Under the Light of a Mechanical Moon

“Endless interruptions by the ninja, but at last we have another Source Dragon Icon. We're one step closer to our goals. I know exactly what I must do next, and no one, not even the ninja will get in our way.”

Under the Light of a Mechanical Moon is the sixteenth episode of the third season of Ninjago: Dragons Rising and the 56th episode overall.

Synopsis

Synopsis[]

LEGO's YouTube Channel[]

🔥 The Ninja try to escape the Land of Lee, battling the relentless Hollow Ones. Meanwhile, Ras redoubles his efforts after Arin’s betrayal, and Cole, Kai, and Frak return from their mission to an unexpected surprise.[1]

Streaming services[]

Netflix[]

While Ras forges a powerful new weapon, Lloyd and the other Ninja finally escaped the Land of Lee. Arin has a long-awaited reunion.

Extended[]

The Ninja realize that the Land of Lee is beyond saving for the time being and barely escape the growing army of Hollow Ones with their lives. Now reunited with the others, Arin and Sora share their experience in Mysterium and give the Ninja their next destination. Ras redoubles his efforts after Arin's betrayal, while Cole, Kai and Frak return from their mission to an unpleasant surprise.[2]

Plot

Plot[]

Ras' new Icon

Ras' new Icon

After his fight with Arin and Sora in the Underworld, Ras sacrifices someone else to the Casket of Bones, resulting in the creation of another Source Dragon Icon. Shortly thereafter, he receives a summons from his master, to whom he proudly announces that he has finally acquired a new Source Dragon Icon. This achievement brings them one step closer to their ultimate objectives. With a clear plan in mind, Ras is resolute that the ninja and no one else will stop them. However, Ras is soon interrupted by the arrival of the Skulkin and Greenbone Warriors, who accuse him of committing a serious offense by using the Forge of the Forgotten, an act only reserved for the undead. The Greenbone Leader declares that Ras must face death as punishment for his actions. Undeterred and having the two Source Dragon Icons in his possession, Ras readies himself for battle against the undead skeletons.

In the Community of Lee, Sora uses her Prismatic Lamp to spot invisible Spectral Dragonians. Nearby, Arin tries to protect his parents as Lee now hollowed and groaning vacant phrases, walks aimlessly. Jenny questions what happened, prompting Arin to peer through the Returning Blade, spot an invisible threat, and jump into action to strike a Spectral Dragonian while urging his parents to take cover. Nya, Lloyd, and Wyldfyre watch the hollowed Lees in confusion, wondering if it's a bizarre mass sleepwalking event. Sora approaches them and explains that the exact same phenomenon occurred when they were in Mysterium. To clarify, she raises her Prismatic Lamp, making the flying Spectral Dragonians visible to the group. Sora warns that contact with these Dragonians drains a person's soul. The danger is immediately proven when Andrew steps out of his home and is instantly attacked and hollowed. Sora warns the team not to let the creatures touch them. Wyldfyre blasts Heat at an incoming creature, which dodges and vanishes, complaining that she prefers targets she can actually see. Sora notes that making them visible is precisely why she crafted her lamp out of a Prismatic Blade.

As more neighbors venture out of their homes, a Monk asks if it's safe, only to be immediately caught and hollowed by a Spectral Dragonian. Recognizing the threat, Lloyd urges Sora to illuminate the entire area with her lamp. When Nya questions how that's possible, Sora devises a plan and has Nya use Spinjitzu to boost her to a nearby rooftop. While Sora makes her way across the rooftops, Nya, Wyldfyre, and Lloyd usher the terrified neighbors back inside their homes for safety. A Geckle questions what happened to Lee before being struck and hollowed mid-sentence. Sora reaches the remnants of the mechanical moon and uses her Technology elemental power to combine it with her Prismatic Lamp. The sudden flash of intense brightness momentarily hurts Jay's eyes as he notices the hollowed Lees stumbling around. Sora raises the re-engineered mechanical moon back up to the ceiling, flooding the entire area with light and exposing every Spectral Dragonians. While the terrified neighbors panic, Arin uses Spinjitzu to defend his parents from the now-visible threat. Barry remarking it was less horrifying when they couldn't see them.

