The Dragon Hunters are a society led by Heavy Metal. They inhabit the first realm and used to hunt the Dragons to exploit their Elemental Powers with the use of Vengestone weaponry. Though they're a malevolent group, the hunters also oppose the ancient Oni, and kill anyone suspected of being one. After the original Ninja are sent to the first realm, the Dragon Hunters find and capture them, eventually discovering that they're Elemental Masters. During this time, they continue their purpose of hunting Dragons. They adapted to living on the harsh plains of the Realm of Oni and Dragons, having lost limbs replaced by machines. After learning Iron Baron lied to them and deceived them with stories about the Oni, they planned to revolt against him. After his defeat at the hands of Firstbourne, Faith became their leader, they no longer hunt the dragons, and they are now allies of the Ninja.
Background
As time passed in the Realm of Oni and Dragons, a tribe developed into a civilization, Iron Baron becoming their leader. He was able to achieve this title by fabricating a story in which he and a few others ventured into Oni Land and only he made it out alive. The others of his kind began to fear these Oni and Iron Baron appeared as someone who would care for and protect them, unaware that Oni had long been gone from the Realm.
From this, the tribe's culture became centered around the hunting and exploitation of Dragons, the other dominant race of the Realm, whether this be for food, work, or entertainment. The greatest use for the beasts became using their Elemental Powers to lure in other Dragons. Having learned of the First Spinjitzu Master who was born of both Oni and Dragon and thus had a bond with Firstbourne, the mother of all Dragons (a story all children born in the Realm are told), Iron Baron viewed the hybrid as a coward for fleeing the Realm after failing to unite its races, and seeked to attract Firstbourne so he could wear the Dragon Armor in her nest and "control her to protect his fellow hunters from the Oni."
The best of the Hunters was a woman named Faith, a persistent believer in the First Spinjitzu Master (or someone of his lineage)'s return to wear the Dragon Armor and help the hunters escape. Despite her skill, Iron Baron forces her to wear a mask to hide her gender. She also had to go under the name of Heavy Metal. Under this alias, she managed to cleave off a bone of the Dragon mother, carving the Dragonbone Blade, a sword which could attract Elemental Powers. Iron Baron also ended up getting caught up in an encounter with Firstbourne, losing an arm, a leg, and his dignity.
History
Firstbourne
They captured Jay, Kai, and Zane after locating the Bounty.
Iron & Stone
They interrogate the three kidnapped Ninja, and assuming they're Oni, have them taken to the pit. When the Ninja defeat Slab and reveal themselves to be Elemental Masters, Baron orders the Dragon Hunters to slide down ropes to capture them.
Radio Free Ninjago
They use the three to attract a Wind Dragon.
How to Build a Dragon
As they prepared to cook the dragon, the Ninja have plotted an escape and thanks to Wu and the Firstbourne, they were able to free the Dragons.
Two Lies, One Truth
The Dragon Hunters found Daddy No Legs and Muzzle chained in middle of desert. They chase the Ninja and Heavy Metal via Destiny's Wing and end up crashing.
The Weakest Link
The Dragon Hunters follow the Ninja to Oni land and start chasing them through the realm and catching Faith after the Ninja took half the Dieselnaut.
Baron soon told the hunters to forget Faith and prioritize in claiming Wu, who he discovered was the son of First Spinjitzu Master.
Saving Faith
The Dragon Hunters buried Faith and themselves underground to capture the Ninja. Faith started telling them the truth about Iron Baron leading them to believe it.
After a while, Wu frees himself and start fighting the Hunters. Wu went with Iron Baron, leaving the Hunters guarding the Ninja.
Lessons for a Master
The Dragon Hunters come to a mutual decision that Iron Baron does not care about them, and only cares about himself. Jet Jack releases the Ninja and Faith, and they agree to take the Dragon Hunters to stop Iron Baron from getting the Dragon Armor. Hope seems lost when they get to the destroyed bridge, but they instantly rejoice when Wu and the Firstbourne emerge from the nest. Before Wu and the Ninja leave for Ninjago, Faith is elected as their new leader, with Jet Jack as second in command. They then watch as Wu and the Ninja travel through the portal on their dragons, and when questioned where they are going, Faith says they're going to Ninjago.
The Darkness Comes
Faith and Firstbourne arrive in Ninjago where a wounded Faith tells Wu that everyone in the First Realm were turned to stone.
Known Captured Dragons
- Ultra Dragon - Sometime after the events of "Season 2," it was captured and killed by the Dragon Hunters, who built a throne for Iron Baron out of its skeletal remains.
- Slab - An Earth Dragon. It was used to fight other Dragons or people in The Pit. It was Cole's pet in "Lessons for a Master."
- Fire Dragon - Its fire was used to make weapons for the Dragon Hunters.
- Wind Dragon - It was captured in "Radio Free Ninjago" in a Dragon Hunt.
- Ice Dragon - It was captured in "The Gilded Path" and hit a Hunter Speeder, and was not taken back to the Dead's End because it was destroyed in "How to Build a Dragon."
There are more unknown Dragons they captured that they ate or they escaped.
Known Members
- Iron Baron - He is the former leader of the Dragon Hunters, he is currently trapped in Molten Rock by Firstbourne and the Hunters turned good.
- Heavy Metal - She is currently the leader of the Dragon Hunters because Iron Baron is trapped in Molten Rock, she convinced the Hunters to turn good. She is the former Second in Command.
- Jet Jack - She is currently the second in command. She has a mohawk and a very fast jet pack.
- Daddy No Legs - He has a "Spider No-Legs Mech" because he lost his legs. He also usually hangs out with Muzzle and understands his "Hpmh" words.
- Muzzle
- Skullbreaker
- Chew Toy
- Arkade
- Stalwart Dangerbuff
- Talon (non-canon, member from the upcoming issue 41 of the Ninjago Magazine)
- Nitro (non-canon, member from the upcoming issue 44 of the Ninjago Magazine)
- "Rocky Dangerbuff" (formerly)
- "Dangerbuff Jr." (formerly)
- Various unnamed Dragon Hunters
Trivia
- All known Dragon Hunters have a Russian accent.
- Dragon Hunters used to hunt Dragons with the intent of exploiting their Elemental Powers, and eating them for food.
- Creating an Elemental reaction lures in wild Dragons.
- It is unknown if there are other hunter tribes in the realm, though there was said to be a Dangerbuff tribe.
- The Dragon Hunters used to fear Oni, and they used to seek the elusive Firstbourne, who kept the Dragon Armor in her nest, to protect them from the Oni.
- They also used to eat many of the captured Dragons, explaining what they eat in the realm.
- They may have also eaten the Ultra Dragon before using his bones as a throne for Iron Baron.
- They might also use the the Dragons' Elemental Powers for protection from Oni or other rival clans.
- They have a full society, with young children present as well.
- It is unknown how they came into existence or even got into the First Realm as the Realm was inhabited by the Oni and Dragons.
- Faith was always on the good side but merely faked being evil until the First Spinjitzu Master or his son would arrive to complete the prophecy. She later convinced her fellow hunters to become good.
- The Dragon Hunters are the first villainous group to never capture Nya and Lloyd, due to her never meeting them, thus it would make Nya the first female character in the whole series to be blindfolded (captured or not).
- The Dragon Hunters are the first villainous group to blindfold anyone they capture.
- Tommy Andreasen has said that now they do not capture Dragons they may call themselves the First People or the Dragon Keepers.[1]
Gallery
