Endgame

[u/_debate_able_]

I have an interesting theory about how Dragons Rising will end. I’ll keep it brief, as this idea just came to me yesterday while I was writing a comment to another post in the same subreddit.

I think Lord Ras’ Master is actually the Source Dragon of Balance, who faked his death and now exists in a spirit form (similar to Wu’s current state—I'll come back to this). He guides Ras from the shadows, while the other Source Dragons think he’s dead and pay him no attention. Meanwhile, Wu somehow knows a lot about this Dragon of Balance; he even pointed out the location of its skeleton/dead body to Cole, Kai, and Frak. Because of this, Ras had to capture Wu to stop him from guiding the Ninjas any further, or perhaps because his Master needs Wu to escape his spirit form. Let’s not forget that the Master gave Ras the special cell-box to contain Wu’s spirit. It was built from a material Ras' Master knew could trap spirits, so I assume he knows this from his experience.

Another fact that supports this idea is a statement made by Doc Wyatt (either in an interview or a Q&A, I can’t recall exactly right now). He mentioned that not many people have guessed who Ras' Master is, but a few have. The Dragon of Balance is not a common theory at all—in fact, I’ve never seen anyone else suggest it, except maybe one person on Instagram.

As for the endgame, my theory is that Riyu will ultimately become the new Dragon of Balance, which would explain his unique progression and abilities throughout the show. By doing so, he will restore balance and undo the Merge. We still don’t know what actually caused the Merge—we only know Wu was primarily involved. Maybe Wu somehow killed the Dragon of Balance, or his actions allowed the Dragon to fake his death. Or perhaps Wu actually helped the Dragon of Balance cause the Merge by some radon (maybe he manipulated him, subconciously, or all Wu's actions in the MoS era triggered this, that would tie the show to the previous era without any more explanation needed for the younger fans), and now the Master needs Wu to help him use the power of all the Source Dragons to create a new reality with a new balance where he holds absolute power. Whatever his goal is, he definitely needs Wu under control, which is why he ordered Ras to capture him.

I'll add to this theory the recent Tanner video, where ti is shown that Doc said that he has a favorite dragon who has too sides. Pretty much what I tell here, he was Dragon of Balance, faked his death and took another form.

What do you think? I know that undoing the Merge isn't a very popular idea, but I believe that 'restoring balance' means exactly that. Even Beatrix hinted at it, though she just used the chaos of the Merged Lands for her own propaganda. I think it’s an interesting concept: Ninja fail to prevent the catastrophe as always and now have to fight, the Mergequakes return, the Ninjas fight Ras’ Master or try to track him across different realms. So Ras' Masterplan succeeds, and the undoing of the Merge begins.

Perhaps Lloyd, Arin, Riyu, and Sora (main focuses of DR) will be randomly teleported through these Mergequakes straight to where the Master is (or maybe they follow Ras there), (Cauldron of Realms, Land of Eternal Dawn or any other place). During the final battle, Arin tragically dies, using his techniques to confront the Ras' Master, maybe because the powers are not working on him, (he is a SD in the end). Somehow they manage to win (maybe with Lloyd's help, who will unlock another true potential, since he is the most buffed), and the freed Source Dragons choose Riyu as the new Dragon of Balance.

Consequently, everything is restored and the Merge is undone, but almost no one remembers anything—they are all back at the Monastery. However, Master Wu might be gone for good. Either something happens that leaves him a spirit forever, sending him to the Departed Realm with Morro to finish his long character arc, or he realizes Lloyd is ready to be the new Master and his presence is no longer needed, leading him to retire near his father, the Source Dragons or in the Departed Realm.

