As the two Lions blast towards Arus, entering its atmosphere, the team huddles closer together from the intense turbulence.
Keith: Hold on!
The team grabbed onto each other as they reached the sky of the planet.
As everyone sighed, Lance noticed something.
Lance: Guys, there's a Castle up ahead.
Everyone's amazed as the Lions approach the Castle of Lions and the latent Castleship reactivates. The Lion lands in the courtyard.
Allura: The Castle of Lions, home to Voltron!
After the team exits the Lions, it stands up, startling everyone.
Hunk: What's going on?
Allura: They're helping us open the gate.
The Lions roared, opening the Castleship's doors.
Allura: See?
The eerie silence bemuses the team as they entered the vestibule.
Katie: From the size of the Lions, I expected these steps to be bigger.
A beam of light appears as the vestibule activates. Everyone gasps.
Computer: Hold for identity scan.
Katie: What?
Allura: The system is identifying your alien heritage.
Just then, crystal torches light up the path.
Lance Katie: Whoa!
They followed the path where the torches lit up until they turned left.
Katie: I guess we're going that way.
As the team goes forward, more crystal torches ignite to lead them deeper inside.
The team arrives at the Sleep Chamber of the Castleship.
Hunk: Woah.
Lance: Where are we?
Allura: It's the Sleeping Chamber. It serves and functions as the healing room.
One of the sleep pods opens, revealing Coran.
He gasps at the sight of Allura.
Different from what he wore before, he's now wearing an outfit that resembles a space pirate.
Allura tears up when seeing her advisor for the first time in deca-phoebs.
Allura: Coran?
Coran: Allura!
He jumps out of the pod and embraces the princess.
Coran: Oh, it's an honor to see you again, Princess.
Allura: So do I. It's been 6,000 deca-phoebs.
Coran's eyes widened.
Coran: 6,000 deca-phoebs? That's way too long.
Allura: I know. Also, I would like to introduce you to them.
Coran looks up to see the humans and a pair of alien hybrids with the lions hanging on their respective paladins.
Coran: Hello, my name is Coran Hieronymus Wimbleton Smythe. I am Allura's trusted Advisor.
Colleen chuckled.
Colleen: It's nice to meet you, Coran.
After they were introduced, the Castleship alarms blare and a Galra warship appears on-screen.
Coran: A Galra battleship has set its tracker to us!
Allura: How did they find us?!
Keith: We're not sure.
Hunk: Yeah. I mean, we just escaped from the wormhole!
Lance: True.
Coran: At their speed? Oh, well, uh, carry the two... I'd say probably a couple of movements.
Allura: Good. Let them come! By the time they get here, you five will have reformed Voltron, and together, we will destroy Zarkon's empire!
Shiro: Princess, there are five of these Lions, and we only have two. How are we going to find the rest?
In the Castleship's Bridge with a Crystal above, Allura stands in the center.
Coran: King Alfor connected the Lions to Allura's life force. She alone is the key to the Lions' whereabouts.
Allura activates the computer, opening up a map of the entire universe.
ALL: Whoa!
Katie: These are... coordinates. The Black Lion looks like it's in the same location as the Red and Blue Lions.
Coran: Look at your primitive synapses firing away in their little brain cage!
Allura: Very observant. That's because the Black Lion is in the Castle.
Coran: I didn't know the Black Lion is locked in the Castle. Neither Alfor did. It can only be freed if the other four Lions are present.
Allura: As you have found, the Lions choose their pilots. It is a mystical bond and cannot be forced. The Quintessence of the pilot is mirrored in his Lion. Together, they form something greater than science can explain.
Allura sends the Black Lion hologram toward Shiro.
Allura: The Black Lion is the decisive head of Voltron. It will take a pilot who is a born leader and in control at all times, someone whose men will follow without hesitation. That is why, Shiro, you will pilot the Black Lion.
Allura moves the Green Lion's hologram toward Katie.
Allura: The Green Lion has an inquisitive personality and needs a pilot of intellect and daring. Katie, you will pilot the Green Lion.
Allura sends Azul's hologram toward Lance.
Allura: The Blue Lion is the friendliest of the Lions. She is loyal and she is the most accepting of new pilots. Lance already has Azul as he pilots her.
Coran: Wait. Allura, you're calling the Blue Lion "She"?
