Ninjago S12 E8

## Plot

Despite the pep talk the ninja gave him at the end of the previous episode, reality ensues, literally, for Okino, who has fallen into a depressive state after learning that he and his whole world are nothing more than a simulation. They reach the Cliffs of Hysteria. Okino tells them that they can buy some rope and grappling hooks from Shifty, a merchant. They don't have enough money to buy the most durable kind of rope though, so they opt for the other kind, because they don't have time to go back and do some grinding to earn more credits. The people trapped in the game are counting on them to stop Unagami. Shifty spots a drone in the distance, and tells them that drones usually only show up to collect energy cubes, which used to be people, and take them to Unagami, who is building a massive machine. The drone spots them, and Red Visors show up to fight them. They head up the cliffs to get away from them. Unfortunately, the bad guys have jet pack feet. Cole falls during the fight, but he's able to grab the rope again… and then the drone shoots it, which makes it start to break. Kai risks his own life and jumps on the drone before it can shoot Cole or his rope. It does break, but Cole is able to grab the other end of it and keep climbing. They're able to make it to the top of the cliff and capture a Red Visor. It's a robot. Nya takes a look at its code and reboots its communication system. They learn that the machine Unagami is building is a portal to the real world. Okino wants them to go on without him, thinking that they'd be better off. If Unagami created Prime Empire, then he also created him. It's possible that Okino is serving him and he doesn't even realize it. The ninja tell him that they trust him and that he can make his own choices. Unagami can't force him to do anything he doesn't want to do. This finally snaps Okino out of his funk, and they head to the maze together. They come across statues that look just like the ones on Dyer Island. These ones shoot lasers at them too, but they're easier to destroy. Okino helps them avoid hidden spikes in the floor. When they ask him which way they should go next, everything suddenly turns red, and they're all paused except for him. I'm getting season 7 flashbacks. It's the halfway point of the season, and we *finally* see Unagami. As I've said before, I see they still have some problems from season 11 that they need to phase out. He definitely makes the most out of his appearance though. Seriously guys, he's *terrifying*. He tells Okino that what the ninja have told him about his world is true. He offers him the chance to join him in the real world… if he betrays the ninja. If he doesn't, then he'll remain trapped in Prime Empire forever. The game resumes, and Okino leads the ninja through a lot of booby traps. While they're resting, he asks them why they want the Key-tana. Lloyd tells him that they need it to defeat Unagami and free everyone who's been trapped inside the game. The trapped players aren't their friends, but they are innocent people, and they're in danger. They have a duty to help them. They reach the center of the maze and find the purple Key-tana waiting… as well as the sleeping dragon. They decide to try and sneak past the dragon, grab the Key-tana, and get out of there before he wakes up. Okino can only guide them on their quest, not complete it for them. Jay has been in the game the longest and has the highest stealth rating. However, the dragon wakes up when the others help him after he gets trapped under its tail. Their hits don't work. Before Okino can join the battle and tell them what its weak point is, Unagami pauses the game again, and tells him to remain silent and let them perish. The game resumes again, and the ninja ask for Okino's help. He says he chooses his own path, and hits the scale in the middle of the dragon's back. Jay grabs the purple Key-tana and uses it against the dragon, which is able to eliminate the remainder of its HP. It drops the Cyber Dragon amulet, which will let Jay call upon it to use in a future battle, but only once. The game is paused again, and Unagami yells at Okino for his "betrayal." The ninja invite him to join them, but he says he has to go his own way. For too long, he has followed the ways of others. He is now the rōnin of Terra Karana. A rōnin is a samurai without a master. It means drifter or wanderer. Okino places his sword alongside those of his fallen masters and leaves to seek out his own adventures. This concludes his *four episode arc*. Okay, I know I said I liked the side characters, but giving them their own arcs in a story that's supposed to be about the ninja seems… odd in terms of character development. I'm just saying, it's possible to develop characters without basically making them the main character for a quarter of the season, especially since *Jay* is supposed to be the focus character, but we've barely focused on him or any of the other ninja. Heck, it already took the first four episodes for them to find and reunite with Jay in the first place. I know all of the ninja are supposed to have moments this season, but it honestly feels like only Lloyd has, and only by telling Okino that he makes his own choices.