Agent Allen confronts a Spectral Dragonian holding a sheet of paperwork, threatening to arrest it for soul-draining without a stamped "Certificate of Soul Handling". Despite Arin's warning, Allen attempts to detain the creature and instantly gets his soul extracted. Nearby, Wyldfyre blasts Heat at two Dragonians to no effect, finding her remote button useless against them. Lloyd fights off Dragonians using Spinjitzu and his sword. Arin saves Lloyd from a surprise attack behind him, though he accidentally knocks Lloyd down in the process. Helping each other up, both unmask and exchange a quiet, shared apology before re-engaging the enemy. Realizing their Elemental Powers are completely ineffective against the Spectral Dragonians, Nya uses Spinjitzu to break off a mailbox and wield it as a physical weapon, reminding Wyldfyre that Ninja are more than just their powers. Jay swoops in using his Mech Dragon to fend off two Dragonians attacking Nya. He offers Nya a ride to retreat, arguing that their primary mission to save the parents is complete. When Nya refuses—insisting that saving people is always their priority—Jay angrily snaps, calls Ninja "a bunch of clowns," and flies off alone. Zarkt emerges from The Administration portal playing a magical flute. Spotting him, Lloyd and Arin unmask and speculate whether the Forbidden Five are controlling the attack. Arin points out that the attackers appear asleep or entranced, using their strange musical instruments to collect and store extracted souls.

In the Spectral Lands, Rox brings the collected souls to the Well of the Lost and deposits them into the well using her magical flute. The souls mix with the healing elixir, causing the Source Dragon symbols on Thunderfang's tablets to glow even brighter. Pleased with the progress, Thunderfang declares that his goal is closer than ever.

The remaining Ninja gather as the Spectral Dragonians surround them. Nya worries they are the only ones left, while Lloyd realizes the creatures won't stop until everyone is captured. Arin laments the thought of losing everything right after finding his parents. Suddenly, a massive anchor drops from above, scattering the Spectral Dragonians. Wyldfyre urges everyone to climb aboard. The Ninja, along with Barry and Jenny, grab onto the rising anchor. As the anchor ascends, the Spectral Dragonians give chase. Arin throws his Returning Blade and Nya fends off attackers to protect the group, while Lloyd uses his sword to clear the way. Watching from afar, Jay begrudgingly admits that the Ninja might not be as stupid as he thought. The anchor lifts them up to reveal the Temple Bounty. A stunned Sora asks how it arrived, and Wyldfyre explains she used an auto-pilot remote installed by Roby, though it took time to reach them. Once inside, Wyldfyre takes the helm while Sora uses her Technology power to attach and activate the Race Jet at the bottom of the ship. When Jenny thanks Arin for saving them, Arin humorously warns her not to celebrate just yet since Wyldfyre is the one driving. Wyldfyre rockets the ship forward at extreme speed before leveling out, allowing Arin to finally speak with his parents.

At the Bounty, Arin recounted the events of Imperium and the Tournament of the Sources to his parents, sharing a poignant moment with them. He was taken aback to learn that the inhabitants of the Land of Lee were those who had been separated from their loved ones during the Merge. Meanwhile, Sora confided in Lloyd about her guilt for not aiding the Hollow Ones in Mysterium, leading Lloyd to realize that he and Sora share more similarities than he initially believed. Nya emphasized the urgency of rescuing the souls from the Forbidden Five, while Lloyd recalled the collective confidence among the ninja that Thunderfang had consumed the souls of the Forbidden Five. Sora speculated that the souls might have been released when Arin used the healing elixir on Thunderfang. As they deliberated on the status of the Forbidden Five, Arin noted that the Five appeared more hollow than alive, and he admitted uncertainty about whether their life forces had also been drained when Sora asked about it. Lloyd advised Arin not to be too hard on himself, acknowledging that he is the one who let Arin down by not prioritizing the search for his parents. Arin counters that it was Lloyd who ultimately located them, while Ras misled him himself. Jay interjects, claiming credit for finding Arin's parents, which draws criticism from Nya. Although Arin viewed his decision to ally with Ras as a mistake, Lloyd emphasizes that the most important outcome is that Arin has regained his powers. The conversation shifts as Arin felt inadequacy for lacking an Elemental Power. But Lloyd counters this by asserting that Arin has the potential to be the greatest ninja, a sentiment echoed by Egalt, and stressed the importance of imparting Master Wu's teachings to him. Lloyd acknowledges the difficult acceptance of Wu's role in the Merge, which led to his demise, yet Arin asserted that Wu was not dead; if he were, he would have already crossed into the Spectral Lands like Morro said. Arin was confident that Wu could still be out there, alive. He took the time to explain the Spectral Lands to Lloyd, drawing parallels between the Spectral Dragonians and the Soul Suckers. He stated that if Thunderfang and the Forbidden Five had perished, they would find themselves there. Recalling a vision he had where the Source Dragons discussed Thunderfang, Lloyd ordered Wyldfyre to take the Bounty to the Spectral Lands in search of answers.

