1 : way of the ninja
The episode opens with Kai and Nya working in their family blacksmith shop, Four Weapons, after their father's recent death. The two are approached by Sensei Wu, who shows disdain for the weapons they make, saying they are useless in the art of stealth, and are no weapons for a Ninja. Kai drives him off, who in turn disappears when Kai turns his back. Moments later, a dark cloud appears over the village, catching the eye of the local villagers and farmers. On the edge of the hill, a large vehicle (the Skull Truck) appears along with a group of motorcycles, all of which have skeletons on board, notably Nuckal, Kruncha, and Samukai. The skeletons begin to attack in search of a map, causing the villagers to flee in terror. Kai fashions a set of hand-crafted samurai armour, a helmet, and a sword, before engaging in battle. Nya disobeys Kai's order to stay back, and begins attacking skeletons. Kai is nearly killed by Samukai, but he was saved by Sensei Wu, who reappears just in time. Nya, meanwhile, is snagged by a skull grappling hook, and kidnapped under the orders of someone named "Lord Garmadon." Wu tells Kai the story of Ninjago, finishing by telling him that Kai's father was given a map made by Sensei Wu to hide the Golden Weapons from Garmadon, Wu's older brother. Realizing that Garmadon has struck a deal with Samukai, king of the underworld, Wu asks Kai to join him in his battle against Garmadon as a Ninja of Fire. Kai at first refuses to get involved, until realizing he won't stand a chance without Spinjitzu, which Sensei Wu promises to teach. Kai begins to train in Sensei Wu's Monastery, by completing an obstacle course. When he completes the course and asks for his Spinjitzu training, Wu simply says that he has already learned Spinjitzu, and that his final test will come. When preparing for bed that night, Kai is attacked by three mysterious Ninja.
2 : The golden weapons
Continuing from "Way of the Ninja", a battle between Kai and the ninja causes him to be thrown out onto the training grounds. Kai activates the training course and the obstacles disarm the attackers.
Moments later, Sensei Wu stops the fight, revealing that the three are his other students. Wu then uses spinjitzu to transform them into different coloured outfits. The four are introduced to each other: Cole, the black ninja of earth, who is solid as rock; Jay, the blue ninja of lightning; Zane, the white ninja of ice and seer with a sixth sense; and Kai, the red ninja of fire. After they introduce themselves Wu announces the search for the golden weapons has begun.
The first destination is the Caves of Despair, where Kai races off in hopes of finding Nya. Krazi sees him and nearly raises alarm, but the remaining three Ninjas disarm him quietly and reunite with Kai, also snatching the map from Samukai. When the four capture the weapon, they are attacked by Samukai and a whole legion of Skeletons. Jay (Ninjago) notices the enemies were similar to the training course, and after traveling through the motions Wu taught him, he manages to summon a tornado of energy corresponding with his element, finally preforming Spinjitzu. The others follow, remembering the motions from the training course. Samukai and his army retreat, as they are unable to deal with all four Ninjas. Just as they are about to escape, the Earth Dragon, guardian of the Scythe, appears behind them and attacks, believing them to be stealing it. In desperation, Kai uses the scythe, despite Wu's instruction not to use the weapon's power, as no mortal is powerful enough to wield it. A rift appears in the cave ceiling, partly crushing the dragon, and the ninjas escape with Spinjitzu. Though triumphant, Sensei is angry at Kai for using the weapon. The episode ends with Samukai addressing his dark master, who has not yet been shown, telling him he has failed. With a laugh, however, the shadow speaks that everything is going according to plan.
Moments later, Sensei Wu stops the fight, revealing that the three are his other students. Wu then uses spinjitzu to transform them into different coloured outfits. The four are introduced to each other: Cole, the black ninja of earth, who is solid as rock; Jay, the blue ninja of lightning; Zane, the white ninja of ice and seer with a sixth sense; and Kai, the red ninja of fire. After they introduce themselves Wu announces the search for the golden weapons has begun.
