Black Bounty

The Black Bounty (Ninjagoan: 黒賞金, Kuro shōkin) is a legendary ghost ship which was said to never be able to make port, doomed to sail the oceans forever after the curse given to Captain Soto by Emperor Garmadon. Before the ship became a myth, it was originally constructed as a trading vessel by the Thustian Empire under the name Solitude after the Thustian capital. It was captured by Captain Soto's crew around 2 and a half years after constuction, whereafter he re-designed the ship to his liking. This included recoloration and adding atakebune features (the standard war-ship design in Ninjago at the time), mainly the fortress cabin and the dragon at the bow. With the ship, Captain Soto and the crew of the Black Bounty became the most feared pirates in the Asian seas, especially in the Sea of Ninjago. The ship tragically sunk after Soto's crew was betrayed by the Misfortune's Keep, and was left at the bottom of the ocean in unknown waters for decades. Historically, by Garmadon's authority, important parts of the ship were salveged, namely the dragon at the bow, later used in a replica by the same name as flagship for Garmadon's navy. After Garmadon's reign, it is believed to be dismanteled by Emperor Lloyd and possibly parts were used to build the Destiny's Bounty.
In myth however, Garmadon resurrected the Black Bounty and its crew using the Four Golden Weapons of Spinjitzu. When Soto realized him and his crew were bound to the ship and couldn't make port, it had been too late, as Garmadon had been defeated and the Golden Weapons been hidden. In an attempt to lift the curse, Soto summoned Wojira, who made a deal with Soto, whereby he would deliver her souls of the dead at sea. Due to this deal, the Black Bounty is viewed as hostile in nature and extremely dangerous, meeting it being the biggest fear among Ninjagoan sailors. Stories before Black Bounty went under Garmadon's curse are also still told today, mainly the stories of the Black Bounty sailing to attain magical treasures. 
== Reported sightings ==
Many reports have been made throughout the years of sailships with dragon bow glowing and flying. While sailships with dragon bow were uncommon, they became more popular after the Black Bounty originally had sunken. The glowing and flying anomaly has been explained as mere optical illusions.
On 21 November 2021, the Nigeruan Coast Guard managed to capture a photo of a large wooden sail vessel. Interestingly, the ship appears to include a fortress cabin and dragon bow, as well as being rather torn by the ocean. Sceptics believe the footage is fake, while others are convinced the Black Bounty still exist, usually motivated by the fact that two Golden Weapons have been discovered. 
==Trivia==
*The Black Bounty is believed to be able to fly or/and teleport, pressumably by Soto possessing the Realm Crystal
*The ship is believed to have been stolen and traded several times during its initial years, but Soto regained it every time
*Under the name Solitude, it was the most expensive ship of the Thustian Empire at the time
== Sources ==
Category:Ninjago Folklore
Category:Ninjago
Category:Ships
Category:History
Category:Urban Legends