Cole, Kai, and Frak return to the Land of Lost Things, Cole and Kai on bikes and Frak in a jet. Kai complains about tasting one of Geo's wafers, prompting Cole to ask how he can eat after witnessing proof that a Source Dragon was killed. Arriving at the Rookery, they witness Spitz, Bonzle, and Fritz using Prismatic Blades to fight off invisible Spectral Dragonians. Before Cole can reach them, Fritz, Spitz, and Bonzle all have their souls extracted. Geo emerges from the building in horror as he sees his family rendered hollow. He explains that strange fog and music rolled in suddenly. Looking up, Cole and the group spot Nokt floating in the air, playing a magical flute to absorb the extracted souls into the instrument before flying off. A stunned Kai questions how Nokt is back when the Forbidden Five were supposed to be dead. Geo hands Cole a Prismatic Blade. Looking through it, Cole sees the swarm of Spectral Dragonians flying alongside Nokt. Instructing Geo to take the Finders to the Monastery for safety, Cole declares they have a villain to catch as Nokt escapes into the distance.

The Temple Bounty arrives in the Spectral Lands. Sora uses her Technology power to program the detachable Race Jet to safely carry for Barry and Jenny, back to the Monastery. Arin shares an emotional farewell with his parents, promising to free the souls taken from the Land of Lee. Jay complains about being left behind, but Lloyd promises him extra treasure if he stays to help, with Nya adding that they specifically need Ninja support. Reassured by the mention of treasure, Jay agrees to join the team. The team enters the Spectral Lands, where Arin leads them to the end of a path. They discover Thunderfang, Kur, Rox, Drix, and a swarm of Spectral Dragonians surrounding the Well of the Lost. Zarkt approaches the well and plays his magical flute to deposit the collected souls inside. Arin identifies it as the place where he previously obtained the elixir that saved Ras. As Sora and Jay question the well and the missing creatures, three Spectral Dragonians attack. Arin slashes one with his Return Blade, Jay kicks another using his Dragon Mech, and Nya helps Lloyd fend off a third. Realizing the extreme danger, Lloyd orders a retreat, but more Spectral Dragonians block their escape, forcing the Ninja to stand their ground and fight.

In the dragon stables, Geo and Mr. Frohicky tend to the hollowed Fritz, Spitz, and Bonzle. Geo observes that they look like they are sleepwalking, while Mr. Frohicky decides to make them some "fetid tea" in case they are thirsty. The sound of an incoming jet awakens Heatwave, signaling new arrivals. Barry and Jenny exit the Race Jet in the hangar bay, uncertain of where they are. Mr. Frohicky greets them cautiously, and they introduce themselves as Arin's parents, explaining that Sora sent them via autopilot. Delighted to see them safe, Mr. Frohicky welcomes them warmly as the Assistant Keeper of the Monastery. When Jenny expresses concern that their original house is gone and replaced by the Crossroads, Mr. Frohicky assures them that they have a place to stay and leads them via elevator to Arin's room. After Mr. Frohicky excuses himself to help other guests, Barry and Jenny look around the room. They are deeply moved to discover their old porch swing inside, realizing Arin kept it all this time. Sitting together on the swing, they look at a picture of Arin with the Ninja, proud that their son achieved his dream.