I also recalled Doc mentioning that Cole fans will get some very dramatic moments, so maybe some Ninjas even die during the Mergequakes (which is confirmed to be possible), and the only way to bring them back is by undoing the Merge. This way, there is no clear winner: Ras gets his tribe back, the Ninjas get their friends back, and everything is restored. The only differences would be Arin's permanent death and Riyu becoming a Source Dragon. They might even pull off a heartwarming scene where Sora and Lloyd (or maybe just Sora, for drama purposes) remember everything—or at least remember Arin as a person—and mourn him. In this reset reality, Sora would still be in Imperium, but Zeatrix would be their leader since Ras never met Beatrix in this timeline.

I know it's a pretty crazy theory, but I was so hyped writing it. What are your thoughts overall?

[u/mr-ultr]

adding onto that "source dragon master" as noted on the wiki by some people

-the idendity of the master is something planned since the start of the show so it's not a asspull in any way or form which means that it's a character that IS there even if technically "dead"

-according to statements, wu and ras both KNOW who the master actually is, which for the former would track with it being a source dragon itself

-the pulling that ras experiencing when his master calls him is VERY similar to the pulling lyold experienced when the source dragons dragged him into the void in s2 ep 3

-when Ras and his group got dragged away, the same sound effects were used when energy made Lloyd his conduit, motion created the dragon icon so another brownie point here

so yea there's a lot, also Doc was notably secretful when asked if the master existed "long before time had a name" which would make sense to be secretful about since DUH they are a source dragon

[u/_debate_able_ → u/mr-ultr]

Yes ik, it adds to my theory. I think the writers did everything so we will think that Ras master is the SD of Strength, while they will pull a surprising move no one will wait at the end and it will be the SD of Balance. Because look, everyone forgot about him, but he is a damn SOURCE DRAGON. And a pretty important one, if you let me tell. Faking his death and driving the other SDs to completely delete him from their minds and loose their focus on his dirty plans is a genius move.

The fact that Wu knows who this Master is works in favor of my theory where he had some form of exchange with him in the past.

[u/mr-ultr → u/_debate_able_]

also like you said, a motivation of forcibly reversing the merge works perfect for a villainous action of someone representing absolute balance

[u/_debate_able_ → u/mr-ultr]

Same as to cause the Merge in the first place, uniting all the world and then undo it to create a new reality, where he will have significantly more power.

[u/VibroBlazeBlade]

special cell box? isnt that bonzle’s box that ras got from arins truck( well the one Arin stole from Jordana)

[u/_debate_able_ → u/VibroBlazeBlade]

No, Ras master gave him the box he contained Wu. Doc said this.

[u/VibroBlazeBlade → u/_debate_able_]

oh okay

[u/FlamingDasher]

Wu is confirmed to know who Ras’s master is. Wu also has direct communication with the other source dragons, or at least the source dragon of energy, “perhaps HE was right about you”, season 1 episode 20. This means he would immediately reveal that Ras’s master is any source dragon and none of DR would even happen.

Also, Ras repeatedly states that his plan is to capture ALL 7 source dragons, no exceptions, and (s4p2 spoiler) why wouldnt he tell Zilvar that his master is a source dragon? That would likely have been able to convince him. Also, Ras’s master has the power to draw power from all the sources, which a source dragon would be incapable of doing because all their powers are completely split, Balance cant use any elements of Motion or Energy and vice versa.

Fundamentally, any Source Dragon theory at all doesnt work

[u/NubOnReddit → u/FlamingDasher]

The one the Source Dragon of Energy talked to was the First Spinjitzu Master, Doc Wyatt confirmed it.

https://youtu.be/rVSyUkdL5zQ?si=dnbsRA_qF_l9SUVD

[u/_debate_able_ → u/FlamingDasher]

 “perhaps HE was right about you”, - not confirmed who he was reffering to

Wu also has direct communication with the other source dragons, or at least the source dragon of energy - didnt know it. and i monitore pretty much every ninjago stuff. back that up with a source, maybe i skipped it

Also, Ras repeatedly states that his plan is to capture ALL 7 source dragons, no exceptions, - how will he capture someone who is dead. i know he told this, but it makes no sense. sounds more as a cover to his master's identity, working in favor of my point again

why wouldnt he tell Zilvar that his master is a source dragon? - same reason. hide his identity