Allura: I did, Coran. That is because the Lions have genders and they wanted to be named by new paladins. So, we will call her Azul for now.
Coran: Fine.
Allura: The Yellow Lion is caring and kind.
Allura sends the hologram Yellow Lion toward Hunk.
Allura: Its pilot puts the needs of others above her own. Her heart must be mighty. As the leg of Voltron, you will lift the team and hold them together.
Hunk points to himself in question.
Allura then drags Ash's hologram toward Keith.
Allura: The Red Lion is temperamental and the most difficult to master. It's faster and more agile than the others, but also more unstable. Its pilot needs to be someone who relies more on instincts than skill alone. Keith, you will fly Ash.
Keith smirks accepting the offer.
The hologram Lions roar and charge together, forming Voltron.
Allura: Once all the Lions are united, you will form Voltron, the most powerful warrior ever known, the Defender of the Universe.
Everyone is amazed by that.
Matt: Not bad.
Katie: Oh...
Shiro: Alright, I guess it's time to make a plan.
Kevin: Yeah, it's a great idea.
Shiro: So, here's what we could do. Katie, Keith, and I will go after the Green Lion. Lance, you take Hunk and get the yellow one.
Sam: Kevin and I will come with Lance and Hunk for it.
Matt: I'll come too!
Colleen: Matt, I need you to stay with me for a bit.
Matt pouted.
Allura: In the meantime, I'll get this Castle's defenses ready. They'll be sorely needed.
Coran: I'll load in the coordinates to the lions so that you can reach the others.
The two teams take off, Lance with Hunk, Sam, and Kevin in Azul, and Shiro, Keith, and Katie in Ash; Allura readies herself to open a Wormhole with the Castleship's power.
Coran: We can only keep the Wormholes that lead to the other Lions open for two of your Earth hours, so you'll have to be quick about your work. The good news is that according to my readings, both planets are relatively peaceful. So, if you do get stuck, they could be relaxing places to live out the rest of your lives. Enjoy the trip!
Shiro, Keith, and Katie arrive at the densely-forested Green Planet and explore it using an Altean compass.
Katie: Look!
Katie points towards a canoe with a lion carved as its bowsprit.
A sloth-like alien suddenly appears beside them and startles them; the three yell.
Katie: It's just a... whatever... that thing is.
The sloth-like alien recognizes the Voltron symbol on Katie's compass and gestures for them to come.
Katie: I... I think he wants us to get in his canoe.
Shiro: Then I guess we should go.
Keith: Huh?
Shiro: This is nothing.
The three peacefully ride the canoe as the sloth-like alien paddles them toward the Green Lion, squeaks are heard from the inhabitants of the forest.
Katie: I wonder if Hunk, Lance, Kevin, and Dad are having as good a time as us.
Meanwhile, Lance, Hunk, Sam, and Kevin arrive at the Balmera.
Lance: Wow. That sure is a big planet.
Kevin: It's not a planet, Lance. From what Keith told me, Balmera is an ancient animal. Petrified, but still alive. Their bodies naturally create crystals that help power many Altean ships. I hope we can find the Yellow Lion soon.
Sam agreed.
Azul lands on the surface scaring everyone from the surface a bit.
Lance: We come in peace.
They exit her as a Balmeran approach them.
Rax: Who are you, and what do you want from us?
Kevin: We're only here for the Yellow lion. And no, we only need the lion to form Voltron.
Just then, another Balmeran walks in next to Rax.
Shay: You're here for the lion.
Hunk nodded.
Shay smiled.
Shay: Follow me.
Suddenly, Rax grabs her wrist to stop.
Rax: Are you sure about this? I don't trust them.
Shay, completely annoyed, pulled away and replied to him.
Shay: I'm sure. Besides, the universe must be saved.
Rax sighs and the humans follow her.
Shiro, Keith, and Katie are still riding along peacefully in the canoe, but Katie begins to have doubts.
Katie: I know the Princess said that this is supposed to be my Lion, but what if she's wrong? I mean, she's probably not wrong. She's a princess, but I'm not a pilot, even though... I've always wanted to be a pilot. But what if I get in there and it doesn't respond? What if I get in there and it's too big and my feet don't touch the pedals? What if there aren't even pedals?!
Keith: Katie, you're rambling.
Shiro sighs.
