01x06 - Return to Imperium

[bunniefuu]

[growls]

Don't let it escape!

[roars]

[soldier groans]

You clown. Watch--

[grunts]

[Rapton growls]

Get after it!

I'll cut it off.

Stubborn breeder.

Hold the beast.

[Arin] Coming through!

[grunts]

[Lloyd] We interrupting something?

[growls] Deploy the drones!

[grunts]

Let's free that dragon!

[all grunt]

Not bad, kid.

-You really... -[grunts]

...should probably work on that.

[Lloyd grunts]

[dragon purrs]

Shh. It's going to be okay.

Hmm...

[roars]

It's just a hologram.

No, it's not!

[grunts]

[roars]

[Arin grunts]

[both grunt]

[Rapton grunts]

[Arin screams]

Is this thing indestructible?

Not fair, buddy. Not fair!

What even is it?

It's a Photac.

A digitally generated, weaponized techno-beast,

comprised of hard light.

How do you know that?

Because when I lived in Imperium, I invented it.

♪ Lost in the unknown So much to see ♪

♪ Together we will rise! ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ We fight ♪

♪ Be a ninja for what's right ♪

[beeps]

[uplifting music]

I call it the Photac!

[Sora] This is just the prototype.

-When I'm done... -Ana.

This is already far more advanced

than any of the other science fair projects.

Is this some kind of a...

A hard light?

Uh, how did you do this?

I just kinda threw it together, sensing what would work.

And I've stayed up til midnight the last eight weeks

researching and refining my designs until I got it just right!

Wanna see my plans for V?

As intriguing as this is,

we mustn't deviate from the mandated curriculum,

as dictated by the decree of the Empress Beatrix.

[in unison] All hail the Good Empress!

[man] ...keeping your family secure and productive,

nothing compares to the Dragon Energy of Imperium.

Clean, safe, powerful, and infinite!

All thanks to the Good Empress.

Do you think Mr. Koenig would let me stay behind

and keep working on my Photac Device?

Um, this is our allocated recreation hour.

We have to go... recreate.

Of course, of course!

I'm just excited about getting back to my work is all,

but love allotted recreation hour.

Me, too.

We are so fortunate it's been allotted by the Empress.

I know everyone loves the Empress, but without your inventions,

Imperium would be nothing, Dr. LaRow.

Clean energy? Carbonless transportation?

Anti-Gravity Hover Vehicles?

Poof! [chuckles]

And someday, I swear,

I'm gonna come work for you at the Advanced Systems Lab.

Like I promised,

my Photac Version takes it to the next level.

You thought a light show was cool?

[students gasping]

[student] So cute!

[Sora] How about a hard light animal?

And a fish is only the beginning.

Ever wanted your own puppy?

Aw, look at the puppy.

[Sora] The Photac Animal is cuddly, doesn't require food,

and is hypoallergenic.

And the best part,

the hard light never deteriorates.

In fact, the hard light is totally indestructible,

so it can't be hurt, or die.

It's the perfect companion for anyone that might...

be lonely.

There's no limit to the beauty the Photac can create.

Congratulations, Ana!

Your plans are hard to follow, but the results? Astonishing.

Your indestructible hard light technology

is more than deserving of this.

-Whoo-hoo! -All right!

[cheering]

[roaring]

[growls]

We can fight it if we stick together! Come on!

[roars]

No!

Let's go!

Wow, that Photac is incredible!

Great. What do we do now?

I don't know about "we," but I know what I've gotta do.

I created that thing,

I have to be the one to destroy it.

But how...

I have to go back to Imperium.

[camera shutter clicks]

We are quite proud of you, Ana.

I know we don't say that much.

Or ever.

But we see now that your passion for your studies

was all in service of Imperium.

All hail the Good Empress!

Sure, so, I really am hoping to help the people of Imperium.

-The way Dr. LaRow-- -[Dr. LaRow] Pardon me.

My name is Dr. LaRow

of the Advanced Systems Lab.

