The Curse of the Golden Master

*“Let's go, surface dwellers. If you'd like to hear of the Curse of the Golden Master, follow me.”*

— Skales

**The Curse of the Golden Master** is the fourth episode of the third season of *Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu* and the 30th episode overall. It first premiered on April 16, 2014, in the United States on Cartoon Network.

## Synopsis

*The ninja journey under Ninjago City to meet up with the Serpentine, believing that they stole the hard drive containing the Digital Overlord. Not only do they find that they didn't steal it, but that they've also become a civilized race as well. Eventually, an army of Nindroids attacks the Serpentine, with the ninja battling them and protecting their former enemies. In the meantime, Lloyd and his father encounter an army of Nindroids and the corrupted Sensei Wu in Hiroshi's Labyrinth. While Garmadon battles his brother, Lloyd tries making his escape but is cornered by the Nindroid Mechdragon, with Wu holding up Garmadon on board. As he summons his power to combat it, he is captured by the Stranger, who reveals himself to be Pythor, having survived being eaten by the Devourer now has his skin bleached white. Lloyd is taken aboard the Mechdragon and flown off after his father is thrown off the dragon and into the sea below.*

## Plot

The ninja and Nya return to New Ninjago City, where they find a mob of angry civilians and Cyrus Borg, who is no longer influenced by the Overlord. The ninja agree to go underground to search for the Serpentine, believing that they stole the hard drive containing the Overlord, while P.I.X.A.L. stays behind to assist Cyrus. Meanwhile, the Stranger discusses his plans with the Digital Overlord to obtain a power source for the Nindroids, while Lloyd and Sensei Garmadon make their way through Hiroshi's Labyrinth to stay hidden.

The ninja and Nya search underground for the Serpentine, eventually running into Skales outside of the Serpentine village. Skales brings them inside and tells them how they have decided to adapt to a new life and become more "civilized," choosing not to become involved with any of the Overlord's plans, or involved with the world above as a whole. Acidicus then tells the group about the "Curse of the Golden Master," a legend telling of a being whose power will equal that of the First Spinjitzu Master. The Serpentine attempted to warn people of this but were treated as the enemy, to which they fled underground. In the meantime, Cyrus Borg meets with P.I.X.A.L. in his office, with P.I.X.A.L. telling Cyrus of her connection with Zane. Cyrus tells her that she doesn't belong to anyone, not even him and that she is fully independent.

Dareth also acts as the substitute teacher for Sensei Wu's students, as they go to the city's aquarium. There, while viewing the Electro-Cobrai exhibit, the Stranger arrives and shatters the tank. He obtains the Electro-Cobrai while Dareth fends off a shark, saving the students.

Underground, the ninja contemplates the situation until an army of Nindroids raids the tomb. The Serpentine scatter with the ninja defending them and defeating the Nindroids by finding out that the Electro-Cobrais are their power source. Skales tells them at the Curse of the Golden Master is upon them, and says that they would not be able to assist the ninja because they're choosing to stay out of the conflict. Skales then tells them the one Serpentine fond of using Electro-Cobrai. The ninja then return to the surface.

As Lloyd and Sensei Garmadon continue their journey, they're attacked by the corrupted Sensei Wu and various Nindroids. Garmadon battles Wu, while Lloyd uses his Golden Power to create a motorcycle to escape. He is pursued by various Nindroids using flight gear, although he manages to evade them all before coming to a stop next to a cliff. There, the Nindroid MechDragon rises up before him, possessed by the Overlord. Wu is holding Garmadon hostage on its back. Lloyd prepares to battle the Mechdragon, but the Stranger unleashes a snake that constricts Lloyd, draining him of his powers.

The Stranger then reveals himself to be Pythor P. Chumsworth, having survived his ordeal with the Great Devourer, although his skin was bleached white in the process while Wu made it out unharmed. Pythor brings Lloyd aboard the Mechdragon, after which Garmadon is pushed off the side and into the water. As the Mechdragon flies off with Lloyd, Garmadon emerges from the water, telling his son to be strong, and that he would find him.

## Appearances

### Characters

* Acidicus
* Aquarium Guard
* Aquarium Host
* Brad Tudabone
* Cole
* Cryptor
* Cyrus Borg
* Dareth
* Fangtom
* Garmadon
* Jay
* Kai
* Lloyd Garmadon
* Nya
* P.I.X.A.L.
* Postman
* Pythor P. Chumsworth
* Serpentine child
* Sally
* Savage Resident
* Selma
* Serpentine
* Skales
* Skales Jr.
* Student
* The Overlord
* Venomari
* Zane

### Vehicles

* Green Ninja cycle
* Nindroid MechDragon

### Locations

* Ninjago
	+ New Ninjago City
		- Borg Tower
		- Ninjago City Aquarium
		- Sewers
			* Tomb of the Stone Army
				+ Serpentine village
			* Pythor's base
	+ Hiroshi's Labyrinth

### Species

* Electro-Cobrai
* Humans
* Nindroids
* Oni/Dragon/Human hybrids
* Serpentine
	+ Anacondrai
	+ Constrictai
	+ Fangpyre
	+ Hypnobrai
	+ Venomari

## Trivia

* During the prophecy of the Golden Master, the symbol of the Overlord can be seen on the Golden Master's chest. This foreshadows the Overlord becoming the Golden Master.
* This episode follows the same naming scheme, "The [Noun] of the [Adjective] [Noun]", as "The Art of the Silent Fist" two episodes prior.
* This, along with the previous episode, are the only episodes of the season not to feature Borg's artificial limbs.
* Garmadon tells Lloyd, "You must be prepared to handle this journey alone. Even without me one day." This foreshadows his death arc completed in "The Corridor of Elders" and "Curseworld, Part II."

## Continuity

* Not counting his disguised appearance in the the previous episode, this episode marks the reappearance of Pythor since his defeat after being eaten by the Great Devourer at the beginning of "Day of the Great Devourer."
* The Curse of the Golden Master is the second prophecy that the ninja learn about.
	+ It is also revealed through this prophecy that the Serpentine desired to protect the people from the Golden Master and that it was the people's fear of them that led to the Serpentine War. This misunderstanding is later expanded upon in Season 4 to be the result of misinformation from Master Chen to stir up conflict.

## Errors

* When the ninja start to enter the Tomb of the Stone Army, they have gloves on. However, in one scene of the ninja descending they lack their gloves.
* When Nya laughs after saving Jay, her mouth doesn't move.
* After Skales says good luck, Acidicus' hand is on the head of his staff, but in the next shot, his hand is on the shaft.
* In the scene where the glass in the aquarium breaks, Dareth is missing from the group shot of the room being flooded. He reappears when everyone is floating.
* Acidicus claims that the Great Devourer was a warning to the surface dwellers, despite all of the Serpentine calling Pythor mad after he awakened it in Season 1.
* Although Fangtom learns how to say "It will be ... our pleasure," he had no problem saying that sentence in "Snakebit."
* When Pythor folds his hood at the end of the episode, it is possible to see a stud on his black head for a short time before he shows up.