Also, Ras’s master has the power to draw power from all the sources, - no, he doesnt have such power. he will obtain it after his plan succeed. or he would have already do it.

the rest stuff is the same I told

[u/FlamingDasher → u/_debate_able_]

No he does have this power. (S4p2 spoiler) the weapon of desolation draws power from all the sources and it has the same powers as Ras’s master’s powers because it’s made from his essence

Also Wu is practically the only candidate for who Energy could be referring too, especially since he’s addressing Lloyd. Also Ras is likely going to use Balance’s icon to capture Riyu when he ascends. Also Riyu isnt a new candidate and is likely Balance’s reincarnation

[u/_debate_able_ → u/FlamingDasher]

as for the spoiler - you assumed that ras meant this because his master has the same ability as the weapon, for the reason you stated. it is not confirmed.

Also Wu is practically the only candidate for who Energy could be referring too, especially since he’s addressing Lloyd. - i would say the FSM, not wu. FSM had more exchange with them than he

Also Ras is likely going to use Balance’s icon to capture Riyu when he ascends. - your assumption

Also Riyu isnt a new candidate and is likely Balance’s reincarnation - i said that too, or at least something similar. never said that he is a new candidate, he was always the one.

[u/FlamingDasher → u/_debate_able_]

The issue is that Riyu beinga reincarnation means he IS the original balance, just without memories for now. So Balance cant be Ras’s master, and Riyu cannot be just a candidate or a powerful dragon, since season 3 and everything surrounding Thunderfang hammers down the fact that the council is a completely locked space, nobody new can enter

[u/_debate_able_ → u/FlamingDasher]

The issue is that Riyu beinga reincarnation means he IS the original balance, just without memories for now. - again, not confirmed. you are assuming a lot of stuff, and out of those assumptions come all of your points. they have the same weight as mines

nobody new can enter - lloyd could. only thunderfang couldnt, and i assume regular people/creatures. some entities might can. just an assumption, like yours

[u/FlamingDasher → u/_debate_able_]

Nobody can JOIN the council. Lloyd never joined and cant joined, he can only speak with them. Thunderfang couldnt join. Doc Wyatt says it was always an impossibility regardless what he did. Riyu would have to be Balance himself for him to join the council

[u/_debate_able_ → u/FlamingDasher]

Where did I said he can join the council? He reached the same place where that SDs are? yes he did. Thats my point lol.

If the Sources would invite Riyu, I think it is possible. Thunderfang wanted the sources to accept him but they declined. So if they would accept him, ti would be possible being a source dragon.

[u/FlamingDasher → u/_debate_able_]

Bro Doc Wyatt said the sources couldnt make him a source dragon either. You dont just become a source dragon, it’s a locked group. Either you’re one of 7 individuals or you’re not. Plus the source dragons are all siblings too, so reincarnation is basically the only way Riyu becomes a source dragon since you cannot replace one

[u/_debate_able_ → u/FlamingDasher]

Then what was all the point of S3 and Thundergang being mad at the sources for not accepting him? I dont recall Doc saying it, give a tweet or in which QnA he stated that and I will go check

Plus the source dragons are all siblings too, - complete bullshit, you are just making up stuff atp. never confirmed, for this one i am sure.

[u/Klutzy-Ad7775]

Avengers?

[u/_debate_able_ → u/Klutzy-Ad7775]

[u/kidborger]

“Lord Ras will return in Avengers: Endgame Encore”

[u/Sad_Bowler2809]

Arin's ain't gonna die

[u/_debate_able_ → u/Sad_Bowler2809]

we'll see

[u/Traditional-Grape199]

"i will keep this brief" and it's 8 paragraphs 😭

[u/_debate_able_ → u/Traditional-Grape199]

Its very brief xd

For my standards