The first destination is the Caves of Despair, where Kai races off in hopes of finding Nya. Krazi sees him and nearly raises alarm, but the remaining three Ninjas disarm him quietly and reunite with Kai, also snatching the map from Samukai. When the four capture the weapon, they are attacked by Samukai and a whole legion of Skeletons. Jay (Ninjago) notices the enemies were similar to the training course, and after traveling through the motions Wu taught him, he manages to summon a tornado of energy corresponding with his element, finally preforming Spinjitzu. The others follow, remembering the motions from the training course. Samukai and his army retreat, as they are unable to deal with all four Ninjas. Just as they are about to escape, the Earth Dragon, guardian of the Scythe, appears behind them and attacks, believing them to be stealing it. In desperation, Kai uses the scythe, despite Wu's instruction not to use the weapon's power, as no mortal is powerful enough to wield it. A rift appears in the cave ceiling, partly crushing the dragon, and the ninjas escape with Spinjitzu. Though triumphant, Sensei is angry at Kai for using the weapon. The episode ends with Samukai addressing his dark master, who has not yet been shown, telling him he has failed. With a laugh, however, the shadow speaks that everything is going according to plan.
3 : king of shadows
As the ninja are heading to the Shurikens of Ice, Sensei Wu tells them of the most powerful move in spinjitzu: the Tornado of Creation. Kai attempts it, with a warning from Wu that if done incorrectly, it will lead to disastrous consequences. The boat arrives, crashing into the island and knocking them down, causing Kai to mistake the crash for his own doing with the Tornado of Creation, however Sensei Wu tells him otherwise as they embark onto the Frozen Plains. Zane is frozen when he makes contact with the Shurikens, and using him as a toboggan so that the other three can escape from another dragon. Later, at the Floating Ruins, it is discovered that they are being followed by Samukai, who now has full knowledge of Lord Garmadon's plan. Using one of Jay (Ninjago)'s more useful inventions, the four escape from the Lightning Dragon. Using Jay's invention, coupled with the high altitude from the Floating Ruins, they are able to fly all the way to the Forest of Tranquility, the location of the Sword of Fire. After a campfire party, followed by bedtime beside the embers, Kai is awoken by none other than... Nya. She runs away, and Kai chases her through the forest, entering to the Fire Temple. Nya runs onto a platform and morphs into a giant black shadow, having only been an illusion made by Lord Garmadon to trick Kai to go into the Fire Temple to steal him the Sword of Fire, as in his shadow form he cannot touch it. He exploits the fact that Kai had forgotten his sword, and that the real Nya is hanging from chains above the lava. Garmadon tells him the only way to cut the chains to save Nya is to pull the Sword of Fire out of its rock. Kai obtains the sword, cuts Nya free and is then confronted by Garmadon's shadows, which he cannot harm. Wu arrives and asttempts to save them, but Lord Garmadon awakes the Fire Dragon, who believes them to be stealing the Sword of Fire. Sensei decides to make a sacrifice and take the Sword of Fire to the Underworld. Kai tries to ask swap places with Sensei, as he blames himself for going after "Nya" alone, but it is too late. Meanwhile, Lord Garmadon traveled to the forest, where the skeletons have tied Cole, Jay and Zane to a tree and tells Samukai and his army to return to the Underworld to unite the weapons before it's to late. Jay grabs Nuckal's sword and is able to cut the rope and release them just as the skeletons are leaving. The three ninjas begin chase the skeleton's convoy and regain the golden weapons, however are struck with difficulty slowing down the Skull Truck. When the vehicles travel fast enough, they create portals to the Underworld. Because of the Skull Truck's massive size, it must go faster to make the crossing. The driver tries to get the truck up to speed, but is slowed down by Cole. Jay tries to save the Golden Weapons, but is accidentally hit by Cole’s as well, losing his voice. Zane attempts to take control of the driving seat, but Samukai is already there. Tossing Bonezai aside, he grabs the wheel and floors the pedal, throwing Zane, Cole, and Jay off onto the road. The truck is able to make the crossing to the Underworld just before it would have hit a stone wall.
