'm glad we met each other." Kai told each of the original Ninja.
"Us too." They said to him. Although they had their differences, they were all friends.
Wu: Shh… Stop! They have arrived at the Caves of Despair. The Caves of Despair. Samukai must be close to unearthing the Scythe of Quakes. Remember, do not use the weapon. For its power–
Everybody laughed at Wu's pun. It was funny for a dad joke.
Jay: Yeah, yeah, yeah! It's too much for us mortals. Alright, guys. Let's chop-socky this lemonade stand! Cole, you got the plan?
Cole: Sure do. First, we lower ourselves down the ledge. And then… Cole notices Kai is missing. Where's Kai?
We see that as they're looking for him, he is already on ground level.
Jay (sighing): Let's go!
The three ninja abort their plan and follow Kai, instead. When Kai gets caught by one of the the Skulkin, Cole, Jay, and Zane attack the warrior so he doesn't the alert the others of their presence.
Kai (noticing the map Samukai has): The map!
"Well, he nearly got himself caught for a map?!" Nya exclaimed, shaking her head at her brother, sometimes he was smart, but other times, he didn't use his brain and this was one of those times.
Meanwhile, at the conveyor belt, as the Skeleton Army are collecting rocks, Nuckal notices something special while Cole, Jay, and Zane ride the conveyor belt unnoticed.
Nuckal: Oh, oh, oh, oh. I found something!
Kruncha (annoyed): That's another rock, you bonehead!
Everybody laughed at Nuckal's stupidity and Kruncha's joke.
Nuckal: But it's shaped like a doughnut! I wonder what it takes like. He takes a bite out of it, only for teeth to fall out and for him to shriek in agony, as Kruncha shakes his head in disappointment.
Homer gasped. He would do anything for a rock-shaped doughnut.
Meanwhile, Kai advances closer to the map while Jay, Cole, and Zane follow him and eventually catch him.
Jay (slapping Kai on the head): What is matter with you?
Kai: Shh.
Samukai laughs as he studies the map and leaves it on his base.
Jay (noticing the map from a different view): It's upside-down. They're digging at the wrong spot.
"Very clever. They're are really idiotic." Garmadon noted.
Wu nodded.
Zane: The Golden Weapon is near. Zane grabs the map with one of his shurikens without Samukai noticing.
Kai (after studying the map): There's no time to waste. He takes off again.
Jay: What is it with that guy? Always in a rush!
"The bad guys kidnapped my sister." Kai reminded them.
"I know that. But you don't need to be a loner, either. We're in this together." Jay pointed out.
As Kai sneaks away unnoticed, he tries to push a boulder out of the way when Jay, Cole, and Zane arrive.
Cole: Hey! Before you race off again, you need to remember we're a team.
Kai: Yeah, whatever.
The ninja push the boulder aside and enter the inside of the cave to see the Scythe of Quakes.
"Wow, it was in a cave in the Caves of Despair!" Kai exclaimed sarcastically. "Whoever thought of that wasn't original."
"I designed it." Ray pointed out.
"Oh, sorry, Dad." Kai said.
"It's fine, son. But we should've put it somewhere fortified and not obvious." Ray said.
Jay (in excitement): Wow! That is so cool! His echo alerts the Skulkin Army.
Cole (after retrieving the Scythe): Shh! Not so loud.
Jay: Come on. Don't be paranoid. We're totally on the opposite side of the caves.
"I wouldn't be too sure of that." Zane pointed out, remembering how they got caught.
Cole: Zip it, okay? Cole hands the Scythe to Kai. Now that we got the Scythe, let's sneak out while those boneheads are busy.
As the ninja leave, a dragon head slowly opens its mouth wide open.
Cole: Alright, team. Everyone stick together. The way out is right around the corner.
As Cole is leading the group, he comes across Samukai and the Skulkin preparing for battle.
"You should have been more stealthy and careful." Wu advised. "Stealth and subtletly is the art of the ninja."
The ninja nodded.
A fight emerges, with Jay hitting a skeleton on its head with his Nunchucks.
Jay: Two points!
Zane: Kai! Throw it here! Kai throws the Scythe to Zane.
"Don't play pattycake with the Scythe, the Skulkin could have stolen it!" Wu lectured the ninja.
Cole: Going long! Zane throws the Scythe in Cole's direction, who catches it.
Kai: There's too many of them!
Jay: Let me handle that. As Jay is fighting the Skulkin warriors, he realizes that it is just like the training course at the Monastery. Hey, guys! It's just like the training course! Over the planks! Dodge the swords! Here comes the dummy! Cha-ching! He performs Spinjitzu.
Kai (surprised): Spinjitzu! Jay! What's the key?!
Jay: I'm just going through the motions. This is what Sensei must have meant when he said we already knew it.
Kai: Over the planks! Dodge the swords! Here comes the dummy! Kai performs Spinjitzu.
Kruncha (misinterpreting the use of the word "dummy" while laughing at Nuckal): He just called you a dummy.
Nuckal: No, he called you a dummy.
Everyone laugh at Kruncha and Nuckal's antics.
Garmadon facepalms.
"Idiots!" he and Wu exclaimed.
Kruncha and Nuckal retreat when they see Zane's Spinjitzu headed into their direction.
