Attack on the Royal Palace

“The Emperor and Empress? Where is Hutchins? Did they-”

“I'm sorry, Princess. They didn't make it.”

The attack on the Royal Palace^[1] is an event in which the Sons of Garmadon successfully assassinated the Emperor and Empress of Ninjago and stole the Oni Mask of Deception. The criminal organization rigged the palace's lower levels with explosives before storming the building itself. The Royal Palace was destroyed, save for the Temple of Resurrection.

History

History[]

Prelude[]

After the Sons of Garmadon - an increasingly prominent criminal biker gang secretly organized by Princess Harumi - stole the Oni Mask of Vengeance from Cyrus Borg, Hutchins, the Master-at-Arms of the Royal Family of Ninjago, enlisted the help of the Ninja to protect the Royal Family during their first public appearances in years. After successfully guarding the Royal Family, the Ninja were invited to join the family in the Royal Palace, both as guests and to assist in the protection of the family's own Oni Mask, the Mask of Deception.^[2] On the second night of their stay, Cole observed Hutchins sneak into a secret passageway under the palace. Already suspicious he may be working for the Sons of Garmadon, Cole followed Hutchins, only to lose him. Instead, he found a large amount of the explosives known as Blast Sap planted under the palace.

Attack[]

As the bombs go off, much of the palace is destroyed and/or engulfed in flames. Led by Ultra Violet and Mr. E, the Sons of Garmadon began their raid on the palace. Kai and Nya attempted to defend the entrance of the palace from the bikers, but were easily disarmed by Ultra Violet. Inside the palace, guards began to fight the Sons of Garmadon. Lloyd spotted Hutchins and accused him of planting the explosions. Hutchins denied this accusation, before saving Lloyd from an incoming sai shot by Ultra Violet. Zane located Princess Harumi stuck under rubble in her room and freed her. They quickly made their way to Lloyd and Hutchins engaged in battle with Ultra Violet. Before she could strike Hutchins with her sai, Zane used his Spinjitzu to freeze her.

The rest of the Ninja faced off against Mr. E as he attempted to steal the Mask of Deception. Using the stolen Mask of Vengeance, Mr. E gained an extra pair of arms and incredible strength, warding off the Ninja with ease. After knocking his opponents to the ground, Mr. E shattered the glass containing the Mask of Deception, and seized the object. Kai shot a fire blast at Mr. E, which instead incinerated the mask. Hutchins revealed to Lloyd and Harumi that the displayed mask was a fake, as he was initially afraid the Ninja could not be trusted, and that he had gone to the lower levels that night to obtain the real one. Hutchins revealed a secret passage under the Emperor's throne and gave Lloyd the real Mask of Deception, instructing him to get Harumi to safety.

Once outside, Harumi and Lloyd took off on a stolen motorcycle, pursued by Ultra Violet and several other bikers. After a long chase, Ultra Violet managed to steal the mask by charging at Lloyd and Harumi directly. As more Sons of Garmadon appeared at her side, Lloyd and Harumi retreated to the city docks. After the two make their way to a boat, Lloyd fired it up to reveal it to be the rebuilt Destiny's Bounty. They took off before any of the Sons of Garmadon could get aboard.^[3]

Aftermath[]

The Sons of Garmadon's plan was success; the Emperor and Empress of Ninjago had died in the attack, the Mask of Deception had been successfully stolen, and their secret leader, Harumi, went on to move in with the Ninja under their protection. Hutchins and most of the palace guards and employees were killed.^[1] Additionally, although most of the Royal Palace had been destroyed, the building's Temple of Resurrection was successfully left untouched. Harumi would later use the temple to resurrect Lord Garmadon using the three Oni Masks.^[4]