Dark Ronin are ancient suits of armor which have been animated by the Maelstrom. Long ago, brave warriors faced the forces of evil on Mantis Rock. They have since presumably passed away, but their armor was placed on ronin statues to populate Forbidden Valley in memory of the brave warriors. However, the Darkitect came to Forbidden Valley and used his Maelstrom powers to bring the suits of armor to life as Dark Ronin. The Dark Ronin whispered to the Darkitect, telling him how to enter the dreams of sleeping Ninjas, ultimately leading to the creation of the Maelstrom Dragons.