Oh, we, uh... [chuckles]

...know who you are, of course.

And you must be Ana.

You know my name.

I have been hearing about some of your designs.

They appear to be quite...

How shall I say?

Unconventional.

Unconventional?

Perhaps you can forgive her. She's just a child.

She didn't know what she was doing.

Oh, but I think she did.

I think you know quite well.

And I must say, I am very impressed.

[all sigh]

I want you to come to the Advanced Systems Lab.

You want me to tour your lab?

[Dr. LaRow] No.

I want you to work in my lab.

-Sora, I can't let you go... -Excuse me?

...alone.

We're a team.

Ever since the Merge, it's been you and me.

-[Riyu squeaks] -And Riyu.

We stick together.

We're coming to Imperium with you.

I do not feel good about this.

You're both still training.

And who knows who you're gonna run into in Imperium.

We can do this, Lloyd.

You punched yourself in the face this morning.

-[laughs] -Uh...

You saw that?

But we've come so far in our training!

And remember what you told us Master Wu always said?

Uh, "Stop playing video games and go clean your room"?

"Ninja sharpens Ninja."

We're stronger when we work together.

Uh...

Oh, you just got Master Wu'd! Hard.

Point taken, Arin.

You can go, but I'm coming with you.

Nice! Group trip! Packing my bags.

No, we need you to protect the Monastery and Ninjago.

What if there are more Mergequakes?

Fine. You go have all the fun.

So we're going?

Against my better judgment,

we're going.

Yeah! Go we to be... Ow!

Huh, perhaps try the new mass-printed circuit boards.

All hail the Good Empress.

[gasps] A dragon!

A real dragon!

I can't believe you have one here in the lab!

This place is...

[chuckles] It's magical.

Oops, sorry.

Let me deactivate the protective force field.

This dragon has long since accepted its role in our lab.

It won't be dangerous.

[grunts]

[dragon growls]

[chuckles] Aw.

You sweet thing.

What's her name?

Subject -stroke-a.

But some of the lab techs have taken to calling her

"Sora."

"Sora"?

The ancient Imperium word for "orphan"?

Did something happen to your family, Sora?

[Dr. LaRow clears throat] Please step back.

[whirs]

Ana, I must say that I see a great deal of potential

in your digital pet device.

And in you.

You remind me a bit of myself at your age.

-I do? -With my guidance,

I think we could take your simple Photac and make it much more powerful.

Why...

Why would you need to make it more powerful?

Child, the Photac could be so much more

than a mere pet.

May I?

[purrs]

What are you doing?

Demonstrating the possibilities.

[dragon roars]

What? No!

[Sora] No, stop!

Wait.

You're hurting her!

[growls]

[Sora grunts]

Really now, Ana.

Surely a girl as smart as you

understands where Imperium's energy comes from.

Our dragons power our homes. Our schools.

Sure, everyone knows that.

But our whole lives, we were always told our energy is safe!

It is safe.

For us.

Now, imagine what we could do with an army of these.

For Imperium to remain the glorious kingdom it is,

we need power.

The power only dragons can provide.

What are you saying?

An indestructible Photac army

could hunt down every dragon in existence.

It would provide Imperium with a never-ending

source of energy.

Our glory would be unparalleled.

But that's not what I--

This is why I've brought you here, Ana.

This is exactly what the good Empress Beatrix

created the Advanced Science Lab for!

I don't want any part of this!

You're as much of a monster as that...

That thing!

Mom, Dad, I need your help!

I can't go back to Dr. LaRow's lab.

Dr. LaRow just called.

We are very disappointed in you, Ana.

You have a chance to help the Empress Beatrix.

To help Imperium!

They're torturing dragons!

Dragons are just mindless beasts, Ana.

A resource.

If you had seen the dragon suffering,

you'd know how wrong this is!

Are you really going to put some creature

above your own family?

I...

[Sora's dad] We are ashamed to call you our daughter.

[gasps] My workbench!

If you won't use your scientific studies

to support Imperium...

And all that we stand for...