4 : weapons of destiny
Sensei Wu awakes in the Underworld, his journey having knocked him out. He begins to search for Lord Garmadon. Zane, Cole, and Jay arrive at the Fire Temple, but Zane's sixth sense tells them that all four weapons are now in the Underworld, and that Kai and Wu have failed. Cole admits with a sigh that they have been defeated, and that there's no way now to regain control of the weapons. He is proven wrong in several moments, as Kai and Nya appear aback the Fire Dragon, whom now fully understands the situation and has the ability to cross to the Underworld.
Cole points out that there's no way for all of them to fit on the one dragon. Kai has a solution, returning to all three of the other elemental dragons. The dragons pass to the Underworld, and the four Ninjas attempt to silently sneak into Garmadon's Fortress. Swinging from stalactites, the Ninjas are close to their goal when Jay, still speechless, notices that they are actually hanging from the legs of Bone Spiders. Unable to receive his warning, the four plummet to the ground, where Nuckal raise the Ninja Alarm.
Jay is able to gain usage of his voice back in time to remind the others of the Tornado of Creation, which they successfully attempt, turning the fortress into a caged Ferris wheel and entrapping the skeletons inside it.
Meanwhile, in Lord Garmadon's throne room, Sensei Wu has used the Sword of Fire to destroy a group of skeletons, stating that Garmadon will have to take the Sword from him. Garmadon calls on Samukai, who now holds the Shurikens, Nunchuks, and the Scythe. The four Ninjas arrive to witness the battle, but choose to let Wu fight Garmadon on his own. Samukai defeats Sensei Wu and obtains the Sword.
He turns on Garmadon, keeping all the power for himself, but is unable to contain all of the energy streaming through him. The weapons fuse and disintegrate Samukai, in the process opening a time portal to the Overworld. Garmadon jumps through the portal and escapes the Underworld, but not before promising to one day wield all four weapons and use them to recreate the world in his image.
Though Garmadon is gone, Wu sighs and states that he will one day return, perhaps with the power to do as he pleases. The four Ninjas pick up the golden weapons, now lying on the ground. Turning to Wu, Kai says "And we'll be ready for him". They return on the dragons to the blacksmith shop and reunite with Nya, becoming heroes across Ninjago.
Cole points out that there's no way for all of them to fit on the one dragon. Kai has a solution, returning to all three of the other elemental dragons. The dragons pass to the Underworld, and the four Ninjas attempt to silently sneak into Garmadon's Fortress. Swinging from stalactites, the Ninjas are close to their goal when Jay, still speechless, notices that they are actually hanging from the legs of Bone Spiders. Unable to receive his warning, the four plummet to the ground, where Nuckal raise the Ninja Alarm.
Jay is able to gain usage of his voice back in time to remind the others of the Tornado of Creation, which they successfully attempt, turning the fortress into a caged Ferris wheel and entrapping the skeletons inside it.
Meanwhile, in Lord Garmadon's throne room, Sensei Wu has used the Sword of Fire to destroy a group of skeletons, stating that Garmadon will have to take the Sword from him. Garmadon calls on Samukai, who now holds the Shurikens, Nunchuks, and the Scythe. The four Ninjas arrive to witness the battle, but choose to let Wu fight Garmadon on his own. Samukai defeats Sensei Wu and obtains the Sword.
He turns on Garmadon, keeping all the power for himself, but is unable to contain all of the energy streaming through him. The weapons fuse and disintegrate Samukai, in the process opening a time portal to the Overworld. Garmadon jumps through the portal and escapes the Underworld, but not before promising to one day wield all four weapons and use them to recreate the world in his image.
Though Garmadon is gone, Wu sighs and states that he will one day return, perhaps with the power to do as he pleases. The four Ninjas pick up the golden weapons, now lying on the ground. Turning to Wu, Kai says "And we'll be ready for him". They return on the dragons to the blacksmith shop and reunite with Nya, becoming heroes across Ninjago.