Zane: I sense you do not stand a chance.
Samukai (after realizing the danger they're in): Retreat!
The whole army retreats after seeing the four ninja with Spinjitzu heading into their direction.
Everyone laughs.
"It's kinda funny that you sent the whole army packing." Garmadon laughed.
Cole: Huh! Guess they didn't want a second serving of thee babies. He kisses his biceps.
Everyone groaned at Cole's antics, as he smiled sheepily.
Kai and Jay react in disappointment.
Cole: Good thing they didn't check the merchandise in the back! Cole turns around and is shocked to see what is behind him.
Kai (celebrating): Alright!
Jay (celebrating): Woo hoo hoo!
Cole (still in shock): Uh… guys…?
Zane: Didn't Sensei say there was a guardian protecting the weapons?
"There is." Wu nodded.
The ninja turn around to see the Earth Dragon standing in front of them.
"Rocky!" Cole exclaimed. "What happened to him?"
"He went back to the First Realm after I defeated some Serpentine." Lloyd stated. [5]
Cole: Is… that… a…? That's not what I think it is. Is it?
Jay: You mean a dragon?
Kai: Uh, that sure like looks a dragon!
Zane: I sense we won't be able to spin our way out of this one.
"Cole's going to have get over his fear." Henry noted and Cole smiled at the young boy. He certainly was perceptive.
The Earth Dragon spits out sand as the ninja duck for cover. They try to flee.
Cole: I thought dragons weren't from this world!
"They aren't." Wu said.
Kai uncovers the Scythe to use it.
Jay: No no, Kai! Bad idea! Sensei told us not to!
"Yes, I did!" Wu exclaimed, and Kai slumped down in his seat.
Kai: Then you better keep your mouth shut!
"Whoa. That was way out of line!" Ray exclaimed. That is twice Kai snapped on Jay. Is he okay? Ray thought.
Cole (as Kai charges towards the Earth Dragon with the Scythe): Kai! DOOOON'T!
Nonetheless, Kai uses the Scythe. The Earth Dragon collapses after the use of the Scythe while the ninja retreat.
Kai: We gotta escape!
Cole: We'll use Spinjitzu! They use Spinjitzu as the Earth Dragon follows, only for them to escape it. (after they escaped) That was so awesome!
Kai: Yes! We are unbelievable!
Zane: We are the best!
Jay: Did you see that?! I was like "pow"! And you were like "bam"!
Wu (infuriated): ENOUGH! The ninja pause and pay attention to Wu. I told you not to use the Scythe!
"How did you know?" Kai asked.
"The ground started rumbling. And it was obvious why it started rumbling." Wu said.
The ninja nodded.
Jay (pointing at Kai): He did it.
Kai (surprised): What?
Cole: I warned him, Sensei.
Kai: Using it was my only option.
Wu: And what makes you think you're more important than the team, huh?! Huh?!
Kai: They took my sister, remember?!
Wu: There are still three Weapons left. Maybe next time you can do it right.
"You should have listened to Wu, Kai." Ray said. "The weapon could have killed somebody."
Kai nodded.
Kai realizes his mistake and follows right behind his team. Meanwhile in the Underworld, Samukai is meeting with Lord Garmadon.
Samukai: Master, I have failed you. They have learned Spinjitzu and they have the Scythe.
The ninja smiled.
Garmadon (much to Samukai's surprise): Good.
"What?" the ninja asked confused.
"I wanted you to learn it because it was part of my plan." Garmadon explained.
Garmadon: Then my brother was there.
Samukai: If I can gather my army, then we can easily ambush them and–
Garmadon: No. Let them think they're winning.
Samukai: But I… do not understand.
"If he course he didn't. He was a dolt. He was dim-witted. I don't know why I ever allied with him." Garmadon stated.
Garmadon: Everything is going to plan. He laughs evilly, while Samukai complies. The episode ends with a "To be continued" subtitle as the credits roll.
And that's the end of the chapter. In my next chapter, we will go over the first episode of the final episode of the pilot season "King of Shadows".
[1] I notice that once every season the Ninja's power vanishes. In seasons 1 and 2, it is when they don't have their weapons after Garmadon steals them, in season 3, they don't have their powers because they don't have the Golden Weapons or Elemental Blades anymore, in season 4, they're stripped of their powers by Chen during the Tournament of Elements, in season 5, after Lloyd is possessed by Morro, their powers disappear, in season 6, everytime they're chained with Vengestone, their powers disappear, in season 7, this is the same thing, in season 8, only Lloyd's power disappears after his near-fatal battle with Garmadon, in season 9, Lloyd doesn't have his power until the season finale, in season 11, Asheera steals Kai's powers with the Forbidden Scrolls of Spinjitzu, and in season 15, they don't have their powers after they surrender them to Lloyd to stop the Overlord.
[2] I like Kai and Cole's brother-like relationship. It is very intriguing and interesting for the first three seasons (the pilot season, season 1, and season 2).
[3] Dragonphobia is a word I made up. It is a noun and is defined as "fear or paranoia towards dragons or anything related to dragons".
[4] Bruce does joke but they're very sarcastic, witty, and snarky.
[5] This occurred in the Ninjago Legacy shorts that were released after the season 10 miniseries.