Shiro: Listen... Your father is the smartest man I ever met, and he always said, 'If you get too worried about what could go wrong, you might miss a chance to do something great.'
Katie smiles fondly.
The canoe stops at a root-covered stone temple and the three approach the steps; the lion carvings glow from Katie's presence.
Shiro: Go. Be great.
Katie grins and runs towards the temple's summit.
Although nothing is found at the top, a growl is heard and light glows beneath Katie.
???: Reach me.
Katie smirks and jumps inside the temple.
The ground rumbles beneath Keith and Shiro, and the Green Lion finally breaks free from its tomb.
The two men smiled at her proudly.
They soon reached the end of the dark tunnel illuminated by crystals.
From there, they saw the Yellow lion sitting in front covered in a barrier.
Shay approaches Hunk and praises him.
Shay: Go save them, Paladin.
Hunk seemed to blush, but he pointed out with a smile.
Hunk: Thank you.
???: Reach me.
What is done is done.
Hunk reached for the lion and the barrier disappears.
Sam and Kevin were proud of it.
Soon, they, alongside Azul, leave the planet and head back to the wormhole and back to Arus.
Later, Lance, Hunk, Sam, and Kevin enter the Bridge where everyone awaits the yellow cat which is now named Stone.
Allura: You made it.
Lance: So, now what?
Coran: All that's left is the Black lion, and we're ready to go.
Suddenly, a video transmission overtakes the Castle's screen, and Sendak appears.
Sendak: Princess Allura, this is Commander Sendak of the Galra Empire. I come on behalf of Emperor Zarkon, Lord of the Known Universe. I am here to confiscate the Lions. Turn them over to me, or I will destroy your planet.
Then, the transmission ends.
Shiro: All right, let's not panic.
Kevin: Shiro's right. We are not gonna sit here and wait for him to come. We need to take action.
Colleen: Princess Allura, these are your Lions. You've dealt with the Galra Empire before. You know what we're facing better than any of us. What do you think is the best course of action?
Allura wasn't sure how to answer.
Allura: I... I-I don't know.
Keith suddenly knew this, so he decided to comfort her.
Keith: Allura, the lions scattered themselves away to keep them out of Alfor and Zarkon's hands. You keep telling your father about something you don't want, but due to the overdose of quintessence, the lions chose to hide away.
Allura seemed to start to calm down.
Allura: I think I understand.
Keith: No, princess, you were right. Anyone can make a terrible mistake, especially the one that cost the universe countless lives. Forming Voltron is the only way to stop the two. You must be willing to sacrifice everything to assemble the Lions and correct the error.
The princess felt that the Galra hybrid is right.
Allura: You're right. I know what I had to do.
As soon as she leaves the room, everyone turns to look at him in amazement.
Keith somehow noticed this and he gets irritated.
Keith: What?!
Lance: How did you comfort her that way?
Keith sighs and explains.
Keith: A friend of mine told me that anyone can be confused or unsure about their decision, so good advice can keep anyone moving forward. If it doesn't work, we'll have to find another way.
Soon, Allura comes back in her space suit and a hair bun, ready to act like a leader.
Allura: You five Paladins were brought here for a reason. The Voltron Lions are meant to be piloted by you and you alone. We must fight and keep fighting until we defeat my father and Zarkon. It is our destiny. Voltron is the universe's only hope. We are the universe's only hope.
Shiro: We're with you, Princess.
Allura brings everyone to the armory holding the Paladin armor.
Allura: Your suits of armor.
Everyone is hyped.
Lance: Cool!
Shiro: Outstanding.
Keith: Nice.
Katie: Oh, neat!
Hunk starts comparing his body with that of his suit, doubting he will fit.
Coran: Princess, are you sure about this? They aren't exactly the best and brightest the universe has to offer.
Colleen: I agree with Coran. I mean, four of them are still kids.
ALLURA: No, but they're all we've got.
SHIRO: Guys, it's time to suit up!
In the end, the new Paladins suit up in their new armor.
Allura then opens a table revealing four sets of Bayards.
Allura: The Bayard is the traditional weapon of the Paladins of Voltron. It takes a distinct shape for each Paladin.
The Paladins receive their Bayards.
Hunk's Bayard becomes an energy Gatling gun, Keith's Bayard becomes a sword that doubles as a knife with a shield, Lance's Bayard becomes a bow with holographic arrows, and Katie's Bayard becomes a staff.