Then you'll just have to find a new interest.

I believed in you!

I thought you were making Imperium a better place!

For every living thing!

[screeching]

So, we can't just walk into Imperium.

Why not?

It's how we go to most places.

I'm guessing we're wanted criminals there.

I once knew someone who was arrested for singing off-key,

so, I think actively fighting the Claw Hunters

puts us on their "Do Not Enter" list.

It's a highly secure kingdom.

There are guards at every checkpoint,

making sure only the right people are allowed in.

[squawks]

[whimpers]

But who's checking what comes out of Imperium?

-Huh? -Waste. Garbage.

There's gotta be a sewage system that they aren't checking.

That's brilliant, Arin!

I guarantee the sewers won't have any security.

-[alarm wailing] -I was wrong!

Shh. Like I was hoping,

this tunnel led right into the Security Station.

I'll hack into the system, make us ID cards,

gain access to the Advanced Systems Lab,

and boom! Destroy the Photac.

Come on!

[beeping]

Someone's coming. Hurry. I need your fake names for the IDs.

Fake names? Um...

Doctor... Uh...

Lampshade Floortile!

Your undercover name is Dr. Lampshade Floortile?

Yeah.

Call me Doyll Donmagar.

That's with two "L"s?

Obviously.

"Sora"? You used your real name?

Uh, we gotta go!

Hurry up and put these on.

We need to look like real Imperian citizens.

You are a real Imperian.

We need to fit in.

That's all people in Imperium care about.

Absolutely. Stealth is key.

It was in the locker,

so I imagine the Empress approved it?

Ugh! She never had good taste.

Riyu, maybe we should just keep you hidden in here.

[grunting]

Perfect.

Okay, Lampshade. That looks totally normal.

[sighs] Guess we're ready. Come on.

[whistling]

Halt!

What seems to be the problem, officer?

Gonna need to see your ID badges.

Oh, yeah. Yep. You're free to go, Mr. Floortile.

[clears throat] That's Doctor Floortile.

Uh, you too, Mr. Donmigar.

And... Sora?

Weird name.

But okay. All hail the Good Empress!

Yeah, all hail!

-Stop! -[gasps]

[all grunt]

You really thought you could get away with it, didn't you?

I didn't...

Not wearing shoulder pads on a Tuesday?

[sighs] The Empress has declared

shoulder pads are a must-have accessory

for all citizens on weekdays!

And this is not the weekend.

Um, that's new.

And weird.

Well, I have no choice but to take you to...

the Public Shaming Platform.

Ugh, what are you carrying in here, gold bricks?

[grunts]

It weighs a ton.

[sighs]

What's a Public Shaming Platform?

Only the worst form of punishment in Imperium.

Anyone who commits any Anti-Empress sentiment

is publicly shamed in a livestream video feed.

Huh. Doesn't sound so bad.

I've put up with Kai's mocking for years.

You don't understand.

The livestream is broadcast to everyone in Imperium.

Our faces are gonna be on gigantic screens throughout the city!

The Claw Hunters, that weird tiger guy, my parents.

Everyone will see us. We're toast!

Oh.

What are we gonna do?

I don't know. You're the doctor.

We need some kind of distraction.

[grunts]

A dragon? I need backup!

[soldier] Get him!

We'll keep him safe.

Now's your chance. Go get the Photac!

[action music]

[Sora grunts]

[grunts]

Oh, okay, so it's not just me.

Arin? Riyu?

Watch out! The new prisoner is dangerous!

Prisoner?

Kai?

Kai, you were supposed to stay at the Monastery.

You never listen!

[gasps] You're not Kai.

[screams]

I wish I was anywhere but here.

[rumbles]

[grunts]

What is that place?

I know you wish I was a dutiful Imperian, Mom and Dad.

But I'll never be the daughter you want me to be.

That Empress Beatrix wants me to be.

Got you!

Now to shut you down permanently.

[Dr. LaRow] Ana. Welcome home.

We've been expecting you.

[closing theme music playing]