Mid-battle with the Spectral Dragonians, Jay, Sora, and Arin spot Sprite, who appears to be trying to lead them. Blocking an incoming attack, Lloyd agrees they have no better options and uses Spinjitzu to lead the group after Sprite. Sprite leads them to large gate doors resembling the Monastery of Spinjitzu. Lloyd opens the doors with Spinjitzu, and once everyone slips inside, Wyldfyre and Arin seal the gates behind them to block the pursuing swarm. Advancing deeper, Nya identifies the eerie, dark structure as another monastery. Sora discovers a Portal Gate, recognizing it as a direct route back to the Monastery of Spinjitzu. However, Wyldfyre protests, insisting they head to the City of Temples instead. When Arin teases her about visiting Roby, Wyldfyre explains that historical records in Roby's books detail how Thunderfang was defeated during the ancient Battle of the City of Temples, so Roby might know the key to defeating him now. Admitting her plan is "strangely logical," Sora agrees, and Lloyd redirects the mission to the City of Temples. As the portal gate glows and opens, the team charges through.

The Ninja and Jay arrive in the City of Temples, where the mist of the Spectral Lands has already spread throughout the city. Lloyd wonders whether the city has also been attacked, but Jay notes that there are no signs of the Spectral Dragonians. Wyldfyre becomes disappointed when she realizes that Roby is nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, the sound of a slamming door echoes through the city. The ninja immediately prepares for battle, with Sora, Nya, Wyldfyre, Arin, Lloyd, and Jay readying their weapons and powers for an attack. As the door slowly opens, a hollow and lifeless Roby emerges.

Appearances

Appearances[]

Characters[]

Cast[]

Non-speaking[]

Mentioned[]

Miscellaneous[]

Creatures[]

Items[]

Vehicles[]

Events[]

Locations[]

Species[]

Trivia

Trivia[]

  • This episode's title is so far the longest episode title in Ninjago: Dragons Rising, coming in at seven words in the title.
  • Although the identity of the person Ras killed and used to activate the Forge of the Forgotten is left to the audience's imagination, in the beginning of the episode, there is a detective hat, a bag, and a water bottle near the Casket of Bones, suggesting that the victim could be a detective, but it could also suggest that he is a traveller with a sun protection.
  • It is unknown why the Prismatic Blades used by the Finders didn't break on contact with the Spectral Dragonians when the Returning Blade shattered.

Continuity[]

Errors[]

  • At the beginning of the episode, Ras is briefly shown with his pink-striped front torso while his hand and the side of the torso are red-striped.[4]
  • After remotely sticking the Race Jet to the Temple Bounty with her Tech powers, Sora's half-mask disappears by itself without her removing it.[5]
Videos

Videos[]

Translations

Translations[]

Language Name
Arabic تحت ضوء القمر الميكانيكي
Chinese (Simplified) 在机械月亮的光芒下
Czech Pod svitem mechanického měsíce
Dutch In het licht van een Mechanische Maan
Finnish Mekaanisen kuun alla
French Un rayon de Lune mécanique
German Der Prisma-Mond
Japanese エリンの両親を守れ! リー王国での戦い
Polish W świetle mechanicznego księżyca
Spanish (Latin America) Bajo la Luz de la Luna Mecánica[6]
Spanish (Spain) Bajo la luz de una luna mecánica
References

References[]

  1. ↑ https://youtu.be/TQDVrk_BtGI
  2. ↑ https://www.nowtv.com/watch/ninjago-dragons-rising/iYEQYZfjU8Mz2WENgF78Pw/seasons/3/episodes/under-the-light-of-a-mechanical-moon-episode-16/A5EK3TJRBXpv6xj7CvxGd
  3. ↑ https://bsky.app/profile/docwyattbeyond.bsky.social/post/3mjzxba7qn22c
  4. ↑ File:Screenshot 2025-05-06 at 10.21.20.png
  5. ↑ https://youtu.be/TQDVrk_BtGI?si=sLhgBSD9IYjm406t&t=531
  6. ↑ File:DR3NewZeleandVPN2.jpg