Lance: Aw, you got a cute little Bayard.
Katie swipes her staff under Lance's feet causing him to fall.
Katie: Yeah, it is pretty cute.
She then electrocutes him in the abdomen.
Allura: Shiro, I'm afraid your Bayard was lost with its Paladin.
Shiro: I guess I'll just have to make do.
With the four lions in the den, they activate the door securing the Black lion as Shiro stands before it.
They all roar to show Shiro is the new Black Paladin.
Coran cheers and Allura is relieved.
The Castleship's alarms blare to alert them Sendak's warship is approaching.
Coran: Oh, Quiznak!
Allura: Sendak is entering the Arusian atmosphere. We need Voltron now!
Kevin: You better hurry, guys!
Matt: I'll go fix the castle just in case it's not working.
Sam: I'm with him.
Shiro enters the Black Lion, and all five Lions launch from the Castleship.
Shiro: Listen up, Team Voltron! The only way to succeed is to give it all you've got! This looks bad, but we can do this! Are you with me?
Lance, Hunk, Katie, and Keith all nod silently.
At the warship, Sendak stood in front preparing to order to get the lions.
Sendak: Get the ion cannon ready.
Haxus: Vrepit sa!
While they are preparing to fire, the Paladins go to hijack the engines.
Shiro: Activate your jaw blades!
They activate their jaw blades and go to cut through the metal of the ship causing an explosion.
Keith decided to cut the ion cannon around causing it to detach from the ship and on the forest grounds.
Haxus: Sir, one of the lions cut the cannon off the ship.
Sendak grunts before ordering them.
Sendak: Fire with everything we've got! Voltron shall perish!
Meanwhile back at the Castleship, Sam managed to fix the barrier crystals with his tweezers and the particle barrier is fixed.
Allura: Nice job, Sam.
Sam: Thanks. It's all I can do to fix things.
Kevin: What about me?
Colleen: Kevin, you were a fireman.
Kevin: I know, but still.
Back to the battle, the Lions are caught in the Galra warship's tractor beam and are unable to escape.
Lance: What the-?
Katie: Sendak's ship is sucking us in like a black hole!
Sendak: Send a report to Emperor Zarkon: 'The day is ours.'
Shiro: Oh, no!
Hunk: I-I don't care what you say, Shiro. I'm panicking now!
Hunk starts screaming.
Katie: It can't end here!
Lance: This is it!
Keith: It's been an honor flying with you, guys.
Hunk: Oh, no!
Shiro: No! We can do this. We have to believe in ourselves. We can't give up. We are the universe's only hope. Everyone is relying on us. We can't fail! We won't fail! If we work together, we'll win together!
All: Yeah!
The Paladins are united and the Lions break free to form Voltron, saving the planet from destruction by diverting the blast with a single punch to the cannon.
Sendak: Voltron!
Keith: I can't believe it!
Katie: We formed Voltron!
Hunk: I'm a leg!
Lance: How are we doing this?
Shiro: I don't know, but let's get that ship!
While Voltron destroys the warship, Sendak and Haxus flee.
Afterward, Allura, Coran, Sam, Colleen, Matt, and Kevin meet the exhausted Paladins in front of the Castle of Lions.
Allura: Good work, Paladins!
Shiro: We did it.
Keith: Heck yeah, we did.
Shiro: How did we do it?
Hunk: I was just, like, screaming the whole time. Maybe that did it.
Sam approaches the group.
Sam: Well, I am very proud of your actions. I hope that next time, we'll do something great.
Katie: Thanks, Dad.
Allura: We won the battle, but the war has only just begun. I'm afraid Zarkon will not stop until he gets these Lions.
Coran: Good thing you Paladins know what you're doing because you're going to have to form Voltron again and again.
Hunk: Totally- Wait, what?
Matt: Coran, they barely survived forming Voltron this one time.
Coran: And you only had to fight one ship. Wait until you have to fight a whole fleet of them! It's not going to be easy being the Defenders of the Universe.
The Paladins appear surprised at the title; they look at their Lions.
Shiro: Defenders of the Universe, huh? That's got a nice ring to it.
Suddenly, Keith got tackled by his father.
Kevin: Come here, you squirt!
Keith somehow got embarrassed.
Keith: Dad!
The others soon laugh.
